Emma Donohew, 30, new pastor at Parkrose United Methodist Church, brings a youthful energy to the church and encourages out-of-the-box community building. She enters at a historical crossroads defined by blossoming breweries and a cutthroat housing crisis.
COURTESY EMMA DONOHEW
Ever wondered what it would be like to have a pastor who takes you hiking and brewery-hopping while dressed in a chic plaid T-shirt? Well, wonder no more: It looks like Portland has finally had its way with the Parkrose United Methodist Church.
Emma Donohew, Parkrose United Methodist Church’s fresh-faced pastor replacing the outgoing Bill Gates, presents a bit differently than her predecessor. For one, Donohew is only 30 years old, making her very much a millennial. Secondly, Donohew is Parkrose United Methodist’s Church first female pastor. Both of these developments appear to be welcome changes for the church’s diehard followers.
In fact, Donohew’s age may bring more people together than apart.
“She’s very different from our former pastor, who was towards the end of his career, whereas Emma is at the very beginning of hers,” says longtime Parkrose United Methodist Church member Linda Grimes. “We’ve also gone from a man to a woman, so it couldn’t be any different in those outside ways. However, she brings the same depth of commitment as a longtime pastor.”
Parkrose United Methodist Church’s Minister of Music Lesley Bossert concurs.
“It’s hard to lose a pastor to retirement, but [Donohew is] aware of what she needs to do to make it work,” says Bossert. “[Gates] has children her age, so they’re a bit different generationally—though they are both good at doing all ages. He left on a good note, and that note just continued.”
Additionally, Donohew’s age might lead to an increase in membership at the church. She last worked as the pastor at Green Lake United Methodist Church in northeast Seattle, where she saw an increase in younger couples during her stay. And believe it or not, Donohew has more in common with retired pastor Bill Gates than one might expect.
Indeed, Donohew, who officially assumed the position of pastor for Parkrose United on July 1, has already added one popular, youthful touch.
Each Wednesday night, Donohew holds a “pub theology” meeting, held at rotating breweries around Portland, where churchgoers are encouraged to engage in meaningful conversations about topics that might be more community-centric than church-related. One such recent example was the broad topic of good versus evil. Indeed, churchgoers may not have had the experience of an open group discussion since their college days. “She gives you a more casual setting for conversation, as people are reluctant to come to church because of whatever they think that means,” explains Grimes.
Undoubtedly an early taste of Donohew’s developing legacy, Donohew hopes to take churchgoers out of the church. Soon, she hopes to add hiking trips to the pub theology sessions and offer alternative times for worship services, other than the traditional Sunday morning routine. “Some people might be brunching or hiking on Sunday mornings, like a lot of my friends,” says Donohew. “So we want to look for other opportunities for people to have more participation to worship.”
Overall, Donohew has been the leader at three churches, with the previous two both in the larger Seattle metropolitan area. Donohew grew up in Bothell, which is just north of Seattle. Fortunately, she doesn’t miss her home city; and even better, she seems to fit in here in Portland just fine. “I get a really good sense of passion from Portland and its people, especially if they see something they feel should be changed,” says Donohew. “Also, I definitely don’t think drinking beer is a sin; practicing the art of moderation is a good, healthy thing.”
Portland United Methodist Church is in Mid-county’s Parkrose Heights neighborhood at 11111 N.E. Knott St. Sunday services are at 10 a.m. with an adult Sunday School preceding it at 9 a.m.
For more information about the church, visit their website, parkroseumc.org, or Facebook page, or call 503-228-3195.
