In this edition of ENews:
- Best Skills, Best Churches Starts soon!
- Important Convention Updates; Covid Measures
- Diocesan Quilt is finished, ready to be blessed
- Respond to the CALL - enroll in Alex Leach’s Online class from CDSP
- Help our Afghan Refugee Neighbors
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Register NOW for Best Skills, Best Churches!
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We are excited to once again offer the Best Skills, Best Churches program for clergy and lay leaders! Classes begin Friday, September 23.
Click here for the schedule and additional information.
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Only 58 Days until Diocesan Convention! |
Registration is open!
for Clergy, Delegates, Alternates and Visitors. To register, visit the convention website.
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Important Convention News:
- The 2022 Diocesan Convention will be held entirely in person at the Redding Civic Auditorium
- Clergy and Lay Delegates must be present to vote
- The Diocesan Convention will not be livestreamed
- Selected presentations will be recorded and available on the Convention website
- Service animals are welcome in the Redding Civic Auditorium
- Pets are not allowed
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New Phone Number for Comfort Inn of Redding
The phone number for the Comfort Inn in the Convention Registration Packet has changed. The new number is 530-605-1815. This will ring directly to the General Manager. Be sure to mention you'd like the group rate for the Convention when making your room reservation.
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Your comfort gathering in person matters to us
At this year’s convention, you can choose your own social-distancing comfort level, as shown below.
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Nominations Deadline Extended to September 21 |
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As of the Friday, August 19 deadline, we received the following nominations: |
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STANDING COMMITTEE
Three Positions Open – Two Clergy, One Lay | Four-year term
No Nominations Received
Note: The original call for nominations had one clergy and one lay position available. There are in fact two clergy openings.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Two Positions Open – Either Clergy or Lay | Three-year term
Lay Nominee:
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Ms. Margie Harrison-Smith | Incumbent
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2024 GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES
16 Positions Open – Four Clergy Deputies, Four Clergy Alternates,
Four Lay Deputies, Four Lay Alternates
Clergy Deputy Nominees:
- The Rev. Mary C. Claugus
- The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan
- The Rev. Daniel DeForest London
- The Rev. Jim Richardson
- The Rev. Matt Warren
Lay Deputy Nominees:
- Jay Elmquist
- Peter Juve
- Susan B. Myers
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In accordance with 2022 Convention House Rule 13b, the Deadline for Nominations is extended to Wednesday, September 21 at 12 midnight. For more information and nomination forms, visit the convention website.
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2022 Convention House Rule 13b: …For any office for which there is no contested election, a second filing time shall end on the Wednesday next following the date set for pre-convention Deanery Convocations. Nominations must be filed by midnight on the last day set for filing.
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Want to be part of our Convention slideshow?
Send us photos of your congregation during worship, gatherings, events, community events, holidays, etc.. The slideshow will be on display during the 2022 Diocesan Convention.
We want every congregation represented!
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Top left: Sharon Burke-Polana of St. Clement's, Debbi Honeycutt of St. Clement's and Sally Rooney of St. Luke's in Woodland.Top Right: Bishop Megan gets stitching. Bottom: Debbi Honeycutt, Sharon Burke-Polana, Beth Carlson, and Sally Rooney with the completed quilt.
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After countless hours of hard work by dozens of quilters around the diocese, the Quilt is done!
Originally scheduled to be completed in time for last year’s convention, like everything else, it got delayed by the pandemic. Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Project Coordinator Beth Carlson of St. John’s Chico and many others, the quilt is finished! A small band of quilters gathered last week at St. Clement’s, Rancho Cordova to put the finishing touches on it. Bishop Megan was able to spend a couple of hours helping to hand-stitch the binding.
The quilt will be blessed at the Evening Worship on the first day of convention on October 21. After that, it will be permanently displayed in the lobby of the Office of the Bishop. Many thanks to all who participated in this project. it is truly a work of art and a gift of the entire diocese.
