Latest News

Summer fun is coming to Ascension School Camp & Conference Center in Cove

Three former campers who also have been members of Ascension School resident staff will share duties of summer program director this year:  Amy Rooper of St. Paul’s, The Dalles;  Aaron Tensen of St. Paul’s, Nyssa, and Isabel Feibert of St. Matthew’s, Ontario.

The first camp on the calendar this year is Music Camp, a new offering that will be led by Brian Fairbanks, associate musician at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle, and by Bishop Nedi Rivera.  Fairbanks directs the Choir School at St. Mark’s as well as three choirs, including the Gallery Choir, whose repertoire includes Hebrew, African, jazz and traditional Anglican music.

Music camp, from July 28 to August 2, is being offered for grades 3-6 and for grades 7-12.  Originally, the camp for older students was to be a day camp but it was expanded into an overnight camp because of the level of interest. Enrollment at each camp is limited to 30 students, who will offer a public performance on the last day of camp.

For more information, contact Patty Olson Lindsey or Lisa Boquist at 541-568-4514.  Email is patty@coveascensionschool.com or lisa@coveascensionschool.com ; camp schedules and fees are at www.coveascensionschool.com

 

“The short answer to how we got here is, ‘one step at a time,’ ” writes the Rev. Karen Hunter, writing in this issue of Vital Practices about how Grace Church in Nampa, Idaho has grown its Latino/a mission, La Gracia, since 2007.

“We simply made one decision to be faithful and then another. We didn’t wait for everyone to get on board, develop a five year plan, or get all our ducks in a row. We kept it simple and expanded as there was need and capacity. In the end, I suppose, we trusted God and we trusted one another,” she says.

A link to Hunter’s story, and to other Vital Practices stories about Hispanic Ministries in The Episcopal Church is here: http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/cultivating-leaders/pushing-past-fear/

Council ratifies same-sex blessings policy

In a unanimous vote, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee on March 16 ratified as diocesan policy the blessing of same-sex relation- ships, acting on a resolution passed at the 2012 General Convention.

“Within that resolution it says if there are churches and rectors who don’t feel comfortable [with same-sex blessings] they don’t have to, but I think it would really be important that we take a stand, particularly if we’re portraying ourselves as inclusive as a diocese,” said council member Kim McClain., a member of Trinity, Bend.

“If that’s a motion, I would second it, in the spirit of open table,” the Rev. Dan Gardner said, referring to the unsuccessful EDEO resolution at General Convention that sought to open Holy Eucharist to everyone.

Regarding the same-sex blessings vote., Gardner, vicar at St. Thomas, Canyon City. said “My comment is, it’s about time, we’ve been messing with this forever.”

Before authorizing a same-sex blessing, Bp. Nedi Rivera said, she will require everything she requires before marriage rites, including baptism and connection to a church.

Resolutions from General Convention 2012, referred to dioceses

Click here to view the Resolutions.

 

Diocesan Calendar

• May 16-18 Bp Rivera at Order of the Paracletes, Yakima
• May 19 Bp Rivera at St. Mark’s, Hood River
• May 24-27 Work weekend at Ascension School, Cove

 

Ascension School Calendar

• June 23-28: Music Camp
• June 23-28: Worship Music Camp (now an overnight camp)
• July 1-3: Discovery Camp (preschool-2nd grade; parent or other adult must accompany camper)
• July 7-13: Senior High Camp (grades 10-12)
• July 14-19: Beginners Camp (grades 3-5)
• July 21-27: Junior High Camp (grades 7-9)
• July 28-Aug 2: Combined Camp (grades 4-6)
• Aug 1-4: Adult Education & Family Camp
• Aug 31 Sept 2: Reunion Family Camp

 

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

• May 19 Trinity, Bend: Roy Green, Gaye Lawson, Willie Hoffer
• May 26 All Saints Episcopal & Hope Lutheran Shared Ministry, Heppner: Katy Anderson
• June 2 St. Barnabas, Bonanza: Martha Hurlburt, Sherry Hartley
• June 9 All Saints of the Cascades/ Sunriver Christian Fellowship, Sunriver: Nancy Sargent Green
• June 16 St. Alban’s, Redmond: Chuck Christopher, Paul Morton
• June 23 St. Paul’s, Nyssa: Roger Williams
• June 30 St. Andrew’s Episcopal/ Peace Lutheran/ Church of the Living Waters, Burns: Matthew Littau

 

Being Christ’s Hands in the World…No Excuses!