Aug 27, 2024 | #PressRelease, #Stories
With great pleasure, The Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios, 9th Bishop of the Diocese of California, announces the appointment of The Rev. Miguel Bustos as Archdeacon of the Diocese of California and Director of the School for Deacons. Archdeacon Bustos will continue to serve as Cathedral Deacon at Grace Cathedral and Manager for Racial Justice and Reconciliation for The Episcopal Church. He will be installed as Archdeacon at Grace Cathedral on Sunday, September 29, at the 11:00 AM Choral Eucharist Service.
Archdeacon Miguel will serve as one of the diocese’s two Archdeacons, along with the Ven. Cn. Nina Pickerrell. Archdeacon Bustos is taking on the position previously held by the Ven. Gary England. In the role of Director of the School for Deacons, he will work closely with the Ven. Hailey McKeefry, who serves as Director of Deacons Formation at Bexley Seabury.
The Archdeacons coordinate the work of the diocese’s deacons, help active and retired deacons stay connected, and serve as chaplains for the Bishop of California.
Archdeacon Bustos was ordained a Deacon in the Diocese of California on December 4, 2021, at Grace Cathedral. Born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, he continues to live there with his fiancé, Alexander Rivera, in the house he grew up in.
Aug 1, 2024 | #Stories
Local church makes a difference to protect wildlife
SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA– August 1, 2024 – The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, is pleased that All Saints Episcopal Church in San Leandro has successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat® through its Garden for Wildlife™ movement.
NWF celebrates this effort to create a garden that supports birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Every Certified Wildlife Habitat garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides.
Started in 1973, the Garden for Wildlife movement is the nation’s oldest and largest native plant/habitat program, recognizing over 300,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat® gardens across the North America and at 39 embassies worldwide, encompassing an estimated 4 million acres that support wildlife locally. Backyards, urban gardens, school grounds, businesses, places of worship, campuses, parks, farms, zoos, and community landscapes can all be recognized as wildlife habitats through the program. “We are excited about this new Certified Wildlife Habitat®, as it provides native plants and essential habitat elements. Research shows certified properties have the potential to support twice as much wildlife compared to non-certified properties.” Said, Mary Phillips, Head of Garden for Wildlife™/Certified Wildlife Habitat®.
“Anyone, anywhere can restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and communities,” said NWF Naturalist David Mizejewski. “Whether you garden in a suburban yard, an urban area or a rural plot of land, you can make a difference for local wildlife. Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat garden is fun, easy and makes a real difference for neighborhood wildlife. It’s the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife,” he added.
All Saints converted almost 1200 square feet of lawn that was maintained with spray irrigation into a drought-friendly landscape in collaboration with East Bay Municipal Utility Department’s ‘Lawn Conversion’ program. EBMUD’s landscape rebates support water-wise gardens that thrive in California’s summer-dry climate and during drought. The landscape was converted to drip irrigation, a more environmentally-friendly option for watering landscapes. Rector of All Saints, the Rev. Justin R. Cannon, oversaw this project and explains, “As a nature lover and gardener, for years I have wanted to convert the lawn at the church. During the bishop’s last visitation to All Saints, he spoke about the waste of water in maintaining lawns as a moral issue. It was then I knew the conversion of our front landscaping wouldn’t be far off. It’s absolutely beautiful and neighbors comment on it every week—literally every time I am out there weeding or watering someone walking by complements the garden.”
Reverend Cannon remarks, “Since we have converted the landscape, added a birdbath, and committed to sustainable practices in maintaining this space, the front landscape is alive with birds and bees like never before. I’ve seen crows, California towhees, Anna’s hummingbirds, and countless bees of varied types…I’m keeping my eyes out from other creatures.” He adds, “We have trees and bushes where birds can find cover and nest; a birdbath in the front and a fountain on the side where birds and creatures can have access to water; and an assortment of flowering plants to feed moths, butterflies, and even hummingbirds who especially love the grevilia.”
