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DioCal News & Events

The Episcopal Diocese of California's weekly round-up
 

April 7, 2021

El botón azul le da la opción de leer esta publicación en español, por ahora esta opción no funciona en el teléfono celular, pero si en los otros dispositivos electrónicos. 
Entendemos que la traducción no es perfecta, así que si tiene alguna pregunta acerca de lo que hemos publicado no dude en contactar a Stephanie Martin Taylor o Adia Milien 
Publicación en Español

In the News

Episcopal Church joins US government’s effort to encourage vaccinations

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church has joined the United States government’s new program to encourage Americans to get COVID-19 vaccines and build confidence in their safety and efficacy. The church is one of over 275 founding members of the Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 Community Corps – a nationwide network of trusted voices that will help get the word out to their communities.

Recognizing that people are most likely to follow the advice of a person or organization that they already have a trusting relationship with, the corps has enlisted a wide variety of partners, including dozens of religious groups. Along with The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Washington and Washington National Cathedral are members in their own right. Continue reading 

How Californians Are Weaponizing Environmental Law

*Note: An affordable housing project sponsored by All Souls, Berkeley is featured at the end of this article*
 
[The Atlantic] By any reasonable metric, the empty lot on the corner of First and Lorena Street in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles is a natural place to build housing. With a bus stop next door and an Expo Line light-rail station less than a quarter-mile away, residents would enjoy an easy 30-minute commute to one of the densest business districts in North America. They could walk to daily necessities such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants, making car ownership mostly optional. And thanks to the energy efficiencies of multifamily living, folks moving in from the sprawl that otherwise defines L.A. would see their environmental impact plummet.

Continue reading 

Episcopal Bishops of African Descent issues open letter against racism and anti-Asian violence

Episcopal Bishops of African Descent has issued an open letter for Holy Week speaking out against racism and anti-Asian violence.  Episcopal Bishops of African Descent is a caucus within The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops attentive to issues of race and justice and the voice of people of color in the church.  It has grown to become a multiracial group comprising members who are Black, Native Indigenous and of Asian descent.  In addition to advocacy for full inclusion of people of color in the church, Episcopal Bishops of African Descent provides fellowship and mutual support to one another in the House of Bishops.  

The full text of their open letter follows. A Litany in the Wake of Atlanta and Race in America is here

Continue reading 

Click Here For More Episcopal News

From the Bishop's Office

Canon to the Ordinary Abbott Bailey called to serve the Diocese of Virginia

Haga clic aquí para leer el mensaje en español

A message to the Diocese of California, from Bishop Marc:
 Dear friends, the clergy and people of the Diocese of California, 
 
I have news that is happy for the wider Church and sad for the Diocese of California to share with you today. Canon Abbott has accepted a position as interim Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Virginia, and her last day at DioCal will be Friday, April 23. Abbott’s decision is the result of a period of thoughtful discernment about her evolving vocation of service to the Episcopal Church. 
 
Abbott says: "Three years ago, I came here filled with wonder to join you in participating in God's activity in this unique and precious corner of creation. I felt swept up by the Spirit then, and I feel swept up by the Spirit now as I head back to Virginia to serve as Interim CTO. I have this unique moment to bring my skills and experience to serve my home diocese, and I find that I am compelled to take it. I pray I have served you well and faithfully. I know I have loved you: Bishop Marc, my colleagues on staff, my clergy colleagues, my companions in ministry throughout the Diocese. I leave you with that love and will carry your love and the immensity of all that I have learned with me in the deepest gratitude as I take this next most faithful step."
 
In the past with staff transitions, I’ve evaluated what the diocese needs today and for the future, and I am taking this approach with Abbott’s pending departure. Standing Committee officers, in their role as my Council of Advice, have generously begun a process that will aid me in making future staffing plans, and I sincerely thank them.
 
Abbott has brought much to our diocese in the past three years, and I speak for myself in saying that while this is a loss for us, I look forward to seeing what this next venture brings for her. By one measure, three years is not a long time; but in terms of energy, attention, and ability, Abbott has contributed immeasurably to our diocese. I personally thank her for her ministry among us and urge you to do so as well. 
 
Abbott and I will be devoting much of our energy in the coming days to matters of transition. Accordingly, after Friday, April 16, any diocesan-related communication that would normally go to Abbott should also be sent to my attention by copying Ms. Ashley Schutte, my assistant. 
 
As so often, the words of the author of Ecclesiastes are apt: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…” In the Easter Season we are more than usually reminded that these times and purposes are all accompanied by the radiant, resurrected Christ, who has promised to always be with us. 
 
 
In faith,
 
+Marc

EcoConfirmation Registration Now Open

To register confirmands (or those seeking reaffirmation or reception) please fill out the form found here: https://diocal.wufoo.com/forms/ecoconfirmation-2021/

This form is to be filled out by congregational leadership, not by individuals. 

EcoConfirmations are currently scheduled for:
April 24 at Jubilee Farm in Brentwood
May 8 at a location to be announced soon
May 22 at Christ Church, Los Altos
June 12 at Blackie’s Pasture in Tiburon
June 26 at a location in Southern Alameda to be announced soon

Registration for the August and September Confirmations at Grace Cathedral will be available on July 1.

