Homecoming Churches in Turlock & Ridgecrest return

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin In communion with one another, humbly thankful as God’s beloved creation

summer 2013 • Volume 2, Number 3 The diocese of San Joaquin Governance

Standing Committee Deputies to General Convention

Clergy: Clergy Deputies: 2016 The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom Christ the King, Riverbank C1 The Rev. Canon Mark Hall St. Anne’s, Stockton 2015 The Rev. Suzy Ward, C2 The Rev. Luis Rodriguez Church of the Saviour, Hanford (Secretary) St. Paul’s, Visalia C3 The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom Christ the King, Riverbank 2014 The Rev. Michele Racusin, C4 The Rev. Kathryn Galacia St. Francis, Turlock (President) Holy Family, Fresno CA1 The Rev. Michele Racusin Holy Family, Fresno 2013 The Rev. John Shumaker St. Matthew’s, San Andreas CA2 The Rev. Paul Colbert St. Raphael’s, Oakhurst and Holy Trinity, Madera Lay: CA3 The Rev. Kathleen West St. Paul’s, Modesto 2016 Juanita Weber St. Anne’s, Stockton 2015 Stan Boone Holy Family, Fresno Lay Deputies: 2014 Richard Cress St. John’s, Lodi L1 Nancy Key Holy Family, Fresno 2013 Richard Jennings Holy Family, Fresno L2 Cindy Smith St. Brigid’s Bakersfield L3 Bill Latham Christ the King, Riverbank L4 Jan Dunlap St. Brigid’s Bakersfield Diocesan Council LA1 Judith Wood St.Paul’s, Visalia LA2 Marilyn Metzgar Grace, Bakersfield Nothern Deanery Clergy: 2014 The Rev. Basil Mattews, St. Clare, Priest In Charge Lay: 2015 Louise McCoskey, Christ the King, Riverbank Deputies to Province Viii Synod

Central Deanery The Rev. Paul Colbert St. Raphael’s, Oakhurst and Clergy: 2013 The Rev. Paul Colbert, Madera/Merced Missioner Holy Trinity, Madera Lay: 2014 Don Austin, (Secretary) Holy Family, Fresno Jan Dunlap St. Brigid, Bakersfield

Southern Deanery Commission on Schools Clergy: 2015 The Rev. Linda Huggard, Kern County Missioner Lay: 2013 Carrol Sewell, All Souls, Ridgecrest Samantha Bland Christ the King, Riverbank Faye Choate St. Matthew’s, San Andreas At Large Stephanie Gilmer St. Paul’s, Modesto Lay: 2015 Marvin (Jerry) Pettiford, Grace, Bakersfield Katrian Van Walterop-Ijams St. Paul’s, Modesto Lay: 2013 George Sitts, St. Raphael’s, Oakhurst Janice Latham Christ the King, Riverbank Lay: 2014 Jan Dunlap, (V.P.) St. Brigid’s, Bakersfield Frank Remkiewicz Christ the King, Riverbank Lindy Santellan St. Paul’s, Modesto Juanita Weber St. Anne’s, Stockton Commission On Ministry The Rev. Kathleen West St. Paul’s, Modesto Judy Teter St. Paul’s, Modesto The Rev. Kathryn Galicia, (Chair) St. Francis, Turlock The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom Christ the King, Riverbank Deacon George Cano Christ the King, Riverbank youth Commission Shelley Lindgren St. Matthew’s, San Andreas Nancy Silva, (Secretary) Christ the King, Riverbank Stephen Bentley (Co-Chair) St. Anne’s, Stockton The Rev. Jim McDonald Holy Family, Fresno Aaron Conner (Co-Chair) Grace, Bakersfield Elaine Berg Grace, Bakersfield Claire Littlefield St. Francis, Turlock Jackie Cooper-Glenn Grace, Bakersfield Leslie Littlefield St. Francis, Turlock Mike Dunham Grace, Bakersfield Ashley McGuire Grace, Bakersfield

Haiti Task force More... The Rev. Harold Clinehens, (Chair) Retired Lydia Fox St. Anne’s, Stockton For documents concerning Stephanie Gilmer St. Paul’s, Modesto the Equality Commission, Richard Jennings Holy Family, Fresno as well as the Canons and The Rev. Connor Lynn Retired Constitution documents, Nick Rogers All Souls, Ridgecrest please see our website, Juanita Weber St. Anne’s Stockton www.diosanjoaquin.org The Rev. Kathleen West St. Paul’s, Modesto under the tab “Governance”. In this issue from the bishop Page 1 ‘All Are Welcome’ here Support ELSJ Bishop & Canon Calendars ‘All Are Welcome’ here Page 2 Remain Episcopal offers grants to communities Dear Friends, able in these four “A Phenomenal level of We in the Episcopal Diocese of congregations to Support” for San Joaquin San Joaquin are joyfully welcom- turn our full attention to ministry Page 3 All are welcome as church ing back four returning churches. and Christ’s mission. property returns Four of our legal cases have been We wish to welcome everyone Page 4 Journey to Pine Ridge resolved through settlement; re- back to these churches. We sing a Reservation, worship turning to the diocese: St. Francis, song in this diocese called “All Are Taizé-style Turlock; St. James, Sonora; St. Mi- Welcome.”. All means “All.” In our Page 6 3rd Annual Women’s Retreat chael’s, Ridgecrest; and St. Paul’s, churches there are no outcasts, and COM’s Day of Discovery Bakersfield. there are no reasons, such as race People Each of these churches has a or station, age, gender or sexual ori- Page 7 News Briefs group who remained Episcopalians entation, or any conditions that will Pentecost Evensong in Lodi who return now to make up the cause anyone to be excluded. Page 8 Modesto’s Mother-Daughter Tea core of the returning congregation. To those who left the Episcopal Pages A-L The Episcopal Journal The exception is St. Paul’s, Bakers- Church and wonder if they are field, which includes members welcome: Yes, “all are welcome.” We On the Cover: At Ridgecrest: Jim of two start-up congregations, are bound to extend Christ’s invita- Furtado, The Rev. Ruth Eller, Nick Grace, Bakersfield, and St. Brigid’s, tion, “come unto me all of you...” Rodgers, Maude Garrett, The Rev. Linda Bakersfield. Now we turn ourselves fully to Huggard. Photo: Canon Kathleen Cullinane. We celebrate the return of these the pursuit of Christ’s mission unen- Bottom Photo: St. Francis on opening churches. The spirit in which we cumbered, in these four churches, day. Submitted photo. celebrate is not of being victorious by any legal restraints. These are the Back cover: San Joaquin farmland. over others, but rather that we have reasons for our joy and celebration. Photo: Jeff Smith/Shutterstock.com. settled our differences with regard Faithfully, Inside back cover: Life at Church of to these properties. Now we are +Chet Talton the Saviour, Hanford. Submitted photos. Can you help to support this Bi shop & canon calendars publication of your diocese? ¨ Yes, I would like to support the Bishop Talton Canon Cullinane ministry of Episcopal Life San Joaquin June 23 St. Andrew’s, Taft June 23 St. Paul’s, Visalia Name: ______St. Michael’s, Ridgecrest St. Michael’s, Ridgecrest Address: July 7 St. Paul’s, Bakersfield June 30 St. Andrew’s, Taft ______July 14 St. Clare of Assisi, Avery July 7 St. Paul’s, Modesto ______July 21 St. Sherrian’s, Kernville July 14 St. Paul’s, Bakersfield Donation: ¨ $20 ¨ $25 ¨ $50 July 21 Holy Family, Fresno ¨ other $______Mail your check to: Registration information, Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin Celebration 1528 Oakdale Rd., Modesto, CA 95356 costs and forms can be of Ministry obtained by contacting: Hurt, Joy, and the Grace The annual Celebration of Ministry Retreat The Rev. Kathie Galicia of God: A Resurrection Story sponsored by the Commission on Ministry will [email protected] of the Episcopal Diocese of be held August 30, 31, Sept 1 at ECCO. San Joaquin, California. or Jane Onstad Lamb, editor. Our retreat leader will be The Rev. The Diocesan office Foreword by the Most Rev. Katharine Eric Law, Director of the Kaleidoscope [email protected] Jefferts Schori. A collection of essays. Institute, leading us in a weekend of (209) 576-0104 Available on Amazon.com. exploring Holy Currencies.

PB Summer 2013 1 R emain Episcopal to offer grants to help communities of faith grow

he Remain Episcopal (RE) orga- who felt uncomfortable with ith m

nization is offering grants to help the way the diocese seemed to S y

grow local communities of faith, be heading, worked with others i T : including parishes, missions, deaner- around the country to form a net- ies or church organizations. work of support for faithful Episco- photo C ND The organization, formed ten years palians in similar difficulties. The Rev. Basil Matthews leads RE Baptismal ago with the objective of providing That network was named Via Covenant Series at Christ the King, Riverbank. fellowship and education to Episco- Media, after the “middle way” of palians in the diocese of San Joaquin broad-Church Anglicanism. smaller congregations, RE recognizes In the past RE has sponsored nu- the need to help “grow the church.” merous daylong workshops through- We will expend all of our resources, out the diocese of San Joaquin. The gathered from the generous donations Baptismal Covenant Series gathered of so many throughout the Episcopal in different parishes to explore the Church, in supporting our rebuilding Episcopal Life San Joaquin Quarterly meaning in our lives of five parts of as an appropriate closure for Remain is a publication of the Episcopal Covenant that we as Episcopalians Episcopal, and a catalyst for continued Diocese of San Joaquin affirm at each Baptism. growth and mission outreach. 1528 Oakdale Rd., Modesto, CA 95355 RE has given grants to start up For more information, or to ap- Phone: 209-576-0104 faith communities, and helped to ply, contact Dr. Richard Jennings, Fax: 209-576-0114 finance services and activities that [email protected] and Dr. W. E ditor: Pat McCaughan did not have diocesan funding. Now Marshall Johnston, marshall.johnston [email protected] that many of our properties are @fresno.edu. For an application, visit Art Director: Molly Ruttan-Moffat returning to the diocese, and because the diocesan website at: www.diosan [email protected] these communities will initially have joaquin.org. o Periodical Postage Paid at Modesto CA and additional mailing offices. Episcopal yes, we’ll be there, but to have this Life San Joaquin Quarterly is published “A Phenomenal four times per year in January, April, ongoing support is wonderful.” June and September by the Episcopal Level of Support” The assistance has been in the Diocese of San Joaquin, 1528 Oakdale form of both initial grants, and also Rd., Modesto CA 95355. USPS # for San Joaquin loans, she noted. The continued sup- 006-194. POSTMASTER: send address From news, wire reports port indicates a level of commitment changes to: Episcopal Life San Joaquin that says “they’re going to see us Quarterly, Attn: Episcopal Journal long with the good news this through to the end.” Circulation Department, PO Box 937, week of legal settlements re- Chancellor Mike Glass also her- Bellmawr, NJ 08099-0937; ejournal@ turning four church properties alded the news. egpp.com; 800/691-9846. A to the Diocese of San Joaquin came Executive Council’s unwavering Visit our website: the June 10 announcement that the support and commitment to support- www.diosanjoaquin.org Episcopal Church’s Executive Coun- ing the Diocese of San Joaquin has not cil had approved increased financial only preserved the mission and minis- assistance to the diocese (see related try of the church in the central valley, Be a part of Episcopal story in the Journal, page B). but its investment of treasure, leader- Life San Joaquin! Diocesan officials were thrilled. ship, and expertise will ultimately al- Please send stories, photos, informa- “This is a phenomenal level of sup- low the diocese to grow and redeploy tion, letters and announcements by port,” said the Rev. Canon Kate Cul- itself to do the work of the church in the 5th day of each month for inclu- linane, during a telephone interview new ways that will hopefully inspire sion in the next edition of Episcopal from Virginia, where she was attend- the larger church,” he said. Life San Joaquin. Mailing address: ing a CREDO conference. At its June 8-10, 2013 meeting in Editor, Episcopal Life San Joaquin, “Everybody expected support when Linthicum, Maryland Council agreed 1528 Oakdale Rd., Modesto, CA 95355, the diocese split” in 2007, she added. to provide an additional line of credit or email: [email protected] “It’s easy, when it first happens, to say of $785,000 to be accessed Tgo Pa e 8

