The Commission on Ministry serves as counsel to the Bishop and works at times with the Standing Committee of the diocese, which has certain canonical responsibilities regarding ordination. This commission is comprised of two committees: the Committee for Ordained Ministry Development and the Committee for Baptismal Ministry Development. A member of each committee serves as a liaison to the other and the whole Commission meets together from time to time. The COM is made up of lay and ordained members appointed at diocesan Convention.
Committee for ORDAINED MINISTRY Development (COM-O)
The Commission on Ministry - Committee for Ordained Ministry Development (COM-O) assists the Bishop in regards to those seeking ordained ministry. This committee assists congregations in the development of discernment resources and provides further discernment for a person once a call has been discerned at the congregational level.
When a call has been discerned at the diocesan level by the COM-O and the Bishop, the committee offers support and advice to those in the ordination process, interviews those in formation at various points in their process and makes recommendations to the Bishop. The Ordination Manual describes the steps and guidelines for those seeking ordination in detail.
The members of the Committee for Ordained Ministry Development are:
The Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama, Bishop
The Rev. Dcn. Maureen Hagen, Academy for Formation and Mission Liaison
Term ending 2021:
The Rev. Kurt Neilson (Legacy Good Samaritan, Dept. of Spiritual Care, Portland)
Terri Hoffman (St. Francis, Wilsonville)
The Rev. James Joiner (St. Michael & All Angels, Portland)
Barb Millikan (Trinity Cathedral, Portland)
Term ending 2022:
The Rev. Dcn. Kristina Burbank (St. James/Santiago, Lincoln City)
The Rev. Dcn. Allan Miles (St. Martin's, Shady Cove)
The Rev. Canon Raggs Ragan (Trinity Cathedral, Portland)
Bob Rose (St. Paul, Oregon City)
Term ending 2023:
The Rev. Jeanne Kaliszewski (Grace Memorial, Portland)
The Rev. Dcn. Linda Lee (St. Timothy's, Brookings)
The Rev. Roberto Maldonado (Santa Cruz/Holy Cross, Gresham)
Mary Stirling (St. Martin's, Shady Cove)
Committee for BAPTISMAL MINISTRY Development (COM-B)
At Baptism, Christians are given the gift and calling to Christian service. Discernment of particular baptismal ministries is a dynamic, life-long process. The Commission on Ministry – Committee for Baptismal Ministry Development (COM-B) develops discernment tools and pathways for all members of the Church discerning participation and leadership, including The Deacon's Resource for those in discernment for the diaconate in the Diocese of Oregon.
This committee works with teams and individuals at the congregational level to assist members in discerning and developing baptismal ministries of all kinds. We provide resources to those looking to learn about specific baptismal ministries. We also organize and promote diocesan-wide trainings, offering workshops in a variety of liturgical and spiritual ministries.
The members of the Committee on Baptismal Ministry Development are:
Term ending 2021:
The Rev. Steve Ellis (St. Paul's, Salem)
Michele Hogan (St. Luke's, Waldport)
Liz Klein (St. John the Baptist, Portland)
Marcia Newberry (St. Luke's, Waldport)
Term ending 2022:
The Rev. Andria Skornik (All Saints, Portland)
Rose Thomas (St. Mary's, Eugene)
Lianne Thompson (St. Catherine of Alexandria, Manzanita/Nehalem)
Term ending 2023:
The Rev. Bob Morrison (St. Alban's, Albany)
Susan Ladue (St. Mark's, Medford)
Gary De Rouse (St. James, Tigard)
Staff Liaison: The Rev. Canon Neysa Ellgren Shepley