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1-23-2015
March 27, 2015
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Easter Message 2015
"The only place we will not find him is in the tomb."
[March 23, 2015] "We will find him already there before us, bringing new and verdant life," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori states in her Easter Message 2015. "The only place we will not find him is in the tomb."
In 2015, Easter is celebrated on April 5.
The following is the Presiding Bishop's Easter Message 2015.
Easter message 2015
It's still dark when Mary ventures out to find the tomb. The graveyards around Jerusalem don't have much greenery today. The earth is mostly rock and stone, and it is far from easy to make a place to secure a body. Jesus' body was put in a cave-like space, with a stone rolled across the opening to close it up. Mary has made the journey from wherever she's sheltered over the last day, through darkened streets, perhaps hearing cocks begin to crow and townspeople start to stir.
She nears the place, but somehow it seems different than they left it - this can't be it, can it? Who moved the stone? A trip begun in tears and grief now has added burden-confusion, anger, shock, chaos, abandonment. His very body has been stolen.
She runs to tell the others. The three tear back to the tomb - no, the body is not there, though some of the burial cloths remain. Who has torn away the shroud and stolen him away? Why must the cruel torture continue, sacrilege and insult even after death? Who has done this awful thing? The men run away again, leaving her to weep at even greater loss.
She peers in once more - who are these, so bold appearing? "Fear not, woman... why do you weep?" She turns away and meets another, who says the same - why do you weep, who are you looking for? This gardener has himself been planted and now springs up green and vibrant, still rising into greater life. He challenges her to go and share that rising, great news of green and life, with those who have fled.
Still rising, still seeking union with Creator, making tender offering to beloved friends - briefly I am with you, I am on my way. Go and you will find me if you look.
The risen one still offers life to those who will look for evidence of his gardening - hope, friendship, healing, reunion, restoration - to all who have been uprooted, cut off, to those who are parched and withered, to those who lie wasting in the desert. Why do we weep or run away when that promise abides?
We can find that green one, still rising, if we will go stand with the grieving Marys of this world, if we will draw out the terrified who have retreated to their holes, if we will walk the Emmaus road with the lost and confused, if we will search out the hungry in the neighborhood called Galilee. We will find him already there before us, bringing new and verdant life. The only place we will not find him is in the tomb.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
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"Travel Light, leaving baggage behind."
Luke 10:1-12
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A Story of the Bag
By Stephanie Gilmer
St. Paul's, Modesto
I had the pleasure of meeting a young woman in Roseburg Shopping Center, Modesto on a Tuesday. My niece and I had just left a restaurant after having a lovely lunch sharing the good news of her upcoming bundle of joy. The young woman appeared to be lost or at least confused. We introduced ourselves to Lydia and shared that we were going for yogurt, and would she like to join us.
As we chatted, we inquired if she was alright or in need of anything. She began to cry and told us she was afraid. We proceeded to share yogurt and listened to her story. Lydia is blessed as she is living with a relative and food and shelter is supplied. Lydia's fear is based on continuing her education, as she has been unable to find employment and her resources are getting low.
While the young women were chatting, I went to the car, emptied the yellow bag that was filled with items and filled it with toiletries that I had just picked up at the spa. My niece gave the bag to Lydia and shared that we just wanted her to have something special. We then got in the automobile and went to the resource center at Modesto Junior College Lydia was connected with an adviser and then we took her home.
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Dear People of San Joaquin,
If you have an upcoming event for which you want prayer and/or with equal importance, active participation from your fellow SJ Episcopalians, please insure that the advert for the event finds its way into our Friday Reflection.
It is extraordinarily important that we know what is going on in our common life throughout San Joaquin.
I look forward to seeing an increased number of these adverts in FR.
Peace
Bishop David
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Stewardship University...
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STEWARDSHIP UNIVERSITY
(Psst! Stewardship University has no tuition. It's FREE!)
Lunch will be provided.
TOMORROW!
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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From the Diocesan Office...
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For Clergy and Lay:
Missional Bags 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.
