Reflections on the past few weeks, a Message from our Bishop
Dear friends in Christ,
These past two weeks have been, for me, bishop-centric, and let me assure you I am not referring to myself or my work. The announcement of Bishop Desmond Tutu’s death the day after Christmas created a space of reflection and sadness for me. Unlike many of the reflections and tributes that have been posted since his death, I do not have a picture on my mantel of myself next to him. I do not have a story to tell you about a conversation he and I had … and which changed my life. I was not any kind of dignitary who invited him to preach and then hosted him afterward at a reception with important people. I can tell you that I did have the opportunity to hear him preach. I was a seminary student in Berkeley in the late ‘80s and Bishop Tutu was the guest preacher at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. My fellow seminarians and I drove across the Bay Bridge to catch a glimpse of Bishop Tutu and to hear him preach.
I had no idea what to expect; I knew only what I had read. He was a global figure. He was an Anglican Bishop - we were so proud. He was magnetic. He was inspirational. He cared about racial justice. This is what fueled my journey over the bridge to the cathedral.
I remember his stature the first time I saw him in the processional. I expected a man who towered over everyone at about 8 feet tall. He was not tall at all. And when he first spoke, I expected a big booming “cathedral voice,” but he did not “boom” at all. He spoke like a regular person and laughed, gleefully, with joyful abandon.
The quality I remember most, and which stays with me even to this day, was his pure and unabashed joy. Bishop Tutu knew love; he knew its abundance and he trusted it to fuel his work for racial justice. It was astonishing to witness as a young seminarian because so much of what I had been learning was intellectual. “How did he discover this part of his sacred call?” I wondered.
On Tuesday of this week, I had a meeting with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and two of his staffers. The objective of the meeting was to determine whether or not the Presiding Bishop's planned visitation to our diocese later this month was a “go.” As I walked us through our local perspectives on the virus and the variant and the importance of his visit, I heard myself say, “Bishop Curry, the primary reason we want you to come here is so we can be with you and hear you speak. I don’t think it would serve our purposes if you came here only to be “met” virtually. You could accomplish that with a camera from where you are now.” As we concluded that it was best to reschedule his visitation, I admit to feeling sad. I had certainly looked forward to celebrating the one-year anniversary of my consecration with him. But even more, I was looking forward to being in the presence of his irrepressible love for God.
Tuesday night, thanks to the advocacy of the Rev. Sallie Bowman, I stood at the hospital bedside of Bishop Bob Ladehoff. Compared to Bishop Tutu and Bishop Curry, I know Bishop Ladehoff the best. We have lunched together and he has blessed me with the graces of his hope, joy, and love. Even more, he and I have a special connection in my ordaining Bishop. I learned from Bob that Bishop Kimsey and he were dear friends as neighboring bishops. Bob brought Rusty nearer to me through his unabashed delight in all of God’s creation. Standing at Bob’s bedside, I took the privilege of touching him - an innocent move that can seem scandalous in these days - and delighted in the light and life that emanated from him.
Yes, these past two weeks have been bishop-centric but not so much because of the “bishop” part as the baptism part. All three of these children of God exude deep and abiding obedience to their life in Christ. In ways that others can speak to with more eloquence than I, these men have died in Christ. They are free to fully be what God has called them into. Their lives reflect a freedom to love, to forgive, to reconcile, to laugh at themselves that inspires us to move faithfully into a liberation they seem to already know. It brings to mind the Gospel of John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”
May we die in Christ with confidence that life in abundance will be ours.
Blessings,
Bishop Diana
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An Update on Bishop Ladehoff
Dear friends in Christ,
We have received many inquiries about Bishop Ladehoff since sharing the news of his hospitalization this past weekend. I was able to visit him Tuesday night and enjoyed his characteristic charm and grace. He is receiving excellent care – medically and spiritually – and smiled with great delight upon hearing that the diocese is praying for him. He knows he is greatly loved. Please continue to hold him in your prayers. I know he is praying for us all and for that, we are truly blessed.
Blessings,
Bishop Diana
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Presiding Bishop's Statement on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
"With the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a true friend, colleague, and mentor—and a genuinely humble, great soul—has gone before us. He has passed through the gate of death into the arms of the God who gave him life.
