|
We acknowledge that the land on which this diocese is built is the traditional territory of the Paiute, Kawaiisu, Tubatulabal, Yokuts, Chumash, Miwok, Chukchansi, Western Mono, and Me-Wuk people.
Let’s take a moment to honor these ancestral grounds that we are collectively gathered upon and support the resilience and strength that all Indigenous people have shown worldwide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reconocemos que la tierra sobre la que está construida esta Diócesis es el territorio tradicional de los pueblos Piaute, Kawaiisu, Tubatulabal, Yokuts, Chumash, Miwok, Chukchansi, Western Mono y Me-Wuk.
Tomemos un momento para honrar estos terrenos ancestrales en los que estamos reunidos colectivamente y apoyar la resiliencia y la fuerza que todos los pueblos indígenas han demostrado en todo el mundo.
| |
Friday Reflection
Dear Friends in Christ,
Between the Garden of Eden and Garden of Repose, we plant our own gardens. By planting seeds and digging plants we nurture the possibilities inherent in the ground underneath our feet.
As we stand on that ground under our feet, we are kept standing by God’s gift of gravity, we imagine all the plants we might settle into the soil before it gets too hot for the newly planted. As our hearts take flight, the birds twittering around our heads help us imagine the Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is present in the blue skies and the beauty that surrounds us.
| | |
Looking back to the Garden of Eden, we wonder at all we so willingly left behind. As we look forward to the human tragedy that is played out in the person of Jesus there in the Garden of Gethsemane and then on Golgotha, there are so many dying dreams, so many disappointments littering our landscapes,
Even as it seems there is no hope in us, God’s love, God’s gift of Creation, God’s continuing presence remind us to keep planning, keep planting, keep praying that the gardens we plant, the work that we do, the love we have for each other reflect beauty rather than despair.
Rebecca Blair
Rector St Anne’s Episcopal Church, Stockton
Pastor Zion Lutheran Church, Stockton
| | |
March 1-May 1
Canon Anna on sabbatical
Holy Week
April 13-19
April 13
Palm Sunday
Bp David @ St Paul's Modesto
YELLOW BAGS!
April 14
SJRAISE, 6:30pm ZOOM
April 15
Chrism Mass/Renewal of Ordination Vows
St James Cathedral, 1pm
Creation Care Commission, 7pm ZOOM
April 17
Maundy Thursday
April 18
Good Friday
April 19
Holy Saturday
April 20
Easter
Bp David at St James Cathedral
April 24
Diocesan Council, 6:30pm ZOOM
April 27
Bp David @ St Raphael's Oakhurst
April 29
Standing Committee, 6:30pm ZOOM
| | |
Walking the Path of Discernment: The Commission on Ministry’s Role in Shepherding Vocations
By Barbara Vassell, Co-chair of Commission on Ministry – St. Paul’s Modesto
The Commission on Ministry (COM) of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin continues to serve as a guiding force in the discernment process, supporting individuals who feel called to both ordained and lay ministries. As mandated by Canon III.1.2, the COM functions as an advisory body to the bishop, ensuring that discernment, formation, and placement of ministers align with both the needs of the Church and the unique spiritual gifts of each candidate.
Discernment: A Journey of Faith and Reflection
The process of discernment is both deeply personal and profoundly communal. Individuals exploring a call to ministry—whether as deacons, priests, or lay leaders—are encouraged to reflect on their gifts and how they may serve the Church. Through structured interviews, and spiritual direction, the COM plays a crucial role in helping discerners clarify their vocation.
A core aspect of this process is ensuring that candidates for ordination meet the qualifications outlined in Canon III.8, which emphasizes theological education, moral character, and spiritual maturity. The COM, in collaboration with mentors, and local parish communities, ensures that these standards are met while also providing a pastoral and nurturing environment for those in discernment.
The Role of “COMpanions”: Walking Alongside Discerners
A unique and powerful aspect of the discernment process within the Diocese of San Joaquin is the assignment of COM—members who serve as shepherds for those entering the diocesan discernment process. These shepherds act as guides, listeners, and encouragers, offering practical support and guidance.
