7/02/09
Dear Friends,
Because the office is closed on Friday, July 3, 2009 in observance of the Fourth of July holiday, this reflection is being sent out on Thursday.
I hope those of you who were not able to be with us in Hanford for Suzanne Ward’s ordination to the priesthood have had a chance to talk to people who were there or read about it on the Episcopal News Service, www.episcopalchurch.org/elife. It was a wonderful day. Bishop Nedi Rivera preached a powerful sermon. I left Hanford feeling proud and thankful for the Episcopal Church in that we include all God’s people in our corporate life.
This past Wednesday, the Diocesan staff and I joined Fr. Jim Stickney and continuing members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Modesto to meet with members of Wellspring Anglican Church to accept the keys and the possession of St. Paul’s buildings. Please join the continuing members of St. Paul’s on Sunday, July 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the return of the congregation and buildings to the control of the Episcopal Church. There will be a festive reception and barbeque after the service. I hope every congregation of the Diocese will send people to be a part of the celebration. If you are coming, please bring a banner identifying your congregation. Clergy who are able to attend are asked to vest and be part of the procession. We will be using green vestments.
The General Convention deputies and I will be traveling to Anaheim Monday July 6, 2009. There are important pre-convention meetings on the next day. I ask for your prayers for all of us as we take our place at the convention.
Peace,
+Jerry
From the Diocesan office...
Be a part of Episcopal Life San Joaquin: Doris Hall, the Editor of Episcopal Life San Joaquin (affectionately known as “The Wrap”), sent this information about the deadlines for the August issue. “If you have something for the August issue of Episcopal Life San Joaquin that you cannot send by e-mail, please send it to me to arrive by next Friday, July 3. I can accept material by e-mail up to Tuesday, the 7th, or even Wednesday, the 8th, but I will be in Anaheim fotr General Convention without an address for regular mail. My cell phone is 559-250-6324. Call me if you need to. Thank you”
Doris Hall’s address is 1295 N. Wishon, #1-F, Fresno, CA 93728.
Celebration Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Modesto: Bishop Lamb invites everyone to join the Episcopal congregation at St. Paul’s for the service July 5. “Please make plans to join your brothers and sisters at St. Paul’s on July 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate and give thanks for the return of the buildings. I hope every congregation of the Diocese will be represented at the service. There will be a reception/barbeque following the service. If you plan to attend this service, please bring the banner from your congregation. Clergy who are able to attend are asked to vest and join in the procession. Green stoles are to be worn.” Congregations are asked to send their banner to support St. Paul’s.
Samantha Bland, a member of Christ the King, Riverbank is organizing the barbeque reception that will follow the service. Nearby churches joining the St. Paul’s congregation for the celebration are contributing. Christ the King—tri tip, St. Francis—fruit salad, St. Paul’s—desserts, St. Anne’s—salads. Others coming from locations farther away may bring a side dish or drinks. Samantha’s phone number is 209-527-3922 if you need to contact her.
The Equality Commission is requesting that everyone complete a survey: As you may recall, the Equality Commission is tasked with preparing a report to annual convention on issues relating to discrimination and marginalization in the diocese. Their report will contain recommendations on what actions we, as a diocese, can take to ensure that all persons are treated with dignity and respect, and that no one is denied full participation in the life of the church because of issues of race, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status. In order to make meaningful recommendations the Commission needs to know more about who we are and what problems have existed. This survey is intended to gather that information.
The survey form will be available from your own church office, or the diocesan website: www.diosanjoaquin.org/governance/equalcomm.html. This survey is confidential and anonymous, but important for the work of the commission. Please go to the Web site, download, complete, and return.
Save the Date: Province 8 Clergy Women's Conference, September 28-Oct. 1 2009, Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA. There is a new website for the September conference. Registration materials are now available through this website: www.imagineprov8.org.
Commission on Ministry is forming Regional Discernment Committees: The Commission on Ministry (COM) is seeking individuals to serve on three Regional Discernment Committees. The primary purpose of each Committee is to meet with applicants seeking ordination, and discern with them God's call to serve the Church. The Committee will also provide spiritual support to the applicant.
Each Committee will meet approximately 6 times between September 2009 and March 2010, and prepare a final report to the Bishop and the COM. Training and orientation will be provided. A complete description of the role of this Committee is found in the handbook, Discerning Paths of Ministry, Appendix 7. A link to this handbook is on the front page of the diocesan website: http://www.diosanjoaquin.org
Interested individuals should contact their parish clergy, or email Valerie Leyva: vleyva@diosanjoaquin.org
Supply clergy for Summer Vacations: If you are planning to be away from your parish and you need to find a priest to supply, here is a list of clergy available in the diocese.
