Church of Scientology Portland Hosts Friendship Day Celebration

Community leaders gather at new Scientology Church in Portland

The Church of Scientology of Portland hosted an International Friendship Day forum and open house this summer to forward the purpose set forth by the United Nations in proclaiming this day: “that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.” Community and religious leaders from diverse backgrounds met and shared their vision for a better world.

Gwen Barnard, President of the Church of Scientology of Portland, set the tone of the event with an excerpt from the International Friendship Day message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “…let us cultivate warm ties that strengthen our common humanity and promote the well-being of the human family.”

“Here today we will present to you humanitarian groups that work toward the goals of well-being and friendship for the human family,” said Barnard. She introduced the attendees to The Way to Happiness, a non-religious commonsense moral code written by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard to provide a solution to society’s moral decline and a simple route anyone can take to a happier, more ethical and better life.

The effectiveness of The Way to Happiness as a crime prevention tool has prompted law enforcement officials, clergy and youth mentors to distribute the booklet in their communities as a deterrent to crime and violence.

Barnard shared The Way to Happiness Educator’s Resource Kit with the attendees, showing them three of the 21 public service announcements that illustrate each of the precepts of the booklet. The Church makes these materials available free of charge to educators, community and religious leaders and officials.

The forum and open house took place in the new Church of Scientology of Portland, dedicated May 11, 2013. An Ideal Scientology Organization and its facilities are configured to service Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serve as a home for the entire community—a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.

The Way to Happiness was written in 1981. Immensely popular since its first publication, more than 100 million copies have been distributed in 109 languages in 205 countries and territories.

The Church of Scientology and its members are proud to share the tools for happier living contained in The Way to Happiness with all who also have the goal of a better world. For more information, visit www.Scientology.org/thewaytohappiness

Scientology: How We Help—The Way to Happiness, Creating a World of Honesty, Trust & Self-Respect is one of a series of brochures published by the Church of Scientology International to meet requests for more information about the Scientology religion and its support of global humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs.