Episcopal Diocese 

of Northern California

Beloved Community

Resource Newsletter

Published by

The Commission for

Intercultural Ministries

November 2022 

Episcopal Church Becoming Beloved Community

Newsletter Highlights:

• Diocesan Indigenous Missioner's 2022 Annual Report - The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell
• Local Sacred Ground Graduates Take “Next Step” to Learn About Most Prominent Indigenous Group in Their Region
• R1-2021: Resolution to Further 2022 General Convention Resolution A087 Through the Development of Congregation-Based Plans to Achieve Carbon-Neutral Facilities and Operations by 2030 - RESOLUTION PASSED
• November Sacred Ground Webinar: Beginner Facilitator Training
• Overview of Commission for Intercultural Ministries
• Racial Healing - A Weekend with Dr. Catherine Meeks
• "I Will, With God's Help: Journey Toward Racial Healing and Justice" Upcoming Workshop
• Celebrating the Life of Howard Thurman
• The Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family Forum and Book Signing - Sunday, December 11
• Update on Refugee Resettlement Efforts - November 6, 2022

November is Native American Heritage Month

As we enter the FALL season, our beautiful home of Sonoma County is in transition.

To our Pomo, Coast Miwok, and Wappo neighbors, Happy Acorn Gathering! Redbud Resource Group wants to acknowledge the month of November as Native American Heritage Month!

If you would like to learn more about Native American Heritage Month and what our community is doing, keep scrolling through our Newsletter.

Redbud's Executive Director Accepts Role on California's Holocaust and Genocide Education Council

Dear Redbud Community, On October 31st, I accepted a position on the inaugural Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education for the State of California. The Redbud team is hopeful that my participation on this council will lead to every California student knowing the ongoing impacts of the state sanctioned genocide against our families. California’s Native communities are survivors and thrivers--we continue to find ways to celebrate and protect our cultures and families despite the countless acts of violence that have been wielded against us over the last 180+ years. We hope we can create a platform to uplift stories of resistance, survival, joy, and strength in the context of a very difficult time in our history.

Diocesan Indigenous Missioner's 2022 Annual Report

The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell

Local Sacred Ground Graduates Take “Next Step” to Learn About

Most Prominent Indigenous Group in Their Region

By Diane Williamson, St. John's Episcopal Church, Roseville, and

Patricia Heinicke, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento

L-R: Donna Reynolds and Diane Williamson, St. John's Episcopal Church, Roseville; Patricia Heinicke, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento; and Jo Ann Williams, St. John's Episcopal Church, Roseville, at the Firehouse Museum in Nevada City.

Participants in Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles are exposed to a vast array of historical facts, including the knowledge that the land that is now called the United States of America was not uninhabited or free for the taking before European settlers arrived. Indigenous communities have been present across the land for millennia, with over 100 Indigenous language groups in California alone. Yet many non-Indigenous Californians know very little about the peoples who have lived here since time immemorial.

So one group of Sacred Ground graduates, from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roseville, started asking questions: “Who lived in our area of Placer County before European settlers came, and what were they like?” “What happened to cause the original inhabitants to leave their land, if they did, and where did they go?” Their curiosity led this group to do some research.

Nicole Mann Becomes First Native Woman to Go to Space

Nicole Aunapu Mann, the first indigenous woman from NASA to go to space, is orbiting the Earth on the International Space Station. Mann is registered with the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. She commanded NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched on October 5, 2022, during its flight to the station. Ahead of her mission, Mann told Indian Country Today "it's very exciting to be the first Native woman in space. I think it's important that we communicate this to our community, so that other Native kids, if they thought maybe that this was not a possibility or to realize that some of those barriers that used to be there are really starting to get broken down.”

Mann, a Colonel in the US Marine Corp, was born in Petaluma, California, and grew up in Sonoma County. She graduated from the US Naval Academy and Stanford University. As a Marine pilot she has flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and served as a test pilot. She was named an astronaut in 2013.

On her journey into space, Mann brought a dream catcher from her mother, a surprise gift for her family and her wedding rings. She also hopes her presence will inspire future generations of astronauts from diverse backgrounds.

Read Col Mann’s complete Bio - https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/nicole-a-mann

Watch the International Space Station pass overhead and wave hello to Nicole.

