Former priest with Anglican church arrested for sex crimes, police say

From San Joaquin (ACNA)-

A former priest with the Anglican church is now facing charges of sexual abuse. 

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer held a joint news conference with Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp on Monday, to discuss the charges against Jesus Antonio Castañeda-Serna.

Serna was arrested on Sunday, February 24th after complaints were filed with the Fresno Police Department.

Police say four accusers have come forward, but they are certain there are many more.
"Serna has preyed on undocumented males, and perhaps an undocumented female, knowing they'd be reluctant to go to police," Dyer said.

More here-

https://kmph.com/news/local/police-announce-arrest-of-former-anglican-diocese-of-san-joaquin-priest 

and here-

https://abc30.com/fresno-police-arrest-anglican-church-priest-for-series-of-sex-crimes/5156232/

and here-

https://lompocrecord.com/news/state-and-regional/anglican-priest-arrested-in-fresno-for-alleged-sex-abuse/article_2e40f5a2-ed86-566d-98f7-6b2ffc892e4c.html

and here-

https://www.fresnobee.com/latest-news/article226782514.html

San Joaquin: David Rice elected, seated as bishop provisional

From San Joaquin-

In the midst of hundreds of applauding and cheering supporters and well-wishers, the Rt. Rev. David Rice was formally seated March 29 as bishop provisional of the Diocese of San Joaquin in California’s Central Valley.

“I am truly excited about experiencing the many ways in which Episcopalians in San Joaquin will continue to join in and respond to the extraordinary things that God is already doing in the lives of the people of this valley,” said Rice, before the overflow gathering at St. Paul’s Church in Bakersfield. He had been elected at a special convention earlier in the day.

Guest preacher at the festal Eucharist celebrating Rice’s election was Archbishop Philip Richardson of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, who said he brought a message “to the Diocese of San Joaquin and the wider Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. that the bonds of affection between us are important and strong.”

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/03/31/san-joaquin-david-rice-elected-seated-as-bishop-provisional/

Retired bishop who led split from Episcopal church dies in Fresno

From Modesto-

Retired Anglican Bishop John-David Schofield, who led the Diocese of San Joaquin to leave the U.S. Episcopal Church over Scripture interpretation, died Tuesday morning. He was 75.

Bishop Eric Menees, who was flying home from Rome on Wednesday, said on the diocese’s website that the Rev. Schofield died peacefully at his northwest Fresno home, sitting in his favorite green chair.

“My heart is heavy because I am selfish and desire my brother by my side,” Menees said, “but also joyful because I know that at this moment he has heard the words of our Lord: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

Funeral arrangements are pending. There will be an open-casket viewing and vigil from 7:45 a.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday at St. James Cathedral, 4147 E. Dakota Ave. in Fresno.

Read more here:

http://www.modbee.com/2013/10/30/3002660/former-anglican-bishop-schofield.html#storylink=cpy

Fresno Episcopal church to build labyrinth

From San Joaquin-

Holy Family Episcopal Church – Fresno's only remaining Episcopal congregation – has cleared the way to build a community labyrinth.

Construction crews demolished the church-owned, 2,200-square-foot home in front of the church last week. The home had been used for church services, offices and community events over the years. Now the area, at 1135 E. Alluvial Ave., will be turned into a labyrinth, which has been a church goal for some time.

"It's a very meditative and contemplative tool – and can be used by people of all faiths and walks of life," says the church's pastor, the Rev. Michele Racusin, adding that the church hopes to complete the labyrinth by Easter, which is April 8. "That's what the Episcopal Church is all about."

In 2007, three Episcopal congregations in Fresno – St. Columba, St. James' Cathedral and St. Mary's – joined a Diocese of San Joaquin movement out of the U.S. Episcopal Church over debate about same-sex blessings, consecration of a partnered gay priest and interpretation of the Bible over these issues. St. Columba, St. James' Cathedral and St. Mary's are now part of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. Holy Family Episcopal Church remained an Episcopal congregation.

Read more:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/11/04/2603089/fresno-episcopal-church-to-build.html#ixzz1crqKKF3v

Executive Council renews San Joaquin support, urges new vision of ministry

From ENS-

The Episcopal Church's Executive Council spent part of the last day of its Oct. 21-24 meeting here encouraging Episcopalians to envision new ways of doing ministry.
It pledged continued support to the reorganizing Diocese of San Joaquin, urging the remaining Episcopalians to establish Latino/Hispanic ministry in the heavily Hispanic Central Valley of California.

