Mar 13, 2025 | #Resources
Fridays in Lent, consider joining the: “Fast for Justice” campaign, to support immigrant rights and migration with dignity. Give up one thing (e.g. money, time, possessions) to “take up” an action in solidarity with immigrants and refugees. The idea, inspired by Isaiah 58, is to observe a “fast for justice” in support of immigrant rights and migration with dignity. Each person will choose their own observance, per their own spiritual direction.
A “Fast for Justice” might look like:
- Attending or coordinating a protest or holding a prayer vigil.
- Foregoing an unnecessary purchase and donating money saved to a local family, an immigrant rights organization, a bond fund, or a hospitality ministry.
- Giving up time typically spent on social media or TV to make calls or write letters to elected officials in support of immigrants and refugees.
- Taking time to write or visit someone in immigrant detention.
- Spending part of your day learning about migration through books or documentaries, then sharing what you learned with friends/family.
- Cleaning out closets/cabinets and donate quality housewares and clothing to donation drives for refugee and migrant families.
#FastForJustice #MigrationWithDignity #EpiscopalMigrationCaucus
On subsequent Fridays, you may wish to share what you are giving up and taking on that week.
(My thanks to our colleagues at www.episcopalmigrationcaucus.org)
Mar 6, 2025 | #Resources
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we ask your blessings for the beloved women in our lives and in our histories.
Blessed are the generations of brave women who dared to hope, For it was women who were the last ones at the cross with Jesus, and it was women who first visited the tomb.
Blessed are the generations of faithful women who dared to resist, For it was in the homes of women that Christianity first spread, back in the days when you still risked your life to follow in the way of Christ.
Blessed are the martyrs, missionaries, and mystics. Blessed are the prophets, poets, and preachers. Blessed are the caregivers and nurturers and protectors.
Blessed are the ancestors who forged a way in the wilderness, so that we wouldn’t have to fight the same battles and clear the same paths they once did. Blessed are the descendants that will come after us, who will carry on the work we have yet to begin. And Blessed are the descendants we may never meet, who will create the worlds we haven’t yet dared to imagine.
Amen.
(Rev. Victoria Wick)
For Women’s History Month, below is a short listing of events, articles and resources for recognizing the incredible gifts of ministry shared by Episcopal Women. May we honor the history of the saints who precede us, and continue to build on their hopes for a more just world on behalf of the saints yet to come.
Events:
Articles:
Websites:
Ordination of Women:
Mar 4, 2025 | #Resources
English
Dear Siblings in Christ,
As we move into the season of Lent, the Strategic Visioning Committee will be deepening its prayerful discernment of the movement of the Spirit in our diocese, beginning with a daylong retreat on March 15. We ask you to remember the Committee members in your prayers and offer this collect written by Br. Richard Edward Helmer, BSG as a way to unite our intercessions. We are grateful for the generous sharing of stories, hurts, hopes, and dreams that we have heard, and entrust them to God’s gracious care as we seek to align them with God’s desire for our future. May God open our hearts and minds to receive all the good things that God wishes to share with the Diocese of California.
O gracious and loving God, in this season of renewal we pray for the work and ministry of the Strategic Visioning Committee in the Diocese of California. May your Spirit inspire, guide, and strengthen them as they weave together all they have learned through deep listening with your people. May your Spirit guide all of us in our life together as we continue to discern your will for us to further mission, ministry, and service in this place. And in our Lenten journey, may we receive an abundance of grace to follow in the path of Jesus, who leads us in the Way. All this we pray in Christ’s name and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wishing you a blessed Lent and joyous Easter,
Jocelyn A. Sideco and the Rev. John Kirkley
Strategic Vision Committee Co-Chairs
Español
Queridos hermanos en Cristo,
A medida que avanzamos en la temporada de Cuaresma, el Comité de Visión Estratégica profundizará su discernimiento de oración sobre el movimiento del Espíritu en nuestra diócesis, comenzando con un retiro de un día el 15 de marzo. Les pedimos que recuerden a los miembros del Comité en sus oraciones y ofrezcan esta “colecta” (un especie de oración dicha por una persona de parte de muchas personas) escrita por el Hno. Richard Edward Helmer, BSG como una manera de unificar nuestras oraciones. Estamos muy agradecidos por lo tanto que ustedes compartieron generosamente sus historias, dolores, esperanzas y sueños. Los confiamos al misericordioso cuidado de Dios mientras buscamos el deseo de Dios para nuestro futuro. Que Dios abra nuestros corazones y mentes para recibir todas las cosas buenas que Dios compartirá con la Diócesis de California.
Oh Dios misericordioso y amoroso, en esta temporada de renovación, oramos por el trabajo del Comité de Visión Estratégica en la Diócesis de California. Que tu Espíritu Santo guíe y fortalezca a todos los miembros del Comité, mientras ellos entrelazan todo lo que han aprendido. Que tu Espíritu guíe también a todos los a quienes encontramos en nuestra vida juntos, mientras continuamos a discernir lo que es tu voluntad para que avancemos en nuestra misión, ministerio y servicio en este lugar. Y que en nuestro camino cuaresmal, recibamos abundancia de gracia para seguir el camino de Jesús, que nos guía en el Camino. Todo esto oramos en el nombre de Cristo y mediante el poder del Espíritu Santo. Amén.
Deseándoles una bendita Cuaresma y una feliz Pascua,
Jocelyn A. Sideco y el Rev. John Kirkley
copresidentes del Comité de Visión Estratégica
Spanish/español thanks to Pamela Stevens y la gente de El Buen Pastor
Mar 3, 2025 | #Resources
Fast for Justice | Episcopal Migration Caucus
This Lent, would you consider adding one practice beyond staying away from chocolate? The Episcopal Migration Caucus suggests ‘Fridays in Lent – Fast for Justice.’ Their suggestion is ‘to give up one thing (e.g. money, time, possessions) and take on one action in solidary with migrants and refugees.’
