SOME NEWS AROUND THE DIOCESE AS WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR

For this week's Friday Reflection I thought I would bring you up-to-date on a number of recent changes happening within the diocese.

St. James', Sonora

The Rev. Verne Walter has been appointed Priest-in-Charge at St. James' in Sonora effective January 1, 2015. The Rev. Andy Anderson retired from St. James at the end of 2014. The Rev. Verne Walter and The Rev. Deacon Carolyn Woodall will serve as the clergy team at St. James', Sonora.

St. John the Evangelist, Stockton

The Rev. Anne Smith has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge of St. John's, Stockton effective January 1, 2015. The Rev. Ruth Casipit-Paguio has also been appointed to serve as priest at St. John's, Stockton. Mother Ruth will continue her work at the congregation of Holy Child, San Jose (diocese of El Camino Real) while she also serves at St. John's. Mother Anne has also recently been called as Priest-in-Charge at St. Mary's, Elkgrove (diocese of Northern California) in addition to being called as Priest-in-Charge at St. John's, Stockton. Both Mother Anne and Mother Ruth will simultaneously serve two congregations. Mother Anne will focus on the missional and downtown community work of St. John's while Mother Ruth's focus will be to reach out to the Filipino community in Stockton. The Rev. Anne Smith, The Rev. Ruth Casipit-Paguio and The Rev. Deacon Stephen Bentley will serve as the clergy team at St. John's, Stockton. We continue to be grateful to the Northern Deanery, and are especially thankful for the contributions of time and leadership from the two neighboring congregations of St. Anne's, Stockton and St. John the Baptist, Lodi, for their support as we envision a new start for St. John's with a unique focus for ministry.

St. Paul's, Modesto

The bishop has appointed himself as Bishop/Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul's, Modesto effective January 1, 2015. He has also appointed The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom and The Rev. Nick Lorenzetti to serve as priests on the staff of St. Paul's. The bishop is hopeful of a new experiment in the life of the church as the praying communities of Christ the King and St. Paul's endeavor to come together to serve God in the geographical community of Modesto/Riverbank.

St. Paul's, Bakersfield

The Rev. Deacon Steven Karcher has been appointed to serve as deacon at St. Paul's in Bakersfield. While serving at St. Paul's, Deacon Steve will make his presence and services known to both the additional communities of St. Sherrian's, Kernville and of St. Andrew's, Taft on a jointly agreeable basis. As an ongoing development of the "hub" concept Steve's diaconal ministry is intended to reach multiple congregations.The Rev. Dr. Tim Vivian, Rev. Deborah Deboer, The Rev. Dr. Anne Benvenuti and The Rev. Deacon Steven Karcher will serve as the clergy team at St. Paul's, Bakersfield.

Blessings as we all begin a new year filled with God's wonder and grace.

Canon Kate+

HOUSING ALLOWANCE: Dear Clergy, please remember that you need to have a housing allowance resolution passed by your Vestry/Bishop's committee in December of 2014 for the 2015 tax year. If you have any questions about this process or would like a recommended format, please contact Canon Kate.