Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin

If you have a much loved Bible, prayer book, or hymnal that is in pretty ragged shape, you might want to contact Kate Vander Sluis. Kate saw a need and learned how to repair books. As she said, in most cases it is far less expensive to repair the book, than to replace it. She has sent some before and after pictures.

Kate is a member of St. John’s, Petaluma and can be reached at [ mailto:kateworks@sonic.net ]kateworks@sonic.net or 707.528.4311 (h).

Bishops Vision Address – Diocesan Convention 2011

The Diocese of San Joaquin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:39:41 +0000

Can you feel it? There is an excitement in the air, an electricity that just calls out that we are on the cusp of something absolutely amazing!

Just think about it… four years ago could you have ever imagined that you would be where you are today? Let me tell you, if you don’t already know it Anglican Churches across the United States and Canada look to the people of the Diocese of San Joaquin and say, “Man those brothers and sisters are amazing!” And I mean that literally… a few weeks ago when I attended my first College of Bishop’s meeting one bishop after another came up to me and said, “Eric you are walking into a faithful and courageous diocese!” And all I can say is Amen to that!

Three years ago you all made history when you took a stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and walked away from a church that had not only gone astray but was and is willfully leading others along the path to hell. Thank you Bishop Schofield, and thank you Clergy and People of the Diocese of San Joaquin for having the courage to step out in faith knowing that it would be a painful journey. Personally & corporately painful in the broken relationships that have taken place in each and every congregation, in the demonization that you’ve endured by the Old Church and, of course, the inevitable lawsuits that have come and may be yet to come. God bless you for your faithfulness and courage.

Today, is another historic day in the life of the church. Do you realize that we are the first diocese in the Anglican Church in North America to Elect, Consecrate and Enthrone a new Bishop – another first! And I have to tell you how truly honored I am to be that Bishop — I still can’t imagine what you all were thinking but I want you to know I commit myself today before God and all of you to be worthy of your trust and commitment.

OK now with all that said we have a choice to make… either we sit back and congratulate ourselves on doing some pretty amazing things OR we get on with the business of spreading the gospel… to be more specific we live into the Mission Statement of the Diocese of San Joaquin… WE ARE AN APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY ON MISSION WITH THE LIFE GIVING AND TRANSFORMING MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST!

To that end Brothers and sisters I believe with my whole heart and soul that God is calling us to be a Diocese that plants dioceses. Let me say that again…. we are called by God to be a Diocese that plants dioceses. Therefore, that also means that we are Deaneries that are called to plant Deaneries, Churches that are called to plant churches and Christians called to bring others into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ!

It is my sincere hope and prayer that five years from now we will present to the Provincial Council two new diocese in formation. I don’t yet know what that will look like but I can certainly see us birthing churches and deaneries and a diocese to our West on the Coast – Fr. Don Cleave and his family are already in the process of planting two new churches in San Luis Obispo & Cambria. I could see a new diocese forming on the eastern slope of the Sierras and out to Nevada – Fr. Howard Giles and his family have already planted Jesus the Good Shepherd in Henderson. I can see a new diocese forming in the North in the corridor between San Francisco and Sacramento and North of that to Redding. Yesterday we welcomed Fr. David Miller, his family and the good people of St. John’s in Petaluma into the Diocesan family!

But this doesn’t mean that all of our efforts need to be to the North, East and West. NO we need to look within the traditional boundaries of the diocese to the untold numbers of people who have not received the Life giving and transforming message of Jesus Christ. We are already embarking on this mission locally when Nuesta Senora de Guadalupe, working in conjunction with St. Martin of Tours launched a new church plant in South Fresno on October 2nd. St. Mary’s on the eastern part of town is also looking at how they can reach out in a meaningful way into their neighborhood and I know that each of your churches is doing the same. And to all that I say Amen and Alleluia!

Brothers and sisters the time for courage has not passed us when we walked away from the Old Church… the time for courage is here and now as we walk out into a world that is at best apathetic and at worst militantly opposed to to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

However, you must know that as we embark on this new journey we do not go it alone Jesus’ promise to the disciples at the end of the Gospel of Matthew says it all… “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

And to that I say… AMEN!

Sermons and Talks

The Diocese of San Joaquin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:43:37 +0000

Rev. Michael Law (Enthronement Sermon) – October 22, 2011
Bp. Eric Menees (Vision) – October 22, 2011
Bp. Eric Menees (Bible Study) – October 22, 2011
Bp. John-David Schofield (Convention Address) – October 21, 2011
Bp. Eric Menees (Cathedral Sermon: Spanish) – September 25, 2011
Bp. Eric Menees (Cathedral Sermon: English) – September 25, 2011

Licensed Lay Ministry

The Diocese of San Joaquin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:42:20 +0000

The following is a list of documents and resources for Licensed Lay Ministers serving in the Diocese of San Joaquin. The links will open PDF files that can be read, printed or downloaded.

