Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of you, Most High One.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind; and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through which you give sustenance to your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night: and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.
St. Francis of Assisi
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Dear friends,
October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. In the Laudato Si, the second encyclical of Pope Francis, he lifts up St. Francis as his guide and inspiration: “Francis’ response to the world around him was so much more than intellectual appreciation or economic calculus, for to him each and every creature was a sister (or brother) united to him by bonds of affection. This is why he felt called to care for all that exists.”
How different the world would be if each of us, like St. Francis, felt a deep calling to care for all of God’s creation! We are witnessing the fragility of our precious landscape in the raging wildfires this fall. We are hearing the voices of our Black and Brown neighbors who are suffering and crying out for justice. And now we are grieving the loss of over a million people to COVID-19, with so many more sick.
If we truly thought of all everything that is created as a sibling to be loved and cared for, the world would be transformed. May it be so.
In love,
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Jan Musgrove Elfers
EMO President
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EMO Makes Recommendations on Ballot Measures |
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EMO's Guide to the 2020 Oregon Ballot Measures is now available! We provide information, analysis and recommendations for the four measures on the state ballot. Download the full version of EMO's Voters' Guide (also available as a reproducible PDF print version).
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Demand the Protection of Our Democracy |
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This year has been chaotic, and the next few months will likely follow that trend. In order to protect ourselves pre- and post-election, we must claim the power we have in this process. Voting on Nov. 3 is key, and that is part of our power. We must register to vote and turn out and make sure everyone in our circles does too!
However, we cannot overlook the call to prepare and organize before the elections, in case there is a need to mobilize after they occur. With this in mind, Speak Up Now Oregon has started a petition calling on the media, elected officials and the armed agents of the state to commit to protect the integrity of our elections. Learn more.
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Upcoming (virtual) Events |
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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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Oct. 4 @ 2:30 - 4 p.m.
EMO’s Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL) is hosting an interfaith time of worship and community building. Oct. 4 is St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day, so we will learn about his concern for creation, as well as hear about the creation-oriented practices in the Jewish calendar. We will spend time getting to know others around Oregon who are interested in creation justice. You will also learn about EMO / Creation Justice upcoming launch of regional Circles. Register now (free).
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Nov. 18 @ 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Can we create a just peace and real unity? We are living in unprecedented and divided times. Racial unrest, political tensions and COVID-19 have impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. What does shalom and unity look like in 2020? Through a virtual format, we will explore these issues. The Summit will include a lecture by speaker, writer and activist Lisa Sharon Harper, a live Q&A, and the opportunity to hear from interfaith members of the Common Table. The cost is $10 (scholarships available). Learn more and register now.
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EMO's Virtual Ballot Measure Forum
Oct. 20 @ 7 - 8 pm
EMO's Public Policy Advocacy team will provide information about the ballot measures, discuss EMO’s positions on the measures, and offer guidelines for how people of faith can advocate for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens. Free and open to all. Register now (zoom link will be sent registrants).
Building a Grief Practice (virtual workshop)
Oct. 23 @ 1 - 3 pm
This workshop is best suited for those now experiencing an immediate and recent loss. The cost is $30 (hardship scholarships available). Register online at nwcounseling.org/services/workshops or by phone at (503) 253-0964.
Mindfulness Mandala (virtual workshop)
Nov. 14 @ 11 am - 2 pm
Mindfulness, creativity and meditation all help manage depression and anxiety. You do not need to be an experienced artist to reap the benefits of art therapy. Art is therapeutic for all! The cost is $45 per household (hardship scholarships available). Register online at nwcounseling.org/services/workshops or by phone at (503) 253-0964.
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No one should have to live in fear that their family might be torn apart or they may be forced to leave their home. And yet, thousands of immigrant Oregonians live with the looming threat of deportation on a daily basis. Now is the time for change. Tell Oregon’s Congressional delegation to take action to protect immigrants who call Oregon home with a pathway to citizenship.
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Employment Opportunities at EMO
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EMO has no open positions at this time.
Other Employment Opportunities
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Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
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