Bishop's Visitations
Sunday, April 3 St. Peter's, Del Mar Sunday, April 10 St. Margaret's, Palm Desert Sunday, April 17 Good Shepherd, Bonita Saturday, April 23 Easter Vigil at St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego Sunday, April 24 Easter Sunday at St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego
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From Our Bishop
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Bishop Mathes
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In my own reflections over the last months, several threads seem to be converging in a way that is weaving a clear picture of mission for our church at this time. As you know, I have just returned from the House of Bishops meeting in Kanuga, North Carolina. While there we reflected about ways for the church to reach young adults as well as our processes for forming individuals, particularly younger people, for ministry. In these discussions, we were blessed to her from Dr. Lisa Kimball, director of the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Dr. Kimball, who will lead this fall's Clergy Conference, raised significant concerns about our failure to attract younger individuals, saying that it is mostly a result of failing to do what we believe. After touching on sociological data that is becoming increasingly clear and familiar to church leaders, Dr. Kimball suggested that we have many of the tools (The Five Marks of Mission, the Charter for Life-Long Christian Formation, and the Catechesis in our Book of Common Prayer, to name a few) in our hands to reclaim a consequential faith in Jesus Christ which will be compelling and indeed irresistible to many. I found myself convicted and hooked by what she described as a rule of life with so-called millennials: show up, listen, and tell the truth.
And in our common life, we are increasingly moving closer to a School for Ministry which will be a resource for those in our ordination processes for deacons and priests as well as those in lay leadership and ministry. You will be hearing more about our revamped and congregationally-centered ordination process soon. As we hold and weave these various strands together, I ask that you do three things in the waning days of Lent:
- Pray for our congregations and diocese to continue to be evermore connected to the mission of God.
- As you pray, seek discernment on who you know in your congregation or community that may be called to a particular ministry lay, diaconal or presbyterial. Please be attentive that your attention be quickened to those who may take the gospel out beyond the church walls in deed and word.
- Examine your own formation work in your congregation. How are we engaging in life-long Christian formation? How does this formation prepare all the baptized to do the mission of God in our various and varied communities?
When we gather on Tuesday in Holy Week, I look forward to being in further conversation with you about these threads. We have a plentiful harvest before us. Now is the time to re-frame and re-form the church for an abundant crop.
Peace be with you and may God continue to richly bless you.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop
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Ordinations this Saturday
 Join us on Saturday, April 9 for a special ordination service. Bishop Mathes will ordain two people to the diaconate: Mike Angell and Martha Anderson, and two people to the priesthood: the Rev. Gillian Barr and the Rev. Andrew Shamel. All clergy of the diocese are invited and encouraged to attend this service.
Clergy: red stoles.
Saturday, April 9
St. Paul's Cathedral
2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego
10:00am
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Write and Plan your Fall Pledge Campaign in Just Six Hours
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The Rev. Laurel Johnston will join us from New York for this important workshop
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Have you ever panicked in September when you realized you didn't have a stewardship campaign planned and ready? Don't let it happen this fall!
Plan your fall pledge campaign as part of a year-round stewardship program in this workshop style seminar. It's the perfect opportunity for your congregation to draft and finalize your 2011-2012 plan in just one day.
Learn from the inspiring stewardship expert, the Rev. Laurel Johnston, Staff Officer for Stewardship from the Episcopal Church Center in this one day ecumenical retreat designed for stewardship committees, teams, staff or chair people. Your team will come away with a complete and creative plan tailored for your specific congregation and situation.
Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. Send registration and $25 per person registering to: St. David's Episcopal Church; 5050 Milton St.; San Diego, CA 92110. Mail in your registration form by Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Questions? Contact the Rev. Suzanne Watson, rector@saintdavidschurch.com, 619-276-4567.
Saturday, May 21
St. David's Episcopal Church
5050 Milton Street, San Diego, CA 92110
9:00am - 3:00pm
$25
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Revived and Vibrant Congregation
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St. Paul and the Redeemer in Chicago
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Music spanning the globe and the ages. Flexible space for multi-uses. Wide diversity in membership. Welcoming in spirit. Children participating prominently in the liturgy.
St Paul & the Redeemer in Chicago has transformed itself from a church once described as conflicted to a vibrant worshiping and social community. A product of a 1968 merger of two churches in the Hyde Park area of Chicago, near University of Chicago, the transformation at St Paul & the Redeemer was initiated by one rector, and then continued by the next, with ongoing support from the congregation.
St. Paul & the Redeemer is the focus of the third of five videos in the groundbreaking series, Transforming Churches, Changing the World. Produced by the Episcopal Church Office of Communication, the video is available on the home page of the Episcopal Church web site and on the Church's facebook page.
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Upcoming Events . . .
ECS Water to Wine Event
Thursday, April 7
The Lodge at Torrey Pines
More information
Ordinations to the Diaconate and Priesthood
Saturday, April 9
St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego
10:00am
Jubilee Officers Lunch
Tuesday, April 12
St. Paul's Cathedral, Guild Room
12:30pm
Property Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 13
Office of the Bishop, Conference Room
2:00pm
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