SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
Sarah Quinney: A Priest Since Childhood 

By Sophie Smal, Communications Coordinator 

When little Sarah Quinney played priest in her childhood bedroom in Jacksonville, Florida, she never actually thought she'd become a priest later on in life. Yet she felt drawn to the liturgy as a child and even carried her own miniature prayer book to church with her.

"From that point on, it stayed in the back of my mind that I'd become a priest," the Rev. Sarah said.

As she became an adult, her focus was on pursuing vocal studies at Florida State University until she realized that the culture surrounding music performance was not a good fit for her personality and preferred way of living.

She was able to find a balance for her love of music and meaningful work through her eventual degree in music therapy.

In 2007, after she completed her degree, Quinney moved to California and now runs her own private practice, called Sarah Quinney Music Therapy in Rocklin. Her start-up business grew quickly, drawing upwards of 30 clients a month.

The majority of her clients are children with autism and special needs, and Quinney spends her time with them singing and playing her guitar.

"In the beginning, some kids are nonverbal, so I try to help them find their voice. I loved it because it's truly fulfilling and a lot of fun," Quinney said.

At this time as well, Quinney began attending St. Augustine's, Rocklin, which was where her discernment process truly began.

In 2011, Quinney was a part of St. Augustine's Search Committee, as the congregation was in the process of finding a new rector.  Continue reading...
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Register for Convention Now! Deadline is Oct. 2


The general registration deadline for 2017 Diocesan Convention is Oct. 2. After this deadline, late registration will open and prices will increase by an additional $10 per ticket (visitors excluded). Don't delay; register now!


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Please Note:  Filling out your Certificate of Lay Delegate form does  NOT 
count as registration! If you're a delegate, you must complete both in order to attend Convention. For any questions, please contact Elizabeth Vang.
Call for Convention Volunteers

Diocesan Convention would not function without the help of our volunteers. We appreciate the time and effort our volunteers give in making this yearly event run quickly and smoothly!

This year, we are asking for volunteers to work the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 3 and the morning of Saturday, Nov. 4. Please note that a short training will be held in advance, which all volunteers will be expected to attend. As of now, the exact times have yet to be determined; stay tuned for more information!

To volunteer, please contact Elizabeth Vang.
2017 Pre-Convention Gathering -  Nov. 3 

Join the Rev. Canon Andrea McMillin and the Rev. Anne Clarke for a pre-Convention workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the McClellan Conference Center. 

Whether you're in a small church with limited resources, or in a larger place looking for a way to help your community find and/or build its collective voice, this is the workshop that will enable you to deepen your community of practice, through the shared creation of sound and silence. With simple chants and global songs, led by composer Ana Hernandez, we'll have a day of transformation and deep fun. 

The event is free, and lunch will be provided.  Register here.

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Speaking of Convention, all diocesan youth are invited for Convention overnight at Trinity Cathedral! More information is available  here.
New on Our Staff

The Office of the Bishop is pleased to announce that the Rev. Betsey Monnot, co-rector at All Saints', Sacramento, has accepted the position as  Missioner for Leadership Development and Networking of our diocese. The Rev. Betsey will be leaving her position as co-rector at All Saints', and her husband, the Rev. Michael Monnot, will remain at All Saints' as rector. 

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The Office of the Bishop is pleased to announce that Kati Braak will be the new Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary. Kati is a parishioner at St. John's, Roseville. Both Rev. Betsey and Kati will begin their new positions on Sept. 25. More information on our new staff to come.
Congregational Leadership Conferences for 2018

Save the date
Next year's Congregational Leadership Conferences (CLCs) have been set for the following dates and locations:

Feb. 10: Incarnation, Santa Rosa
Feb. 24:  St. Alban's, Arcata 
March 10: St. John's, Roseville
DACA Ad in New York Times 

Bishop Barry Beisner's signature, along with several Episcopal bishops' signatures, will be featured in a New York Times ad supporting DACA. The ad is expected to run as a full-page spread sometime this month. Keep an eye out!
Bishop's Visitation Schedule 
  • Oct. 1 - Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento 
  • Oct. 8 - St. Peter's, Red Bluff 
  • Oct. 15 - St. John's, Petaluma
  • Oct. 22 - Christ the King, Quincy 
  • Oct. 29 - St. Luke's, Auburn 
The Bishop's full 2017-2018 visitation schedule is available here.
FAITH FORMATION
Bishop's Book, Fall 2017

Bishop Barry Beisner has selected "Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict " by Esther de Waal as this fall's Bishop's Book. Join us in reading this excellent primer on incorporating contemplation and prayer into everyday life.

A discussion guide for book groups is here.

Join Bishop Barry online for more discussion this fall: Sunday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m and Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.  Registration and more information is available here
Invest in the Future: Conference for Christian Educators 

An ecumenical gathering of lay and clergy, staff and volunteer leaders in all kinds of Christian formation ministries, Pneuma is a time of refreshment, collaboration, and learning from each other about innovative and time-tested ways of ways to grow in faith. Sign up for PNEUMA 2017, Oct. 9-12 at Bishop's Ranch; register soon to get your choice of accommodations. 
 
