News & Notes - October 11, 2020
The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
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From the Director of Spiritual Formation |
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Trauma
"noun: trauma; plural noun: traumata; plural noun: traumas
a deeply distressing or disturbing experience."
I’ve been thinking about trauma in this last week, has it been a week or 8 months? There’s been the obvious trauma for those who’ve lost everything including life. Then there’s the trauma of those fleeing not knowing where, to just grab and go. Or the trauma you feel when you’re not fleeing and aren’t running but your acutely aware of the pain and suffering of those who have, you can’t make it better for them or take it away. Or is it the slow meander into trauma as the world as we knew it shut down, turned upside down eight months ago?
I have found myself leaning on this truth from Exodus. “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone”. (Exodus 18:18). In truth our world has always held unpredictable events and we march on day in day out. When I was evacuated last week I thought and heard from many of you. The time we check in with each other and tap into the gratitude we have for each other in our community of Incarnation goes beyond any monetary value. It’s a community and relationship that’s life giving, sustaining, spirit lifting.
You, with God’s help have sustained me through three consecutive years of evacuating and a cancer treatment. My sustenance has come from God through you. If you’ve suffered loss recently, you are not alone. There are many members of Incarnation who know something of that, and can journey with you. If you feel like this last crisis finally broke your resolve you have company, we pray with you. Bottom line is we are here together in the broken moments as well as the joy and laughter we share together. Know that we stand and kneel together.
May the peace of the Lord always be with you.
Daphne Vernon - Director of Spiritual Formation
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This Sunday: National Coming Out Day |
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Sunday October 11 is National Coming Out Day, an annual LGBT awareness day, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer (LGBTQ) people, and is observed on the anniversary of the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights which was held on October 11, 1987. The Incarnation Rainbow Group would like to invite you to celebrate with us on Sunday October 11. Paul Mallatt will be preaching at both services and in his sermon will be sharing his thoughts on being gay within the context of his faith.
At 4:00 pm on October 11, we will offer a discussion on Zoom, with members of the Incarnation Rainbow Group sharing a historical perspective of LGBTQ issues within the context of the church, sharing some of our own personal stories, and providing a forum for people to ask questions. We welcome all to this discussion. Please contact Allan Bolchazy at allanbengr@gmail.com to sign up for the discussion.
The Incarnation Rainbow Group provides a safe and inclusive place for Incarnation members, and is open to LGBTQ+ people and allies. We are currently meeting the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm via Zoom. It is not necessary to attend every meeting. Please contact Allan Bolchazy at allanbengr@gmail.com to sign up for the group.
The focus of the group is:
- Social
- LGBTQ+ issues in the Episcopal Church
- LGBTQ+ worship at Incarnation
- Visibility/advocacy within the church and Santa Rosa
- Peer support
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Outdoor & Online Services |
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Outdoor Service:
This Sunday, Oct. 11, we will be celebrating the Eucharist at two outdoor services, conditions permitting, at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. The 9:30 service will also be livestreamed on Zoom and Facebook.
To receive home Communion this Sunday, please register before 12:00 p.m. this Thursday, October 8:
To attend the in-person service at 9:30 or 11:00, register here:
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.
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. |
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Welcome to the 2021 Pledge Campaign!
This year's campaign begins on October 11 and ends on November 15. Our theme is "Acting in Faith" and offers us an opportunity to look ahead to a post-COVID time when we can gather together in our beautiful sanctuary and celebrate together. This year we are offering pledge packets online as well as in the traditional paper form. You can help us reduce our mailing costs and our impact on the environment by opting out of receiving a paper form. Everyone will receive a link to the digital materials.
To receive your packet in an online-only format, simply click here. If you prefer the paper copy, no need to do anything; we will send that to you.
Thank you!
The 2021 Pledge Campaign Team
Judy Velasquez and Michael Del Vecchio, co-chairs
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Acting in Faith
As the election nears there are many folks who are acting in faith. Connie Sinclair reports that nine people wrote postcards to disenfranchised voters to help them get registered to vote. They sent 600!
