March 2019
From our Bishop-Elect
Dear Friends in Christ,

Our relationship together in Christ has begun, and I rejoice in it. 

It is as if we are walking two parts of a converging road. We can recognize the same landmarks as we move forward, Shrove Tuesday with pancakes and fun, Ash Wednesday with repentance and ashes, and the long prayerful walk of Lent. Our paths will converge after Easter, starting in mid-May.

At that time I will start in the Diocesan office, and the following six weeks will be a time of intense learning. With Bishop Beisner sharing his wisdom and the skilled staff, I will become acquainted with the workings of the Diocese. All the while the preparation for the consecration will be ongoing - indeed it has already begun.

I look forward to joining our large Diocesan family, where I can hear your struggles and your joys - and you can hear some of mine as well! Our first two years together will be an intensive time of relationship building. We will discover how God is building us up in Christ together.

I am currently working hard to make sure that my current Bishop concludes his time with joy and that my new Bishop makes a strong beginning. Philip and I are working on our own steps of transition as well. At this time I cannot be responsive to you by email or phone calls. I want to be connected with you - but we have to let the transition process move through its various stages. For projects that really do need the input from the Bishop-Elect, Jacqi Seppi in the Bishop’s office will be the conduit, and she will forward urgent matters to me directly.

Meanwhile we both have good work to accomplish until our paths draw close in May and truly converge on June 29. Thank you for your warm welcome to me, and thanks for the good care you are taking of Bishop Beisner, his excellent staff, and each other.

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, 
just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” - Colossians 2:6


Faithfully in Christ,

The Rev. Canon Megan Traquair
Bishop-Elect
Diocese of Northern California 
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
2019 Clergy Conference: May 21-23
Join the diocesan clergy and our Bishop-Elect Megan Traquair for the 2019 Clergy Conference on May 21-23 at the Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg. Please register here .

All clergy who are serving in parochial positions in this diocese are expected to attend, so we may deepen and enrich our relationships. Please contact Bishop Beisner  via email  prior to the event if you are unable to attend for any reason.

Agenda : Details of arrival times & schedule will be sent at a later date. For general questions, please email  [email protected]  or call 916-442-6918, ext. 213.
Transition to a new bishop: perspective from the Bishop’s staff
March 5 - Caring for the bishop’s staff is crucial to any Episcopal transition. We want to offer our reflections today to the diocese as we celebrate Bishop Barry Beisner and welcome Bishop-Elect Megan Traquair. 
 
Our staff is excited about the transition, working hard, and taking time to acknowledge and process the wide range of feelings present as we shift from one leader to another. We are aware that together we live into a new vision and direction for the diocese under a new episcopate.
 
For the foreseeable future, it is not expected that there will be major staff changes. That said, the nature of life is change, and the situation can change for each of us during this time of transition. 
 
What are we planning, and what is going on? Right now, with support and advice from Bishop-elect Megan, we have posted the Communication Director position. Our Communications Committee, under the leadership of Kati Braak, Director of Operations, is reviewing applications now. 
 
This past week, our Bishop’s staff spent time with Bishop-elect Megan during a short visit. Her first visit as bishop-elect was focused exclusively on planning the consecration, meeting her new staff, and an initial look for housing. 
 
Canon Andrea McMillin and Bishop-elect Megan have worked together for the past four-and-a-half years as fellow canons to the ordinary in Province VIII, and have an established rapport that will serve the diocese well. This was affirmed and strengthened during Bishop-elect Megan’s visit this past week. Our diocese can be assured of positive, strong, collaborative leadership in the Bishop’s office now, and as bishop-elect Megan begins her episcopate. 
 
Thank you for your prayers and care during this transition. Our Bishop’s staff is eager for the arrival of our new bishop, savoring our last months with Bishop Barry, and deeply appreciative of you in the diocese who have expressed support, love, and patience over this past 18 months of transition. 
Celebrating Bishop Barry
Our journey through this episcopal transition has carried us to the place where we intentionally and joyfully celebrate the ministry and gifts of of Bishop Barry and his episcopate in this diocese.
 
