Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Ethiopian Church Serves Immigrant Community

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Leo Newman | Contributing Writer

As congregants f ilter into Ammanuel Ethiopian Evangelical Church (AEEC) near NE 35th and Killingsworth St. on a brisk Sunday morning, they welcome each other with excited handshakes and warm embraces. Outside, children in puffer jackets hop out at the kiss-n-ride and jump for the church door as their parents search for a place to park. Before the band has finished tuning its instruments, a celebratory air has overtaken the mid-sized church.

Deacon Meseret, a founding member of Ammanuel and one of the church’s seven deacons, welcomes her congregants at the door. The cheerful churchgoers, explains Meseret, have come from as far as Gresham, Vancouver and Salem for Sunday service. Almost all originate from various regions of Ethiopia or Eritrea, East African countries where the majority of the population identifies as Christian.

Founded in 1998, the congregation rented the Portland Metro Church at NE 6th and Alberta until 2016. The growth of their community necessitated the purchase of their current building at 3515 NE Killingsworth St., formerly Englewood Christian Church.

“Now we need a big church.” says Meseret as congregants fill the overflow seats in the annex. The two-and-a-half hour service is delivered entirely in Amharic, the official language in Ethiopia and the one most widely spoken there. The service opens with a pop-inflected Ahmaric worship song driven by a melodic guitar melody. The AEEC media team, some half dozen young volunteers in matching shirts, dance in place from the sound booth. In addition to the 200 congregants present in the building, over 580 others have tuned in to view the livestream on Youtube.

A charismatic young song leader takes to the stage and leads the congregation in a winding, synth-powered ‘Hallelujah’ that keeps the audience on their feet and their hands raised in the air. At the close of each song, enthusiastic “whoops” echo from the crowd.

A remote controlled camera glides overhead to focus on Associate Pastor Mekonnen Tesfaye, one of the church’s three pastors, taking the stage. His remarks rise from a whisper into an impassioned sermon which drives the congregation to their feet. It is clear that over the last ten years, he has built a strong rapport as his jokes and little smirks send giggles around the hall. He ushers the crowd’s attention to a ‘giving link’ on the big screen, whereby they can donate to the church and help support its outreach programs.

Ammanuel serves a growing immigrant community, a number of them Ethiopian refugees and Ammanuel’s elaborate service and social programs depend on a concerted community effort. Church members assist newcomers with transportation, finding work, and connecting with local nonprofits like the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), says Deacon Meseret. “We support the community, whether they are members of our church or not,” says Deacon Meseret.

At the end of the lively service, a guest pastor from Maryland gives a sermon delivered over gentle music. As a father in the annex jingles his keys over his young son’s eyes to keep him entertained, he closes his eyes and raises one arm in praise.

Giving Thanks to the Earth During this Holiday Season

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer

As we give thanks for our many blessings over this holiday season, I can think of no better way to honor those we love than being kind to the earth and all its inhabitants. Here are a few gift ideas that help keep our celebrations environmentally conscious:

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Each person is invited to bring something of theirs that they really like but no longer use or need, or are just ready to share. Sometimes it’s something quirky that they can’t wait to part with (like one year it was one of those mechanical singing fish). The gifts don’t need to be wrapped, they are on display for all to see. Everyone picks a number which determines the order in which people select gifts. When it’s your turn, you may pick a new gift or “steal” one that has already been taken. The person who you steal from then gets to pick something else from the selection. It becomes a comical competition, and everyone gets in on the fun.

White elephant gifts are my favorite zero-impact gift option. I’ve done this with friend groups and with family holiday gatherings and it’s always a blast.

