ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR
The Tenth Sunday of Pentecost
August 18, 2019
Welcome to our visitors. We invite you to join us for coffee and fellowship in the foyer following the 8 am service and in the parish hall following the 10 am service.
8:00 am: Holy Eucharist with hymns, Chapel: The Rev. Karen Swanson, Celebrant and Preacher
10:00 am: Holy Eucharist with hymns, Chapel: The Rev. Karen Swanson, Celebrant and, Preacher
10:00 am: Nursery Care and Summer Sunday School for children up to 5th grade in Room 1; Youth Sunday School in Room 5
11:15 am: Children’s Choir Practice, Chapel
Name Tags: Everyone feels welcome when they can greet you by name. If you have a nametag, please wear it. If you need one, please leave a message for the church office
(stambrose@mindspring.com or 574-1369). You may also leave a note on the administrative assistant’s desk; it faces you as you enter the church office.
Prayer Requests: Please write your prayer requests in the red Intercessions and Thanksgivings Binder in the Foyer. If you have an on-going prayer request, please leave a message for the church office (stambrose@mindspring.com or 574-1369). You may also leave a note on the administrative assistant’s desk; it faces you as you enter the church office. Thank you.
Prayer Chapel: Our small side prayer chapel is for everyone’s use, but we ask that adults accompany children. Please light only one candle at a time, do not blow out other people’s candles, and kneel–don’t stand–on the kneeler (Prie-Dieu). This will keep the chapel a sacred place for all.
8:00 am: Holy Eucharist with hymns, Chapel: The Rev. Karen Swanson, Celebrant and Preacher
10:00 am: Holy Eucharist with hymns, Chapel: The Rev. Karen Swanson, Celebrant and, Preacher
10:00 am: Nursery Care and Summer Sunday School for children up to 5th grade in Room 1; Youth Sunday School in Room 5
11:15 am: Children’s Choir Practice, Chapel
Name Tags: Everyone feels welcome when they can greet you by name. If you have a nametag, please wear it. If you need one, please leave a message for the church office
(stambrose@mindspring.com or 574-1369). You may also leave a note on the administrative assistant’s desk; it faces you as you enter the church office.
Prayer Requests: Please write your prayer requests in the red Intercessions and Thanksgivings Binder in the Foyer. If you have an on-going prayer request, please leave a message for the church office (stambrose@mindspring.com or 574-1369). You may also leave a note on the administrative assistant’s desk; it faces you as you enter the church office. Thank you.
Prayer Chapel: Our small side prayer chapel is for everyone’s use, but we ask that adults accompany children. Please light only one candle at a time, do not blow out other people’s candles, and kneel–don’t stand–on the kneeler (Prie-Dieu). This will keep the chapel a sacred place for all.
THIS WEEK
- Tuesday Bible Study meeting: August 20th, 12:45 pm, foyer
- Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting: August 22nd, 6:00 pm, parish hall
- School Board meeting: August 22nd, 7:00 pm, parish hall
- St. Ambrose Information Booth: Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Foster City Summer Days exhibit area, Shell Blvd.
ST. AMBROSE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Updating the Church Directory
We are updating the Church Directory during the month of August 2019. Please see the current (outdated) Church Directory in the foyer and the Parish Hall, and make any corrections to your information as needed. You can also send your updated information to Margie Lee at stambrose @mindspring.com.
Study groups scheduleThe Monday study group will be meeting on August 26th at 7:00 pm. They are studying the upcoming Sunday lessons. They meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. The location of the meeting is to be determined.
The Tuesday Bible Study group will be meeting on August 20th and 27th. They are reading the First Letter of John. They will meet weekly in the foyer from 12:45 pm each Tuesday.
St. Ambrose Booth at the Foster City Summer Days
St. Ambrose is having an information booth at the Foster City Summer Days at Leo Ryan Memorial Park on Saturday, August 24 & Sunday 25 between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm. We will be promoting the use of the Carbon Tracker found at https://www.sustainislandhome.org/, which is the portal for the Diocese of California (the generic portal for non-church members would be: https://sanmateo.goco2free.org/). If you are interested and able to volunteer in the information booth, a sign-up sheet is posted in the Parish Hall.
