May 29, 2015

One of my favorite things from our spelunking past was to find a large cavity in a cave, turn off my light and sit alone in complete darkness, in utter silence. (Note: In the days of old we used Carbide Lights, namely, a gaseous flame. Eventually we learned this wasn't environmentally friendly. Today, we use LED Lights). More often than not, such an exercise would at some stage lead me to yearn for light. In other words, the darkness was rather captivating for a short period of time but with a statute of limitation attached. Fortunately, Larry would crawl or walk down a corridor of the cave (depending on the cave's anatomy) and I would see the light on his helmet moving towards me and eventually filling the space I occupied with welcomed light.

As we come to Ordinary Time, we embrace that liturgical time in the life of our church when God enters the ordinari-ness of our lives. And, we acknowledge that God's entrance makes our lives quite extraordinary. The thing is San Joaquin, we need to await it (not passively). We need to be looking for it. We need to anticipate it. We need to yearn a joining with God and in that moment be prepared for the holy realization that there is nothing ordinary when it pertains to God. We need to await (actively so, in some instances) that light coming from another part of the cave-of-our-lives. We need to be looking up the corridor-of-our-lives. We need to yearn the light which illuminates the cavities-of-our-lives where we may be sitting and waiting in darkness.

I deeply believe that God wants us to embrace and be embraced by the light. I deeply believe God wants us to be free from the tight sometimes smothering aspects of our lives. I deeply believe God wants us to wrap our lives around the holy realization that nothing is ordinary with God.

Blessings San Joaquin
Prepare for the EXTRAORDINARY!
+David

"Travel Light, leaving baggage behind."
Luke 10:1-12

Bishop David Appointed...

The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jeffers Schori appointed our Bishop David as a member of the upcoming series of conversations in dialogue between The Episcopal and the United Methodist Church.

He has been in Washington D.C. this week to attend the first meeting.

The Episcopal Church in Navajoland...

Time moves differently here in Navajoland. The pace is slower, more thoughtful. It is here, where history is embraced, old stories are treasured, and ancestors are honored that the Episcopal Church is seeing new life-a Christian tradition that is infused with the beautiful blend of Navajo spirituality, culture, and language.

After many years of neglect and atrophy, the Episcopal Church in Navajoland is experiencing revitalization. Since 2010 we have accomplished great things:

Church growth. Three churches reopened and two new churches were established, for a total of eleven active congregations.

Raising-up Navajo clergy. Six Navajo have been ordained and four are in process. Only fiveNavajo clergy were ordained in the period between 1978 and 2010. Seminary education isprovided. Navajo led council and ministry committees oversee the process.

Developing lay leadership. Training and education is provided for lay leadership for altar guild,diocesan council, and diocesan committees.

Thriving spiritual and community programs. There is increased participation in Bible study,youth programs, and social services including programs that address veterans' needs,alcoholism, and domestic abuse.

Restoring property. One third of the properties have been restored and are once again useable.

Exploring revenue streams. In addition to existing rental units that provide small, but regularincome, we are actively pursuing a variety of additional revenue sources.

And still there is so much more to do. The needs in Navajoland are great. From building repairs to office equipment to worship essentials such as bibles, hymnals, prayer books, and chairs, Navajoland is in dire need of your support. This is a pivotal moment in the Episcopal Church in Navajoland's history. The time to act is now, and together we can help secure the future of this special mission.

You can have a direct and immediate impact with your gift, regardless of size. For example, $100 could purchase a volleyball net and equipment for St. John the Baptizer's youth group. A gift of $250 could provide the altar table for St. Joseph's Church. With $500 we would be able to obtain seating for one full congregation. A gift of $1,000 could repair the roof of St. Mary of the Moonlight. $2,000 could cover the cost of fencing for the mission office. $5,000 could fund Navajo hymnals for all eleven congregations. This is only a small sampling of the extensive needs in Navajoland that your gift to the operating fund will help support.

Won't you walk with us in this journey and support the Navajo as they build a strong, thriving Church community?

Click here for for donation form.

Your gifts will go the general operating fund of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland to help make avariety of purchases and improvements. Your gift will not be restricted to a particular operational need. For more information, please contact Karen Wibrew, Major Gifts Officer at kwibrew@episcopalchurch.org .

The Episcopal Church in Navajoland

The 78th General Conventionof The Episcopal Church...

The 78th General Convention will be held June 25th through July 4, 2015. Click here for a fun way to learn about General Convention. This will help you understand what our Bishop and Deputies will be doing while they are in Salt Lake City, Utah this summer.

The Pamphlet was produced by The Episcopal Diocese of Texas and if the property of The Episcopal Church

From The Episcopal Church Foundation...

Upcoming ECF 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 include: capital campaigns, leadership, endowments, strategic planning, stewardship, and planned giving.

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.

June

Legacy Societies and Your Planned Giving Ministry (June 3, 2015 7:00 PM ET)

July

Investing Your Endowment (July 22, 2015 7:00 PM ET)

September

Using the Tools of ECF's Planned Giving on Demand (September 2, 2015 7:00 PM ET)

Basics of a Capital Campaign (September 23, 2015 7:00 PM ET)

Want to see what we've got down the road? See our calendar of events. Don't forget to check back every now and then to see what's newly added!

