Friday Reflection 8/22/2008
Dear Friends,
I greet you in the name of the risen Lord. I pray these last few weeks of summer will be a time of rest and peace.
As you know, I sent letters to all clergy who were canonically resident in the Diocese of San Joaquin as of the December vote to leave the Episcopal Church. We heard from the clergy who had already stated their desire to remain in the Episcopal Church and a few others. We received nothing from most of the clergy who voted to leave the Episcopal Church. After consultation with our standing committee, I decided to try one more time. I am sending a certified letter to selected clergy who have not responded to me with a Pastoral Direction for them to respond to me by September 5, 2008. Consequences for not responding are laid out in the letter. A copy of the letter will be posted on the Diocese of San Joaquin Web site. We will immediately begin canonical actions on September 6, 2008 charging Abandonment of the Communion and Failure to Follow a Pastoral Direction of the bishop for those who do not respond.
When the September 5 deadline passes, inhibitions will be imposed. An inhibited priest may not be engaged in ministry in an Episcopal church. Congregations employing these priests will be informed of their status. Inhibition and deposition have dire consequences for a clergy person. In order to participate in any part of the Episcopal Pension Fund, including the Medical Trust, a priest must be a priest of the church in good standing or a lay employee of an Episcopal church or an Episcopal institution.
I don't believe that I have any options at this time other than the above. I continue to hope that people will respond.
Now for some lighter items:
David Pina, a retired Air Force chaplain will be ordained to the transitional deaconate on Sunday, August 24 at St. Anne's in Stockton at 4:00 pm. Everyone is invited. Clergy are asked to vest, red stoles, please. This is the first ordination in this diocese since it was reconstituted, and it would be wonderful if there was a large turnout of visitors to celebrate the occasion.
Jane and I will be taking some time at St. Francis in the Mountains, a summer chapel of the Diocese of Northern California at Fallen Leaf Lake near South Lake Tahoe. I can be reached through the diocesan office, and I will be only two hours away.
In Peace,
Jerry A. Lamb
Bishop of San Joaquin
From Juanita Weber, Diocesan Administrator
Who is answering the phone at the diocesan office? If you called the office between 9 am and 5 pm recently you may have heard a new voice. Barbara Zendejas has joined the diocesan staff as an administrative assistant. The Diocesan Council approved the position assignment for Barbara at their last meeting. Barbara has worked in Sacramento offices for the last few years and comes with a wealth of personal and technical skills that will support the work of the diocese. She grew up in Stockton, attending St. Anne's with her family. We are so glad that she wanted to move back to Stockton just when we were looking for an administrative assistant. Welcome to the Diocesan family, Barbara.
San Joaquin sponsors EfM: The Diocese of San Joaquin will become a sponsor for Education for Ministry (EfM) this academic year. That means that the Diocese will enroll as the sponsor and support the program. Check out the Web site for more information about EfM www.sewanee.edu/EFM. We know of two EfM groups that are ready to go. Stockton and Fresno have mentors who have been trained and who are enrolling new and continuing EfM students this fall. Soon this diocese will name a coordinator who will plan for mentor training locally so more sites can participate in the program.
EPISKOFEST 2008: The convention planning committee released the registration and workshop information this week. Episkofest 2008 is the name given to the 49th Annual Convention of the diocese. The motto for the weekend is a verse from Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing!" In addition to the time for the business of the annual convention, the weekend will be one of worship, fellowship, celebration, and learning. This is an opportunity to continue the rebuilding of our diocese, welcoming the gifts of all as full participants in our life as Episcopalians in the Diocese of san Joaquin. Episkofest is a chance to gather together and share these gifts. The celebration and convention registration materials were sent to each congregation this week. They are also attached to this message and will be posted on the diocesan Web site www.diosanjoaquin.org.
Respecting the Dignity of Every Human Being: Part of the continuing Episcopal Ethos Education series presented by Remain Episcopal.
Remain Episcopal is offering the first of a series of one-day diocesan events in which we learn more about how we live out our baptismal covenant, on Saturday, September 20 from 9:30-4pm in Bakersfield. The topic is "Living into our Baptismal Covenant: Respecting the Dignity of Every Human Being." The event will offer opportunities for break-out sessions and large- and small-group guided discussions, concluding with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The Rev. Debbie Royals, program officer for Native American ministries in the Diocese of Los Angeles, will facilitate this day. Rev. Debbie has supported us in the Diocese of San Joaquin for many years, attending events and sharing her insight to the special needs of ethnic ministries. She has also served as supply priest for Church of the Saviour in Hanford.
Remain Episcopal has sponsored Episcopal ethos events since January of 2007. The September 20 event is the first one to be held in the southern valley. It will be hosted by Grace Episcopal, Bakersfield (on the campus of First Congregational Church at 5 Real Road--at Stockdale Highway and Real Road) with support from other southern valley and high desert faith communities. Cost is $15 per person and includes lunch. Registration is required. A registration form is attached to this e-mail and is available at http://remainepiscopal.org/events.html.
Remain Episcopal's continuing mission of outreach and education is described in detail on the website http://remainepiscopal.org. Please take a look and share in our exciting new focus to serve the Diocese of San Joaquin.
News and Note's from Congregations:
From St. John's Lodi, Concert Series: The Arts at St. John's begins our series of concerts with our very own musicians, Sunday September 7 at 3:00 pm. Join us as Robin Knutson, Randy Knutson, and Jan Landreth perform English music on the organ and trombone. Tickets are $10.00. Contact St. John's office 209-369-3381 for tickets.
From St. John's, Lodi Golf Tournament: On October 18, 2008 St. John's is holding a golf tournament at Lockeford Springs Golf Club in Lockeford, California. Tickets are $125 per person or $500 for a foursome. The entry fee includes lunch, dinner, prizes, putting contest and more. Contact St. John's office 209-369-3381.
From Canon Mark Hall
Please send a monthly report of income and expenses for your congregation to the diocesan office. You may use the form attached to this e-mail. The Budget Committee of the Diocesan Council is planning the budget for next year, and is proposing a change to the assessment canon to make assessments reflect more real time. The only way we can decide if this is going to work is to gather the information now and develop procedures to get real time information on income and expenses. If you have input to the budget process, it is important that you send this request in as soon as possible. Diocesan Council approved a preliminary budget for 2009 on Wednesday, but it will be revised as new information comes in.
For Treasurers: For planning your budget for next year, estimate your assessment by taking your expected Net Disposable Income for 2009. Then multiply the first $48,000 by 11.5%, then multiply the balance by 17.5%. The sum of these is your estimated assessment for 2009. Assuming that the assessment canon is approved, the monthly assessment will be based on your previous month's Net Disposable Income. This means that your assessment will vary as your income varies. If you have questions, please call me.
Mark Hall
Canon to the Ordinary
209-952-0006 or 209-609-7044
