Support the Vicar of Atwater
Fred Risard, the vicar of an Episcopal mission, has come under threat from his former bishop, the ex-bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. Risard chose not to follow ex-bishop Schofield out of the Episcopal Church and into the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, at the vote taken in Fresno December 8. Schofield has made plans to visit Risard’s church this Sunday, December 23. Risard’s stand could cost him his job, and the church, its community; closing missions and firing vicars are actions that Schofield has taken in the past.
This is gutsiness, friends, in the face of abusive power. Fred Risard needs our prayers and support.
The full article from Episcopal News Service is here.
What can we do?
• Pray.
• Show up at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Atwater, CA, this Sunday. Worship with the community; lend your quiet, but present support; witness to whatever happens.
• Send a message of support to Fr. Fred.
• Donate to Remain Episcopal. Your gift supports publicity, in particular; help get the word out of what is happening in San Joaquin. (Facebook members may donate online, here.) All donations are tax-deductible.
UPDATE: As you're doing these things, go pray with Paul.
Thank you.
5 comments:
I send Fred my prayers (and posted them). I do hope a throng shows up in support of the congregation.
I sent a message to Fr Risard, too, Kirstin.
Thank you both, so much.
I am committed to this in prayer and action... thanks for this post. I sent a message and will keep praying.
How will we ever all get together? God only knows.
Pax.
Thank you for posting this, Kirstin. I sent Fr. Risard a message and am keeping him and his church in my prayers.
It is so good to know that there are priests like Fr. Risard in the Diocese of San Joaquin.
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