September 2022
Greetings!
It’s a hard journey for las mariposas monarcas.

They begin their annual Spring migration of 1,800 miles to the United States and Canada from the Oyamel forest of Michoacán, Mexico. They make their instinctive return to Mexico in November to spend the winter through March.

Monarch butterflies begin their life cycle as eggs to become striped caterpillars feeding on milkweed, who eventually encase themselves in a chrysalis, only to emerge two weeks later as the beautiful butterflies. Lifespan for adults is four to five weeks. It takes three to five generations to make the northern migration, similarly for the return for the southern wintering, but the last generation can live almost six months.

They originate in my ancestral home where my maternal side is filled with names like Mosqueda, Sanchez, Perez and Ramirez. Families who also migrated back and forth since the turn of the last century, and eventually settled in the United States.

As I complete my call and tenure with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO), I acknowledge anew how intention and essential values to create and sustain life and community can be passed from one generation to the next, along with a shared ethos that brings distinct and unique communities together.

We are so fortunate that the people who comprise EMO’s intergenerational and increasingly diverse staff represent so many places of origin on this blue planet – multiple cultures, ethnicities, languages, approaches, perspectives, and most importantly, ways of being and doing together.

Similarly, the EMO board of directors and standing committees offer a range of life experiences, faith understandings, common values, and social principles to guide the organization in assuring the public trust and the common good of EMO’s mission.
And then there are the countless volunteers who are the heart and face of EMO to so many people in the numerous communities served by our programs, activities and events.

Lastly, the individual donors, grant makers, foundations, businesses, plus federal, state, county and municipal agencies are the ones who believe that what we do together is important and valued and deserves their support.

For the last 13 months, I have experienced this prismatic organization in its myriad cadences of activity, its engagement of so many different people, churches and partner organizations. This in the wake of the COVID pandemic, emergency reception of refugees and asylees, an unsettling political and economic climate, more people on the streets, and devastating gun violence. But I take a small lesson from la mariposa, who pollinates for good, for life.

On this last day as Interim President, my hope is that this organization will flourish as it continues its journey, invites others to join in special ways, and especially welcomes you – as God's grace guides your travels to new and exciting destinations.
Bendiciones,
The Rev. Andrea R. Cano (she, her, ella)
Interim President
Aug. 26, 2022
EMO honors community leaders at annual gala, "Together Again"
Join us on Sept. 20 for a special evening of stories, music and friends highlighting the work of EMO. We will also honor extraordinary individuals and organizations whose courage, moral vision and commitment to action have contributed profoundly to making Oregon a better place.
ECUMENISTS OF THE YEAR
Leaders of Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO): Rabbi Michael Cahana, Marilyn Keller and The Rev. Dr. Mark Knutson. These three faith leaders served as chief petitioners of IP 17 and catalyzed the signature process to get a gun safety measure on Oregon’s ballot this fall (Measure 114). LEVO is an interfaith organization of Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Native American spiritual leaders committed to reducing gun violence.
EMERGING LEADER
Taylor Stewart, founder & executive director of the Oregon Remembrance Project. Taylor's organization helps communities in Oregon unearth stories of injustice and engage in the necessary truth telling and repair required to reconcile instances of historical harm. On Juneteenth 2021, Taylor led efforts to dedicate a historical marker about the 1902 racial lynching of Alonzo Tucker in Coos Bay, Ore.
JOIN US
This will be an outside event (under a tent) on Tuesday, Sept. 20:
Reception at 6 p.m. | Dinner Buffet at 7 p.m.
Abernethy Center | 606 15th St., Oregon City
$50 per person (buy tickets) | Sponsor a table for $1,000 (learn more about sponsorship)
Register by Aug. 31 to ensure your place at the gala!
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.
September 20 (in person, outside)
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. Register by Aug. 31 to ensure your place at the gala! Reserve you tickets now.
Sept. 11-14 (hybrid)
Join Faith in Place for this hybrid summit that will engage faith and spiritual leaders to lead practices and reflections from their traditions—connecting people to environmental justice, healing, and climate resilience. The summit will feature an exciting Keynote Speaker, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, chief climate scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a distinguished professor and chair at Texas Tech University. Learn more and RSVP at greenteamsummit.org. 
Wednesdays, Sept. 15 - Oct. 26, 7 - 8:15 p.m. (Zoom)
This class is being hosted by SpiritofGracePDX.org for the larger ecumenical community. All who desire to examine Christian theology and explore ways to live out that faith within the public arena are welcome. Primary presenters will be Rev. Dr. Brian Brandt and Rev. Dr. Janet Parker. Guest presenter Dr. Anna Floerke Scheid of Duquesne University will join on October 5. Please fill out a separate Registration Form for each participant by Sept. 12.
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 | emo@emoregon.org | emoregon.org