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1-23-2015
"Stories of the Bag"
During the Twelve Days of Christmas whilst Ian was visiting us from New Zealand, he announced that he was hungry. Now the subject of this yarn (a Kiwi word for storytelling, by way of honoring Ian) is not about the fact that throughout any given day Ian is hungry and requests to be fed. And yet, as you might imagine, food is central to most stories concerning our eldest. In this particular instance, the request was specific, namely for "In-and-Out" Burgers (I must say, your bishop, Ian's father is not a fast food fan or advocate). And yet, I acquiesced thus we were off towards the aforementioned "Cholesterol Clogger." As we pulled into the drive, we noticed a guy sitting on the pavement, holding a cardboard sign. We proceeded to loop around the culinary establishment; we placed our order at the intercom apparatus, and carried on to our food pickup and payment destination. After payment was made and food found its way on Ian's lap, I began to navigate towards the exit/entrance from whence we had come. We came to the stop sign and more significantly for this yarn, we stopped immediately beside the guy sitting on the pavement, holding the cardboard sign.
The sign read:
"I could use some hope! Do you have any to spare?"
I asked Ian to get out of the car, open the boot (that's trunk to you) and grab one of the yellow bags and give it to the lad beside us. I think at the time I suggested perhaps these words:
"Maybe there's something in here you could use."
Interestingly enough, this was what Ian didn't do. Our twenty-one year old didn't breathe out loudly as if exasperated and say:
"Dad, I have this food on my lap. And there's a car queued up behind us. And I don't really want to do this."
He didn't give an excuse or render a complaint or submit any adolescent protest at all.
The following occurred without hesitation however it happened with expeditious precision coupled with careful attention. Ian placed the food which he had already started to consume, (duh, again, famished lad) on the floorboard. He walked around to the boot, opened it up and took out a yellow backpack. He offered a slight apologetic yet considerate wave to the car queued behind us. And he walked to the guy on the pavement. He reached down and handed him the bag. And he said a few words to him. Ian returned to the car. He put the food on his lap and continued to eat. I checked for traffic and we pulled away.
I suspect about 10 seconds down the road, I said:
"Thank you IJ" (Ian Joshua).
And his response was:
"No worries Dad."
After another 10 seconds or so I asked:
"Do you mind telling me what you said to the guy on the pavement?"
Ian responded:
"I said, 'I hope there's something in here you can use. Maybe hope."
We drove another 10 seconds or so and Ian said to me, as if finishing his thought, his reflection:
"You know, I reckon that was church!"
Blessings
+David
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"Travel Light, leaving baggage behind."
Luke 10:1-12
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Sister Marie Margaret
A saint of our faith. May our friend rest in peace.
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Congratulations Goes To...
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Amazing Grace Award
This person has been nominated by so many, we couldn't wait until February to post her! Thank you, to the Rev. Deacon Carolyn Woodall of the Diocese of San Joaquin for your endless labor, your tireless passion, for continuing to be a guiding light for our Church and our people. Carolyn brings life to faith and faith to life, bringing her own experiences as witness to powerful change. Carolyn is our Amazing Grace, this week, and every week! (To nominate someone for Integrity's Amazing Grace Award, email
sam@integrityusa.org)
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From Our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori...
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My brothers and sisters in Christ:
The Episcopal Church has been in partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem for a very long time. Since 1922, we have taken an offering in our churches on Good Friday to support the work of the gospel in the Land of the Holy One. That Land is still the place of deep division and conflict, more than 2000 years after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. He and his earthly family suffered under threat of oppressive regimes, fled as refugees to another land, labored to supply their bodily needs in the face of dire economic realities, and he himself was executed as an enemy of the state. All of those realities are present today in the Anglican/Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.
The offering we collect on Good Friday carries on the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, through support for the many ministries of healing, feeding, and teaching among the dioceses of the Province. Refugees are cared for, the sick and injured are healed, the dead are buried, children educated, women empowered by these ministries - and all are welcomed with open arms, like Abraham and Sarah's guests. Jesus cared for all in need, without regard for nationality or creed, and these ministries do the same. It is the work of shalom and salaam, building peace in the hearts of suffering individuals and communities.
I urge you to learn more, to pray for the people of the Land of the Holy One, and to give generously this year. I would encourage us all to use the fast of Lent to focus on the hunger (both spiritual and physical) of these peoples, and contribute out of our abundance and our poverty.
May our offering this year strengthen the bonds among all God's people, and bless each one with concrete and eternal signs of more abundant life.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
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From the Diocesan Office...
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For Clergy and Treasurers:
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
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
Northern Deanery Clericus, Tuesday March 10, 2015, 11:00a.m., St. Paul's, Modesto
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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The University String Quartet at the Church of the Savior
The Community Concert Series at the Church of the Savior Hanford, continues on Sunday, 8 February, at 3pm. The University String Quartet (USQ) will be performing in the Arts and Crafts beauty of the our historic 1882 chapel. In the midst of winter, the chapel's colors and this quartet's exquisite sounds will warm the spirit. USQ was founded in 2007, and since the its inception has four times featured live on KVPR's "Young Artists Spotliht", as well as in a number of other university and local communit events. This will prove to be a wonderful afternoon, be sure to come and invite others to come with you. There is a $10 requested donation, and a reception with light refreshments will follow the concert.
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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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