Anniversary Weekend in Portland, 3/24-25

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Steven Marshall, pastor of the Queen of Heaven Gnostic Church, the Portland parish of the Ecclesia Gnostica. Many of you will know him as the author of the many homilies on the Gnosistic Society's Gnosis.org website.

This year marks another landmark anniversary as this April marks the 40th anniversary of the consecration of Most Rev. Stephan Hoeller, presiding bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.

The dedication required to do this work is laudable in itself, but the dedication to continue this work for decades is hard to imagine. Going through the long and difficult work to become a priest, and then really just beginning. Holding liturgical services when only a few may attend, and doing so year after year. Working with all kinds of people with all kinds of expectations about what Gnosticism, a church, or a priest should be. Being there for people mostly through difficult times, presiding at more funerals than weddings. Seeing many more people start the formation process to become clergy than finish it. Going on after the inevitable conflicts, through the inevitable cycles. Continuing when there is little support, and rising to the greater demands that come with a larger congregation. So that you can be there for those who may benefit from your service. This is not an easy path, and bears little if any resemblance to what people expect it to be. And, it is not a paid job, not a source of income, it costs and you have to do other things to pay for it.

Join the celebration in Portland if you are able. Anniversary Weekend will be held on March 24th and 25th in Portland. Dr. Stephan Hoeller, in town for the celebration, will give a lecture Saturday on the Gospel of Judas. This will be followed by a buffet dinner at a Thai restaurant. On Sunday morning, Bishop Hoeller will celebrate the Eucharist service.

Please, send your donation towards an anniversary gift, as a token of appreciation for such service, to:

S. Poe
QOHGC Secretary
P. O. Box 418,
Gladstone, OR 97027

Make Checks payable to “Queen of Heaven Gnostic Church.”