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O bserver » F ebruary 12, 1997
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Traditionalartists and celebrate life's passages
Elaborate ceremonies and ritu
als have always marked life’s ma­
jor transitions from birth and com­
ing-of-age to marriage and death.
Presented by Portland General
Electric, the innovative and multi­
cultural exhibition, "Masters of
Ceremony: Traditional Artists and
Lite's Passages” opens at the Or­
egon History Center on February
14, 1997 featuring ten master art­
ists who are cultural tradition bear­
ers in their communities. The
voices and experiences of these
artists illustrates how important it
is to preserve the cultural memory
and identify of our communities,
ethnic groups and families.
Through colorf ul artifacts, stun­
ning images, and poignant words,
Masters of Ceremony allows visi­
tors to contemplate the important
markers in their own lives and at
the same time celebrate Oregon's
cultural diversity. All of the tradi­
tional artists featured in this exhi­
bition took part in the Traditional
Arts A pprenticeship Program
founded in 1989, which awards
small grants to traditional artists
from diverse ethnic communities
to work one-on-one with members
of their own culture groups to pass
on traditional art forms. The art­
ists in Masters of Ceremony share
their experiences as performers of
ceremonies and as creators of items
used in various rites-of-passages.
The importance of ceremony is
highlighted throughout theexhibit-
from the Mexican coming-of-age
ritual, the quinceanera and the tra­
ditional Wasco burials at Warm
Springs to the use of Plateau
cradleboards in child rearing prac­
tices and Hmong wedding nego­
tiations. The featured artists cover
eight ethnic groups including
lu-Mien baby hat (top left); ceremonial tule mat (top right); wax and
paper corona (lower left); and Plateau Indian wedding gifts (lower
right): beaded bag, Hudson Bay blanket, and wampum beads.
W asco, Iu-M ien, P alestinian,
Angolan, Mexican, Cayuse, Blue
Hmong, and Wallulapum-Palouse
These traditional artists represent
Oregon’s diverse cultural heritage
and illustrate the important role tra­
dition bearers play in our communi­
ties. Life's passages are common to
all people and Masters of Ceremony
presents and honest look at how
important and symbolic these events
are to our communities—and our­
selves.
Masters of Ceremony was con
ceived and organized by Eliza Buck,
Folk I i te Coordinator of the Oregon
Historical Society's Folklife Pro­
gram. “While working with master
folk artists, the richness of their
stories, crafts, and traditional prac­
tices opened my eyes to a world of
possibilities and made me see how
much all people have in common,"
says Eliza Buck. "I hope people will
come away from this exhibit with
and understanding that everyone
shares certain life experiences, and
our traditions guide us successfully
through life.”
Masters of Ceremony also is a
Tfre Sacraments o f Christ
The Archdiocese of Portland will
present another lecture in "The Jesus
Series” on the nature and person of
Jesus. Father Joseph Di Noia, O P ,
will give a presentation on “The
Sacraments of Christ.” His presen­
tation will be given on Friday, Feb­
ruary 21 at 7:30 p.m., at the univer­
sity of Portland and on Saturday,
February 2 at the Franciscan Re­
newal Center (0858 S.W. Palatine
Hill Road), Portland. "The Jesus
Series” focuses on Jesus Christ as
the resurrected Lord proclaimed by
Tradition and Scripture.
‘Words o f Siope
J ames S winton
Mankind may fail you: father/
mother, husband/wife, boyfriend/
girlfriend, friend, etc. Jobs can be
lost, careers can fail, life can be
stressful, Churchianity can be dis­
appointing
But there’s one thing that you
can always depend upon, God’s
love for you.
He loves you so much that He
sent His son, Jesus Christ to shed
His blood, dying instead of you for
your sins.
If you are a believer, you are
already aware of this. If not, read
the following scriptures: Rom.
3:23; 6:23; 1 John 5:20; II Cor.
