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Dec. 6, 2016
Vol.5 Issue 12.1 

To stand in solidarity with the struggles of another is a soul-stretching experience. We affirm in this season of the church year that God did just that by coming to live a human life in the person of Jesus.  And Jesus commanded us to follow in that model:  "Love one another as I have loved you."  

At our 2015 Annual Conference Session we made a commitment to be in relationship with and learn from our Native American brothers and sisters. Rev. Aric Clark, a Presbyterian clergy person serving our Sherwood UMC congregation, took the opportunity the week of Thanksgiving to stand in solidarity with the water protectors at Standing Rock in North Dakota.  He shares his experience and insights below.  Be sure to watch his video to hear about the complexity of the situation.  While this is about a particular pipeline and river, it is also about the total history of the relationship between the native peoples of this country and the colonizers, and all of us who are their descendants.  

The situation at Standing Rock is very fluid. Aric wrote this less than a week ago, but just this past Sunday the Army Corps of Engineers announced they would not provide the easement for the pipeline to proceed under the river.  That is conditional good news to the water protectors, but they realize that a new administration could change things quickly again.  They have no plans to dismantle their camp anytime soon.

Below Aric's article are links to other stories of being at Standing Rock, to educate yourself and how to provide help.

This is an opportunity for us to learn, and to have our souls expanded.  May it be so.

Blessings,

Linda Grund-Clampit
Cascadia District Administrative Assistant


A Witness From Standing Rock

11/30/16 by Rev. Aric Clark

Tepee at Standing Rock

Tepee at Standing Rock

Over the week of Thanksgiving I joined an interfaith delegation coordinated by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to go to Standing Rock. Eleven of us stayed for four days in the “big” camp, Oceti Sakowin, where we helped with construction and the winterizing of the camp, learned about the struggle, and joined in nonviolent direct action, prayer, and ceremony to attempt to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. It was a profound and powerful experience.

The resistance to the Pipeline is at a critical juncture. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Governor of North Dakota have both issued eviction notices of dubious legality to the camps, which are positioned on treaty land.

Winter has arrived in North Dakota and the camps are in the process of receiving critical supplies for enduring the cold, such as composting toilets. There is some question whether the police intend to blockade the camps to prevent them from receiving these necessary supplies. Furthermore, despite the Army Corps of Engineers withholding the necessary easement permits for the pipeline to cross the Missouri River until the energy companies consult with the tribes, construction continues illegally and has advanced to the edge of the river. They have the drill needed to drill under the river and intend to continue construction knowing that whatever fines they are forced to pay will be miniscule in comparison to the profits they stand to gain from completing the pipeline. Residents in the camps are seriously, and justifiably, concerned that the escalation of violence we have seen from the police in recent weeks will continue and that soon we may see unarmed peaceful water protectors losing their lives in this conflict.

I have included a video of my reflections from my time at the front lines. I urge you to watch it, and follow the included links to get the most accurate and helpful information about the Standing Rock resistance. The Water Protectors welcome
your prayers and donations. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyYY6VSVyqM

If your congregation or community would like me to come and do a presentation about Standing Rock you may contact me at aricclark33@gmail.com


More information and links to provide aid 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

This week in the
Cascadia District
 
Tuesday, December 6

North Valley Colloquy

Wednesday, December 7

Far North Colloquy

Riff-Raff Colloquy

Thursday, December 8

Coast Colloquy

Looking Ahead

Monday, December 19

2017 Appointment Preference Forms due in District Office

Thursday, Jan. 5

Cascadia District Extension Society Board Meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Last day to turn in 2016 apportionments

Saturday, Jan. 21

Threshold Event with Bishop Stanovsky in Eugene


Prayer Calendar

December 4 - 10

McCabe Chapel UMC
Pastor Ken Johnson
Lay Leader Bob

Molalla UMC
Pastor Kathy Boyes
Lay Leader Helen


Find us on Facebook
 


Contact us

DS Peg Lofsvold
lofsvold@mac.com

District Lay Leader
Paula Sadler

jpcsadler@aol.com

District Administrative Assistant
Linda Grund-Clampit

linda@umoi.org
503-581-3969

Check out the Cascadia District webpage:
www.umoi.org/cascadia

Cascadia District Office of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
680 State Street, Suite 200, Salem, Oregon, 97301 ~ (503) 581-3969 ~ Cascadia@umoi.org