Inspired by the image of the shepherd in scripture, COMpanions walk with individuals, ensuring that they are not alone in their journey. They foster meaningful discussions, create safe spaces for discernment, and help discerners remain spiritually grounded through one-on-one meetings. This “ministry of presence” allows individuals to explore their calling with the guidance of trusted mentors.
Formation: Preparing for Ministry in a Changing World
Ministry today requires adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The COM works to provide resources that help future church leaders develop skills in pastoral care, theological reflection, and community engagement. Whether pursuing ordained ministry or lay leadership roles such as Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Preachers, or Worship Leaders, discerners receive guidance tailored to their specific calling.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Participate
The work of the Commission on Ministry is deeply relational, and its success depends on the engagement of the entire diocesan community. As we move forward, we invite parishioners, clergy, and leaders to support this work in the following ways:
- Pray for those in discernment, that they may clearly hear and respond to God's call.
- Encourage potential leaders in your congregation to explore their gifts and ministry possibilities.
- Engage in ongoing formation and education to deepen your understanding of ministry in today’s Church.
- Serve as a mentor or sponsor for someone exploring their call to ministry.
The Episcopal Church is strengthened by the faithful discernment of its people, and the COM is honored to accompany individuals on this sacred journey. If you or someone you know is considering ministry—whether ordained or lay—contact your clergy or the Commission on Ministry to begin a conversation.
Together, through prayerful listening and intentional guidance, we will continue to prepare new leaders to expand the work of the Diocese of San Joaquin.
| | |
The Episcopal Church: Update, Direction and Future
The Current Direction of the Episcopal Church: A Reflection on Change and Renewal
The Episcopal Church, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, is in a period of significant transformation, marked by both challenges and opportunities. Historically rooted in the Anglican tradition, the Church has long sought to balance faithfulness to Scripture with openness to a changing world. Today, this tension remains, as the Episcopal Church moves into a new chapter focused on inclusivity, social justice, and embracing diversity, while navigating a complex landscape of doctrinal and cultural shifts.
Emphasis on Inclusivity and Social Justice
A defining feature of the Episcopal Church’s direction in recent years has been its commitment to inclusivity. The Church has made substantial strides in welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals, ordaining women, and advocating for racial justice. This trajectory toward inclusivity is not merely a response to societal changes but is also deeply rooted in the Episcopal Church's understanding of God’s love for all people. The Church’s stance on marriage equality, ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy, and the affirmation of women in leadership roles reflect a commitment to creating a space where all can encounter the transformative power of Christ’s love.
Social justice is another cornerstone of the Episcopal Church’s current direction. As issues such as climate change, immigration, poverty, and racial inequality continue to rise to the forefront, the Church has increasingly aligned itself with movements advocating for change. Episcopal leaders have called for action on climate change, promoting the use of green energy and urging governmental policies that protect both the planet and the marginalized. The Church has also been vocal in its support of immigrants, refugees, and racial reconciliation, acknowledging the sins of the past while striving to create a more just and equitable society.
A Renewed Focus on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
Despite its progressive stance on social issues, the Episcopal Church is also experiencing a renewed emphasis on spiritual formation and deepening discipleship. In an age where secularism often competes with religious commitment, there is a growing desire within the Church to call people to deeper engagement with the Christian faith. This includes cultivating a deeper life of prayer, study, and service, as well as a renewed emphasis on liturgical worship that connects individuals to both tradition and the divine.
In recent years, a number of dioceses and parishes have also turned toward creating more intentional communities for spiritual growth. Some have established small groups, retreats, and educational programs to help people of all ages develop a robust and living faith. This is in part a response to the growing need for Christians to have a clear sense of purpose and community in a fragmented and often disorienting world.
Challenges in Maintaining Unity
While the Episcopal Church has made great strides toward inclusivity and social justice, it faces ongoing challenges in maintaining unity. The ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the blessing of same-sex marriages, for example, have led to divisions within the Church, as some dioceses and parishes have chosen to separate from the Episcopal Church in protest of these changes. Tensions around issues of human sexuality, biblical interpretation, and authority continue to present difficulties, especially in relation to the broader Anglican Communion, which has members with a wide range of views on these matters.
