 |
|
Welcoming Refugees to Northern California
By Lynn Zender, Northern California coordinator for Welcoming the Stranger Immigration & Refugee Ministries
The Episcopal Church has long supported a robust refugee resettlement program for those fleeing their countries to escape
|
|
|
Lynn Zender, left, listens to Wendy Grace, diocesan liaison for refugees in the Diocese of Vermont, at an EMM training in Hartford, Connecticut, earlier this year.
Photo by Lynette Wilson, Episcopal News Service
|
persecution, oppression, and war. Through the Episcopal Migration Ministries, our church has worked in public-private partnership with the U.S. government to resettle thousands of refugees since the inception of the program in 1980.
In our local diocese, our work has mainly focused on information and advocacy. With information supplied by Episcopal Public Policy Network, EMM and California Immigrant Policy Center, we have been monitoring and supporting legislation both at the state and federal level.
At the hands-on level, St. Michael's, Carmichael, and St. Matthew's, Sacramento, have teamed up with the International Rescue Committee to work with refugee resettlement. These two congregations provide sponsorship and space for volunteer-staffed Mommy & Me classes (that include ESL and life skills) at St. Matthew's. A charter school for adults to learn English is also located at St. Matthew's. A concentration of refugees are resettling in the Arden Arcade area, so this is a perfect match for these two congregations. More ...
|
|
|
|
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
|
|
Reminder of Due Dates
Planning to join Bishop Barry and the Rev. Ann Hallisey on their 2018 Holy Land pilgrimage? Your
booking form
and $500 deposit are due on
July 24
- don't delay! Please send a copy of the form (before you mail it off) to the Office of the Bishop, Attn: Elizabeth Vang or send it via email to
[email protected]
so we have an accurate headcount of those attending the trip.
***
The Certificate of Lay Delegates form for 2017 Diocesan Convention is due by
Aug. 3, 2017. The completed and signed form must be mailed to the Office of the Bishop, Attn: Elizabeth Vang, or sent via email to
[email protected].
The Certificate of Lay Delegates form and more information is available
here. The next deadline is for Resolutions, due by Sept. 1, 2017. The registration deadline for Diocesan Convention is
Oct. 2, 2017.
|
|
|
|
Office of the Bishop Staff Changes
Sandra Littman, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, has now retired. Filling in for her is
Elizabeth Vang, who is continuing to function as Receptionist and Administrative Assistant as well.
When you arrive at the Office of the Bishop, if no one is at the front desk, please press the buzzer and someone will meet you in the lobby shortly.
Please be patient and work with us through this transition.
***
Bishop Barry Beisner has named the Rev. Sarah Quinney Missioner for Youth Discipleship for the Diocese of Northern California. Rev. Sarah is priest-in-charge at St. James, Lincoln, and will serve the diocese in concert with that ministry.
Rev. Sarah will help our congregations and church leaders in the development of youth discipleship - locally, in the deanery and on the Diocesan level.
Over the past several years Rev. Sarah has participated in the Lift Every Voice pilgrimage with Bishop Barry and the Rev. Anne Clarke and has been a part of the leadership team for our diocese's Pathways pilgrimages. She will be the lead coordinator for Pathways and work closely with Rev. Anne and Canon Andrea McMillin on Faith Formation progams.
She will report to Canon Andrea, who said: "I am excited that Rev. Sarah has joined our faith formation team on the bishop's staff. Sarah brings an enthusiasm, joy, and drive to this ministry that our diocese needs. Sarah's deep faith in Jesus Christ, her experience with youth and young adults, and her commitment to the ongoing incorporation of all people into the lives of our congregations will help us to grow our churches as we strengthen our witness with and among our youth. That she will be grounded also in her work at St. James, Lincoln, will only help us to keep our ministry relevant and connected to the congregations we serve."
Please contact Rev. Sarah at
[email protected] or at 916-442-6918 ext. 224, for more information regarding offerings for our youth in the diocese and beyond, opportunities to engage youth in congregational life, resources and training opportunities for youth and their adult leaders (lay and ordained), interest in engaging youth and adults in our Diocesan youth events, and general support for lay and ordained individuals ministering with youth.
|
|
|
|
Invest in Our Ministries This Fall
The Bishop's Partnership Appeal is coming this fall!
The Bishop's Partnership Appeal is an end of year opportunity to financially
support
the churches and programs of this diocese.