2 Summer 2013 Summer 2013 cover story

San Joaquin: ‘All Are Welcome’ as diocese celebrates return of Turlock church property

S upporters pack St. Francis ughan a C c

for Episcopalians ‘homecoming’ M a By Pat McCaughan : h P t OTO P ith the rap of his crosier on tion of return is that we can Terrance Goodpasture (left) and Nedra Voorhees the church door and trum- devote ourselves wholly to display a gift from diocesan iconographer Joyce W pet fanfare, San Joaquin mission and ministry.” Tanner to St. Francis, Turlock at the returning Bishop Chet Talton on June 9 formally Vera Sahlstrom, who congregation’s June 9 homecoming celebration. ushered in the future of St. Francis turned 94 a day earlier, said The icon depicts St. Francis receiving the stigmata. Episcopal Church in Turlock: “we’re she couldn’t have asked for moving forward with mission, minis- a better birthday present. ing a giant open house. I want to do try and the work of reconciliation.” “I spent 30 years on the altar guild this every Sunday.” The standing room only gathering here and 30 years in the choir. I’ve got St. Francis members had wor- of about 150 sang “All are Welcome,’ so many memories here. It’s good to shipped in various locations the past a theme reflected throughout the be home,” she said. six years, after theological differences homecoming festival celebration of Her grandson, Paul Voorhees split the diocese in 2007. Former mem- the church, the first to be returned to echoed the sentiment: “I was born bers had left the Episcopal Church but the diocese after negotiated settle- and raised in this church. It’s good to had attempted to keep the property. ments with former members who left be home, it’s happiness.” State and federal courts have con- the Episcopal Church in 2007. The Rev. Kathie Galicia, priest- sistently ruled that church properties “We can now turn all of our re- in-charge of the congregation, said are held in trust by the diocese for sources to sharing the Good News of she received the keys to the church the mission and ministry of the wider Jesus Christ and engaging in Christ’s a week earlier and the returning Episcopal Church. Mission in the world,” Talton said. congregation held its first service Returning Episcopalian Nedra “At the heart of that mission is there June 2. Voorhees, 74, echoed an often-repeat- reconciliation. All are welcome. All “It’s wonderful to have the church ed sentiment that coming back to wor- means all, including those who dif- back,” she said. Overwhelmed by the ship “felt like coming home. fered with our churches and left; they support of visitors from across the “It was a strange sensation, when are welcome. At center in our celebra- diocese, she added: “This is like hav- I walked in that first Sunday morning, it felt like I had never been gone,” she said. The congregation numbered about 40 at that first Sunday worship, she added. While meeting elsewhere, members had drawn sustenance, she said, from each other. “It was a wandering and a soul- searching time,” she recalled. “My commitment to Christ was strength-

licia ened by not having that security a G

l that somehow a building provides : A for you. You come to rely more on h

P oto your relationship with God than on a Supporters join in celebration at St. Francis, Turlock building … when you’ve Tgo Pa e 8

2 Summer 2013 3 fe ature Journey to South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation and worship Taizé-style

By Aaron Conner Grace Church, Bakersfield

his past Memorial Day weekend I attended the “Pilgrimage of T Trust on the Earth” at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwest jonberg

South Dakota. On May 24, I flew from ch Burbank to Denver, where I met a S ance friend Adam, who hosted me for the r F y

evening and with whom I made the ar M six-hour drive to the reservation. :

Also attending the May 24-27 pil- photo grimage were brothers from the Taizé During the May 24-27 Taizé “pilgrimage of trust on earth” held on the Pine Ridge Community of France and pilgrims Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota, pilgrims gather in the morning, from all walks of life and from many at noon and again in the evening to pray in a natural amphitheater worship space Christian backgrounds. The pilgrim- below Christ Episcopal Church in Red Shirt Table. They sit facing icons and a cross age’s purpose is to “enable young against the backdrop of the Badlands to the east. people from every continent to mobi- lize their energies, to gather together monastic order was founded in 1940 published a small number of pam- their longings, intuitions and experi- by Roger Schütz, a Swiss Protestant phlets offering space to those who ences,” according to Brother Alios, pastor, who came across the village of wanted to live a simple life of prayer Prior of the Taizé Community). Taizé while bicycling from Geneva. and reflection. This is one of many pilgrimages He bought a house there and A Roman Catholic and an Angli- held outside the community. Last opened his doors to Jews seeking can joined him. Seven of them on year, it was held in Chicago. Since sanctuary as well as war refugees. Easter Sunday 1949 took vows to 2005, pilgrimages have also been held While he was away tending to busi- serve Christ in simplicity, celibacy, in parts of Europe, India, and Africa. ness in Switzerland, German soldiers and community. In the 1960s young For those unaware of Taizé, here occupied his home; he was unable to adults from all over the world became is some background: The ecumenical return until 1944. After the war, he interested in the way of Taizé and began making pilgrimages. The brothers extended their property to accommodate the pilgrims. When they built their current church, the Church of Reconciliation, in 1962, they were concerned that it was too big; only to be concerned later it wasn’t big enough. Since then the community hosts thousands of young pilgrims weekly. Before his death (he was mur- dson

u dered by a mentally ill women during H an evening prayer service in 2005)

i Schütz said he felt it was time to take : K the “Pilgrimage of Trust” to other h

P otorstin parts of the world, which started a More than 600 youthful pilgrims from across the country created this ‘tent’ city year later after Brother Alois was ap- at the Pine Ridge Reservation. pointed as Prior of the community.

4 Summer 2013 Summer 2013 Taizé services are very simple and include: music, Scripture readings, rvice e

prayers, and songs. The songs of Taizé S ws e

were written to emphasize passages of N scripture and prayer. They are written iscopal

in many languages to accommodate p

and promote the unity of its pilgrims. , E The songs are short and simple, sung hjonberg

in repetition and often in canons c while being embellished by a cantor, a S ance

tool used to aid contemplation. r y F

The pilgrimage held in South a

Dakota has its origins when a group : M

of students from the Cheyenne River photor Reservation visited Taizé in 2009. The monks from the Taizé community in France prepare to lead morning prayer. Discussions with the Lakota students and the community inspired this and meals in between. involves taking a huge risk; and year’s visit. One of the verses we focused on inviting more than 500 people to their The Rev. Robert Two Bulls Sr. of- was Isaiah 44, which was written Reservation (the only gathering on fered the space around Christ Church, after the Jews had been exiled from Reservation grounds since Wounded a few miles outside the Red Shirt Israel, according to the monk who Knee in 1973) was indeed an act of Village. The monks accepted the in- led the study. All hope for them was risk taking. God’s “new thing” is jux- vitation and preparations were made lost, but it was the prophet’s calling taposed with trust and taking a risk. for 2014. However, so much buzz was to bring hope and trust that God was This resonated with us the duration generated by the event that it was still present, and still with them, and of the weekend. moved to 2013. that God was doing a “new thing”. During discussion in my small Episcopal, Lutheran and Catholic The passage of scripture resonated group, we concluded that the Taizé community’s focus is reconciliation “ Taizé instructs us that through contemplation and reflection and justice. The monastic community focuses on the interactions of God’s we can not only find the newness of God in the past, but we people and finding commonality. can engage in God’s creativeness in the present.” Through reflection and contemplation one can be open enough to listen to dioceses and congregations from well with the context in which we and to love God while also listening across the country collaborated to were living for that weekend. Pine to and learning to love themselves. make it happen. Accommodations Ridge is located in one of the poorest And it is through listening, real were minimal: we were without counties in the nation and there is listening, to those around us, that we electricity and showers and 20 port- a high per capita rate of alcoholism, can be reconciled to one another. Lis- a-potties on site were “sponsored” by unemployment, and families living tening is an act of trust, of risk taking. congregations and organizations in well below poverty level. I think those of us in San Joaquin the United States. A previous bishop had closed can identify. Where all hope seems The Episcopal Church Office for churches on the property, citing low lost, God continues to tell us, “Com- Indigenous Ministries and the South attendance and lack of funding. But fort, a new thing is coming!”. Dakota Lutheran Synod donated the Rt. Rev. John Tarrant, the current Taizé invites us to be present large meeting tents. The space used bishop, has reestablished connections to ourselves and in our communi- for communal prayer was a natural with the community. ties and ask, where do we see God’s amphitheater below Christ Church, The monks said they chose the lo- work, how can we reconcile ourselves overlooking the Bandlands. cation because of the sufferings of the to see the work of the newness of Our days were fairly consistent Lakota people. They found a sense of God? Taizé instructs us that through with a day in the Taizé community: hope was grounded in the community contemplation and reflection we can morning prayer, an introduction to of Native Americans. After many trials not only find the newness of God in the Bible with a monk, small group and betrayals, they continued to trust the past, but we can engage in God’s discussion, general sessions, work- that a “new thing” would happen. creativeness in the present. shops, noonday and evening prayer, Trust, Brother Roger has said, On Sunday many of the Tg o Pa e 7

4 Summer 2013 5 T hird Annual spotlg i ht Women’s Retreat F our Participate focuses on Julian in COM’s Day of ullinane of Norwich C Discovery a

