At EMO we believe that bringing theological reflection and ethics to issues of the day helps us fulfill the call to "raise up the foundations of many generations."
Rooted in our Christian experience, as we encounter people of other faiths we come to more profoundly understand the meaning of our "shared humanity" before God.
This understanding is based upon the biblical affirmation that "the earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it." - Psalm 24:1
Our interfaith education and theological dialogue programs help congregations and individuals deepen their own commitments and better understand their neighbors. Each year we offer workshops, discussions, lectures, presentations, celebrations and vigils to celebrate Christian unity, foster interfaith relations, and explore ethical and moral issues.
2011 Collins Lecture, "Restoring Sacred Balance," by Fr. Richard Rohr
In times of so much uncertainty and anxiety about the future, the question "How does one sustain one's soul while working faithfully and effectively for social justice and peace?" becomes increasingly important.
The 2011 Collins Lecture, held on Oct. 26, 2011, created the space to pursue this question in a spiritually enriched context. It will also provided an opportunity to celebrate and honor people and communities engaged in the Holy work of peaceful change in the world.
Fr. Richard Rohr is a well-known author and a Franciscan of the New Mexico Province. Since 1986, he has served as founding director at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rohr's ministry and lifework center on helping people connect to the contemplative traditions in order to be instruments of peaceful change in the world.
Listen to Fr. Rohr's lecture "Restoring Sacred Balance."
2010 Collins Lecture, "Who Is Our Neighbor? Imagining Beyond Our Borders."
Who is our neighbor? What "borders" do we create between people: geographic, cultural, religious, economic, political? How can we live together respectfully in diverse communities? The current debates about the migration of people and cultural and religious diversity provide a rich context for discussing these questions from a theological perspective. Join us to explore this provocative issue.
The 2010 Collins Lecture keynote speakers were the Rev. Dr. S. Wesley Ariarajah, faculty of the Drew University School of Theology and its Graduate School as professor of Ecumenical Theology, and the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. With their personal histories and professional expertise, Ariarajah and Rodriguez offered their insights on the topic.
Listen to the 2010 Collins Lecture:
Part 1
Part 2
2009 Collins Lecture, "The Transformative Power of Reconciliation in Society" by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
There are a handful of people in the world who can rightfully be called modern-day prophets. Portland was witness to one such individual on May 4, 2009, when Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s presence filled the Chiles Center on the University of Portland campus for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s (EMO) 40th Collins Lecture, “The Transformative Power of Reconciliation in Society.”
With humor and honesty, Archbishop Tutu powerfully shared his belief in the power of forgiveness, as he recounted the years of apartheid in South Africa and the successful non-violent struggle to bring down the system. The sold-out crowd gave the Archbishop a standing ovation at the end of his lecture. Many in the crowd were students, including 350 young people given scholarships by our sponsors.
Watch the 2009 Collins Lecture:
2007 Collins Lecture and Poverty Conference, “From Despair to Hope: An Interreligious Response to the Crisis of Poverty,” drew speakers and participants from across the state to engage in education and networking leading to action. The discussion focused on addressing the moral issues around poverty and the underlying systems and structures that perpetuate the growing disparity between the rich and poor.
The all-day conference opened with a panel discussion of religious responses to poverty featuring Orthodox Christian, Evangelical Protestant, Jewish and Muslim representatives. A second panel featured socio-economic experts from across the state.
Two New Orleans activists, Tanya Harris and Hulen Brown, were luncheon keynote speakers, giving perspectives on poverty as reflected in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Eight workshops rounded out the daytime event, with topics ranging from climate change and poverty, health care, workers’ rights, to the many poverties of mental illness.
Syndicated columnist E.J. Dionne, Jr. was our evening keynote speaker. In his address, “The Politics of Hope,” Dionne provided a historic perspective on the Christian response to poverty in society. He emphasized the necessity to take a conceptual knowledge of poverty to a personal and relational understanding. “Social justice requires economic support from government,” Dionne stated, “a concern for family life, and serious efforts to strengthen community institutions and to restore public order.” He believes that while “compassion is good, justice is better” an argues, “while government cannot solve all problems, what it does and doesn’t do matters enormously.”
Listen to EJ Dionne Jr.'s Collins Lecture:
Part 1
Part 2
2006 Collins Lecture - "Earth on Edge: Choosing Our Future"
"Global warming presents the deepest challenge not only to our physical survival but also to our sense of the divine. Suddenly human beings find themselves enormously large, enormously powerful; can we summon the humility to be stewards instead of troublemakers?" – Featured lecturer Bill McKibben, environmental essayist, activist and author of the best seller The End of Nature.
"Earth on Edge: Choosing Our Future" focuses on sustainability, commonly defined as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Three vital dimensions of sustainability are discussed: ecology, economy and equity, with emphasis on one of the greatest moral issues of our time – global warming.
The cost of the DVD is $13 (includes shipping and handling). To order, download the Order Form or call (503) 221-1054.
2005 Collins Lecture – "When Faiths Unite: Religious Perspectives on Peacemaking in the Middle East"
2005 Collins Lecture audio files (download RealPlayer):
Introduction by David Leslie, EMO executive director
Ron Young, Event Moderator, founder and director of the United States Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East
The Rev. Dr. Saïd R. Ailabouni, program director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Division for Global Mission for Europe, the Middle East and Horn of Africa
Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, spokesperson and past president of the Muslim Women's League
Chief Rabbi David Rosen, director of the American Jewish Committee's Interreligious Affairs Department and the Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Understanding
Local Religious Leaders Perspectives: Frank Afranji, board member of the Muslim Educational Trust; Daniel Isaak, senior rabbi at Congregation Neveh Shalom and president of the Oregon Board of Rabbis; and Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Q & A Session with International Religious Leaders
Veteran’s Bridge Fund Project
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is supporting the Veteran’s Bridge Fund Project, which provides small grants to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are in transition and experiencing temporary setbacks, often as they wait for disability or other assistance. The Veteran’s Bridge Fund allows any congregation, regardless of their stance on the war, to help these people in need.
If your congregation is interested in participating or if you have a bridge grant request, call (503) 246-3239, (503) 245-3832.
Ecumenical News International
National Council of Churches
Washington Association of Churches
World Council of Churches
"The Changing American Religious Landscape," presentation by Luis Lugo, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. View slides.
