Aurora 3/12/2008
On Line Aurora
March 12, 2008
Volume 10, Issue 11
From the Rev. Eric Duff, Executive Director of Episcopal Community Services
Dear Friends,
As we approach Holy Week, we find ourselves following a trail that leads to Calvary. The dark cross looms ahead. We go through this Lenten discipline each year, hoping to find a way through the challenges that impose themselves in our lives, and to understand why Christ chose this particular path. We veil the cross, reminding ourselves that we can't always see beyond the horizon. Our faith is based on hope, and the promise of everlasting life.
In November, our Diocese made a bold decision. Despite a looming deficit, we chose to give .7% of our budget to address the needs of the poorest in our world. This spring, the Millennium Development Goals Committee will make grants to projects throughout the world that address these goals. A grant application will be posted on the Diocesan website (www.dncweb.org) by March 24.
In addition, Episcopal Community Services will be making grants in support of outreach and health ministries within our Diocese. Grant applications can be downloaded from our website at www.ecsdnc.org, and are due by April 30.
This week, we will remember many remarkable things. Jesus took bread and wine, and fed his disciples. He washed their feet, and commanded them to do likewise. This was the vision he gave to us; to love one another. Can we do less?
I wish you a blessed Holy Week,
Eric Duff+
CLERGY CHANGES AND NEWS
The Rev. Debra Warwick-Sabino shares with us the sad news that her husband Rob’s brother, Steven Sabino, has only a few weeks to live due to a recurrence of his cancer. Our prayers are with the entire Sabino family.
Important: Visioning Conference Registration – Attendance at the Visioning Conference on April 18-19 will be composed of teams of four people from each parish (and from diocesan commissions.) Teams should come prepared to work with the results of all of the churches’ Discovery Processes. Clergy in charge: please register your entire team with one form and one check made out to Diocese of Northern California. See web page for registration form.
Please continue to pray for Nancy Wilkowski, John Schively, Joan von Grabow, Ray Potter Sr., Roberta Potter, Ray Potter Jr., David Alves, Louise Royer, Marilyn Karoly, Sandy Brownfield, Bob Gould, and Judy Ziemann.
YOUTH, YOUNG ADULT, AND CAMPUS MINISTRY
MALE CHAPERONE NEEDED FOR EYE2008! Sown in the Heart of Christ! - Tuesday, July 8- Sunday, July 13, 2008, San Antonio, TX. This triennial gathering of youth grades 9-12 from throughout the Episcopal Church will inspire and empower youth as Christian apostles. EYE will welcome informed theological conversation, honor our Anglican heritage, and celebrate our common ground in Christ and is designed to inspire and equip participants for Christian discipleship. This is a not to be missed opportunity for our youth—WE NEED A MALE CHAPERONE. Information and application at http://www.dncweb.org/youth/home.htm or contact Chania Brodie at email or 916-442-6918x29. Financial assistance available.
Spring Break Mission Trip for Jr. & Sr High-- St. Martin’s-Davis is sponsoring a spring break trip March 24-28th for 6-12 graders to do environmental restoration on Wiyot tribal land. Accommodations will be provided by the staff, parish and families of St. Alban’s- Arcata. To join St. Martins for a week of service and fun on the North-Pacific coast, contact The Rev. Austin Leininger at email or 530-756-0444. $50 deposit due NOW!
SEARCH - April 4-6 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Davis-- a Diocesan sponsored three-day retreat for Senior High youth. SEARCH is designed to help each participant with his or her Christian walk. It is a weekend filled with music, discussion, creative worship and quiet times. Designed for, and run by young people and their mentors. If you did not receive registration information, please email search@dncweb.org or call 800-442-6918.
VOCARE Weekend - April 4 -6th - St. Michael's in Fort Bragg - a spiritual renewal weekend (based on the Cursillo model ) for young adults ages 19 -30 who are seeking/listening for God's call in their life. For more information, see the website: www.dncweb.org/vocare. Registration deadline is March 17th. Applications are available to download on our website under "registration". Questions? contact Vocare@dncweb.org .
Spring Break Service project for college students: Sierra Service Project, a popular mission trip organization for our youth groups, is offering three different spring break weeks to LA for service opportunities for college students. Check out their information and spread the word to your students! http://www.sierraserviceproject.org/young_adult_program.htm
Hunger Justice Leaders Training – June 14-17, Washington D.C. – Bread for the World is offering an all expense paid leadership training for young adults 18-35. Application deadline is March 15th. For more information, please go to www.bread.org/get-involved/hunger-justice-leaders-training/letter-church-leaders.html.
Sierra Service Project – is taking (3) different 2-week trips to Honduras June 25-July 9; July 14-July 28; July 31-Aug 14. Please go to www.sierraserviceproject.org.
