St. Paul's at Midweek September 16, 2020

Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, we welcome you to our inclusive faith community.

The Coming Week at St. Paul's While public worship in the church continues to be suspended, a number of services and opportunities for fellowship and study are being offered September 20, 2020 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10am Morning Prayer (from our cathedral via Facebook and YouTube) 6.00pm Evening Prayer (from our chapel via Facebook and YouTube) Monday, September 21 St. Matthew the Apostle 10.30am Coffee (or Tea) Morning (via Zoom) Tuesday, September 22 10.00pm St. Paul's Book Group (via Zoom) September 26, 2020 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 10am Morning Prayer (from our cathedral via Facebook and YouTube) 6.00pm Evening Prayer (from our chapel via Facebook and YouTube) Morning Prayer will continue to be recited privately at 8.30am for the well-being of our city, the nation, and the world, and for all those living with the effects and consequences of COVID-19 Please note, that due to the present health crisis, our Food Co-op Ministry will be closed until further notice. Finding the Sunday Readings Did you know you can always find the readings for Sunday by following this link? Did you find two sets of readings for the Sunday? If there are two "tracks", at St. Paul's we are using "Track 2". Getting in Touch Although mail will be regularly collected, the parish office will be closed until further notice. However, you can reach our Parish Administrator via email. Alternatively, you can also email Fr. Luis. This Week by Mike Dunham, Junior Warden It’s Sunday morning and I just finished walking the dog. I almost needed a sweatshirt and the sky was blue. So far it’s a good day! Hope you all are well. I thought I would pass on some of the things I have learned in my nine months as your Junior Warden. 1.    Water is not always our friend. Yes I know it is life giving but a small leak in a bathroom can create a lot of damage. The downstairs classroom in the east wing is in the final stages of remodeling and it will be much nicer than the old version. This is all due to a small leak in the bathroom that went undetected for a week. The floor, walls and cabinets all had to be replaced. This was further complicated by the presence of asbestos. Fortunately insurance is covering the cost minus the deductible. Th AA group that rents the space is helping with that. 2.    Good things can come from a messy room. We have a new renter in the east wing which necessitated moving things out of that room. While this was being done I looked in the room across the hall. It was filled with a lot of boxes from the old CDC. There was a lot of old decorations and other stuff that I didn’t think anyone would want, however there was also things like toys, cots, games and stuffed animals that seemed usable. My first instinct was to have the movers throw all of it in the dumpster (it was hot and I wanted to get home) but I began feeling guilty damn it! We decided to call Community connection for childcare. They were very interested and put out a group email to their new class of providers. Within a week it was all gone. All the items were claimed by very grateful ladies who were starting a daycare in their home. It is nice to know that we were able to help and that in some way our daycare lives on. 3.    Our imagination is important. We have created space. The old CDC playground is now vacant, and the youth room is not empty but a lot of old items have been removed. As we move forward we need to think of ways to utilize these spaces. When I look at the courtyard I see a space of tranquility with plants, a fountain and maybe a gazebo for outdoor weddings. Everyone will see something different but it seems like a good time to look forward. Right now positive things can be difficult to find. I want to end by quoting the Serenity Prayer. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” Let me know if you have questions and stay well, Mike

The Week's Highlights

• The Very Rev'd Ryan Newman, Dean of St James Cathedral preaching at Evening Prayer this Sunday • Parish Prayer List to be Revised • International Day of Peace Observance: September 21 • New Tuesday Book Study: September 22 • Nominations for Elected Positions as Diocesan Convention due September 28

Worship and Prayer

Guest Preacher This Sunday The Very Rev'd Ryan Newman, the Dean of St. James' Cathedral will be our preacher this Sunday at Evening Prayer. Join us via Facebook or YouTube (see below), and hear the message he has for us. Dean Ryan will be leaving his position as dean in the coming month, and so we are especially grateful that he has offered his time to us at St. Paul's in these busy days of preparation before leavetaking.

