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November 2, 2023

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP!

Thank you all who attended and made the 135th Annual Meeting of the Convention happen on Saturday, October 28. You can watch the full meeting recording here. Below you will find brief highlights from the Annual Meeting, which is also available online. 

MORNING PRAYER: 

Watch the morning prayer service here; download the service bulletin here.

BISHOP'S ADDRESS: 

"Stability is available to us as the fruit of spiritual practices. Through prayer—both corporate and individual—we deepen our identity in Christ. This identity has its fullness in the knowledge that, in God, we know a peace that surpasses understanding. Because of this we trust that we are perfectly safe, that all will be well even though we do not control the how and the when."

"This trust is at the center of our capacity to adapt. Adaptive change, for Christians, is fueled by trust and hope that the light of Christ within us has the power to transform lives: our own as well as others'. We build the capacity to adapt through our practices of forgiveness. One of the most important gifts God has given us is to have hearts that truly see and hear. What we learn because of this gift, is not only that we are loved beyond all understanding, but that we have the ability to hurt others and are therefore called to repair the damage we have done." 

"When we do the work of confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation we have laid the foundation to be adaptive—to understand that our transformation in Christ is always about change … about looking up ahead to see where the light of Christ is shining…and to follow."

Watch Bishop Akiyama’s Address here. Her printed address is available here y en Español aquí.

APPOINTMENTS:

• Constitution and Canons Committee: Derek Moyer, Emily Karr, Marie Bagwell, the Rev. Nathan LeRud, the Rev. Brandon Filber, Martin Loring, the Rev. Laura Sheridan-Campbell, and Becky Snow
• Commission on Ministry: The Rev. Lainie Allen, The Rev. Martin Elferts, Beth Ferguson, The Rev. Deacon Cindra Gray, the Rev. Jeanne Kaliszewski, the Rev. Deacon Tracy LeBlanc, the Rev. Marlene Mutchler, and the Rev. Raggs Ragan
• Convocation Deans:
• Central Convocation: The Rev. Judith Jones
• Columbia Convocation: The Rev. Shana McCauley
• Metro East Convocation: The Rev. Andria Skornik
• South Coast Convocation: The Rev. Dawn Reynolds
• Southern Convocation: The Rev. Ernestein Flemister
• Sunset Convocation: The Rev. Beth Mallon
• Willamette Convocation: The Rev. Chris Hertlein

ELECTIONS: 

The following individuals were elected to various diocesan bodies:

• Secretary of Convention: The Rev. Laura Sheridan Campbell
• Registrar: Tracy Esguerra
• Treasurer: Kathy Gordon
• Chancellor: Emily Karr
• Disciplinary Board: Dan Breene, Nora McLaughlin, and the Rev. Bingham Powell
• Standing Committee:
• Lay: Pamela Filbert – St. Timothy, Salem
• Clergy: The Rev. Linda Lee, Deacon – St. Timothy, Brookings
• Board of Trustees:
• Lay: Sonja Miller – All Saints, Portland
• Clergy: The Rev. Jeanne Kaliszewski – St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukie
• Trinity Cathedral Chapter: Hana Rubens – St. Luke, Grants Pass
• Diocesan Council:
• Lay: 
• Mary Elles Andrew – St. Andrew, Florence
• Nikolaus Grimsby – St. Luke, Grants Pass
• Clergy:
• The Rev. Ruth Krueger, Deacon – Good Samaritan, Corvallis
• The Rev. Birch Rambo – Resurrection, Eugene

RESOLUTIONS, AMENDMENTS, & BUSINESS:

Canonical Amendments:

• Canon 1.1 Annual Meeting of Convention - passed as presented
• Canon 3.8 The Commission on Ministry - passed as presented
• Canon 1.1 and 1.4 Official Youth Presence - passed as presented

Resolutions of Policy:

• Resolution to Repudiate Doctrine of Discovery – passed as amended
• Resolution Support of Palestinian Christians – passed as presented
• Resolution Safeguard the Rights of Palestinian Children – passed as amended



Other Business:

• Dissolution of St. John, Toledo passed
• Dissolution of Ascension, Riddle passed
• Dissolution of Ss. Peter & Paul, Portland passed
• 2024 Diocesan Budget passed

Additional Reports and Presentations:

• Creation Care Working Group Presentation
• Reading of the Amendments to the Constitution by the 80th General Convention

Resolutions of Courtesy: 

• The Rev. Martin Elfert and Holly Puckett presented the Resolutions of Courtesy. You can watch that video here.

THANKSGIVING OFFERING & GRANT APPLICATIONS

The application process for the Thanksgiving Offering Grant is now open for congregations. These projects serve people in need in and around our faith communities. Previous grant projects included food pantries, community gardens, medical clinics, and houseless shelters. Download the application here.

The Diocesan Council’s capacity to give money to these wonderful projects is directly tied to our faith communities responding to our Thanksgiving Offering with abundant gratitude for all we have been given. Please extend the invitation to give toward the Thanksgiving Offering to all people in your community. 

You can make a donation here.

