Episcopal Diocese of

San Joaquin

Holy WeeK editon of the

Friday Reflection

4/01/2010

Dear Friends,

On this Good Friday, I greet you in the name of the Risen Lord who died on the cross that we may have new and eternal life.

Jane and I returned to the diocese at the end of last week. It is good to be back among you for this Holy Week and the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. A number of years ago there was a church school curriculum entitled, “We are Easter People.” St. Mary’s church in Eugene, Oregon was using this material when I returned to the church in the middle 70’s. I have always thought that this was a good self-description of our Episcopal tradition. We rejoice in Christ’s victory over sin and death in the Resurrection. We rejoice that this new life has been won for us, and we do not have to earn our salvation by our good works.

Having said the above, if we are truly “Easter People,” we must constantly remember that resurrection came after the crucifixion of our Lord. We must be mindful that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are all part of an act of obedience to the Father. In the scriptures, we read of Jesus’ prayer the night before he died on the cross. He gave himself over to the Father’s will. We are Easter people only when we give ourselves over to God’s will.

The staff and I send you Easter greetings. We pray that the joy that marks the Easter Season may reign in your hearts and your lives.

Please remember the Rev. Marlin Bowman as we gather with his family and friends to give thanks for his life and ministry. Marlin’s memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on April 8, 2010 at St. Clare’s in Avery.

Peace,

+Jerry

From the Diocesan office…

Episcopal Life Online: If you haven’t yet discovered Episcopal Life Online here is a link: www.episcopalchurch/episcopal_life.htm. News stories posted this week include Bishops' theology committee publishes draft report on same-gender relationships and UTO study group reorganizes for triennium.

Memorial service for Fr. Marlin Bowman: If you plan to attend the memorial service for the Rev. Marlin Bowman in Avery on Thursday, April 8, please RSVP to Barbara Conrad at bdjcconrad@comcast.net with the number of people in your party. A catered lunch is being planned. The service begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clare of Assisi. St. Clare’s is located one block north of the Post Office on Highway 4 in Avery. The Rt. Rev. Jerry Lamb will officiate. A block of rooms have been set aside at Murphys Suites at 134 Highway 4 in Murphys for those who wish to stay overnight. Call 877-728-2121 to make reservations.

Canon Mark Hall shares this good news: Dave Pina is now rector of St. Luke's, Knoxville, Diocese of East Tennessee. Fr. Dave writes,”San Joaquin Saints,Thank you for your encouragement and support. I'll begin my work at St. Luke's this Thursday. Yea for God!!! Marching in the light of God, David+”

The fourth workshop in Remain Episcopal's Ethos Education Series:

What does it mean, for us in our time, to "strive for justice and peace"? A day of interactive discussions and questioning of this covenant and how we can live into it in our world. This event will be held in Ridgecrest on Saturday, May 1The morning session will be led by the Rev. Bil Aulenbach, retired Episcopal Priest, Marine Corps.Officer (ret.), Drug Rehab Counselor, original thinker and author of "How to get to Heaven Without Going to Church." The Rev Linda Huggard, Kern County Missioner; Reggie Daniels, Base Chaplain, NAWS, China Lake and Rev. Aulenbach will lead an afternoon panel and breakout sessions on The Missions of Justice in Our World. Rev Linda will share her mission expereinces, Mr. Daniels and Fr. Alenbach will speak on Being Christian Among Warriors.

Coming soon to a coffee hour near you! The Commission on Equality is hitting the road. During the month of May, Commission members would like to visit each congregation in the diocese to give a short presentation after the service. We want to share with you some of the issues which were raised last year, available resources, programs of interest and, most importantly, hear your questions, concerns, and ideas. The presentation will be brief as our most important goal is to have time to talk to people face to face. We plan to go out in small teams in order to be able to get to each congregation during this time frame. If you would like us to visit, please contact Carolyn Woodall at carolyn@stmarysonora.org, or (209) 559-2743 to discuss possible dates. (Please propose multiple dates to help us schedule everyone.)

