A living history of ministry for the LGBTQ+ community — Part 1: Full and equal claim

Rectors and Vicars: Report your lay delegates and alternates to Diocesan Convention

The names of your congregation’s lay delegates and alternates to the 168th Convention of the Diocese of California can be entered on the online form available here.  Please take some time today to complete the online form. Questions may be directed to Denise Obando, deniseo@diocal.org.
 

Embodied justice organizations and resources

Making our voices heard about refugees

from Archdeacon Margaret Dyer-Chamberlain

There are so many emails asking for support, and I found myself impressed with this 2x4 fight for refugee campaign from the Episcopal Public Policy Network. I decided to time how long it would take me to follow the suggested steps. It took only a few minutes to make the four calls (and I got through!), so I took a little more time to send emails and letters to my representative, senators, and President Trump. I got everything I needed from the site and I was done in an hour. The world needs to hear from us and this resource can help make your voice heard! Please join me!

Link: http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/RefugeeAdvocacy
 

Last chance to register for Equipping the Beloved Community: Vestry and Bishop’s Committee training

Grace Cathedral will be the host for this learning-rich vestry and bishop’s committee training event. Gather your lay and clergy team and register for a day of learning and fellowship on Saturday, February 11. The Rev. Nancy Frausto will lead the keynote address, featuring her experience and passion for the ministry of ‘scrappy churches.’ See this video of Frausto's presentation at last month's Forma conference, as well as this article on the Forma conference from ENS. The day will also feature workshops for vestry and bishop’s committee leaders, parish administrators, treasurers, Eucharistic ministers and visitors, and more. Empower new congregational leaders with the knowledge and skills to play their roles with confidence while enjoying worship, fellowship, and lunch with peers throughout the diocese.

When: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco
Cost: $10 (vestry/BC members), $25 (general admission), free to Grace Cathedral members
Registration: https://diocal.wufoo.com/forms/z1f5x6m20g7tep6/
Contact: Caren Miles, carenm@diocal.org
 

Annual Absalom Jones and Richard Allen commemoration at St. Paul’s, Oakland

Come join members of the Afro Anglican Commission, the Union of Black Episcopalians, and DioCal to celebrate the legacies of Absalom Jones and the Rev. Richard Allen at St. Paul’s, Oakland. Jones and Allen were friends, activists, and fellow evangelists who were active in The Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.  Absalom Jones, ordained priest in 1802, was the first African American priest of The Episcopal Church and first rector of St. Thomas African Orthodox Episcopal Church, Philadelphia. Allen was the first African American ordained in the Methodist Church (1816) and was the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Both men were leading abolitionists of their day. This year the commemoration is especially honored to have Bishop Marc Handley Andrus as the celebrant and guest homilist Bishop Clement Fugh of the Fifth Episcopal District, AME Church. Additional guests include a choir of the California Conference of the AME Church. Love to sing? Watch this space as for information on the DioCal festival choir forming to sing at the commemoration!

When: Saturday, February 18, 10:45 a.m. (choral concert), 11 a.m. (Eucharistic celebration), 1 p.m. (reception)
Where: St Paul’s, 114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland
Cost: Free
Contact: the Rev. Eric Metoyer, ericm@diocal.org
 

Health and wellness grants available through Episcopal Impact Fund Action Networks

The Episcopal Impact Fund is kicking off 2017 with $75,000 in new grant funding for organizations that are working to create pathways out of poverty! This year's granting focus area is health and wellness. Attend an Action Network meeting in your deanery and bring your ideas of organizations that are making a difference in your region. Action Network meetings are open to all members of the community, including staff and board members of nonprofits interested in learning more about this funding opportunity. Each Action Network will meet twice in 2017. The following is a schedule of the first meeting in each deanery:

Alameda Action Network Meeting
When: Tuesday, February 28, 7 p.m.
Where: Our Saviour, 1011 Harrison Street, Oakland

Contra Costa Action Network Meeting
When: Tuesday, February 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Resurrection, 399 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

Marin Action Network Meeting
When: Thursday, February 16, 7 p.m.
Where: St. Paul’s, 1123 Court Street, San Rafael

Peninsula Action Network Meeting
When: Thursday, March 2, 7 p.m.
Where: Holy Child and St. Martin, 777 Southgate Avenue, Daly City

San Francisco Action Network Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 15, 7 p.m.
Where: St. John the Evangelist, 1661 15th Street, San Francisco

Southern Alameda — To be announced

Link: http://www.episcopalimpact.org/news-and-events-blog/new-health-and-wellness-grants-available-through-our-action-networks
 

Ashes to go page live on diocal.org!

Mind Travel: A Live-Piano Experience from Murray Hidary, Grace Cathedral San Francisco

This special evening will include a short talk about theoretical physics, consciousness and music; poetry by Kermit Goodman; and the transformative, expansive piano experience “Mind Travel” on the cathedral’s grand Steinway piano.

