DECEMBER 12, 2017
From Bishop Barry


Bishop Barry celebrates Mass at Diocesan Convention with Archdeacon Pam Gossard assisting.
Dear Friends in Christ:

Grace and peace to you in this busy time. I hope that Advent goes well for you, and your preparations for Christmas are full of grace - especially as you face this year's special gift/challenge of such a sudden transitions in Seasons. ("Come Emmanuel" to "Come All Ye Faithful" within hours of each other!)

Convention was successful in important ways, and I am grateful to the Office of the Bishop staff and the many diocesan leaders who made it so. I am also very grateful to the Standing Committee for their work in the initial phase of the Bishop Search, and very pleased to see the Search Committee now up and running. God bless, guide, and sustain them!

Next month brings the annual planning retreat for the Board of Trustees of the Diocese. As before, we will begin with Mutual Ministry Review, and then proceed to establish goals and priorities for 2018. I am approaching this one with a bit more than usual interest, of course, as we are looking at our last full year of work together. I certainly have ideas about where the emphasis needs to be. What are yours? Please let me hear from you prior to Jan. 11.

Finally, as you know, Ann and I will be leading a group of more than 30 pilgrims (plus a few from Oregon) to the Holy Land next month. Please commit to praying for God's blessing upon our journey.  I invite you to make use of the prayer we ourselves are using:

Gracious God, you have called us to a pilgrimage of faith.
The light of your truth summons us,
and the call of faith is a constant challenge on our journey.
We give thanks for the desire to seek you:
we give thanks for voices from the past that offer guidance,
for signposts pointing to the next stage,
for companions who share the journey,
for footsteps in the sand of pilgrims before us,
for the conviction that, unseen but not unknown, you are with us.
Holy One, keep us faithful to the vision,
and steadfast on our pilgrimage
so that the distant goal may become a reality,
and faith at last lead to sight.   Amen.

From "Celtic Blessings and Prayers"
By Brendan O'Malley
 
Pray it for yourself and your congregation as well. This is a very good way for us all to end one year and begin the new one, together.

God bless and sustain you, and, amidst all you must be doing, give you great joy.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop's Signature

THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT BISHOP
2018 Congregational Leadership Conferences to Become Bishop Search Listening Sessions; More Dates to Come

The Bishop Search Committee has decided to use the yearly Congregational Leadership Conference dates as listening sessions. Listening sessions help aid the Committee in creating a bishop search profile. All parish leaders, lay and clergy, are urged to attend a listening session close to them. Additional listening sessions will be held, with the dates to be determined. 

Please save the date for these listening sessions:

February 10Incarnation, Santa Rosa
February 24: St Alban's, Arcata 
March 10: St. John's, Roseville

More dates and locations coming soon!

***

Meet our Bishop Search Committee! Please keep the Committee in your prayers throughout this process.


Front row, from left:  Mary Davy, Rosemary Braxton, Rev. Canon Tina Campbell, Rev. Kate Sefton, A. "Scotty" Hodges, Catherine Mace 
Middle row, from left:  Rev. Rod Davis, Rev. Matt Warren, Erika Trez, DonnaJo Woollen, Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan, Kirk Bone 
Back row, from left:  Rev. Todd Bruce, John Ochoa, Jim Sargent, Bob Pritchard, Rev. Sean A. Cox, Rev. Jeanne Forte

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Bishop's Partnership Appeal

During this Advent season, Bishop Barry Beisner has invited us all to consider a gift for the Church we love, joining with the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California for the 2017 Bishop's Partnership Appeal. 

You can donate to the Appeal anytime through online givingTo see a list of diocesan ministries you can support, click here.

Thank you for your support!
Transitional Diaconate Ordinations - Jan. 20

On Saturday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m.,  Lisa Biersch Cole,  Jana Mauck Branson,  Grant McNeill Bakewell Jr. and  Thomas Robert Gartin will be ordained t o the Sacred Order of Deacons by Bishop Barry Beisner at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento.

Your prayers and presence are requested; a reception will follow. Clergy: white stoles.
New Ministry Celebrations

Dec. 21: The Rev. Kenn Katona, 7 p.m., St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova.

Jan. 4: The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan, 6:30 p.m., St. Martin, Davis.

