14th Sunday after Pentecost

Psalm 149

Exodus 12:1-14

Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 18:15-20

YouTube | Facebook | Website

Officiants: Rev. Canon Anna Carmichael and Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy

Preacher: Rev. Terrance Goodpasture

YouTube | Facebook | Website

9:30AM | ZOOM

The Nominating Committee is seeking individuals interested in serving on Chapter for a three-year term. Three Chapter positions will be selected this year. Nomination forms can be downloaded online. Nomination forms are due by Wednesday, September 30th at 8:00AM. Members of the Cathedral Congregation can nominate someone or themselves for consideration.

As a member of the Cathedral’s governance body, Chapter Members are charged with shaping St. James’ vision for the future. Those called to serve on Chapter are expected to attend monthly meetings, actively participate in the life and leadership of the congregation, and prayerfully share their gifts and talents for the betterment of the whole Cathedral community.

“It is crucial that we have three new members of Chapter who are eager to serve and excited about the future of the Cathedral,” said Dean Ryan.

“Chapter members, current and future, will need to be engaged, collaborative, and prophetic as we continue to resurrect St. James Cathedral and serve the people of the Central Valley and the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.”

A final election ballot slate will be published in October in the Midweek Missive. Due to COVID-19, voting by the Cathedral Congregation will need occur electronically and by mail-in ballots. Chapter is currently working to devise a process to conduct the voting.

As the Cathedral of the Diocese of San Joaquin, Chapter Members are ultimately elected by "confirmation" of Diocese Convention. Following a confirming vote by the Diocesan Convention, persons elected to Chapter will assume office at the annual meeting of the Cathedral congregation (January 2021).

If you have questions or want additional information, please speak to Dean Ryan, the Deacons, and/or any member of Chapter.

The Season of Creation is celebrated every year by Christians around the world from September 1st, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through October 4th, St. Francis Day. This year’s theme has been chosen to be Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope which is fitting given the major challenges of this Spring and Summer. Our hope is that every community in the diocese will celebrate the Season of Creation. More information including liturgical and formation resources as well as ways to register your events can be found here: https://seasonofcreation.org/

The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through repenting, repairing, and rejoicing together. During the Season of Creation, we join our siblings in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.

This year, amid crises that have shaken our world, we’re awakened to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and each other. During the season this year, we enter a time of restoration and hope, a jubilee for our Earth, that requires radically new ways of living with creation.

The Season of Creation unites the world’s 2.2 billion Christians around one shared purpose. With so much injustice all around us, now is the time for Christians everywhere to come together and show the world how to love each other and creation.

The Episcopal church has also developed some good resources. There are resources on both the Season of Creation and St. Francis day, and their hope is that Episcopalians will take these and plan worship services, and other ways to celebrate the Season. Find these resources here: https://episcopalchurch.org/season-creation-and-st-francis-day-resources 

Any questions about the Season of Creation or any of the available resources, please reach out to The Rev. Terrance Goodpasture.

The Cathedral Breakfast Club is a great place to catch up with members of the St. James community. Trade summer vacation stories, talk about that new book you just finished, or discuss things that pique your interest.

Join us the first Saturday of the month with your favorite morning beverage. Sit back, listen, and share.

The next Cathedral Breakfast Club is September 5th at 9:30AM. Join by clicking the Zoom link below.

The Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of San Joaquin invites you to a Day of Discernment on Saturday, September 5 from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. The day is designed to examine the four types of ministries in the Episcopal Church, to see how these groups work together, and to find out where we are "Called to be..." in response to our baptismal vows. The day will include a Bible Study based on the Kaleidoscope Method, an exploration of how we are called to use our gifts and talents to further God's kingdom, and a question and answer period about the ordination process, whether it is for the diaconate or the priesthood.

There is no cost for this event. There will be an opportunity for further study if you desire to learn more about ordination.

For more information, please contact Rev. Angela Lerena, Diocesan Administrator.

St. James Sunday School launches digitally on Sunday, September 13th. The kick-off session will begin with student check-in at 9:00AM and the lesson will begin at 9:15AM. The first day of Sunday School is designed for the whole family to join-in. The morning will include the blessing of the teachers and the students.

During the digital church period, St. James Sunday School is open to all school-aged children in the Diocese. Registration is required to participate!

We invite you to check out the St. James Children’s Ministry web page for more about our ministry with children and our curriculum Weaving God’s Promises.

Teacher recruitment period is now! If you feel called to the ministry of the spiritual formation of children, please send an email to teach@stjamesfresno.org. Teachers can be members of any Episcopal congregation in the Diocese, but we definitely need members of the Cathedral Congregation for both the digital Sunday School experience and when we return to public worship.

Prior to the first session, Dean Ryan and the Sunday School Committee will host via ZOOM an Orientation and Training session for all interested teachers. No prior teaching or Sunday School experience is required—all that is required is a willing and committed heart to educating the next generation of the Church. In addition to the Orientation and Training session, teachers will be required to take an online training module called Safeguarding God's Children--an in-depth educational and training program for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse in everyday life and in ministry.

Classes are Sundays at 9:15AM on ZOOM. Registration for Sunday School opened August 1st. Please visit St. James website for link to registration. The first session is Sunday, September 13th and the whole family is invited to participate.

