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 At Diocesan Convention 2006 I called on the diocese to begin a broad-based visioning process that would lead to a set of shared priorities to focus the mission of the diocese for the next three to five years. It was my hope that the process we created would be organically related to the worship life of the Church, and not an off-the-shelf strategic planning process laid down on top of our unique, vibrant life.
After the first Visioning event at Grace Cathedral on May 5, 2007, I noticed that several nodes had emerged, and I enumerated the following at diocesan convention last October.
- First, there is a strong interest in the diocese becoming inclusive to the point of reflecting in its membership the demographic makeup of the Bay Area.
- There is an oft-noted sense that we need to strengthen communication within the diocese.
- Youth and young adult ministries need to be strengthened, and
- the deaneries need to be reinvigorated.
These nodes have held as strong shared priorities, and we find some other priorities emerging in the conversations that have been held at regional Visioning events that have included more than 800 participants. On this webpage we will share the emerging shared priorities of the people of this diocese, and at the Special Convention on May 10, 2008, I will share the final analysis of your words with the rest of the diocese. There is still an opportunity for you to add your voice to this process. The Playbox provides an opportunity for you to join in this continuing conversation, prayerfully and with discernment, sharing your voice with the diversity of viewpoints within this diocese. I invite you to read on, and to join in as we build the Beloved Community.
“… the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of (women and) men.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. — Facing the Challenge of a New Age.
What people are saying about their participation in
the Visioning process of the Diocese of California
“The design was wonderful in the way it flowed, there was an organic connectedness that naturally led into the next question. Everyone was engaged and offered some insightful observations and suggestions.”
“Loved the integration of art, dance, psalm and prayer.”
“Great liturgy; thoughtful questions for the groups; challenging concepts; moving choreography and dance; relaxed and welcoming presentations.”
Resources for the Journey
 The Playbox—a CD/DVD-based resource distributed to all congregations in February 2008—is the component of the comprehensive diocesan strategic visioning process that is specifically designed to enhance local leadership. Following the model established in the “Building the Beloved Community” visioning conference hosted at Grace Cathedral in May of 2007, the diocesan visioning process is an intentional and prayerful dialogue between our bishop and the lay and clergy leaders of our diocese about the future that God is calling us to.
Look for the Playbox in your congregation or borrow a copy from the diocese by contacting Julia McCray-Goldsmith at
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Expect more resources at the Special Convention!
The Beloved Community process is designed to serve your ministries on an ongoing basis, but in May 2008 we’ll pause to reflect on where we’ve been and chart a course for the future based on the strengths of our past and riches of our collective imagination. Look for a report and a roadmap at the Saturday May 10 Special Convention, and listen to Bishop Marc’s address as he reflects on what he has heard from our diocese.
The Voice of the Community
Over the course of 10 months, about 800 people have taken part in a series of events designed to elicit a diocesan vision for the Beloved Community—as we have known it already, and as we can imagine it in common ministry with our bishop. Public “Beloved Community” events have included
the event at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco (May 5, 2007), and events at Our Saviour, Mill Valley (October 6, 2007); St. Paul's, Walnut Creek (November 17, 2007); St. Mark's, Palo Alto (January 19, 2008); and St. Paul's, Oakland (February 24, 2008). At each of these gatherings, participants have listened and responded
to an address from Bishop Marc, and engaged a series of common
questions in small groups.
In addition, Diocesan Council and ministry leaders have engaged in a visioning process, and the Beloved Community Playbox is your invitation to gather a group and host your own visioning event.
If you would like to participate in the Visioning work of the Diocese, we ask you to read the questions below and send your responses, your prayers, and your hopes for our life together to
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Where you have come close to (experienced) a community such as the one Bishop Marc described?
Frequently-repeated themes include formation ministries (EfM, Cursillo, Bible studies & prayer groups); healing ministries and other ministries of compassion, singing.
- “In our parish, which is a mixture of races, sexual orientation, age, poor and wealthy.”
- “Singing…cursillo…healing ministry… hospice… homeless work… family camp… silent retreats.”
- “Getting together with like minded folks who want to create community.”
What might the Diocese of California look like as a Beloved Community?
Oft-repeated themes include being outwardly focused, inclusivity (especially of the marginalized), being intentionally anti-racist and multicultural, witnessing to Christ & the Gospel.
- “Every congregation would be deeply present to the marginalized outside their doors”
- “We will have the energy, joy, and spirit of Jesus in the liturgy.”
- “Give up our denial about racism and see where our resistances are.”
- “What else will connect us rather than our common struggle?
What would we need to build this Beloved Community?
Repeated themes include willingness and intention to do so, truth-telling, collaboration, joyfulness.
- “A change of consciousness and intention towards communication and interrelatedness rather than competition.”
- “Being prayerful… telling our stories… compassion… courage to tell the truth.”
- “Confidence this can happen because Jesus is with us.”
How might you participate as a member of the Beloved Community?
Themes include taking responsibility for one’s own involvement; outreach to underserved communities, especially youth; spiritual formation and discernment; having a diocesan structure that facilitates involvement; taking risks; and getting to know other parishes.
- “Say yes! … join and invite others inside and outside this church.”
- “More evangelism… open hearts… be risky.”
- “Children can lead us in breaking down differences.”
- “Understanding… the structure of the diocese and communicating it to parishes…helping deaneries be more effective in their roles, getting people more involved, more effective communication.”
- “Accept that I am a small part of a larger project.”
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