In this edition of ENews:
- Office of the Bishop welcomes new Missioner for Church Life
- Important Convention Updates; Covid Measures
- Diocesan Day of Discernment Scheduled
- Last Diocesan Quilt Workday is Thursday, August 18
- New Racial Justice Workshop Date added
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Rev. Mack Olson joins Office of the Bishop |
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The Rev. Mack Olson, joined the staff of the Office of the Bishop today as Missioner for Church Life.
Mack will work with the Canon to the Ordinary in the following areas:
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Evangelism – helping us tell our story as Christians, as individuals, churches and as a diocese
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Formation – working with churches to provide curriculum, programs, and resources to grow in our faith.
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Congregational Development – with the Canon and Congregational Development Team members, partner with churches of all sizes with tools for thriving.
Rev. Mack has served Church of the Epiphany, Vacaville as rector since 2012. Prior to that, he worked as a hospital chaplain and as an administrator at Sonoma State University.
Join us in congratulating and welcoming Rev. Mack to the Office of the Bishop and to this important ministry!
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Register NOW for Best Skills, Best Churches! |
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We are excited to once again offer the Best Skills, Best Churches program for clergy and lay leaders! Classes begin Friday, September 23.
This innovative program is designed to meet the professional needs of leaders of nonprofit and public organizations. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
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Click here for the schedule and additional information.
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Important Convention News:
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The 2022 Diocesan Convention will be held entirely in person at the Redding Civic Auditorium
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Clergy and Lay Delegates must be present to vote
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The Diocesan Convention will not be livestreamed
- Selected presentations will be recorded and available on the Convention website
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Service animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability are welcome in the Redding Civic Auditorium; pets are not allowed.
Covid Measures:
- When you register, we ask your comfort level with Covid Social Distancing. We will adjust seating on the convention floor for clergy and lay delegates to accommodate preferences.
- Masks are not required, but encouraged
- We recommend vaccination and boosting before attending
- We will not provide Covid testing, however we recommend you test yourself before travel to Redding
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Only 65 Days until Diocesan Convention! |
Registration is now open
for Clergy, Delegates, Alternates and Visitors. To register, visit the convention website.
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Deadline for nominations is Friday, August 19 |
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At the Convention, we will elect new clergy and lay persons to the Standing Committee, Board of Trustees, and 2024 General Convention Deputation.
Please consider nominating someone (or yourself) for one of these important roles. Most meetings for these bodies take place on zoom, so you can live anywhere in the diocese! Watch the video produced by The Rev. Annie Mertz, Nominations Committee Chair, to learn more about opportunities to serve the diocese in these important ministries.
For more information and nomination forms, visit the convention website.
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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.. The slideshow will be on display during the 2022 Diocesan Convention.
We want every congregation represented!
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Final Quilt Workday Scheduled for Thursday, August 18 at St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova |
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The diocesan quilt is ready to have the binding sewn onto its perimeter. This is the last step in the completion of the quilt. St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova has generously offered their parish hall again, and I have scheduled a workday on Thursday August 18, from 9:30am to mid afternoon.
The first phase will be machine-sewing the binding and hanging sleeves to the edges of the quilt, which is estimated to take about an hour (maybe a little longer). Beginning about 10:30, there will be opportunities for more volunteers to hand-sew the binding and the hanging "sleeves" to the back side of the quilt.
All members of our diocesan congregations who would like to participate are encouraged to contact Beth Carlson, project co-ordinator, at rbmj1616@gmail.com or 530-345-8142 for more information.
– Beth Carlson | Project Coordinator
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Diocesan Day of Discernment
Saturday, October 15 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
This is the first step for those interested in the ordination process. Discerners and sponsoring clergy must register and attend.
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Commission on the Environment forming
The Northern California Diocese is beginning a new focus on our precious planet with the formation of a Commission on the Environment.
Church leaders voted to form the commission at the 2019 Diocesan Convention. After a delayed start, the commission now meets monthly and is beginning to shape practices to help individual churches do more for the environment, both in their own communities and globally.
The resolution forming the commission recognizes that, in many ways, our lifestyles have had a damaging impact on our environment and the habitats we share with other creatures. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called on Episcopalians to “love God’s Creation” as God loves the world.
The new Commission on the Environment aims to help take us down this path. We will not issue edicts to churches. Rather, we will become a resource hub. Many churches in the diocese are already engaged in a variety of great environmental efforts, from producing their own solar power to including vegan options at coffee service. Many of these efforts link congregations with neighbors while reducing a church’s environmental footprint.
Numerous General Convention resolutions have called on Episcopalians to heal our planet from threats such as climate change and habitat destruction. They’ve encouraged practices such as energy and water efficiency, and sourcing locally grown food. The commission will examine these resolutions to identify projects for local churches. We will also highlight successful work, connect churches with project experts, and share best practices with those who wish to do more.
Our place in God’s Creation is inexorably linked with that of our neighbors. The Commission on the Environment acknowledges our interdependence with all life, and encourages us to collaborate for a better world. Working together with faith and determination, we may be able to heal some of the damage that’s been done.
