Bishop Akiyama encourages support for two petitions around gun safety
Dear Friends in Christ,
I invite you to consider supporting these two important initiative petitions around gun safety proposed by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) and the Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO) groups. EMO and LEVO are seeking support and signatures in order to get these initiatives onto the November 22, 2022 ballot in Oregon.
- IP #17: limits the size of ammunition magazines to no more than 10 rounds and requires a permit to purchase a gun.
- IP #18: bans further proliferation of semiautomatic assault weapons.
As your bishop, I am a member of the Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of nearly 100 Episcopal bishops focused on reducing the number of people in the country killed and wounded by gun violence. Gun violence has plagued our nation and our state, and through measures like IP#17 and IP#18 we can work towards reducing the impact gun violence has on our communities.
You can read more about the Initiative Petitions on this PDF (link), and, if you feel so called, sign the petition here.
Blessings,
+Diana
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The Rev. Dick Toll awarded the Cotton Fite Award
The Cotton Fite Award, awarded by the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and the Palestine Israel Network, recognizes an Episcopalian who passionately works towards peace and a just resolution in Palestine/Israel.
Dick has been involved with this work since the 1960's and was a founding member of the Palestien Israel Network. He is an honorary canon of the Diocese of Olympia and is currently with Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Portland. You can read more about Dick, his work, and the Cotton Fite Award here.
There will be a celebration during The Episcopal Church's General Convention.
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Alli to be on parental leave this summer
Our Director of Communications, Alli Gannett, and her husband are expecting their first child at the end of June. Alli will take parental leave beginning June 18 and return on September 6. During her leave, there are a few changes to the diocesan communications:
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First, the weekly Diocesan Digest will move to a shortened version in the first week of June and will highlight reflections and diocesan or church-wide events. (Clergy Newsletters will continue; however, they too will be shortened.)
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Second, her final communication office hours for the summer will be on Thursday, June 9 at 2:00 pm.
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Third, some of our staff members have taken on parts of her role to help keep the communications department as a helpful resource to the diocese.
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For mini-digests or assistance adding events to our website, please contact Christina Munoz.
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For the Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Convention and changes to clergy information, please contact Tracy Esguerra.
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For emergency/urgent parish website assistance, please contact Derek Moyer.
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Fourth, if there are communication projects or generic questions that can wait, please contact Alli after September 14 (after the Presiding Bishop's visit).
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Oregon Episcopal School announces next Head of School
Michael Spencer will serve as Oregon Episcopal School's next Head of Schoo, effective July 1, 2023. Spencer currently serves as Vice Rector for Faculty (Assistant Head of School) at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire.
You can learn more about the Head of School position, search process, and the newly announced Head of School on the Oregon Episcopal School's website.
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Bishop Akiyama to participate in Train of Tears in Hood River, tomorrow - May 13
Tomorrow, Bishop Akiyama will join folks from the Riverside Community Church in Hood River for "Train of Tears," an event recalling and reflecting on the anniversary of the internment of Japanese-American. "Eighty years ago, more than 400 Japanese-American women, men, and children from the central Gorge community were forced from their homes, loaded into railcars at the Hood River train station and sent to internment camps." Reads the event's press release, available here.
The program begins at 11:30 am on tomorrow, May 13, and will feature exhibits and the installation of a peace pole in the community. Download the flyer here.
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United for Peace in person and online event - May 17 at 7:00 pm
Join others on the evening of May 17 to gather in support of peace in Ukraine. Hear from Ukrainian community and church leaders, and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and Oregon Sen. Kayse Jama.
Music provided by flutist Amelia Lukas the Ot Azoy Orchestra, and folk songs by Inna Kovtun, a well-known recording artist who just arrived in Portland a month ago from Ukraine.
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The Flowing Light of The Spirit, ECW 30th Anniversary Spirituality Day - May 28
Join the Episcopal Church Women of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon for their Spirituality Day at St. Francis of Assisi, Wilsonville on Saturday, May 28 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.
To view a schedule, and workshops, and to access registration please visit the diocesan ECW website.
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Camp Registration!
Episcopal Week at Suttle Lake Camp is July 18-23, 2022.
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Elementary Week 1 Camp - Click here to learn more & register campers currently in 3rd-5th grades.