By Deborah Spaine : our members of the diocese h

P OTO K TE participated in a day-long Com- or this was re- Fr. Luis leads a session of the Fmission on Ministry conference “ vealed, that our Women’s Retreat. to explore lay and ordained ministry. Flife is all founded Those who came were Bruce Dean and rooted in love, and community of 21 exceptional women Bailey of St. Matthews, San Andreas; without love we cannot live... it is the into the mysticism of England’s Aaron Conner from Grace, Bakers- most impossible thing which could medieval anchorite with a blend of field; Michael Zivko Jurkovic from St. be that God might be angry, for anger history, power point pictures, and Paul’s, Modesto; and Marilee Muncey and friendship are two contraries….” liturgical worship. With increasing from St. Nicholas, Atwater. This day So says Julian of Norwich in the 49th passion and a playful twinkle in his of inquiry and discernment was held chapter of her Showings. eyes, he opened us to Julian’s spiri- at Christ the King in Riverbank on Love and friendship were the firm tual struggles and explorations. His April 13. foundation of the Women’s Retreat loving attention to Julian’s teachings The purpose of the Day of Dis- this year held at the Evergreen Con- on suffering brought new depth of covery is to discover and appreciate ference Center Oakhurst. Wrapped understanding to our shared stories the mission and ministry of Christ and enfolded in the wild green beauty of the challenges and new life that as expressed in the ministry roles of of the Sierra Mountains, we experi- are transforming our diocese. the Episcopal Church and to see how enced the fragile preciousness of this Over tasty food and a bit of wine the individual fits in. It prepares the world, which Julian likens to a hazel- (we are Episcopalians after all), we participant to further explore their nut lying in the palm of her hand. “It strengthened our bonds of friendship mission and ministry through a 12- lasts and always will, because God both old and new and spurred each week course called the Context for loves it” (Ch. 5) other on in our various ministries Ministry. All those who participated The Rev. Luis Rodriguez led our and callings. T o PaGe 8 are going to continue their discern- ment through this twelve-week people course beginning April 29. Participation in the Day of the Dis- n The Rev. ANDY ANDERSON has the wider Church. B+E+S+T holds covery and the Context for Ministry been appointed priest-in-charge of yearly conferences for its members. marks the first steps an individual St. James, Sonora. Province VIII will be hosting the 2015 takes in discerning a call to ordained conference. n The Rev. KATHIE GALICIA has ministry, and the Commission on been appointed priest-in-charge of n The Rev. HEATHER MUELLER has Ministry therefore asks that we keep St. Francis, Turlock. been appointed priest-in-charge of Marilee, Michael, Aaron and Bruce in St. Andrew’s, Taft. our prayers. o n The Rev. LINDA HUGGARD has been appointed priest-in-charge of n The Rev. ANNE SMITH (of St. St. Michael’s, Ridgecrest. John’s, Lodi) has been elected the new vice-president of the Northern n Diocesan Administrator ELLEN Deanery. MEYER has been elected Province nestrom n a Representative for the Bishops’ The Rev. TIM VIVIAN has been K Executive Secretaries Together appointed priest-in-charge of St. l

(B+E+S+T) for Province VIII. Paul’s in Bakersfield. . G e

B+E+S+T was started in 1986 for R n NEDRA VOORHEES (of St. Francis, h Bishop’s executive secretaries and T e v enn Turlock) has been elected the new administrators. The mission of Please keep Michael Jurkovic (St. Paul’s, secretary of the Northern Deanery. B+E+S+T is to empower its members Modesto), Aaron Conner (St. Paul’s, through networking and education to n JUANITA WEBER (of St. Anne’s, Bakersfield), Bruce Bailey (St. Matthew’s, value their ministry and to support Stockton) has been elected the new San Andreas) and Marilee Muncey (St. the ministry of their bishops and president of the Northern Deanery. Nicholas, Atwater) in your prayers.

6 Summer 2013 Summer 2013 Worship Taizé-style N ews Briefs Fomgr Pa e 5 n Presiding Bishop, Episcopal event. “We say we believe all human Church to host Nov. 15 forum beings are made in the image of God. pilgrims parted ways, to the nearby on racism Do we give evidence of it?” Lutheran and Catholic parishes. On November 15, the Episcopal This year marks significant landmark Many (I suspect more than half, Church will host and produce a forum anniversaries in the struggle to end mostly Episcopalians and some who centering on a critical topic for our discrimination, provide equal rights and opted not to travel) stayed on site to times: Fifty Years Later: The State of combat racism: the 150th anniversary participate in the outdoor Eucharist at Racism in America. Originating from of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Christ Church. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral in 50th anniversary of the pivotal March A makeshift altar was created; Jackson, MS (Diocese of Mississippi), on Washington, the 50th anniversary of we sat on the ground. The Bishop of the 90-minute ecumenical forum will be the assassination of Medgar Evers, the South Dakota preached and presided live webcast beginning at 1pm Central 100th birthday of Rosa Parks. In 1964 as we participated in the service from (2pm Eastern, noon Mountain, 11am the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. memory from the Book of Com- Pacific, 10am Alaska, 9am Hawaii). mon Prayer. Bishop Suffragan Mary The forum will be moderated by n Registration begins July 27 Glasspool from Los Angeles and well-known journalist and PBS com- for Diocesan Convention Bishop Maria Griselda Delgado from mentator Ray Suarez. Presiding Bishop Registration for the annual conven- Cuba were also present. Adam and Katharine Jefferts Schori will keynote tion meeting of the Diocese of San I had to leave the event after lunch as the event. Two panel discussions will Joaquin is set to begin July 27. Don’t I had an early flight out of Denver. focus on main themes: Racism in forget to save the date for the Oct. 25- There nearly 600 people at the America today — why does it persist? 26, 2013 gathering, at St. Paul’s Church, Modesto. Special guests will include pilgrimage, ranging from teenagers And Racism in America’s future — Sister Marie Therese from the Diocese of to age 35. I met a number of where is there hope for change? “This offers Episcopalians and Haiti and the Norm Freeman Band. Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyteri- others an opportunity for continued Please make sure that certificate of ans, Methodists, Mennonites, Non- truth-telling and reconciliation, as lay delegate forms have been updated Denominationals, and even Baha’i. we seek a society of justice,” noted through the diocesan office. For more There were girls with blue hair, guys Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts information, contact Ellen at: emeyer with crazy beards, people from all Schori, a keynote speaker for the @diosanjoaquin.org o corners of the United States, Canada, and even Finland. There were people who were P entecost volunteering on nearby reservations,

Evensong in Lodi odpasture o

working on their under graduate G degrees, getting ready for the Peace n the day of Pentecost,

Corps and for ordinations, teachers, May 19, St. John the Bap- e nurses and students undertaking tist Church in Lodi hosted :

O h graduate studies. In addition to sing- a service of Evensong for our sister P rrance OTO T ing traditional Taizé chants, we also churches of the Northern Deanery for (Left to right) The Rev. Jim Stickney, sang hymns in the Lakota language. a shared celebration of the gift of the The Rev. Kathie Galicia, The Rev. Fred We found commonality, there were Holy Spirit to Christ’s church. This Risard, The Rev. Kathleen West. friends to be made left and right, was a follow-up to the Advent Even- and I am sure had wifi been avail- song last December 2. collection in the special “Haiti” able then our Facebooks’ would have More than 70 worshippers gath- envelopes. As it happened, the been blown up by friend requests ered for shared hymns and readings counters at St. John’s included our via our iPhones. I will cherish the for Pentecost Evening Prayer. Choir morning collection in the same Haiti pilgrimage in the coming years as I directors from St. Francis in Turlock, envelopes — for a total of $447. try to accept the challenge from Taizé St. Paul’s in Modesto, and St. John’s We also enjoyed a reception hosted to take the experience and listen in in Lodi had rehearsed an anthem, by the Fellowship Committee of St. my own community. Three gather- which they presented for the con- John’s Church, and people stayed to ings are scheduled in Texas next gregation. Members of several other catch up on old friends and to meet spring and I hope to make pilgrimage Episcopal churches joined us as well. new ones. There was much to rejoic- (maybe even take a group) to contin- Since Pentecost was the day des- ing all around! ue to learn what the Spirit is saying ignated for the support of our sisters — The Rev. Jim Stickney through the voice of Taizé. o and brothers in Haiti, we took up a St. John the Baptist Church, Lodi

6 Summer 2013 7 Church property returns and sound systems and organs.” Fomgr Pa e 3 For Dee Dee Cox, 88, a long-time member, the return was joyous. got to do a lot more work to make it She said the church “was very pre- happen.” cious to me. The church has meant a She added that: “It’s an exciting time lot to me in my life here and my life in

for the whole diocese, a turning point.” general,” she said. “So, it was difficult licia a G

Her sister Beryl Simkins, agreed. to be removed from it, but we carried l “It’s time to move on,” she said. “We on in a different way. : A

need to be about being Christians in “Now, I’m feeling joyful,” she said photo Turlock. We have learned so much but added that “it’s also sad. What St. Francis Episcopal Church, Turlock. from this experience. I learned that happened was an unfortunate loss for the people are the church. both congregations.” “We’ve learned never to take the As the result of favorable rulings “ Phenomenal Support” church for granted. We appreciate each by the Kern County Superior Court, Fomgr Pa e 2 other so much. Everybody helps these conversations are also underway days. Everybody takes responsibilities regarding the return of other congre- through the end of 2014. and does whatever needs to be done.” gations in Bakersfield, Delano and Council members conveyed in a In Ridgecrest, where St. Michael’s Sonora. Other disputed properties February 2008 message to the dio- Church was also returned to the dio- throughout the diocese are in various cese that: “we stand with you. Your cese, the Rev. Linda Huggart said she’d stages of litigation, according to dioc- struggles and needs inform our just moved into the church rectory. esan chancellor Michael Glass. prayers, deliberations, and plans” The congregation, which had been Another church property, St. Paul’s, after theological differences had split meeting as All Souls at the histori- Modesto, was returned July 1, 2009 the diocese the previous December. cal society building, was adjusting to prior to litigation. In 2011, Council established a cov- returning to their property. “It’s been really emotional,” said enant committee to document work of “If we can do it out of a box for Terrance Goodpasture, a St. Francis the continuing San Joaquin diocese. five years, we can certainly do it in member since 2000. “There’s lots of That committee regularly reports to a church,” she said. “We’re kind of enthusiasm that we’d like to keep go- council’s Joint Standing Committee on taken aback now that we’ve got pews ing forward.” o Local Ministry and Mission. o