Sunday Worship at St Paul's During the present health crisis Sunday worship continues at St. Paul's. In the morning you are encouraged to join online worship from our cathedral in Fresno. This can be accessed here. In the evenings at 6pm via Facebook and YouTube Evening Prayer is led by Fr. Luis from our chapel. Check this out on our Facebook page by clicking here, and be sure to follow us if you aren't already. If you watch via YouTube, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Praying at St Paul's Remember that while there are no public services at St. Paul's and the church is closed, the Church's round of prayer continues. While currently the heat precludes its being said regularly in the church, our members are encouraged to continue to gather in spirit on or around 8.30am to say Morning Prayer. Up until now there has has been provided a weekly download indicating the psalms and readings for each day. However, there seems little need of replicating what is already easily accessible online. St. Bede's Breviary is highly recommended, and can be accessed here. You can access our Parochial Prayer Dairy here, and if you have found the non-Scriptural readings helpful you can download the Universalis app and just click through to Spiritual Readings. This last is a Roman Catholic site and there is a small charge for the app. Continue faithful in prayer in these time, and if you any questions please contact Fr. Luis.

Wednesdays as Days of Special Devotion As a parish, remember we are keeping Wednesdays as days of fasting and prayer for the pandemic of COVID-19, but also and perhaps more disturbing pandemic of self-centeredness, which as our Presiding Bishop preached "has been the root cause of every humanly created evil that has ever hurt or harmed any child of God or even the earth itself." While fasting is technically going without food, Fr. Luis has asked that we fast each Wednesday of this summer by doing "something to frustrate our appetites", whatever that appetite may be. Also we are asked each Wednesday to pray the Great Litany beginning on page 148 of the Book of Common Prayer. You can also find an alternate version of the Great Litany here. As Fr. Luis wrote a few weeks ago, "The journey away from ourselves is the journey towards the other, and hence community. Spiritual disciplines like fasting and prayer are the first steps towards spiritually-motivated action and solidarity. I hope we can take these steps together, and discover where the Spirit will lead us."

International Day of Peace Observance: Ring Them Bells There will be ringing of St. Paul’s bells for peace at 12:00 noon on September 21, Monday to commemorate International Day of Peace, started by the United Nations in 1981. Since then, the day "is observed around the world each year on September 21. The Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace." The following was expressed by Tracy McLaren, an organizer for Peace Day: “In the case of the Peace Day observance, the ringing of the bells at noon has become a tradition, which invites us to stop and to embrace the present moment, and in that shared moment, to imagine and visualize peace for the world and all beings in it, and to commit ourselves to that peace. The bell gives a sweet voice to our intentions, that draws no lines and creates no dissent. It is lovely, peaceful, non-denominational, all-inclusive, and accessible. The peals of the bell resonate and reverberate around and through our bodies and our shared space, in the same way in which a pebble dropped in a pool of water sends out ripples from its center. Our commitment to peace in ourselves and our community ripples out to touch everyone in the same way the sound of the bell ripples outward, touching everyone.” The noon time was selected, because it is easy to remember and also early enough in the day to be mindful of peace throughout the day.  In recent years, there was a Peace Day service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the evening. There were words, music, meditation and candle-lighting. This year, due to pandemic precautions, there will be an on-line observance on Monday Sept 21, 2020 from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. There will be words and music. At noon, there will be ringing of bells, and other sounds.  Join via ZOOM by clicking www.GTZoom.com (Sponsored by Unity Bakersfield and LifeCamp)

Parish Prayer List to be Revised As we approach the end of the third quarter our parish prayer list will again be revised. This means that all names will be removed at the end of this month. If you would like a name to remain on the list or a name to be added please contact Fr. Luis via email. Remember that while public services are suspended, prayer at St. Paul's continues. Those on our prayer list are mentioned by name at Morning Prayer, and also by members of the congregation, among them, the Daughter of the King. In our physical separation, our prayers for each other, for those in need, and for those who have died take on a particular dimension as they affirm our abiding connection in the midst of physical separation.

Remember in Your Prayers

Collect of the Week O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. In Our Prayers Remember in your prayers Kristian Yvonne, London, the Sosa family, Lori, Joel, Barbra, Stephanie, Sandra, Nancy, Anita, all those living with the effects of COVID-19, and all who are in sorrow, sickness, or any kind of need. Remember also the recently departed, among the, and also all those whose year's mind falls at this time. Monthly Prayer Diary Remember you can alway access the current monthly Prayer Diary by clicking here.

Calling Volunteers for Online Worship As we continue to live into these days of online worship, we also continue to discern ways in which our common life can continue and flourish. Part of this is still enabling a sense of corporate worship even while we remain distanced physically. To that end we are looking for volunteers to lead parts of our Sunday evening service. This would entail making a recording of yourself doing a reading or leading intercessions. This can be done relatively easily on one's phone, tablet or computer. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry or have any questions, please contact Fr. Luis.

Education and Formation

St. Paulʻs Book Group: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline  St. Paulʻs Book Group continue on Tuesday, September 22 at 10.00am We will be reading Orphan Train by Christina Baler Kline.  (If you do not already have the book be sure to get this edition as it has an extended scene.) "Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship." One critic wrote: “A lovely novel about the search for family that also happens to illuminate a fascinating and forgotten chapter of America’s history. Beautiful.” You will find the reading schedule and Zoom link here.

Parish News and Information

Parish Zoom Hall Meeting Thanks to those who were able to all those who are making to make the Parish Zoom Hall Meeting, and to our Bishop's Committee who made it possible. It was a good time to hear some updates on the life of St. Paul's

Vanco - A New Way of E-Giving to St. Paul's

You’ll notice a new “donate” button on the St. Paul’s website. We’re changing our e-giving platform from Network for Good to Vanco, which partners with our pledge system Servant Keeper. What are the advantages to working with Vanco? First, all donations and pledges get directly deposited to St. Paul’s bank account. We won’t have to wait 1 - 1 ½ months for a check to be sent. Second, for all check writers - you can set up your monthly pledge or any recurring donation to be taken out of your account automatically, which means you don’t have to write out a check or mail a check - saving you precious time. Lastly, using Vanco - you do not need to set up any kind of “account” to use it. It’s completely optional to set up a profile. One advantage from the church’s perspective is that Vanco works with Servant Keeper (SK), so any donation instantly gets credited to a parishioner’s SK profile, ready for the year-end contribution statements.   Like most e-giving platforms, there is a processing fee of 2.75% (for debit/credit cards; 1% for checking accounts). When inputting your payment information, there is the option for the donor to help St. Paul’s offset the processing fee by adding it to your donation. This is optional though, so it is completely up to the donor. At St. Paul’s, we appreciate any and all donations! Also, you can download the GivePlus app (through App Store/Google Play) if you’d rather use your smartphone to manage donations. Once downloaded, you can search for St. Paul’s by entering our zip code (93301) or St. Paul’s Episcopal Bakersfield. Just scroll through till you find us! Once you find us, you can proceed to setting up your donations.   If you have ANY questions, feel free to email Diane Mangum at didi93307@gmail.com. She has used the app and the online site and can help with any questions.

Fellowship and Connection

Monday Morning Coffee (or Tea) Hour As we continue sheltering in place and physical-distancing (when did these become verbs?) we become all too aware of the importance of our fellowship at St. Paul's. While it's not exactly the same as gathering in Grace Hall or joining Fr. Luis for coffee at Blue Oak, we are still going to try to gather each week via Zoom. Get yourself a cup of tea or coffee this coming Monday, September 21, at 10.30am, and click onto Zoom via your phone, tablet or computer, and let's chat. The Zoom invitation link is here. See you then, and if you have any questions, get in touch with Fr. Luis.

Children's Sunday ZOOM Time

Our Children's Zoom Time meets on a monthly basis. The next meeting will be Sunday, October 4 at noon, and then on the first Sunday of the month. This is a chance for the younger members of our congregation to get together for fellowship, prayer, and Christian formation. Click here for the Zoom link. If you can any questions contact Lori Toia.

St. Paul's Sunday Afternoon Social Our Sunday Afternoon Zoom Social meets on a monthly basis. The next meeting is October 4 at 2pm. Join members of St. Paul's for a time of fellowship and conversation during these COVID-times. Click here for the Zoom link. If you have any questions contact Lori Toia or Fr. Luis.

Remember, St Paul's Still Needs Your Support Words from Brian Whitfield, our Bishop's Warden: Like many businesses, St. Paul's also has to worry about the bills and how we will pay for things without the usual amount of foot traffic and plate offerings. Like everything else, giving has to adapt as well. There are numerous ways to continue giving (if you are able): you can send your check to the office, you can drop an envelope through the mail slot (in the door of the office) with your payment, you can set up bill pay and have your bank send a check online (most banks do this for free and can be done using their app), or you can visit Vanco to donate using a debit or credit card. If you pledge, please continue to do so. If you give regularly but do not pledge, again please continue giving by one of the ways mentioned above. At the same time, lack of visitors and newcomers means that occasional giving will decrease, negatively impacting our already negative budget. To counter this, Fr. Luis and I are both committing to raising our pledge by 5-10% during this time, and we would like to invite you (if you are a regular giver, whether pledging or not) to do so as well as you are able. This will hedge the number of losses that we will encounter and further allow us to continue the wonderful ministries that happen here.

Are You in Need of Anything? Are you or someone you know in need of food or other essentials but are unable to get out? Are you in a high risk group and anxious about going out to get what what you need? Please email Fr. Luis. Volunteers are at the ready to help out in any way they can. Please, please, please get in touch. We are all in this together.

Youth Ministries of St. Paul We are happy to announce the re-launch of our youth ministries at St. Paul’s! We have so many exciting upcoming events for our youth. If you are the parent of a child ages 5-18, please join our Youth Ministries messaging service. You will NOT receive any spam messages. This messaging service allows you to send messages directly to our youth leadership and to receive info on upcoming events. Text this message- "@youth2216" - to 81010.

Poetry Corner A Time by Jack Hernandez A time when smoke mutes the sun fires blacken the forest skin political rage burns compassion. A time when the heart opens to refugees from pain bears the scars of those severed from homes of those struck by love’s loss of the stranger waiting to enter. A time of burning A time of sowing new seeds daring all to care as one.

September Birthdays

Sean Williams Cathy Henry Sara Chan Pettiford Draven Brown Maceo Brown Deborah Spaine Faith Haney September 9 September 16 September 18 September 18 September 18 September 18 September 29

News and Information from our Diocese and the Wider Church

Nominations for Elected Positions at Diocesan Convention due September 28 The following positions will be elected at convention: Standing Committee (1 lay and 1 clergy; 4 year terms) Diocesan Council (1 lay at large; 3 year term) You can nominate yourself or someone in your congregation. Nominees will need to submit a short bio and photograph to me (canonanna@diosanjoaquin.org) by October 1.  All forms are on the diocesan website: https://www.diosanjoaquin.org/annual-convention On Deanery Day (October 10) we will also do the following elections: Diocesan Council, 3 year term: northern deanery, 1 clergy person Diocesan Council, 3 year term: central deanery, 1 lay person If you have any questions contact Canon Anna at the above email.

Creek Fire Update

Prayer in Time of Disaster  Holy One, you are our comfort and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos. Surround us now with your grace and peace through storm or earthquake, fire or flood. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen. As many of you are aware, on Friday the Creek Fire started, and has continued to spread throughout the weekend.  In coordination with the Office of the Bishop and the director of ECCO, parishioners of St. Raphael's Oakhurst are in communications with each other and the Office of the Bishop regarding evacuation needs.  Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a state of emergency for Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties.   Areas currently under MANDATORY EVACUATION orders in Fresno County: Shaver Lake Huntington Lake Camp Sierra Big Creek High Sierra areas, which include: Florence Lake, Ward Lake, Portal Forebay, Edison Lake Mono Hot Springs, Kaiser and all campgrounds. Alder Springs Mile High Meadow Lakes Big Sandy Jose Basin Italian Bar Dinkey Creek Wishon & Courtright Reservoirs Area west of Tollhouse, along Auberry Road west to Powerhouse Road. Areas currently under MANDATORY EVACUATION orders in Madera County are: Cascadel Woods Kinsman Flat Subdivision Italian Bar Rd. from Road 225 to Reddinger Lake Mammoth Pool Whiskey Falls Clover Meadow Arnold Meadows Minarets All campgrounds off Minarets Road All campgrounds off Beasore Road north of Grizzley Road An Evacuation Order means there is immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access. Fresno County has set up an an evacuation center for people and small animals at Clovis North High School, 2770 E International Ave. Areas currently with an EVACUATION WARNING in Fresno County: Auberry Rd from the top of the four lanes to Powerhouse to the San Joaquin River Jose Basin Alder Spring Mono Wind Casino Meadow Lakes Mile High Tollhouse Rd at Peterson Rd down to Lodge Rd Beal Fire Rd Powerhouse Rd to the San Joaquin Riverere are Areas with EVACUATION WARNINGS in Madera County: Mammoth Pool trailer park to Road 233, down Road 225 Sierra Sky Ranch (Road 632) and surrounding area North Fork Bass Lake An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets/livestock should leave now. Prior to the sending of this communication, Bishop David was contacted and he is fully abreast of the situation. He has asked that all questions or concerns be directed to either Canon Anna or Chancellor Michael in his absence. Rev. Angela and her family have been safely evacuated and are taking time to rest. Your prayers are appreciated. If you would like to make a financial donation to assist those who have been evacuated, please make your check out to EDSJ and put in the memo line "Emergency Relief for Creek Fire".

