Thanks to the 974 households that participated in our feasibility study in September. The results are in and here's what you said.

• Of the three projects that emerged from our diocesan visioning, your top priority was the clergy mentorship fund.
• Many of you (422) said you'd be willing to help. We'll be calling you soon. If asked to help, please say yes!
• Based on your estimates about giving, our feasibility study shows we can raise $2,000,000. 
• A strong majority (83%) support the capital campaign.

After careful consideration and research, the executive council has decided to continue planning for a capital campaign to begin sometime in 2013. The tentative goal is $2,000,000 proportioned so that the clergy mentoring fund would be maximally supported.

"Thank you," said Bishop Mathes. "To all who participated in the feasibility study, thank you. We asked. You responded. We are adapting and moving forward."

To learn more about the campaign initiatives, visit the diocesan website and watch this space for future updates.

Our Bishop's Appeal is the annual campaign to support the mission of the diocese. What does the Bishop's Appeal do? It funds outreach, mission support and programs throughout the diocese including: clergy support and continuing education, veteran ministries, seafarer's support, micro-credit programs, seminarian support and more. If you have already contributed to this important work... thank you! To join with hundreds of other Episcopalians in doing this collective work, read a letter from Bishop Mathes and donate. 

The diocese is currently in an open enrollment period for health and dental insurance. This is the one time per year that employees of the church can add or change coverage. Plan descriptions, pricing and enrollment forms are available on the diocesan website. Open enrollment closes on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

YASC asks not "What are you going to do next year?" but "Who do you want to be?"

Commonly known as YASC, the Episcopal Young Adults Service Corps is accepting applications for 2013-14 from young adults between the ages of 21 and 30. The application is available here and the deadline is Jan. 4.

"Applicants must have a high degree of maturity, a faith commitment, willingness to be a humble guest and the ability to be an authentic companion," said the Rev. David Copley, mission personnel officer. To learn more, visit the Episcopal Church website.

SD Reader Features Father Willy

The San Diego Reader interviewed the Rev. Wilfredo Crespo last week. If you weren't able to pick up a copy, here's the spread. Congrats on the good coverage, Father Crespo and St. Timothy's!

Diocesan youth handcraft Advent and Christmas wreaths out of fresh greens, bells, pine cones, and bows. Wreath sales support the Happening scholarship fund, which means teens are never turned away from this weekend retreat. $20 suggested donation. Contact a teen in your congregation or Alex Tuttle, 619-277-0492. 

An outstanding conference is coming to San Diego February 27 - March 2, 2013, hosted by the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes (CEEP). It features workshop tracks for stewardship, communications, administrators, assisting clergy, rectors, wardens and annual campaign chairs. There may be some volunteer opportunities available for members of our diocese who wish to attend. Contact Jennifer Reese for more information.

Join the Party!

You're officially invited to attend the annual gathering of the diocese: the 39th Annual Diocesan Convention on Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9 at St. Margaret's, 47535 Highway 74 in Palm Desert.  

Deadline for Resolutions and Nominations If you would like to submit resolutions and nominations, you must submit them to Bobbi Hoff by Saturday, Dec. 1. Forms are available on the diocesan website.

We invite you to join One Book, One Diocese and read Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal. Join the Facebook group! There is a study guide available on Facebook. McNeal's new book, which will release in January, is called Get Off Your Donkey: Help Somebody and Help Yourself.

Diocesan high school students are invited to the youth vigil during convention. $45 covers the swanky dinner, participation in all of convention, including the business sessions and workshops, food and materials. Youth will lead opening worship and the Prayers of the People during the Eucharist. There' also an after party. For more information, contact Greg Tuttle or visit the website.

This retraining program helps unemployed veterans get the skills they need to compete for good jobs in today's marketplace. Share this resource widely to help our nation's heroes: http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm.

"We offer our voices and presence to confront the brokenness in our lives, and the systems of which we are a part, with the healing and transforming power of the love of Jesus Christ," (Mission Plan, page 3). 

United in Christ, people on both sides of the border come together to search for shelter.

La Posada without borders invites you to reflect on the plight of immigrants at the border and the call to stand with those who suffer. Participants from the US and Mexico celebrate La Posada together. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Border Field State Park. RSVP here to attend or find a carpool. 

Las Posadas, "the inns," is an annual nine-day celebration in Latin America commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. People gather and walk from house to house asking for shelter until Noche Buena, "Holy Night," on Dec. 24. when they are welcomed, given a meal and hold a service.

"Undeterred by borders or barriers, we are pilgrims with Jesus in relentlessly searching for others to befriend, know and invite to Christ's Eucharistic table of reconciliation and sacrificial love," (Our Vision, Mission Plan, page 3). 

Visit the new Cristsal website and learn how Cristosal is making a difference in Salvadoran communities. If you're interested in working with Cristosal in San Diego, contact Alexandra Howard.

Bishop Mathes will preside at our annual service to honor the men and women who serve our country in the military. Sunday, Nov. 11, 5 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego.

Friends of Military Outreach and Support invite all to a forum about spiritual injury. Several veterans will share their personal stories. Sunday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego.

All are welcome to attend the Daughters of the King annual quiet day featuring Christmas and Advent hymns. Join us as we explore the significance of seasonal hymns in alternating presentation and reflection periods. Led by the Rev. Daniel McGrath, military chaplain and music scholar. Saturday, Dec. 8 at St. Michael's by-the-Sea at 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad.  8:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. RSVP by Dec. 6 to Chris Miller, 760-753-0495.

Experience an alternative Eucharist that aims to bridge the gap between ancient liturgy and the now through art, media, music and setting. Come with us to Sacramentum at St. James, Pasadena on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Contact Nancy Holland, 619-823-89983.

Christ Church, Coronado is a partner site for Trinity Institute's 42nd National Theological Conference on Dec. 7-9. This was originally scheduled for Nov. 9-11, but has been moved due to Hurricane Sandy. What does it mean to be a radical Christian community in times such as these? Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, and Father Richard Rohr, OFM, will challenge participants with this question. To register, contact Steve Crawford, 619-347-5763.