This week's Aurora

 

On Line Aurora

 

May 8, 2008

Volume 10, Issue 19

[At Bishop Beisner’s invitation this week’s writer is Connie Sieracki, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Administrator.]

 

Dear Friends:

 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC has a tradition of a liturgy of departure for members of the congregation who are leaving.  It is a bittersweet service where participants are left with the feeling that whether going or staying he or she is part of community and always has a church home.  And those are my feelings now in informing you that I am resigning from the Bishop’s staff.  In the next weeks I will be wrapping up projects, completing tasks and assisting with the transfer of work to others before my official last day on June 30.

 

While I’m eagerly looking forward to opportunities to come, this is a bittersweet moment for me. The past eight years working in campus, young adult and youth ministry with the Diocese have been filled with many blessings.  In particular I cherish the friendships, working relationships, and privilege of seeing God at work in the lives of young people. I have been and continue to be inspired and awed at the commitment and dedication of so many talented people in this Diocese. 

 

I believe it is a testament to the work of so many of you that a vibrant youth and young adult ministry is one of the three goals to emerge from the Diocesan visioning process.  Now a working group established by the Board of Directors and Diocesan Council has been charged with determining how to implement this goal.  This process will be challenging and will require the input and involvement of everyone in the Diocese who cares about youth and young adults.  As a member of the Diocese, I look forward to working with you, my parish and the Board and Council on achieving this goal.

 

As a Diocese we are fortunate to have young people who actively seek to enter into the life of the Church.  Like many of you, I experience the tension between their energy and expectations and what we may be able and willing to do to make it happen.  Our challenge as a Diocese may come, not in inviting young people to come forward with their gifts and join us in communion, but being willing to relinquish the privileges that come with our age, our experience, our place and our purses.  Are we willing to listen and learn from what our young people tell us?  Re-order our priorities?  Give our time? Demonstrate our commitment by our actions and choices? 

 

Each of us—personally and corporately-- lives in this tension.  I’m looking forward to making those choices and the challenges of living into themThank you for the opportunity to share this time and ministry with you.

 

God’s Blessings,

 

 

Connie Sieracki

 

 

 

 

NEW DIOCESAN WEBSITE

 

It’s here!  When you visit www.dncweb.org, you will be greeted by a completely new website with many more capabilities, such as multimedia, live news feeds from Episcopal Life, easy to use menu tabs, and photo galleries.  With the site search engine, you can type in a name or key word and you will be provided links to pages with the information you are trying to find.  We will continue to refine the site with help from your comments, both negative and positive, via the link on the front page.

 

Thank you to all who provided valuable input to this process.

- Jim Sargent, Communications Commission Chair/Webmaster

 

CLERGY CHANGES AND NEWS

 

St.  Paul’s, Healdsburg has called the Rev. Tyler Strand to be their new Rector.  He begins there on Sunday, June 8.  We welcome him to our Diocese!

 

The Rev. Mark Allen’s  father, the Rev. Albert Allen died on Thursday, May 1.  A service will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Beaverton, OR on May 28 at 6:00 p.m.  Please keep Mark and his family in your prayers.

 

The Rev. Jeff Frost’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Havens died on Tuesday, May 6.  Your prayers for Jeff and his family are appreciated.

 

The Rev. Kenneth Samuelson is currently hospitalized in Fortuna in the intensive care unit with pneumonia.  Your prayers are requested.

 

The Rev. Teri Gilmore’s husband Dick had surgery on Monday, May 4.  He is doing well.  Your prayers for his continued healing are appreciated.

 

Planning for Tomorrow – a retirement planning conference hosted by Church Pension Group will come to the Sacramento area on May 1-2, 2009.  Clergy – please put this event on your calendars now!  More details to follow at a later date...

 

Please continue to pray for Leonard Shaheen, Paul Toomer, Joan von Grabow, and Nordon Winger.

