Worship at St. James

In keeping with Governor Kate Brown’s “Stay Home. Save

Lives” order, we have suspended in-person worship. We continue to post readings,

sermon, and music to our website each week, and

encourage you to listen at www.stjamespdx.org. You can

also sign up to receive Daily Email Devotions from Pastor

David.

Highlights in this Issue:

St. James Members Helping and Staying in Touch, page 3

A “New Start” for The Flame

Ministry, page 5

Caring for Creation: The Circular Economy, page 8

Liner Notes from Michael

Lindner, page 9

St. James Lutheran Church Newsletter May 2020

1 3 1 5 S W P a r k A v e , P o r t l a n d O R 9 7 2 0 1 | www.stjamespdx.org

“Mount St. Helens Erupts” -CBS News May 18, 1980

Forty years ago this month Mount St. Helens erupted, sending lava and ash 60,000 feet into the air, killing 57 people, and creating a massive landslide. Do you remember where you were on that Sunday morning at 8:39? Although the exact day was tumultuous enough, the following 29 days were perhaps even more emotionally difficult. The mountain continued to shake with hundreds of tremors. Today, we realize that this COVID-19 pandemic was hard initially. Now, it’s a pain. Six weeks in, the Stay At Home order has us climbing the walls, unleashing anger, and looking for someone—anyone—to blame. Making initial adjustments is one thing. Creating a prolonged lifestyle is quite another. As an article by Michael Wilson stated recently, “The journey that began with an us-against-it unity has turned into a grim slog after nearly six weeks.” Faith is our tool during this slog. Our relationship with the Risen Christ is all about God’s new kingdom of love breaking into our world, but not complete yet. We celebrate Easter joy, but not fully. We claim God’s promises, but with “sure and certain hope.” That’s the path of faith. Even with anger and frustration, let’s continue to journey with love, helping others along the way, until we are able to kneel at the St. James altar and taste God’s kingdom again.

Pastor David

St. James Gives $8,000 To Those In Need With unemployment needs increasing, our Endowment Committee (affirmed by our Council) gave $5,000 to the hungry at NE Emergency Food Program and another $3,000 to Lutheran Community Services NW for refugees. Read more on page 4.

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April Council Highlights The April Council meeting was held via the Zoom platform; present on the call were Becky Bolt, Carl Cottingham, Mandy Ellertson, Jim Siverson, David Scott, Sue Hammond, Charlotte Cook, Julie Hatch, Kathleen McDonald, Paula Veseth, and Pastor David. Paula Veseth presented the Treasurer’s report and shared current cost savings efforts: the Bolt loan payment is on temporary hold; the Music Director’s salary has been decreased; and custodial/sanitary supplies have been consolidated. Utility costs are anticipated to decrease. Pastor’s Report: Pastor David reported receiving many queries about resuming worship and ministry at St. James. The church will reopen pending approval from Governor Brown and Bishop Larson Caesar. Pastor shared that the “Let’s Stay Connected” ministry, Daily Devotions, and increased Feeding the Houseless ministry have received extremely positive responses. Finally, Pastor reported that two members of St. James have contracted and recovered from COVID-19. President’s Report: President Becky Bolt thanked Pastor David and Music Director Michael Lindner for their weekly devotionals and music; and Ed and Martha Granshaw for recording and distributing. She also thanked the St. James members carrying out the phone and email tree. CDC Report: Patrick Earnest reported that eight children have disenrolled since the closure; however, five new infants are set to enroll when the center reopens. He was able to collect 45% of tuition. He is paying half rent to St. James now and hopes by the end of the month to have more money to pay. He has applied for a Small Business Loan, and has been helping the teachers apply for unemployment. St. James Apartments: Sue Hammond reported that the full payment to St. James was received for April. Some renters have requested deferred payment on their rents up to three months. St. James is assured to receive full payment from the apartments for those months. Administrators will reassess deferment for July 1. Endowment: Chair Kathleen McDonald presented two requests for funds, each addressing food needs for programs in Portland.

When Can We Return to St. James?—a note from Pastor David It is a question I get often. Here’s what I know. On April 20, Governor Kate Brown published a document titled “Opening Oregon.” It outlines a three-phase opening process. No dates were attached since the virus itself will create the timeline. We have not yet arrived at Phase One. At St. James, it appears that our Child Development Center will be part of the Phase One opening. Teachers and students will probably be required to wear masks and observe extra precautions. There are rumors that our Child Development Center could open sometime in May. Gathering at St. James for worship and in-person ministry events would most likely fall into Phase Two. Gatherings would be limited to 50 people who sit six feet apart. My prayer is that this will occur in June. In the meantime, thank you for caring for others with your acts of staying at home and social distancing. We will continue to abide by the orders and advice of Governor Brown and Bishop Larson Caesar.

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During the quarantine, contact us at: St. James Lutheran Church 1315 SW Park Ave Portland, OR 97201 Pastor David: pastordavid@stjamespdx.org Note: all staff are working remotely during the quarantine

503-227-2439 Fax 503-227-0856

office@stjamespdx.org Newsletter Production: Lilli Vellom

office@stjamespdx.org Newsletter editor: Kathleen McDonald

St. James Members Helping and Staying in Touch The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of our lives in different ways. Here, four St. James members share their stories.

Helping On Both Sides of the River Joseph Guseh became part of the St. James family over a year ago. Originally from Liberia, he first arrived in the United States in 1981 and soon earned his Master’s in Social Work. Today, Joseph works six days a week caring for those in two mental health facilities—one in Beaverton and another in SE Portland. This is an especially trying time for the patients. To keep them safe, Joseph

checks his temperature, fills out a form, and dons a mask before entering the facility each day. He usually joins us for Wednesday Eucharist (his day off) when times are normal.

Helping In Idaho

St. James member Bill Herbert got the call in March: “FEMA needs you in Idaho…now!” Bill has served wherever hurricanes, earthquakes and natural disasters have hit the nation. Now with the coronavirus, the federal agency sent him to Idaho to prepare just in case. Bill writes “My primary function is to be ready to step in as the lead federal official for the COVID-19 response in Idaho if

needed…. As we say in FEMA, all disasters are locally executed, state managed and federally supported.” Thanks for your work, Bill. Update: looks like Bill will be assigned a bit closer to Portland soon.

Words from Washington

St. James member Sarah Nelson and friend Thomas are juniors at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. Isolated from others, she sends you these words of appreciation: “Wishing you a blessed Easter and happy spring. I’m still in Tacoma, with Thomas, both of us having decided to not go home during

this pandemic at the risk of exposing our parents and families. I just wanted to send an email telling you how much I have appreciated listening to St. James’ audio-worship services… especially the Holy Week tour through the sanctuary. It brought back happy memories for me, as someone who grew up surrounded by art.”

A Thank-You from a COVID-19 Survivor in Our Community

St. James member Laura Bueford sends along heartfelt thanks to the St. James community. Laura tested positive for COVID-19 in March and sequestered herself for three and a half weeks. She is now doing very well. She shared that she is particularly grateful for the Contemplative Prayer gathering via Zoom,

and to the many individual congregation members who reached out to her. She writes, “I am Blessed to have a church community that remembered me.”

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Our Love Surrounds Carol Wallis Prayers and a card would be meaningful for Carol Wallis. She struggles with two issues. She has endured many changes recently, including a new assisted living facility, new doctors, new medications, and soon another move. She also is feeling that her body has given up on her. She has asked to stop all therapy and be placed on hospice care. Carol’s address is:

Carol Wallis c/o Avamere 1400 Division St, Room 104, Bed 2 Oregon City, OR 97045

Wedding Bells Three St. James weddings planned. Now three postponed. Matthew and Emily were to be married April 26 but due to COVID-19 they will wait until fall or… or. Matt and Ashley were ready to exchange rings at Hoyt Arboretum in July, but with the Stay at Home

order, they will wait. Nikolai and Paulina made arrangements for their big day in Hood River with a view of the Gorge. Now they may have a private ceremony at St. James this summer with a reception in eye-shot of the windsurfers in 2021. Our love surrounds these couples as they, like you, deal with the disruptions of life.

Thanks For Your Faithful Offerings We will end the month of April financially strong due to your gifts. Thank you. Some have even given a portion of or all of their Stimulus Check toward the ministry of St. James. There is a wonderful spirit of giving that is part of the DNA of St. James. Many choose to give electronically, some through stock transfer and others by check via the mail. A giving envelope for May is enclosed in this Newsletter for your convenience. Thanks for being good stewards of the gifts in your care.

Report from the Endowment Board The current lockdown in Oregon due to COVID-19 has created hardship for many, especially impacting those of lesser economic status, the unemployed, and the houseless. The Endowment Board received two requests to address these issues in the larger Portland community. The Board approved both requests unanimously and referred them on to St. James Council for approval. They were also approved unanimously. Those requests were for: $5,000 for emergency food for NE Emergency Food Program (NEFP). This is a ministry

under the umbrella of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) that is housed in the basement of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in the Cully neighborhood. Cully is the poorest neighborhood in the city. Due to the unemployment/COVID-19 issues, NEFP has been serving as many as 650 boxes of food in a single day (3,000 per week).

