VOLUME 2, ISSUE 22
June 17, 2020
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Our apologies we are re-issuing this week's Missive to address a needed correction.
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3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7)
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Psalm 66, 67
Numbers 14:26-45
Acts 15:1-12
Luke 12:49-56
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SUN. JUNE 21TH - 10:00AM
Officiants:
Deacon Nelson Serrano-Poveda & Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy
Preacher:
Reverend Kathie Galicia
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
SUNDAYS @ 10:00AM
SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
SUNDAYS @ 11:00AM
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ALL ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
ARE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY
FOOD BANK: PRODUCE MARKET
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 @ 2:30PM - 4:30PM
Cathedral Patio/Parking Lot
BLACK LIVES MATTER VIGIL
FRIDAY, JUNE 19 @ 7:00PM
UU Fresno - 2672 E. Alluvial
TOWN HALL: THRIFT SHOP MINISTRY
THURSDAY, JUNE 25 @ 7:00PM
YOUTH GROUP MOVIE NIGHT
SATURDAY, JUNE 27@ 6:00PM-8:00PM
CHAPTER MEETING
SUNDAY, JUNE 28 @ 12:00PM
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CATHEDRAL CO-SPONSORING
BLACK LIVES MATTER VIGIL
Friday, June 19th at 7:00PM @ Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
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Please consider joining us this Friday evening, June 19th, from 7PM – 8PM as St. James, along with its faith brothers and sisters, co-sponsors this Friday’s Black Lives Matter vigil at the Unitarian Universalist Church (2672 E. Alluvial, Fresno). You can participate by:
- Offering your prayers
- Driving by the UU church on Alluvial between Willow and Chestnut to show your support
- Attending the Vigil
- Volunteering to help at the Vigil by assisting with parking and pedestrian directions
If you attend, social distancing practices will be followed-please wear a face mask. Vigil will be broadcast on the
St. James Facebook Page from the UU Fresno Live Feed.
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DIVERSITY OF BISHOPS FOR A DIVERSE CHURCH
EDSJ Facebook Live, Tonight at 6:30PM
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You are invited to join the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin (EDSJ) tonight, June 17th at 6:30PM for a live stream on the EDSJ Facebook page for an important conversation.
Bishop David along with The Right Reverend Gayle Harris, Bishop Suffragan of The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol J. Gallagher the regional canon for the Central Region of Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, will discuss diversity in the church, the house of Bishops, and Racial Reconciliation.
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KILLING OF RAYSHARD BROOKS
Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright releases statement
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[Diocese of Atlanta] The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, issued the following statement in response to the killing on June 12 of Rayshard Brooks by police in Atlanta, Georgia.
Like you, I am grieving yet another black man being killed by the police. Tragically, this time it has happened in our midst in Atlanta.
We commend Rayshard Brooks’ soul to the loving mercy of our God and his body to the earth. But we also commend his memory and unnecessary death to the conscience of every Georgian, every American, every follower of Jesus and every justice seeker.
For those who dismiss the call for reform in our policing as mere politics, exactly how high does the stack of bodies need to pile up before you lend your voice and strength for change?
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From the founding of our country we have had a white supremacy problem.
In this tragic incident, this founding flaw has been revealed again. What looks like the behavior of two police officers is actually a system producing what it was designed to produce, the denial of dignity and safety to black and brown people, specifically black men.
My heart breaks with every telling and retelling of the unjust killing of our nation’s Black citizens. My heart has been broken time and time again in this way since I can remember.
I do not condone violence by the police or protesters because I am a prisoner of God’s hope, because Jesus is the Lord of my life. And, I do not condone property damage for the cause of protest because it gives critics a means to diminish legitimate concerns. But I am, like so many, at my wits end.
When we are killed like dogs in the street, we are told to be patient and that justice will prevail except, justice in these instances, has been the exception and not the rule. People of every race and good will have been told that our eyes are lying when we see murder, or that the person deserved to die because they had a past. So in this case as in the murders of Ahmaud Aubrey, George Floyd, and now Rayshard Brooks we will wait breathing shallow breaths to see if in Georgia and Minnesota we will deviate from our well-worn American pattern.
