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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING VULNERABLE
The Rev. Heather Mueller
St. Andrew's, Taft
The Five Marks of Mission are a wonderful and well -stated list, of ways we are called to minister as Christians in our world today!
They call us to proclaim...Teach...Baptize...Seek to Transform... and Strive! The Five Marks of Mission call us to go out and "DO"!
I would like to explore with you, in this reflection, the other side of the process of being a Christian in this world today and I would describe that other side as "Vulnerability". Consider with me, sitting back and receiving rather than going out and doing!
As I read the Gospels I see Jesus as being a most vulnerable person as he exercises his ministry in the context of the Establishment Judaism and the Roman domination. He was vulnerable in a very dangerous context! The gospel stories are filled with the messages of resistant experienced by Jesus...he was open to attack by his own family and colleagues in the faith. He continued on to be vulnerable in his ministry of healing, teaching and confronting evil. I believe that God's Grace and power are most active and available when we are most vulnerable.
When I was Rector of St. John's, on the Island of Maui, I was very active and supportive of the camp ministry with the children. I was referred to, sometimes, as, "The Camp Lady"! I was known to say and I still believe that... camp is an activity for children which involves a lot of possibility for injury in a short period of time. The camp we used was called PECUSA and it was on the ocean, with mosquitoes, a bright shining sun, campfires, centipedes and a few scorpions for good measure!
At the same time, camp offers children the greatest possibility of knowing about nature, themselves, others and God in the shortest amount of time. We would sing, pray share and hike...After they were grown, campers would remind me of what they considered life -changing moments during their camp experience. I believe the adventure was very much about the vulnerability of the campers and the availability the children had to God's presence. Perhaps one week at camp offers as much learning as a year of Sunday School classes?
There is a program which has been created and supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and it is called, "Kids for Peace". It is a program of activities and opportunities for Jewish, Muslim and Christian young people in Jerusalem to interact with each other. Every summer they share two weeks in a camp situation with each other. I have heard from many people that being connected to and vulnerable to each other puts the students into a very different place...some for the rest of their lives. This is a life changing process for some. Through this experience which involves risk and being vulnerable, the young Muslims, Christians and Jews, expand their boundaries and know life and God in a greater fullness.
As many of you already know, I am planning a pilgrimage to The Holy Land Next Fall. It is fair to say that this part of the world, through many centuries, has been a place of much turmoil and conflict. It was in the time of David....the time of Jesus and is also yet today. It is also true that this part of the world has been the place of origin for three of the world's great faiths and people who go there feel the power of God in ways that is not always true for them in their homes. People, who make these pilgrimages to the Land of the Holy one, so often say that it is a life-changing experience for them.
I have often defined travel as, " Self-imposed, Moment to Moment crisis, with the greatest possibility for adventure, excitement, and learning about one's self, others, other cultures and God. Perhaps travel could be also defined as self-imposed vulnerability!
Saint Francis was a person who left home, became an itinerant healer and out of his vulnerability came the Franciscan movement which inspires people...(and even a Pope), yet today.
I have a friend who walked the The Compostella de Santiago and by the time he reached Finis-terra he was "out of money!" He spent several weeks with a group of people who did not speak common languages but together they searched for food in the rubbish cans and .......slept on the rocky beach. He wrote about this experience and ended his description of that time by saying, "I had never been so happy in my life!" Was it his availability to the power and grace of God? The clutter of life was gone and all he had was the friends, the place and the presence of God.
So much of what we do, as humans, is to spend money, energy and time to protect ourselves from being vulnerable. We avoid taking risks and we put great amounts of resource protecting ourselves from the dangers in this world. There are dangers....planes crash into the Mediterranean, people are trafficked, humans shoot each other and children are abused. These things are real and part of the world in which we live. To protect ourselves, we buy security systems, guns, and insurance, live in gated communities and surround ourselves with safe people whom we know and understand. Where and how are we meant to be vulnerable?
