Posts by Maria McDowell

Posts by Maria McDowell

A Tale of Two Conversations

The conversations were revealing. A common theme, for newcomers and long-time residents alike, was the desire for safe venues and events where people can meet one another. This search for common ground forms the basis of the Neighborhood Engagement conversation. What do residents cherish about the neighborhood—and how can St. Philip respond to the needs, hopes, and dreams of those around us?

June Affordable Housing Update

Our parish has nurtured a vision of an affordable housing ministry for some years. When Portland’s housing crisis erupted, homelessness came to our doorstep—literally—and the vision resurfaced. Starting in 2019, we began to explore how faith communities can justly steward their lands, with the help of the interfaith Leaven Community Land & Housing Coalition (LCLHC). In 2020, we testified before Portland City Council and successfully changed zoning laws. We established working relationships with Second Stories, a design and development firm…

Unveiling Alonzo Tucker EJI Historical Marker (Vanport Mosaic)

Our collective memory and our collective consciousness hold power. What we choose to remember as well as how we choose to remember is a reflection of the soul of our society. The Equal Justice Initiative (Montgomery, AL) has documented nearly 6,500 African American victims of lynching in the United States between 1865-1950. At least one African American was lynched in Oregon. His name was Alonzo Tucker and he was lynched in Coos Bay, OR in 1902 in front of a…

Rectors Note: Worshiping Together Again!

Worship with us, outside, in-person, on Pentecost, May 23rd! Boxed lunches will be served after the service. As a community, we are committed to caring for one another. We are also committed to following scientific recommendations. If you are vaccinated, masks are optional. If you are not vaccinated, masks and social distancing are required. Masks and vaccines are a form of caring for yourself and others.

Holy Week: a shared journey

Holy Week is a single journey from triumphant expectations through bitter disappointment into resurrection joy. No individual service stands alone; it is a part of a whole. It begins with Palm Sunday, and ends Easter morning. So come, celebrate with us!

Leadership Retreat

If you see change happening around you, and want to be a part of intentionally shaping change to better enflesh justice and liberation, come join us for a leadership retreat where we will reflect on leadership as emerging from simple, loving, interactions we share with one another as a part of our life together.

Lector Training

On March 21st after Morning Services, we will have a Lector Training for anyone interested in reading scripture when we gather to pray. If you have been reading for decades, or have never done it all, this training is for you (and required).

Audio Pilgrimage: Stations of the Cross

Released Monday/Wednesday/Friday. This Lent, plug in and meditate on the Stations of the Cross, with a series of weekly audio reflections that help you link the divine with your daily life. Pause a few times a week for scripture, prayers, and music led by the clergy from across the Diocese of Oregon, including your own clergy and Bishop Diana Akiyama. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the Trinity Sermons podcast (trinitycathpdx.podbean.com/), or wherever you listen (search “Sermons from…

Housing Update: Council will deliver Upzone!

They said YES! The City Council heard the motion to upzone 120/130 NE Knott St. on March 3rd, and scheduled the required second hearing promptly on March 10th. The Council will amend the motion to make it an emergency declaration. Their prompt approval will allow us to complete our LIFT application on time.

Hiring: Parish Administrator

St. Philip is hiring a parish administrator! Hours: 18 hrs/wk. Expected in-office hours 2-3 days week, Tuesday-Friday. Compensation: $20/hr. Reports to: Parish Rector

Call to Action: Upzone Vote

This is a call to send emails and submit testimony by March 2 at 4pm to the Mayor and Commissioners (Portland City Council) requesting a vote of approval – to go into effect immediately – for our upzone request. We need an emergency declaration to be made at the City Council Meeting so that they can vote to approve our upzone without the normal wait time. This request is urgent because St Philip’s application for LIFT funding is dependent on this upzone and must be submitted by the end of March.