January 2023
Greetings!
There is nothing like the feeling of being welcomed. If you remember the show Cheers, you want to go where everybody knows your name, where they’re always glad you came.

I am so very glad that I came to EMO and have been welcomed so warmly. From attending the World AIDS Day Pancake Breakfast at the HIV Day Center, to walking around the offices of our SOAR Immigration Legal Services learning about the needs of the community served, I’ve quickly realized that EMO is that place where you are known by name, recognized and feel that people are glad you came.

During the Advent season, we welcomed the birth of a refugee, a migrant and, at times, a homeless man, Jesus Christ. We were reminded of the welcoming of God’s love upon us all, the light. The celebration of light is shared with so many other religious groups, and our Scripture and Advent candles remind us of our shared values that light our path in this new year.

Hope. Peace. Joy. Love.

Let us bring this light into 2023 to help us confront any challenges with the hope, peace, love, and joy that we are capable of. I am thankful for the support that each of you reading this have brought to our work. I truly am. It is in that same light that I look forward to starting my time with EMO, as we strive to make our community, our Oregon, a more just place for all.

Peace & Light,
Frank So
President
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.
Interfaith Legislative Forum (virtual)
Sunday, Jan. 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Listen to a panel of legislators discuss their priorities for the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session on topics of interest to the faith community. Legislators will discuss bills they support, the must-do bills for the 2023 Session and the prospects of passage. Following the panel discussion, the Zoom meeting will allow for a half-hour discussion with the legislators.

Sponsored by: Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Oregon Coalition of Christian Voices, Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, and Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice.

Register: The virtual (Zoom) event is free, but registration is required. Register now.
Interfaith Earth Summit (hybrid)
Sunday, Feb. 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m.

EMO’s tenth annual summit will take place in faith communities all over Oregon with the theme, “Care for Our Common Home: Building Neighborhoods for Climate Resilience.”

The first part of the event will be a plenary session on Zoom, with participants watching together from their regional locations across Oregon. Following the plenary, local hosts will facilitate in-person sessions focusing on relationship-building and learning with people of faith in their region. Each regional gathering will end with a climate vigil at 5 p.m.

Register: $20 early registration (register by Jan. 29); $10 student rate. Register now.
2023 MLK Service
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m.
Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, 3138 N. Vancouver Ave., Portland
All are welcome to attend this interfaith service to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his wife and daughter, and Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, Ms. Rosa Parks.

The service will feature the Pacific Youth Choir, inter-faith speakers, and public officials. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. W.J. Mark Knutson, Senior Pastor for nearly 30 years at Augustana Lutheran Church and leader of the successful Ballot Measure 114 (gun safety) this past November.
Employment Opportunities at EMO
Join EMO's talented team making a difference in Oregon! EMO offers a generous benefits package. Visit our employment page for more details about the positions below and how to apply.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
503-221-1054 | [email protected] | emoregon.org