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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
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