Feb 14, 2025 | #Stories
Story and photos by the Rev. Canon Debra Low-Skinner (ret.)
We enjoyed a wonderful Asian New Year’s gathering with members of our DioCal Asian/Pacific Islander Commission on February 5 at the Tai Yuan Seafood Restaurant in Daly City. (Our last formal meeting was via Zoom a year ago.)
In the large group photo (left to right) are Francis Hung, Angela Pang, Rev. Merry Chan Ong, Fusi Pahulu, Rev. Sarah Stewart, APIC Chair Rev. Cn. Debbie Low-Skinner, Rev. Jureck Fernandez, Rev. Jay Watan, Rev. Canon Eric Metoyer (Canon for Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice), and Gordon Park-Li. We represent the Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Tongan congregations along with members of our Bay Area diocese.
We began our dinner by saying grace and observing a moment of silence in memory of the Rev. Dr. Fran Toy and the Rev. Deacon Vincent Jang, who passed away in the last two months. We shared how our first names reflect cultural traditions and values (such as “national hero” or “beautiful angel visit”). Rev. Jay shared photos from his well-attended wedding last fall at St. Matthew’s in San Mateo, extending our best wishes and blessings to the happy couple! We also reflected on how we have recently felt the presence of God. Fusi expressed how she is often moved to tears and tries to help whenever she encounters a homeless person. Recently, she bought groceries for a homeless woman she spotted in a Safeway parking lot. Fusi serves as an inspiring example of Christ-centered faith in action for us all.
Feb 10, 2025 | #Stories
Story by Nicole Walters and photo by Marilyn McEntyre
The fog rolls gently over the ridge, weaving through the cypress trees that line the retreat house at St. Columba’s. Below, Tomales Bay stretches wide and still, its waters reflecting the shifting sky. Inside, a small group of writers sits near the fireplace, pens poised, voices hushed in reverence for the moment.
Marilyn McEntyre, a poet, teacher, and author of Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies and When Poets Pray, has spent years exploring the power of language to illuminate, heal, and deepen faith. She teaches at the intersection of literature and spirituality, helping others discover how writing—whether through journaling, poetry, or personal essay—can be a way of listening for grace.
This spring, she returns to St. Columba’s to lead “Practicing Trust in Times of Transition, Writing for Healing and Living into Grace”—a weekend retreat for those navigating change, whether large or small. Through a mix of guided exercises, small-group conversation, and quiet writing time, participants will reflect on the thresholds in their lives: What am I being invited to release? What new thing is waiting to emerge? How can I lean into the unknown with trust rather than fear?
A past workshop participant, Rev. Sandy Tice, reflects on the experience of learning from McEntyre:
“Marilyn is a rare combination: she loves living people as much as she loves the written word, and she tends both with gentleness, intention, and skill. A group of us who came to a workshop together can bear witness to the way she heard, nurtured, and amplified each of our voices. Are you thinking about this? Don’t hesitate for a minute! Years later I am still harvesting gift upon gift.”
At the retreat, there will be time to wander the wooded trails, to sit with a cup of tea in one of the retreat house’s sunlit alcoves, to watch the birds that drift over the bay. In the evenings, the group will gather by the fire, sharing short pieces—fragments of memoir, lines of poetry, lists of things once held and now let go. Some will come with stories already taking shape; others will arrive with only an open heart and a blank page.
But all will leave with something: a sentence that shimmers with truth, a new way of seeing, a beginning that asks to be continued.
For those who have never attended a writing retreat, the experience is less about “becoming a writer” and more about discovering the power of writing as a spiritual practice—one that helps us live more attentively, more prayerfully, more awake to the world around us.
And for those who simply long for a place to slow down and listen, St. Columba’s offers exactly that. St. Columba’s continues to distinguish itself as a sacred space for renewal, fostering retreats that nurture the soul through art, writing, music, and prayer. This retreat is open to writers of all experience levels, from seasoned authors to those simply seeking a space to reflect.