The Commission’s next meeting is Thursday, September 8 at 1:00pm
via Zoom. To participate or learn more, please contact Miriam Casey at mlcasey7@yahoo.com.
– Matt Weiser | St. Paul's, Sacramento
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Mission for Disaster Resilience |
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The Great California Shake Out will be a part of our 2022 Diocesan Pre-Convention. It coincides with International Shake Out Day, which is always the third Thursday of October each year.
Our Workshop will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on Thursday, October 20 in the sanctuary of All Saint's Church, Redding.
It is a day of individual and community events featuring the largest earthquake drill ever, organized to inspire others to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover.
Reducing the impact of disaster on our people and our congregations is one of the primary goals of our diocese, but we can’t do it without your help. As part of this event, you will receive information on how to prepare for earthquakes and what actions to take during and after the shaking. We look forward to working together and taking the fear out of earthquakes.
Visit shakeout.org to learn more, and see what hazards are in your part of the diocese.
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August 21st, 2022
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 13:10-17
The healing of the crippled woman on the sabbath is interesting and instructive for a number of reasons. It occurs only in Luke (who has a special interest in the healing ministry of Jesus) and it is one of the few healing miracles which Jesus performs without being asked to do so. In it Jesus also makes the clear connection, in this case at least, between a physical malady and a spiritual bondage. The result of the healing shows a growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. This is not the last healing Jesus performs in Luke, but it is the last time we find him in the synagogue.
Healings in the gospels are always important in themselves. But they also point to something more that is happening, the breaking in of the Kingdom of God. John refers to healing miracles as “signs” (John 2:11). Here as elsewhere the healing brings “liberty to the captives,” (Luke 4:18, where Jesus quotes Isaiah 61). In Luke 13:10-17 it is clear that the liberation Jesus brings is both physical and spiritual. And that liberation leads to restoration. The unnamed woman is, according to Jesus, a “Daughter of Abraham.” Thus Jesus not only restores her to freedom and health, but re-affirms her dignity. If animals should be treated with mercy and care on the sabbath, how much more a daughter of Abraham, a true member of the people of God. Luke especially emphasizes the equality and dignity of women. This is all part and parcel of the New Creation which was the ultimate goal of Jesus’ mission. This unnamed woman, healed by Jesus, experienced the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.”
– The Rev. Peter Rodgers
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Commission for Intercultural Ministries |
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I Will, With God's Help:
Journey toward Racial Healing and Justice
Anti-racism workshops for the Episcopal Diocese of
Northern California
This one-day in-person workshop was specially developed for the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California by the Commission for Intercultural Ministries. Renew your Baptismal Covenant as we learn about forms of historic and contemporary racism and how to engage in ministry with sensitivity and respect for all.
Please note that due to the nature of the program, attendance is limited to 30 participants at each workshop.
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Two THREE Workshop Dates/Locations:
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Saturday, August 27 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Christ Church | Eureka
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Saturday, September 10 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church | Redding
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Saturday, September 24 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Church of the Incarnation | Santa Rosa
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Upcoming Events
Around The Diocese
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Sacred Ground Dialogue Circle
St. John’s | Roseville
11-session program, with small group discussion and reflection.
Meets bi-weekly on zoom, Wednesday evenings
Starts Wednesday, August 10 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
For more information contact
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Benefit Concerts for Ukrainian Refugees
Oleksandr Savchenko | Pianist
Sundays – August 14 & 21 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church | 1430 J St. | Sacramento
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Sister Joan Chittister | Zoom Webinar
A Monastic Heart: How to Live an Ordinary Life Extraordinarily Well
Saturday, September 10 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Presented by Episcopal Community Services & Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health.
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Cursillo 117
October 27 – 30 | Thursday – Sunday
Mt. Hope Bible Camp | located outside of Oroville
Accommodations for 25 candidates – applications on the website: cursilloncal.org. Potential candidates will need a sponsor (a previous Cursillo attendee). For information contact Jo Churchill at gjchurchill@snowcrest.net or call/text 530-524-1468
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35th Annual Diocesan Choir Festival
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Trinity Cathedral | Sacramento
All choral singers throughout the Diocese are invited
Guest conductor will be Dr. Bruce Neswick, the recently retired Canon for Cathedral Music Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.
To add yourself to the email list, contact David Link, Canon Precentor & Director of Music at Trinity Cathedral: link@trinitycathedral.org
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Job Opportunities Around The Diocese |
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All Saints | Sacramento, is seeking a ¾ time Interim Rector.
See position description here.
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St. John the Evangelist | Chico, is seeking a full-time Interim Rector.
See position description here.
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St. Clement's | Rancho Cordova is seeking a 3/4 time Priest-in-Charge.
See the position description here.
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St. Paul's | Sacramento is seeking a Music Director.
Read the job announcement here.
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Trinity | Folsom is seeking a Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries (Lay Position). Read the job announcement here.
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Diocesan Commissions | Committees | Ministries |
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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
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