Saturday December 3rd I was at St Mark’s Cathedral for the Celebration of the the Life of the Rev. Dr. Peter Strimer. And what an event it was. Peter was an amazing person and a remarkable priest.
The event was a true celebration of his life. Pete had a huge impact on me. He was on the Cathedral staff when I first started worshipping at St Mark’s. His ministry of justice and joy was a combination that I was not used to. It was an honor on Saturday to be with so many long time friends and partners in ministry touched by Pete’s life and work. Please keep Pete’s wife El and their families in your prayers.
On Monday our own Bishop Nedi Rivera gathered some of us for lunch and conversation. What a joy that was.
Tuesday was a day of remarkable one on ones. A great conversation with the Rev. Jackee Martinez, a deacon in the Diocese of Oregon, about the Union of Black Episcopalians. Lunch with the Rev. Eliacin Rosario Cruz to catch up with what he is doing. An unexpected one on one talk with the Rev. Jesus Reyes about community development.
On Wednesday I was a part of three wonderful gatherings. The first was the December Children & Families Gathering. I’m thankful to Valerie Reinke for the invitation to the event. It was great to see so many new friends and co-workers.
The Full Circle meeting took place in the afternoon. It was an honor to have our Bishop Provisional, the Very Rev. Melissa Skelton join us. It was a got to know each other gathering in which we share the joys and challenges of multicultural ministries.
In the evening I met with leaders from St John South Sudanese and St Matthew San Mateo congregations. We talked about the possibility of sharing space and had an open and very positive conversation about the possibilities and challenges of that undertaking.
Thursday I had coffee with the Rev. Terry Kyllo.
We talked about a wide range of the topics. One of the topics that grabbed me was the work that Terry has done and continues to do around allyship with communities of color. It is my intent to work with Rev. Kyllo for the development of our Allies Circle as we look for take the next step forward.
Later on Thursday I met with the Rev. Chris McNabb at my office. Chris is a priest who is new to our diocese and has a desire to work in a multicultural setting.
Toward the end of the day I met with our new Program Coordinator, Adrienne Elliott. We began our work of figuring out how we will work together. I am delighted to have her on staff.
Friday I was in Everett to meet with the Rev. Jerry Shigaki and the Rev. Rachel Taber Hamilton. I’ve asked them to help me think more strategically about my work as Canon. I’m thankful for their collaboration, guidance and insight.