We honor Bishop Barry
 
In Story : Send cards, notes, and stories about the way that Bishop Barry has blessed you during his time as a bishop ( [email protected] )
 
Photos : Send photos of your church, your church's ministries and people, and photos of Bishop Barry ( [email protected] ). Photos and notes will be included in a memory book for him. Please include your church name and city in the subject line.
 
A gift : The diocese is giving Bishop Barry and Rev. Ann a trip to begin their life in retirement together.  Donate here . (Donors will be recognized.)
 
Celebration : We will gather in three different events to honor Bishop Barry. Please save the date! Registration will be available from the transition committee soon.
 
May 11, 5:30 - 8 p.m.       St. John's Episcopal Church, Petaluma
June 7, 5:30 - 8 p.m.        Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento
June 15, 1:30 - 4 p.m.      All Saints Episcopal Church, Redding

For questions about these events contact the president of the Transition Committee, Ane Diester, by visiting the bishop search website .
Where are we in the transition to a new bishop?

We have successfully elected The Rev. Canon Megan Traquair to be the 8th bishop here. We are planning and preparing for her consecration on June 29, 2019, pending consents from across the wider church and subsequent approval from the Presiding Bishop's office. We turn now to honor Bishop Barry and celebrate his episcopate and ministry. This is an important step in this transition process: honoring the past sets in us a heart of gratitude for the ministry and gifts so faithfully given by God to us through Bishop Barry's time in the diocese. By engaging fully in the celebration of Bishop Barry's ministry, we prepare in a healthy way for a new time and a new episcopate in the diocese.

O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop Barry, Bishop-elect Megan, other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your
Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop's visitation schedule 
  • March 31 - St. James, Yuba City
  • April 7 - St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova 
  • April 21 - Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento (Easter) 
  • May 19 - St. Barnabas, Mt. Shasta  

Bishop Barry's 2019 visitation schedule is  available here .
Open positions in the diocese
NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR DIOCESE
New executive director of River City Food Bank announced; donate to Eileen Thomas' retirement fund
The Board of Directors of River City Food Bank (RCFB) announced March 1 that Amanda McCarthy has been hired as incoming executive director. McCarthy is a nonprofit professional with two decades of experience, including in the food bank sector, and will take over for Eileen Thomas, who is retiring.

Bishop Barry Beisner asks you to consider making a gift to Eileen's retirement fund as thanks for her service to RCFB. You can make this donation here .
Flood news from St. Andrew's Mission in Monte Rio
Charles and Sabrina Hall are the site managers for the St. Andrew's Food Pantry, a service provided at St. Andrew's Mission in Monte Rio . The Hall Family gathered food resources from St. Andrew's and borrowed kayaks from community members, loaded them up with food, and delivered supplies by kayak to those who were stuck in their homes. Please continue to keep this community and our parishioners affected by the flooding in your prayers.
ECS annual grants open to submit letters of interest
Episcopal Community Services is now accepting letters of interest for the Warren Dunning Memorial Social Justice Grant (three year grant) and for the annual ECS grants which are given to church ministries that focus on human rights advocacy, human service or health programs, and lay leadership/empowerment programs.

Learn more about the three-year Warren Dunning Grant here . Learn more about the yearly grants here .

Please email your letter of interest to [email protected] by March 20 to be considered.
Wingfield Deanery Racial Reconciliation trainings
The  Wingfield Deanery  Racial Reconciliation training will be facilitated by leaders from our diocesan Commission for Intercultural Ministries. The day will provide 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, and to be communities of reconciliation. 

In our diocese, this training is required for all clergy, for all lay people who are engaged in ministries of governance (diocesan boards and commissions, as well as vestries and mission committees), along with licensed lay ministers.

When : Saturday. March 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where : Church of the Ascension, 2420 Tuolumne St., Vallejo, CA 94589
Registration : The event is free (lunch included). Please  register here  by March 15.
Contact : Email  Linda Jensen, Commission for Inter-cultural Ministries Co-chair, at  [email protected] .