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Diocesan Day of Discernment
Saturday, October 15
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
This is the first step for those interested in the ordination process. Discerners and sponsoring clergy must register and attend.
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Respond to the CALL!
The Rev. Alex Leach, and The Rev. Dr. Daniel London, are both teaching online courses for CDSP’s Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL) program this Fall.
CALL works actively with partner dioceses across the Episcopal Church to develop curricula and continuing education courses that support local formation for ordained ministry and complement diocesan-based retreats and formation experiences. Any lay or ordained person can take courses through CALL. Participants do NOT need to go through CDSP’s degree program admissions process.
Rev. Daniel's class has a waitlist, however, There is still room in Rev. Alex's class– Navigating Conflict: Speaking the Truth in Love, but it's filling fast! Register here.
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The Rev. Alex Leach, Rector of St. Luke's, Woodland
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2022 Camp Living Waters was out of this world!
Camp Living Waters 2022 was our 28th year of operation! We were thrilled to gather our Camp family at Cookson Ranch once again to explore this year's theme "Space Camp: To Godfinity, and Beyond!".
We explored ideas of space not only pertaining to the stars and planets beyond our island home but also the spaces both large and small that we inhabit here. We stargazed and learned about Astronaut James Lovell who missed his scheduled lector slot at St. Christopher's to orbit the moon. We explored the intimate interchange of a blessing. We made aspergillums and blessed areas at camp such as campfire and the kitchen.
As per tradition, we held our annual boat race with vessels made of milk cartons, hot glue, and this year featuring tin foil space cowboys and little green beings. We shared the ranch with a mischievous fox family, snakes, frogs, and the song of many birds. We prayed and we sang, cried and laughed. Overall a wonderful week, and we look forward to our spring reunion and to reconvening our community at Camp next year! We are seeking additional staff to join our crew, and of course any new campers that are interested.
– Diana Cooper
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Mission for Disaster Resilience |
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Sherry Wallmark from St. John's | Chico, and Chuck Cartwright, St. Barnabas | Mt. Shasta, assist a McKinney Fire Survivor. |
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On August 17 & 18, 2022, our diocese was present at the McKinney Fire Local Assistance Center in Yreka. A Local Assistance Center (LAC) is a “one-stop shop” where disaster survivors can receive the help they need, following a life-changing event.
Representatives of government agencies (state/county/local) were on-hand to help replace needed documents or expedite tax re-assessments and most other services. Non-governmental and Faith-Based organizations provided much needed materials (clothing, toiletries, school supplies, and more) as well as financial assistance, emotional, and spiritual support.
Thanks to your generosity, the diocese of Northern California:
- Assisted 94 of the 131 households destroyed by the McKinney Fire
- Gave direct monetary support (St. Barnabas | Mt. Shasta)
- Provided Gift Cards (Diocesan Disaster Relief and Episcopal Relief & Development)
- Distributed (Re)Start bins provided by St. John’s–Chico, St. Michael’s–Carmichael, and St. Peter’s–Red Bluff
- Congregational volunteers came from Chico and Mt. Shasta to represent the diocese
As recovery continues, the diocese needs your assistance. The available material supplies for disaster relief have been depleted, and your help is needed to restock our (Re)Start bins. Please click here to be a part of disaster relief.
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August 28, 2022
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 14:1, 7-14
For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (14:11).
Jesus not only taught the way of humility; he learned and lived it. This was a lesson he learned from his mother at an early age: He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. So we sing in the moving traditional words of the Magnificat, or “Song of Mary” (Luke 1:52). He used the word humble (Greek tapeinos) to describe himself: I am gentle and humble in heart. (Matthew 11:29). And his great humility is seen in that He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:8).
This word, humble, humility, has an interesting history. In the classical Greek it was not much used, and when it was, the sense was negative and pejoratively. This negative connotation of the word begins to turn around when the word is used positively in the Greek Old Testament. The Lord resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34, quoted in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5).