S t. Paul’s, Modesto Women’s Retreat Fomgr Pa e 6 hosts Mother’s Day

event est The mix of presentations, worship, W by The Rev Kathleen West quiet time on our own, and conversa-

a tional meals provided the best condi-

others, daughters, aunts, : tions for both retreat and community ho

cousins, sisters, brothers, P TO K building.THLEEN In our last group discussion Mdads, grandparents, grand- Moms and kids enjoying the Tea. participants reported, “How nurtur- children, friends—everyone was ing it is to be in this environment…. welcome and there was lots of love musicians Christa and Anthony, Coming here gives back in a w ay and laughter as the May 11 Third duet with voices and guitar, and by you can’t even find words for… It Annual Mother-Daughter Tea at the Johannsen High School All Girls’ refreshes us.” We left with Julian’s St. Paul’s Church in Modesto. A Capella Viking Singers. certainty that “all will be well, and The turnout was wonderful, the Many thanks to event coordinator all will be well, and every kind of music was beautiful, emcee Nick Annamary Peck, and everyone who thing will be well.” (Ch. 27) Lorenzetti was in his element and helped prepare food, cleaned up, Mark your calendars for next years many, many people worked very decorated, and who organized the retreat the first weekend in May 2014. hard to make it a wonderful event. silent auction and those who attend- Deborah Spaine is a parishioner at The food was delightful and the ed and invited friends and family. Grace Episcopal Church Bakersfield, a keynote address by Lynis Chaffey Many thanks to everyone who licensed clinical psychologist, spiritual was right on target. made this a wonderful event at St. teacher, and the author of The Holy Entertainment was provided by Paul’s! o Householder. o

8 Summer 2013 Summer 2013 Episcopal

JournalQuarterly EDITION Summer 2013 Asian Americans celebrate 40 years

By Jerry Hames modest expectations. They determined members is reported to have exclaimed. to seek a small grant from the church in At the close of convention, Presiding n 1973 a handful of Asian Ameri- order to publish an occasional national Bishop John E. Hines, in the final cans, most of them Japanese and newsletter that would support their newly months of his term in office, decided a Chinese clergy, met in San Fran- developing congregations. General Con- bus driver was required and appointed cisco to explore how to help newly vention, meeting that year in Louisville, a young 30-year-old priest, Winston Iestablished Episcopal congregations for Ky., responded with a grant of $50,000. Ching, a native of Hawaii. Ching Asian immigrants. “We asked for a bicycle, and they would become the driving force behind Those present around the table had gave us a bus,” one of the original group Episcopal Asiamerican Ministries for the next 28 years. It was Ching, who served under four presiding bishops — Hines, John Allin, Edmond Browning and Frank Griswold — who coined the term “Asiamerican” to include all Episcopalians of Asian descent. Hines also appointed a Strategies Task Force to propose a structure for the church’s ongoing ministry with Asian- American Episcopalians. In those early days the work was seen as serving the needs of Americans of Chinese, Japa- nese, Filipino and Korean backgrounds. The following year, about 125 people participated in the events of the first na- tional conference of Asian-American Episcopalians in San Francisco. Clergy and lay persons from throughout the United States and Canada met for three days to share their mutual concerns for the development of this new ministry, dis- cussing the need for leadership develop- ment and ministries to recent immigrants Photo/Angela Vergara and to students on college campuses. The Rev. Fred Vergara, missioner for Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries, baptizes Ellen Today, Asian ministry is more com- Josephine, daughter of Filipino immigrants Evelyn and Joseph Hombrebueno, at St. plex. “What began as a modest vision Paul’s Episcopal Church in Woodside, N.Y. has grown into a continued on page D NEWS NEWS Arts New York An ordination Music in worship church center celebrated in invites us into B initiates changes F in Navajoland J presence of God B Episcopal Journal Summer 2013 News n Executive Council acts on finances and reorganizing

By Mary Frances Schjonberg left the Episcopal Church. ing press conference that a “significant Episcopal News Service In the case of the Diocese of San Joa- aspect of the meeting centered on the quin in California, council agreed to continuing development of work around he Episcopal Church’s Execu- provide an additional line of credit of the Five Marks of Mission.” tive Council agreed in June $785,000 to be to increase the church’s aid to accessed through continuing Episcopalians in the end of 2014 SouthT Carolina and in the Diocese of to support the San Joaquin, while also adding money to continuing dio- the budget of the committee responsible cese. The reor- for nominations leading to the election ganization there of the next presiding bishop in 2015. has been ongoing The council, which met for three days since late 2007 at a conference center near Baltimore, when a major- Md., also heard various reports on prog- ity at the dioc- ress towards new initiatives that will be esan convention funded in each of the Anglican Commu- voted, purport- nion’s Five Marks of Mission, according ing to realign the to the goals that General Convention set diocese with the out in the 2013-2015 budget. Argentina-based It also continued the process for for- Anglican Province mulating the 2016-2018 budget, which of the Southern it must propose to the next meeting of Cone. General Convention. The propos- Answering a request from the church als about how to Photo/ENS/Mary Frances Schjonberg in South Carolina, council agreed to target the church’s The Rev. Gay Jennings, president of the House of Deputies and expand a promised line of credit by work around each Executive Council vice chair, and the Rev. Terry Star, deacon $300,000, which will make available a of the Five Marks and council member from North Dakota, lead council in a total of $550,000 through the end of of Mission are be- bilingual celebration of Holy Eucharist. 2013. Episcopalians in South Carolina ing developed by have been reorganizing their common teams made up of council members and She highlighted the work of the life since late in 2012 after Bishop Mark the Episcopal Church Center’s church- Young Adult Service Corps and the pos- Lawrence and a majority of clergy and wide staff. Presiding Bishop Katharine sibility of developing “gap year” mission lay leadership said that the diocese had Jefferts Schori said during a post-meet- continued on page C New church HQ staff model, new tenant announced piscopal Church Chief Op- The leasing of the second floor will for mission.” Departments are remain- erating Officer Bishop Stacy provide nearly $380,000 of new rev- ing the same, but terminology is being Sauls announced recently a enue in the first 12 months. The new reoriented to focus on mission as the pri- new organizational model for tenant will be the Lyceum Kennedy ority. The new terminology will be Mis- Ethe staff at Episcopal Church French American School. sion Leadership (formerly known as the headquarters in New York. In a presentation to the Executive Oversight Group); Mission Sauls, leading a study to de- church center’s staff at a spe- Networking (formerly known as pro- velop models for staff to work cial meeting, he said that the gram staff); Mission Support formerly off-site/remotely, said: “The new model and the new lease known as administration) and Mission goal is to have the networking would not result in any reduc- Administration (formerly known as ad- staff especially be more con- tion in workforce. The new ministrative assistants). nected to, responsive to and model allows for the recogni- The new lease/tenant does not affect accessible to local leaders.” tion that every staff member the current conversation on the future He also said the second Sauls is dedicated to mission work, of the church center, he said. The new floor at 815 Second Ave., which houses no matter what the job responsibility, he lease is coterminous with existing leases Episcopal Church Center staff, will be said. with current tenants, which means that leased to a new tenant, while negotia- “Everything we do is about mission. “the ability to sell the building, if Ex- tions are underway for other spaces in It is about engaging mission, support- ecutive Council should so decide, is not the 11-story building. ing mission and maximizing resources impaired.” n n News Summer 2013 Episcopal Journal C

COUNCIL continued from page B reflected a sea change on how we’re addressing domestic work for youth between high poverty, we’re also looking school and college or work, at new ways to coordinate as based in the third Mark of that work,” the Rev. Gay Jen- Mission (“to respond to hu- nings, president of the House man need in loving service”), of Deputies, said at the press and efforts by the offices of conference. At the last council communication and govern- meeting, members called for ment relations to develop an similar coordination of the online platform for network- church’s response to conven- ing people involved at all tion Resolution B019, which levels of the church in work reaffirmed the church’s com- related to the fourth (“to mitment to just and lasting transform unjust structures peace in the Middle East. of society”) and fifth (“to safe- The Rev. Susan Snook guard the integrity of creation from Arizona reviewed prog- and sustain and renew the life ress on a process to develop of the earth”) marks. the 2016-2018 budget to pro- Two or more of council’s pose to General Convention. Photo/Mary Frances Schjonberg/ENS five standing committees of- Nearly all of the council and Churches act on climate change ten met together during the staff liaisons to the church’s three-day meeting to discuss boards have been trained in The Episcopal Church joined with two major Lutheran mission work and other mat- how to guide their groups churches during a climate change conference in Washing- ters, and the Rev. Canon Mi- through a “budget visioning ton, D.C., recently to commit themselves to “spiritual move- chael Barlowe, the church’s ex- process,” she said. ment away from sin and despair [leading to] the renewal ecutive officer, said that those Snook encouraged coun- and healing of all creation.” They pledged to use their gatherings “broke through cil to engage the church in a global networks to promote a political framework to limit some of the traditional com- discussion about the fact that climate change. From left, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson mittee boundaries. not all dioceses fulfill their of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Church of “This council is not waiting full commitment to fund Sweden Archbishop Anders Wejryd and Presiding Bishop for this church to reimagine the churchwide budget. She Katharine Jefferts Schori with the statement pledging con- itself — or restructure itself noted that “there are no par- certed environmental action. — we’re already reimagining ticular consequences” for not and restructuring ourselves meeting the full asking. as leaders of the Episcopal In the 2013-2015 trien- Philadelphia to host Church and in the broader nium, the dioceses are asked communities,” he said. contribute 19 percent of their Episcopal Youth Event In a related matter, council annual income. Each year’s he popular Epis- tries officer for the Epis- members agreed with a recom- annual giving in the three- copal Youth copal Church. “Villanova mendation from its Gover- year budget is based on a dio- Event (EYE) will is well known for its aca- nance and Administration for cese’s income two years ear- be held at Villa- demics as well as its athlet- Mission committee to form a lier, minus $120,000. nova University in suburban ics, and its prime location The council elected Rosa- T group to “assure the effective, Philadelphia next summer. near public transportation thorough and collaborative lie Simmonds Ballentine from Slated for July 9-13, 2014, makes it an ideal place for implementation” of a resolu- the Diocese of the Virgin Is- EYE14 will be planned in our gathering.” tion approved by the 2012 lands to serve as the church partnership with the Dio- The 2014 event marks General Convention, which lay representative on the An- cese of Pennsylvania. the twelfth EYE and re- among other things commits glican Consultative Council The announcement was mains a popular and well- the church to a triennium of for a term to last for three made in June by the dioce- attended event. EYE 2014 “teaching, preaching, organiz- meetings. san bishop, Clifton Daniel, is geared for youth in grades ing, advocating, and building It also awarded $535,000 to Executive Council mem- 9-12 during the 2013-2014 mutually transformative rela- in the latest round of Con- bers in Maryland. academic year and their tionships with those who are stable Fund grants that fund “Villanova University adult leaders. poor to focus our hearts and mission initiatives that are offers a scenic setting, with Skov said that the plan- the mission of our congrega- not provided for within the ample facilities for all the ning team has met to talk tions and dioceses on reduc- General Convention budget. activities we are planning about activities, topics, ing poverty and increasing The fund received 22 appli- for EYE14,” said Bronwyn themes and worship ser- economic and racial justice.” cations totaling $1,621,452, Clark Skov, youth minis- vices. n “Just as [Resolution] A135 and funded seven. n D Episcopal Journal Summer 2013 News n