On a related topic, the commission has openings for some additional members. If you are interested in joining the Commission or have a recommendation for appointment, please complete the recommendation form posted on the Web site. http://www.diosanjoaquin.org/doc/RecommendationFormEqualityComm

What treasurers, vestries, and clergy need to know about expense reimbursement: Under the Internal Revenue Code there are two types of reimbursement plans-“accountable” and “non-accountable”. You want an “accountable” plan. If you are an employee of the diocese, you have an “accountable” plan. If you are in a mission or parish, this is the one you want. Expenses reimbursed under an “accountable” plan are not taxable to you. Expenses reimbursed under a “non-accountable” plan are a hassle, are taxable “above the line” and deductible as an itemized deduction. You will not break even.

There are four criterion to qualify for an “accountable plan”. Two of the most important are that there must be a “business” (i.e. church connection) and that the request for reimbursement must be adequately documented and submitted not more than 60 days after the expense is incurred. Expenses submitted and reimbursed to you outside of the 60 day window do not meet the U.S. Treasury Regulation requirements for an “accountable plan” and will be taxable to you and subject to not only federal and California taxes, but also Social Security taxes.

This is ugly. What to do? Submit your sufficiently documented expenses timely.

What if I don’t? Well………………..there are two scenarios. One is bad and the other is worse. Bad: You submit your immaculately documented expenses outside the 60 day window, but within the calendar year (which is also your taxable year) and you are reimbursed for the expenses. You have taxable income for the reimbursement, but may deduct the expenses as itemized deductions. Worse: You submit your expenses outside the 60 day window and in the next calendar year. You cannot deduct the expenses as itemized deductions in the year incurred and you pay taxes on the reimbursement if you are able to get it.

Moral: Follow what is detailed above or…………in the words of our Saviour…….”Render unto Caesar what is sic “now” Caesar’s.

CPC SUNDAY (Church Periodical Club) May 2, 2010: This message is from Priscilla Magar: Thank You for posting this date now as preparations for celebrating this Annual CPC event need to be started early by all parishes and missions in the Diocese. For any and all CPC Information or assistance, I am available as San Joaquin CPC Diocesan Director as well as Province VIII CPC Representative.

Priscilla Magar 661- 763-3081 pjcats@bak.rr.com

813 Pierce St,

Taft, CA. 93268

The Church Periodical Club is an Episcopal institution; its ministry is to supply books, magazines, tapes, videos and computer programs free to those who cannot otherwise obtain them and to raise the money to do this. There are two primary granting funds. The National Books Fund grants annually and responds to requests for books and related materials around the world. The Miles of Pennies fund is exclusively used for the book needs of children; grants are made year round. For more information, here is the CPC Web page. www.churchperiodical.com

Check the 2010 Calendar: A monthly and yearly calendar is posted on the diocesan Web site. www.diosanjoaquin.org Commission and committee members are encouraged to plan their meetings ahead and get them on the calendar. Congregations are encouraged to check the calendar when they plan events so conflicts with diocesan events can be avoided. They also can notify the diocesan office of parish events that will be of interest to others in the diocese so all events can be coordinated.

Sponsor Episcopal Life San Joaquin: In addition to subscriptions, additional sponsorships for each issue will be required to fund the publication and mailing. This practice is continued from this past year. Holy Family, Fresno, St. Matthew’s, San Andreas, St. John’s, Lodi, Grace, Bakersfield and Remain Episcopal, Holy Family, St. Francis, Marky the dog, have all signed up to sponsor an issue in 2010. Please contact Doris Hall ddhhaall@aol.com if you, a group in the church, or the whole congregation will sponsor an issue of Episcopal Life in 2010. To continue sending to the current subscription and donation list, one or more sponsorships of $200 for each issue will be necessary to maintain the funding this year.

