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1-23-2015
2-6-2015From St. John the Evangelist, Stockton  
Bishop David, Deacon Stephen James
Keith Smith
I'm a longtime bicyclist and I often commute around the city of Stockton on a bicycle that I built specifically for that purpose. It's a machine meant for me to pedal to my destination with reliability. I also work part-time for a bike shop in the city after having spent a number of years working in recreational equipment retail and assisting in bike repair. So, I know a little something about the two-wheeled sport. I have noticed in my years on the road and my more recent experiences of riding in the downtown area that a bicycle is the most important source of transportation for people with low income. Like a car, for those who can afford it, the bike can get people to their jobs, to shopping, to health and benefit resources. Some of the bicycles I've seen are pretty creative; being held together with whatever parts and tinkering they can manage to get their hands on. It's not always pretty, but it seems to work for them. Of course there are the obvious benefits for biking: physical fitness and a lower carbon footprint in the environment, but for some it can mean personal independence. One member attending St. John, Stockton recently experienced change in his life when he was the recipient of new wheels. As a homeless person, his only means of getting to necessary resources was seeking bus fare through handouts, walking or a ragtag bike that may or may not be operational. Through connections with the bike shops, we were able to exchange the bike he was riding with something more reliable, thus giving him greater independence. Since receiving the bike, he has been able to reach resources with the county for his personal concerns and has secured a place to live and work. Another bike was given to an elderly man, whose bike was stolen. He had recently purchased a new bike because it was the only thing he could afford and it was a needed way for him to exercise his aging body. Connections were made and another bike found its way to someone in need. Thus far, we have delivered five bikes that are beginning to change the lives of people. Keeping bikes in workable maintenance in the downtown Stockton area is becoming a ministry that appears to be making a difference to those who need reliable transportation. At St. John's Stockton, we are seriously taking the missional approach to heart and looking at different ways in which to engage with our surrounding community. By providing and repairing bikes for the people who rely on them, we are giving new hope to those seeking independence. Tentatively called the HUB, or Helping Urban Bicyclists, we hope to create a place for people to maintain their bikes, a place to teach the basis skills of keeping their bike operational, a place for recreational cyclists to safely park their bike while enjoying the nearby movie theater and eateries and a gathering place for other community groups. We're still in the infancy stages of creating this new work and we ask for your prayers and support as we move forward. If you have a resource for bike parts or have an unused bike that you'd like to donate, you can contact me at St. John's and arrange for a pick up! At St. John's, we are doing a "new thing". This is only a part of it. Deacon Steve Bentley
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"Travel Light, leaving baggage behind."
Luke 10:1-12
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Congratulations Goes To...
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Tim Vivian, Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul's Bakersfield, has just published "Wake the Devil from His Dream: Thomas Dudley, Quincy Ewing, Religion, and the 'Race Problem' in the Jim Crow South" in Anglican and Episcopal History 83.4 ( December 2014):371-416 |
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Stewardship University...
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 Retreat 2014
In late January - for the third year running - Integrity members and supporters met together at ECCO for their Winter Retreat. It was a time of fellowship, renewal and fun. Integrity USA is the "unofficial" lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) ministry of The Episcopal Church. For four decades, Integrity USA has been working for the full equality of LGBT persons in every part of The Episcopal Church. Integrity works both to change the policies of the wider church, and to encourage and enable local congregations to intentionally open their doors to LGBT people and their allies. In the re-organized Diocese of San Joaquin, Integrity's vision and goals are now welcomed and embraced.
We gathered on Friday evening from throughout the diocese, renewing old friendships and starting new ones. We shared our stories and what had drawn us to this time together in the mountains. Attendees had the chance to meet this year's retreat leader, Canon Randy Kimmler, the Missioner for Vocations in the Diocese of Los Angeles, where he supports and oversees clergy development prior to and after ordination. About 8 years ago, he helped plant the Community of the Holy Spirit (CHS) in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. Lay-organized and led, the group is an emergent progressive Christian community that is being studied by many Episcopal dioceses.
Randy's theme for our weekend was "Living into the Kingdom of God". We spent Saturday exploring what that meant to us individually and as a community. Our sessions started with readings from scripture that served as inspiration for exploring questions posed to us in small group discussions. In our morning session we were asked to identify the signs of the kingdom we have observed, the strategies we have for living in the tension of "the already" and the "not yet" of the kingdom, and how we articulated kingdom life to others. The afternoon discussions asked us to look at how our readings challenged our community life and informed our struggles and when and how we are stumbling blocks to kingdom life. We concluded each session by sharing our discussions and identifying key revelations. We ended the day by formulating and recording our goals for living into the kingdom in the year ahead and committed to sharing our progress at our next retreat.
On Saturday evening we joined together to watch the movie "PRIDE". Based on a true story, in the summer of 1984 in Margaret Thatcher's Britain, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) went on strike. A group of gay and lesbian activists felt a kinship in the oppression they witnessed and decided to raise money to support the struggling families of the striking miners. But there was a problem. The Union was embarrassed to receive their support. But the activists were not deterred. They decided to ignore the Union and go direct to the miners. They randomly choose a mining village in deepest Wales and set off in a mini bus to make their donation in person. And so began the extraordinary story of two seemingly alien communities who formed a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership of mutual support and respect.