5:21; Matt. 27:24-50; Heb. 9:22,
26; Col. 1:14
As a believer, let’s return to
relying, placing our faith com ­
pletely in C hrist, depending
100% upon Him, instead of be­
lieving Satan's original lie to
Adam and Eve: that they could
become a god (Gen. 3:4,5) and
become self-reliance, but depen­
dent of Him
For Christ said, “...I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb.
13:5). He makes intercession for
us (Rom. 8:34).
Take advantage of God’s Holy
Spirit: He can lead us (Gal. 5 :18;
Rom. 8:15). He helps and prays
for us to the Father on the behalf
of our troubles/problems (Rom
8:26,27).
“Breaking Free Ministry” (207)
878-2697.
by
Father Di Noia is Executive Di­
rector of the Secretariat for Doctrine
and Pastoral Practices at the Na­
tional Conference of Catholic Bish­
ops. Father Di Noia received a Bach­
elor of Arts m Philosophy in 1970,
both from St. Stephen’s College,
Dover, MA. A member of the Do­
minican House of Studies in Wash­
ington, D C. He earned a Ph D., in
1980 from Yale University.
In addition to his work at the
National Conference of Catholic-
Bishops, Father Di Noia is also Pro­
fessor of Theology at the Dominican
Church biossorns
From the rising of the sun to
the place where it sets, the name
of the Lord is to be praised
Psalm 113:3
East meets West! Twodiverse
congregations join together to
pursue racial re c o n c ilia tio
while meeting communi’y needs
Some 15 months ago, Sunse
Covenant Church helped plant
new congregation. This new con
gregation, Oregon Korean Cov
enant Church, started October
5, 1996, under the leadership
of Rev. Sung-Chool Moon. Pas
tor Moon, a first generation Ko
rean who has been in North
America for ten years, has served
churches in Ottawa, O ntario
who was convicted of killing 15
Phoenix, AZ, and Portland, Or­
Italian men and children in 1943,
egon prior to pioneering this new
who was later injured in the leg He
work. It is estimated that there
is currently receiving 708 DMs per
are 20,000 Koreans in the Bea
month in pension-payments 30%
verton and West Portland area
higher than what Jewish victims of
Sunset Covenant Church, the
WW II receive in compensation from
first church in the Som erset
the German government to compen­
West/Rock Creek expansions,
sate 13.000 Jewish victims ofW W II
held its first services 30 years
who currently live in eastern Eu­
ago. Rev. Jason Knudeson, who
rope.
has served the church for over
The millions of DMs in payments
five years, has a heart for racial
(or the SS, according to the news
reconciliation and this opportu­
reports, are arranged through the
nity was too good to pass up
Federal ministry of Labor-of which
‘Pastor Moon and I share a com­
Minister of Labor Norbert Bluein
mon vision to show that we can
has been among the most controver­
not only work well together, but
sial leaders in what US State Depart
we can make our community
ment officials termed a “campaign
stronger as we join forces” said
of harassment and intimidation”
Knudeson.
when the government’s 1996 Hu­
Late last year, both congrega­
man Rights Report was released last
tions voted to a one year trial
week.
merger.
The report contained a lengthy
Their goal was to see if they
section strongly critical of Germany
could be more effective as one
for its m assive harassm ent of
church, with two services, than
Scientology solely on the basis of
two separate congregations.
their belief when there is no evi­
The result of these decisions
dence of wrongdoing.
has led to a new service format
“There is no doubt that Bluem
that will begin March 2, 1997.
and his ilk make a political red
The services will be as follows:
herring out of Scientology to cover
English service from 9:30-10:45
up his own atrocities and scandals.”
m.; Korean service 11-12:30
charged Goodman, "we can be sure
m ; joint Christian education
that is also the same case for the
program from 11-12 p.m
other politicians who scream about
“ T h is is the ideal fo rm a l fo r
Scientology.” continued Goodman,
Koreans”
says Moon. It will al­
who noted that the Church has been
low
second
generation Koreans
found guilty of nothing in Germany,
to
be
involved
in English speak­
but subjected to "repeated harassing
ing
Sunday
school,
while pro­
investigations and other political
viding
a
worship
service
in Ko­
terror tactics which smack of Ge­
rean for the adults.
stapo mentality.”
