As I See It | The Rt. Rev. Megan Traquair | |
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Dear Colleagues,
As I write, I am preparing to join other Bishops of Province VIII for our Winter gathering in Tucson, Arizona. It will be a week of learning, fellowship, and worship. Although a busy time, it will also be a time of creating new bonds and strengthening connections with colleagues. Those collegial friendships can be critical for clergy.
From my travels and conversations with ordained leaders, I have heard there is a need and interest in information and content that is primarily aimed at the life and work of clergy. Rather than expand the weekly ENews with this content, we are introducing the C-News, a monthly newsletter with content that is aimed at you, the active and retired clergy of the Diocese of Northern California.
The C-News is designed to give you resources in your role, whether active or retired. There will be reminders of upcoming deadlines and events. We’ll also include news about clergy transitions in the diocese. More important, we’ll include content that stimulates conversation and connections with colleagues. Each issue will have a theme, and we’ll be inviting guest writers to contribute content.
Likewise, we want to include opportunities for comment and feedback on something you’ve read. We plan to include book reviews, links to worship resources, and opportunities for continued growth. Future editions will include a bulletin board section where you can unload unused vestments, furniture, books, etc.
At its core, this will be a resource for you, our valued clergy as you live out your vows and ministry. The C-News is designed to be a tool you can use, and we invite you to be part of making it a valuable resource.
Blessings to you as we move through the Season of Epiphany.
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Canonically Speaking | The Rev. Canon Julie Wakelee
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Dear colleagues,
Wishing you a joyful Feast of the Epiphany! As this new season begins to unfold before us, I am thinking about goals, ideas, and inspiration for the year ahead. I know you are likely doing the same, as you prepare for annual meetings, new vestries, and all that goes with them.
Do you have a dream or a goal for 2023 to gain a new skill, take a deep dive into some theology (or something that feeds you), or attend a long-awaited conference?
One area that I know has necessarily taken backseat during these recent years of plague and contagion is our own continuing education. Our canons (TEC Cn. III.9.1 ) require the Office of the Bishop to receive annual reports on what you are learning in your yearly time set aside for professional growth.
Now that we are moving more steadily back into patterns that look familiar, it’s time to make sure this important work for your benefit gets included in goals and plans for the year.
We do not have a “do” or “don’t do” list of activities or courses. We trust that you know what you need. That said, if you want guidance or resources, please be in touch. Perhaps you want to take a class, attend a conference, learn a language to enhance your ministry, or do some reading and writing on a retreat.
By March, we will have a new form for continuing education available on the diocesan website (watch this space – we will also have a link in this newsletter). Meanwhile, please know you can contact me if you need ideas, or help making a contact, or even some modest financial support.
Thank you for your ministry.
May this year bring you joy and blessings.
In Christ,
Cn. Julie
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Congregational Resources for Clergy | |
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2023 Lent Resources
Ash Wednesday will be here before you know it, so be sure to begin your planning for Lent! Our diocesan website now has a page with various resources for use as individuals, families, or congregations.
New resources will be added in the weeks to come, so be sure to check back often. https://www.norcalepiscopal.org/site/lenten-resources/#tab-id-2
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Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for 2023 now available
Download the 2023 30-Day Prayer Calendar Here.
Download the 2023 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Here.
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Administration | Finance Update | |
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2022 Year-End Expense Reimbursement Requests
The deadline to submit check requests for ALL expense reimbursements relating to 2020 diocesan activities is Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Download - Check Request Form for 01/01/2022 - 6/30/2022
Download - Check Request Form for 07/01/2022 - 12/31/2022
TEC Parochial Reports; Office of the Bishop Congregation Information forms due March 1, 2023
Both the online Parochial Report and the 2023 Congregation Information Form (CIF) are due March 1, 2023.
You can submit the CIF in two ways:
Download the CIF here. Once completed email it to oob@norcalepiscopal.org.
You may submit your form electronically by clicking here to complete the form online.
Imputed Income - Action required
All church institutions are reminded to contact their payroll service provider to inform them that imputed income information may need to be added to their annual W-2 Wage and Tax Statements for 2022. Imputed Income letters were mailed and emailed to churches and employees the second week in December.
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W-2s should not be processed until the church institution receives a letter from the Office of the Bishop disclosing the amount of imputed income for each employee. These letters have already been sent out to churches via email and snail mail from the Office of the Bishop.
