Tag Archives: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

September 2, 2026 · 3:22 pm

Pluralism in Abrahamic Religions

Pluralism supports diverse views in philosophy, religion, or society, allowing beliefs and power centers to share influence and views about reality. I have been teaching the Bible, ethics, church history, and theology in jail since 2015 in a context of Abrahamic religions (faiths that believe in one God and revere the heritage of the patriarch and prophet Abraham). In my understanding, there are many ways to follow God and God loves us all. In class, it is sometimes appropriate to present pluralistic examples from scriptures other than those of my own Christian faith. I just developed the attached handout to distribute to my class tonight. Here are the scriptures I present in the handout,

Qur’an 

The [Muslim] believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians – all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good – will have their rewards with the Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve. (Quran 2:62)

We have assigned a law and a path to each of you. If God had so willed, He would have made you one community, but He wanted to test you through that which He has given you, so race to do good: you will all return to God and He will make clear to you the matters you differed about. (Quran 5:48)

People, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another. (Quran 49:13)

(Arabic Translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, The Qur’an, 2016)

Tanakh – Hebrew Bible

And God said, “Here is the sign I am giving you of the covenant between Me and you, and every living being with you, down to the last generation: I have placed My bow in the cloud – it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth…When the bow is in the cloud, and I see it, I will remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living beings, all that live upon the earth.”

(Genesis 9:12-16, Hebrew translation: The Torah: A Modern Commentary, Ed: W. Gunther Plaut, 2006)

O ETERNAL One, Your faithfulness reaches to heaven;
Your steadfastness to the sky;
Your beneficence is like the high mountains;
Your justice like the great deep;
human and animal You deliver, O ETERNAL One.
How precious is Your faithful care, O God!
Humankind shelters in the shadow of Your wings.
They feast on the rich fare of Your house;
You let them drink at Your refreshing stream.
With You is the fountain of life;
by Your light do we see light. 

(Psalm 36:5-10, Hebrew translation: Sefaria Library, 2023, sefaria.org)

New Testament / Christian Scripture

But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44-45)

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness [acts justly] is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34)

Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions…Who are you to pass judgment on slaves of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand…For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord: so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:1-8)

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)

(Greek translation: Holy Bible / New Revised Standard Version / Updated Edition, 2021)

Image Copyright 2026 by Katy Dickinson, If you want to receive Katysblog posted by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! field (upper right on Katysbloghome page).

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February 20, 2025 · 12:59 pm

Here am I; send me!

For most of my life, I have served as a lector in church. That is, I am one of those who regularly reads the holy scriptures assigned for the day during our weekly worship services. On 9 February 2025 at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, I read the Old Testament passage, Isaiah 6:1-8, which includes a memorable description of angels (“each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew”) and concludes with, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” I love this passage because it is both a fascinating vision and a statement of vocation.

Variants of the phrase “Here am I; send me!” is in many places in the Bible, including, Genesis 22 (3 times), Genesis 27, Genesis 31, Genesis 37, Genesis 46, 1 Samuel 3 (5 times), 1 Samuel 12, 1 Samuel 14, 1 Samuel 22, 2 Samuel 15, Psalm 40, Isaiah 58, Isaiah 65 (twice), Jeremiah 26, Luke 1, Acts 9, 2 Corinthians 12, Tobit 2, Tobit 6, 1 Maccabees 6, and 2 Esdras 14. It is also the refrain of one of my favorite hymns, “Here I Am, Lord,” by Dan Schutte and St. Louis Jesuits (1981),

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord,
if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I think of Isaiah 6:1-8 whenever I am lucky enough to visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Under the dome are four large paintings of six winged angels soaring over the immense and ancient worship space. When I was there last in 2024, I bought a scarf featuring an abstract painting of the dome and angels.

Last night in Elmwood jail, John Plocher and I were discussing the concept of vocation with our weekly class – and of course we discussed Isaiah 6:1-8. Some of the inmates felt a vocation for art or music or sports but many of them are still considering what God is calling them to do in their lives. John and I have just finished a four month term using the “Transforming Literature of the Bible” course on the Christian Testament. Next week is movie night and the guys voted to watch “War Horse.” In two weeks, we will start the next Hebrew Bible term and I will be asking them to notice every time someone says, “Here am I; send me!”

Images (c) 2024-2025 by Katy Dickinson. If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

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December 11, 2023 · 1:12 pm

Christmas Cards to Prisoners

Supporters of the Stepping Stones Gathering got together yesterday to write Christmas Cards for prisoners. Stepping Stones was started in 2018 to support jail and prison inmates, and those in reentry and recovery. Sending written holiday greetings and letters of support to prisoners has been part of this ministry since it started. Prisoners have told us each year how important it is to get cards. Since many inmates are not in communication with outside friends and family, our cards may be the only ones arriving. Some prisoners keep their cards and re-read the encouraging messages for weeks or months.

