Ministries & Outreach
-Dorcas House Ministry Sixth Month Report
-Integrity’s All-California Gathering in Fresno California
Dorcas House Ministry Sixth Month Report
By Stephen H. Velez-Confer
We have reached the end of the first six months since St. Paul’s Cathedral assumed responsibility for operating Dorcas House in Tijuana. Looking back over this period of time, we see that lots of people from the Cathedral have been active supporters of this ministry. During our first six months, we have raised over $125,000. St. Paul’s members have been active financial supporters and we could not have raised over half of this amount at other congregations both inside the diocese of San Diego and from Episcopal congregations and churches of other denominations through out Southern California without our volunteers who have prepared the mailings. The three bathrooms and the kitchen are in the process of renovation. There is a new stove and oven in the kitchen.
We have begun to consider options for expanding the space and providing for the children who are getting ready to go to the university. There is a two unit apartment building behind the current property that includes a larger courtyard than what we currently possess. In addition, there is a six unit apartment building to the side of our current space. The owner is willing to discuss rental. We are planning on meeting with our current landlord to discuss options and perhaps her interest in selling. While these are currently simply discussions to better inform the board about the options, there are promising opportunities available.
However, we cannot forget what other groups have contributed. The St. James Gift Shop raised several hundred dollars by selling Dorcas House note cards and by setting aside a weekend where a percentage of profits were donated to Dorcas House. The St. James Women donated the new stove. The women of Christ Church Coronado made a contribution that will assist us to make repairs to the roof. The All Saint’s Faithful raised and contributed needed cash. St. Peter’s in Del Mar has added Dorcas House to their outreach budget. In all, thirteen congregations in the San Diego Diocese are participating at some level.
Individual financial donations have been received from six states outside of California. St. Aiden’s Episcopal in Malibu bought new pajamas and sweat suits for each child. St. Matthews school in Pacific Palisades made a significant financial contribution. Students from Pepperdine University bring gifts and crafts. The Santa Fe Community Foundation contributed 100 new blankets for the cold nights. Santa Barbara Community Church (UMC) made regular financial contributions. The House of Puerto Rico provided the Tres Reyes Magos costumes and one of it’s members provided traditional Mexican Christmas music with a Caribbean salsa beat for the Three King’s celebration. In Mexico, we are blessed by additional helpers and contributors. Genesis Expeditions provided a week at camp by the ocean for all the children. Leather Trend, a furniture manufacturer provided an outing during Christmas. The Mexican WalMart employee’s Foundation de la Ninez provided a party. COSTCO regularly provides food. Calimax provided breakfast and gifts during Christmas. A local family owned dairy provides enough milk for the children each week. Univer University provided new shoes for the children. The Universidad Techológica Baja California provided Christmas gifts. The hotel Palacio Azeteca is providing the labor to refurbish the kitchen and bathrooms. The Cruz Roja Mexicana provided additional Christmas gifts. Other individuals in Mexico have contributed gifts of cash, food, and toys.
It is impossible to list all of the individuals who have contributed money and other support. We have regular music and spiritual development programs thanks to our Cathedral volunteers. There have been three successful VolunTour trips, and more are planned. However, the outpouring or support from the Cathedral family is best symbolized by the generous gathering of used clothing, blankets, and food from the Three Kings celebration. It required three trips in a fifteen passenger van to successfully transport everything.
Integrity’s All-California Gathering in Fresno, California
Leaders of Integrity and allied organizations supporting the cause of full inclusion of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in The Episcopal Church and in society met in Fresno Jan 26-28 for an “All-California Gathering”, the first of its kind across the Golden State. Over thirty people attended from all six California dioceses. Integrity / Western Region organized the event. Holy Family Episcopal Church in and its rector Rev Keith Axberg hosted the weekend. Leaders plan similar region-wide meetings.
The design of the gathering, facilitated by The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, of the Diocese of California, was building cohesion across the state in the Episcopal LGBT community. The program opened with a theme of Pioneering, a trait of the people of the Golden State. Barlowe related from Kevin Starr’s California history the story of Episcopal pioneers in our state who held services and felt so removed from the churches of the east around 1849 that they even tried to get a bishop appointed by the Russian Orthodox still present in the north. Such pioneering, he said, will continue to exemplify Episcopalians as the Church pursues full inclusion.
Bryan McNutt, aspirant in the process for ordination to Holy Orders in the Diocese of San Diego and Co-Convener of Integrity / San Diego acted as chaplain, leading in the various services of prayer, and culminating in an agape meal on Saturday evening. He, along with Rev John Kirkley of San Francisco and Oasis / California, Barlowe and Bart Bartosh, of San Miguel and Regional VP, planned the event. Richard Jennings of Fresno and Tony Saponate of San Miguel handled food and other arrangements were handled primarily by those who were able. Over half stayed for Sunday morning services at Holy Family Church.
The group shared problems and successes, and agreed to build a catalog of resources to tap in the future. Networking of those present was a key component of the event. Leaders presented the status of inclusion in the California dioceses. The group was able to build the kind of loving spirit only possible in face-to-face situations. And a special aim was to have the several younger people present interact with people like Integrity / USA President Rev Susan Russell of Los Angeles, Cindy Smith, Chair of Remain Episcopal and Executive Council member Dottie Fuller of El Camino Real as a step towards developing the church of the future.
Another key component of the Gathering was the concrete project of helping keep The Episcopal Church alive and well in the Diocese of San Joaquin.
With regard to the latter, the group focused on the status of the Church and LGBT people in the Diocese of San Joaquin, hearing how it might support both, especially thru the work of Remain Episcopal. Holy Family Church is a part of the Remain Episcopal organization, which in turn is a part of Via Media USA. The various Via Media organizations across the country are trying to work together to prevent schism and embrace the diversity, tolerance, and breadth of opinion which have been hallmarks of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican tradition. Integrity / USA have already contributed to Remain Episcopal and expect to continue working with them.
Another project presented by volunteers from the California Council of Churches Greg De Giere and Libby Sholes - support for the Marriage Equality Act, AB 43, being presented by Assemblyman Mark Leno.
The group tried to help the Council fashion supporting language for the bill.
The group expects to continue such Gatherings on a periodic basis, possibly annually, and to remain in contact throughout the year with regular communication of events and news within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
