In Honor of Pastor E.D. Mondainé: February 21, 1959 - August 25, 2025

On Monday August 25 2025, Portland Oregon lost one of our most unique and powerful voices for justice, and, for many of us, a steadfast companion through hard times as well as joyful moments.

Reverend Elbert Darrell “E.D.” Mondainé was a courageous voice for faith, justice, and community in Portland, Oregon. A pastor, civil rights leader, musician, and advocate, he devoted his life to lifting others and ensuring that equity and dignity are not aspirations but realities.

Born with a gift for music and a calling for ministry, Pastor Mondainé founded Celebration Tabernacle Church in 1988 in North Portland. What began as a modest congregation grew into a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of the community. Under his leadership, the church became known not only for worship but also for outreach—addressing the tangible needs of neighbors through food distribution, mentorship, and social programs, such as Teach Me To Fish, rooted in compassion and resilience.

Pastor Mondainé also carried his voice into the broader civic arena, leading the Portland NAACP chapter and serving as Regional Vice President. In that role, he championed racial justice, economic opportunity, and accountability—often speaking truth to power while calling communities to come together across lines of race, class, and faith. His work positioned him at the forefront of Portland’s ongoing struggles for justice and reconciliation. He was the chief petitioner gathering a broad-based coalition of over 200 organizations for the nationally recognized Portland Clean Energy Fund in 2018, and led the community response to George Floyd’s murder in 2020.

Mondainé co-founded the Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance, unique in its broad and successful inclusion of Black, Brown and white faith leaders who were Jewish, Buddhist, Wiccan and a number of progressive Christian denominations, as well as both Queer and straight. Since 2017 he was an important leader in Portland’s Movement for Black Lives marches, demonstrations and protests with both PICR and the Portland NAACP. He represented his faith community in Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, co-chaired the Interfaith Peace and Action Committee (IPAC), and led the Alaska Oregon Washington Area NAACP Climate Justice Committee as Regional Vice President.

Confronted by the ugly side of local politics, he responded with courage, writing a searingly honest memoir in which he sought “to find meaning and purpose in the face of life's trials”. Constantly innovating for the times, he created the podcast “Mondays with Mondainé” to offer unflagging encouragement against despair through newer media. And no matter his own private level of suffering, he was always there on Sunday morning for his community; his final sermon was titled “Standing In the Midst of Turmoil”

Beyond his public leadership, Mondainé was recognized as a gifted musician and composer, blending the soul of gospel with the urgency of lived experience. Through both music and ministry, he offered healing, inspiration, and a message of unyielding hope.

Above all, Pastor Mondainé is celebrated as a shepherd of people. His legacy is not only in the positions he held or the public battles he fought, but in the countless individuals whose lives he touched—lifting up the weary, encouraging the disheartened, and insisting on the dignity of all.  His story is a reminder that leadership is not about titles, but about service; not about recognition, but about impact. His actions were louder than even his words.  He listened to understand. He encouraged others to find their full potential.  And his smile and sparkle in his eyes would bring life and energy to a room.  

He is survived by sons Christoper Mondaine and Elbert Mondaine III; grandchildren Makailyn, Nalani, Jaiden, and Imanee Mondaine and Taviana Tolbert; sisters Olivia Hammonds, Laura Wright, Denise Jones, Eleanor Mondaine-Sayles and Canzetta Morris; and brother Andre Mondaine. A host of nieces and nephews, in-laws, spiritual sisters and brothers and friends also mourn his loss. His memory is a blessing.

Ariel Stone, Rabbi Emerita, Congregation Shir Tikvah
Jo Ann Hardesty, Oregon State Legislator, Chair
Lynn Peterson, Portland City Councilor, Metro Council President