$3,000 for the Immigration/Refugee program at Lutheran Community Services NW. Stefani Block, who was at St. James in March, contacted St. James concerning the need as 85% of funding for refugee accessibility to services has decreased due to the pandemic. They are seeking emergency funds.

The Endowment Board is honored to support these organizations as our ongoing ministry in the city.

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Email Phishing—Stay Safe Online Several email scams have targeted our St. James community. Often, these emails appear to come from Pastor David, and request that recipients help the sender by purchasing gift cards, sending money, or getting in touch immediately. Here is a sample email and some tips to spot these scams:

Check the email address. Scammers will sometimes use email addresses that contain the name or surname of a person in your life, such as “pastoroffice1901@gmail.com.” If the email is not from @stjamespdx.org, it is unlikely to be from Pastor David. You can find contact information for all church staff members in this newsletter or on our website.

Check the message for typos or strange formatting. Be wary of time-sensitive language such as “please help me as soon as possible.” Don’t click on links or reply to senders you don’t recognize. If the message is vague, or is asking you directly for money or assistance, it is unlikely to be

from a church leader. If something seems “not quite right” about the message, feel free to reach out to church staff for clarification.

Contemplative Prayer Saturdays, May 2, 9, & 16 at 9:30am World Labyrinth Day: Saturday, May 2, 2020

World Labyrinth Day is an annual time of walking for peace throughout the world. People take time from their day to pray for peace, wholeness, and caring for one another. Consider joining the St. James Contemplative Prayer group at 9:30am on May 2 to hold the world in your prayers. There are printable copies of labyrinths online that you can use. Contemplative Prayer at St. James will continue to meet every Saturday on the Zoom platform through May 16. Contact Susan McBerry if you want to be added to the list.

St . James Supports the Flame—A “New Start” Ministry I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I miss seeing you as we crossover from St. James worship to the Flame gatherings, and meeting in that beautiful space. The Flame has continued to gather in online meetings using the app Zoom. We meet Wednesdays at 7pm for a virtual hang-out and check-in, and on Sundays at 1pm. Through the Easter season, we are hearing the stories of our members each Sunday. Some of you may know that I have resigned as pastor of the Flame. I have two high energy jobs I love, and am unable to give both the attention they deserve. As I step down, I am thrilled to share the good news of our new Mission Developer for the Flame, Matta Ghaly (they/them). Matta and I are co-pastoring through May, until my last day on May 31. Starting June 1, Pastor Matta will be the sole pastor for the Flame. With gratitude, Pastor Leo & The Flame

Good Morning From: Pastor David Knapp <onlinechurchministry2020@gmail.com> Do you have a moment I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am currently busy in a prayer session, no calls so just reply my email.

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May Commemorations May 1: Philip and James, Apostles Philip was one of the first disciples of Jesus, and called Nathanael to “come and see.” Little is known of James, the son of Alphaeus, called “the Less” to distinguish him from another apostle named James.

May 8: Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church +1416 When she was about thirty years old, Julian (or Juliana) reported visions that she later compiled into a book, Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love, now a classic of medieval mysticism. The visions declared that love was the meaning of religious experience, provided by Christ who is love, for the purpose of love.

May 14: Matthias, Apostle After Christ’s ascension, the apostles met in Jerusalem to choose a replacement for Judas. Matthias was chosen over Joseph Justus by the casting of lots. Little is known about Matthias, and little is reported about him in the account of his election in Acts 1:15-26. Matthias traveled among the disciples from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry until his ascension. His task, after he was enrolled among the eleven remaining disciples, was to bear witness to the resurrection. Matthias was formerly commemorated on February 24, though the reason for that date is not known. More recently the Roman Catholic Church moved the celebration to May 14, so that it falls after the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, when Matthias was chosen as an apostle.

May 18: Erik, King of Sweden, martyr, +1160 Erik, long considered the patron saint of Sweden, ruled from 1150 to 1160. He is honored for efforts to bring peace to the nearby pagan kingdoms and for his crusades to spread the Christian faith in Nordic lands. He established a protected Christian mission in Finland that was led by Henry of Uppsala. As king, Erik was noted for his desire to establish fair laws and courts and for his concern for the poor

and sick. Erik was killed by a Danish army that approached him at worship on the day after the Ascension. He is reported to have said, “Let us at least finish the sacrifice. The rest of the feast I shall keep elsewhere.” As he left worship he was killed. May 24: scientists Nicolaus Copernicus, +1543, and Leonhard Euler, +1783 These two men were both scientists who helped to explain the wonders of God’s universe. Copernicus is best known for promoting the idea that the sun, not the earth, is at the center of our solar system. Euler was one of the founders of pure mathematics, and contributed to many other fields.

