A sermon preached by Dr. Loren Crow at St. Mary's, Eugene on November 10.
The book of Job is a literary masterpiece. It has inspired plays, movies, novels, music, and plastic arts. Alfred Lord Tennyson called Job “the greatest poem of ancient and modern times.” William Blake did a whole series of engravings on scenes from the book of Job. There are musical settings by the likes of Orlando de Lassus, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Joni Mitchell. H. G. Wells and Elie Wiesel both wrote adaptations of it. Even the science fiction writer Robert Heinlein, who is not usually known for his love of biblical themes, wrote a novel called
Job: A Comedy of Justice.
What gives the book of Job such broad appeal is its stark treatment of two claims that seem on the surface to be irreconcilable with one another: (1) that there is a just God who rules the world and upholds it, and (2) that human beings suffer, often so horribly that even the most heartless person would try to help, and yet God seems to do nothing. The genre of literature that specializes in wrestling with this paradox is called theodicy, and Job is certainly among the finest examples of it anywhere.
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Bishop Michael Health Note
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Earlier this month, Bishop Michael experienced a few days of feeling unwell. He was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and prescribed blood thinners and rest.
Following his doctor’s orders, Bishop Michael is reworking his schedule to create the necessary time and space to continue recovering, and anticipates returning to full-time ministry after Thanksgiving.
Please keep Bishop Michael in your prayers over the next few weeks as he recuperates.
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Dismantling Racism Workshop
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We are called to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
One of the ways we in the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon do this is through mandatory anti-racism training for people in positions of leadership.
The next
Dismantling Racism: Anti-racism Training for Leaders of Faith Communities workshop is Saturday, November 23 at Trinity Cathedral, Portland.
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Offering Sacred Welcome to Immigrants and Refugees
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Join the Commission for Sanctuary and leaders from the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice for two upcoming workshops exploring our stories of sacred welcome and discovering what it means to offer that to immigrants and refugees in Oregon.
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Learn to Speak Spanish in the Anglican Diocese of Cuernavaca
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Join your companions from the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon for a two-week Diocesan Spanish-language immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico!
The language program will be held from August 1-15, 2020 and is hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Cuernavaca. All levels are welcome—from those with very little or no Spanish to the more advanced student wanting to zero in on the subjunctive tense and reflexive verbs.
Space is limited so please sign up as soon as possible!
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In Waldport, a city of just over 2,000 people on the central Oregon coast,
St. Luke-by-the-Sea
Episcopal Church provides transitional housing for two women in Conestoga huts.
Read more in the Newport News Times...
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The Calendar
A sampling of upcoming diocesan and parish events:
Sundays at 3 Free Concert: Dr. Anton Belov, baritone with a repertoire in opera, oratorio and concert styles. Church of the Good Samaritan, Corvallis. November 17, 3:00 p.m.
World AIDS Day: annual commemoration and fundraiser for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Daily Bread Express and HIV Day Center. Concordia University, Portland. December 4, 12:00 p.m.
Sharing the Light: a joint musical feature of Christmas and Chanukah pieces with the choirs of Congregation Beth Israel and Trinity Cathedral. December 21 and 22.
Holiday Bazaars and Sales
Advent Lessons and Carols
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Today in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:
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Oregon City: St. Paul.
Shawn Dickerson, rector
PRAY for God’s blessing upon us as we strive to reach out and become a more visible presence in our community, and that we may continue to deepen in our generosity in giving and serving Christ in this place.
Portland: All Saints.
Andria Skornik, rector; Kathleen Borsch, deacon
Portland: Ascension.
Phillip Craig, rector
In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer:
The Diocese of Ruwenzori, Uganda and the Rt. Rev. Reuben Kisembo
The Diocese of Dornakal, India and the Rt. Rev. Vadapalli Prasada Rao
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Bishop Michael's Visitations
November 17: St. Matthew's, Eugene (The Rt. Rev. Neff Powell will visit on behalf of Bishop Michael)
November 24: Grace, Astoria
Events
Advent/Christmas Luncheon for Retired Clergy, Spouses/Partners, and Surviving Spouses. Golden Valley Brewery. December 4, 11:30 a.m.
More details...
Transitions
New Call: the people of Emmanuel, Coos Bay are pleased to announce the call of the Rev. Patti Hale as their priest-in-charge beginning January 19, 2020.
Read the announcement.
New Call: the people of St. John's, Bandon are pleased to announce the call of the Rev. Doug Hale as their priest-in-charge beginning January 15, 2020.
Rest in Peace: Ann Schneider, wife of the Rev. Stephen Schneider, died November 6. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Cathedral, Portland on November 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Information
Death and taxes - unavoidable. Our ultimate retirement benefits are out of this world, but in the meantime, we need to pay our taxes. This is trickier for clergy than for other employees. The Diocesan Personnel Committee has recently received several questions this year regarding taxes. We commend for your reading, marking, and inwardly digestion the Tax Resource page provided by CPG found at
www.cpg.org/active-clergy/retirement/tax-resources/. While this link is for 2018 taxes, these resources are updated annually by CPG.
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The Episcopal Church News
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Gifts for Life
Now Available from Episcopal Relief & Development
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During the holiday season, Episcopal Relief & Development encourages friends and supporters to give a gift that will transform a life with Gifts for Life, an alternative giving catalog that offers tangible and meaningful ways to create lasting change in communities around the world.
The catalog features a wide range of gifts options from $15 to help parents nurture and nourish a child to $1,284 to provide a complete care package to empower a community.
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Support Increased Suicide Prevention Services for Veterans
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As Episcopalians and others around the country celebrate the life and service of our nation’s veterans, we are called to be compassionate and to care for those experiencing suicidal ideation.
Unfortunately, military veterans are among the most impacted people; 6,139 veterans died by suicide in 2017 according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations calls on you to voice support for the bipartisan Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act.
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