The guiding center this year is "Gather Around the Fire: Faithful Conversations in Heated Times." Workshops include "Homegrown VBS," "Hosting Pastoral Meetings in a Digital World," and many more. 
 
Scholarships are available; contact the Rev. Anne Clarke, Lifelong Christian Formation Coordinator, at anne@norcalepiscopal.org.
Adult Formation Online Conversation 

Compare notes and learn about our favorite curricula for the upcoming year with Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement, the Rev. Canon Andrea McMillin and the Rev. Anne Clarke. The online conversation will be held  Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. In order to participate, you must register here .
NEWS & EVENTS IN OUR DIOCESE & BEYOND
Women's Prayer Day - Sept. 30

St. Luke's, Auburn, in partnership with Mercy Center 
Auburn, will be hosting the second annual Women's Prayer Day on Sept. 30 from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, 124 Orange St. in Auburn.  

This event is perfect for any women who are interested in learning how to deepen their spiritual life and draw closer to God. There is no cost to participate. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. For more information or to RSVP, please visit  St. Luke's website.
Clarify Your Call - Archdeacons Begin Workshops

The archdeacons in this diocese are conducting a series of workshops on discerning what God is calling you to do. The first session was held Sept. 16, from at Epiphany, Vacaville. Dates for the subsequent 5 sessions are being decided with input of those attending the initial workshop. 

More information on these workshops is available here; you may also contact the Ven. Cookie Clark at  cookie.clark@sbcglobal.net  or the Ven. Gary Brown at  garybrown6@yahoo.com
Youth at St. Alban's Create Endangered Species Artwork

The youth at St. Alban's, Arcatacreated art to submit in a local endangered species art show, one of which is shown at right. The animal pictured is a kit fox, drawn by Miriam Hohl, and is shown thinking, "I wish I had more friends!" 

Kit foxes are the smallest canid species in North America, and many of them can be found in the San Joaquin valley.  For more drawings like these, visit St. Alban's Facebook page .

The drawings will be hand-delivered to Washington, D.C. to be given to Senator Kamala Harris, who will be in a position to moderate or stop legislation that will remove protections. 
Trinity, Sutter Creek, Seeking Organist/Choir Director 

Trinity, Sutter Creek, is looking for a part time organist/choir director  to lead their congregation in song each week. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, send please send a resume to  frcraig@trinitysuttercreek.org
St. Mary's Raises Funds for Hurricane Relief

Kudos to our parishioners at St. Mary's, Napa, who came together to collectively raise  $3,208 for hurricane relief. Way to go! E ven though the worst of Irma and Harvey are over, there is still much work to be done and help that is needed. You can get involved in these efforts by donating to Episcopal Relief and Development .
Workshops by Peter Frisch

Founding missioner of St. Augustine's, Rocklin, Peter Fritsch, will be hosting a series of workshops at the following congregations:
 
Trinity Cathedral  - Wednesday, Oct. 4
Workshop: How God Speaks to Us in Dreams for Healing & Wholeness ( more information here )
Workshop: The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden 
 
St. John's, Roseville  - Thursday, Oct. 5
Workshop: How God Speaks to Us... ( more here )
Workshop: The Fisher King... ( more here)
 
Trinity, Folsom  - Saturday, Oct. 7
Workshop: How God Speaks to Us... ( more here )
 
St. James, Lincoln  - Wednesday, Oct. 10
Workshop: How God Speaks to Us... ( more here )
Workshop: Removing Obstacles and Meeting Real Human Needs So St. James Can Grow and Keep on Growing ( more here )
Richard Yale to Become Benedictine Oblate  

The Rev. Richard B. Yale, dean of the Alta California deanery and rector at St. John's, Chico has announced that he is in the process of becoming an oblate. Read on what this means at St. John's website.
RenewalWorks Conference -  Oct. 16-18

Held in Pennsylvania, this Oct. 16-18 conference will offer  keynote presentations, workshops, and networking time, and will be undergirded with Eucharist and the Daily Office. The conference will include findings from RenewalWorks, a research-based Forward Movement initiative that has identified key catalysts for spiritual vitality in congregations and for individuals. A focus on discipleship is one of those primary catalysts, based on research from nearly half a million participants across the country.

Registration and more information is available here.
From The Episcopal Church

Applications are now being accepted for the 2018   United Thank Offering  grants: 10 grants of $2500 for young adults; and 10 grants of $2500 to seminarians.  The focus of the grants is    The Jesus Movement: Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation Care More information on these grants is available  here .

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Other news:

Diocese of Alaska backs grassroots climate efforts as it prepares to welcome Episcopal bishops

MacDonald reflects on 10 years as national indigenous Anglican bishop

Episcopalians find and give grace in the Hurricane Harvey floodwaters

EPPN: Pray, fast, act to protect school meals and SNAP funding


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 lori@norcalepiscopal.org , 916-442-6918, ext. 226.