In San Joaquin's continuing Episcopal diocese, reconciliation and hope central

Emphasizing the importance of reconciliation, Anderson commended those gathered for their courage and Christ-centered work within the continuing Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. The diocese can "be a new amazing creation…from God," said Anderson, who was guest homilist at the church's 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services.

In her sermon, Anderson preached about surrendering control to God. "Everything can change in the drop of a hat, and astonish us with the news that even though we think we're in control of our lives, ultimately we are not," said Anderson, citing the apostles' experience recounted in the morning's gospel text. "One minute you are passing the day fishing, and the next you are following an itinerant preacher who will change the world. Like Peter and Andrew, like the sons Zebedee, our lives can and do change in the drop of a hat."

A day earlier, Anderson had called upon Episcopalians remaining with The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the splintered Central California Valley diocese to reach out in reconciliation to everyone — loyal Episcopalians, those who wanted to leave TEC but now have indicated they will stay; those on the fence; who may or may not be willing to litigate to keep church property; those who have left TEC and are no longer Episcopalians and those who simply want things to "get back to normal" so they can worship without all these disagreements.

Saturday's event, "Moving Forward, Welcoming All," included videotaped greetings from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, and featured a panel of speakers, including keynoters Anderson and the Rev. Canon Robert Moore, the interim pastoral presence in the Central Valley diocese.

The celebration, of some 300 members of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin and their supporters, was the first large gathering of continuing Episcopalians since the December 8 convention at which a majority of congregations supported Bishop John-David Schofield's plan to leave TEC and to realign with the Argentina-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

The event galvanized hope and set the stage for what has to happen next to reconstitute the diocese, said Moore, who spent the previous week on a five-day "listening tour" to hear the concerns of those wishing to remain with TEC.

"There's pain, there's anxiety, there's frustration, there's uncertainty, but most of all they have discovered the hope of the resurrection and will live it out enormously," Moore said. "In 29 years of ministry, this ranks at the top of everything I've done," he added. "There's no other vocation like this, where you walk into a place and people share with you so personally."

Moore is married to Bishop Suffragan Edna Bavi "Nedi" Rivera of the Seattle-based Diocese of Olympia, whose father Bishop Victor Rivera was Schofield's predecessor. Moore said he will continue to be available to support and encourage local Episcopalians.

"I'm grateful to the Presiding Bishop for asking me to do this," he added. "I'm honored to do whatever I can."

Holy Family's rector, the Rev. Keith Axberg, welcomed Anderson and Moore to the church, located at 1135 Alluvial Avenue (and online here).

In the forum gathering, parishioners joined Anderson and Moore in thanking Axberg for his local leadership and faithful stance within TEC.

During the Sunday morning gathering of about 50 in Holy Family's parish hall, Anderson cited Nancy Key as "a great example of the kind of difference one person can make" and an example of faithful commitment and reconciliation.

Key, an organizer of Saturday's event and a co-founder of Remain Episcopal, a group of continuing Episcopalians in the diocese, said she had no intention of getting involved in the conflict within the diocese after the 2003 consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

"Never in my life before had I felt Spirit-led in this way," Key said. She recalled that, at a diocesan meeting after General Convention 2003, she felt compelled to speak up. The Remain Episcopal group and the quest to reconstitute the diocese grew out of it.

"It felt like the collar of my shirt was being tugged," she recalled. "I did move my feet, but it was not me. But," she added, "I believe I was called to it."

Now, as the work of reconciliation begins, "the whole task now is to draw the circle a little wider," said Key.

Parishioner Barbara Wade said Holy Family is the third Episcopal church she's attended. Wade said reconciliation happens via person-to-person contact. "My husband uses the internet to tell the story. I use word of mouth and little by little, we're being heard.

"Yesterday's event was invigorating, beautiful, encouraging, seeing people from all over the valley standing with us … and seeing three women serve communion, I can't tell you what it meant," the Holy Family parishioner said.

The Rev. Michele Racusin says Saturday's gathering and celebration reawakened hope, "for a true mainstream Episcopal Church" in the central California valley.

Because women priests were not allowed to serve under Schofield, Racusin has commuted to serve at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco three Sundays a month for nearly three years, she said.

The past years of differences over the priestly ordinations of women and gays "seems so unnecessary," she said. "Finally, we'll have order, peace and inclusion.

"It'll be normal here soon," she added. "As people get more courage, as they find their voices, live into their baptismal covenant and find that it's okay to question, that they have to take a stand for truth and justice, as soon as they get a feeling for that change will really take off."