The word is really lifted, celebrated (might I almost say baptized?) in the teaching of Jesus, and of his earliest followers. Humility becomes a lovely thing, to be admired and emulated by the followers of Jesus. The point that Paul makes about Jesus' humiliation and exaltation in Philippians 2:5-11 is applied to the Christians in Philippi in 2:1-4 (in humility regard others better than yourselves. Vs 3). The beautiful hymn that followes should be known, studied, applied, and memorized by any serious follower for Christ.
– The Rev. Peter Rodgers
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Commission for Intercultural Ministries |
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Critical time for our new refugee neighbors
One year ago, Afghans, who we are now resettling in our Diocese and know personally, were scurrying to board our planes to flee their country.
The final flight, a US Air Force C-17, departed at 11:59 p.m. (Kabul time) on 30 August, ending the United States’ 20 year military presence in Afghanistan.
Today, many are facing the challenge of acquiring immigration status that will enable them to stay in America. To do so requires legal help which is not readily available and is very expensive. Legislation to ease and streamline their path to permanent residency has finally been introduced in Congress. It’s extremely urgent that you contact your Senators and House Representative and urge them to work for swift passage of these bipartisan bills (The Afghan Adjustment Act).
A link to write your legislators is included below. These refugees worked for our military and government and were a vital part of our mission in Afghanistan. Their efforts and sacrifices have earned them the opportunity to make new permanent lives here. Please do your part and write to your legislators today.
For more information on this legislation, news of current resettlement efforts, and educational opportunities in our Diocese,
Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Commission for Intercultural Ministry
Refugee Resettlement Team
Lynn Zender, Chair
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I Will, With God's Help:
Journey toward Racial Healing and Justice
Anti-racism workshops for the Episcopal Diocese of
Northern California
This one-day in-person workshop was specially developed for the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California by the Commission for Intercultural Ministries. Renew your Baptismal Covenant as we learn about forms of historic and contemporary racism and how to engage in ministry with sensitivity and respect for all.
Please note that due to the nature of the program, attendance is limited to 30 participants at each workshop.
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Two THREE Workshop Dates/Locations:
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Saturday, August 27 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Christ Church | Eureka
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Saturday, September 10 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church | Redding
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Saturday, September 24 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Church of the Incarnation | Santa Rosa
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Upcoming Events
Around The Diocese
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Sister Joan Chittister | Zoom Webinar
A Monastic Heart: How to Live an Ordinary Life Extraordinarily Well
Saturday, September 10 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Presented by Episcopal Community Services & Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health.
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Cursillo 117
October 27 – 30 | Thursday – Sunday
Mt. Hope Bible Camp | located outside of Oroville
Accommodations for 25 candidates – applications on the website: cursilloncal.org. Potential candidates will need a sponsor (a previous Cursillo attendee). For information contact Jo Churchill at gjchurchill@snowcrest.net or call/text 530-524-1468
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35th Annual Diocesan Choir Festival
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Trinity Cathedral | Sacramento
All choral singers throughout the Diocese are invited
Guest conductor will be Dr. Bruce Neswick, the recently retired Canon for Cathedral Music Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.
To add yourself to the email list, contact David Link, Canon Precentor & Director of Music at Trinity Cathedral: link@trinitycathedral.org
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Job Opportunities Around The Diocese |
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New listing!
Incarnation | Santa Rosa is seeking a part-time, lay or ordained,
Pastoral Care Coordinator. See position description here.
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St. John the Evangelist | Chico is seeking a full-time Interim Rector.
See position description here.
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St. Clement's | Rancho Cordova is seeking a 3/4 time Priest-in-Charge.
See the position description here.
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St. Paul's | Sacramento is seeking a Music Director.
Read the job announcement here.
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Diocesan Commissions | Committees | Ministries |
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The ENews is published weekly on Tuesdays.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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