|
News from the
Office of the Bishop
| |
Happy new year! Wishing you, your loved ones and your community a wonderful 2026!
We've made some changes to the ENews- do let us know what you think by clicking on the survey at the bottom of this email.
| | | |
Diocesan Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for All Saints, Redding.
With a long standing history in Shasta County, organized in February 9, 1893, the church has received special donations, a silver chalice and paten, which are still in use at All Saints!
Livestreaming their weekly Sunday services and gathering the community through monthly events, we can see how this Parish lives out is mission, Welcoming all, celebrating God's grace, equipping the saints, serving the world.
Leadership Team
Rector - Father Aidan Rontani
Music Director - Deborah Divine
Organist - Ellen Southard
Parish Admin- Carla Gambino
Helen Bonnett - Pledge Clerk
Website: https://www.episcopalchurchredding.org/
Find them on Facebook, and Instagram
Phone: (530) 243-1000
Email: asecsecretary@gmail.com
| | | | |
Convention was months ago and we will use this section to share updates from Convention. This week, we share the results of the Resolutions and Petitions.
Resolutions
R1-2025: Dignity, Not Hate, Not Mass Deportation, Not Silence: PASSED
**Also note that at the end of 2025, Bishop Megan wrote a letter to presiding Bishop and the Executive Committee. Read the letter.
R2-2025: Revision of the Diocesan Apportionment Structure: “Motion to Refer” PASSED
R3-2025: Canonical Change to Canon 16 Elected Deanery Members: PASSED
Petitions
P1-2025: Change of Status for St. Johns, Marysville: PASSED
P2-2025: Dissolution of St. Johns, Marysville: PASSED
| | Multi-Faith Vigil in Sacramento | | |
On Thursday, December 18, a cool clear December afternoon, 100 or so clergy, lay, and community advocates gathered at the Multi-Faith Vigil, sponsored by Sacramento Area Congregations Together (Sac/ACT), in front of the John Moss Federal Building to stand with and up for our immigrant sister and brother neighbors. As people arrived, spontaneous singing broke out as people greeted each other. The formal program began with a stirring homily by Rev Julie Wakelee, EDNC Canon for the Ordinary, in which she spoke about the Christian, moral, and humanitarian calls to support immigrants. Subsequent speakers shared stories of their families' immigrant ancestors, their Japanese families detainment and incarceration in WW II US concentration camps, and their faith’s and organization’s welcoming and theological beliefs supporting standing with immigrants. Between speeches, The Peace and Justice Choir of Sacramento performed a medley of anthems appropriate for the day. The event closed with an emotional reading of the names of scores of individuals who have died in federal detainment this year and the lighting of candles representing our individual light in this current darkness and a prayer.
As the vigil was taking place on the busy street corner in front of the stark multi-story office building, ICE check ins and Immigration court proceedings were taking place. Near the end of the event, I noticed a woman approaching the group who was crying. Several SacACT staff met the woman and consoled her. My worst fear was confirmed a few minutes later when Tere Flores Onofre, Sac/ACTExecutive Director, in her farewell remarks informed us that the woman’s husband had just been arrested by ICE and taken away. The horror of this inhuman action that happened a few hundred feet from us and the woman’s crying tearful face stays with me and implores me to share her story and continue to stand up for our dear immigrant neighbors. Please pray for her and her husband. I hope you will join me at the next Vigil on January 22nd at 3:30 pm in Sacramento.
EDNC members attending included, Canon Julie, Rev Matthew Woodward-Trinity Cathedral, Rev John Day-St Matthews-Sacramento, Teddy Fagin-Trinity Cathedral, and Bob Wohlsen, EDNC Immigration Ministries chair.
The next vigil will be on Thursday, January 22 at 12 PM at the John Moss Building, 650 Capitol Mall, Sacramento.
| | |
On November 18, 2025, Trinity Cathedral hosted Linkfest, the retirement celebration for Canon Precentor, Organist, and Director of Music for the past 41 years, David Link.
The festivities began with an Evensong featuring past and present members of the Cathedral Choirs and the world premiere of the Sacramento Canticles, composed by Stephanie Martin. Following the service, attendees gathered for a joyful reception in the Great Hall - hearing stories of Canon David's 41 years at Trinity Cathedral.
Bishop Megan honored Canon David with the presentation of the Bishop's Cross, gifted to one or two people every year for remarkable service to the Diocese. Well done, good and faithful servant.
| | Christmas at the Cathedral | | Bishop Megan joined the Christmas festivities at Trinity Cathedral. | |
Grace Church's 150th Anniversary
Grace Episcopal Church celebrated their 150th anniversary service on November 1, 2025 which Bishop Megan presided over.
| |
Prayer Vigil in Arcata
A Prayer Vigil was held at Arcata Plaza on December 10, 2025, to commemorate International Human Rights Day—hopefully, the first of more vigils to be held in the region.
The vigil was a community event promoted by True North Community Organizing Network.
Made up of six local faith communities, including St. Alban's Arcata, the group participated in songs led by members of Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir. It was a beautiful event, with a touch of fog to enhance the lighting.
| | | |
Episcopal Church Statement on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela
Following last weekend’s U.S. military attack on Venezuela and the removal of President Nicholás Maduro from office, Episcopal leaders have released statements calling for prayers and peace in the South American country. They expressed both support for Venezuelans celebrating Maduro’s removal and concern over the legality of the attack.
Read the article
| | | |
|
Date: Every Monday in February - 2, 9, 16, 23
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Place: Online
| |
Randall Balmer, an Episcopal priest and part-time resident of Gualala, is the John Phillips Professor in Religion at Dartmouth College. He is also a New York Times bestselling author and a CNN Contributor. He is the author of eighteen books, including Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter; Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right and Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, which was made into an award-winning, three-part series for PBS. His commentaries on religion in America appear in newspapers across the country, including the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Concord Monitor, the Santa Fe New Mexican and the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
His latest book, America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, examines the history behind the First Amendment and argues that church-state separation has ensured both political stability and a vibrant religious culture in the United States. Those who would compromise the First Amendment—Christian nationalists, the Supreme Court—risk undermining one of the foundational principles in American society.
|
| |
Ordination of Rosemary MacLaughlin
Date: January 17, 2026
Time: 11 am - 12 pm
Location: Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento
Celebration of ordination to the diaconate of Rosemary Anna Hill MacLaughlin at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, CA.
Clergy red stoles.
| | |
A Full Day Retreat with John Philip Newell
Date: Sat. February 14, 2026
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location:
Grace Cathedral
Cost: $150; scholarships available. Lunch provided.
A full-day retreat, in which the wisdom teachings of John Philip Newell and the spiritual practices of Cami Twilling call us to be aware of the sacredness of Earth and every human being as key to the way of transformation and healing in our lives and world.
| | |
Inquiry Day
Date: February 28, 2026
Time: 9 am - 12 pm
Location: Zoom
Info:
Are you interested in becoming a priest or deacon?
Sponsoring clergy must attend with you, and if applicable, aspirants spouses as well.
This is the first step in entering the Ordination process.
| |
| How did you like this new eNews layout? | | | | | Episcopal Diocese of Northern California | 2394 Fair Oaks Blvd. | Sacramento, CA 95825 US | | | | |