Absentee ballots are being mailed this week. Make sure you have a plan in place to vote early, drop off your ballot in a Drop Box or take it to your polling place on Election Day. Make sure your vote counts. Voting means we are all acting in faith in our democracy.
I continue to be inspired by the acts of faith from this congregation. Keep posting and sending in your acts of faith.
Judy Velasquez, Co-chair of the Development Committee and member of the Vestry
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Lectionary Lunch: Tuesdays at noon, next date - October 13
Join Pastor Stephen on Zoom for a time to study and discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. 12:00-12:50 p.m. on Tuesdays: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86541597529#success; or to dial in, 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 865 4159 7529 #.
Readings for Oct. 18:
To prepare for the meeting, either print out the lectionary or have your bible handy so you can follow along.
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Fall Book Study: Join Us Sunday, October 18
Our fall book study on Derek Olsen's Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as Guide to a Spiritual Life continues with its third session, moved to Sunday, October 18. Join us on Zoom from 11:00-11:50 a.m.
If you missed the first and second sessions, not to worry-you can
Subsequent sessions will also be posted. Here's the Zoom link to join us Sunday:
669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 880 7935 8521 #
The fourth and final session will be on Sunday, November 8.
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SOCKTOBER is Here!
Since many of our guests are unhoused and have little in the way of warm clothing, they certainly appreciate what we can provide. They especially appreciate being able to change to a clean pair of socks and this need only increases in the winter months. We have limited capacity right now to receive and sort clothing donations, so we're only accepting socks at this time. You are welcome to pick up some socks for us when you are out shopping. We have also secured a source that will let us purchase socks for the homeless at a bulk rates so cash donations for this need would also be appreciated.
Donate Online or you can mail a check made out to Church of the Incarnation and mail to the church office, 550 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Please write socks on the memo line. Thank you all for supporting this important ministry in your prayers and contributions!
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From the Diocese: a Time to Listen, Connect, and Contribute
Deanery Convocation
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020
Begins at 9:30 am
Convocation live streamed in 2020: Everyone invited!
New this year, the Convocation will be live streamed on Saturday, October 10 from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Individual deaneries may have a follow-up Zoom call at 10:30 am. Watch your email for more information on your local meeting and for the Convocation materials.
Members of our Congregations: This is a time when we come together to listen, connect and contribute to the future of our diocese. Anyone is welcome to attend and message during the discussions at Convocation. It's a chance to let your elected representatives and clergy know how you feel about issues on which they will vote at Diocesan Convention.
Clergy & Lay Delegates to Diocesan Convention: A link to Convocation materials will be sent by email. This information pertains to the business that we will presented at Diocesan Convention. Convocation will present this material and allow all who attend to ask questions, hear discussion and solicit input. You will be ready and informed for the convention.
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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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...
...for members and friends of the parish who are sick, sorrowful, or in any kind of trouble, including Kristin, Karin & Doug, Hugh & Angela, Jerry, Sonja, Marsha, the Castro Family, Mary, Eligio, Doreen V., John C., Jan H., Doreen C., Robyn, Bruce, David & Susan, Ricette, Nancy, Rex, Andrea, George, Lauren W., Amy C., Monique & Kirk, Alice D. , Carolyn, Amanda Cortese, and Nancy Hanke.
...for those who have died: Alphonsine, Raimundo Castro, Wallace Look, Marilyn Payne, Gary Lindsey, David Ratner, Frank Gavaller, John Ziaja, Hollie Agesen, Dan Wagenet, Rebecca Gbasha, James Harrod, Richard McGinniss, Susan Hornung, Dale Siela.
...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.
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Sunday, October 11
Monday, October 12
Tuesday, October 13
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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.
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12:00 - 12:50 pm: Lectionary Lunch https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86541597529#success.
Wednesday, October 14
Thursday, October 15
- 6:00 pm - St. Cecilia Choir: Zoom
- 9:00 am - Education for Ministry (EfM)
Friday, October 16
Saturday, October 17
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Open Table Prep
Sunday, October 18
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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.
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