January 10, 2023

In this edition of ENews:

  • St. Paul's hosts Governor's Interfaith Unity Service
  • Humboldt Earthquake Relief makes Local and National News
  • Registration for first Congregation Leadership Conference Opens
  • 2023 Lent Resources Available Now
  • Opportunities for Spiritual Formation

Around the Diocese

St. Paul's hosts Governor's Interfaith Unity Service

1) The Very Rev. Rick Rasmussen reads the Recognition Statement

2) Bishop Megan welcomes the Governor, first family, and worshippers to St. Paul's

3) Cantor Julie Steinberg of Congregation B’nai Israel, Sacramento 

4) Bishop Megan and Dean Rick Rasmussen

5) Pratibha Shalini, Greater Sacramento Hindu Leader 

6) Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland preaches the sermon

7) Chairman Jesus Tarango, Wilton, Rancheria offers an Indigeneous Blessing

8) Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, Pastor of Third Baptist Church of San Francisco leads worshippers in a blessing upon the Governor and his family

9) Interfaith worship Leaders with Governor Newson and his family

On Friday, January 6, the weather cooperated for Governor Gavin Newsom's second Inauguration as Governor of California. Prior to the formal swearing in, Governor Newsom and his family attended an Interfaith Unity Celebration Held at St. Paul's in midtown Sacramento.


Organized by the Interfaith Council of San Francisco and the Interfaith Council of Sacramento, the brief, but moving service included representatives from many religious traditions throughout the State. Bishop Megan welcomed all to St. Paul's, and The Very Rev. Rick Rasmussen, St. Paul's Rector and Dean of Capitol Deanery read a Recognition Statement that worshippers gathered on Indigenous Lands:


“We acknowledge that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Wilton, Rancheria who are the original inhabitants of Sacramento. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Wilton, Rancheria have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As Guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the Ancestors, Elders and Relatives of the Wilton, Rancheria community and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples.” 

Project (Re)Start effort for Humboldt Earthquake Relief makes Local and National News

On Sunday, January 8, The Eureka Times-Standard included an in-depth story of the Humboldt Earthquake Recovery efforts by locals Episcopal Churches.


Today, January 10, The Episcopal News Service picked up the story for their national news coverage.


Read the story here.

Deadline Extended to Thursday, January 12

35th Annual

Diocesan Choir Festival 

Saturday, January 28

Trinity Cathedral



All choral singers throughout the Diocese are invited



Guest conductor will be Dr. Bruce Neswick, the recently retired Canon for Cathedral Music Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. 


For more information, and to register:

https://sierracanon.wordpress.com/2022/10/19/the-thirty-fifth-annual-diocesan-choir-festival/

Event Marks Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 


You are invited to a Special Annual Event on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity available by livestream and YouTube. 


Do Good; Seek Justice is the theme. Sponsored by the North State Ecumenical Conference (NSEC), which was established in 1968 and is comprised of Christian faiths in the Greater Sacramento Area. The event will consist of the following key segments:


2:00 PM – Panel Discussion with several Christian faith leaders, who will address the topic of Do Good; Seek Justice 


Panel will consist of MC/Panel Moderator Rev. Jeanie Shaw; The Rt. Rev. Bishop Megan Traquair; Rev. Davena Jones; Rev. LaTaunya Bynum; Fr. Bart Landry; Fr. Ghattas Khoury; and Dean Matthew Woodward.


4:00 PM – Featured Speaker –

Fr. Bart Landry, CPS (Catholic Diocese of Sacramento).


6:30 PM – Worship Prayer Service/Evensong led by Dean Matthew Woodward and Christian faith leaders. 

For More Information and to Register, click here.

The Rev. Robin Denney Authors 2023 Lenten Devotional for Episcopal Relief and Development

We're pleased to announce that The Rev. Robin Denney, Rector of St. Mary's, Napa, is the author of this year's Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten Devotional, "Who is my Neighbor?". 


It is a different format this year, with a single author for the whole devotional, and designed to be more useful for parishes. Each week's daily reflections flow from the lectionary themes of the previous Sunday.


They have included materials for a weekly program that can be used as a parish Lenten program, or small group study. The format for group study (video and questions for reflection) are released each Sunday of Lent, but can be used at any time that week. 


As always, you can sign up for the reflections to be emailed to you, or you can download the PDF for the whole season. (which is available now). 


https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/lent/#weekly-meditations


Congratulations, Robin!