Signing Up for the Carbon Tracker
David McIntyre has given presentations at St. Ambrose on how to sign up for the Carbon Tracker. If you want to get started on your own, it’s pretty easy.
1.Go to: https://www.sustainislandhome.org/, which is the portal for the Diocese of California (the generic portal for non-church members would be:
https://sanmateo.goco2free.org/) .
St. Ambrose Choirs
The Adult Choir and the Children’s Choir will be taking a break for the summer. Rehearsals for the Adult Choir are on Thursdays at 7:30 pm and will resume on Thursday, August 29th. All interested singers (and would-be singers) are encouraged to attend. You are welcome to visit rehearsal to determine if you would like to join us on a regular basis. The Adult Choir sings for the 10:00 AM worship service
The Children's Choir will resume it rehearsals on Sunday, August 18th immediately following the 10 AM worship service. All children are encouraged to participate.
Please see Maureen Fromme if you have any questions, or email her at mhfromme@yahoo.com
Inquirer’s and Confirmation Class
The Rector will be leading an Inquirer’s and Confirmation class for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or may be interested in Confirmation. If you are interested please speak with him. The dates and times for the classes will depend upon those who are interested, but he plans to begin in September.
Forward Day by Day
New Forward Day by Day books for August September October 2019 are available for pickup in the foyer
We are updating the Church Directory during the month of August 2019. Please see the current (outdated) Church Directory in the foyer and the Parish Hall, and make any corrections to your information as needed. You can also send your updated information to Margie Lee at stambrose @mindspring.com.
Study groups scheduleThe Monday study group will be meeting on August 26th at 7:00 pm. They are studying the upcoming Sunday lessons. They meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. The location of the meeting is to be determined.
The Tuesday Bible Study group will be meeting on August 20th and 27th. They are reading the First Letter of John. They will meet weekly in the foyer from 12:45 pm each Tuesday.
St. Ambrose Booth at the Foster City Summer Days
St. Ambrose is having an information booth at the Foster City Summer Days at Leo Ryan Memorial Park on Saturday, August 24 & Sunday 25 between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm. We will be promoting the use of the Carbon Tracker found at https://www.sustainislandhome.org/, which is the portal for the Diocese of California (the generic portal for non-church members would be: https://sanmateo.goco2free.org/). If you are interested and able to volunteer in the information booth, a sign-up sheet is posted in the Parish Hall.
Signing Up for the Carbon Tracker
David McIntyre has given presentations at St. Ambrose on how to sign up for the Carbon Tracker. If you want to get started on your own, it’s pretty easy.
1.Go to: https://www.sustainislandhome.org/, which is the portal for the Diocese of California (the generic portal for non-church members would be:
https://sanmateo.goco2free.org/) .
- Click GET STARTED; create a household name, enter your e-mail and name, prove that you’re not a robot, and CREATE NEW ACCOUNT.
- As you move through the process, you’ll want to select your Parish (St. Ambrose) and City (Where you live.) The Parish pools all the members of the congregation together. The City gives you information for people in your geographic residence.
- After you’re in, you’ll answer some basic questions about your household and energy usage. The website can estimate your usage, but some things that you might want to gather before you start would be your usage over the past year of: water, electricity, natural gas, car mileage, and air miles.
- From there, the website gives you a report, and then information about how to make informed decisions going forward. This doesn’t need to be confusing and is something that we can easily do from a laptop during coffee hour at St. Ambrose.
St. Ambrose Choirs
The Adult Choir and the Children’s Choir will be taking a break for the summer. Rehearsals for the Adult Choir are on Thursdays at 7:30 pm and will resume on Thursday, August 29th. All interested singers (and would-be singers) are encouraged to attend. You are welcome to visit rehearsal to determine if you would like to join us on a regular basis. The Adult Choir sings for the 10:00 AM worship service
The Children's Choir will resume it rehearsals on Sunday, August 18th immediately following the 10 AM worship service. All children are encouraged to participate.
Please see Maureen Fromme if you have any questions, or email her at mhfromme@yahoo.com
Inquirer’s and Confirmation Class
The Rector will be leading an Inquirer’s and Confirmation class for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or may be interested in Confirmation. If you are interested please speak with him. The dates and times for the classes will depend upon those who are interested, but he plans to begin in September.
