Congregations across the Diocese of El Camino Real celebrated Christmas online, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service on YouTube, Zoom, and Facebook Live. Some churches went beyond the typical holiday services by hosting virtual pageants. Trinity Cathedral in San Jose hosted "Las Posadas: A Story of Christmas, and Seeking Shelter," a unique Nativity story presented by Trinity's youth and family ministries (click the image above to view). Bishop Lucinda also visited Trinity for its Christmas Day service, which featured a sermon from Bishop Lucinda and special music from the Trinity Cathedral Choir and choir of St. Thomas, Sunnyvale (view here).
The Christmas Eve service at St. John's, Aptos was even more creative, featuring a "Virtual Christmas Pageant." Children and families who are fans of the game Minecraft built an animated Nativity Story like you've never seen before, which became part of the 4 pm service (sample image below). View the service here, and happy new year to all of our congregations!
Diocesan website undergoes redesign
Realepiscopal.org, the diocesan website, is undergoing a redesign that is expected to debut by the end of January. The redesign has been in development for months and incorporates feedback gathered from diocesan and church leaders from across the Diocese of El Camino Real.
"In addition to a visual makeover, significant changes will be made to reorganize the 'Resources' section into a more sensible structure," said Communications Director Elrond Lawrence. Working with Bishop Lucinda, he said, the shared goal is to better tell the diocese's story and refine the site to make it more dynamic and accessible to church leaders and staff. Watch for an update later this month.
Episcopal responses to riot in US Capitol
“The unfolding of violence at our nation’s capitol today in Washington, D.C. has astonished some, outraged many others, and not surprised a few,” wrote Bishop Lucinda Ashby in a message to the diocese last night. “It is important that we remain focused and grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ.” For those who missed it, read the full message.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry strongly denounced the ongoing assault on the United States Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters, referring to it as an “attempted coup” in a video message on the afternoon of Jan. 6. View his message and prayers here. Bishop Curry will release a video message tomorrow (Friday, January 8) that will be posted on the diocesan Facebook and Twitter pages.
EVENT CALENDAR
Author discusses new book at Good Shepherd online forum
Church of the Good Shepherd & Preschool hosts author Reg Henry online on January 13 at 12 noon to discuss his new book, Love in the Late Edition. The book is part love story, part homage to the newspaper business, part ode to friendship, and an affirmation that while there is life there is hope. Henry spent 45 years as a journalist for newspapers in Australia, Britain and the US including The Times of London, The Monterey Herald and the Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette as an editorial page editor. He also wrote a national humor column which became the basis of a book The Wry World of Reg Henry.
The Revs. Karen Cuffie and Jani Wild are leading weekly pastoral conversations on racism every Thursday at 4:30 pm., with discussion and prayers. Learn, process, and share together in a faith community. Join the Zoom Meeting here Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022; Password: 748467
One tap mobile: +16699006833 (San Jose)
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Office Manager, St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Pacific Grove. The office manager establishes and maintains effective and efficient administrative systems to support the Rector and the Vestry, and is a friendly, welcoming presence for parishioners and visitors. View and download the full job description. Interested persons may contact the Rev. Kristine Johnson by email (rector@stmarysbythesea.org) or phone (831-373-4441, x11).
Part-time Parish Administrator, All Saints' Episcopal Church, Carmel.
Please contact The Rev. Amber Sturgess at rector@allsaintscarmel.org. Receiving applications through January 15, 2021. Full job description here.
St. Andrew’s in Saratoga is receiving applications for an Interim Rector. You may view their OTM Portfolio here and their Parish Profile here. For questions or to submit your resume, cover letter, and OTM Portfolio for consideration, email kirstin@realepiscopal.org or call the office at 831-394-4465.
Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Jose is receiving applications for a part-time Priest-in-Charge. You may view their OTM Portfolio here and their Parish Profile here. For questions or to submit your resume and application for consideration, email kirstin@realepiscopal.org or call the office at 831-394-4465.
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Please stay informed about COVID-19 news by visiting your local county public health website. The five county sites in our diocese are listed at right.
Real Episcopal is published on the first and third Thursday of the month. News and event submissions must be received by 12 pm noon on the Friday before publication date. Please limit submissions to 150 words in text format (unless agreed to in advance) and include the "who-what-where-when-why" information in the first paragraph.
Photos are welcome. Please send jpeg files with a minimum size of 1100 pixels wide (for phone images, select "original size" when sending).
EVENTS: Announcements must be in text form, no more than 100 words,and must be accompanied by a link to a web page with full information (flyers may be included with submission). All submissions will be edited for clarity and space needs. Church-specific event submissions will appear in no more than three issues per event.
News and/or story ideas should be emailed to Elrond Lawrence, diocesan communications director, at elrond@realepiscopal.org.