The Rev. Robin Denney,

Rector, St. Nary's Napa

Office of the Bishop

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for 2023 now available

Download the 2023 30-Day Prayer Calendar Here.

Download the 2023 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Here.

St. Brigid's Rio Vista Offers Church Property

With the recent closing of St. Brigid's Episcopal Church in Rio Vista, they are graciously offering up their inventory for FREE to parishes in our diocese. If your parish is in need of any of these items, click here to see what items are available: https://form.jotform.com/230047744299159

Congregation Leadership Conference:

Building a Successful Vacation Bible School

Saturday, February 25 | 10:00am - 2:00pm

St. John’s, Chico


  • Share success stories, challenges and opportunities
  • Find resources for a fabulous summer children’s program
  • Learn about the most current VBS resources available


Your host for the day will be the Rev. Mack Olson, Missioner for Church Life. He will have just returned from the FORMA conference, which gathers Christian formation leaders from across The Episcopal Church, so he’ll be bringing some brand-new resources to share.


We will also have time to answer questions for churches just starting a program, and information-sharing with folks who regularly host programs.



Cost to attend:

  • Individual Ticket - $25 (includes lunch)
  • Group/Vestry Ticket - $100 (includes lunch)


Register here: https://form.jotform.com/230045017929150

Dates for 2023 Congregation Leadership

Conferences Announced

Mark your Calendars! Here are the topics, dates, and locations for the 2023 Congregation Leadership Conferences. Registration information will be announced soon.

Building a Successful Vacation Bible School | St. John’s, Chico

Saturday, February 25 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm


Vestry Training | Grace, St. Helena

Saturday, March 25 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm


WordFest! – Lay Reader training | Location: Online by Zoom only

Saturday, May 6 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm


Stewardship | Incarnation, Santa Rosa

Saturday, June 3 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm


Disaster Preparedness | St. John’s, Roseville

Saturday, September 16 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Missioner for Church Life

2023 Lent Resources Available Now

Ash Wednesday will be here before you know it, so be sure to begin your planning for Lent!  Our diocesan website now has a page with various resources for use as individuals, families, or congregations.


New resources will be added in the weeks to come, so be sure to check back often. https://www.norcalepiscopal.org/site/lenten-resources/#tab-id-2

Diocese-wide Lent 2023

Book Study Announced

For the season of Lent, Canon Julie Wakelee and Missioner for Church Life Mack Olson will lead a four-week study of Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus



We’ll meet on Zoom each Wednesday in March from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.  



Registration information will be available soon.

Ruth And Esther | Epiphany 2023

For our journey through scripture this Epiphany, the Good Book Club will explore Ruth and Esther, books that explore the faithfulness and courage of two remarkable women. The stories of Ruth and Esther have much to teach us about the Hebrew concept of chesed, which means sacred kindness, as well as the willingness to be in sacrificial relationship with loved ones and our communities.


Mark your calendars to join the Good Book Club with daily scripture readings, reflections, and teachings, from Epiphany, Friday, January 6, to Shrove Tuesday, February 21, 2023.


Click here to Read More

Episcopal Church Foundation offers Financial Resources

for Churches

ECF360.org is the Episcopal Church Foundation’s comprehensive, self-service, low-cost subscription site for raising financial resources for your Episcopal parish.


It includes comprehensive resources for: 

To sign up, go to: https://www.ecf360.org/

It is only $99.00 for a year subscription! If you’d like to learn more, or if your congregation needs assistance with covering the cost, be sure to email the Missioner for Church Life, the Rev. Mack Olson, at mack@norcalepiscopal.org

Trinity Cathedral

Thursday Night at the Cathedral returns January 12


The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning: Meditations for Racial Healing

By Dr. Catherine Meeks.


Thursdays, January 12-March 2 | 7:00-8:30 pm


6:00 pmEvening Prayer

6:30 pmShare your brown bag dinner with others

in the Assembly Area

7:00 pm – Classes



Meets in the Assembly Area at Trinity Cathedral

In person or on Zoom. 

Email Susan Hotchkiss for the Zoom link and book information.

Trinity Cathedral’s Sobriety Support Ministry

Offers a 15-Week Book Group


Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps


The Rev. Anne Dryden McKeever and Kenny Pierce invite everyone to join us for a 15-week journey exploring Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by reading and discussing Richard Rohr’s book, Breathing Under Water.



Meets Weekly January 19 through April 27 from 7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom.


