Coronavirus Updates
At the end of July 2020 we moved out of the building we have owned for many years.
Due to COVID 19, for now, we will continue to be a church in the online setting.
There are still ways to get involved, connect with our community and share the love of our Creator.
Please contact Admin@comchristchurch.org for ways to get involved.
New mailing address:
Community of ChristChurch
3300 NW 185th Ave #224
Portland, OR 97229
As so much changes from week to week we are doing our best to stay in touch.
Please join our email list for current invitations and opportunities as we support one another safely from distance.
Over the coming months, we will be monitoring the data and recommendations for reopening
provided by public health experts and look for opportunities for small groups, ten people, or less, to gather safely outside of the weekly worship experience.
Five Oaks Drive Building Farewell
This weekend (August 2, 2020) we said goodbye to the warehouse building at 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive was our home for over two decades. Our departure brings with it not only excitement and possibility, but also grief and sadness. We give thanks to our God for the gift that this building has been for our congregation and for the surrounding communities we have served. Thanks to Eileen Gross for creating this beautiful video.
Learn more and explore
our current online offerings below.
Join us for Online Worship with Holy Communion Sundays @ 9:30am
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Click on the link below on Sunday morning:
https://zoom.us/j/669927281?pwd=S0Qvdzh5cUY2akhmM2VoeTlUUVFBZz09 Meeting ID: 669 927 281 If prompted enter password: 080114 Joining by phone: If you are not able to join worship via your personal computer, you are welcome to join using your phone. Call this number: 1-669-900-6833 Use the Meeting ID: 669 927 281 Enter password 080114 You will find yourself in our Zoom worship space. |
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Online Worship Logistics:
God’s peace, Pastor David |
Current/Upcoming Online Offerings:
A preaching series for Summer 2020…
Forgotten Books of the Bible:
Wisdom from the Five Jewish Festival Scrolls for Today’s World
“Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Song of Songs, Ruth, and Esther. These five books have never had an easy time of it. Even centuries ago when the Jewish rabbis were deciding what books were to be considered holy, several of these books barely made the cut. Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes were most disputed—the former because it was too sexy and the latter because it was too depressing. The book of Esther was suspect because it never even mentions God.
Yet in the end, the Jewish tradition not only declared all of these books holy but ultimately elevated them to a special status in the tradition. The five books together became known as the Chamesh Megillot—the Five Scrolls—and they were each assigned to be read in association with a particular Jewish holiday.
Once nearly marginalized by the Jewish tradition, these books now have a central place in the life of that community. Not so in the Christian church. While the Christian tradition also affirms the holiness of these books as part of the Christian Old Testament, they hardly ever make an appearance in the actual life of the church—or in the lives of most Christians.”
From the introduction to
The Forgotten Books of the Bible:
Recovering the Five Scrolls for Today
by Robert Williamson Jr.
Forgotten Books of the Bible:
Wisdom from the Five Jewish Festival Scrolls for Today’s World
“Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Song of Songs, Ruth, and Esther. These five books have never had an easy time of it. Even centuries ago when the Jewish rabbis were deciding what books were to be considered holy, several of these books barely made the cut. Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes were most disputed—the former because it was too sexy and the latter because it was too depressing. The book of Esther was suspect because it never even mentions God.
Yet in the end, the Jewish tradition not only declared all of these books holy but ultimately elevated them to a special status in the tradition. The five books together became known as the Chamesh Megillot—the Five Scrolls—and they were each assigned to be read in association with a particular Jewish holiday.
Once nearly marginalized by the Jewish tradition, these books now have a central place in the life of that community. Not so in the Christian church. While the Christian tradition also affirms the holiness of these books as part of the Christian Old Testament, they hardly ever make an appearance in the actual life of the church—or in the lives of most Christians.”
From the introduction to
The Forgotten Books of the Bible:
Recovering the Five Scrolls for Today
by Robert Williamson Jr.
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ChristChurch Quarantine Coffee Hour Open House
Every Wednesday 10am to Noon Missing coffee hour after worship? Looking for friendly faces to connect with midweek? We are offering an opportunity for you to visit on Zoom every Wednesday until the social distancing rule is lifted. The meeting room will be open from 10am -noon on Wednesdays and hosted by Violet Thetford. This will be an open house format for folks who want to drop in any time during the 2 hours. If you’d like to meet in a private room with your friends, just send Violet a chat message when you are in zoom. She will be using the raised hand method of calling on people, and she may ask you to update us on how you are keeping busy. Feel free to come and go as you like. See ya Wednesday! Email Admin@comchristchurch.org for the Zoom link. |
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Crafting, Gardening and Creativity Share (online gathering)
meeting every Saturday @ 1oam
Our Saturday Crafting and Gardening online meetings have been going so well. We’d like to get more of you involved by asking you to share your creative talent. Whether you do fiber crafts, woodworking, glass work, flower arrangement, collections of postcards, stamps, coins, bread baking, boat building, needlepoint or any of the other thousands of hobbies we would like you to share.
