Prayer is the key to our own kenotic obedience, a reflection from Bishop Akiyama
Dear Friends in Christ,
Spoiler Alert: One of the final scenes in the Netflix movie Don’t Look Up will be described below.
I’ve been reflecting on the dinner table scene in the movie Don’t Look Up. Although there is an ultimate final scene, the penultimate scene with friends sharing a final meal is, in my opinion, a powerful and poignant ending. As the group prepared their meal and sat down around the table, one friend says, “Shouldn’t we say something? Like “Amen?” They were clearly a group who identified as “spiritual but not religious.” One of them, a young man who had long ago left the evangelical church of his childhood says, “Don’t worry, I got this.”
His prayer is heartfelt and succinct as he combines confession, humility, and gratitude for God’s grace and mercy. The prayer is not a list of conditions or things they want; nor is it panic and fear dressed up as control. It is the kind of prayer one would pray when there is nothing left to do - nothing left to be but God’s own. It is a prayer that sanctifies a kenotic moment for the gathering of friends. They had done all they could to bring about a different resolution, but their expertise was not heeded. As they sat around the table eating, the friends talked gently and calmly. This was their last supper. The fact seemed to drain away all ego, desire for control, and despair. They were emptied of human will and open to the divine activity of God. They were at peace.
The theme of kenosis ran through my reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as our nation observed his birthday. I found myself thinking about the self-emptying required to become the kind of man who captured the hopes and dreams of those who suffer injustice. Amidst the death threats and covert efforts to sabotage his ministry, Dr. King was at peace preaching justice. His life exemplifies the very real ways in which following Jesus and his teachings will eventually lead us to kenotic obedience - being emptied of our human desires in order to be filled with God’s grace and desires.
These two examples remind us that prayer is the key to surrendering our illusion of control. Whether we come to the fullness of God’s grace at our last supper on this earth, or we are continually seeking kenosis in fulfillment of God’s call, we are closest to God’s peace through prayers that wash away our devices and desires.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
- John 14:27
Blessings,
Bishop Diana
|
|
Derek joins the Diocesan Staff on Monday!
Monday will be Derek Moyer's first day on the diocesan staff as the new Missioner for Life-Long Formation. Derek will oversee and serve as a resource for Christian formation for all ages and stages of life, including formation for Holy Orders and the ministry of the baptized.
If you need to reach Derek beginning Monday, please contact him via email at DerekM@Diocese-Oregon.org or by phone at 971-204-4124, please note this was Canon Carol's old phone number at the Diocesan Office.
|
|
New Dates for the Presiding Bishop's visit to Oregon
Due to the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's visit to the Diocese of Oregon was postponed from January 28-30, 2022 to September 10-13, 2022. A planning committee for his visit has a proposed schedule for his time here, however it still needs to be approved by the Presiding Bishop's staff before we can share it.
In the coming months, we will share more information about his visit.
|
|
Free at-home COVID-19 tests available for delivery
The federal government has launched a website where every household can order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests, delivered through the United States Postal Service.
|
|
The Task Force for Palestinian Human Rights close to fundraising goal
Over the holidays, the Task Force for Palestinian Human Rights started a fundraising campaign for the Middle East Children's Alliance Maia Project with a goal of $16,000 by Epiphany. They are just shy of that goal and offered this letter of thanks to the diocese.
|
|
Disaster Preparedness for Churches online Conversation
Join Sr. Amy Linder, OP, our Diocesan Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for a conversation on Disaster Preparedness for Churches on February 22 at 7:00 pm. Clergy are encouraged to invite wardens and/or emergency preparedness point-person to attend. Registration is required. Learn more and register here.
|
|
|
Oregon Coalition of Christian Voices Annual Legislative Forum - January 23 at 1:30 pm
Join the Oregon Senators and Representatives and the Oregon Coalition of Christian Voices for a legislative forum discussing housing, climate, human services, gun violence, mental health, and more topics. The forum will be on January 23 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm on Zoom. You can download a flyer here to learn more. Registration is available here.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Does your congregation have an event coming up? A virtual book study or concert? Feel free to add it to our Diocesan Calendar by filling out this form.
-
January 20 at 2:00 pm: Communications Office Hours with Alli Gannett, join here.
-
January 23 at 1:30 pm: Oregon Coalition of Christian Voices Annual Legislative Forum, register here.
-
January 27 at 1:00 pm: Board of Trustees meeting
-
January 27 at 2:00 pm: Communications Office Hours with Alli Gannett, join here.
Save the Dates:
-
September 10-13: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Visit to the Diocese of Oregon
-
October 28-29: Diocesan Convention, currently scheduled to be in-person at the Oregon Convention Center, Salem
Ongoing invitations:
-
Fridays at noon: Say Their Names at St. David of Wales, Portland, to honor and lament the black and brown people killed by racial and police violence.
-
Fridays at 6:00 pm: Volunteer at Rahab's Sisters ministry every Friday night, beginning at 6:00 pm at Ss. Peter & Paul/Ss. Pedro y Pablo, Portland.
|
|
Today we pray for...
In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
-
Oregon Episcopal School. Mo Copeland, Head of School; Jennifer Cleveland and Jennie Kiffmeyer, chaplains.
-
William Temple House. Chaplain pending.
- Port Orford: St. Christopher.
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
The Diocese of Kabba – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
|
|
|
|
Clergy calls with Bishop Akiyama:
The next call with be on February 1 and will continue on the first Tuesday of the month at 8:15 am. The link to the call information can be found here.
|
|
CEEP Women's Clergy Gathering online - February 9 at 12:30 pm PST
The Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes (CEEP) is hosting their free online women/non-binary clergy conversation again on February 9 at 12:30 pm PST/ 3:30 pm EST. This conversation brings multi-generational ordained individuals from across the church to discuss gender, boundaries, and honesty in ministry. This year's topic focuses on the impact of COVID-19 and how it has changed ministry.
Learn more about the online gathering and register here.
|
|
A few save the dates:
-
April 12: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of the Oils service, followed by lunch, at Trinity Cathedral, Portland.
-
April 13: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of the Oils service, followed by lunch, at Resurrection, Eugene.
-
April 25 - 27: In-person Clergy Conference at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton. All active clergy are expected to attend.
More details and registration links to come in February. Questions? Reach out to Canon Carol Sedlacek
|
|
FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
|
Young Adult & Campus Ministry updates for the year
-
Young Adult Campus Ministry Leadership Conference: June 14 - 17 in Minneapolis, MN. Registration will open in March.
-
Young Adult Leadership Conference Planning Team: Find out more about the planning team and apply here by January 31.
-
Young Adult Festival at General Convention - July 6 - 10 in Baltimore, Maryland. More information to come next month.
-
Episcopal Service Corps: Learn more about Episcopal Service Corps here. Applications due February 4, apply here.
|
|
Presiding Bishop invites applicants for 2022 UN Commission on the Status of Women virtual delegation
Applications in English or Spanish are due by Friday, Jan. 28. Delegates will be expected to participate in preparatory conference calls and participate virtually for an average of eight hours per day during the two-week UNCSW meeting. Continue reading here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
