Gracious and loving God, we come to you for guidance and strength as we elect a new bishop for the Diocese of El Camino Real. Help us to discern your desire

for your people and to call a shepherd who can guide us in your path. Help us to be open to the movement of your Spirit as we call a bishop who will show us the wonders and excitement of more fully becoming your disciples. Help us to elect a bishop who will walk the difficult roads with us and take us closer to the Kingdom

that you desire for us. Keep our search committee committed to one another in their task, give them the strength and perseverance to listen to the people of this diocese and to your guidance, and help them remember to delight in one another even as they move through this most serious of responsibilities.

We ask all of this in the name of your Son, our loving Savior and ever- present Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Amen

Administrative items:

• Bishop Search Committee—This Saturday, June 16, we will gather in Convention to discern the next bishop of El Camino Real. Our last week of preparation has been a flurry of activity as 1000 people turned out to meet with the five nominees. Between 800 and 900 people attended the Presentation Tours to hear the nominees respond to questions, and over 100 people attended the coffees which offered an opportunity for informal conversation with the nominees. The Search Committee sends thanks to everyone who participated in the tour sessions and coffees. The nominees all fell in love with our diocese and spoke of their appreciation for our hospitality. Special thanks go to the deaneries for providing meals for the nominees and their families, to the volunteers who served as ushers at the Tour Events and the people of St. Stephen's – San Luis Obispo, St. Mary's – Pacific Grove and St. Jude's – Cupertino for hosting the coffees. For the last nine months, your prayers have supported the Search Committee and those who have been discerning their ministry with us. Please continue to pray for our diocese and for the nominees and their families in these last days and hours before the Convention and as we gather on Saturday.
• Election results for each ballot will be posted to our diocesan website, www.edecr.org, or through the direct link at: http://www.edecr.org/bishopsearch/bpsearch-ballot.htm  as the results are known on the convention floor. This will be a “real” time posting.
• Please know that we are being prayed for this weekend for a successful electing convention from around the Anglican Communion - worldwide. The following is a letter that The Rev. Jerry Drino received from one of our Sudanese friends: I thank my God every time, I remember you in all my prayers for all of you (in El Camino Real). I always pray with joy, because of your partnership in Lord Jesus Christ & the sponsoring you offered to me, from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It's right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether i am in the chains or defending and confirming the gospel; all of you share in God's grace with me. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more & more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is the best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. For this reason, ever since i heard & received your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious father, may give you the Holy Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know whom the right, He chooses or elects to be the Bishop of your diocese on Saturday, pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened & lead by Him. And His incomparably great power for us who believes, that power is like the working of mighty strengthen. Remember all the true or good leaders are selected by God not the people ,so already God knows who will be the right person to lead the diocese, so we shouldn't be worry for that. Thanks, Yours son, Abuna Jacob Nhial Guut…
• Important Reminders for Electing Convention: Please note that only clergy and delegates who are voting will be allowed on the electing convention floor at York School. Alternates and visitors are reminded that they will be in another area on site adjacent to the convention floor. Seating is limited. Also, and very important, parking is limited at York school, so we request that you carpool with others in your area.  Thanks for your help in following these request to assure that the process of the day flows well. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
• Along the King’s Highway –The July edition will be sent to the printer on Monday – after the electing convention – and should arrive in your mailboxes the first week in July. Look for a statement by our new bishop elect in this edition! The August edition will be an on-line only edition.
• Deployment/Position Postings – Detailed postings for jobs can be seen by clicking on the following link: http://www.edecr.org/jobs.htm . New posting:
  • St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA is accepting applications through July 31, 2007 for the position of adult choir director. Duties include working with a volunteer adult choir, praise band, one Thursday evening rehearsal and one Sunday morning Eucharist each week. To see the complete listing of the job description, go to www.saintjudes.org and click on Choir Director Position Open.
• Staff Vacations: Susan Altig will be out of the office from Monday June 18^th until Monday July 2^nd. Brian Nordwick will be out of the office from Monday July 2^nd until Wednesday July 18^th.

Announcements:

