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2000-196

San Joaquin convention sends missionaries, money overseas

by Dick Snyder

     (ENS) A new diocesan program which calls for sending missionaries to areas 
of the world "where no Christian work was being done" was announced by the Rt. 
Rev. John-David Schofield during the 41st annual convention of the Diocese of San 
Joaquin, held at St. James Cathedral, Fresno.

     Schofield used as his convention address theme a verse from the book of 
Revelation: "Behold, I make all things new."

     Schofield explained that the concept for the missionary endeavor came from 
diocesan representatives to the New Wineskins Conference. "The Lord's plan (for 
San Joaquin) came into focus," he said. "We were to support, and become involved 
in, missionary outreach in areas and peoples of the world where no Christian work 
was being done." During the coming year, the diocese will send clergy to Nepal, 
Pakistan, and Laos. In addition, youth leaders being trained as counselors in 
Youth Quest, another diocesan initiative, may join the clergy for missionary 
stints later in the year.

     A diocesan youth convention, with 200 in attendance, was held concurrently 
at the diocesan conference center, ECCO.

     One of the first missionaries will be the Rev. Sam Vongsant, who will return 
to his native Laos after being gone from that country for 25 years. Vongsant said 
he is looking forward to seeing his family members again, as well as 
participating in missionary work. Schofield noted that Vongsant has translated 
the Book of Common Prayer into Laotian.

National church funds to go to African dioceses

     As part of its outreach, the diocese will also send $53,000 to "wonderfully 
orthodox dioceses in Africa," said Schofield. The money will be sent in the name 
of the national church, and the diocese reduced its payment to the national 
church by that amount.

     Schofield also told delegates that while many people had left the Episcopal 
Church because of "decisions made by last summer's General Convention," he has no 
plans to leave. "I am quite content to be obedient to Jesus and his word as a 
ember of the Episcopal Church, particularly because I know that primates heading 
up various provinces of the Anglican Communion throughout the world are 
monitoring us carefully," he said.

     A resolution stating support for Episcopalians who have joined the Anglican 
Mission in America failed on a divided vote, with clergy supporting it and lay 
delegates rejecting it.

Planning for growth

     Schofield said the diocese will be preparing for growth by helping parishes 
and missions in four areas: youth work, discipleship, evangelism, and 
stewardship. He said the diocese should be ready to double in size in the next 
five years, and triple in 10. He cited demographic studies showing that 
California's San Joaquin Valley will triple is population in the next 20 to 30 
years. A diocesan budget of $1,321,000--which includes four percent pay increases 
for diocesan clergy--was also passed. The budget also includes a full-time youth 
director.

     Convention delegates learned that diocesan youth camp, Camp San Joaquin, 
will be closed "for one year at least," according to the bishop. San Joaquin's 
diocesan council will assess the cost of needed renovation for buildings there, and
the council must assess the impact of Sequoia--where the camp is located--being 
designated a national monument by President Clinton.

--Dick Snyder is a freelance writer who resides in Nevada.