This is a spiritual study of the twelves steps that can help us learn to apply Alcoholics Anonymous’ guiding principles to our own lives and addictions, remembering that Rohr believes “we’re all addicted to our own stubborn way of thinking.” Join us as we explore the parallels between what Jesus taught and the freedom that can be found in twelve-steps programs. 


Learn More Here.


For More information:

The Rev. Anne Dryden McKeever  amckeever@wavecable.com

This Trinity Zoom group is free, including a free copy of Breathing Under Water, thanks to our Diocesan Partners in Ministry of Health. Please ask Anne+ to give you or mail you a copy.


One need not be involved in a 12-Step program or have any issues with harmful substances or habits to participate. All are welcome, including folks who are sober, sober-curious, or walking a sobriety journey with a loved one. 

Episcopal Foundation

To date, we have received gifts from nearly 40 donors. If you have given to the Book of Dreams, thank you! If you haven't yet, and would like to show your support, you still can!


Click here to find out how you can support Archdeacons and Youth in our diocese! 


Click here to give! Making a difference has never been so easy!

Diocese Indigeneous Ministries

January 21 -23 | On Zoom

Winter has traditionally been the time for Native people to gather, to catch up with each other, and to share provisions. With its short days and long nights winter was also the best time to come together for story telling as a way to entertain and to teach the children. Indigenous Episcopalians have continued this practice with an annual Wintertalk in January.


For the last several years I have participated in this event along with other interested folks and Indigenous Missioners from across the Church.


Due to Covid concerns and budget restraints Winter Talk ‘23 will be a hybrid event and ALL Episcopalians are invited to attend on Zoom. Here is the announcement /registration from the Episcopal Church.


https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CaGMyc-YRXWCvTLzpHU4iw



The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell | Diocesan Indigenous Missioner

The Four Vision Quests of Jesus  

The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston


Bp. Charleston, a Choctaw elder, describes four events in Jesus’ life through Indigenous eyes and the traditional understanding of Vision Quest. Join The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell online to discuss this Native perspective.


Thursdays – 7:00-8:00 pm

February 2 – March 9


Registration is limited

Contact: tinarcampbell@comcast.net



Facilitated by The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell 

Spiritual Formation

Lay Preaching Course Starts in February

The Episcopal Dioceses of El Camino Real, Northern California and San Diego are accepting applications for a course opening in the winter of 2023 to prepare individuals to apply for a Lay Preaching license. We are forming cohorts of students in Spanish and English and seeking adult learners of all ages and educational backgrounds who are actively involved in ministry in their congregations and demonstrate gifts in lay leadership. Participants must be members of a congregation within one of our three partner dioceses.


Who is this for? Lay members of our congregations with gifts for preaching and leadership in ministry.

What will we study? Biblical exegesis and preaching theory and practice.

Where will we meet? On Zoom

When will we meet? Once each month on a weekday evening


The application:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUdIJvYniTlzEQp37TYXaJT7HGQEy5OPyU9hbuw2daJNPIRg/viewform

 

Questions? Contact the dean:

The Rev. Kathy Lawlersfmdean@norcalepiscopal.org


Las Diócesis Episcopales de El Camino Real, el Norte de California, y San Diego están aceptando solicitudes para un curso que se abrirá en el invierno de 2023 para preparar a las personas para solicitar una licencia de Predicación Laica. Estamos formando cohortes de estudiantes en español e inglés y buscando estudiantes adultos de todas las edades y antecedentes educativos que participen activamente en el ministerio en sus congregaciones y demuestren dones en el liderazgo laico. Los participantes deben ser miembros de una congregación de unas de nuestras tres diócesis asociadas.


¿Para quien es esto? Miembros laicos de nuestras congregaciones con dones para la predicación y liderazgo en el ministerio.

¿Qué estudiaremos? Exégesis bíblica y teoría y práctica de la predicación.

¿Dónde nos vemos? Zoom

¿Cuando nos reuniremos? Una vez al mes en la noche de un día laborable


La aplicación:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUdIJvYniTlzEQp37TYXaJT7HGQEy5OPyU9hbuw2daJNPIRg/viewform


¿Preguntas? Póngase en contacto con el decano: 

La Rda. Kathy Lawler sfmdean@norcalepiscopal.org

Register Now

for CDSP Winter Term CALL Classes

Winter Term online courses at CDSP’s Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL ) are now open for registration! Courses are taught online by experienced instructors, and last for seven weeks. The courses are asynchronous, which means that students don’t have to be online at a specific time of the day but can do the work as their schedule allows. CALL courses are open to anyone for theological formation and personal enrichment. Courses this term include homiletics, Hebrew Bible, spirituality, church history, pastoral care, liturgical leadership, and diaconal studies.


