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Anthroposophia opens her well, and the love-borne human will can drink from it. She enlivens human love and thus becomes creative in impulses of moral acts and real social life.
Rudolf Steiner
The Council
The Council work is guided by our Mission Statement (see Purpose below).
Our current Council and community members are now striving to find our way, with those around the world, to continue heartfelt meetings of soul and spirit in the context of the dramatic measures being taken in response to the coronavirus. There are perhaps as many perspectives on this subject as there are members, and one of our main objectives is to maintain our heartfelt connections in the face of these differences.
James Knight, Christine Badura, Walter Rice, Valerie Hope and Kathy Rem.
Purpose
The members of the Portland Branch of the Anthroposophical Society freely come together out of their commitment to the Spiritual Science of Anthroposophy as founded by Rudolf Steiner. The branch will strive to further the life of the soul both in the individual and human society by basing its activities on anthroposophical ideals, with all that results from them for warmth in human relationship, and the spiritual, moral, artistic and cultural life of humanity.
Brief History of Our Branch
The earliest study group first began to meet in 1980. It was the initiative of this small study group which led to the founding of the Portland Waldorf School in 1982. This study group became The Michael Group, eventually incorporating as a nonprofit in 2003 and through a community impulse of a number of locally active groups, became the Portland Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in 2004. A passage from Rudolf Steiner’s work, Awakening to Community, inspired us at this time:
“We should not let ourselves turn into groups of educators, religious renewers, scientists, groups of the young, the old, the middle-aged. We must be an Anthroposophical community conscious of the sources that nourish it and all its offspring.”
The community building impulses which followed aimed at nurturing warmth between members, and a stronger and shared relationship to Rudolf Steiner’s work. We have enjoyed a vibrant community life. Our branch newsletter has played an important role in all of this.
Anthroposophy in America
The Anthroposophical Society in America is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical organization open to everyone regardless of religion, race, nationality, social standing, scientific or artistic conviction. It was founded as “an association of people who would foster the life of the soul, both in the individual and in human society, on the basis of a true knowledge of the spiritual world.”
There are more than 70 recognized branches of the Anthroposophical Society in America. Branches are usually a larger grouping serving individual members and groups.
Yearly Membership
Membership in our Portland Branch supports the local activities and the Community Library space. Your yearly dues are greatly appreciated.