The Appreciative Inquiry Training which took place on July 18 and 19 drew ninety folks, lay and ordained, from all over the diocese. This is truly a blessing. Some of the individuals who attended will be facilitators for Appreciative Inquiry sessions at upcoming convocation meetings. We’ll also be working with Appreciative Inquiry at convention. If you were unable to attend the July session we hope you will have other opportunities to experience Appreciative Inquiry in your congregations, at Convocation meetings, and/or at Convention.

The Standing Committee has moved to consolidate and integrate the positions of Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer. Please join us in thanking Canon Lanny Collins and the Rev. LeRoy Hammon for their invaluable assistance to the diocese by serving as Interim Comptroller and Interim Financial Officer these past four months. A sub-committee of The Board of Trustees is developing a job description that encompasses the CFO and comptroller duties. After the position description is complete, we will begin a search for an individual to fill this position which we anticipate will take a couple of months. The description will be posted on the web site.

Holy Family Episcopal Fellowship on August 24th at 4:30 PM holds a special celebratory picnic and service at Creator Lutheran Church. The three families who currently make up the Fellowship are entering a new phase of corporate ministry by working with Creator Lutheran as they continue to discern what God might be calling them to be and do in Happy Valley. We commend them for their dedication and faithfulness to the discernment process. The Rt. Rev. Sandy Hampton will celebrate Eucharist with the families of Holy Family, clergy, members of Creator Lutheran and other well-wishers Maureen Hagen. Please join them in their celebration of ministry past and to come. Creator Lutheran Church is located at 13250 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas.

Planning for the Search and Transition continues. A budget for this process has been approved by the Board of Trustees in the amount of $164,500. The protocol for the search, rules of election and “A Call to Ministry” will be discussed at upcoming Convocation meetings and will be widely publicized.

The Standing Committee is pleased to announce that The Rev. Kurt Levensaler has been appointed to the Legacy Community Benefits and Government Relations Committee and. Kathy Araujo of Christ Church has been appointed as the Diocesan EFM Coordinator.

Please continue to keep Bishop Itty and his family, the governing bodies of the diocese and our diocese in your prayers.