THE DIOCESE OF SAN JOAQUIN

ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA

4159 E. Dakota Avenue Fresno, California 93726-5297 (559) 244-4828

The Rt. Rev. Eric Vawter Menees, Bishop

May 7, 2014


Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Diocese of San Joaquin.

We received notice today that Judge Black issued a Tentative and
Proposed Statement of Decision in the lawsuit known as Diocese of San
Joaquin v. Schofield. Although we have not completely digested the entire
basis for the decision, Judge Black did rule in favor of the Episcopal
Church.

We will have an opportunity to challenge the tentative decision and our
attorneys are preparing to do so. I will be in communication with you as
more details become available and after our attorneys have analyzed the
decision. Until then let us give thanks and praise to God and his servants
Rusty Van Rozeboom and Allan Haley, our attorneys. I give special thanks
to all of you who have sacrificed so much in prayer, work and your financial
support.

I call on the entire Diocese to join me in praying the following:


Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures


THE DIOCESE OF SAN JOAQUIN
ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA
4159 E. Dakota Avenue Fresno, California 93726-5297 (559) 244-4828

The Rt. Rev. Eric Vawter Menees, Bishop
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen. (p. 836 of BCP)



Your servant & Bishop,

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Eric Menees