May 27: John Calvin, renewer of the church, +1564 John Calvin began his studies in theology at the University of Paris when he was fourteen. In his mid-twenties he experienced a conversion that led him to embrace the views of the Reformation. His theological ideas are systematically laid out in his Institutes of the Christian Religion. He is also well known for his commentaries on

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St. James Ministries and Groups At this time, all in-person group events have been suspended until further notice to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. However, during this time of isolation, video chat technology can bring us closer than ever. We encourage group leaders to explore new ways to connect.

Mother’s Day Video Worship On Sunday, May 10 we will celebrate with all those who share motherly care by providing a St. James video of worship. You can always listen to audio-worship at www.stjamespdx.org, but in addition, on this special day you can SEE worship at St.

James. Check the St. James Daily Email Devotion the week prior to May 10 to connect to the link for the video.

St. James—Let’s Stay Connected Our ministry of weekly conversations with all members began on April 2. What fun to connect and hear your voices! Our thanks to our fourteenleaders for phoning and emailing. They are: Linda Riddle, Cathie Coffman, Mandy and Scott Ellertson, Sue Hammond, Marsha Gulick, Margie Lee, Alison Dillon, David Ghetti, Kris and David Zellmer, Carl Cottingham, Keith and Joyce Amundson, and Linda Rickert. What a great way to Be Church.

Feeding the Hungry New St. James member Linda Perez (pictured) places donated food/items in boxes. Each weekday at noon and every Tuesday at 6:30pm, St. James partners with area churches to feed those who live on our streets. Due to unemployment, the needs have increased: usually 50 are present at noon and around 30 on Tuesdays near our church building. Many thanks for your regular offerings that support this ministry and to those who donate fresh fruit, bottled water, fruit bars, and hygiene items.

The Music Doesn’t Stop Our St. James Organist and Director of Music Michael Lindner (pictured) prepares for our audio-worship services and for additional music placed on our website (www.stjamespdx.org). Expect to hear soloists as well. Our thanks to volunteers Ed Granshaw and Martha McKay for editing, and Gary Powers for placing recordings on our website.

CROP Hunger Walk The Portland CROP Hunger Walk has been rescheduled as a “virtual walk” on Sunday, May 10. Instead of gathering as a group to walk around downtown Portland, each walker will find and follow their own route—even if that route is inside their own home. The CROP Hunger Walk is a Church World Service fundraiser for funds that will alleviate hunger in many communities around the

world, including right here in Portland. 25% of what is raised from this walk will be shared between Northeast Food Program (NEFP) and Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon. Our team, St. James Soles, has 4 “walkers” signed up. You can join the team, or make a contribution to the team or one of the walkers, online at crophungerwalk.org/portandor.

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Breaking the Ramadan Fast Saturday, May 9, 7:30pm St. James has been invited to participate, via Zoom, in a virtual Iftar (the Muslim breaking of the fast). On Saturday, May 9 at 7:30pm we can participate in the

Portland Rizwan Mosque Ramadan Open House; a one hour event. Harris Zafar, who spoke at St. James a year ago, has invited Pastor David to speak as one of the faith leaders. Visit https://bit.ly/2Yo0wh4 to register for this event.

Caring for Creation: The Circular Economy “Every year we transform more than 100 billion tons of raw material into products. Less than a quarter becomes buildings, cars, or other long-lasting things. Less than ten percent cycles back into the economy. The circular economy

movement aims to increase that number and reduce the enormous amount of waste.” But how? Michael Braggart writes in Cradle to Cradle that the answer is making products and using economic processes that are designed so that all waste becomes fodder for something else. This movement is happening all over the world. In Copenhagen, eleven industrial plants exchange waste such as water, energy, and materials in what is known as the Kalundborg Symbiosis. In Prato, Italy, a single company employs 40,000 workers who sort, wash, and shred discarded textiles which are then spun back into yarn to create new clothing. Globally, Apple encourages customers to trade in old iPhones; the phones are dismantled and the parts are reused for new devices. Since a third of all food is wasted globally at an annual cost of nearly a trillion dollars, how do we cut back on food waste? Here are some ideas currently being used in the circular economy: using smart garbage cans in restaurants and hotels; using smaller and resealable packaging; eliminating ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ sales on perishables; reusing brewery and coffee waste organically; use of hydroponic and aerofarms (where there is 390 times the yield of farming in fields), and distributing misshapen or close to sell-by date perishables to the houseless. From the March, 2020 National Geographic, “The End of Trash.”