I stand with all law enforcement who protect and serve the dignity, safety, and rights of all people. I echo Mayor Lance-Bottoms words, “we can do better than this in Atlanta” and commit myself to the hard work of helping Atlanta and our nation to reimagine policing.
And, I pray that the blood of Ahmaud Aubrey, George Floyd, and Rayshard Brooks has not been spilled in vain.
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DR. BARBER PREACHES AT NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
Extraordinary sermon last Sunday by prophetic leader
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This past Sunday, The Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, preached at the National Cathedral titled “America, Accepting Death Is Not an Option Anymore!”
“If we're going to turn from all this death, we need real truth-telling,” Barber said. “But not only that: when a nation is facing unnecessary and unnatural death, there must be a response of the people. There must be a refusal to accept easy answers and a refusal to just go along to get along."
Referring to the biblical prophet, Barber said, "So Amos says, God says: We need real lamenting. … In the text, God says, I need a remnant that will cry in the street and refuse to be comforted.”
He later added: “We need real reconstructing of society rooted in the deep moral values of our faith and of the Constitution.”
Rev. Barber is the chief architect of the "Forward Together Moral Movement" and the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. He is also the senior pastor of the Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and former president of the North Carolina NAACP. He is also president of Repairers of the Breach. Rev. Barber is also an author, professor of public theology and activism, and regularly contributor to national media as an expert on racism, poverty, social justice, and religion.
This Saturday, at the close of the virtual March on Washington on June 20, Rev. Barber will speak from Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh to potentially millions of online viewers.
A portion of this article was reprinted courtesy of the Religious News Service.
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TOWN HALL CONVERSATION:
St. James' Thrift Shop Ministry
June 25 at 7:00PM
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Like so many businesses throughout the country, the COVID-19 Pandemic has significantly impacted the
Cottage Shop, the Cathedral's Thrift Shop Ministry. As in past years, the summer heat requires that we shut down the ministry until the weather cools off because the Cottage Shop does not have air conditioning or in-wall insulation.
Despite the extraordinary work and dedication of our Cottage Shop volunteers, the ministry finds itself at a significant crossroad, both operationally and strategically. The Cottage Shop is an important ministry to the community around the Cathedral and it has the potential to be an essential community asset.
We are not without options! As the ministry has been required to press "pause" due to the pandemic and summer heat, our Cathedral Community has an amazing opportunity to come together with our Cottage Shop volunteers to begin dreaming and planning for the future of our Thrift Shop Ministry.
Dean Ryan, Stan Boone (Senior Warden), Aaron Schuelke (Chapter Liason for the Thrift Ministry), and the Cottage Shop volunteers invite anyone and everyone to a special "town hall" conversation on Thursday, June 25th at 7:00PM on
Zoom
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In order for this ministry to not only survive, but thrive, we are going to need the support and energy of our entire Cathedral family. Please plan to attend and participate.
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PRODUCE MARKET - JUNE 17TH
St James Monthly Produce Market will be held next Wednesday June 17. Distribution will begin at 2:30PM with social distancing practices in place.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The pandemic has impacted the time frame of the project, but the project continues move forward. Contractors bids have been reviewed by the Dean, Senior Warden, and leaders of the Food Bank. The goal is to accept one of the bids by next week. It is estimated the project will take about 4-6 weeks and we are hoping to begin in early July.
The Food Bank is still in need of additional financial donations to complete the project. If you are interested in giving please visit
stjamesfresno.org/giving and indicate your donation is for the food bank building project.
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DEACON ANGELA LERENA SERMON
Luke: 12:41-48 "The meaning and power of 'Master'"
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Last Sunday, June 14th, Deacon Angela Lerena gave the sermon on our willingness to be Master for far too long in this country. To view the sermon, click on the link below.
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PRIDE MONTH CONVERSATIONS
Wednesdays in June at 6:30PM
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Happy Pride Month St. James!