The retreat will be held February 20-February 22 with commuter options also available. Space is limited. For more details or to register, visit Stcolumbasinverness.org.
Feb 4, 2025 | #Stories
Story: Ann McChesney-Young and Nicole Walters; Photo: Penny Washbourne
St. Columba’s Inverness is a beautiful and welcoming place for anyone seeking solace, spiritual growth, ecological discipleship, and a friendly community. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant congregation is the Iona Choir, led by Ann McChesney-Young, who promotes the concept of the entire congregation as one big choir, singing to God. Ann says, “The Iona Choir’s role is not to perform, but to lead the congregation (the Choir-in-the-Pews), to enable and encourage them to sing, to help them learn new songs; and to underlay contemplation in our liturgy.”
Prior to St. Columba’s, Ann was a member of the St. Mark’s Choir in Berkeley, under George Emblom’s leadership. She and her husband, John, were also members of the New Skellig Celtic Christian Community led by Fr. Vincent Pizzuto, where Ann played Celtic harp during meditation. When Fr. Vincent answered the call to become Vicar at St. Columba’s in 2017, he asked Ann if she knew anyone who played piano, because they were in desperate need of help with music. Ann said she played piano and could help out while they looked for someone, and over the next several months it became apparent that the someone was her. Ann had a background of playing and singing in a variety of churches since age 11, as well as a mix of classical and folk music experience. She had retired from her career in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation nursing. “At this point,” Ann says, “I was very fortunate to audit George Emblom’s two courses at CDSP in Church Music Resources and Liturgical Chant. These courses and George’s mentorship were life-changing and enabled me to grow into this role much more fully.”
Ann’s goal is to create the best music we can with the resources and skill levels we have, while making it accessible for congregational singing. One of her guiding principles is that God evaluates our music not by our skill, but by the love with which we offer it.
Some members of the Iona Choir have difficulty reading music, and geographical spread makes midweek choir practice impossible (except occasional Zooms), so Ann sends the music PDFs and recordings each week for members to learn at home, either by reading and/or by ear. Then they come together for practice the hour before each service. They currently have 10 members, but most Sundays an average of 5-6 are present. Weekly attendance is not possible for everyone, and not required. Prospective new members are very welcome! Contact Ann at [email protected]. Additional singers are also welcome to join in for special services, such as Lessons and Carols, Taize? Prayer, and other celebrations.
Katherine Mitchell, a long-time choir member, offers a heartfelt testament to the role of the choir in her life. Beginning her journey with the choir during a Triduum retreat in 2018, Katherine discovered a renewed passion for singing, attributing her growth as a vocalist to Ann’s supportive and patient guidance. She says she didn’t think much of it when she checked the box on the retreat registration saying she would sing in the choir. “It turns out, it was the most significant box I’ve ever checked in my life,” she recalls. She says the sense of community within the choir is palpable. When a member is absent, their presence is missed, underscoring the tight-knit nature of this musical family.
“Ann has faith in our ability to learn and grow and enjoy music,” Katherine shares, saying she has grown in her ability to read music, and that at age 84 her musical ability and knowledge are still growing. She describes Ann as warm, creative, and bringing songs from a diversity of musical traditions. “It’s a gift to every person in the church.”
In Ann’s words, “God loves your singing when it is sung in love. And it’s really good for you: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” St. Columba’s Inverness cordially invites you to come visit and sing with us!
You are also invited to join St. Columba’s monthly Evensong on Zoom, usually the first Thursday of each month, through our Virtual Chapel: stcolumbasinverness.org/virtual-chapel. Many other events and classes are available, both in-person and online, found at stcolumbasinverness.org.
Jan 29, 2025 | #Stories
Photo: San Francisco SafeHouse staff making a welcoming space where survivors can be safe and reset their lives.
Episcopal Impact Fund (EIF) Security Grant recipient San Francisco SafeHouse works to empower and support women who are experiencing housing instability and sexual exploitation or trafficking, by creating survivor-centered spaces, services, advocacy, and community education.