TRAINING GUIDES

Eucharistic Ministers Study Guide: This is the first study guide in the series and is to be studied by all candidates for licensed lay ministry (PDF)

PLEM Study Guide: This is the second study guide in the series, and is to be studied by all candidates for Pastoral Lay Eucharisitic Ministry (PDF)

Lay Reader Study Guide: This is the third study guide in the series, and is to be studied by all candidates for Licensed Lay Reader (PDF)

RESOURCES

Glossary List: A list of terms commonly used in the Anglican Tradition (PDF)

BCP Text List: List of Books related to the Books of Common Prayer (PDF)

Canon 23: Diocese of San Joaquin canon law, which outlines Licensed Lay Ministry (PDF)

Collect Guide: Brief outline of the history and structure of collects (PDF)

Online Resources: List of links for Anglican resources. This includes Anglican classic texts as well as BCP resources (PDF)

PLEM Liturgy: Liturgy for Licensed Pastoral Lay Eucharistic Ministry visitations from Book of Occasional Services (PDF)

Psalter Notes: Description and outline of the Psalter with descriptions about leading and using the psalms in public worship (PDF).

Bishop Eric Menees begins new ministry in San Joaquin

The Diocese of San Joaquin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:44:41 +0000

More than 800 people celebrated the consecration of Eric Vawter Menees on Saturday September 24, 2011 at Peoples Church in Fresno, California.

Bishop Eric Menees will become the fifth bishop of the diocese when he is enthroned as diocesan bishop on October 22, 2011, when Bishop John-David Schofield retires. Bishop Schofield was consecrated in the same church on October 9, 1988.

Menees was elected by the clergy and delegates of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin on May 14, 2011 and consecrated as Bishop Co-adjutor on September 24^th by Archbishop Robert Duncan and bishops John-David Schofield, William Thompson, Bill Atwood and William Murdoch.

Bishop Menees will be taking pastoral responsibility for over 100 clergy and 41 churches ranging from Southern California to Elk Grove, near Sacramento, and as far east as Henderson, Nevada near Las Vegas. These clergy and congregations are members of the Anglican Church in North America, which is a province in the 85 million member worldwide Anglican Communion.

Bishop Menees and his family recently moved to Clovis, near Fresno where the cathedral and offices of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin are located. Bishop Menees and his family formerly lived in San Marcos, California where Eric served as Rector of the Anglican Church of the Resurrection. Menees is married and has two children.

Consecration Slide Show

The Diocese of San Joaquin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:18:31 +0000

Concecration – picture slideshow

Letter From Fr. Eric Menees

The Diocese of San Joaquin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:29:59 +0000

August 1, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sister of the Diocese of San Joaquin,

Well we are about half way through the process from election to consecration and my family and I are feeling the whole spectrum of emotions from fear and trepidation to great joy and excitement. Through it all we are seeing the Lord move mightily and we give thanks and praise for His love and grace.

One example of that Grace came last week when we discovered that we would be looking at the possibility of a sixty day escrow. That could mean that our move in day would be well after my official “start day” of October 1^st. Well, ten minutes after I received word of this little glitch I received an email from June Waltenberger who informed me that during her morning prayers she had been nudged by God to offer us her home for as long as it would take for us to be able to move into our new house. In the meantime she would move in with a friend. Our first reaction was to say “no we could never impose on you like that.” But after speaking with June, Bishop Schofield and the Lord in prayer we have decided to accept June’s very generous offer. God is good and the hospitality extended by June and the entire diocese has been overwhelming.

Over the last several weeks I have visited Fresno and met with the Bishop and other diocesan leaders. We are planning the consecration and working on the transition. There are a lot of balls in the air but some things are coming into place. I have asked the six rural deans if they would remain in their current positions for the coming year so as to maintain as much continuity as possible. I am very grateful that all of them have agreed to continue to serve for the year. I am looking forward to serving the Lord with them and with all the clergy and people of the diocese. In addition, I have invited, with Dean Raines’ permission and encouragement, Fr. Van McCalister to serve part-time on my staff as Canon to the Ordinary. Fr. Van brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and I am thrilled to be able to serve with him along my side. Lastly, I am extremely grateful that June Waltenberger will stay on staff for as long as she feels called to serve. June has served this diocese long and well and I cannot imagine beginning this ministry without her help, assistance and corporate memory.

On behalf of my family and myself I want to extend a warm and cordial invitation to everyone in the Diocese of San Joaquin to join us for the consecration on September 24^th at 3:00 PM at the People’s Church. Know that I remember you all daily in my prayers and I bid your prayers for the Menees family as we make our transition to the diocese.

Godspeed,

Fr. Eric Menees