VOLUME 1, ISSUE 25
JULY 11, 2019
PROPER 10C - JULY 14, 2019
Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Psalm 25:1-9
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
8:00AM SERVICE
Preacher: Dean Ryan
Celebrant: Dean Ryan
10:00AM SERVICE
Ushers: TBD
Lector: TBD
EM: Pete Cabbiness
Preacher: Dean Ryan
Celebrant: Dean Ryan
FOOD BANK
2nd-4th Wednesdays @ 2:30PM

THE COTTAGE SHOP
[Closed Wednesday during Summer]
1st-3rd Sat. @ 9:00AM-1:00PM

CHOIR REHEARSALS
[On Summer Break from Rehearsals]
THE DEAN'S FIRESIDE CHAT
SUN. JULY 14 @ 9:00AM
Fireside Room

THE DEAN'S FIRESIDE CHAT
SUN. JULY 21 @ 9:00AM
Fireside Room

FEAST OF ST. JAMES
COMBINED SERVICE
SUN. JULY 21 @ 10:00AM
Cathedral

CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK PICNIC
SUN. JULY 21 @ 11:30AM
Zoe Eden Gym

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW)
SAT. JULY 27 @ 11:30AM
Helen's Chinese Restaurant

YOUTH GROUP POOL PARTY
SAT. JULY 27 @ 12:30PM-2:30PM
Jenning's Residence
ST. JAMES LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
New Site Points Toward the Cathedral's Future
On Tuesday evening, St. James launched its new website. The new site is a major step forward for both our Cathedral community and for those outside St. James who are eager to learn more about the Cathedral.

"It is more than a website," says Dean Ryan Newman. "The new website tells a story of who we are; past and present, and most importantly who we hope to be in the future."

"It is also a profound testimony to the resurrection of St. James Cathedral and reclaiming of our identity as a Cathedral congregation and the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin."

There are many noteworthy features of the website--and more will be added over the next couple of months. Here are some highlights:

  • The site is actual two sites . . . (1) a traditional website; and, (2) a mobile-designed site. Research indicates that about 50% of all traffic to websites is through a mobile device.

  • The site offers visitors and new members numerous opportunities to learn about St. James and connect directly with us through the website.

  • The site host the "Official Calendar" of the Cathedral. If an event is happening on the Cathedral campus, it will be on the calendar. Also, we will feature many events happening in the Diocese and in the local community on the calendar.

  • Need a room for a committee meeting or Bible study? Members of the congregation can submit a room request and calendar addition through a simple online system. On the calendar page, just click "add event to calendar" and fill out the form.

  • Our two most popular and visible community-based ministries, The Cottage Shop and the St. James Food Bank, both now have a web-presence. Those pages will allow the community to learn more about these vital ministries and to connect directly with those ministries.

  • The "Ways of Giving" pages explains the various ways that individuals can support the mission and ministries of the Cathedral. Also, we now have the ability to receive online donations through Paypal.

  • Did you know that Zoe Eden is a very popular venue to rent for the community? In addition, other venues and rooms are also rented throughout the year. We now have a Facilities Rental page for individuals who are interested in learning more about of campus facilities. Prospective renters can also submit rental inquiries through the site.

  • The site is home to a "Cathedral Blog." We will utilize the blog to highlight important and timely information and events, post feature stories, and share pictures.

  • For couples interested in getting married at St.James, we now have page highlighting our wedding ministry.


There are many more features of the new website--and more to come. We invite you to explore the new site. If you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to send Dean Ryan an email with your comments.
ST. JAMES' DAY PICNIC
After the Combined Service Join Your Cathedral Family for a Picnic
In celebration of St. James' Day, on Sunday, July 21st, we will gather at 10:00AM as one congregation to worship. Bishop Rice will join us to preach and celebrate. Following the service, we will enjoy a picnic in Zoe Eden Gym.

We are hoping the Cathedral Congregation will be bring items to share.

  • Entrees to bring: Fried, Grilled, BBQ Chicken, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches, Sausage Links, Wraps and Pinwheels.

  • Salads to bring: Pasta, 3 Bean, Potato, macaroni, coleslaw, fruit, Broccoli.

  • Sides to bring: Baked Beans, Deviled Eggs, Veggie Trays, Chips and Dip.

To assist with the planning process, we are asking those thinking of/planning on attending to RSVP. You can RSVP by clicking on the button below. A RSVP list also will be located at the entrance of the Chapel at 8:00AM and at the entrance of the Cathedral at 10:00AM.

Please join us for both the service and the picnic on July 21st!
PASTORAL LETTER FROM BISHOP RICE
Pledge to Explore and Discern Solar Power for Our Faith Communities
Sisters and Brothers of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin,

Over the last 5 1/2 years, I have employed different language to describe all things San Joaquin. As you know, we have talked about ourselves as a people Called to be…. This has become known as our vision prompter, that is, the ways in which we see ourselves and continue to discern who and how we are called. And as you know the ... (dot, dot, dot) is the reminder that the ongoing questioning, namely, discernment continues. Another typical way in which I’ve described us is that we are an Emerging Diocese. And I particularly like that language as it identifies the extraordinary ways God continues to create anew before us and in our midst. There have been many emergences from the time I was Bishop Provisional to living into my life as Diocesan Bishop. Fortunately, there are too many emergences to recount, however, I do wish to highlight a few. 

