February 1, 2022 | Week of 4 Epiphany
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In this edition of ENews:
- Aidan Rontani installed as Rector of All Saints Redding
- Resources for celebrating Black History Month
- The Rev. Ed Howell named Dean for Russian River Deanery
- Annual Communication Survey launches online
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Aidan Rontani Installed Rector at All Saint's Redding |
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On Saturday, January 28, Bishop Megan traveled to Redding for her first official visit at All Saint’s parish, and to install the Rev. Aidan Rontani as Rector. The Bishop was assisted by the Rev. Anne Powell, Deacon. Preaching at the service was the Very Rev. Richard Yale, Dean of the Alta California Deanery. Following the service, guests were welcomed to memorial Hall for a reception. Congratulations, Fr. Aidan! |
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Top left: Bishop Megan, Aidan Rontani, and Richard Yale
Top right: Rev. Lew Powell, Canon to the Ordinary Julie Wakelee, Bishop Megan, Aidan Rontani, Rev. Bill Rontani, Richard Yale
Middle right: Bishop Megan reads the Certificate of Institution to the wardens
Bottom: Bishop Megan and Rev. Aidan Rontani commission the vestry and Ministry Council
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Celebrate Black History Month |
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February is Black History Month! As we celebrate black history this month, here are some book recommendations for learning more about the experience and contributions of Black Episcopalians:
Yet With a Steady Beat, by the Rev. Harold T. Lewis.
This book will give the reader a better sense of the struggle of African Americans to find a place within the Episcopal Church, their contributions to it, and the need for more work to be inclusive. Since his recent death, this is an especially good time to pick up a copy in memory and celebration of Lewis’s ministry.
Episcopalians and Race, by the Rev. Dr. Gardiner H. Shattuck Jr.
A thoughtful analysis of the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on the Church grounds this book’s reflection on the Episcopal Church’s historic place in the struggle for equality and ongoing challenges to the full inclusion of people of color in the church and world today.
Radical Welcome, by the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
A practical and theologically rooted guide for those who sense the call to dig deeper and want to move from inclusivity to radical welcome.
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The Rev. Ed Howell named Dean of Russian River |
We are please to announce that The Rev. Ed Howell has accepted Bishop Megan's invitation to serve as Dean of the Russian River Deanery. He replaces The Rev. Daniel Green, who served as Dean for nearly seven years.
Ed+ is a previous Board of Trustees member and has served at several of our parishes, including Incarnation in Santa Rosa, Ascension in Vallejo, and St. Patrick’s in Kenwood.
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Have you completed the Annual Communication Survey yet? |
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The Annual Survey of Diocese Communications is now available online. Since we launched it last Thursday, more than 250 people have responded! Have we heard from you yet?
Findings from the survey help the Office of the Bishop to better understand your needs, and how we can improve communications across the diocese. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.
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Reflections on Resiliency
Mark G. Dibelka
Missioner for Disaster Resilience
Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
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“All quiet on the Western front!” It is amazing how we can relate to a phrase in multiple ways. This phrase was used as the title of a German novel published in 1929 describing battle fatigue (what we now understand as PTSD) in WWI. This phrase can also be used to describe our current situation in the diocese: nothing is happening, but we know something will, and we are tired – still looking over our shoulders at what has happened and how it has left us all impacted in some way or another.
We sometimes overlook the emotional and physical distress of those who have survived major events. When the flames or flood waters are high, the news shows us the blank faces that hide what’s happening underneath, but when we are months or years following a tragedy, most people dress up their faces to appear the way society expects them to appear. Most people are even willing to answer the question, “How are you doing?” with a simple one-word answer, when inside they are saying, “Not so great. I am still dealing with….”
As Christians, we are called to care. All around us can be found people who are in need of very basic emotional and spiritual care. The easiest and most basic kind of care we can give in these situations is “the ministry of presence”. Simply being with somebody and listening to what he/she/they are saying, and sharing that burden for a short time is the most meaningful aspect of disaster response ministry.