The council also welcomed a report from its United Thank Offering study group saying that the group and the UTO have developed a much closer working relationship and have resolved many of the concerns that prompted the study. The work is the result of a two-year effort to clarify the organization's relationship to the church, explore of ways to increase giving to the UTO, ways to make UTO better known to others in the church and ways to expand the organization's approach to funding mission activities.

The decisions came on the last day of council's four day meeting here. The council issued a message to the church at the end of the meeting. The text is here.

Encouraging new ministry in San Joaquin

The council agreed to loan the diocese of San Joaquin $285,000 to help pay for its operating expenses next year. The council also decided to grant the diocese $40,000 to help it establish a program of Latino/Hispanic ministry.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_130308_ENG_HTM.htm

Valley churches move on after splits on values

From San Joaquin-

Some national church denominations have changed their standards in recent years – stirring debate among congregations about whether to stay or find a new path.

In the central San Joaquin Valley, some congregations have chosen to leave their denominations because, they say, it doesn't represent their traditional values. The goodbyes have worked out for the churches, but they have been difficult.

The trend has reached three major denominations – the U.S. Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA) and most recently the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Easton is the latest church to disassociate with the ELCA, citing differences in doctrine. The Easton church follows similar pullouts by other small Lutheran churches in Kingsburg, Madera, Auberry and Tulare.

"All across the country, people get to a point where they are deciding what is most important to them – and they are going out and doing it," says the Rev. Gary Gould, a visiting pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is without a full-time pastor. Gould retired as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Madera, which voted three months ago to leave the ELCA over differences in hiring Gould's replacement.

Read more:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/08/05/2490283/valley-churches-move-on-after.html#ixzz1UL89U100

US bishop ends ban on blessing of same-sex couples

From San Joaquin (via England)-

Gay marriage still unauthorised but California bishop gives support to same-gender civil marriages, domestic partnerships and relationships

A bishop in the US Episcopal church has authorised the use of blessings for same-sex couples, breaking a ban on one of the most divisive issues affecting the Anglican communion.

Chester Talton, from the diocese of San Joaquin, in California, has told clergy they may perform blessings of "same-gender civil marriages, domestic partnerships and relationships which are lifelong committed relationships characterised by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect [and] careful, honest communication".

The US state recognises domestic partnerships between gay and heterosexual couples as long as one or both of the people involved is 62 or older. Same-sex marriages were also legal for a short while in the state.

A statement from the diocese said: "We must also recognise there are same-gender couples in relationships who have not entered in domestic partnerships, perceiving them to be inferior to marriage and who, for various reasons, did not or could not marry during the brief time when same gender marriages were legal.

More here-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/09/us-bishop-ends-ban-same-sex-blessings

New bishop to visit St. John's Episcopal

From San Joaquin-

The new bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin will meet the congregation at St. John's Episcopal Church, where he will preside at both services on Sunday.

The Rt. Rev. Chester Talton, who became bishop during the first week of March, replaces Jerry Lamb, the diocese's first bishop after the diocese split two years ago when Episcopal Church USA appointed V. Eugene Robinson, an openly gay man, as bishop of the New Hampshire Diocese.

It was a bitter divorce, and Talton said in a phone interview Thursday that his goal is to rebuild and strengthen the diocese. Although St. John's is a large church, several in the diocese are very small and don't even conduct services in church buildings.

More here-

http://www.lodinews.com/religion/article_34f476f3-4016-5efc-90ff-18b4fe325122.html

Episcopal bishop aims to strengthen diocese of San Joaquin

From The Modesto Bee-

The Rev. Chester Talton, who was born in Arkansas and moved to California as a toddler during the war years, is the new provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He hopes to focus on spreading the good news of Jesus and doing outreach projects while continuing the legal efforts to regain property lost when Anglican Bishop John-David Schofield led the diocese away from the Episcopal Church over theological issues.

Talton replaces Bishop Jerry Lamb, who retired after a three-year tenure to his home in New Mexico.

The Bee spoke with the new bishop about his childhood, calling to the priesthood and vision for the future.