DIOCESAN FORMATION OFFERINGS IN 2024

FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

• Application open for Episcopal Church gender justice staff officer - An application and job description is now available online.
• Standing commission seeks churchwide input on clergy disciplinary process - The Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution, and Canons welcomes churchwide input as it continues to review and revise Title IV disciplinary canons related to clergy. Feedback and recommendations can be submitted via this online form by Nov. 15. 

• As the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) continues its work, they are asking all dioceses, congregations, and Episcopalians to join us in regular prayer: Almighty God, source of all wisdom and understanding: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will choose our next presiding bishop, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for all of your people, equip us for our ministries, and proclaim your word to us and to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. See the latest update here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Interested in what is going on around the diocese? Below are some events coming up in the next few weeks. Click the event's link for more information and contact the event host with any questions.

• November 4 at 2 pm: Hymn Sing at St. Philip the Deacon, Portland
• November 5 at 9:30 am: Good Heart Contemplation & Meditation Practice at St. Stephen, Portland
• November 5 at 4 pm: Organ & Piano Concert at Ss. Peter & Paul, Portland
• November 5 at 4 pm: Four-hand Piano Concert at St. Paul, Salem
• November 5 at 5 pm: Evensong for the Feast of All Souls at Trinity Cathedral, Portland
• November 5 at 5 pm: Monthly Taizé Service with Labyrinth Walk at St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukie
• November 5 at 5 pm: Choral Evensong for the Feast of All Souls at St. Michael & All Angels, Portland
• November 7 at 8:30 am: Clergy Call with Bishop Akiyama
• November 7 at 7 pm: Sacred Dance - Religious Folk Traditions at Trinity Cathedral, Portland
• November 8 at 6:30 pm: St. Stephen's 160th Birthday and Night Fest Fundraiser for Operation Nightwatch at St. Stephen, Portland
• November 9 at 12 pm: Clergy Workshop - Understanding Church Canons & Title IV, information below
• November 11 at 9 am: Arts & Crafts Faire at Christ Church, St. Helens
• November 11 & 12: Trinity Artisan Fair at Trinity Cathedral, Portland
• November 11 at 3 pm: Ask the Undertaker - End-of-life Planning Workshop at St. Luke the Physician, Gresham
• November 11 at 7 pm: Celebrity Organ Recital: Thomas Sheehan at Trinity Cathedral, Portland
• November 12: Bishop Visitation to Todos Los Santos, Hillsboro
• November 12 at 4 pm: Screening of the Philadelphia Eleven Film at St. John the Baptist, Portland - more information below
• November 16 at 10 am: Board of Trustees Meeting

Don't see your faith community's event on the list above? Submit it through the form below.

Interested in what is happening in the future? See the full calendar in the link below.

CLERGY EVENTS

CLERGY CALLS WITH THE BISHOP

The November 7th clergy call with Bishop Akiyama has been cancelled and tentatively rescheduled for Tuesday, November 14. Please keep an eye out for confirmation and more details on Monday.

Upcoming calls: November 14 (tentative), December 5, January 2, and February 6.

CLERGY WORKSHOP - UNDERSTANDING CHURCH CANONS & TITLE IV

Clergy are invited to participate in an online learning module regarding the church canons, particularly Title IV. This is an offering for our clergy presented by Canon Derek Moyer and the Rev. Canon Linda Potter.

Registration is required for this Zoom event on November 9 from noon- 2 pm. You can register here.

Contact Tamara Knowles with questions.

SCREENING OF THE PHILADELPHIA ELEVEN VIDEO

Churches of the Sunset Convocation invite you to a screening of The Philadelphia Eleven, a documentary about the extraordinary women who walked the gauntlet toward the ordination of women priests in The Episcopal Church.

The screening will take place on Sunday, November 12, at 4 pm at the Parish of St John the Baptist (on the OES campus).

There is no admission charge; however, we ask for generous love offerings for Wisdom House, in support of the ministries of the youngest of the eleven women: The Rev. Alla Bozarth–who lives in our Diocese. (Alla+ is pictured second from left/top.)

Please note: a live stream will not be provided due to the licensing agreement.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND IN JANUARY 2024

You are invited to join the Very Rev. Nathan LeRud and the Rev. Sara Fischer on a pilgrimage following the Footsteps of Jesus through the eyes of Mary the Prophet scheduled for January 3-14, 2024.

Registration has re-opened with a new on-the-ground tour company and a new price. Feel free to share this information with anyone who might enjoy it.

Registration is available here. For more information, contact Sara or Nathan.

SAVE THE DATE - ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Please save Friday, January 19 at 7:00 pm for the ordination of the Rev. Deacon SuEllen Pommier and the Rev. Deacon Vijendran Sathyaraj to the Sacred Order of Priests. The service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland. A formal invitation to come this winter.

DIOCESAN SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN 2024

Registration is now available for the 2024 Diocesan Spanish Language Immersion Program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The dates for next year are August 3-17, 2024.

Since 2015, the diocese has partnered with the Anglican Diocese of Cuernavaca to offer this immersive program for 16 participants each year. Please see our website for more information, and contact Sharon Rodgers with any questions or if you would like to register. The registration fee of $1,100 is due by January 31, 2024. However, registration will close when sixteen people have paid the registration fee. 

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR

OPEN POSITIONS

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