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Eastern Oregonians Participate in Katrina Relief Project

For the past several months, this page and our diocesan e-news advertised the opportunity to participate in a Katrina Relief trip coordinated by Willis Moore.  Seven members of St. Paul's, The Dalles, (The Rev. Alison Dingley, Sally Forster, John Adams, Harriet Langfeldt, Diane Walworth, Kaethe Worcester, and Carolyn Thomas) and The Rev. Richard Thew and son, Rick, from Cove, participated in this experience.  Several people from Hawaii also participated.  The group was in New Orleans from March 31-April 4 on the work project.  Participants report that it was an incredible, life-changing experience.

The following is a short report on the experience from Willis Moore, husband of The Rev. Alison Dingley, and a resident of Hawaii.  Watch for further reports on the experience in the next edition of the Oregon Trail Evangelist.

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From my Native American (Monacan) heritage comes this well-known proverb:  "You can only judge a person after walking a day in his moccasins."

Thanks to 14 people, 9.5 from Eastern Oregon, and 4.5 from Hawai'i (guess who is bi-polar?) for "walking in the moccasins of the poor, dispossessed, and majority of New Orleans folks." We can be proud of being part of 900 homes gutted-mucked since September 2005, and of 40 homes built/rebuilt/under construction under the auspices of the EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA Office of Disaster Relief...using money donated to Bishops Jenkins and Grey (Mississippi)....and thousands of hours. Our group donated 260 hours of work...equaling 6 weeks!!!

The clamour and glamour of Bourbon Street, Preservation Hall, the Café du Monde, and the fun of a paddle wheel steamer on the Mississippi stand in stark contrast with the FEMA trailer across the street from St Augustine's Church, the demolished public housing within blocks of the Vieux Carré, and the general sights of abandonment seen all over the 7th Ward/Gentilly....and indeed all over the City where we drove and worked.

On Thursday night a lightning and thunder storm occurred for about six hours....reminding me of years at the University of Oklahoma. The Hawaiians had a saying, He'ehu wawae no kalani: (lit) evidence of the Heavenly One's footsteps, or, "Rain, thunder, and rainbows are tokens of recognition by Heaven." - - - that was US!

We learned, sadly, that various governments have failed, or at least, not done well in coping with this enormous human disaster: NEVER in the history of the USA has an entire City been vacated, subsequently to watch as slowly about 2/3rds of the folks found their way back to something.....many in FEMA trailers. Our briefer on Monday night correctly said that the Mayor, the Governor, as well as the USA Government deserve criticism and blame.

A Chinese proverb comes to mind about some of the Governmental efforts:  "Lu fen dan, biaomiam guang" - - -(lit) = "shiny on the outside, just like donkey droppings," or, Government has patched over problems by constructing a few nice buildings.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN! Next year!!

Willis


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The Historiographer Features Eastern Oregon

The Diocese of Eastern Oregon is featured in the current edition of The Historiographer, the newsletter/Quarterly serving the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists and also The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church.  The "center spread" of seven pages was written and edited by Willis Moore, Jeanie Senior, Margaret Landis, and others in Oregon, The Archives of the Episcopal Church, and elsewhere. It features photographs, historic drawings and pictures, a black and white copy of the "Diocesan Map" which is found in several churches, and the Cattle Brand.

This is the first-ever featuring of a Diocese in The Historiographer!

250 copies of this edition have been sent to the Diocesan Office in The Dalles for free distribution to those interested. When you visit in The Dalles, stop by the Office and claim your copy. Or contact the Office to obtain one.

Article contributed by Willis Moore


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The Greatest Stories Ever Told

Province VIII Stewardship, Evangelism, and Congregational Development Conference
June 26-28, 2008
Monarch Conference Center
Portland, Oregon

This conference is the first ever (that we know of) multi-cultural, intergenerational, family-friendly event that promises to help us tell our stories in ways that promote the Kingdom of God. Expect to use both sides of your brain, hear new stories, learn new ways of telling them, and feel more confident sharing your own. There will be times for the entire group to be together and special activities for children and youth.
This is a unique opportunity highly recommended to the people of Eastern Oregon.

Featured Speakers:
The Rev. Winfred Vergara, Director of Ethnic Congregational Development for the Episcopal Church
The Rev. Rebecca McClain, Executive Director of the Godly Play Foundation
The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Anglican Church of Canada's first National Indigenous Bishop and Assistant Bishop for the Diocese of Navajoland
The Rev. Eric Law, Founder and Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Institute for Competent Leadership in a Diverse Changing World.
Fran McKendree, featured musician

Workshop offerings include: Small Group Ministry; Lectio Divina; Knitting: Creating the fabric of our story; Sacred Dance; Congregational Ministry in a Diverse World; Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship and Story; The Gospel in Four Directional Thinking; Quilting: Art as Spiritual Practice; Word Show: telling the story with drama; Web Design; Telling our Story; Celebrating and Caring for Creation; That we all may be one, all cultures: panel discussion; The Celtic Faith and Storytelling; The Heart has its Reason (theology of childhood and releasing the spiritual energy of the child); The Life-Changing Power of the Stewardship Story; Photo Language: Telling Stories through Images.

Information brochures describing the offerings and registration forms have been mailed to the parishes and also may be obtained from the Diocesan Office by calling 541-298-4477. Registration includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday; breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Reservations for accommodations must be made by the individual.
Adults: $325; Youth & Young Adults (13-21): $150; Children (4-12): $75; Children under 4, free, but there will be a charge for child care.


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SAFE Church Trainings

 Safeguarding God's Children will be presented at St. Peter's, La Grande by Chelsee Rohan and Doris LaRae on Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m. - noon.

Trainings are also being planned to take place in Heppner and Ontario.  Watch this Diocesan news page, the Diocesan Calendar, and the e-newsletter for dates and places.  Contact the church sponsoring the training for registration information.  There is a fee of $10/person for the training.  Contact your own parish for assistance in paying registration fees.


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Oregon Trail Evangelist

January, 2008            March, 2008          May, 2008

October, 2007            November, 2007

For further information about the publication or the weekly e-newsletter, contact Jeanie Senior, Diocesan Communications Coordinator at evangelist@gorge.net


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Prayer for the Search Process

A n attractive three page pamphlet welcoming participants to Convention 2007 was produced and distributed by The Saints Alive Spirituality Team.  Included in the pamphlet is a prayer written by Saints Alive at the request of Diocesan Council.   The prayer is for the Diocese of Eastern Oregon as we begin the processes leading up to the calling of the Seventh Bishop of Eastern Oregon.  It is asked that the prayer be included weekly in the worship services and celebrations of every parish in the Diocese, as well as in individual prayers.

You will find a copy of the prayer here.

The process for the election of a Bishop was outlined at Convention by The Rev. Ann Hallisey who is a member of the team of Search Consultants who assist Dioceses with search processes.  Search Consultants work through the Office of Pastoral Development.  The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Eastern Oregon has been in contact with The Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews of the Office of Pastoral Development and are beginning to design the processes that the Search in Eastern Oregon will entail.  Details of the Search Process will be published in this space, in the e-newsletter, and in the Oregon Trail Evangelist as they become available.


Diocesan Council Resolution
November 18, 2007

Diocesan Council resolves that we dedicate 2008 to preparing ourselves and the Diocese of Eastern Oregon for the search four our next bishop; and that we celebrate our 100 years and begin our next 100 years by ending 2008 with a call to elect a new bishop for the Diocese of Eastern Oregon.


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EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT

    NETWORK NEWS

May 13, 2008

Episcopal Relief and Development Responds to Major Earthquake in China

Casualties from the massive 7.9 earthquake that struck central China yesterday have increased to at least 12,000 people, with more than 18,000 believed to be trapped in rubble. In some areas 80 percent of all buildings have collapsed and officials estimate that 3.5 million homes have been destroyed.


Heavy rainfall, power outages and impassable roads are slowing the rescue work. Doctors and other emergency workers were forced to walk to the epicenter, which they eventually reached 24 hours after the quake. Military officials have deployed approximately 50,000 troops to assist local emergency services. Trains carrying relief aid have begun to make their way to the affected areas, carrying more than 50,000 tents, fuel and numerous other relief materials.

Episcopal Relief and Development’s partner in China, the Amity Foundation, an independent Chinese Christian voluntary organization, is responding to the quake. Amity has deployed staff to the affected region and is coordinating their response with local partners. With Episcopal Relief and Development’s support, Amity is distributing rice, bedding and sheltering material to alleviate the suffering of 8,000 families in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Sha’anxi.

"As we continue to learn more about the level of destruction following the earthquake, our partner, the Amity Foundation will continue to meet the emerging needs of the affected population," says Nagulan Nesiah, Program Associate for Asia at Episcopal Relief and Development. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this disaster, particularly with the families of the many thousands who are missing," Nesiah continued.

To help people affected by the earthquake in China, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development’s “Emergency Relief Fund” online at www.er-d.org , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development “Emergency Relief Fund” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058

Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An independent 501(c) (3) organization, ERD saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. ERD's programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We provide emergency assistance in times of crisis and rebuild after disasters. We enable people to climb out of poverty by offering long-term solutions in the areas of food security and health care, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
 


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