An update from the Capital Campaign office

No DioBytes December 27

‘Cultivating spiritual sustainability: California, Paris, Marrakech, and you’ — Epiphany reflection day with Bishop Marc at The Bishop’s Ranch

In this day-long retreat Bishop Marc Andrus will lead participants in exploring the concept of spiritual sustainability — the intrapersonal dimensions of climate change. The shape and quality of actions is based entirely on spiritual values. In this retreat they will look at the spiritual values explored at the last two years of the UN Climate Change Conference (Paris and Marrakech) and create their own prayer cards after considering the question: How does this value support the sustainability of my life, my relationships, my commitments, and my content of life? The hope upon returning home is participants will be better able to make conscious choices and continue to reflect on how these spiritual values influence their lives. Download event flyer here.

When: Saturday, January 7,  9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Bishop’s Ranch, 5297 Westside Road, Healdsburg
Registration: http://www.bishopsranch.org/programs-retreats/upcoming-events/
Link: DioCalendar event
Cost: $90, includes lunch
Deadline: Register by Tuesday, December 27

Episcopal Charities changes name to Episcopal Impact Fund

Episcopal Charities, the outreach arm of the Diocese of California, has officially become the Episcopal Impact Fund. The new name and tagline, Advancing Pathways Out of Poverty, reflect a continued commitment to promoting innovative, long-term solutions to poverty in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Episcopal Impact Fund provides financial support, mentorship, and guidance to organizations that serve over 40,000 people across the Diocese of California. To learn more about the name change and the ongoing work of the Episcopal Impact Fund, please click here.
 

With intent: Prayers from a stubborn earthen vessel

Dear reader,

I wish I had a clear and succinct paragraph that captures the details of my experience so far as a DioCal intern. Truth is, I don’t have the words to capture the gift I’ve received. Each aspect of the program has come with a bundle of lessons and I could write a book about each. Trust me, it’s better for everyone that I don’t get started on my love for the San Francisco Day Labor program and Women's Collective; that could easily turn into a three part book series. So I’ll spare you the novels, and instead want to invite you along the journey my heart stumbled upon here. Through the combination of photography, prayers, and scripture, it is my hope to reveal the ways God has been moving in my life so far.

Holy Hikes at Muir Woods National Park

The next Holy Hikes gathering will be at Muir Woods on Saturday, December 17. The group will meet at 9:45 a.m. right outside the Visitor’s Center/Gift Shop at the main entrance to the park and will begin hiking at 10 a.m. sharp. Bring layers because in December it can be quite chilly, especially in the morning. The group will hike — rain or shine. They will hike along the main trails, which are paved and handicap accessible. Hope to see you there! For more details about the park visit here. No RSVP is required — just show up!

When: Saturday December 17, 9:45 a.m. (gather); 10 a.m. (hike)
Where: Muir Woods National Monument, 1 Muir Woods Road, Mill Valley
Link: www.holyhikes.org
Cost: $10 (16 years and older), but some will have National Park passes to get people in so gather before paying fees. Free (Children 15 years and younger). Parking is free.
Contact: the Rev. Justin R. Cannon, holyhikes@gmail.com

Photo: Wesley D. Capps, used with permission

Advent Lessons and Carols 

Come join Incarnation, San Francisco, in celebrating the joy and the mystery of Advent in a candlelight service of Advent and Christmas carols. You will have lots of opportunity to sing and enjoy both familiar and not so familiar carols. This is a fun event for the entire family.

When: Saturday, December 17, 7 p.m.
Where: Incarnation, 1750 29th Avenue, San Francisco
Cost: Freewill donations gratefully accepted
Contact: Mathew Chacko, comebefed@aol.com, 415.564.2324
Link: http://sunsetarts.wordpress.com

An English Christmas Concert at St. Paul’s, Burlingame  

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace. Join St. Paul’s, Burlingame, for an English Christmas concert by the St. Paul’s Choir accompanied by string quintet and organ, and hear these words echoed through the ages in wondrous music from Gloucestershire, England. Susan Jane Matthews, Director. Program includes: carol: Once in royal David’s city; Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas carols; Howells Three carol-anthems; William Walton King Herod and the Cock; John Goss/David Willcocks See amid the winter’s snow; John Tavener God is with us, and Mother of God, here I stand; Finzi In terra pax; carol: O come all ye faithful; and arr. Arthur Warrell We wish you a merry Christmas. A festive reception follows with English holiday specialities, including figgy pudding. Door opens 45 minutes before the concert. Tickets benefit the St. Paul’s Choir Residency at Gloucester Cathedral in July 2017. Download the event flyer here.

When: Sunday, December 18, 4 p.m.
Where: St. Paul’s, 415 El Camino Real, Burlingame  
Contact: Susan Jane Matthews, director of music, smatthews@stpaulsburlingame.org 
Links: www.stpaulsburlingame.org; www.facebook.com/MusicatStPaulsBurlingame
Tickets: $75 (concert sponsor seating, rows 2 through 4), $30 (general seating, rows 5 through 13), $20 (students), tickets may be reserved ahead by emailing smatthews@stpaulsburlingame.org
 

Help feed the homeless — with letters of support

The Sisters of the Fraternite Notre Dame have been feeding the hungry “delicious, dignified meals” in the Tenderloin for the last eight years. When they were evicted from that building, they found an angel who gave them money to purchase a new ground-floor space with a restaurant permit at 1930 Mission Street, in a building that also has 17 condominium units. Now the nuns’ right to set up a soup kitchen is being challenged by some condo owners, who say they fear the “negative property value” meals for the poor will bring. The San Francisco Planning Commission will hear the case on January 12. Letters in support of the Fratenite’s work with the poor can be sent to the sisters’ attorney, Thomas Tunny, ttunny@reubenlaw.com, with a copy to the Planning Commission commissions.secretary@sf.gov, by December 30.

Contact: Sara Miles, sara@saintgregorys.org; Thomas Tunny, ttunny@reubenlaw.com (copying the San Francisco Planning Commission, commissions.secretary@sf.gov)
Deadline: December 30
Link: http://missionlocal.org/2016/04/nuns-find-money-for-soup-kitchen-but-sf-mission-condo-residents-leery/

Photo: Mission Local
 

Community organizing and boundaries in ministry at CDSP

CDSP is offering two week-long courses in January for continuing education credits, and especially appropriate for clergy and lay leaders in the congregation. Appropriate Boundaries in Ministry, focused on boundary respect and preventing violations in pastoral relationships, will run in the afternoons on January 9–13. Organizing for Public Ministry is an intensive week-long training in community organizing, led by trainers from the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest network of faith-based institutions in the United States the week of January 15–20. Classes run for the full day during that week. Registration is currently open for both courses.

When: Appropriate Boundaries in Ministry, Monday, January 9 through Friday, January 13, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Organizing for Congregational Renewal, Sunday, January 15 through Friday, January 20, 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. each day with one possible evening activity
Where: CDSP, 2451 Ridge Road, Berkeley
Cost: Boundaries, $250
Organizing, $500 (includes lunch each day)
Registration: http://cdsp.edu/center-for-anglican-learning-and-leadership/on-campus-courses/
Contact: Alissa Fencsik, call@cdsp.edu
 

Join the launch of a new Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s East Bay Chapter