Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Annual Community Celebration Honors Those Who Are "Making a Difference"

On Thursday, February 28, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) will host its annual community celebration and dinner at the Portland Marriott Downtown in the Ballroom, 1401 SW Naito Parkway, Portland. Registration for the event begins at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The theme of the event is “Making a Difference.” Tickets are $50 each, and sponsors may host a table for 10 for $500. To order tickets, or for more information, call (503) 221-1054.

The annual community celebration will honor the work of EMO as well as celebrate members of the community who have made a difference in Oregon. The following individuals and groups will be receiving awards:

The Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award, honoring an individual for their outstanding commitment to humanitarian responsibility in Oregon will be awarded to Maribeth Collins, president of The Collins Foundation.

The Louise Hunderup Religious Education Award, honoring an individual for their commitment to religious education in Oregon will be presented to Cecilia Ranger, SNJM, Ph.D., former chair of the Religious Studies and Philosophy Department at Marylhurst University.

Ecumenical Service Awards, presented in recognition of special achievements in supporting inter-religious community ministries in Oregon will be awarded to two recipients: Betty Stephens, community volunteer serving north and northeast Portland, and Lake Oswego Transitional Shelter Ministry, an ecumenical ministry of seven Lake Oswego churches.

The Two Pauls Award (established on behalf of two significant Oregon clergymen, the Rev. Dr. Paul Wright and the Most Rev. Paul Waldschmidt), honoring an individual or groups efforts in promoting ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, service and relations, will be presented to Church Women United Intercultural Fellowship.

The Ecumenist of the Year Award, honoring an individual for their outstanding work in promoting ecumenism in Oregon will be presented to The Rev. Dr. Héctor López, conference minister of the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ.

In addition to the presentation of community awards, new officers of the board of directors will be installed including incoming president of the board, The Rev. Wesley Taylor, senior pastor of Tualatin United Methodist Church; president-elect, The Rev. Eugene Ross, conference minister, Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ; and secretary, The Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes, pastor of Allen Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Portland.