A Parish Story from Eugene/Springfield | Oregon

In a time of growing angst around denominational decline, the United Methodist Church is investing in creative positions to connect the local church with the neighborhood.

Naphtali Renshaw launched the BeLonging Space in September 2021. The UMC had been wanting to develop a position in the Eugene/Springfield area and Napthali had been asking big questions around the intersection of faith and community. Specifically, Naphtali felt drawn to imaginative community outreach, holding space to listen to the voices of historically resilient and marginalized people groups in Eugene.

The BeLonging Space is an organization of 1 in the early stages of planting seeds and developing relationships with other community organizations. Naphtali gets to listen deeply and then turn back to the churches and let them know the needs and assets that arise from within the community, with the hopes of nurturing long-term relationships.

Naphtali loves collaborating and dreaming with local clergy about how church spaces can be reimagined to better serve and engage the local community. . A couple of the churches have community gardens , one of which is managed by the BeLonging Space; and another has been converted into an event hall/community hub/book store  called Coburg Commons, directed by Parish Collective alumn, Brandon Rhodes. The BeLonging Space has been able to collaborate with local organizations to co-create safe spaces of belonging and joy by serving meals and sharing gifts.

“I believe that as people of faith, we are people of the table.”

Naphtali Renshaw

In the winter, Naphtali collaborated with various organizations to coordinate separate events with Black Santa, Indigenous Santa, and Rainbow Santa for LGBTQIA2S+ family and friends. In all of her work, Naphtali seeks to co-create, cultivate, and hold safe spaces for connection, belonging, and healing so that church and community resources go where they are needed most. In everything, the BeLonging Space communicates the message: You are seen, you are heard, you are loved. You belong. 

Connect with the BeLonging Space on Facebook and soon at theBeLongingSpace.org.