Ecumenical Spiritual Renewal Weekend

Indigenous author addresses “Becoming Rooted” at 2023 Ecumenical Spiritual Renewal Weekend

Scholar, author, farmer and professor Randy Woodley will lead workshops and preach during this year’s Ecumenical Spiritual Renewal Weekend in Florence on March 4 and 5. Rev. Dr. Woodley, the author of both histories and devotionals, is Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture at George Fox University and the founder of Eloheh Farms in Northwest Oregon.

The Spiritual Renewal Weekend, sponsored by a 5-church Florence-based coalition in its 28^th year, will be held at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996 Hwy. 101. Three workshops on Saturday – at 10, 1 and 2:15 – will deal with “Rooted in Our Story,” “Growing Our Roots: Understanding the Indigenous Worldview,” and “Deepening Our Roots: Sustaining the Earth.” Rev. Dr. Woodley will preach on “Jesus’ Mission and Shalom,” based on Luke 4, during Sunday’s worship service, which begins at 10:30.

Rev. Dr. Woodley, a Keetoowah Cherokee legal descendant, is the author of more than a dozen books, including Becoming Rooted, Living in Color, The Harmony Tree, and Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview. A native of Michigan, he received his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky and was ordained by the American Baptist Churches in the USA in Oklahoma.

The workshops and worship are free and open to the public. Luncheon will be offered Saturday at noon between the morning and afternoon workshops. The Ecumenical Renewal Weekend is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, New Life Lutheran Church, Florence United Methodist Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and Saint Mary Catholic Church. For more information, contact ecumenicalrenewal@gmail.com