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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2010)
January 13. 2010 % 2010 M artin L uther K ing J r . ■ L .sær ' i 3 r a ■ 4 J / J! ^ H <& , ■ ? »X • - » Tv : I r , ® Tv ’ ■ 13 ..:....... a photo by S M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver Out of northeast Portland's Augustana Lutheran Church, Pastor Mark Knutson follows in Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. footpath in building coalitions to promote social change. ‘One person, one church can't do it,' he says. Promoting Justice of Oregon to help facilitate dia logue on issues ranging from the Leslie said that Knutson brings plight of immigrants to water a high level o f empathy to his rights battles, often with people work, and stands out as some almost at each others’ throats. one who remains forward-look “He [KingJ had a way o f re ing and optimistic, even when ally addressing the issues in this things are bleak. country that were so wrong, and “M ark’s not afraid to be on at the same time still loving the the frontline, and he’s pulling people who were instigating it, you along,” said Leslie. which is incredible if you think Rev. Allen Bethel of the Albina about it,” said Knutson. Ministerial Alliance said that he’s W hen K n u tso n cam e to been able to count on Knutson’s Augustana Lutheran in the 1990s, support whenever the alliance has the national church had recently taken on issues of police account issued an apology to its gay and ability or human services. lesbian members. “What really stands out is But Knutson wanted it to go M ark's presence,” said Bethel. further, and grant greater rights In his office at Augustana to gays and lesbians. He began Lutheran, Knutson explained facilitating dialogue with church that from reading King’s works members and even got 80-year- he understands that intentional old members to see his point of action needs to be taken to ini view. tiate social change, which re In order to foster better col quires coalitions. laboration with other organiza “One person, one church can’t tions, he rents out office space in do it; one politician, one business the basement o f the church to person can’t do it,” he said. seven non-profits, most of which He also stressed that it’s im are focused on the rights of im portant to reach out to people migrants and low-income people. who may be on the opposite side “It’s been enormously impor of an issue. Knutson has been tant for us because w e’re a very know to travel to remote places small organization with very little continued ¿ ^ f r o m page 36 Page 37 s p e c ia l ed itio n funding, and just to have a space to designate for Oregon Farm Worker Ministries is really im portant," said John Munson of the help Knudson has done for his non-profit. Ari R apkin.aco-directorw ith theC ommunity Alliance of Ten- ants, said that having space next door to other like-minded non- profits has been a good way to swap ideas. Knutson, 57, was born in Port- kind and attended Franklin High School and the University of Oregon. After graduating he did a stint training people for jobs in Astoria before heading to semi- nary school. After finishing seminary, he worked as the director for youth ministries for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Knutson said that part of the job required frequent travel, which gave him the opportunity to see how other churches operate, which would benefit him when he returned to Portland, Since taking the reigns at Augustana Lutheran Church in 1995, he's watched the congre- gation swell to over 700 people, many of them young, which is a difficult feat as churches have seen their membership decline over the years. Knutson said that part of the reason he has been able to grow the church is through an inclu sive approach that involves “fling ing the doors open,” as he proudly displays a picture of his diverse congregation. He also mentioned that he also tries to make connections between the scripture and mod ern life, so that w hen his congregants leave Sunday ser vice they will go out and try to positively impact their com m u nity. “When we give of ourselves- when we watch people give of themselves- that's just amazing what that can do," he said. Come Bid With Us Portland Public School District welcomes interest and participation by MBE, WBE and ESB companies in our contracts for goods and services. Throughout the year, we purchase a variety of items including office equipment, school supplies, paper products, maintenance services, construction projects and more. Please contact our office for additional information on bidding opportunities. Dave Fajer Director of Procurement and Distribution Portland Public Schools 501 North Dixon Portland OR 97227 (503) 916-3576 (503) 916-3109 fax dfajer@pps.k12.or.us We encourage and appreciate your interest in doing business with Portland Public Schools.