We who have explored the centering prayer method know how hard it is to sit in the silence and let go of the clutter!!! We perhaps believe in the importance of being still and listening for that "still small voice". We also hear the words in scripture that Jesus said so many times, "Fear Not"...Be Not Afraid".
We know that the followers of Jesus were systematically killed and tortured. Out of that first century of commitment and faith came the Christian movement which has empowered people and given life to people throughout the many centuries and throughout the whole world.
So how are we called to find the balance between risk/vulnerability and "safety" which can lead to spiritual death?
I am looking for the balance between boredom and death verses risk and new life in Christ!
I believe the travel through life for me means putting myself into the circumstance of the unknown.
We have heard that, "It is more blessed to give than receive!" When we give we are in control, it is safe and the "ball is in the other court! I am proposing that it is more blessed and more fruitful in the long run of life to receive than to give.... I like the Via Media of both and I will keep searching to live it!
The Rev. Heather Mueller
Priest-in-Charge
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The Rev. Sylvia Singer-Hedlund May 22, 2016 Sylvia Singer-Hedlund
received an MDiv degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Victor Rivera. Her occupation was librarian. Sylvia studied music and was an accomplished pianist.
In October, 1983, Deacon Sylvia was placed in charge of The Episcopal Mission of St. Laurence on Tam O'Shanter Drive in Stockton. There were about 35 members of St. Laurence. The mission was closed by Bishop John David Schofield and Deacon Sylvia was assigned to St. Anne's of Stockton. She served at St. Anne's until her health forced her to move closer to her daughter in Danville, CA. She attended St. Stephen's in Danville. Sylvia loved books and reading and help found the Book Club that still meets on a monthly basis at St. Anne's. She was willing to serve when and however was needed. She had the gift of a pastoral presence, which is why people enjoyed working with her. The Rev. Lyn Morlan, St. Anne's, Stockton
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Wear Orange - Thursday, June 2, 2016
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Bishops United recently became a partner in the Wear Orange movement.The goal of the movement is to inspire as many people as possible to wear orange on Thursday, June 2 as a symbol of their commitment to work for an end to gun violence.
Episcopalians in the Central Valley are invited to join in a national movement to call attention to Gun Violence. Bishops against Gun Violence (which includes our own Bishop David Rice) and Episcopalians against Gun Violence are inviting people to join in a national campaign against gun violence that is encompasses churches and secular society.
GO TO:
%20violence
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June 5, 2016 is Wear Orange Sunday in
Diocese of San Joaquin
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A Christian Response to Gun Violence
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How are Christians to respond to the pervasive firearm violence that roils the United States?
This video is hosted by Episcopal Bishops Sutton and Douglas.
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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
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As I am sure many of you already know, I am organizing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land next Fall September 22-October 6, 2016
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It is not too late to sign up for this pilgrimage.
If you or someone you know has expressed an interest in having this experience please contact me or have them contact me ASAP.
We need to get the plans in place by June. We have a good group going of 15 with some still deciding. I would like to have 25.
I can send the itinerary via email or hard copy. Email me at heathermaymueller@yahoo.com
Salaam, Heather Mueller
St Andrew's Episcopal Church
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Healthy Snacks for Church Events
St. Paul's, Modesto, Children's Ministry, assisted at the celebration of the Eucharist on Trinity Sunday. The children assisted as acolytes, lectors, ushers and presenters of the elements. The children also assisted in the Sermon by answering questions and engaging in questions about the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday also marked the last day of Sunday School and the children were in a room just for children and supervising adults so they could enjoy their own fellowship. Healthy snacks were served: hot dogs with mustard and ketchup, popcorn, fruit and healthy drinks. The children enjoyed games and fun was had by all.
I then walked through the coffee hour in the parish hall and was surprised to see only one tray of watermelon on the banquet tables, one vegetable tray and no protein, however a lot of carbohydrates in the form of sweet treats.
