Episcopal church battle over Fresno real estate, gay clergy leads to trial

From San Joaquin-

A national church is suing its former followers in Fresno in a real estate battle launched by the church's decision to accept gay and female clergy members.

Attorneys delivered opening arguments Monday in the case pitting The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of San Joaquin against St. Columba Church and its congregants who split away from the religion.
The Episcopal Church says the administration at St. Columba and its pastor, Rev. James Snell, illegally took possession of the church on Palm and Shaw in 2008.

The diocese's former bishop, John-David Schofield, tried to remove the diocese from the greater Episcopal Church starting in 2006, not long after the national church elected its first gay bishop, Gene Robinson. Schofield handed over control of the property itself to St. Columba before the Episcopal Church removed him in 2008, and he helped move St. Columba into the Anglican Church in North America.

More here-

https://abc30.com/episcopal-church-battle-over-fresno-real-estate-gay-clergy-leads-to-trial/4577990/

‘Ghost bike’ a grim reminder of tragedy

From San Joaquin-

“Bless all who ride,” Deacon Stephen Bentley proclaimed during his prayer dedication Sunday over the city’s first ghost bike on the outskirts of southeast Stockton where 53-year-old Robert Tristan was killed in 2016 by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle home.

“Ghost bikes serve as a reminder of our brothers and sisters who were struck down while pedaling. They are placed in areas of the city where riders have fallen, as a remembrance of those who have died, offer comfort to those who mourn, and restore hope to the broken-hearted,” Bentley said during the brief ceremony attended by Tristan’s tight-knit family and their supporters.

Bentley, with St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in downtown Stockton, runs the church’s bicycle ministry and as such, operates HUB — Helping Urban Bicyclists — that provides refurbished bikes to the homeless and other struggling residents for whatever they can afford.

More here-

http://www.recordnet.com/news/20180813/ghost-bike-grim-reminder-of-tragedy

Sacred Items Dating Back to the 1800s Stolen from Placerville Church

From California-

The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour was broken into Monday night, according to Reverend Debra Sabino.

What makes the case bizarre is that the items stolen, aside from some audio equipment, have no value outside of the church. They include chalices and patens. The chalices were for the wine considered the blood of Christ and patens are the plates used to serve the bread or body of Christ.

But those items have huge value to the church.

Sabino said the church was the first Episcopal Church built west of the Mississippi when it went up in Placerville back in 1863. Some of the stolen chalices and patens date back to the church's inception

"And they have names engraved from people back in those days that they were given in memory of from so long ago, who still have families in the area," Sabino told FOX40.

More here-

http://fox40.com/2018/04/19/sacred-items-dating-back-to-the-1800s-stolen-from-placerville-church/

Diocese of San Joaquin notified of successful canonical consent process

From ENS-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry and the registrar of General Convention, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, have notified the Diocese of San Joaquin that Bishop David Rice has received the required consents, from both bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of the Episcopal Church, to become bishop diocesan.

Bishop David Rice. Photo: Diocese of San Joaquin via Facebook
Under Canon III.11.3 (b), standing committees must “testify that we know of no impediment” which would cause them not to support a bishop-elect from being a bishop. Bishops exercising jurisdiction (essentially, bishops diocesan), either consent or do not. In each case, a majority is required for a bishop-elect to become bishop.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/06/22/diocese-of-san-joaquin-notified-of-successful-canonical-consent-process/

San Joaquin overwhelmingly elects David Cappel Rice diocesan bishop

From ENS-

Delegates to a special convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin overwhelmingly voted March 4 to elect Provisional Bishop David Cappel Rice as their diocesan bishop.

Rice was the only nominee.  He was elected on the first ballot by a vote of 21 to 1 in the clergy order and 41 to 2 in the lay order. The election required a two-thirds majority in both orders. The somewhat unusual election was both joyous and powerful, he said.

“I believe the people of the Diocese of San Joaquin know ever increasingly that they are on a hikoi (intentional movement with a purpose [a word from Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand]) and they have come to realize and celebrate my willingness, better said, call to walk, run, cycle, move with them,” Rice said in an email to the Episcopal News Service following the election.
“As for my own feeling and response, I couldn’t imagine a group of people with whom I’d rather share this hikoi of faith.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/03/06/san-joaquin-overwhelmingly-elects-david-cappel-rice-diocesan-bishop/

San Joaquin poised to take unusual step in bishop election

From ENS-

When the Diocese of San Joaquin meets in convention March 4 to elect a bishop, the path Episcopalians took to get to that moment – and the choice they will make – will be symbolic of the way they are rebuilding their diocese.

In addition to the ecclesial challenges Bishop David Rice has faced with the people of the Diocese of San Joaquin, he also faced a medical challenge. Rice spent more than a month recovering from valley fever, a rare fungal infection endemic to the San Joaquin Valley. 

It has been nearly 10 years since an earlier San Joaquin convention voted to disaffiliate with the Episcopal Church. Then-Bishop John-David Schofield, at odds with the Church over the ordination of women and gay clergy and issues of biblical authority, led the Dec. 8, 2007, action by the Central California Valley diocese.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/03/02/san-joaquin-poised-to-take-unusual-step-in-bishop-election/

California Supreme Court upholds ruling in San Joaquin property case

From ENS-

The California Supreme Court on July 13 “declined to review” a decision made in April by a state appellate court putting an end to eight years of litigation and awarding 28 properties worth an estimated $50 million to the continuing Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.

“Accordingly, the original judgment in favor of the Diocese and ordering the return of the properties and funds (approximately twenty-eight properties, including ECCO and the Cathedral, and various Diocesan funds) stands,” said Michael Glass, diocesan chancellor, in a July 14 statement to the diocese.

“It is my belief that the leadership of the Anglican Diocese intends to work with the Diocese to provide for an orderly, thoughtful, and pastoral transition of the properties,” he added.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/07/14/california-supreme-court-upholds-ruling-in-san-joaquin-property-case/

Legal battle hinges on California’s High Court

From San Joaquin-

An eight-year legal battle involving tens of millions of dollars in church property, including the St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Mission in Sonora, is in the hands of the California Supreme Court, which could decide as soon as a week from now whether to accept the case.

If the Supreme Court takes the case, the dispute could continue for another year or more, and the members of St. Michael, which is known as the Blue Church, will not have to move.

But a choice to not accept the case would leave standing a decision in the May decision by 5th District Appeals Court that said St. Michael and 27 other church properties belong to the Episcopal Church.

In 2007, a majority of the members of the Diocese of San Joaquin objected to the ordination of gay bishops and the Episcopal Church’s stance toward gay people and women in church. They voted to leave the Episcopal Church to form the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin, prompting the Episcopal Church lawsuit to reclaim ownership of the church properties.

Whatever the court’s determination, it will signify a major development in one of the nation’s first efforts by a diocese to breakaway from the national Episcopal Church. Scores of congregations across the country had broken away, but the Diocese of San Joaquin vote in 2007 was among the first times an entire diocese had done so.

More here-

http://www.uniondemocrat.com/localnews/4485344-151/legal-battle-hinges-on-californias-high-court

Fresno appeals court says Episcopal church properties must be returned

From Fresno-

A Fresno appellate court has upheld a ruling that says St. James Cathedral in Fresno and 27 other properties taken by a breakaway Anglican church group must be returned to the national Episcopal Church.

In 2014, Judge Donald S. Black ruled in Fresno Superior Court that the breakaway Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin led by Bishop John-David Schofield had no legal right to the properties that are worth tens of millions of dollars.

In his ruling, Black wrote that the properties were held in trust for the Episcopal Church and Schofield lacked authority to transfer the properties to the breakaway church.
Read more here:

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article70375317.html#storylink=cpy

Image of a cross found in pine tree trunk at Modesto church

From California-

A drought-stricken pine tree has left this world but continues to give a spiritual lift through a message at its literal core.

A gracefully flowing cross shows plainly on the trunk of a tree cut down beside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Modesto. The cross-section discovered two weeks ago was shellacked and stationed temporarily in the church foyer last week.

“It's beautiful. We put it on display because it was just so cool!” said Allison Cox, church office manager.

The tree, which a ring count puts at 39 years old, soared beside the church on Oakdale Road until branches endangered the flat roof of the structure and it was determined several trees by the church were dying.

Read more here:

http://www.modbee.com/news/article50995045.html#storylink=cpy

Bishop leads cycling tour through Valley to raise awareness of human trafficking

From San Joaquin-

David Rice, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, and his cycling team are on a mission: to raise awareness and funds for local groups working to end human trafficking.

The Tour Against Trafficking, an 18-day, 750 mile ride throughout Central California, made its way into Turlock on Friday, stopping at St. Francis Episcopal Church for rest and refreshment before the group of bicyclists set off on day 13 of their trip towards Sonora.

As a veteran team cyclist, Rice thought a bicycle tour was a great way to get people involved in the cause and start conversations throughout the region about the growing crime of human trafficking.


More here-


http://www.turlockjournal.com/section/12/article/30447/

Bike tour brings human trafficking to light

From San Joaquin-

Six exhausted bike riders rolled into Porterville Wednesday with a message to end human trafficking.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, led by Bishop David Rice, is holding The Tour Against Trafficking. The group of bike riders, which varies by day from two dozen riders to a half dozen, launched the tour on Oct. 2. It ends Oct. 23 in Modesto.

“My quick response is God,” said Rice, when asked why they are trying to raise awareness of human trafficking. “We need to be aware of the needs of people in that context,” he added.
Plus, he said, “We strongly believe this is an issue the church needs to address.”

More here-

http://www.recorderonline.com/news/bike-tour-brings-human-trafficking-to-light/article_9b8c86b4-6eab-11e5-a925-53da9c48d79b.html

Episcopal fight in San Joaquin Valley headed toward finish

From Fresno-

The battle between the national Episcopal Church and the theologically conservative Anglican diocese that departed from it has been compared to the epic Bible story of David and Goliath. But in this case, the shepherd boy was no match for the giant -- the mammoth national church with its deep pockets.

Although legal challenges remain, it appears that newly elected Bishop David Rice of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has arrived just in time to accept the spoils of the eight-year war: 29 parish properties, the diocesan headquarters in Fresno and frozen assets worth more than $7.25 million. Three parishes remain in litigation.

Earlier this month, a judge issued a tentative decision giving all properties and money to the Episcopal bishop and diocese. In a letter posted on the Anglican diocese's website, Bishop Eric Menees wrote, "I understand that this news and its potential implications may produce feelings of concern or even fear for you. However, I urge each one of you to trust in the Lord. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and no matter the fate of our buildings, we will be victorious in him!"

Read more here:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/05/18/3931790/episcopal-fight-in-san-joaquin.html#storylink=cpy

Calif. court’s preliminary decision: return 27 properties to Episcopalians

From ENS (with links to the court documents)-

In a preliminary decision, a California court has ordered the return of 27 properties held by a breakaway group to the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin and has said that dioceses cannot opt to leave the Episcopal Church.

St. James Cathedral, the former diocesan offices, the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center near Yosemite National Park, the diocesan investment trust and 25 other church properties, valued at about $50 million, are included in the May 5 decision.

In the 41-page opinion in a case  brought by the Episcopal Church and its Diocese of San Joaquin, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Donald S. Black also said that “because a diocese is a geographical construct of the Church, it makes no sense that a diocese can ‘leave’ the Church; it does not exist apart from the Church.”

While individuals may exercise their right of freedom of religion to leave and form a new church in another religious denomination, “they cannot tell the Church that it no longer has a diocese in a particular geographical area such as San Joaquin,” Black concluded.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/05/16/calif-courts-preliminary-decision-return-27-properties-to-episcopalians/

Anglican vs. Episcopalian legal fight in Valley nearing an end

From San Joaquin- (with legal brief)

In a Fresno courtroom Monday, Anglican Bishop John-David Schofield's presence loomed large in the long, legal battle between the U.S. Episcopal Church and the breakaway Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin.

Schofield, who died in October, is a key witness in a Fresno County Superior Court civil trial that will determine who owns dozens of pieces of property -- the Anglican diocese or the national Episcopal Church?

The bishop gave his videotaped deposition in late 2011, long after he led 40 of 47 parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin away from the national Episcopal Church to form the Anglican Diocese of the San Joaquin.

The video was played Monday on a big- creen to a packed courtroom, with many of the onlookers supporters of Schofield. Among them was the Rev. Gordon Kamai, pastor of Anglican Christ Church in Oakhurst, who said he feared the national Episcopal Church will just sell the property for non-Christian purposes. "It belongs to the congregations," he said.

In December 2007, an overwhelming number of the diocese's members voted to split from the national church because of disagreements over such issues as same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay bishops. The Anglican diocese holds to a more conservative theology.


Read more here:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/01/13/3712231/anglican-vs-episicopalian-legal.html#storylink=cpy

Hundreds fill a Fresno church to remember Bishop John-David Schofield

From California-

Nearly 1,000 people filled a Northwest Fresno church Thursday to celebrate the life of a well-known religious leader. Bishop John-David Schofield may best be remembered for splitting apart the Episcopal Church.

Parishioners and clergy from different denominations joined together in faith and in honor of the Retired Bishop John-David Schofield.

The 75-year-old's reach was one that spanned across church lines and many in the Valley say his loss is quite a void.

Bishop Eric Menees described how it feels to fill such a man's shoes in the Diocese of San Joaquin. He said he took the succession "with fear and trembling to be sure."

Bishop Eric Menees delivered the sermon at Schofield's celebration of life and described the funeral as a day that is "awesome and tragic."

At the same time Menees said, "Oh he had such a sense of humor and a joy in life, he would laugh the deep laugh that just made you feel good."

The retired Anglican Bishop is often remembered for leading the Episcopal Church split, separating the church over the defense of traditional marriage.

More here-

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=9316638

John-David Schofield dead at 75

From San Joaquin-

Rt. Rev. John David Schofield has died. He was 75.

In a statement released on the diocesan website on 29 October 2013, the Rt. Rev. Eric Menees, the currenet bishop of San Joaquin wrote that it was with "a heavy heart but a joyful spirit that I must share with you the passing of our beloved brother."

Bishop Schofield "died peacefully at home sometime last night sitting in his favorite green chair and was found this morning by friends," the bishop said.

Archbishop Robert Duncan said the late bishop "was a great man of God.  I – like so very many others – shall miss him terribly.  His spiritual depth twinned with his unparalleled sense of humor made him one of a kind."

Details for the memorial service have yet to be released. Bishop Menees, who was returning to the U.S. from the Gafcon Conference in Nairobi when he learned of the news, stated: Dean Carlos Raines has anointed Bp. Schofield and begun the sad task of making funeral arrangements. We have nothing specific to share with you at this moment, but will let you know as soon as possible what the arrangements are for Bp. Schofield's funeral."

More here-


http://anglicanink.com/article/john-david-schofield-dead-75

San Joaquin takes ‘interim steps’ toward election of provisional bishop

From ENS-

Bishop David Rice of the Diocese of Waiapu in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is poised to become the next provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.

If elected, he would succeed Bishop Chester L. Talton, who has served nearly three years as provisional bishop and who has announced his intention to retire. Talton, who retired in 2010 as suffragan of Los Angeles, turned 72 on Sept. 22.

“The Standing Committee has made a very good choice because they discerned that the diocese has reached a place where we are ready to respond to the rebuilding that has been going on since 2008,” Talton said in a Sept. 26 telephone interview with ENS.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/09/27/san-joaquin-takes-interim-steps-toward-election-of-provisional-bishop/

Fresno church's labyrinth to be a place to pray, meditate

From Fresno-

An outdoor labyrinth -- where people can pray or meditate at any time of the day -- will be built at a northeast Fresno church.

A labyrinth is a structure containing an intricate network of winding passages, usually hard to follow without losing one's way. While praying or meditating, people travel though the path with the intent to achieve a spiritual experience.

Holy Family Episcopal Church, a small congregation of nearly 150 families at 1135 E. Alluvial Ave., is planning to break ground in the fall on the first phase of a $45,000 labyrinth. Construction should take about eight weeks. A second phase features landscaping, a water display and seating area.

Holy Family's labyrinth is modeled after the one at Chartres Cathedral, a medieval Roman Rite Catholic cathedral in Chartres, France, and designed as an outreach to the public. It will be built on grounds in front of the church sanctuary, easily accessible from East Alluvial Avenue, either by foot or wheelchair. Solar lighting is planned so people can use it also throughout the night.

Read more here:


http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/08/16/3445586/fresno-churchs-labyrinth-to-be.html#storylink=cpy

NATHAN BOLES: How fundamentalism misses fundamentals of Christianity

 From San Joaquin-

An extraordinary thing is happening in Bakersfield, the "City of Righteousness." It began on July 7 and, week by week, seems to grow in strength in an old church property downtown. Fundamentalism is being dealt a mighty blow by the new and inclusive community at the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

The prologue to this story is easily drowned out in the Kern religious landscape. Over 10 years ago, irreconcilable differences tore apart one of the oldest church families in Bakersfield; and though you may have heard it, only the children of a broken family can know the story.

But Bakersfield Christians and non-Christians alike can learn from this story, because the foundation of the Anglican-Episcopal schism is a darkness that has cast a heavy shadow over us all.

Fundamentalism is not having deep and sincere religious beliefs; being faithful to faith; or having a "scriptural basis." Nor is it feeling a need for salvation in a harsh world. Fundamentalism is never about these "fundamentals" that make up the elements of all human faiths. Once more, humanity is a family, Christians are taught, wherein each person is made by God in his image.

Christianity especially is defined by juxtaposition, believing in an immeasurable and all powerful creator who is also the personal father to all his creation. The creed different people profess, and what they think it means, doesn't change that.

More here-

http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/opinion/hot-topics/x1691371102/How-fundamentalism-misses-fundamentals-of-Christianity