  • The initiation and continued distribution of our yellow bags throughout the diocese was one of our first emergences. This simple albeit substantial ministry has and continues to remind us of the growing number of marginalized people who live on our streets. Moreover, we are reminded of the many ways in which we continue to be called to respond to the voices and lives of the increasing number of those who live on our streets. 

  • The other emergence which quickly comes to mind was our Tour Against Trafficking. The tour from its educational/formational beginnings to the actual cycling throughout the diocese was and continues to be a reminder that those who are most at risk in our context are those who are typically least visible. And so we continue to learn that in order to see them and offer help, we must know something about that for which we look.

  • And of course as are talking about emergences, our Revival quickly comes to mind. It was absolutely wonderful to have our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry with us as we focused on, again, seeing the faces and hearing the stories of some of the most marginalized people in the place in which we live, that is, immigrants and refugees. And to name and rename, we must provide “Safe Places for all of God’s People.”

  • And most recently and most definitely a poignant emergence, was our Pilgrimage of Hope. This pilgrimage did and continues to identify that God is speaking to us from our larger context and speaking to us through the stories, the yearnings, and the dreams of those who are most impacted by systems which must be challenged and addressed. And so we walked as a diocese, we engaged with legislators as a diocese, and along the way we heard the voices of those who need to be heard, as a diocese. 

And so, thanks to God, we have been emergent rich over the last 5 1/2 years. One of the emergences I didn’t mention was a response earlier this year to the Care of Creation Pledge. This pledge, as you know, was an invitation for us, individually and collectively, to consider the ways in which we offer care to the world around us, and perhaps more specifically, the ways in which we can reduce our footprint in our world. I highlight this particular emergence because of the extraordinary response from you.

As you may or may not be aware, of all the Dioceses in The Episcopal Church, we were third on the list of those who have made the pledge. This response on our part was most definitely recognized and celebrated by our Presiding Bishop and his office as as an important example of an “emerging diocese.” As an aside, I have pointed out in different conversations since then that our Creation Care Pledge wasn’t simply an initiative or “competitive exercise” for a season (The Creation Care Task Force of which I am a participant wanted 1000 pledges by Earth Day, April 22). This was and is an invitation to be moved by the Holy Spirit to actually change the world in which we live and be faithful to the Gospel-Life to which we are called. Hence, I pray we all are living out the pledge we made and more will make their own pledge in the days before us.  
As far as our Creation Care Pledge is concerned, San Joaquin wishes to make our own pledge by exploring and discerning possible solar power for our faith communities. Diocesan Staff, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee are committed to this pledge and I hasten to insert, this continued emergence for this diocese. We believe that solar energy would save substantial economic costs, moreover, as I have suggested, it would speak volumes regarding our care of creation, more specifically, our commitment to what God has gifted to us. In other words, Sisters and Brothers, I believe this solar project is a way to live out our baptismal faith and to honor God’s creation. We do not know if this solar project will work in every community which is why we need your assistance. In the next few days, you will receive a questionnaire which will help in that very analysis, that is to say, helping to determine the feasibility of solar in different locations. I ask that you respond to the questionnaire as quickly as possible.

As I have indicated, this project has the full support of Diocese Staff, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee. We are so confident that this is where God is leading us that the cost for solar will be covered by the diocese. In other words, this will be of no cost to our local communities and we believe that the potential savings will far outweigh any initial costs. Equally, this provides another opportunity to identify and celebrate who we are becoming and how we are emerging as a Diocese in The Episcopal Church.

You remain in my prayers.

Blessings,
 
The Right Reverend David Rice
Bishop of San Joaquin
Continuing this Sunday through the end of August (except on July 28th), Dean Ryan will host “Fireside Chats” 9:00am -9:45am in the Cathedral’s Fireside Room.

This Sunday's "Way of Love" topic is REST.

The assembled group are invited to bring/grab a cup of coffee or tea and will listen together to an episode of Presiding Bishop Curry’s new podcast The Way of Love. Each episode is about 20 minutes. 