Many of NWF’s state affiliate organizations are partners in the Garden for Wildlife movement. Habitats in partnering states have national and state certification. Participants who have their wildlife habitat garden certified receive a personalized certificate with a unique habitat number, a one-year membership to NWF with a subscription to National Wildlife magazine, a subscription to the Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter, a 10 percent discount to National Wildlife catalog, the exclusive right to post a Certified Wildlife Habitat yard sign and $5.00 off native plants at www.gardenforwildlife.com.
For more information on NWF’s Garden for Wildlife™ movement and how to qualify to have a garden space recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, visit www.nwf.org/garden. To jump start creating your own Certified Wildlife Habitat® order native plant collections for your zip code designed to provide three season bloom at www.gardenforwildlfe.com.
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About National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Jul 25, 2024 | #Stories
Story and photos submitted by the Very Rev. Deborah White, Ph.D.
The Contra Costa Deanery celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church in grand style this past weekend. About 100 people, including Bishop Austin and Meleah Rios, gathered Sunday evening at the Contra Costa Stadium Cinemas in Martinez to watch “The Philadelphia 11” on the big screen.
The documentary tells the story of the 11 brave female deacons (and four male bishops) who took on not only a divided church but a disapproving world to confirm that God’s call to ordained ministry is for all people.
Many of our local churches were “in the house,” including St. Paul’s, Walnut Creek; Resurrection, Pleasant Hill; St. Timothy’s, Danville; Holy Spirit, Concord; St. Anna’s, Antioch; St. Anselm’s, Lafayette; All Souls, Berkeley; Christ the Lord, Pinole; and Grace, Martinez. Contra Costa’s regional dean, the Very Rev. Dr. Deb White, offered appreciation for the collaborative work of the deanery’s clergy to make this event happen. The Rev. Krista Fregosa, rector of St. Paul’s, Walnut Creek, provided insight and offered a question-and-answer session following the film.
Jul 25, 2024 | #Stories
Story by the Rev. Cn. Debra Low-Skinner, Ret.; photos by Cn. Stephanie Martin Taylor and Caren Miles
An estimated 200 people gathered at Trinity+St. Peter’s, San Francisco on Saturday to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of Trinity Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of California. These milestones were celebrated with a special Holy Eucharist with Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus as homilist and Bishop Coadjutor Austin Rios as celebrant.
The congregation’s choir was in exceptional singing form, accompanied by Robert Gurney on the church’s historic Skinner pipe organ; Gurney has been their music director since 1992. During the recessional, trumpeter William Harvey performed John Stanley’s “Trumpet Voluntary,” providing an extra treat.
Among those who participated either in person or online were Grace Cathedral clergy and congregants, who are also preparing for their 175th-anniversary celebration this December. Many other active and retired clergy from around the diocese joined the in-person gathering, including one of Trinity’s previous rectors, the Rev. Robert Cromey.
Following Bishop Marc’s sermon — his final as our diocesan bishop — Bishops Marc and Austin blessed the historic St. Peter’s marble baptismal font. The font once stood in St. Peter’s Church in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond neighborhood (the church was demolished after it suffered major damage in the 1989 earthquake).
At the end of the service, Bishop Marc handed over his crozier to the Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, President of the Standing Committee, before leaving to join Dr. Sheila at their new home in Staunton, Virginia. Rev. Mauricio will hand the crozier over to Bishop Austin when he is formally installed as our diocesan bishop at Grace Cathedral on Sunday, August 11.
At the reception, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, representing the City of San Francisco, presented Bishop Marc with a special certificate of recognition. Chiu thanked Bishop Marc for his ministry, his work in the community to promote peace and justice, and especially for playing an instrumental role in the conversion of St. Luke’s Hospital into Sutter Health CPMC Mission Bernal Hospital.
