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ADVENT
From Canon Kate Cullinane
I read an article recently where the author reports about a Christmas card that he reads every year. The card came to him from a friend who had cancer. Much to his surprise the card received from his friend was upbeat even after the chemotherapy and hair loss. In his friend’s last paragraph she mentions the ornaments on the tree, support of family and friends and moments of laughter. Her last paragraph read:
“Cancer’s darkness is strong, but faith’s light is stronger. So as the darkness grows, it is the little things which help me see the light. After all, God sent a tiny Child to bring light into the world. So I choose to look for the light.”
Look around you over the next few weeks. You will see lights everywhere; on houses, on trees, candles in windows. Little lights will be everywhere.
We are entering the season of Advent when we anticipate the coming of Jesus once again this Christmas. We have the custom in our church of using an Advent wreath with four candles to mark the Sundays as we near Christmas. And please do notice: the lighting of the Advent candles is not a task for the clergy. For centuries the Church has said to Christians in this ever-darkening world and season; ‘Go home, gather with those you love and light another candle on your Advent wreath at home. Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. You should light another candle!’
The message is clear. Your candle may seem small against the darkness, but light it anyway. And do that precisely when the darkness seems to be winning and life appears too overwhelming.
The candles on the Advent wreath remind us that Christ does not just call us to see the light; we are also called to be the light. The darkness will only get greater if we fail to be the light of Jesus right here and right now.
There is darkness everywhere. There is homelessness, hunger, human trafficking and suffering. But Jesus promises us that the darkness can be overcome. We are often paralyzed and frightened by the darkness.
Yet, Jesus calls us to not only to see the light but to be the light of the world. He says in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” And he meant it.
So now, it is time to light another candle. This season of Advent leads to the birth of the tiny One who is, after all, the Light of the World.
We can all choose now to look for the light and to be the light. At our Diocesan Convention our theme was “Called to be…”
In Advent I believe that we are “Called to be…” the light.
Canon Kate
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Advent is frequently described as a season of joy, expectation, and waiting. In the midst of this busy season, the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) has the tools and resources to keep your congregation running smoothly. This Advent, ECF will be offering tools and webinars on a wide variety of financial and leadership topics from different parts of the Church. Click here.
ADVENT CALENDAR
This Advent calendar is created each year by the Rev. Thomas Mousin and the Rev. Merry Watters. Beginning on the First Sunday of Advent and concluding on December 24th, the calendar offers a scripture reading and suggested devotion for each day of the season. This year, musical settings for the calendar’s poem can be downloaded, along with the calendar at:
Permission is granted to reproduce and distribute the calendar and music for the 2015 Advent season.
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Integrity Retreat – January 22-24, 2016
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- Friday, January 22nd – We gather in the evening for registration, introductions, fellowship, and snacks as we arrive at ECCO in Oakhurst, south of Yosemite.
- Saturday, January 23rd – Canon Randy Kimmler leads our retreat program throughout the day. We gather for a movie, discussion and social time in the evening
- Sunday, January 24th – After morning Eucharist with Bishop David and free time, we enjoy lunch together before departure.
$145 per person/double room, $195 single room
2 nights, 5 meals
For questions contact:
Integrity Diocesan Organizer,
Jan Dunlap 661.201.2630 661.201.2630
Canon Randy Kimmler returns as our 2016 Retreat Leader.
Even before the end of the 2015 gathering, it was consensus that we wanted to have Randy return to lead our next retreat in 2016!
 xt retreat in 2016! Randy is a recently retired Missioner for Vocations in the Diocese of Los Angeles, where he supported and oversaw clergy development prior to and after ordination. About 8 years ago, he helped plant the Community of the Holy Spirit (CHS) in the Silver Lake district of LosAngeles. Lay-organized and led, the group is an
emergent progressive Christian community that is being studied by many Episcopal dioceses. “It’s not a church. It’s not a mission. It’s an anomaly and dioceses around the country are trying to figure out what to do with groups like us that are springing up all over the place.” Randy attends St. John’s ProCathedral in Los Angeles, serves on the Bishop’s Commission on LGBT Ministries and has been recognized by Bishop Jon Bruno for his significant service to the wider church.
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Friendly reminder to all clergy: December is the month that you should be thinking about having a housing allowance passed by your Vestry or Bishop’s committee for tax purposes in 2016.
Clergy Retreat December 15-17, 2015- Register Now!
Click here for information about retreat, registration, and speaker.
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Diocesan Council Meeting, Dec 5, 10am, Holy Family, Fresno
Joint Meeting of Diocesan Council and Standing Committee, Dec 5, 12 noon, Holy Family, Fresno
Standing Committee Meeting, Dec 5,1pm, Holy Family, Fresno
Southern Deanery Clergy Christmas Party,Postponed
Central Deanery Clergy Christmas Party, December 12, 3pm, Home of Bishop David and Tracy
Clergy Retreat, December 15-17, St. Anthony’s
Northern Deanery Christmas Party, December 19, 4pm, Home of The Rev. Nick Lorenzetti and Wil Colon
Integrity Retreat January 22-24, ECCO
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LOST:
Canon Kate Cullinane has lost a black Book of Common Prayer/Hymnal someplace during her travels to various congregations throughout the diocese.
Her name is imprinted with gold lettering on the front cover.
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Called to be…
T-Shirts available!
$12.00
Orders are to be collected by each parish or mission and emailed to
Sizes still available are:
Youth Large
Adult Large
Adult X-Large
Adult 2X-Large
Adult 3x-Large
Adult 4x-Large
First come, first serve!
Contact your clergy or office for more details!
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Please consider a year end donation for this very important program!
Send your donations to The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355. Please write Yellow Bags in the memo line. Thank you.
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Trafficking Awareness Event
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St. Clare of Assisi, Avery
Tuesday, December 8
6:00 pm
Murphys Inn and Suites
134 Hwy 4
Murphys, CA
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Last Chance to Order
Tour Against Trafficking Merchandise!
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To order Tour Against Trafficking merchandise
Last day to order is December 31, 2015
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The Five Marks of Mission
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The Five Marks of Mission
Click here for poster to post
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Parish and Mission News and Events
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Annual Cookie Walk
Need an inexpensive gift for your family or a unique gift for your office mates? Never Fear, the Cookie Walk is here!
St. Paul’s, Modesto presents their annual Cookie Walk.
December 12th from 9am-3pm and on December 13th to 12 noon.
Click here for more info. |
Go to:
http://episcopalmarketplace.org/ |
Articles for Friday Reflection are needed:
Stories of the Bag, Missional Days, Special Events Articles can be submitted to the Diocesan Office at [email protected].
All submissions are due no later than the Tuesday before the Friday Reflection. Pictures submitted are to be in jpeg format and forms to be attached to the Friday Reflection are best in PDF format.
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Click to see the new T3 Page
It recently came to our attention that long time St Anne member Kim Odenweller, despite her technical retirement from teaching, is still following her passion and contributing to the development of Stockton’s youth. Anyone that know Kim is keenly aware that those passions run so deep that she can barely contained them. If you missed the article in the Record here is a link 