Experiences

Experiences make memorable gifts, support our local businesses and decrease the need for extra packaging, transportation and shipping. If there’s such a thing as a win:win:win:win this is it. Here are some examples of great experience gifts:

  • Tickets for a play, concert or sporting event (such as NE theaters Profile Theater and Portland Playhouse or events at Alberta Rose, Alberta Abbey and Alberta Historic House)
  • An e-bike tour of Hood River through solrides.com
  • A gift card for a favorite brewery, bakery or restaurant
  • A gift certificate for a massage or facial (Check out tinymassagecart.com, sweetsaffronnaturalskincare.com)
  • A gift certificate for a class or services such as communitycyclingcenter.org or bike repair, cooking classes through viviennepdx.com or art classes through collagepdx.com
  • For loved ones far away consider gift cards they can use for special treats near them, like for a special chocolate store

Memberships

Memberships are experience gifts that keep on giving. Many local companies provide gist membership options. Here are a few ideas:

  • A pint of Salt and Straw every month
  • Two packages of coffee every other week delivered to their house by Keia and Martyn (keiaandmartynscoffee.com)
  • Membership to Dogwood wine club for monthly bottles and tasting (dogwoodpdx.com) Personal Donations Here are ways to donate your own time or money thoughtfully.
  • Donations to organizations of importance or special meaning to your loved ones in their honor
  • Gifts of service from you, like meals or a written promise of a few hours of gardening help or childcare.

Gifts for Children

Children’s gifts can get expensive. Rather than running to the store for the latest fad toy, consider gifting handmade coupons, which can be for any number of things, such as:

  • Get to stay up one hour late on chosen night
  • Pass to skip chores for a week
  • Ice cream sundae night
  • Visit to the fire station
  • Game Night of their choice
  • Making Playdoh together, building with Legos, or playing with a favorite toy
  • Extra books at bedtime

When wrapping your gifts, use reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper and ribbons. Happy holiday season and may we all be blessed with health and peace.

Esther Lerman Freeman is a certified Master Recycler and Concordia resident.

Poetry Corner – Overflowing the Cup of Gratitude

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

By Kunal Mehra, Contributing Writer

Tiring work hours build up, day by day, week by week,
taking my energy and making me ponder:
How long will the work be making me weary? Where is my life going?
The wetness and chilliness of a November evening add to my list of drained feelings:
‘Why does it have to rain so much? Is it a lot to ask for some sunshine? Clouds, go away; I’m tired of you.’
I sit on the couch with a warm cup of tea, looking out the picture window, at the front yard,
annoyance, exhaustion and frustration dancing in my mind,
in an opera I never wanted to see.

A few red dogwood leaves linger on in the tree in the yard,
patiently waiting to be let go.
A cold breeze blows by, taking a leaf down and bringing it back to the earth.

I stand up and walk towards the window, looking closely at the leaf.
A few quiet seconds pass by, just like the thought in my mind:
‘This leaf has been let go.’

And I know not why, but my shoulders ease down,
as I walk back to the couch and relax amidst its warm softness,
my mind fills with one feeling: Gratitude.

‘Thank you, dogwood leaf, for reminding me about a trait I ought to cultivate more:
Letting Go.
I ought to let go of thoughts that don’t serve me.
I acknowledge that in this moment, I feel tired and drained,
but I am letting go of those thoughts, knowing that I will address them when the time is right.
Thank you, again.’

Wait…what else should I say thanks to?

I take a deep breath in and close my eyes, holding the warm cup in my soft hands.

My deep breath. My soft hands. The warm tea. The ability to drink that tea.
The job that tires me that pays for the tea, for the couch,
for the warm cozy home in which I’m relaxing, for the water, for the water boiler.
My beautiful resilient body, which is allowing ‘me’ to sit easefully on the couch,
walk from the kitchen to the living room and back,
my inquisitive mind that’s open to growth…

I keep pouring items into the cup of gratitude, until it overflows,
until I’m reminded that the choice is mine:
focus mostly on what’s not working well, or, on what I’m already blessed with;
the annoyance at the cold gray weather, or,
the warm cozy home that’s keeping me safe and healthy.
Doing the latter helps me tackle the former better,
because my mind is at ease and full of the soft blossoms of gratitude,
a fullness that helps me take better, stabler and confidence-laden actions
than if I were to react from a place of
‘I dislike this’, ‘Why don’t I have that’, ‘Why is this not working correctly?’…

The less I take for granted, the more peace gets planted.
And for all these precious gratitude-laden learnings,
I have so much more gratitude in my being.