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Mid-High Summer Camp - Click here to learn more & register campers currently in 6th-11th grades.
Cost: Subsidized Rate: $545 | Full Rate: $615 (A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. This deposit will not be refunded but may be transferred to another session.) Scholarships are available, up to $200 per camper, please email the Rev. Carol Sedlacek to learn more.
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Holy Land Pilgrimage: October 8-19
The Rev. Sara Fischer and the Very Rev. Nathan LeRud are leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from October 8-19, 2022. Please note that the registration deadline has been extended through May.
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Diocesan Staff Virtual Office Hours
Join one of the three weekly Diocesan Staff Virtual Office Hours:
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Tuesdays at 2:00 pm - The Rev. Chris Craun, Missioner for Thriving Congregations (link to join here)
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Thursdays at 1:00 pm - Derek Moyer, Missioner for Lifelong Formation (link to join here). *No office hours today - May 12*
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Thursdays at 2:00 pm - Alli Gannett, Director of Communications (link to join here)
You can email Derek, Chris, or Alli to set up specific meetings outside of these office hours.
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Presiding Bishop's visit to our Diocese
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will visit our diocese from September 10 - 12, 2022. His visit will take him from Portland to Lincoln City to Eugene. This visit is an opportunity for him to meet with individuals and groups from across the diocese to learn about our ministries in a variety of local communities, lead us in worship, and experience the beauty of our state.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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May 15: Bishop Visitation to Church of the Resurrection, Eugene
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May 15 at 6:30 pm: Community Taizé: Solidarity with Ukraine, hosted by St. Luke the Physician, Gresham
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May 16 at 7:00 pm: Virtual Labyrinth Walk, hosted by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
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May 17 at 2:00 pm: Communications Workshop - Email Newsletters (Constant Contact and MailChimp) led by Alli Gannett, Director of Communications. Please register for the workshop here.
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May 20 at 7:00 pm: Crozier Memorial Organ Concert: Lynne Davis hosted by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
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May 21 at 9:00 am: In-person Mini-Retreat Contemplative Prayer in Prisons, hosted by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
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May 21 at 10:00 am: May's Holy Hike at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, please RSVP at HolyHikesNWOregon.com
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May 22: Bishop Visitation to St. Mary, Eugene
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May 28 at 8:30 am: The Flowing Light of the Spirit - ECW 30th Anniversary Spirituality Day, more information above
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May 29: Bishop Visitation to St. Barnabas, McMinnville
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May 30: Memorial Day - the Diocesan Office will be closed and the staff will be off
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June 2 at 10:00 am: Standing Committee Meeting
Ongoing invitations:
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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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Medford: St. Mark - rector pending
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Milwaukie: St. John the Evangelist - Jeanne Kaliszewski, rector; Greg Rainey, deacon
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Monmouth: St. Hilda - Jon Goman, vicar; Pauline Morrison, deacon
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
The Dioceses of Limerick & Killaloe - The Church of Ireland
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Clergy calls with Bishop Akiyama:
We will be taking the next few months off of the monthly calls with the Bishop. The next call will be Tuesday, September 6 at 8:15 am. The link to the call information, found here, will remain the same.
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Clergy Conference Evaluation & Resources
For those who attended the Clergy Conference, please remember to fill out the evaluation form on our website.
Also, on that page, you will find Dr. Mandy Davis' PowerPoint and a list of resources.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
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Presiding Bishop’s statement to Executive Council regarding 80th General Convention
[Office of Public Affairs] First, we are not calling for the postponement of the 80th General Convention. Let me say that again: we are not calling for the postponement of the 80th General Convention. There are essential matters for the governance and good order of the church which must be transacted.
We are committed to holding the 80th General Convention in Baltimore this summer. I was blessed to serve as a priest in that remarkable city and diocese. I know how much this commitment to the city of Baltimore and to the Diocese of Maryland matters. Continue reading online.
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Episcopal Relief & Development launches matching gift campaign to benefit children
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal Relief & Development is kicking off a campaign to benefit the organization’s work with children worldwide. Two steadfast donors have generously offered to match each gift for the organization’s work with children until May 26, 2022, up to $300,000.
In a recorded message, the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, invited supporters to give to Episcopal Relief & Development, noting, “Early intervention in the life of children has an impact on the child, the family, the community and the world.” Continue reading online.
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