The space station is the third brightest object in the sky and is easy to spot and see if you know when and where to look. Click here to learn when the station is passing over your community - https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/

Submitted by Bob Wohlsen

The Guardians of the Future

It's time for Indigenous voices to lead the climate fight.

New York Times I Opinion I Posted October 1, 2022

Photographs by Camila Falquez

Text by Isvett Verde

Ms. Falquez is a photographer and visual artist. Ms. Verde is a staff editor in Opinion.

The natural resources that Indigenous peoples depend on are inextricably linked to their identities, cultures and livelihoods. Even relatively small changes in temperature or rainfall can make their lands more susceptible to rising sea levels, droughts and forest fires. As the climate crisis escalates, activists fighting to protect what remain of the world’s forests are at risk of being persecuted by their governments — and even at risk of death.

For decades Indigenous activists have been sounding the alarm. But their warnings have too often been ignored. So, they organized.

R1-2021: Resolution to Further 2022 General Convention Resolution A087 Through the Development of Congregation-Based Plans to Achieve Carbon-Neutral Facilities and Operations by 2030

RESOLUTION PASSED

Listen to Miriam Casey and The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan, members of the Commission on the Environment, explain the resolution that passed at this year's Diocesan Convention.

White Christian nationalism is not Christianity, presiding bishop says during panel discussion

Episcopal News Service I Egan Millard I Posted October 27, 2022

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, in an Oct. 26 seminar at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., reiterated The Episcopal Church’s position that white Christian nationalism is a gross perversion of Christianity, and that Christians must refute such ideologies.

The seminar, titled “How White Christian Nationalism threatens our democracy,” took place at the university’s Center on Faith and Justice and was hosted by the Rev. Jim Wallis, the center’s founding director and founder of Sojourners. Co-sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Washington National Cathedral and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the discussion brought together Wallis, Curry, BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler and University of Oklahoma sociology professor Samuel Perry.

“I would say that white Christian nationalism is the single greatest threat to democracy in America,” Wallis warned in his introduction. “It’s also the greatest threat to the integrity of the Christian witness.”

Missouri church commissions stained glass showing Jesus, other biblical figures as people of color

Episcopal News Service I Egan Millard I Posted November 3, 2022

"Rise Up," a stained glass window bank by Cbabi Bayoc at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in University City, Missouri. Photo source: Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion

A Missouri church whose stained glass windows reflect disputed racial representations of historical Christianity and don’t reflect the current makeup of the parish is commissioning a new set of windows depicting Jesus and other biblical figures as people of color.

Advent is a season of preparation: shopping for gifts, decorating our homes and sanctuaries. Advent is also a time to prepare our hearts and communities for the coming of Christ, the Almighty God who came among us poor and homeless, a stranger and a child. There may be no better time to reflect on how we as the Episcopal Church embrace the Holy One who continues to draw near in the neighbor, the stranger, the refugee, or the one who seems most “other” to you. It is the ideal season to commit to becoming Beloved Community and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships across the human family of God.

Peace on Earth – and at Christmas Dinner: Transforming toxic conversations about race, class, and justice

Join us for three evenings in Advent 2022

Register here

Tuesdays @ 4:00-5:30pm PST online

An Advent program of listening and remembering, connecting and prayer. Using movement-based spiritual reflection, key concepts from Scripture, and peace-building practices, we’ll explore how to avoid storming out, rolling over, or melting down during conversations across serious difference.

November Sacred Ground Webinar: Beginner Facilitator Training

Are you new to facilitating Sacred Ground or to facilitation in general? Are you considering facilitating the curriculum? Then this is the perfect starting point for you! 

Join Dr. Enid LaGesse and Dr. Jayne Osgood, two facilitators with extensive experience leading Sacred Ground circles in a variety of contexts, together and separately, for Interracial Circles and White Work Circles. Their 2-hour training will help ground you in some key tools and sensibilities that will facilitate your successful facilitation of the Sacred Ground series. There will be several break-out groups for more peer exchange, as well as plenary time. 