Following the podcast listening session, Dean will convene a conversation about the episode with the group. This is intended to be an informal, yet engaging gathering—participation is highly encouraged. Come for the coffee (or tea), stay for the conversation! All are welcome!
Traveling the Way of Love Episode 2 - REST. It can be difficult to rest and recharge, but the Rev. Jimmy Bartz of St. John’s in Jackson, Diocese of Wyoming, walks us through ideas and practices that might make it a bit easier.
IN HONOR OF ST. JAMES' 140TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE UPCOMING CELEBRATION THIS FALL, THE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE IS OFFERING ARTICLES IN THE "MIDWEEK MISSIVE" HIGHLIGHTING THE HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL.
A CALIFORNIA PILGRIMAGE
A Glimpse Into the Life and Travels of Bishop Sanford

BY EMILY NIBLICK
The major task facing the Historical Preservation group is the necessary of sifting through and organizing boxes and boxes of materials such as documents, photos and other remnants of the past. Much of the material we have pertains to Saint James, but as years have gone by we have also accumulated materials from other churches in the diocese which have been shuttered. Consequently, we never know what we will find!
In fact, that happened to me a couple of weeks ago. After I wrote, my previous article on the two commemorations of what is perceived to be the first service in the Valley at Fort Miller (one held in 1920 and the other in 1957), I came across yet another somewhat priceless item with a story that also pertained to the commemoration of 1920.
The item is a book put together by our first bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin Louis C Sanford. It is very finely done; arranged for by Bishop Sanford himself, privately printed with only 250 copies produced, available by subscription only. The book, printed by Bruce Brough of San Francisco in June of 1921, is bound and printed on very fine, heavy paper. There are etchings contained within, and photos as well. 
Bishop Sanford, of course, was present at the 1920 commemoration. He had been the bishop of San Joaquin since its inception, which had come about at the convocation held in San Francisco in March of 1910. It was decided at that meeting to carve a new diocese out of the Diocese of California, and it would be named the Diocese of San Joaquin.

Bishop Sanford was born in Rhode Island, but right after graduation he made his way to California. He first settled in the Valley, serving churches in Fowler and Selma. When the convocation at San Francisco created the Diocese of San Joaquin they also they also had to name a new bishop for the diocese and Bishop Sanford was chosen to be its first bishop. The vestry at Saint James was quick to ask him to make Saint James his home and so the cathedral for the diocese. Being somewhat familiar with the area, he accepted.
You may remember from the previous article that Bishop Sanford was present at the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Bishop Kip’s visit; and how over forty people from the church motored up to where Millerton Lake is today, and then processed a quarter mile to the site of the old fort. There was a fine picnic, along with a lecture on the history of the area, and the sermon presented by the bishop of the diocese of California, William Ford Nichols. All was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist.
The first chapter of Bishop Sanford’s book tells the story of the pilgrimage and follows with the sermon preached by Bishop Nichols. And then we read Bishop Kip’s own description of his magnificent journey of 1855 through what was veritably the wilds of California, including the dangers of bandits. It makes for great reading!

The book itself is illustrated with a few photos of the festivities and contains a list of those who were involved in the planning for the commemoration festivities. 

But to my surprise there was even more! Nestled in the book itself were two pieces of mail, both in their original envelopes. One is dated October 3, 1921, addressed to L. A. Winchell. He is listed in the book as being on the Committee of Arrangements, along with Mrs. Tupper, Mrs. Cory and Mr. Miller. The note reads:
Dear Mr. Winchell,

I find myself able now to do what I all along hoped for but what my obligations last summer made me afraid at that time to attempt, viz., to send out a few complementary copies of “A California Pilgrimage.” And I want the first one to go to you and Mrs. Winchell because of the great help you gave me in the making of the book, and the interest you both showed in the whole matter. Except for your enthusiasm in the pilgrimage a year ago, the pictures which you allowed me to reproduce and your criticism of the work in its several stages, the book would not have been the success I believe it to be.

Please accept the copy which I left with you as an expression of my appreciation of your help and a very inadequate token of my regard and friendship for you both. 

With warmest wishes as ever I am
 
Most sincerely yours, 

Louis C. Sanford
The other note explains that the book was in turn given to Minnie Burns by Geraldine Winchell Ramsey, Mr. Winchell’s daughter, in 1960.

Mr Lilbourne A. Winchell was born in Sacramento in 1855 and moved to Fresno in the 1880’s. He engaged in various pursuits in Fresno; he served in many county and city offices, he was involved in experimenting with growing apples and peaches in his orchards, and wrote a history of Fresno County which was published in the 1930’s. His wife Ernestine worked for nine years as a writer for the Fresno Republican newspaper. They were both founding members of the Fresno Historical Society. They made their home on Echo St. in Fresno. Mr. Winchell died in 1939.

Bishop Sanford served the diocese at Saint James until he retired in 1942 in poor health. He passed away on August 10, 1948.
NEWCOMER LUNCHEON
Sunday, August 25th - 11:30AM
Are you new to St. James? And by new . . . have you started attending worship this past spring or later (give or take)? If so, we invite you Sunday, August 25th @ 11:30AM in the White Room for next our Quarterly Newcomers’ Luncheon.

Meet the clergy and leaders of St. James in an informal, family-friendly gathering. Mingle with others exploring the Cathedral Family and all that St. James has to offer. A sign-up list will be available at the entrance of the Chapel and Cathedral starting this Sunday or RSVP ONLINE .
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
The June Gathering of the St. James Youth Group
If you have any feedback, comments, or questions for the Midweek Missive Editors, please email us . Submissions to the Midweek Missive are welcomed and must be submitted to midweek@stjamesfresno.org by Tuesday at noon.