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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1993)
jumi out T aprii 1. 1003 ? 0 Idaho churches raising a strong voice sion in Portland to serve as a center of evangelism for the region. "It was a place where people could go and feel safe when there was a great deal of hostility,” says the Rev. Gary Oba, the current pastor. “They could speak their language and eat their own food. It was a place for weddings and funerals.” Today, the church continues to serve as a community center for Japanese-languagc classes, meetings and special events of organizations, such as the Japanese American Citizens League, the Asian American Pacific Alliance, the Anti- Bigotry Coalition and Shigin Group, which prac tices an ancient Japanese musical singing form. Many church members are on the boards of these groups as well. Just as it was in earlier genera tions, Epworth continues to be more than a church. A number of old-line denominations signed a joint statement opposing the Oregon Citizens Alliance spreading its hate into Idaho. The statement reads: “Some of the greatest injustices and worst crimes in history were pro moted with slogans that seemed reasonable at the time. ‘No special rights’ is a slogan in that category. The Oregon Citizens Alliance used that slogan in the last general election in their slate, and now the Idaho Citizens Alliance is using it to introduce its initiative to limit the rights of gays and lesbians. The Pagan festival motivation behind it is no different The Aquarian Tabernacle Church presents its from the motivation Spring Mysteries Festival. This year’s festival behind ‘eth n ic features renowned Irish Wiccan authors. Priest cleansing’ in the former Yugoslavia and ‘the final ess and Priest Janet and Stewart Farrar. The solution’ in Nazi Germany. One group of citizens festival runs April 8-11 and is Seattle’s oldest and is singled out and judged unfit for full participa longest continuing pagan festival. Although the tion in society and declared less human that the mythology remains constant, the experience is rest of us. In the case of the initiative being different for everyone each time. People regu introduced in Idaho, it is, as before in history, larly travel from Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Ari clearly a violation of the constitutional right to zona, and Canada. Included is a rite of passage for equal protection under the law and the fundamen the younger or newer members of the conun unity. tal human right to live without fear and with This festival cycle was developed along the same freedom to pursue the fulfillment of life. We lines the ancient Greeks intended, with initiation strongly support the position which Governor rites marking passages from one stage of life to Andrus and Attorney General Echohawk have another. The rites arc constructed to have real and taken, and we appeal to you not to sign the personal meanings, to help people live in pagan initiative if given an opportunity and to speak in ism on a daily basis with integrity and apprecia o p p o sitio n to it tion, experiencing the wonder and joy of every w henever you day life. Other activities include the PaganTalent can.” The state Show, the Fashion Show, lots of traditional mu ment was signed by sic, a m yriadof workshops, discussions, readings, the hierarchy of the rituals, celebrations and shrines. Music and magic Methodist, Episco will continue through the entire event. pal, and Presbyte rian churches in Dignity retreat Idaho. In a separate Dignity-Portland, the Catholic lesbian and gay sta te m e n t, the organization, is hosting its annual retreat April 30 B ish o p o f the through May 2. “Walking the Road to Emmaus: Lutheran church of A Time for Hospitality, Healing and Hope” is this W ashington and year’s theme. The retreat, held at Ncstucca Wild Idaho, states, “It is life Sanctuary, on the Oregon coast, will explore my judgment that the meaning of Luke’s well-knowp Gospel story this is a civil-rights and its related themes. The weekend promises to issue and one which be thought-provoking and intensely spiritual, as all of us need to consider very carefully. Regard well as being a break from the material world. less of what our opinion might be about homo sexuality and its rightness or wrongness, homo HIV/ASDS prayer support sexual people are people and have the same need for protection under the law as any of u s ... I want The Franciscan Formation House in Portland has announced the beginning of a prayer support you to know that my position is to advocate for group for persons affected by HIV or AIDS. “Our human rights, and that I intend to oppose any measure that discriminates against any person.” gift is a safe, warm and inviting atmosphere of In a separate event, the United Church of prayer where G od’s loving kindness, care and acceptance can be realized.” Each week, inter Christ offered a two-day workshop on gay and ested persons gather for one hour of shared prayer. lesbian concerns for its Idaho churches. In prepa ration for an upcoming vote by the Oregon and Guided by the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, the prayer is not elaborate but simple and heart Idaho churches, asking churches to become open and affirming of lesbian and gay people, the felt. The prayer services meet each Thursday evening from 7:30-8:30 pm. The location is the workshop refocused the discussion from a “we- they” issue to an “us” concern. There were Franciscan Formation House, 827 NE Alberta St. in Portland. sections on the Bible and homosexuality, discus sion of heterosexism and on the creation of a more open and affirming atmosphere for lesbian and MCC Portland activities gay people in the church. Concerns about the The Metropolitan Community Church o^Port- Idaho Citizens Alliance were strong, and opposi land hosted the Northwest District Leadership tion to the ICA’s initiative was organized. Conference with 60 people attending from Wash ington, Idaho, Utah, California, and Oregon. The Japanese American Rev. Paul Tuchcr of Texas conducted a two-day workshop on the Mela Church concept to pro Church much more mote church growth. The Rev. Tom Bigelow, the Northwest District coordinator, preached at the The Epworth United Methodist Church cel Sunday service. ebrated its 100th anniversary last month. Japa MCC Portland also hosted Dr. Rev. Buddy nese immigrant men in the 1889s were confronted Truluck, scholar, author and talk-show guest. Dr. by racism, and limited by a lack of Engl ish. Most Truluck offers workshops on what the Bible says worked as contract laborers in logging camps and about homosexuality, including ‘T he Bible as railroad construction, hardly places to earn a Your Friend,” ‘T he Bible as a Weapon for Love fortune in the menial or laboring jobs they were and Justice,” and “Recovery from Bible Phobia.” allowed to perform. At least 100 Japanese people were in the Northwest in February 1893 when the Compiled by the Rev. Matthew Nelson, an Rev. Teikichi Kawabe, a M ethodist circuit ordained minister in the United Church o f Christ. preacher, opened the Japanese Methodist Mis “>3ome o f the greatest injustices and worst crimes in history were promoted with slogans that seemed reasonable at the tim e” r tSU A L ✓ E L E G A N C E r & A n e w G e n t l e m e n ’ s r e s o r t o f f e r in g bnild’s play©; L u s h G a r d e n s m n N C * S t y l is h l y d e c o r a t e d S u it e s P o o l s id e B r e a k fa s t ft L u n c h e o n National award winning toy store An EXCEPTIONAL selection of toys for • learning • growing • fun • NEW Come fill your Easter Baskets Kinder-Gardening with kid-sized tools and gloves. 6 1 5 W arm S a n d s O r . 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