St. Gabriel is excited to have the Episcopal Bishop of Oregon, The Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama, visit our parish for the first time since she was consecrated on January 30, 2021 at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.
Get to know our bishop!
Bishop Akiyama was born in Wheeler, Oregon and grew up in a Japanese American community in Hood River. Bishop Akiyama was the first Japanese American woman ordained to the priesthood in The
Episcopal Church in 1989 by the Rt. Rev. Rustin Kimsey, Diocese of Eastern Oregon. She holds a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Ethics from the University of Southern California (2001), a M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley (1988), and a B.S. from the University of Oregon (1981). Before returning to Oregon to serve as our 11th bishop, she served as the Vicar at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Kapaau, Hawai’i and as Dean at Waiolaihui’ia School of Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai’i.
Bishop Akiyama’s passion for living into the charisms of preaching, teaching, and the sacerdotal work of the priesthood continues to form her as a spiritual leader. Speaking the truth in love expressed through authenticity, trustworthiness, compassion and clarity of vision are the hallmarks of her spiritual leadership. “I am energized when my leadership helps communities to shift assumptions, restore expectations, and imagine a new way forward. Listening with empathy, courage and openness allows me to walk with individuals and communities to connect their deepest yearnings with God’s call,” Bishop Akiyama stated.
Her gifts as a spiritual leader find their fullest expression in work centered on discerning how God is calling each of us to participate in the Beloved Community. She is continually awed by the Holy Spirit’s activity in and through each of us and will continue this work in the various opportunities to walk with the people of the Diocese of Oregon.
Donate to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund
In honor of her visit and important work, please consider a gift to The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. “The funds are used to assist those studying for ordained ministry and aid clergy families in a difficult financial situation”. Checks may be made out to St Gabriel’s with the notation: “Bishop’s Discretionary Fund.”
We Need Ushers & Acolytes for the 10:00 am Service
We are looking for 2 ushers and acolytes to serve for the 10:00 am service on Sunday, February 20th with the bishop. You can contact Canon Linda or the church office if you can help.
We Will be Celebrating a Baptism!
We are looking forward to witnessing the bishop baptize a 2-year-old from our congregation at the Sunday, February
20th 10:00 am service. Church school students will be brought into the sanctuary from the classrooms to be witnesses, although they will be watching and waving their baptism wands from a safe distance away rather than be crowded around the baptismal font due to Covid guidelines.
Pick Up a Baptismal Wand to Wave Over Zoom
If you will be attending the February 20th 10:00 am service at home via Zoom rather than attending in-person, pick up a baptismal wand at church this Sunday Feb. 13th or outside on the bench by the church entrance anytime next week. Wave it at the screen along with the congregation when Clara is baptized!
Biography and images from the Diocese of Oregon website, wand image from cdn.diys.com
