03/11/2014
by Sister Carye
Pasture Ted, Brother Dan, Sister Carye, Sister Sarah and Wandering James met up to attend the Portland Sunday Assembly which now meets 2nd Sunday at Matt Dishman Community Center. This is a Godless or Atheist Church/Assembly and the motto is A Global Movement for Wonder and Good.
For only the second official assembly, this event was very well organized, tons of volunteers, a MC, several speakers, a band, coffee & tea attendants. The place packed out with all kinds of Portlanders, young and old -- mostly of the white variety, some families.
The icebreaker was absolutely a great idea. Papers Scissors Rock with your neighbor, winner moves on with loser becoming cheerer until there are only two people left with HUGE cheering sections. I loved the sense of "play". The main talk was from a PSU professor Dr Joshua Fost who talked about Evolution and personal fulfillment. The band was the Shae Lee Band -- only 15 years old and has a amazing voice.. she's looking for places to play where minors are allowed -- Songs were great R&B songs like Love Train by the O'Jays and Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone.
Format was Music, Welcome, Inspiration speech, Guest Talk, Music, Recognition, Reflection -- moment of silence, Collection -- in a gold sequined hat, music and snacks and informal gathering.
Overall stayed high on community, intellectual, giving nature.. a kin to a day at a university symposium... not much woo-woo or as Brother Dan puts it "the Sacred". Nice folks, real dedication and interest and very early in it's stages.. worth checking out again. The crowd was akin to say an indie crowd.. interested.. but not overall jumping all around enthusiastic.