UPDATE: Bags have been ordered and will be distributed. If you have not made your request please email me at the Diocesan Office with your needs.
For Clergy and Treasurers:
Clergy....IMPORTANT: 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, St. Matthew's, St. Andrew's, St. John the Baptist, St. Paul's, Visalia, St. Nicholas, and St. Paul's, Modesto, for having all documents turned in! Do not forget the Disaster Preparedness form!
All forms were due March 1, 2015
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
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Northern Deanery Meeting:
The next Northern Deanery Meeting is Saturday, June 6, 2015. 10 a.m. to 12 noon,
St. Francis, Turlock.
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Central Deanery Meeting
The next Central Deanery Meeting is Sunday, May 17, 2015, 2:00 p.m.,
St. Raphael's, Oakhurst.
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Southern Deanery Meeting
The next Southern Deanery meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2015, 11:00 a.m., St. Andrew's, Taft.
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What's Happening in the DIO
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
Commission on Ministry Meeting, Saturday, April 18, 2015, 10 a.m. to noon, Holy Family, Fresno
General Convention Deputation Meeting, Saturday, May 9, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Holy Family, Fresno
Central Deanery Meeting, Sunday, May 17, 2015, 2:00 p.m., St. Raphael's, Oakhurst
Northern Deanery Meeting, Saturday June 6, 2015, 10:00 a.m., St. Francis, Turlock
Southern Deanery Meeting, Saturday, July 11, 2015, 11:00 a.m., St. Andrew's, Taft
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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Parliment of the World's Religions
submitted by The Rev. Dr. Anne Benvenuti,
What is so magical about the Parliament of the World's Religions? It brings the heart of faith together from around the world.
Are you in? 2015.ParliamentOfReligions.org
The global interfaith community brings the heart of faith to life at the Parliament of the World's Religions, the oldest, largest, and most inclusive interfa...
https://www.facebook.com/parliamentofreligions/posts/10155322381135464
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SAINT MATTHEW'S CHURCH
414 Oak Street + San Andreas
INVITES YOU TO JOIN US at 6 pm each FRIDAY THROUGH LENT
for our
Parish Lenten Devotions
Stations of the Cross
and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
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Church of the Saviour
Sound of Spring Concert
On Sunday, 19 April, beginning at 3p.m., the Episcopal Church of the Saviour will once again host the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in a concert entitled Sounds of Spring.
The concert will feature music from the baroque through the modern periods expertly rendered by a number of local organists including Church of the Saviour's music director, Dennis Flynn. This will be the fourth in our community concert series which showcases a variety of artists and performances.
The final concert in the series will be held on 31 May, and will feature St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble, a Russian folk group. No tickets are needed for the events, but a $10 donation is requested at the door to defray costs. A reception with light refreshments will follow the organ concert.
The church is located at 519 N. Douty Street in Hanford. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 559-584-7706 559.584.7706.559-584-770
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ICON WORKSHOP
St Andrew's Episcopal Church in Taft
May 14, 15 and 16
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day
Joyce Tanner will provide the supplies and the expertise for people to create an icon. St Andrew's will provide the lunches.
Joyce will be at St Andrew's Episcopal Church in Taft for three days in May to help whoever would like to create an icon.
As many of you already know Joyce has been offering these icon workshops all over the diocese and many people have benefited by her faithful instruction.
We can see her beautiful icons in many churches in the Diocese of San Joaquin.
Everyone is welcome to come and be given the opportunity to create. It is a wonderful way to explore some of the important people and symbols imbedded our common faith. A person does not need to be a talented artist to come, participate and have some fun painting in the long and ancient tradition of "writing an icon".
The cost of the workshop is $35.00 which is meant to cover the cost of the supplies needed to create an icon. Scholarships are available. Please contact the church if a scholarship is needed at 1-661-765-23281-661-765-2328.
Joyce will be the speaker at the Taft Rotary Club luncheon meeting on Wednesday May 13. If anyone would like to come and hear what Joyce has to say, please call The Rev. Heather Mueller
The pictured icon is the Baptism of Jesus which is in St Andrew's Episcopal Church, in Taft, California
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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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