2023 Congregational Range Sheet
The 2023 Congregational Range Sheet is created through an analysis of a number of factors from each congregation's 2022 Parochial Report, which is filed with The Episcopal Church. These factors include Sunday attendance, operating expenses and outreach.
The Congregational Range Sheet serves several important purposes, two of which are:
Lay Delegates for Diocesan Convention - As specified in Article V. Section 5 of the Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, each congregation is allowed to bring a specific number of lay delegates to Diocesan Convention. The number of lay delegates is based on the congregational range, which is published each year. Each congregational range is assigned a letter, "A" through "G", which corresponds to a specific number of lay delegates.
Compensation Ranges for Clergy - Each congregational range lists base, midpoint and high compensation range amounts as related to clergy working at congregations in the ranges. Compensation Ranges include a 5.30% COLA approved by the Board of Trustees for 2023.
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Robin Denney Authors 2023 Lenten Devotional for Episcopal Relief and Development | |
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We're pleased to announce that The Rev. Robin Denney, Rector of St. Mary's, Napa, is the author of this year's Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten Devotional, "Who is my Neighbor?".
It is a different format this year, with a single author for the whole devotional, and designed to be more useful for parishes.
Check it out here: https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/lent/#weekly-meditations
Congratulations, Robin!
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Lynell Walker named Chaplain to Retired Clergy | |
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Bishop Megan has named The Rev. Lynell Walker to serve as Chaplain to retired clergy of the diocese. She replaces The Rev. Dr. Christine Leigh-Taylor. We thank Christine for her faithful service to the diocese and clergy.
Lynell is a retired priest having served the Diocese of Northern California as Associate Dean and Canon of Trinity Cathedral, Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Chaplain to St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School.
Lynell and her wife, Pat Park, live in Sacramento, love to travel and enjoy their retreat at Omo Ranch near the El Dorado National Forest.
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Monday, Jan 9 - Saturday, Jan 14 | Province VIII House of Bishops
Tuesday, Jan 17 | Day of Christian Unity (Trinity Cathedral, 2pm)
Sunday, Jan 22 | Our Saviour, Placerville
Wednesday, Jan 25 | Transitional Diaconate ordination – Trinity Cathedral
Thurs, Jan 26 – Sun, Jan 29 | Regional Deans & Board of Trustees Retreat
Sunday, Feb 5 | Epiphany, Vacaville
Sunday, Feb 12 | Open visitation opportunity
Wednesday, Feb 15 – Thursday, Feb 23 | Bishop out of Office
Sunday, Feb 26 | St. George’s, Carmichael
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Tuesday, Jan 31 | 2022 Year-End Expense Reimbursement Requests Due
Thursday, Feb 9 | 11:30 am | Monthly Clergy Call
Wednesday, Mar 1 | Parochial Reports, Congregation Information forms Due
Saturday, April 22 | Day of Discernment
Monday, May 15 – Tuesday, May 16 | Fresh Start Retreat
Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 18 | Clergy conference
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The Rev. Peter Rodgers | January 1, 1970
The Rev. Andrea Felsovanyi | January 1, 1999
The Rev. Karen Freeman | January 1, 2010
The Rev. James Sigler | January 4, 1968
The Rev. Kevin Phillips | January 5, 1991
The Rev. Roderick McAulay | January 5, 2000
The Rev. Dr. Ann Hallisey | January 6, 1984
The Rev. Rod Davis | January 9, 2010
The Rev. Canon Christopher Seal | January 10, 1982
The Rev. Kurt Levensaler | January 10, 2005
The Rev. Stephen Leonetti | January 11, 1982
The Rev. Dr. Daniel London | January 11, 2014
The Rev. Liz Armstrong | January 12, 2002
The Rev. Debbie Hawkins | January 12, 2010
The Rev. Toni Stuart | January 13, 1990
The Rev. Kathy Lawler | January 15, 2022
The Rev. James MacKenzie | January 18, 1992
The Rev. Dr. Richard Yale | January 18, 1986
The Rev. Peggy Moore | January 19, 1995
The Rev. Julie Wakelee | January 24, 2014
The Rev. John Mangels | January 25, 1984
The Rev. Eric T. Duff | January 25, 1986
The Rev. Dr. Linda Clader | January 25, 1989
The Rev. Robert Blumenstock | January 25, 1990
The Rev. Michael Kerrick | January 26, 2008
The Rev. Canon Marvin Bowers | January 31, 1970
The Rev. Nancy Streufert | January 31, 2015
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