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17th Emmaus Talk: Become A Community! | |
This note of gratitude and hope comes to you from Province VIII Bishop’s retreat held at the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, California. Last year this time I wrote to you from the Diocese of Arizona. Being with wise and great women and men, bishops of our dioceses in Province VIII is a blessing beyond measure. I am grateful to God for their wisdom, grace, courage, and compassion.
Also, this note is to tell you how grateful I am to each of those who contributed to the Bishop’s Mission Appeal. The final numbers will be coming soon, but the initial count of what has come in so far, is an amazing start and I am so very grateful to the generous souls who contributed to the mission work in four churches in Eastern and Central Deaneries. Thank YOU. You can still give to this cause if you haven't already done so by scanning the QR code above or following this link. The four churches we will be focusing on in 2024 are Calvary, Jerome; Grace, Glenns Ferry; Epiphany, Arco, and St. Paul's, Blackfoot!
As I was walking in prayer through the halls of this retreat center here, I read a small print on a painting on the wall, “…we are either going to become a community or we are going to die.” Barbara Ward. I took the picture for two reasons. 1. For the quote 2. To send it to our Deacon Barbara Ward who faithfully serves three congregations: Calvary, Jerome; Christ, Shoshone; and St. Matthew’s, Rupert, with great love and being a community with them sharing her time, talent, and treasure. Thank YOU, Deacon Barbara!
This is what I invite each of you to be in 2024: A Community. Become ONE Community that shares everything without fear or anxiety. We will grow once we are not curtailed by our fears, but led by our hopes! Hope is in the power of the Holy Spirit. Giving oneself to the cause of God in faith and love is the fruit of the Spirit!
Your brother in Christ
+Jos
The Rt. Rev. Jos Tharakan
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Prayer for January 2024
God of presence and perseverance, help us become aware of your presence with us in the dark moments of our lives. As we celebrate Epiphany, let us not to be afraid of darkness rather fill us with holy fear that makes us prudent in what we do and entrust unhealthy anxieties into your hands. When our friends and neighbors are afraid of each other for reasons known and unknown, may we be blessed with the wisdom of the Magi who spoke when they needed to and moved on through the darkness as they made their way into your light in the crib. Amen.
Jos+
Bishop of Idaho
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Upcoming Meetings & Events | |
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January 16 - Paradise Point Sunday Training on Zoom at 6:00 PM
January 19-20 - DC & SC Retreat at All Saints
January 20 - COM Meeting on Zoom at 10:00 AM
January 23 - Dean's Meet on Zoom at 2:00 PM
January 23 - Your Hopes for Paradise Point on Zoom at 6:00 PM
January 24 - SC & Bishop's Meeting on Zoom at 7:00 PM
January 25 - Deacon's Meeting on Zoom at 7:30 PM
February 1 - RMLT on Zoom at 10:00 AM
February 6 - Clergy Meeting at 6:30 PM on Zoom
February 9-10 - Preaching Practicum
February 10 - Paradise Point Donor Dinner
February 11 - Paradise Point Sunday
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Visitations
Schedules often change, so make sure to check the diocesan calendar using the button above.
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Bishop Jos
January 3-5 - Province VIII Bishop's Retreat
January 6-10 - Consecration Arkansas
January 13-16: Winter Talk
January 19-20: DC, SC Retreat
January 28 - Grace, Nampa
February 4 - Holy Trinity, Buhl
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas Message | |
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St. Andrew's, McCall Suffers Small Fire
On Christmas morning at St. Andrew's, an unfortunate incident occurred as a small fire broke out. We are grateful the damage to the building was minimal and for the emergency services that put out the fire on Christmas Day. If you'd like to support St. Andrew's as they repair the altar and smoke damaged materials, reach out to Rv. Bill Brown. Let us keep the St. Andrew's community and all of the organizations that use their lovely space in our prayers. More details can be found in this article.
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Bishop's Appeal Mailer
This year, we sent out over 4000 letters across the Diocese for the Bishop's appeal. If by any chance you did not receive a letter, we ask you to respond to this email with your current mailing address. It has come to our attention that several letters were returned, and we want to ensure every member of our community receives the correspondence we send. Your response will help us update our records and ensure that you continue to receive vital information and updates from the Diocese. You can access the letter here.
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Five Week Course on Antisemitism Available
Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese The Rev. Joseph Farnes and Bishop Jos encourage participation in this event for CEU for Clergy.
