Well it’s the morning after. I find myself in a strange place…in a liminal time between knowing and not knowing. Of course I’m referring to the results of yesterday’s election. I’m sure the results will be decided before too long but in these hours or perhaps days I don’t know exactly whether to be happy for our country or to cinch up my belt and brace for the future.

Regardless of what lies ahead we must deal with our responses to the virus and the danger that the virus poses for each of us. And, we must continue to deal with the social impact of separation from each other. Many people have constructed a routine in which contact with others is minimized and planned according to the guidelines that our local government and our diocese think will protect us and others from contracting the virus. These guidelines, even though sensible, certainly interfere with the life I envisioned when I moved to Oregon.

As a deacon I am called to be with people. As a spiritual director I am called to be with people. Neither of these are entirely possible in these days. When working in a hospice house and in a hospital I came in contact with many people. But these possibilities are very limited at the moment partly because I am in the high-risk age category. In the months leading up to March my activities involved being in groups, exploring possibilities of ministry in the group. That has come to a halt. So in the last few weeks I’ve been mulling the question of how do I fulfill my ministry as a deacon.

I’m turning to you. You are the people who have been here. You know much more about this community than I do. What do you think? What would you suggest that I investigate? If you could minister to the community or the world what would you be doing? In my musings I found a few broad categories that I’ve been considering. Let them be fertilizer for your own thoughts:
• Peace (international, civic, racial)
• Ecology
• Homelessness
• Children in Crisis (e.g., CASA)
• Pastoral care beyond the parish (e.g., Stephen Ministries)
• Food insecurity
• Social justice.

I’m sure you have additions to this list for God gives us prophetic wisdom to see and speak to what is not of God’s kingdom. Even though many of your ideas may still involve personal involvement with others those ideas should not be discarded. We will be in direct contact with other people in the near future and planning is always needed. I have time now in this liminal period. You and I have time to work through plans to bring Christ’s Church before others.

God’s Peace to all,
Mike…

The 11th Bishop of Oregon Search and Transition Committee is pleased to announce the election of the Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama as the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon.  In her own words, Bishop Akiyama said:

I am honored and truly humbled to be amongst those you are considering to be your next Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon.  Throughout my discernment for the vocation of Bishop of Oregon, I have become increasingly energized and drawn to the innovative ministries currently underway in the Diocese.  I believe this growing connection is rooted in my diverse experiences as a priest, and in my longstanding belief that the Church is being called to respond to a changing world.

My roots in Oregon are deep.  I was born in Wheeler, Oregon and grew up in the Japanese-American community in Hood River.  My mother was drawn to the Episcopal Church through her experience at Good Samaritan Hospital’s Nursing School.  My father was baptized in the Methodist Church in response to the internment of Japanese Americans. I was baptized and grew up at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Hood River.

I was ordained to the priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Rustin Kimsey in 1989 and since that time I have continually been inspired and nurtured by the ways my ministry has evolved and deepened.  The call to serve as dean of religious life in two different higher education settings allowed me to combine my love of learning with my curiosity about those who do not identify with a religious tradition.  The spirit of Christ always came alive when I was able to voice or demonstrate radical love and inclusion in spaces where great suspicion about Christians was the norm.

Here is my dream, were I to become your next bishop:  to walk alongside the faithful and diverse people of the Diocese of Oregon with joy and hope as we explore how God is moving in our neighborhoods, and to embrace the unique qualities of Oregonians in creative and innovative ministries.