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(click to see) Who we are

The story of the Mennonites in the Eugene area begins in 1887, when three families bought farms in Lane County north of Elmira. Eugene Mennonite Church (EMC) dates back to 1963, when several families began meeting in each other's homes. In 1964, the fellowship began to meet in the Four Oaks Grange Hall. With the help of students from the University of Oregon architecture program and many volunteers, the building we now own was completed in 1979.

As a church located in a university town, we have regularly experienced significant membership turnover. Because so many members were students in our early years, the congregation needed outside support from Mennonite mission agencies and other Mennonite congregations. Today we have a strong base of permanent families, allowing us to reach out in service to the community. In addition to those from Mennonite background, some of our members come from Baptist, Quaker, Catholic or other religious traditions.

Throughout our history, EMC has been characterized by openness, caring and freedom. Worship services are informal in spirit, often beginning with a moment for quiet reflection. A few of our favorite things are four-part singing, children's story time, and potluck meals.

EMC is a member of the Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference, itself part of the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church denominations. For more information about Mennonite history, activities and beliefs, go to these websites:

http://MennoLink.org
www.mennoniteusa.org
www.thirdway.com

(click to see) What we believe

“We believe in God the loving creator as the source of our life; in Jesus Christ as our savior, example and guide; and in the Holy Spirit who dwells with us and empowers us to live faithfully.

“We commit ourselves to the Jesus of the Gospels, who is the foundation for our faith and model for peace-making, service and reconciliation. As a community in continuity with the Anabaptist-Mennonite heritage, we understand Jesus through our interpretation of the Bible, through our awareness of the history of the Christian tradition, and through God's continuing revelation to us in the present.

“We believe the church is the fellowship of those who trust in God and desire to follow Jesus in a life of mutual caring and common endeavor.”

- from the EMC Congregational Confession of Faith, adopted in 1989

(click to see) What we do

Our congregation works on behalf of low-income and homeless folks in our community through participation in serving meals at the Dining Room sponsored by Food for Lane County. EMC joins Valley Covenant Church and Eugene Friends Church every year to host homeless families for a week through the Interfaith Housing Program. Among other involvements, we conduct food drives for FOOD for Lane County, and collect needed items for Lane Shelter Care, St. Vincent de Paul and Brethren Community Services. Our Peace, Belief and Justice Committee keeps the congregation informed about opportunities to help others whether it is through the University, or buying wreaths from migrant farm workers or sending supplies to a family in the Middle East or writing letters to our president.

During the week, Wellsprings Friends School meets in our church building. This alternative high school strives to build a sense of community among its students and teaches nonviolent conflict resolution. The Eugene In Accord(Peace) Choir and Motets use our building as rehearsal space.

EMC is involved with the Mennonite Festival for World Relief (an auction held each fall in Albany, Oregon, to benefit Mennonite Central Committee), Mennonite Mutual Aid, and Mennonite Disaster Service. Go to this website for information regarding MCC:
www.mcc.org

Other highlights of our church activities include our annual hike up Mt. Pisgah, Bob and Warren's can't-be-beat pancake breakfast, and the once a year all-church retreat.

(click to see) How to find us


From I-5 exit 195, go west on Beltline for nine miles. Turn left at the signal light at the “T” intersection onto West 11th Avenue. Drive one mile east to Bailey Hill Road and turn right. Go one-half mile south to the first signal light. Turn left on West 18th Avenue. The church is one block up on the right at 3590; look for a sign for both Eugene Mennonite Church and Wellsprings Friends School.
Eugene Mennonite Church
3590 W. 18th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97402
541/343-9548
Rose Marie Barber, pastor
peaceofeugene@gmail.com