Eucharist was the focus of our final retreat day on Sunday. We continued our three year tradition of having our friends from St. Raphael's join us for a worship organized by Deacon Carolyn Woodall with Bishop David as celebrant. During his sermon, Bishop David reflected back on Randy's retreat theme and the movie "PRIDE", as he encouraged us to be truly welcoming and abandon preconceived ideas that cause us to wrongly judge others and limit the expression of God's kingdom in the Diocese of San Joaquin.
We invite you all to the 4th Winter Retreat of the San Joaquin Chapter of Integrity scheduled on January 22-24, 2016 at ECCO. "Save the Date" and join us next year!
Jan Dunlap & Cindy Smith
Conveners, San Joaquin Chapter of Integrity
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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.
(Psst! Stewardship University has no tuition. It's FREE!) Lunch will be provided. Click here for registration form.
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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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 Webinars
Don't miss out! ECF has some great webinars coming up. There is no cost to participate in our webinars and all lay and clergy leaders are welcome.
Topics included are: Capital Campaigns, Vestries, Endowments, Stewardship, and more!
Click on the links below to register, or click here to see a complete list of upcoming webinars. We hope these webinars will engage and empower Episcopal leaders throughout the Church to transform their faith communities and respond to God's call.
February
Church Leadership Conference 2015
Presented by Kanuga and ECF Charging Up, Charging Out: Energizing Church Leadership Join us February 27-March 1, 2015 Discover new tools for successful ministry and explore church in a different way by developing a team-based set of leadership strategies at this year's Church Leadership Conference, presented by Kanuga and the Episcopal Church Foundation. Click here to learn more and register.
Spread the Word: Subscribe to ECF Vital Practices (it's free!)
If you find ECF Vital Practices valuable to your ministry, please subscribe and invite others in your congregation or faith community to sign up for a free subscription. If you haven't already, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation and think about sharing your great resources on Your Turn.
ECF is an independent, lay led organization that responds to the needs of Episcopal faith communities by empowering them to engage in visioning and planning, develop effective lay-clergy leadership teams and raise financial and other resources for ministry. To learn more, please visit our website.
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From the Diocesan Office...
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For Clergy and Lay: Please contact the Diocesan Office if you are in need of more bags to fill and pass out to those in need. St. Paul's Preschool, Modesto has asked for bags on the next order for the children. Please think of this if you have a youth group or a preschool that can be part of our "missional" outreach.
For Clergy and Treasurers:
Clergy....Please be sure to get your directories, contact forms, and other forms in packet into the diocesan office quickly! Many thanks go to Holy Trinity, St. Raphael's and St. Matthews for having all documents turned in!
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 |
Northern Deanery Meeting
The next Northern Deanery Meeting is Saturday, June 20. 2015. 10 a.m. to 12 noon,
St. Francis, Turlock.
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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 -Atwater
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
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
Standing Committee Adobe Meeting, March 24, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Diocesan Council Adobe Meeting, March 26, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Stewardship University, March 28, 2015, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno
Chrism Mass, March 31, 2015, 11:00 a.m., Church of the Saviour, Hanford
Annual Convention, October 23-24, 2015, St. Paul's, Modesto
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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St. Anne's Pub Nights
February 13th & 14th
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the door both nights. Adults $35; children under 12 $15.
Tickets include a dinner entrée; non-alcoholic beverages; desserts; singing and games;
souvenir glass; and for the adults one alcoholic beverage.
Also, there will be a silent auction and raffle.
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Sunday, March 1
Grace Hall, 7pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
2216 17th Street, between "B" & "C"
Bakersfield, CA
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 ETTY: a one-woman play based on the life of Etty Hillesum
Etty is a touring one-woman play based on the diaries and letters of Etty Hillesum, adapted and performed by Susan Stein. Directed by Austin Pendleton.
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Esther "Etty" Hillesum (1914 - 1943) was a Dutch Jewish woman whose letters and diaries, kept between 1941 and 1943, describe life in during the Nazi occupation. She died in Auschwitz. Her writings were published in 1981 as Etty Hillesum: An Interrupted Life. The Diaries 1941-1943 and Letters from Westerbork.
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Using only Etty Hillesum's words, Susan Stein's adaptation allows Etty's words, insights,and beliefs to reach out from the Holocaust and allow us to see the power of hope and individual thought in the most
extreme circumstances.
ettyplay inc encompasses theatrical and educational experiences designed to challenge participants to reexamine assumptions about the Holocaust and explore issues of resistance, human rights, social justice, and individual responsibility.
The mission of ettyplay inc is to use the writings of Etty Hillesum to promote social justice, to challenge prejudice by examining the consequences of genocide, and to enable participants to explore their own personal stories alongside Etty's, as they consider their role in the struggle for human rights.
Suggested Donation: $5-$10
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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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