Just out., April 20, 2001, Page 43, Image 43

aprii 20. 2001 • |KSt Mei 4 3
CULTURE
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Putting out the welcome mat
he kids at Wy’east Unitarian Universalist
Congregation sing a wonderful song called
“A Place in the Choir,” and the lyrics go
like this: “All God’s critters got a place in
the choir, some sing low, some sing higher.”
by R odger L arson
The adults sing the song, too, hut the kids
really get into the part where each critter
makes its particular noise; the braying and
oinking and bellowing and quacking fill the
gays, lesbians, bi and trans folks. It is reall
study program in which all members of tl
church space. The music is great and the
congregation and staff participate. The cc
movements are fun, but it is the words them­
gregation must meet many standards to b
selves that say the most about the Wy’east
certified “welcoming,” a bit like earning
community and the attitude of its members.
merit badges as a Scout.
At 4 years old, Wy’east is a new congre­
“I want Wy’east to be on record as
gation as congregations go. To use a bit of
a welcoming congregation,” Ketcham
biblical language, in the beginning Wy’east
The Rev. Kit
says. “It’s preventive work for the next
was a dream of eight core individuals who
Ketcham is
anti-gay and lesbian ballot initiative.
felt the need for a Unitarian Universalist
committed
We all have work to do. It takes time.
congregation located on the east side of the
to social
It takes kindness.”
Willamette River.
action, peace
These are more than just words.
During that first year the small group, includ­
and justice
Wy’east has firm plans. The opening
ing a couple of members of the gay and lesbian
workshop for “The Welcoming Con­
community, met in homes around dining room
gregation” will be held Oct. 6 with the
tables and dreamed and planned and worked
Rev. Keith Kron, an openly gay ordained
and worked and worked until they went public
Unitarian Universalist minister and direc
with a proposal for a new eastside liberal reli­
of
the office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual am
gious community close to downtown Portland.
Transgender Concerns of the Unitarian
The fledgling group first rented space from
Universalist Association in Boston.
Metropolitan Community Church but soon
The following day the congregation
outgrew that basement. They moved on to
will celebrate Solidarity Sunday. This al
share Trinity United Methodist Church in
scheduled to take place the weekeni
Southeast Portland.
before National Coming Out Da
This is the same location where
One example of the openness
the Rosetown Ramblers dance and
already present at Wy’east is i
where the Portland Lesbian Choir
Youth Group unit on sexual
practices. Good company for the
Wy'east
Leaders invite gay, lesbian,
open-minded and welcoming
to
be
on
record
and trans members of the
Unitarian Universalists. A
congregation to speak wit
consulting minister, Tim
as a welcoming
the kids. The openness ai
Jensen, was hired to help
sharing between adults ai
build the congregation into a
congregation.
young people is impressive.
stronger spiritual community.
It's
preventive
work
know students don’t need protection from
When the Oregon Citizens
Enter the Rev. Kit
gays and lesbians.
Ketcham. This is one dynam­
for the next anti-gay Alliance reared its ugly head
Ketcham considers the congregation’s
with
Measure
9,
the
youth
of
ic lady— preaching, singing,
and lesbian
future: “Wy’east is a community which wants
Wy’east congregation spent eve­
laying it on the line and
to work with others in the larger community.
nings at Powell’s Books working
telling it like it is. Wy’east Uni­
ballot initiative. " the
We
will work with those who have the same
phone
banks,
asking
citizens
to
tarian Universalist Congrega-
.
!/•
desires we do— not in ideology perhaps, but
vote no on the initiative. Six of
tion has grown and now has more
----- ttlB KBV. Kll
in a commitment to justice. We want to be
them volunteered, and one of them
than 90 members.
K stc h o iJI
in coalition with other congregations work­
brought
five
of
her
high
schcx’>
l
friends
Many exciting and active commit­
ing for civil rights and to end hunger and
along to help.
tees are doing good work. This spring, the
homelessness.”
“Measure 9 would have affected my family,"
Adult Religious Education Program offered an
Ketcham says the congregation will own its
said
Paul
Trowbridge,
a
tall,
slender
member
of
eight-week course, “Weaving the Fabric of Diver­
own building someday: “We will make our
the youth group. “This was an easy way to do
sity,” which looked at the various threads present
building available to others who don’t have a
important service to the community. It gave
in our society and how these unique personal
place
to meet. A place for kids to gather who
me
a
sense
of
doing
the
right
thing.”
qualities can enrich our lives. Ketcham called the
are questioning, seeking, searching to under­
Trowbridge and other young members of
class “powerful.”
stand their sexuality. A place where they can
Wy’east also work with the Gay Rights Ore­
Next year, she is committed to offering “The
come and be safe."
gon
Youth
Group.
During
a
recent
Lobby
Day
Welcoming Congregation,” a program designed
Wy’east congregation has a strong commit­
in Salem, he met with legislators to let them
to ensure congregations are warm and open to
New church community reaches out for diversity
'7
wa
ment to social action, peace and justice. In-
home potluck dinners happen three or four
times a year. These dinners, called Sharing
Suppers, help members get to know one anoth­
er in more personal ways. Building community
is a key objective of the congregation.
Almost every service includes a time for
Sharing of Joys and Concerns. Mem­
bers who wish to talk about a personal
event in their lives step forward, light a
candle and speak briefly about what is
happening.
Congregation activities include
overnight trips to Mount Hixxl, dances,
dinners, roller skating, parties, hikes and
book discussion groups. But the main
focus of the community is its mission to
help all members gain peace and spiritu­
al understanding in their lives.
Because music and singing are impor­
tant parts of the Sunday service at
Wy’east, a regular feature is the Family
Choir. This intergenerational singing
group— ages range from 10 to 70— loves
to get the rest of the congregation wired
up and singing “A Place in the Choir.”
After all God’s diverse critters have
had their say, the song ends this way:
“It’s a simple song of living, sung every­
where, by the ox and the fox and the
grizzly bear. The grumpy alligator and
the hawk above, the sly raccoon and
the turtle dove.”
This is a whimsical song to be sure,
but it reflects the basic principles of the
Unitarian Universalists. The denomi­
nation has no religious dogma or creed
as such. Many members draw their
beliefs from Judeo-Christian sources,
but a wide range of beliefs are welcome.
There are Christian Unitarian Uni­
versalists and Pagan Unitarian Univer­
salists; even atheists are welcome. What unites
members is a commitment to support each
other in finding a spiritual path.
Unitarian Universalists do operate, howev­
er, with seven basic principles. The first of
these is to “value the dignity and worth of
every human being.”
The seventh and last principle is to “recog­
nize and honor the interdependent web of life
of which we are a part.” No wonder all GixJ’s
critters have a place in the choir and are
singing about it. JH
W y ’ east U nitarian U niversalist C ongre ­
gation meets 4 p m. Sundays at Trinity United
Methodist Church, 3915 S .E. Steele St.
R odger L arson is a Portland uniter interested in
a range of arts and culture.
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