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From The Rev. Nick Lorenzetti,
St. Paul's, Modesto
If We Are Radical, Then:
When I was asked to write this article for the Friday reflection, I immediately began to focus on the word "radical." Being a flower child and "power to the people" sort from the 1960s, the thought of what is new, innovative, transformative and corrective still appeals to me. Pursuant to some prayer and reflection, I surmised that for me "radical" still means action. It implies not just an attitude, but that which is done to correct that which needs correction, or at least that which needs to be noticed and addressed.
There is still in our society no shortage of those (scholars and preachers alike) who remind us that we mistakenly turn the radical Jesus of the Scriptures into the comfortable Jesus of the 21st century American culture. The culture of self-advancement, self-esteem, self-sufficiency and our individualism, materialism and universalism have, say many, neutered the Christian witness of Americans, blinding us to widespread global poverty, an orphan crisis, and the massive number of those who still have never heard of Jesus, let alone the Jesus movement! Then, of course, there is the reality of the violence all about us which causes persons to live in fear, running out to buy guns for protection. What can we make of all this as we prepare for a convention whose theme is "called to be...radical, welcoming and sending?"
A few days ago I was informed that one of our parishioners, a Boy Scout leader, has been told that she must leave the church premises on which she meets every week. This is because the new pastor became aware of her sexual orientation. From my perspective, that's radical! The shootings in San Bernardino, Orlando, Missouri, Texas, Sandy Hook, etc. were also radical! Building a wall to keep out Mexicans is radical! Banning all Muslims from our country is radical! The disappearance of the middle class in America is radical! Yet, needless to say, it's not our kind of radical. So what is?
I would like to share that for Christians to be radical is for them to be welcoming. James K. A. Smith says in "Desiring the Kingdom" that "Human beings are fundamentally lovers; that is, we are not primarily thinking things or believing animals but rather desiring agents with a passional orientation to the ultimate - to a vision of the Kingdom."
[http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/desiring-the-kingdom/284500]
As the days to convention draw nearer, I have decided to focus my meditations and prayer time on what it means to be radical in the time and place in which I find myself. I share this with you in the hope that it might contribute to our collective understanding and commitment to counter-balance the individualistic lone-ranger Christianity that is so prevalent today.
- "I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
- "All things work together for good for those who love God." Romans 8: 27-29
- "If I speak in human and angelic tongues..." I Corinthians 13: 1-13
- If being radical is being welcoming, then what does my welcoming look like, sound like each day?
- How am I doing with my Baptismal vows, especially that business of "striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being?"
- Do I demonstrate that I desire the Kingdom by what I do in the workplace, in my relationships with people, and by witness to the way things are meant to be?
There now, that should keep me busy until we see each other at convention! All the best to each and every one of you from St. Paul's, Modesto.
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Handing over the Keys
artist The Rev. Stephen Bentley |
Current Total: $10,101.55
Our new Canon to the Ordinary,
The Rev. Anna Carmichael will start
September 5, 2016
If you have not yet contributed to the Canonball Express please prayerfully consider doing so. Canon Anna needs some wheels!
Blessings,
+David
Please send your donations to The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, memo Canonball Express,1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355
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ERD:Gulf Coast Flood Response
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Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana's emergency response efforts in the wake of widespread flooding that has affected more than 40,000 homes across the state. Some areas received more than 24 inches of rain, with record precipitation of up to 30 inches around Baton Rouge. As of August 17, 20 Louisiana parishes (counties) had been included in the federal disaster declaration due to flooding, notably Ascension and Livi ngston along the Amite River. One third of the 45,000 homes in Ascension were flooded when the river overtopped the levee nearby, and more than 90% of homes in the town of Denham Springs have been affected. The rural parish of Tangipahoa is also severely impacted, and assessments are ongoing. With support from Episcopal Relief & Development, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana is responding to immediate needs such as food, emergency housing and storage, gasoline and replacement of lost items by distributing gift cards at churches and shelters. Over the long-term, the economic impact of the flood will fall most heavily on those least able to recover quickly, with road and business closures resulting in lost income on top of repair costs. Read more here about the floods, efforts and how to help. If you have any questions please contact our Diocesan Disaster Preparedness and Response Coordinator Dennis Fitzgerald at: ddfitz@sti.net.
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As a people of faith, we know our core gospel/missiological task is to "call neighbor" those in the context in which we live. We also know that we have a significant percentage of Spanish speaking people in our context, that is, throughout the Central Valley. And this lovely cultural diversity makes for a rich neighborhood. I encourage us all to consider the ways we are acknowledging, responding to and honoring our Spanish speaking sisters and brothers in our respective neighborhoods. I would suggest that one of the simplest ways to acknowledge, respond and honor is through language.