Forward Day by Day
New Forward Day by Day books for August September October 2019 are available for pickup in the foyer
Coffee Sign-Up Online
Coffee Sign-ups for 10:00 am can now be made online via Sign-Up Genius or by using the posted sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall. To sign up online go to www.signupgenius.com and enter stambrose@mindspring.com in the search bar.
Each family signs up once or twice per year. You can host it alone, or team up with another family. Directions for set-up and clean-up are available in the kitchen. It’s easy and we all enjoy this time of fellowship. Trades or changes can be made, so don’t hesitate to pick a Sunday. This sign up includes set-up and clean-up, please. If you have any questions, please contact Don Peter at (650) 685-0648.
Each family signs up once or twice per year. You can host it alone, or team up with another family. Directions for set-up and clean-up are available in the kitchen. It’s easy and we all enjoy this time of fellowship. Trades or changes can be made, so don’t hesitate to pick a Sunday. This sign up includes set-up and clean-up, please. If you have any questions, please contact Don Peter at (650) 685-0648.
2019 Worship Leader’s Preference Signup for 10:00 am. Services
Log onto Sign-up Genius to choose the day or days you prefer to be a Worship Leader. Pick the days you are available. We will incorporate your preference with the manual monthly assignment sheet.
The website is www.signupgenius.com
Enter: stambrose@mindspring.com in the search bar
Select the Worship Leader’s Priority Signup.
If you have any questions, please email stambrose@mindspring.com or call 650-574-1369.
The website is www.signupgenius.com
Enter: stambrose@mindspring.com in the search bar
Select the Worship Leader’s Priority Signup.
If you have any questions, please email stambrose@mindspring.com or call 650-574-1369.
Volunteers to give Eugene Hetzer a ride on Sundays
Long-time member Eugene Hetzer can use some transportation help on Sundays to worship at 10 am. The bus service is not very good on Sundays. If you are willing to give Eugene a ride occasionally, please sign up on the Volunteers to Give Eugene Hetzer a Ride sign-up sheet in the parish hall, or contact our Administrative Assistant, Margie Lee at stambrose@mindspring.com or at 650-574-1369 between 9 am and 1 pm. Monday through Thursday.
Altar Guild Flower Fund:
The St. Ambrose Altar Guild prepares the altar and sanctuary for each service. As part of these responsibilities, the guild provides the beautiful flower arrangements for the sanctuary. These flowers are funded by individual donations. The cost of the altar flowers is $65 per week, but any amount is welcome. You may contribute toward flowers in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days, or in memory of loved ones. To make a donation please complete the blue form in the flower pot on the credenza in the foyer, and place this blue form along with your donation in one of the white envelopes also found there. Checks are to be made out to St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Please put “Altar Flowers” in the memo line. To complete your donation, put the white envelope in the offertory plate or on the desk of the administrative assistant, which is the desk facing you when you enter the church office. Thank you! Your donation is much appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to Charlene Adolph (650-504-5525).
Sign up for E-script:
Good news: SaveMart, Lucky, and Food Maxx have recently partnered with E-script. If you haven’t already signed up for E-script, please sign up under Group name: St Ambrose and Group ID #139618933. All your support helps.
Long-time member Eugene Hetzer can use some transportation help on Sundays to worship at 10 am. The bus service is not very good on Sundays. If you are willing to give Eugene a ride occasionally, please sign up on the Volunteers to Give Eugene Hetzer a Ride sign-up sheet in the parish hall, or contact our Administrative Assistant, Margie Lee at stambrose@mindspring.com or at 650-574-1369 between 9 am and 1 pm. Monday through Thursday.
Altar Guild Flower Fund:
The St. Ambrose Altar Guild prepares the altar and sanctuary for each service. As part of these responsibilities, the guild provides the beautiful flower arrangements for the sanctuary. These flowers are funded by individual donations. The cost of the altar flowers is $65 per week, but any amount is welcome. You may contribute toward flowers in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days, or in memory of loved ones. To make a donation please complete the blue form in the flower pot on the credenza in the foyer, and place this blue form along with your donation in one of the white envelopes also found there. Checks are to be made out to St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Please put “Altar Flowers” in the memo line. To complete your donation, put the white envelope in the offertory plate or on the desk of the administrative assistant, which is the desk facing you when you enter the church office. Thank you! Your donation is much appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to Charlene Adolph (650-504-5525).
