Persisting and Prevailing, a reflection from Bishop Akiyama
Dear Friends in Christ,
“So, tell me, Bishop. Do you believe you will prevail with this lawsuit?” The interviewer had the distinction of being the first to pose the question so bluntly.
We had been talking about the lawsuit our diocese filed against the City of Brookings. It’s been all over the news, you can search for it on the internet if you haven’t heard about it. My primary concern from the very start has been protecting the freedom of our congregations to express our faith. In the case of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Brookings, the freedom of religious expression has been in the form of feeding the hungry. St. Timothy’s does a great many other things to serve those in need, but the city seems particularly interested in limiting our right to feed the hungry.
The very idea that a city council would decide that feeding the hungry was not in the interests of the city or of its citizens struck me as wrong-headed, to say the least. Anyone, whether or not they are religious, could see the fundamental goodness in helping someone who is hungry. Our faith as expressed as Episcopalians calls us to serve those in need. It’s in our Baptismal Vows. It’s in the Scriptures.
“Prevailing” legally is certainly an outcome we hope for - it is the reason for the lawsuit. We want to keep serving those in need and have been pushed to the point where we have to seek the court’s judgment to defend our right to do this. But beyond the legal remedy we seek, the essential and core purpose of our fight is to maintain our ability to live out our Christian faith. Our ministry, at the most basic level, is to continue to do what we are called to do to bring about the new creation revealed by God in the Resurrection. This new creation is not something we expect to see completed in our lifetime (although that would be a welcome miracle). It is something we live into while knowing its fulfillment will outlive us.
Why do we persist? We persist because there is no other way. Yes, some of us could give up out of fear or greed. But at our core, we know the only way is forward and in hope because we believe that the crucified Jesus was not the end. We believe that the fear, hatred, and greed that crucified Jesus will not prevail … it will not have the final word. We know this because in his resurrection, Christ Jesus returned to us as proof positive that love and compassion will reign.
So, yes. I believe we will prevail. In the fulfillment of our Baptismal Vows, we will prevail. In our proclamation of the Good News of God in our midst, we will prevail. In our striving to be Christ’s hands and feet in this broken world we will prevail.
In Christ,
Bishop Diana
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Missioner for Emerging Communities
Dear friends in Christ,
I wanted to inform you of a new title and position change for the Rev. Beto Arciniega. Beginning today, Beto’s new title is Missioner for Emerging Communities. In this new position, the Rev. Beto will be a resource to the diocese encouraging innovation and creative relationships while continuing to work closely with the active Latino Ministries in our diocese. As Missioner for Emerging Communities, Beto will enrich our diocesan team in our exploration of new expressions of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon.
In Christ,
Bishop Diana
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Misionero para Comunidades Emergentes
Queridos Amigos en Cristo,
Quiero informarles de un nuevo título y cambio de cargo para el Revdo. Beto Arciniega. A partir de hoy, el nuevo título de Beto es Misionero para Comunidades Emergentes. En esta nueva posición, el Revdo. Beto será un recurso para la diócesis fomentando la innovación y las relaciones creativas mientras continúa trabajando de cerca con los Ministerios Latinos activos en nuestra diócesis.
Como Misionero para Comunidades Emergentes, Beto enriquecerá a nuestro equipo diocesano en el descubrir nuevas expresiones de la Iglesia Episcopal en el Oeste de Oregón.
De Ustedes en Cristo,
Obispa Diana
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Learn to speak Spanish in Cuernavaca this summer!
Join your companions from the diocese for a two-week Spanish-language immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico! The language program will be held from July 23 to August 6, 2022 and is hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Cuernavaca. All levels are welcome—from those with very little or no Spanish to the more advanced student wanting to zero in on the subjunctive tense and reflexive verbs.
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Lent is coming... here are some resources!
Lent is just around the corner, beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 2. Here are some resources to share with your community or family to prepare for a Holy Lent.
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Disaster Preparedness for Church Leaders, February 22 at 7:00 pm
Join Sr. Amy Linder, the City of Coos Bay’s Building Codes Administrator and our Diocesan Disaster Response Coordinator, for a conversation with clergy, wardens, building managers, and others involved with the building maintenance of their church.
Please register for this event and save the confirmation email with the call link.
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CPG's Webinar "Celebrating Black Voices in The Episcopal Church"
Join the Church Pension Group (CPG) for their upcoming webinar "Celebrating Black Voices in The Episcopal Church," on Monday, February 28 at 9:00 am PST on Zoom. This conversation is hosted by the Church Pension Group’s (CPG) People of African Descent affinity group and will "examine themes around social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and discuss the challenges and opportunities they see in a predominantly white Church." You can register for the webinar here.