Have you ever thought about what might be done when you run into a neighbor who you suspect may be dealing with turmoil? Start with a simple question: “How are you doing?” After they give you the nice answer society expects, ask again, “Cool. So, really, how are you?” and be ready to give them some of your time to listen, without judgment, should the real answer spill out.
As a Christian, the greatest gift we can give is peace. The first step is simply providing an outlet for the inner struggle and being the Peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding.
So, while all is quiet on the western front, how are you doing?
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It's Phishing Season Again! |
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The scammers are at it again. Just a reminder that Bishop Megan will never email you with a mysterious request for support or money. Check the email address "The Bishop" is sending from. If you are unsure, please contact communications@norcalepiscopal.org. Do Not Reply to Bogus emails.
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Invite Welcome Connect
Goes Digital!
Wednesday, February 9
12:00pm - 1:30pm
The gathering will focus on two topics:
How do we Welcome and Connect those who are on our congregation's Digital Front Porch, those whose initial contacts are online and invisible?
How do we Re-Connect with parishioners who are no longer as active as they were in their pre-pandemic faith communities?
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To register and learn more, visit the Invite Welcome Connect website.
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The Book of Forgiving – Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Reverend Mpho Tutu
Begins Tuesday, February 15 9:45 am – 10: 45am
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chair of The Elders, and Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along with his daughter, the Reverend Mpho Tutu, offer a manual on the art of forgiveness—helping us to realize that we are all capable of healing and transformation.
Contact Susan Hotchkiss
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Holy Joy, Holy Rest
Women’s Retreat sponsored by Trinity Cathedral
May 20-22, 2022
Mercy Center Auburn
More details to follow!!
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Dispelling the Darkness
Region 7 Epiphany Conference
February 18–19, 2022
Epiphany is perfect season for refreshment before Lent begins.
We invite you to join us as The Rev. Sarah Bronos presents the message of Dispelling the Darkness. There will be breakout rooms for discussion and prayer, and we will enjoy worship led by The Rev. Dr. Bob Johnson from Ascension Church in Orlando, Florida.
There is no fee for the conference, and donations are welcomed.
You can register clicking here.
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February 6
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Luke 5:1-11
The miraculous draught of the fish, followed by the call of the disciples to be “fishers of people,” does not on the surface seem to quote or allude to any Old Testament texts. But on closer inspection several scholars have found that the story has very close structural and thematic links with the call of Isaiah (Isa 6:1-13). It is not surprising, then, that we find that this Isaiah passage is assigned as the Old Testament lesson along side Luke 5:1-11 in the lectionary.
We note the following features in Luke 5: Divine initiative (5:4), Simon’s protest (5:8) and his reaction (5:9). Divine reassurance (5:10b). Commissioning (5:10c). If you turn to Isaiah 6:1-13 you will find the same sequence of events in the calling of Isaiah.
But as I read Luke 5:1-11, I could not help hearing an echo of the Old Testament creation story as well. For in Jesus coming and ministry, and especially in his death and resurrection, God has begun his new creation. Jesus' command to “put out into the deep water” and his provision of an abundance of fish when the disciples had caught nothing all night points to his lordship over creation and his will to make all things new. It is worth reading Genesis 1 as a further background to this story.
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Taize: Livestreaming on Facebook at
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Petaluma
Friday, February 4th at 7 PM
In the heart of winter, our theme for Epiphany will be light and hope. Join us again for a calm hour of Taizé, featuring contemplative music and song by candlelight, February 4th at 7:00 PM.
Brought to you again on St. John's Facebook Livestream, the melodious Taizé chants will be led by Suzanne Gray and Connee Young, backed by Leilani Wicklund on piano and Susan Stewart on cello. If you have a Facebook account, please consider going to the Taize Event page and indicate that you are planning to attend by clicking "Going." Please note: you do not need a Facebook account to participate. Instructions for non-Facebook users can be found HERE.
