Rev. Lyn Sermon

08. September 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Rector, Sermon · Tags: belonging, children, Children's sermon, Church, community, episcopal church, episcopal church of st anne, inclusion, message, Rector, Rev Lyn, sermon

Sermon

Proper 25, Year A

          The collect asks God to increase in us the gifts of faith, hope and charity; make us love what you command.   In the time of Jesus, God’s commands were numerous – over 600 rules for the Jewish person to heed. How difficult to keep all the laws, and yet the Pharisees and Sadducees and the chief priests and the elders of the temple did it. They kept the letter of the law, but not necessarily the heart of the law. So this morning they are still trying to trap Jesus with a test. What is the greatest law?
          Who knows what they expected him to say. Instead he gives us the commandment, the law that we try to live by today…”love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” is part 1 and the part 2 is to “love your neighbor as yourself”. I’m thinking that they are impressed with his answer – not that they like it, but he sure had a good answer. Jesus returns the favor and asks them a question, a question they cannot answer and it ends the game. “From that day no one dared to ask him anymore questions.” Can you love what God has commanded?
          The theme for the Diocesan Convention was ‘travel light…leaving baggage behind.’ We spent heard about baggage from Bishop David and why it’s necessary to leave it behind. Baggage can be things –possessions we can’t give up; possessions we love more than God or our neighbors. Baggage can be relationships that have hurt us and hinder us from moving forward – like a diocese that has been isolated and abused. Baggage can be ideas or habits that we’ve had for so long, we aren’t able to hear or see what new things God is doing in our community.
Bishop David demonstrated with an amusing visual on Friday evening. He left the Renewal of Baptismal Vows service at the peace. When he returned he had traded his cope and miter for a fishing vest, waders, sunglasses and a hat. He talked about when he first began fly fishing he got all the equipment and clothing so that he could fit in with other fly fishermen. Then he proceeded to show us what he wears when he goes fly fishing. He removed the heavy 39 pocket vest filled with all the gear. He removed the waist high waders. He was left in a pair of shorts, his clergy shirt, and he slipped on a pair of sandals. Okay, I’m sure that he wears a t-shirt instead of his purple clergy shirt, but we got the idea. Baggage needs to be set aside. It weighs us down and hinders our ability to act.
          This reminded me of an experience I had at a women’s cursillo many years ago. I’ve told this story before. We were half way through the weekend and were doing an exercise of washing each other’s hands. One woman sat at her table and sobbed. She couldn’t have her hands washed. Now understand she is one of the those people who are so positive, generous and loving to others that they make your day brighter just by being with them. It took several minutes, but she was able to share her thoughts with us. She carried so much baggage that she literally felt like she was holding it all in big shopping bags. She couldn’t open her hands to let someone wash them because she would drop all her bags, and so she could only clench her hands shut. Yes, she eventually was able to open her hands and place them in the basin of water, but we had no idea that she felt that way or that she carried such burdens. We could see the joy that came from setting that baggage down.
          If we are holding on to baggage, we need to spend our time and energy focused on it – holding it, carrying it. We can’t focus on God or on the people around us, our neighbors. We can’t keep God’s commandment to love God with all we have and to love ourselves and our neighbor. That is why Jesus tells those who will listen that those are the greatest commandments and all the laws are encompassed by them. Putting God first helps us to let go of baggage. What helps you remember to put God first?
          Our meditation this morning uses the example of making the sign of the cross. The cross is a symbol many Christians use to help them remember to put God first, but something else may be more relevant or helpful for you. Prayer beads, an icon, the Lord’s Prayer, a butterfly, a rainbow – whatever works for you.
This week, think about what helps you focus on God being present. What baggage would you like to give up? What do you need to give up? What do we as the community of St. Anne’s carry as baggage? I invite you to mentally bring that baggage to the altar at the Eucharist and set it down. Leave your baggage and open your hands to receive Christ. Then you will be able to go out with love to put God first.   AMEN.

Sermon

Proper 18, Year A

Do this for the remembrance of me…
Note: This is a Children’s sermon, and there are props and dialogue which will not be recorded in this sermon because it hasn’t happened yet.
For those who are not here in person, this is the set-up. I bring out a small table and a large bag. The children are invited to come forward. I begin to pull things out of the bag and set them on the table. Some wrapped boxes…toy plastic flutes…some party hats…a pan with something baked in it…a package of candles. Put some candles in the cake (that’s what is in the pan).
Ask the children if they know what all of this might be for.   A birthday party? Yes! Do we all have birthdays? Do you celebrate your birthday with most of these things? Would you have a party with cake and candles, hats, presents and maybe toys to share? We commemorate (remember in a special way) our birthday. In the Hebrew scripture this morning we hear a story about the first commemoration of the Passover.
Moses and Pharaoh have been arguing about letting the people of Israel go from slavery in Egypt. God has sent plagues to make Pharaoh and the Egyptians miserable so that he will let the Israelites leave. The tenth plague is coming – “about midnight, the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die”, from Pharaoh to the slave to the livestock. God tells Moses to have the people prepare, and put the blood of the lamb around their door. When God comes through in the night, God will “pass over” the homes marked with blood and no plague shall destroy the firstborn of that house. Further, God says, “This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord…” And it happened just like God said. To this day our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate the Passover feast in the spring remembering how God saved the people that night and how God has saved the people many times before and after. To the children: Now if you will have a seat in the front or you may return to your parents if you wish.
As Christians, we don’t celebrate Passover. The last time Jesus was in Jerusalem and celebrating the Passover meal in a room with his friends, he changed the commemoration. He did something new. “While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat: This is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26-28)
Does that sound familiar? That is our Christian Passover. Every Sunday we remember how Jesus has given us life. We celebrate the eucharist as a commemoration of what Jesus did. He gave himself to heal the world. Our part is to remember his gift and to try every day to love each other.
God is always present. Usually we need God the most when we are alone. How can you remember that God is always with you? For many Christians, the cross is a way to remember that God is present all the time. I know that some of you have crosses you wear that have special meaning – maybe they were a special gift or a birthday present. This morning, I have a cross that I invite you to take. It’s one that can be stuck above your bed, or on the dash of your car, or on the door of your locker; somewhere you can see it to remind you that God is there. When you need to talk to God, you can. Put it where you might need a reminder to feel God’s presence in your day.              AMEN.

Rev. Lyn Sermon

01. September 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: belonging, Church, community, Episcopal, episcopal church of st anne, Episcopal Diocese Of San Joaquin, message, need, Rev Lyn, sermon, St Anne Family, voluteer

Sermon
Proper 17, Year A

Bring forth in us the fruit of good works…
How does God talk with you? What does it take to get your attention, to make you stop and listen, to hear? Some people are really good at discerning God all the time. Others, like me, not so much. Too often God needs a 2 x 4, that’s something like the burning bush that is not consumed for Moses. God hears our needs, observes our misery and our joys – God is always present in our life. We don’t always notice it.
In this story from the Hebrew scripture, God is asking Moses to help the people in captivity, to lead them “to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Remember that Moses has fled from his posh position in Pharaoh’s court to become a shepherd in a land far away. As a young man, the adopted son of the daughter of Pharaoh, he learns he is an Israelite and that his siblings and mother are slaves. A few days later he tries to help some of the slaves that are being harassed and ends up killing one of the Egyptian taskmasters. So he runs away – far away. Now God is calling him to go back to Pharaoh and bring his people out of Egypt.
This morning we hear the first of many conversations that Moses will have with God as he attempts to get out of doing this task, and then as he is trying to accomplish the task. Moses doesn’t really have a relationship with the people he is supposed to help. He doesn’t know their names or anything about their lives – he didn’t live with them. Moses does know God. Moses listens to what God wants him to do, and then, reluctantly at first, he tries to do the work that God has given him to do. Moses chooses to serve the Lord, to do good works.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he is encouraging the Christians to listen to the word of God. Society is tough for those people; Christians are persecuted. They are a strange minority religion in a city with many different religions. God sends Paul to give them counsel on how to live a life of good works in a culture that values earthly power and riches. The list of things that Paul encourages them to do, we are encouraged to do today. It is not an easy list. “Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, love one another…rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer…extend hospitality to strangers…bless those who persecute you…live in harmony with one another…do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly…do not pay anyone evil for evil…if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink…” So which of those things is hard for you to do? What has God been calling you to do?
Jesus is preparing his disciples for what is to come. It’s not a pretty picture, and it’s not the victory that those who have been following him envisioned. They expect that the messiah will triumph over all who oppress the Israelites (much like Moses who leads the people out of slavery to a good land – their own land) and that they will have peace in a land of milk and honey. Jesus sets them straight. The victory is going to be eternal life overcoming death. Our part is to let go of our love of life as society may dictate as successful and live a life that God dictates as successful. Serve the Lord by bearing fruit of good works.
What has God been calling you to do? That might be the wrong question. What is God doing in the community and how can we be part of God’s work? The emphasis is that God is working whether we choose to do anything or not. God does call us, continually. It’s just not always to do something comfortable. In his last Friday reflection, Bishop David suggested that it may be better stewardship to replace our church lawns with gardens. Can you imagine our neighbors’ reaction if we did that – planted lots of tomatoes, beans, carrots, corn, squash? I was talking with the Bishop about this and how I imagined we would get word from the neighborhood association in short order. We talked about how our church should be a reminder – even an irritant – to our neighbors. Our church should be about raising social issues to the attention of the affluent whether they are sitting in the pews or living in the blocks around us. We’re not a social club; we are called to work with God.
Many of you are involved with groups that are already doing this work. We need to hear from you. How are you helping do God’s work in our community? Are there ways that others can get involved, too? Last Sunday I talked about the Community Partnership for Families and the different programs they are developing with recently released prisoners. Some of us got involved with their backpack project. I know that we have parishioners who are members of the Assistance League, coach youth sports, volunteer for Hospice, and other organizations who are working with God in our community. It’s time to let the rest of us know what you are doing.
I am going to put up a large poster in the back…a Fruits of Good Works. There will be pens available. List your name and the work that you do. If you have a picture you can post, please put it up there. We need to see some of the outreach that is being done by members of St. Anne’s. God is working here in Stockton and we have been called to follow. God promises “for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We can do this – together.

