SUMMER DIOCESAN
MINI DIGEST

August 18, 2022

Upcoming Events:

Save the Date: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be visiting our diocese September 10-13. He will spend time with us in worship and fellowship, as well as be in conversation with our working groups and clergy. You can see the full schedule and learn more on our website


Diocesan Staff Office Hours:

Thursday at 1pm: Derek Moyer, join here.

Dear friends in Christ,
 
I greet you from the Big Island where we are on vacation until the end of this month. As you probably know by now, I was prevented from traveling to Lambeth because I was recovering from COVID. The good news, however, is my confidence in having fully recovered. The sun and the surf certainly helped. The other day we were snorkeling in the ocean and came within yards of a pod of spinner dolphins. They didn’t spin for us but they leapt from the water in the classic elegant arcs they are known for. Such moments have a way of putting everything else in perspective.
 
And while I’m on the topic of perspective, I very much hope that the Presiding Bishop’s visit to our diocese September 10-12th will add rich and energizing perspective on our mission and ministry as the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon. The planning team has worked with great care and attention to make sure that Presiding Bishop Curry will experience our diocese’s diversity, especially our geographical diversity. We’ve planned a PB road trip, of sorts, as a way of making sure he can experience as much as his limited time will permit. 
 
My deepest desire for this visit is that we will all experience a larger perspective through which to think anew about our life together as the Body of Christ in Oregon. The Presiding Bishop is well known for his energetic preaching and his tireless love for Jesus. I hope his passion will ignite for us a new sense of purpose and call. In return, I earnestly believe that we have so much to offer the Presiding Bishop in terms of perspective and an enriched understanding of the Episcopal Church in this area of The Episcopal Church.
 
As I write, I can see the ocean glittering in the sunshine. It provides a beautiful metaphor for our diocese. Our faith communities are like the hundreds of glittering reflections of light on the large ocean body. We are reflections of Christ’s light and love, each unique in our own ways, yet we are also unified in the One body that binds us and keeps us bright with hope.
 
I look forward to extending a hearty Oregonian welcome to our PB. Please join me in welcoming him.
 
Blessings,
+Diana
The Presiding Bishop's Visit
There are two events that require an online reservation for the Presiding Bishop’s visit: 

On the evening of September 11 at 5:30 pm, OPB’s Geoff Norcross will interview Bishop Akiyama and Presiding Bishop Curry at the Parish of St. John the Baptist on the Oregon Episcopal School (OES) campus. This event is open to the public and will be livestreamed. A reception will follow in the new OES gymnasium. If you would like to attend in person, please RSVP here – space is limited.

Submitting Questions for the Bishop and Presiding Bishop Interview

We are also gathering questions from across the diocese that will help form a Q&A session after the full interview. If you would like to submit a question, please fill out this form. Please note: your question may not be asked exactly as it is worded and we will try to join similar questions. 
The second event is for the clergy of our Diocese only. This event will take place on Monday, September 12 at 6:00 pm. Please register for that event here.  
INFORMATION REGARDING THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Convention will take place on Saturday, October 29 on Zoom. Registration information will be sent to delegates and a livestream will be available on our website.

Proposed resolutions for the Convention may be seen in full by clicking the link after each title.

Resolution: Official Youth Presence - English

Resolution: Diocesan and Parish-Level Response to the Urgent Issues of Climate Change and Environmental Justice - English

Resolution: Supporting Oregon's 2022 Statewide Initiative 17 Regarding Gun Violence - English

Spanish translations of the resolutions will be available and posted soon.

Also, the quarterly Diocesan Investment Reports are now available for viewing on the website and may be found here:
WORKING GROUP ON RACIAL JUSTICE
FALL 2022 SPEAKER SERIES
Conversations about the Work:
What Calls Us to Work for Racial Justice?

September 14 at 6:00pm live on Zoom: Reverend Rick Britton, Member of the Beloved Community: The Diocesan Commission for Racial Reconciliation for the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.

November 9 at 6:00pm live on Zoom: Dr. Linda Tamura, Professor Emerita of Education, Willamette University. Linda is involved in projects and organizations educating and celebrating the history of Japanese Americans in Oregon.

To see the full announcement click here. For more information, email diocesecter@gmail.com.
DIOCESAN EVENTS AND UPDATES
Changes to Safe Church Requirements & Process

Please see updates to Safe Church requirements and process on our website. Please direct questions about Safe Church to safechurch@diocese-oregon.org

Register for the training here.
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) Resources

Register for the free TENS webinar focusing on fall campaigns. This year’s theme is “More Than Enough - Maximizing the TENS Resources for 2022 Campaigns.” There are many more annual pledge and other stewardship resources available to congregations on The Episcopal Network for Stewardship's website. Find out more on their website here. To access their extensive library of resources, you will need a password; this year it is Luke9:17. 
A Call to Artists

Chrysalis - Spreading Our Wings
A gathering of artistic expressions from Episcopal Churches of Western Oregon

Art will be displayed Nov 20 – Feb 5 2023 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland. Approximately 30 juried pieces will be selected for this art exhibition. All original art mediums will be accepted. Prudence Roberts will be the guest curator.
You may find complete submission requirements here.
Fall Iconography Classes

Trinity Iconography Institute is in its 26th year offering instruction in the sacred liturgical art of Iconography. Students in our program begin by writing the Holy Face of Christ, as Christ underlies every icon, completing it in 14 weeks. No prior art experience is required. Come join us this fall!

If making "art" seems intimidating, you may be reassured by the knowledge that icons are painted prayer. You will find more specific information here. Click on the CLASSES tab and scroll down for this fall's offerings.
TODAY WE PRAY FOR...

  • Portland: SS. Peter & Paul/San Pedro y San Pablo - Sara Fischer, Rector
  • Portland: St. Philip the Deacon - Maria McDowell, Rector
  • Portland: St. Stephen - Kevin Thew Forrester, Priest-in-Charge; Maureen Hagen, Deacon

  • The Diocese of Meru – The Anglican Church of Kenya
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Administrative Assistant, Diocesan Center
 
This is a full-time Administrative Assistant position which reports to the Bishop and works closely with the Executive Assistant to the Bishop. This Administrative Assistant also provides administrative support to the Missioner for Thriving Congregations and the Missioner for Lifelong Formation and general administrative support for the Diocesan Center. The full position description may be found here.
Parish Manager, Grace Memorial
 
The Parish Manager at Grace Memorial is a full-time position supervised by the Rector. The Parish Manager works closely with the Rector, the Wardens, the Treasurer, and others to manage the business of the parish. The full position description may be found here.
Maintenance Manager/Sexton - St. Gabriel the Archangel, Portland

The position is responsible to the Junior Warden and rector. The Sexton works with the Junior Warden who oversees the maintenance of the church, building, equipment, furnishings and grounds.

To see further details please visit our website.