Weaving God’s Promises is a comprehensive, three-year Christian education curriculum for children developed and written exclusively for the Episcopal Church. Weaving God’s Promises' 30-minute lesson plans are accessed online. There will be a “take-home” paper, Threads, that will be emailed to every family after each lesson. Threads allows families to continue the conversation and theme throughout the week.

TEACHER COVENANT OF COMMITMENT (Developed by Sunday School Committee)

The new home for the St. James Food Bank will be located in four "classrooms" on the western-end of the education building. The newly renovated space will allow our Food Bank to better serve the community.

Additional funds to complete the Food Bank transformation are still needed and welcomed. If you would like to make a donation to the project, please visit our online Cathedral Donation page or send a check to the Cathedral Office.

[Episcopal News Service] Delegates to the Electing Convention held Aug. 29 have elected the Rev. Diana Akiyama as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. The vote was confirmed after two ballots, concluding the yearlong process of seeking a successor for Bishop Michael Hanley, who began his service in the diocese in 2010 and will retire in January 2021.

Akiyama currently serves as vicar at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Kapaau, Hawaii, and is dean of Waiolaihui’ia School for Formation.

Ordained in 1988 in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon, Akiyama has the historical distinction of being the first Japanese-American woman ordained to the Episcopal priesthood. She has extensive experience in Christian formation, teaching, social justice advocacy and mission field, having served ministries in Oregon, California and Hawaii.

The Electing Convention was the first all-online election held within The Episcopal Church. Due to state-imposed COVID-19 restrictions and health concerns, the originally scheduled June 2020 election was postponed, tentatively refashioned as a multi-site event and ultimately conducted remotely via Zoom. The majority of voting delegates reported from their own homes, some reported from their parish settings and a head table was established to oversee the election proceedings at All Saints Episcopal Church in Portland.

“We did not choose the circumstances under which to hold the episcopal election. However, with the exceptionally creative and hard work of the Transition Committee, the flexibility of our candidates and the fervent prayers of the diocese, we feel so blessed to bring this process to a full and joyous conclusion,” said the Rev. Patti Hale, president of the Standing Committee.

“It is with deep gratitude to the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Oregon gathered in convention this day that I rejoice in the election of the 11th bishop of Oregon, the Rev. Akiyama,” said Hanley. “The diocese of Oregon is also grateful to all the candidates who stood for election. In all our work we have continued to pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit in this process and I believe that the Spirit was present in all that we did this day.”

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.

Each episode also includes "Birthdays of the Week!"

"Five Good Minutes" is a production of the Cathedral Clergy and 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)."

During the month of July the St. James Youth group will be meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6PM. All youth ages 10-18 are welcome to join. The Youth Group has begun a new Bible Series on the Parables of Jesus.

If you're interested in joining, email Kourinthia at sjyouth@stjamesfresno.org

St. James offers Sunday worship each Sunday at 10:00AM on our YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Website. Archives of these services are available.

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.

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.

This week, watch how much you use paper plates, disposable utensils and straws. See what of those items you can replace with reusable Tupperware and flatware that you can take with you. The Brand “TO GO WARE” sells reusable bamboo forks, spoons, and knives. You can keep this in your car, purse, or backpack to use at a moment’s notice.

The Midweek Missive has launched a new occasional feature called, Gospel Perspective.

In this section, we will feature images, cartoons, video clips, and quotes intended to inspire reflection, discernment, conversation, and prayer--imagine a very brief, midweek sermon for your heart and mind.

We also invite you to submit content for "Gospel Perspective" by emailing us.

To participate, log into the Cathedral Coffee Hour on Zoom. The meeting password is " james4147". 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".

Currently meeting weekly, Thursdays at 6:00PM on Zoom. For more information please email Emily Niblick.

Meets the first Saturday of each monthly at 9:30AM on Zoom. These gatherings are open to all. To join via Zoom, click here. There is also a call-in option: (669) 900-6833 - Meeting ID: 894 7483 4226 - Passcode: 230840797.

he clergy of St. James remain deeply committed to offering pastoral care and support to members of the Cathedral Congregation especially during this difficult time. If a pastoral need arises for you or someone you know in the congregation, and you want to contact the clergy, please either email us at clergy@stjamesfresno.org or call the Cathedral office at (559) 439-5011 and select option 5 to leave a message for the clergy.

Several Episcopal properties in the Diocese of Western Louisiana sustained heavy damage on Aug. 27 as Hurricane Laura left a narrow but brutal trail of destruction through the state.

Some residents of a senior housing facility owned by the Diocese of Southeast Florida that has been uninhabitable for over two months can begin returning to their homes this week, Bishop Peter Eaton wrote in a letter on Aug. 29.

For the second year in a row, a wine country camp and conference center owned by the San Francisco-based Diocese of California has narrowly escaped damage from wildfires, which over the past week got as close as a half-mile from the property.

The Diocese of Maine and Episcopal volunteers have been key players this summer in a solution to two parallel problems brought on by the coronavirus pandemic: Maine farmers’ unsold surplus food, particularly potatoes, and unemployed state residents’ struggles to put food on the table.

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.