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Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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Bishop Barry Beisner Invites Us to Uphold Our Core Christian Values
On Sunday, Bishop Barry Beisner released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees and travelers from certain Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.
Dear Friends in Christ,
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the
Union for Reform Judaism, said that this executive order "will be remembered by history together with the Dred Scott decision and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as governmental actions most antithetical to American values. We will resist its implementation by any means available
to us."
To which I say, Amen. And in my judgment it is antithetical to Christian values also. I invite you to join me in opposing it, and in making your opposition known. I say this in the hope that together we might uphold core principles above mere politics.
Yours in Christ,
+Barry
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Ways You Can Help Refugees and Immigrants
From Lynn Zender, Chair, Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration & Refugee Ministries
- Get involved. The Episcopal Policy Network has launched a campaign asking everyone to call their elected officials to let them know we welcome refugees. Join them in their effort and help spread word of the campaign - details are available here.
- Become informed. The National Immigration Law Center has a brochure to inform immigrants of their rights. If you or someone you know could be affected by government action, the brochure is available here.
- Connect with Episcopal Migration Ministries. EMM has served immigrants and refugees for more than a century and has a wealth of online resources for people of faith.
- Support organizations committed to protecting immigrants' and refugees' legal rights. The American Civil Liberties Union was joined by the National Immigration Law Center in bringing a case that resulted in the first stay of the Executive Order by a federal court.
- Assist local refugee organizations. In Northern California, organizations that work with refugees and immigrants include Opening Doors, Project Rest and World Relief Sacramento.
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News & Events in our Diocese
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2017 Congregational Leadership Conferences
Registration is Now Open
Each spring Bishop Barry invites us to gather for regional Congregational Leadership Conferences (CLCs), as we seek to strengthen our service to the church through learning, connecting and gaining best practices for our church life.
These leadership conferences, sponsored by the Office of the Bishop, are designed for clergy, vestry members, treasurers and other program leaders in your church. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no cost to participate - registration is required. Check in, coffee and conversation begins at 9 a.m.; the program runs from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This year there are a variety of offerings at our different regional sites, so look below to choose the program that fits you best (and you are welcome to attend more than one!)
Dates, Locations and Registration Information:
May 13 - Christ Church, Eureka - Registration information coming soon.
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Bishop's Partnership Appeal Has
Record Year
The Bishop's Partnership Appeal hit a record in 2016 with more than $25,000 donated by the end of the year.
With the addition of $1,000 each that was pledged from the partners in the appeal if it reached $15,000 in donations - the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California and the Office of the Bishop - the 2016 total is almost double the amount raised the year before.
The Appeal is a way for the diocese to support congregations, ministries and diocesan institutions "to do God's work," Bishop Barry Beisner said in his message accompanying the appeal.
Foundation president Peter Juve said it's the fourth year this form of the appeal has gone out, therefore, "people are more aware of what we're doing."
Click here to read more about the 2016 Bishop's Partnership Appeal.
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Travel With the Bishop to the Holy Land in Photographs
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Anti-Racism Training - March 11
St. Patrick's, Kenwood, is offering a day of anti-racism training led by the Rev. Lewis Sitting Panther Powell, on Saturday, March 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register by
February 27 by calling the church office: 707-833-4228.
From the Rev. Marcia Tyriver: "This will be a time of small group discussions, videos, Bible study, prayer and sharing to help us better understand key concepts and wrestle with issues of power and privilege, culture, structural and institutional racism, and where God call us to be brothers and sisters in this multicultural church and culture."
For more information, see
St. Patrick's website.
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College for Congregational Development
Registration is Now Open
A two-year training program designed to build leadership skills and help clergy and laity assess their congregation's needs, focus on priorities and develop strategies for their church's growth and vitality.
2017 Training Dates and Locations
Weekend Sessions
April 28 - 30 - The Bishop's Ranch
October 27 - 29 - The Bishop's Ranch
*Check-in for the weekend training sessions begins on Friday at 9:00 a.m.
and the program begins at 10:00 a.m. The weekend sessions end on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
Week-Long Intensive
June 11 - 16 - The Bishop's Ranch
*Participants register for both Weekend Sessions or the Week-Long Intensive
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Churches Strive for Disaster Preparedness and Service to Others
The Northern California region is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. But those same landscapes can turn deadly when nature takes a less kindly turn.
That's what happened in January when record rain brought much-needed relief from drought - and also flooding that forced some from their homes, made transportation difficult or impossible and caused widespread power outages. It was particularly hard on homeless people who are already at nature's mercy. (To read about St. Paul's, Healdsburg's ministry to the homeless during the storms, click here.)
For those who plan for disaster preparedness, that points up the need for church members to keep up-to-date on their resilience and disaster recovery plans, according to Margaret Dunning, who coordinates the diocese's response to disasters.
To read more about the disaster preparedness plan in the diocese,
click here.
To get help with your church's disaster preparedness plan, or for assistance with your church's listing on the asset map, contact Margaret Dunning at [email protected] or Paula Schaap at [email protected].
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Pathways 2017- Reconciling with the Earth & Each Other
The pilgrimage, led by Bishop Barry and young people from the diocese, will explore the stories of oppression, struggle and healing from the Yosemite and Central Valley areas of our state. Scholarships are available, so cost shouldn't stand in the way.
Final deadline to apply is February 15.
Dates: June 18-23, 2017
Location - ECCO: Episcopal Conference Center, Oakhurst, California
Participants: Those finishing grades 7-12
Young adult leaders: Ages 18-30
Cost: $400
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Call for Young Adult Volunteers
Do you know a young adult looking for an opportunity to serve, learn about social justice and spirituality, and gain experience in non-profit work? LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network in Davis, California, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees, for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer work and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2017 to the end of July 2018, corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction and a $400/month food stipend. There's also a $1,000 re-entry grant at the end of the program for moving expenses.
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News & Events B
eyond
our Diocese
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The Episcopal Church Welcomes Refugees Webinar - February 1
Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are sponsoring a webinar to discuss the root causes of refugee crises and to examine critical questions such as: who is a refugee; how a refugee is resettled to the U.S.; how resettled refugees benefit their communities; and how you can engage with local communities to welcome these new Americans.
The webinar will be Wednesday, February 1, at 1 p.m. Pacific time. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register click here.
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Grants for Leadership Development, Training and Ministries - Deadline February 3
The Roanridge Trust Award Grants are provided annually for creative models of leadership development, training and ministries in small towns and rural communities across the Episcopal Church.
Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal-related organizations and institutions are invited to apply for the grants which generally range from $5,000 to $20,000.
For more information and applications
click here.
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Not Just Flint: Trinity Institute Dialogues 2017 - February 4
Millions of Americans are facing issues of access to safe water and sanitation, especially those living in poor or marginalized communities, more than a year after news broke about toxic water in Flint, Michigan.
Trinity Institute is holding a one-day event in New York City, on Saturday, February 4, to spark dialogue about how faith communities can make a difference. The event will also be available via live webcast and on demand. For more information,
click here.
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Share the Good News!
If you have a news story or event of interest to others in the diocese, or if you want assistance with your church or ministry communications, call Paula Schaap, Communications Director, 916-442-6918, ext. 226.
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Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
 
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