To learn more about how your congregation or ministry can reap the rewards from this program, please contact
Jacqi Seppi, Administrative Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary and Office Support for The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California, by e-mail
[email protected] or by calling 916-442-6918 ext. 228.
|
|
|
|
Bishop's Visitation Schedule
The Bishop's full 2017-2018 visitation schedule is available
here.
|
|
|
|
EYE 2017 Ends With Promise to Work for Peace
Youth from 90 of the Episcopal Church's 109 dioceses, about 1,300 of them, attended the 13th
annual Episcopal Youth Event from July 10 to 14 near Oklahoma City. The Beatitudes, particularly Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed
are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God," - inspired EYE17's theme, "Path to Peace."
S
aid
Mari Briggs of St. Martin, Davis, on our Facebook page:
"
I've loved watching the sermons at the opening & closing
Eucharist (on YouTube), as well as the Tuesday plenary sessions with OKC bombing survivors & responders. Kevin said he also liked Bishop Ed's words at the Compline they held at the Memorial. What a blessing that Kevin was able to attend!"
Every three years, in accordance with General Convention Resolution #1982-D079, the Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so "that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ."
Miranda-Lynn Gartin of Faith, Cameron Park, and Michael Roche
of Grace, St. Helena,
led our youth participants Giovanna Zampa, Kevin Briggs, Ian Curtis, Lily Torpey and Giovanni DelPiero, as well as Sofia Quinton of the Diocese of California.
|
|
|
|
Lift Every Voice Advances Nonviolence, Communication
Our group from Nothern California - the Rev. Sarah Quinney, Anna Wiley of Trinity Folsom, Emily Potts of Epiphany Vacaville, and Emily Dedo of St. John's Roseville - will travel Friday to join young adult leaders Elizabeth Potts of Epiphany Vacaville and Kevin Briggs of St. Martin Davis, already working hard at The Summit at Haw River State Park in North Carolina, to attend the third year of Lift Every Voice, a five-day conference, where participants will practice nonviolent communication skills, identify systems of oppression and begin developing tools and programs for continuing these practices back home within their dioceses and communities. Please keep these pilgrims in your prayers this week.
|
|
|
|
Save the Date: Pathways 2018
From the Rev. Anne Clarke, Lifelong Christian Formation Coordinator:
Save the date for next year's Pathways:
June 24-30, 2018! We'll be in touch with the location and theme in the next few weeks. Spread the word!
Another opportunity for connection: Trinity Cathedral will be hosting an overnight event during diocesan convention, Nov. 3, 2017. More details to come during the coming months!
|
|
|
|
NEWS & EVENTS IN OUR DIOCESE
|
|
|
|
|
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan
|
|
New Rector Called - St. Martin's, Davis
Senior Warden Heather Baugh stood before the gathered parishioners Sunday, June 16, with "the most awesome news": "Your 2017 Vestry has called the new rector. ... She'll be starting Sept. 15. Her name is the Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan. ... The vestry was unanimous in its decision. We're very exci
ted, and it will be a really exciting time for St. Martin."
Rev. Pamela announced on Facebook: "
This is a huge move for my family and also a call that feels truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. Obviously I will have much more to say about this, but I wanted to get the word out now that both parishes (she was rector at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Town and Country, in St. Louis, Mo.) have made the announcement."
In a letter to the parish, she said, "Initially what drew me to St. Martin's was your obvious passion for social justice, especially around environmental issues, and your wish to go deeper in terms of your connection with God and one another. Then throughout the process and especially during my visit I found so much more, including a strong sense of community, fearless creativity, and an authentic desire to be challenged and transformed. These are tremendous gifts indeed!"
Rev. Pamela spent part of her childhood in Vacaville, and her mother, stepmother and brother all graduated from UC Davis. She said she, her husband John and daughter Kathleen are "looking forward to life in a great college town; our older daughter Annabel starts her sophomore year at the University of Kansas this fall, but I'm sure that you'll get to know her in due time."
|
|
|
|
Renovation Has Begun at Trinity Cathedral
Canon Lynell Walker says that the construction is beginning this week and the Great Hall is a hard-hat zone only. No one will be allowed in through the alley access or into the hall or kitchen until the construction tape is removed. Until then, enter only through the glass doors from Capitol Avenue. For the most up-to-date information, call
916-446-2513.
|
|
|
|
Screenagers - St. Luke's - July 27
A free public screening of the documentary, "Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age" will be shown on July 27, 7 p.m. at
St. Luke's, Woodland
.
This award winning documentary discusses the various aspects and impacts of social media, video games and internet addiction and offers insights and solutions to empower kids to best navigate the digital world. Appropriate for parents, grandparents, teachers, youth workers and children age 10+.