ChristChurch is filled with talented and creative people!
If you are looking for a new thing to learn, drop by, you may find just the thing.
Email Admin@comchristchurch.org for the Zoom link.
meeting every Saturday @ 1oam
Our Saturday Crafting and Gardening online meetings have been going so well. We’d like to get more of you involved by asking you to share your creative talent. Whether you do fiber crafts, woodworking, glass work, flower arrangement, collections of postcards, stamps, coins, bread baking, boat building, needlepoint or any of the other thousands of hobbies we would like you to share.
ChristChurch is filled with talented and creative people!
If you are looking for a new thing to learn, drop by, you may find just the thing.
Email Admin@comchristchurch.org for the Zoom link.
Reconciling in Christ Exploratory Team - 1st Thursday of each month @ 6pm
Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran congregations who want to publicly welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identity, and gender expression into their communities.
We are holding our meetings (first Thursday of every month at 6pm) virtually via Zoom.
Email Admin@comchristchurch.org for the Zoom link.
Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran congregations who want to publicly welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identity, and gender expression into their communities.
We are holding our meetings (first Thursday of every month at 6pm) virtually via Zoom.
Email Admin@comchristchurch.org for the Zoom link.
Resources:
- ChristChurch COVID-19: Needs & Response Survey. If you need help or are able to help the community in this health crisis, please fill out this survey to tell us what your needs are or how you can help respond to the needs in our larger community.
- A Note from ELCA Oregon Synod Bishop Laurie - May 8, 2020
- Pastor David and his ecumenical colleagues sent the following letter to Oregon Governor Brown:
Open Letter to Governor Brown
May 21, 2020
Dear Governor Brown,
We are a group of protestant ministers living and doing ministry in Hillsboro and the surrounding areas. We are writing to you to thank you for your leadership. The restrictions and guidelines set up by your task force indicate to us that loving care and compassion for the citizens of Oregon, along with sound science and good data, have guided your decisions in these pandemic times.
We were dismayed by the lawsuit filed against your administration by ten congregations and 21 individuals, ostensibly in the name of freedom and the exercise of religion. We were further appalled to hear of the misguided ruling of Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff to render these restrictions “null and void,” encouraging faith communities to freely assemble in their buildings despite the serious risks.
Furthermore, we take exception to the suggestion that the restrictions implemented to slow the spread of the coronavirus have closed our churches. We have not closed our churches. We have pivoted. We have adapted. We have gotten creative. We are worshiping communities and that is what we are doing… worshiping… on Sunday mornings, in Zoom meetings and conversations, streaming on social media platforms, and in our service to those most in need in our community… all the while maintaining the guidelines set up by health professionals and your task force.
We certainly acknowledge that this time has not been easy for any of us and we are all dealing with unanticipated hardships. Nevertheless, we continue to find creative and innovative ways to serve our congregations and the communities in which they reside. So please know that the few congregations named in this lawsuit do not speak for us nor, we believe, do they speak for thousands of faith communities around the state whose core mission is to love God and neighbor.
Respectfully,
Rev. David Eppelsheimer
Pastor, Community of ChristChurch
Rev. Clay Andrew
Pastor, Hillsboro United Methodist Church
Rev. Tracie Bullis
Pastor, Old Scotch Church
Rev. Adam Hange
Pastor, Hillsboro First Congregational Church
Rev. Jorge Rodriguez
Pastor, Las Naciones Iglesia Metodista
Rev. Karen LaJoy Smith
Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church
Rev. Julie Smith
Spiritual Care Manager, OHSU Tuality Healthcare
Rev. Bob Stebe
Pastor, Hillsboro Presbyterian Church
Rev. Karen Tiegs
Assisting Priest, Ss. Peter & Paul / Ss. Pedro y Pablo Episcopal
#HillsboroStrong
May 21, 2020
Dear Governor Brown,
We are a group of protestant ministers living and doing ministry in Hillsboro and the surrounding areas. We are writing to you to thank you for your leadership. The restrictions and guidelines set up by your task force indicate to us that loving care and compassion for the citizens of Oregon, along with sound science and good data, have guided your decisions in these pandemic times.
We were dismayed by the lawsuit filed against your administration by ten congregations and 21 individuals, ostensibly in the name of freedom and the exercise of religion. We were further appalled to hear of the misguided ruling of Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff to render these restrictions “null and void,” encouraging faith communities to freely assemble in their buildings despite the serious risks.
Furthermore, we take exception to the suggestion that the restrictions implemented to slow the spread of the coronavirus have closed our churches. We have not closed our churches. We have pivoted. We have adapted. We have gotten creative. We are worshiping communities and that is what we are doing… worshiping… on Sunday mornings, in Zoom meetings and conversations, streaming on social media platforms, and in our service to those most in need in our community… all the while maintaining the guidelines set up by health professionals and your task force.
