The Rev. Mary Blessing, Rev. Tracy Wells-Miller, and Pamela Stevens gather with youth at St. John's in Aptos around their tabletop worship, a liturgy for the lighting of the Advent candles.
Santa Cruz County youth explore Christmas joy, light "pink candle” on Gaudete Sunday
Youth from parishes in Santa Cruz County gathered at St. John's Church in Aptos on December 16 to enjoy a spaghetti dinner and to create and share a service of lighting "that pink candle" on Gaudete Sunday.
The group discussed the joyful practice of discerning and sharing their own spiritual gifts through the medium of unexpected treats like a "Holy Toast" bread stamp, "Jesus Heals" bandages, and even Last Supper after-dinner mints!
The youth then led a liturgy for the lighting of the candles around the Advent wreath, including "that pink candle" using elements from Godly Play, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and the Holy Bible! The youth were acolytes, lectors, and officiants at the table-top liturgy, in which parents and clergy participated. The meeting concluded as always with a time of fellowship and exploration of worship spaces.
The Santa Cruz County Regional Youth Ministry builds Christian community for youth among five parishes in the County. Regional Youth Missioner Pamela Stevens works with clergy and families to provide youth programming and Confirmation preparation, offering a space for youth to experience and learn the joys of life-long Christian faith practice in the Anglican tradition.
The Santa Cruz County Regional Youth program meeting on Gaudete Sunday began with a joyful meal of spaghetti.
What can you do? Advocacy resources for immigration reform
Need more information before starting?Welcoming the Stranger Advocacy Toolkit, prepared by Episcopal Migration Ministries, gives background on the current crisis, the position of the Episcopal Church, and suggestions on how to work toward a solution.
Longer term solutions are needed.Life in the Northern Triangle of Central America is difficult and dangerous.At Cristosal’s Global School last spring, nine people from our diocese spent a week with Salvadorians seeing these conditions first hand.We learned how Cristosal’s work to advance human rights in Central America is working to improve conditions so people do not have to leave their homes to be safe.This type of work is the real solution: make it safe for people to stay in their homes.We can also support work of NGOs like Cristosal and of USAID to improve human rights and economic prosperity within the Northern Triangle of Central America.
We can also support US executive policies that de-emphasize immigrant enforcement action against those who have not committed felony crimes, and reaffirm our church’s support for congressional action for comprehensive and just reform of the broken US immigration system.Contact your representatives in Washington to let them know how you feel. Thank you for your consideration and support!
The Partnership Commission of the Diocese of El Camino Real
Trinity Cathedral celebrates "Our Lady of Guadalupe Day"
On December 12, the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Congregation at Trinity Cathedral in San Jose hosted a sensational event honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. This largely attended event started with prayer service lead by the Very Rev. David Bird. Adults and children participated in this lively event by contributing their talents of leading prayers, traditional cultural dances, Mariachi music in honor of the Virgin, and singing. Traditional rose flowers and other personal offerings were also carefully placed on the center altar that was created by the dedicated members of Guadalupe Parish. Father David Bird also did a memorable sermon on Our Lady of Guadalupe with the children of Guadalupe congregation. Read the full story in English and Spanish here with colorful photos!
Grace Cathedral to host MLK youth event
MLK @ Grace is an overnight sleepover and service event at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, from Sunday, January 20, to Monday, January 21. Join youth from around the Dioceses of California and Northern California for fellowship, fun, discussion, and action. There will be facilitated community building, active and contemplative activities, art, music, and prayer. We will march together Monday in the San Francisco Martin Luther King Day Parade.
The program begins at 5 pm on Sunday and ends at 1 pm on Monday. Cost for MLK @ Grace is $10, and there is ample scholarship available. All youth must be accompanied by a designated Adult Leader. Full details can be found here.
Registration open for online CDSP Winter Term courses
Winter Term Course registration is now open with the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL) at CDSP. Courses last seven weeks and are entirely online; they are also asynchronous, meaning that students do not need to be online at a particular time of the day or week, enabling student involvement from throughout the country. Courses this term include The Pauline Epistles; English Spirituality and Mysticism; Leading Liturgical Worship; Images of Diakonia; Introduction to the New Testament; and Church History. CALL courses are open to all lay and clergy members for ongoing education and enrichment.
Along the King's Highway is published every Wednesday. News and event submissions must be received the previous Sunday evening. Please limit stories to 200 words and include the "who-what-where-when-why" information in the first paragraph. For event news, flyers must be accompanied by a basic text summary of the event. All submissions will be edited for style and published as space allows. Questions? Contact editor Elrond Lawrence, diocesan communications, at elrond@realepiscopal.org.
COM Workshop: Navigating the Ministry Discernment & Ordination Process
Attention to those considering ordained ministry and their spouses, as well as vestry members, lay leaders and clergy! The Commission on Ministry (COM) invites you to a workshop called “Navigating the Ministry Discernment/Ordination Process,” to be held on Saturday, January 26 from 10 am to 12:30 pm at St. Paul’s, Salinas. (Gathering and coffee at 9:45).
