When the U-Haul leaves Hood River on Aug. 31, it will take Rev. Anna Carmichael with it.
Carmichael, who has served as pastor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for the past six years, begins a new position with the Diocese of San Joaquin in California on Sept. 6: Canon to the Ordinary.
“So the word ‘Ordinary’ in church language means bishop,” she explained, “so I’m the bishop’s right hand.”
As part of the diocesan staff, she will make visits with Bishop David Rice to its various parishes, as well as offer support to clergy and assist deacons with outreach.
Carmichael’s last day as St. Mark’s priest will be this Sunday, Aug. 28.
The Diocese of San Joaquin is a large one, she said, with Fresno the site of its cathedral and Modesto its office headquarters.
Carmichael let St. Mark’s parishioners know about her new church role in July, “so we’ve had a month together to process this transition and work with our bishop in calling a new priest,” she said. The search process is still underway, but she expects Episcopalian clergy to offer support and leadership during the process.
“We will gather on Sunday just like we do every Sunday, and there will be a special part of the liturgy for the termination of the pastoral relationship,” she said. “They will give me my blessing — the congregation will bless me for the new part of my ministry.”
Carmichael will also be leaving her position as chair of the Hood River Warming Shelter board. She was part of the original group of Gorge-area ministers who initiated the creation of the shelter six years ago.
“I’ve stayed with the program every season it’s been open, and have served as chair the last two seasons,” she said. She and the board have been working towards the program’s long-term sustainability, with plans to become its own 501c3 nonprofit.
Two women will be stepping into Carmichael’s shoes as co-chairs: Carole Dearholt and Jan Miller.
“They’re going to take over starting this week, and I’m really excited to hand over the shelter,” Carmichael said. “I think they’ll be able to lead the program into the new phase of work in the community. I feel confident in that.”
One new phase will be a future capital campaign “to do permanent, supported housing for our unhoused neighbors,” she said.
She’s also worked closely with the Emergency Voucher Program, which is run out of St. Mark’s under the Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM) umbrella. Rev. David King, pastor of Spirit of Grace (formerly Asbury Our Redeemer Partnership), serves as administrative chair, and Nealya Cargill will be the new volunteer coordinator.
The program will still be hosted at St. Marks, Carmichael said, since “it’s a logical place for it, in terms of proximity to the hospital.”
Carmichael was offered her new position after a nationwide search. She met Bishop Rice last summer at General Convention.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for Bishop David,” she said. “It’s the right timing, and I’ve always hoped to work with him since I met him.”
The position will “take my ministry to a more national kind of level as opposed to the local parish level,” she said, as she will be serving the wider church.
“Being involved in the community and being at St. Mark’s has been my greatest joy, and has more than prepared me for the work of the Canon in San Joaquin,” she said. “I couldn’t be there without having been here first, and I’m incredibly grateful for this experience.”
And she encourages the Hood River community at large to “watch out” for St. Mark’s during this interim time.
“St. Mark’s is in one of the healthiest positions it’s been in in a long time, and it matters they are here, it matters that St. Mark’s is part of the Hood River community,” she said. “I would encourage everyone in Hood River to keep an eye on St. Mark’s.
“If they’re hosting a fundraising dinner or an outreach program like Free Clothes for Kids, the people of St. Mark’s are committed to making Hood River a wonderful place for everyone — and especially for those who fall through the cracks. Keep an eye on them and love them as much as they love Hood River.”
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