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Camp Sunday: Why You Should Get Involved
By Sophie Smal, Communications Coordinator
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St. Dorothy's Rest in the redwoods |
Has your congregation done Camp Sunday? Camp Sunday is exactly what it sounds like -- a Sunday in the beginning of the year where all parishioners get to learn about the summer camps offered within our diocese.
A few years ago, the Rev. Ron Culmer of St. Clare's in Pleasanton in the Diocese of California, and Katie Evenbeck, Executive Director at St. Dorothy's Rest, began Camp Sunday "to raise the visibility of summer camp ministries and to strengthen a more meaningful relationship between summer camps and parishes," Evenbeck said. This year, Evenbeck and a representative from The Bishop's Ranch have visited Incarnation, Santa Rosa, and St. Mary's, Napa for the first time, and have plans to visit Grace, St. Helena soon.
"It was great having representatives come to St. Mary's so parents, grandparents and potential campers could meet the staff and hear about their programs. I love that there are so many choices for camps. Families can attend camp together or campers can go with their peer group," said the Rev. Vanessa Glass, interim rector at St. Mary's.
Adults of all ages can get involved in camping ministry; for example, St. Dorothy's offers Camp Wise, a summer camp program for seniors, ages 60 plus.
Adults can also sponsor children from our diocese who want to go to camp but cannot afford the cost; you can donate to our campership fund.
There are several ways to include Camp Sunday into your church's program, one of which is to ask a representative from one of our local camps to join your congregation for coffee hour, give a sermon or say a special prayer, or work summer camp music into the liturgy, depending on your unique congregation context. If you'd like to host Camp Sunday with volunteers from your congregation, you might make a summer craft or create a s'mores kit together and get the conversation started about camp in a subtler way.
"Camp was such an important part of my development as a Christian, and I think that's true for a lot of people. We met God at camp and were changed by the experience. And now it's our job to help children and teenagers today get to camp as well," said Lifelong Christian Formation Coordinator Anne Clarke.
If you would like to bring Camp Sunday to your congregation, contact Anne Clarke, Lifelong Christian Formation Coordinator at [email protected].
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THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT BISHOP
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Transition Committee Seeks Members; Profile Almost Ready
April was not the cruelest month, but arguably one of the most productive months yet for the Search Committee. Having read and reviewed all the information and comments that came to us from the listening events, as well as doing lots of additional research and information-gathering, we met in April to go over the first draft of the profile and work collaboratively on revisions. Many, many thanks go out to the listening events subcommittee as well as the profile subcommittee for their extraordinary work.
Soon the Standing Committee will have a chance to review the revised profile. Only after Standing Committee approves the profile will it be available for the public to view on our Bishop Search website. We'll be sure to let the community of the diocese know as soon as that is live.
As a reminder, the published timeline states that the Diocesan Profile will be published in spring 2018, at which point the nominations process officially begins. It is a great pleasure to confirm that we are on track with our timeline.
Last but not least, as announced earlier this month, the Standing Committee is searching for people interested in appointment to the Transition Committee.
Applications are due this Friday, May 4. Learn more and
apply here.
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FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
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Bishop Barry to Receive CDSP Honorary Degree May 18
The Very Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson, president and dean of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, announced that our bishop will receive an honorary degree from the seminary at its commencement on Friday, May 18. If enough people are interested in attending the ceremony, we'll charter a bus to take a group to Berkeley. If interested, email us at
[email protected] with "BUS" in the subject line.
The Rev. Dr. William Lupfer, 18th rector of Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City, will give the address at the commencement at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of the Great Commission at Pacific School of Religion. The event is open to the public and will be broadcast live online.
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Register for the CCD Week-Long Session, June 10-15
There's still time to register for the week-long intensive session at the Bishop's Ranch, June 10-15!
Check-in begins on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and the program begins at 2 p.m. The session ends on Friday at 4 p.m.
Register here
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Bishop's Visitation Schedule
- May 20 - All Saints', Redding
- May 27 - St. Brigid's, Rio Vista
- June 3 - Holy Trinity, Ukiah
- June 10 - St. Michael's, Carmichael
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NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR DIOCESE
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Education for Ministry to Graduate 18 at Service on May 11
Everyone is invited to join 18 graduating EfM students from nine churches of this diocese at 7 p.m. Friday May 11 at Trinity Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento. Students and their mentors are asked to attend a short rehearsal at 6:30 and there will be a reception in the Great Hall after the Eucharist. Scheduled to speak are Thomas Stephenson of St. Luke's, Auburn, and Sue Ahlquist, Barbara Shreve and Kim Patrick of St. Luke's, Woodland.
Education for Ministry is a four-year extension program that meets during the academic year in groups of six to 12 students led by one or two mentors trained in small-group facilitation and theological refection. The next mentor training will be Aug. 1-3 at Mercy Center, Auburn; for more information, contact Sally Rooney at [email protected], or the Rev. James Richardson at [email protected].
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Hundreds Gather to Learn About Poor People's Campaign
Nearly 400 people gathered at Trinity Cathedral on April 16 to hear a rousing sermon by United Church of Christ Bishop Yvette Flunder of Oakland and learn about the Poor People's Campaign. The Poor People's Campaign is a continuation of the campaign launched 50 years ago by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shortly before his assassination. Beginning May 14 and continuing for 40 days, "Moral Monday" protests will take place in at least 41 state capitols, including California's State Capitol. Each week will be structured around one of the campaign's pillars: racism, poverty, ecological devastation and the war economy. Faith community leaders and members of congregations will have a prominent role. The cathedral will host many of the attendees coming in from outside the area. If you are interested in becoming involved in the protests as a participant or witness, or helping to host guests at the church or at your home, contact Shireen Miles at [email protected] or at 916-203-5595.