It’s particularly valuable to those who are discerning a call to the diaconate or priesthood along with their spouses, as well as those in the congregation that “walk alongside” these people (vestry members and clergy) as they respond to their calls. The agenda includes a discussion about the process of discernment and an overview of ECR’s ordination process. To register, please email Dottie Fuller at dotfuller@aol.com with your name and congregation by end-of-day January 23, 2019. (Please state "COM Registration" in the subject line.)
"Double Nickels" luncheon at Good Shepherd
Deena Haynes, Assistant Director for the Tyler Heart Institute at CHOMP, will speak at the Double Nickels Luncheon for those 55 & up on January 9. The luncheon begins at 12 noon at Church of the Good Shepherd, off Hwy 68 between Monterey and Salinas. Over a 35-year career, Haynes has combined her education and interest in prevention, wellness and rehabilitation to develop hospital wellness programs. She now manages the Institute’s outpatient wellness, rehabilitation and community programs. Double Nickels is a monthly luncheon of homemade food; a $5 donation is suggested, but not required. For more information visit goodshepherdcorral.org, call 831-484-2153, or see the December 19 issue.
Epiphany Jazz Vespers in Saratoga
Join us January 6 at 5:30 pm for Epiphany Jazz Vespers with Mark Russo and the ClassyCats. Jazz Vespers at St. Andrew’s Saratoga began in 2017 as a concept worship service and outreach ministry. The Rev. Peggy Bryan and St. Andrew’s community befriended Bay Area musicians and designed a service of corporate prayer, spoken verse and collection of musical numbers that cluster around a thematic center. All are invited, and bring some Christmas cake to share! Enjoy a contemporary riff on an ancient prayer service and let gifted musicians carry you to a worship world. For info and directions, visit St. Andrew’s website or contact Bruce Friesen at (408) 867-3493.
Youth Ministry Symposium to examine formation for Christian community
CDSP’s annual Youth Ministry Symposium will examine confirmation and formation practices that support youth, intergenerational groups, and the mission and spiritual growth of congregations. Open to all, the event, is designed for youth ministers and volunteers, clergy, camp leaders, and directors of education and formation and will be held March 16, 2019, from 9:30-3:30 pm (including lunch); an online option is available and childcare is available upon request at registration. NOTE: If interested in carpooling, please contact Kelsey Davis, Curator for Emerging Communities, at kelsey@realepiscopal.org. More details can be found here.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” opera at St. Jude’s Cupertino
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” is a one hour opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, based on a story that never made it into the Bible about a little boy, the three kings, and the healing Gifts of the Christ child. The program will be held Saturday, January 5, at 7 pm and Sunday, January 6 (Epiphany) at 7 pm St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Cupertino. Visit the church website for details or call 408-252-4166. Tickets for adults are $10, children under 12 are $5, and a family flat fee is $20. Tickets will also be available at the door. Portions of the proceeds will benefit Canterbury Bridge, which provides housing for homeless students at San Jose State University.
Renowned organist to launch St. Dunstan’s concert series
Jonathan Dimmock, one of the few organists in the world to tour on six continents, returns to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church Monday, January 7, to perform Oliver Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur: Nine Meditations for Organ. The concert begins at 6 pm. Guests are invited to arrive at 5 pm for wine and cheese and to meet the artist. Mr. Dimmock will perform on St. Dunstan’s magnificent Dobson Tracker pipe organ, commissioned by the parishioners of the church and installed in 2015. Admission is $20; students and listeners under 18 admitted free. St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church is located at 28005 Robinson Canyon Road in Carmel Valley. For more information, visit www.stdcv.org or call 831-624-6646.
Applications accepted for 2019 UTO Grants
Applications are now accepted for the 2018 United Thank Offering grants. This year’s focus for grants is Go: Crossing boundaries created by race, culture, and economics to create communities that listen deeply and learn to live like Jesus. Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for projects that address a new focus area each year, both domestically and internationally in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Deadline is March 1, 2019 at 2 pm Pacific. The UTO Grant Committee will offer webinars to answer any questions and go over the application on Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, February 13 at 5 pm Pacific. For more information on grant guidelines and the webinars, read the full announcement here.
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St. Paul’s/San Pablo Episcopal Church in Salinas is now receiving applications for their next rector, a bilingual position. Interested candidates can view their Parish Profile and OTM Portfolio below, in both English and Spanish. Parish Profile in English OTM Portfolio in English
To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume and OTM Portfolio to Canon Brian Nordwick inboth English and Spanish at brian@realepiscopal.org. Feel free to contact Canon Brian via email or at 831-394-4465 with any questions or additional information.
St. Paul's / San Pablo Salinas está recibiendo solicitudes para su próximo Rector. Los candidatos interesados pueden ver su perfil parroquial y su cartera OTM en inglés y español en: Parish Profile Español OTM Portfolio Español
Para solicitar este puesto, envíe una carta de presentación, un currículum y un Portafolio OTM a Canon Brian Nordwick en inglés y español al: brian@realepiscopal.org. No dude en ponerse en contacto con Canon Brian por correo electrónico o al: 831-394-4465 con cualquier pregunta o información adicional.
