August 23rd: Oxbow Park Picnic (Plus Updates!)

'Sup everybody...

Since we're not meeting regularly with our normal liturgical worship gatherings, I (Jelani) have been trying to inject a bit more Scripture into these updates to give you something to think about, chew on, pray over, etc. For that, I often turn to the Revised Common Lectionary, a schedule of Biblical texts synced with a widely used liturgical calendar that many church traditions use.

Anyway, I noticed elements in two of the New Testament texts that dovetail nicely with our activities this week:

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Matthew 16:15–18 (NRSV): “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! ... And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”

Romans 12:4–6a (NRSV): “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us...”

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Jesus didn't ask “who do you say I am” inside a temple.

He and the disciples were walking along the roads of Caesarea Philippi, a crossroads town crowded with shrines to other gods. Right smack in the discourse about all the different visions of divinity, about as different from church as one could get.

And it's there, outdoors and somewhat off-script (classic Peter, amirite?) that Peter makes this confession: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answers by promising to build his church — not a building, a but people. And that people would become so influential, so infused with the power of God one that even the gates of Hades would not be able to contain them.

Paul picks up that thread in Romans 12. The church is described as one body with many members, each contributing gifts that differ according to grace. You might say that they were bringing what they had to the table, so to speak.

We've spent this whole summer trying to learn this lesson. In backyards, parks, and this week beside a lake. Access isn't a building on Knight Street, or a different building on Pardee St. And it isn't a stage at Foster Theater either. It's us — bringing a salad, tossing a kickball, watching each other's kids at the water's edge, each one offering whatever gift we've got. That's church too, every bit as much as a Sunday service ever was. All of it is about cultivating a way of life together.

So bring your appetite to Oxbow Park this Sunday, for a generous serving of fun and family (details below).

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Congratulations, Stoker Family! Congratulations to Hilary, Keith, and Rei, who welcomed baby girl Aki into their family last week — everyone is home and healthy! If you'd like to help feed this growing family in the coming weeks, you can sign up for a meal here: Meal Train for the Stoker Family

If you'd rather give money, Venmo or a gift card is best — Meal Train takes a cut of any monetary gifts given through the site. Keith's Venmo handle is @Keith-Stoker.

Book Group Wednesday Our summer read of Liturgies for Resisting Empire by Kat Armas keeps going this Wednesday, 7–8:30 PM at First Tongan UMC. Questions, or need a copy of the book? Reach out to James Lopez Ericksen.

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ELATION HIP-HOP Saturday Elation Hip-Hop is Portland's only annual Christian hip-hop event headlined by local talent, and our own Jelani Greenidge, a.k.a. G-Natural, will be a featured DJ and performer this Saturday, August 22nd, from 1-5pm. Tickets are available, and because the event will be happening at the Foster Theater, you can also get a sneak preview for our new Sunday morning space. If you're interested in attending for free and helping us spread the word about Access Church, definitely reach out by emailing Pastor Jelani.

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THIS SUNDAY (8/23): Oxbow Park Picnic

From Ministry Coordinator Bonnie Parker:

“Sunday Fun Day! All-church picnic, 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM (arrive anytime after 10:30 AM). Oxbow Regional Park ($5 per car). We'll meet at the Beaver Picnic Shelter — there will be music, plus a playground, a large field, and bathrooms close by. Water fun will be at Boat Launch Beach.

Please bring: food to share (we're doing a Salad Potluck — use the sign-up sheet or just bring something), camp chairs, and bathing suits/towels/sunscreen/life jackets if your kiddos need them.

Schedule: 11:00 — Kickball! 12:00 — Lunch 1:30 — River — swimming and water fun We can't wait to see everyone there to relax, play, and connect!” CHURCH PICNIC SIGN-UP HERE.

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REMINDERS:

SUNDAY AUGUST 30th — Final Simple Summer Sunday, back in the Lopez-Ericksens' backyard (5038 SE 99th Avenue in Portland). We'll send off summer with a back-to-school blessing, and welcome Pastor Joel back from his sabbatical.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6th — Labor Day weekend, our final Sabbath Sunday for a while. No gathering.

SUNDAYS SEPTEMBER 13, 20 & 27 — We begin gathering at the Foster Theater! (Yeah baby.)

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4th — Our first family potluck at First Tongan UMC (by Pardee St).