Bishop and archdeacon treated to bento lunches and mochi dessert

On Sunday, December 18, Bishop Marc Andrus and Archdeacon David Stickley made their official visitation to Christ Church Sei Ko Kai, San Francisco. They, along with Dr. Sheila Andrus, were given a tour of the facilities by the priest-in-charge, the Rev. Debra Low-Skinner. The church takes up the first floor of a stately, historic, three-story Victorian building in Pacific Heights. The second floor is leased to a counseling center, while the lower floor is leased to a preschool.

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No DioBytes December 27 and DioHouse office holiday closure

‘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 participants 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
 

Register for 2017 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. Nancy Frausto will lead the keynote address, featuring her experience and passion for the ministry of ‘scrappy churches.’ Nancy is the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles’ first Latina leader to have grown up in a Spanish speaking Episcopal church who has gone on to pursue ordination. She will be leading a workshop on shared leadership with bilingual congregations. 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
 

Growth within me, growth over me, let all around me be growth

It’s hymn #791 in Wonder, love, and praise, but with the word “growth”. If you’re confused, that’s okay, I’m just a cradle Episcopalian trying to make a joke. And, confusing, or maybe wondrous, are words I would use to describe the growth in me in the first four months, or about half, of the DioCal Episcopal Service Corps intern program year. Before coming out to California, friends and mentors of mine back home were so excited for me and how I would be a “completely different person” at the end of the service year.

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A Blue Christmas service at Holy Innocents, San Francisco

Holy Innocents, San Francisco, invites you to join them for a service of remembrance and hope. For many, the Christmas season is a dark time, made all the worse by the pressure of the joy all around. This Blue Christmas service will acknowledge the memories of losses and griefs, and hopes to bring some comfort and healing.

When: Wednesday, December 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Holy Innocents, 455 Fair Oaks Street, San Francisco
Contact: the Rev. Jane McDougle, jane@holyinsf.org

Sing you a Merry Christmas at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco

Sing along with your favorite holiday carols as the toys of St. Nicholas’s workshop lead you on an extraordinary journey, filling children — young and old — with the joys of the season. This program is particularly well-suited for young children.

When: Friday, December 23; 4 p.m.
Where: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco
Cost: $5–$25
Link: http://www.gracecathedral.org/events/sing-you-a-merry-christmas-3/
Tickets: https://www.cityboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2256

Other upcoming events at Grace Cathedral

The Bishop’s Christmas pageant for children
Saturday, December 24, 11 a.m.; free

Christmas Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 24, 4 p.m.; free

San Francisco Kwanzaa 2016 with the Village Project

Join members of St Cyprian’s, San Francisco; the Village Project; and the Fillmore and Bayview Communities in the 11th Annual San Francisco Kwanzaa from Monday, December 26 through Sunday, January 1. This week-long festival and its events celebrate Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principals of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Co-operative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. Events include orations, children’s activities, art exhibits, and food. Musical guests include West Coast Blues Society, Alabama Mike, and the Prescott Circus. Venues are located throughout San Francisco including the Museum of the African American Diaspora, Glide Memorial Church, Bayview Opera House, and St Cyprian’s. San Francisco Kwanzaa is organized and designed by Ms. Adrian Williams, member of St. Cyprian’s and founder of the Village Project — an after school enrichment program for children of the Western Addition.

When: Monday, December 26 through Sunday, January
Where: throughout San Francisco, with final celebration at St Cyprian’s, 2097 Turk Street, San Francisco
Cost: Free
Contact: Ms Adrian Williams, awilliams@yahoo.com
Link: http://www.kwanzaasanfrancisco.com