St. Anthony's Retreat...

Love, Suffering and the Cross:

A Retreat with Julian of Norwich

June 5-7, 2015

While having lived in the 14th century, Julian of Norwich has much to say to us today. Her visions of Christ's suffering reveal the depths of love, and surprisingly convey a sense of peace and joy. Come to St Anthony's Retreat House in Three Rivers to learn about and pray with this extraordinary woman. Fr. Luis Rodriguez, the Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Savior in Hanford, will be leading this retreat, which is very similar to the Women's Retreat he led some years ago at ECCO. He is a friend of the Julian Shrine in England, has visited there many times and led a number of pilgrimages to this holy place.

A registration form with further details can be clicking here , or by visiting St Anthony's website at http://www.stanthonyretreat.org.

From the Diocesan Office...

For Clergy and Lay:

We need Stories of the Bag from all parishes and missions for Friday Reflections. Please submit to emeyer@diosanjoaquin.org!

For Clergy and Lay:

The 56th Annual Diocesan Convention is October 23-24, 2015 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Modesto, CA. The Convention Committee is asking everyone to save the date. We encourage everyone to attend and welcome all who would like to participate.

Please direct any questions to:

Stephanie Gilmer (sgilmer@diosanjoaquin.org)

Marilyn Metzgar (mmetzgar@diosanjoquin.org)

For Clergy:

Is your parish/mission information correct on The Episcopal Church Website?

Go the Episcopal Church website at www.episcopalchurch.org and click on Find a Church. Upon finding your church, you can verify, update, and correct your information if needed.

Articles for Friday Reflection

Parishes and Missions! We want to know what's happening!

Articles can be submitted to the Diocesan Office at emeyer@diosanjoaquin.org. All submissions are due no later than the Tuesday before the Friday Reflection. Pictures submitted are to be in jpeg format and forms to be attached to the Friday Reflection are best in PDF format.

Treasurers:

Cash donated for the Bishop Discretionary Fund at your Episcopal Visits, should be deposited it into your parish account and a check for the total amount be sent to the Diocese of San Joaquin. Thank you.

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

For Northern Deanery...

Northern Deanery Meeting:

The next Northern Deanery Meeting is Saturday, June 6, 2015. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.,

St. Francis, Turlock.

For Central Deanery...

Central Deanery Meeting: Let's all go to the ball game!

The next central deanery event will be gathering at Chukchansi Park to watch the Grizzlies play on August 2, 2015. The game starts at 6:05 PM. The Rev. Suzie Ward is working on reserving a block of tickets. Each congregation in the Central Deanery needs to make an estimate of how many people will be coming and email her at sward1978@sbcglobal.net.

For Southern Deanery...

Southern Deanery Meeting

The next Southern Deanery meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2015, 11:00 a.m., St. Andrew's, Taft. There will also be a Warden and Treasurer Meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Whats going on...

What's Happening in the DIO

Diocesan Council Meeting, Saturday, May 30, 2015, 10:00 a.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Joint Meeting with Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, Saturday, May 30, 2015, 12:00 noon, Holy Family, Fresno

Standing Committee Meeting, Saturday, May 30, 2015, 1:00 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Northern Deanery Meeting, Saturday, June 6, 2015, 10:00 a.m., St. Francis, Turlock

Northern Deanery Clericus, Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 11:00 a.m., St. John the Evangelist,

Stockton

Commission on Ministry Meeting, Saturday, June 13, 2015, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Holy Family, Fresno

Central Deanery Clericus, Tuesday, June 17, 2015, 11:00 a.m., Church of the Saviour, Hanford

78th General Convention, June 25-July 3, 2015, Salt Lake City, Utah

Southern Deanery Meeting, Saturday, July 11, 2015, 11:00 a.m., St. Andrew's, Taft

Warden and Treasurer Meeting, Saturday, July 11, 2015, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., St. Andrew's, Taft

Deacon Luncheon with Bishop David, Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 11:30 a.m., Pane Cafe, Fresno

Warden and Treasurer Meeting, Saturday July 18, 2015, 10:00-noon, St. Paul's, Modesto

Warden and Treasurer Meeting, Saturday July 18, 2015, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Fresno,Holy Family

Central Deanery Clericus, July 28, 2015, 6:00 p.m., Home of Canon Kate Cullinane

Central Deanery Meeting, August 2, 2015, 6:00 p.m., Chukchansi Park

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.

Meetings and Events

From our Parishes and Missions..

You are invited to Holy Family!

We know that you are concerned, as are we, with the human trafficking that is occurring in our valley communities. We join in and support your efforts to bring awareness to the tragedy of human trafficking. Because of your commitment and leadership on this issue, we invite you to participate in an upcoming event, we hope, will inspire further action to bring liberty to those enslaved and justice to those who ensnare.

Please consider joining us for a Human Trafficking Awareness to Action Summit, to be held on May 30th at 4:00 pm. This summit will feature the film, A Trafficked Life, which explores the problem of human trafficking in our own valley communities. The film will be followed by a question and answer session and a call to action to eradicate human trafficking.

We hope you will consider participating. It will take all of us, working together in a sustained fashion, for liberty and justice in our communities.

Shalom,

The Rev. Michele Racusin

and the community of

Holy Family Episcopal Church