INDIVIDUALLY, CASEY
"I love talking about God; about the uncommon sense it takes to truly walk and act in faith, and how to do that. Nothing inspires me more than when I see the people I sponsor, teach, or minister to, take a leap of faith and really try this stuff. I know that if they do it they are in for amazing surprises and awakenings, and that is a huge spiritual high for me. If understanding and working with God could transform my life from the utter pain and insanity it had been, and bring me to the joy and stability I have now, then anyone anywhere can overcome anything. Did I mention that I love being a minister?"
Rev. Casey Moffett-Chaney
Casey was born in Los Angeles, CA and moved with her parents in 1967 to Portland, OR. She attended Woodrow Wilson High School and received a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA in 1976.
After teaching public school music for 10 years, Casey retired to study for the ministry. She received her ministry license in 1992, and was ordained in 1993. Casey is the author of two self-improvement books ("Pardon My Dust…I’m Remodeling," and "Ready, Willing & Terrified, a Coward’s Guide to Risk-Taking). She spent 3 years touring the country, speaking, giving workshops and appearing on various television interview shows from "A.M. Northwest" in Oregon, to "Murphy in the Morning"' in Florida.
Casey has been a 12-stepper since 1983, and has been a 12-step keynote speaker at several conventions. She served as a group representative at the state level for two 12-step programs from 1984-1992, has greeted thousands of newcomers, made massive amounts of coffee, and continues to serve as an active sponsor.
Today, Casey is an avid Dragon Boat racing enthusiast, ballroom dancer, plays racquetball, tennis and squash, just recently started rock wall climbing, rides her bike, continues to play guitar, piano and French horn, and is the musical director of the DragonScales Choir , a non-audition, mixed chorus in SE Portland.
INDIVIDUALLY, BERDELL
"Trying God came first. Then Trusting God, then Loving God, and then Proving God. Pretty much in that order. For me to come to know God the way I do today, I think I had to start with a test drive, sort of like buying a car. And I had to try several 'models' before finding the one that was most comfortable for me. Once that happened, I was able to Trust the 'ride' farther and farther. Reliability was a deal maker for me, and at that point I could say, 'I Love my God.' The overcoming of my faux pas and difficulties was consistent and predictable, and it made me want to Prove to others that God could heal them, too."
Rev. Berdell Moffett-Chaney
Berdell was born in Fort Worth, TX, but was raised in Southeast Asia due to living in a military family. She attended the American School of the Phillipines, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Florida International University. She took her Masters work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
During ministry school, Berdell published both of Casey's books and acted as her agent/manager/publicist, booking her
all over the United States in various media forums.
Berdell is an accomplished water color artist. Her works have appeared in galleries all over Oregon, and at this writing, she is specializing in commissioned paintings and pet portraits. Her art website is Berdell.com.
Berdell has been a 12-stepper since 1979, serving at both the group and state levels, and sponsoring countless 12-steppers over the years.
Today, Berdell joins Casey in Dragon Boat racing, racquetball, tennis and squash, rock wall climbing, dancing and biking. She continues her artwork, and is a voracious reader.
COLLECTIVELY, BERDELL & CASEY
"We met at a picnic in Las Vegas, NV, through mutual friends in 1983. We were both living there at the time and happened to be single. It was pretty much love and obsession at first site. We've been through everything most couples experience at one time or another, the pain as well as the joy. We had to decide to make it work, and the effort we put into making our relationship exceptional has been invaluable. We are truly soul mates, and the difficult times are way behind us now. Today, we often compare our lives together to the Viennese Waltz we danced at our wedding reception—one leading, one following, switching back and forth, and smiling through it all."
Revs. Berdell & Casey Moffett-Chaney
Casey & Berdell have been actually married since 1983. Their anniversary is May 1, which is why, when Canada legalized same-gender marriage in 2004, they chose May 1, 2004 to make their marriage legal in Victoria, BC.
They have an adult son, Corey, whom they raised together (Casey went through the labor pains), and who is now engaged to be married to Angie (who, it turns out, has not two moms, but two aunts, one of which is also a choir director!). During the parenting years, Casey & Berdell were very active in Corey's school activities, and were elected to serve on the board of directors of his high school band. They have always chosen to live openly as a lesbian couple, and learned that the power of honesty and authenticity changed hearts and minds quickly and effectively.
During this time they ran a computer consultation business, attended ministry school, and supported each other's individual talents, i.e. writing and water colors, among other interests. Following their 1992 graduation from ministry school, Casey & Berdell pioneered the Portland Center for Spiritual Growth (PCSG), where they served as ministers for 17 years. Feeling the need for a break and time to reconsider the direction of their ministries, they took themselves and PCSG on a sabbatical in 2009.
They are accomplished ball room dancers, square danced for a few years, and Casey can tap dance. They also know their way around home remodeling after 18 successful remodels for PCSG from 2002-2009.
They are both very excited and happy to be starting their ministry again, and especially with the 12-step focus. Working their 12-step programs simultaneously over the years, Casey & Berdell believe their recovery moved forward at an increased rate. They seemed to inspire each other's growth. The impact of this has been wide spread and amazing, positively touching the lives of many people over the years.
You'll get to know more about them through Casey's fearlessly candid and uplifting Sunday messages. And don't be surprised if they get you to Rhumba along with them.
"Three words to describe Casey & Berdell...Unpretentious & Contagiously Happy!"
- A comment from one of their Dragon Boat paddling buddies
