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In this edition of ENews:
- Best Skills, Best Churches Registration Deadline Extended to Sept. 9
- The Office of the Bishop is on TikTok!
- Important Convention Deadlines
- Stewardship Campaign Resources for Congregations
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Mission for Disaster Resilience – The Power of Hello
- Center for Bible Study announces Hybrid Class
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Best Skills, Best Churches Registration Deadline Extended to September 9
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The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California is once again partnering with Arizona State University, Lodestar Center to bring you Best Skills – Best Churches, an innovative program designed to help you grow and strengthen your church.
Click here for the schedule and additional information.
Register here.
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The Office of the Bishop is on TikTok!
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Watch Bishop Megan and Canon Julie demonstrate different Covid protocols for Diocesan Convention while showing their cool dance moves!
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Only 51 Days until Convention! | |
Registration is open!
for Clergy, Delegates, Alternates and Visitors. To register, visit the convention website. Prices increase after September 9.
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Nominations Deadline Extended to September 21 | |
As of the Friday, August 19 deadline, we received the following nominations: | |
STANDING COMMITTEE
Three Positions Open – Two Clergy, One Lay | Four-year term
No Nominations Received
Note: The original call for nominations had one clergy and one lay position available. There are in fact two clergy openings.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Two Positions Open – Either Clergy or Lay | Three-year term
Lay Nominee:
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Ms. Margie Harrison-Smith | Incumbent
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2024 GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES
16 Positions Open – Four Clergy Deputies, Four Clergy Alternates,
Four Lay Deputies, Four Lay Alternates
Clergy Deputy Nominees:
- The Rev. Mary C. Claugus
- The Rev. Robin Denney*
- The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan
- The Rev. Daniel DeForest London
- The Rev. Jim Richardson
- The Rev. Matt Warren
Lay Deputy Nominees:
- Jay Elmquist
- Peter Juve
- Susan B. Myers
* The Rev. Robin Denney's name was inadvertently omitted from last weeks' ENews.
We apologize for the error.
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In accordance with 2022 Convention House Rule 13b, the Deadline for Nominations is extended to Wednesday, September 21 at 12 midnight. For more information and nomination forms, visit the convention website. | |
Respond to the CALL!
The Rev. Alex Leach, and The Rev. Dr. Daniel London, are both teaching online courses for CDSP’s Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL) program this Fall.
CALL works actively with partner dioceses across the Episcopal Church to develop curricula and continuing education courses that support local formation for ordained ministry and complement diocesan-based retreats and formation experiences. Any lay or ordained person can take courses through CALL. Participants do NOT need to go through CDSP’s degree program admissions process.
Rev. Daniel's class has a waitlist, however, There is still room in Rev. Alex's class– Navigating Conflict: Speaking the Truth in Love, but it's filling fast! Register here.
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The Rev. Alex Leach, Rector of St. Luke's, Woodland
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Left: The Rev. Grant Bakewell with St. Matthew’s banner in front of the State Capitol. Above Right: Healthcare Workers march in support of farmworkers. Lower Right: Grant Bakewell+ and Kathy Bolen of Trinity Cathedral. | |
Farm Workers, Supporters March for Voting Rights Reform in California
Last Friday, August 26, almost 5,000 farmworkers and their supporters arrived at the State Capitol to ask for one thing: Governor Newsom’s signature on a bill (currently AB 2183) extending the voting rights that every California voter now enjoys to farmworker union elections. Although absentee, mail-in, and dropbox voting has been our public norm for decades, farmworker elections with respect to union representation have continuously been held at a farm, ranch, or workplace, often with little privacy or outside, impartial oversight. The result has been worker intimidation and threatened or actual deportation, for simply exercising a worker’s right to vote for or against union representation.
While stating his support for farmworker rights, at this writing, Gov. Newsom has objected to what he believes are insufficient safeguards to insure a free and fair election. While he and our Legislators hopefully come to an agreement to sign an amended agreement guaranteeing free, fair, reliable, and safe elections, many farmworkers and their supporters now remain camped out at the Capitol, urging the bill’s passage before the Sept. 1 legislature deadline.
The Episcopal Church has long stood in favor of free and fair elections nationwide, and continues to urge all Episcopalians to register, educate ourselves, and vote, especially in the November election. Important state and national legislation with respect to farmworker and immigrant health, safety, and human rights has also been endorsed and supported by our General Convention, and carried out ably by the Episcopal Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy network.
Read More to find out how you can help.
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Missioner for Church Life | |
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Looking for some fresh ideas for this year’s stewardship campaign? Interested in some easily adaptable stewardship resources? Check out The Episcopal Network for Stewardship at www.TENS.org
The 2023 TENS pledge campaign, titled “More than Enough”, is available for your use, and the materials include:
- Seasonal Reflections
- Logos and artwork
- Timeline and Campaign Implementation
- Prayers of the People
- Sample Campaign Letters
- Sample Pledge Cards
- Weekly Reflections, Sept. 11 – Nov. 13
All resources are presented in MS Word and PDF for maximum customizing and are available in English and Spanish.
