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Diocese of San
Joaquin
The Episcopal Church
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From Bishop David
"Focus on relationships in your communities and God will come up and spiritual conversations will emerge and real needs will come to light." Matt Smay
"The mission that God has given us is a highly relational mission, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" John 20:21. Jesus came into this world, lived in relative obscurity for 30 years and spent 3 years relationally investing in twelve men, whose charge was to do the same thing by relationally investing in others. This strategy has worked for 2000 years. Each of us has been touched by someone reaching out to and investing in us relationally, thus advancing the gospel and the mission of God." Gary Rohrmayer
Since my arrival in the EDSJ, I have said on innumerable occasions that I work out of my car or my car is my office or I am often on the move in my "carthedra". Recently, I had a rather thought provoking conversation from one of our faithful who was querying how this "missional model" works. He expressed concerns regarding my accessibility and suggested that a model involving an office, office hours and appointments, still had a place in the "missional landscape" in which we find ourselves. I thought this was an important conversation as it afforded me the opportunity to reflect upon the "model of itinerancy" (missional moving) I have adopted and advocated over the last two years. As part of my reflecting, I queried my own thinking; that is to say, I questioned whether this was the best way to build relationships, foster and nurture relationships, and provide support, encouragement and oversight for those with whom I serve and for who I am responsible.
As I prayed and pondered through my reflection I became evermore convinced that this is the most faithful model given our past and the future. Equally, I appreciated his point that an office, office hours and appointments still have a place in our century and in our own context. I suppose in some cases it should be a both/and. The thing is, Sisters and Brothers of the EDSJ, we have been "sent" since the church's beginning. And this "sent life" must be modeled by bishops, priests and deacons; this "sent life" must be lived by all who dare to live this demanding faith.
I am "on the road" more-often-than-not simply because I have been sent too. I am "on the road" certainly not because I love being behind the wheel (it is a lovely car, cheers EDSJ, but God knows I don't enjoy driving that much). I am "on the road" because I want to model for each one of you that "being sent" means that we must move. To put another way, a ++Michael Curry way, it means that we are intentionally caught up in the "Jesus Movement" and following the life of the Messiah who perpetually came to others.
I am "on the road" because I deeply and sincerely believe that the relationships we have established and to which we continue to give care deserve that I remain willing to come to where you are.
So, for everyone, I do not want to presume that you know how this works. If you would like to have a conversation with me, that is, in a non-phone or virtual manner, then I invite and encourage you to make contact with my Administrator, Ellen Meyer. Ellen's number is 209.576.0104209.576.0104. Ellen will choreograph a time when we can get together.
Again, it would be my "missional delight and pleasure" to travel to you. In addition, you can see where I am from week-to-week on the Bishop's Calendar found on the lower right corner each week on our Friday Reflection.
Access is extraordinarily important. Joining with our brother Jesus in this movement is extraordinarily important. Reminding one another perpetually that we are sent is extraordinarily important. You and those you are called to serve are extraordinarily important. Remembering who and how we are Called to be... is extraordinarily important.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks are to God.
Eastertide blessings
+David
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Galatians 6:2- Tanzania Trip
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"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 I offer this brief reflection on my participation in the Galatians 6:2 Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for at least two reasons. Firstly, I want you to know what I'm doing when I am out of the diocese. And secondly, I want you to know why I am doing what I am doing outside the diocese. I was asked by the Office of our Presiding Bishop to participate in this conference and ++Michael's invitation was due, in large part, to our work in the diocese to address Human Trafficking. One of the 7 topics we discussed was the global crime of Human Trafficking. This conference included five other Provinces (African): Burundi, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania and West Africa. I was the only Bishop representing the Episcopal Church. This conference provided me with the wonderful opportunity to share the narrative of the EDSJ, to talk about the "missional movement" of the diocese, and specifically, to describe some of the ways we are endeavoring to respond to the needs of those who live on the margins in our context and how God is Calling us to be... in this place. This conference was a lovely exercise in relationship building which was particularly important in light of the recent suggestion by Primates in Canterbury. This conference (sponsored and funded by The Episcopal Church) was a wonderful opportunity, as I have said, to invite others in different parts of our Communion to be introduced to the EDSJ and to hear how we are involved in work which is catching the attention of others throughout our church. I was delighted to be asked and (jet lag [twenty plus hrs. each way] and a funny belly aside) was delighted to attend.
Eastertide blessings
+David
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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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Spring Tea- St. Paul's, Modesto
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Dear Sisters and Brothers, In light of the recent decision from the Court of Appeal, I have conferred with the President of the Standing Committee, Cindy Smith, the Vice President of Diocesan Council, Jan Dunlap, our Diocesan Treasurer and Chancellor so that we might re-focus the agenda of the upcoming joint meeting of Standing Committee and Diocesan Council on April 30th and address these recent developments. While we do not yet know whether the Defendants will seek review of the Court of Appeal's decision, it is important that we are prepared. Specifically, I am asking for the joint meeting to review and revise, where necessary, the existing relevant contingency plans involving the return of the Diocese's properties, assets, and the related budget and financing. As responsible stewards we should do no less. I will ask that the joint meeting also revisit and reflect upon the recommendations of the Sustainability Committee that were that were shared and discussed in each Deanery and at our Convention in 2014. It is with equal importance that our planning and implementation always assume a prayerful approach and deep pastoral sensitivity for ALL who have been and will be involved in this challenging time of transition.
Finally, I am deeply aware that with these recent developments and those to come in the days before us may give rise to concerns and queries. I remain, as does the rest of your Diocesan leadership, open, available and ready to be in conversation with you about such concerns and queries.
As always you can reach me at the Diocesan Office
or email me at
(bishopdavid@diosanjoaquin.org)
You can email Cindy Smith, the President of Standing Committee (cindy@kerncomputer.com), or Jan Dunlap, Vice President of Diocesan Council
(jan@kerncomputer.com).
For your legal or canonical questions email the Diocesan Chancellor, Michael Glass (mglass@diosanjoaquin.org)
and financial questions email
the Diocesan Treasurer,
Marion Austin (maustin@diosanjoaquin.org).
Again, I ask that during this time we remain in a position of prayer and as we listen to the Spirit and to one another, we will continue to grow into who and how we are Called to be... Eastertide blessings +David
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Diocesan Farewell Gift
for Canon Kate Stained Glass hanging made by
The Rev. Jim Stickney
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Day of Discovery!
April 16, 2016
10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Contact the Diocesan Office today if you would like to come. It is not too late!
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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For Clergy, Wardens, Treasurers
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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
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Safeguarding God's Children
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Safeguarding God's Children!
Please review your Safeguarding God's Children program in your parish. Are all volunteers working with children current with the training or have gone through the program?
Please contact Stephanie Gilmer, Diocesan Coordinator at mzgilmer@att.net.
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University of
Central Oklahoma
Click here for more information |
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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TAKING ORDERS NOW!
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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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
57th Diocesan Annual Convention, October 28-29, ECCO
Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst
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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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The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355
PH 209-576-0104 F 209-576-0114 E contact@diosanjoaquin.org
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