New year, new possibilities

The physical act of turning to that first blank page of a brand new calendar is a reminder of all the space that lies before us in which we can imagine and create and bring about something new.  The dawning of 2012 brings with it exciting possibilities for folks in this community to come together and work for positive change.  In December, Francisco Lopez, the Director of Causa, a powerful immigrant rights organization in Oregon, came to CUMC with Barbara Ghio, a volunteer Causa lawyer with extensive experience in immigration law.  Not only did they provide valuable information to the 75-some adults who joined us that evening, but they inspired all of us to action, reminding us of the power each of us has to let our voices to be known and to shape policy that affects us and our families and communities. At the end of the lively evening, many participants expressed interest in participating in future gatherings, and they will soon have another opportunity to do so!  In February and March, CUMC will host a Causa-led popular education leadership class for Spanish-speakers in Cornelius.  Soon after the course is completed, the church will be the site for a naturalization workshop, where legal permanent residents who are eligible to apply for US citizenship can come and meet with volunteer lawyers who will help them fill out applications and begin the process.  I am very excited to be partnering with Causa and with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (who will provide the attorneys) as we organize and educate ourselves and empower leaders to advocate for our community in the halls of power.

Feasting

There are times for fasting and times for feasting, and Thanksgiving is certainly one of those feast days.  Several members of the CUMC church family and several members of our neighborhood family gathered for a meal that was abundant in flavor and in conversation.  I am deeply grateful that this family continues to grow. 

Conectando

In late November, Pastor Jorge Rodriguez came to our corner of Oregon from Wilder, Idaho with six leaders from the Wilder Hispanic Mission. It was the first step toward deeper connection and support between those around the conference who are working directly with Hispanic folks in our communities.  It was a whirlwind tour for Jorge's group, with stops at The Supper and the food pantry at CUMC, a Bible study at La Iglesia, the new UM fellowship in Portland, and the Beaverton Hispanic Resource Center at Beaverton 1st UMC. The Wilder folks also provided an incredible amount of help that day at the pantry on Saturday!  After 77 families were served (!) we enjoyed a delicious meal of pupusas and shared where we've seen God at work in our ministries and communities. It was wonderful to get to know one another better and offer support at what we hope is the first of many gatherings!

Jorge and Auggie are good buds:

Preparing to eat mole at The Supper.  There were nearly 30 of us that night!

Elidia, another one of Auggie's new friends:

Making new friends at The Supper:

Some of the last guests to be served at the food pantry:

Pupusas!!

Sharing about our ministries:

It is great to be connected!

Getting out there

At the beginning of September, I officially returned from maternity leave and began to intentionally reconnect with folks in the neighborhood and with those involved in Western Washington County Hispanic Ministries.  Thankfully, these ministries do not rely on my presence, and the Community Table Food Pantry, The Supper, and Creation Vacation all continued during our absence.  It was a joy to sit down with people and to ask them to share stories about how these have all been going over the past few months.  And although I shouldn't have been, I was a bit surprised at the leadership that some people demonstrated as they stepped forward and took on responsibilities that had previously been mine.  A neighbor of ours and long-time food pantry volunteer received all the calls for emergency food boxes from Spanish-speakers, and she did an excellent job at it!  Four women served as the "Dean Team Dream Team" and took on leadership responsibilities at Creation Vacation in addition to being Family Friends, and 16 families had a wonderful time at camp!  Two participants in The Supper, one an English-speaker and one a Spanish-speaker, led folks in discussion over dinner and even hosted several new people who had come from a local migrant camp.  It was hard to be away and wonderful to come back, now with my sweet Auggie strapped to me wherever I go!  I am learning now how to stick to the essentials and how to let go and trust the other capable people in service around me!

Creation Vacation 2011

The below narrative was written by Gracie Garcia, Program Director at Bienestar Housing Development Corporation and family coordinator for Western Washington County Creation Vacation.  For the past three years, she has participated in Creation Vacation family camp with Bienestar families, and this year, was joined by Family Friends (volunteers who accompany families) primarily from Cornelius, Hillsboro and Beaverton, but also from Troutdale and Seaside. 

