Province VIII of the Episcopal Church

Province VIII Indigenous Ministry Report 6-09

Greetings to all,

Since this is my first venture into the Provincial Website, I would like to properly introduce myself. My name is Sakeekan, I am Tlingit and Athabaskan originally from Sitka, AK. I was born for the Eagle moiety, my father’s clan; and born to the Raven moiety, my mother’s clan.

I have been married to Tom for 40 years and we have two grown sons, no grandchildren, but several great nephews and nieces and

Report on Immigration Summit 2009

The Rev. Canon Carmen Guerrero reports that thirty participants from several Dioceses in Province VIII gathered at The Franciscan Renewal Center on April 20-23, 2009 to meet around the issue of Immigration.  The theme was Legislation, Organization, & Implementation.
    The Summit opened with a  presentation by The Rev. Sean Carroll, a Jesuit Priest, now

Intercultural Conference "Enlarging Our Tent"

Enlarge our Tent, Mend the Hoop, and get Anti Racism training all in one great weekend! The Diocese of Northern California is hosting an  Intercultural Conference "Enlarging Our Tent."  April 17-18 in Carmichael.  Keynote speakers are the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, author of Radical Welcome, and the Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, Asian Missioner for the Episcopal Church.  Conference starts with dinner at 6 p.m. Friday 4/17 and continues Saturday 4/18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The conference will also include the option of taking Anti-Racism Training* from national church staff on

Synod Report & Changes in Leadership

Every year the provincial leadership (PLC) gathers to share our stories, prepare our budgets, and get to know each other to further the work of the province. This year the PLC was preceded by the Episcopal Church Women's Annual Conference and followed by the 70th Synod and Orientation to General Convention. Many thanks to all who made this year's Synod events a success.

Networks are at the core of our provincial ministry and are a valuable and unique aspect of our province.  The highlight of our gathering this year was our work with Ruth-Ann Collins, staff officer for Congregational Learning & Children's Ministries at the Episcopal Church Center and musician Fran McKendree.  Ruth-Ann led us in a prophetic visioning process aimed at helping each network leader reflect on their calling and find ways for our ministries to intersect and help one another.  Fran led us in worship, work, singing, laughter, all in God's presence with love in our hearts and truth in our minds.

There are some changes in our provincial leadership for the upcoming year. We bid  a fond farewell to The Rev. Butch Gamarra who has served Province VIII for many years in intercultural ministry, as our convener for Cluster II, the Ethnic and Peace and Justice networks.  Butch remains on board as our representative to Executive Council.
The Rev. Carmen Guerrero was named the new convener of  Cluster II which has been renamed the Multicultural Network.
Judy Conley (Arizona) as been named leader of the newly named Black African American network from Carolyn Gaines (California).   
Becky Clark (Olympia) replaces The Rev. Debbie Royals (Los Angeles) as sole chair of the Indigenous People's Network.
Chris Christensen continues to lead the Faith and Environment network which has moved to Cluster I (Education).

The Gospel in Four Directions Now Available

The Gospel in Four Directions is a unique resource produced by the Native Ministry Network in Province VIII and in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles Cathedral Press.  It is the first of its kind and provides an opportunity to

Canadian Prime Minister Apologizes

The Rev. Debbie Royals, chair of the Indigenous People's Network wishes to share this news article regarding the Canadian government's apology for the Indian Residential Schools System :

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media_gallery.asp?media_category_id=20&pageId=65&featureId=11#tag

Clothe Your Ministers With Righteousness

Clothe Your Ministers with Righteousness by the Rev. Dr. John H. Eastwood
Cluster II of Province VIII plans 2008 Convocation
Gathering at the Franciscan Center in Scottsdale, AZ, Dec. 9-11, were the network leaders of Cluster II of our Province to plan a provincial convocation for July 31-August 3, 2008. The site will be the Franciscan Center and the conference will be preceded by the annual Commission on Ministry Convocation of the Province, July 29-31. Carmen Guerrero (Peace and Justice), Sylvester Romero (Latino), Mimi Wu (Asian), Carolyn Gaines (Afro-Anglican), and Debbie Royals (Indigenous), along with Cluster Convenor Butch Gamarra and Jack Eastwood, Provincial President, planned the four-day event entitled “Clothe Your Ministers with Righteousness.”