The Rev. Bernie Lindley, vicar of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Brookings received the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) Humanitarian Award Oct. 30 at EMO’s 50th anniversary gala for his continued work feeding the hungry and caring for the sick and dispossessed in Curry County. Father Bernie was one of several ministers and public servants honored that evening for their work throughout the state.
Father Bernie received his award along with Sister Cora Rose, deacon in the Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), who provides legal aid services alongside the outreach ministries at St. Timothy’s. The Episcopal Church in Western Oregon recently won a summary judgement against the City of Brookings, whose city council attempted to unlawfully restrict St. Timothy’s feeding ministries (read more here). Father Bernie was honored by EMO for his steadfast resistance against what he termed, “a municipality that thought they could tell a church what they could do with their ministry.”
Both Father Bernie and Sister Cora provide services that are otherwise not available in Curry County, which has no public health department and no other legal aid services. In her acceptance speech, Sister Rose stated, “Without those engaged in ministry, many don’t have anywhere else to turn.”
As she presented the award to Father Bernie, Bishop Akiyama said, “We are living in a time that aches for Christians to step forward and help those who are suffering. The world has always known the great need created by systems and leaders who neglect the vulnerable, which is why Jesus calls us to serve the needy. The church reflects Christ most fully when we obey that call and extend help to others.”
Congratulations to Father Bernie and Sister Cora!
Donations can be made to St. Timothy’s at paypal.me/sttimothyepiscopal, or donations can be sent directly to their office: St. Timothy, 401 Fir St., Brookings, OR 97415.
Paige and Bernie Lindley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici. Photo by Tony Brand courtesy of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Fr. Bernie with Bishop Akiyama. Photo by Tony Brand courtesy of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Sister Cora Rose and Rev. Bernie Lindley. Photo by Tony Brand courtesy of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Sister Cora Rose with ELCA Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar. Photo by Tony Brand courtesy of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.