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Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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Church Members Turn Out for Women's March on Sacramento
After days of stormy weather in Northern California, the Women's March on Sacramento started out under bright skies on Saturday morning.
The Sacramento march was one of more than 600 around the world that drew millions the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the U.S. President.
Church members - both clergy and laity - were there to bear witness to the power of those numbers.
"It's about the power of community," said the Rev. Betsey Monnot, co-rector of
All Saints', Sacramento. "There are people here exercising their First Amendment rights to say they're not happy with the direction things appear to be going, and I want the Episcopal Church to be part of that."
About a dozen church members from the Sacramento area met up by a sculpture in a park where marchers gathered before they walked to the state Capitol. Among signs that declared, "Love Trumps Hate," and "Make America Kind Again," the Rev. Anne Clarke held up a hand-lettered sign: "Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8."
To read the rest of the story,
click here.
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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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Celebration of New Ministry - January 26
The Rev. Amy Denney Zuniga will be formally installed as Rector of
Grace Church, Saint Helena, 1314 Spring Street, on Thursday, January 26, at 6:00 p.m., Bishop Barry Beisner, presiding.
Reception to follow. Clergy are invited to vest and process wearing red stoles.
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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 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 preach and plan for disasters, 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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Resources for the Church: Episcopal Public Policy Network
The Episcopal Public Policy Network is a grassroots network of Episcopalians across the country dedicated to carrying out the Baptismal Covenant call to "strive for justice and peace" through the active ministry of public policy advocacy.
EPPN is a part of The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations located in Washington, D.C.
To read more about EPPN's work on public policy issues,
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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