March/April 2011 Community Spotlight
All Faiths Coexist at Celebration Church
At Celebration Church, people of all faiths are welcome — literally.
The Wilsonville, Ore.-based church celebrates all religions and paths at their CoExist Celebration, which meets throughout the year at different locations around the Portland metro area.
The goal of the gatherings? To celebrate all faiths as unique expressions of one truth — love. Priests, rabbis, monks, ministers and teachers of all faiths join together in the common pursuit of peace, peace of mind, and peace of planet.
Each CoExist Celebration features soulful music, ceremony and the wisdom taken from all religions. The church invites Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Bahá'ís, Hindus, Muslims and more to be a part of the experience. Never been to a mosque before? The events are held at different venues, including synagogues, mosques, churches, art museums, theatrical stages and even outdoors, giving people a chance to feel spirit in new places.
“The Northwest is the least 'churched' area in the country. Coexist Celebration is a spiritual experience, not religious,” says Rev. Barry Dennis, who founded Celebration Church in 2005. “CoExist consciousness is an organic movement that has shown up out of a new consciousness arising on the planet. As the planet gets smaller every day, we don't really have a choice — coexist or perish.”
Celebration Church is a Christian-based spiritual community founded on the principle of honoring all faiths that teach love. The church shares many tenets with the New Thought movement.
For details on the CoExist Celebration retreat on May 20-22 at Menucha Center in Corbett, visit www.coexistcelebration.org. Learn more about Celebration Church at www. celebrationchurch-portland.org.