AsiAmerican continued from page A conglomeration of diverse ethnic convo- cations of over a hundred self-identified churches — Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, South Asian and Southeast Asian,” said the Rev. Winfred “Fred” B. Vergara, the church’s missioner for Asia- merica Ministries since 2004. “Asiamerica as a word has evolved into three areas of ministries: ministries to Asian immigrants in America; ministries Photo/Episcopal Archives/Chris Den Blaker to American born Asian Americans, and Winston Ching and John Yamazaki in Dallas in 1979. Winfred “Fred” B. Vergara ministries of bridge-building to churches in Asia and the world.” learn from them,” said Vergara. “Hisa- Asian countries. Last year’s 77th General On June 20, Episcopalians met again nori Kano distinguished himself as an Convention in Indianapolis was signifi- in San Francisco to celebrate the min- immigrant rights advocate, Japanese cant, Vergara said. istry’s 40th anniversary. The four-day American internee and Episcopal priest. “For the first time, the Hmong lan- event had as its theme “EAM@40: Re- In the context of economic depression in guage was included in one of the morn- member, Celebrate and Re-Envision the 1930s, he was an agriculturist; in the ing liturgies, and six Asian American Our Mission.” unjust internment camps in World War young adults participated in the con- At the opening Eucharist, two de- II, he was a prisoner-teacher-evangelist. vention. There was a Hmong delegation ceased Asian American As an Episcopal priest, he from Holy Apostles in St. Paul, Minn. leaders, the Rev. Hiram was a lover of God’s Word “Why we chose Hmong as an alter- Hisanori Kano, whose and disciple of Christ’s nate language in the liturgy … was a name is being considered ministry of reconcilia- proactive advocacy of one of the most as a contemporary saint tion.” marginalized communities in the United for inclusion in “Holy Like Kano, Vergara States, as well as one of the ethnic con- Women and Holy Men,” said, Ching was also a gregations that stands at the edge of mis- and Ching, who died last bridge builder, establishing sion in the 21st century.” year, were honored along networks of relationship But despite many gains, the challeng- with living pioneers. “and persistently working es of encouraging and supporting the de- Kano, who champi- for the Kingdom of God. velopment of churches for Asian Ameri- oned the cause of im- His life will serve as one cans are formidable. A reduced budget migrant farmers in the of our sources of inspira- for 2013 “means doing more with less” 1930s, became a spiritual tion and strength as we go and will affect but not alter the consul- leader in the infamous about doing God’s work in tation and celebration in San Francisco, internment camps where our own generation.” Vergara said, speaking from his home of- Japanese Americans were Episcopal Asiamerica fice in the Diocese ofL ong Island. held during World War II. Ministries has grown in “But we call upon everyone to be “In times like these, recent decades with the creative and resourceful and aspire to be- we need to lift up some arrival of refugees and come better stewards of God’s generos- heroes of our past and Hiram Hisanori Kano immigrants from many ity,” he said. n

Episcopalians and Asian Anglicans in future thrust of Asiamerica Ministries. At a glance the global Asian community. Youth and young adults will visit the Asian Museum and Angel Island to learn What are Episcopal Asiamerican What’s planned for the 40th about the Anti-Chinese Exclusion Act, Ministries? anniversary celebration? the anti-miscegenation law and the Filipi- Asian American or “Asiamerican” The 40th anniversary and church- no farm workers’ strikes in Delano, Calif. describes both Asian immigrants in the wide consultation will be on June 20– United States as well as Asian Ameri- 24 at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Who will be honored guests? cans born in the United States — Airport (Burlingame, Calif.). The theme The Rev. Fran Toy, the first Asian Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, of the consultation is “EAM@40: Re- American woman priest in the Episco- Southeast Asian (Vietnamese, Laotian, member, Celebrate & Re-Envision.” pal Church, will concelebrate with Asian Hmong, Burmese), and South Asian Speakers will include clergy and lay bishops and other bishops present. (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri leaders remembering those who pioneered Among those registered are to attend Lankan). the ministry and celebrating the mission the festivities are several bishops from It also describes the relationship of today. They will discuss re-envisioning the Southeast Asian dioceses. n Asians in the United States with Asian n News Summer 2013 Episcopal Journal E Conference honors firstA sian American woman priest

By Episcopal Journal group since its beginnings and served public school teacher for 19 years while as president of the EAM Council from raising two children. hree years ago this June, more 2003 until she was forced to resign in While attending a conference of Asian than 300 people, including 2010 because of recurring illness. Re- Americans in Seattle in 1977, Toy again international guests, family, cently, Toy, now 77, wrote to friends on felt a call to the priesthood. She said it childhood friends and her for- Facebook to report that she was in good felt like a call from God. Tmer students, gathered at Christ Church health. “By then the Episcopal Church was in Alameda, Calif., to celebrate the Rev. Her ministry has encompassed local, officially ordaining women, and I was Fran Toy’s 25th anniversary of ordina- diocesan, provincial, national and inter- working on my master’s degree in edu- tion as the first Asian American woman national service. She told McCaughan cation. I was sitting alone in my room priest in the Episcopal reading when I heard Church. somebody ask me, Late this June, at the ‘Where have you been 40th anniversary of Epis- all these days? I’ve been copal Asiamerican Min- waiting for you.’” istries (EAM), the former Eventually Toy be- public educator and pio- gan attending seminary neer woman priest will part-time at the Church found herself in the spot- Divinity School of the light once again. Pacific in Berkeley, Ca- “I could never have lif., while continuing to guessed, first of all, that teach part-time (her two God would call me to children were already be ordained a priest in in college). All three the Episcopal Church, graduated in June 1985 and being the first Asian within eight days of one American female, that another. In 1996, the it has opened so many seminary awarded her doors,” Toy said to Pat Photo/Sean McConnell an honorary doctor of McCaughan, a writer The Rev. Fran Toy, the first Episcopal Asian American woman priest, divinity degree. for Episcopal News Ser- celebrates the 25th anniversary of her ordination in June 2010 with Bishop She has been a cler- vice, at the celebration Marc Andrus of the Diocese of California. At the 40th anniversary celebra- gy representative to sev- three years ago. tion of the founding of Episcopal Asiamerican Ministries in June, she was eral provincial synods, “It was humbling in the spotlight again as the honored guest, concelebrating the Eucharist served as a member of to see so many people with U.S. and Asian bishops. Episcopal Church’s Ex- there,” said Toy at that ecutive Council from time. “It’s been a really wonderful, won- that she grew up with independent, 1991-97, and was a deputy to General derful adventure. It’s been a wonderful pioneering women and felt called to or- Convention in 1998. She served on the ride, and it’s not over yet.” dained ministry at age 17, a call which Church Deployment Board from 1994– It was just three years after her ordi- predated by decades the church’s even- 2000 and was elected to the boards of nation in 1985 that Toy found herself tual decision to ordain women. “I don’t both the Episcopal Women’s History co-chairing the program of the Episco- say it’s my ministry — it’s God’s minis- Project and the Episcopal Women’s Cau- pal Women’s Caucus at the worldwide try through me,” she said. “I think I just cus. Lambeth Conference of Anglican bish- try to be what we’re supposed to be with This year’s Asian American Ministries ops. Her co-chair was a lay woman, Sally what we promised at our baptism.” celebration will be a special event for Toy, Buckle from the Diocese of Washington. A cradle Episcopalian, Toy was born who believes serving in the church is still TheA mericans at the center witnessed to Aug. 9, 1934, and grew up at Church a challenge for women priests. On the many bishops of churches where women of Our Saviour, a Chinese congregation podium to greet her will be the two most priests were not yet ministering, and they in Oakland, Calif., where she met her senior officials of theE piscopal Church. celebrated the ordinations of the first future husband, Art. But her mother, a Both are women — Presiding Bishop women in the Anglican Communion — third-generation Californian and educa- Katharine Jefferts Schori and the House the Rev. Li Tim Oi in 1944 and the Rev. tor who “was the first female to open her of Deputies president, the Rev. Gay Jen- Joyce Bennett in 1971. (Both ordina- own private Chinese school,” insisted nings, who was elected at last year’s Gen- tions were later revoked.) Toy go to college before she married. eral Convention. n The Rev. Fred Vergara, church mis- After seeking some information about sioner for Episcopal Asiamerican Min- ordained ministry, Toy eventually turned With some material from the archival istries, said Toy has been active in the to a career in education and served as a files ofE piscopal News Service. F Episcopal Journal Summer 2013 Episcopal Lives n Pope has an Recent deaths Anglican prayer book amily, friends and professional colleagues gathered at the School piscopal Bishop Pierre Wha- of Theology at Sewanee, Tenn., lon of the Convocation of April 3 to mourn the death of Episcopal Churches in Eu- a noted church historian who prepared rope, presented Pope Francis F generations for ser- withE a special, black leather-bound edi- vice in ministry. tion of the Spanish-English selections The Rev. Don- from the Book of Common Prayer fol- ald Smith Armen- lowing his election. Whalon was part trout exemplified of an Anglican delegation attending the Bishop Pierre Whalon greets Pope Francis. the ecumenical pope’s installation led by the Archbish- movement, serv- op of York, John Sentamu. ing out, touching people, and said, “We ing for 42 years as He said that one Roman Catholic don’t know what to expect anymore.” a Lutheran at an priest, shepherding some of the delegates “The Anglicans agreed among our- Episcopal seminary, Armentrout following the installation, looked out at selves that that is a good thing,” Wha- preparing priests for n the popemobile and Pope Francis reach- lon wrote in his blog. the ministry and becoming an eminent scholar in Episcopal Church history. Amid the historic Before his ordination as a pastor in beauty of Monument the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Valley, the ancestral America, he was appointed an instruc- home of the Navajo, tor in ecclesiastical history at the Univer- Bishop David Bailey sity of the South School of Theology in ordained Catherine B. 1967. He progressed to assistant profes- Plummer to the priest- sor, associate professor, and professor be- hood. She is the widow fore being named Quintard professor of of Steven Plummer, dogmatic theology in 1991. the first Navajo to serve as bishop of the Robert G. Oliver Episcopal Church in , 83, a former dean Navajoland. Above, of the American Cathedral in Paris, died Plummer with Bailey in Atlanta, Ga. He was ordained to the outside St. Mary’s of priesthood in the Diocese of Florida in the Moonlight Church 1960 and served congregations in Flor- in Oljato, Utah, fol- ida, Georgia and Mississippi before he lowing her ordination. became dean of the American Cathedral in Paris in 1974. In 1979 he was called Photo/Dick Snyder as rector to St. James’ Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, where he served until Briefly noted tive that’s given to us by our religion and 1990 when he retired and moved back by our God,” he said on a conference call to Georgia. with the other officials. Kirk Smith Bishop Federal lawmakers continue to work of the Diocese of Ari- on a comprehensive immigration-reform Scholar, teacher, poet and priest, John Booty zona joined with reli- bill. , age 87 died at his home gious and union leaders in Center Sandwich, N.H. After earn- in April to urge that Gay and lesbian alumni of the Uni- ing a doctorate degree from Princeton family-unification poli- versity of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s University, he joined the faculty at cies be included in any College presented the organization’s Virginia Theological Seminary as pro- comprehensive immi- Smith Thomas A. Dooley Award to Bishop fessor of church history, taught at the gration-reform legislation. Smith said Gene Robinson, retired bishop of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cam- that the family was the “chief social unit Diocese of New Hampshire and the bridge, Mass., and served as dean of in society,” and protecting and keeping first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal the seminary at the University of the immigrant families together should be Church. The award honors individuals South in Sewanee, Tenn. A life-long paramount as federal lawmakers con- who, through a faith-based background, scholar, he was a fellow of the Folger sider reform. have demonstrated personal courage, Shakespeare Library and the National “This is one thing that we do all agree compassion and commitment to ad- Endowment for the Humanities, and on, and that is support of the family, be- vance the human and civil rights of les- he served as historiographer of the cause we consider that to be an impera- bian and gay Americans. n Episcopal Church. n n News Summer 2013 Episcopal Journal G Outpouring of support follows trail of tornadoes