I invite us to start learning portions of our Eucharistic Liturgy in Spanish. And this is perhaps the best way to start. Here is the Lord's Prayer in Spanish. During our Diocesan Convention we will use this pray thus I invite you to begin to learn it. I trust there is someone in each parish/mission who has skills in Spanish, thus I encourage you to ask that person to lead your community in this process. I do hope we will be able to say this prayer together with confidence as we gather at ECCO in October for Diocesan Convention.
Padre nuestro que estas en el cielo,
sanctificado sea tu Nombre,
venga tu reino,
hagase tu voluntad,
en la tierra combo en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada dia.
Perdona nuestras ofensas,
como tambien nosotros perdonamos
a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en tentacion
y libranos del mal.
Porque tuyo es el reino,
tuyo es el poder,
y tuya es la gloria,
ahora y por siempre. Amen
Sacrifica a Dios alabanza, y paga tus votos al Altisimo.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High.
+David
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| Call to The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
57th Diocesan Annual Convention
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Radical, Welcome, and Sending
Call to The Episcopal Diocese of
San Joaquin 57th Annual Convention
October 28-29, 2016
ECCO
Episcopal Conference Center, Oakhurst
 Guest Speaker
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
Canon to the Presiding Bishop
for Evangelism and Reconciliation
Registration is online only this year!
Click here to go to registration site on our Diocesan Website And
find all reports and information about our annual convention.
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Faith in the Valley Event
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The Episcopal Church of St. Anne, Stockton
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School for Deacons/Center for Learning
School for Deacons/Center for Learning Starting Date September 16-17, 2016
Holy Family, Fresno
(Possibly St. James', Cathedral)
In this article you will read some of the often posed queries regarding our School for Deacons/ Center for Learning. We hope you find this information sufficient. At the end of this article is the link to the schedule of courses.
In this article you will read some of the often posed queries regarding our School for Deacons/ Center for Learning. We hope you find this information sufficient. At the end of this article is the link to the schedule of courses.
Called to Be...Life Long Learners!
- Have you ever heard a "Bible quote" in the media and wondered...Is that really in the Bible?
- Have you ever heard that the Episcopal Church was started by King Henry VIII because he wanted a divorce and wondered...? Is that really what happened?
- Have you ever wanted to go deeper in your spiritual life and wondered...What type of spiritual practices might help me?
- Have you heard about the Anglicans and wondered...What makes someone an Anglican and why does it matter?
- Have you ever....
Well...Maybe you are called to be...a participant in The Adult Life-Long Learning Center where you can explore your faith in a safe environment with other adult learners.
What is it?
- Classes offered include Scripture, Church History, Spiritual Practices, and more.
- Sessions are facilitated by University professors and ordained clergy.
- Participants can attend one or more of the classes.
When is it?
- Classes offered on a monthly basis (third weekends--on Friday evenings and Saturdays) from September 16-17th, 2016 to June 16-17th, 2017
- Some of the classes are offered for the academic year (10 sessions), some for a semester, (5 sessions), others vary week to week.
- The length of each class ranges from one-half hour to three hours depending upon the subject.
Where is it?
- Conveniently located in the center of the diocese at Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fresno.
How much does it cost?
- Are you ready for this? We simply ask for a donation as you are able to support the expenses of the school. The facilitators donate their time. You will be responsible for the purchase of your books and supplies from outside vendors.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to write papers? No.
- Is there work outside of the class? Yes. Depending upon the class, you may read a few pages, to several chapters of Scripture, to a book. You may be asked to try spiritual practices or to reflect on a Christian ethic. Commitments vary according to the class.
- What is the class schedule for the first year? Click here.
- How long is the program? Two academic years.
- Do I need to take the whole program or can I pick and choose what interests me? You can take whatever inspires you. The program repeats every two years.
- What should I do if I want more information or want to sign up? Email The Rev. Michele Racusin here: rector@holyfamilyfresno.org
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The Episcopal Church of St. Anne, Stockton
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Community Event
What Can We Do to Address the Needs
of the Homeless
in North Stockton and Beyond?
A Conversation with Jon Mendelson
of Central Valley Low Income Housing
Sunday, August 21, 2016, 4:00 p.m.
Episcopal Church of St. Anne
1020 West Lincoln Avenue (@ Gettysburg)
(light refreshments provided)
Jon and his dad, Bill, manage Central Valley Low Income Housing, which also acted as the lead agency to prepare San Joaquin County's Continuum of Care plan to address homelessness in the County. Join us in a conversation about what we can do individually and together to respond to and address homelessness.
'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And he answered them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew 25:37-40
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A steward is not one who owns, but one who makes the best
use of everything he/she
have been given
If you have yet to start your Stewardship plan, start now!
Contact the Diocesan Office for the TENS password.
Stewardship is a year long program!
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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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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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Southern Deanery Meeting
Saturday, September 17, 11am,St. Michael's, Ridgecrest
Northern Deanery Meeting
Saturday, October 1, 10am,
St. John the Evangelist, Stockton
Central Deanery Meeting
Sunday, October 9, 3pm
St. Paul's, Visalia
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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