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An Evening Warmed by Food, Love, and Fire Stories
By Lori Korleski Richardson, Interim Communications Director
Healdsburg, a quaint little town about 70 miles north of San Francisco, has been through a lot in the past six weeks: a massive fire that burned 36,807 acres came dangerously close to the Episcopal church, and several of its parishioners who live in outlying areas lost everything but their lives when they evacuated in the middle of the night.
But as the rector of
St. Paul's, the Rev. Sally Hubbell said: "We know how to feed people here." So on the night of Nov. 18, about 60 people from St. Paul's and its neighboring parish to the south,
Incarnation, Santa Rosa, gathered to eat chili, slaw, cornbread and desserts. And once they had eaten and had a glass of wine - this is, after all, the heart of the Sonoma wine country - the stories began.
Continue reading...
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Episcopalians joined members of other faith communities for an early Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 18 sponsored by the Napa Interfaith Council. Photo by the Rev. Susan Napoliello
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You'd think Thanksgiving, a holiday to celebrate God's gifts of abundance, might be hard this year for fire victims and volunteers, writes Amy Sowder for the Episcopal News Service. When it comes to food and drink, many Episcopalians in the fire-ravaged area lost so much, yet they gained community support they never expected. Not to minimize the traumatic disaster that took more than 40 lives and ravaged 245,000 acres, but the galvanizing of volunteers and donations since then has touched the hearts of many. Read the full story
here.
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THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT BISHOP
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Please Keep Our Bishop Search in Your Prayers
We give thanks for the leadership of our Bishop Barry, and pray for the election of the eighth bishop for our diocese:
Almighty God, giver of every good gift:
Look graciously on your Church,
and so guide the minds of those who shall
choose a bishop for this Diocese,
that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your
people and equip us for our ministries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- BCP, page 818
Please also pray for those named by the Standing Committee to be on the Bishop Search Committee:
Mary R. Davy, Chair; Kirk Bone; Rosemary Braxton; the Rev. Todd Bruce; the Rev. Canon Tina Campbell; the Rev. Dr. Sean Cox; the Rev. Rod Davis; the Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan; the Rev. Jeanne Forte, Chaplain; Asleain "Scotty" Hodges; Catherine Mace; John Ochoa; Robert Pritchard; Jim Sargent; the Rev. Kate Sefton; Erika Trez; the Rev. Matt Warren; Donna Jo Woollen.
The bishop search process information can be found
here.
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FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
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Anti-Racism Training Jan. 27 at Faith, Cameron Park
The first 2018 Anti-Racism Training will be 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Faith, Cameron Park. This year's event will be facilitated by leaders from the Kaleidoscope Institute and provides an opportunity to come together as congregational leaders to learn how to help our worship communities appreciate and welcome the great diversity of people among us and around us, and to develop tools to work against the forces of racism in our world.
Anti-Racism Training is required for all who are engaged in ministries of governance (diocesan boards and commissions, as well as vestries and mission committees) and licensed lay ministers.
This event is free, and lunch is included, but registration is required. Please register by Jan. 22, 2018, here.
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Registration Open for 2018
Registration for the College for Congregational Development (CCD) is now available.
To learn more about the benefits of attending CCD and to register, click
here.
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Bishop's Partnership Appeal
During this Advent season, Bishop Barry Beisner has invited us all to consider a gift for the Church we love, joining with the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California for the 2017 Bishop's Partnership Appeal.
Keep an eye out for your Appeal letter in your mailbox in the next few weeks. If you don't receive a letter, you may still donate to the Appeal through
online giving. More information about the Appeal is available
here.
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Bishop's Visitation Schedule
- Dec. 3 - Christ Church, Eureka
- Dec. 10 - St. Timothy's, Gridley
- Dec. 17 - St. John's, Roseville
- Dec. 24 - Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento
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Preparing for Advent
How can we, as the church, better get ready for the mystery of Christmas this year, at home, in worship, in special community gatherings, in our learning about faith?
We are here to help you brainstorm, implement, and connect with each other.
Advent resources are available
here.
To order Living Well Through Advent 2017, click
here. For a free study guide to lead a group through the book, click
here.
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Pathways 2018: Early Registration Deadline Is Dec. 15
Are you or someone you know planning on attending Pathways 2018? If so, don't delay; register now! The cost to attend is $450 if you register before Dec. 15, and a $50 deposit is due then as well.
The price will increase to $500 after Dec. 15. We will offer scholarships and other support with the goal of making this trip possible for everyone who wishes to participate. Please contact the Rev. Sarah Quinney ([email protected]) if the cost is a barrier.
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NEWS & EVENTS IN AND BEYOND OUR DIOCESE
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Give a Gift for Life This Year
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A pig ($100, or a $20 share) can break the cycle of poverty for a family.
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The "development" of Episcopal Relief & Development continues in the midst of a great deal of "relief" in the past few months. Jane Snibbe, our Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development, reminds us to put Gifts for Life on our Christmas list, as many have in previous years. Thanks to a group of generous donors, all gifts will be matched with a donation to the Global Fund, up to $760,000, until the end of this year. Gifts start at $12, which provides one mosquito net and malaria-prevention training.
A new opportunity for congregations or families are two Christmas Gift Packages: No. 1 includes two goats, clean water, care for two moms & newborns, and one savings & loan group membership for $505; No. 2 includes a pig, vitamins and preventive medicine, mosquito nets and training for 25 families, and 10 disaster relief kits for $965.
All packages and individual gifts can be ordered online, or by phone, 855.312.4325
. Or you can download a form here to pay by check and send to the address listed below the link to the form.
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Weekend Retreat for Women Planned for New Year
The Rev. Canon Mary Hauck will lead a weekend retreat at Mercy Center, Auburn, from Friday afternoon through Eucharist on Sunday, Jan. 5-7, 2018.
Start the New Year strengthening your walk with Christ. Through conversation, worship, bible study, sharing, and prayer this Retreat for Women will set you on a renewed spiritual path. Cost is $185 per person. Includes a private room and five meals.
To register, contact Canon Mary ([email protected] or 916-479-3272). Checks should be made out to Emmanuel Episcopal Church with "Women's Retreat" on the memo line and mailed to 235 S. Church Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945, along with the attendee(s) name(s), phone number(s) and email(s).
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Save the Date
Dec. 10:
Molly's Revenge Winterdance Show
to Benefit Fire Relief, 7 p.m. at St. John's, Roseville. Doors open at 6:30; tickets ($30 per person, with discounts for families and children) can be purchased here.
Jan. 13: The Center for Bible Study at St. Andrews, Antelope, will offer a one-day, Saturday conference, Meditations on 1 Peter. The conference coincides with the publication of the book, "
I Peter: A Collaborative Commentary
," edited by the Rev. Peter Rodgers, with contributions from 20 of his former students at Fuller Theological Seminary. The conference, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., will include presentations from several of the contributors.
Registration is $20, which includes lunch. Register here.
Feb. 23: Nadia Bolz-Weber, 7 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento. Tickets are $25 and are available on Eventbrite.
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From the Episcopal Church
All Our Children: The Church's Role in Education Equity, Jan. 16-18, 2018, in Columbia, South Carolina, is an ecumenical event focusing the church's attention on the urgency of quality public education for all children. Many communities of faith are already strengthening public education in their cities, states, and across the nation. This three-day gathering will include informative, interactive workshops and plenaries led by practicing educators, experienced community leaders, and hands-on researchers. Our time together will be grounded in prayer and worship and focus on specific steps you and your congregation can take to build Beloved Community through local partnerships, action, and service, with time for conversation, idea sharing, and networking. Keynote speakers include Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. More information is available here.
Other news:
Episcopalians help boost Affordable Care Act sign-ups in uphill battle under Trump
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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
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