House of Studies, Adjunct Professor
at the John Paul II Institute for Mar­
riage and Family Studies, Washing­
ton. D.C., and Editor in Chief of The
I homist. He has authored two books,
numerous essays, papers, encyclo­
pedia and newspaper articles and
several book reviews.
The “Jesus Series” is organized
by the Archdiocese of Portland in
collaboration with University of Port­
land, Marylhurst College and Mt
Angel Seminary. The series will
consist of presentations held monthly
through May 1997.
SS Tension scandai torea f
The Church of Scientology an­
nounced today it has launched an
investigation into criminal and im­
moral acts by politicians in Ger­
many who are leading the campaign
of abuses and harassm ent of
Scientology and other religious mi­
norities in Germany. The first find­
ings reveal widespread criminality
such as embezzlement, theft, tax
evasion and abuse of office for pri­
vate benefit which have resulted in
convictions and jail terms for many
officials of the governing Christian
Democratic Union (CDU) and Chris
tian Social Union (CSU) parties.
The exact details about these
crimes will be published this com­
ing week in a half-million copy spe­
cial report by the Church's Freedom
Magazine in both English and Ger­
man. "We will pull the tooth of
hypocrisy out of their mouths and
will let the world know what we
found,” said Leisa Goodman, a
spokeswoman at Church headquar­
ters in Los Angeles. "These people
have the audacity to assign profit,
while they have blood and payola
(bribery | all over their greedy fin­
gers,” she charged.
The announcement was made mid
breaking news reports in Europe
that the German government has
been discovered to still be giving
monthly allowances to t least 50,000
war criminals and former members
of the Waften SS who fought in WW
II. The pensions, paid for out of
taxpayer funds, total 600 million
DM per year One example on the
pension roll, according to the Dutch
national newspaper, Trouw, is a Nazi
collaboration with the artists, whi
contributed personal artifacts, pho­
tographs, and quotes, and will per­
form and demonstrate their tradì
tional arts throughout the six
month stay at the Oregon History
Center. Following this major exhi
bition, a smaller, but equally pow
erful traveling component will
embark on a two-year statewide
tour to venues including schools,
museums, regional art councils,
libraries and community centers
In conjunction with the exhibi­
tions, the Oregon Historical Soci­
ety is offering a variety of activi­
ties, including: educational pro­
gramming for students and teach­
ers; traditional art demonstrations
(February 23 and March 2, 1997);
free admission on Statehood Day
(February 14, 1997); and other
special events.
Masters of Ceremony is pre­
sented by Portland General Elec­
tric with additional generous sup­
port from: National Endowment
for the Arts; Lila Wallace-Readers
Digest Community Folklife Pro­
gram; James F. and Marion L
Miller Fund of the Oregon Com­
munity Foundation; M argaret
Thiele Petti Foundation; Oregon
Arts Commission; and Jeld-Wen
Foundation.
The Oregon History Center is
located in Portland's Cultural Dis­
trict, 1200 SW Park Avenue. Port
land, OR 97205. Admission is
$6.00/adult,$3.00/student with ID;
$ 1,50/children 6-12; OHS mem
bers and children 5 and under/free;
and seniors (60+) on Thursdays
free. Museum hours are Tuesday-
Saturday, 10-5 p.m., and Sunday,
1-5 p.m. For more information,
please contact the Oregon Histori­
cal Society at 503/222-1741.
Church-IBu ilding
Initiative launched
The Congress of National Black
Churches, Inc. (CNBC), launched
its Church Rebuilding and Arson
Prevention Initiative at the National
Press Club in Washington, D C., to
be implemented in 13 states over the
next three years including Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Ken­
tucky, Missouri. Georgia, Florida.
Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana.
