Passions & Projects
St. Mary the Prophet Street Church-in-the-Making
Based on the promises of the Magnificat, St. Mary the Prophet is a new initiative of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon where I get to be a street chaplain and figure out what east Portland’s most vulnerable residents long for in the way of community gathering. You can find us at stmarytheprophet.org or on Instagram @stmarytheprophet.
The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Parish Ministry
Most recently I served as a parish priest at Saints Peter & Paul Episcopal Church in Portland, Oregon. Until its closure in December, 2023, Saints Peter and Paul was a small but mighty congregation with a deep history of serving the poor and advocating for the voiceless on Portland’s East side. Prior to coming to Saints Peter & Paul I’ve served economically and politically diverse parishes in Portland and Seattle since 2003, always seeking to help communities step out of their comfort zones in order to grow toward the margins. As part of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon’s consultants’ network, I’m available to help faith communities navigate strategic planning, mutual ministry reviews, and clergy transitions.
Schemer & Dreamer
The Holy Spirit often hovers just outside the box, and that’s where I tend to look when thinking about hope and possibility. I’d love to be your conversation partner as you think through your grand vision or design a new program or project. The world needs our big ideas; let’s talk about how to make them happen.
Wordsmith
In the beginning was the Word. And then there were more words. And more. Are you working on a sermon, grant proposal, blog post, or political rant? Bring me your words. I can be your first reader and give you honest and constructive feedback and structural help that will help you move to your next step. Or I can give your offering a last once-over. Or something in between. Because, as Winnie-the-Pooh once said, “It’s friendlier with two.”
Sacrament-Lover
Sacraments are what some define as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” Baptism, penance, weddings, house blessings, celebration of life, burial. We live in an imperfect world; life (and death) happens. If you don’t have a place to play and pray with like-minded folk who will stand with you during life’s particularly holy and challenging moments, I know some people. If you need a priest and don’t know where to turn, look me up.