Feb. 16:  The Rev. Bradley Helmuth,  6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity, Nevada City

All are invited to attend these events; clergy, red stoles.
Anti-Racism Training Jan. 27 at Faith, Cameron Park

The first 2018 Anti-Racism Training will be 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Faith, Cameron Park. This year's event will be facilitated by leaders from the Kaleidoscope Institute and provides an opportunity to come together as congregational leaders to learn how to help our worship communities appreciate and welcome the great diversity of people among us and around us, and to develop tools to work against the forces of racism in our world.

Anti-Racism Training is required for all who are engaged in ministries of governance (diocesan boards and commissions, as well as vestries and mission committees) and licensed lay ministers.  
 
This event is free, and lunch is included, but registration is required. Please register by Jan. 22, 2018, here.
Registration Open for 2018

Registration for the College for Congregational Development (CCD) is now available. 

To learn more about the benefits of attending CCD and to register, click here.
Bishop's Visitation Schedule
  • Dec. 17 - St. John's, Roseville 
  • Dec. 24 - Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento
  • Jan. 7 - St. Michael's, Fort Bragg 
  • Jan. 21 - St. George's, Carmichael
The Bishop's full 2017-2018 visitation schedule is available here
FAITH FORMATION
Pathways 2018: Early Registration Deadline This Friday

Are you or is someone in your parish planning on attending Pathways 2018? If so, don't delay; register now! The cost to attend is $450 if you register before Dec. 15, and a $50 deposit is due then as well. 

The price will increase to $500 after Dec. 15. We will offer scholarships and other support with the goal of making this trip possible for everyone who wishes to participate. Please contact the Rev. Sarah Quinney (sarah@norcalepiscopal.org) if the cost is a barrier. 
2018 Bible Challenge: Start a New Study Group at Church


The 2018 Bible Challenge will kick off in the new year with resources, encouragement, and events for starting a new Bible Study in your congregation. Whether you're starting your first Bible Study or a Bible Study for a new group of people, you can begin thinking about who you might invite to participate in the transformative experience of reading the Bible together, and stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!

NEWS & EVENTS IN AND BEYOND OUR DIOCESE 
Donations still needed as fire-damaged communities rebuild

In mid-October, as fires were still raging across Northern California, Molly's Revenge, a Celtic trio featuring an assortment of flutes, bagpipes, strings, a vocalist and Irish dancers, called the Rev. Cliff Haggenjos of St. John's, Roseville, with some good news: The date of Dec. 10 had opened on their schedule, and they wondered if the church would be interested in hosting their Winterdance show.

December is an unusually busy time for clergy, and knowing that Bishop Barry was scheduled to visit a week later, at first Father Cliff was hesitant to say yes. But, after briefly praying and listening for the Holy Spirit, he realized that the event could quickly be turned into a benefit for fire relief.  (Continue reading ...) 
Lessons and Carols at St. Martin, Davis - Dec. 17

Join the people of St. Martin in welcoming the Christmas season with the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. This iconic service, based on the one broadcast annually by the BBC, includes lessons read by congregation members from our youngest to our most senior, traditional and contemporary anthems, and beloved carols sung by all. 

All proceeds from a free-will offering will benefit hurricane and fire relief. 


The Rev. Jeanne Forte gave her last sermon at St. Paul's, Benicia, on Dec. 3, and Bishop Barry Beisner joins in on the fun at her retirement party on Dec. 10. 

Photograph by the Rev. Stephen Carpenter, also retired.









Save the Dates

Jan. 5-7: Weekend Retreat for Women  with the Rev. Canon Mary Hauck at Mercy Center, Auburn.  Cost is $185 per person. Includes a private room and five meals.  To register, contact Canon Mary ( canonhauck@gmail.com  or 916.479.3272). 

Jan. 27:  The 31st Annual Diocesan Choir Festival  with a public Evensong at 4 p.m.. Contact Canon David Link at sierracanon@gmail.com for more information on how you can be a part of this wonderful gift of outstanding church music.
From the Episcopal Church

Applications are now accepted for the 2018 United Thank Offering (UTO) grants.  The focus for the 2018 United Thank Offering grants is  Becoming the Beloved Community: Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice. UTO grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty. Applications are due March 2, 2018. More information is available here.


Other news:





Brian Lee Cole ordained and consecrated as fifth bishop of East Tennessee

Episcopal delegation to COP23 encouraged by talk of taking action on climate change

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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