Sundays at 8:00 A.M. and 10:15 A.M. · Details

  4033 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202  ·   (503) 777-3829  ·   Give

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Weekly Rector's Note: The Value of Community In Troubling Times

Dear Saints,

This last week I had the opportunity to spend a day with the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing for a Dismantling Racism training.

At the beginning of the class, participants from across the country were asked to share how they were feeling coming into the class. One of the words repeated over and over again was “hopeless.” Just days after the racially motivated shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, and knowing it wasn’t an isolated event but, as one journalist put it, “one thread in a web of anti-Black hatred,” there was an understandable sense of futility around what we were coming together that day to do.

However, over the course of the day –– through sharing our stories, deepening our understanding of racism, and having an opportunity to share Eucharist –– the mood changed drastically. So much so that by the end of the day the words people gave to sum up how they were feeling were “connected” and “hopeful.”

As I think about what could account for such a drastic change, it wasn’t that we had found a way to escape, avoid, or sugarcoat the problem. If anything, we were only increasing our awareness of it. I believe the difference is that we were coming to it from a place of community and faith: holding the challenges together, holding each other up, holding it before God.

There is such value in our coming together in this way. It was clear last Sunday in our engaging discussion of the Sacraments, or the joyful celebrations of Communion, or the Parish Hall filled with people having a great time at the Mustard Seed fundraiser. We may not be able to change some things around us that we wish we could, but we can change how we ourselves are experiencing these things. Our relationships with God and each other help.

This Sunday, I will talk about the peace that Jesus gives us and why it's so important right now. Deacon Maureen will be with us for our Episcopal 101 class in the Parish Hall at 9:00am. We will have a reception after the 10:15am service thanking Miss Laura for her ministry working with children and families at All Saints. And our Music Director, Dr. James Denman, will be giving an organ talk for our Pre-Teens and anyone who might be interested. The group will meet during the Coffee Hour and then head over to the organ.

In Peace,

Andria+


Tags: Weekly Rector's Note

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4033 SE Woodstock Blvd. · Portland, OR 97202
(503) 777-3829
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Service Times

Currently we offer an 8:00 A.M. In-Person Service (Rite I) and a 10:15 A.M. In Person Service & Streamed Holy Eucharist (Rite II) Service.

To participate in the 10:15 A.M. simply visit the Live page or watch directly from our Facebook page.

Location

All Saints Episcopal Church
4033 SE Woodstock Blvd.
Portland, OR 97202

Contact Us
(503) 777-3829

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Welcome Who We Are In-Person Worship

Welcome to All Saints – we are a community desiring to transform our lives through following Christ’s healing example of gentleness, humility, compassion, forgiveness, and peace toward all. If you are visiting Portland or if you are looking for a church home with an active intergenerational community, All Saints is a church where you will find a place of quiet reflection, or joyous celebration and fellowship. No matter where you are on your journey of faith, you will find there is a place for you here—just come as you are.

The Rev. Andria Skornik, Rector

The purpose of All Saints Church is to celebrate God’s love, to seek and to serve Christ in all persons, and to go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Your presence is a blessing regardless of your background, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity, age or family structure, abilities or limitations or wherever you are in life’s journey.

All Saints Episcopal Church is a Believe Out Loud Congregation. Click here this link for more information.

Our 8:00 A.M. Rite 1 Service, held in the Chapel, is our most traditional service. All are welcome. The 10:15 A.M. is a full Rite II Service, held in the Nave, with the Sermon, Readings, Hymns, and Communion. You can participate In-Person or in the Live Premiere on our Facebook page or watch on our website. The current bulletin and service can always be found in the Online Worship section of our website. All are welcome.

Here are three ways to give to All Saints Episcopal Church. We sincerely appreciate your generosity in support of All Saints, and together, we will continue to do God’s amazing work.

  • Give through the Donate Now button below and please consider paying the fee to help us recover the cost to provide you with this service.
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  • Mail a check to the Church Office at 4033 SE Woodstock Blvd Portland, OR 97202.

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