“History is always a matter of trying to think into the minds of people who think differently from ourselves.” —N.T. Wright
“For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history.”
—Winston Churchill
Dear Friends in Christ,
I believe it was Winston Churchill who also said, “History is written by the victors.” Generally speaking, Americans tend to have a short memory when it comes to history. This might be fueled by an assumption that we are always the ones writing history. Of course, without pausing to look back and reflect, we increase the likelihood of repeating the past.
During my college years, I was eager to learn history - American history in particular. I have a very strong memory of sitting in class the first day of a U.S. History course and thinking to myself, “Uh oh. This isn’t what I thought it would be.” The professor was dispensing names, dates, and places within an outline that anticipated the conclusion we were meant to reach. It wasn’t until seminary that I found history engaging. This was likely owing to my Early Christianity Professor, who brought alive names, dates, and places through stories about the people in these historical events. She invited us to question how it was that we had the historical accounts that we were studying. We were reading the accounts of the winners.
February is Black History Month. Scholars may scoff at any attempt to compress a people’s history into one month. Critics may shrug it off as another effort to be politically correct. But if we engage this month through the lens of the quotes I have previously shared, we will understand that our attention is being turned to a different kind of history - of those who have not been the victors, and whose hope for justice depends on digging deep into our history.
The Christian story is a fascinating study of winners and losers. By those standards, Christianity is, without a doubt, the victor. Through the ages, the church has benefitted from the largess of the wealthy elite, the scholarship of the educated class, and the political power of the ruling class. Yet, at the center of our story is a crucified Messiah - one who lost - only to win through the Resurrection. What does it mean, this victory through the cross? Our faith has us standing in a tension point that challenges our assumptions about winning and losing. Our story is not only about empire; it is about selflessness, hospitality, self-sacrifice, and transformation. We know this not through data points that quantify acts of selflessness, but through the stories of those whose lives have been changed because of a sacrifice made out of compassion and desire for justice.
Shaped by victory through the cross, our faith challenges the term “victor.” As he died on the cross, Jesus’ followers may have assumed he would join the anonymous masses of crucified Jews - one of the thousands who “lost.” It would be the Resurrection that changed everything. It is this real and mysterious truth that overturned the tables on the calculus of winning and losing - the competition over coercive power. Victory through the cross is not a claim of “He won after all!” It is a description of an entirely new way of being human. It is a rejection of the win/lose orientation and a new frame for understanding our human suffering through the lens of faith-filled hope.
When we delve into the history of those who’ve suffered injustice, our attention ought to be on entering into the stories and lives in such a way that we emerge changed from the journey. Learning the history of oppression in our country is deeply painful because it is about human suffering on a scale that is hard to absorb. But we must not oversimplify our history with a win/lose frame. The reason we need to remember the past - to learn history - is to think ourselves into the lives of those different than ourselves. In so doing, we re-humanize each other and see anew how our corporate and intertwined lives can become a sign of a new life in Christ.
Blessings,
Bishop Diana
|
|
Lawsuit against the City of Brookings
On Friday, the diocese filed a complaint against the City of Brookings with St. Timothy’s and the Rev. Bernie Lindley. "The diocese and I fully support the faithful service St. Timothy’s provides with their feeding and hospitality ministry to the community, despite the targeted pressure from the Brookings City Council to restrict or end that ministry," said Bishop Akiyama. "This includes the City’s ordinance for Benevolent Meal Servicing permit that was enacted in October 2021."
You can read Bishop Akiyama's message regarding this lawsuit as well as the press release on our website.
|
|
Presiding Bishop Curry invites gifts to Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to support the hope-filled, life-impacting work of two historically Black institutions of higher education through donations and dedicated offerings on the Feast of Absalom Jones—the first Black priest ordained by the church—observed February 13.
To give: Make a donation online at iam.ec/givehbcu, or text GIVEHBCU to 41444.
Resources: Find bulletin inserts and resources for worship services in honor of the Feast of Absalom Jones here.
Watch or read the full announcement from the Presiding Bishop here.
|
|
Sydney Fitzpatrick stepped down as Vice Chancellor
On Tuesday, Bishop Akiyama shared that Sydney Fitzpatrick had stepped down as the Vice Chancellor to the Diocese of Oregon. In that role, Sydney worked closely with congregations throughout the diocese addressing legal questions and concerns regarding their property. You can read the full announcement here.
|
|
COVID-19 Resources
-
Last week, the diocese sent out an update regarding our COVID-19 guidelines. Due to the rise in cases, our guidelines remain unchanged. You can read that update here.