Read more:

http://www.modbee.com/2011/03/18/1605388/episcopal-bishop-aimsto-strengthen.html#ixzz1HAQA7Rl4

SAN JOAQUIN: 'A great day' as Chet Talton is seated as provisional bishop

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. Chester Lovelle Talton was formally seated March 5 as provisional bishop of the Modesto-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin at Holy Family Church in Fresno, California.

Earlier in the day, delegates to a special convention had approved a resolution affirming Talton as the Central California Valley diocese's provisional bishop, said Cindy Smith, president of the diocesan standing committee.

"We've got 19 congregations and everybody was there and accounted for, all the parishes and clergy. The resolution that the standing committee put forward passed unanimously. Everybody very much wanted Bishop Chet," said Smith during a March 6 telephone interview from her Bakersfield home.

Talton succeeds the Rt. Rev. Jerry A. Lamb, who had served as provisional bishop since Feb. 2008. Lamb had announced his intention to retire and called for the special meeting, in accordance with Article V Section 4 of the diocesan constitution.

"We had a great turnout, over 200 people, the church was packed," Smith said.
The ministries of both Jerry and Jane Lamb were recognized during the afternoon festivities, which included the symbolic passing of the crosier from Lamb to Talton, she added.

The two bishops shared the sermon time, which Lamb used to thank the continuing diocese for its efforts to rebuild.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_127465_ENG_HTM.htm

Judge narrows Stockton church lawsuit Court removes priest, vestry in Stockton case

From California-

The Church of St. John the Evangelist in Stockton won a ruling last week against the Episcopal diocese when a judge dropped the names of the priest and the 12 volunteer members of the vestry — the church's ruling body — from the lawsuit.

Judge Lesley Holland of San Joaquin Superior Court removed the 13 names of the defendants in the lawsuit filed by Episcopal Bishop Jerry Lamb against the parish in September. It leaves the parish's corporation as the sole defendant.

It was good news for St. John's in the ongoing dispute between the Episcopal diocese, headquartered in Modesto and led by Lamb, against the Anglican diocese, headquartered in Fresno and led by Bishop John-David Schofield.

"The action (of naming individuals in the lawsuit) was meant to scare and intimidate," the church's priest, the Rev. Lee Nelson, said Monday. "What I'm glad about is that (the volunteers) don't have to worry about a judgment pending against them.
"It's a real relief that my name isn't on the thing anymore. You almost feel like a criminal with your name on a court document. Why can't we just have a simple dispute between parties? Now, the judge made it very clear, that's how the court sees it and how it will be resolved from here on."

Schofield led the diocese to split from the national Episcopal church in December 2007 over theological issues and the interpretation of Scripture; most Anglicans do not believe same-sex clergy should be ordained and do believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation. About 40 parishes followed Schofield; seven chose to remain Episcopal.


Read more:

http://www.modbee.com/2011/01/24/1526572/judge-narrows-church-lawsuit.html#ixzz1C3ts1HmV

Anglicans begin search for new bishop

From California-

The area's Anglican community is taking steps to find a new bishop for the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. The current bishop, John-David Schofield, announced in 2009 that he plans to retire in October this year.

Schofield, who was elected bishop in 1988, helped lead a secession movement out of the U.S. Episcopal Church in 2007 amid debate over same-sex blessings; the consecration of a partnered gay priest, the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, as a bishop; and how to interpret the Bible over such issues. Schofield led the former Episcopal diocese into the new Anglican Church in North America in 2009.

Read more:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/01/07/2224151/anglicans-begin-search-for-new.html#ixzz1ATZHJIDF

'Moving on': Congregations, continuing dioceses celebrate growth, new life and ministry

From ENS-

Episcopalians in the renewing dioceses of San Joaquin, Quincy, Pittsburgh and Fort Worth say the challenges of living through church divisions have also led them to new life, increased mission and outreach, deepened community and an empowered laity.

Initially, property, financial and other struggles may seem daunting for congregations starting up or starting over, but Grace Episcopal Mission in Bakersfield, California, in the continuing Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, is a reminder to "hang in there and keep hope and have faith and work hard," said the Rev. Tim Vivian, vicar, during a recent telephone interview from his office.

"We started from nothing," as a house church in 2007 with a dozen members meeting in each other's living rooms, he recalled. Within a few months the new congregation had doubled to 25 and was worshipping in a nearby chapel.

