Annual Mutual Ministry Review: Why Do We Need It?
Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) is a way for every congregation to ask, “How are we doing?” It is a time to celebrate what has been done well over the past year and to understand what might be done better. It is a time to pause and ask what God is calling us to do and to accomplish now and then decide how we can best practice that.
By our baptism we are each called into the work of ministry. Ministry is the work of our whole congregation, not just the ordained clergy. Mutual Ministry Review is a short time set aside by priest and vestry/BAC to review the ministry of laity and clergy working together in the daily life of the congregation. By doing this they can better see how they are following God’s mission in the community and in the world.
Congregations that engage in mutual ministry reviews on an annual basis are healthier. They are able to discuss responsibilities openly and review them regularly and comfortably. Everyone comes to understand what is expected of them, and time and energy become more centered on what is most important for building up the Body of Christ.
The intent of Mutual Ministry Review is positive growth in effective ministry. It focuses on how we improve rather than on reasons why something was not done. Its emphasis is on celebrating the successes and resolving the challenges of our work as Christians in community.
Every covenant of ministry between a congregation and its priest includes a stipulation for an annual Mutual Ministry Review. Our diocese has a group of consultants who have been trained to facilitate Mutual Ministry Reviews. For a list of consultants near you, call the diocesan office at 503-636-5616 or contact Canon Neysa Ellgren Shepley at
neysae@diocese-oregon.org.
Read the Executive Summary of the 2017 Episcopal Mutual Ministry Review for the Diocese of Oregon.
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Register Now for Convention
Registration is now open for all delegates, clergy, and visitors, and will be processed by Eventbrite.
Click here to register.
September 30 is the deadline for registration.
More details, including hotel information, how to register as an exhibitor, and a brief proposed agenda are on our website.
Other Convention notes:
The deadline for proposing Resolutions of Policy is July 29.
The Rev. Nancy Gallagher is leading the Nominating Committee for the open diocesan positions. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, go to our
Convention page for position descriptions and nomination forms.
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Academy for Formation and Mission Fall Term Registration Now Open
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The Academy for Formation and Mission (AFM) begins its eighth year this September. We offer three main classes this term - Church Vitality in Community & The World, Prayer Book Liturgics, and Theology I. Our teachers are excellent. Our students are diverse, coming from all parts of Oregon and with many different reasons for attending. They form an engaged community. It is possible to attend one, two, or three courses. (It is also possible to do distance learning.)
New this year: classes meet once a month to accommodate schedules and we are joining with Legacy/Good Samaritan Hospital to provide a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Learn more about AFM.
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The Calendar
Upcoming diocesan and church events:
Chaplaincy Education Opportunity: a non-residential program is available to clergy and lay ministers working in a variety of settings. Initial applications are due July 22.
Invitation to Diaconal Discernment Meetings: Learn more about serving God and the Church as a deacon and steps for discerning if you have a calling to the diaconate. Grace Memorial, Portland, August 6, 1:30 - 3 p.m. or St. Thomas, Eugene, August 27, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Dinner Table as Communion Table: celebrate an all-ages Eucharist and dinner to experience fellowship in the tradition of the ancient church. Trinity Cathedral, Portland. August 9. 5:30 - 7 p.m.
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Today in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:
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Oregon Episcopal School.
Mo Copeland, Head of School; Phillip Craig, Head
Chaplain; Jennifer Cleveland, Upper School Chaplain; Melissa Robinson, Middle School Chaplain
William Temple House.
PRAY that God will continue to guide us as we provide counsel
ing and social service
assistance to the working poor.
Port Orford: St. Christopher.
Click here for the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.
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Transitions
Called: the Rev. Dcn. Andy McQuery has been called as the curate of St. Paul, Salem, beginning August 1.
Called: the Rev. Joshua Kingsley, formerly the priest-in-charge at St. Matthew's, Portland, took a new and exciting call as the Minister of Discipleship at First United Methodist Church in Portland. Since July 1, Josh has been "on loan" to the United Methodist Conference in Portland. While serving in another denomination, Josh's ministry as an Episcopal priest continues: celebrating sacraments, preaching God's love and justice, and working for our catholic blessed community. As the Episcopal Church and United Methodist Church continue to dialogue about full communion, Bishop Michael and the Diocese of Oregon want to express their support for Josh in this new calling and our thankfulness for this opportunity to learn from the blessings that come through ecumenical worship.
Invited: You are invited to join St. Thomas, Eugene, as they welcome their new priest, the Rev. Ann Gaillard, and her husband, Lee, with a reception following a special 9 a.m. service on Sunday, August 20.
Find employment opportunities and other important information on
Clergy Resources
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Word of the Week
Whether you're a cradle Episcopalian or just walked through the red doors yesterday, chances are you've encountered some of the special vocabulary specific to our faith and wondered, what does that mean?
Check out previous Word of the Week entries and other photos on our
Instagram account.
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We are the People of the Diocese
Through our partnership with the Diocese of Cuernevaca, 17 people from Oregon are partway through a two week Spanish immersion program - and they look like they are having a blast! Find more photos and reflections in the
"Cuernevaca 2017" photo album on our Facebook page.
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