The seven week courses run January 23 – March 13, 2023.


Full course descriptions and links to register are available here: https://cdsp.edu/call/online/call-winter-2023/

Contact: call@cdsp.edu

Cost: $245 ($215 for students from CALL partner dioceses)

St. John's Roseville offers

Epiphany Book Study


Sundays at 2:00 pm

Beginning January 8, 2023


All are welcome to join us as we gather via Zoom to discuss the latest offering from Catherine Meeks' The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning: Meditations for Racial Healing.


In this book Dr. Meeks offers a series of heartfelt meditations based upon her life experience addressing racial injustice that

help us examine Jesus' profound question:  “Do you want to be healed?”


We will meet via Zoom for 8 Sundays beginning January 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm.


Zoom link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84774942643?pwd=S3RuWEkvTnZRSHdLSmpnVTF5ZDFoZz09


Meeting ID: 847 7494 2643 Passcode: 841227


The Book can be purchased from Amazon here.

For more information, please contact Fr. Cliff Haggenjos (haggenjos@comcast.net)

Center for Bible Study Hybrid Course on

New Testament begins January 17


Meets Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm in person at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Rocklin and online via Zoom.


Encounter the New Testament is taught by Dr. Max Botner, who was Research Assistant for N.T. Wright in 2017 and 2018.


Course is free with a suggested donation of $50.


Register here:

https://staugustineepiscopal.com/center_for_bible_study

Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health

Living Compass 2023 Lenten Meditation Booklets

are ready to order!

Living Compass - Lent 2023 Devotional

Practicing Compassion with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind


Each year, tens of thousands of individuals across various denominations use our daily devotionals to help them prepare for the coming of Easter. Faith communities also use the devotionals for Lent programs (including online), classes, small-group discussions, and retreats with the help of our FREE downloadable and printable Facilitator's Guide. Below you will find multiple ways to engage these resources, either as an individual, or as a lay or clergy leader. 



Vivir una buena Cuaresma en el 2023: Practicando la compasión con todo el corazón, alma, fuerzas y mente  

Este devocionario tiene como propósito el ayudarle a conectarse con la Pasión, Muerte y Resurrección de Jesucristo. También le va a ayuda a tener una mejor relación con Dios, consigo mismo, con los demás y con el mundo.


To order free copies supported by the Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health,

Contact: Susan Wahlstrom, Coordinator

         wahlstrom@volcano.net


Please provide your congregation name, how many books you want to order and a mailing address – we will take it from there. 



Learn more at www.livingcompass.org

Commission for Intercultural Ministries

I Will, With God's Help:

Journey Toward Racial Healing and Justice Workshop


Episcopal Church of St. Martin's | Davis

Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm


This one-day in-person workshop was specially developed for the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California by the Commission for Intercultural Ministries. Renew your Baptismal Covenant as we learn about forms of historic and contemporary racism and how to engage in ministry with sensitivity and respect for all.


Please note that due to the nature of the program, attendance is limited to 30 participants.



Register: https://forms.gle/zRz2d3T6jfyAEVG59

Lunch donation of $10 (cash or check) on day of workshop.

Contact Michael Adams for questions. madams95747@yahoo.com


Additional workshops are being planned by the Commission for Intercultural Ministries for 2023. Be on the lookout for announcements in the Diocesan E-News and in the Beloved Community Resource Newsletter.

Job Opportunities Around The Diocese

Office of the Bishop | Sacramento is seeking a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant. Download job description here!

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Kati Braak, Director of Operations, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California kati@norcalepiscopal.org

St. Paul's | Sacramento is seeking a Music Director. 

Read the job announcement here.

Diocesan Commissions | Committees | Ministries

Commission on the Environment

Commission for Intercultural Ministries

Commission on Ministry

Christian Formation Committee

Episcopal Community Services

Ministries of Health Committee

Investment Fund Committee

Disaster Preparedness

Recovery Ministries

Episcopal Foundation of Northern California

Center for Bible Study

The ENews is published weekly on Tuesdays.
To submit news/events, please email communications@norcalepiscopal.org by Wednesday of the prior week
Submit a Calendar Event

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California

Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ

www.norcalepiscopal.org

Facebook  Instagram  Twitter