SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
A Dream Survives - and Thrives - in Vacaville

By the Ven. Cookie Clark and 
Lori Korleski Richardson, Interim Communications Director

It's Friday afternoon and the kitchen is buzzing. A group from a local Vacaville congregation is preparing 350 meals. The kitchen is in the parish hall of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. The cooks are from one of five congregations that make this ecumenical feeding program possible: Unity, Lutheran, Episcopal and two Catholic congregations.

A cooking crew from St. Brigid's, Rio Vista, provides a dinner.

This program, pioneered by the late Warren Dunning (see sidebar), has been feeding those in need since the turn of this century. Our Episcopal Community Services established a major yearly grant in his name.

Outside Epiphany, a group developed by the Vacaville Police Department's Homeless Roundtable is greeting and counseling the waiting diners. The group, A Better Way, is designed to help the homeless navigate "the system." They find housing, recovery placements, and many ways to help. One important service is helping to secure Social Security benefits. A program provides free cell phones and the county social workers are regularly (continue reading...)
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Register for Convention Now! Deadline is Monday


The general registration deadline for 2017 Diocesan Convention is Monday, Oct. 2. After this deadline, late registration will open and prices will increase by an additional $10 per ticket (visitors excluded).  Register here now!

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Please keep in mind that  fall convocations  are Saturday, O ct. 14; all are encouraged to attend! During this time, you will also be hearing from the Standing Committee regarding Bishop Barry's retirement.
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.
Office of the Bishop Staff Changes


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 Develo pm ent and Networking of our diocese. The Rev. Betsey will be leaving her position as co-rector at All Saints', a nd 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 has accepted the position of Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary and staff support for the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California. Kati is a parishioner at St. John's, Roseville .  Both Rev.  Betsey's  and Kati's first day was Sept. 25.

You may contact Kati at [email protected] , 916-442-6918, ext. 228, and Rev. Betsey at [email protected], 916-442-6918, ext. 227.


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Leaving the Office of the Bishop on Sept. 29 is Tamoya Bell, Benefits Coordinator and Accounting Specialist. Tamoya has been with our office for more than five years and has been a consistent bright light among us. We have treasured her calm and peaceful presence, her professional and personal approach to every task, and her commitment to the mission of this diocese. We will miss her very much, and hope that she enjoys this next phase in her life as she spends more time with her family.

During this time of transition, for benefits inquiries and questions please email [email protected]. 
Reminder: Celebration of New Ministry Saturday

Please join us for the celebration of new ministry for The Rev. Sarah Quinney, Priest-in-Charge, 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at  St. James Episcopal Church,  479 L St.,  Lincoln.  Clergy: White Stoles (previous invitation requested red stoles).  Reception to follow. Rev. Sarah is also Missioner for Youth Discipleship in the Office of the Bishop.
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
New York Times Ad Advocating for DACA

Bishop Barry Beisner's signature, along with more than 100 Episcopal bishops' signatures, was featured in a New York Times ad in the Sept. 21 issue. The ad was addressed to President Trump and members of Congress, imploring them not to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. 

A text version of the ad is here.

View an Episcopal News Service story on this issue here.
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 [email protected].
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
October Is Mental Health Month: Join in Prayer on Oct. 3

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The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding is Tuesday, Oct. 3.  Mental illness networks and faith leaders are urged to work together so that they may recognize and prepare for this day in a way that works best for each faith community. The prayers and actions of both faith communities and secular organizations are needed to restore mental wellness in America. In seeking God's guidance, we can recommit ourselves to replacing misinform ation, blame, fear and prejudice with truth and love to offer hope to all  who are touched by mental illness.
 
You can download a resource with liturgies to use for the National Day of Prayer on the home page of the Mental Health Ministries website. This resource is available in English and Spanish. Many faith communities have sponsored an interfaith candle lighting service using a liturgy written by Carole J. Wills. 
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 )
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.
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  [email protected]. 
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:



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.