Rev. Lyn Sermon

21. August 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Rector, Sermon · Tags: belonging, caring, Church, community, Episcopal, episcopal church of st anne, Episcopal Diocese Of San Joaquin, message, Rector, Rev Lyn, St Anne community

Sermon

Proper 15, Year A

Have mercy on us Lord…

For those who have been to an Episcopal general convention or EYE 2014 (in person or through You Tube broadcast), you have had the experience of hearing the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry preach. When the Bishop gets up to preach, you settle in because he is going to speak for a while – a long while in Episcopal terms. But he is going to come at you with energy and passion.

(Describe the experience at EYE in Philadelphia – one word “go”)

The word this morning is mercy. It runs through our lessons and our hymn selections at the 10 o’clock service. Now I thought that the reading from Genesis, the end of the Joseph story, was about forgiveness, which is different than mercy. But Joseph plays two roles; publically he is a ruler in Egypt and controls who gets food and how much in these years of wide spread famine. Privately, he is the little brother that was sold into slavery by his siblings. Okay, Joseph does have his fun when he accuses them as spies and has them put in prison for a few days. He orders one brother to remain in prison while the others go back to Canaan, with full sacks of grain, and to prove they are not spies, to bring his brother Benjamin back with them to Egypt. As a ruler, Joseph shows mercy to his brothers; as a sibling, he shows forgiveness.

What is mercy? What does it mean? Checking the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, “Mercy is an attribute of both God and the good human being. Hebrew uses several words for “mercy,” of which the most frequent is hesed, which mean loving-kindness, mercy, love, loyalty, and faithfulness. Another Hebrew word and the Greek word for mercy in the New Testament refer to the emotion aroused by contact with undeserved suffering, that is, compassion and a deeply felt love for a fellow human being…grace is also another word used to mean mercy…Divine and human mercy are closely associated with justice and righteousness because all refer to behavior appropriate to a relationship…Jesus shows mercy to the needy…” Mercy is an attribute, showing compassion for someone suffering undeservedly. Joseph as a ruler is providing grain to all the people who are suffering the famine, even those who are not from Egypt, because the whole area will suffer from the seven year famine. Joseph recognizes that God has turned their actions – selling their brother into slavery – as a way to save the famiy; “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.” In Egypt the Israelites will have a place to live and work and multiply; without it Israel’s (Jacob’s) family would perish. Mercy, compassion for the underserved suffering.

The Gospel for this morning has an interesting and uncharacteristic story of Jesus encountering someone asking for help and his ignoring them. We left out reading the optional story this morning of the encounter with the Pharisees where they challenge Jesus about dietary laws. He tells the disciples that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but it is what comes out of a person’s mouth via their heart that defiles them. Some time passes as they walk 25 or 30 miles over the next couple days. Jesus must be contemplating the recent events. A Canaanite woman comes to their group and shouts for help and mercy. Jesus ignores her. Then the disciples ask him to send her away; they too assume that he will help her and send her on her way. But he tells them that he was only sent to help the house of Israel, but he has healed outcasts and Gentiles before. His refusal to help her, even when she comes and kneels before him begging for help, isn’t what we expect.

Jesus dismisses her with “it’s not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” The woman replies, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table”. You can almost see his face break into a little smile as he tells her that her request is granted. The woman notices that Jesus used the word, not for stray dogs that wander the streets, but for household pets. Pets are not outsiders but insiders. The pets do get to lie under the table and eat scraps that fall or are tossed to them. This foreign woman asked Jesus for mercy, the same mercy Jesus had asked the Pharisees to show.

We can have fun speculating on why Jesus acted the way he did with this woman. Has he decided that he must give all his time and energy to his own people? That he needs to really concentrate on helping the religious leaders to ‘see’ what God originally planned for Israel and how they may have erred? Is it the human behavior of frustration and tired of dealing with those who just don’t get it? Did he know that her faith was strong and that this would be a good learning exercise for his disciples and for us?

Yes, for us. Because we are challenged daily to be merciful. At times, showing mercy to someone we love is not the same as being nice. The phrase ‘tough love’ comes to mind. When our behavior is enabling or co-dependent, we are not being compassionate to one we care about. We are not showing mercy and love because it is not a behavior appropriate to our relationship. It is hard to change. We, like Jesus in the gospel, are challenged to be merciful with the stranger. One afternoon, a man pulled into the office parking lot in an old car and he looked – well – scruffy. My first thought was ‘What now?’ But as he came to the door, I smiled and said hello. He needed help with an address – that’s all. He was looking for 1032 Lincoln at which point I knew he was probably looking for Lincoln Street. But it began a very short conversation and my attitude was changed; he was not a stranger, he was a father looking for a son who was dying…so he could say good-bye.

Lord, grant me the grace to get past the ‘what now’ and be open to hearing the request for mercy. Let your wisdom guide my responses, and may I strive to be merciful in my encounters. AMEN.

Friday Reflection August 8, 2014

11. August 2014 · Comments Off · Categories: Bishop, Diocese Of San Joaquin, Friday Reflections · Tags: Bishop, Bishop David Rice, Church, community, Diocese of San Joaquin, Episcopal, episcopal church, episcopal church of st anne, Episcopal Diocese Of San Joaquin, Friday Reflections, message, St Anne, St Anne community, St Anne Family

8-8-2014

St. John the Evangelist, Stockton

Shortly after St. John the Evangelist was turned back over to the Episcopal Diocese, we had a deanery meeting in the Guild Hall to consider how the deanery could support the returned buildings and downtown mission of the church in Stockton. There were lots of ideas presented from the 40 plus people attending. A second meeting several weeks later also had more than 40 people. Many of these ideas required human capital that the congregation (what little of it that was there) was unable to currently provide.

What we did have was an appointed priest-in-charge, an appointed non-stipendiary deacon and a four member board of directors. Lea Isetti, formerly with the Chamber of Commerce in Stockton, was one of those members. She had contacts in the downtown area with business, civic leaders, and non-profits. Her suggestion (following Bishop David’s emphasis on missional thinking) was to ask those she knew to find out what they were currently doing, what they would do if they had additional resources, and how St. John’s might fit in with these needs.

First, we assessed what we had to offer the community:

We had expansive space (more than 20,000 square feet) and a parking lot, all centered in downtown.
We had endowments and rental income that paid the building expenses and maintenance.
We had a 3000 square foot Guild Hall and commercial kitchen, and a 2000 square foot children’s area in the undercroft. A beautiful church with stunning stain glass. A separate office building of 2600 square feet.
And, most importantly, a desire to share what we had by engaging in the downtown community.

Lea scheduled a series of meetings that included the police, human services, the Stockton Women’s Center, the DA’s office, Child Advocacy, the Downtown Business Alliance, and Head Start. Various members of the board, but always Lea and the Priest-in-Charge, met with all these people and offered our resources. Deacon Steve Bentley also met with the Stockton Bicycle Alliance and the Stockton Pride Center. We were overwhelming met with welcome and appreciation (and a bit of surprise.)