Cards are donated and must meet jail and prison requirements: no foil or glitter, regular postal size, no scents or images on envelopes. (Also, no “Home for the Holidays” messages – because most of the prisoners will not be home.) St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church hosted the card writing (we met in one of the rooms of St. Andrew’s School), provided coffee and tea, and is buying the stamps. Stepping Stones volunteers donated sweets or sandwiches to the party.

I put together a list of 122 inmates and people in reentry with whom Stepping Stones has been in contact, verifying prisoner addresses against Santa Clara County and California location websites. We regretfully do not have addresses 32 of those who have been released or sent to another carceral facility but we hope to locate them for next year.

Yesterday, diligent Stepping Stones card writers completed 263 cards. Each of the 90 men and women for whom we have an address will be sent at least one card, and many will get more than one. I am mailing 65 at a time so as not to overwhelm the jail mail distribution system. Cards with glitter or gold foil or decorated envelopes have been donated to a San Jose program that supports people in reentry and recovery.

Stepping Stones meets online Sundays at 8 am Pacific time to worship and support each other. Please consider joining us: weekly information is on the Stepping Stones Facebook page. Some of the Stepping Stones members are also chaplains for the Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy of Santa Clara County, regularly visiting prisoners in jail.

Images Copyright (c) 2023. Thanks to Thierry Doyen for the group photo! If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

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September 7, 2023 · 11:52 am

Interreligious Panel – Chaplains for Prisoners

I was honored to present and moderate “The Same and Different: Supporting Muslim and Jewish Inmates,” an interreligious panel, on, 3 September 2023, hosted by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Saratoga, California – San Francisco Bay Area). This was an in-person event that was also live-streamed and recorded. Here is the link for the recording, https://vimeo.com/event/3655244 (2 hours), plus the one page handout about the panel. This event was generously supported by a grant from the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, through the GTU Madrasa-Midrasha Program. Here is the GTU announcement.

I was touched and thankful for the positive feedback about this event, notably this comment by the Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy‘s Chaplain Ra Amen, “The absolute best interreligious training on the topic. The synergism between the panelists and moderator was seamless. The questions and answers allow for a broad range of insights and experiences to be covered. Whether a novice or as one with years of experience, there was much to be gained from the discussion that will serve me well in future interreligious situation in jail or the general society. It was a model that could be use national in jail and prison ministry. I commend everyone involved in putting on this training.” Another comment from volunteer Chaplain Barbara Harriman was heartwarming, “The seminar today was amazing! Your panel was filled with compassionate scholars, including you! It was very impressive and informative. Thank you so much. I’m so glad you made the video accessible. I will share it with others.” I am grateful for the support.

Grateful thanks to the inspiring and excellent panel speakers:

Thank you as well to the friends, family, and colleagues who helped me put on this event. Especially Karen LeBlanc, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, and John Plocher.

Images Copyright (c) 2023 Katy Dickinson. Thanks to photographers, Karen LeBlanc, Joel Martinez, John Plocher, and Barbara Merrill. If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

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July 30, 2023 · 1:55 pm

Panel: The Same and Different, Supporting Muslim and Jewish Inmates

Interreligious chaplaincy books, July 2023
Interreligious chaplaincy books, July 2023

Please join us for “The Same and Different: Supporting Muslim and Jewish Inmates,” an Interreligious Panel, 1:30 to 3:30 pm on Sunday, 3 September 2023, hosted by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, California – San Francisco Bay Area). This is an in-person event that will also be live-streamed. Here is the live streaming link, https://vimeo.com/event/3655244. Here us the one page handout about the panel.

Thanks to the panel speakers:

This is a two hour training event (with a panel of experts) for jail chaplains – and those interested in learning about jail chaplaincy – on best practices in supporting inmates, especially those who are Muslim or Jewish.

There are about three thousand inmates in Santa Clara County jail. Eight staff CIC Chaplains and hundreds of volunteers interact routinely with prisoners of all faiths, including discussions about non-medical special diets (Kosher, Halal, or Vegetarian), leading educational and spiritual programs, offering individual pastoral care visits, and distributing religious items (such as scriptures and religious prayer or study materials, hijab, or kippah or kufi head coverings, prayer rugs, and rosaries). For the last several years, many jail prisoners have had access to county-provided electronic tablets offering educational programs, entertainment, and religious and spiritual scriptures and other documents from a wide range of religious and spiritual contexts. Discussions with inmates who are interested in exploring or converting to Islam or Judaism seem to have increased since the tablets became available.