By Episcopal News Service the Rev. Mark Story, St. Mary’s rector. the toys and to feel like we’re good, we’re “We received the house through a be- going to be OK,” she said. arely a week into the cleanup quest from a parishioner. His gift was “People have been lifting us up so after a string of tornadoes killed really quite amazing to the church and much, with help, and with prayers, dozens and devastated parts of made it possible.” phone calls, we’ve felt so much love and Oklahoma, the Rev. Paul Kiespert was overwhelmed by the of- support, it’s really amazing. It’s really BSnyder’s role had shifted from first hard when you’re so used to responder to “helping people try It’s really hard when you’re so being on the giving end; when to get order back into their lives.” ‘ you have to be on the receiv- Snyder, an 18-year police chap- used to being on the giving end; ing end, it’s so humbling.” lain and deacon for three years Story said equipping the at St. Christopher’s Episcopal when you have to be on the four-bedroom home for living Church in suburban Oklahoma was a blessing to the church. City, was the person called by receiving end, it’s so humbling. “Lots of people want to other clergy to help locate their ’ do something physical and parishioners. cleaning up the house and “I could pretty much tell by getting it ready gave lots of the address if the home was in the parishioners an opportunity tornado path. Some were pretty to do something that con- close,” Snyder said. “I’d go by their nected them physically with homes to make sure they were still the tragedy in Moore. It was there, and knock on the door and a blessing for the family, a say ‘Hey, you need to call your blessing for the parish, it was priest’.” just a good thing,” he said. Days later, he shifted his focus The Rev. Canon José to “digging through stuff” as the McLoughlin, canon to the residents of Moore sifted through ordinary at the Diocese of debris left by the 200-mile an hour Oklahoma, emphasized that twister that cut a 20-mile path of the need will continue for destruction through the town. a long time. “We want to Twelve days later, after this tor- do things smartly and not nado had killed 24 people and de- duplicate efforts and make stroyed hundreds of homes, a sec- sure people know they are ond series of tornadoes and severe not being forgotten, both in flooding caused more damage. the short-term and the long- St. Christopher’s rector, the Rev. term,” he said. Emily Schnabl, said that homes of “A large part of what we two parish families living near the are doing is sharing informa- tornado’s path had been damaged. tion and continuing to pro- A team of church volunteers went vide resources for short-term to assist them and others. needs, for people who need “There’s no introductions; you clothes, gift cards, and assis- just walk into somebody’s yard and tance for housing. What remains of the Kiesperts’ home after the tornado struck just start cleaning,” said Schnabl “Money is still the best Moore, Okla. whodescribed the devastation as thing to give at this point,” he an “open wound, naked to the sky.” fer. “What was even more amazing was, said. “We are being contacted by people The first deadly tornado destroyed we walked in and the church ladies had from out of state who want to come in the home of Jera Kiespert and her fam- been there,” she said. “There were beds and help and we’re making sure we coor- ily. But within a few days, after moving with fresh linens, and clean towels, there dinate with them. between hotels and the homes of family were supplies in the kitchen. It felt so “We want to be part of the solution, and friends, they received an offer of a good to walk into a home and feel it is whoever is doing the necessary work of four-bedroom house owned St. Mary’s home.” recovery,” he added. “Once people get a Episcopal Church in Edmond, where “They gave us gift cards, money for better idea of what their insurance com- she and her husband, Jason, had once groceries, there were clothes and toys for panies are going to do we will know served in the choir and where their chil- the kids. It is so relieving as a mom to see better where gaps in services and hous- dren had been baptized. your kids go through something like this ing are and we’ll be able to assist with “It’s a great stewardship story,” said and then be in a new place and run for those.” n H Episcopal Journal Summer 2013 News n Sandy’s victims work at recovery

By Mary Frances Schjonberg weren’t preserved to celebrate our good ing the people who are helping others.” Episcopal News Service fortune; we were preserved to stand A lot of people need help. The sta- with people who weren’t and that’s been tistical picture of Sandy’s swath across hen Hurricane Sandy a powerful sign in Beach Haven.” New Jersey is stunning. The New Jersey hit the East Coast of the And that has been the other lesson Department of Community Affairs says United States six months Sandy left in its wake: churches have Sandy damaged or destroyed 346,000 ago, “Frankenstorm” gave a role in their communities based in housing units in the state. More than Wsome New Jersey Episcopalians new ways Scripture. 23,000 of those homes were in Ocean of understanding the biblical experiences “Everybody knows what we’ve suf- County, whose eastern boundary hugs of exile and Passover. fered and lost, and everybody contin- the Atlantic and which, along with The winter contingent of St. Elisa- ues to feel those losses and, at the same Monmouth County to the north, took beth’s Chapel-by-the-Sea in Ortley time, we’re like Paul,” Crumbaugh said. Sandy’s brunt. Beach is in exile. As the weather Sandy swept the warms up and more seasonal chapel off do-it-yourselfers its moorings near start to work on the beach and into their homes, McK- the bay the night ee predicts people of Oct. 29, 2012. will be looking for The members are childcare and to worshipping in “be entertained at East Dover Bap- lower cost.” The tist Church on church plans more the mainland each such dinners in the Sunday. future and hopes It’s a nice build- to offer nights with ing and the people movies and dinners and pastor have soon. been very welcom- “I think vaca- ing, Senior Warden tion Bible school Dennis Bellars said. will be a big deal After the bishop’s this summer for chair was found in that same reason,” the ruins of Ortley she said. Beach, the con- Photo/Office of Gov. Chris Christie Whatever the gregation allowed In New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy caused the greatest amount of destruction along the work, “the most the St. Elisabeth’s Highway 35 corridor that hugs the Atlantic in parts of Monmouth County and most of important thing members to keep it Ocean County. we can say,” McK- in the sanctuary. ee said is that “the Still, Bellars said, “it’s not home.” “We’re chastised but not killed; killed church is going to be here walking with About 40 miles south in Beach Ha- and, see, we are alive.” you.” ven, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church The same could be said inT uckerton, The message is: “God is walking with sits a block from the Atlantic with Pearl on the mainland about 10 miles across us and we’re walking with them and Street forming the northern bound- the bay from Beach Haven, and in the we’re here to stay and what we do will ary of its block. “Green sea water was surrounding Little Egg Harbor Town- evolve as the needs evolve.” running down Pearl Street for a couple ship. Adams said that evolution and dis- of tides,” according to the Rev. Frank “I really am trying very much to have cernment is an on-going part of his job Crumbaugh, Holy Innocents’ rector. this congregation be the church, which that he calls “a process in which we can Houses on the north side of the is really the body of Christ connected to transform a tragedy into an opportunity” street were flooded but the water got no one another and the world in a way that by discerning what skills and resources closer to the church and rectory than hopefully is somewhat different than a each congregation can bring to bear to the sidewalk on the south, he said. secular relief institution,” said the Rev. be relevant and serve their communities “That’s a powerful sign of deliver- Martha McKee, vicar of Church of the not just after disasters but every day. ance,” Crumbaugh said. “When you Holy Spirit in Tuckerton. “We’re work- Or, in other words, Adams said, “to be look at that, you understand what ‘Pass- ing very hard on supporting the people able to go out in their community and to over’ means in a new way.” who need help and walking with them see the face of God in other people and Yet, Crumbaugh is clear that “we through this process, but also support- have them see the face of God in us.” n n on CHristian Life Summer 2013 Episcopal Journal I The trouble with labels

By Cathleen Falsani given a similar answer. He’s young, and view, Bono said in part: “I am a Chris- Religion News Service faith is a journey, not a destination. Cut tian, but at times I feel very removed Mumford some slack and thank him for from Christianity. The Jesus Christ that I abels can be helpful when, for his honesty. believe in was the man who turned over instance, applied to cans of soup That was not the reaction of many the tables in the temple and threw the or barrels of toxic waste. But they of my co-religionists, some of whom money changers out.” are less so when affixed to hu- deemed his answer a cop-out, chastis- Fifteen years later, in 2002 Bono and Lman beings — particularly when labels are ing him for being ashamed of the gospel I spoke at length about his discomfort meant to summa- of Christ and tossing his lot in with the with “the church” and his reluctance to rize, indelibly, one’s spiritual-but-not-religious crowd. self-apply the “Christian” label. “By the spiritual identity. I didn’t hear Mumford’s remarks as a way, I don’t set myself up to be any kind In a recent Roll- wishy-washy equivocation about the pre- of Christian. I can’t live up to that. It’s ing Stone interview, cepts of Christianity or a capitalist con- something I aspire to, but I don’t feel Marcus Mumford, cern about alienating non-Christian fans. comfortable with that badge,” he told the 26-year-old lead Rather, what I took away from his answer me. “It’s a badge I want to wear. But I’m singer of the wildly was a keen wariness about other Christians not a very good advertisement for God.” successful British and our too-often brutal judgmentalism. It wasn’t a disavowal of faith or beliefs. band Mumford & Sons, raised the hackles Growing up as a pastor’s kid, un- It was a statement from a humble believ- of some religious folk when he declined to doubtedly Mumford knows this all too er who wants people to look to God — claim the “Christian” label as his own. well. And as someone who is newly ac- not him — for perfection and answers. You see, Marcus is the son of John and customed to standing in the unforgiving This reminds me of Pope Francis, Eleanor Mumford, who are the national glare of celebrity’s spotlight, he surely who has accepted the label of “Holy Fa- leaders of the Vineyard Church in the also understands our cultural obsession ther” but prefers to refer to himself as the United Kingdom and Ireland, an arm of with putting people on pedestals and “Bishop of Rome.” He’s not denying his the international evangelical Christian knocking them off. role as pontiff, but he is telegraphing the Vineyard Movement. Last year, he mar- What I heard in his reticence to label idea that he is much more comfortable ried actress Carey Mulligan, who he’d himself a Christian was echoes of anoth- with a more humble position. met at a Christian youth camp. er rock star whose own Christian faith I don’t care what Mumford or Bono And the music of Mumford & Sons, for has been a topic of controversy for years: or the pope call themselves or don’t. which Mumford is the main lyricist, is lad- Bono of U2. Their actions and (other) words tell a sto- en with the themes and imagery of faith — For many years, beginning when ry of faith that is much more nuanced, often drawing specifically upon the Chris- Bono was the same age Mumford is now, and therefore truer, than any label they tian tradition. They explore relationships he shied away from the Christian label might pin over their hearts or have thrust with God and others; fears and doubts; sin, and largely stopped talking about his upon them. n redemption and, most of all, grace. faith publicly. Mumford was asked by Rolling Stone When asked about the role of religion Cathleen Falsani is Faith & Values col- whether he “still consider[s] himself a in his life in a 1987 Rolling Stone inter- umnist for the Orange County Register. Christian.” He answered, “I don’t really like that word. It comes with so much baggage. So, no, I wouldn’t call myself Be Inspired! a Christian. I think the word just con- jures up all these religious images that Subscribe to Episcopal Journal. I don’t really like. I have my personal views about the person of Jesus and who Save 20% off the cover price with an Episcopal he was. ... I’ve kind of separated myself annual subscription of $36, or 25% from the culture of Christianity.” | February 2013 Vol 3 No 2

| $3.75 Per CoPy His spiritual journey is a “work in for two years ($67.50). Groups of 10 JournalMoNTHly eDITIoN progress,” Mumford said, adding that he’s or more get an even greater saving never doubted the existence of God and with $22.50 per subscriber. 7Deputies’ president seeks stronger that his parents are unbothered by his am- relationships bivalence toward the Christian label. Call 800-691-9846 and order by Feature Mumford’s answer didn’t give me credit card, or mail address acclaimed12 film depicts final pause either, although I am a Christian legacy of artS artS american icon and was raised in a faith community information to Episcopal Journal Haiti, three years laterPhoto/Thony Belizaire/AFP/Getty Images

A tent city in Marassa, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, three years after the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. More than Circulation, P.O. Box 937, Bellmawr, 360,000 people throughout Haiti are still living under tarps, including about 5,000 inhabitants of these makeshift camps northeast of similar to the Vineyard and self-identify Marassa. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori visited the country at the invitation of Haitian Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin and preached at the site of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-au-Prince at the earthquake commemoration on Jan. 12. The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Haiti have announced the selection of a team of Arlington, Va., architects to design a new cathedral to replace the one destroyed in the earthquake — see the story on page 14. today as an evangelical. 15God’s image NJ 08099-0937 with your check today! takes many forms Church begins blessing When I was his age, I might have Column same-sex relationships“I often get asked by churchgoers and nonchurchgoers why I am a part By Sharon Sheridan of this body. The reason I return is for Episcopal News Service my sister. I seek to assure that she not uring the final debate that only has the same rites as myself but preceded General Con- also the same privileges.” vention’s approval of a The rite, “The Witnessing and provisional liturgy to bless blessing of a lifelong Covenant,” was Dthe lifelong relationships of same-gen- authorized by bishops and deputies at der couples, a young man from the Di- General Convention for use with the ocese of Chicago, Deputy Ian Hallas, permission of each diocesan bishop rose to speak about his sister, louisa, beginning Dec. 2, the first Sunday of and urge passage of the legislation. advent. “The love that she shares with her on Dec. 29, louisa Hallas, 25, and kClare Kemock, 30, engaged for just partner is unconditional and speaks to Louisa Hallas (left) with kClare Kemock the ideal relationships all of us should over a year, had their unioncontinued blessed on page 5 strive to have,” Ian Hallas, 22, told his at their home fellow deputies. J Episcopal Journal Summer 2013 Faith and the arts n Music in worship opens the realm of the spirit

By Sharon Sheridan amazing sense of smell going on with in- It’s really about showing up for God and, cense, right? There’s the sense of taste and because of that, we’re showing up for one inger Ana Hernández was help- touch in the Eucharist.” another.” ing to provide music during a And we hear music and the words “But the wonder piece is important small Christmas-morning service of the liturgy. “The flow of the words, because when we show up for worship when one of the hymns made her the rhythm of the words themselves can we have an experience with God,” said weep.S After the service, the organist said, cause wonder in people,” Hernández Thomas, rector of St. James’ Episcopal “You know what’s amazing? I push but- said. The prayer book can help you en- Church in Houston. tons on the organ, and water comes out ter a sense of wonder “and enable you to The liturgy helps people enter that ex- of your eyes.” perience in different ways, “The water drops on the and different styles will stone of the floor,” Hernán- The music is not there to entertain us. be meaningful for differ- dez replied, “and the thought ‘ ent people. Each Sunday, that comes into my head is: I It’s there to bring us deeper and more St. James’ offers a Rite I wonder how many other tears profoundly into the presence of God. Eucharist, a Rite II ser- have hit this floor?” ’ vice with organ, choir and The organist looked at her — The Rev. Victor Thomas trumpet, and a noon con- and said, “Yeah.” temporary worship service What started as a “goofy” with a jazz influence. exchange suddenly shifted “There are some people “into something unbelievably that, if we only had wor- important and huge and won- ship in the 12 o’clock form, drous,” Hernandez said. “The would not be members of Spirit will turn on you like this parish,” Thomas said. that, on a dime, in a second.” “There’s something that For Hernández, liturgy at takes place at each one of its best inspires wonder — those services and each not only a sense of awe in ex- one of those genres that re- periencing the holy but also a ally speaks to these people’s sense of curiosity. souls.” Author of “The Sacred Art The music, he added, is of Chant,” Hernández is a “not there to entertain us. composer, arranger and per- It’s there to bring us deeper former of sacred music and and more profoundly into a member of the Episcopal the presence of God. The Church’s Standing Commis- Photo/Emily Given same thing with preach- sion on Liturgy and Music. Ana Hernández: liturgy at its best inspires wonder. ing.” “I didn’t start out in the And at the center of the Episcopal Church, but I’ve been here form the questions that will guide your worship is the Eucharist. “The Eucharist since I was 17. … I fell in love with the life.” is all about mystery, and that really does liturgy, the music and the way it helped And while the words remain the feed us,” Thomas said. “It’s not like we’re me access Spirit, the way it helped me same, our perspective on them changes trying to have all the answers … The access the things that I knew were im- week to week, she said. “You find differ- sense of mystery with the Holy Commu- portant to me,” Hernández said. “I’m ent things in it because you are never re- nion, I think that adds to the wonder in still figuring out what’s important to ally the same.” worship.” me, because I’m always curious … I’m “There is no one right way” to do lit- “We’ve got the best tradition in the always approaching life with that kind urgy, she added. world,” he concluded, “because there’s of, ‘Whoa! How does that work?’ or “You go to church and we learn the so much to it and there’s so much depth ‘How did she do that?’ It’s that curiosity, drill from the book … but in that the and weight and, really, if you do it with I think, that keeps me grateful for things Spirit is constantly working on us and passion and very intentionally, I don’t have any clue about how to ar- the Spirit is working on our curiosity and I think it’s meaningful for so many ticulate.” our sense of wonder.” people.” n When we come to church, we bring For the Rev. Victor Thomas, “The our questions into a space with “some- most important part of worship is the Sharon Sheridan is a freelance writer thing for every sense,” she said. “There’s showing up for it and knowing that it’s from Flanders, N.J. Her article was first [stained] glass to look at, and that causes our responsibility and our role to give published in Diolog, the quarterly maga- wonder. There is sometimes … a really praise to God, that it’s not about us. … zine of the Diocese of Texas. n Book Review Summer 2013 Episcopal Journal K ‘Cup’ offers history, advice to lay ministers