 

YOUTH, YOUNG ADULT, AND CAMPUS MINISTRY    

 

 

Graduating HS Seniors-Baccalaureate Ceremony - Sunday, May 18th, 3:00 p.m. will honor all graduating HS Seniors, Class of 2008, who are part of the Diocesan family.  Parents, family, friends are invited!  A festive reception follows.  Email Nancy Tennyson at email or call her at 916-446-2513.  Bring your youth groups!

 

Senior High Youth who would like to be involved in planning or participating in a discussion with The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson on July 1-2 are invited to contact Steve Skiffington at sskiffin011@comcast.net.

 

Your help needed!  Our Eye 2008 delegation needs to produce 1) a banner, 2) an interactive booth celebrating life in our diocese and 3) 1500+ items to give away which are representative of our diocese.  Can someone in your congregation help us?  What can we provide from your area—redwood chips, grapes, snow?  Suggestions to yaya@dncweb.org and we’ll pass them on to the youth.     

       

Faith-Based Student Community - the Faith and Leadership Project of Sacramento Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry is now accepting applications for their summer and fall sessions of this intentional Christian community for college students. Community Service, Vocational Discernment, Spiritual Reflection and Community living are all a part of this program.  For more info, see website: www.sacacmin.com or contact coordinator Amy Dierlam 456-880 or flpadmin@sacacmin.com. Summer applications are due by May 10th, Fall applications -due July 7th.

 

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.  For a presentation, please contact Mr. John Dedo at john_deb@surewest.net.  Go to www.dncweb.org for registration information for Camp Living Waters, a ministry of Sempervirons Deanery in Humboldt County, July 20-25.

 

Camp Advisor Position - Camp Noel Porter is seeking a Camp Advisor for 2008 summer camping season, June 15 – Aug. 9.  Live onsite, may be possible to divide into 2 positions.  Please talk with appropriate adults in your church community and refer them to the Diocesan website www.dncweb.org to see full job description.  Contact Mark Pinski at email or 530-672-8397.  It is imperative that we fill this position for the summer camping season.

 

Internships For Young AdultsTo apply for Episcopal Church internships lasting from a few weeks to a year or more, go to http://episcopalchurch.org/49662_ENG_HTM.htmm  and click on Internship/Mission Opportunities. Deadlines are still open for many of next year’s programs.

 

 

Godly Play -  CDSP is offering a class on Godly Play which will include certification of trainers and a component on youth ministry.  To register go to http://cdsp.edu/center_registration.php  or call 510-204-0720.  Contact Connie Sieracki  or 916-442-6918 x29 for tuition assistance information. 

 

Volunteer Opportunities - World Council of Churches is seeking young adult volunteers for one or more weeks between July 5-August 16 to work with No More Deaths on the Arizona/Mexico BorderNational Council of Churches is sponsoring a work week in New Orleans, August 17-23.  Email David Fraccaro at david.fraccaro@wcc-coe.org or dvf@wcc-coe.org or 212-870-2192.  Funding/support available for both.

 

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.


 

Lay Ministry Workshop – Superior Deanery Workshop at Good Shepherd, Susanville on Saturday, May 17th from 10 to 3 (continental breakfast at  9.) 18 different sessions to choose from!  See “Upcoming Events” at www.dncweb.org for details, directions and registration form.

 

Altar furnishings needed:  St. Brigid’s mission in Rio Vista is looking for altar furnishings.

Contact Deacon Susan Reeve at deaconsusan@stbrigidsriovista.org .

 

Help with Landscaping - Holy Family Episcopal Church is looking for a volunteer landscaper or landscape architect to create a plan to transform nearly 1 1/2 acres into a low-water landscape. Email at holyfamilymission@scbglobal.net or call 707-795-7500 (church office).

 

Vine & Branch Society - Celebrate with Bishop Beisner at St. Patrick’s, Kenwood on May 10th from 2-5 p.m.  For more info, contact Nancy Streufert at (707)442-1212 or email. Or, contact Rick Harrison Smith, Executive Director of the Episcopal Foundation, at (916) 442-6918 ext.16.