Sign up for E-script:
Good news: SaveMart, Lucky, and Food Maxx have recently partnered with E-script. If you haven’t already signed up for E-script, please sign up under Group name: St Ambrose and Group ID #139618933. All your support helps.
Mark Your Calendars
- Children’s Choir practices begin: Sunday, August 18, 11:15 am, Chapel
- Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting: Tuesday, August 20, 6 pm, Parish Hal
- School Board meeting: Tuesday, August 20, 7 pm., Parish Hall
- St. Ambrose Booth at the Foster City Summer Days: Saturday, August 24 – Sunday, August 25, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Leo Ryan Memorial Park
- Vestry meeting: Tuesday, August 27, 7 pm, Parish Hall
- Labor Day, Monday, September 2, Office is closed
- Inquirer’s and Confirmation Class: September, days and time to be arranged
- Commission of the Sunday School Teachers and Staff: Sunday, September 8, 10 am, Chapel
- Deanery of the Peninsula meeting: Saturday, September 14, 10 am to 12 Noon, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto, 94306
- Commissioning of the St. Ambrose Sea Breeze School Teachers and Choral Holy Eucharist followed by a Back to School Luncheon: Sunday, September 15, 10 am, Chapel, with lunch following, Parish Hall
- Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting: Tuesday, September 17, 6 pm, Parish Hal
- School Board meeting: Tuesday, September 17, 7 pm., Parish Hall
- Vestry meeting: Tuesday, September 24, 7 pm, Parish Hall
- Rector at Clergy Conference: Monday, September 30 – Wednesday, October 2, Bishop’s Ranch, Healdsburg
- Bishop’s Ranch Weekend: Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 13, Harrison House at the Bishop’s Ranch, 5297 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
- 170th Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of California: Friday, October 25 to Saturday, October 26, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
- 2019 Annual Stewardship Dinner: Saturday, November 16, 2019, 6:00 p.m., Foster City Recreation Center’s Lagoon and Blue Bird Rooms
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
Second Harvest Food Barrel: Thanks to all who donate. We have a new barrel to fill! Please bring cans of food when you come to worship and place it in the Second Harvest Food Barrel in the foyer. Monetary contributions to Second Harvest may be made to St. Ambrose, designated “Second Harvest,” or sent directly to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, Attention: Donation Dept., P.O. Box 213, San Mateo, CA 94401-0213.
DIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bishop Marc on Sabbatical until September 3
On June 10th, Bishop Marc resumed the sabbatical that he was not able to complete last summer.
He will be finishing his PhD dissertation, a process that will include a deeply meaningful trip to Vietnam to visit Thich Nhat Hanh's monastic community. Bishop Marc will be away until Tuesday, September 3. Thank you for your prayers and support!
On June 10th, Bishop Marc resumed the sabbatical that he was not able to complete last summer.
He will be finishing his PhD dissertation, a process that will include a deeply meaningful trip to Vietnam to visit Thich Nhat Hanh's monastic community. Bishop Marc will be away until Tuesday, September 3. Thank you for your prayers and support!
Caption: The Diocese of Olympia has a strong start with the Carbon Tracker with 97 households signed up! Here in the Diocese of California, where the tracker was born and developed, we have 339 households and counting. Here's to continuing the friendly competition to reduce our carbon footprints! Read more about the Diocese of Olympia using the carbon tracker here.
Holy Hikes @ Angel Island on Aug 24
Each month, Holy Hikes leads a Eucharistic hike through one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s beautiful green spaces. The hikes draw a diverse demographic from young children to seniors. All are welcome to attend. The next gathering will be at Angel Island on Saturday, August 24. People can either take ferries from SF (Pier 41) or Tiburon. We will meet on the island outside the concession area at 10:30am. See here for ferry schedule and prices:
From Tiburon: https://angelislandferry.com/schedule/
From SF: https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ferry/angel-island/
When: Saturday, August 24, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Angel Island
Contact: the Rev. Justin Cannon, holyhikes@gmail.com
Link: www.holyhikes.org
Fifth Annual Honoré Farm and Mill Wheat Harvest
Harvesting wheat helps us explore the sacred interconnection between earth and altar
Every year, we hear from volunteers how fun and meaningful their experience is while learning to harvest, thresh, winnow and mill wheat. As Christians interested in putting our faith into action, you’ll learn how important heirloom grains and local regenerative farming methods are to the health of the earth. If every altar in the county served communion bread or wafers made from a sustainable, heirloom source of wheat, the Episcopal Church would draw down 95 million pounds of co2 annually. And, maybe best of all, bread baked from this grain tastes like the bread of heaven. There’s also an awesome farm lunch afterwards! Link to the Event: Honoré Farm and Mill Fifth Annual Wheat Harvest
Location: Truett Hurst Winery, Healdsburg
Date: Saturday, August 24th
Each month, Holy Hikes leads a Eucharistic hike through one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s beautiful green spaces. The hikes draw a diverse demographic from young children to seniors. All are welcome to attend. The next gathering will be at Angel Island on Saturday, August 24. People can either take ferries from SF (Pier 41) or Tiburon. We will meet on the island outside the concession area at 10:30am. See here for ferry schedule and prices:
From Tiburon: https://angelislandferry.com/schedule/
From SF: https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ferry/angel-island/
When: Saturday, August 24, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Angel Island
Contact: the Rev. Justin Cannon, holyhikes@gmail.com
Link: www.holyhikes.org
Fifth Annual Honoré Farm and Mill Wheat Harvest
Harvesting wheat helps us explore the sacred interconnection between earth and altar
Every year, we hear from volunteers how fun and meaningful their experience is while learning to harvest, thresh, winnow and mill wheat. As Christians interested in putting our faith into action, you’ll learn how important heirloom grains and local regenerative farming methods are to the health of the earth. If every altar in the county served communion bread or wafers made from a sustainable, heirloom source of wheat, the Episcopal Church would draw down 95 million pounds of co2 annually. And, maybe best of all, bread baked from this grain tastes like the bread of heaven. There’s also an awesome farm lunch afterwards! Link to the Event: Honoré Farm and Mill Fifth Annual Wheat Harvest
Location: Truett Hurst Winery, Healdsburg
Date: Saturday, August 24th
Commemorating 400 years of African American History and Culture:
An invitation to participate in Healing Day National Bell Ringing
August 25 at 3:00 pm EDT
An invitation to participate in Healing Day National Bell Ringing
August 25 at 3:00 pm EDT
[August 6, 2019] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Bishop James B. Magness invite Episcopal churches to take part in a national action to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619 by tolling their bells for one minute on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 3:00 pm ET.
Watch Presiding Bishop Curry’s video message here.
“The National Park Service is commissioning, and asking, churches and people from around this country to commemorate and remember that landing and the bringing of those first enslaved Africans to this country by ringing bells. And if possible, by tolling the bells of churches and to do so on August 25 at 3:00 in the afternoon,” said Curry. “I’m inviting us as The Episcopal Church to join in this commemoration as part of our continued work of racial healing and reconciliation. At 3:00 pm we can join together with people of other Christian faiths and people of all faiths to remember those who came as enslaved, who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty. And so we remember them and pray for a new future for us all.”
This national bell ringing is among the Healing Day events being held at Fort Monroe National Monument to commemorate the 400th anniversary of that landing.
“The 2019 commemoration of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America is for me a highly personal occasion,” said Magness. “As a descendent of slaveholders, and as a white male who came of age in the racially polarized south during the 1950s and 1960s, I am painfully aware of my own complicity in furthering and perpetuating the subjugation of my African American brothers and sisters. At a time when the racial divide
in this country seems to be growing rather than diminishing, we are in dire need of a
moment, an event when we can stop and take stock of our responsibilities to bring the races together, perhaps in a new manner that truly is an embrace of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.”
“Let’s unite as one on this day and show our appreciation for 400 years of African American history,” said Terry E. Brown, Fort Monroe National Monument superintendent. “We must embrace the West African concept of Sankofa, which teaches us we must go back to our roots in order to move forward.”
The site of the ship's arrival is the present site of Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, Virginia.
"The first African people were brought to this continent in harrowing and dehumanizing circumstances. As we remember the 400th anniversary of their arrival, I pray that we will do the hard work of reconciliation that God longs for us to do,” said Susan Goff, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. “God forgive us. God give us courage and resolve. And God bless us."
As recorded by English colonist John Rolfe, the arrival of "20 and odd" African men and women at Point Comfort in late August 1619, was a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Stolen by English privateers from a Spanish slave ship and brought to Point Comfort on a ship called the White Lion, these natives of west central Africa are believed to have been traded for food and supplies. They were the first Africans to be brought to English North America.
“With bells tolling across America, we pause to lament the centuries of suffering and wrenching grief of slavery and racism in our land,” said Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. “The first slave trade ship to land 400 years ago planted the seed of sin that spread through the active participation and complicit passivity of nearly every American institution. As we grieve, may we dedicate ourselves to addressing systemic racism and the multi-generational impact of enslavement and discrimination faced by all of the African diaspora.”
As the landing point for the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies in 1619 and the site of the first emancipation policy decision during the Civil War, Fort Monroe marks both the beginning and the end of slavery in the United States.
About Fort Monroe
The majority of the Fort Monroe peninsula was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Monroe National Monument was proclaimed by President Barak Obama in 2011. In 2018 President Donald Trump signed into law the 400 years of African American History Commission Act. A
special Federal Commission was formed to commemorate and educate the American public about the 1619 arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies at Port Comfort, Virginia.
Visit www.nps.gov/fomr and www.facebook.com/FortMonroeNPS for more information.
Watch Presiding Bishop Curry’s video message here.
“The National Park Service is commissioning, and asking, churches and people from around this country to commemorate and remember that landing and the bringing of those first enslaved Africans to this country by ringing bells. And if possible, by tolling the bells of churches and to do so on August 25 at 3:00 in the afternoon,” said Curry. “I’m inviting us as The Episcopal Church to join in this commemoration as part of our continued work of racial healing and reconciliation. At 3:00 pm we can join together with people of other Christian faiths and people of all faiths to remember those who came as enslaved, who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty. And so we remember them and pray for a new future for us all.”
This national bell ringing is among the Healing Day events being held at Fort Monroe National Monument to commemorate the 400th anniversary of that landing.
“The 2019 commemoration of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America is for me a highly personal occasion,” said Magness. “As a descendent of slaveholders, and as a white male who came of age in the racially polarized south during the 1950s and 1960s, I am painfully aware of my own complicity in furthering and perpetuating the subjugation of my African American brothers and sisters. At a time when the racial divide
in this country seems to be growing rather than diminishing, we are in dire need of a
moment, an event when we can stop and take stock of our responsibilities to bring the races together, perhaps in a new manner that truly is an embrace of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.”
“Let’s unite as one on this day and show our appreciation for 400 years of African American history,” said Terry E. Brown, Fort Monroe National Monument superintendent. “We must embrace the West African concept of Sankofa, which teaches us we must go back to our roots in order to move forward.”
The site of the ship's arrival is the present site of Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, Virginia.
"The first African people were brought to this continent in harrowing and dehumanizing circumstances. As we remember the 400th anniversary of their arrival, I pray that we will do the hard work of reconciliation that God longs for us to do,” said Susan Goff, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. “God forgive us. God give us courage and resolve. And God bless us."
As recorded by English colonist John Rolfe, the arrival of "20 and odd" African men and women at Point Comfort in late August 1619, was a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Stolen by English privateers from a Spanish slave ship and brought to Point Comfort on a ship called the White Lion, these natives of west central Africa are believed to have been traded for food and supplies. They were the first Africans to be brought to English North America.
“With bells tolling across America, we pause to lament the centuries of suffering and wrenching grief of slavery and racism in our land,” said Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. “The first slave trade ship to land 400 years ago planted the seed of sin that spread through the active participation and complicit passivity of nearly every American institution. As we grieve, may we dedicate ourselves to addressing systemic racism and the multi-generational impact of enslavement and discrimination faced by all of the African diaspora.”
As the landing point for the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies in 1619 and the site of the first emancipation policy decision during the Civil War, Fort Monroe marks both the beginning and the end of slavery in the United States.
