News & Notes - November 15, 2020
The Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Online Service at 9:30 a.m.

This letter from Stephen was part of a pledge campaign e-update earlier this week. It’s reprinted here.
From the Rector: Closing the Gap
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High.” (Psalm 50:14)

Dear friends,

We’re nearing the end of our annual pledge campaign. And I want to invite you to make a sacrifice of thanksgiving. In the ancient Temple, a sacrifice of thanksgiving was a voluntary offering made out of devotion: an outpouring of joy and self-offering. Pledging to your parish church is like that. It’s an act of love and a statement that you belong to this community, that our shared mission is your mission.

And the truth is: we need your pledge. Last year our parish had a deficit of about $60,000—the remnant of a five-year period when we often ran deficits twice that high. We can’t keep doing so. Our vestry has committed to being responsible stewards and living within our income. But most of the easy cost savings, and some hard ones, have already been found. If we’re not able to close our deficit this year, we are likely to have to make reductions in hours for our core staff members. That’s the reality we’re up against. But it’s not inevitable.

Last year at Incarnation we had about 150 pledging households. If each of those households was able to increase its pledge by $400 over last year, the gap would be covered. (Coincidentally, that exact amount would also bring us up to the average level of giving among congregations in our diocese with over 50 attenders.)

Will you join me in choosing to pledge—and if you’re already a pledger, in stepping out in faith by increasing your pledge this year? We know not every household can do so, especially in these times of economic anxiety. Yet some will. Some will be able to do more. If you’re in a position to increase your pledge by enough to cover one or more other households’ portion in addition to your own, please consider this act of generosity.
If you’ve already made your pledge for next year, thank you! And if, after prayerful consideration, you are able to increase it, you can always resubmit it at the link above, or by contacting the church office at (707) 579-2604.

If you have more questions about our financial situation, our treasurer David Jasper or I are happy to talk any time. I'm so thankful to be part of this community of faith together.

In Christ’s love,
From the Development Committee:
Pledge Drive Ends Sunday, November 15

Dear Incarnation Parishioners,

Thank you so much for your support of the ministry of the Church of the Incarnation over the years.

The Development Committee would like to remind you that the 2021 Pledge Drive ends this Sunday, November 15th. Returning your pledge card by our end date will greatly help the Vestry in establishing Incarnation's 2021 budget. To date we have received about 70 pledges. Last year we had a total of 158 pledging households. You can make your pledge by mail, or pledge online.
For a tutorial on online pledging and a discussion about how the Vestry sets the annual budget, check out the recording of our Pledge Drive Town Hall: 2021 Pledge Drive Town Hall

2020 has been a challenging year for so many of us, but we look forward to 2021, Acting in Faith that God's love and justice will reign supreme and we will experience renewal as a city and nation.

We ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your pledge for 2021 in proportion to what God has blessed you with.

Finally, thank you for being part of the life, community, and ministry God is doing through our church. As the Body of Christ, you are part of the Incarnation of God’s love that binds us together in the holy work God is doing here at Incarnation.

Yours,

The Vestry Development Committee
Online Services
During this time of pandemic, our worship continues. Using technology, we can gather from wherever we may be and join together in the Word and in prayer.

Here's more on how to use Zoom.
Sunday Services:


We are also live streaming each Zoom service on our Facebook page, so you can also watch the service on Facebook, and it will be archived there for viewing later in case you're not able to join in live. You don't need to be a Facebook member to see the live stream on the Facebook page by clicking the link above.
Please Take Note...
Prayer for America
Monday, November 16, 3 pm
Do you feel helpless to effect change in our pandemic hobbled world? Add your voice to assist in the healing of a divided nation. A group of Incarnation parishioners is praying together every Monday at
3:00 pm on Zoom, The meeting is short (about 15 minutes) and centers on prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. Our nation needs your help. Please join us!


Shopping at Incarnation's Book & Gift Shop

By appointment, seven days/week, beginning Monday, November 15
We hope you will support Incarnation and the Book & Gift Shop by choosing some of the many small gift items on display: beautiful jewelry - handcrafted by Incarnation’s Joanne Quirino, tea towels, stationary, hand lotions, soaps and more.

Of course there are many books from your favorite authors to choose from like Joan Chittister, Ann Lamott, Richard Rohr, Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts, (a perfect Christmas gift), Bishop Michael Curry, and many others. A smaller version of the Book of Common Prayer is a meaningful gift. Don’t forget about our own Incarnation authors: Frank Baumgardner, Francis Geddes, Donald Green, Ken Heinzel, Alice Macondray and The Rev. Dr. Gail Cafferata’s, The Last Pastor.

To make your appointment email our manager, Linda Sevier, sevierlinda@gmail.com, or text 949-280-9797. Mask are required, safe distancing respected.
Gift Wrap Available.

Please note that the Book & Gift Shop can no longer take book donations at this time.
Online Memorial Service: Carol Jean Martino
Carol Jean Martino, a former Incarnation parishioner, passed away last month. A vigil service for Carol on Zoom will be held on Sunday, November 15, at 2:00 p.m. To participate, use this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81907083443 (or dial in at 669-900-9128 and enter meeting ID 819 0708 3443 #).
Donations in Honor of Geoff Wright
Geoffrey Wright, son of Elizabeth and Gene, died on Saturday, October 24. Elizabeth and Gene have asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Geoff's memory to National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), 284 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY 82520.
Email Scams: Please Be Vigilant
This week several parishioners received emails from a scammer posing as Pastor Stephen and asking for gift cards. Unfortunately, this has happened before, and is an extremely common scam targeting churches all around the country. It doesn't mean we've been hacked. Rather than gaining access to our systems, these spammers set up free email accounts that resemble a real email address at first glance. Here’s an article about the scam from the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.

As a reminder:
  • Stephen will only ever email you from his real address, sshaver@incarnationsantarosa.org. If you get an email from another address, it's not from him.
  • Even if it looks like it's coming from the correct address, if something about an email seems "off," it likely is. There are ways to mask the address an email appears to be coming from. Stephen will never email you asking for gift cards or money. Nor will he send you a vague email that just says something like "Text me" or "Email me please, I need a favor."
  • When in doubt about an email exchange, always check with a face-to-face or phone conversation directly with the person.

If you receive an email like this, feel free to simply delete it or use your email program to “mark as spam.”
Prayers
Prayer requests will stay on our list for 3 weeks. After that, if you would like long-term which is for 3 months, please notify the office. Prayers for those who have died will remain on for 6 months.

Your prayers are requested...
..Don, Nancy B., Ziya, Marjorie T, Chris, Richard & Patty, Darrell, Francoise, Gene & Elizabeth, Kristin, Doug & Karin, Rob M., Hugh & Angela, Mary, Robyn, Bruce, Monique & Kirk, Amanda, and Nancy H.

...for those who have died: Maureen Green, Alberta Jacobson, Ellen Meuse, Geoff Wright, Carole Jean Martino, Susan, Jerry, Alphonsine, Raimundo Castro, Wallace Look, Marilyn Payne, Gary Lindsey, David Ratner, Frank Gavaller.
 
...for the victims of the fires: specials prayers for the first responders, and all those who have suffered injury or loss.
 
...for the victims of COVID-19:  especially we pray for those affected by the COVID-19 virus, and for all who are in danger.
 
...for our city, county, and community; the city council, the board of supervisors, for those who serve the common good in law enforcement and the courts.
 
click here for the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.
click here for the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.
This Coming Week...
Sunday, November 15

Monday, November 16


Tuesday, November 17
  • 8:00 am Outside Morning Prayer: We meet in the courtyard, socially distanced, with face coverings. Enter via the 636 Cherry Street parking lot. Prayer Books will be provided or you may bring your own. Hand sanitizer will be available. Pre-registration not required.

Wednesday, November 18

Thursday, November 19
  • 6:00 pm - St. Cecilia Choir: Zoom
  • 9:00 am - Education for Ministry (EfM)

Friday, November 20

Saturday, November 21
  • 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Open Table Prep

Sunday, November 22

Pastoral Care
Talk with Stephen
Could you use a prayer or a listening ear? Do you have ideas you'd like to share? Although our offices are closed, Pastor Stephen is available to talk by phone or via Zoom. If you'd like to find a time to talk with Stephen, you can call Alison at 707-579-2604 or email Stephen directly at sshaver@incarnationsantarosa.org.

Need Support?
If you know of anyone, including yourself, who could use a communion visit or a prayer, please call the church office (707-579-2604) or email alison@incarnationsantarosa.org
 
If you have a pastoral emergency after hours or on weekends, please call the church office (number above) and follow the prompts for the Priest-on-Call.