SAN JOAQUIN: Bonnie Anderson to discuss Episcopal Church's mission and ministry
Episcopal News Service. January 25, 2007 [012507-03]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, will be the featured speaker February 10 at a gathering of Diocese of San Joaquin Episcopalians who are committed to remaining within the Episcopal Church.
The diocesan-wide gathering, "Celebrating and Proclaiming the Gracious Love of Jesus Christ in and through the Episcopal Church," will be held at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Lodi, California, which is sponsoring the event along with several local Episcopal churches and Remain Episcopal.
During its 47th annual Convention, meeting December 1-2, 2006, the Diocese of San Joaquin approved the first reading of constitutional amendments which would remove references to the Episcopal Church and identify the diocese specifically as a "constituent member of the Anglican Communion and in full communion with the See of Canterbury, make the Standing Committee the ecclesiastical authority in the absence of any sitting bishops, put all diocesan trust funds under the control of the bishop, and permit the diocese unilaterally to extend itself beyond its current geographic boundaries.
The constitutional amendments will not take effect until a second vote is taken at another annual convention meeting, scheduled for October 2007. The second reading will require a two-thirds majority in order for the amendments to pass.
The convention also passed a resolution directing the bishop, council, and standing committee "to assess the means of our affiliation with a recognized Ecclesiastical structure of the Anglican Communion," and bring the next convention a "detailed plan for the preservation of our relationship with the Anglican Communion."
"It's important for people to realize that the Episcopal Church in this geographic area as the Diocese of San Joaquin will remain. That's a given," said the Rev. Richard Matters, rector of St. John's. "There are many both within and outside the diocese committed to making that happen, and we are delighted to have Bonnie at this event as a sign of the support of the leadership of the Episcopal Church."
The event will begin with Holy Eucharist, at which Anderson will preach. Afternoon sessions include a presentation by Anderson about the Episcopal Church entitled "I Will, With God's Help: Our Mission and Ministry in the World." There will be a panel discussion and question-and-answer session on the current state of the diocese and the Episcopal Church. The event will also include time for "sharing positive stories of the ways God is working in and through the Episcopal Church in this diocese," according to a news release from the sponsors.
As part of her visit to the Diocese of San Joaquin, Anderson will also preach during Sunday morning worship February 11 at Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fresno.
"I welcome this opportunity to be in the diocese to meet with people who love the Episcopal Church and support its ministry of reconciliation and healing," Anderson said in accepting the invitation. "The leadership of the Episcopal Church has been paying close attention to the events in the Diocese of San Joaquin and will continue to work with and support faithful Episcopalians who want to live out their baptismal vows of proclaiming the Good News, seeking Christ in all persons and striving for justice and peace."
Members of all diocesan congregations are invited to the February 10 event. Additional information is available by contacting St. John's at 209-369-3381 (email stjohnslodi@sbcglobal.net) or on the Remain Episcopal website.
The Diocese of San Joaquin comprises about 10,000 Episcopalians worshipping in 48 congregations in the California counties of San Joaquin, Alpine, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Mono, Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Kern and Inyo.