Even if you have your 2023 campaign all planned out, still be sure to visit the website. Across decades, many stewardship Leaders of the church have contributed their wisdom, teachings, and ideas in the form of blog posts, articles, and videos. The resources available fall into these categories:
To access the 2023 pledge campaign materials (which are behind a paywall), clergy and stewardship chairs can email the Rev. Mack Olson, Missioner for Church Life, at Mack@norcalepiscopal.org and he will provide you with the login information.
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Missioner for Disaster Resilience | |
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Did you know that you can do a lot to keep your church events safe and joyful for those in attendance, without much training at all? Even in a world that seems to become more divided and extreme with each passing year, there are small actions that can help identify and stop threats to our churches, while also helping to spread the Christian welcome to those who come to visit us.
To help prevent tragedy at our churches, we must first make people feel welcome, and we can use the Power of Hello to do so.
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OBSERVE - Stay vigilant of what is happening and pay attention to suspicious behavior.
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SAY HELLO - Acknowledging a risk can deter a threat. Smile and say, “Hello, how are you?” or “Is this your first time here, I don’t think we’ve met.” A friendly welcome is helpful at any time.
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DETERMINE RISK – Ask yourself if there is a real problem, and trust your answer. The person may be lost in doing things the “Episcopalian way”, grieving, living with a mental illness, or something else.
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OBTAIN HELP – If needed, contact church leadership or civil authorities for help. This may deter an impending event, or maybe help a person in trouble receive the assistance they need.
By simply being friendly, we can help mitigate some of the bad in the world. Let us be the first to take steps in making things better, by saying hello when we meet someone new in the body of Christ.
– Mark G. Dibelka | Missioner for Disaster Resilience
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September 4, 2022 –
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 14:25-33
“Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
This passage contains the quintessential hard saying of Jesus, about hating the members of one’s family in order to be a disciple of Jesus. (verse 26). Understandably we struggle to figure out what Jesus means by this jarring saying.
Here we may find help and comfort from our own Anglican tradition.
In particular, Article 20 of the Thirty-nine Articles (BCP p.871) states that the church must not interpret “one place of scripture, that it be repugnant to another.” In this quaint sixteenth century language we find a way of moving forward with this difficult saying of Jesus. For Jesus elsewhere upheld the law, including the fifth commandment to honor your father and your mother. And he explicitly criticizes those who neglect this commandment by giving what was rightfully for the help of their parents to the service of God. (Mark 7:9-13). We may conclude that Jesus did not mean that this word In Luke 14:26 should be taken literally, and that his disciples must hate their parents or other members of their family. What, then, does Jesus mean?
The language Jesus is using is hyperbole. This was a common way of speaking in the Judaism of his time. By using exaggerated language he so emphasizes the disciple’s commitment to him that all other allegiances must seem like hatred in comparison. We find this kind of language in the Old Testament: Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (Mal 1:2-3, Romans 9:13). This does not mean that the Lord literally hates Esau. It is rather the language that emphasizes the clear choice of Jacob to carry out his purpose.
So too, the language of taking up the cross. Jesus’ choice to follow the will of his father meant ultimately his death on the cross. See the call to discipleship in Luke 9:23. Though some may find their discipleship leads literally to execution. Jesus uses this striking image to emphasize the radical nature of Christian discipleship. We in the developed countries of the Western world don’t regularly face this radical call and cost of discipleship. We need to listen to many of our Christian brothers and sisters in the two-thirds world who regularly face such a call and challenge.
– The Rev. Peter Rodgers
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Hybrid Course Announced
The Center for Bible Study will be offering a hybrid course (online and in person) based at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Rocklin.
The subject will be Exploring the Old Testament in the New
It will be taught by the Rev. Peter Rodgers, and based on his 2012 book of that title. The course is free, but with a suggested $50 donation (or whatever one can afford for the book). The course will meet at St. Augustine's and online at 7 p.m. on Thursdays beginning September 8.
For details and registration visit: www.centerforbiblestudy.wordpress.com
If you have questions, email Peter Rodgers at peterrodg@gmail.com.
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Commission for Intercultural Ministries | |
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Calling all Episcopal Deacons!
“Helping Episcopalians Vote Faithfully in U.S. Elections” with the Association for Episcopal Deacons on Thursday, September 8 3:00 – 4:00 (Pacific) and special guest Bryce Bennett from Vote Early Day. All can attend, but we will take a particular angle for deacons.
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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
These one-day in-person Workshops were 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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Upcoming Workshop Dates/Locations: | |
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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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
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VA2AGhckTdOsj26viD0xjQ
Presented by Episcopal Community Services & Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health.
Visit www.norcalecs.org for more information.
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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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Incarnation | Santa Rosa is seeking a part-time, lay or ordained,
Pastoral Care Coordinator. 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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Diocesan Commissions | Committees | Ministries | |
Corrections: Last week's article about the 2022 Camp Living Waters was written by Camp Director Emily Armstrong Buck. The photo was taken by Jonah Hohl. | |
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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