Selah! The pause that refreshes.
Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly? All day long you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery. You love evil more than good and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah.
– Psalm 52:1-3 (NRSV)
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This week’s lectionary reading surely brings images of cable news sound bites, morning headlines and breaking news on all our media platforms—most of which are inescapable for some, or essential for others.
In this reading the psalmist ends the commentary with one word, Selah. It is a word that closes the Psalms 72 times. It is defined in several ways.
Selah is translated as “intermission” in the Septuagint, the earliest translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. It is significant because it was completed in the second century BCE and was quoted by the Apostle Paul. Some scholars see Selah as a special notation for a pause in the singing or recitation, the start of music accompanying many of the readings, or simply a moment to reflect on what has been shared.
Selah in our time offers that space to process and exhale all that we are being exposed to or intentionally welcoming.
As digital technology began evolving some years ago, faith communities were already anticipating a process of Selah—Television Awareness Training by the United Methodist Church, Church of the Brethren and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Center for Media Literacy by Sr. Elizabeth Thoman; and priorities for media justice, media fasting and public policy by the United Church of Christ.
Then and now, we ask how can our families, congregations and communities be equipped to be critical consumers of the explosion of mass-media information and images? Discern veracity and challenge falsehoods?
And just as important, how do we begin to influence or shift what is being shared, written? What are the essential messages and wisely chosen words we must convey—from the morning greetings to a stranger, to the letters to the editor, or even a press statement from our communities of faith?
May we embrace Selah as we explore what needs to be done between now and tomorrow.
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The Rev. Andrea R. Cano (she, her, ella)
Interim President
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Gun reform initiative petitions delivered to Oregon Capitol |
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On Friday, July 8, members of Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO) gathered at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland to kick off a journey to deliver IP 17 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office.
Faith leaders, students and community members boarded a school bus and journeyed to Salem, where they held a rally and marched arm-in-arm to deliver boxes of over 160,000 petition signatures. Surpassing the required number of signatures, the measure will be on the Oregon November ballot. If passed by voters, it will ban large capacity magazines over 10 rounds, call for a permit to purchase any gun, and require complete background checks.
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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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Join us for a special evening of stories, music and friends highlighting the work of EMO. This outside event (under a tent at the beautiful Abernethy Center in Oregon City) is the first of its kind since 2019. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to be TOGETHER AGAIN! Reception at 6 p.m. | Dinner Buffet at 7 p.m. Tickets: $50 per person. Reserve you tickets now.
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EMO launches the new VOICE magazine
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After 20 plus years of a newsprint format of EMO's VOICE newsletter, we decided it was time for a bit of a refresh! Our hope for this new format is to highlight the ideas and movements that represent and inspire our community of partners and supporters. As the largest ecumenical organization in the country, we’ve got an incredible array of voices to highlight.
In the first issue we'll explore gun violence, the war in Ukraine, Evangelicalism, Unitarianism, refugee resettlement, religion and democracy, and more. Ultimately, we want the new VOICE to go beyond Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. We want it to tell the stories of people of faith and goodwill across Oregon and beyond.
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Looking for ways to serve your community? |
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Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps, a program of JVC Northwest, facilitates fulfilling opportunities for service, community, and spiritual formation for adults 50+ who are committed to social and ecological justice.
In addition to part-time volunteer service, members meet monthly, creating spiritual community through shared reflection. Their values are rooted in the Catholic Ignatian tradition, and JV EnCorps is an inclusive and welcoming community of those from all faith perspectives.
Learn more about what JV EnCorps service is like:
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Employment Opportunities at EMO |
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Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
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