Our Diocesan Staff is based out of the Diocesan Office located at 11800 S. Military Lane, Portland, OR 97219. It is located off of Rte 43 between Portland and Lake Oswego on the native lands of the Confederate Tribes of Grand Ronde. We also have a second office location in Coos Bay, Oregon, located at 420 Highland Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420, which will be the office for the staff and Bishop when they are traveling to the rural parts of our diocese.
Please find our staff listing below, or feel free to contact us here.
The Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama
Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon
bishopakiyama@diocese-oregon.org
The Rt. Rev. Diana 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, ordained 1988 in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon. The Rt. Rev. Akiyama was ordained and consecrated as bishop on January 30, 2021 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland.
Learn more about Bishop Akiyama here.
Beto Arciniega
Missioner for Emerging Communities
Misionero para Comunidades Emergentes
503-310-6006
email: betoa@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Beto if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Spanish-language liturgical resources
- Escuela para Ministerios
- Plaza Communitaria Encuentro
- Latino Working Group
Chris Buresch
Advisor for Finance and Property
971-204-4115
email: christopherb@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Chris if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Accounting for diocesan programs, payroll, and investments
- Financial statements and information for the diocese and its properties
- Diocesan and program budgets
Chris Craun
Missioner for Thriving Congregations
971-204-4116
email: chrisc@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Chris if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Priests and congregations in transition
- Resources for congregational development and vitality
- Thriving Leaders - new clergy
Tracy Esguerra
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
971-204-4103
email: tracye@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Tracy if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Bishop Visitations
- Scheduling appointments with Bishop Akiyama
- Information regarding the Board of Trustees
- Background checks for employees & volunteers
- Diocesan Convention
- Updates to the clergy records
- Record maintenance of congregational lay leaders
Ernestein Flemister
Missioner for Racial Reconciliation
email: ernesteinf@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Ernestein if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Engaging Racial Justice Working Group
- Racial Reconciliation resources and materials
Alli Gannett
Director of Communications
971-204-4108
email: allisong@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Alli if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Congregational communications plans and tools, basic IT support
- Telling stories and publicizing events
- The diocesan website and social media
- The diocesan Digest weekly newsletter
- Making changes to the diocesan Directory
Tamara Knowles
Administrative Assistant
971-204-4101
email: tamarak@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Tamara if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Scheduling meetings with the Missioner for Thriving Congregations and Missioner for Lifelong Formation
-
Safe Church, Safe Communities
- Background checks
Eva Mendiola
Payroll & Accounts Payable Administrator
971-204-4105
email: evam@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Eva if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Payroll
- Employee benefits, including insurance and retirement
- Accounts Payable
Derek Moyer
Missioner for Lifelong Formation
971-204-4124
email: derekm@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Derek if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Christian and Leadership Formation resources (children - adult)
- The Academy for Formation and Ministry
- Vestry/BAC & Finance Workshops
- Safe Church
Meron Yimesgen
Accountant
971-204-4120
email: merony@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Meron if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Account Receivable
- Parochial reports and DPA assessments
- Diocesan Investment Funds & Stock donations
- Property & Liability Insurance
The Rt. Rev. Brian Prior
Adviser to the Bishop on Redevelopment
Bishop Prior provides support and guidance for parishes and missions interested in exploring innovative ways to redevelop their campuses.
His expertise is available as assigned by the Bishop.
For questions related to church redevelopment, contact Bishop Akiyama.
Carol Sedlacek
Interim Missioner for Special Projects
email: carols@diocese-oregon.org
Contact Carol if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Camp & Retreat Ministries
- Clergy Events
- Special Projects
Richard Van Orman
Diocesan Historian
email: richardvanorman@centurylink.net
Contact Richard if you have questions or need assistance with any of the following:
- Donations of historical materials regarding the Diocese of Oregon
- Donations of historical materials regarding Elk Rock Garden