I am delighted to be joining William Temple House as Chaplain and Coordinator of Spiritual Care. I come to William Temple House as a recent graduate in theology from Virginia Theological Seminary and recipient of a Masters in Divinity from George Fox Seminary. I interned as a chaplain at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. When I am not at WTH, I work part-time at St. Gabriel Episcopal Church in Portland as an ordained deacon and youth director. My past work was in business, in communications and social innovation.
My position at WTH is funded by a grant from the Episcopal Bishop of Oregon Foundation, reinforcing the historical ties between WTH and the Episcopal Church, which founded WTH in NW Portland in the 1960’s. However, these ties to the Church, and the fact that I am a clergy person, do not mean that the work of William Temple House is explicitly Christian, or even explicitly religious. It does reflect a conviction that spiritual concerns—that is, matters of hope, meaning, purpose, and connectedness–are often in the crosshairs amidst the challenges of day-to-day living. A broken spirit is a weak link in the chain of our well-being. If we commit that all who enter William Temple House are seen as unique and beloved individuals, and are supported in body, mind and spirit, we are helping support their healing, resourcefulness, and resiliency.
We are just beginning this journey together. I will be spending my first weeks at William Temple House listening to our staff, clients and partners, and learning about the good work being done here. I will keep you posted on the variety of ways we determine how to make room for the Spirit to play her role in strengthening that good work.
Many blessings,
Marianne