Diocesan Altar Guild Annual General Spring Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 8th, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Church of the Saviour in Hanford. The ECW will host the luncheon. A general meeting and elections will be included. Diocesan Altar Guild Chaplain, The Rev. Luis Rodriguez, will preside over Eucharist and installation of DAG officers. Luncheon tickets are $10 per person.

We are accepting nominations for Secretary, Treasurer and our patron saint at this meeting, and new board representatives and chairs will be announced. If you have any questions about the nomination process or forms, please contact Nedra Voorhees at oskihaus@charter.net.

Elections are held once every three years. We hope that every Altar Guild in the Diocese will attend. If your entire guild or director/directress cannot attend, think about sending one member to represent your parish in the diocesan elections and report on the event to your guild at its next meeting.

Please RSVP by April 30 and mail your reservations along with luncheon checks to Susan Ohanneson, 41 Cedarwood Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93308, sko355@aol.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Thanks,

Susan Ohanneson, Diocesan Altar Guild Director

Diocesan Donation Closet, under the direction of Diocesan Altar Guild North Valley Representative Barbara Weeden of St. Francis, Turlock, is moving from temporary headquarters at St. Paul's, Modesto, to St. Francis, Turlock. We continue to accept gently used donations of holy metal ware, vestments and altar furnishings. Please send donations and requests for items to Barbara Weeden, 17744 W. Schendel Ave., Delhi, CA 95315, weedenbabes@yahoo.com.

Diocesan Altar Guild is forming a Sewing and Needlework Committee for various sewing projects, including creating altar linens, vestments and stoles for our newly ordained and installed clergy. We will be organizing workshops in the future where instruction will be given, including a workshop at the 2010 Diocesan Fall Convention. If you love to sew, do needlework and/or textile artwork, please contact Diocesan Altar Guild Director Susan Ohanneson sko355@aol.com.

Diocesan Altar Guild has formed a new committee to update and revise the Diocesan Altar Guild Manual, and has named Johhnie Mae Tibbens of Continuing St. Paul's, Visalia, as Chair. We are looking for altar guild members as well as those who are knowledgeable about the Altar Guild ministry who would like to collaborate with Johnnie Mae in research and writing of the new manual. It will serve to be a definitive guide to standard Diocesan style in the creation and maintenance of the Episcopal worship environment. In addition to time-honored chapters of instruction in altar preparation, we are adding new sections on Church-in-a-Box, establishment of new altar guilds and website development, with an extended resource section. In order to begin research, we request that you send a copy of your current parish Altar Guild Manual to Johnnie Mae Tibbens, 3900 W. Tulare, Visalia, CA 93277. If you would like to join the Diocesan Altar Guild Manual committee, please contact Johnnie Mae at 559-738-0573 or dragonlady.32@juno.com.

Holy Women, Holy Men Order Online: Holy Women, Holy Men is a new liturgical resource that revises Lesser Feasts and Fasts.  Approved at the 2009 General Convention, Holy Women, Holy Men can now be pre-ordered online at Church Publishing Group.  Click here for details and to place your copy on order.

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News and Notes from Congregations...

This is a section of the Friday Reflection to post reports and information about special events at your church, especially if the event will be of interest to others in the diocese.  Send the information to Juanita at jweber@diosanjoaquin.org.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

The Right Reverend Jerry Lamb

Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin 

The Reverend Fr. John H. Shumaker, Priest
The members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Request the pleasure of your company
honoring the Fiftieth Anniversary
of the consecration of St. Matthew’s Church,

San Andreas
Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2010
Mass: 10:00 am

Followed by Fellowship and Luncheon

FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS

Why Did I Do That?

Introduction to the Enneagram

Dates: Tuesdays in May 2010 ~ May 4, May 11, May 18, and May 25

Time: Offered at 11:00am and repeated at 7:00pm

Location: Episcopal Church of the Saviour ~ (559) 584-7706

519 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230

Join in as we explore the nine point personality system known as the Enneagram. “Ennea” means nine (Greek) and “gram” is a circle or picture. The combination of circle and spaces serves as an elegant and compassionate tool to see ourselves as others see us and to see others through the only lens they have – their own.

A dynamic and powerful system that accurately shows us our motivations and our potentials, the Enneagram is based on the wisdom of antiquity as well as modern psycho- spiritual understanding. Our core values, world view – our lens to the world – are shown with amazing accuracy and great compassion, allowing and persuading us to notice our highest qualities in every relationship – with the Divine, with others, with ourselves.

This four week series begins with an overview of the system and its dynamism and builds depth and complexity as we travel the circular model to visit each particular style of “being” in the world. This is a series sure to challenge and excite you.

***

Our series presenter, Kathryn Grant holds degrees from University of Illinois, Roosevelt University, Chicago, and received her Certification at Loyola University from Jerome Wagner, Ph.D. as part of the Pastoral Studies Program. An Accredited Enneagram Teacher, Kathryn is CoChair of the Northern California Chapter of the International Enneagram Association, a 2009 Conference presenter and is instrumental in forming the Central Valley Enneagram community. A Spiritual Director and Life Coach, Kathryn brings the Enneagram to life through her wit, wisdom and story.

Grace Church announces coming events in Bakersfield.

· Tuesday, April 6, 6:30-8:30 PM. Liora Gubkin, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at CSUB, will speak on the significance of Passover for everyone. The Interfaith group to which Grace belongs invites you to this potluck meal at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 98 Sterling Road, Bakersfield, CA 93307-2966. Everyone’s welcome!

· Sunday, April 11, 2:30 p.m. Yom ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) service at Temple Beth El, 2906 Loma Linda Drive (across the street from Garces High). There will be a Holocaust survivor as a guest speaker The service includes a memorial candle-lighting for the six million.

· Tuesday, April 13, 12:00-1:00 p.m., Education building 201 at CSUB. Grace at CSUB’s monthly meeting. Join us for lunch and discussion of a topic. Prof Louis Wildman will lead this month’s discussion.

· Sunday, April 18. Our own Aaron Connor will speak on Ignatian spirituality after church.

· Monday, May 10, 6:30 in the chapel. Interfaith meeting.

· Sunday, May 16. Carolyn Woodall of the diocesan Equality Commission will be our guest preacher and after-church speaker.

Join us in the Parish Hall on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am at Saint Matthew's Church in San Andreas, for a "Study Class in the Spiritual Life".

The funeral mass for Fr. Marlin Bowman will be on April 8, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at St.

Clare of Assisi, Avery. Clergy wear white stoles.

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Bishop Lamb's Calendar

April 3 Regional Easter Vigil, St. Paul’s, Modesto, 7:30 p.m.

April 4 St. Matthew’s, San Andreas

April 8 Service for Marlin Bowman, St. Clare’s, Avery, 11:00 a.m.

April 10 Joint Standing Committee/Diocesan Council, Holy Family, 10:00 a.m.

April 11 St. Raphael’s, Oakhurst; Holy Trinity, Madera

April 12 to

May 22 Las Cruces, New Mexico

Canon Hall’s Calendar

April 4              St. John the Baptist, Lodi

April 8 Service for Marlin Bowman, St. Clare’s, Avery, 11:00 a.m.

April 10-18 Deployment Officers Meeting and CODE conference

April 25 St. Clare’s, Avery

May 1 RE Event, Ridgecrest

May 2 St. Sherrian’s Kernville, All Soul’s, Ridgecrest

May 9 St. Nicholas, Atwater

May 15 St. Mark’s, Tracy

May 16 St. Paul’s, Visalia

May 22 Planning for Camp San Joaquin intergenerational camp

May 23 St. Francis, Turlock

May 29 Joint Diocesan Council/Standing Committee, Holy Family Fresno

May 30 St. Andrew’s Taft

June 6 St. John’s, Tulare

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