Save the date: May 4-5! There will be another Racial Reconciliation training/presentation on faith-rooted immigration advocacy at St. Martin's, Davis. Registration will be available soon.
Semper Virens Deanery Lay Ministry training
A Lay Ministry training will be offered for those in the Semper Virens Deanery who are currently licensed, and for those seeking licensing for the first time. This includes Eucharistic Ministers (chalice bearers), Eucharistic Visitors (those who take communion to home-bound members of a congregation), Worship Leaders (those who lead public worship) and Preachers (for re-licensing only). An overview of the Book of Common Prayer will be offered for all, but is especially encouraged for new worship leaders. 

When : Saturday, March 30, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 
Where : St. Alban's, 1675 Chester Ave., Arcata, CA 95521 
Registration : Contact your parish or St. Alban’s to register. Register by Friday, March 22 .
Contact : St. Alban's: [email protected] or 707-822-4102
Safe Church training opportunity
Sunday School teachers, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, church staff, vestry members, and clergy are invited to participate in a workshop on Safeguarding God's Children and Safeguarding God's People. This workshop satisfies the denominational requirements for those who work with children or vulnerable adults.

When : Saturday. May 11, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where : St. Augustine's,1800 Wildcat Blvd., Rocklin, CA 95765
Registration : The cost is $15; refreshments will be provided. Please register here .
Contact : T he Rev. Tom Gartin at [email protected]
Two Cursillos offered this year
Cursillo #114: May 16-19 & Cursillo #115: May 30-June 2 : This year, there are two Cursillo weekends, one for men and one for women. If you are interested in participating being a part of the leadership team, you can learn more here .
Week-long summer icon workshop in St. Helena
Grace Church, located in beautiful Napa Valley, is hosting a Prosopon icon workshop. First-time attendees will create an icon of Archangel Michael in the Prosopon iconograpy style. Those who have already completed Michael will have the opportunity to compose Archangel Gabriel. The cost of this workshop is $750, which includes personalized instruction and supplies such as boards, paint, gold leaf, etc.

When : Sunday, Aug. 18 - Friday, Aug. 23 
Where : Grace, St. Helena, 1314 Spring St., Saint Helena, CA 94574  
Contact :  Email Judith Caldwell at  j [email protected] .
NEWS AND EVENTS BEYOND OUR DIOCESE
Calling all Licensed Preachers, Eucharistic Visitors, and all other baptized people!
Our diocese has established a partnership with the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (part of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, the Episcopal seminary in Berkeley) which will allow lay and clergy members of our diocese to enroll in online courses at a discounted rate. For the spring term, available courses include: 

  • Introduction to the Book of Common Prayer 
  • What We Believe: Theology in the Anglican Tradition 
  • Acts of the Apostles 
  • Introduction to Pastoral Care 
  • AND MORE! 

Whether you are working on a new Lay Ministry license or are looking for a continuing education opportunity, CALL may have a course that is right for you. Visit their website for more details, and if you want to register, please email Betsey Monnot at [email protected] for information about receiving the discount. The spring term begins on March 25. Registration is open now!
San Joaquin pilgrims to walk 16 days from Fresno to Sacramento
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin's 16-day Pilgrimage of Hope will begin on May 4 at their cathedral in Fresno and will conclude on the Day of the Immigrant in Sacramento on May 20. 

The pilgrimage is a visible witness of our standing in solidarity with and raising awareness of the plight of immigrants and refugees in the Central Valley. The hope and intention in this walk is raise awareness of the struggles our sister and brother immigrants and refugees face daily, while also raising money to support Legal Defense Funds throughout the Valley.  Learn more here .
From the wider Church
Episcopalians and friends concerned about all of God’s creation are invited to join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in pledging to take action to protect and renew God’s world and all who call it home. The goal is to gather at least 1,000 pledges with concrete, personal commitments by Earth Day, April 22.

“We hope people understand this is more than adding your signature to a petition,” said the Rev. Melanie Mullen, director of reconciliation, justice and creation care. “Pray with the pledge and the Reflection Guide during Lent. Think about what you love in God’s Creation, where your heart breaks over environmental injustice, and how you’d like to simplify your life – consume less, share more.” Sign the pledge here .
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