• 6/22-23 MILPITAS RELAY FOR LIFE (St. Joseph’s Team) – The Relay starts at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 22nd and will continue through till 10:00 am on Saturday, June 23rd. Our St. Joseph’s team will be supporting the American Cancer Society theme “Treasure Your Chest” promoting the importance of mammograms. The team will also promote “Look Good – Feel Better” program by promoting turban making with scarves, bandana or old shirts. The American Cancer Society is working with Relay For Life communities like ours to eliminate cancer through... research, education, advocacy, and service. One of St. Joseph’s participants Diane Lovelace shares, “This is an event that honors those fighting cancer as well as survivors. In my own life, my husband Michael Lee Eberle died from cancer. I have other friends taken by cancer. I have many friends fighting cancer today. I would be honored to walk in honor or in memory of someone you know who has been touched by cancer. For a donation to the American Cancer Society, I will make sure that person's name is included in the Luminaria Ceremony, when candles are lit and we remember those who have been touched by cancer. The Relay for Life is a fundraising activity for the American Cancer Society. I am reaching out to you for a donation. You can see me personally for a cash donation. You can make checks payable to the American Cancer Society and put them in the mail before the event to me at: Diane Lovelace, 1641 Country Club Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035
• The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) are in need of a Recording Secretary. Duties are to attend approximately ten (10) meetings a year and record the minutes for them. The minutes can be distributed either electronically or by mail. There will be no extra committee meetings involved. Contact Bev Anderson at 831-899-3345 or bev.larry[atecr]comcast.net  OR Jane Pomeroy at 408-263-8485 or jane.pomeroy[atecr]prodigy.net 
• Sierra Backpacking: The Second Winders, a program sponsored by the Diocese, is taking sign-ups this month for the three trips during July 28-August 4. The cost, including food, group equipment, and permits is $130; there is no cost for clergy. See www.secondwinders.org , or call Lewis Pollard, 408-269-6657.
• JULY 2007 – GROWING GOD’S MISSION IN SMALL CONGREGATIONS - There will be opportunities to highlight the vitality of program and ministry in small congregations, share creative “thinking out of the box” solutions, explore alternative leadership models, examine national and diocesan trends, explore available resources, and network on common issues. (See attached flyer -- please post on church bulletin board.). WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Vestry/Bishop’s Committee members, Clergy and Lay leaders. MARK YOUR CALENDAR for a conference near your location: Sat. July 7 at St. James’, Palo Robles, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Wed., July 11 at St. Philip’s, San Jose, from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sat., July 14 at Epiphany, Marina, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact Co-Chair: Rev. Keith Johnson at Keithj0731[atecr]aol.com or Diane Lovelace at DiLovelace[atecr]aol.com .
• Mountain Holy Time Retreats - Dara na Bridget, Sierra City - July 6-9, 20-23, August 1-4. Dara na Bridget (The Oaks of St. Bridget) is a home retreat center at the foot of the Sierra Buttes near Sierra City offering access to the famous Alpine Lakes Region, Tahoe National Forest and the Yuba River. The retreats this summer will focus on the Christian Nature Wisdom Tradition. Come, learn and experience the nature wisdom of our Christian heritage. Be inspired by the Holy Spirit as you settle into a beautiful natural setting with fellow Christians seeking a deeper communion with God through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray and learn to reflect and meditate outdoors. Be refreshed and recreated. For information or reservations contact Roger Wharton at: roger[atecr]ecospirit.org or 408-451-9310.

Ministry items:

• Youth Ministry –
  • Sierra Service Project: Scheduled for the week of July 15th at an urban site in South Los Angeles. Call or e-mail with any questions leannbrooks[atecr]hotmail.com 805-466-1060 (h) 805-550-9832 (c)
  • Camp Saint Andrew’s: This is a week-long nondenominational summer camp (now a Diocesan summer camp!) from July 29 through August 4 for children ages 8 – 15. For information or to enroll go to www.campsaintandrews.com
  • Spirit West Coast – will be held in Monterey (Laguna Seca) on August 2-4. We will be organizing a group from ECR. If you are in interested in attending, or desire more information, please contact Desi Brown. Also, you can view details at the following link: http://www.spiritwestcoast.org/home.php
  • Big Sur Camping Trip: Please note the dates for the St. Lucia Big Sur Youth Camp are Friday, October 5 – Sunday, October 7.
  • Contact info for Desi Brown – Diocesan Youth Coordinator: Email – desi[atecr]edecr.org Phone - 408-710-4795.
• Attention Young Adults…"Camino: A Sacred Journey" is set for September 21-23 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, California. Through provocative workshops, creative worship and an interactive urban pilgrimage focused on global peace and justice, participants of Camino will partake in an urban pilgrimage, exploring the cities many contrasts, paradoxes, eccentricities and challenges while discovering sites where the values of the Millennium Development Goals, Baptismal Covenant and Franciscan Spirituality are being practiced. Camino builds upon the work and consensus of the Young Adult Ministry Network consultations of the last three years to provide an opportunity for young adults (ages 18-30), and those designated by their parishes and dioceses as young adult ministers, to come together in community and discuss the place of young adults in the church. Cost for the three-day event is $340/Single; $195/Double; and $130/Commuter. The fees include all program fees, housing and most meals. To register visit … https://www.conference.com/eventmanager/OnlineRegistration.asp?EventCode=ROY . For further information, contact the Rev. Douglas Fenton, staff officer, Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries for the Episcopal Church, at 800-334-7626 ext 6323 or e-mail dfenton[atecr]episcopalchurch.org .

Important Training / Dates to mark on your calendars:

• Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry: The EAM Consultation this year will be held on June 28-July 2, 2007 at the Westin Hotel-LAX Airport in Los Angeles, CA. Every parish/mission is entitled to send at least 1 clergy, 1 lay leader and 1 young adult. This year’s theme is Working Towards Being “Competent Leaders in a Diverse, Changing World”, Part II. EAM Consultation materials, including registration, can be viewed at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/asian_84186_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=55768.
• Ministry Training will be held on August 4th at Good Shepherd in Salinas for the following: EM (Eucharistic Minister), EV (Eucharistic Visitor), Stephen’s Ministry, and Safe Church training will be offered. Please mark you calendars with more details to follow.
• Train the Auditor training will be offered this year on Saturday, August 11th. This training is open to anyone who has a desire to become certified as a parish/mission financial auditor/reviewer, and would be willing to share this important ministry with other congregations. You do not need to be an accountant or CPA to be a church auditor. We are looking for people who are willing to help congregations work on their best practices. If you are interested, please contact me at: brian[atecr]edecr.org .

Diocesan Office Meetings:

• This Week: Staff meeting on Tuesday in Seaside; Standing Committee on Thursday in Seaside; Budget Advisory Committee in Gilroy, today; Convention planning at York School, today; Bishop Electing Convention on Saturday at York School.
• Next Week: Finance Committee on Tuesday the 19th in Seaside; Council on Thursday the 21st in Seaside.

Dear Lord God, we ask your richest blessings to fall upon each of our Bishop nominees, their families and dear ones. We give you thanks and praise for bringing them into our midst – to share themselves with us in the special ways that they have. Uphold them with a sense of peace and calm in the coming hours. Help each of them to accept your will and the results of the electing convention with dignity, humility and grace.

In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN