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3-21-2014
I have often heard it suggested that Leslie Newbigin remains one of the most significant influences in the theology of mission (missiology). This suggestion, I hasten to add, appears to be easily substantiated by the fact that many “missiological thinkers” like Tickle, Roxburgh, Law and the like, refer to and credit Newbigin for giving language and action to missiology. In this Reflection, I wish to give thanks for the life and work of Leslie Newbigin. And in doing so, I would commend to you his tome The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society which is a marvelous read. In addition, The Open Secret and Foolishness to the Greeks are equally readable moreover memorable. I will leave this recommendation to read Newbigin with you and I will await with interest your impressions and responses.
During the recent Clergy Retreat at St. Anthony’s in Three Rivers, I suggested to our clergy that they read the book, Missional, Joining God in the Neighborhood by Alan J. Roxburgh. I want to seize the opportunity in this space to make the same recommendation to you. I have already alluded to the fact that for Roxburgh and others, Newbigin sets a foundation for missiological thought and practice. This is certainly evident in the manner in which Roxburgh begins Missional.
Roxburgh writes:”As a missiologist, Newbigin’s consistent focus in his writing over thirty years involved a continual wrestling with the question of how the gospel engages the culture of the modern west. He was in a constant dialogue with the culture, in which he lived, and the gospel, which he loved. It was a back-and-forth dialogue, not one-way. Reading these books is to know one is listening in on someone who has spent time immersed in, listening to, and loving this culture in which he is embedded. (Newbigin lived in India for thirty years). It’s striking how Newbigin doesn’t use this culture to get somewhere else – he indwells it and through that indwelling reads again the biblical narratives to ask how the gospel could reengage his culture in his time.” Missional, pg 42.
And so, Episcopalians in and of San Joaquin, I hope to introduce you to Leslie Newbigin if you have not already met. I encourage to read Alan Roxburgh, Phylis Tickle and Eric Law and anyone else influenced by Leslie Newbigin. And most importantly, I hope and pray that we, too, “will be in constant dialogue with the culture, in which we live, and the gospel, which we love.” And that we will ever-increasingly join God in our own neighborhoods, walking with Jesus, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Continued Blessings through Lent
+ David
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| “Participating in God’s Reconciling Love” |
| Call to Special Convention… |
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The Recognition and Seating
of the
Provisional Bishop
The Rt. Rev. David Rice
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Invitation to Sing at Special Convention...
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The Choir of St. Paul’s Church in Bakersfield and director, Christopher Borges, would like to invite members of the Diocese to participate with them in singing at the service for the Seating of Bishop David Rice on Saturday, March 29. There will be a rehearsal that Saturday morning at 11am in the Choir Room.
Please contact Fr. Vern at
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BUS TO CONVENTION UPDATE!
In an attempt to keep California Green, and help people offset the nearly $4.00 a gallon gas price, a few remaining seats on the Convention Coach to Bakersfield will remain at the $50 rate.Remember the coach departs Modesto’s Vintage Faire Mall Park and Ride on the 29th at 5:30 AM returning to Modesto that evening. On your luxury coach there will be a continental breakfast in the morning, with libations and snacks for the return trip.
For more information and reservations please call Christ the King at
209-869-1075
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Attention Clergy!
The liturgical color for the Celebration and Seating of Bishop Rice
following the Special Meeting of Convention on March 29
is red.
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Walk through Lent with beautiful daily devotions,
The Lent App (for iPhone)
Illustrated with art by the inimitable Roger Hutchison, author of The Painting Table, and inspirational daily reflections by beloved author and Spiritual Director Mary C. Earle provide food for the journey. A built in journal function lets you record your own thoughts, and you can share Scripture, the daily image, or your own thoughts via email or social media.
Learn More
GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
Since 1922, Episcopalians have supported the ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East through the Good Friday Offering. Through the work of the Episcopal dioceses in the Middle East, Christians maintain a peacemaking and stabilizingpresence in the region, serving their neighbors regardless of faith background.
To make a donation to the Good Friday Offering, please write a check payable to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, write “Good Friday Offering” in the memo line, and mail to:
DFMS – Protestant Episcopal Church US
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
Click here for Good Friday Offering Resources
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From the Office of Public Affairs…
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Justice and Advocacy Fellowships
applications accepted
for poverty alleviation and environmental stewardship
[March 18, 2014] Applications are now accepted for one-year and two-year Justice and Advocacy Fellowships for social justice and advocacy work for The Episcopal Church.
The Justice and Advocacy Fellowships for Domestic Poverty and Environmental Stewardship, new initiatives of The Episcopal Church, will provide financial support for service, professional development and education to those who are engaged in poverty alleviation and environmental stewardship. Hands-on experience, professional training and leadership development are intrinsic in the Fellowships.
Focusing on the Anglican Marks of Mission Mark 4 and Mark 5, the 2014 Justice and Advocacy Fellowships are sponsored by the Episcopal Church Office of Justice and Advocacy Ministries.
The Domestic Poverty Fellowships are one-year each and call for addressing domestic poverty in communities. The Environmental Stewardship Fellowship are two-years each and will provide leadership on key environmental issues in affected domestic communities.
Fellowships range from $24,000 over one year to $48,000 over two years.
Details, requirements, special data and instructions on applying are located herehttp://www.episcopalchurch.org/form/justice-and-advocacy-fellowships
“The Justice and Advocacy Fellowships for Domestic Poverty and Environmental Stewardship are ideal opportunities to focus on a myriad of possibilities, such as engaging in work with the poor, prisons, poverty, healthcare, climate change, water conservation, and other important issues of our society,” explained The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Domestic Poverty Missioner. “The Justice and Advocacy Fellowships are available to candidates from any ethnic background or geographical location.”
Deadline for applications is May 9.
For more information contact Stevenson at [email protected] or Jayce Hafner, Episcopal Church Domestic Policy Analyst, at [email protected].
The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/episcopalian
Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamepiscopalian
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EpiscopalChurchYT
On the web:
Justice and Advocacy Fellowships applications accepted for poverty alleviation and environmental stewardship
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/justice-and-advocacy-fellowships-applications-accepted-poverty-alleviation-and-environmental-
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Dying and Living into Resurrection…Now.
As we celebrate Easter, we can find ourselves wondering – “What are we doing?” Are we celebrating a past or historical event – the resurrection of Jesus? Or are we praying into a future hope for ourselves? Either way, is there anything the resurrection can say to us right now? Is resurrection a “present moment” event? This year the Diocesan Women’s Retreat will focus around these questions. We will gather in the beautiful surroundings of ECCO, and through scripture, addresses, music, silence and meditation seek to encounter resurrection not as a past event or a future promise, but a present reality. Once again this year, the Rev’d Luis Rodriguez will be our retreat leader. Fr Luis is the rector of the Episcopal Church of the Saviour in Hanford and has a background in theology,counseling and spiritual direction.
Women’s Retreat
May 2-4, 2014
ECCO
Be on the look out for Registration Form and Retreat Schedule
in the upcoming Friday Reflections.
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From the Diocesan Office…
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Since you have asked….
Bishop David now has an email and it is: [email protected]
ALL MAIL
for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, Bishop, Canon, and Administrator is to go to the current address: 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355
Time sensitive material can be emailed to [email protected].
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Want to know what is happening in the Diocese of San Joaquin?
Special Convention, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. March 29, 2014, St. Paul’s, Bakersfield
Registration starting at 9:30 a.m.
Chrism Mass, Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 11.00 a.m. Church of the Saviour, Hanford
Annual Convention, October 24-25, 2014, St. Paul’s, Modesto
Click on the link below to see upcoming events and meetings around the diocese.
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From Our Parishes and Missions…
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EVERY FRIDAY IN LENT
PARISH LENTEN DEVOTIONS
6 pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS
and
BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
(followed in the Parish Hall with a Soup Supper)
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
414 Oak Street,
San Andreas, CA
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April 4, 2014
LENTEN FISH FRY
The Episcopal Church of the Saviour, Hanford
In keeping with the Church’s ancient Lenten tradition, the Episcopal Church of the Saviour in Hanford (519 N. Douty St.) will be hosting its annual Fish Fry on Friday, 4 April 2014, from 5:00pm-7:30pm. Come along for a wonderful fish supper and fellowship, or take your meal “to go”. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at the church office or at the door the night of the event. Please contact the Church of the Saviour with any questions at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there.
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May 3, 2014
THE SPRING TEA
Christ The King will host their annual Spring Tea on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 11:00 am. Reservations and tickets are available by calling the church office or from a church member. Click here for for flyer for details and to post in your church.
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May 15-16, 2014
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Bakersfield
Join Bishop David Rice
for a Weekend with an Internationally Known Visionary,
Author, Lecturer, & Entrepreneur
Fr. Eric Law, Episcopal Priest 
Friday, March 15
Check-in 4pm Breakfast 8-9am
Dinner 5pm Session I 9-11:30am
Program 6-8pm
Saturday, May 17th, 2014
Check-in 4pm Breakfast 8-9am
Dinner 5pm Session I 9-11:30am
Program 6-8pm Lunch 11:30-12:30
Session II 12:30-2:30
Break 2:30-2:45
Session III 3-5pm
Dinner 5-6pm
Session IV 6-7:30pm
Registration form online at www.stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org
Click here for flyer to post.
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| For our Diocesan Prayer Calendar….click here |
| Bishop’s and Canon’s Visitations Calendars… |
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Bishop Talton’s Calendar
March 29 Special Convention, St. Paul’s, Bakersfield
Bishop Rice’s Calendar
March 29 Special Convention, St. Paul’s, Bakersfield
March 30 St. Paul’s, Bakersfield
April 6 St. Paul’s, Modesto
April 13 St. Andrew’s, Taft
April 19 St. Francis, Turlock
April 30 Church of the Saviour, Hanford
Canon Cullinane’s Calendar
March 29 Special Convention, St. Paul’s, Bakersfield
March 30 St. Andrew’s, Taft
April 16 St. Raphael’s, Oackhurst
April 20th Holy Trinity, Madera
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