Apr 3, 2025 | #Stories
Story by Nicole Walters; Photos c/o St. Columba’s Inverness
Are you longing for a community that recognizes the sacredness of creation? Do you feel called to respond to the ecological crisis, but long for a faith-filled approach that nurtures both action and contemplation?
The Council for Ecological Discipleship (CED) at St. Columba’s Inverness is a space where Christian spirituality and environmental engagement come together. In a time of profound ecological uncertainty, we offer a refuge for those seeking wisdom, resilience, and meaningful ways to care for our common home.
A Unique Community for Spiritual and Ecological Renewal
CED is guided by a dedicated team of leaders who bring a wealth of experience in spirituality, activism, and ecological justice. At the heart of this work is Father Vincent Pizzuto, whose deep theological background and commitment to contemplative Christianity help shape CED’s vision. As Vicar of St. Columba’s Inverness and a professor of theology, he provides spiritual grounding for the council’s work, drawing on the wisdom of Christian mysticism and the Celtic tradition to inspire ecological discipleship.
Alongside him, the CED Council Members—a diverse group of theologians, activists, educators, and seekers—play an essential role in shaping the community’s initiatives. Their collective leadership fosters a space where faith, ecological action, and contemplative practice converge, ensuring that CED remains a refuge for those seeking to integrate spirituality with a deep commitment to the Earth.
Through guided study, reflective practices, and communal conversation, we seek to sustain one another in the work of ecological justice. Our gatherings are not just about information—they are about transformation, creating a space where grief, hope, and action can coexist.
How We Engage
We offer a variety of opportunities to connect, learn, and grow in ecological discipleship, including:
- In-Person and Online Book Studies – Exploring faith and ecology through the lens of spiritual and environmental thought leaders.
- Online Film Discussions – Engaging with thought-provoking documentaries that challenge and inspire.
- Retreats & Reflection Spaces – Moments of stillness and renewal for those working in climate justice. We host in-person retreats, programs, and sermons on ecological discipleship at St. Columba’s Inverness.
- Eco-News – A quarterly newsletter with resources, reflections, and ways to take action.
Join Us for Our Next Gathering
Our upcoming online film discussion will feature Common Ground, the acclaimed follow-up to Kiss the Ground. This powerful documentary explores regenerative agriculture as a hopeful response to the climate crisis, rooted in ancient indigenous farming techniques.
Date: Wednesday, April 30
Time: 4:30–5:30 PM PT
Facilitator: Penny Washbourn, CED Member
Join us as we discuss how healing the land can also restore our connection to the sacred.
Find Your Place in This Work
If you’re looking for a community that nurtures both spiritual depth and environmental commitment, we invite you to be part of CED. Whether you come from a particular faith tradition, have no faith background, or are simply exploring how spirituality connects with caring for creation, there’s a place for you here.
Visit our website to learn more and register for upcoming events. We look forward to journeying with you!
Apr 3, 2025 | #Stories
Hosted by the Very Rev. Julia and John McCray-Goldsmith
Feb 2-14, 2026
The Very Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith and John McCray-Goldsmith are pleased to share a language and cultural immersion pilgrimage to beautiful Antigua Guatemala. There is room for you to join the February 2026 group composed of (primarily but not exclusively) Episcopal clergy and lay leaders, in visiting this historic city—
“Antigua Guatemala is a charming colonial town and one of the most beautiful communities in Latin America. The city was founded by Spanish settlers in 1543, and soon thereafter became the seat of Captain General of Guatemala. In the eighteenth century, the capital was moved to present-day Guatemala City, thus preserving much of Antigua’s present charm.” —University of Texas Mesoamerica Center
Guatemala offers a unique window into the history and diverse cultures of Central America, as well as world-class Spanish language instruction. Antigua is a destination for language students from all over the world, making for a delightful community of expats and locals who enjoy local food, arts and culture. This all-inclusive immersion trip includes comfortable home-stays with local families who will share meals and insights with students during the week, and a weekend excursion to beautiful Lake Atitlan with a chance to meet indigenous Guatemalans.
Language instruction and local excursions are provided by CSA, a Guatemalan language school with more than 30 years of experience teaching personalized on-site classes at their Antigua academy. The immersion includes nine half days of intensive one-on-one Spanish instruction, with afternoons free for guided tours or individual excursions. Additional individualized language instruction—before, during, or after the trip—is available on request from CSA.