Join us November 17th from 10:30 - 12:30 PM PT

Keeping Track of Sacred Ground

Are you forming a Sacred Ground Circle? Let the Commission for Intercultural Ministries know by registering it here: https://forms.gle/hriHCPKmLwjUHEyEA

Are you interested in joining a Sacred Ground Circle? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/G26EPxDzEFSpnsZW7

Overview of Commission for Intercultural Ministries

Remembering Matthew Shepard

Bishop Gene Robinson gave an emotional speech during the interment service for Matthew Shepard at Washington National Cathedral on Oct. 26. Several events are planned at the Cathedral commemorating Matthew Shepard on December 1, his birthday, to include morning prayer and an evening service which will include the dedication of a newly commissioned portrait of Matthew by artist Kelly Latimore.

Racial Healing

A Weekend with Dr. Catherine Meeks

Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, hosted Dr. Catherine Meeks, Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing, the weekend of October 28. In his weekly vlog to Trinity Cathedral parishioners, Dean Matthew Woodward asks parishioners "to watch and allow her words to speak to you and invite you to healing and wholeness in the area of your perspectives on race."

An Evening With Dr. Meeks

Friday, October 28

Dr. Meeks' opening address. She discusses the use of language.

Saturday Morning Workshop, October 29

A workshop on racial healing. She discusses two meditations from her recent book, The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning.

Dr. Meeks' Sermon

Sunday, October 30

Dr. Meeks preaches at the 11 am service.

I Will, With God's Help:

Journey Toward Racial Healing and Justice

Upcoming Workshop

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.

Saturday, January 21 I 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral I Sacramento

Register: https://forms.gle/tAa9a3Wmij2e3PsL9

Additional workshops are being planned by the Commission for Intercultural Ministries for 2023. Be on the lookout for announcements in the Diocesan E-News and in the Beloved Community Resource Newsletter.

Celebrating the Life of Howard Thurman

Thursday, November 21, 6 pm

Come join Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, for a special evening commemorating the life of Howard Thurman (1899–1981) who had an enormous influence on the civil rights movement and its leaders. The Cathedral will have a special Holy Eucharist on November 17 celebrating his life followed by a presentation by The Rev. Jim Richardson, Associate Priest at Trinity Cathedral.

Thurman wrote a groundbreaking book in 1949, Jesus and the Disinherited, which had a major impact on one young ministry student in particular: Martin Luther King, Jr. In later years, the Rev. Dr. King carried Thurman’s book in his suitcase in his travels as a leader in the civil rights movement. Thurman died in San Francisco in November 1981.

This past summer, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church began the process that could lead to placing Thurman on our calendars of “saints.” The resolution for his inclusion was proposed by the Diocese of Northern California.

In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in Thurman’s life and work. Thurman’s books have been used in the Sacred Ground program in the Episcopal Church and as supplemental reading in the Education for Ministry program. His speeches, articles and books have been the topic of recent seminars, webinars and retreats. Come join Trinity Cathedral for an enriching evening exploring his life and wisdom.

When: Thursdays - 6:00 pm

Where: Cathedral & Assembly Area

Access: In person or on Zoom | Email Susan Hotchkiss for the Zoom link

The Abolitionist's Journal:

Memories of an American Antislavery Family

Forum and Book Signing - Sunday, December 11

The Rev. Jim Richardson published The Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family, recounting his journey as he retraced the steps of his ancestor, George Richardson, an abolitionist Methodist pastor in the 19th century. On Sunday, December 11, Fr. Jim will lead a forum and sign books in the Great Hall at Trinity Cathedral during coffee hour, 10-11 am.

Fr. Jim had an amazing visit at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, the historically Black college founded by his abolitionist Richardson ancestors. He gave the convocation address, recounting the many travails launching and sustaining the school. He received a resounding ovation, which he says was really an ovation for all those courageous souls who have persevered over the last 147 years of the school. You can view his speech starting at the 1:02 mark on YouTube.

Update on Refugee Resettlement Efforts

November 6, 2022

The victims of war and violence, refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine are flooding the greater Sacramento region. The three resettlement agencies in the area are struggling to assist the large number of people who need their services. Due to the level of need, they are recruiting volunteers to help through Sponsor Circles.

Sponsor Circles (also known as Good Neighbor Teams) are simply a group of 5 to 8 individuals who commit to helping a refugee family get settled in our community. The need varies from family to family, but the basics are the same. Members of a Sponsor Circle provide a refugee family with an introduction to a new neighborhood and a new culture. Most things like showing them the location of the nearest grocery store, how to enroll their children in school, and where to get a driver’s license are tasks anyone can do. Communities in Redding, Sacramento, Napa, Petaluma and Santa Rosa have active Sponsor Circles. Members report they receive as much as they give by helping a family adjust to a new life here in California.

