News from the wider church |
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Live from Church of the Epiphany | Washington, DC
Thursday, January 6, 2022 | 9 am Pacific |12 pm Eastern
Join Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Washington Bishop Mariann Budde, the Rev. Glenna Huber, and other local and national leaders for a livestreamed celebration of Epiphany, the season of light, from the Church of the Epiphany in Washington, D.C.
This Epiphany, we will proclaim that we recognize Christ alive and moving wherever people are looking, acting, and loving like Jesus. Bishop Curry will invite Episcopalians to commit afresh to becoming vibrant, loving, healing, truth-telling embodiments of Jesus and his light—in our communities and in our nation.
The worship service will feature the witness and voice of a diversity of people who are the face of Christ—from ordained Episcopal ministers to unhoused people who are also leading the church. Artists will include Kory Caudill, composer and musical director for Concert for the Human Family, and Chanda Leigh Adeogba, lead musician for Imagine Church-Atlanta.
Bishop Curry also will offer a videotaped address to the nation later that day.
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Bishop Megan Visits
St. Nicholas Church in Paradise
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On Sunday, December 12, Bishop Megan made her official visit to
St. Nicholas' parish in Paradise.
While there, she confirmed two parishioners, and met with the vestry.
The Rev. Delia Fay, priest-in-charge, and a small but mighty band of parishioners welcomed the bishop. This was her first visit since the devastating Camp Fire of 2018 damaged the sanctuary.
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While at St. Nick's, the bishop was presented a tiny scroll in a bottle, featuring a hand painted image of
St. Nicholas. The artwork was created by parishioner and master calligrapher Hillary Cornwell.
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January 9, 2022
The Baptism of our Lord (Epiphany 1)
You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.
– Luke 3:22
The voice of the Father at the baptism of Jesus is theologically rich. It contains three distinct echoes of the Old Testament. All three of these passages were very important for the early Christians as they told the good news of Jesus Christ.
The first is Psalm 2:7: You are my son; today I have begotten you.
The second is Isaiah 42:1, the first of Isaiah’s four servant songs: Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights. I have put my spirit upon him.
The third is Genesis 22:2: Take your son, your only son Isaac ,whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I will show you, (see also 22:16).
You will find it a very fruitful Bible study to look up these texts in their Old Testament contexts, to see which expressions in the Father’s voice are drawn from the Old Testament passage, and to think about what these words mean for Jesus in his baptism and for us if we are baptized into his death and resurrection.
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Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health |
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Living Well Through
Lent 2022
Lenten Resource available without cost for your Congregation. Provided through the Diocesan Partners in Ministries of Health.
To order, sent your address and number of copies needed and we’ll take it from there.
Susan Wahlstrom, Coordinator
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Commission for Intercultural Ministries |
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Afghan Resettling Update
Thank You for your 2021 Donations:
Thank you to the many folks throughout the Diocese who have donated goods and dollars to warmly welcome our new Afghan Neighbors. Your gifts have been gratefully received by newly resettled families. The varied needs of the families will continue and grow in 2022 as more families arrive in Northern California, and they become more involved with school, work, and rebuilding their lives. The Afghan Resettling team will keep you updated about our agency partners – International Rescue Committee (IRC) and World Relief.
Blessings, Peace, and God’s Love be with you this New Year,
The Afghan Resettling Team
Current Status of Afghan Refugees:
Check out the IRC Latest News for an update - Click Here
Current Giving opportunities in Sacramento:
Check out our agency partners’ current needs via the links below:
Embrace an Afghan family in your church’s community.
In November 2021, two Sonoma County congregations warmly embraced ten newly settled Afghan families in their communities. St John’s in Petaluma and Incarnation in Santa Rosa are providing direct aid and assistance to their new neighbors. The opportunity to embrace an Afghan family probably exists in your community. To learn more about how to embrace a family contact Bob Wohlsen at bob.wohlsen@gmail.com
For more information and questions contact Bob Wohlsen,
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New Sacred Ground Circle Beginning February 3 |
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A new Sacred Ground Circle open to anyone in the Diocese will begin on February 3, 2022. The group will meet weekly on Thursdays, from 1-3 pm.
Sacred Ground is a film and readings based dialogue series on racism, grounded in faith. The experience helps you to be more knowledgeable about the history of racism in our communities and how, as people of faith, we are called to bring God's transformative love into our presence in the community.
The Circle will be co-facilitated by Sharron Simpson, a spiritual director and educator, and Bob Wohlsen, a social justice advocate.They have teamed together to lead three previous Circles in the Diocese. Participants frequently make comments that the Sacred Ground Circle was transformative, and has changed their lives by learning the truth about racism.
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As of the end of 2021, $20,415 has been given to ministries in the Bishop's Partnership Appeal Book of Dreams. We are ahead of the amount raised at the same time last year! The campaign ends January 31, 2022.
Click here to view the book and learn more about how to donate to these projects.
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Episcopal Relief & Development |
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Colorado Episcopalians coordinate aid to neighbors affected by wildfire
By Egan Millard | Episcopal News Service
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A statue stands amid the remains of homes destroyed by the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colorado. The wildfire burned over 6,100 acres and destroyed some 1,000 homes in Boulder County between Dec. 30 and 31. Photo: Alyson McClaran/Reuters |
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Mike Orr, canon for communications and evangelism for the Diocese of Colorado, said that the Episcopal churches in the area had not been damaged but some parishioners had lost their homes. No deaths or major injuries were reported as of Jan. 2, though two people were missing, The New York Times reported.
“The rectors and priests in charge are coordinating some of those efforts on the ground to assess the immediate needs of those families right now, as well as the needs of people who don’t call themselves Episcopalians,” Orr told Episcopal News Service. “This week we’re going to be putting out a request for people who want to give to that cause and we’ll be coordinating that through the Office of the Bishop, setting up a way for people to apply for funds to meet their needs.” Read more
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Job Opportunities around the Diocese |
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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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All Saints | Sacramento is looking for a part-time Office/Administrative Assistant. Read the job posting here.
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St. Michael’s | Carmichael is seeking an Assistant/Associate Priest. Read the job announcement here.
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St. Patrick's | Kenwood is seeking an Organist/Pianist. Click here for more information.
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St. Paul's | Sacramento is seeking a Music Director.
Read the job announcement here.
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St. Paul’s | Benicia is seeking a Contemporary Music Leader
For more information, click 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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