Chapter event is held in Eugene
The Oregon-Idaho Chapter of MFSA met in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, October 1 for an event titled “A Spirituality of Justice – for times that try our souls”. The event was designed as a means of reaching out to support and empower others in the ongoing and often difficult work of social justice. It was also a way for the OR-ID Chapter to reinvigorate our movement, meet new people and communities, and spark hope in the lives of so many who have felt a sense of hopelessness spreading in our cities, states, nation and world. According to chapter President, Rev. Dave Bean, “After all, we in MFSA are people of faith and bearers of hope and good news rooted in the One who came to ‘proclaim good news’!”
Scripture was the focus of the day from beginning to end, with opening music and the reading of scriptures about justice from both the Old and New Testaments leading into a discussion of how scripture informs and guides our work for justice. This discussion was followed by a presentation on “The Character and Nature of God” that emerges out of the over-arching themes of the Bible which, when placed in conversation with the Wesleyan quadrilateral, enable us to encounter the God of love, peace, and justice as most clearly seen in Jesus Christ. Attendees were then guided in learning processes for effective organizing that could be used in local settings, followed by highlighting the need for those who work for social justice to replenish their spirit and strength for the journey by drawing on a variety of resources or “pools of grace” that feed our spirits. Closing worship included Communion and a word of sending forth.
This event was envisioned as the first of a series of events to be held in various locations in the annual conference, especially outside the usual Portland-Salem area. If you would like to host a similar event in your area, contact Dave Bean, revdaveb@hotmail.com.