Additionally, the Church has been grappling with its declining membership in certain regions, particularly in the U.S., where attendance at mainline Protestant churches has been on the decline for decades. This demographic shift presents a challenge for the Episcopal Church, which is striving to remain relevant in a rapidly changing cultural and religious landscape. Addressing this decline while maintaining a strong sense of purpose, mission, and identity is one of the key challenges facing church leaders.
Looking to the Future: Mission and Evangelism
As the Episcopal Church looks to the future, a key focus will be on revitalizing its mission and outreach efforts. The growing number of younger people who are disillusioned with traditional religious institutions presents an opportunity for the Church to engage in new and creative forms of evangelism. This might involve rethinking the ways in which the Church connects with people in an increasingly digital world, while also staying faithful to the deep liturgical and sacramental traditions that are at the heart of Episcopal worship.
In addition, the Episcopal Church is committed to global mission, particularly in areas where Christians are persecuted or where there is significant poverty and need. Through partnerships with international dioceses and relief organizations, the Episcopal Church continues to demonstrate its commitment to the global body of Christ, affirming that the Gospel transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
Reaffirming a Vision of Hope
Ultimately, the direction of the Episcopal Church is one of hope—hope in the transformative power of the Gospel and its ability to bring healing and justice to a broken world. The Church’s emphasis on inclusion, social justice, and spiritual renewal reflects a belief that the Church is called not only to be a witness to God’s love but also an agent of change in the world. In the face of significant challenges, both internal and external, the Episcopal Church continues to affirm its mission to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and to work for the reconciliation of all people with God and one another.
As the Episcopal Church moves forward into the future, it remains committed to balancing its rich tradition with a forward-looking vision of faith that speaks to the realities of the present. In doing so, it hopes to be a faithful witness to the love of God and an instrument of peace and justice in a world desperately in need of both.
Mr. Jack Peck is a member of the Anti-Racism Commission
| | |
A prayer for the season of Lent
Almighty God, as we pray, fast and reflect during this season of Lent, help us remember the 40 days Jesus spend in the desert, tempted but without sin. May our eyes be open to the trials and fears of our refugee and immigrant brothers and sisters who also wander seeking a safe place to settle. Help us to open our hearts to love those we may see as strangers. Help us to freely give to those who are in need, not focusing on our own needs. Lead us to them so we may give them comfort to calm their fears and be the example of your love and mercy. Amen.
| | KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RED CARDS! | | |
A Word from Jonathan Partridge, co-chair of SJRAISE:
Loving the ‘Strangers’ in Our Midst
Nearly 50 faith leaders, elected officials, and community activists were packed together during a recent Stockton town hall with Congressman Josh Harder and San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow to discuss immigrant rights and current fears facing the immigrant community.
When the time came for questions from the audience, attendees immediately questioned Harder about his recent vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act. The law requires the detention of immigrants charged—not necessarily convicted—with crimes including minor theft and shoplifting. As a result, this law goes well beyond its stated intent of enhancing public safety. In fact, Immigrant and Customs Enforcement officials indicated in December that they did not have enough detention space available to comply with the law, and they would need $26 billion in additional funds to enforce it.
Due to my involvement with SJRAISE—the immigration commission for EDSJ—I’ve learned first-hand what detention often looks for immigrants. Privately-run immigrant detention centers have worse-than-prison-like conditions that have included moldy conditions, undercooked food, and abuse of detainees. In addition, detained individuals face the very real threat of deportation and separation from their families, even those who were raised here in the United States. With the passage of this new law, all of this can occur without individuals being charged with a crime. As a result, I understood the activists’ concerns.
In response to the activists’ questions, Congressman Harder noted that for every single phone call he received opposing the Laken Riley Act, he received nearly 10 calls in support. It was a stark reminder to me that elected leaders need to hear our voice. California will continue to have certain protections for immigrants in the criminal justice system, but this law could have devastating impacts in other states.
