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In this edition of ENews:
- Working with the Survivors at the Two Park Fire Local Assistance Centers
- Highlights from the latest Board of Trustees Meeting
- Stewardship Conference Scheduled for August 24
- Want to be part of our Convention slideshow?
- Carbon Neutral 2030 Action Plan Workshop
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Missioner for Disaster Resilience | |
Working with the Survivors at the Two Park Fire Local Assistance Centers – Part 1 | |
Left Photo: Bishop Megan, Br. Simeon, and Rev. Richard Yale at the Chico Local Assistance Center. Right Photo: Rev. Mark Dibelka with Karen Horn (Park Fire Survivor & Project (Re)Start bin recipient). | |
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When you are surrounded by disaster, destruction, and need, nothing starts your day better than a survivor coming up to you and saying, “I talked to your people yesterday and I had to come back today to let you know that you are a real blessing. Episcopals are a true blessing – Go, Episcopals!” This was how I started my third day at the Chico Local Assistance Center (LAC) for the Park Fire.
The woman who visited me is named Karen, she attends a different church in Chico, but she came to us for assistance because we are present and part of our community. Karen is a homeowner, and, while not destroyed, the home was damaged beyond the ability for her and her children to return. She sat with our volunteers, told her story, and was matched with the resources we had that met her needs: specifically, Project (Re)Start bins to help her settle into temporary housing so the children were able to start the new school year in a setting of stability.
Our volunteers are frequently approached by folks who remember what was done for them, they remember our church, the Episcopal Church, as being the people who were there in their time of need. How better to be the hands and feet of Christ in a damaged world?
To date, in support of the Park Fire, we have shared over $12,000 and 84 Project (Re)Start bins. All of this was possible because of your generosity.
While we are looking at the Chico LAC in the rearview mirror, we are looking directly at the Red Bluff LAC (also for the Park Fire) with excited anticipation.
The Red Bluff LAC will be open 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Thursday, August 15th, through Saturday, August 17th.
We would welcome more people to help us share our gifts with those in need.
To volunteer to work with survivors, please contact me at
mark@norcalepiscopal.org
To donate towards the Bishop’s Disaster Fund and allow us to continue sharing with God’s people in need, please click the button below.
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Highlights from the latest Board of Trustees Meeting | |
This is a short synopsis of what happened at the most recent Board of Trustees meeting. While this is not a full report of our meeting, it does share some of the highlights of our work.
We had a jam-packed August Board of Trustees Meeting. We welcomed Deacon Bob Scott to the Board. He joins our team as the Dean of the Russian River Deanery. We also accepted the resignation of Diane Curtis-Page from the Board and wished her well.
The diocese received a bequest from the Palmer and Joyce Wilkins Trust. The Board designated this large gift to the Missional Fund. Next year, some of those funds will be used to launch our new Latino Ministries program. We thank the Wilkins family for their thoughtful gift. If you are interested in learning more about bequests for your congregation or the diocese, please contact the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California (www.norcalepiscopalfoundation.org).
The Board reviewed the financial statements for the first half of 2024. The stock market increases this year have been kind to our investments. In addition, the Board reviewed and passed the budget for 2025. Highlights of the budget include significant new funding for the Latino Ministry program and increased funding to Camp Living Waters – the only camp for children in our diocese. The 2025 budget has a missional focus. Bishop Megan told the Board that “the budget accomplished the spirit of what people asked for and is putting our money where our mission is. We are fiscally ready and ready to think about where God is leading us.” The Board would like to thank the Budget and Finance Committee as well as the staff for their careful work on the 2025 budget. We will present the budget at Convocation on October 12.
In preparation for our upcoming work, Bishop Megan asked the Board to read Godsend by Michael Moynagh. This book highlights the work of getting us outside the doors of our church and building relationships. Michael Moynagh is the keynote speaker at Convention this year, and everyone is invited to read his book (for sale on Amazon) and visit his website https://godsend.cloud/.
