17th Sunday after Pentecost

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

Exodus 17:1-7

Philippians 2:1-13

Matthew 21:23-32

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Officiants: Rev. Edward Dondi and Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy

Preacher: Rev. Julie Kelly

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9:30AM | ZOOM

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Last Sunday, Dean Ryan Newman was the guest preacher at St. Paul's Bakersfield's Evening Prayer Service. Below is a link to the Dean's sermon.

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.

Check out this guide to learn how to compost at your home, or go here to see if your neighborhood has a curbside compost pickup option.

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.

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.

The latest hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast during this record-setting hurricane season has left churches and residents again assessing the damage, this time in communities served by the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast in southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

Prominent faith leaders are condemning the apprehension of an undocumented immigrant on church grounds by federal officials, arguing the action violates a government policy that discourages agents from raiding “sensitive locations” such as churches, hospitals and schools.

In July, several months into the COVID-19 pandemic, William Lucas Walker was feeling exasperated – not just by the constant angst of the pandemic itself, but by Americans’ failure to take the simple step of consistently wearing masks to contain the virus.

As colleges and universities begin this unique school year in the face of unprecedented and changing challenges, campus ministers in the diocese are learning how to safely minister to their communities and anticipate special needs that both students and staff will have as they begin a new school year during a pandemic.

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.