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Striving to reflect the diversity of heaven by living into the long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice of Beloved Community in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California.
Commission for Intercultural Ministries
Who We Are
As followers of Jesus, we are lay and clergy volunteers committed to embodying our Baptismal Covenant to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. We are inspired by the King Center philosophy to “envision the Beloved Community where injustice ceases and love prevails.”
The labyrinth represents the self-reflection and examination we must do individually and as a community. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we must tell the truth, proclaim the dream, practice the way of love, and repair the breach to become God’s Beloved Community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build the Beloved Community within the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. With partners, we are identifying and prioritizing needs within the diocese and developing initiatives to address those needs, to make Beloved Community part of the culture and fabric of our congregations.
Examples of these initiatives include racial healing and reconciliation training; indigenous ministries and land acknowledgment; immigration and refugee resettlement; Latino/Hispanic ministries; public policy advocacy; and the racial justice audit. As additional needs are identified, new ministries are developed to address them. –Adopted June 9, 2022
Please contact us at NorCalCIM@gmail.com to learn more about our work.
Becoming Beloved Community
The Commission for Intercultural Ministries is integrating the Becoming Beloved Community vision into its various areas of focus.
Efforts include:
- Providing education for the Diocese and congregations regarding the Becoming Beloved
- Providing programs and resources that address the four components of the Beloved Community journey—telling the truth, proclaiming the dream, practicing the way of love, and repairing the breach.
- Accessing The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community grant program to provide funding for projects in this area.
- Ensuring that Commission efforts are aligned with the spirit of the Becoming Beloved Community vision and commitment.
- Exploring ways to partner with other dioceses in this important work.
If you would like more information about how you can be involved with building the Beloved
Community, please contact Miriam Casey at mlcasey7@yahoo.com or norcalcim@gmail.com.
Resources
Becoming Beloved Community https://episcopalchurch.org/beloved-community
Subscribe to the Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WeHHFWL/CommForInterculturalMinis
Free Church Next six-session study, “Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism”: https://www.churchnext.tv/library/becoming-beloved-community-understanding- systemic-racism-174526/385889/about/
Racial Healing and Reconciliation Training and Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles
The Commission provides and supports anti-racism training in The Diocese of Northern California. This training is a requirement for leadership positions in The Episcopal Church and furthers the goal of Becoming Beloved Community.
One-day Workshop
CIM training teams provide “I Will, With God’s Help: Journey Toward Racial Healing and Justice” workshops at locations throughout the diocese.
Upcoming training includes:
- Christ Church, Eureka – August 27, 2022
- All Saints, Redding – September 10, 2022
- Church of the Incarnation, Santa Rosa – September 24, 2022
If you are interested in hosting or attending a workshop, contact Miriam Casey at NorCalCIM@gmail.com.
Sacred Ground
The Commission encourages and provides support for Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles within the Diocese. Sacred Ground is an 11-session, film-based dialogue on faith and race offered through the national church. Circles are currently meeting online (through Zoom) and in-person. Information about Sacred Ground is available here: https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground Those who wish to form a Sacred Ground Circle must first register with The Episcopal Church to receive necessary passwords: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/registration/.
CIM also appreciates being notified of new Circles in our diocese so we can provide certificates for those who complete at least 80 percent of the coursework. Register new circles here: https://forms.gle/ugvbm69y68SC1XAUA
Interested in joining a Sacred Ground Circle? CIM can let you know when openings occur. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/G26EPxDzEFSpnsZW7
Questions can be directed to Karen Nolan at NorCalCIM@gmail.com.
Resources
Subscribe to the Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WeHHFWL/CommForInterculturalMinis
Racial Reconciliation Leaders
Miriam Casey, Commission for Intercultural Ministries Co-Chair, coordinates and supports the one-day “I Will, With God’s Help: Journey Toward Racial Healing and Justice” workshops. Workshop presenters include:
- The Rev. Tom Gartin, Faith Episcopal Church, Cameron Park
- The Rev. Robin Denney, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Napa
- The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell, Indigenous Missioner for the Diocese
- Jo Ann Williams, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roseville
- Michael Adams, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roseville
- Diane Williamson, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roseville
- Bob Wohlsen, who also serves as a Sacred Ground facilitator and mentorKaren Nolan, Epiphany Episcopal Church, Vacaville, coordinates and supports Sacred Ground Circles in the Diocese.
Latino/Hispanic Ministries
In 2019, the Latino/Hispanic (L/H) Ministries Task Force was re-activated. Our goals are to:
● Connect with congregations about our task force and also connect congregations with each other when our inventory shows similar Spanish-speaking services or concerns.
● Develop a list of resources of what is available around our Diocese and at The Episcopal Church (TEC) and post this on the diocesan website.
● Identify the kinds of services desired by second- and third-generation Latino/Hispanic individuals or families.
● Identify barriers to providing Spanish-speaking services and explore ways to address them.
● Develop approaches/strategies for reaching out more fully to the Latino/Hispanic community.
● Explore partnering with local organizations/groups to reach out to the Latino/Hispanic community.
Resources
Toolkits are available to congregations that would like to hold celebrations for any of the following holidays:
Latino/Hispanic Ministries: https://episcopalchurch.org/latino-ministries
Team Members
Our current members include: The Rev. Gary Brown, The Rev. Amy Zuniga, The Rev. Anne Arthur, The Rev. Mack Olson, Jim Schaal, The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell, Lynn Zender, and The Rev. Daniel Green.