While on this earth, he sought to follow Jesus of Nazareth in God’s way of love and life. In so doing, he showed us how to live God’s dream as children of the one God and creator of all."
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Winter Weather Preparedness – helpful information for the winter
Written by Sr. Amy Linder, OP - Diocesan Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
"Winter weather is upon us. Much of Oregon has been hit with winter weather over the last couple of weeks. The news is filled with stories of stranded drivers, power outages, and flooding. Now is an excellent time to check your emergency supplies, prepare your home and vehicle, and brush up on some winter weather terminology."
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Amy will host 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. This presentation is similar to the one given at the Clergy Call with the Bishop in December. Registration is required, please learn more and register here.
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Please note: The Presiding Bishop's visit to the Diocese of Oregon, originally scheduled for this January 28-30 has been rescheduled. We will announce the new dates once it is confirmed with the Presiding Bishop's staff.
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Communications Office Hours begin today!
Beginning today, join Alli Gannett, our Director of Communications, on Thursdays at 2:00 pm for communications office hours. Bring your questions or just come to learn from others.
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Conversations about the Work with Taylor Stewart on Wednesday, January 12 at 7 pm!
This Wednesday join activist Taylor Stewart for a conversation on engaging racial justice and the larger project of the Oregon Remembrance Project. The program begins at 7:00 pm on Zoom. This conversation is part of a series hosted by the Engaging Racial Justice Working Group (ERJWG).
Register today for the upcoming conversations:
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Forma 2022 Conference - discounted tickets still available
This year's online Forma Conference is January 18-20. You can see the schedule and learn more here. The diocese still has discounted tickets for folks to attend for only $10. To receive that discounted ticket, please visit this webpage and follow the steps listed. There is a form you will need to complete. If you have questions, please contact Canon Carol Sedlacek.
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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.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Happy New Year! 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.
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January 6 at 10:00 am: Standing Committee Meeting
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January 6 at 2:00 pm: Communication Office Hours with Alli Gannett. You can join via the link here.
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January 12 at 7:00 pm: Racial Justice Speaker Series - Taylor Stewart. Learn more and register here.
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January 13 at 2:00 pm: Communication Office Hours with Alli Gannett. You can join via the link here.
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January 15 at 10:00 am: Holy Hikes Gathering at Cooper Mountain Nature Park, more information is available here.
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January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - the Diocesan Office will be closed.
Ongoing invitations:
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Fridays at 12:00 pm: Say Their Names at St. David of Wales, Portland, to honor and lament the black and brown people killed by racial and/or 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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Eugene: Church of the Resurrection. Birch Rambo, priest-in-charge; Lauri Watkins, deacon.
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Eugene: St. Mary. Bingham Powell, rector; Ted Berktold, Christine Marie; Nancy Crawford, Thomas English, deacons
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Eugene: St. Matthew. Lainie Allen, rector.
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
The Diocese of Northern Izon – The Church of Nigeria
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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.
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A few save the dates:
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April 12: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of the Oils service, followed by lunch, at Trinity Cathedral, Portland.
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April 13: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of the Oils service, followed by lunch, at Resurrection, Eugene.
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April 25 - 27: In-person Clergy Conference at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton. All active clergy are expected to attend.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
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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 to participate virtually for an average of eight hours per day during the two-week UNCSW meeting. Continue reading here.
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Oneida Nation to host Native voices during Winter Talk - January 15 - 17 online
The Episcopal Church Office of Indigenous Ministries invites all Episcopalians to watch a live-stream of Winter Talk 2022, an annual multiday conference that honors and highlights Indigenous and Native American traditions and contributions within the church. The event will be hosted for the first time by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
Winter Talk will be live-streamed January 15-17 from Green Bay, Wisconsin. A limited number of invited registrants will participate on Zoom and in person, including Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Clark Jennings. Local Oneida people also will join. Continue reading here.
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Re-Vision and Renew: Discerning Leadership for Redeveloping Congregations virtual retreat in Jan & Feb
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Church Planting and Mission Development offers a virtual retreat for those seeking to discern their role and fit in church redevelopment.
The retreat dates are: January 19 & 26, and February 2 & 9 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Pacific. Learn more and register here. Please note there is a $350 registration fee.
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