The Beginnings of Mission Of The Atonement

In the fall of 1985, Atonement Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon faced a major decision. With the income of the church inadequate to meet expenses, the church put out feelers for another congregation to share the facilities and help with financial obligations.

Lutheran Pastor Morrissey had grown up Catholic. He approached the Archdiocese of Portland to inquire whether any Catholic parish would be interested in a space-sharing idea. Bishop Steiner referred him to Father Parker in the archdiocese or Portland. Father Parker replied that it might be “interesting to share more than facilities.”

This set in motion a series of meetings with St. Anthony parish, a Catholic congregation in Tigard less than five miles from Atonement Lutheran. In April 1986, St. Anthony’s members were invited into the plans that were in the works to form an ecumenical “mission.” Interested Catholic families met with representatives of Atonement Lutheran. The two groups went on retreat together, and then met for five weeks to plan for a new community.

Perhaps the original intent was to have two distinct communities in one building, cooperating on many things. However, after the retreat, a new entity was formed: “Mission of the Atonement: A Catholic and Lutheran Community.”

On Sunday July 6th 1986, the community held its first worship service together. The community had, and continues to have, a strong emphasis on lay leadership. Over the years, MOTA has been blessed with Catholic and Lutheran pastors committed to guiding the faith community in deeper understanding of its two traditions as well as its ministries in the global community. Twenty-three years after its founding, Mission of the Atonement continues to thrive.

Mission of the Atonement continues to meet with both the current Catholic Archbishop and Lutheran Bishop. The community is grateful for the support received from our larger church bodies.

In Gratitude to the Visionaries of the 1980's

• Atonement Lutheran Church
• Bill Morrissey, Lutheran Pastor of the original Atonement Lutheran Church
• Bishop Kenneth Steiner, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Portland
• Father Jim Parker, Vicar for Worship and Ministries
• Father Matt Tumulty, Fransican priest and Catholic pastor of MOTA
• Pastor Dale Jamtgaard, Lutheran pastor of MOTA
• Saint Anthony’s Parish, Catholic congregation