From these meetings some clear opportunities arose that include the following:

A Family Justice Center, sponsored by the DA’s office with support from multiple non-profit service groups, to support families in crisis and connected with the legal system. This would be a separate non-profit umbrella organization. We have resources they need, and a location that is conducive to their mission.
Head Start evaluated our facilities and would like to use the children’s area for a downtown location.
There is no secure bicycle parking in the downtown area, and we could provide that. Lack of security was one of the principal reasons keeping people from commuting on their bicycles to downtown.
There is a need for a save place for youth to hang out in the downtown area (and we are across the street from the Cineplex.)
There are few neutral musical venues in downtown, especially those that are free. We have a great acoustically pure building with a stunning organ, an especially fine grand piano, and ample seating.

We now have some clear guideline from which to formula a missional strategy for St. John’s. It turns out that by filling some of these needs, we will also be generating income to support our facilities. But most importantly, we will be working toward becoming a dynamic downtown presence, engaged in our neighborhood, and meeting people where they are. All of this honors Christ and the Kingdom.

The Rev. Cn. Mark H. Hall, priest-in-charge
The Rev. Stephen Bentley, deacon

“Travel Light, leaving baggage behind.”

Luke 10:1-12

Car-thedra Fund…

Dear Friends in the Diocese of San Joaquin

As you know we are a diocese in the midst of redevelopment. And this redevelopment is no more evident than the amount of time your bishop and canon spend on the road. Please hear me, this is not a complaint at all, it is simply an observation. Amid this continued redevelopment in a missional context, there is an immediate need for a car. Actually, in due course, we will need two, but one step at-a-time. So we are, as you know, looking for your contributions for an economically efficient, environmentally friendly, reasonably priced, comfortable car.

And so, through this continued appeal, we are asking that you give generously.

Please help in keeping our “cathedra (seat of the bishop) on the move.” As I said last week in this space, please remember, I hope you give with the knowledge that the Apostolic Ministry we support, the Episcopal Ministry we aid, is non-other than the work which belongs to each of us. I suggest we set as a goal $20,000. I suspect this will not cover the full amount but it certainly gets us much closer.

And again, I wish to remind you that these contributions need to be over-and-above that which you gift to our local praying community.

Please send your contributions to:
the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355

Please make your check payable to the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin and please note “Bishop’s car” in the memo line.

Thank you again.

Bishop David

Bishop in Car-thedra artist Deacon Stephen Bentley

People News…

The Rev. Kathleen West of St. Paul’s has applied and has been approved by Church Pension Fund for disability retirement. Kathleen’s immediate plans are for her and Ira to stay in the Modesto area, work at healing and getting well, and to come to some diocesan events as well as convention. Please keep Kathleen and St. Paul’s in your prayers during this time of transition.

Kathleen’s last day at St. Paul’s will be August 31, 2014 when the congregation will host a thank you celebration. All are welcome to come to the Eucharistic Service at 9:30 a.m. and stay for the thank you celebration at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355.

Call To Annual Convention…

Call to Annual Convention

Dio seal

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin

55th Annual Convention

October 24-25, 2014

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355

“Travel Light, leaving baggage behind.”

Luke 10:1-12

Annual Convention Notification Packets have been mailed to all Clergy, Parishes

and Missions, Delegates and Alternates.

Click below for the following forms/letters to find out more about
annual convention and to register.

Memorandum from Bishop David

Memorandum from the Secretary to Convention Marilee Muncey
Schedule

Registration Form

Child Registration Form

Exhibit/Vendor Form

Nomination Form

All members of our diocese are most welcome!

EFM Training…

EFM Mentor Training

We just scheduled the annual EfM Mentor training. This training is mandatory for all those who want to mentor an EfM class but it’s open to everyone who just wants to learn more about EfM. It’s particularly good for current EfM students who want a summer EfMexperience. All are welcome.

When:  August 13, 14 & 15
Starts:  2pm on Wednesday, 8:30am on Thursday, 8:30am on Friday.
Ends:  3pm on Friday
Where:  Holy Family Episcopal Church – Fresno
Cost:  $195.00 per person

Contact Holy Family Episcopal Church at [email protected] with any questions.

From Commission on Ministry…

A Day of Discovery

A Program for Discerning Ministry in the Episcopal Church

September 6, 2014
10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Christ the King Community Episcopal Church
6443 Estella Avenue, Riverbank, CA 95367

Day of Discovery is designed to help Episcopalians broaden their understanding and appreciation of the four groups of ministers in the Episcopal Church. Participants will discover new arenas for ministry as well as see and experience the complementary relationship between all ministers of the Church.

Some people limit their definition of discernment as primarily an activity to find THEIR ministry, THEIR career, or THEIR place. This program, on the other hand, will define discernment as primarily a lifelong process of perceiving, listening, and responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Most of all, Day of Discovery is designed to help people Discover and Appreciate the Mission and Ministry of Christ, how the Episcopal Church expresses that ministry, and how each person fits into that expression.

For more information and registration form on Day of Discovery click here.

For Northern Deanery…

Northern Deanery Meeting

There will be a Northern Deanery Meeting Friday, August 15, 2014 at St. John the Evangelist, Stockton.

There will be a Holy Eucharist at 3:00 p.m. and the deanery meeting will be at 4:00 p.m.

This meeting is our agreed follow-up meeting to our May meeting regarding the future of St. John’s. At this meeting we will review our progress at St. John’s and further brainstorm ideas about the future of this ministry. Anyone interested in the ministry at St. John’s is welcome to attend.

For Southern Deanery…

Southern Deanery Meeting
The next Southern Deanery meeting is currently scheduled for

From the Diocesan Office…

For All Clergy and Parishoners:

The Diocesan Staff would appreciate your assistance in getting the contact information for the Provost, Chancellor, Dean, or President of the public and private universities, colleges and junior colleges in our geographical location. If you know who to contact, please call the diocesan office or email [email protected].

For Clergy:

For a Marriage Consultation and Consent form contact the Diocesan Office and one will be mailed or emailed to you. Thank you.

For Treasurers:

Be sure to use the 2014 Treasurer Monthly form and discard older forms.

Click here for the 2014 form.

For Clergy, Vestries and Bishop Committees:

The Bronze Disaster Preparedness Plan is to be completed by all parishes and missions and turned into the Diocesan Office. Many thanks to St. Clare of Assisi- Avery, St Matthew’s- San Andreas, St. James- Sonora, St. John the Baptist- Lodi, St. Raphael’s- Oakhurst, Holy Trinity- Madera and Church of the Saviour- Hanford, St. Paul’s- Bakersfieldfor completing their plan.

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].

Thank you,

Ellen Meyer,

Administrator

Whats going on…

What’s Happening in the DIO

EfM Training August 13-15, Holy Family, Fresno

Northern Deanery Eucharist August 15, 2014 3:00 p.m., St. John’s, Stockton

Northern Deanery Meeting August 15, 2014 4:00 p.m., St. John’s, Stockton

Day of Discovery, September 6, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Christ the King, Riverbank

Southern Deanery Meeting, September 20. 2014, 10:00 a.m. Location TBD

Standing Committee Meeting, September 20, 2014, 10.00 a.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Joint Meeting of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council September 20, 2014, 12 noon, Holy Family, Fresno

Diocesan Council Meeting, September 20, 2014, 1:00 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Annual Convention, October 24-25, 2014, St. Paul’s, Modesto

Click on the link below to see more upcoming events and meetings around the diocese.

Meetings and Events

From Our Parishes and Missions…

Dining Chairs for sale at St. Paul’s, Modesto
only $10.00 each!

St. Paul’s, Modesto has 207 green upholstered dining chairs for the fantastic price of $10.00 each. Please email Suzie at [email protected] for more information about the chairs and to make arrangements for purchase and pick-up.

In our Community…

Wheelchairs Needed

Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Modesto and
First Presbyterian Church,Turlock
are collecting wheelchairs, walkers and crutches to deliver to those in need in Guatemala. They hope to collect 200 wheelchairs.
If you can help please contact:
Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Modesto 209-529-3228
or First Presbyterian Church, Turlock 209-312-1238

For the Bishop and Canon’s Calendar…

Bishop David’s Calendar –Click Here

Canon Kate’s Calendar-Click Here

For our Diocesan Prayer Calendar….click here

Diocesan Website and Facebook…

Have you checked it out?

Keep up to date on news and events with our

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin website
www.diosanjoaquin.org

Facebook

Check out postings from Bishop David and Canon Kate at

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin

Friday Reflections July 18, 2014

18. July 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Bishop, Friday Reflections · Tags: Bishop, Bishop David Rice, Church, community, David Rice, Diocese of San Joaquin, Episcopal, episcopal church, episcopal church of st anne, Episcopal Diocese Of San Joaquin, Friday Reflections, message, St Anne, St Anne community, St Anne Family

7-18-2014

From Bishop David

Healthy, Holy and Happy Relationships…

I was traveling somewhere the other day and I realized that I was without my phone. And the feelings attached were something like: more-than-slightly discombobulated, at least disconnected, somewhat irresponsible, letting the “side” down, off balanced, naked, to name a very few. I sleep (perhaps sleep is too generous a word) with the iPhone and iPad by our bed. When I awake each morning, before my morning prayers, before I make a “comfort stop,” before I do anything else, I reach over, check my emails, the news of this early day, and perhaps Facebook installations. I want to be clear about this, I have a love-hate relationship with technology, far more accurately, my life is far more dependent on the immediacy technology affords than I could have ever anticipated.

So here’s what I have learned. And please understand, on most occasions I am able to differentiate between that which has been learned (perhaps a cognitive exercise) and integrating that which has been learned into my experience (more often than not, an exercise of the heart [namely, putting into real practice]).

It is not conducive to a healthy, holy and happy relationship to be so inextricably connected to our technological devices. So yes David, the worst place to keep your iPhone and iPad is by your bed. And perhaps it is far better to walk downstairs (Tracy typically begins her day before me) and bid good morning to your wife prior to doing anything else, duh? Similarly, consider for a moment the number of times you have observed couples in “social situations” with their heads looking down at their phones rather than directed toward one another. You must know what I’m on about. Tracy and I recently saw the film “Her” which was about a guy who fell in love with his OS, his Operating System. Unfortunately this story wasn’t too far from home. I have also learned that this immediate and expedient culture of which we are a part (technology is the vehicle) doesn’t necessarily ensure healthy, holy and happy relationships. Sometimes we need to pause and consider and reconsider our responses before we make them. Sometimes we discover that delaying a far more substantive chat when a phone conversation or better yet, a face-to-face opportunity is possible, is a much better approach in ensuring the aforementioned 3H relationship.

San Joaquin, what has truly prompted my meandering is this. I ask that we rely less on our email conversations particularly when they involve personal or delicate issues, and rely far more on the courtesy that each of us yearn and desire. If we want to be involved in healthy, holy and happy relationships then let’s consider traveling without our phones once-in-a-while. Let’s contemplate having our bedrooms as technological-free-zones. Let’s assume an approach of “prayerful pause” next time we get an email which prompts us to consider firing back an immediate response which if truly considered, would simply complicate an already complicated situation. Let’s honor, respect and care for one another by taking the time to have the sometimes “difficult conversations” or even the “not so difficult conversations” in a way that lead to healthier, holier and happier relationships.

So, when you receive a response from me which says, “Let’s hold this conversation until the can see one another and discuss it prayerfully and properly.” Please don’t think for a moment that I am endeavoring to “put you off,” I am simply endeavoring to live in that 3H space with you.

+David

“Participating in God’s Reconciling Love”

“Missional ” Day with the Bishop…

To all Clergy and Parishioners of the Diocese of San Joaquin,

In earlier Friday Reflections, Bishop David announced that he is looking for stories of mission and stories about the people involved in the “missional” experience of how you are joining God working in your neighborhoods. Bishop David wants to visit you in your parishes and missions so to participate with you and capture and post on our website the good work that you are doing in your communities. A few parishes and missions have already set up midweek “Missional “Days.

Thank you, Thank you, and again Thank you

For those who have yet to schedule a midweek “Missional” Day please do so. Please click here for a “Missional” Day request form that will assist in the scheduling process. Please note that we are now scheduling dates for Bishop David September 2014 and beyond. If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Meyer at the Diocesan Office at209-576-0104 209-576-0104 or [email protected].

People News…

Reverend Anne Benvenuti St. Paul’s, Bakersfield new book Spirit Unleashed has been recently published.

-from the cover
“In Spirit Unleashed, Anne Benvenuti uses analysis of real encounters with wild animals to take us on an intellectual tour of our thinking about animals by way of biological sciences, scientific psychology, philosophy, and theology to show that we have been wrong in our understanding of ourselves amongst other animals. The good news is that we can happily correct course. Drawing us into encounters with a desert rattlesnake, an offended bonobo, an injured fawn, a curious whale, a determined woodpecker, and others, she gives us a glimpse of their souls. Anne Benvenuti strongly makes the case that to change the way that we think about animals-and our way of relating to them-holds the possibility of changing all life on Earth for the better.”
“We Franciscans always believed that nature was God’s first revelation, and if we did not read and respect creation, elements, and animals, we would probably not know how to read the written Bible either. That might just be what happened. But in this beautiful book you now have a way through-and beyond-that will satisfy your searching intelligence and your seeking heart at the same time. You will surely enjoy this writing in both style and substance! I did.”

-Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM
Spirit Unleashed: Reimagining Human-Animal Relations has been published by
Wipf & Stock! You can also order it from Amazon!

For more information about Anne’s book click here.

Congratulations Anne!

From the Episcopal Churh Development Office…

The Episcopal Church’s Development Office is sponsoring a

Pilgrimage to Navajoland

October 20-26, 2014

This pilgrimage is designed to raise awareness of the region and to showcase the mission and ministry of The Episcopal Church in Navajoland and return to their dioceses and parishes to encourage support for Navajoland. Participants will have the opportunity learn the history of the Navajo and how they have embraced The Episcopal Church for over 100 years, visit historical sites and meet Navajo elders and clergy.

For more information please contact the diocesan office at 209-576-0104 or email

[email protected]

TENS …

TENS ranks a TEN from parishes that have tried the TENS program

During these summer doldrums of stewardship, it is time to plan for the fall giving campaign. Last year, Holy Family Episcopal Church, Fresno used the program from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship, (TENS) with some success. The Dioceses of San Joaquin has joined TENS this year, so their material is available to each parish and mission to use. This year’s campaign, Walking the Way, looks very exciting. TENS provides everything a congregation needs for a campaign, except the people. They have document templates for pledge cards, bulletin inserts and even models of letters to various levels of givers. All a congregation needs is for a parishioner to step forward and coordinate the program. If you feel called to help your church, visit www.tens.org and talk to your priest about this opportunity.

Don Austin
Holy Family, Fresno

TENS was utilized by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Modesto as one of the tools that was part of our Tapping our Talents- Sharing our Gifts- Stewardship is Spiritual Healing Campaign last fall. St. Paul’s found that TENS had a positive impact on the success of their campaign and we plan to use it again in 2014.

Stephanie Gilmer
St. Paul’s, Modesto

Access to the membership only portion of the TENS website is available by calling the diocesan office to get the diocesan code for 2014.

EFM Training…

EFM Mentor Training

When:  August 13, 14 & 15
Starts:  2pm on Wednesday, 8:30am on Thursday, 8:30am on Friday.
Ends:  3pm on Friday
Where:  Holy Family Episcopal Church – Fresno
Cost:  $195.00 per person

Contact Holy Family Episcopal Church at [email protected] with any questions.

From Commission on Ministry…

A Day of Discovery

A Program for Discerning Ministry in the Episcopal Church

September 6, 2014
10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Christ the King Community Episcopal Church
6443 Estella Avenue, Riverbank, CA 95367

For more information and registration form on Day of Discovery click here.

For Northern Deanery…

Northern Deanery Meeting

For Southern Deanery…

Southern Deanery Meeting
The next Southern Deanery meeting is currently scheduled for

From the Diocesan Office…

For All Clergy and Parishoners:

The Diocesan Staff would appreciate your assistance in getting the contact information for the Provast, Chancellor, Dean, or President of the public and private universities, colleges and junior colleges in our geographical location. If you know who to contact, please call the diocesan office or email [email protected].

For Clergy and Delegates to Annual Convention:

The 2015 Annual Convention notification packets will be mailed at the end of July. Please inform the Diocesan Office if you do not receive your packet.
For Treasurers:

Be sure to use the 2014 Treasurer Monthly form and discard older forms.

Click here for the 2014 form.

Reminder:

The Bronze Disaster Preparedness Plan…

is to be completed by all parishes and missions and turned into the Diocesan Office. Many thanks to St. Clare of Assisi- Avery, St Matthew’s- San Andreas, St. James- Sonora, St. John the Baptist- Lodi, St. Raphael’s- Oakhurst, Holy Trinity- Madera and Church of the Saviour- Hanford, St. Paul’s- Bakersfield for completing their plan.

If your parish or mission has yet to complete the plan get ‘er done.

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].

Thank you,

Ellen Meyer,

Administrator

Whats going on…

What’s Happening in the DIO

Diocesan Council Teleconference Meeting, Thursday, July 24, 2014, 5:30 p.m.

EfM Training August 13-15, Holy Family, Fresno

Northern Deanery Eucharist August 15, 2014 3:00 p.m., St. John’s, Stockton

Northern Deanery Meeting August 15, 2014 4:00 p.m., St. John’s, Stockton

Day of Discovery, September 6, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Christ the King, Riverbank

Southern Deanery Meeting, September 20. 2014, 10:00 a.m. Location TBD

Standing Committee Meeting, September 20, 2014, 10.00 a.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Joint Meeting of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council September 20, 2014, 12 noon, Holy Family, Fresno

Diocesan Council Meeting, September 20, 2014, 1:00 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Annual Convention, October 24-25, 2014, St. Paul’s, Modesto

Click on the link below to see more upcoming events and meetings around the diocese.

Meetings and Events

From Our Parishes and Missions…

The Bluegrass Festival planned for

Saturday July 12, 2014 at Christ the King, Riverbank has been postponed.
Watch this space for a later date.
+++

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is happy to announce that….

This past Lord’s Day at Saint Matthew’s Church in San Andreas, two new Mosaics (fashioned in Beirut, Lebanon) were Blessed during the Sunday Mass. The Mosaic of Jesus Christ our High Priest was placed about the entrance doors going into the church, and the Mosaic of The Blessed Mother: Our Lady of Guadalupe was placed in the Narthex stairway going into the Choir Loft.

For the Bishop and Canon’s Calendar…

Bishop David’s Calendar –Click Here

Canon Kate’s Calendar-Click Here

For our Diocesan Prayer Calendar….click here

Diocesan Website and Facebook…

Have you checked it out?

Keep up to date on news and events with our

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin website
www.diosanjoaquin.org

Facebook

Check out postings from Bishop David and Canon Kate at

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin

Rev. Anne's Sermon For Pentecost – June 8, 2014

08. June 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Sermon · Tags: belonging, Church, community, Episcopal, episcopal church, episcopal church of st anne, message, Pentecost, purpose, Rector, Rev Anne, Rev. Anne Smith, sermon, St Anne, St Anne community, St Anne Family

Rev. Anne Smith

a

June 8, 2014: Day of Pentecost, Year A

Text: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23

Among the lesser-known Jewish holidays is Shavuot. The day of Shavuot marks seven weeks since Passover each year; Shavuot means “weeks”, and the English translation of the name for this Holy Day is the Feast of Weeks.

In the ancient Jewish tradition Shavuot was a feast of obligation—it was the time to bring the first fruits of the harvest to the Temple to be a thanksgiving offering to God.

But in Jesus’s day a shift was taking place, and Shavuot gained significance as a memorial of the covenant God had made with humankind, ultimately symbolized by the giving of the law, or Torah, to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

Even as the meaning of the day has shifted, it has always represented a significant occasion for acknowledging and giving thanks for what God has provided.

The most common name for this day is actually from the Greek. Seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot makes the celebration fall on the 50th day, and so the Greek word for “fiftieth” became its name: Pentecost.

Pentecost, a holy day for Jews from every nation to gather in Jerusalem and offer thanks to God, remembering God’s goodness and love toward them and their commitment to serve God in return.

And one year long ago, there amid the Jews renewing their commitment to the divine covenant, a gathering of the disciples of Jesus issued an invitation for people to turn to God in a brand new way. A sound like rushing wind rose up, and tongues of fire came to rest on the disciples, and they spoke. Into a crowd of Jews from every corner of the empire, the disciples spoke languages they could scarcely have named before, and foreigners caught the familiar cadences of home in speech plainly sensible to them though it came from the mouths of a few yokels from that provincial backwater, Galilee.

There on that day the Holy Spirit was poured out and people’s hearts were set ablaze. They heard a message of God’s saving power, a power made real in the person of Jesus.

Here amid a cacophony of different languages this morning we too hear this message, emerging in clear, sensible speech. The Spirit comes and we hear the message of God’s power at work from the beginning of time and even now.

We hear the song of the Psalmist recall the movement of the Holy Spirit in creation, the wisdom with which God made all things, the variety present everywhere we look! Creation is God’s delight, and the Holy Spirit is the very breath of life.

We hear the words of the prophet Joel, as he speaks of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all flesh, bringing forth new life in the midst of death, saving not just the chosen ones of Israel but people of all nations, to God’s greater glory.

We hear Jesus himself offering shalom, a word of peace and well-being, as he sends his followers into the world as he himself had been sent by God. He breathes on his friends and the Spirit comes and fills them with power, the surprising power of offering forgiveness and accountability.

Those who receive the Holy Spirit as Jesus offers it here are given the power to release the sins of any or retain the sins of any. Friends, this is the power to break the world open, to give freedom to captives and to bring justice to the oppressed.

Do you remember how Jesus practiced forgiveness? Jesus went into places where sin cast people’s lives into darkness and shadow, and he brought them healing and release. Those who suffered from blindness, paralysis, fever, bleeding, leprosy, and disease received the healing of their bodies; those who suffered analogous ailments of heart, mind, and soul received blessed release. Jesus offered forgiveness that restored suffering people to wholeness and connection with God.

But Jesus retained the sins of some. Everywhere Jesus went, he challenged the lies that held power over people’s lives. When Jesus found the tellers of lies, he confronted them with the truth. Jesus held them accountable for their sin, the sin of leading people away from God. When the Pharisees burdened the Jewish people with lies about what God required of them, Jesus held them accountable. When anyone in power dismissed another person as less than worthy for any reason—gender, status, age, ethnicity—Jesus exposed the lie. He affirmed the dignity and value of all people, but he held anyone accountable who propagated the lie that some are less-than, the lie that some are unbeloved.

Jesus gave his friends the Spirit and the power to forgive, and we have received these gifts too. In baptism, we invite the Holy Spirit to reside in us, and what potential is ours because of it! The Spirit comes and expectations break apart, and the immovable breaks free. Forgiveness, release, and new life become possible. The Spirit is poured into every believer, every servant of God, and we have such gifts to offer because of it. This body of God-loving, sin-forgiving, healing-bringing, lie-exposing faithful people, still learning ourselves to walk by grace, gets to spread the love of God and the forgiveness that frees us into every corner of the world.

Like the Jews gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost the year of that first Easter we come to this day to give thanks to God and acknowledge all that God has provided, and to be reminded of the covenant we have made with God. We renew our baptismal vows, the promises we make about how we will live our life in Christ. And I pray that we also see the continuous outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that we will receive anew our commission to bring light and love and forgiveness and justice into the world.

Amen.

Friday Reflections June 29, 2014

04. June 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Bishop, Friday Reflections · Tags: Bishop, Bishop David Rice, Church, community, Diocese of San Joaquin, Episcopal, episcopal church, episcopal church of st anne, Episcopal Diocese Of San Joaquin, Friday Reflections, message, St Anne, St Anne community, St Anne Family

5-29-2014

What exactly does it mean to be missional?

As most of you know Karen and I are Huskers.  Go into any part of our house and you will undoubtedly find some memorabilia relating to the Nebraska Cornhusker football team. Although Karen and I have lived much of our adult lives in Japan, Missouri, Nevada and now California, we will always be Nebraskans at heart.  And, we are not shy about letting others know that we consider Nebraska the closest thing to heaven here on earth.

What does being a Nebraskan have to do with being missional?  To me they are closely linked.  In rural Nebraska neighbors looked out for neighbors.   Being a Christian is how I identify who I am and what I am called to do.  As a Christian being missional is not being shy about being a follower of Christ.  It is taking His message to the people, not waiting for them to come to me.  It is action not theological discussions.  It is saying to my neighbor, “Let me help you with that.”

God sent Jesus, Jesus sent the disciples, and now we are sent – missio Dei.  In several sermons I have reminded our congregation that while St. James is a beautiful building, and we are happy to be there.  It is JUST a building.  It was made by human hands and will not endure.  What we have as Christians will endure.  It is eternal.  We are the church.   I know that missional includes such things as working for social justice, helping the oppressed, and providing for the homeless, but I urge those who worship at St. James that to be missionaries for Christ does not necessarily mean doing the spectacular.  While newspapers and TV news shows depend on those who perform wondrous acts of heroism, it is as Canon Kate once told us; God is present in the ordinary.  It is the simple, ordinary things that we can all do on a daily basis.  The little acts of kindness that others notice.  It is being involved in the culture that surrounds us and meeting people where they live.  Being missional may be nothing more than helping someone unload packages from his or her car or offering to provide transportation to an appointment.  Don’t let these missional moments pass you by while waiting for your spectacular event to come along.

Fr. Andy Anderson

“Participating in God’s Reconciling Love”

Requiestcat…

Lewis J. “Scoop” Beardsley passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in Newport News, VA after a brief illness. Scoop was born and raised in Watkins Glen, NY, where he held multiple jobs in the Salt Co. and Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. He and Rhoda worked full-time for the Episcopal Church and Conference Center in Oakhurst, CA, before retiring to Virginia in 1992.

For those who remember Scoop and Rhoda, Scoop’s son Chris says his mother Rhoda is doing well. If you wish to send Rhoda a card call the Diocesan Office or email
[email protected].

From the Bishop…

Looking for Stories…

I am looking for stories, stories of mission, stories about people involved in the missional experience, stories about the ways in which we are joining with what God is already doing in streets, lanes and cul de sacs near us. And so, I will be coming to you with I Pad or I Phone or Go Pro (a wee camera I can mount anywhere including on my mitre) or all the above, to capture your story, our story, the story of the People of God engaging, serving, living. I hope to post these stories on our Website, perhaps on Face book. I hope to ensure that our stories are told. I hope to ensure that San Joaquin is known as a place where faithful Episcopalians are involved in the lives of the people in our communities.

Bishop with camera will see you soon.

Blessings
+David

For Northern Deanery…

Northern Deanery Meeting – Saturday, 10 am June 14 @ Christ the King, Riverbank

There will be a Northern Deanery Meeting a June 14, 2014,10:00 a.m. at Christ the King, Riverbank. At this meeting we will elect officers for the coming year, conduct regular deanery business and also hear a report regarding the returning properties of the diocese with an emphasis on the properties anticipated to be returned in the Northern Deanery (St. Matthias, Oakdale; St. Mary’s, Manteca, St. Mark’s, Tracy as well as St. John’s, Stockton).Anyone who is interested in the ministry in the Northern Deanery is welcome and encouraged to attend.

For Central Deanery…

Fresno Town Hall Meeting – Wednesday, 6 pm June 4 @ Holy Family, Fresno

There will be a town hall meeting with Bishop David and Canon Kate on Wednesday, June 4, 6:00 p.m. at Holy Family in Fresno. It appears that the Episcopal Church may soon be in possession of St. James’ Cathedral, St. Mary’s, St. Martin’s as well as Holy Family, Fresno with a court decision about St. Columba’s yet to come. We are calling a meeting to brainstorm and plan for the return of all of these properties. Please come and share your ideas and concerns. This meeting is for ANYONE who is interested to what might happen with these properties. Certainly if you have been a member or are presently a member of any of these parishes, you are especially welcome.

A meeting of the Central Deanery has been called to discuss properties in those areas of the diocese.The Central Deanery Meeting is currently scheduled for July 13, 2013, 3:00 p.m. at Holy Family, Fresno.

For Southern Deanery…

Bakersfield Town Hall Meeting – Wednesday, 7 pm June 11 @ St. Paul’s, Bakersfield

There will be a town hall meeting with Bishop David and Canon Kate on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s in Bakersfield. It appears that the Episcopal Church may soon be in possession of All Saints, St. Luke’s, as well as the already returned St. Paul’s, Bakersfield. We are calling a meeting to brainstorm and plan for the return of all of these properties. Please come and share your ideas and concerns. This meeting is for ANYONE who is interested to what might happen with these properties. Certainly if you have been a member or are presently a member of any of these parishes, you are especially welcome.
A meeting of the Southern Deanery has been called to discuss properties in those areas of the diocese. The Southern Deanery meeting is currently scheduled for 10:00 a.m., July 12, 2014 at St. Andrew’s in Taft.

Did you know..

Did you know that the following writers were Episcopalian?

C.S. Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia
Madeleine L’Engle, A wrinkle in Time
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Dorothy Sayers, Lord Peter Wimsey
Alexandra Stoddard, Daring to be Yourself
Cordwainer Smith, The Rediscovery of Man
T. S. Elliot, lyrics to the musical “CATS” (talk about trivia! He’s written much more.)
Susan Howatch, Mystical Paths
Hillaire Belloc, The Four Men, Vile Bodies
Jan Karon, The Mitford Series
Mortimer J. Adler
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carrol
Dr. Samuel Johnson, author of the first dictionary
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Joseph Addison (writer and editor)
William Congreve
Diane Mott Davidson, mystery writer, Dying for Chocolate Edith Pargeter aka Ellis Peters, The Brother Cadfael Mysteries (shown on PBS)
Father Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels
William Wordsworth
Jane Austen

Education on Ministry…

Calling all peoples who are interested in deepening the Christian Faith, studying the Bible, Church History and theological ideas and reflect on connecting faith with life experiences.

10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.

We are all called to ministry and the Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.

Please let us know if you would be interested in joining a monthly seminar in the fall.

Thank you.

Peace, Joy and Abundance,

Stephanie Gilmer, EfM Mentor

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Modesto
[email protected]

From the Diocesan Office…

Picture of Bishop David

At the Diocesan Office- Modesto there are pictures of Bishop Jerry and Bishop Chet. It has been asked many times when Bishop David’s picture will be hung beside them. A shout out to St. Paul’s, Modesto: The picture is coming!

An 8×11 of Bishop David is going to be printed soon and if any other parish would like to have a picture please email [email protected] by June 15, 2015. I will mail the picture (frame and matting not included) once printed.

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].

Thank you,

Ellen Meyer,

Administrator

Whats going on…

What’s Happening in the DIO

Convention Arrangement Committee Meeting, May 31, 2014, 10:30 a.m., St. Paul’s, Modesto

Fresno Town Hall Meeting, June 4, 2014, 6:00 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Northern Deanery Clericus, June 10, 2014, 11:00 a.m., St. John the Evangelist, Stockton

Bakersfield Town Hall Meeting, June 11, 2014, 7:00 p.m., St. Paul’s, Bakersfield

Northern Deanery Meeting June 14, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Christ the King, Riverbank

Southern Deanery Meeting July 12, 2014, 10:00 a.m., St. Andrew’s, Taft

Central Deanery Meeting July 13, 2014, 3:00 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Annual Convention, October 24-25, 2014, St. Paul’s, Modesto

Click on the link below to see more upcoming events and meetings around the diocese.

Meetings and Events

From Our Parishes and Missions…

Portals to Prayer with Poets and Mystics

Deep Listening: Heart to Heart

Thursday, June 5th 7:00-8:30pm,

The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist

1055 S. Lower Sacramento Rd, Lodi

Carol Bower Foote is offering a quiet evening designed for deep listening, by speaking selected sets of poems and writings around themes for contemplation. Time for silent prayer and reflection will be offered after each set of readings. Participants are invited to be present, silently receive the spoken offerings, then listen deeply for their own soul’s experience and message. Conversation and discussion is not part of this experience.

Works shared will include Rumi, Rilke, Hafiz, Meister Eckhart, St John of the Cross, St. Symeon, Marie Howe, Mary Oliver, David Whyte, Wendell Berry, Pablo Neruda, Li-Young Lee, e.e. Cummings, Willliam Stafford, Naomi Shibah Nye, and others.

Drop ins and guests are welcome from all parishes.

Questions? Call Carol at 707-374-2124707-374-2124

Bishop’s and Canon’s Visitations Calendars…

Bishop David’s Calendar –Click Here

Canon Kate’s Calendar- Click Here

For our Diocesan Prayer Calendar….click here

Diocesan Website and Facebook…

Have you checked it out?

Keep up to date on news and events with our

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin website
www.diosanjoaquin.org

Facebook

Check out postings from Bishop David and Canon Kate at

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin

Friday Reflections May 11, 2014

11. May 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Diocese Of San Joaquin, Friday Reflections · Tags: Bishop, Bishop David Rice, Church, community, David Rice, Diocese of San Joaquin, Episcopal, episcopal church, episcopal church of st anne, Episcopal Diocese Of San Joaquin, Friday Reflections, message, St Anne, St Anne community, St Anne Family

A Preface to this week’s Friday Reflection
As most of you are aware from the most recent Chancellor’s update; the Schofield case (28 properties, ECCO, and the endowment funds) has tentatively been decided in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. This is the wonderful news that we have been hoping and praying for, and it is also quite profound for us and for our brothers and sisters of the Anglican Diocese.
We invite all of us as a community of faith into a “holy pause” as we reflect on the implications of this decision for all of us. We trust the Sprit to lead us into our next steps and next phase as we move forward.
The decision is tentative and we await further news from the court. Please look for further details from the Chancellor in upcoming Chancellor Updates.
Faithfully,
Bishop David Canon Kate
The Friday Reflection Title
5-9-2014
ECW is Alive and Well in Hanford
Although at the diocesan level the ECW (Episcopal Church Women) may not have as visible a profile as in years past, it is alive and functioning with great success at the Church of the Saviour in Hanford.
In the past three years we have raised over $12,000 to benefit our church’s ministry and community outreach. These include our Soup Kitchen, organ restoration, decoration and staffing of our nursery, Remembrance Wall in our Columbarium and the G.I.F.T.S. (Gifts Intended For The Spirit) Program. The latter is our church’s newest outreach program, and seeks to build on our Soup Kitchen’s work of providing nourishment for the body. Its purpose is to offer variety of activates for families, couples and individuals which feed the spirits of fellowship, curiosity, joy and recreation. They could include a night at the movies or at a local restaurant; it could include a day at an adventure park or zoo. We know these may be ordinary pastimes for us, but for many in our area they are unusual luxuries. Through the work of Teri Van Huss, our seminarian, and members of the ECW, this project is already underway, serving people and building links with our local community.
We also sponsor events of “in-reach”, special fun parish events such as a tour of Harris Horse Division and lunch at Harris Ranch, “Bring Your Favorite Wine” tasting evening, a trip to the Chaffee Zoo, and a parish pot luck to welcome Teri Van Huss when she first joined us. Moreover, when requested, we host receptions for weddings, funerals, and many community events.
Ladies, don’t you miss the fellowship that only women can bring to a ministry? ECW is a perfect venue to enjoy one another while doing the Lord’s work! Please, keep the ECW in your prayers!
ECW, Church of the Saviour, Hanford
“Participating in God’s Reconciling Love”
About St. Mark’s ,Tracy…
Members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and other interested Episcopalians….
There is a special meeting with Bishop David Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the home of Tom and Cathy Dugan, 49 Wisteria Lane, Tracy. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to come.
People News…
Congratulations go to…
Teri Van Huss
who will be graduating from The School for Deacons May 18, 2014.
Administrator Ellen Meyer
was re-elected as the B+E+S+T (Bishop’s Exectutive Secretaries Together Province VIII Representative for 2014. B+E+S+T has been around since 1986 and is an organization for Bishop Executive Secretaries and Administrators. The mission of B+E+S+T (is to empower our members through networking and education to value our ministry and to support the ministry of our bishops and the wider Church
Facebook…
New Facebook Page!
Check out postings from Bishop David and Canon Kate at
Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
Did You Know….
History of the English Church
SPREAD OF THE CHURCH
From the time of the Reformation, the Church of England followed explorers, traders, colonists, and missionaries into the far reaches of the known world. The colonial churches generally exercised administrative autonomy within the historical and creedal context of the mother church.
As the successor of the Anglo-Saxon and medieval English Church, it has valued and preserved much of the traditional framework of medieval Catholicism in church government, liturgy, and customs, while it also has usually held the fundamentals of Reformation faith.
The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, who began invading Britain after Rome stopped governing the country in the 5th century, was undertaken by St. Augustine, a monk in Rome chosen by Pope Gregory I to lead a mission to the Anglo-Saxons. He arrived in 597, and within 90 years, all the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England had gradually accepted Christianity.
In the 11th century, the Norman conquest of England (1066) united England more closely with the culture of Latin Europe. The English Church was reformed according to Roman ideas: local synods were revived, celibacy of the clergy was required, and the canon law of Western Europe was introduced into England.
The English Church shared in the religious unrest characteristic of the latter Middle Ages. John Wycliffe, the 14th century reformer and theologian, became a revolutionary critic of the papacy and is considered a major influence on the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
The break with the Roman papacy and the establishment of an independent Church of England came during the reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-47). When Pope Clement VIII refused to approve the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the English Parliament, at Henry’s insistence, passed a series of acts that separated the English Church from the Roman hierarchy, and, in 1534, made the English monarch the head of the English Church. The monasteries were suppressed, but few other changes were immediately made, since Henry intended that the English Church would remain Catholic, though separated from Rome.
After Henry’s death, Protestant reforms of the Church were introduced during the six-year reign of Edward VI. In 1553, however, when Edward’s half-sister, Mary, a Roman Catholic, succeeded to the throne, her repression and persecution of Protestants created sympathy for their cause.
When Elizabeth I, Henry’s daughter, became queen in 1558, an independent Church of England was reestablished. The Book of Common Prayer (1549, final revision 1662) and the Thirty-Nine Articles (1571) became the standard for liturgy and doctrine.
MOVEMENTS WITHIN THE CHURCH
The Evangelical Movement in the 18th century tended to emphasize the Protestant heritage of the Church, while the Oxford Movement in the 19th century emphasized the Catholic heritage. These two attitudes have persisted in the Church, and are sometimes characterized as “Low Church” and “High Church.” Since the 19th century, the Church has been active in the Ecumenical Movement.
POLITY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
The Church of England has maintained the episcopal form of government. It is divided into two provinces, Canterbury and York, each headed by an Archbishop, with Canterbury taking precedence over York. Provinces are divided into dioceses, each headed by a bishop and made up of several parishes.
The Church of England is identified by adherence to the threefold ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons, and by a common form of worship found in the Book of Common Prayer. The Church also is characterized by a common loyalty to Christian tradition, while seeking to accommodate a wide range of people and views. It holds in tension the authorities of tradition, reason, and the Bible, but asserts the primacy of the Bible. It thus seeks to combine Catholic, humanist, and reformed elements, historically represented by Anglo-Catholics (high church), Liberals (broad church), and Evangelicals (low church).
WORLDWIDE CHURCH POLITY
It was probably not until the first meeting of the Lambeth Conference in 1867 that there emerged among the various churches and councils a mutual consciousness of Anglicanism. Although its decisions do not bind the autonomous churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lambeth Conference has constituted the principal cohesive factor in Anglicanism. While population differences and other factors account for some variation in the basic structure among the churches, several elements do predominate. The diocese, under the leadership of a bishop, is the basic administrative unit throughout the communion. The diocese is a group of church communities (parishes) under the care of a pastor. In many of the national churches, several dioceses will be grouped together into provinces. In some, parishes may be grouped within a diocese into deaneries (rural) and archdeaneries (urban).
(Copyright 1999, Diocese of Oregon. All rights reserved.)
From The EPISCOPAL CHURCH website www.episcopalchurch.org
From the Diocesan Office…
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].
Whats going on…
What’s Happening in the DIO
Meeting with St. Mark’s, Tracy, May 13, 2014, 4:30 p.m.
Diocesan Council Teleconference Meeting, May 15, 2014, 5:30 p.m.
Standing Committee Teleconference Meeting, May 15, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Communication Committee Meeting, May 24, 2014 TBD
Convention Arrangement Committee Meeting, May 31, 2014, 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul’s, Modesto,
Annual Convention, October 24-25, 2014, St. Paul’s, Modesto
Click on the link below to see more upcoming events and meetings around the diocese.
Meetings and Events
From Our Parishes and Missions…
May 16-17, 2014
Friday and Saturday
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, May 16
Check-in 4pm
Honor Bar w/donation
(wine and beer)
Dinner 5pm
Session I 9-11:30am
Program 6-8pm
Saturday, May 17th, 2014
Breakfast 8-9am
Session I 9-11:30am
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
Wine, Coffee, Dessert 7:45pm
Registration form online at www.stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org
Click here for flyer to post.
From St. Andrew’s, Taft
The Rev. Heather Mueller is planning to walk the laps for the Relay for Life, May 17-18, 2014 at Taft High School. Her walking of laps will be the first survivor’s lap and then she will walk for several hours in the evening until the lighting of the luminaria. If any of
you would like to have a luminaria dedicated to someone please email her at [email protected].
The Rev. Heather Mueller is a member of the Soroptimist Club who has organized a team of walkers. The money from their walk will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
If you would like to donate please make checks out to The American Cancer Society. Thank you.
From St. Anne’s, Stockton
The Daughters of the King at St. Anne’s Stockton will be holding a quiet day on May 17, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leslie Sanchez will host the day at her home, 3441 Windham Circle, Stockton.
Sylvia Dobrow will guide our prayer and reflection. Sylvia has requested that we each bring a notebook and pen so we can use some of the quiet time for journaling, Bring a Bible and a candle. Also bring a small treasured object such as a rock from a special place, a picture or an icon, a special piece of jewelry, a favorite book, or whatever…. We invite Daughters from other churches and any women who may be interested. We do need to know if you are coming so Leslie and Sylvia know how many to expect.
Please RSVP to Juanita Weber at
[email protected]
For our Diocesan Prayer Calendar….click here
Bishop’s and Canon’s Visitations Calendars…
Bishop Rice’s Calendar – Click Here
Canon Cullinane’s Calendar- Click Here

Have you checked it out?
Keep up to date on news and events with our
Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin website
www.diosanjoaquin.org

Friday Reflections March 28,2014

3-28-2014

Dear Friends,

On March 5, 2011 I was elected and then Seated as the Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. On Saturday, March 29, 2014, I will cease to be the Bishop of this Diocese with the election of the next Bishop. I most sincerely thank you all, lay and clergy of the Diocese, for your love and support and for the privilege of engaging in ministry with all of you.

I have come to know this as a Diocese of courageous and committed people who are dedicated to serving Christ as members of the Episcopal Church.

April and I will return permanently to Southern California and to “retirement” on March 29.

The Diocese of San Joaquin, its life and ministry, clergy and people, will always now be in our thoughts and prayers.

With gratitude, and appreciation, and thanksgiving I am,

Faithfully yours,

+Chet Talton

“Participating in God’s Reconciling Love”

Friday Reflection is taking a break next week.
The next edition will be April 11, 2014

Call to Special Convention…

TOMORROW!

The Recognition and Seating

of the

Provisional Bishop

The Rt. Rev. David Rice

March 29, 2014

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Bakersfield

2216 17th Street

Bakersfield, CA 93301

Click here for Special Convention Schedule

Check here for Special Convention Registration Form

Invitation to Sing at Special Convention...

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

[email protected] for an email advance copy of the music.

For Northern Deanery…

CONVENTION BUS INFORMATION

The Northern Deanery bus to the Special Convention in Bakersfield will depart the Modesto Vintage Faire Mall Park and Ride promptly at 5:30 AM on Saturday. The Park and Ride can be reached from southbound 99 by exiting on Pelendale. Turn south on Sisk Road. The Park and Ride will be on the left connected to the mall parking area near Penny’s. The Park and Ride can be reached from northbound 99 by exiting at Standiford and then north on Sisk Road. The Park and Ride will be on the right. For the return trip the bus will depart St. Paul’s Bakersfield no later than one half hour after the close of the last Convention activity. On the 29th the following numbers can be used as contacts for the bus:(209) 765-392(209) 765-3928 or 765-3246.

For Clergy…

Attention Clergy!

The liturgical color for the Celebration and Seating of Bishop Rice following the Special Meeting of Convention on March 29 is red.

AND

This week you should have been contacted by regular mail by the Church Pension Group. Church Pension is sending you a NEW CONTACT NUMBER.
This new number will enable you to log on to www.cpg.org and see all of your benefit information on one page. This means that you will be able to see your own individual Pension, Medical, Disability and Life Insurance information that you currently have through Church Pension all on one integrated page.

Please pay attention to your mail from Church Pension and do try to log-on to see how the new system operates. If you need help, or have not received a new number, please contact Canon Cullinane at 209-222-7124 or [email protected]

For Lent…

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

From the Office of Public Affairs…

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-

Women’s Retreat…

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

in an upcoming email.

From the Diocesan Office…

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].

Whats going on…

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.

Meetings and Events

From Our Parishes and Missions…

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

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.

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.

May 16-17, 2014
Friday and Saturday

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 16

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.

For our Diocesan Prayer Calendar….click here

Bishop’s and Canon’s Visitations Calendars…

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 13                              St. Raphael’s, Oackhurst

April 20th                           Holy Trinity, Madera

Have you checked it out?

Keep up to date on news and events with our

NEW Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin website
www.diosanjoaquin.org
Click here: Our Website

Contributions to the Friday Reflection are most welcome and are due by the Tuesdaybefore the Friday Reflection is scheduled to go out. Articles are to be submitted in word document format and pictures in jpeg format for best results.

Contact Information: Ellen Meyer

[email protected]

Rev. Lyn Sermon, March 16

16. March 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Rector, Sermon · Tags: belonging, caring, Church, community, Episcopal, episcopal church of st anne, message, Rector, Rev Lyn, sermon, St Anne Family

Sermon

Lent 2, Year A 2014

There are so many stories in the news this past week that are continuing sagas. The Malaysian airliner just disappearing off the radar. What is happening on the Google barge? But the one that caught my attention was echoed by an op-ed piece in the paper Friday morning – “Template for how not to raise a child” by Ruben Navarrette. He referred to the story of Rachel Canning suing her parents for support – as she deems it – not necessarily as we would define it. I thought about how she is looking for her parents to give so she can receive; how Rachel is not taking responsibility for or paying the price for her own needs and desires.

Made me think about parents and children. My dad taught me unconditional love, but that didn’t mean he didn’t let us fail. It meant that he was there to help us when we asked, to affirm that trying our best was all he needed to be proud of us, and to let us know that he always loved us even when we messed up and had to face the consequences. I’ve tried to be that kind of parent to my daughters.

If we take a look at the God of the Old Testament, we get a God who would be obeyed or else. God’s covenant with the people in the Old Testament was that they would faithfully obey God’s commands and God would deliver the blessing of a land of their own and innumerable offspring. God would give to the people what they needed to prosper. It’s no wonder that people today can’t identify with a God to be feared. If you had a parent like that, you don’t want to have anything to do with God or church.

As Christians we put our faith in the loving God. The one who’s covenant was to give his son to redeem creation once and for all. A God who waits patiently for us to turn back when we wander off and forget to stay in touch. Nicodemus didn’t quite know about that God. He was familiar with the concrete God of acts and consequence. He couldn’t understand a God that could love him so completely that God would send the only son to save us and not condemn the world.

I used these lessons yesterday morning for the baptism of an infant, Malia Villanueva. I talked to those gathered about the concept of being born again. Yes, we are born through the Holy Spirit at our baptism, but it struck me that we are born again every time we make a major life change.

It’s a new life when we get our driver’s license and savor independence, which comes with increased responsibility. It’s a new life when we first leave home and have to support ourselves. It’s a new life when we get married or find our life partner. It’s a new life when we become a parent. It’s a new life when we become a grandparent. We are the same person and we are not the same. Growth should happen at each of these stages. We learn to be responsible for ourselves, for our relationships, for someone who depends on us. More maturity is required to successfully fulfill each of these roles. Knowing that we are loved unconditionally by God, assures us that we can learn from our mistakes without fear of never getting another chance. That’s how much God loves us.

So what does God ask of us? Simply, to do the work that helps to heal our hurting world. As a community which stage are we in – teen, just starting to support ourselves, ready to take care of each other, ready to expand the family? I think we’re getting close. We need individuals volunteering to participate in at least one ministry and we need to be involved in activities that are taking place (like the First Friday concerts) to build our own sense of community. Are we ready to go out and do that work?

Almost. It will happen because the Holy Spirit is active within this congregation. We have been born again, through our baptism in the spirit, and anointed as Christ’s own forever. We know that God promises good things to those who believe, who have faith. God was willing to give his son for the healing of the creation, so we who believe can receive eternal life. And the son willing gave his life so that we might receive that promise.

What are we willing to do? Can we continue to grow in this faith together until we are able to go out into the community and do God’s work? This week take time and consider these questions. We don’t have to make any decisions right away. We just have to try to be a little better each day. AMEN.

Episcopal Church of St. Anne

Rev. Lyn Sermon

Sermon

Proper 25, Year A

Sermon

Proper 18, Year A

Rev. Lyn Sermon

Sermon
Proper 17, Year A

Rev. Lyn Sermon

Friday Reflection August 8, 2014

Friday Reflections July 18, 2014

Rev. Anne's Sermon For Pentecost – June 8, 2014

Rev. Anne Smith

a

June 8, 2014: Day of Pentecost, Year A

Text: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23

Amen.

Friday Reflections June 29, 2014

Did you know that the following writers were Episcopalian?

Friday Reflections May 11, 2014

Friday Reflections March 28,2014

Walk through Lent with beautiful daily devotions,

The Lent App (for iPhone)

Rev. Lyn Sermon, March 16

Sermon

Lent 2, Year A 2014

Search St.Anne Website

Schedule of Services

Vision Statement

Episcopal Church Of St. Anne On facebook

Archives

Categories

Admin

Sermon

Proper 25, Year A

Sermon

Proper 18, Year A

Sermon Proper 17, Year A

Rev. Anne Smith

a

June 8, 2014: Day of Pentecost, Year A

Text: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23

Amen.

Did you know that the following writers were Episcopalian?

Walk through Lent with beautiful daily devotions,

The Lent App (for iPhone)

Sermon

Lent 2, Year A 2014

Search St.Anne Website

Schedule of Services

Vision Statement

Episcopal Church Of St. Anne On facebook

Archives

Categories

Admin

Sermon
Proper 17, Year A