-
Faith and the Vaccine: the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, launched a new website last week featuring vaccination information, articles, FAQs regarding faith and vaccination concerns, and video testimonies from faith leaders around Oregon. Featured videos include some of our own: Bishop Akiyama, the Rev. Ernestein Flemister, and the Very Rev. Nathan LeRud!
-
The chaplains at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center have put together a collection of their weekly reflections from 2020 - 2021 titled Thursday Words. Beginning on March 19, 2020, these weekly reflections share the stories and poems from the chaplaincy team at Good Samaritan. The diocesan office has a few physical copies to give, reach out to Alli Gannett if you'd like a copy, or you can reach out to the Rev. Sallie Bowman at Good Samaritan for a copy.
-
The Oregon Health Authority has opened an online resource and phone support hotline for those who have tested positive for COVID-19. You can visit the website at orevon.gov/positivecovidtest. The hotline phone number is 866-917-8881 Hours: 8 am-6 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-4 pm Saturday.
|
|
Spring Communication Workshops
Join Alli Gannett, our director of communications, for upcoming workshops covering a variety of communication topics and learn tools, tips, and tricks. Workshops begin at 2:00 pm. Registration is required. Learn more about each workshop on this flyer.
-
February 15: Zoom 201 - how to lead a Zoom call (scheduling, waiting rooms, breakout rooms, polls) - register here
-
March 15: Canva for Church Communications - register here
-
April 19: Church Websites, part 1 - register here
-
May 17: Email Newsletters - Constant Contact & MailChimp - register here
|
|
Palestinian Human Rights Webinar - February 15 at 7:00 pm
The Taskforce for Palestinian Human Rights is hosting a webinar on February 15 discussing "the Battle for Beita and the Struggle Against Israeli Settler-Colonialism." The webinar will begin at 7:00 pm and is co-hosted with eight other organizations. More information and a link to register can be found on this flyer.
|
|
New Testament Greek classes begin February 10
Join the Rev. Tony Hutchinson and others from around the diocese on Thursdays beginning February 10 for an online New Testament Greek course learning Koine Greek. The group plans to meet on zoom from 1:20 - 1:50 pm, then allow an additional hour for folks interested in reading the Gospel appointed for the following Sunday. To learn more or sign up, contact the Rev. Tony Hutchinson or Martin Loring.
|
|
Register for the Academy for Formation and Mission Spring Classes
Registration is open for Spring classes at the Academy for Formation and Mission. Registrations are due by February 14, and the first session begins February 18. Class offerings this spring are Spirituality and Spiritual Practices, Anglican Identity, and New Testament II. Learn more and apply here. Questions? Contact Derek Moyer, Missioner for Lifelong Formation.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS:
-
February 3 at 10:00 am: Standing Committee meeting
-
February 6: Bishop Visitation to St. Thomas, Eugene
-
February 6 at 4:00 pm: All Bach Concert at St. Paul's, Salem
-
February 6 at 4:30 pm: Organ Recital: Stefan Donner at Trinity Cathedral, Portland
-
February 8-10: Fresh Start Clergy Retreat
-
February 8 at 7:00 pm: Labyrinth Speakers: The Holy Fool - Imagination & the Labyrinth, hosted by Trinity Cathedral
-
February 9, 16, and 23 at 7:00 pm: Wednesday at the Commons: Epiphany II Term, Hosted by Trinity Cathedral
-
February 13: Bishop Visitation to St. Martin, Lebanon
-
February 13 at 12:00 pm: Souper Bowl Sunday at St. John the Divine, Springfield
-
February 15 at 2:00 pm: Communications Workshop: Zoom 201 - How to lead a Zoom Call
-
February 15 at 7:00 pm: The Battle for Beita and the struggle against Israeli settler-colonialism webinar by the Task Force for Palestinian Human Rights
-
February 19 at 10:00 am: South Coast Convocation Meeting
Coming up:
-
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.
Ongoing invitations:
-
Thursdays at 2:00 pm: Communications Office Hours with Alli Gannett, Director of Communications. No registration is required, join here.
-
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):
-
Brookings: St. Timothy. Bernie Lindley, vicar; Linda Lee, deacon.
- Cave Junction: St. Matthias.
-
Coos Bay: Emmanuel. Patti Hale, priest-in-charge
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
The Diocese of Kanyakumari – The (united) Church of South India
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Upcoming CPG Event: Provincial Retiree Meeting on February 17 at noon
Join 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 on Thursday, February 17 for Province VIII at 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific.
Learn more and register 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 the February Clergy Newsletter. Questions? Reach out to Carol Sedlacek
|
|
FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
|
Parochial Reports due March 1 online
View the results from the 2020 Parochial Reports here.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