Watch the trailer
here.
|
|
|
|
Benedictine Study Group - St. John's, Petaluma
Laurie Warren and Kayleen Asbo offer an evening of prayer, singing and study, with Vespers (a service of psalms, prayers and readings with Gregorian Chant), a simple soup supper, Lectio Divina, a reading and discussion on the Rule of St. Benedict, study of Benedictine Spirituality, and Compline, a brief but beautiful musical close to the day.
For more information, contact Laurie Warren at
[email protected]
or call the church office at 707-762-8872.
Meets:
6 to 8 p.m.; 4th Friday of each month
Where:
St. John's Episcopal Church
,
40 Fifth Street,
Petaluma, CA 94952
|
|
|
|
Churches Celebrate Anniversaries in July & August
Ascension, Vallejo, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on July 23. The bishop will attend, and his formal visitation is that day.
Grace Church, Fairfield, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on July 30 at its 10 a.m. service, followed by a luncheon for the bishop and area clergy at 2 p.m. in
Suisun City, where it was founded in 1867.
St. Mary's, Elk Grove, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Aug. 12 with a fiesta from 2-6 p.m. A worship service will follow.
|
|
|
|
In Remembrance of the Rev. Dr. Timothy Greene
A variety of services will be held in honor of the Rev.
Dr. Timothy Greene, who
died July 6, 2017.
Timothy was a priest of our diocese,
serving at St. Luke's, Calistoga. The dates and times of gatherings and services are as follows:
- Saturday, July 29 at 2 p.m., San Francisco
- Thursday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m., Yountville
Addresses of the services are available
here.
|
|
|
|
Dioceses of California, Northern California Mourn Death
Stefani Schatz, Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of California and wife of the Rev. Dr. Joe Duggan, priest-in-charge at St. Francis, Fair Oaks, died in Santa Barbara last week, July 12.
DioCal's Bishop Marc Andrus wrote a touching tribute upon her passing
here.
Joe wrote on their Caring Bridge blog: "Stefani went home to God at 4:15pm California time today. ... We are so, so grateful for the all-night vigils, your posts and messages. We literally were able to be strong because of all of you. Stefani felt all your love."
Canon Stefani came to the Diocese of California in June 2013, and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May 2016.
Services are pending, and will be announced through the Diocese of California. Please keep Joe and his mother-in-law, Iva, in your prayers.
|
|
|
|
NEWS & EVENTS BEYOND OUR DIOCESE
|
|
Experience Online Theological Learning
Registration is now open for fall online courses through CALL (Center for Anglican Long-distance Learning) at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley. Offerings include Anglican Bible, Prayer as Protest, Liturgical Worship, Church Finance and Administration, Social Ministry Leadership, and Jesus: Person and Way. These courses run for seven weeks and are entirely online, and useful for those seeking deeper personal enrichment as well as those in leadership roles in their communities.
Dates: Sept. 18-Nov. 7
Cost: $220;
Registration and course descriptions
here.
|
|
|
|
Seeking a Unique Retreat? Here are Two Options
|
|
|
"Way of the Cross" at St. Columba's
|
All Saints' Episcopal Church in Carmel, CA
will be offering anindividual spiritual retreat house starting Aug. 5. DameJulian's Cottage is one bedroom, two-story cottage, located on the church property, just six blocks from Carmel beach. For reservations
, please
***
St. Columba's, Inverness,
located in West Marin, near Point Reyes National Seashore, is open for both group and individual retreats. For more information on room rates, for photos and for any other questions, visit
St. Columba's website
or contact
[email protected]
.
|
|
|
|
Former PB to Assist Diocese of San Diego
The Diocese of San Diego announced late last month that former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will join them as assisting bishop on Aug. 13.
Jefferts Schori will serve three-quarters time performing episcopal functions such as visitations, confirmations, ordinations and receptions. Jefferts Schori served as the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church from 2006 until 2015. Prior to her role as primate, she was the bishop of the Diocese of Nevada. In 1994 she earned a master's in divinity from CDSP, and did her seminiarian field work at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento. She is an instrument-rated pilot and is fluent in Spanish.
|
|
|
News from The Episcopal Church
For Such a Time as This: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Advocacy
is a joint effort of the Episcopal House of Bishops and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Please consider joining us in prayer and fasting on the 21st (this Friday) of each month through Dec. 2018, at which time the 115th Congress will conclude. The 21st was selected
because 90% of the SNAP (food stamp)
benefits across the nation
|
|
|
I
f you have a news story or event of interest to others in the diocese, or if you would like assistance with your church or ministry communications, contact Lori Korleski Richardson, Interim Communications Director at [email protected]
, 916-442-6918, ext. 226.
|
|
|
|
|
|