JULY 2011 CREATION VACATION REPORT

What is Creation Vacation? Creation Vacation is a program of the United Methodist Church offering very low-income families the opportunity to experience a few days of family vacation, enjoying a supportive community and the wonder of creation. For many, it is a respite from the struggles of daily life. The United Methodist Church once again provided funding for Bienestar families. 

Camp Magruder is situated along one of the most pristine stretches of ocean and beach in the Pacific Northwest. The camp is located at the end of Old Pacific Highway just south of the small coastal community of Rockaway Beach, Oregon. The camp has been hosting camp & retreat programs for children, youth, adults and families since 1945.

    
Mira Conklin from the Cornelius church met with the families during the year, preparing them for the time they will spend at camp, followed up after camp through continued contact as friends.

Reverend Eric Conklin and his wife, Mira, from the Cornelius United Methodist Church, are long time community partners and graciously arranged the sponsorship of 15 Bienestar families this year (27 adults and 40 children).  This is the third year that our Bienestar families have had the opportunity to participate in the Creation Vacation program.  Our families came from Elm Park, Jose Echeverria, Willow Park, and Montebello, Sierra West, Sunset Gardens and Reedville apartments. For some of our families this was the first time they experienced this retreat. The church recruits volunteers who serve as “Family Friends” assigned to each Bienestar family to be sure they have a good time.  These cross cultural connections are continued in many cases during the year.

Our families enjoyed a three day retreat in comfortable accommodations in the camp's 16 lodges and rustic cabins and enjoyed nutritious and delicious home style buffet meals prepared on-site, including home-made breads and soups, fresh fruit and vegetables, vegetarian and vegan alternatives and wonderful hospitality in the Carrier Lodge. Families worked cooperatively agreeing to kitchen patrol duties such as setting tables, cleaning tables after meals, and washing dishes.  Families participated in a salsa making contest and everyone enjoyed tasting the different salsas.

They explored trails that meander through dunes, forest, and wetland areas between Smith Lake and the Pacific Ocean. Children and their parents enjoyed the big swing, basketball court, volleyball pit, tetherball, sports fields, playground, table tennis, and archery, kite flying at the beach, boating, swimming, canoeing, wave jumping and use of the campfire circle.  Arts and crafts activities included; a Family Friend (United Methodist church volunteer) taking family photos and families making picture frames. Moms and children also loved making paper tissue flowers, boys and dads learned to make paper airplanes.

          

One family said they were worried that the children would be bored without their IPods and video games but with all the activities that were offered they never once said they were bored or mentioned their video games.  This gave them the idea of planning activities at home and using the community resources.  This family time was positively memorable and the Bienestar families were very appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

                                 

Respectfully Submitted,

Gracie Garcia and Staff

Ocupada

I haven't been blogging for the past few months because I've been occupied with this sweet guy:

It's a pretty good reason, I think.

In September, I'll be back to work at back to sharing stories here. Stay tuned!

Ministry with migrants

Several faith communities and non-profit organizations in Washington County form a coalition called PACTO, which is committed to standing in solidarity with those living in local migrant camps and working on farms and in vineyards. The groups take basic supplies like food staples, bedding, and cookware at the beginning of the summer, when workers are beginning to arrive for the season, but before consistent work has begun. Throughout the summer, the groups make regular visits to take food and supplies and visit with the camp residents, and sometimes lead fun activities or faith-based conversations with those interested.

I had the opportunity to go with the Hillsboro UMC Outreach Team a few weeks ago to the camp they have been sponsoring for several years. They've formed relationships with the family that lives there year-round and love catching up with them on their visits.

It was a gift to see first-hand how friendships can develop across income-level and language differences that so often divide us, and to witness how God can work when we walk together to provide for the needs of one another. Three different United Methodist congregations in Washington County are participating in this vibrant ministry. Let me know if you'd like to know more about how you can support or join in.