It is a time of transition within our Diocese, and we have a transition to announce in the Office of the Bishop.
The Office of the Bishop is pleased to announce The Rev Ivar Hillesland as Acting Canon for Congregational Development and Leadership Formation. In this half-time position, the Acting Canon will oversee congregational development, including The College for Congregational Development, and the coordination and deployment of diocesan consultants for MMRs and Vestry Retreats. Ivar will also coordinate congregational development grants and other relevant efforts as needed. He can be reached at ivarh@ecww.org.
Ivar has been working in our Diocese and beyond as a congregational and intercultural consultant, as well as teaching with the College for Congregational Development since 2015.
A graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, Yale Divinity School, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, he was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 2012 and continues to minister at Church of the Apostles (COTA), a joint Episcopal/Lutheran worshiping community in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. In the NW Washington Lutheran Synod, he also serves on the Synod Council, Personnel Committee, and Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity and is passionate about building the relationship between Lutherans and Episcopalians.
Raised in Pasco, WA, he now lives in the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle with his wife Targhee, three boys (Olyver, Odin, and Orion), and their adorable dog Matilda. He is also an avid musician who loves to lead and write music for the church (thereverbcollective.com).
Please join us in welcoming The Rev. Hillesland to his new role in the Diocese, and keep all those experiencing transition in your prayers.
