October 2018
“No one leaves home unless / home is the mouth of a shark / you only run for the border / when you see the whole city / running as well”

Dear Friends,

The lines above, by British Somali poet Warsan Shire, have become a rallying call for refugees and their advocates. I share with you a few more lines from Shire's powerful poem " Home ."
 
you have to understand

that no one puts their children in a boat / unless the water is safer than the land

no one burns their palms / under trains / beneath carriages

no one spends days and nights in the stomach of a truck / feeding on newspaper unless the miles traveled / means something more than journey

no one crawls under fences / no one wants to be beaten / pitied

no one leaves home until home is a sweaty voice in your ear / saying / leave / run away from me now

i don't know what i’ve become / but i know that anywhere / is safer than here

I invite you to EMO’s Collins Summit on November 1, " Human Migration: Claiming Roots in an Uprooted World ." Join a diverse group of refugees, immigrants, advocates and scholars to develop an informed and compassionate approach to human migration both within and across borders.

Blessings,
Jan Musgrove Elfers
EMO President
Double your gift & help us meet the Collins Challenge by December 1
The Collins Foundation has recognized the crucial role Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon plays in our community by awarding us a $70,000 matching grant. To meet the Collins Challenge, we still need to raise $22,000 in new and increased gifts by December 1.
For more than 40 years, EMO has created an essential safety net for the most vulnerable among us: Families in crisis. Low-income people with HIV. Refugees and immigrants. Victims of domestic violence. Homeless high school students. In a time of great division, it is vital that people of faith lead with values that unite us—the inherent dignity of every person and our sacred responsibility to care for one another.

Please consider what you might give to make a positive difference to someone in need. I invite you to donate now .
Upcoming Events
To learn more about upcoming EMO events and faith community events, visit our Event Calendar . If you would like to submit an event for our website, please fill out an Event Form .
2018 Collins Summit:
Human Migration
November 1 @ 1 to 9 p.m. at Concordia University in Portland
Explore the causes, challenges and opportunities of human migration in an increasingly global society. The event will include afternoon workshop sessions followed by an evening lecture by The Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. Learn more and register .
World AIDS Day Fundraiser Lunch
December 5 @ 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Concordia University in Portland
Please join EMO’s HIV Services for our annual fundraiser luncheon. This is an opportunity for us to honor and celebrate those in our community who live with HIV/AIDS, and those who support the work we do at our HIV Day Center and Daily Bread Express. No charge, donations will be gratefully accepted. RSVP and learn more.
Human Rights in the Holy Land – The Rest of the Story: A Palestinian Film Festival
October 5 @ 7 pm, Fifth Avenue Cinema in Tigard. Learn more .

Portland Out of the Darkness Walk ( Walk to Fight Suicide)
October 6 @ 10 am - 12:30 pm, Outdoor Plaza of Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Winning Way, Portland. Learn more .

People of Faith Gather to Support Initiative 26-201 (Portland Clean Energy Fund)
October 11 @ 6 - 8:30 pm, First Unitarian Church 1211 SW Main St., Portland. Learn more .

A Call to Action: Cultivating Peace featuring Arun Gandhi
October 14 @ 2 - 4 pm, Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in Portland. Learn more .

October 14 @ 6 - 8:00 pm, Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave., Portland.
EMO releases ballot measure recommendations
EMO's Fall 2018 Voters' Guide to the Oregon Ballot Measures is now available!
The guide is provided as an educational resource approved by the EMO board of directors, based on recommendations by the Public Policy Advocacy Committee.

Oregon Measures:
Vote Yes on Measure 102: Allows Municipal Bond Revenue to Fund Privately Owned Affordable Housing.
Vote No on Measure 103: Bans Taxation of “Groceries.”
Vote No on Measure 104: Defines “Raising Revenue” for Three-Fifths Vote Requirement.
Vote No on Measure 105: Repeals Sanctuary State Law.
See discussion in the Guide (link below) on Measure 106: Prohibits Public Funding of Abortion.

Portland Metro Area Measures:
Vote Yes on City of Portland 26-201 : Portland Clean Energy Fund.
Vote Yes on Metro 26-199 : Authorizes $653 million in bonds to build affordable housing in Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah Counties.

Events Supporting "No on Measure 105 Campaign"
Measure 105 would throw out a 30-year-old state law passed with near-unanimous Republican and Democratic support. Our “sanctuary” law is based on a profound faith tradition of dignity and fairness. It protects Oregonians from racial profiling and prevents local police personnel, funds, equipment and facilities from being used to pursue and detain people suspected only of violating federal immigration law. Preserving this law means protecting Oregon values and priorities.
Fundraiser for No on 105
October 10 @ 4:30 - 6:30 pm, White Owl Social Club, 1305 SE 8th Ave., Portland.

Celebrate Sanctuary Benefit Concert
October 14 @ 6 - 8 pm, Augustana Lutheran Church 2710 NE 14th Ave., Portland.
Job Opportunities at EMO
Join EMO's talented team making a difference in Oregon! Below are our current open positions. Learn more, including our generous benefits package, on our Employment page.

Legal Assistant ( SOAR Immigration Legal Services ). Provide administrative support for Attorneys and BIA Accredited Representatives, and reception for SOAR Immigration Legal Services Hillsboro office. Position is 32 hours per week with full benefits. Closes Oct. 10. View position description and application instructions .
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
503-221-1054 | emo@emoregon.org | emoregon.org