Diocesan e-News - Jan. 30, 2018

JANUARY 30, 2018

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2018 Begins

Bishop Barry and the Rev. Ann Hallisey, along with three dozen pilgrims, have made it safely to Israel, and started their pilgrimage at the Sea of Galilee with a day of rest at Pilgerhaus, Tabgha, which is associated with Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and fishes. They are making day trips to Magdala, Peter's Boat, Mt. Tabor (site of the Transfiguation), Capernaum (and the ruins where the paralytic was lowered down to Jesus to be healed) and the site where the beatitudes were preached.

"A wonderful group with whom to walk the pilgrim way. What a privilege to witness their joy and wonder in these holy places!" wrote Bishop Barry on Sunday.

Over the weekend, they visited Bethlehem, and today they are scheduled to enter Jerusalem.

Please keep them in your prayers. More photos can be found here.

Northern California and Oregon pilgrims next to the Jordan River.

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Upcoming Events

On Friday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m., a celebration of the life of the Rev. W. Douglas Thompson will be held at Christ Church, Eureka. Clergy: white stoles.

On Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m., the Rev. David Gilman Rickert will be ordained as a priest at Trinity, Folsom. Your prayers and presence are requested; reception to follow. Clergy: red stoles.

On Friday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m., the celebration of new ministry for the Rev. Bradley Helmuth will be held at Holy Trinity, Nevada City. All are invited to attend this event. Clergy: white stoles.

On Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m., the celebration of new ministry for the Rev. Dr. Daniel London will be held at Christ Church, Eureka. Clergy: white stoles.

Safe Church Update

Changes are coming to Safe Church in the next few weeks. The diocese has been preparing to transition to the online services offered by the wider church and that site is almost ready.

"In the next couple of weeks, there will be more information about how to use our new online system," said the Rev. Anne Clarke, Lifelong Christian Formation Coordinator for the diocese. "The biggest change will be that each congregation will have its own administrator, who will help individuals in the congregation register to take the training or a background check. Someone from each congregation should have received an email this week with information about this; if you wish to change the administrator that we designated, or add another, please email me at [email protected] ."

In-person trainings are still available as well; please contact Rev. Anne if you would like to schedule one.

The Rev. Debra Warwick-Sabino, who created and hosted the online Safe Church training courses for many years, said, "It truly was an honor for me ... During that time many of you have shared some of personal stories of harassment or abuse. Many of you have called to talk about questions you had. I have enjoyed each and every online or phone or in person meeting that came about as a result of your taking the Safer Church online course. They were all sacred connections." Rev. Deb added that if anyone needs to complete the training before the new site is up and running, you can email her at [email protected]. She will email you the course and the quiz you need in order to receive the Certificate of Training.

Said Rev. Anne: "I want to thank the Rev. Debra Warwick-Sabino for her many years of stewarding this program, which has been an incredibly important ministry for our diocese, and for her help in transitioning to this new system!"

May we all keep our eyes and ears open and continue to protect the safety of those that are vulnerable in our midst.

Open Clergy Positions

St. Paul's, Benicia: Receiving names for rector
All Saints', Redding: Receiving names for rector
Incarnation, Santa Rosa: Reviewing names for rector
Grace Church, Fairfield: Receiving names for priest-in-charge

Learn more about these positions here.

Bishop's Visitation Schedule

Feb. 11 - St. John's, Lakeport
Feb. 18 - St. Michael's, Anderson
Feb. 25 - St. Paul's, Crescent City
March 11 - St. Mary's, Elk Grove
March 25 - Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento

The Bishop's full 2018 visitation schedule is available here.

THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT BISHOP

The Search Committee Wants to Hear From You!

Our upcoming listening events are an opportunity for you to discuss the strengths, gifts and challenges in our Diocese, and to discuss what you'd like to see in the next bishop. Your responses will help shape our next steps.

Join the 75 others who have already registered - it's free and easy, and we just want to make sure there will be enough cookies! The events are on Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Register here.

Dates for the listening events are:

Feb. 10: Incarnation, 550 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa
Feb. 17: St. Peter's, 510 Jefferson St., Red Bluff
Feb. 24: St Alban's, 1675 Chester Ave., Arcata
March 10: St. John's, 2351 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville

FAITH FORMATION

Bishop's Book for Lent/Spring 2018

Our Lent/Spring Bishop's Book is "A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life" by Parker Palmer. At this moment of transition in our diocese, and in a world that often seems overcome with, in Palmer's words, "the forces of fragmentation," this classic book helps us to take a look at the ways in which we can support each other in living lives of wholeness.

"Some of the most urgent work of the Church in our time involves learning to look beyond the walls of our churches to notice the ways in which God is at work in the world, and then finding the best ways to join in," says Bishop Barry.

"That noticing and finding require discernment - one of the most important spiritual abilities a Christian can have. Parker Palmer has shown that he has something to teach us about this necessary skill."

The paperback edition includes resources for studying this book together, including a DVD with interviews and other footage from Palmer's retreats at the Center for Courage and Renewal, along with a study guide for readers and leaders.

Stay tuned for more resources and opportunities to connect online with others in our diocese reading this book together.

