DioCal News & Events

We are saddened to announce the passing of the Rev. Sumner F.D. Walters, Jr. A resident of Walnut Creek, Walters served as Diocesan Ecumenical Officer 2000-2018. He died Saturday, January 9, 2021. Details about a planned memorial service will be posted to this link.

Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful
servant Sumner; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates
of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your
joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in
the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ
our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Diocesan Chancellor, Christopher Hayes, and the Faith Formation Working Group Head, Amy Cook, have compiled all the resources for your annual meeting, including Canonical Authorization, Robert's Rules, and Technical Help. Please check this link for needed documents, planning helps, and some links to online voting and presentation resources. Amy Cook adds in information on making your Annual Meeting a Formation Event, and Caren Miles shares tips on raising up new leadership. 

The Episcopal Church is launching a campaign, “From Many, One,” to promote a new spiritual framework for Episcopalians to engage in tough conversations with family, friends and neighbors, bridging the intense divisions that threaten to tear apart communities in the United States and beyond.   Episcopalians will be encouraged to invite others to join them in “conversations across difference” guided by four questions: Who do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? And what do you dream?  Read about the program here on Episcopal News Service. Visit the website and sign up.  

Episcopal Impact Fund will make up to five two-year unrestricted grants of $15,000 to $30,000 to nonprofits that advance its mission and share its vision: 

Mission: Advancing Pathways out of Poverty
Vision: Children in the Bay Area, regardless of income, race, or zip code, grow up nurtured by healthy communities that are rich with opportunity.

This year, Episcopal Impact Fund will fund organizations that provide temporary or permanent supportive housing for families, youth, or young adults. in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo Counties, or the City of Palo Alto.

If you know of an organization that would benefit from a community grant from Episcopal Impact Fund, please send them here for more information and the application.

We’ve all seen those great videos of choirs singing beautifully together apart, but how do you make them? The Diocese is hosting a Zoom tutorial next week. Whether you're a music director, a member of a choir, or you're just curious about how it all works, come join us for this free Zoom webinar!

When: Tuesday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Registration link: Click here

Who: This event will be a livestream video teleconference utilizing Zoom. Please e-mail Sarah Chesebro sarahchesebro@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Tuesdays, February 2 and 9, 3:00 -4:00 PM
Looking for a deeply spiritual Lenten program for your congregation? Join this conversation and interactive group model with the Rev. Christopher H. Martin (Rector of St. Paul’s, San Rafael) as he discusses his newest book – With Gladness – Answering God’s Call in Our Everyday Lives.  As the featured Lenten offering from Forward Movement this year, this book introduces gentle spiritual practices that seem the perfect counter to the unrest and uncertainty of these days. Martin has mined scripture, theologians, poets, and fellow faith pilgrims to develop this guide for modern-day disciples seeking to move through their ordinary days with gladness and singleness of heart. On Feb 3, Christopher will introduce his book, explore the practices and invite us into using a practice for a week. On February 9, you’re invited to return to share the results of one or more of those practices.  Modeling a format for small group sharing, Christopher will help you craft a Lenten program using this book in your own congregation. Register here.

Saturday, February 6, 9:00 – 10:30 AM
The Episcopal Church is launching a campaign, “From Many, One,” to promote a new spiritual framework for Episcopalians to engage in tough conversations with family, friends and neighbors, bridging the intense divisions that threaten to tear apart communities in the United States and beyond.  Episcopalians will be encouraged to invite others to join them in “conversations across difference” guided by four questions: Who do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? And what do you dream?  Read about the program here on Episcopal News Service. Visit the website and sign up.  

Deadline: February 19, 2021

Applications are now being accepted for 2021-2022 placements with the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC), the international missionary program of The Episcopal Church. YASC offers Episcopalians ages 21-30 the opportunity to follow the Way of Love into deeper relationship with God and the global Anglican Church while spending a year living and working with communities around the world.

Click here to read more 

Application Deadline: February 15, 2021

There is still time to apply for the Constable Fund Grants for the 2021 grant cycle. The Constable Fund provides grants to fund mission initiatives that were not provided for within the budget of The Episcopal Church, as approved by General Convention 2018, with a stated preference for work in the area of religious education. In 2020, Constable Grants ranged from $2,500 to $50,000.  The 2020 grants totaled $209,500.00, distributed among nine grant recipients.

Click here to read more