Justo Andres
Keith Axberg
Keith Brown
John Burk (retired in Monterey, but will travel)
Stan Collins
Kathy Galicia (Sunday mornings)
Ken German
Mark Hall
Neil Lawson (after June when Suzy Ward is ordained priest)
Basil Matthews
Jim MacDonald
Donna McNiel
Dave Pina (his services are on Saturday)
Norm Van Walterop
If you have any difficulty contacting these individuals, call the diocesan office.
--Mark Hall, Canon to the Ordinary, 209-609-7044
Camp San Joaquin is holding two camps in July through August 1: An Art Science Ecology Camp Monday, July 27 to Saturday, August 1, and Enrichment Camp Wednesday July 29 to Saturday, August 1 are planned to conclude with Camp San Joaquin Day festivities and lunch for all on August 1. Camp San Joaquin is a Christian summer Camp located in the High Sierra region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument at an elevation of 7,000 feet. It is owned and operated by Camp San Joaquin, Inc. Registration forms are available from the Camp San Joaquin registrar, 559-732-4821.
Camp Noel Porter is the place to be this summer! The Diocese of Northern California has invited the Diocese of San Joaquin to participate in their camping program for kids this summer. Camp Noel Porter is located one mile from Tahoe City on the beautiful west shore of LAKE TAHOE. Visit the website at www.campnoelporter.org for info and registration forms. There is still space available in all sessions. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Tammie at 530.583.3014 or email: campnoelporter@sbcglobal.net
There will be nine camping sessions from June 14 through August 9. Beginner Camps are for children ages 6, 7 and 8, juniors are grades 4 through 6, junior-hi are grades 7 to 9 and the senior camp is for teens in grades 10 to 12. There are also some junior/junior-hi camps for grades 4 through 9. Check the Camp Noel Porter Web site for more information. Driving time from Stockton is two hours and 45 minutes, from Fresno it is just four and one-half hours, and from Bakersfield it takes just over six hours.
Youth camping experience for Diocese of San Joauqin:
Where: Brannan Island State Park on the Sacramento River near Rio Vista
When: August 10-14
Who: Youth Junior and Senior High. Adults too!
What: We have a group camping area that can handle 30 total, we can
also get additional space as necessary. We will have at least two
boats for use, one speed boat for water skiing, one sail boat. We
would like at least ten adults.
Cost: $50 per participant.
For more information contact Canon Mark Hall markhall@diosanjoaquin.org or Steve Bentley Herb-and-Jamaal@hotmail.com.
Fillable Camper Registration Form can be downloaded here
Music Camp in Lodi: Applications are now be accepted for the Ninth Annual Summer Music Camp, sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lodi. It will take place July 20-24, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Rd. (just south of Vine St.) The camp is for children who have completed 1st Grade through 8th Grade. There is a fee of $50. Students are involved in music learning through choir, handbells, recorder playing, music theory, recreation, snacks and more! This year, composers George Frederic Handel and Michael Bedford will be studied and their music performed. Pre-registration is required! ($70 after July 10th!) call 369-3381 or e-mail at randyknutson@sbcglobal.net The music camp application is attached
Benedictine Experience at Bishop's Ranch, Healdsberg: The Rev. Basil Matthews will be the director of the twenty-fourth Benedictine Experience at Bishop's Ranch in the Diocese of California. To be held next summer, July 5-12, 2009, the Benedictine experience is a time spent in community designed for those-young and old, active and retired, laity and clergy-who wish to nurture and strengthen their daily lives through prayer and spiritual companionship. Modeled after that balanced way of life set out by St. Benedict in his Rule, giving due attention to body, mind, and spirit, the experience provides a framework for growth in personal faith and support for bearing witness to Christ at home, work, and church. For more information you may contact Fr. Basil at basil.m@earthlink.net.
News and Note's from Congregations: This is a section of the Friday Reflection to post information about special events at your church, especially if the event will be of interest to others in the diocese. Send the information to Juanita at jweber@diosanjoaquin.org.
Please forward the Friday Reflection to anyone you think will be interested in the content. To subscribe, send an e-mail to jweber@diosanjoaquin.org.
