Please note the correction below for the April 13 Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Holy Oils. It will be held at Resurrection, Eugene. |
|
Clergy Reflection: the Rev. Shana McCauley
Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat, do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you, and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Sometimes this feels so out of reach – loving, doing, blessing, praying. The world needs it, no doubt, but who has time for that? And even if you have time, who has the patience, grace, kindness, etc., for that?
Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery, and years later, they meet again. Inexplicably, Joseph kisses and weeps upon them. His forgiveness is all action. I have a hard time being Joseph in this story, but I can imagine what the brothers must be feeling. What if I was forgiven this way? Oh crap, what if?
Oh, Jesus. When I think of “Christian” as a verb, I want to turn over tables of injustice. But, turning the other cheek to people arguing with me over vaccines? Being loving to the casually racist? Giving my coat to the people living on I-5? It feels beyond my reach, bigger than I am able to be.
Thank God for examples of forgiveness. I mean the real, explicit, this-is-how-they-did-it examples. I see it, read it, and still have a hard time imagining it. But I hear you, Holy Spirit. My diet of outrage isn’t changing the world. Oh, Jesus, I’m going to try to get to work less with words and more with action. I hope.
---
This reflection was written by the Rev. Shana McCauley. Shana is the Canon for Cathedral Life at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
|
|
Thriving Leaders
This reflection was written by the Rev. Chris Craun.
This past week, the last Fresh Start retreat took place. We had a wonderful gathering in person (with some hybrid opportunities for participation from afar) at Alton Collins. It was so refreshing and encouraging to feel the tangible relationships, support, and learning from one another. I say “the last” because as I take the baton of Fresh Start, which Carol Sedlacek has lovingly and enthusiastically held for many years, we are creating a new program for the diocese called “Thriving Leaders.”
Thriving Leaders will have three cohorts; the newly ordained, first-time-in-charge, and new to the diocese. While the cohorts will have some overlap, there will be different topics and retreat time set apart for each to get the resources and connections they need. There will be a particular focus on the care of our whole self, healing and resiliency, innovation and exploration, sacred organizing, community building, and an orientation to the diocese with insights on how to get the support you need. Plus, first-time-in-charge 101 topics like Annual Meetings, how to create the Vestry you want, community finance, Canons and bylaws, protecting your Sabbath, and lots more!
We will launch in April and will communicate opportunities to participate in various sessions. If there is something you would like to know more about, feel free to contact me.
|
|
*New Diocesan Directory coming next month*
An updated Diocesan Directory will come out in next month's Clergy Newsletter on March 16. If you have any changes that need to be made from the last directory ( released in December) please email Alli Gannett with those changes before March 10. |
|
Safe Church Update:
The Episcopal Church's website regarding the new platform and courses is still in the works. We appreciate your patience and will share updates as they come in.
Please contact Carol Sedlacek if you have questions regarding your current Safe Church standings/status. |
|
Clergy Calls with Bishop Akiyama
The next meeting will be on March 1 at 8:15 am. We have moved the clergy calls to once a month - on the first Tuesday of the month. Call information can be found here: https://conta.cc/3aGObdk
Meeting ID: 835 4185 6857, Passcode: 150709
|
|
|
|
Deacon Saturday Conversations with the Bishop
The deacons are welcome to join Bishop Akiyama for a Saturday conversation every quarter. Each meeting will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at 12:00 noon. Below are the following dates and registration links:
|
|
Renewal of Vows & Blessing of Holy Oils
Register now for one of the two Renewal of Vow & Blessing of Holy Oils services coming up in April:
-
April 12: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of the Oils service, followed by lunch, at Trinity Cathedral, Portland. Register here.
-
April 13: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of the Oils service, followed by lunch, at Resurrection, Eugene. Register here.
|
|
Spring Clergy Conference:
The upcoming 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.
|
|
Conversations about the Work: an Ongoing Series in 2022
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. You can register now for upcoming events by clicking the links below.
|
|
Coming up on the Calendar:
-
February 19 at 10:00 am: South Coast Convocation Meeting
-
February 20: Bishop Visitation to St. Gabriel, Portland
-
February 21: President's Day - the Diocesan Office will be closed, and the staff will be off
-
February 22 at 7:00 pm: Emergency Preparedness Conversation for Clergy, Wardens, and Building Managers with Sr. Amy Linder, Diocesan Disaster Coordinator, learn more and register here
-
February 26 at 10:00 am: All Governing Bodies Retreat at St. Paul's, Salem
-
February 27: Bishop Visitation to Prince of Peace, Salem
-
March 5: Deacon Meeting with Bishop Akiyama, register here
-
March 14 - 18: House of Bishops
-
March 27: Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Doug Hale as Vicar of St. John's, Bandon
Not all items on our calendar are listed above. Please see the link below to access our full calendar and submit an event.
|
|
Transitions and New Calls |
|
This is where the Diocese will publish the statuses of parishes and missions in transitions and the most recent calls since the last clergy newsletters. This will be updated for each clergy newsletter. |
|
Parishes and Missions in transition:
-
Coquille, St. James - Supply, Interviewing for three-quarter to full-time Vicar
-
Gold Beach, St. Matthew - Finalizing call to quarter-time Priest-in-Charge for one year to assess sustainability through an EBOF Grant
-
Lebanon, St. Martin – Supply Priest Team, On pause
-
McMinnville, St. Barnabas - Interim Betty McWhorter, Starting Process for full-time Rector
-
Portland, St. Andrew - Supply, Receiving names for a half-time Vicar
-
Portland, St. Barnabas - Interim Bonnie Stewart, Profile approved, starting search process for a full-time Rector
-
Portland, St. Gabriel the Archangel - Interim Linda Potter, Interviewing candidates
-
Portland, St. Michael & All Angels - Interim Sherman Hesselgraves and Julia Nielsen, Starting Process
-
Salem, Prince of Peace - Interim Steve Ellis, Parish Profile approved, starting search process for a half-time Priest-in-Charge
-
Silverton, St. Edward - Interim Raggs Ragan, Working on Parish Profile for a half-time Vicar
-
Sutherlin, Holy Spirit - Supply, Receiving names for a quarter-time Interim or Vicar
Recently Called:
- The Rev. AJ Buckley - Associate Rector, St. David of Wales, Portland
- The Rev. Everett Chambers - Priest-in-Charge, St. Gabriel's, Portland beginning February 28
- The Rev. Tom Sramek - Rector of All Saints, Hillsboro beginning June 1
|
|
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