Micromobility Transportation Options Are Changing Commutes

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Land Use & Transportation

By Megan Gobble | CNA SW2 Rep

E-scooters and electric bikes are now a popular sight around Portland. Photos by Megan Gobble.

Recently, a news update from Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) caught my eye. PBOT’s E-Scooter Program teamed up with ride-share company Lyft and e-scooter rental company Lime to provide 3,500 rental e-scooters and e-bikes citywide. Micromobility infrastructure includes e-scooters, e-bikes, and other individual transport devices and, according to a Federal Highway Administration article, reduces traffic and pollution.

You can find Lime and Lyft (Nike Biketown) bikes and scooters to rent in Concordia near McMenamins, University of Oregon, and on NE Alberta St. They are also along the streets with bike lanes – NE Going St., NE Holman St., NE 32nd Ave., and NE 37th Ave., which are designated safe micromobility routes. Look up “Rules of the Road for e-scooters in Portland” on portland.gov. Wear a helmet, use bike lanes/streets/paths, and lock e-vehicles to racks or signposts.

Before leaving home, download the Lime or Lyft apps and set up your account. You need to be at least 18 years old and have a mobile phone. Enter your email address and a credit card or PayPal /Apple Pay. Once verified you can search for nearby e-transport. With the Lyft app, you can also hail a Lyft driver. Both fleets have seated scooters available for less nimble riders.

From the Lyft app’s map, I reserved a Lyft (Biketown) e-scooter at NE 32nd and Alberta. Once there, I scanned the scooter’s QR code, unlocking it and starting the timer. After positioning the scooter and securing my bike helmet, I stepped onto the scooter with both feet, pressed the right-hand throttle switch down and off I went.

After 25 minutes of sightseeing around Concordia, I locked the scooter to a bike rack, and clicked the app to “end my trip”. It asked for a photo, then ended my session. This enjoyable excursion cost $1.00 to unlock and $0.37 per minute, a total of $10.55. Not in your price range? Both Lyft and Lime have discount programs for eligible users. Then the per minute rate drops to $0.07 a minute.

Hope you have fun trying out the new micromobility options throughout our neighborhood, our city and the world. See you around.

Megan is the SW2 rep and a retired nurse and engineer. She travels, bikes and hikes, and swims along with her multigenerational family

The West Coast’s Largest Stamp Library Just Down the Street

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer

Stamp enthusiasts sort through treasures at Oregon Stamp Society’s monthly Rose City Stamp Fair. Photo by Joshua Lickteig.

Had any fun with philately lately? Philately, the study and collection of postal delivery materials, prospers in an old fire station building on NE 33rd Avenue half a block south of Alberta Street. Its five columns, flagpole and prominent gable roof welcome visitors into worlds of hobby and history: stamps, postmarked envelopes, cards, letters, and souvenir sheets. Oregon Stamp Society (OSS), a volunteer-based organization belonging to the Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, hosts regular public fairs and bourses that bring together buyer enthusiasts, casual collectors, heirs, onetime sellers, and dealers. OSS operates the Northwest Philatelic Library, which contains over 5,300 items, 160 journals, and over 120 years of price catalogs.

Whether you are interested in a particular era, geographical region, subject or theme, discovery awaits at a clubhouse gathering. There’s splendor in the way dealers, exhibitors, and collectors operate the floor with respect and cooperation.

“Here, everyone wants to share their knowledge,” says Deborah Jutz, whose son Cétán just began looking for baseball-themed stamps. They like the thrill of the search, learning about the pastime together, and the patience and sincerity of the relaxed sellers.

In the lobby Steve King, OSS president for the past three and a half years and member since 2005, identifies the period of an unmarked postcard from the Crater Lake Hotel. King worked with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for 31 years.

“Back then, there were no photographs of small towns taken by citizens; just by official postcard photographers,” he notes. Lit magnifying glass in hand, the basis for his assessment lies in the lodge’s apparent physical condition in the picture and the thin white border on the postcard (a cost-saving measure following WWI).

Contrasting the contemporary boom of shared digital images, few personal letters are sent today. The society’s library manager Isaac Oelgart, removing a short-brimmed fedora and white blazer, joins the room.

