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1-16-2015
"Stories of the Bag"
Episcopalians throughout San Joaquin, I am looking for stories. I am looking for stories of our encounters. I am looking for stories of our encounters with our sisters and brothers who are and will be the recipients of our "San Joaquin Missional Bags." As you know, there is a different story which develops and unfolds with every human encounter regardless of the expansiveness or the brevity of each encounter. And so I ask that we tell some of those stories, that we consider: circumstances around which the thought occurred to us, accounts of those moments when a bag was offered, and perhaps recollections of those who now hold the bag. These are the "Stories of the Bag." There is no hard-and-fast template for the manner in which these narratives are crafted. It could actually be a play-by-play account of the distribution of the bag. It could be a reflective piece attached to the feelings, our own feelings, perhaps apprehensions and hesitancies. Or it could be simply what the encounter arouses us to write, said another way, God, who is in-and-through all of this, might have some prompters for what and how we frame, "Stories of the Bag."
For next week's Friday Reflection, I will begin with my own encounter. I hope your "Stories of the Bag" will occupy a space in the Friday Reflection in the upcoming months.
Blessings
+David
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"Travel Light, leaving baggage behind."
Luke 10:1-12
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From the Diocesan Office...
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For Clergy and Treasurers:
Manila envelopes were just mailed to all parishes and missions. Clergy will receive the yearly reports and forms that are required by the Episcopal Church and the Diocese and Treasurers will receive forms and information for assessment reporting. Forms can be found on the diocesan website. www.diosanjoaquin.org
Clergy....Please be sure to get your directories, contact forms, and other forms in packet into the diocesan office quickly! Thanks go to The Rev. Paul Colbert for being the first to get forms into the office for his two congregations. Thanks Fr. Paul!
ALL MAIL...
for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, Bishop, Canon, and Administrator is to be mailed to 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355.
Thank you, Ellen Meyer, Administrator |
From the Office of Public Affairs...
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Office of Public Affairs
Mission Centered Episcopalians Networking for Ministry:
a website for sharing, connecting, discussion
[January 10, 2015] The mission and ministry focus of Episcopalians throughout the church is varied, focused and Christ-like. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, making disciples, protecting the environment and advocating for those whose voice is often overlooked occurs in all corners of The Episcopal Church. A website created to enable networks across the Church engaged in mission has been launched: Mission Centered Episcopalians Networking for Ministry, here http://www.mission-centered.org/
Developed through a collaborative effort among the Missionary Society, its networks and those doing mission at the local level of The Episcopal Church, the site brings those engaged in mission and those engaged in advocacy together to connect, chat and share resources and discuss ideas.
"Mission Centered will connect the many and varied associations across the Church without replacing any existing online networking," noted the Rev. Mark Stevenson, Domestic Poverty Missioner. "In fact, this initiative is driven and populated by such networking. It will serve as a place of gathering and telling stories, inquiring after and sharing resources, and providing inspiration and an opportunity to be inspired. Mission Centered is to be a "community watering hole" of sorts, at which we may all gather to be empowered for mission."
Alex Baumgarten, director of the Episcopal Church Department of Public Engagement and Mission Communication, said: "Mission Centered is a reminder that the Church exists first and foremost for the sake of God's mission in the world, and that the Church lives out mission in a variety of local contexts 'as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace and love' (BCP Catechism). I pray that the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society's role of equipping, resourcing, and connecting mission work at a local level might find new levels of creativity and accessibility through Mission Centered."
Among the networks currently connected through the Mission Centered Episcopalians website are here http://www.mission-centered.org/networks and include AFRECS; Episcopal Communicators; Jubilee Ministries; Episcopal Public Policy Network; Mark 4 and 5 Fellowships; Immigration Advocacy Network; Global Episcopal Mission Network; Episcopal Community Services in America; and Global Episcopal Mission Network. Additional networks will be added as this area grows.