When: Wednesday, February 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco
Cost: $25 - $45 (Discount code: FRIENDSOFGRACE)
Link: https://www.gracecathedral.org/events/mind-travel-a-live-piano-experience-from-murray-hidary/
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mind-travel-a-live-piano-experience-with-murray-hidary-at-grace-cathedral-tickets-31240500177
 

Other upcoming events at Grace Cathedral

Spacious Grace: Konevets Quartet
Wednesday, February 15; 7:30 p.m.; free

Spacious Grace: Gabriel Gold + Sam Jackson
Saturday, February 18; 7 p.m.; free
 

2017 Saturday hike program at St. Dorothy’s Rest

St. Dorothy's Rest is getting ready to kick-off its 2017 Saturday hike program. They hope you’ll join them on one or more Saturdays to experience the beauty of their redwood forest.

When: February 11, March 11, April 8, June 3; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: St. Dorothy’s Rest, 160 St. Dorothy’ Ave. Camp Meeker
Registration: Click here
 

Other upcoming events from St. Dorothy's Rest

Choral Evensong
February 23, 5:15 p.m. at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco

Woods-to-Waves
May 13, 8:30 a.m. at St. Dorothy’s Rest, $25

The Albany Consort presents Chasing the Changes at St. Bede’s, Menlo Park

The Albany Consort presents Chasing the Changes, a program highlighting the changing tastes of the times from the early 1600’s through the late 18th century. The program will feature Spring from Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Romanescas by Claudio Monteverdi, Salamone Rossi, and Girolamo Frescobaldi, works by Henry Purcell in the old and new styles, Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Pieces de clavecin en concert, and J. S. Bach’s own orchestrations of keyboard works by a variety of other composers. Performers include Marion Rubenstein (recorder), Addi Liu (violin), Roy Whelden (viola da gamba), and Jonathan Salzedo (harpsichord). A reception will follow the concert.

When: Sunday, February 12, 4 p.m.
Where: St. Bede’s, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
Cost: $10-$30
Contact: Katherine McKee, kmckee@stbedesmenlopark.org, 650.854.6555
Link: www.stbedesmenlopark.org/upcoming-arts-events/

Sacred Table at Cafe Flore anniversary: A crafty Valentine night, San Francisco

Join The Companions of Dorothy the Worker for their first anniversary celebration of Sacred Table! This month they will be crafting some special valentines for folks in the neighborhood who they want to say thank you to or who need a little love in their day. Maybe someone you don't know well but provides service to you or maybe to an unhoused neighbor (add a gift card). Supplies will be provided but do bring extra! To learn more about the Companions of Dorothy the Worker go to companionsofdorothy.org. 

When: Monday February 13, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm 
Where: Cafe Flore, 2298 Market Street, San Francisco
Cost: Free; snacks provided; no host bar and cafe
Contact: the Rev. Diana Wheeler, CDW, dianarwheeler@gmail.com

Other upcoming event from Companions of Dorothy the Worker

Companions of Dorothy the Worker weekly quiet vigil
Every Friday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Harvey Milk Plaza, 2401 Market Street, San Francisco
 

Konevets Quartet sings at St. Alban's, Albany

Founded in 1992 by graduates of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatoire-Glinka Choral Academy, the Konevets Quartet offers a program of hauntingly beautiful Orthodox sacred music, plus Russian and Ukrainian folk songs and romances. Their U.S. tour continues a tradition of music that will lift and renew your spirit, as they also act as ambassadors and fundraisers for the restoration of the Monastery of the Mother of God, located outside of St. Petersburg, Russia.

When: Monday, February 13, 7 p.m.
Where: St. Alban's, 1501 Washington Avenue, Albany
Cost: Suggested donations $10-$20, goes to Monastery of the Mother of God
Contact: St. Alban's, info@st-albans-albany.org, 510.525.1716
Link: www.konevetsquartet.com

Photo credit: Maria Polyanichko

Vespers service for the Vigil of the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius at All Saints, San Leandro

Third Sunday series concert: João Kouyoumdjian, classical guitar at Church of the Advent, San Francisco

The renowned guitarist João Kouyoumdjian returns for his annual concert, presented in the ‘jewel box’ acoustics of Church of the Advent, San Francisco. The program includes Spanish works by Tarrega and Albeniz, Brazilian songs, Armenian traditional dances, and works by J.S. Bach. Hosted reception follows. Convenient parking in the adjacent lot (off Hickory Street).

When: Sunday February 19, 4 p.m.
Where: Church of the Advent, 261 Fell Street, San Francisco
Cost: Suggested donation of $20
Contact: Paul Ellison, director of music, music@advent-sf.org
Link: http://www.advent-sf.org/music-at-church-of-advent