By Karen Wells – CNA Media Team

Two local Protestant churches are demonstrating their support for immigrants and refugees.

Concordia’s Ainsworth United Church of Christ (AUCC) has a long history of involvement in social justice work. This includes being active in the Sanctuary Movement, a national initiative sparked by the current political climate of accelerated attempts to detain and/or deport undocumented immigrants/workers.

Pastor Lynne Smouse Lopez was at the helm of AUCC in 2007 during the north Portland Fresh Del Monte Produce packing plant immigration raids. She and her congregation took action then to assist affected immigrant families.

They are back in action for the latest affront to the security of immigrant families and their children, according to the pastor.

AUCC was the first church in Oregon to engage with the Sanctuary Movement, which counts at least 800 congregations and 18 coalitions nationally. To date, 16 congregations, in nine major cities have provided or offered sanctuary to affected immigrants and their families.

Augustana Lutheran in nearby Irvington neighborhood sponsored a February news conference about sanctuary and deportation. Fifteen local immigrant rights/advocacy groups shared stories of how the latest wave of actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have affected families and children.

The 100-plus community members, congregants and local media heard stories of children who are afraid to go to school for fear of returning home to an empty house if their parents are detained unexpectedly by ICE. Participants also heard that, because of the fear of ICE, many in need of food or medicine are going without.

Sanctuary Movement details

These resources can help you learn more about the Sanctuary Movement and/or step up to help:

• Ainsworth United Church of Christ, AinsworthUCC.com
• Muslim Community Center of Portland, MCCpdx.org
• Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, EMOregon.org
• Allen Temple-Christian Methodist Episcopal, AllenTemple@qwestoffice.net
• Augustana Lutheran, Augustana.org
• Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, IMIRJ.org
• Sanctuary Movement, SanctuaryNotDeportation.org

By Nancy Varekamp – CNews Editor

“Sanctuary is much more than providing a physical space for someone at risk of deportation,” reads the website of nearby St. Andrew Catholic Church. “It is a strategy and set of actions for faith communities, faith-based organizations, and people of conscience.”

The parish takes that statement seriously, according to Diana R. a parishioner active in the movement to support Latino parishioners.

“St. Andrew is very into social justice, so immigration has always been an issue we’ve been involved with,” she said. “When new things started happening, we wanted to make sure the whole parish is into it, and really knowing that we are a sanctuary parish. We’re exploring several aspects.”

Last month’s “Know Your Rights” forum drew 200 people to hear from attorneys and role play various potential scenarios.

A training session for rapid responders in March included 200 volunteers willing to help families in their communities. “We agreed to form friend-families, undocumented persons buddying with citizens to have someone to call in an emergency,” Diana said.

The January “Sanctuary Assembly” also drew a crowd.

Due to space, the church building at 806 N.E. Alberta St. likely won’t serve as a physical sanctuary, unless is absolutely necessary. Instead, parishioners are offering their homes. “They know the legal risk, and many are willing to go all the way,” Diana said.

The parish works with Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good, and there’s no limit to the preparations. “Nothing has actually happened with our parishioners yet, so we really don’t know how ready we are to respond in a case,” Diana pointed out.

“One of the things that is coming out of all of this is parishioners understanding we are more like each other than different. We are part of a community that shares a lot of values.

“What moves your world is when something happens.”

2017 Juneteenth Oregon Celebration Commemorates the 152nd Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

Date: June 17, 2017
Parade start time: 10:45am

“Bringing our Community Back 2 Life”

Portland, Oregon ~ The Juneteenth Oregon Committee invites you to attend our Annual Juneteenth Oregon Celebration and our Annual “Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade” on Saturday, June 17, 2017.

The parade will start off at Safeway parking lot located 5920 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211 and go South on MLK and go along MLK until Russell where it will go West ending at the Juneteenth Oregon Celebration at the Legacy Emanuel Field located NE
Graham & Vancouver. The parade will start at 10:45 AM and the Festival will start immediately following the parade at around Noon ending at 6:00 PM.

