Bishop’s Note: December 1, 2016 – Advent

 Bishop Eric Menees

A blessed Advent to you all! If ever there were a time when we Anglican Christians seem out of step with the world, it is the season of Advent. While the world around us is centered on consumerism and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, we are hearing about the end of the world and a call to repentance.

Advent is the recognition of Christ’s original Incarnation and preparation for his 2nd Coming. This past week I came across this writing from St. Cyril of Jerusalem who stated it much more eloquently that I can.

The Twofold Coming of Christ

We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom.

In general, whatever relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future.

At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels.

We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At the first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Saviour will not come to be judged again, but to judge those by whom he was judged. At his own judgement he was silent; then he will address those who committed the outrages against him when they crucified him and will remind them: You did these things, and I was silent.

His first coming was to fulfil his plan of love, to teach men by gentle persuasion. This time, whether men like it or not, they will be subjects of his kingdom by necessity.

The prophet Malachi speaks of the two comings. And the Lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple: that is one coming.

Again he says of another coming: Look, the Lord almighty will come, and who will endure the day of his entry, or who will stand in his sight? Because he comes like a refiner’s fire, a fuller’s herb, and he will sit refining and cleansing.

These two comings are also referred to by Paul in writing to Titus: The grace of God the Saviour has appeared to all men, instructing us to put aside impiety and worldly desires and live temperately, uprightly, and religiously in this present age, waiting for the joyful hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Notice how he speaks of a first coming for which he gives thanks, and a second, the one we still await.

That is why the faith we profess has been handed on to you in these words: He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

Our Lord Jesus Christ will therefore come from heaven. He will come at the end of the world, in glory, at the last day. For there will be an end to this world, and the created world will be made new.

Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313-386)

Calendar

Thirty-nine Articles of Religion

V. Of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

St Anthony Retreat Center Part II

The Grounds At St. Anthony Retreat Center 

Fr. Dale Matson

I was especially impressed with the beautiful grounds at The St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers CA. and took photos of some of the beautiful sights. I think one highlight that stands out is both the statuary and stations of the cross. However the landscaping and views of the foothills are also outstanding. The Grotto of St. Mary was also beautiful.

Click On Photographs To Enlarge

Anglican Diocese Of San Joaquin Fall 2016 Clergy Retreat

Anglican Diocese Of San Joaquin

Fall 2016 Clergy Retreat Part I

Fr. Dale Matson

The theme of our retreat was “Following Jesus In The Wilderness: Reflections On Mark 1:12-13”.

Our retreat leader was The Right Rev. David Hicks who has his doctorate in hermeneutics from Westminster Seminary. He is the Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (ACNA) and the president of the Reformed Episcopal Seminary. He is currently the chair of the ACNA task force on Holy Orders.

This was our first clergy retreat at St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers CA. The setting was in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills adjacent to the southern entrance to Sequoia Park.

Our retreat began on Monday afternoon with check in and registration. We gathered for conversation before dinner at 6pm. Our first Session led by Bishop Hicks followed and ended with Compline.

Tuesday began with Morning Prayer followed by breakfast and two additional sessions before Noon Day Prayers and lunch. We had an afternoon break with the Bishops Hicks and Eric Menees available for clergy or an opportunity for personal time Fr. Richard Menees and I chose to drive into Sequoia Park and up the “General’s Highway” to the Giant Sequoias for photographs. The fresh snow was lovely.

We reconvened for Evening Prayer, Dinner, Session 4 and Compline. Wednesday began again with Morning Prayer, Breakfast, Cleanup, Eucharist Service and Lunch. Before each of the Daily Offices we also had an opportunity to sing together.

Many of the clergy had left or were about to leave their property to TEC. I believe Bishop Eric was a good shepherd to his clergy by bringing Bishop Hicks to talk about this as a wilderness experience. In this time of transition we were offered comfort and hope through Scriptural examples of the Exodus of Moses and his people into the wilderness and the temptations of Jesus after being driven by the Spirit into the wilderness. This was a strengthening and refreshing experience for us and provided us with perspective in a time of difficult transition. Bishop Hicks offered the opportunity for clergy to say what was on their hearts and minds as he spoke to us.

I was personally blessed and had an opportunity to reacquaint myself with brothers and sisters in Christ. The new location was a welcome and fitting consolation for our loss of ECCO and the food was superb. Thanks to Bishop Menees, Bishop Hicks, to all the staff at the St. Anthony Retreat Center and Corey from the Bishop’s office for his work. The photos I took that follow give another portrait of our experience. Part II will consist of photos from the lovely grounds.

In His Service

Dale+  

Click On Photographs To Enlarge

 Bishop Menees

 Bishop Hicks

Part II is here:

http://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2016/12/st-anthony-retreat-center-part-ii.html

Bishop’s Note: November 24, 2016 – Thanksgiving

Bishop Eric Menees

Good Morning, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you all! This is that day in American Culture where we are infamous for waking up, turning on the TV to watch the Macy's Day Parade, and then, when the Turkey's ready, stuffing ourselves to overflowing. Then, in a stupor fueled by tryptophan, we plop ourselves in front of the TV again to watch the football games. But is that what Thanksgiving Day is really about? No, of course not.

Well then, is it about the Pilgrims and Indians, and those school plays that we used to do until the budget cuts eliminated things like that? I seem to recall being an Indian in the 4th grade, and being very self-conscience - as I was dressed in gym shorts with a simulated leather cover and no shirt - as I came on stage to deliver my one line: "Here" as I handed over a basket of steamed corn on the cob ready to eat. I know, not very historically accurate – but very cute!

I think those school plays were closer to the truth of what Thanksgiving is about.

While books have been written on Thanksgiving, and thousands of sermons have been preached, when I read this morning's Psalm I was struck with these two verses: “[8] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! [9] For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9 ESV)

I believe that Thanksgiving is, indeed, about giving thanks to God for all of his wonderful gifts, poured out upon us. But the greatest gift is a fulfilled heart! The knowledge that we are loved beyond measure by a God who is not distant but ever present; a God who humbled himself to take on human form in order to redeem His adopted children; a God who died that we may have life and have it abundantly!

My prayer for you this Thanksgiving – and my prayer for me – is that our hearts and souls will have our longings satisfied when we understand that the only true source of that satisfaction is Jesus Christ, and Him alone.

I pray you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thirty-nine Articles of Religion

IV. Of the Resurrection of Christ.

Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to perfection of Man's nature; wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all Men at the last day.