"We called it 'church in a box' because we had to bring everything with us" including donated linens and vestments, said Vivian, a professor of religious studies at California State University, Bakersfield.

On Nov. 7, 2010, All Saints Sunday, Grace celebrated its third anniversary in the chapel. Average Sunday attendance has tripled, to about 80.

"None of us could have imagined that we'd grow so fast," added Vivian, who attributed the growth to hospitality, inclusiveness and a focus on mission and outreach.

Members are former Roman Catholics, continuing Episcopalians whose former congregations left the Episcopal Church in 2008, and the formerly unchurched; about 20 percent are gay.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_125923_ENG_HTM.htm

SCHOFIELD v. SUPERIOR COURT OF FRESNO COUNTY

From San Joaquin-

SCHOFIELD v. SUPERIOR COURT OF FRESNO COUNTY
JOHN-DAVID SCHOFIELD et al., Petitioners
v.
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FRESNO COUNTY, Respondent;
DIOCESE OF SAN JOAQUIN et al., Real Parties in Interest.
No. F058298.

Court of Appeals of California, Fifth District.
Filed November 18, 2010.

Wild, Carter & Tipton, Russell G. VanRozeboom; Haley & Bilheimer, Allan Scott Haley for Petitioners.

No appearance for Respondent.

Law Offices of Michael O. Glass, Michael Owen Glass; Goodwin Procter, David Booth Beers and Adam M. Chud, for Real Parties in Interst.
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
OPINION
ARDAIZ, P.J.

This matter comes before us on a petition for writ of mandate after the trial court granted a motion for summary adjudication. We conclude plaintiffs' first cause of action presents a purely ecclesiastical controversy not justiciable by civil courts. Accordingly, the trial court erred in granting plaintiffs' motion for summary adjudication on that cause of action.


More here-

http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=In%20CACO%2020101118062.xml&docbase=CSLWAR3-2007-CURR

Episcopal dispute sent back to Fresno Co. court

From Fresno-

The legal battle between the U.S. Episcopal Church and the breakaway Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin over who owns church property will return to Fresno County Superior Court, the 5th District Court of Appeal ruled Thursday.

The appellate justices tossed out a Superior Court judge's decision that the breakaway diocese couldn't claim a right to the property in a jury trial. The judge essentially had decided that it was a church matter, not a matter for the civil courts.

In sending the case back to Superior Court, however, the justices supported some parts of the U.S. Episcopal Church's case, according to a news release from the church. In particular, the justices ruled that the continuity of the diocese is a matter regulated by church law.

Read more:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/11/18/2165714/episcopal-dispute-sent-back-to.html#ixzz15jO7iadL

Pastor confronts difficult decisions

From Stockton CA-

Stockton's Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist, along with the entire San Joaquin Diocese, split off from the mother church in 2007 in a principled but destructive schism over gays.

These conservatives, opposed to same-sex marriage and ordination, affiliated with a distant Anglican church that shares their views.

St. John's soon found itself sued by the diocese it left. The diocese wants its property back - specifically, the downtown church at 117 E. Miner Ave., a building so historic the land for it was donated by Stockton's pioneer founder Charles M. Weber.

A lower court ruled, in effect, the breakaway Episcopalians can go wherever they want, and believe whatever they want, but they cannot take church property with them.

The breakaway diocese has appealed.

The latest twist involves the man who was pastor of St. John's in the run-up to the schism.

Rev. Daniel H. Martins, St. John's pastor for 13 years, has become a bishop-elect in the Diocese of Springfield, Ill. - but in the original denomination.

The denomination St. John's decided to leave while Martins led it.

Some Episcopalians feel betrayed.

"I'm very surprised that he's turned around and has decided to go back to the Episcopal Church," said Al Lingo, "because he was a very, very avid opponent, and he led St. John's parishioners away from the Episcopal Church. And I'm sure it's a great, great surprise to the people of St. John's."

More here-

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101031/A_NEWS0803/10310312/-1/A_NEWS07

SAN JOAQUIN: Bishop, Standing Committee raise 'grave concerns' about Springfield election

From ELO-

Bishop Jerry Lamb and the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin have raised "grave concerns" about the election and planned March 19, 2011, consecration of the Rev. Daniel Martins as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, Illinois.