About Fort Monroe
The majority of the Fort Monroe peninsula was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Monroe National Monument was proclaimed by President Barak Obama in 2011. In 2018 President Donald Trump signed into law the 400 years of African American History Commission Act. A
special Federal Commission was formed to commemorate and educate the American public about the 1619 arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies at Port Comfort, Virginia.
Visit www.nps.gov/fomr and www.facebook.com/FortMonroeNPS for more information.
Observe the Season of Creation at your congregation!
The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action to protect creation. It is celebrated by Christians of all traditions. Leaders of faith traditions, including Bishop Marc Andrus who is part of the Season of Creation Advisory Committee, encourage the faithful to participate through events, service, and worship.
The season begins September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis, who is the patron saint of ecology in many traditions. The theme of this year’s celebration is “the web of life”. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are on a pilgrimage to better care for creation.
More information including liturgical and formation resources as well as ways to register your events can be found here: https://seasonofcreation.org/
Security in Houses of Worship and Faith-Based Organizations
In light of recent terrorist attacks on houses of worship around the globe and in our nation, the San Francisco Interfaith Council and its collaborating partners invite you to participate in an important workshop designed to equip you with the necessary resources to best support your religious institutions in addressing this critical and timely need.
When: Monday, September 9, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption (St. Francis Hall), 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco
Register: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eghfgdxv95f0aed5&oseq=&c=&ch=
Save the Date Healing Racism Training on September 13 and 14
Healing Racism Training by the Kaleidoscope Institute is coming to DioCal on September 13 and September 14 at Holy Cross, Castro Valley. Kaleidoscope Institute is one of the leading providers of anti-racism training in the Episcopal Church and are known for the context based work. This training session satisfies the requirements for all persons in the ordination process as well as diocesan leadership positions.
When: Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14
Where: Holy Cross, 19179 Center St, Castro Valley
Save the date on your calendar; sign-ups will begin next week.
Contact: Eric Metoyer (ericm@diocal.org) with your questions.
Diocesan Convention draft resolutions available online for comment
The current drafts of this year's proposed resolutions have now been posted on the DioCal website here. Most have not yet undergone revision with the Resolutions Committee, so changes are to be expected. Public comments discussing any resolution can be entered on the website and are invited.
Link: https://diocal.org/2019-resolutions
The current drafts of this year's proposed resolutions have now been posted on the DioCal website here. Most have not yet undergone revision with the Resolutions Committee, so changes are to be expected. Public comments discussing any resolution can be entered on the website and are invited.
Link: https://diocal.org/2019-resolutions
For DioBytes Archive
Please click on the link above for past issues of the DioBytes for Weekly News from the Episcopal Diocese of California
Please click on the link above for past issues of the DioBytes for Weekly News from the Episcopal Diocese of California
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
HIP Housing is a Non-Profit Organization in San Mateo County:
The purpose of this non-profit is to connect people with extra living space in their homes with people who are looking for a room to rent. A flier about HIP Housing is posted in the Parish Hall on the Community News Bulletin Board. To contact HIP Housing call 650-348-6660. To schedule an appointment to discuss home sharing opportunities or other available affordable housing visit www.HIPhousing.org. On this website you will also find information about Rooms For Rent Providers and Rooms for Rent Seekers.
The purpose of this non-profit is to connect people with extra living space in their homes with people who are looking for a room to rent. A flier about HIP Housing is posted in the Parish Hall on the Community News Bulletin Board. To contact HIP Housing call 650-348-6660. To schedule an appointment to discuss home sharing opportunities or other available affordable housing visit www.HIPhousing.org. On this website you will also find information about Rooms For Rent Providers and Rooms for Rent Seekers.
Worshipers targeted by gift card scam
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
We’re seeing a new spin on gift card scams. This time scammers are pretending to be a pastor, rabbi, priest, imam or bishop. They’re asking worshipers for gift card contributions for a worthy cause. Appeals are often made by email, but we’ve heard people are also getting texts and phone calls, too.
Link: Read more here and see where you can report the scam.
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
We’re seeing a new spin on gift card scams. This time scammers are pretending to be a pastor, rabbi, priest, imam or bishop. They’re asking worshipers for gift card contributions for a worthy cause. Appeals are often made by email, but we’ve heard people are also getting texts and phone calls, too.
Link: Read more here and see where you can report the scam.