August 2019
From Bishop Megan
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
From beautiful Humboldt county, joyful Camp Living Waters, and historic Colusa - our diocese is beautiful and amazingly active. The faithful in these spots are fueled with good worship and fed by acts of service. In a number of our churches, those acts of service to others are realized through partnerships. One organization partnering with another turns out to be one of the best indicators that a ministry is fruitful, far reaching and long lasting. In a successful church/community partnership, each group holds a crucial piece of the puzzle and the resulting team work is what allows both groups to remain nimble.

Here are two examples:

Camp Living Waters, a summer camp for children and youth, is located north of Eureka and was founded by The Rev. Susan Armstrong. It has been running for more than a quarter century. This camp has as its focus learning to follow Jesus through activities that foster formation and fun in a beautiful, riverside location. It functions on a long running partnership within the Semper Virens deanery for staffing and reaches a wide community of youth participants. Our Diocesan budget helps to give real support to this partnership in ministry. This year we welcomed students from the Diocese of Honduras (another long running, fruitful partnership) lead by The Rev Olga Barrera Flores. This visit was supported by a large number of churches in the wider Diocese. I am very grateful for both the gift of their visit and the support of our churches.

A second example is St Stephen’s, Colusa. This parish has a long running partnership with their community to provide an after-school tutoring program to local schoolchildren. As a small church, they have partnered with the teachers in a nearby elementary school to tutor students on their early release day each week. The teachers know which students will benefit the most and are a vital connection in this effort. Students regularly improve their academic performance so that they are working at grade level. Not only is the likelihood of completing high school improved, but the church has had six of their graduates go on to college. In fact, St Stephen’s has given six college scholarships to these special students from their program.

There are many more diocesan ministries I could describe, but these are a good place to respond in gratitude. Because of their commitment to partnerships, each of these ministries has a long-term impact on the life trajectory of those who are touched by their service. We know that when children and youth are touched and helped, that their families can feel the assistance, too.

A congregation might look around and quietly say, “How can we possibly help? We are too few, or too old, and the problems are too big,” but God is pointing us to a different answer. What we cannot attempt alone, we can do with partners. In both cases I presented above, the ministry has become part of a signature, or an identity, within their respective communities. They are known by their whole-congregation outreach focus through their partnership with others.

One can often find these words of scripture framed on the wall of a home:

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13.

Ministry through partnership is one of the ways this promise is fulfilled. Christ himself leads us to seek and find those with a common heart to serve and care; the movement of God’s Holy Spirit holds together a disparate group of leaders as they move toward shared ministry; and the Holy Spirit also feeds our hearts as we recognize the presence and ministry of God in our efforts. 

Have you seen a need? I invite you to find a partner and join the Triune God, who is restoring the world.

In Christ,
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Resolutions for Diocesan Convention due Aug. 30
Resolutions may be proposed by any person with seat, voice, and vote; the Board of Trustees; Standing Committee; Commission on Ministry; Diocesan Institutions; Vestries; Mission Committees; Committees of Convention; the Bishop or the Board of Trustees.

There are two resolution forms, available for download here.

Both forms must be sent to Leta Parks, Chair of Resolutions via email at parksleta@gmail.com by Aug. 30. Any questions can also be directed to Ms. Parks.
Nominations are needed, Clergy can help
Nominations for members of the Board of Trustees, Standing Committee and General Convention Deputies are open until September 13. As clergy, you have a unique role in this diocese and in your parish of lifting up the laity in areas of ministry. You know your lay people in a way that others do not.

The diocese has also expressed a keen interest in increasing the number of lay leaders involved in our governance.   As stated in Canon 16.1.1.4 regarding the Board of Trustees, “Of the elected and appointed members it is a goal that five shall be members of the clergy and that ten shall be members of the laity.”

Take a few minutes and look out across your congregation, who do you see that could do the work as a member of any of these teams? Does someone have a gift when it comes to understanding finance? Is there another that really functions well in making decisions in a team? Who in your church shows a prophetic vision for understanding the direction the Church should take? Encourage them to fill out a nomination form , but don't stop there. Help them do it and gather the materials they need to forward their candidacy. Raise them up for the good of our diocese and for the good of the Church. Remember, the deadline is September 13.

Click here for the Diocesan Convention nominations page.
Register for Diocesan Convention: Nov. 7-9 in Sacramento
Registration is now open until Sept. 27. Our registration fees are the same as last year's:

  • $75.00 for those who have seat, voice, and vote (delegates, clergy, seat and voice)
  • $20.00 for alternates, postulants and candidates, and visitors
  • FREE for those who volunteer (a minimum of four hours)

On Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., there will be a banquet that all in the diocese are welcome to attend. The cost for the dinner is $30.00. If you are attending convention and would like to attend the banquet, it will be added onto your convention registration fees.
Important Dates:
Aug. 30 - Resolutions due
Sept. 13 - Nominations due
Sept. 27 - Early registration closes
Sept. 28 - Late registration opens (a fee of $25 will apply)
Oct. 19 - Deanery Convocations
Oct. 23 - Second filing for Nominations (if needed) due 
Oct. 25 - Late registration closes
Nov. 7-9 - Diocesan Convention

More information on convention is available at norcalepiscopal.org/convention, including nomination forms, resolution forms, hotel information and more.
Bishop Megan's visitation schedule
  • Aug. 25: St. Peter's, Red Bluff
  • Sept. 29: St. John's, Petaluma
NEWS AND EVENTS IN AND BEYOND OUR DIOCESE
Bishop Megan visits St. Stephen's, Sebastopol
Barry Watkins, The Rev. Kate Sefton, The Rev. Christy Laborda Harris, and Bishop Megan wait for the procession.
The outdoor worship space was filled with parishioners.
Bishop Megan blesses the new altar.
The people of St. Stephen's, Sebastopol extended their hospitality this weekend as Bishop Megan made a visit. The bishop presided at special outdoor service, at which she blessed a new altar made especially for the worship space and received Ms. Mimi Herschkowitz into The Episcopal Church. Following the service, a coffee hour full of abundance and joy was held in the church hall.
Rev. Christy, Ms. Mimi Herschkowitz, Bishop Megan, and Rev. Kate. Mimi was received into
The Episcopal Church
Coffee hour was full of good food and joyous fellowship.
The beautiful embroidery on the bishop's vestments caught the eye of a young parishioner.
Clergy transitions
The Rev. Donna Arellano
The Rev. Brian Rebholtz
The Rev. Robin Denney
The Rev. Megan Anderson
The Rev. Donna Arellano, Deacon at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, will be moving to the Tacoma, Washington, area to be near family. There will be a celebration at the Cathedral on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 10:15 a.m. Please join the Cathedral in thanking Rev. Donna for her ministry.

The Rev. Brian Rebholtz, previously holding the title of priest-in-charge of St. Luke's, Auburn, has been elected Rector of St. Luke's. Please join the diocese at his celebration of new ministry on Saturday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m., at the church, located at 124 Orange St. A reception will follow the service. Clergy: red stoles.

The Rev. Robin Denney has been elected Rector of St. Mary's, Napa. Rev. Robin comes to St. Mary's after completing a two-year Associate for Christian Formation position at St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach, CA. She has several generations of ancestors who were Napa Valley pioneers, and her sister, the Rev. Amy Denney Zuniga, is currently rector at Grace Church, St. Helena. Her mother, aunt and stepfather are Episcopal priests as well.

Read more about the announcement  here.

The Rev. Megan Anderson has accepted the position of Host and Chaplain at The Bishop's Ranch. She will be the host for weekend retreats and camps and will fulfill the duties of chaplain in the Chapel of St. George on Sundays and during the week. She moved in and started her duties last week and looks forward to greeting you as you visit the ranch.
Retired clergy luncheon: Aug. 30 in Carmichael
Retired clergy in the diocese are invited to a lunch gathering of retired clergy and spouses/partners. We will share a simple Eucharist before we enjoy a catered lunch. 
Discussion will be about ways to increase connection among retired clergy/spouses/partners and what would nourish your life in faith. 

Bishop Megan appreciates Bishop Barry’s ministry to the retired clergy and their spouses and partners, and wants to continue that. We look forward to seeing you at this event.

When: Friday, Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: St. George's Episcopal Church, 5600 Winding Way, Carmichael, CA 95608 
RSVP: Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Jacqi Seppi at jacqi@norcalepiscopal.org or at 916.442.6918, ext 213
Contact: The Rev. Dr. Christine Leigh-Taylor, Chaplain to the Retired Clergy, at leighta@mcn.org
Safe Church training opportunity: Oct. 12 in Rocklin
Sunday School teachers, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, church staff, vestry members, and clergy are invited to participate in a workshop on Safeguarding God's Children and Safeguarding God's People. This workshop satisfies the denominational requirements for those who work with children or vulnerable adults.

When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: St. Augustine Episcopal Church, 1800 Wildcat Blvd., Rocklin, CA 95765
Registration: The cost to attend is $15; refreshments are provided. Register here.
Contact: The Rev. Tom Gartin at tom@staugustineepiscopal.com
Grace, St. Helena, seeks m arketing and communications coordinator
Grace, St. Helena, is seeking a creative marketing and communications coordinator. Here is an introductory letter from Assistant Rector Anne Clarke, and here is the job description.
Churches invited to participate in Healing Day National Bell Ringing Aug. 25
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Bishop James B. Magness invite Episcopal churches to take part in a national action to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619 by tolling their bells for one minute on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 12 p.m. Pacific Time. Watch Presiding Bishop Curry’s video message here