From Bishop David
I'm writing these words on the day to which some refer as Super Tuesday, that is, a day on which several US states hold primary elections including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia.
I simply wish to express in this brief reflection my hope that our theological perspectives, namely our faith, will inform the ways in which we think about the political process and perhaps how we cast our vote. In other words, I pray that separation of church and state isn't interpreted as two compartmentalized aspect of our lives. And I ask that you do not read this as my attempt to persuade your vote in any way. This is simply my attempt to draw your attention to importance of reconciling our faith with the political perspectives to which we subscribe
Over the last few months we have heard innumerable sound-bites regarding "wall construction," both figuratively and literally. I wish to be completely and utterly honest; I simply cannot see how the construction of a wall follows the Gospel of Christ in any way. In fact, I would suggest that the impetus and rationale for the erection of a wall is, both figuratively and literally, anti-gospel. One of the prayers offered by our former Presiding Bishop was that we "go unburdened by fear and fences." It seems to me that fear and fences are precisely what is being propagated, preached and perpetuated by several candidates over the last few months. And so I am led to pose the query, how does our faith inform our response, and yes, our vote?
In A New Zealand Prayer Book/He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, these poignant words inspired by Ephesians 2 are found at the Peace Blessed be Christ the Prince of Peace. Who breaks down the walls that divide. The peace of God be always with you. Praise to Christ who unites us in peace. Sisters and brothers of San Joaquin, "wall construction" has been a feature of the not too distant past in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. During those years of isolation, separation and segregation, the walls throughout this diocese and around its borders were vast. We can ill afford to construct anymore walls in and around our lives. We are called to "go unburdened by fear and fences." We are called to offer Christ's Peace. We are called to 'break down the walls that divide." We are called in this Lenten Season, in this political season, in this season of our lives to remember to whom we belong and who we are called to be... Lenten blessings +David |
The Right Reverend David C. Rice
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
will ordain
Gail Elizabeth Bernthal
To the Sacred Order of Priests
In Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church
Saturday, The Twenty Third day of April
Two Thousand and Sixteen
At Eleven o'clock in the morning
The Feast Day of Saint George
Episcopal Church of the Saviour
519 North Douty
Hanford, California
Your prayers and presence are requested
Reception to follow Clergy: red stoles
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HUB- St. John the Evangelist, Stockton
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HUB- Helping Urban Bicyclists
By Deacon Stephen Bentley
As a longtime bike commuter, I have commuted around the city of Stockton on a bicycle built for navigating the city and 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 of low income and the homeless. Like a car, for those who can afford it, the bike can get people to their jobs, shopping, and health and benefit resources. Of course there are the obvious benefits for riding a bike: physical fitness and a lower carbon footprint in the environment, but for the marginalized it can also mean personal independence. Read more..
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Parish and Mission Events
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Join us at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
FOR OUR ANNUAL
SAINT PAT'S AT SAINT MATT"S
CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER
The donation is $ 6.00 for
" helping to find the cure"
All proceeds goes towards cancer research
and for cancer victims through the Calaveras Relay for Life.
414 Oak Street
San Andreas, CA
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Central Deanery Clericus, Friday, March 18, 4pm, Church of the Saviour, Hanford
Northern Deanery Meeting,Saturday, March 19, 10 am, St. Paul's, Modesto Chrism Mass, Tuesday, March 22, 11am, Holy Family, Fresno
Commission on Ministry Meeting, Saturday, April 9, 10am, Holy Family, Fresno
Ordination to Priesthood, Gail Bernthal, Saturday, April 23, 11am, Church of the Saviour, Hanford
Diocesan Council Meeting, Saturday, April 30, 10am, Holy Family, Fresno
Diocesan Council and Standing Committee Joint Meeting over lunch,Saturday, April 30, 12 noon, Holy Family, Fresno
Standing Committee Meeting, Saturday, April 30, 1pm, Holy Family, Fresno
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For Clergy, Wardens, and Treasurers
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The following forms WERE due by MARCH 1st to the Diocesan Office:
- Parochial Report
- Congregation Contact Form
- Certificate for Lay Delegates Form
- Church Directory
- Updated Bronze Disaster Preparedness Form
Forms were given out at Annual Convention or go to our website at
Please get them in NOW!
Many thanks go to St. Andrew's, Taft,St. Paul's, Modesto, st. John the Baptist, Lodi, St. John the Evangelist, Stockton and St. Nicholas, Atwater for having their forms in ON TIME!!
Annual Peer Audits are due June 30, 2016. Contact the Diocesan Office if you have any questions.
Taking orders now for our yellow missional bags!
Thank you!
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Travel to the Land of the Holy One
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From The Rev. Heather Mueller
Dear friends in the Diocese of San Joaquin,
As many of you already know I am organizing a group for travel to the Land of the Holy One.
The pilgrimage is scheduled for September 23 to October 6, 2016, with the option of going to Jordan....Petra and possibly Istanbul.
It is time to make a decision about going and I will connect each person with the travel agent who will work out the travel details. Read more....
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From ecf: Vital Practices
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Need some help with breaking down the walls that divide in your congregation?
Check out the articles covering CONFLICT in Vital Papers at
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The Five Marks of Mission
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The Five Marks of Mission
Click here for poster to post
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Send your donations to The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355. Please write Yellow Bags in the memo line.
Thank you.
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Stories of the Bag, Missional Days, Special Events 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.
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