AED Board - 2022 Election
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Lay Candidate
Terri Hoffmann
Diocese: Oregon Present Employment: Retired Current Ministries: Adult formation, flowers/gardens, choir, teaching for diocesan AFM Current Church Assignment: St. Francis of Assisi, Wilsonville OR Previous Positions: Educator, economist, negotiator Education: MA Economics, BA Social Sciences Prior Board Experience: COM, Diocesan Convention Committee, Search and Transition Committees, Oregon Master Gardeners Assoc. Skill sets: Non-profit experience, advocacy, development Question #1
How do you envision contributing to the AED Board? What are your special talents and gifts? I am an Episcopalian called to lay leadership, using spiritual gifts of teaching, mercy and knowing. I have served three terms on Commission on Ministry, two on the committee serving the ordained and one on the committee serving the baptized, chairing both. I teach spiritual practice for our diocesan Academy for Formation and Mission. I serve my parish as catechist and on our adult formation team. I have a deep commitment to baptismal ministry, which is expanded and strengthened by strong deacons. I am an advocate for sufficient funding for and meaningful formation of deacons, and also for their wellbeing and support as deacons. As an economist, I appreciate and contribute to strong arguments, stewardship development, and inclusive engagement. I have had success in fundraising, conference planning and facilitation, chaired the committee for Resolutions on Policy. Question #2 What is your vision for the future of the Association for Episcopal Deacons? My vision would include expansion of AED membership among working deacons and those who value them. I would advocate for inclusion of deacons who choose it in the Church Pension Fund, and for affirmation and support of deacons’ ministries as they are called to serve the church and the world. I would advocate for continuing formation of deacons, community for deacons, and spiritual practices that feed their souls. I would also advocate for formational education in parishes and dioceses that promotes the discernment and empowerment roles of deacons. I would like clergy to better understand this function and for the people of the church to learn and embrace it. First steps should include strong working and leadership relationships between the representative organizations for deacons, finding common mission and sharing clear and nimble policies, services, and programs to make membership as attractive as it can be. Ideally, organizations serving deacons and diakonia should identify as collaborators under a recognizable umbrella. I would also hope to share in and witness to continuing formation for deacons, especially in their prophetic roles and their self-care. As an educator in spiritual practice, I have been disappointed with expectations of roles focused primarily on worship or in service to the other clergy. How much more effectively we can serve the world if deacons recognize and nurture the gifts of all the people, affirming those gifts and matching them to needs around us to serve the world as well as we can. The prophetic voice of deacons is central to the spread of the Kingdom and a gift to the people in the pews. |