View the photo album | View the recording of the service
Jul 11, 2024 | #GeneralConvention, #Stories
Story by Cn. Stephanie Martin Taylor; Photos by the Rev. Debbie Low-Skinner
As the 81st General Convention drew to a close, Bishop Marc Andrus delivered a poignant reflection during the “California Night” dinner at Doc Crow’s in downtown Louisville. Attendees included deputation members, colleagues, friends, and family.
Ron Hermanson, the lay alternate who organized the evening, thanked Bishop Marc for his years of steadfast leadership and announced to the group that the bishop had received a standing ovation that day in the House of Bishops. He then invited Bishop Marc and Bishop Austin to share their remarks with the group.
Bishop Marc took the opportunity to reflect on the concept of the Beloved Community, a divine vision that embraces inclusivity, mutual respect, and the interconnectedness of all life. He praised the Diocese of California for its intellectual engagement and analytical approach to addressing pressing issues such as climate change, homophobia, and systemic racism. He emphasized the importance of combining intellectual rigor with compassionate action, urging continued efforts toward creating a more equitable world.
Bishop Marc also highlighted the importance of enhancing the Diocese of California’s ability to empathize and build relationships. He urged prioritizing communal values and cooperation over the Bay Area’s tendency to focus on competition and financial gain. Drawing on examples such as the AIDS crisis, the 1989 earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted the resilience and solidarity that the people of the diocese helped foster during these times of adversity.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Marc called for a renewed commitment to elevating community solidarity as a guiding principle in the Diocese of California. He encouraged the gathering to embrace and amplify the message of unity and compassion, envisioning a future where the Beloved Community thrives as a beacon of hope and transformation. He noted that the Bishop of California has a significant platform and he has done his best to use it. Expressing his faith in Bishop Austin Rios, his successor, he voiced confidence that Bishop Austin will continue to expand the vision of the Beloved Community.
Following Bishop Marc’s heartfelt words, Bishop Austin expressed deep gratitude for Bishop Marc’s faithful ministry and leadership. He echoed the importance of the Beloved Community and praised the Diocese of California for its diversity and dynamism. Bishop Austin highlighted the value of using individual gifts to add direction and value, stressing the importance of constant learning and resetting relationships. He also emphasized that our differences can be used to enable connections rather than prevent them. Finally, Bishop Austin expressed his commitment to continuing Bishop Marc’s work to foster unity and compassion, address major challenges, and envision the Diocese of California as a movement the entire world needs.
Jul 3, 2024 | #GeneralConvention, #Stories
Story by the Rev. Rebekah Hays Estera, Photos by the Rev. Rebekah Hays Estera and Cn. Stephanie Martin Taylor
This past week, I was able to attend the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky. The Association of Episcopal Deacons graciously provided a scholarship for young deacons.
I spent my time watching the legislative bodies at work, connecting with organizations and ministries from all over the country and world, and promoting the diaconate.
The General Convention worked with several deacons present to coordinate serving the Eucharist to 3000+ people over three services during the week. It was a joy to serve alongside people I know, people I had only met virtually before, and people I had just met.
While there, I also participated in the actions organized by Palestinian Anglicans and Clergy Allies (PACA).
Over two days, we brought the voices of Palestinian Christians to the forefront, creating posters with their quotes. During our Compline for Palestine, I read the Gospel in one of the most powerful experiences of my ministry. I could feel the Spirit heavy on my shoulder. As I moved around and looked at people, I could see Joseph fleeing, Jeremiah prophesying, and Rachel weeping. I was there with them and our siblings in Gaza as much as I was in a conference center in Kentucky. These verses will forever be linked to this moment. I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of today, and I am so proud of our agile and scrappy team who made this happen.
Top image: Rebekah stands in front of the stage in the worship center at General Convention, while discussing the logistics of serving the Eucharist to 3000+ people. It’s good she chose the fish and loaves earrings for the day!
Rebekah reading the Gospel at Compline for Palestine.
Rebekah holding a “Listen to Palestinian Christians” sign.
Group gathered holding signs to bring the voices of Palestinian Christians to the front