Summer Camp Registration! Go to www.campnoelporter.com for information about ’08 summer options at CAMP NOEL PORTER in Tahoe City. Camp weeks for grades 4-12. New this year: Beginning camp for ages 6-8. Go to www.dncweb.org for registration information for CAMP LIVING WATERS, a ministry of Sempervirons Deanery in Humboldt County, July 20-25.
Information and Events
Detailed information regarding upcoming events is to be found on the Diocesan Bulletin Board (click on www.dncweb.org/bulletin_board.htm ) To return to the Aurora simply close the window by clicking on the “X” in the upper right corner of the window.
Holy Week at Trinity Cathedral:
- Palm Sunday Holy Eucharist: 7:30am; 9:00am; 11:15am; 12:45pm
- Solemn Office of Tenebrae: Tuesday, March 18, 7:30pm
- Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist: March 20, 5:45pm
- Holy Thursday Vigil: March 20, after service to Friday morning, ending with Morning Prayer, 8:00am
- Good Friday Meditations: March 21, Noon - 3pm
- Stations of the Cross for Children: March 21, 2:00pm
- Solemn Good Friday Liturgy: March 21, 7:30pm
- Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Word March 22, 9:00am
- Easter Vigil March 22, 7:30pm
- Easter Sunday Holy Eucharist: Regular service times (see Palm Sunday above)
- Also: EGGSTRAVAGANZA Easter Egg Hunt, Holy Saturday, 10:00am
Episcopal Church Foundation – ECF is now accepting applications for awards in the amount of $5,000 to $15,000 from the Fellowship Partners Program, renewable for up to 3 years. Applications can be downloaded from www.EpiscopalFoundation.org and sent to Toni Daniels, Director of Learning and Leadership toni@EpiscopalFoundation.org . Deadline is March 15.
Lenten Quiet Day - “The Way of the Cross, Seeking the Heart of Jesus” at St. John’s in Roseville, March 15th from 9 till noon. Includes Stations of the Cross, meditations and Taize music. Sponsored by the Esther Chapter of the Daughters of the King.
Retired Clergy Gathering - The Rev. Harry Allagree, Chaplain to Retired Clergy, invites all retired clergy and widows/widowers to Faith Church, 2200 Country Club Drive, Cameron Park on Tuesday, March 25th at 10 a.m. Bishop Beisner will celebrate the Eucharist, followed by fellowship, discussion and lunch. RSVP to Harry Allagree+ at (707) 367-1115 or email.
Music Workshop and Service - St. Paul’s, Benicia is excited to welcome Dan Schutte (author of such favorite hymns as "Be Not Afraid," "Here I Am, Lord," "Sing a New Song") March 29th and 30th. He will lead a Saturday workshop on Contemporary Music in Liturgy, then sing and lead worship at the 10 am Sunday service. Cost for the workshop is $25 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch as well as materials.
Seasons of Health Ministries - National Episcopal Health Ministries Conference, March 27-29, 2008 Kanuga Retreat Center Hendersonville, N.C. To register go to www.episcopalhealthministries.org For partial scholarships contact: Susan Wahlstrom, Diocesan HM Coordinator (209) 296-1139 or email
A “Jubilee Celebration in the South West Deanery” will be held on April 5, at Grace Church, St. Helena from 5-8pm. Great food, wine tasting, silent auction and more! Event tickets are $40 from Episcopal Community Services or any of the churches in the South West Deanery. Drawing tickets are $10/ticket, 3 for $25. Drawing items include 5 nights at a Mendocino home, an “instant wine cellar” of 60 bottles, and a night and dinner at a bed and breakfast. Proceeds will support ECS and the four Jubilee Centers in the South West Deanery; Holy Family, Rohnert Park; St. Paul’s, Healdsburg; Incarnation, Santa Rosa and Epiphany, Vacaville. Contact ECS for more information.
SE Clergy Book Group – The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 15 from 11 to 12:30 at the Office of the Bishop. Bring a lunch. The group will discuss Anglican Communion in Crisis, by Miranda K. Hassett (Princeton University Press.)
Episcopal Community Services is pleased to announce that it will be making grants up to $10,000 again this spring. Grant applications can be downloaded from the ECS website: www.ecsdnc.org and will be accepted until April 30th. Proposals need to demonstrate an increase in outreach and/or health ministry as a result of the grant. For more information, contact the Rev. Eric T. Duff at email, or 1-800-442-6918, ext. 17.
Faith Forum Summit 2008 – Make travel plans now to attend this conference for those who minister to children and youth May 1-3, 2008 at Estes Park, Colorado. A variety of seminars and workshops will assist staff and volunteers who strive for effective faith formation ministry. Cost is $300 per person which includes program, meals and accommodations, and use of facilities. For information, contact Neil Riley at email .
The Magnetic Church: A workshop on hospitality and evangelism with Andrew Weeks is being sponsored by the Diocese of El Camino Real. The Workshop will take place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga, California May 15-17. For information and registration materials, please visit the web site at http://www.edecr.org/magnetic-church.htm.