The Board was updated on the Diocesan Disaster response to the Park Fire in Butte, Tehama and Shasta Counties. As of August 6, we have given away 75 (Re)Start bins. The Board appreciates the work of the congregations who made the bins, Missioner for Disaster Resilience Fr. Mark Dibelka, Catherine Maloney, Project Coordinator and the rest of the team that has pulled together during this disaster. 100 percent of the money donated to the Diocese for disaster relief goes to victims of the disaster. You can donate to the relief efforts on our website. (Online Giving )
-Margie Harrison-Smith, Vice President
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St. George’s, Carmichael to host a Revival Sunday
On Sunday August 18, St. George’s, Carmichael will have a Revival Sunday. During the 10 a.m. worship service, several church members who attended the diocesan Revival last spring will share their stories of their experience. The goal of this event is to help other church members have a better understanding about the Revival. After the service, we will have a potluck lunch. All guests are very welcome for the Revival Sunday.
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Spaces still available for (Free!) Online Stewardship Conference on Saturday, August 24 | |
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Please join us for this year’s Stewardship Congregational Leadership Conference on Saturday, August 24 from 9:00 am–10:00 am. This year’s session will have a special focus on every member canvass resources for your annual stewardship campaigns. We’ll discuss the basics, share resources, and talk about why you should consider an every member canvass to achieve not only your stewardship goals, but how an every member canvass can support your pastoral care efforts as well as help in identifying future goals for your congregation.
To register, go to: https://form.jotform.com/240366571427155
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Wondering how your church might reach out in new ways? | |
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New Camino, an innovative in-person workshop led by The Rev. Cn. Anthony Guillen, will help you look at how to use what you have, to connect more successfully with people in your community of Latinx/Hispanic heritage.
No Spanish language skills required.
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church | Chico
2341 Floral Ave, Chico, CA 95926
Starts: September 27 at 6:00 pm
Ends: September 28 at 2:30 pm
Dinner and Lunch will be provided.
Cost: $35.00 per person (plus hotel)
Register here: https://form.jotform.com/242136528921153
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Day of Discernment Registration Now Opened
Saturday, September 7 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | On Zoom Only
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Interested in being a priest, deacon or a member of a religious order? Want to know more about what it’s really like, or family and time commitments?
This is the first step if you are interested in being in the Ordination process. A sponsoring clergy person or Senior Warden must join you. Spouses/partners are encouraged to attend with you.
Registration is free, but requested: https://form.jotform.com/241937308544158
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Want to be part of our Convention slideshow?
Send us photos of your congregation during worship, gatherings, events, community events, holidays, etc. We want to see photos from your congregation's events and services from late 2023 to the end of summer, 2024. The slideshow will be on display during the 2024 Diocesan Convention.
Requirements:
- Photos need to be submitted in a JPEG (JPG) or PNG file format
- All photos must be original and not copyrighted, and you must have permission from the photographer and/or subjects to use these photos for this purpose.
We want every congregation represented!
Please send photos to communications@norcalepiscopal.org
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Diocesan Governing Board Nominations Due August 9 | |
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We will be electing members to open seats on our two governing boards at our November Diocesan Convention and nominations for these positions are due Friday, August 9.
The positions are:
Standing Committee, lay representative, one seat, four-year term (no clergy seats are open this year)
Board of Trustees, two seats at large, three-year terms, lay or clergy
In addition, three of our deaneries will be electing representatives to the Board of Trustees for three-year terms: Alta California, Central, and Semper Virens. The deans from these regions will convene a caucus of their respective deaneries the morning of convention on Nov. 9.
The Standing Committee has specific canonically-required responsibilities including the approval of ordinations; oversight of property transactions at both diocesan and congregational levels; and serves as the “ecclesiastical authority” in the absence of the bishop.
The Board of Trustees has oversight of the diocesan budget, ministries and programs, serving like a vestry to the bishop.