More Resources for Lent 2018

Forward Publications has a catalog of its Lent and Easter publications here . Their resources include meditations, group reading during Lent, making celebrations more meaningful, devotional reading and preparing for Holy Week and Easter.

Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health, in our collaboration with Living Compass, is offering FREE copies of the 2018 Lenten Meditation Booklet. The order is being placed this week as Lent starts on Feb. 14 this year - a perfect fit with its theme of "Love." Please let Susan Wahlstrom, Diocesan Partners Coordinator, know by email or phone, (209) 296-1139, how many copies you would like for your congregation along with the mailing address.

And the popular Episcopal Relief & Development 2018 Lenten Meditation books are now available. The books are in English or Spanish, and can be downloaded online at episcopalrelief.org. Order printed books from the Episcopal Marketplace toll free at 1-866-937-2772. There is no charge for the books, only the shipping. Lent is very early this year, so it is recommended that the books be ordered by Feb. 2 to receive them by Ash Wednesday.

Jane Snibbe, Diocesan Coordinator for ER&D, would like to remind churches to hold an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on either Feb. 18 (or a convenient Sunday in Lent) to recognize and honor the work of the organization.

Diocese, CDSP Co-offer Youth Ministry Symposium March 17

Join Mark Yaconelli, teacher, author and researcher, for a contemplative approach to youth ministry on March 17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at CDSP.

The Sixth Annual Youth Ministry Symposium is themed "From Anxiety to Love: A Contemplative Approach to Youth Ministry." Based on 10 years of research in the Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project (and Mark's book, " Contemplative Youth Ministry" ), this workshop engages participants in creative exercises, contemplative practices, teaching sessions, discussion, and tested strategies to help churches, parents, and youth workers develop ministries that transition from anxiety to love, isolation to community, passivity to compassionate action.

The experience blends aspects of a personal spiritual retreat day with learning about child and youth spiritual development processes.

Who should come? Parents, youth ministers and volunteers, and clergy

leaders who care about the spiritual lives of young people - and their own!

The symposium is $25 and includes lunch; childcare provided (please indicate your need for childcare when you register). Scholarships are available; contact the Rev. Anne Clarke for more information at [email protected].

More information on the day is available here. Register here.

Youth Discipleship Conversation and Connection

Join us for a nurturing lunch and discussion around what could be emerging in youth discipleship in our diocese. Come for community and refreshment on Saturday,

March 10, following the Listening Event at St. John's, Roseville. This event is taking the place of the originally planned 2/9 and 3/9 visioning circles.

All are welcome. Please let us know if you're interested in attending by contacting the Rev. Anne Clarke at [email protected].

Read and Discuss: The Social Justice Bible Challenge

Canon Cookie Clark will have a Google Group sharing thoughts on The Social Justice Bible Challenge, beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. If you would like to join the group, please send her an email at [email protected].

Undocumented: What Do Faith Communities Need to Know?

Undocumented is an on-demand video teach-in for people of faith to learn about current issues related to immigration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), temporary protected status, and sanctuary. Learn more here.

Are you interested in addressing these issues as a group? Please contact Deacon Cindy Long of St. Michael's, Carmichael, at [email protected].

Commuter Core Godly Play Training: Berkeley 2018

Sacred Stories - Saturday, March 3, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Parables - Saturday, April 21, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Liturgical Action - Saturday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Learn more and register here.

NEWS & EVENTS IN AND BEYOND OUR DIOCESE

Clergy, Staff Changes at Faith, Cameron Park

The Rev. Sonya Reichel has been called to Faith, Cameron Park, as Assistant Rector. Additionally, Monica Ness has officially begun her position as the Director of Christian Formation for children and youth.

The Belfry: St. Augustine Lecture 2018 - Feb. 1

Pastor Rob W. Lee IV will be delivering his lecture, "Hope of the World: Confronting our Past for the Sake of our Future" at UC Davis on Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

A descendant of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Pastor Lee is active in condemning his ancestor's views and working towards racial reconciliation. Lee has spoken out about racial injustice, condemned white supremacy, and advocated for the removal of Confederate monuments in the South. Covering both racial and political issues, this lecture is free and open to the public. More about Pastor Lee.

A free reception will immediately follow the lecture at The Belfry's ministry center, located at 216 A Street. Light refreshments will be provided.

Nadia Bolz-Weber at Trinity Cathedral - Feb. 23

Pierced and tattooed, Nadia Bolz-Weber defies the image of the Lutheran preacher, yet this salty, liturgical acrobat challenges everyone from Christians to atheists to go spiritually deeper than they ever have. Her New York Times best-selling memoir, "Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint," reveals the heart of this recovering addict's desire to bring the raw honesty that she finds in 12-step programs in the basement of churches into the sanctuaries of those buildings.

Bolz-Weber will be speaking at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Seating is open, and tickets are available for $25 on Eventbrite.

2018 Missional Voices National Gathering: April 19-21

Missional Voices will be a weekend of thinking, planning, and dreaming about the future of missional communities and innovative ministries in The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. This will be a place where dynamic incubation of new ideas is the norm - not the exception - and where people doing uncommon ministry find support and encouragement. Guest speakers include Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. Learn more here.