From The Ven. Mary Gray-Reeves to the people of the Diocese of El Camino Real….

Dear Friends in Christ,

May God’s Grace be with you, and may you know God’s transforming power in your life.

First let me thank you for your hospitality made known to us in the many emails and cards you have sent. We have been truly blessed by your enthusiasm and excitement. Mike, Katie, Dorian and I are grateful for the outpouring of heartfelt warmth and love. We feel that same love for you, and are eager to begin our life with you in El Camino Real. Certainly, our process has been successful and the call affirmed – in a very big and fast way!

The flurry of post-election excitement has now shifted to a very important time of transition. It feels a little like the commercial that was popular a couple of years ago, where a group of young dot-com folks are eagerly watching a computer screen to see how many hits/orders will initially come in on their new website. They look at each other happy and delighted at their success, laughing confidently as the counter slowly increases. Suddenly, the counter skyrockets to an exorbitant number of hits that they will not be able to manage; an expression of terrified helplessness settles on their faces! How will they ever manage all this success?!

Thankfully, we do not feel terrified or helpless and are blessed with a wonderful transition team to help give our call a very solid beginning. As with the characters in the ad, we are enjoying an exciting beginning to this new ministry, and at the same time a good dose of reality has settled in. I am aware that our desire and energy will only grow if we do the slow and steady work of releasing our life here in Southeast Florida. Before arriving in El Camino Real, we must say goodbye to family and friends, and carefully transition my work to those who will serve in the interim, before our bishop chooses a new Archdeacon for Deployment. I ask your patience during this important time, and assure you that if we do it well, the foundation we will build in these first months will be solid and sturdy, and will serve us well for years to come. Our excitement, enthusiasm and love for one another will be built on solid ground, and therefore, will grow and deepen throughout the years. It will encourage us to feel safe and free to follow where Jesus calls, and will build our confidence in one another to share diligently in a mission that will call us to great creativity – and risk!

So in the meantime: between the exuberance of God declaring our call together loudly and boldly almost two weeks ago and the day we actually begin life together, let us pray for and support one another in this work of preparation to be partners in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.

May we continue to revel in our excitement, enthusiasm and love for one another. May we trust God in all things. May we know God’s abiding Peace as we move through this time of change.

Mary+

Administrative items:

• Staff Vacations: Susan Altig will be back in the office from a 2 week vacation on Monday July 2nd. Brian Nordwick will be out of the office from Monday July 2nd until Wednesday July 18th.
• We collected $2,000.00 from the offering at convention with $1,000.00 being sent to the St. Francis Retreat Building Fund and $1,000.00 to help defray the costs of a new copy machine in the Diocese of Belize. Thank you for your generosity!
• Along the King’s Highway – The July edition is at the printer – and should arrive in your mailboxes the first week in July. 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:
  • NEW - Bookkeeper, All Saints, Carmel. Posted 6/29/2007. All Saints Carmel is seeking applicants through July 18 for the position of bookkeeper. This is a part-time (20 hours per week,) full-charge bookkeeping position. Typical duties include, recording income and expenses to journals and the general ledger, and preparing financial reports. To see the job description and obtain an application, please go to, www.allsaintscarmel.org, and click on “Bookkeeper Position Open,” or telephone 624-3883
  • Adult Choir Director, St. Jude’s Cupertino
  • Director of Christian Education, All Saint’s Palo Alto
  • Youth Director, St. Paul’s Salinas

Announcements:

• 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.
• Epiphany in Marina is selling fireworks at their fireworks stand, starting June 28th. The location of the stand is at 265 Reservation Road, Marina Square Shopping Center. The stand is on the West side of McDonalds. If you your community allows for safe and legal 4th of July fireworks, stop by the Epiphany stand. The stand is a joint partnership with Lions Club and Epiphany.

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: Tuesday the 26th the Diocesan Leadership Team met in Seaside; Wednesday the 27th, the Communications Committee met in San Jose; Thursday the 28th the Conference Planning Research Team met via conference call.
   
• Next Week: Commission on Ministry meets in Seaside on Tuesday the 3rd.

Faith is not just belief without proof; it's trust without reservation…