“A stamp is a service,” he says, “unless you don’t use it, then it’s just a piece of paper.” Stamps generate revenue for government-run postal systems and can appeal aesthetically or as investments to buyers. Oelgart says that most newspapers used to have a philatelic columnist.

Downstairs, a library is kept in a tidy L-shaped space with over 25 subject categories, from auction catalogs to antiquated postal stationery. In a glass case by its entrance is a framed photo of Mary McBride, president from 1959-1960, instrumental in acquiring the clubhouse when it came up for sale in 1960. Presently, there are 6,000 or more unique resources for research. “We’re the biggest small or the smallest big [mail] library in the United States,” Oelgart says. Only Chicago and New York host a more sizable set of stacks.

OSS is healthy as an organization, publishes its newsletter The Album Page monthly, and has low member resignation over the years. Though as some pass on, less join. In 1980 there were about 450 members; today 150, and ten to thirty people attend the board meetings. The clubhouse is also leased to other local organizations; namely, Webfooters Post Card Club, Sojourn Church PDX, All-Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon, and Northwest Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

Neighborhood support remains steady. In a couple of hours during my visit, at least three in-kind donations, mostly boxes of family collections, even stamp découpage, were received. Several passersby stopped and mentioned they’d been meaning to for some time. King says this is pretty regular.

OSS holds regular library hours, membership meetings and a monthly stamp fair that is open to the public. Deliver your intrigue to the historical realm of stampomania!

More Info

Library (4828 NE 33rd Ave.) open 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm and 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 6:30-8 pm Rose City Stamp Fair every second Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland for six years. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.

Building Renovations, Students and Employees Move to Campus and 11/7 Event

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Schools

By Heidi Hiaasen | Contributing Writer

Designer Nur Abbas tours the UO Sports Product Management Innovation Lab after speaking to students. Photo by Heidi Hiaasen.

Newly renovated buildings on the University of Oregon (UO) Por tland campus started reopening in September, allowing employees and students to look inside for the first time in a year. Many marveled at the transformation of tired, dark and outdated buildings into light-filled, reimagined academic spaces.

Students moved into on-site apartments while faculty and staff set up labs, classrooms, offices and student spaces. After a year of being split between locations, UO students and employees have reunited on the campus, enjoying outdoor spaces and exploring the neighborhood.

Neighbors are invited to tour the campus during the next UO Community Connection on Thursday, November 7th. The walking tour is from 4-5 pm, starting in the lobby of the Library and Learning Center (2800 NE Liberty St.) The meeting will start at 5 pm back in the Library and Learning Center with a brief update about the campus. ZGF Architects will next provide an in-depth look at the early design stage of the proposed Child Behavioral Health Building from 5:15-6:30 pm. Community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback at the meeting. Neighbors are welcome to join for all or part of the session.

“We are happy to return with another community meeting, as our neighbors have been so involved and welcoming,” says Jane Gordon, vice president. “Our Community Connection series has always been a great way for members of the community to get updates about our campus and establish relationships with our staff.”

Some renovation work continues around campus, but large portions of the construction fence have come down. NE 29th Avenue remains closed between NE Holman Street and NE Rosa Parks Way for the construction of the Child Behavioral Health Building. It will remain closed to vehicular traffic, but pedestrians can use the sidewalk outside the fence.

In addition to KISS Coffee, UO has partnered with Truckster to have a rotating mix of food trucks on Mondays (4-7 pm,) Tuesdays (11 am -2 pm), and Wednesdays (4-7 pm) in the open lot at the corner of NE Liberty St. and NE 27th Ave. Visit gotruckster.com/neighborhoods-office-buildings/uo-portland for the complete schedule. Community members are encouraged to order from the trucks to help make sure this service remains available.

KISS on Campus is open from 8:30- 3:30 pm, Monday-Friday in the Library and Learning Center. That building also has the UO Portland Library and children’s library on the second floor, which is open to the community.

Have questions about UO Portland or the campus? Email pdxinfo@uoregon. edu or visit pdx.uoregon.edu.

Heidi Hiaasen is the Assistant Director of Portland Communications for the University of Oregon.

Toys Gone Wild: Inside Ron Beideck’s Quirky Yard

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News

Words and Photos by Dascha Orlova

Ron Beideck has called the house on the corner of NE Alberta Court and NE 36th Avenue home since 1994. Though the neighborhood has evolved, one constant remains: Ron’s creative spirit. As a retired typography editor, Ron’s eye has found new expression in an unexpected medium—stuffed animals and toys. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Ron began collecting whimsical items and slowly transformed his yard into a colorful and playful space that incites curiosity from passersby. The windows are adorned with themed collages made from pages of magazines and recycled books that change with the seasons—or rather, the bleaching of the sun. The current theme? Animals. The toys in his yard aren’t just for show—Ron encourages visitors to explore the yard, find a toy they love and give it a new home. It’s his way of spreading joy and fostering a sense of community, one saved toy at a time.

Portland Open Studios Event Offers the Chance to See Local Artists at Work

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News

By Kepper Petzing | Contributing Writer

“So much of our world is curated and often what we see is the beautiful, finished product – whether it is art in a gallery, or a posting on social media. This event offers the opportunity to come and see what’s behind all of it – a lot of messiness – a lot of failures,” says artist Juli Rae Vignola.

What she’s talking about is Portland Open Studios, an annual event where 100 Portland artists open their studios to the public for tours. Portland Open Studios is also the name of the nonprofit that has put on the event for the past 26 years. Tours will run October 12th-13th and 19th-20th and six of the featured artists are in Concordia.

“There is a range from polished studios to people who are just painting on their kitchen table.Your neighbors are creating stellar work with just what they got”,  says participating artist Carson Abbert. Inspiring ideas don’t come solely from the art; artists often have creative homes or yards. 

Many works are also for sale. Concordia resident Lowen Berman says. “Just go on the tour. You’ll learn a lot, meet interesting neighbors, and you’ll have a good time.”

More Info

Portland Open Studios

portlandopenstudios.com
October 12th & 13th and October 19th & 20th from 10 am – 4 pm 

The tour guide is on the website, which includes information on each artist along with samples of their work. You can search by neighborhood, artist’s name, or medium. Tour is indicated by black and yellow posted signs.

A Powerful Cultural Experience

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News

On September 7th, the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) based in NE Portland hosted its 12th annual Neerchokikoo powwow. Neerchokikoo is a revitalized Native American village; an ancient gathering site near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in what is today the Cully neighborhood. Since 2010 (with breaks during COVID) the powwow has welcomed thousands of community members from over 380 tribes to gather and celebrate Native culture through dance, music, art and food. 

Set up in the center’s gymnasium, a vendor market showcased more than 30 artisans offering jewelry, clothing, and traditional medicines. Delicious fry bread and Indian tacos were also available for purchase. When I first entered the covered area I was greeted with rhythmic traditional drumming accompanied by Native singers. Taking their turns on the dance floor, community members of all ages dressed in beautiful regalia danced in a swirl of color throughout the day.

The Neerchokikoo Powwow honors partners, volunteers and donors whose contributions to NAYA’s work have enhanced the lives of youth, families and elders. This year, NAYA is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the theme of the event  was “reclaiming our past, cultivating our future.”  The honoring ceremony was not only a tribute to the tribal councils but also a recognition of the enduring connection between the land and the Native American communities that have long called this site home.

“As an ancient Native encampment and gathering site, NAYA’s campus at Neerchokikoo has historic and cultural significance. For many centuries, Native Americans from tribes throughout the area came to this land to gather, trade, and build community,” says Ann Takamoto, Naya’s Director of Development.

The Neerchokikoo Powwow brought together hundreds from the Native American community. As a guest, I was overwhelmed by the power of celebration. It’s hard to translate into words the beauty and love I felt in the room. The care put into each beautiful regalia, some with hard earned eagle feathers, and dresses covered in tingly metal bells were inspiring and I was mesmerized by the power of the drums.

Around dinner time someone came over to me and offered me food. I enjoyed a delicious plate of salmon, wild rice, greens, and berries, all examples of Native first food. Then the dancing continued into the evening. 

The whole day was a powerful tribute to pride, love and honoring cultural history. It was an experience I’ll never forget.