Their concerns stem from Martins' "involvement in the attempted separation of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin from the Episcopal Church" when he was rector of St. John the Evangelist Church in Stockton (1994-2007), according to an Oct. 16 letter Lamb has sent to diocesan bishops and standing committees throughout the Episcopal Church.

The letter calls upon bishops with jurisdiction (diocesan bishops) and standing committees to withhold their consent to Martins' consecration.

Martins, 50, was rector of St. Anne's Church in Warsaw, in the Diocese of Northern Indiana, when he was elected bishop of Springfield on Sept. 18, 2010.

According to the canons (III.11.4) of the Episcopal Church, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to a bishop-elect's ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.

"Our concern is not about the electing process, but about the suitability of Daniel Martins to be ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church," the letter states.

"The consent process, as mandated by our canons, is the only way the wider church can respond to the election of a person to be a bishop," the letter continues. "Accordingly, we would ask you to join us in withholding consent for Daniel Martins to become the Bishop of Springfield."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_125483_ENG_HTM.htm

Appellate judges: Episcopal case 'confusing'

From Fresno-

The appellate justices who will decide whether the U.S. Episcopal Church or the breakaway Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin owns the diocese's church properties on Wednesday appeared uncertain about the court's authority to rule on the issue.

"We are involved in a very confusing question of power of the church versus power of the court," said 5th District Court of Appeal Justice Dennis Cornell, who repeatedly compared the schism between the two church groups to the Civil War.

Justice James Ardaiz also acknowledged the case was "confusing."

The California Supreme Court already has sided with the national Episcopal Church in a similar property battle involving three breakaway Southern California parishes. But this dispute represents the first time an appellate court has had to decide whether a breakaway group can keep church property and assets if an entire diocese -- not just a parish -- splits from the Episcopal Church.

The justices, however, questioned whether it was even within the court's authority to rule on the issue. The three-member panel is expected to rule in about a month.

Read more:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/10/20/2125536/appellate-judges-say-episcopal.html#ixzz12znTjEJ5

Battle over diocese goes on

From Modesto-

Who is the legitimate bishop in the San Joaquin Diocese, and who owns the diocese's property, including its headquarters in Fresno and parishes from Stockton to Bakersfield?

Those questions are at the heart of the next round in the legal battle between local Episcopalians and Anglicans. The two groups face off today in the 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno.

The justices will hear oral arguments in the lawsuit, filed by Bishop Jerry Lamb against Bishop John-David Schofield.

After an overwhelming vote of its clergy and lay representatives in December 2007, Schofield led the diocese away from the national Episcopal Church and to the temporary oversight of an Anglican archbishop in South America. The Episcopal Church responded by deposing Schofield and installing Lamb as its diocesan bishop.

Schofield and the departing parishes hold a conservative theology that opposes the Episcopal Church's increasingly liberal stance on biblical issues, including the 2003 ordination of a gay bishop and whether Jesus is the only way to salvation.

The worldwide Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part, largely supports the conservative view; Archbishop Rowan Williams, who is the nominal head of the Anglican Communion with headquarters in England, earlier this year banned Episcopal representatives from casting votes on global committees. Schism may result, and the San Joaquin Diocese is a mirror of that larger split.

Read more:

http://www.modbee.com/2010/10/19/1390956/battle-over-diocese-goes-on.html#ixzz12tvBmSlD

Court gets Episcopal case on Valley properties

From California-

A key phase begins today in the court battle between the U.S. Episcopal Church and the breakaway Diocese of San Joaquin over who owns the Valley churches' properties.

After a Fresno County Superior Court judge ruled last year that the national Episcopal Church is the rightful owner of the church buildings and other assets, the diocese appealed. A hearing before the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno is scheduled for 10 a.m. today. The judges are expected to make a ruling in about a month.

The issue ultimately will be resolved by a jury. But if the diocese loses its appeal, the jury will not be allowed to hear the argument that the diocese and not the national church has ultimate authority over church property.

Almost three years ago, an overwhelming number of the diocese's clergy and lay representatives voted to split from the national Episcopal Church amid disagreements over same-sex marriage, the ordination of gay bishops and the role of women in the church. The diocese holds to a more conservative theology.

More here-

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/10/19/2124731/court-gets-episcopal-case-on-valley.html