October lfl. 2002'
rTrn7TTT7imnew;s
ocated in a small office building sur
minorities commu
rounded by trees and almost un-
nity, Gentle Shep
noticeable to passing cars and pedes
herd participates in
trians, Metropolitan Community
a monthly dinner
Small
congregation
gets
a
new
senior
pastor
Church of the Gentle Shepherd
sponsored by the
seeks to continue its personalized ministry to
Imperial Sovereign
by P atricia L . M acA odh a
the Vancouver community.
Court of the Rain-
tree Empire and
The congregation began 17 years ago with
an evening service at Michael Servetus Uni-
regulatory body overseeing human sub staffs informational booths at Portland Pride
versalist Unitarian Fellowship. It later moved
ject research protection. “I work to pro and Vancouver’s Saturday in the Park. The con
gregation is probably best known for Martha’s
to 13th and Jefferson before settling in at
mote the science and ethics of human
Pantry, a food and dry goods bank for families
2200 Broadway.
research at O H SU ,” she says.
affected by A ID S in Southwest Washington.
What led Barshofsky, born and
In those 17 years, the church has had only
The church also coordinates an annual Christ
raised Jewish in Brooklyn, N.Y., into a
three senior pastors. The first, the Rev. Joyce Bax
Christian denomination and, ultimate mas basket program for the same people.
ter, eventually became involved in the domestic
ly, into Christian ministry?
Though low-profile, G entle Shepherd is
violence movement. The second, the Rev. Teresa
an example of how determination and com
Nunn, “served for nearly 12 years and was respon
“My partner, Andrea, had been a
m itm ent can keep a sm all congregation
member of an M CC church before we
sible for a great deal of church growth and matu
active and inspirational to the community
met,” she says. “Through her, I learned
ration,” long-term member Jerry West says.
that [Universal Fellowship of Metropol around it. Barshofsky is excited about her
The Rev. Harriet Barshofsky, who was
itan Community Churches] was a calling to this church, and the church is
installed Sept. 15, previously worked as interim
denomination that served the lesbigay
enthusiastic about her.
director of congregational life at M C C Port
“When I was interviewed by the pastoral
community. Then, in 1990,1 had a reli
land from April 2000 to January 2001. Before
The Rev. Harriet Barshofsky will continue working at
search
committee, I became very impressed by
gious
conversion
experience
in
which
I
that she was involved with ministry at M CC
Oregon Health Sciences University while preaching at
the love and faith of that congregation,” she
was led to a specific pastor of M CC
Long Beach in Southern California.
Metropolitan Community Church of the Gentle Shepherd
Long
Beach
in
California.”
says.
“As the church grows...the needs will
Barshofsky completed her formal education
increase, and I anticipate becoming a full-time
Barshofsky was drawn to preparation for the
couver church’s nature while she and parish
at University of Portland, where she received a
clergy by a vision she had 10 years ago. She real senior pastor.”
master’s degree in theology. Her clergy candida ioners work to build a bigger congregation.
ized the vision was a call to the professional min
Barshofsky serves as what is known as a “tent-
cy, a period of ministerial internship, was super
M etropolitan C ommunity C hurch of the
istry and began the long and demanding process
maker minister.” The term refers to a minister
vised by the Rev. Roy A. Cole, who stepped
leading to her ordination, temporary employ G entle S hepherd holds worship services 10 a.m .
whose income is based primarily on secular work.
down as M CC Portland pastor in October 2001.
ment at M CC Portland and ultimate election to and 6:30 p.m . Sundays in Suites E and F at
“Paul was a tentmaker by trade and a preach-
Barshofsky explains the difference between
2200 Broadway in Vancouver, W ash. For more
er/pastor by calling,” Barshofsky says. “His sub the position she now holds in Vancouver.
the two churches.
information call 360-695- 1480, e-mail
M CC of the Gentle Shepherd meets a need
sistence was based on the money he made from
“M C C Portland is a community-based
in the community. West describes it as “close-
m ccgs@ aol.com or visit the Internet site
tentmaking.”
church, and M C C of the Gentle Shepherd is a
w w w .m ccgs.org.
knit” but “never an isolationist church, as some
While performing her pastoral duties,
family-based church. As a family-based church,”
smaller
churches
are.”
He
says
membership
Barshofsky will continue her full-time employ
she stresses, “M CC of the Gentle Shepherd is
P atricia L. M a c A odha is a Portland free-lance
varies between eight and 35 people.
ment as an analyst on Oregon Health Sciences
better able to meet the needs of individuals.” She
writer. E-m ail her at plm acaodhal@ hotm ail.com
In order to reach out to the larger sexual
University’s Institutional Review Board, the
wants that tendency to remain a part of the Van-
T he T entm aker
jn
ar t for e v e r y d a y l i f e . 30 n w 2 3 r d
p l
, P o r t l a n d , o r e q o n , 503-224-0334.
p la t in u m
and
d ia m o n d
b a n d s
by
cathy
w a ter m a n
19