Taizé is a communal spiritual service for all people. It is a simple, meditative form of worship, calling us to dwell deeply on God's presence around and within us. Simple chants (like "Bless the Lord, my Soul"), silent meditation, evocative imagery, and poetry guide the focus of prayer. Find a quiet spot at home, light a candle, and chant and pray along!
Download the Taize chant lyrics HERE.
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Episcopal Relief & Development is offering the 2022 Lenten Meditations material either online or by a downloadable PDF format. The long time printed booklets have been “retired.” To sign up for daily emails, go to episcopalrelief.org and to the Church in Action section to sign up to receive the daily meditation, or to download the printable PDF version.
Here is a link to the pdf file:
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Living Well Through Lent 2022
Lenten Resource available without cost for your Congregation. Provided through the Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health.
To order, sent your address and number of copies needed and we’ll take it from there.
Susan Wahlstrom, Coordinator
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Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health |
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NEW! Healing and Health Ministries Mini-Grants
The Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health received funds from Episcopal Health Ministries for use in our Diocese. Episcopal Community Services matched those funds. In partnership we are offering Mini-Grants in the amount of $100-$500 and can be applied for throughout 2022.
These grants can be utilized for:
- Health resources for congregations or for workshops and forums
- Trainings, for example: Stephen Ministry, Parish Nurse training, Living Compass
- To attend conferences
- Honoraria for Speakers on Health &/or Healing
- Special Projects
Click here for the Mini Grant Application form.
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Commission for Intercultural Ministries |
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Welcoming the Stranger
We encourage everyone to watch and share this video, released in early January. Featuring Bishop Megan Traquair and Trinity Cathedral Dean Matthew Woodward, you will hear about amazing efforts already underway in our diocese. You will be introduced to two courageous Afghan women, who with the help of many kind Americans are already finding their way in a new country.
We hope that by getting to know these two, and hearing about ways your congregation can help Afghan families arriving in Northern California, you will be even more motivated to take action. There are lots of things to be done—both small and large.
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Afghan Resettlement Update
Please join this effort by doing your part to welcome Afghan refugees. Details on ways to do this are here.
The Afghan Resettlement Team
A Ministry of the Commission for Intercultural Ministries
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New Sacred Ground Circle Postponed until March 3 |
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A new Sacred Ground Circle open to anyone in the Diocese begins March 3, 2022. The circle will meet weekly via Zoom from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays (except during Holy Week).
Co-facilitators are Sharron Simpson, a spiritual director and educator, and Bob Wohlsen, a social justice advocate. They have teamed together to lead three previous Circles in the Diocese. Participants frequently comment that the Sacred Ground Circle was transformative and has changed their lives by learning the truth about racism. To sign up or ask questions, contact Bob at bob.wohlsen@gmail.com.
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Bishop's 2021 Partnership Appeal Raises Record Amount for Ministries |
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The Book of Dreams raised a total of $26,780.00 for ministries around the diocese!
Thank you to the many donors who made this year's campaign a success.
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Camp Living Waters and Book of Dreams gets coverage for their project |
The Humboldt Times-Standard featured a story in their January 22 Lifestyle section. Click here to read the article.
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Job Opportunities around the Diocese |
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NEW!
The Office of the Bishop is seeking a Missioner for Evangelism, Discipleship, & Congregational Vitality.
See the position description here.
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St. Clement’s | Rancho Cordova is seeking a 3/4 time Priest-in-Charge.
See the position description here.
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All Saints | Sacramento is looking for a part-time Office/Administrative Assistant. Read the job posting here.
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St. Michael’s | Carmichael is seeking an Assistant Rector. Read the job announcement here.
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St. Patrick's | Kenwood is seeking an Organist/Pianist. Click here for more information.
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St. Paul's | Sacramento is seeking a Music Director.
Read the job announcement here.
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St. Paul’s | Benicia is seeking a Contemporary Music Leader
For more information, click here.
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Diocesan Commissions | Committees | Ministries |
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The ENews is published weekly on Tuesdays.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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