Each Wednesday in June, Deacon Nelson, the Diocesan Latino Missioner, will lead us in conversations around pride and racial reconciliation. These conversations will be held on the
Diocesan Facebook Page, Live at 6:30 pm starting this Wednesday, June 10th.
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DIGITAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE WEEK
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Every Monday at 6:00PM a new episode of "Five Good Minutes" premiers on St. James'
Facebook page and
YouTube channel and past episodes are available on both broadcast platforms.
"Five Good Minutes" is a production of the Dean, Deacons, and Cathedral Administrator. As the "five" say, "In each episode, our goal is for the five of us, to share at least five of the most important newsworthy items in the life of the Cathedral. . . and we do this all...in 'Five Good Minutes' (or so)."
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During the month of June the St. James Youth group will be meeting weekly on Wednesdays at 6PM. All youth ages 10-18 are welcome to join. The group will be discussing how the week has gone, plan future activities, and choose a movie for our end of the month movie night on Netflix Party!
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THE BOOK OF MARK
Bible Study with Emily Niblick
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According to most biblical scholars today, when the authors of the gospels attributed to Matthew and Luke (and maybe John) sat down to put pen to paper they most likely had two sources to help them. One was a mysterious document that scholars have named “Q” (for quelle), now lost, and the other was the gospel of Mark.
Although there is debate concerning the date, most feel that the gospel of Mark was written, possibly by the companion of Paul’s named Mark, before the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple by Roman troops in the year 70 CE. If so, it is the only gospel written before that calamitous event and impacts our reading of Mark. Somewhat short, Mark’s gospel is the story of Jesus, from wandering preacher and healer in Galilee to Savior on the cross in Jerusalem.
Please join us via ZOOM Thursday nights at 6:00 PM starting July 1st. For more information, and help using ZOOM just email me at
emilyeniblick@gmail.com
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DIGITAL COFFEE HOUR
Following the conclusion of the 10AM service join us on Zoom
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Every Sunday, following the 10:00AM service at approximately 11:00AM (maybe a little bit before), St. James hosts a "Digital Coffee Hour" on Zoom. We invite you to grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us for the conversation. We invite you to grab a cup of coffee or tea or your favorite drink and join us for the conversation.
You can also join the conversation by phone. Call (669) 900-6833 and enter the meeting ID 821-8772-3828. You will be prompted to enter the phone password "492292".
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SERVICE PROGRAMS
Starting this Sunday, we will once again begin offering digital service programs. Visit the St. James website to
download the program. If possible, for our creation care work, please do not print the program.
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SERVICE SURVEY
To help us improve our digital church experience, please evaluate your experience of our "live stream service," by taking a moment to complete a
short survey following Sunday's service.
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Looking for a New Book?
Check Out Your Local Library.
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Instead of buying your own copy, check out your local library for your next read. Libraries are valuable community centers, and chances are you'll only read the book once - no need to purchase every copy for yourself! If you like using e-readers, the
Libby App
allows you to borrow books from the library digitally.
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BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
Date and time of the next meeting is TBA and will held in a Zoom Conference. Call in option: (669) 900-6833 and enter the meeting ID 738-270-106.
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PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Date and time of the next meeting is TBA and will held in a
Zoom Conference.
Call in option: (669) 900-6833 and enter the meeting ID
378-306-618.
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MEN'S GROUP
Postponed until further notice. Thank you for your understanding.
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The Union of Black Episcopalians, through its mental health task force, is offering resources and support to the entire Episcopal Church community, as anxiety and tensions continue to rise after another killing June 12 of a black man by a white police officer.
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The dispute over Albany Bishop William Love’s prohibition of same-sex marriage in his diocese took a major step forward at a hearing on June 12, when The Episcopal Church laid out its charges of canonical violations against Love, whose counsel defended his actions as not conflicting with existing church canon law.
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At its June 8-11 virtual meeting, The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council doubled down on the church’s anti-racism efforts, acknowledging in light of recent events that the church must do more, both to understand its own complicity in white supremacy and to dismantle it.
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The archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have issued a call for prayer and reflection in the light of the big issues rocking the world at this time.
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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.
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