Today we talk about Ascension Sunday. Picking up where Pastor Stephen left off last week, here is an excerpt from the blog SALT that I wanted to share with you. For the full commentary click here

Daphne Vernon

The Feast of the Ascension, a principal feast day of the church year, falls 40 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates Jesus’ ascension into heaven after the initial period of appearances to his disciples following the resurrection. It marks the transition into the last ten days of Easter Season, sometimes called Ascensiontide, when we look with anticipation toward the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We’ll celebrate the Ascension this year with an online service of Evensong on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Use our usual link for Online Services (see below). All are welcome.

We are thrilled that so many have given to our roof/solar campaign with amazing generosity- already 75% of the amount needed to reroof Farlander and install solar panels! The Incarnation community has chosen to take responsibility for our carbon footprint, to be good stewards of the beautiful earth.

Many of us have been seriously economically impacted by the pandemic. Others already pledge all they can spare in a good year. But we want the solar panel plaque to represent everyone in the church who supports going solar, and we appreciate every donation of any amount. If this describes you, in this last week, please consider making a small representative donation- even $5- to add your name to those supporting the solar project.

We also want our children to feel involved, to experience giving to the church, and belonging to the church, with their names listed as contributors to our move into the 21^st century. Consider having your child donate coins toward our going green, adding their names to the plaque.

There are books in the Farlander Library that tell Incarnation’s history. In the future, pages will tell the story of the pandemic, of our church’s flourishing together in this difficult year, and that even in these challenging times we embraced stewardship of our earth. A picture of the plaque of solar panels will be featured, listing all of those who supported the campaign. Be sure your name is listed. 

Sunday Open Table is happy to announce that we are ready to re-open for hot food and in house dining this Sunday, May 16^th. Our menu is a guest favorite – scrambled eggs and biscuits with gravy. Of course, we’re including that ever-important hot cup of coffee. We have reviewed and updated our safety procedures and equipment. The coffee urns are new and we have added some extra outlets for charging phones.

We have streamlined our first week’s activities to give us a chance to ease back in to this mission and to see how we can grow and adjust our services in the future. Please keep our volunteers and guests in your prayers.

If you want to know more about volunteering, you can talk directly to Mark Neumann at [email protected] or 707-292-6710 or Allan Bolchazy at [email protected] 707-312-3778. You can volunteer at incarnation.ivolunteer.com.

The 10:00 services will also be livestreamed on Zoom and Facebook.

Here's more on how to use Zoom.

·    To use Zoom for Sunday and other services: Visit https://zoom.us/j/997787434.

·    To dial in: Call (669) 900-9128. Enter meeting ID code: 997 787 434 #.

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.

Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber - Come join us!

The Incarnation Book Group continues to meet on the Third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Please join us in reading Accidental Saints: Finding God In All the Wrong People, by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

"In Accidental Saints, New York Times best-selling au­thor Nadia Bolz-Weber invites readers into a surprising encounter with what she calls “a religious but not-so-spiritual life.” Tattooed, angry and profane, this former standup comic turned pastor stubbornly, sometimes hilariously, resists the God she feels called to serve. But God keeps showing up in the least likely of people—a church-loving agnostic, a drag queen, a felonious Bishop and a gun-toting member of the NRA. 

In a time when many have rightly become dis­illusioned with Christianity, Accidental Saints dem­onstrates what happens when ordinary people share bread and wine, struggle with scripture together, and tell each other the truth about their real lives. This unforgettable account of their faltering steps toward wholeness will ring true for believer and skeptic alike.

See you Tuesday, May 18, at 6:30 pm PST

Contact Linda Sevier to order your copy through Incarnation’s Bookstore [email protected]

For more information please contact Paul Mallatt at 707-312-3870 / [email protected]

Accidental Saints is available on Kindle and available Audible.

(Please Note: Financial assistance to purchase your copy is always available through Incarnation’s Bookstore)

This week marked the beginning of two Sacred Ground circles in our deanery: one meeting Monday evenings and one on Thursday afternoons. Sacred Ground is a 10-part discussion about race, grounded in faith, and forms part of the Episcopal Church’s vision for Becoming Beloved Community. A number of Incarnation parishioners have already participated in previous Sacred Ground opportunities, and several more are participating in these new circles. This Sunday we will have a blessing for all those who have participated or are starting their participation. For all Sacred Ground participants, we hope you’ll be able to be at Zoom church this Sunday for the blessing.

...Marsha F., Kate, Shelby, Demi, Ethan, Drew, Ian & Duncan, Susan, Grizel, Pamela H., Alice, Sonja, Cindy, John C., James & Priscilla, Lila, Mary K., Amy C., Don, Matt, Gene & Elizabeth, Francoise, Hugh & Angela, Robyn, Amanda, and Nancy.

click here for the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.

click here for the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19

Monday, May 17

Tuesday, May 18 

Wednesday, May 19

Thursday, May 20

Friday, May 21

Sunday, May 23

To sign up for the Diocesan Newsletter click HERE.

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected]