Activities at Mt. Carmel include:
For specific dates and times see the Calendar.

Special Events:
Memorial Day Hike: As Mt. Carmel is less than a mile from one of the most beautiful natural parks in the state, Tryon Creek, on Memorial Day we meet at the church with picnic lunches in hand (or backpack) and walk the mile or so to the picnic shelters at Tryon and enjoy a time with nature and each other.
Potlucks: We find any excuse for one of these...
Strawberry Festival: In June we make sure that we indulge in one of Oregon's greatest assets: the strawberry crop. This is an evening of ice cream, cake, shortbread, cream and of course, berries (you notice a theme here?)

Music at the Mount: This concert series runs from September through May on the Third Sundays of the month. Entertainment in the past has been provided by Corral Creek Connections a gospel bluegrass group, Beltaine a Celtic music group, SacredFlight harp ensemble, Portland Lutheran School's Jazz Band, our own talented musicians, and much, much more. Admission is free although a free will offering is solicited to benefit various charitable organizations. In 2005 Music at the Mount raised over $5,000 for a wide variety of local, national and international agencies and school and charitable organizations. With matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans this amount reached almost $9,000.

Music Program: Our music program is an important part of our worship life at Mt. Carmel. Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of skill level. Our music director, Lisa Frenz (email), oversees the choir, special music, helps with hymn selection and worship preparation. She is a trained singer, litergist and sometime composer.
Choir meets on Thursday evenings 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. September through May and sings about twice a month at Sunday services. They also present a Christmas Concert in December, provide the music for the Passion Story on Passion Sunday, and participate in a local fundraiser for Peoplebank volunteer services in spring. Everyone who has a desire to sing to the glory of God is welcome.
Instrumentalists: While there is no formal group of instrumentalists, anyone who plays an instrument is welcome to provide special music for worship services or with the choir. Several times a year Lisa produces a special arrangement and we put together our "orchestra".

Men's Prayer Breakfast: The men usually meet for breakfast the first Saturday of the month at a local restaurant.

Women's Prayer Partners: Once a year we meet for tea and draw the names of our prayer partners. Prayer Partners support each other with prayer and care. Prayer Partners are chosen at random by drawing one of a pair of necklaces. Matching necklaces then become Prayer Partners for a year, supporting each other in prayer. New partners are determined at our annual High Tea. If you would like to be a Prayer Partner please contact us at office@mtcarmellutheran.com or call the office at 503-244-5143.

Annual Women's Retreat: In the fall the women of the congregation get away for a weekend of community, prayer, and worship at Menucha in the Gorge.

Youth Activities: The youth generally plan an outing about once a month for bowling, skating, etc. or one of their favorites, an "overnight" at the church.

Committees: All the activities of Mt. Carmel obviously need planning, and the following standing committees handle much of that work. While the council members are elected visitors to their meetings are welcome. Anyone may join one of the committees:
Council: This group of elected officers oversees the life of the congregation and provides leadership for the future. They meet on the second Wednesday of the month.
Growth: This is the group of folks who plan and implement worship, education and fellowship activities of the congregation. They meet monthly on the first Tuesday and welcome anyone interested in helping with this aspect of community life as do the Outreach and Resource committees.
Outreach: These folks plan and implement Mt. Carmel's outreach in service and evangelism to the community. They also meet on the first Tuesday of the month.
Resource: To this group falls the task of the community's finances, maintenance of the property and any physical plant improvements. They meet on the second Wednesday of the month.

SW Portland Chapter of Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans: This fraternal organization's members do special service projects such as help with providing funds and labor for redecorating the downstairs bathrooms to such ongoing efforts as the Music at the Mount benefit concerts.

Outside Groups: Several outside groups meet at Mt. Carmel. They are:
River City Pipe Band a highland pipe and drum group which rehearses at Mt. Carmel on Wednesday evenings.
Mt. Carmel Pre-school & Day Care an infant and toddler day care. 503-244-5153

An excerpt from Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Speech Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the World. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Contact: Office for more information.
Contact: Webmaster for website comments.
Mt. Carmel Evangelical Lutheran Church
515 S.W. Maplecrest Drive, Portland, OR 97219
503-244-5143
Updated: May 2, 2008