Have you has a chance yet to view this powerful presentation put together by SJRAISE and spearheaded by our Cathy Kline? It focuses on a collection of artwork from the Tornillo Children's Detention Camp where close to 3,000 unaccompanied minors from Central and South America were held. For these children, art was a way to express their faith, the love of their family and friends, and pride in their homeland.   You can access the presentation here. To learn more about the artwork, read this article from the New York Times.

Disaster Relief: Hurricanes and Fires This year has been one of many seasons and changes. Our brothers and sisters throughout California are suffering from fires that threaten homes and lives. Our friends and colleagues in Louisiana have seen destruction from winds they have not experienced in this lifetime. Some of you have asked how you might give in a way that will directly affect these people. Please find two places to do so below. The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California has published this information for fire relief in their area: Bishop's Discretionary Fund: Disaster Relief 100% of your donation will go directly to assist victims in the first stage of the disaster and later during long term recovery. To donate to disaster relief, click here now. Please make checks out to EDNC put "Disaster Relief" in the memo line. Mail checks to:  The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California 350 University Avenue, Suite 280 Sacramento, CA 95825  Episcopal Relief and Development has issued the following statement about their work with the victims of Hurricane Laura: [The Episcopal Relief and Development] U.S. Disaster team is supporting the dioceses of Louisiana, Western Louisiana, Mississippi, Central Gulf Coast, Texas and West Texas with technical assistance as they prepare for and monitor storms in this region and assess needs as a result of the rainfall, winds, flooding and storm surge - all within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the dioceses of Texas and Western Louisiana are finding ways to support the most vulnerable, especially low-income and unhoused people. Western Louisiana is conducting damage assessment, and coping with power and water outages. Diocesan leaders have also started to coordinate aid, including the distribution of gift cards. As we help the local dioceses assess the most immediate needs, we are counting on our community to show what our faith can do. Please make an urgent donation to our Hurricane Relief Fund today. You will help provide everything from food to blankets to pastoral care - bringing relief and comfort to those most in need.

Are You Registered to Vote? We are blessed as a nation to vote. As citizens of this country this is a right, an obligation, and a duty. Go vote. Vote your conscience. Your conscience informed by what it means to love your neighbor, to participate in the process of seeking the common good, to participate in the process of making this a better world. However you vote, go and vote. And do that as followers of Jesus. -Presiding Bishop Michael Curry  Election Day is November 3. Are you registered to vote? Here's a great site to help you plan your vote.