More information, including nomination forms, can be found here on the diocesan website:
https://www.norcalepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024Governance-Nomination-Instructions-1.pdf
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Diocesan Convention Registration is Open | |
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Links to the following documents may be found here:
- Call of Convention
- Convention Schedule at-a-Glance
- House Rules
- Governance Nomination Instructions
- Resolution Instructions
- Keynote Speaker Info
- 2024 Congregational Range Sheet
- Important Convention Dates and Deadlines
- Filing Alternate to Delegate Form
- Filing Alternate Vacancies Form
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Commission for Intercultural Ministry | |
St. John’s, Roseville, to Begin a New Series of Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles | |
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St. John’s, Roseville, will begin a new series of Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles via Zoom in August 2024. Regular circles and Deeper Dive circles will be offered again. The 11-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. To learn more, please view this video by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry about the Sacred Ground program.
Read More
The sessions are from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm and are scheduled for:
- August 14, 28
- September 11, 25
- October 9, 23
- November 13
- December 11
- January 8, 22, 2025
- February 1, 2025
Please contact Diane Williamson, dianewilliamson864@gmail.com,
or 916-300-6384 for more information or to sign up.
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This workshop meets the requirement for licensing for Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, and unlicensed lay leaders (such as vestry members and ministry leads) in the Diocese. Other lay licensed ministries need to take Sacred Ground to meet Diocesan licensing requirements.
All Classes are on Saturdays from 9:30am – 4:30 pm
Saturday, September 14 | Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento
Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240775553068160
Registration deadline: September 7
For questions, contact Diane Williamson, dianewilliamson864@gmail.com
Saturday, October 19 | St. Paul’s, Healdsburg
Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240775631216152
Registration deadline: October 12
For questions, contact Miriam Casey, edncbbc@gmail.com
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Commission on the Environment | |
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Carbon Neutral 2030 Action Plan Workshop
Saturday, September 7 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
The Fearless Faith Post Revival Committee and the Commission on the Environment Present a nuts and bolts webinar providing:
- How to guidance to prepare your church’s Action Plan to be Carbon Neutral by 2030
- Stories from diocesan churches about creating their plan and implementing energy efficiency recommendations
- Info on technical resources and funding for designing, financing, and contracting for energy efficiency projects at your churches
- Time for conversation among attendees
All invited to come and learn, especially churches who have received the Energy Efficiency Assessment.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89836290843
Meeting ID: 898 3629 0843
Hope to see you there!
For more information and questions, contact - bob.wohlsen@gmail.com
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What is the Season of Creation?
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. The season starts September 1 – the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4 – the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations. Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home.
How can I learn more about The Season of Creation?
Creation Justice Ministries in partnership with One Home, One Future, a coalition effort of US faith denominations (including The Episcopal Church) and organizations for visible and collective creation care and climate action by faith leaders, will be hosting a webinar (on August 1 at 6 pm Eastern) to introduce the Season of Creation and show efforts that churches and denominations are making to celebrate the season as a central part of the liturgical calendar. Also, the Faith and Climate resource, produced by the SALT Project, will be highlighted to use as a possible guide throughout the season.”
For more information about the Season of Creation and to register for the
webinar, go to this link.
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Upcoming Events around the Diocese | |
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Honoring our Shared Humanity: Understanding Islamophobia and Antisemitism
St. Patrick's, Kenwood | September 24 | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
St. Patrick’s Kenwood, in conjunction with the Interfaith Council of Sonoma and Congregation Ner Shalom in Sebastopol, is presenting a Zoom program “Honoring our Shared Humanity: Understanding Islamophobia and Antisemitism."
Click here for more information.
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Job Openings in The Diocese | |
Clergy Openings in The Diocese | |
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St. Luke's | Woodland is seeking a Seeking Full-Time Rector |
View Job Description here. Receiving Names until September 30
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The ENews is published weekly on Tuesdays.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
www.norcalepiscopal.org
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