The Rev. Laura Sheridan Campbell and the Rev. Mike Russell enjoyed themselves at the Tea.

Last month's Tea and Tour at the Episcopal Church Center drew people from Lake Elsinore to Coronado; over 60 attended to learn about the center, and offer ideas and opinions about remodeling plans. Bishop Mathes emerged from his sabbatical to share in the experience.

Tours of the Center met with enthusiasm from tea-goers; many expressed delight at the opportunity to comment on future plans. 

Ms. Nancy Holland, director of the Center, is still taking feedback from all people of the diocese. If you have any thoughts or ideas about the Center, its present or future condition, or how it might best serve your congregation, please email her. You may also call her: 619-823-8998.

High Tea Photos

Learn more about the Center, its operations and hopes for the future.

St. Thomas of Canterbury, Temecula saved from fire.

[Temecula Patch] Firefighters were the saviors of one church in Temecula today. St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church was saved from an inferno that came within a few feet on the property.

The fire started around 3 p.m. on Avenida de Missiones in a brush- and tree-filled field adjacent the church and the Temecula Creek Village condominium complex, according to Cal Fire Capt. Scott Moore.

The fire quickly spread to 2.64 acres in the 100 degree heat, the captain said. When firefighters arrived, they found about an acre ablaze, with flames stretching 25 feet into the sky, he said. About 20 firefighters rushed to the scene and kept the fire from the church and a nearby condo complex.

Nobody was injured, no residents were evacuated and the only damage was a melted plastic fence, according to Moore.

Read more.

The first Sunday of every month, St. Peter's hosts a beautiful Choral Evensong followed by a sherry reception. All are welcome to attend. 

Sunday, September 4

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

334 14th St., Del Mar

5:00pm

 Come hear the highly versatile organ in our cathedral for free every Tuesday at 12:30pm. For more information, contact Chris Harris.

The Rev. Doran and Therese Stambaugh celebrate the birth of their third child, Pearl Angelina. She was born August 24 in the early morning and she joins siblings, River and Eden, in the Stambaugh clan. Father Stambaugh is the priest-in-charge at St. Michael's, Carlsbad. Congratulations!

All people of the diocese are invited to attend a solemn Evensong in honor of those who died ten years ago on September 11, 2001. This will be a time of reflection and remembering as well as praying for peace and fostering hope for the future. Bishop Mathes will preside. The St. Cecilia Girls Choir will sing. Prayers for healing will be available after the service. A memorial reception will follow in the Great Hall.

Sunday, September 11

St. Paul's Cathedral

2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego

5:00pm

Eucharistic visiting can be a great honor and blessing.

Have you ever wanted to take the bread and wine made holy to those who are homebound? Attend this one-day training to learn about the history of the role, customs and canons, substituting for the clergy and much more. It is critical to the success of Lay Eucharistic Visitors and required by the Diocese of San Diego. For more information about the content of the training, contact the Rev. Bob Nelson, 619-997-5629.

To register, please send $15 and a recommendation letter from your priest to Registrar Isabel Lynne, 619-481-5455. 

Saturday, September 17

The Episcopal Church Center

2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego 92107

9:00am - 3:00pm

Our diocese takes safeguarding seriously.

Safeguarding God's People teaches how exploitation and harassment occur, the awareness we need to prevent such occurrences, and - should exploitation or harassment occur - how to respond. 

All sessions begin at 8:30am and conclude at 4:00pm. They include lunch and cost $30. For more information, contact Registrar Isabel Lynne, 619-481-5455. 

Saturday, September 24

St. David's Episcopal Church

5050 Milton St., San Diego

Register here

Saturday, October 22

Good Shepherd

3990 Bonita Rd., Bonita

Register here

Saturday, January 21
St. Paul in-the-Desert

125 West El Alameda, Palm Springs

Register here

This invaluable workshop explores what culture is and why we have cultural differences; cultural differences and the impacts on leadership; theological reflection on multicultural leadership; and developing a spirituality for leadership in a diverse, changing world.  

The training fulfills  the requirement for anti-racism training for all clergy, professional staff and those elected or appointed to positions of leadership on committees, commissions, agencies and boards, in compliance with general convention resolutions.

The Rev. Eric H. F. Law, an ordained Episcopalian priest, will lead the training. He founded the Kaleidoscope Institute, in order to develop competent leadership in a diverse, changing world. He is an internationally known consultant and trainer in multicultural ministry and building inclusive communities. He is also a photographer, playwright, and composer.

An online video class presented by Episcopal Divinity School.

Creating Diaconal Congregations is a six week non-credit course with weekly video presentations you watch on your own schedule, live small group discussions you arrange with your team, theological reflections, readings, and an integrative project, all designed to help your parish become more outwardly focused. $200 per person or $250 for teams of 2-4 people in the same location. Contact Liz Magill,  617-682-1581 for more information or to register.

Register now for one-month online courses on leadership and more.

New online courses for personal and professional development will be offered beginning Oct. 17, 2011, by Claremont School of Theology. Gain valuable knowledge and skills to become a more effective community leader and learn more about the Bible and theology!

Enroll now for the following affordable online courses:

• Introduction to Process Theology
• New Literary Insights into the Gospels
• Islam in America
• Leading in Challenging Changing Times

For more information and to register, click here.

from American College of Sports Medicine

 

Exercise by doing something you enjoy.

If you've put off exercising simply because you don't have the time to go to the gym, your help is here! The overall message in the newly-released exercise guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is that virtually any kind of activity is better than none at all.

The updated guidelines still recommend 150 minutes or more per week (30 minutes a day, 5 times a week) of cardio activity. The difference is the relaxing of stringent exercise guidelines. 

Read More

"You inspired me"  

I was packing on a few more pounds every year, sometimes more than a few. I told myself, "You are getting older, this is to be expected." My back hurt. I told myself, "This is because I am tall." (I am 6'1".) My blood pressure was creeping up. "High blood pressure runs in my family," I told myself. My knees hurt. Often I had trouble sleeping. I did exercise, but for the life of me, I could not seem to lose five pounds. I seem to view myself as an athlete, and I didn't like what I now saw in the mirror. My BMI slipped from "overweight" to "obese."

About that time, we hired Jacob as our new music director at church. Prior to this, Jacob had lost one hundred pounds (without surgery). Jacob inspired me. Of course, everyone asked, "How did you do it?" Jacob introduced me to a calorie-counting app called "Lose it!" Before "Lose it!" I really had no idea how many calories I was consuming in a day. I also bought a small food scale. How much is 4 to 6 ounces of chicken? What is an appropriate portion size? I found that by making simple substitutions, I could save a lot of calories.   

Read full story 

St. George and the dragon, a sample of McCormick's work.

All people of the diocese are invited to a mosaic unveiling at St. John's, Fallbrook. The mosaic is under wraps right now, but it is based on an illustration by Ellen Mykkanen and is 3'x5'.

Parishioner Michael McCormick created the mosaic drawing on his twenty years of experience as an artist and gallery owner. His mosaics were on display at Diocesan Convention 2011. 

Join the people of St. John's as they celebrate their new mosaic. A reception will follow. All are welcome!

Sunday, September 4

St. John's Episcopal Church

434 North Iowa St., Fallbrook

Following the 10:00am service

God in America six week series.

For those who know that in America religion matters, and for those who wish it didn't matter so much, St. Bartholomew's is offering a six week series, "God in America," based on the PBS Frontline Series, the American Experience. Over a six week period the Rev. Bill Zettinger will explore with you the sweeping history of how religious faith has shaped America. The format will be 60 minutes of video and 30 minutes of discussion.

The topics for the first three weeks are: "A New Adam" September 7; "A New Eden" September 14 and "A Nation Reborn" September 21. Part II of the series will continue in October on the 5th, 12th and 19th. Join the Rev. Bill Zettinger for what will be lively discussions on how religious faith and belief have forged America's ideals, molded our identity and shaped our sense of mission at home and abroad.

Wednesdays, September 7, 14 and 21 (Part I)
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
16275 Pomerado Road, Poway 

Morning session 10:30am $25 for three weeks (lunch provided)

Evening session 7:00pm $5 for three weeks (snacks provided)

Do you know what to do if a wildfire threatens your home and family? What about a house fire, earthquake, or flood? Come to St. Timothy's and learn how you can prepare for these common disasters. 

The San Diego Chapter of the American Red Cross will provide a thirty minute presentation on disaster preparedness, including how to assemble an emergency kit and make a family communication plan. There will be a question-and-answer period following the presentation. 

To learn more about this free event or St. Timothy's, call 858-538-1267 or visit www.st-tims-church.org.

Tuesday, September 13

St. Timothy's Episcopal Church

10125 Azuaga St., Rancho Peñasquitos

Support the children of Dorcas House.

Come and get to know the children of Docas House through their art and their writing projects at this FREE art show at St. Paul's Cathedral. 

RSVP by September 19 to Judy MacDonald, 619-298-7261 x324.

Dorcas House is a foster home for children in Tijuana.  Learn more at www.dorcashousefriends.org

Saturday, September 24

St. Paul's Cathedral

2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego

4:00pm - 6:00pm

On Saturday October 1st, the Elizabeth Smider Foundation will celebrate its 3rd annual metaplastic breast cancer fundraiser, Pinktoberfest! The Pinktoberfest event will kick-off October as breast cancer awareness month.  

Elizabeth Smider, member of St. Tim's

Elizabeth Smider was a faithful member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Rancho Penasquitos. She developed a rare form of breast cancer and after a courageous struggle, died in 2008. 

Read her story here.

At the spectacular UCSD International House Great Hall from 5-11pm, supporters will enjoy an evening of local wine, microbrews, dinner and live music while raising funds to support the fight against breast cancer, especially aggressive and rare breast cancers.   

For more information, contact Rachel Harrison Brown.

Saturday, October 1

UCSD International House Great Hall

La Jolla 92039

5:00pm - 11:00pm