“Spanish classes in Guatemala provide an authentic environment where students can practice with native speakers and immerse themselves in the rich local culture. Additionally, the country’s natural beauty and historical sites complement this journey, turning language learning into a meaningful and unforgettable adventure.”
—CSA The Academy
Is God calling you to grow your language and cultural capacity in the company of good friends and experienced bilingual hosts? Please contact the Very Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith or visit portal.myfaithjourneys.com, Group Number 26007, to view the brochure and to register.
This pilgrimage is being operated by Faith Journeys. They can be contacted at 877-732-4845 or by emailing [email protected].
Apr 3, 2025 | #Stories
Story by Canon Amy Cook; Photos by Canon Stephanie Martin Taylor, Caren Miles, and Rev. Merry Chang Ong.
About 120 people gathered on Saturday, March 29, 2025, for the Leadership Training for Vestries and Bishop’s Committees, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Orinda. Participants from 37 churches gathered to connect, collaborate, and gain knowledge and resources to take back to their communities. Everyone gathered for bi-lingual Morning Prayer and then Bishop Austin shared a vision for congregations and the balance of our business and mission:
When we meet to do the business of the church, our work should be modeled on the best practices that we can learn from the business, human resources, governmental, and community organizing worlds. I would love to see all our vestries around DioCal empowered and enabled to manage the temporal affairs of our churches with the highest degree of expertise and professionalism possible.
But beyond that duty of care, we have a responsibility to the message and the tradition that we’ve received—to take our place in the great cloud of witnesses that have gathered, prayed, learned, marched, testified, built, accompanied, and served together as living witness of the living God. That responsibility involves a fair share of personal commitment to devotional practices that develop one’s spiritual muscles, but without a community of practice rooted in a living tradition, those devotional practices alone will not transform the world into a foretaste of the kingdom of God in our present day.
I believe that our congregations are workshops where we get to practice living the gospel together, and that once we align our best practices for business and organization, with our unwavering commitment to the upside-down wisdom of the gospel, our churches can become centers of partnership and transformation for our larger neighborhoods and region.
Canon Sierra reminded folks of their calling as the laity of the church and encouraged collaboration between churches with similar needs, ministries, and circumstances. Participants then attended various workshops addressing specific needs of wardens, vestry and bishop’s committee members, treasurers, and other workshops for parish lay leaders.
Here are some of what participants had to say about the event:
“I was looking forward to the day, but my expectations were exceeded. The fellowship was uplifting.”
“My folks were very excited and glad they had participated. I think it engendered a sense of unity among attendees.”
“I was engaged the entire time and enjoyed getting to know folks from other parishes.”
“The day was terrific! I hope it will be an annual event in the early Spring so that new vestry members can experience this orientation.”
“It was a very useful time. Especially enjoyed hearing how other churches approach issues that are common to us all.”
Diocesan staff are planning on offering a vestry/bishop’s committee training each spring as well as other diocesan-wide trainings.
Apr 3, 2025 | #Stories
Story by Nicole Walters and Sarah Johnson and Photos by Nicole Walters and Mathew Francis
On January 25, 2025, members of St. Columba’s Inverness gathered at St. John’s Ross for a transformative day of reflection, storytelling, and visioning in an Appreciative Inquiry Summit. The purpose of the summit was to renew, deepen, and embody our shared vision for a vibrant contemplative Christian community for the world. Guided by Sarah Johnson, a seasoned consultant in Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and St. Columba’s community member, we engaged in a strengths-based approach to community development and future goal planning. Together, we sought out the most life-giving aspects of our identity and dreamed boldly about the future.
A Process Rooted in Strength and Story
Appreciative Inquiry is a collaborative, “life-centric” process that uncovers a community’s strengths and deepest aspirations. Throughout the day, we mapped the positive core of who we are as a contemplative community, uncovering the stories that define St. Columba’s. Participants spoke of art and beauty, an inclusive and welcoming space, deep connections to nature, and a Christ-like capacity for vulnerability and love. St. Columba’s was called “the church of hugs,” and a “church of chaplains”; a place of trust and wonder, intellect and mystery, warmth and service. St. Columba’s is a place with charismatic, servant leaders. Liturgy, silence, retreats, and social justice emerged as pillars of our community identity.