“The support from Episcopal Impact Fund makes a huge difference in the work that we’re doing. Providing housing for survivors is extremely complex and having funding that is flexible is essential to the work that we’re doing.” –Kristen Moore, Chief Program Officer, San Francisco SafeHouse
San Francisco SafeHouse is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and homelessness. By providing a safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed environment, SafeHouse enables women to heal, grow, and rebuild their lives with dignity.
The organization serves adult women who have faced unimaginable hardships, offering them a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency. SafeHouse welcomes survivors from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that each individual’s unique experiences and needs are met with compassion and respect.
SafeHouse offers a range of transformative programs, including transitional housing, the Hope Center day program, and specialized services such as therapy, case management, life skills training, and employment support. These programs focus on addressing the root causes of exploitation and homelessness while fostering resilience and empowerment.
The power of SafeHouse’s work lies in its holistic approach, which not only addresses immediate needs but also nurtures long-term healing and independence. By creating a supportive community and advocating for survivors, San Francisco SafeHouse transforms lives, restores hope, and inspires lasting change in the fight against exploitation and homelessness. We are proud to support their work.
Jan 23, 2025 | #Stories
Article and photo submitted by the Friary community in recognition of Religious Life Sunday, which takes place this Sunday, January 26
The San Damiano Friary community of brothers of the Society of St. Francis, Province of the Americas continues to thrive in the Diocese of California. We have long enjoyed a good relationship with the diocese, serving here for 55 years. For a time, we had the care of The Bishop’s Ranch, and we have also offered a large variety of ministries with the homeless, with the sick in hospitals, and with students in schools, from our friary in the Mission District on Dolores Street. All brothers have been active in serving parishes throughout the diocese, the ordained offering support as supply priests, and lay brothers joining in parish life.
We are part of a diverse collection of people in The Episcopal Church who feel called to live under religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. For over 100 years, the Society of St Francis has been an integral part of the witness of The Episcopal Church to this Gospel life. Among the religious orders of The Episcopal Church, community life is a many-splendored thing. The brothers of the First Order of the Society of St. Francis live together in friaries. Members of other religious communities and orders live singly. But the bonds of community for all are real and maintained chiefly through our prayer and corporate sense of mission or community charism. The Society of St. Francis, inspired by St. Francis and the movement he began over 800 years ago, has since 1919 had a special Franciscan care for supporting The Episcopal Church through hospitality and preaching, working among and with the poor for social justice, and care for the environment. Central to our purpose, our prayer life continues with the praying of the four-fold daily office and daily Eucharist. Two brothers are active in the ministry of spiritual direction and are also engaged in continuing education for spiritual direction.
Photo Caption: From left to right: Br. Thomas (studying in New York), Br. Dwayne Fernandes, Br. Ambrose Cristóbal, Br. Desmond Alban, Br. Antonio, Br. Clark Berge, Br. Finnian Shannon. Seated: Br. Robert Hugh
Jan 22, 2025 | #Resources, #Stories
Dear Saints,
The recent executive orders by the President affecting the immigrant community among us are causing great concern and distress. These orders are already in effect in California, where ICE raids have commenced in the Central Valley. As members of the Body of Christ, as creators of the Beloved Community of the Diocese of California, we are reminded that these are our siblings and are under our care.
“But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” — Leviticus 19:34
In times such as these, we are called to “strive for justice and peace among all people.” I call upon our people, our congregations to be present for local immigrant communities. To that effect, I offer the following resources as starting points:
This work will be hard, but let us remember Bishop Austin’s message to us:
“But most of all, I will continue to look to God and the foundations of our faith when anxiety, fear, and opposition threaten to overwhelm me, and I will couple that deepening dependence on God with the conviction that, regardless of what is to come—if we face it together as a community—Christ will be among us.”
Thank you all for your blessed ministries and for building the Beloved Community of God.
Blessings,
Rev. Ericm
