Diocesan Announcement: Retirement of the Rev. Canon Neysa Ellgren Shepley, Canon to the Ordinary
August 2, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
I’m writing to share that I’ll be retiring at the end of this year from my position as Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Oregon. It has been an incredible honor to serve in this way these past eleven years; working with so many of you on so many congregational and diocesan projects. Together we have grown our beloved community for God, and it has been an amazing and faith-filled experience. I find God calling me now to attend more to my family priorities and to take part in some new adventures. And, while I am sad to be saying goodbye to this position, I am also very heartened by the talent, energy, and commitment of Bishop Akiyama, our staff, and our Governing Bodies to faithfully continue this work with you to imagine, plan, develop and sustain ministries in the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon. Over the rest of this year, I’ll be working with the Bishop to implement a transition plan.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
Canon Neysa
Pastoral, thoughtful, creative, and a “do-er” – these are a few of the adjectives that spring to mind when I think about Canon Neysa. There are many more wonderful qualities that she possesses and that I will miss very much. It was during our very first conversation that she shared with me her intention to retire on the occasion of her birthday in July. Thankfully, she allowed me to convince her to extend the date of her retirement because I could already tell it would take some time to make the transition given all that she does for the diocese. I am extremely grateful for all that she has given to the diocese; we are stronger for the gifts of her ministry. It is reassuring to know that Neysa will remain in the diocese, and, I hope, after her well-deserved break, she will continue to be a resource for us.
We will have an opportunity to properly thank her but, in the meantime, please join me in wishing her all the best as she prepares for this next chapter.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Diana