Diocese of Oregon COVID-19 Update
Dear Friends in Christ,
This Saturday, Governor Kate Brown will lift the mask mandate for the state of Oregon. This comes after cases and hospitalizations in the state of Oregon have dramatically decreased from the winter’s Omicron spike.
In the Diocese of Oregon, we will no longer have diocesan-wide protocols and will instead provide a list of factors congregations can take into consideration when making decisions for their communities and contexts.
Congregations can decide to continue requiring masks if they would like. However, if a congregation continues to require masks, it is important to stay consistent with these practices. A requirement to wear masks and maintain a safe distance during worship should extend to coffee hour and related events.
Congregations should return to the use of the common cup and end the practice of individual cups. It is up to each person to decide if they feel comfortable drinking from the cup. If they do not, or if they have cold/flu-like symptoms, they should be reminded that receiving Communion in one kind is still considered receiving full Communion.
It will be up to each individual to assess their own risk of infection regarding COVID-19, and to protect themselves accordingly. Some individuals may choose to remain masked, either for health, personal, or other reasons. These individuals should be encouraged to do so, and churches should continue to have masks available.
Please note that federal mandates still require masks on public transportation, in airports, and in health care facilities.
Blessings,
Bishop Diana
Factors to take into consideration:
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Vaccinations help to protect everyone. Vaccinations and boosters provide an extra and important layer of protection against severe illness or hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
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Masks are still the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a well-fitted hospital-grade mask covering one’s mouth and nose continues to be the most effective way to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and aerosols that may carry the COVID-19 virus. Unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and those with cold/flu-like symptoms should consider remaining masked.
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The risk of exposure and infection increases as the number of people gathered in a room increases and the reduction of preventative measures decreases. Singing unmasked increases the number of respiratory droplets expelled into the air and therefore increases the risk.
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Enhanced ventilation indoors helps reduce the risk of spreading aerosols. Opening windows and doors, or setting up a fan, to allow ventilation in a space will greatly reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets.
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Sanitizing and handwashing are good hygienic practices. Although it has been proven that COVID-19 does not easily transfer on surfaces, regular sanitation of highly trafficked and touched areas is a great practice to continue, particularly in food preparation and areas used by children. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water is also just a good basic hygienic practice.
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Consider continuing to livestream your worship. Sharing your worship allows for folks who are uncomfortable meeting in person or who wish to remain at home to participate in the life of the church.
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OHA Testing Kits and PPE online order form
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Video: Bishop Akiyama honored as a Woman of Distinction from the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Justice yesterday |
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New Study conducted by The Episcopal Church on how Americans view Jesus
Jesus in America is a national study released in March 2022 in a partnership between The Episcopal Church and Ipsos. The research found that while the majority of Americans polled believe Jesus was an important spiritual figure and want equality in society, it also showed Christians are not necessarily practicing what Jesus taught, and Americans feel judged when talking about their beliefs.
Continue reading about the study and view the results online.
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St Michael & All Angels Episcopal, Portland receives grant to support Burrito Love
Submitted by Hjalmer Lofstrom
The Covid pandemic and quarantines closed St. Michael & All Angels' long history of serving the community two monthly in-house meals. But the pandemic did not stop hunger in our neighborhood. Burrito Love, now in its second year, started as the response that continues outdoors through all seasonal weather serving our neighbors nutritious burritos, cookies, fruit, bottled water, and offering community resource guides. The burritos are prepared commercially by Super Torta, 5640 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland.
The grant is from Central Northeast Neighbors Coalition which represents eight Portland-area neighborhoods. CNN Coalition, together with the Office of Community & Civic Life provides small grants for community engagement. Burrito Love met the grant's community-building requirements in supporting the nutritional need, and the resilience of the underserved, the homeless, veterans, and by its strong volunteer support. That grant plus online donations at St.maa.org support Meal Ministry/Burrito Love.
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A conversation about Asian Americans in Oregon this Saturday, March 12 in Portland and online
Ss. Peter & Paul/Ss. Pedro y Pablo, Portland, has joined with the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon to present an upcoming conversation on the shared past, present, and future of the Asian American experience in the community. Presenters include artist Sabina Haque and APANO Interim Executive Co-Director and Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang. This event is made possible by a grant from the Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community initiative focused on ending anti-AAPI hate.
The event is this Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 am and will be held in person at Ss. Peter & Paul/Ss. Pedro y Pablo in Portland and it will be livestreamed on their Facebook page.
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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
Need assistance with something specific? Join Alli's office hours every Thursday at 2:00 pm on Zoom. Join the call here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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March 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7 at 7:00 pm: Lenten Book Study hosted by St. Thomas, Dallas online
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March 11, 18, 25, April 1, and 8 at 12:00 pm: Fridays in Lent at Grace, Astoria
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March 12 at 9:30 am: Retreat: Forgiveness- Resolving Resentment (Rob Voyle) hosted by Trinity Cathedral
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March 12 at 10:00 am: A Beloved Community Story: Learning from APANO
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March 12 at 10:00 am: Diocesan Council Meeting
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March 14 - 18: House of Bishops
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March 15 at 2:00 pm: Canva for Church Communications Workshop - register here
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March 16, 23, 30, and April 6 at 5:15 pm: Praying with Icons in Lent, hosted by St. Barnabas, McMinnville
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March 16, 23, 30, and April 6 at 7:00 pm: Wednesday at the Commons: Lent Term hosted by Trinity Cathedral, Portland
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March 19 at 9:00 am: Mini-Retreat - Benedictine Practice, hosted by Trinity Cathedral, Portland
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March 21 at 7:00 pm: Virtual Labyrinth Walk, hosted by Trinity Cathedral, Portland
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March 24 at 1:00 pm: Board of Trustees Meeting
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):
- Lake Oswego: Christ Church. Brad Toebben, rector.
- Lebanon: St. Martin. Pending
- Lebanon: Samaritan Community Hospital: Wes Sedlacek, chaplain
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer (DOWNLOAD):
The Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro – The Anglican Church of Tanzania
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Clergy calls with Bishop Akiyama:
The next call with be Tuesday, April 5 at 8:15 am. The link to the call information can be found here.
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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 - Registration is open!
The spring in-person Clergy Conference will be April 25 - 27 at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton. Clergy should have gotten an email on Monday with information for registration, hotel reservations, and schedule. You can access that email here.
Please be sure to register for the conference here.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
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Episcopal Church Foundation Fellowship Applications Open
Since 1964 ECF has awarded over 225 Fellowships to individuals pursuing advanced academic studies and special ministries with the aim of educating and equipping future lay and clergy leaders.
ECF is pleased to announce that the application for the 2022 Fellowship is now open! Learn more and apply online. Applications are due on June 10, 2022.
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Educational Scholarships from The Episcopal Church
Applications are being accepted for a wide variety of educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline to apply is April 10. All applicants must be Episcopalian.
The scholarships—derived from annual income of more than 45 trust funds established through bequests to The Episcopal Church—range from assistance for children of missionaries, bishops and clergy to individuals seeking theological education and training. The maximum award is $10,000 per student.
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