Juneteenth Celebration activities include:

• The Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade Alan Bell the owner of Hana’s Snowballs located on Beech and MLK as the Grand Marshall, The Ebony Strutters, Miss Black Oregon Talented Teen, Community Churches, Groups, Clubs and Community Organizations.
• Live Bands & Local Artists featuring Randy Starr, 5 Grand and other local artists.
• Food Vendors
• Local Retail Vendors
• Children’s area

This is a Community Event and is Free to EVERYONE and we mean EVERYONE!
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration among African Americans across the country commemorating the announcement of the end of slavery in the United States. It has been an African American tradition since the late 19th Century.

The relationship between Juneteenth Oregon and the City dates back to 1945, when Clara Peoples from Muskogee, OK while working in the shipyards during a lunch break on Juneteenth asked fellow co-workers if they knew about Juneteenth and the answer was no. She
then turned to her supervisor and asked if they could be allowed to celebrate Juneteenth during their 15-minute break and it was approved. Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated in Portland, Oregon along with a parade that was recently named The Clara Peoples Freedom
Trail Parade.

Why is Juneteenth so important?
It gives African-Americans (and indeed everyone living in America) a sense of togetherness. You don’t have to be African-American to join in celebrating the anniversary of the end of slavery. Everyone is invited to celebrate this important day in black history. This year’s theme is “bringing our community back 2 life” for 2017. We can start by coming together to learn more about our culture and what we can do as a community to educate our youth, empower our youth, love and respect one another. Juneteenth is a celebration of African American’s freedom, but it opens the door for so many other community opportunities.

This year Juneteenth Oregon will be solely operating on donations for this community event. This includes vendors. We are making this actually a free event for everyone in the community to attend, network, learn, and celebrate African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten.

If anyone would like to make a donation towards Juneteenth Oregon Celebration 2017 , visit GoFundMe page here.

Juneteenth Oregon Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/juneteenthoregon15/

Juneteenth Oregon website
www.juneteenthor.com

By Dan Werle, CNA Media Team

In spring 1990, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) opened its doors to the nation’s first free-standing, community-based program committed to serving people who are low income and living with HIV.

Nearly 27 years later, the HIV Day Center continues to serve the needs of people living with HIV.

It’s located in the Ainsworth United Church of Christ building, near 29th Avenue and Ainsworth Street. According to center literature, it’s one of EMO’s HIV Services programs that strive to address basic needs of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in a manner of respect, compassion and safety.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. All services provided by the day center staff and volunteers are free, and include hot breakfasts and lunches, internet access, free Wi-Fi, laundry machines, clothing, hot showers and hygiene supplies.

Volunteer practitioners and students also provide massages, haircuts, foot care and acupuncture. Additionally, information and referral services, and knowledgeable, compassionate staff support are available to help clients access other resources available for people living with HIV.

Jesse Herbach has been with EMO’s HIV Services for the past 3½ years. He points out the core of the project is best illustrated through the intangibles clients receive at the center.

“When people are less isolated and more engaged with their peers, their health outcomes are better,” he said. “The center provides a place where people with vastly different backgrounds create strong friendships.” That takes place sharing meals, shooting pool or during the popular Monday bingo games.

People seeking services at the center often show up for just meals and clothing initially.
“What keeps them coming back are the relationships that get built,” Jesse explained. They befriend other clients, volunteers and staff members.

If you’re interested in volunteering with the HIV Day Center the Daily Bread Express, its companion program for home-delivered meals, contact Mika Mulkey at MMulkey@EMOregon.org or 503.460.3822.

Another way you can help is by participating in the Thursday, April 27, Dining Out For Life. More than 30 restaurants in the Portland metro area will donate 20 to 35 percent of each diner’s bill to HIV services in the area, including the HIV Day Center.
This year, Concordia area businesses participating include Extracto, Kennedy School, P’s & Q’s Market and Red Sauce Pizza. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit DiningOutForLife.com/portland.

Dan Werle lives in Concordia with his wife, Anna, and their dogs.