Discussion Resources
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Scott is on vacation and so we are sharing a column that he wrote right after the 2012 Summer Olympics. Note that this column begins with a story about Michael Phelps who will be the flag bearer for the US Olympic team in Rio for the opening ceremonies. My wife, Holly, who loves swimming laps, was at the pool yesterday and witnessed a powerful example of just how important role models can be. Three ten-year old boys were getting ready to jump into the pool to race each other to the other end. As she watched them, she noticed that each of the boys was bending over and warming up by doing the Michael Phelps' arm flap. And of course, being ten year old boys, they immediately began to argue over which one had the right to pretend they were Michael Phelps. The life guard threw out the names of other famous swimmers in an attempt to settle the disagreement, but they all wanted to be Phelps. Clearly these boys, like many of us, have been avid fans of the summer games in London. Excellence is contagious. When we witness it--when we are fortunate to be close to it--it rubs off on us. It inspires us to want to be excellent, too. This past weekend I had the good fortune to be surrounded by excellence and it has inspired me throughout the week.
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From the Bishop
 Dear Friends in Christ, Grace and peace to you! My sabbatical time was very much what it was intended to be, a time for significant learning, reflection, rest and renewal. I have returned rejoicing in what I have experienced over those twelve weeks, and rejoicing in the work now before me.
It has been a great joy that my return brought me almost immediately into the important work of the Ordinand's Retreat, which I led together with Archdeacons Cookie and Gary. What a wonderful group I will be privileged to ordain this month! That retreat was followed soon after by the Pathways pilgrimage. I am still searching for adequate words to describe the profound blessings of that time. Building on last summer's Lift Every Voice experience, the Holy Spirit continues to shape our youth and young adults into effective ministers of Christ's reconciliation. That is to say, those youth and young adults who have been led to participate. It saddens me that more congregations were not represented. I have invited Sarah Quinney to say a word about that in this edition. And you will find links to photos, videos, etc. And you will hear more about it from me as we continue to move forward. For now, I simply want to say with all my heart that I consider our Lift Every Voice and Pathways work so far to be among the very greatest highlights of all my years in ministry. I am deeply grateful that this work is underway, and grateful for all who are engaged in it. We all owe deep thanks to Anne Clarke and her team. I also am deeply grateful to all who helped to make my sabbatical possible, and who kept the diocese running smoothly in my absence: Jim Sargent and the Standing Committee; Michael Monnot and the Board of Directors; all members of the Bishop's Council (including the Deans, the Archdeacons and Charles Mack); and the Office of the Bishop Staff, led by our Executive Team: Andrea, Lisa and Sandra. Canon Andrea, as you well know, was especially important in keeping the diocese on course while I was away, and has been critical in getting me back on course with you. If you and I have not yet reconnected personally, I hope that we will soon. I give thanks for your ministries, and the holy work we are doing together. Yours in Christ,
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Youth Leading the Way
 These experiences have created space for tremendous transformation in my life. The youth and young adults I journeyed with tell me the same. They do not want this to end this year with these pilgrimages. They are determined, motivated and incredibly excited to continue these journeys with other youth from our diocese. The youth are leading the way and we must follow.
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Diocesan Convention Nominations
From the Letter of the Secretary of Convention
Due September 1st
Standing Committee, Board of Trustees and General Convention Deputy nominations may be made by any person with seat, voice and vote. The due date for filing nominations is Thursday, September 1, 2016.
Elective Offices to be Filled
- Standing Committee: 1 clergy (four-year term) and 1 lay (four-year term)
- Board of Trustees: Nominations pending results from Convocations
(1 two-year term and 1 three-year term)
General Convention Deputy Positions to be Filled
- 4 clergy deputies, 4 clergy alternates*
- 4 lay deputies, 4 lay alternates*
(*Alternates to be assigned in vote order)
No Contest - Second Filing
For any office for which there is no contest as of September 1, 2016, a second filing time shall open on September 2, 2016. The due date for filing nominations during the second filing time is Wednesday, October 19, 2016. The Secretary of Convention is directed to post notice on the Diocesan website of the opening of a second filing time and the deadline thereafter for filing nominations. Nominations may be made from the Convention floor when called for by the President.
Nominations From the Floor
Names of those nominated from the floor will be placed on the ballot below those nominated prior to the opening of Convention; provided, however, floor nominees shall first present a printed copy of the nomination form and a high-resolution photo to the Committee on the Dispatch of Business.
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Diocesan Convention Resolutions
From the Letter of the Secretary of Convention
Due September 1st
Resolutions may be proposed by any person with seat, voice, and vote; the Board of Trustees; Standing Committee; Commission on Ministry; Diocesan Institutions; Vestries; Mission Committees; Committees of Convention; the Bishop or the Board of Trustees. The due date for filing resolutions is Thursday, September 1, 2016.