Buildings Re-Opening Protocols for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin From Bp. David C. Rice June 12, 2020 Dear Sisters and Brothers of EDSJ, From the early beginnings of this horrific pandemic, I have been joined by diocesan staff, leaders and clergy colleagues in expressing the ways in which our responses amid this crisis speak of who we are and to WHOM we belong. We have consistently identified that this is yet another opportunity to grow deeper into the Beloved Community we are Called to be... This has been no more evident than the urging to take care of one another (the other) by taking care of ourselves. This other-self care has and continues to involve sheltering-in-place, wearing masks and gloves and the like. We have been clear that our identity, our very reason to be, requires that we put public health over economics and theological-communal responsibility over individual rights. We have been clear that the need to reflect God in the Way of Love could not be more necessary than in our present contexts and circumstances. And we have been clear the Jesus Movement must inform what we do and how we do it during these days of COVID-19. As we move closer to reopening, the aforementioned expression of identity and reflection of faith must not diminish. The guidelines before us are practical measures to ensure (to the extent we can) continued safety, health and wellness for all. When reopening occurs, we urge you to adhere to the guidelines and continue to frame them with words of faith, hope and love. We also encourage you to exercise caution, care and patience as we move into becoming church in yet another way. I wish to thank the contributors of our Diocesan Guidelines.  Participants on the Working Group were: Canon Anna Carmichael (Diocesan Staff) Ms. Barbara Vassell, Communicable Disease Manager, Stanislaus County Public Health (Modesto) Rev'd Luis Rodriguez (Bakersfield) Rev'd Peter Ackerman (Lodi) Rev'd Jim McDonald (Fresno) Bishop David Rice (Diocesan Staff) Blessings, The Rt. Rev. David C. Rice So, where are we now? EDSJ-Stage 1: Shelter In Place Virtual worship services Allow for no more than 3 people in the same space for filming of virtual worship; wearing of masks and 6ft of social distancing required All meetings/gatherings held virtually No in-person pastoral visits Limit feeding ministries to those which can follow safe protocols determined by health department. Here you will find the guidelines and protocols for re-opening as well as powerpoint presentations detailing the guidelines and protocols. Please note that these have slightly changed since last week. From Fr. Luis We all realize that these are very difficult times, and that our being unable to meet in our church building only makes them more difficult, maybe even lonely. Nevertheless, we can take comfort and pride in our Church's commitment to people's well-being, both her members and the wider community. Part of that care-taking means accepting that it's not yet possible for us to gather safely in our church buildings. Nevertheless, I don't believe this undermines our being the Church. Our ministry continues in all sorts of ways: through online worship and fellowship, pastoral care, private prayer and devotion, Daughters of the King, and the regular, everyday support of our members as they call, connect, and check up on one another. Certainly, we are currently not able to meet in our buildings, but we are still the Church, and like the Church has always done we are learning to be the Church in a new context. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me and we can arrange for a conversation. Yours, Fr. Luis

Did you know that SJRAISE, The Diocesan Immigration Commission, has a new monthly newsletter? You can check it out HERE and subscribe at the bottom, or email Deacon Angela at dioadmin@diosanjoaquin.org to be added!

Community News and Information

Evicted in Kern a report published by Faith in the Valley Did you know that an estimated 20,000 Kern households, including 24,000 children are in danger of facing eviction due to relying on income from industries that have been impacted by COVID-19? This important report by our community partner, Faith in the Valley highlights an important dimension of the housing crisis in our county. You can access the entire report here.

Community TRUSTT Community TRUSTT is committed to improving relations with local law enforcement. TRUSTT is an acronym for “Together, Rebuilding Unity, Seeking Trust and Transparency.”  Members of the community and representatives of each branch of local law enforcement, including BPD, KCSO, Probation, KC District Attorney, Juvenile Court and KC High School District Police, participate. We advocate for best practices in 21st Century Policing and highlight the experience of those most negatively affected by law enforcement, including communities of color and all minority groups. Our dialog is civil and direct. Currently, we are focusing on issues surrounding juveniles and gang enhancement charges. We are advocating for Independent Expert Review of the Bakersfield Police Department. Our next meeting will be held September 14 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer and Bakersfield Police Department Brent Stratton will answer questions about gang lists, gang charges and gang enhancement. The Zoom link is available on our Facebook page. We welcome everyone in the community to participate. Questions may be directed to Marilyn Droppers, 661.204.197 or marilyndroppers@gmail.com.

Kern Welcoming and Extending Solidarity to Immigrant (KWESI) Through KWESI those living at the Mesa Verde Detention Center right here in Bakersfield find fellowship and hope. KWESI volunteers are regular visitors to those detained at Mesa Verde and are also an important link for them to world outside. Consider giving some of your time to this the important work. To volunteer call either call Jeannie Parent at (661) 877-1894I or Eddy Laine at (661) 345-4736. To get a better sense of the work being done by KWESI, click here to see a recent update newsletter.

Connecting with St. Paul's and The Episcopal Church

St. Paul's Website St. Paul's Facebook page The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin The Episcopal Church Episcopal News Service

If you need to speak with Fr. Luis, our Priest-in-Charge, please call the main office at (661) 869-1630.

Want to Get in Touch?

Church Office (661) 869-1630 stpauls@stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org Priest-in-Charge The Rev'd Luis Rodriguez frluis@stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org follow Fr. Luis on facebook Senior Warden Brian Whitfield: bwhitfie@gmail.com

Junior Warden Michael Dunham michaelwdunham1962@gmail.com Parish Administrator Lily Guerra parishadmin@stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org Midweek frluis@stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org