Description

Church Structure: Our Commitment

Ione Community Church is an autonomous church. No religious organization or officer outside the
church has any authority over it. The church is self-governed by its members through its By-laws
and Church Meetings. The Church appoints its own officers (Pastors, Moderator, Vice-Moderator,
and Clerk), as well as Deacons and Trustees. It also has a Board of Christian Education, a
Missions and Outreach Committee, and a Hospitality Committee. Each member of the church
family is encouraged to discern his or her spiritual gifts and use them for the benefit of the church.
Each year a Nominating Committee canvasses the Church family to match people with their
spiritual giftedness.

New members are received into the church by their acceptance of the Covenant and with the
promise to support the Church with presence, time, talent, and treasure. The Covenant is based on
a Statement of Faith created at a convention in Kansas City in 1910. The Covenant is featured on
the "Mission" page of our website.

History: Our Story

In the early 1900s, several churches served the new town of Ione. The Congregational Church and

the Christian Church gradually merged beginning in the 1930s, and members of the Baptist Church

joined later. These traditions have shaped the faithful, active, caring fellowship that is now the Ione

Community Church.

After a fire in 1998, we built a new facility that is fully accessible for children, youth, parents and

other adults, retirees, the disabled, and senior citizens. Everyone is welcome! Our doors and our

hearts are open to whoever would like to visit, participate or join, and we hope that's YOU!

Description of the Church

Ione Community Church is a small rural church nestled in the town of Ione (population 324). The

Church has approximately 100 members on its roles. Average attendance on Sundays is 40-60.

While many members are older and retired, there are families with young children as well.

A large percentage of those who are active in the church have been part of it for decades, but there

are new families as well.

Many of the families farm and live on ranches in the surrounding foothills, but a significant number live in the town

within walking distance of the Church.

Ione School, a charter school, is an important part of the community, and is one center of social

activity. The whole town turns out for sports events like boys' and girls' basketball, football, and track.

There are many school events where the community is invited, and even those who have no children

participating, may go to the school several times a week.

Ione has a store, Collier's Market and Deli, which includes a table around which people gather for

coffee or a bite to eat and a discussion of topics of interest. The Windmill, also known as The Office

Tavern, is a restaurant with excellent food as well as a pool table and bar. Taylor's, another restaurant

in town, is on Rt. 74.

Other businesses include Eastern Oregon Bank, Sew What, Wheatland Insurance, and the Sunflower

Junction.

Ione as a Library and City Hall.

Ione Community Church is the only Protestant Church in town. Valby Lutheran church is 18 miles out

on the outskirts of town. St. William's Roman Catholic Church is near Ione Community Church, and

the two churches enjoy an amicable relationship.

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