By Irene Styer in vessels of wood, stone or such as the history of the bronze after our Lord’s sac- evolving role of lay persons “The Cup of Salvation: A rifice, and explains different in the Episcopal Church, are Manual for Eucharistic Minis- traditions of giving and re- also very helpful as a point of ters,” written by the Rev. Beth ceiving the elements. focus. They can help keep our Wickenberg Ely, canon for “The earliest Christians mind and thoughts on the regional ministry in the Dio- handled the body and blood correct things. To contem- cese of North Carolina, covers freely. Lay Christians rou- plate the traditions of the past all aspects of our faith at the tinely took the bread home and the present can be good Communion rail, both for the with them from the Sunday for our inward soul. layperson distributing the sac- Eucharist, where they kept it Further chapters answer raments and those receiving. nearby in case of emergency,” questions of how to deal with It begins with a journey Wickenberg Ely notes. all the little accidents that can of how the sacraments were The historical facts regard- happen while serving at the distributed to early believers, ing the Anglican Church, altar, like spilling the wine, or one human being as another. dropping the bread into the Anyone considering A Walk Through the Churchyard: cup or on the floor! These and serving as a eucharistic several others are answered minister would benefit greatly Toward a spirituality of Christian death and very helpful to those by reading this helpful book. By Rob Gieselmann, Published via CreateSpace Independent starting out on this ministry. No stone is left unturned. n Publishing Platform, 119 pages $6.45 Also discussed is the “un- worthiness of the ministers.” Irene Styer has been a lay By Solange De Santis At the time Laura died, This section was most interest- eucharistic minister for about Gieselmann was rector of Old ing and well answered, finally two decades at St. Thomas he Rev. Rob Giesel- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church summing up with the fact that Episcopal Church, Mama- mann experienced near Chestertown, Md. — God acts just as fully through roneck, N.Y. the death of his a historic church with 19 young wife, Laura acres of churchyard that has T— probably the most painful seen 300 years’ of burials. LeaderResources experience save the death of a Throughout the book, he Helping you Grow your Church child. walks through the church- A decade after she died yard literally and figuratively, Stretch your Budget! Attract New Families! of a rare disease in her early searching for a human way Our newest memberships make it easy and affordable for ANY size church to offer unique and excellent programs for children & youth! Check it out today! 40s, Gieselmann has crafted a and a Christian way to ex- FREE SAMPLES ONLINE!! gracefully-written, plain, to cope, to compelling story of go on living. Laura’s life and jour- G i e s e l m a n n The Center for Youth Ministry ney to death, their relates his early, Membership in the CYM gives you a year’s access to more than 40+ programs for teens such as: life as a couple with awkward days as a  5 youth curriculums (including J2A!) two young children hospital chaplain  4 different confirmation programs and his other pasto- called to the bed-  Youth Retreats & Special events ral encounters with sides of mortally ill  Mission projects & Trip Designs  Seasonal resources the dying. people and, finally,  Programs for Parents & Intergenerational Events The book is of his parishioner hardly depressing; Sam, who taught in fact, it moves with the pace him about victory over death The Center for Children’s Ministry of a fine novel. Gieselmann’s and about resurrection. Mix and match from dozens of excellent programs: descriptive talent gives us Like James Joyce, who  Sunday School (including WorkshopCycles & Mustard Seed Series) wrote of the “wayward and  Open Doors — how & when to invite new families such scenes as this, in a hos-  Best selling VBS programs based on Harry Potter, pital: “About six o’clock, the flickering existence” of “the Chronicles of Narnia, Willy Wonka & more! sky darkened, lightning shot vast hosts of the dead,” Gie-  Faith at Home ideas for families across the sky and thunder selmann acknowledges Lau-  Teacher Training & Help railed its battle cry. Ark-like ra’s eternal presence in his and  Liturgy & Worship resources rain fell. But we were in the his children’s life and ends the waiting room cocoon.” book with a soaringly poetic www.LeaderResources.org His and Laura’s story is vision of the world beyond both unique and universal. the veil. n 1‐800‐941‐2218 L Episcopal Journal Summer 2013 Feature n Navajoland walk honors Vietnam vets

By Lynette Wilson Episcopal News Service ilitary service is an historical tradition in Navajo culture. In Mike Bekis’ imme- diate family, for instance, M38 members have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. “Just like my five uncles before us, they were all World War II [veterans], all of us have stepped up,” said Bekis, in a telephone call from Farmington, N.M., with ENS. “And we just followed in their footsteps.” In May 2012, Bekis who served in the U.S. Army from 1975-1980, began or- ganizing a walk to honor and remember Vietnam veterans, like his brother Rob- Navajoland Bishop David Bailey, left, speaks with Vietnam Veterans on the walk. ert Bekis, who upon their return from service received nothing approaching a March 29 marked the day the last Viet- Navajo people’s military service begins with hospitable welcome. nam troops returned home 40 years ago, the Code Talkers of World War II who “A lot of these Vietnam vets came and in 2012 President Barack Obama and used their Navajo language as a code which home to nothing,” said Bekis. “They got New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez desig- was never broken,” said the Rev. Wally A. spit on coming through the gates … rot- nated the last week of March as a time to Jensen, executive officer to the bishop for ten fruits and vegetables and balloons honor Vietnam veterans. armed services and federal ministries based filled with animal blood thrown at them.” “This march during Holy Week is a in Washington, D.C., in an e-mail to ENS. The Upper Fruitland Vietnam Veter- journey for the Navajo Vietnam veterans, “Military historians credit the Navajo ans and the Episcopal Church in Navajo- a pilgrimage toward healing. When the Code Talkers with helping to win the land sponsored the Vietnam Veterans Re- march was planned, we didn’t know it was war in the Pacific Theater. Recently the membrance Honor Walk and Bike Run, going to be during Holy Week. The dates Navajo people have built a monument to titled “A welcome home for the Vietnam just fell into it,” said Deacon Cornelia Ea- honor the Navajo warriors who contin- Veterans that they never received.” ton, who serves as Bailey’s assistant. ued to serve in the military,” he added. The March 25-30 walk traveled 117 “Our veterans have suffered deeply — The Rev. Patrick Finn, a U.S. Navy miles from Thoreau to Farmington, stories of broken marriages, attempted chaplain, represented Bishop Suffragan N.M., along a road known as the “Viet- suicides, alcohol and drug addictions,” for the Armed Services and Federal Min- nam Veterans Memorial Highway” and she said. istries James Magness during the celebra- culminated in a celebration held at a Chapter houses, which are similar to tion in Upper Fruitland. gymnasium in Upper Fruitland. town halls, and various veterans groups “My particular interest is the healing “I was honored and privileged to join sponsored walkers, who included spous- that can take place when our current vet- the Navajo Vietnam veterans and walk es and children of fallen soldiers who erans from Iraq and Afghanistan have a with them,” said Navajoland Bishop walked in remembrance, said Eaton. safe place to share their story with vet- David Bailey in an e-mail to ENS. “It is Two Navajoland Episcopal churches, erans from the Vietnam War and other important to our Episcopal Church in St. Luke’s in the Desert in Carson, N.M., conflicts,” said Finn in an e-mail toE NS. Navajoland as a response to our many and St. Michael’s in Upper Fruitland, have “I am beginning a project called ‘Until Episcopal veterans who have proudly started outreach ministries to veterans. Every Story is Heard,’ which is encourag- served in Vietnam, Iraq’s two wars and in In 1978, the Episcopal Church ing religious and community-based or- Afghanistan and to their families.” carved out sections of the dioceses of Rio ganizations to provide safe places for our Many of the veterans suffer “post-war is- Grande, Arizona and Utah — areas with- veterans to share with other veterans.” sues,” added Bailey. In response, the church in and surrounded by the 27,000-square- Before being called up to active duty, has begun a ministry of recognition, which mile Navajo reservation — to create the Finn served from 1995-2002 as the rec- provides a place for veterans to meet and Navajoland Area Mission. It was an ef- tor of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in share with each other and their families. fort toward unification of language, cul- Park City, Utah, and worked closely with “We identify resources to meet their ture and families. Between 125,000 and the late Bishop Steven Plummer and his specific needs and give them congrega- 150,000 Navajo live on the reservation, wife, Deacon Catherine Plummer, or- tional support as they move toward heal- which is about the size of West Virginia. ganizing mission trips and medical mis- ing,” he said. “Perhaps the most well-known of the sions, he said. n Church of the Saviour

Church of the Saviour • 519 N. Douty Street • Hanford, CA 93230 • www.churchofthesaviour.diocesanjoaquin.org The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin

in communion with one another, humbly thankful as God’s beloved creation

The congregations of Alpine the San Joaquin Diocese Calaveras San Toulumne Joaquin Mono

Stanislaus Mariposa

The Episcopal Church of St. Francis Episcopal Merced

St. John the Baptist, Lodi Church, Turlock Madera 1055 South Lower Sacramento 915 E. Main Street Inyo Road, Lodi, CA 95242 Turlock, CA 95380 Fresno

The Rev. Jim Stickney, The Rev. Kathryn Galicia, Tulare Interim Pastor Priest-in-Charge, 209-632-0896; Kings 209-369-3381 www.episcopalstfrancis.org www.stjohnsoflodi.org The St. James Church, Sonora Kern St. Matthew’s Church, 42 Snell Street San Joaquin San Andreas Sonora, CA 95370 Diocese 414 Oak Street The Rev. Andy Anderson, San Andreas, CA 95249 Priest-in-Charge The Rev. John Shumaker, Rector Emeritus Central Valley: 209-754-3878; www.st matthew.diosanjoaquin.org St. Nicholas, Atwater Merced Episcopal Church St. Clare of Assisi, Avery Meets at 1216 Third Street, 1 block north of the Post Atwater, CA 95301 Office on Hwy 4 209-358-4438; The Rev. Basil Matthews, www.MercedEpiscopal.dio Priest-in-Charge sanjoaquin.org 209-795-5970 Holy Trinity Mission, Madera Church of the Saviour South Valley: The Episcopal Church of Meets at 420 E. 4th Street, Parish, Hanford St. Anne, Stockton Madera, CA 93637 519 N. Douty Street, St. Paul’s Church, Bakersfield 1020 West Lincoln Road, The Rev. Paul Colbert, Vicar Hanford, CA, 93230 2216 17th Street Stockton, CA 95207 559-975-9037; www.holy The Rev. Luis Rodriguez, Rector Bakersfield, CA The Rev. Lyn Morlan, Rector trinityepiscopalchurch.org; 559-584-7706; email:Saviour The Rev. Tim Vivian, Priest-in-Charge 209-473-2313 email: pcolbert@diosan [email protected] 661-431-9020 www.stanne.diosan joaquin.org joaquin.org Continuing St. Paul’s St. Andrew’s Mission, Taft St. Raphael’s Episcopal Episcopal Church, Visalia 703 Fifth Street, Taft, CA 93268 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Church, Oakhurst Meets at Congregation The Rev. Heather Mueller, Modesto Meets at Fresno Flats B’nai David, 1039 S. Chinowth Priest-in-Charge 1528 Oakdale Road, Historical Park, 49777 School Street, (near Tulare Avenue) 661-765-2378 Modesto, CA 95355 Road, Oakhurst, CA 93644 Visalia, CA 93277 The Rev. Kathleen West, The Rev. Paul Colbert, Vicar The Rev. Suzanne L. Ward, St. Sherrian, Kernville Priest-in-Charge 559-683-4023; www.Saint Priest-in-Charge 251 Big Blue Road 209-522-3267 RaphaelsEpiscopal.org; Contact: The Rev. Suzanne Ward, Kernville, CA 93238 www.stpaulsmodesto.org email: pcolbert@diosan 559-416-7562; www.stpaul The Rev. Robert Woods, Vicar joaquin.org visalia.diosanjoaquin.org; 760-376-2455 Christ the King Community email: [email protected] Episcopal Church, Holy Family Episcopal High Desert: Riverbank Church, Fresno St. John’s Episcopal 6443 Estelle Avenue, 1135 East Alluvial Avenue, Parish, Tulare St. Michael’s Church, Ridgecrest Riverbank, CA 95367 Fresno, CA 95720 1701 Prosperity Avenue, 200 W. Drummond Avenue The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom, Rector The Rev. Michele Racusin, Rector Tulare, CA 93274 Ridgecrest, CA 93555 209-869-1075; 559-439-5011; www.holy The Rev. Robert G. Eaton, Rector 760-446-5816 www.christtheking.diosan familyfresno.org; email: 559-686-8048; www.stjohns The Rev. Linda Huggard, joaquin.org [email protected] tulare.wordpress.com Priest-in-Charge

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