We are pleased to announce that Holly Hem has been hired as the Interim Diocesan Youth Minister. She will begin her work on June 1. She will coordinate all diocesan youth activities providing administrative, program and pastoral support. Part of her job will be to visit with all parishes and missions in the diocese over the next several months to meet with the youth and church leadership.
This is a shared full-time position with the diocese paying one half of her salary and the Santa Clara County Episcopal churches paying the other half. Many of these parishes and missions cannot afford a youth minister and struggle to maintain a viable youth program. By joining together, under her leadership, the youth will have opportunities to meet their peers in other churches, build meaningful relationships and have fun together. This is a six month trial program. It is hoped that this shared ministry model between the diocese and local churches can become a model throughout the diocese.
Holly brings a background of youth ministry and leadership experience to this position having worked as a church Youth Minister, provided support for a college retreat, and as a camp counselor. She also worked as a Program Coordinator for the Santa Clara County Community Action Program. We welcome Holly to her new position.
The Conference Planning Team invites you to spend the day on June 18 with Rob Voyle as we continue the process of defining our purpose and mission as a diocese. Feedback from the April 23 meeting is on the Web (http://www.ecrweb.org/conferences.html). We had a wonderful time sharing our stories and identifying our core values. That work will be the basis for what we do in June. In addition to our meeting, we will also host a diocesan birthday party- our 25th - with cake, balloons and surprises. Come be a part of the celebration.
The Lay meetings with the Bishop have been scheduled: July 30 at St. Mary's, Pacific Grove, August 6 at St. Mark's, Santa Clara, and August 13 at St. James, Paso Robles. All meetings will be from 10-1 with a light lunch served. You can attend any meeting that suits your schedule. Letters inviting the laity have been sent to all Rectors and Vicars. Included in the letter are 4 questions that will be part of the discussion with the bishop. The invitation will also be posted on the website.
Highlights from Standing Committee Meeting
Standing Committee held its regularly scheduled meeting on May 12. After opening prayers and a brief scripture study on a passage from Galatians, the meeting addressed action items from the April meeting. Full text of the minutes will be on the website.
A joint meeting of Standing Committee and Commission on Ministry will be held in the fall. A joint meeting of Standing Committee and DIEM is scheduled for August in San Jose.
The June 18 conference at St. Paul's, Salinas will also be a 25th birthday celebration for the diocese.
Upcoming ordinations:
Lance Beizer Sept 10 10AM
Ordination to the Priesthood at Holy Spirit
Paul Eustace June 18 11AM
Ordination to the Diaconate at St. Thomas'
Lee Barford June 17 7PM
Ordination to the Diaconate at Trinity Cathedral
Cristopher Robinson July 9 11AM
Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate at St. Timothy's
Kevin Fisher June 4 11AM
Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate St. Mary's
Melanie Thomas and Cristopher Robinson have been awarded the Excellence in Preaching Award. They will be attending the national conference in Pennsylvania in June.
The bishop reported that the guidelines for shared authority continue to evolve. The ecclesiastical authority and the office of assisting bishop are creating a model. Issues continue to arise that need clarification. After 6 months of working together, they are re-evaluating the definition of shared authority and looking ahead to what may work best with a new bishop.
A Spanish Cursillo is being planned for Sept 29 - Oct 2.
The bishop has met several times with the clergy in the diocese. Meetings are planned with the laity. Meetings with the youth and the vestries need to be confirmed.
The bishop will be meeting with the House of Bishop's from Sept 22 - 26 in Puerto Rico.
The administrator's report confirmed that the audit was completed in record time. The only questions concerned some restricted funds and all questions have been addressed.
The January convention has been scheduled for January 28 at Sherwood Hall in the Salinas Community Center.
The Commission on Ministry recommended Paul Eustace and Lee Barford for ordination. Standing Committee approved the recommendation.