 

MDG Grants -  Applications are available at http://www.dncweb.org/mdg/mdg.htm for grants to fund ministry projects which support the Millennium Development Goals. Deadline: May 15, 2008.  For more info contact the Rev. Deacon Cindy Long at email

 

Partners in Caring: A Seminar for Faith Leaders on End-of-Life Care - Thursday, May 15, 2008  8-4:30pm    To register contact Kathy Glasmire (Sacramento Healthcare Decisions)  Email:  Glasmire or (916) 851-2828   Registration is $60  Scholarships available through Diocesan Health Ministries...Contact Susan Wahlstrom  Email: Wahlstrom or (209) 296-1139

Bible Study Toolkit  - Anyone interested in leading, hosting or participating in small group bible study is invited to a workshop entitled "Stocking Your Bible Study Toolkit" on Saturday, May 16, at Holy Trinity Church, Ukiah with Deacon Phina Borgeson. For more details contact Phina

SE Clergy Book Group – The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 17 from 11 to 12:30 at the Office of the Bishop.  Bring a lunch.  The group will discuss Tokens of Trust, by Archbishop Rowan Williams.

 

Education for Ministry -- Graduation this year will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday June 13 at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, with Canon Britt Olson presiding. Mentor training will be July 9-11 at the Mercy Retreat Center, Auburn, cost $180 includes private room, meals and training.  Deadline to register for training is June 1.  Contact the Rev. Jim Richardson email .

 

Evangelism, Congregational Development, Stewardship – Province VIII presents “The Greatest Stories Ever Told Conference June 26-28, 2008 in Portland, Oregon. Register at www.provinceviii.org or call (650) 941-6436 or e-mail jrshreve@aol.com.  Limited diocesan scholarships are available by contacting Canon Britt Olson, email or (916) 442-6918, ext. 14.

 

Vocations Week - Thinking about the Religious Life? We are Franciscan Sisters in the Episcopal Church, active in the wider church and community in works of compassionate service and social justice advocacy.  Share the Sisters’ life of prayer and ministry with the poor in San Francisco.  June 25-July 1, Community of St. Francis 415-824-0288 www.communitystfrancis.org

The Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, will be visiting Trinity Cathedral on July 1st and 2nd.  Details are on the Cathedral's website www.trinitycathedral.org under the 'Special Events' section and items will be listed as they are finalized.

 

 

Canon Olson’s Calendar 

May 4-12           CREDO, North Carolina

May 18               St. Patrick’s, Kenwood

May 30               Mutual Ministry Review, St. Mary’s Elk Grove

Jun 3                Congregational Development Committee, Antelope

Jun 5                St. Michael’s School Graduation

Jun 8                 Holy Trinity, Ukiah

Jun 13               EFM Graduation, Trinity Cathedral

Jun 14-15         St. Barnabas, Mt. Shasta

Jun 26-28         Province VIII Stewardship Conference, Portland

Jun 29              St. Nicholas, Tahoe City

Jun 29-Jul 2     Chaplain at Camp Noel Porter

 

 

 

Bishop Beisner's Calendar

 

May 10         Vine & Branch, St. Patrick’s, Kenwood

May 11         Trinity Cathedral

May 17         St. Martin’s, Davis

May 18-23    College for Bishops, Lake Logan, NC

Jun 1            Incarnation, Santa Rosa

Jun 5-8        Global Mission Conference, Baltimore, MD

Jun 14         Ordination, St. John’s, Chico

Jun 15         St. Mark’s, Yreka

Jun 21        Celebration of New Ministry, St. Barnabas, Mt. Shasta

Jun 22        St. Peter’s, Red Bluff

Jun 25        Board of Directors

Jun 28        Diocesan Council, Sacramento

Jun 29        St. Paul’s, Crescent City a.m.

                   Celebration of New Ministry, St. Alban’s, Arcata p.m.

 

 

 

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