Would you like to join us? Do you have ideas, services or resources to suggest? We would love to hear from you. Please contact Lynn Zender at zenderlynn@gmail.com or NorCalCIM@gmail.com.
Indigenous Ministries Task Force
Indigenous Ministries Task Force
The purpose of the Indigenous Ministries Task Force is to encourage and support local congregations in recognizing and forming meaningful relationships with their Indigenous neighbors, including the development of land acknowledgments.
Resources
Indigenous Ministries https://episcopalchurch.org/indigenous-ministries
Task Force Members
The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell, Indigenous Missioner for the Diocese of Northern California, leads the Task Force.
Other members include:
- Patricia Heinicke, Trinity Cathedral
- Miriam Casey, Commission for Intercultural Ministries
The task force welcomes new members. Contact the Rev. Canon Tina Campbell at tinarcampbell@comcast.net.
Immigration and Refugee Ministries
International Rescue Committee
This group began a couple of years ago as the Afghan Resettlement Team following international events which resulted in thousands of refugees coming to our country. In consultation with World Relief and International Refugee Committee offices in Sacramento, we have been assisting our diocesan congregations in their many efforts to resettle refugees in their communities.
In 2022, we renamed ourselves the Refugee Resettlement Team to acknowledge the need to assist refugees and immigrants from many parts of our world. We meet regularly.
If you would like to join us or would like more information, please contact Lynn Zender at ZenderLynn@gmail.com or Bob Wohlsen at bob.wohlsen@gmail.com.
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church that proudly carries on a century-old legacy of Episcopal ministries that welcome immigrants and refugees. EMM lives the call of welcome by supporting refugees, immigrants, and the communities that embrace them as they walk together in The Episcopal Church’s movement to create loving, liberating, and life-giving relationships rooted in compassion. EMM’s desire to honor the inherent value of human connection brings communities together to love their neighbors as themselves.
EMM offers a variety of educational resources, training, and support to individuals, congregations and communities seeking to learn more about how they can be welcomers. The Commission for Intercultural Ministries supports the vision of Episcopal Migration Ministries.
Resources
Episcopal Migration Ministries. https://episcopalchurch.org/episcopal-migration-ministries
Advocacy Team
The Advocacy Team leads efforts to support proposed and pending legislation at the state and federal levels based on congruence with our Christian faith and guidance from the National Church.
It meets monthly to consider legislation through the lens of our Christian values and guidance from the National Church.
Team members also participate in weekly Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) briefings and in the EPPN Ambassador program. They also join advocacy efforts with like-minded groups,
such as EPPN-CA, the Lutheran Office of Public Policy, and the Poor People’s Campaign. The team hosts advocacy training programs for the diocese.
Opportunities for advocacy are communicated through the monthly Beloved Community Resource Newsletter, as well as through the weekly diocesan E-News.
Resources
Office of Government Relations: www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government- relations/
Subscribe to the Becoming Beloved Newsletter:
lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WeHHFWL/CommForInterculturalMinis
Team Members
Miriam Casey, Commission for Intercultural Ministries Co-Chair, leads the team. Members include: .
- Michael Adams, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roseville
- Jo Ann Williams, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roseville
- Helen Winfrey, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Fortuna
- The Rev. Grant Bakewell, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Sacramento
- Eva Tak, Faith Episcopal Church, Cameron Park
- Bob Wohlsen, at-large social justice advocate
- Lynn Zender, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Davis
The team welcomes new members. Contact Miriam Casey at NorCalCIM@gmail.com.
Racial Justice Audit
Racial Justice Audit
In April 2022, the Commission for Intercultural Ministries (CIM) met with the Board of Trustees to discuss and answer questions about the Racial Justice Audit Resolution R3-2021, which was adopted at the 2021 Diocesan Convention. The CIM, charged with facilitating the audit, is grateful for the near-unanimous support of the resolution and is committed to the work of building Beloved Community in the diocese.
The proposed diocesan audit, which is aligned with the Baptismal Covenant and The Episcopal Church standard of practice, will be modeled on a churchwide audit released in 2021. It is anticipated that this work will take place over a 2-year period, with diocesan-level governing bodies audited during the first year and congregations audited in the second year.
A funding request for the first year is currently under consideration with the Board of Trustees.
Resources
Racial Justice Audit – The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California: www.norcalepiscopal.org/racial-justice-audit/
Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Leadership: www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/racial- reconciliation/racial-justice-audit/
Team Members
Racial Justice Audit Co-Chairs are Lynn Zender, zenderlynn@gmail.com, and Jo Ann Williams, bjwilli@surewest.net. Questions about the proposed audit may be addressed to them.
Resources
The Commission publishes current resources and reports in its monthly Becoming Beloved Community newsletter. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please subscribe here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WeHHFWL/CommForInterculturalMinis
Sacred Ground https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground
Becoming Beloved Community https://episcopalchurch.org/beloved-community
The Way of Love https://episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love
Racial Healing and Reconciliation https://episcopalchurch.org/racial-reconciliation
Latino/Hispanic Ministries https://episcopalchurch.org/latino-ministries
Indigenous Ministries https://episcopalchurch.org/indigenous-ministries
Episcopal Migration Ministries https://episcopalchurch.org/episcopal-migration-ministries
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/
Racial Justice Audit – The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California https://www.norcalepiscopal.org/racial-justice-audit/
Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Leadership: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/racial- reconciliation/racial-justice-audit/