Parishioners at St. Martin’s and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Woodland are members of a 17-member interfaith group that is meeting to talk about their interest in forming a Yolo County Sponsor Circle. On November 14, we will meet with representatives from the resettlement agency, World Relief, to learn more about the level of commitment required with respect to both time and money. We will also ask questions about the support offered by World Relief and decide whether to partner with them. 

If you would like to work with volunteers from several faith communities to help a refugee family make a home here in Yolo County, please call Molly Hillis at 530-902-9482 or Lynn Zender at 530-574-6559.

Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course (ELMC)

January 21-28, 2023

Alexandria, VA

Registration is open for the Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course, an innovative multiday intensive course. ELMC will be held at Virginia Theology Seminary in Alexandria, VA from January 21-28, 2023.

This popular course is offered by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries and taught by seminary faculty, clergy, and lay leaders with extensive experience in Latino and intercultural ministry. 

“Combining academic learning with hands-on experience, the purpose of this multi-faceted intensive course is to provide cultural competency of the history, culture, socio-demographic, and religious aspects of the Latinos/Hispanics in the United States,” said The Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries. “Also, this course will provide the foundational tools necessary for church leaders to discern and explore the type of Latino/Hispanic ministry that best fits a congregational setting and its context.”

Registration Deadline: January 13, 2023

"Build a Longer Table" - Kelly Latimore

Episcopal Migration Ministries' 2023 calendar to feature Kelly Latimore icons

Office of Public Affairs I Posted October 13, 2022

Episcopal Migration Ministries is teaming up with renowned iconographer Kelly Latimore to create an inaugural monthly calendar featuring depictions of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons.

The 2023 calendar includes a newly commissioned triptych for EMM—titled “Build a Longer Table”—featuring the holy family and representations of individuals served by EMM throughout its 80-plus-year ministry.

A pair of Levi's that sold for $76K reflects anti-Chinese sentiment of 19th century

NPR I Jaclyn Diaz and Jonathan Franklin I Posted October 14, 2022

Contemporary Levi's jeans are displayed at a Kohl's store. A pocket on an 1880s-era pair of Levi's recently sold at auction says, "The only kind made by white labor."

Jeff Chiu/AP        

A pair of Levi's jeans sold for more than $75,000. Don't worry. Inflation hasn't gotten that bad.

The (really, really) old pair of jeans hails from the 19th century. The jeans were put up for bid at an auction in New Mexico. Two vintage-clothing collectors teamed up to put down the cash in order to bring this piece of history back to California.

With the 15% buyer's premium, the duo (Zip Stevenson and Kyle Haupert) put down a combined $87,400. The agreement to go into the deal together was made as the jeans were being auctioned. The deal was captured by Haupert's phone and posted on Instagram.

The pants were found years ago by denim historian Michael Harris in an abandoned mine shaft, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Aside from the pants' wear and tear and what the buyers and Harris believe to be candle wax from the former wearer (a miner, they seem to believe), the jeans hold another piece of history — one that Levi's is likely to want to forget.

A police chief is bringing his community together with his vision for law enforcement

CNN Champions for Change

Alisyn Camerota introduces us to Chief Foti Koskinas and his Westport, Connecticut, police force who are restoring faith in American law enforcement with innovative community involvement.

The Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022 (S.4649) is one piece of legislation that will address this crisis. The bill provides Congressional authorization to Feed the Future, a U.S. government initiative charged with combating chronic hunger and food insecurity around the world. Through Feed the Future, the U.S. government works with low-income countries to enhance agricultural development, nutrition, and overall food security. Increased investments by the U.S. and participating countries have strengthened the ability of smallholder farmers to feed their families and communities, and thus contribute to their countries’ economic growth. Feed the Future estimates that its programs have prevented 3.4 million children from stunting and have lifted 23.4 million people out of poverty.

The House of Representatives has already passed this bill, it is now time for the Senate to do the same. Act now and urge your Senator to pass S.4649! 

Several states and many cities have already adopted the changes to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We are asking you to urge your members of Congress to support the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act (H.R. 5473/S. 2919), which would designate Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a national legal public holiday and replace the term “Columbus Day” with the term “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California

Commission for Intercultural Ministries

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