Valerie Ann Ivey

As the hymn comes to an end, a stirring ripples through the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and people turn to face the center aisle. There is rapt attention as Deacon Val Ivey begins reading the appointed gospel. In a unique way, her voice highlights the deeper spiritual meanings within the text.

These moments of inspiration gain practical footing and lives actually change as Val engages in daily ministry as a deacon, offering spiritual counseling, healing prayer, and consolation for those who grieve as well as affirmations for new beginnings and joyful celebrations of life’s blessings. The diaconate is the icon of Christ's servant ministry, and thus it is focused primarily to serve those who are marginalized. It is described as a "bridge ministry," bringing the needs of the world to the attention of the church and spreading the good news of the gospel message to those living in the world. Val was the first woman clergy assigned to Trinity in 1992, following her ordination as a deacon. Bishop Ladehoff told her, "I want you to be a feminine presence in worship services and be the forerunner of many more women clergy at Trinity Cathedral." Val was the first woman to preach from the high pulpit, blazing the trail for six women clergy who have since been invited to serve on the Trinity staff.

Much of the power of Val's work comes from her ability to lead by example. Her understanding of serving one another comes from her experience as a mother and the willing sacrifices and great joys involved in that role. She, herself, is not removed from life's disappointments: "In difficult times I feel like God has to use a sharp plow to break up places where I've hardened myself, and soften me so I'm good soil to nurture new growth."

God's call encouraging Val to diaconal ministry came on a dark wintry road as she drove home very late from the bedside of a dying hospice patient. Val was among many who worked together to bring the hospice ideals to Oregon. She had worked since 1957 as a clinical social worker at teaching hospitals in London and Philadelphia. In that practice, Val noted how the increasing complexity of medical technology isolated terminal patients from the closeness of family and friends. For two years she was President of the Oregon Hospice Association. She was one of the first to counsel those diagnosed with AIDS in western Washington County. Her home became a sanctuary where surviving hospice pets could live out their lives. Val retired after ten years from Legacy Cancer Rehabilitation Center where she had specialized with patients diagnosed with brain tumors.

Looking back at her life, Val believes the things she did that might have had a lasting effect were accomplished during her many volunteer activities. In 1969 she arrived in Oregon with her husband and two young children from Philadelphia; a journey made in a loaded-to-the-top station wagon. In Pennsylvania, she had been working with a government team in the Johnson administration, researching the possibility of widening the Head Start Program to include first- through third-grade students. Later, in Oregon, she volunteered with the Washington County Head Start Program where she stressed the importance of cultural integration for all participants. She noted how immigrants became less intimidated when they saw that even American families faced difficulties. And, in turn, established families developed a more respectful understanding of the challenges that immigrants overcame. Val also advocated that elementary children with learning disabilities be included in regular classrooms in the Beaverton School District. Throughout these volunteer activities, Val helped change the trajectories of many children's lives.

Leaving England in 1960 to study at Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia, under the Fulbright Exchange Program, Val was the only one in her family to come to America and the first in her family to attend university, studying both at Bedford College for Women and the London School of Economics. She is thankful for the 1944 British Education Act, which made this possible. In 1982 she received a Masters in Social Work from Portland State University.

Born the only child of William and Winnifred Pow, Val's childhood occurred during World War II. An early memory of grounding herself in the presence of God came in a bombing raid during the London blitz. Her mother had put her to bed, for safety, in a closet securely built under the stairwell of her home. "But what if our house is bombed and you get hurt, Mummy -- who will know where I am?" she cried. Her mother reassured her, "God always knows where you are!"

An essential theme running through all of Val's life is an enduring sense of God's presence. Asked what this means to her, Val answered, "In the scriptural story, the Samaritan woman at the well puts her faith in Jesus because 'He knew everything about me and about my life.' God knows me." Val continued, "In my deepest and my darkest moments, God still loves me." How fortunate we are that Val has, in turn, poured her sense of God's profound, unconditional love into so many other lives and institutions during her stay with us. This is the essence of the "good news" Val has promised to proclaim as a deacon. As her mother said so long ago: God knows and loves us where we are -- we are never really alone.

Honoring Acknowledgement: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral honors Valerie Ivey for her nineteen years of dedicated ministry to our community. Written by: Elaine Stewart