Discussion Resources
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It Takes a Village to Raise a Graduate
My wife and I were invited to two high school graduation parties this month. These graduating seniors were not members of our extended family, but we knew them well, along with both of their families. In both cases we were honored to be invited to their parties, and even more so because the families both told us we were invited because we were part of their graduate's "village." We were honored to be included in what certainly is a group of hundreds of adults that have had a small or large part in helping these two young people reach the goal of graduating from high school.
I imagine some of you will also be invited to high school or college graduation parties this spring. Consider it an honor to be part of a young person's village. As much as a graduation is a recognition of individual achievement, it is also clearly a recognition of all those who have supported the graduate. So while the graduates are getting lots of well deserved attention this time of year, I would like to take a moment to remember all the other people who have played a supporting role in the graduates' lives through the years. These people may not be walking across the stage at the graduation ceremony, but they can take deep pride in the role they have played in helping a young person grow into adulthood and earn their diploma.
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From the Standing Committee President
Jim Sargent
Greetings and Peace to You,
During the Bishop's sabbatical guests are asked to write contributing articles for the Aurora. It is with honor and gratitude that, as president of the Standing Committee, I was invited to share some thoughts with you for this edition.
Throughout the 10 years of +Barry's episcopate, I have been blessed to serve this diocese in many capacities: as a member of committees, commissions and boards; elected, appointed and as a volunteer. My involvement with diocesan leaders has provided a vantage point from which I have viewed and experienced the growth, maturation and deepening of faith throughout this diocese. Yes, we have lost some congregations through this process, as they became unable to sustain themselves with the burdens of costs; but we have also lifted up congregations who have invested in expansions and new facilities, which brought forth congregational growth and new leadership.
I am a former member of the Diocesan Council and the Board of Directors. We now have one governing body, the Board of Trustees, which is helping to streamline our decision making process. In 2012, we moved from four deaneries to the current seven, which provides for smaller and more geographically compact groups who can meet with more ease and efficiency. The Board of Trustee members are elected within deaneries at convention, and some are appointed by the Bishop, which provides a much more balanced representation. The Bishop and his staff moved from the old office/house at 27th and Capital in 2011 (due to the destruction by a fire) to the new location at 350 University Avenue, which provides much better interaction of staff and a more inviting work environment. The Office of the Bishop is now accessible to all, regardless of mobility needs, something not possible at the old location. During a recent visit to the Office of the Bishop, it occurred to me that Bishop Beisner is the only individual who moved from the old location to the current one. We have encountered a complete turnover in staff, with the exception of one Utonomy employee. Much of the turnover resulted from life changes, as new opportunities arise and employees move on, which is fairly common in organizations of this size. The Bishop's staff is focused and dedicated to providing service and support to our congregations, and is engaged in a regular cycle of training and professional development to work toward better meeting the wide variety of programs and congregations that we have in this diocese.
One such training is the College for Congregational Development (CCD), with Canon Andrea as the director. Office of the Bishop Staff members the Rev. Kay Rohde, Anne Clarke and Jacqi McKinney have all participated in CCD, and we anticipate more staff to join in soon. Canon Andrea introduced us to the College for Congregational Development, describing it as: "A program that builds skills and increases capacity for participants to develop congregations of all sizes, locations and conditions in to more faithful, healthy and effective communities of faith. A training program designed to increase leadership capacity and refine facilitation skills necessary to lead meetings, small groups and teaching sessions. An opportunity to equip participants with tools to assess the needs of their congregation, to develop strategies for its growth and vitality, and focus energy on its priorities." During my participation in CCD, I found it to be an extremely comprehensive study that provides numerous tools to assist individuals to become leaders that help to build healthy and stable congregations throughout our diocese.
Many of our seasoned clergy are reaching retirement age, and we are seeing their ministries change in scope and focus, as they leave their positions to explore other ministries in retirement. Their institutional knowledge and spiritual guidance will be missed. And the Holy Spirit continues to provide The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California with talented and dedicated clergy from within our ordination process, and with those who have transferred here. These new clergy, and their lay ministry teams, lift congregations to new and exciting challenges of formation, growth and outreach. How does all this change support our diocesan vision and mission to make disciples, raise up saints and transform communities for Christ in Northern California? I believe it has allowed us to live out our vision and missions daily. We certainly are making disciples, and I have served with some of the saints we have raised up, and yes, we are transforming communities around us. The Board of Trustee's recent financial commitment to St. Matthew's in Sacramento will help to affect many of God's people who are in need in and around that community. We cannot let up on our continued efforts to push this diocese to, yet, a new and greater place. To do this we need leadership. This November we will meet again in convention, at which time we will elect members of the Board of Trustees, Standing Committee, and Deputies to the 2018 General Convention. Too often we come to convention with fewer nominees than positions to fill, resulting in last minute nominations from the floor to fill a slate. We need to all do our part to either step forward ourselves or encourage those around us, who we know can help lead this diocese into the future, and fill the open positions with a full slate. The Board of Trustees is forming a nominating committee, so please watch for convention packets and announcements about the elections process. Make it your task to help make this convention election our greatest to date. Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts and hopes with you. Please pray for Bishop Barry and the Rev. Ann for their safe travels and for their daughter Dr. Kate Rubins, as she prepares for her launch to the International Space Station this summer. Allow the light within you to brighten the light in others. In His Service, Jim Sargent
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Pre-Convention Deanery Convocations
Saturday, October 15th
2016 Diocesan Convention
Convention registration will be launched soon!
Please stay tuned!
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Bible Challenge Weekly Meditations
Bulletin inserts for Luke Chapters 1-18 available
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Planning to Retire?
Retirement Resources for Clergy
As clergy prepare for retirement, there are several important steps to take. Clergy should contact the bishop as soon as the time for retirement is near. After a discussion with the bishop, the clergy may begin working with their their vestry to plan for a retirement transition as soon as a decision to retire is made. It is also very important for the clergy person and the vestry to determine when this retirement transition will be formally announced to their congregation. Clergy should also contact the Church Pension Group (CPG) as early as possible during this process as well.
Please click here to access more information about retirement...
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Bishop's Sabbatical
Click here for reminders and protocols for this time when the bishop will be away. Members of the Office of the Bishop staff are available for meetings and inquiries during this sabbatical time.
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Godly Play Training &
Children's Ministry Conference
August 11-13, 2016
Episcopal Church of the Incarnation
Santa Rosa, CA
Please click here to learn more, apply for grants and register.
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Clergy on the Move
Ordinations - Save the Date
Clergy Retirement Resources
Please click here for important clergy retirement information.
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Special Clergy Anniversaries
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Please click here to learn more about these and additional opportunities.
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Employment Opportunities Beyond Our Diocese
Please click here to learn more about these opportunities.
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Please join us in prayer for Bishop Barry Beisner, and his wife the Rev. Dr. Ann Hallisey, Dean of Students at CDSP and priest in our diocese, and Ann's daughter Dr. Kate Rubins, biochemist and astronaut. Kate is scheduled to launch on a mission to the International Space Station this summer, and Bishop Barry and Ann will be traveling to Russia to watch the launch as family. Please join us in prayer for Kate, Ann, Barry and their family. We invite you to include Barry, Ann, Kate, and all involved in the international space station, in the Sunday prayers, and to pray daily together as a community during this time. Please click here for updates from NASA about this launch.
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To submit a clergy prayer request, please contact Sandra Littman, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, at 916-442- 6918 ext. 213
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Events In & Around Our Diocese
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News In & Around Our Diocese
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National & International News
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Click here for more National & International News.
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