We certainly acknowledge that this time has not been easy for any of us and we are all dealing with unanticipated hardships. Nevertheless, we continue to find creative and innovative ways to serve our congregations and the communities in which they reside. So please know that the few congregations named in this lawsuit do not speak for us nor, we believe, do they speak for thousands of faith communities around the state whose core mission is to love God and neighbor.
Respectfully,
Rev. David Eppelsheimer
Pastor, Community of ChristChurch
Rev. Clay Andrew
Pastor, Hillsboro United Methodist Church
Rev. Tracie Bullis
Pastor, Old Scotch Church
Rev. Adam Hange
Pastor, Hillsboro First Congregational Church
Rev. Jorge Rodriguez
Pastor, Las Naciones Iglesia Metodista
Rev. Karen LaJoy Smith
Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church
Rev. Julie Smith
Spiritual Care Manager, OHSU Tuality Healthcare
Rev. Bob Stebe
Pastor, Hillsboro Presbyterian Church
Rev. Karen Tiegs
Assisting Priest, Ss. Peter & Paul / Ss. Pedro y Pablo Episcopal
#HillsboroStrong
Building & Worship Update
July 2020 Updates
Safety Guidelines for ChristChurch Building Use:
Click here to download our new building use safety guidelines.
At this point in time, your council has determined—given the pandemic and the restrictions still in place for large group gatherings necessary for keeping people safe and slowing the spread of the coronavirus—that it is still not prudent for us to gather in person for worship. Furthermore, the soonest we will revisit the question will not be until the fall. Unfortunately, this means that we have already held our last worship service at 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive.
Our target date for being completely moved out of the building is Friday, July 31st.
Our new mailing address:
Community of ChristChurch
3300 NW 185th Ave #224
Portland, OR 97229
Over the coming months, we will be monitoring the data and recommendations for reopening provided by public health experts and look for opportunities for small groups, ten people, or less, to gather safely outside of the weekly worship experience.
June 18, 2020
Beloveds,
At the last meeting of our 2019-2020 church council, we invited our transition coordinator, Chris Radford to help lead the conversation about what we need to be focusing on to get ourselves out of the building. Our target date for being completely moved out of the building is Friday, July 31st. In the coming days, we will be inviting those who feel safe enough to do so, to consider ways they assist in our moving process.
At this point in time, your council has determined—given the pandemic and the restrictions still in place for large group gatherings necessary for keeping people safe and slowing the spread of the coronavirus—that it is still not prudent for us to gather in person for worship. Furthermore, the soonest we will revisit the question will not be until the fall. Unfortunately, this means that we have already held our last worship service at 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive.
We recognize that this may be unwelcome news for many of you. While we grieve the opportunity to say goodbye formally, we also give thanks to God for the many years that we have been blessed with such a wonderful space for worship, prayer, learning, and fellowship. We also trust in the promise that God continues to accompany us on our journey out of the building and into God’s unfolding future.
Over the coming months, we will be monitoring the data and recommendations for reopening provided by public health experts and look for opportunities for small groups, ten people, or less, to gather safely outside of the weekly worship experience. Likewise, we will continue to do our best to offer a quality online weekly worship experience that is accessible for the whole community.
In the meantime, please stay tuned for upcoming Faith News and worship announcements for ways to help out as we transition into this new reality.
God’s peace,
Pastor David
Beloveds,
At the last meeting of our 2019-2020 church council, we invited our transition coordinator, Chris Radford to help lead the conversation about what we need to be focusing on to get ourselves out of the building. Our target date for being completely moved out of the building is Friday, July 31st. In the coming days, we will be inviting those who feel safe enough to do so, to consider ways they assist in our moving process.
At this point in time, your council has determined—given the pandemic and the restrictions still in place for large group gatherings necessary for keeping people safe and slowing the spread of the coronavirus—that it is still not prudent for us to gather in person for worship. Furthermore, the soonest we will revisit the question will not be until the fall. Unfortunately, this means that we have already held our last worship service at 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive.
We recognize that this may be unwelcome news for many of you. While we grieve the opportunity to say goodbye formally, we also give thanks to God for the many years that we have been blessed with such a wonderful space for worship, prayer, learning, and fellowship. We also trust in the promise that God continues to accompany us on our journey out of the building and into God’s unfolding future.
Over the coming months, we will be monitoring the data and recommendations for reopening provided by public health experts and look for opportunities for small groups, ten people, or less, to gather safely outside of the weekly worship experience. Likewise, we will continue to do our best to offer a quality online weekly worship experience that is accessible for the whole community.
In the meantime, please stay tuned for upcoming Faith News and worship announcements for ways to help out as we transition into this new reality.
God’s peace,
Pastor David