Antisemitism: Understanding its Origins and Current Manifestations
Antisemitism (AS) is a significant and long-standing historical problem. In our current era, despite the horrors of the Holocaust in the 20th Century, AS is still very much with us and again on the rise. In America, AS hate crimes are, per capita, one of the most common hate crimes in our country. The current war in Gaza has only made the issue and conundrum of AS even more significant.
The questions that we are going to examine in this class are the WHY of these trends and issues.
- Why is AS such a fixture of the era since Christianity began?
- What is it about Christianity that almost makes AS a necessary part of the Christian landscape?
- In America, the cohort of non-Jews who are the most antisemitic are also among the largest supporters of Israel. What causes this paradoxical situation?
- Why is it problematic in our current era to call Jesus a “Palestinian Jew”, as many progressive Christians have taken to doing?
- Why did it take until the 1960s, not the 560s!, for the Pope to officially declare that the “Jews didn’t kill Jesus”?
- What is problematic about Western Christians taking ‘sides’ in the current conflict in Israel/Palestine without reflecting upon Christian history?
If these questions are of interest, then this class is for you!
Cost $100
January 22 - February 19
All materials will be online. The class can be done on your own. There will be live sessions Monday 10-11 PST and Thursday 3-4 PST on Zoom. All live sessions are recorded so you can catch one if you miss it. Each live session will cover a different topic.
For questions, or to register, contact Daniel Wolpert at micahprays@gmail.com
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Preaching Practicum
Called to Preach? Did you know that lay people can be authorized to preach at parishes within the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho? Training by invitation or nomination (speak to your priest or deacon or call the Diocesan Office, Canon Emily or Deacon Tammy Jones) is offered once or twice yearly to lay people who seek to develop and hone their skills in interpretation of Scripture, approaches to homiletics and practice preaching within a group setting. Lay preachers are licensed by the Diocese and preachers serve at the discretion of the priest/deacon or senior warden in charge of the parish. Licenses are renewed through regular training, group work and feedback. Feel called? We might be ready to hear your voice!
Save The Date: Preaching Practicum 2024
February 9-11, St. James Church and Retreat Center, Payette, ID
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Sun Valley Hiring Parish Administrator
Our friendly, vibrant church is seeking a personable, professional, and efficient Administrator to make our parish life run smoothly. This is a full-time (40 hrs/week), year-round position with benefits. Duties range from basic office management and financial oversight to facilitating volunteer groups and programs. More detailed information is available. See the full Job Posting Here.
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Paradise Point Announcements | |
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Camp registration for all camps is open now!
Staff Applications: Seasonal Staff applications open December 1. Do you know someone that would be a great camp team member? Seeking compassionate, enthusiastic staff for a summer of faith, fellowship, and fun! Information and applications online at ParadisePointCamp.org under the "work with us" section.
Paradise Point Sunday Volunteers Needed: Seeking 1 youth and 1 adult per parish to share Paradise Point Camp's 2024 information and stories of camp impact at Paradise Point Camp Sunday (Feb. 11, 2024). Online zoom training and all materials will be provided. Contact Renee at registrar@Episcopalidaho.org to represent Paradise Point Camp to your parish.
Kegs 4 Kause: Join Paradise Point Camp for another Kegs 4 Kause! March 11th at Payette Brewing in Boise, 6-10pm. Staff will lead camp games in the outdoor courtyard for the young and young at heart. More details to come!
Camp Seeks Ski-Boat: Do you have an in-board motor ski-boat that needs a home on the Payette Lake June-July? Seeking a safety minded owner to drive (or have qualified camp staff drive) a ski boat to take campers tubing 1-2 week days. Boat can be docked at Paradise Point and accessed whenever you need it. Help us keep costs down and continue a favorite camp activity. Let's chat! Megan Kittridge, CampDirector@EpiscopalIdaho.org.
Paradise Point Camp Sunday is February 11. Wear your camp gear and share your love for Paradise Point Camp with your parish, friends, and family.
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A Case For Love Documentary Theater Screening
"Our society is more divided than ever. Many have moved into tribal corners, seeing the world from an “us versus them” point of view. The teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about “The Power of Love” at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, inspire A CASE FOR LOVE. This feature-length documentary examines the question of whether or not love, specifically—unselfish—love, is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the world..... Read more
https://www.fathomevents.com/events/a-case-for-love/
Four Locations in Idaho: Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Twin Falls.
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