Bun Run St. James “Bun Run” bakery donations totaled 421 pounds in the first few weeks of April. Each week Becky Slapper brings donations go to Shepherd’s Door, a division of the Portland Rescue Mission. Betty Bolt recently shared with Becky that she did

the Bun Run to fill her free time back in Pastor Smith’s day. She would pick up the donations from the Gateway Fred Meyer. Her first stop was to take the donation to the St James Child Development Center. They would sort through what they could use and then Betty would take the remainder to a charity on Burnside.

Good Cheer from The Schobert Family St. James member Matthew Schobert shares that his neighborhood has created a “Good Cheer Fence” where they post kid-friendly jokes each day. The joke featured at right reads, “What do you call a duck on the 4th of July?” Send your guesses in to the front office!

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In Our Prayers For comfort, healing, and care: Beth Boyce; Jules Auger; Perry Walker; Warren Cook; Carol Wallis; LaVon Holden; Nathan Stone; Elizabeth and Gavin Morisada; Richard Biggs, friend of Jack Hammond; Jerome Hodges, brother of Margie Antico;

Pelagie Toldoum; Bill and Sandra Arbaugh; Allen Nelson; Joseph Anderson-Bussie; Deb Aronson; Lynn Drake; Roy Bolt; and Tim Mongin.

A Note from Michael Lindner Several people have asked for a bit of biographical information regarding the composers I've recorded for the website. Alan Viner (b. 1951) began his piano studies at the age of eight and the organ at thirteen. He

obtained an Honours Degree in Music from the University of Reading in 1973. He obtained his ARCM Performance Diploma from the Royal College of Music in 1976. He now devotes his time to private teaching, composing, and accompanying.

William Mathias started playing the piano at the age of three and began composing at the age of five. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Lennox Berkeley and was elected a Fellow in 1965. His compositions include large-scale works including three symphonies, three piano concertos, and an opera. Much of his music was written for the Anglican choral tradition and his most famous anthem, “Let the People Praise Thee, O God,” was written for the 1981 royal wedding. He died in 1992 at the age of 57.

Sir Arthur Bliss (1891-1975) was a pillar of the British musical establishment but was, in fact, half American. He was raised in London and studied with both Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst. His studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War. He was wounded on the Somme in 1916 and two years later was gassed at Cambrai. His compositional style following the war gained him a reputation as an enfant terrible but his style became more mature. He was highly active as a conductor, pianist, lecturer, and writer in both the United States and Europe. He was always at the center of British musical life: he worked in the Overseas Music Service of the BBC in 1941 and was the BBC's Director of Music from 1942-44. He was knighted in 1950 and was appointed Master of the Queen's Musick in 1953.

May Birthdays and Anniversaries

Forrest Betton Dick & Barbara Wegner Annika Tohlen Charlene Barton Bill & Cathie Coffman Gene Maier Ann Sehdev Chriss & Haika Kisanga Bill Herbert Janet Nelson Keith Amundson

5/1 5/1 5/3 5/4 5/4 5/7 5/8 5/8

5/10 5/10 5/12

David Schramm Doris Nielsen Gretchen Rodgers John Wilkerson Matthew Schobert Jr. Susan McBerry Chelsea Kimmett Elizabeth Verga Roy Bolt Susan Richardson Sven & Sonja Werner

5/135/14 5/19 5/20 5/21 5/22 5/23 5/23 5/28 5/30 5/31

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1315 SW Park Ave Portland, OR 97201 www.stjamespdx.org Office Hours: 7:30am-2pm Tel: 503.227.2439 Fax: 503.227.0856

St. James Lutheran Church 1315 SW Park Ave Portland OR 97201

STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Full Time:

Pastor: David Knapp Becky Bolt, President

Patrick Earnest, Director, Child Dev. Center David Scott, Vice President

Part Time: Kathleen McDonald, Secretary

Karin Hatch, M.S., Parish Administrator Paula Veseth, Treasurer

Sharon Kurtz, Bookkeeper

Lillian Vellom, Receptionist/Building Assistant

Michael Lindner, Interim Music Director

Mike Horsfall, Director of Jazz Ministry

Scott Keane, RN, Foot Care Clinic

Lucy Knopf, Sunday Childcare Coordinator

St. James shares God’s inclusive and eternal love with everyone