Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council is the body of lay and clergy members of the diocese authorized by the canons of the diocese to “administer the missionary, educational, and social service work of the Church” in the Episcopal Church of Western Oregon. Diocesan Council is split up into three teams: Mission, Ministry, and Management. The Diocesan Council oversees the creation of a budget each year to carry out the ministry and mission of the diocese. The council also follows through on resolutions that are passed at the Annual Meeting of the Convention and supports the work of working groups. Terms are based on the annual convention of the diocese each year.
Membership of the Diocesan Council is comprised of the bishop, the missioner for thriving congregations, lay and clergy representatives elected by all convocations of the diocese to serve a two-year term, and lay and clergy members elected by convention to serve a three-year term.
The Diocesan Council meetings are once a quarter on Saturdays. Two of the meetings are in person with the rest of the All Governing Bodies and two of the meetings take place on Zoom.
Upcoming Meetings
members of the council
Staff Members:
The Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama, Bishop
The Rev. Christopher Craun, Missioner for Thriving Congregations
Christopher Buresch, Advisor for Finance and Property
Term Ending 2023:
The Rev. Ryan Baker-Fones (St. Mary, Eugene)
Megan Brazo-Erickson (Trinity Cathedral, Portland)
Ann Frazier (St. Francis of Assisi, Wilsonville)
The Rev. Diane Higgins (Calvary, Seaside)
Term Ending 2024:
The Rev. Sara Cosca-Warfield (St. Luke the Physician, Gresham)
Matt Irvin (St. Matthew, Eugene)
The Rev. Allan Miles, Deacon (St. Martin, Shady Cove)
Nancylee Stewart (Emmanuel, Coos Bay)
Term Ending 2025:
The Rev. George Lufkin (St. Albans & St. Catherine, Manzanita)
The Rev. Jackee Martinez, Deacon (St. John the Divine, Springfield)
Linda O’Hara (St. Barnabas, McMinnville)
Tim Shields (St. Michael & All Angels, Portland)
Convocation Representatives:
Gwen Best (Holy Spirit, Sutherlin) – Southern
The Rev. Shawn Dickerson (St. Paul, Oregon City) – Metro-East
The Rev. Gail Duba (St. George, Roseburg) – Southern
Beth Ferguson (Trinity Cathedral, Portland) – Columbia
Marty Gault (St. Alban, Albany) – Central
The Rev. Doug Hale (St. John, Bandon) – South Coast
Sr. Amy Linder (Emmanuel, Coos Bay) – South Coast
Mary Macy (Prince of Peace, Salem) – Willamette
Sonja Miller (All Saints, Portland) – Metro-East
The Rev. Robert Morrison (St. Alban, Albany) – Central
The Rev. Carren Sheldon (Grace, Astoria) – Columbia
The Rev. Bonnie Stewart (St. Barnabas, Portland) – Sunset