“The Same and Different: Supporting Muslim and Jewish Inmates” attendees can gain a greater understanding of Islam and Judaism and learn best practices for supporting inmates from those religions. There will be small group discussions after the panel. Some attendees will also be able to take home an excellent book to support their ministry with Muslim or Jewish inmates:

  • Dayle A. Friedman, ed., Jewish Pastoral Care: A Practical Handbook from Traditional & Contemporary Sources (Nashville, TN: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2015).
  • Muhammad A. Ali, Omer Bajwa, Sondos Kholaki, and Jaye Starr, eds., Mantle of Mercy: Islamic Chaplaincy in North America (West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press, 2022).

Book quantities are very limited: first come, first served. Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Sheikh Rami Nsour, and Katy Dickinson are all speakers for the Islamic Networks Group (ING), a peace-building organization providing face-to-face education and engagement opportunities that foster understanding of Muslims and other misunderstood groups to promote harmony among all people.

This event is generously supported by a grant from the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, through the GTU Madrasa-Midrasha Program. Here is the GTU announcement.

Interreligious Panel name buttons, 25 Aug 2023
Interreligious Panel name buttons, 25 Aug 2023

Image Copyright (c) 2023 Katy Dickinson. If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

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May 4, 2021 · 1:47 pm

In Memory of Daniel Vega Martinez (1969-2021)

Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, collage, from Peggy Bryan
Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, collage, from the Rev. Peggy Bryan

On Sunday, a group of family and friends gathered to remember Daniel Vega Martinez (1969-2021). Daniel or “Big O” was a beloved member of our Stepping Stones reentry community, and had been in my class at Elmwood county jail. The Rev. Peggy Bryan, who leads the Stepping Stones community with Jack Fanning, wrote this tribute and account of Daniel’s death.

“Sadly, we said goodbye yesterday to Daniel Martinez, one of the first men I met at Elmwood and who, in reentry, was my teacher about the authentic challenges faced by living on the streets. Daniel was handed a tough life and the demons of addiction and shame finally tracked him down. Sunday he was found in flames in the cab of the truck he was living in. He was transported to VMC’s Burn Unit but his injuries were deemed unsurvivable so yesterday I offered final prayers as his wife, children and sisters circled him with love…Expressions of condolences and love are pouring in from those incarcerated and those outside who knew, loved and respect Daniel, ‘Big O’, as a man of God and a real St. Paul when leading behind bars, in prison or jail. The cause of the fire is unknown—accident, suicide, homicide…Please keep everyone in your prayers, those who call him father, brother, husband, mentor, friend and teacher are spread far and wide. As plans for a service are known, I’ll let you know. My heart is broken, this has been beyond brutal, but it helps knowing Daniel finally rests In God’s perfect peace.”

Fifty of Daniel’s friends and family got together in the San Jose parking lot to honor his life and lay flowers at the burn site where he was fatally injured.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him

  • Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, melted fence 2 May 2021
    Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, melted fence 2 May 2021
  • Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, memorial flowers 2 May 2021
    Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, memorial flowers 2 May 2021
  • Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, with family, from Peggy Bryan
    Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, with family, from Peggy Bryan
  • Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, at beach, by Peggy Bryan
    Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, at beach, by Peggy Bryan
  • Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, with Kathy and Peggy, from Peggy Bryan
    Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, with Kathy and Peggy, from Peggy Bryan
  • Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, sunset, from Peggy Bryan
    Daniel Vega Martinez 1969-2021, sunset, from Peggy Bryan

30 May 2021 Update: Daniel’s Memorial Service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

  • Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
    Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
  • Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
    Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
  • Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
    Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
  • Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
    Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
  • Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
    Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
  • Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
    Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021
Daniel Martinez memorial, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 30 May 2021

If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home). Images Copyright 2016-2021 by Peggy Bryan.

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March 6, 2021 · 5:05 pm

MA Thesis Presentation

Katy on Zoom, 19 Feb 2021

On 7 March 2021, I presented about my GTU Master’s Thesis “Range of Chaplain Engagement with Prisoners” to about forty people in my home parish, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Saratoga, California) via Zoom (and broadcast to the church courtyard). I linked my slides here to make it easier to follow along. Here is the link to the video recording.

I have not yet posted the whole thesis – I think the GTU Library will be doing that eventually. I am still in the process of getting the final thesis signatures and the library is one of the last that needs to approve it.

St Andrews, 7 Mar 2021

22 April 2021 – This presentation has been given several times, most recently to the GTU Religion and Practice Department, and a Kairos volunteer group. Please contact me if you would me to speak.

8 March 2021 – updated text, added video link, and photo

If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home). Images Copyright 2021 by Katy Dickinson.

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