Hospice chaplain ordained as priest

She says, "My call to ministry comes from hospice staff and patients, as well as the church. I love working with people at the end of life, and I feel very privileged to be able to help people make life's final journey."

The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon, The Rt. Reverend William O. Gregg, Ph.D., ordained Schiering. Bishop Paul Swanson of the Portland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America participated.

In his remarks to those attending, Bishop Gregg said: "This is a very unusual and wonderful ordination, because it's the first time in this diocese where both an Episcopal and Lutheran bishop have 'laid hands' to ordain a new priest."

The Episcopal ordination in a Lutheran church is made possible by an agreement between the two churches at a national level, known as "Called to Common Mission."

The agreement, passed in 1999, establishes full communion between the two churches, and allows them to recognize the validity of each other's baptisms and ordinations.

The ordination is also unusual because most priests feel called to serve in churches. Schiering on the other hand, feels called to serve "in the world" where she believes she can do the most good.

She explains: "It may sound strange, but I'm so inspired by people who are dying, who are still energized in life; who are able to handle terminal illness with such grace. Not all patients are like that of course. Some need more help than others with 'making peace.' But that's what my calling is about -- to help people with any fears or doubts they may have, and to help them answer their own questions about what it's like on the other side."

Schiering adds, "As a hospice chaplain, my job is to help people discover their own beliefs, and to be a spiritual guide. Many of the people who come to hospice have no formal religion, but they have spiritual beliefs, and they generally want to talk to someone who can be there for them in a non-threatening manner."

Deborah Whiting Jaques, Executive Director at Hospice of The Gorge, said, "Hospice is delighted for Jan's significant achievement. She supports the hospice team as well as Hospice patients and families. Our people benefit from Jan's strength and wisdom, just as our patients do."

For the last five years, Schiering also served as Deacon at Our Redeemer Lutheran church in Hood River. She said, "As a result of the 'Called to Common Mission' agreement, the two churches decided that we have more in common than differences, and that we would be better off if we worked together as partners in mission and outreach. I totally subscribe to that way of thinking, and am pleased to be associated with both of these churches ... and of course, with hospice."