Fro, The Rev. Bob Woods,
St. Sherrian's, Kernville
You have doubtless heard about the Anglican Primates' recommendation our Episcopal Church (ECUSA) be suspended from certain activities within the Anglican Communion (AC) for three years. We should have seen this coming, as the AC, particularly via the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG), has been telling us for a decade and more that, if we continue along our path of unilateral action, there would be consequences.
While the apparent triggering event may have been our 2015 General Convention's action respecting the historic marriage rite, the issue seems, to me at least, to be far deeper and more far-reaching. Other AC members like New Zealand, Canada, and Australia etc have rites of blessing available to same-gender couples, yet we alone are getting spanked. The obvious question is why.
Reading between the lines it appears the answer is that ECUSA has once again adopted a change from the historic doctrine and theology of the broader church and AC, without first getting, if not consensus, at least acquiescence from the AC. Other national churches have to some degree paid heed to the AC's call for a moratorium - that is not a ban, just a "slow down" - on unilateral adoption and implementation of changes in theology without first having meaningful dialogue within the AC. A 2008 WCG report spelled out the AC's view of such unilateral action, stating that, if the AC is to survive, it should move from "autonomy in communion" to "communion with autonomy and accountability."
Responses to the Primates' recommendation from within the ranks of ECUSA underscore the issue. There have been expressions of disappointment, statements there "will be pain," and out and out denigration of "conservative" and "African" Bishops. What appears to be lacking is acknowledgement of the pain and increased difficulties in other countries and arenas brought about by our continued course of unilateral action. We need to reflect on these unintended consequences of our current modus operandi. In terms of Mission, we are (1) to proclaim the Good News, and (3) Respond to human need with loving service. We are perhaps not doing either all that well by descrying our more traditionally minded Brothers and Sisters. Readings such as Luke 11:3ff or 15:1-32 make clear that Christian unity - that is true inclusivity and ecumenism - are imperatives. Unilateral actions despite knowing same will cause dissension and discord is not a particularly loving approach, nor does it truly bring good news. Read more...
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Singer/Songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine
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Bobby Jo Valentine is an award-winning, faith-based singer/songwriter from the SF Bay area. He is touring
through our area in June, and is able to perform for your congregation. He has June 4 and June 10-12 open and really loves playing churches and just performed a concert at St. Martin's Episcopal with M.E. Eccles in Des Plaines, IL.
Bobby Jo won the Songwriter of the Year award from the West Coast Songwriter's Association, writes soulful and hopeful folk/pop. He was recently flown out to play the national Gay Network Conference in Chicago and loves that our church is a haven for the LGBT community.
You can call Bobby Jo at 707.364.9631707.364.9631 or email him at bobbyjovalintine@gmail.com. |
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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Parish and Mission Events
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For information on how to donate go to
HUB facebook
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Human Trafficking Event in Visalia
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Human Trafficking
Time: 7 PM
Where: 1039 S. Chinowth, Visalia,
Congregation B'nai David
Who should attend: Parents, Teachers, Youth Leaders and anyone who wants to know more about Human Trafficking.
About this Film
America's youth find themselves engaged in a battle they never have been prepared to face. This movie is the story of two "All-American" teenage girls tricked into trafficking. One 18 and one 13, these girls were both manipulated and exploited.
Both were CHOSEN. For poster click here.
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St. Sherrian's, Kernville
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Easter was truly joyous at St. Sherrian's, Kernville. In addition to a half dozen visiting campers, we celebrated the first Holy Communion for Destiny Chavez. She is in the white dress with pink flowers in her hair, by Fr. Bob's left hand, with her parents directly behind and her extended family all around.
The Kern Valley being primarily well, retired people, this is the first communion since we started in 2008. We are delighted to welcome Destiny and her parents, Cassandra and Alex Martinez, into our little family - and we hope Destiny will convince some of her school mates to bring their parents to visit us. Who knows where this could go? OK, God does.
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Commission on Ministry Meeting, Saturday, April 9, 10am, Holy Family, Fresno
HUB Grand Opening, Saturday, April 16,12noon-3pm, St. John the Evangelist, Stockton
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
Central Deanery Clericus, Thursday, May 18, 5:30pm, Holy Family, Fresno
Northern Deanery Meeting, Saturday, May 21, 10am, St. Francis, Turlock
Central Deanery Meeting, Saturday, June 11, 11am, Holy Family, Fresno
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 March 31, 2016 Bishop David celebrating his birthday in Tanzania at the Galatian's 6:2 Conference
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Day of Discovery!
April 16, 2016
10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
1528 Oakdale Road
Modesto, CA 95355
Day of Discovery is
designed to help Episcopalians broaden their understanding and appreciation of the four groups of ministers in the Episcopal Church. Participants will discover new arenas for ministry as well as see and experience the complementary relationship between all ministers of the Church.
Click here to find out more and to register.
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Pathways 2016: Journey Toward Reconciliation
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FOR TEENS!
Pathways 2016: Journey Toward Reconciliation
This event will facilitate training for the participants to learn about some of the skills and tools that our Christian tradition has to teach us about the work of reconciliation and to be ministers of truth and peace in our own communities.
If you are or know of a teen interested in please contact Alison Fischer at alisonmfischer1@gmail.com
For more information click here.
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For Clergy, Wardens, 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
Many thanks go to
St. Anne's,
St. Matthew's,
St. Clare of Assisi,
Holy Trinity,
St. Raphael's,
St. Paul's, Visalia,
St. Michael's,
St. Andrew's,
St. Paul's, Modesto,
St. John the Baptist,
St. John the Evangelist, and St. Nicholas
for get in their reports.
Annual Peer Audits are to be done by June 30, 2016. Please fill out form included in the Annual Congregation Management Review Binder and send to the Diocesan office with confirmation of intent of audit.
Fr. Paul Colbert is available to do the required peer audit. Contact him at pcolbert@diosanjoaquin.org
Taking orders now for our yellow missional bags!
Thank you!
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The Five Marks of Mission
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Central Deanery Meeting
June 11, 11am
Holy Family, Fresno
Deacon Nancy Key will be sharing highlights and showing slides of her recent Spanish Immersion pilgrimage with the Diocese of Los Angeles to the Anglican Diocese of Cuernavaca. She will include information on opportunities for others from the Diocese of San Joaquin to participate in future Spanish Immersion pilgrimages.
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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, Five Marks of Mission, Special Events Articles can be submitted to the Diocesan Office at emeyer@diosanjoaquin.org.
All submissions are due
Tuesday for the following Friday Reflection.
Please note:
Submission requirements:
pictures -JPEG format
articles- word document
linked documents- PDF
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2016 Chrism Mass,
Holy Family Episcopal Church,Fresno
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