[The Missionary] Over the next eighteen months the sound of the trumpet will be heard all over the Diocese of Northern California as part of their Jubilee Celebrations, which start officially on 11th June - the Feast of Pentecost. The trumpet is a call for Christians to re-examine themselves, their worshipping communities and their ministries, so that they can include the Jubilee imperatives as seen in the gospel mandate to serve the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and captive.

A survey of congregations in the Diocese revealed that fewer than 30 percent of parishes have active social ministry programmes, more than 70 percent are planning to introduce or expand health and social service programmes. The Diocese of Northern California has set itself the goal of ensuring that each parish has at least one active outreach ministry in place by November 2001. This might be a hot meal programme, a parish nurse, or a food closet.

The diocese is planning to make information, technical assistance and ideas available to parishes to help them plan new initiatives in bringing practical caring ministries to their areas. There is a conviction that congregations who are involved actively in ministry with people in their communities, see spiritual and numerical growth of their members.

The Diocese of Northern California is planning a number of major events between now and November 2001. A Bishop's Conference is due to beheld in spring 2001 to highlight the work of Jubilee 2000, respect for the earth, sharing wealth, release of captives, and the reconciliation and respect of all people.