Feast of St Francis- Blessing of the Animals

Psalm 148:7-14

Genesis 1:1-5, 24

Galatians 6:14–18

Matthew 11:25-30

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Officiants: Rev. Terrance Goodpasture and Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy

Preacher: The Right Reverend David C. Rice

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9:30AM | ZOOM

This week, the Midweek Missive is a day early because tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30th marks two important deadlines.

The Nominating Committee is seeking individuals interested in serving on Chapter for a three-year term. 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.

In remembrance of St. Francis' love for all creatures, you and your pet(s) are invited to a "Virtual Blessing of the Animals" on the feast day, October 4th at 10:00AM.

To facilitate the virtual blessings, we are asking you to register your animal(s) for their blessing by clicking on the "register button" below. Please fill out the form and if at all possible, please submit a photo.

Participants do not need to be a member of the Cathedral Congregation--everyone is welcome to participate. Share the virtual blessing with your family, friends, and neighbors.

For the youngest among us who might not have a pet, but a favorite stuffed animal, they are welcome to register their furry friend for a blessing too.

In the spirit of good "Episcopal Tradition" making, the fourth Sunday of the month has become "St. James Virtual Choir Sundays." September's anthem, performed last Sunday, was Phillip Keveren's arrangement of For the Beauty of the Earth to honor the Cathedral's and Diocese's month-long observance of Creation Care Sundays.

Under the direction of Sherah Moore Burdick, the Virtual Choir's rendition was stunning. The video production of the anthem was once again produced by Emma Boone.

Sunday, October 18th will be the Virtual CROP Walk for Hunger “walk day” this year, and we will kick off with a virtual prayer and send off.

We are also arranging to have a CROP car parade drive-through drop off during the afternoon for those of you who have collected cash or checks. You can also just drive by and honk if you like. Watch the Midweek Missive for more details on the Sunday, October 18th schedule of events and drop-off/drive-by location.

For more information, you may contact Kim Leslie or Deacon Nancy Key at. To sign up as a "Team St. James Walker" and/or to donate, please click below.

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, and would like to test it out beforehand, please contact Rev. Angela.

Have you wondered what an animator/advocate does for their local community when it comes to creation care? Bishop David and Deacon Terrance outline what those people do.

1. Engage with me as the commission chair and the Creation Commission in assisting you in your local community. For example: If a local community wants to do a community garden and needs help with how to start the Commission will help with resources.

2. Animate/Advocate for faith communities. Involves pulling down info from Friday Reflection, sharing commission updates, and having a voice on BC or vestry.

3. Survey and engage local community/vestry/clergy on what is already being done for creation care in homes and at the church. Discuss with community ideas for doing more. Such as, are you recycling, have you stopped using single-use plastic bottled water, etc. Use resources from Friday Reflection tips for places to start.

4. The Animator needs to be observant of ecological dates of note and let community know. For example, when is earth day, or Season of Creation. The Commission can help with resources.

5. Be the environmental prophet and pest. Be a pest and cajole, local communities to do something out of our faith framework in regards to creation care. If you need resources or ideas reach out to a member of the commission.

If you think you might be called to this ministry, please speak with Deacon Terrance.

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.

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)."

Walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, and learn how to put faith into action.

As the descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Bishop Michael Curry’s life illustrates massive changes in our times. In Love is the Way, he expands on his message of hope in an inspirational road map for living the way of love, illuminated with moving lessons from his own life.

Through the prism of his faith, ancestry, and personal journey, Bishop Curry shows us how America came this far and, more important, how to go a whole lot further. The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God.

This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity.

To participate in the special Zoom session with Bishop Curry, the book needs to be purchased through Episcopal Shoppe.

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.

During the month of September 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.

While it’s unrealistic for most of us to give up our cars completely, making subtle adjustments to our lifestyles and our habits can offset significant environmental harm. Here are some tips for sensible traveling.

Drive carefully. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages drivers to avoid aggressive acceleration and braking. It’s also important to make sure tires are properly inflated. Tires that are inflated appropriately improve gas mileage.

Carpool. The benefit is twofold: we are aiding the environment by having one fewer car on the road; and the relationships we share with those in the car with us can be strengthened.

Combine trips. The US Department of Energy encourages drivers to have a game plan before running errands. Short trips from a car that has been idle can use twice the fuel that combining trips does. It also reduces the wear and tear on your car.

Bus it. Keeping your car in park just two days a week can lower greenhouse gas emissions. According to the American Public Transit Association, using public transportation regularly can save the equivalent of 900,000 fill-ups every day.

What would Francis do? Francis of Assisi, in his lifetime, was an optimist. “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible,” is a saying attributed to him. Francis had a deep love for the earth and for those who shared it with him. We can do the same.

Early in the morning on Monday, September 21st, a vehicle struck a utility pole outside the Cathedral office. The accident took the Cathedral's phone and internet access offline for fives days. Thank you to Comcast Business for getting us up and running again.

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.

While congregations across The Episcopal Church are confronting examples of historical racism, the history of Memorial Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, stands out as “particularly sordid,” the Rev. Grey Maggiano, the church’s rector, told Episcopal News Service.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, preached this sermon via video today at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., USA. Watch or read the sermon here.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has issued the following statement in response to the Breonna Taylor case and ongoing protests in Louisville, Kentucky:

On Sept. 23, just a few hours after the announcement that a Kentucky grand jury declined to charge the police officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor with her death, Kentucky Bishop Terry Allen White presided over a penitential Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville to mark the occasion.

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.