Posts by Maria McDowell
New (to us) Sanctuary Chairs!
This last week St. Philip picked up over one hundred solid maple chairs from Multnomah County Libraries. Rebecca, Thomas (her son), Tony, Aimee, and Rev. Maria loaded the chairs, a lovely meeting table, a whiteboard, and few other office items into one uHaul, a minivan, and a small pickup truck. Meanwhile, Bernadine swung a drill and took apart the plywood desk in the office, and Janet helped sort all our hymn books and BCP into neat piles. Over the course…
Financial Pledge Update
Pledges are up by 65% for 2023! This is incredibly good news, and we thank you for your generosity. As we commenced discussing our future, one financial fact stood out: in order to stay open and have full-time clergy and a small paid staff, St. Philip needs to raise at least $200K a year. We delayed our pledges for 2023 so that we could have an honest conversation about our financial future. St. Philip has liquid assets, that is, money…
Build, Share, and Shelter Love
What can I do to joyfully build, share, and shelter love at St. Philip? We need to decide who and how we want to love, and realize that may not reflect our historical membership. We need to be creative, be willing to do new things, and hand leadership over to those, if any, who want to take it in new directions.
Your Input Needed: What are our housing priorities?
What do you think is important in St Philip’s affordable housing project? Let us know by filling out this survey by Jan 13: http://bit.ly/jan23-housing-values.
Rector’s Note: Writing our Next Chapter
I am going to begin with a very difficult reality: the closing of St. Philip, in its current form, is virtually inevitable. The only thing that will change this is the development of a larger, actively engaged community living out God’s presence at the corner of NE Knott and Rodney, and the corresponding funds to support that community. Without both of these elements, we simply cannot continue long-term in any effective way.
Congregational Meeting Q & A (December 11th, 2022)
On December 11th, 2022 we held a congregation meeting (view the meeting on YouTube, and review the handout). Many questions were asked. Below are the questions as they were written down, followed by an initial set of answers.
Housing Update: A Potential New Path
In order to live into our decades long vision of building affordable housing at St. Philip, the Vestry has decided to explore additional opportunities that combine market rate and affordable housing, and explore affordable homeownership options.
Rector’s Note: Resting in the Lord
The vestry believes that it is time for St. Philip to consider resting in the Lord, to lay down this Parish, and together with God, let the Spirit do a new work on this small plot of land that has been our home.
We have been good and faithful servants, and the Spirit of this community is still with us, despite the aging of our bodies. Our mission for the future calls us to be willing to be transformed in ways we cannot yet see, and of which we may not be a part.
Please join us for two congregational meetings where we will discuss our future, and answer questions: December 11th and January 8th.
Rest Eternal: Myrtle Carr
On October 9th at 10am, at St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church (120 NE Knott St.), the Sunday Eucharist will be offered in memory of Myrtle Carr. A light repast will be held at St. Philip the Deacon after the service.
Rest Eternal: Gerald H. Caldwell
Gerald H. Caldwell August 17, 1940 – July 24, 2022 Rest Eternal Grant, O Lord, Gerald Caldwell. Gerry Caldwell passed away on July 24th, 2022 in the presence of his daughter Cathleen Caldwell. Funeral Service & Reception A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 17th, 10am at St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church (120 NE Knott St.). The committal service will be held on the same day at 1pm at Willamette National Cemetery. A reception will be held at St. Philip…
July 31st Sunday Prayer on ZOOM!
Due to the extreme heat warning for the Portland area, we will not be meeting in-person on Sunday June 27th. We will be on Zoom for Morning Prayer. We may have Slides for the service, so bring your Book of Common Prayer just in case! Here is the full Zoom information in case you need to call in:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81260746560?pwd=ako2b3hlaUFjZTV6REFpYzB0eWFlQT09 Meeting ID: 812 6074 6560 Passcode: 891830 Dial by your location +1 971 247 1195 US (Portland) +1 206 337 9723 US…
Rest Eternal: Arvoll Rae
Arvoll Rae July 29, 1926 – July 14, 2022 Rest Eternal Grant, O Lord, Arvoll Rae. Arvoll Rae passed away on July 14th, 2022 of pancreatic cancer. He died in San Diego at the home of his daughter Dr. Anita Walton, and was cared for by her family including husband Robert Walton, grandson Robert Jr, his wife Callie and Arvoll’s great-granddaughter Ziva. Arvoll’s son Randy Rae and wife Lora visited Arvoll in San Diego as well. He was 95 years…