Table Fellowship with Greg & Sylvia Venables

May 1, 2008

What a joy it was to have Archbishop Gregory and Sylvia Venables, and Bishop Bill Atwood with us this past Tuesday. The contrast between the pastoral approach of Archbishop Venables and that of Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori was unmistakable. In fact, the contrast was so striking that it reaffirmed to me – and I know to many others – that we are moving in the right direction. The doctrinal and theological differences between the two primates are obvious but seeing them worked out “in person” this week was fascinating and encouraging.

My particular reaction to all of this was shaped somewhat by a book that I have been reading by Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament, in which he emphasized the biblical norm of making decisions in community, and recognizing how our actions are a witness of the Body of Christ to the World.

While North Americans tend to think in terms of a one-on-one relationship with God, early Christians responded to the Gospel not just as individuals but as families and communities. And, because their faith in Christ created a stronger bond than family, racial and national identities, their Christian family became their primary identity.

Hays’s words were echoing in my mind while listening to Archbishop Venables on Tuesday as he was talking about us coming together as a family. As Saint Paul emphasized the value of table fellowship during the Antioch controversy in Galatians [2.11f], so did Venables in his conversations with us in San Joaquin.

Thankfully, we are experiencing a dramatic shift in worldviews. We are moving from a litigious Western institutional mindset toward a more wholesome and biblical family interaction.

A perfect example of this, is the way in which the bishops of the Southern Cone responded to the plight of churches in North America. While some were debating over canon law, in order to find “permission” to be faithful to Christ, the bishops of the Southern Cone simply offered us their home. Sadly, there have been a number of people who have had the effrontery to suggest that the bishops of the Southern Cone did not have the right to offer that hospitality because their own constitutional documents did not provide for it. But those critics are responding out of a completely different worldview than the bishops of the Southern Cone. Venables’ critics are thinking from a litigious Western view, while the bishops of the Southern Cone are thinking like family.

Isn’t that refreshing?

Which would you prefer to receive if you were in crisis, a summons to court, or an invitation to dinner?

From Bishop Schofield

To the clergy and parishioners of San Joaquin -

We recognize that the news of a lawsuit from the Presiding Bishop and the representatives of Remain Episcopal in Stockton, may be unsettling. However, please be assured that we have been expecting this litigation and the contents contain no surprises. Please know that our legal team has been at work for some time. They are optimistic and remain unperturbed by The Episcopal Church's most recent action. What our legal counsel has accomplished on our behalf is already proving most helpful in defense of property and assets despite the fact that this preparatory work had to be done without the benefit of seeing what the Episcopal Church intended to do.

Furthermore, I want to remind you that in spite of the claims by The Episcopal Church, nothing in their current Constitution and Canons prohibits a diocese from leaving one province and moving to another. Also, just as we stood together for the sake of our witness to the Gospel at our Convention in December, so now will we continue to stand together for that same witness. I will continue to respond to those who disagree with us in a Christian and charitable manner and I trust that you will, as well.

Thank you for the trust that you have placed in me as your bishop and senior pastor, and know that I will continue to honor that trust with God's help.

Faithfully, yours in Christ,

+John-David

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sunday April 27th 2008 - Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:00AM

LESSONS

Acts 17:22-31
1 Peter 3:8-18
John 15:1-8
Psalm 148 or 148:7-14

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Announcements

• Sunday, April 27th – Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM
• Loose Plate offering goes to Family Outreach fund - Please use envelopes to note specific offerings.
• Bible Study – Thursday evenings at 6:30PM
• Archbishop Gregory Venables will be at St James’ Cathedral in Fresno on Tuesday April 29, 2008. For more information, please see the post below.
• Pentecost Sunday/Mother’s Day is May 11th
• Please consider volunteering to help in Sunday School
  

Next Sunday’s lessons: 7 Easter
Acts 1:1-14
1 Peter 4:12-19
John 17:1-11
Psalm 47

Saint Paul to the Corinthians

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

- 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

ARCHBISHOP GREG & SYLVIA VENABLES

NEXT WEEK: ARCHBISHOP GREG & SYLVIA VENABLES, along with BISHOP BILL ATWOOD, TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH

RESERVATIONS ENCOURAGED, TICKETS GUARANTEE SEATING: Your reservations, made with June, will enable you to pick up tickets for either or both the Personal Seminar and/or Festal Eucharist. Tickets may be picked up in the courtyard in front of the Cathedral between12 – 2:30PM and 5:30-7:PM.

• Clergy Spouses w/Sylvia: 1:15 to 2:15 in the Chapel of the Holy Innocents
• Personal Seminar at 2:30 PM to 4:PM, St. James’ Cathedral. This is open to all members of the Diocese but reservations for limited seating are on a first come basis. Please contact June at 559-244-4828 or june@sjoaquin.net.
• Festal Eucharist at 7:PM, with the Archbishop preaching; Clergy White Stoles for the Grand Procession.
• Diocesan Reception at 8:30 PM in Zoe Eden Hall, St. James’ Cathedral
  

Festal Eucharist and Reception Open To All (Seat reservations strongly encouraged)

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Sunday - April 20, 2008
Holy Eucharist Rite II - 9:00AM

LESSONS

Acts 17:1-15
1 Peter 2:1-10
John 14:1-14
Psalm 66:1-11 or 66:1-8

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Bishop’s Committee meets Sunday, April 20th
• Bible Study - Thursdays at 6:30PM
• Archbishop Gregory Venables will be at St James’ Cathedral in Fresno on Tuesday April 29, 2008.

Next Sunday’s lessons: 6 Easter
Acts 17:22-31
or Isaiah 41:17-20
1 Peter 3:8-18
or Acts 17:22-31
John 15:1-8
Psalm 148 or 148:7-14

Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 13, 2008 - Holy Baptism at 9:00AM

Visitors are always welcome

LESSONS

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a,51-60
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
Psalm 23

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Archbishop Gregory Venables will be at St James’ Cathedral in Fresno on Tuesday April 29, 2008.

Next Sunday’s lessons: 5 Easter
Acts 17:1-15
1 Peter 2:1-10
John 14:1-14
Psalm 66:1-8