Sabin Community Newsletter // February 2021

Get Busy at the Sabin Orchard

From winter pruning to pollination and harvest – Sabin’s Orchard needs helping hands all year round. If you’re up for getting your hands dirty with a friendly group of people this is for you: The work party schedule 2021 for Sabin Orchard is out. It is located between NE 18th and 19th Avenue/ Mason Street. Check here for Google Maps. If you're able to come, please bring personal pruning tools, uniquely identified. And, of course, dress for the weather.

Schedule 2021, all 2-4 p.m.
Mar. 21: Understory plants
April 18: Pollination, pest & disease management
May 16: Fruit thinning, pest & disease management
June 20 (Father’s Day): Fruit, pest & disease monitoring, irrigation preparation
July 18: Summer pruning, watering
Aug. 15: Soil health, weed management, watering
Sept. 19: General maintenance, tree harvest
Oct. 17: Fall tree care, harvest
Nov. 21: Putting the orchard to bed

How To Get a Covid Shot – Reach Out To a Neighbor

The process of obtaining an appointment for a Covid vaccine has been challenging even for people who are familiar with computers and the internet. Some of our older neighbors here in Sabin may not have access to, or the skills, to even begin signing up. If you feel comfortable, please reach out to a neighbor who might need some help. You can find some up-to-date information and helpful links on SCA's Facebook site.

SCA Board Meeting

You are welcome to read the complete minutes of October Board meeting here. It includes the topics: legal issues, treasurer report, efforts to preserve the Sequoia tree on NE 12th Avenue/ Mason Street, short term rentals and low income housing in the community.

Reverend Bethel of Maranatha Church

The Sabin Community Association was saddened to hear of the passing of Reverend Bethel. Rev. Dr. T. Allen Bethel was a powerful preacher, inspiring teacher and dedicated community activist. He served as Senior Pastor at Maranatha Church in Sabin from 1994 until his retirement in 2020. He previously pastored churches in Boston, Massachusetts and Kansas City, Kansas.

The youngest of nine children, Dr. Bethel was born on January 31, 1953 in Columbia, SC. He met his wife Daphne Davis at a Youth Rally in 1972 and they were married on New Year’s Eve 1977.

He joined the Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA) and later became its president. In 2003, following the shooting of Kendra James by a Portland Police Officer, AMA shifted their focus from education, child care and health care to reforming the use of lethal weapons by the police department. Dr. Bethel along with Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes brought together a number of organizations to form the AMA Coalition on Justice and Police Reform. Throughout the years they organized rallies and marches for African Americans and people with mental health challenges that were harmed or killed by the police.

In addition to working with AMA, he served on many boards including the American Red Cross, Oregon League of Minority Voters, Portland Parks & Recreation, TriMet, Warner Pacific College, the International Institute of Christian Communication and was a member of the Portland African American Leadership Forum.

He is survived by his wife of over 42 years, Daphne, his son Allen, daughter Monica; his sisters Mary Smith, Columbia, SC, Patricia Joyner, Brooklyn NY, brothers William Jones, Brooklyn, NY, Samuel Jones (Agnes), Orlando, FL, Jack Jones (Pauline), Queens Village, NY and many nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren.

As pastor of Maranatha Church for 26 years, Bethel was known for offering warmth and community to an increasingly diverse congregation in the rapidly gentrifying Sabin neighborhood. The Sabin Community Association appreciates the many years of cooperation with the Maranatha Church generously hosting the annual Sabin Neighborhood Cleanup in the church’s parking lot. The Board of the Sabin Community Association sends its sincere condolences to the Rev. Dr. Bethels family and the Maranatha Church family.

Dear Sabin neighbors,