If you have questions (or location suggestions) contact Caren Miles carenm@diocal.org

NEW! Facebook group

The Communications Working Group has created a new Facebook group that allows all congregations, members, and friends of the Diocese of California to post, share stories, live streams, events, and anything else happening around the diocese. This group is designed to help us better support one another in our efforts to build and nurture the Beloved Community. 

Please join the group today and share it with all.  Click here. 

Earth Day 2021: Thursday, April 22

Earth Day 2021 is almost here! Here are a few resources to help you and your congregations celebrate and take inspired action:·   

  • Faith Climate Action Week, April 16-25 
    This is Interfaith Power & Light’s annual program of climate-themed worship services and sermons. This year’s theme focuses on Cultivating Connections Between our Faith, our Food, and the Climate. Download the planning kit here
  • Sustain Island Home This program, piloted right here in DioCal, helps Episcopalians work together to care for the planet and its inhabitants. Watch the new intro video here.
  • Good News Gardens  A transformational agrarian ministry that feeds body, mind, and spirit. Learn more here.
  • Prophetic Indigenous Voices on the Planetary Crisis: A series of videos produced by the Anglican Indigenous Network, the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, and the Anglican Alliance, with assistance from the Diocese of California. The videos are available here

Planning for Resilience — Take action with DioCal!

This column is designed to help our congregations, week by week, update their disaster plans and their listings on the Asset Map. During the next few weeks, this column is offering suggestions for making an at-home emergency kit, either for yourself or for someone you know who needs help creating oneYou can jump in at any point and add items later. The important part is to get started!

This week’s suggested action: With your emergency kit, store at least three gallons of water per person in your household. Include some in gallon jugs and some in smaller bottles

DIOCAL - Workshops & Events

Internalized Oppression Retreats and Workshops

The Office of Black Ministries of the Episcopal Church is offering retreats and workshops for people of color. These workshops are offered either as a Friday – Saturday retreat, or a series of Wednesday evenings. New offerings begin April 7th

Through a series of modules, this internalized oppression curriculum educates participants about institutional, interpersonal, and internal oppression to facilitate a healing process that empowers people for transformational ministry in the name of Jesus.

Among the topics covered:

  • Shame = Silence + Secrecy + Judgment
  • The lies we’ve told and the new narratives we’re creating
  • Historical, theological, and social constructs of oppression

Participants are challenged to personally explore their life experiences through a didactic group process that invites them on a journey toward wholeness. Information and Registration here.

Evangelism Matters Conference: The Discipline of Hope

Audioconference, April 12 and includes 8 podcast/audio episodes every Thursday.

This spring’s Evangelism Matters conference invites participants to turn off the Zoom screen and “tune in” for an audioconference featuring podcast-style talks on the opportunity and challenge of evangelism today.

Launching on April 12 and available at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/evangelism-matters/, the free audioconference intentionally flips the conference format inside-out with an innovative approach to sharing, learning, and growing the ministry of evangelism among Episcopalians.

“We know people are suffering from ‘Zoom fatigue,’” said Lydia Bucklin, canon to the ordinary for Discipleship & Vitality, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan and member of the Evangelism Matters design team, “It’s great to give people the option to physically move while listening: walking the dog, doing the laundry, driving their car. They can learn, interact, and reflect when and where it’s best.”

The theme for this year’s gathering is “The Discipline of Hope,” highlighting the church’s calling to proclaim and represent hope and good news in a time of struggle and uncertainty.

Earthkeeping: Creation Care in Global Mission - 2021 Conference

Climate change and ecological degradation constitute the major planetary crisis of our time. What can our mission companions around the world teach us about climate justice?  How can we collaborate with them?
 
You are invited to the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) on-line conference on April 22, 23, 24.  Speakers for the daily three hour sessions (10a.m. -1p.m. PDT) include:  
 

  • Canon Dr. Rachel Mash of Green Anglicans in South Africa 
  • The Rev. Melanie Mullen, Director of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care for the Episcopal Church
  • The Rev. Leon Sampson of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland
  • The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas from Massachusetts
  • The Rt. Rev. Orlando Gomez of Costa Rica

 
Each speaker will address global climate justice and Episcopal mission work from a unique perspective and personal experience.
 
DioCal participation in this conference is sponsored by the Global Companions Commission (GCC) so you are welcome to register for free through us.  GCC will also be hosting local on-line discussion groups to explore topics addressed by the speakers in greater detail.
 
To learn more about GEMN and the conference, check out the GEMN website (GEMN.org).  To register through DioCal, please email Melissa Ridlon at m.ridlon@comcast.net for information and instructions.

