And I am mindful that independence at its best is an invitation to a healthy interdependence in our relationships — personally, communally, and globally.

May we use our freedom to foster a future grounded in mutual respect and compassion for all as a formula to increase hope and expand life-giving possibilities at home and abroad. As we prayed in our collect, ” . . . grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace.”

This blog was originally published on Saturday, June 18, on Bishop Waggoner’s Facebook page.

In years past I have spoken of the scope of our diocese in terms like, “from Oroville to Walla Walla” – the northwest to the southeast. We do cover some territory geographically.

But more to the point today, we are covering a broad range of territory in what is happening in life and ministry, within and among us as people of faith in a Diocese.

At 11 a.m. this morning, the community of Trinity, Oroville will gather to celebrate the life of Roberta Campbell, recently deceased spouse of the Rev. Bob Campbell and sister of priest Marilyn Wilder. The Rev. Margaret Fisher of St. John’s, Cathedral will preside. Members of the Diocese will gather in a spirit of both celebration and loss. We are here for each other.

Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the community in and around St. Paul’s, Walla Walla will gather at St. Paul’s for the ordination of Patsy “Pat” Jones to be a Deacon in Christ’s holy catholic Church. I will be there to preside and preach. It will be a time of sober commitment and festive celebration as we come together to affirm Pat’s gifts to carry out a diaconal, servanthood ministry as both example and enabler to others. We are here for each other.

Also today, members of St. John’s Cathedral are receiving a letter informing them that the Rev. Margaret Fisher has accepted a call to be Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew’s, Spokane. There is an emerging joy over new possibilities in a fertile field with people of lively faith ready to respond to God’s ongoing call with Margaret as priest and partner. Concurrently there is both deep gratitude for Margaret’s ministry at St. John’s and an already being felt sense of loss. The time to celebrate and say good-bye is here.

In this season of Pentecost the Spirit is surely at work calling us into and beyond transitions: from death to life; from where we are to where we are going. It is both painful and joyful, covering a broad span of life and ministry. We remember in our prayers those who mourn and those who rejoice. For it is what we do on a Saturday in June on a day in the life of a Diocese.

+Jim