“One of the things AI does so well is to solicit stories from people, particularly stories around what’s most life-giving – these stories provide the basis for designing the future we want together,” Sarah Johnson reflected. The summit day was overwhelmingly positive as community members gave themselves fully to the process. Many beautiful and tender stories were shared, affirming who we are and what we hope to become. In an AI summit, stories that might not otherwise be told are shared, creating the foundation for future planning. As Father Vincent Pizzuto noted, “Sometimes we do not understand the meaning of our own story until we tell it.”
A Vision Rooted in Contemplation and Community
As we moved from discovery into dreaming, the conversation turned to the future. Participants imagined St. Columba’s in 2030, envisioning a contemplative presence that flows outward, impacting the next generation, expanding outdoor spaces, and becoming a hub that sends people forth into the world. Ideas surfaced about growing gracefully—expanding our staff, strengthening our resources, and enhancing our physical space to support the work of contemplation and service. “From our work as a contemplative community,” one participant noted, “we take that into action.”
The theme of vulnerability and community resonated deeply throughout the day. People expressed both a longing for and an appreciation of the openness and trust already present at St. Columba’s. In the summit we learned a contemplative community fosters warmth, vulnerability, and authentic connection; it is a place where “Liturgy meets connection”, where there is a “depth of curiosity”, and a place where we can be met intellectually. Contemplative community is a place of trust and joy.
A Day Shaped by Worship and Creativity
Interwoven with elements of liturgy and worship, the summit was a deeply spiritual experience. The day began and ended in prayer, grounding our reflections in faith. A key part of the process involved creative expressions of our dreams—through movement, poetry, song, and art. Participants envisioned St. Columba’s future not just in words but through embodiment and imagination.
“Our focus on the future wasn’t about creating something brand new,” said Penny Washbourn, reflecting on the experience. “Rather, we expanded the vision we already have, deepening our understanding of what it means to be a contemplative community.”
The summit concluded with a celebration of the Eucharist, encapsulating our shared experience as a community of faith.
Moving Forward Together
Sarah Johnson has been instrumental in leading this process at St. Columba’s over the past year. Fr. Vincent Pizzuto expressed deep gratitude for her leadership, stating, “This process has the power to bear a harvest of good fruit for years to come.” As a community, we are now called to take what we have discovered and carry it forward into practical action and deeper commitment. Results of the summit will be instrumental in developing the five-year strategic plan to be rolled out later this spring.
As we continue growing into our identity as an inclusive contemplative community, the Appreciative Inquiry Summit stands as a milestone—one that reminds us that the Spirit is already at work among us, drawing us ever more deeply into our shared calling.
Mar 6, 2025 | #Stories
Blessings included Dean Malcolm’s 30th ordination anniversary
Story and photos by the Rev. Canon Debra Low-Skinner (ret.); Additional photos by Canon Stephanie Martin Taylor and the Ven. Canon Nina Pickerrell
Retired clergy gathered at Grace Cathedral on Thursday, Feb. 27, for an afternoon tea in the Chapter House Library, complete with bone china cups, finger sandwiches, and cookies. The Ven. Cn. Nina Lynette Pickerrell and the Grace Cathedral staff hosted the event.
Following tea, clergy and their spouses attended a special Evensong, officiated by Bishop Austin Keith Rios. The Rev. Donald Fox and the Rev. Margaret Deeths served as lectors. The Men & Boys Choir was joined by the St. Paul’s Choir from Burlingame, performing works by Cecilia McDowell and Rosephanye Powell under the direction of Canon Jared Johnson and Dr. Susan Matthews.
Dean Malcolm Clemens Young preached, reflecting on his call to the priesthood and his ordination 30 years ago at St. Clement’s, Berkeley. He thanked his spouse, Heidi, and his mentors, including the late Dean Alan Jones and the late Rev. David Forbes.
The Rev. Cn. Sierra Reyes led prayers for strength and guidance, and Bishop Bill Swing offered a special blessing for Dean Malcolm. The service concluded with a stirring postlude—Florence Price’s Finale from Organ Sonata, played by Dr. Susan Matthews.
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.
