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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2001)
aprii 6.2001 * J u s t out C ............▼ tflJlfflE ............. Honest to God cially those who deal with sexu he Rev. Casey Moffett- al orientation issues, have to Chaney is a firm believer relearn how to live openly and that “everything that is honestly rather than in the God is good.” That is one proverbial closet. of the messages repeated fre “People don’t have to live quently at the God Connec their lives with the stress and tion, a place that defines itself by T o m S t e v e n s o n tension of a lie,” Casey said. as a center for worship, growth “That is one of the first things and leadership. we teach.” One would look at the orga The center has a number of nization and assume it is a pamphlets available on personal church: The Bible is used to growth written by Casey, who take a close look at daily life. also has published several Stories from the Bible are used books. The Moffett-Chaneys to imprint specific messages. graduated from a three-year pro However, members of the gram at the Living Enrichment God Connection, along with Institute before starting the God the Revs. Casey and Berdell Connection. Moffett-Chaney, do not wish to Wuest is the first person they call it a church. If it looks like a actually have coached through church, sounds like a church the process to become a minis and feels like a church, then ter. “It is nice to know that if why not call it a church? we left, the center would still be For the Moffett-Chaneys, ' ^ fk i a safe place,” Berdell said. who are also life partners, the Jlu The God Connection answer is quite simple: Many always is looking for new mem of the people they reach out bers. Each Sunday celebration to have had had experiences begins with a 9 a.m. preservice in church. They say those who followed by a 10 a.m. worship attend the God Connection service and a 11 a.m. after-serv get something different, so From right, Barbara Wuest joins Casey and Berdell Moffett-Chaney during a service at the God Connection ice, which includes a social they prefer the term “spiritual time, a sharing circle and “goodies.” Berdell said: “We talk about all religions. building...choices we make.” center.” Berdell likes to say she preaches The God Connection shares an older We look at the good things of each. We look at One of the main focuses of the God C on “practical spirituality.” church with a stamp collecting group, which similarities, not the differences.” nection is leadership training, hut not in the Founded in 1992, the God Connection owns the building. The Moffett-Chaneys said One thing you will not find at the God traditional sense. “The focus is on personal focuses on seven principles that are referred to the relationship has been extremely positive Connection is politics. relationships,” Casey said. “How people get as a spiritual curriculum. According to the cen i but hope to buy their own building someday. “Our cause is to enhance leadership abili along...that is the gist of leadership.” ter’s bulletin, “the spiritual curriculum, when They also have a goal of 300 full-time mem ties,” Berdell said. “We encourage people to go The three ministers are in the process of practiced and applied to our thoughts, words, bers— a huge jump from the 60 members today. out and support their causes, hut our center teaching an annual series of classes held the decisions and actions, creates the connection But all three of the ministers are excited with does not take on causes. We are here to help seven weeks before Easter. This year’s theme is that allows G ods power to enter, heal and what is happening in the God Connection and people work on their potential.” “CHOOSER: Commitment to Honor, Organize, build our lives.” see that as a realistic goal. Another key facet of the God Connection is Optimize, Spiritualize, Expose and Resurrect.” The seven parts of the spiritual curriculum The one thing they do want potential visi relationship counseling and coaching. The three “It’s a growth thing," Casey noted. “Each are God Is Truth, God Is Life, God Is Love, tors to realize is that they offer a “no pressure” teach a number of workshops and offer one-on- week is a progressive process. They start in one God Is Intelligence, God Is Soul, God Is Spirit, welcome. one and couple counseling. “It’s about teaching place, and we challenge them to pick some and God Is Principle. In many ways, according “We just want people to feel like they have people how to communicate,” Casey said. thing to work on. The idea is to bring yourself to Casey, the group follows the same spirituali a home here,” Casey said. “We want to be wel All three of the ministers said the classes from one place to another.” ty of 12-step programs from what she calls a coming.’ ’ i n have received a tremendous response. Rather Berdell added: “T hat’s why we call it practi “new-thought, all-inclusive” perspective. than just coming in for about an hour on Sun cal spirituality. People can put it into practice.” For those who assume “new thought” and The G o d C o n n e c t i o n will hold an Entertain days, members make the commitment to Although many members of the God C on “new age” are one and the same, Berdell strong ment Extravaganza and Silent Auction featuring attend the classes and workshops, which often nection are part of the gay, lesbian, bisexual ly sends a message that they are not. “New headliner Theresa Demarest and several other per are held on Mondays and Thursdays. and transgendered community, others— includ thought is very different than new age,” she said. formers from 6 to 10 p.m. April 28 at 4828 N.E. "The classes give people the chance to ing Wuest—are not. The idea is that the cen Much of the learning at the God Connec 33rd Ave. For more information call start looking at their lives,” Berdell said. “Peo ter is a welcoming place, open to everyone tion comes from the classes and workshops 503-481-7591. ple are dealing with some hard stuff. We are regardless of sexual orientation—or even reli offered by the Moffett-Chaneys and the Rev. there for them.” gious beliefs for that matter. Barbara Wuest, an associate minister. “The T o m S T E V E N S O N is a Portland-based free-lance Being there for the members means under “We don’t look at people as gay or straight,” people who take classes have the most writer and a full-time Portland State University standing that people come to the center with Wuest said. “We look at them as people.” growth— permanent growth,” Casey said. student who can be reached at different needs. Many, the three ministers find, Casey added: “We have people of all differ Wuest added: “That is due to the awareness I ruraltom@yahoo.com. have been “religiously abused.” Others, espe ent backgrounds. I was raised Jewish.” that is brought into class. It’s about character T Ministers welcome people recovering from bad church experiences V isualize T our I i , . V \ We specialize in t ✓ 815 SW Alder Street Portland, OR 97205 503.228.5844 Upstairs 503.225.1241 Downstairs business cards using thermography, die cutting, embossing, and foil stamping. Holy Week atSt. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish JOHNNY Raized Printing A Welcoming Congregation M aundy Thursday 7:30 P.M. Holy Eucharist Good Friday 5:30 P.M. Tcncbrae Service Easter Sunday 7:45 A.M and 10:00 A.M. Holy Eucharist with Choir Breakfast after 7:45 A.M. service (Child care and Sunday School at 10:00 A.M.) The Rev. 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