News for the week of May 7, 2019
We are trying something new! Below are announcements we'd like for you to share with your church. You can copy and paste the text below into your church's weekly bulletin, newsletter, or your church Facebook page. Feel free to adapt the style to fit with your church's communications!
Three things from the Office of the Bishop

  • On Saturday, May 25, we are ordaining Bob Scott and Cindy Woods into the Sacred Order of Deacons at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, at 11 a.m. Please join us!

  • You can now sign up to volunteer for the Consecration of Bishop-Elect Megan Traquair! See the time slots and positions here: bit.ly/volunteerednc

  • RSVP information for the consecration is not yet available. However, you can be one of the first to RSVP if you sign up for our Diocesan e-News, as that is where we'll first release the link: bit.ly/diocesanenews
We need your help! Volunteer for the Consecration
The Bishop Transition Committee, along with the Consecration Sub-committee, is pleased to share that volunteer information for the consecration of our next bishop is now available. Volunteers are instrumental in making our consecration run smoothly. There are several time slots and positions available -- all help is appreciated!

In addition, the Bishop Search website has been updated to include more information, as well as FAQs on the consecration. RSVP information is not yet available.

Gifts for the Bishop-Elect
When a bishop is consecrated, it is customary for them to receive gifts of different types that will be used in their ministry. These gifts often include the following:

  • A mitre (the pointy hat worn by a bishop)
  • A crozier (the staff that is a symbol of the bishop's office)
  • An episcopal ring
  • A pectoral cross
  • A Bible
  • Vestments

A pectoral cross is offered to a new bishop as another sign of their office. Though crosses are worn by other Christian ministers and laypersons, this cross is usually very large and holds significance to the bishop and/or the diocese, it may even have come from a former bishop. The silver cross pictured at left is the cross that was gifted to Bishop Jerry Lamb when he was consecrated 6th Bishop of Northern California. He gifted it in turn to Bishop Barry Beisner and Bishop Beisner will give it to Bishop-Elect Traquair. Also pictured at right, is the cross that will be given to Bishop-Elect Traquair by her family, who commissioned it for her.

You are being offered an opportunity to donate toward diocesan gifts for Bishop-Elect Megan. Click this link and select the "Bishop-Elect Gifts" button on the donation page to give your gift toward our future bishop's ministry.
Celebrate Bishop Barry
Join the diocese as we gather to honor Bishop Barry Beisner. These events are free. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend.

Friday, June 7, 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 15, 1:30 - 4 p.m.  

As Bishop Barry nears the end of his episcopate, we ask that you send photos of your church, ministries and people, as well as cards, notes, and stories about the way our bishop has blessed you to [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.

We are aiming to receive photos/notes from every church in the diocese – please help us achieve this goal! Please have your photos/wishes/stories sent in by Friday, May 24. 
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Bishop Barry and Rev. Dr. Ann Hallisey wrap up pilgrimage
On Monday, May 6, Bishop Barry and the Rev. Dr. Ann Hallisey led, as the Rev. Canon Cookie Clark assisted, the final Eucharist of the England pilgrimage at St. Andrew's Church in Bemerton, Wiltshire, where the well-known poet and priest George Herbert served until his death.
Funds raised for the Episcopal Church of Cuba
We are pleased to share that the diocese raised $6,500 for The Episcopal Church Together Again: Cuba Pensions Campaign, which aims to raise funds to provide future retirement benefits for current and retired clergy in the Episcopal Church of Cuba.

This offering was taken at last year's diocesan convention. Thank you to all who donated!
Bishop's visitation schedule 
  • May 19 - St. Barnabas, Mt. Shasta
  • June 2 - St. Mary's, Ferndale
  • June 9 - Emmanuel, Grass Valley

Bishop Barry's 2019 visitation schedule is  available here .
NEWS AND EVENTS IN AND BEYOND OUR DIOCESE
Six month anniversary of Camp Fire is Wednesday, May 8
Above: the Sunday after the Camp Fire began, Nov. 10, 2018. St. Nick's, Paradise, and St. John's, Chico, parishioners came together for a joint service.

A simple service of Holy Eucharist will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 to commemorate the six month anniversary of the Camp Fire. There will be time to share prayers, stories, and hopes as we engage with Christ in the recovery of our people and communities. The service will be held at St. John's, Chico, located at 2341 Floral Avenue. All are welcome.

If you can't join our siblings as they gather in Chico, use this prayer as we remember as a diocese:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love the things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-BCP pg 234

St. John's, Chico, is requesting Safeway gift cards to give to those impacted by the Camp Fire. You can send them directly to the church or give online. Learn more here: bit.ly/gcforcampfire
Immigrant Day is Monday, May 20
On Monday, May 20, Immigrant Day invites faith communities, other organizations, and individuals who recognize the gifts that diversity and immigration bring to California - to raise a collective voice for dignity and inclusion of California's immigrant communities. This year will include an interfaith liturgy, rally, speakers, special guest entertainers, panel sessions by experts, a resource fair of community partners, and visits to educate California’s elected leaders about community priorities as Episcopalians have evidenced through convention resolutions passed by the California dioceses and the Episcopal Church. Participants will support California legislators and communities to continue California's solidarity with the immigrants who make this state a great place to live and to encourage their courageous stand for the human rights of immigrants. Sponsored by the California Episcopal Policy Center; endorsements include the Episcopal Public Policy Network of California.
  
When : Monday, May 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where : California State Capitol - North Steps, 1101 L St., Sacramento
Contact : The Rev. Anna Lange-Soto, 650-245-7759.
Registration : $12 includes program, continental breakfast, and lunch. $32 includes transportation. Register here.
Church Divinity School of the Pacific Commencement is May 24
You are invited to celebrate several of our newest ordinands who will be graduating at the CDSP commencement this year, Friday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m.

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of Indianapolis, will give the address in the St. Margaret's Courtyard at CDSP. The event is open to the public and will be broadcast live online on the CDSP website.
Russian River Deanery Spring Convocation
The recent bishop search process engaged us in vital discernment about our hopes and needs for our Diocese of Northern California and its future. But the successful election of our new bishop is no reason for these conversations to end. In fact, now we can move on to a more open-ended and creative kind of conversation. We in the Russian River Deanery have asked the Bishop-elect how we can support her in becoming the bishop for our place and time and, with her input and blessing, we now invite you to a World Café about the vision of the church that is emerging in our congregations, deanery, and diocese.

World Café is a powerful tool for engaging congregations and other groups in conversations that matter, in a natural process that welcomes the wisdom of everyone present. The clergy of the Deanery will be with her in person at the May Clergy Conference, but here is an opportunity for the rest of us to join the conversation.

When : Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where : Veterans Memorial Building, 205 West 1st St., Cloverdale, CA 95425
Registration : A $10 donation will be requested for the luncheon that will conclude the program. Register here .
Contact : Dean Daniel Green at [email protected] or 707-762-8872
Volunteer for the Incarnation 100 bike ride for homeless services
Incarnation, Santa Rosa, invites you to join them in volunteering for the Incarnation 100 Bike Ride on Saturday, June 8, which raises funds for homeless services.

There are several volunteer positions available which involve preparing the route the day before or helping out the day of. Of course, if you are a biker, you are invited to participate, as the cost of your ticket is donated to the cause. Riders can choose between routes of four distances.

To learn more about Incarnation 100, visit their website here.
From the wider Church
During their meeting April 29-30, at First United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, the members of The Episcopal Church – United Methodist Dialogue Committee agreed to send a resolution for full communion to be considered by the Council of Bishops and for possible consideration by the 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. Read more here.

Other news: