Thursday Update
April 23, 2020
|
|
|
From Parable of the Good Samaritan by Jan Wijnants, 1670. Wikipedia
|
|
Thursday Update - #alonetogether
We are in a tricky phase of sheltering in place. In many places across the country there is talk of re-opening local economies and easing restrictions. In California the groundwork is being laid with stated criteria and guidelines. We are all weary in one way or another, and we are all uncertain about moving forward.
This is an important time for us to remind ourselves of our calling as followers of Jesus. In Matthew 22:36-39 we hear Jesus answer a lawyer’s question as to which commandment in the law is the greatest. Jesus summarizes our calling in two commandments:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…and a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
We are called to love God with our whole being and to love others as we love ourselves. This is not a call to put ourselves first. It is a call to “walk in love”. Our calling to love is a call to action, a call to make choices that reflect a higher good for all people. God’s love is love in action and ours can be, too.
Please know that we are all anxious to “restart” and that our politicians and our Bishop are working on what that might look like. You may or may not be happy with what you read and hear. One thing is for certain - we will not be returning to “normal”. Our best-case scenario will be gradual restarts in many areas. We will not likely have a big, celebratory, in-church worship service with us all together any time soon. It is likely that we will have starts and stops and readjustments. No one knows what this virus will do, and we will undoubtedly make plans and then make changes to our plans based on what happens.
I am happy that we can gather for worship. I am grateful for each of you. I pray that each of us will continue to heed our calling to care for the most vulnerable by being faithful to the small sacrifices we can each make to protect all of us and our healthcare system and workers. I am mindful of our calling to walk in love as Christ loved us. These are our commandments and our calling: to love God and to love each other.
Let us walk in love together.
Pastor Liz
|
|
Rector Search Update & Town Hall Meeting Notes
|
|
On Sunday, April 19th, our Vestry members shared that t
he vestry has been working closely with Canon Andrea McMillin for the past few weeks to determine the best way Faith Church can move forward in our rector search, given the restrictions from COVID-19. After much discussion and prayer, the vestry has decided that the best option for Faith Church at this time is to use the Priest-in-Charge process. Please click the links below to review the announcement and a summary of questions and answers from the Town Hall meeting.
Please feel free to contact our Senior Warden of the Vestry, Cathy Daust, with any questions. She can be reached via email at
[email protected].
|
|
Transition Information: Some helpful definitions
Interim Priest (IP): An Interim Priest is appointed by the Bishop, and the appointment must be accepted by the Vestry. The IP has a time limited contract and does not have full ecclesiastical authority. The Senior Warden and the Vestry have ecclesiastical authority. The IP is responsible for spiritual, pastoral, and worship leadership and will spearhead projects as mutually agreed upon with the Vestry. In our case, the current IP contract is through August 31, 2020.
Priest in Charge (PIC): A PIC is appointed by the Bishop, and the appointment must be accepted by the Vestry. The PIC has a time limited contract and full ecclesiastical authority and responsibility. Full ecclesiastical authority and responsibility is spelled out in the National and Diocesan Canons and includes building and grounds, finances, worship, spiritual well-being, and pastoral support. In our case, the contract term will be three years. The Bishop will only appoint someone who is open to the discernment and potential calling to be the permanent Rector. The Vestry and the PIC will discern the potential call to the Rector position in the third year.
Rector: A Rector is elected by the Vestry after following the diocesan process, including developing a parish profile and reviewing applicants. A Rector has full ecclesiastical authority and responsibility. A Rector has a Letter of Agreement to outline work and compensation but does not have a time limited contract. This is considered a “tenured” position.
|
|
Facebook Live Safety & Privacy Precautions
|
|
|
It has been so nice to share prayer requests during our Facebook Live worship services. At the same time, we need to be aware that what is put on Facebook can be viewed by anyone and is "permanent" in the world of the web. Please consider carefully what you put in the prayer requests. We suggest that you only include a first name or initials, and not use specific health conditions, location, or your relationship to the person.
|
|
Good Friday Offering $400
Easter Offering $8107
|
Thank you for your generous donations during Holy Week and Easter.
Donations made for Good Friday will
support ministry in the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.
This year’s Easter Offering will go to the Faith Church Mission Fund and will be used to fund grants to a broad selection of groups and organizations.
|
|
Stewardship Update
Hello and I hope all are staying safe and well!
Many of you have asked about church finances at this time and I am happy to report that we are tracking well.
We are 30% through the calendar year and the income for the Operating Fund is at 31% of pledge. The income for Capital Fund is at 31% of pledge. Expenses are lower than budgeted, as expected with the closed doors. Expenses for Operating are at 28% of budget and Capital 24% of budget.
Blessings,
Lynne Thomas
Treasurer
|
|
|
|
Please continue to give to our Operating Fund and our Capital Fund:
Mailing Address for Donations:
Faith Episcopal Church
PO Box 966
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
Online giving is easy to set up and you won't have to remember to send a check!
|
|
Landscape Maintenance Helpers Needed
|
|
|
Our church property needs some loving care. Can you spare a few hours or half a day? Two areas need the most attention, weed-eating and removal of dead plants. Take a look at the photo. The entrance to the church is a first priority! Contact Tim Daust at (707) 333-6570 if you have questions. Come when it's convenient for you and bring your yard tools! A BIG "thank you" to those who have already been helping!
|
|
Have you or your children been doing creative things at home during the pandemic? Creative work is often a response to the Holy Spirit! Please share your creations with us!
We want to include your creative work in our social media posts, website and newsletters. So, send us photos, videos, etc. with the creative things you have been doing such as quilting, sidewalk chalk art, music, gardening, baking, painting, poetry, song writing, whatever it is. For safety purposes, we will not include the names of children if there is a photo and we will use first names only to identify the creator of each submission.
Email your submission to:
|
|
"Snow in the Mountains" by Briana
|
|
|
|
A study for the Great 50 Days of Easter: The Gospel Of Matthew
Just in case you missed it, you can still join in a book study. I
f you would like to participate in a study group, please contact Sarah Goodness at
[email protected]
and we will find you a group that you can meet with via video conferencing.
|
|
Online resources for people in recovery
Isolation is perilous for people in recovery. We learn that our sobriety depends upon keeping connected to sober people, being accountable to others, being of service to others.
The Rev. Anne McKeever, Diocesan Recovery Facilitator has compiled resources that are still available during the "shut-down".
|
|
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please email prayer requests to
[email protected]
.
|
|
OFFICE HOURS
There are no established office hours during this time when the church is closed due to COVID-19 precautions. If you have any questions, please email the church at
[email protected].
PASTORAL SUPPORT
Pastor Liz Armstrong and Rev. Sonya are both available by email and phone to support you, but cannot make in-person visits at this time.
Liz Armstrong
(916) 201-3319
Sonya Reichel
CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES
SHARE FOOD CLOSET
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