Learn more
Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent | Episcopal Church
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption. Videos, adult forum curriculum, calendar, publicity materials, and quiet day curriculum are available in English, Spanish, and French.
Learn more
‘40 Days of Welcome and Gratitude’:Lenten resources | UTO & EMM
Download Resources
United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries are offering a multifaceted program this Lent to help people of all ages consider ways they both experience and provide welcome.
- Register here for a five-session book club on “The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You” by Dina Nayeri. Zoom discussions will be held at noon Eastern on Tuesdays from March 11 through April 8.
- Sign up to receive daily gratitude text messages.
- Download children’s activities, Prayers of the People for Lent, gratitude calendars, lesson plans for faith formation leaders, and more.
- Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Learn more about United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries.
Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind | DioCal
Lenten study | Mondays, March 10 – April 14 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Register here
Lent is when we set aside intentional time to till the soil of our spiritual lives. A time to add some nutrients and remove any rocks or weeds that may be blocking growth. This image fits perfectly with the theme for the Living Compass Lent booklet this year: “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.” The nine fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 will be our focus, and who among us can’t benefit from a focus on cultivating love, peace, joy, kindness, faithfulness, generosity, gentleness, patience, and self-control? A booklet with daily readings is available to download here by placing it in the checkout and “buying” it for $0. A printed version can also be ordered at this site for $1. The booklet is available in ENGLISH and in SPANISH.This study is led by Amy Cook, diocesan Canon for Faith Formation. All are welcome.
Mar 3, 2025 | #PublicServiceAnnouncement, #Resources
The Transgender Working Group of the Episcopal Diocese of California, which serves with the support of our bishop and wider diocese, is deeply distressed and alarmed by the growing wave of discriminatory rhetoric and actions from national, state, and local governing bodies in the United States. These actions are causing deep harm to Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit communities.
As Christians, we condemn these attacks on our Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit siblings and affirm the following convictions:
- All people, of every gender and age, are created in the image of God.
- Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit people, as beloved creations of God, have an inherent right to respect and dignity.
- All Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit people are entitled to the essential freedom of bodily autonomy.
We are committed to working toward a future where all of God’s children, regardless of gender identity, are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. To our Transgender, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit siblings, know that you are not alone. The Transgender Working Group of the Diocese of California stands with you.
If you or anyone you know would benefit from spiritual, emotional, or liturgical support, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Diocesan Offices at 415-673-5015.
Transgender Day of Visibility worship services that are happening:
- San Francisco – Sunday, March 30th at Grace Cathedral, SF, 6 p.m.
- South Bay – Saturday, April 5th at St. Peter’s, Redwood City, 10 a.m., with fellowship following.
Feb 10, 2025 | #Resources
(Updated: February 26, 2025)
Parochial Reports – HARD DEADLINE TO FILE—March 1
Each congregation should have received an email from the Executive Office of the General Convention about the newly formatted 2024 Parochial Report. If you missed it, you can find the original email here (sent to the addresses listed in your parish profiles and those designated as login names from prior years).This year’s report has been updated to streamline the process:
Online-only filing – Reports must be submitted through the online system. The downloadable form is for reference only.
Integrated instructions – The report now includes inline guidance for each section, eliminating the need for separate instruction manuals.
Enhanced login assistance – The “Parish Login Info” page has been updated to provide better access for assisting congregations. For details, see the Login Instructions video in the Walkthrough Videos section below.
Key Information & Deadlines
Filing opened: January 6, 2025
Canonical deadline: March 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM (no extensions – site will close)
Current status: Thank you to the following congregations that have completed their reports [As of February 25 at 11:24 a.m.]:
- St. Anna’s, Antioch
- Good Shepherd, Belmont
- Good Shepherd, Berkeley
- St. Mark’s, Crockett
- Holy Child & St. Martin’s, Daly City
- St. Anne’s, Fremont
- St. Anselm’s, Lafayette
- Our Saviour, Oakland
- St. Paul’s, Oakland
- St. Stephen’s, Orinda
- St. Edmund’s, Pacifica
- Christ the Lord, Pinole
- El Buen Pastor, Redwood City
- Holy Trinity, Richmond
- SEA, San Bruno & South San Francisco
- Epiphany, San Carlos
- Advent of Christ the King, San Francisco
- Incarnation, San Francisco
- St. Francis’, San Francisco
- St. James’, San Francisco
- St. John the Evangelist, San Francisco
- Trinity+St. Peter’s, San Francisco
- True Sunshine, San Francisco
- Redeemer, San Rafael
- St. Paul’s, San Rafael
After March 1, congregations will lose access to the filing site. Please do not wait until the last minute.
The Rev. Cn. Michele Racusin is available to answer questions. Contact her at [email protected].
Need Help? Join a Webinar
The Rev. Cn. Michele Racusin will provided an overview of the financial data portion of the report and answer questions in two webinars on Wednesday, February 19. You can watch the recording in English or with Spanish interpretation.
Parochial Report Briefing
Informe Parroquial Informativo
Walkthrough Videos
Login Instructions (Parish Users) (Includes updated login assistance information)
Parochial Report Filing Site Walkthrough (Parish Users)
Additional Resource
2024 Parochial Report Form (PDF) (for reference only)
Login Information
Logins remain the same from prior years.
The email sent to congregations includes their login details.
This year’s updates are designed to simplify the process, but filing must be completed by March 1. Please begin as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute issues.