This made me ponder, why are we not offering healthy alternatives at coffee hour and Diocesan and other church events? Yes, there are events that have nuts, cheeses, meats, healthy muffins, fruits and vegetables. I have vowed in the future, my coffee hour contributions will be the same snacks I serve at home (fruits, vegetables, proteins, nuts with healthy carbohydrates -corn or spinach tortillas wrapped around cheese, vegetables, low fat meats or hummus. Hummus stuffed celery or cucumbers are delightful).
What are your thoughts on healthy appetizers or snacks for church events? Do you have any favorite recipes that you would like to share? Could your sharing of ideas possibly work into a Healthy Diocesan Cookbook in the future?
Please share your thoughts and concerns with me.
Thank you, Blessings and Love,
Stephanie Gilmer
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Crop Walk- St. Paul's, Modesto
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 The Modesto CROP Hunger Walk went very well. St. Paul's again fielded the largest group of walkers and we raised even more money than last year. Our 2016 total was $4,000. Total donations raised $11,975
Tom Hampson, St. Paul's, Modesto
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Attached is a Fact Sheet from Episcopal Relief & Development on the Zika Virus. Central California has the same
mosquito specie already here (it also transmits Yellow Fever). Click here for the Fact Sheet.
For more information on the Zika Virus and the good work of Episcopal Relief & Development go to:
Submitted by
Dennis Fitzgerald,
St. Raphael's, Oakhurst
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Become an EfM trainer!
Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them."
EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.
Training for
EfM is at Holy Family, Fresno
Thursday, June 9th @2pm through Saturday, June 11th @2pm.
The cost is $195.
No prior experience is required and a commitment to lead an EfM group is not needed.
If interested contact
The Rev. Michele Racusin at rector@holyfamilyfresno.org
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Paul Colbert, Iconographer, Priest, Renaissance sort of guy with his most recent work, The Women at the
Foot of the Cross. |
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As we prepare for Pentecost, that is to say, as we pray and ponder over the manner in which we are "sent out" to hear the many voices of God (read languages), I have a book to recommend.
I encourage you to read Radical Sending, Go to Love and Serve by Demi Prentiss and Fletcher Lowe.
The back cover reads: "Radical Sending is alive with stories, insights, and new ideas on how individuals and congregations can take seriously their Christian vocation as part of their daily life. It is a book in my opinion that will enable ordinary radical people to become part of Michael Curry's 'Jesus Movement' as we live out our daily lives in this time and place."
- Rayford Ray,
XI Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan
Blessings, +David Note to Clergy:
Author Demi Prentiss
is our presenter at the Advent Clergy Retreat
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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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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 Kudos go to Holy Trinity, Madera and St. Paul's, Modesto for having their audits completed and to St. John the Evangelist for having their peer audit scheduled and to St. Raphael's and St. Nicholas for making arrangements to do each others peer review!!
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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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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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Southern Deanery Meeting, Saturday, June 4, 2016, 11am St. Andrew's, Taft. Lunch will be provided.
EFM Training
June 9-11
Holy Family, Fresno
Central Deanery Meeting
Saturday, June 11, 11am
Holy Family, Fresno
Commission on Ministry Meeting, 10am
Holy Family, Fresno
Convention Planning Committee Meeting 1:30-3:30pm
Holy Family, Fresno
Northern Deanery Meeting
Saturday, October 1, 10am,
St. John the Baptist, Stockton
57th Diocesan Annual Convention
October 28-29, ECCO
Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst
Advent Clergy Retreat,
December 6-8,
St. Anthony, Three Rivers
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Announcements, Stories of the Bag, Missional Days, Five Marks of Missions articles, and special events articles can be submitted to the Diocesan Office at: emeyer@diosanjoaquin.org
All submissions are due Tuesday for the following Friday Reflection.
Submission requirements:
pictures -JPEG format
articles- word document
linked documents- PDF
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"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."
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