St. Francis Episcopal Church, Turlock

06/04/2026

For Healing and the Containment of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo

God of miraculous healing, whose Son displayed your power over sickness and death, we pray for all those who are sick or have died amid outbreaks of infectious disease, including Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and East Africa. As violence and displacement deepen suffering, help medical workers and public health systems to stem the outbreak and prevent further sickness and death. Protect all the vulnerable in Congo and the surrounding countries. May those who are fearful amid the pain of sickness and death look with hope toward restoration and release. Help us advocate for investment in global health systems that seek to prevent and coordinate response to health emergencies, especially the World Health Organization and other emergency response systems. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring an end to all suffering, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.tic Republic of Congo

God of miraculous healing, whose Son displayed your power over sickness and death, we pray for all those who are sick or have died amid outbreaks of infectious disease, including Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and East Africa. As violence and displacement deepen suffering, help medical workers and public health systems to stem the outbreak and prevent further sickness and death. Protect all the vulnerable in Congo and the surrounding countries. May those who are fearful amid the pain of sickness and death look with hope toward restoration and release. Help us advocate for investment in global health systems that seek to prevent and coordinate response to health emergencies, especially the World Health Organization and other emergency response systems. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring an end to all suffering, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 6th
Amen.

06/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100064473054996/posts/1436691895156565/?mibextid=CDWPTG

06/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1545668253849361/?mibextid=CDWPTG

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

For the Dignity of Those Harmed in Detention

God of justice, who implores us to treat our neighbors as ourselves, we pray for all victims of sexual violence, especially those who have suffered abuse in detention, prisons, refugee camps, and places where imprisonment, displacement, or war leave vulnerable people exposed to cruelty and exploitation. Comfort and hold these victims in your gracious and loving arms, O God. Bring all perpetrators of sexual violence to repentance and accountability, for the sake of our common life. Turn the hearts of those who are complicit in this violence, whether by silence or by supporting systems that permit the victimization of incarcerated people. Grant wisdom and courage to authorities who oversee detention facilities. Restore dignity to those whose bodies have been violated, and let your church never turn away from suffering. We ask this in the name of your Son, who drew near to the wounded, defended the vulnerable, and proclaimed freedom to the oppressed. Amen.

For Religious Freedom and Mutual Dignity

God of freedom and lover of all, whose gift to the world is never coercive, we pray for religious freedom and dignity for all in a time of deep political and religious division and targeted violence. You call us to trust in you alone, not in earthly rulers. We grieve those who have been killed and targeted for their faith. We lament the effort to merge Christian identity with exclusion, domination, or fear, knowing that it places people of all faiths and no faith at risk, and distorts the Gospel proclaimed by your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to defend the dignity and safety of all people, including religious communities that face harassment, discrimination, or threats. When Christian symbols are used to justify violence, exclusion, or political idolatry, turn our hearts again toward mercy, humility, and truth. Give us courage to reject the false promises of nationalism and to proclaim instead your kingdom. Let us love those who are different from us for the sake of our common life. Grant this through your Son and through the world-changing power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

06/01/2026

For Fairness in Elections and Representation

God our governor, whose gifts to us spring from infinite love, we pray for elections and systems of representation that safeguard justice, participation, and the enfranchisement of all citizens. Help us to work for fair elections, and help us ensure that everyone can engage equally in the civic life of this nation, particularly Black Americans. Grant wisdom and integrity to lawmakers, guard against practices that unfairly marginalize the voices of voters and communities, and guide us all toward truth and reliable information, especially as we approach future elections and debates over representation. We know that our common life is based on our mutual responsibility towards one another. Let love for our neighbors guide our advocacy in the public square and shape our engagement with elections. We give you thanks that our ultimate hope rests not in earthly powers, but in your eternal Kingdom. Let this hope free us from despair and guide us as we seek the good of all. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

05/30/2026

EDSJ Friday Reflection

We Are Called To Be...

In my late twenties I had a vision. I was sitting in the dark, fog and debris surrounded me. Behind me shone a light. I stood up, turned around and walked towards the light. I interpreted this as a call to go to church. The following Sunday I went from almost never going to a church to a full-on every Sunday, 100% engaged parishioner at the Episcopalian equivalent church at the end of the street. And life completely changed from there on.

Later on in my spiritual journey I questioned this 180-degree turnabout. This was especially true when I started to write my spiritual autobiography as part of the discernment process towards priesthood. Who did I think I was that I would have a “vision”? Wasn’t that reserved for “special” people like Saint Paul? If conversion was that easy why isn’t everyone receiving visions? In that mind set of “why me?” it is easy to conclude that temporary delusion was a stronger possibility than a declaration of a vision. However, over time “why me” morphed into “why not me?” and who am I to question the wisdom of God.

Nowadays I am bemused by my lack of gratitude for the sense of clarity of that vision. As I have journeyed with God, many of the holy beginnings I have experienced, or witnessed, have looked anything but clear. Instead, holy beginnings have looked very much like rock bottom, flabbergasted at injustice, or helpless in the face of past failures or huge odds. Holy beginnings can be dark and seemingly impossible. Where you stumble in the midst of the uncertainty, trip up on stumbling blocks, grasp for any kinds of stability, and fall and wonder “what is the point?” at every setback. Furthermore, those around you may not understand your journey and actively work against what you are working towards. Holy beginnings can be lonely on top of being difficult. It is a naïve kind of theology that imagines every call from God comes with blissful blessings at every step. If you don’t believe me have a reread of the bible, particularly look at Jesus himself. Alternatively, the prophets are good examples of costly discipleship.

For those of you who are saying, “duh of course”, I’m not writing this for you. I’m thinking of those who are struggling and questioning in the midst of your difficulties now. When we are struggling it’s hard to even fathom that this struggle is holy. Many of you won’t even recognize your struggles as a call from God to make yourself, or the environment around you, more in line with God’s will. I get that. I’ve had years of experience of people not understanding that we all have ministries and callings whether we are ordained or not. For me, remembering struggle doesn’t necessarily equate to a reason to give up is helpful. Seeing my struggles in the light of a holy call gives me hope, gives me cause for more prayer, gives me resilience and strength to keep going. Today I want to affirm you in your holy calling.

Rev. Karen Matthews, Priest in Charge, St. James Episcopal Church, Sonora

05/27/2026

Discernment might not be exactly what your "limiting" it to...?

This is "IMG_9593" by Anna Carmichael on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/26/2026

For the Children of Gaza and the West Bank

God of life and light, whose son Jesus Christ conquered death that we might have life and life abundantly, we pray for the children of Gaza and the West Bank: those who have died, those without a home, and those who have been displaced. Oh God, we weep for the dead, while knowing that they rest in your mercy and care. We cry out amid the injustice of violence, displacement, and the loss of homes and security, while knowing you will right all wrongs. Make us instruments of your peace and justice. Protect and strengthen all people who provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and help us continue advocating for their rights. Bring an end to suffering in those lands, and cause us to look forward to a new day when the lives of the displaced and the grieving are restored through your transforming grace. We ask this in the name of the giver of that grace, Jesus Christ. Amen.