Only the five resolutions that are given the highest priority by the Resolutions Committee shall be presented on the regular agenda. Additional filed Resolutions or Resolutions submitted at the formation of Convention may be considered, with approval of a unanimous vote of Convention.
Resolutions shall be in the standard form for resolutions used by General Convention. An information sheet on how to write resolutions is available here.
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All Convention Forms and Due Dates
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Are you looking for ways to recruit, grow and sustain healthy leaders in your congregation? Leadership recruitment and development is a challenge that most of us struggle with, and that challenge provides an opportunity for the entire community to grow.
Join us from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3rd in Sacramento for this special gathering that will take place just before the start of 2016 Diocesan Convention. Participants will leave with new ideas, an action plan and teammates from around our diocesan community.
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Office of the Bishop Staff Announcement
The Office of the Bishop is pleased to announce that Paula Schaap has joined our staff as the new Director of Communications! Paula's lifelong vocation has been writing, telling and discovering stories. One of her greatest joys as a writer and editor is to help others find their voice and tell their own stories. At the congregations where she worshipped, she put her skills as a journalist to work helping them improve their social media presence and increasing press coverage for events. She has been an editor and reporter for more than a decade, covering a range of subjects, including religion, science, film, the law and business. |
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September is National Preparedness Month
September is recognized as National Preparedness Month, which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, visit and worship.
Seasons of Resilience - September
Great Shake Out - October 20th
In October, our diocese will join together with all of the Episcopal dioceses in California, and people around the world, for the Great Shake Out. This earthquake preparedness drill will take place at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
Stay tuned for more information about Preparedness Month, the Great Shake Out, the Episcopal Asset Map and community resilience resources in our diocese.
Please click here for all preparedness and community resilience resources.
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The Office of the Bishop will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 5, 2016. The office will reopen, and staff will return to the office on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.
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Bible Challenge Weekly Meditations
Bulletin inserts available for
Luke Chapters 1-24
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Upcoming Anti-Racism Trainings in Our Diocese
I n the next few months there are two scheduled opportunities to experience, "It's More than Just Color," the anti-racism training developed and presented by the diocesan Commission on Intercultural Ministries. Such training is now required for all licensed ministries. Everyone in the diocese is welcomed to participate in any of the upcoming anti-racism trainings that are currently scheduled:Everywhere the Episcopal Church is present, a multiplicity of cultures are present, too. The Commission for Intercultural Ministries seeks to help your worshiping community welcome and appreciate the great diversity of people among and around us. Please join us for a training!
Please click here to learn more and register for these trainings.
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'Many Voices, One Song' Music in Worship Conference
Music lies at the heart of both the Anglican and Lutheran liturgical traditions. The well-known quotation "He who sings prays twice" (attributed, although erroneously, to St. Augustine of Hippo) speaks to the continuing importance of music in our worship. On Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th, the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American will be sponsoring "Many Voices, One Song," a conference on music in worship today.
The keynote speaker will be internationally recognized church organist, music director, cantor, conductor, composer and teacher Dr. David Cherwien. Dr. Cherwien, a knowledgeable and engaging presenter, will speak to making creative use of the wide variety of musical possibilities available to congregations of any size today.
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PNEUMA Conference 2016 - October 17-20 at Bishop's Ranch
How are you investing in the Christian educators in your congregation?
The PNEUMA Conference (formerly known as the Western Christian Educators Conference) is a great opportunity for anyone who leads formation for children, youth and adults to gather with other leaders and be renewed and equipped with new tools and energy for the coming year.
Please click here to learn more about this event and to register.
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FORMA Conference January 2017
Registration for the January 24-27, 2017 Forma Conference in Garden Grove, CA is now open! The keynote speaker is Nadia Bolz-Weber; the author of two New York Times bestselling memoirs, ordained Lutheran pastor (ELCA) and founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. Other speakers include Nancy Frausto, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles' first Latina leader to have grown up in a Spanish speaking congregation who has gone on to pursue ordination, and Eric Law, the founder and executive director of The Kaleidoscope Institute, which provides resources to equip church leaders to create sustainable churches and communities.
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Clergy on the Move
Mara Arack, Calvin Stanley Cornils, Elizabeth Bates Gaines, Pamela Ann Gossard, Babette Florence Haggenjos, Patricia Ann Park, Anne Susan Pierson and Katherine Margaret Sefton will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 11: 00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento.
Charles Ernest Rouse will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Corning. Clergy are invited and asked to wear red stoles. A reception will follow.
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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 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.
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Please click here to learn more about these and additional opportunities.
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Please join us in continued 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 who will be in space for the next six months. 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 mission.
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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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