When: April 22, 23, and 24.  From 10a.m. - 1p.m. PDT
Where: Online
Cost: Free for people who register from DioCal through the Global Companions Commission (GCC)
Contact: Melissa Ridlon at m.ridlon@comcast.net for more information and instructions

The 2021 Stewardship Webinar Series

The 2021 Stewardship Webinar Series is designed to help clergy and lay stewardship leaders learn best practices for pledge campaigns, year-round stewardship formation, planned giving, event-based fundraising, and more

April 22 - 7 p.m.
Recruiting and Training a Stewardship Team

Learn best practices for inviting the right members of your community to lead Stewardship efforts, including formation opportunities and pledge campaigns. Please register to get the link to join. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/140614430547
 

May 27 - 7 p.m.
Mid-Year Budget and Mission Review

Transparent and accountable leadership gives us an opportunity to review our mission and budget alignment half-way through the program year. Learn tips on avoiding the summer slump in campaign income. Please register to get the link to join. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/140614911987

You can sign up to receive emails whenever we create a new event by joining our Eventbrite page at: http://diocal.eventbrite.com  We’ll continue our stewardship series on the Fourth Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. 
 
For more information, please email Davey Gerhard daveyg@diocal.org

Last one: Treasurers' update workshop

Joint workshops for DioCal and the Diocese of Los Angeles - Led by the Rev. Michele Racusin, CFO DioCal 
 
Treasurer Update Part II—Internal controls and fraud, required documentation for expenses, use of credit cards, rector discretionary funds
Date: Saturday, April 10 from 9 to 10 am
To register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpdO-oqj4pE9Yyt8E6FpeQqto5eSQcDGfY

From the Episcopal Church 

Episcopal Church Year in the Life web series explores challenges of past year

Watch trailer here
A Year in the Life is a new web series from The Episcopal Church that documents how Episcopal churches, schools, and ministries have navigated a very contentious and difficult year. New episodes of A Year in the Life will be released every two weeks beginning on April 20. The trailer is available for viewing on The Episcopal Church website here, on Facebook here, and on Instagram TV @theepiscopalchurch.
Read more: http://iam.ec/PA2021AYearintheLife
 

Blue Book reports available on the General Convention website

The reports for the 80th General Convention, commonly referred to as “Blue Book reports,” will be posted on the convention website starting in April.
Read more (In English and Spanish): http://iam.ec/pa2021BlueBook

The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations works to educateequip, and engage Episcopalians on a variety of public policy issues through the Episcopal Public Policy Network. As a Church, we raise our voices to ensure that U.S. government policies are in line with our values as Episcopalians and Christians. 

The Episcopal Public Policy Network of California brings together the six dioceses in California to address federal and California policies. The Rev. Kate Salinaro (DeaconK1@comcast.net) and Ms. Sarah Lawton (SarahELawton@gmail.com) are Bishop Marc’s representatives to EPPN-CA and would be glad to answer questions about EPPN and EPPN-CA.

EPPN alerts and events this week

Is the Biden Administration Turning a Page on Humanitarian Protection for Immigrants? April 8, 4:00-5:00pm ET 

Join Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations for a webinar to learn more about the current state of humanitarian protection and ways The Episcopal Church can engage on these issues. Registration required.

Isdell: Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative: April 8-9 (Partner event)

From the J.C. Flowers Foundation, a convening of malaria partners and advocates, Ministry of Health representatives, scientists, faith groups, and implementers to share updates on malaria activities within Angola, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as new science and best practices on malaria and community engagement. Register here.

Global Vaccine Access: Ensuring Equity for all God’s Children: April 14, 10:00am ET 

As we push for increased vaccine production and distribution globally, how can we ensure that all people have access to the vaccine, and not just those in rich countries? Please join the Office of Government Relations and our Anglican Communion partners to hear global perspectives on this important question. Moderated by the Rev. Dr. C.K. Robertson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Beyond The Episcopal Church, our panel will include: The Most Reverend, Dr. Thabo Makgoba, Primate of the Church of Southern Africa and Archbishop of Cape Town, The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, The Rt. Reverend Dr. Michael Beasley, Bishop of Hertford, Church of England, and Rebecca Linder Blachly, Director of the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. Registration required.

Job Opportunities

Please address all inquiries and applications to Transition Minister Denise Obando, deniseo@diocal.org, unless otherwise noted.

Clergy Positions – Diocese of California
Associate Rector:: Epiphany:: San Carlos
Associate Rector for Faith Formation:: St. Stephen’s:: Orinda
Interim Rector:: St. Paul’s:: Burlingame

Lay Positions – Diocese of California
Youth Minister:: Trinity:: Menlo Park
Executive Assistant:: Church Divinity School of the Pacific

Clergy Positions – Other Dioceses
Dean:: Trinity Cathedral:: Omaha, NE
Rector:: St. Stephen’s:: Lubbock, TX

All postings are available on the diocesan website:

Click Here for Job Opportunities

Upcoming Events Around the Diocese 


April 
11 | Second Sunday Evensong & Organ Recital 
14 | Wrestling with God - Book Discussion with the Author 
21 | “Caste: The Origins of our Discontents” Book Study 
21 | Zoom Book Release Party: ‘God’s Existence’ with Gary Lindberg
 New
27 | I’m Free: Sheldon Gooch New
Click Here for Full DioCal Calendar

Important resource links for this pandemic season

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