Mission Church

The Vicar

While the bishop is the chief priest and pastor of all the congregations of a diocese, in each congregation a priest (technically, a presbyter, meaning "elder" in Greek) assists the bishop in the care of the souls in that community. 

In a mission church like St. Bede's (one that does not pay all of the costs associated with a priest), the priest appointed by the bishop is called the vicar (meaning to serve vicariously -- in the bishop's stead).  Once a congregation becomes able to support a priest on its own, it is then made a parish, and its priest is known as a rector.  

The Rev. Julie H. Smith arrived in Feb., 2008 as vicar of St. Bede's, having previously served as associate rector of the Parish of St. John the Baptist in Portland, OR and vicar at St. Barnabas Church, Mt. Shasta, CA before that.

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Icon of Jesus, Mt. Sinai, 6th century