The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/episcopalian
Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamepiscopalian
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EpiscopalChurchYT
For more info contact:
Neva Rae Fox
Public Affairs Officer
The Episcopal Church
publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org
Phone: 212-716-6080
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Stewardship University...
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STEWARDSHIP UNIVERSITY
This exciting program is coming to San Joaquin on Saturday, March 28th, at Holy Family in Fresno. The Rev. Canon Timothy M. Dombeck will lead this workshop. The workshop begins at 10:30am and will continue to 3:30pm, lunch will be provided. Everyone is invited and it is important that at least one person from each of our congregations attends.
Why a "Stewardship University"?
Stewardship University is a one-day series of educational workshops for congregational leaders designed to assist churches in becoming more grateful, generous, sustainable, welcoming and hospitable communities of Christ-centered life transformation, outreach and worship.
How does Stewardship University work?
By the use of an engaging, workshop approach, Stew U (as it is affectionately called) educates and trains people in practical matters related to many aspects of hospitality, communication, story-telling, gratitude, and the concept of stewardship as it relates to people exercising their baptismal ministry through involvement in active ministry, including one's life as a steward and giving of one's time and abilities, as well as financial resources.
What topics get covered at a Stew U?
A typical Stewardship University event covers the broad topics of:
- Understanding Giving
- Practical Steps to Increase Giving
- Planned Giving: Giving from the Heart and Soul
- Year-round Stewardship That You Can Do, With or Without The Annual Pledge Drive
- Enhancing Generous Hospitality: What We Can Learn from Starbucks and Why
Other requested topics presented at other meetings include:
- Understanding Your Money in Your Life
- How To Talk About Money: In the Culture, In the Church
- Three Shifts in Stewardship
Additionally, you can request a particular topic that you would like addressed. Just have a talk with Timothy about what you want to achieve.
STEWARDSHIP UNIVERSITY™ is the creation of the Reverend Canon Timothy M. Dombek, Canon for Stewardship and Planned Giving in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. Prior to entering seminary in the late 1980's, Canon Dombek was a Certified Financial Planner based in South Bend, Indiana. Serving the needs of individuals and small business owners, Timothy worked with clients in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.
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Northern Deanery Meeting
The next Northern Deanery meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Janaury 31, 2015,
10:00 a.m., St. John the Evangelist, Stockton
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Central Deanery's First Gathering for 2015
All members of the Central Deanery are invited to attend a concert and then a Deanery gathering on February 8 at Church of the Saviour, Hanford.
The University String Quartet will be preforming in the historic 1882 Chapel. The concert begins at 3 PM.
After the concert we will join together to get to know each other and meet to plan future events, sharing ideas about the work of our deanery.
Local contacts are Terry March - Hanford
George Sitts - Oakhurst
Marilee Muncey - Madera
Marion Austin - Fresno
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Southern Deanery Meeting
The next Southern Deanery meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2015,
11:00 a.m., St. Michael's, Ridgecrest.
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What's Happening in the DIO
Commission on Ministry Meeting, January 17, 2015, 10:00 a.m., Holy Family
Standing Committee Teleconference Meeting, January 20, 2015, 6:30 p.m.
Diocesan Council Teleconference Meeting, January 22, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Northern Deanery Meeting, January 31, 2015, 10:00 a.m., St. John the Evangelist,Stockton
Taize Weekend, January 23-24, 2015, Holy Family, Fresno
Integrity Retreat, January 23-25, 2015, ECCO, Oakhurst
Central Deanery Gathering, February 8, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Church of the Saviour, Hanford
Diocesan Council and Standing Committee Retreat, Friday-Saturday, February 20-21, 2015, ECCO, Oakhurst
Stewardship University, March 28, 2015, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno
Click on the link below to see more upcoming events and meetings around the diocese.
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From our Parishes and Missions..
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Diocesan Website and Facebook...
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Have you checked it out?
Keep up to date on news and events with our
Facebook
Check out postings from Bishop David and Canon Kate at
Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
The Episcopal Church Website
Episcopal News Service
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For the Bishop and Canon's Calendar...
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