Because of the recent rash of
church burnings -- which include a
large number of its member denom­
inations - CNBC feels a special
obligation to take action with a re­
storative and preventive, long-term
strategy that is ecumenically and
multi-racially inclusive. CNBC’s
Church Rebuilding and Arson Pre­
vention Initiative has been awarded
$6 million in funding from Lilly
Endowment Inc and the entire pro­
gram is estimated to cost at least $ 12
million. Together with HUD and
National Council of C hurches,
CNBC is part of the National Re­
building Initiative established by
President Clinton to ensure that
burned churches receive rebuilding
support quickly and efficiently.
“This initiative signifies CNBC’s
long-term commitment to rebuild
churches and restore communities“
said CNBC Chairman Bishop Roy
I.. H. Winbush of the Church of God
in Christ. "We also want to build a
community,” CNBC Founder and
Chairman Emeritus Bishop John
Hurst Adams of the African Meth­
odist Episcopal Church added. "We
must intentionally build a new cli­
mate of inclusion, quality and mo­
rality."
According to the most recent data
available, 318 churches have been
victimized by arson between Jan I,
1995 and Dec. 17, 1996. CNBC’s
vision is to eliminate the church
burning crisis before the dawn of the
21st century and, in doing so, to
build greater ecumenical and multi­
racial harmony while empowering
African American communities.
Also, because an overwhelming
number of church arsons are com­
mitted by youth, the program will
place a special emphasis on reach
ing and educating young people.
“Lilly Endowment and CNBC
have been closely associated since
the 1970s," said Dr. Craig Dykstra.
Vice President. Religion Division.
Lilly Endowment. "We are pleased
support CNBC in this important,
worthwhile and complex effort. Both
Lilly Endowment and CNBC want
to focus this effort on long-term
constructive solutions for burned as
well as vulnerable churches. We also
want to bring a wide variety of com­
munity and professional resources
into play."
T/ic CNBC Church Rebuilding
and Arson Prevention initiative has
a three-pronged approach:
I. Rebuild burned churches
• Over the next three sears. 50
churches will he rebuilt with secure,
fire-resistive materials
• The program is being piloted Jar
the first year in Alabama, Louisi­
ana. Mississippi, South Carolina.
Tennessee and Texas
• The program will develop and
conduct technical assistance and
training workshops on rebuilding
churches and garnering community
support
2. Prevent and eliminate church
arson
• Churches will be educated in how
to effectively invest in security sys­
tems and fire retardant materials
and techniques (according to a re­
cent CNBC assessment, security sys­
tems were not present in churches
and smoke detectors and fire alarms
were also not being used) to ensure
long-term benefits
• The initiative will help develop
creative and innovative securitv sys­
tems -- in conjunction with the Na­
tional Institute o f Building Science,
U.S. Tire Administration and other
private and public partners -- that
can be installed in existing, rebuilt
and newly constructed churches
• New churches will be equipped
with state-of-the-art fire retardant
systems
• The initiative will provide church­
es with insurance counseling and di­
rection to identif y prudent policies
3. Promote ecumenical and
multi-racial inclusiveness
• CNBC has established a toll-free
number fo r more inf ormation ( I -1 -
800-424-8808fo r callers outside o f
Washington, DC. and202-530-0765
fo r District callers)
• The outreach plan will focus on
identifying potential sponsors, teeli -
nical and skilled trade organiza­
tions and supporters from the media
• CNBC will establish f orums and
activities to promote a healthy, in­
tellectual exchange between differ
ent religious groups, ethnic groups
and age groups
In addition, a comprehensive public
education and awareness campaign
will be rolled out. 4.s part of this
campaign, CNBC will:
• Produce a documentaix film that
depicts the impact o f the church­
burning crisis and offers hope to
finding a solution
• Produce PSAs, educational pam­
phlets, resource guides and books
• Provide an 800 number for volun -
leers, the media, donations and spoil
sots to support the effort
• Engage primary and secondary
school students in the 13 Mates to
express their feelings about the
burnings through essays and art to
be read and displayed
• Establish an information center
and database for the effort
February is
Black History M onth
Call now to reserve advertising space,and
receive special display ad rates: (503) 288-0033.
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