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From Fr. Paul Colbert,
Holy Trinity,Madera
The Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter this year tells of the closest disciple of Jesus heading back to Galilee and returning to a life of fishing. It is what they knew how to do. It is a very natural tendency for all of us to return to what is familiar and return to the routines that we know.
And they were not too successful on this night in question. Never mind the debates between bait fishermen and fly fishermen, these guys were using nets that drag in pretty much anything around. Except that there wasn't anything around until a stranger appeared and suggested they try something different. And it worked!
This didn't just happen to the disciples. It happens on a regular basis throughout time and history. How much are we caught up in doing the same old thing because it is familiar? I suspect that trying a new approach can impact all of the Marks of Mission, but it is impacting the first two for the folks at Holy Trinity in unusual ways. Most of us think about these Marks as entirely centered outside the congregation, but they can impact us within the walls as well.
Holy Trinity has been meeting at the Madera United Methodist Church, in one of the classrooms. This has been in effect since last summer. Initially, there was a desire to rent space. However, the UMC was deliberate in using language about partnerships as we entered the relationship, and that partnership has been growing.
We held a joint Christmas Eve Eucharist, with Bishop David presiding. As the saying goes, "A good time was had by all", and conversations turned toward joint activities for Ash Wednesday, and then Holy Week. The Good News was being shared in different ways within the walls and people got to see some familiar things in a new light. They also got to see that things could be done differently without lightening striking the steeple. Perhaps this is practice for sharing Good News in different ways outside the walls.
There are varieties of ways in which all of our congregations can join worship with other denominations. Some of those may be Eucharistic celebrations and some may be simpler prayer services. Designing the services can help us all with the challenge of why we do things the way we do and look for other ways as well. Alternate preaching and perspective comes forth with different emphasis on things we often take for granted. The Episcopal Church already has many relationships on a formal basis with groups like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with Moravians, Old Catholics, the Philippine Independent Church, (and talks underway with the United Methodist Church) which means the doors are already partially open. Personal relationships between pastors or parishioners can open doors for other opportunities as well.
With sharing the Good News going on inside the walls, who knows what can happen. Perhaps blinding lights on the road? Perhaps hearts may be strangely warmed.
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From Chancellor Michael Glass
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Yesterday I received a decision from the Fifth District Court of Appeal upholding the judgment issued by the Fresno Superior Court directing that approximately twenty-eight properties and various Diocesan funds shall be returned to the Diocese of San Joaquin. The properties include parish properties, the Diocesan camp and conference center in Oakhurst, and the Cathedral in Fresno.
The Court of Appeal's decision does not become final for another thirty days during which the Defendants may seek a re-hearing. After this thirty-day period, the Defendants may choose to petition the Supreme Court of California for review. I will review the decision with the Bishop, Standing Committee and Diocesan Council and continue to plan and address any developments accordingly.
Given that the Decision is not final, I specifically ask for your restraint in word and deed going forward. Bishop David's advice is key: "I am urging the Diocese to remain in a position of prayer for everyone involved as we continue to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church."
All press inquiries should be promptly referred to my office or the Diocesan office without comment.
Thank you and I will be in touch soon with further updates to follow. As always please email me with any questions or concerns that you may have at mglass@rflawllp.com.
Chancellor Michael O. Glass, Esq.
Note:
An email was sent out from Chancellor Michael Glass yesterday with a link that did not go directly to the Court of Appeal's decision. Click here for the decision. |
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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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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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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University of
Central Oklahoma
Click here for more information |
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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