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Episcopal Community Services Annual Appeal coming up!
Episcopal Community Services is pleased to announce that Bishop Beisner has designated the seventh Sunday of Easter, this year May 13, as ECS Sunday.
We are inviting all congregations to participate. To that end each congregation will receive information about the appeal, a suggested newsletter article/bulletin announcement and copy-ready bulletin inserts for May 13.
Please be on the lookout for the information in your mailbox.
The bulletin inserts and news article also are available on the ECS website.
All funds raised are for grants used to help congregations develop, strengthen and support social justice and health ministries in their communities. Since the funds are available to all congregations in our diocese, we hope that all congregations will support this work
by participating in this appeal.
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Taize Prayer Community Presentation, May 11 in Red Bluff
Join the parishioners of St. Peter's, Red Bluff
on Friday, May 11 at 7 p.m. as they gather at a nearby church,
Presbyterian Church of Red Bluff, located
at 838 Jefferson St., for a presentation about Taize by Brothers John and Emile from the Taize Community in France. After the presentation, participants will j
oin in Taize Prayer, a reflective hour of simple and meditative songs, scripture reading, prayer, and silence.
Taize prayer allows participants
to come together around the cross to pray and bring all that is in their hearts to Jesus Christ. For more information email the Rev. Maryly Adair at [email protected].
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Calling Young Adults: Volunteer with LEVN
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2018 to the end of July 2019, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.
The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, the Sierra Pacific Synod office, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, unemployment, children and youth ministries, computer literacy, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.
We gather each week for worship, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in a triplex in Sacramento. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply-interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation.
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| North Coast Priest Pens Unique View on Homelessness
Apostles' House, a book published last year and written
by the previous rector of St. Alban's, Arcata, the Rev. Eric Duff, examines the issue of homelessness in a way most people tend to miss.
Buy the book on Amazon.
"Father Eric did a wonderful job of examining individual's lives (including his own), public policy and the ins and outs of operating a shelter," said Diana Cooper, delegate at St. Alban's. "It has given me some insights into the issue of homelessness that I had been looking for."
Fellow parishioner and delegate Cindy Woods wrote a review on the book, which is available here.
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Save the Date: Incarnation 100 Bike Ride June 9
The streets of Sonoma County will be filled with bicyclists on Saturday, June 9, to raise money for homeless services. Avid and casual riders are welcome; the routes range from 30-100 miles.
This is the fourth annual ride sponsored by the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa. Last year's ride, which raised $17,000, attracted more than 200 cyclists.
As an added bonus this year, Incarnation 100 is offering a free jersey to anyone who can raise $450 towards the ride.
Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of capacities. Click here for more information.
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Available Positions in the Diocese
The Belfry campus ministry in Davis California is seeking an Executive Director. The Belfry is a 40-year-old Episcopal-Lutheran campus ministry for UC Davis undergraduates and graduates. Learn more here.
Faith, Cameron Park, is seeking a passionate and organized Parish Administrator who loves to work hard and have fun while doing it. Learn more here.
Trinity, Folsom is searching for a Director of Music and a Director of Children's Ministries. Job descriptions are available here.
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NEWS AND EVENTS BEYOND OUR DIOCESE
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May 11 Celebration of Life for Bishop Shannon Mallory
A "Celebration of Life" service has been announced for The Right Rev. Shannon Mallory, the Diocese of El Camino Real's first bishop,who died this month in Monterey. The Friday, May 11 service will be held at Epiphany Lutheran & Episcopal Church in Marina. The service will begin at 3 p.m.; the church is located at 425 Carmel Ave in Marina.
A second service will take place this fall at
St. Margaret's in Palm Desert on Oct. 13.
Read the full biography for Bishop Mallory here. Contact Mary Beth Powell with any questions at [email protected] or 831-394-4465.
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DioCal Offers Financial Aid for Theological Education
The Diocese of California offers financial aid for students pursuing theological education at an approved seminary or the School for Deacons. Financial aid is available for students from the Diocese of California, the Diocese of Northern California, the Diocese of San Joaquin, and the Diocese of El Camino Real. Specific eligibility requirements differ from fund to fund. For more information and an application form, please contact Melissa Ridlon at
[email protected].
Application deadline is May 18.
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Women Invited to Spend 10 Days in SF Spiritual Immersion
The Community of St. Francis, a community of Episcopal religious, is offering a 10-day Residential Immersion in Franciscan Spirituality, Aug. 10-20 in San Francisco. Our theme is "Francis and Creation."
Join the sisters in living out spirituality through participation in their life of prayer, work, ministry, and community. Open to any woman over 18. Room and board are provided as part of this free program, but donations always welcome.
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Reclaiming Jesus:
A Statement from the Presiding Bishop and Church Leaders
A group of church leaders, including Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, have released a statement on "Reclaiming Jesus" in our culture:
"We are living
through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership at the highest levels of our government and in our churches.
We believe the soul of the nation and the integrity of faith are now at stake.
It is time to be followers of Jesus before anything else-nationality, political party, race, ethnicity, gender, geography-our identity in Christ precedes every other identity. We pray that our nation will see Jesus' words in us. 'By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another' (John 13:35)..."
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From The Episcopal Church
The Commission on Impairment and Leadership created a list of 13 detailed recommendations for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others to consider when tackling the pressing issues of alcohol and substance abuse prevention and intervention. Details about the commission's report and information about efforts to implement some of the recommendations are available in an
ENS story here. Some of the key points among the recommendations, edited for brevity, can be found
here.
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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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