Now, some may ask, “Why should followers of Christ be concerned with such matters?” It’s important to remember that God cares immensely about the state of foreigners who dwell in our midst. We see this reiterated in both the New Testament and the Hebrew Scriptures, which command God’s people to love foreigners residing in the land as themselves, reminding them that they were foreigners in Egypt (Leviticus 19:34). In Matthew 25, Jesus states that we will be judged based on our treatment of the “least of these,” including those who are in prison and the “stranger.” What many people don’t know is the word that Jesus uses for stranger is “xenos”—a word that also can be translated from Greek as “foreigner.” In fact, it is the root of the English word “xenophobia.”
These biblical mandates have increasingly become countercultural in the United States, as American opinions about immigrants have dwindled in recent year. A July 2024 Gallup poll showed that 55% of Americans wanted immigration decreased, up from 28% just four years prior. In addition, a Gallup poll last month indicated that 59% of respondents approved of national efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, studies have shown that most immigrants (including those who are undocumented) do not commit crimes at higher rates than any other U.S. residents. They are merely trying to make a better life for themselves, often escaping dangerous situations abroad. Sadly, when there was an opportunity last year to approve a bill that would reform immigration laws and make it easier for undocumented immigrants to “do the right thing” and gain legal status, Congress shot it down.
So how do we advocate for our immigrant neighbors, as our culture is increasingly hostile toward them? And how do we serve the foreigners in our midst?
Firstly, whenever possible, we can build relationships with immigrants living in our community. This could include volunteering at a refugee resettlement agency (they’ve lost a lot of funding and can use all the help they can get) or some other organization that works with vulnerable people from other countries. Perhaps, consider praying that God brings immigrants into your life. I’ve learned a lot from my immigrant friends, and I have found that my relationships with refugees and other migrants have been transformative. There even have been times where I palpably sense God’s presence during encounters with my immigrant neighbors. During these moments, I am reminded that God is revealed when we “welcome the stranger.”
Secondly, (and here’s a “shameless plug”) prayerfully consider getting involved with SJRAISE, our diocesan immigration commission. We meet once a month and discuss ways that we can serve the immigrants in our midst. Past initiatives have included writing letters to people in detention, raising funds for groups that serve immigrants, hosting educational webinars, and marching for immigrant rights. We’re planning to do a “traveling road show” throughout the diocese in the coming months that is similar in style to the road show currently being offered by the Creation Care Commission, so stay tuned.
Thirdly, speak up when laws and policies are being introduced that can negatively impact our immigrant neighbors. Elected leaders often closely gauge their constituents’ feelings about potential laws, so our voice matters. The Episcopal Public Policy Network regularly sends out emails about ways to advocate on legislation that will impact our neighbors and God’s creation. You can sign up for their emails here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/eppn-sign-up.
Finally, we can confront bigoted statements about our immigrant friends when we hear them, speaking the truth in love. I find that I need to rely on God’s strength to do this, as my tendency is to want to either lash out or hold back, when neither of these responses is Christlike.
In all these matters, let us not become overwhelmed, but rely on Jesus, the Prince of Peace. There is a lot going on in our world these days, and it’s easy to become confounded by it all. Now, more than ever, we need to spend time in prayer. In the words of Fr. Richard Rohr, we need both “contemplation” and “action” in the weeks and months ahead. As we seek to stand up for our immigrant neighbors during these difficult times, may we remember the promise of Christ: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
For more information on SJRAISE, reach out to Jonathan Partridge and Emily Burnias at sjraise@diosanjoaquin.org.
| |
|
Sanctuary People Resource List
Below are resources to support the immigrant community. This resource list will be updated as more resources are created and needs changes.
https://bit.ly/SanctuaryPeopleResources
Family Preparedness: helping immigrant and mixed status families make a plan in case of family separation due to ICE arrest
Rapid Response:
Know Your Rights for possible encounters with immigration authorities.
Sanctuary Resources:
| | |
|
4147 East Dakota Avenue
Fresno, California 93726
209-576-0104
| |
| | | |
