16th Sunday after Pentecost

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

Exodus 16:2-15

Philippians 1:21-30

Matthew 20:1-16

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Officiants: Dean Ryan Newman and Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy

Preacher: Rev. Nancy Key

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9:30AM | ZOOM

Dear siblings of Saint James Cathedral,

Greetings from far off Austin Texas from Josh and me. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you all as you deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and skies full of ash from the wildfires. Please know that you are not only in our personal prayers but in the prayers of the community here at Seminary of the Southwest.

Fall semester started on Monday August 31st so we are now in our third week of class. We have welcomed a new incoming class to our seminary community, and we continue in prayer and in study even in pandemic conditions. Despite the grief of being unable to join together as we normally would, our current conditions have unleashed a new creativity in how we worship, and how we rely on the Word of God in Scripture as a means of grace. I have seen that the Diocese of the San Joaquin has been at the forefront of new and innovative ways of doing church in these trying times, and it has been a joy to be able to join you all in worship through social media. I ask for your prayers as I embark in an even more intense time of study this year. This semester brings classes on Preaching, Theological Ethics, Old Testament, Spirituality and the Arts, and Context for Latinx Ministry as well as beginning Field Education. As I continue in discernment of my call to ministry out here in Texas, know that my beloved community of Saint James Fresno remains in my heart and shapes the minister I am becoming.

Peace and love,

Toni Álvarez, AOJN

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi commemorates the life of the patron saint of animals and the environment. It is fitting that the month-long "Season of Creation" that started on September 1st ends on October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis.

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. The registration deadline is Wednesday, September 30th at 5:00PM. 

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.

St. Paul's in Bakersfield has invited Dean Ryan to preach this Sunday, September 20th, at their digital Evening Prayer service. The service starts at 6:00PM is available on St. Paul's Facebook and YouTube Channel.

EDSJ, our 61st Annual Convention will soon be upon us. Our theme is: Called to be...the Church in all seasons. This convention will be an unprecedented moment-in-time for EDSJ as it will be online. The dates are Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14.

As we continue to ensure the safety and health of one another, meeting virtually provides us with the healthiest and holiest option for gathering. We are confident that some of our “virtual innovations” included in this convention will inform future conventions. As we prepare to gather, let us remember the holy work to which we are called continues, namely, we are called to be... the Church in all seasons.

As members of the Episcopal Church, we all share in its leadership and oversight, often by serving on parish and diocesan teams and committees. Our church and our witness to the world are stronger when we are led by diverse and energetic folks from across our community. To elect diverse leadership teams we must first nominate diverse slates of candidates! Therefore, it is important that we nominate faithful women and men from across the central third of California counties, of varying ages, colors, orientations, and economic circumstances and from parishes small and large, to represent us on these committees.

Nominations are due September 28!

Inspiring readers since our first issue was published in 1935, Forward Day by Day remains a significant resource for daily prayer and Bible study to more than a half million readers worldwide.

Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Revised Common Lectionary or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.

The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences. Each month’s meditation is written by a different author, providing fresh and diverse messages to readers on a regular basis.

St. James has the current edition (August-September-October 2020). To request a free copy to be sent to you or picked up at the Cathedral, please email Kourinthia.

The Nominating Committee is seeking individuals interested in serving on Chapter for a three-year term. Three Chapter positions will be selected this year. Nomination forms can be downloaded online. Nomination forms are due by Wednesday, September 30th at 8:00AM. 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.

“It is crucial that we have three new members of Chapter who are eager to serve and excited about the future of the Cathedral,” said Dean Ryan.

“Chapter members, current and future, will need to be engaged, collaborative, and prophetic as we continue to resurrect St. James Cathedral and serve the people of the Central Valley and the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.”

A final election ballot slate will be published in October in the Midweek Missive. Due to COVID-19, voting by the Cathedral Congregation will need occur electronically and by mail-in ballots. Chapter is currently working to devise a process to conduct the voting.

As the Cathedral of the Diocese of San Joaquin, Chapter Members are ultimately elected by "confirmation" of Diocese Convention. Following a confirming vote by the Diocesan Convention, persons elected to Chapter will assume office at the annual meeting of the Cathedral congregation (January 2021).

If you have questions or want additional information, please speak to Dean Ryan, the Deacons, and/or any member of Chapter.

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.

Recycle toys, books, and clothes by donating them to a thrift store or local donation facility for others to use.

The Midweek Missive has launched a new occasional feature called, Gospel Perspective.

In this section, we will feature images, cartoons, video clips, and quotes intended to inspire reflection, discernment, conversation, and prayer--imagine a very brief, midweek sermon for your heart and mind.

We also invite you to submit content for "Gospel Perspective" by emailing us.

Elenyi, an emerging Christian singing group comprised of three teenage sisters, Seli, Desi, and Ari, recently released a cover of Bethel Music's "I am a child of God / No Longer Slaves" to raise awareness about sex trafficking.

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.

Episcopal-affiliated camps and conference centers – whether they’re owned by dioceses or operated independently – have allowed the church to branch out into an increasingly secular world, offering children and adults an experience with faith in a more neutral and natural setting than the local church. But their business model – relying on income from the hundreds of visitors that stay at the facilities, often in close proximity – has been decimated by COVID-19.

With wildfires raging up and down the West Coast, in some cases prompting evacuations, destroying homes and threatening communities, Episcopal leaders say they and their congregations are responding and preparing to respond to communities in need as the crisis develops.

For three Sundays this summer, the backyard of Charles Taylor’s home in Washington, D.C., offered more than a place for peaceful relaxation. It became a place of worship. Home is where the church is.

Anglicans in Sri Lanka are being asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to pray as he continues to consult widely on the most suitable person to be the new Bishop of Colombo.

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.