Ordinations, Church and Missions in Northern California

Ordinations, Church and Missions in Northern California
by Fr. Aidan Jerry Hix, St. Aidan's CEC Mission, Antioch, CA

It was five years ago that Fr. Craig T. Isaacs, Ph.D., Rector of St. David's CEC in San Anselmo (now in San Rafael), shared with me that he believed the Lord was preparing to expand the CEC in Northern California. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" (Ps. 127.1 RSV). The Lord is faithful and over this past several months, we have seen the first signs of God's providence and plan for expansion in Northern California being fulfilled. Here are but a few of the blessings the Lord has shown:

Ordinations.
In preparation for the Priesthood, Deacon Jerry Hix and Mr. Scott Mitchell completed the St. Michael's Seminary program in September of 2004. Both men recieved their Seminary Diplomas from, and were ordained to the Priesthood, by The Right Reverend Douglas Kessler- Auxiliary Bishop to the Patriarch, on February 5, 2005 at St. David's Charismatic Episcopal Church in San Anselmo, CA.

New Names.
Both priests recieved New Names from Abp Adler and Bp Kessler. Father Mitchell recieved the ordination name of Patrick and prefers to be called, Fr. Scott-Patrick. Fr. Hix recieved the ordination name of Aidan and prefers, Fr. Aidan.

About Fr. Scott-Patrick.
Fr. Scott-Patrick has been married to his lovely wife, Linda, for about 8 years; and is a Public Safety Officer for the City of Rohnert Park (Rohnert Park and Sunnyvale are the only two cities in the state who have Public Safety Officers that rotate the duties of both Police Officer and Fireman). He also serves as the Liason Officer for the Public Safety Department's Chaplaincy program. He holds a Masters degree in Counseling Pyschology from the University of San Francisco. Fr. Scott-Patrick serves as an Assisting Priest at St David's Church and plans to retire in about three years and move to Red Bluff, where he hopes, with Episcopal Blessing, to begin a Mission work.

About Fr Aidan.
Fr. Aidan has been married to his wonderful wife, Deanna, for sixteen years (on September 4th!). They have two boys, Jerry III (14 yrs) and Brian (11). Both boys serve as Acolytes for St. Aidans CEC Mission in Antioch (Jerry III has also served as Acolyte at St. Timothy's CEC Mission in Eugene, Oregon, as well as St. Davids). Fr. Aidan has served in the U.S. Army and National Guard; and holds a B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Miniestry from Eugene Bible College. Fr. Aidan is a Probation Counselor/Peace Officer for the Contra Costa County Probation Department, Juvenile Corrections; and volunteers as a Chaplain for both the county Sheriff's Dept., and Sutter Delta Hospital in Antioch.

St. Aidan's CEC Mission in Antioch, CA
Fr. Aidan serves as an Assisting Priest at St David's Church as often as possible (the Hix family lives on the other side of the San Francisco Bay, about an hour away); and since his ordination, has been serving as Priest for St. Aidan's CEC Mission in Antioch. St Aidan's meets on Saturday nites for Holy Eucharist (in a local Funeral Chapel); and in the Hix home on Wednesday evenings for Prayer and Bible Study. There are plans to begin leading the congregation through the St. Michael's Seminary Workbook program, "Contending for the Faith." We also hope to have our first Episcopal Visit in the next few months.

The Hix Family extends Special Thanks:
To Fr. Patrick and Connie Stuart and family (and St. Patrick's Church in Cascade Locks, OR) for sponsoring and guiding us into the CEC almost eight years ago.

To Fr. Jonathon and Becky Landon and Family. Fr Landon (who now serves as a U.S. Army Chaplain) was our first Priest and Pastor and St. Timothy's CEC Mission in Oregon. Fr Jonathon, Becky and their children- Denise, Jon Paul, and Naomi- each took part in custom making a Stole & Chasuble Set (in each Liturgical Color) for me as an Ordination Present! Thank you for your friendship and the beautiful gift!

To Fr. Craig and Mindy Isaacs for five years of pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and friendship. We love you and the people of St. David's dearly.

To Bp Doug and Karen Kessler. Not only did we have Bp Kessler as our Bishop when we lived in Oregon, he was stuck with us again when we relocated to California! Bp Kessler and Karen, we love you! You have both been wonderful friends and inspirations in our Christian walk. We came out of denominational schisms and abusive authority into the loving but strong arms of a true Bishop and Father in the Faith! It has been such a wonderful and healing experience, for my whole family, to be in the Charismatic Episcopal Church under the Authority of Good, Loving, and Godly Men, such as Bp Kessler and Abp Adler. We love you and Karen and thank you for your leadership and friendship in Christ!

A Special Thanks from Fr. Aidan and Fr Scott-Patrick:
To Fr. Craig Isaacs for several years of mentoring and preparing us for the Priesthood. We cannot thank you enough for all the hours of investment you deposited in our lives. We also thank his lovely wife, Mindy, for all the hours she sacrificed for us to have the time with Fr. Craig.

To Bp Doug and Karen Kessler, Fr. Aaron Applebee, Fr. Mark and Stacey Finley, Becky Landon and Canon Gary Henizer for coming from around the country to attend our Ordination to the Priesthood.

Welcome Aboard:
St. Aidans Mission welcomes the Quinn Family. Deacon Ed "Patrick" Quinn, his beautiful wife, Linda, and their son, Conner, recently relocated to Antioch from St. Michael's Pro-Cathedral; and are now serving at St. Aidan's Mission. Deacon Ed, in addition to Deaconal duties will also be leading us in classes on Liturgical Seasons and Colors and training the Acolyte Team. Linda has recently recieved donations for a Keyboard (Thanks to all who gave) and is leading us in Songs of Praise and Worship. Conner is soon to begin his training as Acolyte.

New Church Building for St. David's.
While St. Michael's Pro-Cathedral may be likened to the Pentagon and St. Aidan's may be an Out-Post, we finally have our Fort Apache in Northern California! St. David's has recently been able to purchase a church building in San Rafael. There has been many hours of prayer (several months worth)- standing in faith for the finances- and hours of hard manual labor.

However, this is only a sneak-peak and a big PRAISE THE LORD! The full story must wait to be written by those who were actively involved. Thanks to all the worker who volunteered to make it happen.