2022 Diocesan Convention

A Delegate’s Perspective and Summary

From Sydney Harrison, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Sisters, Oregon

The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon held the Convention in Pendleton at Church of the Redeemer and Blue Mountain Community College. As people who live and work in a land once occupied by Indigenous people, it is very important for us to acknowledge the history of those people. The focus of the Convention was Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery & Steps Toward Reconciliation.

As you may know, the Doctrine of Discovery is defined as “the idea that Christians enjoy the moral and legal right based solely on their religious identity to invade and seize Indigenous lands and to dominate Indigenous peoples.” This Doctrine lives on as the foundation for laws that justify the seizure of Indigenous lands and removal of the people who live there. At Convention a resolution was unanimously approved to repudiate this Doctrine and work toward a meaningful reconciliation and full inclusion of Indigenous people in the life, work, and leadership of the Church.

There were two outstanding guest speakers. Sarah Augustine, author of The Land is Not Empty, and Reverend Dr. Bradley S. Hauff, the Indigenous Missioner for the Episcopal Church, a member of the Presiding Bishop's staff. They are Indigenous people and they generously shared their stories with us. It was interesting, enlightening and heart breaking. 

Clearly there is much work to be done to achieve reconciliation and justice. The damage has been done over hundreds of years and as followers of Jesus we are committed to begin the healing and restoration process.

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