God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more.
The Rev. Julian Rush
In the Midst of New Dimensions
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The brilliant colors of Autumn are just a memory as the grayness of winter begins to set in. Rain pelts our windows.
And while the chilly winds whip … a fleeting sunray strikes the droplets, its light refracted, and we are graced with an ephemeral rainbow or an evanescent ice halo round the sun, hours before the shadows of a long night.
Gratefully, this December is already being illuminated by Advent and Hanukkah candles.
For some, hope, peace, love, joy, anticipation, miracles, celebration and community lead into each sunset.
For others, grief, need, suffering or despair darken into each night.
For many, the hopscotch of emotions and expectations triggered by memories or seasonal songs and hymns pepper every hour.
As I thought about World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3), International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10), Las Posadas (Dec. 16-24), Christmas (Dec. 25), and Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1), the words of the hymn In the Midst of New Dimensions came to mind.
It was composed in 1985 on the theme of diversity for a meeting of the United Methodist Church Rocky Mountain Conference by The Rev. Julian Rush, former director of the Colorado AIDS project. His own personal journey inspired the affirmation that all persons are children of God and are welcome in the church.
While recognizing the brokenness of the world, the hymn also asks who will seek peace and assure unity and community?
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In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways. Who will lead the pilgrim peoples wandering in their separate ways? Through the flood of starving people, warring factions and despair, who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care? As we stand a world divided by our own self-seeking schemes, Grant that we, your global village might envision wider dreams. We are man and we are woman, all persuasions, old and young, each a gift in your creation, each a love song to be sung. God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more.
In the midst of this year’s Advent journey may we embody and express the profound hope, love, and promise of the Christ Child, the Prince of Peace, now and evermore.
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The Rev. Andrea R. Cano (she, her, ella)
Interim President
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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.
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Dec. 14, 2021 - June 21, 2022
Join EMO’s Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL) Green Circles. This monthly statewide gathering brings together people of faith from across Oregon to learn about issues of climate change, faith and justice, and to root ourselves spiritually as we build relationships and take action together. Green Circle will meet on third Tuesdays of each month through June 2022 (second Tuesday of December), 6:30–8 p.m., via Zoom.
Our January through April gatherings (culminating near Earth Day) will focus on reading Becoming Rooted: 100 Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth by Dr. Randy Woodley. Gather a group from your faith community or friend group to read this book together and attend our monthly gatherings. Discussions with the author will occur at our January, February and April gatherings.
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Employment Opportunities at EMO |
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Attorney, SOAR Immigration Legal Services: Provide direct legal services to low income and culturally diverse immigrants. Full time; closes Dec 13, 2021.
Case Manager Assistant, Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR): Assist Case Manager in providing effective basic needs support to newly arriving Afghan humanitarian parolees. Must be bilingual in Dari or Pashto. Full time, temporary; open until filled.
Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocate, Russian Oregon Social Services (ROSS): Provide effective, culturally specific domestic and sexual violence services to the Russian-speaking refugee/immigrant population. Full time with benefits; open until filled.
Housing and Mental Health Researcher: Gather a comprehensive, holistic picture of client experiences relating to behavioral health and housing security to inform EMO's direct services. Part time (20 hours/week); open until filled.
Legal Assistant, SOAR Immigration Legal Services (Portland): Provide reception for Portland Office and administrative support for Attorneys and BIA Accredited Representatives. Position open until filled; 32 hours/week with benefits.
Program Assistant, Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR): Provide effective reception and clerical support services for SOAR. Full time; open until filled.
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Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
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