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Spring Communication Workshops
Join Alli Gannett, our director of communications, for upcoming workshops covering a variety of communication topics. Workshops begin at 2:00 pm. Registration is required.
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March 15: Canva for Church Communications - register here
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April 19: Church Websites, part 1 - register here
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May 17: Email Newsletters - Constant Contact & MailChimp - register here
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Conversations about the Work:
Join the Engaging Racial Justice Working Group (ERJWG) for an in-depth look at engaging in racial justice through the eyes of activists from around the country. The next conversation will be with Dr. Sandra Montes, Dean of the Chapel at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Dr. Montes will host two conversations, uno en español y one in English. You can register below:
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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February 19 at 9:00 am: Contemplative Mini-Retreat: Finding Your Spark Through Visio Divina with the Rev. Callie Swanlund - online retreat hosted by Trinity Cathedral. Registration is required.
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February 19 at 10:00 am: South Coast Convocation Meeting
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February 20: Bishop Visitation to St. Gabriel, Portland
- February 21: Presidents' Day - the Diocesan office will be closed and the staff will be off
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February 22 at 7:00 pm: Disaster Preparedness for Churches with Sr. Amy Linder, OP, our Diocesan Disaster Preparedness Coordinator. Registration is required. Learn more and register here.
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February 23 at 7:00 pm: Wednesday at the Commons: Epiphany II Term, Hosted by Trinity Cathedral
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February 24 at 1:00 pm: Board of Trustees Meeting
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February 24 at 4:00 pm: Vaccine Clinic at St. Barnabas, McMinnville
Ongoing invitations:
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Thursdays at 2:00 pm: Communications Office Hours with Alli Gannett, Director of Communications. No registration is required, join here.
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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.
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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.
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Today we pray for...
In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
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Portland: St. Michael & All Angels Rector pending; James Joiner, assistant rector; Roberto Arciniega, associate rector; Mark Allen, Sallie Bowman, Wendy Cliff, Caroline Litzenberger, Robert Macauley, Marla McGarry- Lawrence, David Pace, David Perry, Ed Rouffy, John Scannell.
- Portland: PSU Becoming Beloved Community on Campus Ministry
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
The Diocese of Katanga – Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo
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Clergy calls with Bishop Akiyama:
The next call with be on March 1 at 8:15 am. The link to the call information can be found here.
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TODAY CPG Event: Provincial Retiree Meeting on February 17 at noon
Join the Church Pension Group (CPG) for a review of the retiree benefits including the medical plans, fraud prevention in the time of COVID, and tax preparation resources. Clergy and spouses are welcome to attend today Thursday, February 17 for Province VIII at 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific. Learn more and register here.
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March Deacon Saturday Conversations with the Bishop
Deacons are invited to join Bishop Akiyama on March 5 for the next Saturday conversation. The online gathering will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at 12:00 noon.
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Renewal of Vows and the Blessing of Holy Oils
Register today for one of the upcoming Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Holy Oils services. Lunch will be provided following the service.
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April 13 at 11:00 am - Church of the Resurrection, Eugene. Register here.
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Spring Clergy Conference:
The spring in-person Clergy Conference will be April 25 - 27 at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton. All active clergy are expected to attend. There will be a separate email with information regarding the Clergy Conference that will go out later this month.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
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General Convention committees to welcome the public to first-ever online legislative hearings
From the Episcopal News Service: "The pandemic prompted dramatic changes in how The Episcopal Church will conduct its 80th General Convention – starting with its schedule. After a one-year delay, bishops and deputies will meet in person July 7-14 in Baltimore, Maryland, but there’s no need to wait until July in Baltimore to offer input on resolutions. Committees are holding some of their hearings online for the first time, beginning Feb. 17."
Read the full announcement on Episcopal News Service here.
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Parochial Reports due March 1 online
View the results from the 2020 Parochial Reports here.
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Register for The Episcopal Church's Asiamerica Ministries upcoming ‘Worship in Asian Diaspora’ workshop: March 9-11
Explore the relationship, culture, and the need for Asiamerican expressions of worship in this workshop led by the Rev. Russell Yee, author of “Worship on the Way: Exploring Asian North American Christian Experience.” Yee has taught at numerous seminaries and pastored a church for 10 years. His doctoral research focused on sociolinguistic aspects of liturgical and free worship. Registration is free. Learn more and register here.
March 9-11: 8-10 p.m. Eastern / 5-7 p.m. Pacific.
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