An interfaith mandala-icon

The Celestial Compass (2013) by Sarah-Andrea Morrigan

This object is dedicated as the centerpiece of the communal altar we maintain at the new Occupy Portland headquarters (the Fremont Room).

The art was inspired by many symbolic elements common in a wide variety of spiritual and faith traditions around the world, and depicts the cosmos and its various levels of manifestations.  As a salute to the Occupy movement's history, there are two tabernacles/tents, one red (symbolizing the south) and one north (symbolizing the north).  The west and east are symbolized by a willow and an oak respectively.

4/26: A community dialogue on violence

This week has been challenging for America.

We are dedicating the scheduled first Fremont Room meet-and-greet on Friday, April 26  Saturday, April 20 to conversations on how we as a community, especially as people of spirituality and faith, counter the culture of violence and life-denial so pervasive in American society, from mass shooting incidents to indiscriminate IED bombing to knee-jerk reactions by politicians and public officials that inevitably follow such events.

America is morally bankrupt -- but not in a way self-styled conservatives and value-voters think it is.  It is morally bankrupt because the national psyche glorifies violence at all levels, from "getting tough on petty criminals" to our preemptive "war on terror," while our elected officials divert more taxpayer dollars to military and prisons while denying children food and healthcare.  Both America's foreign policy and domestic ethos are strongly attached to violence and death, even as some of our politicians continue to make abortions a hot-button issue to win more votes.

All things are connected, and all things are manifestations of our collective thoughts and choices we make.  Violent video games and grotesque Hollywood movies desensitize us from the evil of intentionally inflicting sufferings on others, while a collective sadism and thirst for bloody vengeance becomes our social obsession.  "Life" gets subverted and turns into tyranny, "justice" became mob rules of our legislature, bully pulpits of our politicians, and a court-sanctioned lynching of our courts.  "Love" became a euphemism for abuse, objectification and control, while "peace, order, and safety" became a call for an astronomical military expenditure abroad and destruction of liberties and human rights at home.

We need a fundamental cultural shift, now.

This is our time to reignite our passion and to resume our work that was started on that October day of 2011 in a humble downtown Portland park.

You are invited to this time of dialogue.

https://www.facebook.com/events/546067235416511/

4-5:45 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2013
10 - 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2013
Fremont Room (Occupy Portland Information Center)
1131 SE Oak Street Suite 12
Portland, Oregon  97214

Friday, April 26: Fremont Room meet and greet

Interfaith Solidarity Cascadia invites you to a little meet and greet at the new home of its communal altar.  The altar is essentially a miniature of the giant sukkah Occupy Portland had at its original encampment (Lownsdale Square/Beta Camp), incorporating pieces from there and established when Occupy Portland moved into its previous home, the Che Room.

The new (the "third incarnation of the Sacred Space!") altar is slightly smaller and shares a multipurpose footprint.  A design for a more permanent one is under way, to be unveiled at a new OPDX headquarters which may open within the next two months.

Learn what is happening now with ISC, and what plans we have for spring and summer.

At this event we will also be dedicating a new "universal interfaith icon" of a sort, as the altar conspicuously lacked a focal sacred object.  Its creation is commissioned to a certain local artist whose work is also now on display at a gallery within the walking distance, so you are also invited to a tour of that show after this event is over.


When: Friday, April 26, 4-5:45 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Fremont Room, 1131 SE Oak St, Portland, Oregon 97214-1344
(Use the Oak Street doors - unlocked at 3:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m.; if locked call 971-256-1006)

Moving days!

As you may know already, the Friends of Occupy Portland information office is moving this weekend from the Che Room (Room 5) to the smaller Fremont Room (Room 12).  Our community altar is slightly downsized to fit the smaller footprint.

Interfaith Solidarity: Open-ended conversations and brainstorming

There has been some resurgence of interests in Interfaith Solidarity Cascadia, while most of the original members have pretty much moved on. This is an opportunity for conversations and for those earlier ISC (IGC) members, a time for reunion.

Contact: Sarah 503-427-8269 email: http://ur1.ca/ctjhb

Friday, February 22, 2013, 7-9:30 p.m.
Che Room, 1131 SE Oak Street, Portland, Oregon 97214

https://www.facebook.com/events/165364090280923/

Important announcement regarding women's spirituality and social change group

Thursday, January 18, 2013

Due to low enrollment the Women's Spirituality and Social Change group, previously scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 20, will be rescheduled to begin on Sunday, February 3.  Location may change due to the planned relocation of the Occupy Portland meeting room in the near future, however, it will be held at the Che Room (1131 SE Oak St. #5) as long as the Occupy Portland remains at that location.

To ensure a meaningful, consistent discussion in a safe environment, we request advance registration (free).  Please email if you would like to be part of this group.

Happy New Year, and January events

Interfaith Solidarity Cascadia wishes you a happy new year in peace and blessings.

January events:

Open forum: From culture of death to life
Friday, Jan. 11, 4-6 p.m.  > Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7-8:45 p.m.
Che Room, 1131 SE Oak Street, Portland, Oregon
An open-ended community forum on examining the “culture of death” in American collective psyche and how it relates to recent incidents of mass active shootings.

Group: Women's spirituality and social change
Three Sundays, Jan. 20, 27, and Feb. 3, 6-8 p.m.
Che Room, 1131 SE Oak Street, Portland, Oregon
An open-ended and nonsectarian discussion and study group on women’s spirituality and its contribution to social and cultural transformation. This is a three-week series (initially; may be extended by demand) on Sundays 6-8 p.m. In order to keep the group consistent and small enough for an in-depth discussion and shared experiences, pre-registration is requested by no later than Wednesday, Jan. 16. The second and third meeting build on the previous ones.

Information/Registration (free): email pdxintersol=pacificwest.com (replace = symbol appropriately). You will receive confirmation by email if you are officially signed up.