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changing together: from our bishop
Dear Ones,
Yesterday, the rest of the country went to the polls, mercifully ending an electoral process that has been filled with few facts, little discourse and attacks on opponents. I have found it all discouraging and at times simply depressing.
I want more from our political leaders. I want more sharing of ideas in hopes of finding the one great idea. I want more collaboration and cooperation. I find myself wondering what would happen if we televised a real brainstorming session about tax policy, medical care, insurance or foreign policy -- without sound bites and zingers. I crave substance in debate and stature in my leaders. Alas, it seems to not be possible.
I have a hunch that our cynicism regarding the political process and our elected leaders gives us a pretty good window into what the so-called unchurched, and for that matter, what some of the people in the pews think about the religious leaders of the church.
I think we have too often simply been seen in conflict. We are accused of caring more about careers than community. We are seen in our teaching and preaching as lacking substance, falling back on theological buzz words rather than delving into the crucial places of the spirit: belief and doubt, pain and joy, suffering and hope -- in ways that are profound and life-changing.
When I ponder what I would like to see differently in my political leaders, I imagine them being more open, honest, vulnerable, and less concerned about themselves, particularly their political survival. I suspect that this is quite likely what people want from their spiritual leaders. Probably the only way for the community of clergy in our diocese to change in this way is to do it together. I pray that you will share this continual challenge and journey with me.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop
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open enrollment
The 2013 Insurance Open Enrollment period for our diocese ends on November 21, 2012. All of the open enrollment information and packets have been mailed. Applicable documents must be completed and submitted on November 21, 2012. Please click here for further details on Insurance Information.
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imputed income reporting
All congregations need to contact their payroll provider early in December to inform them that imputed income information will need to be added to annual clergy W-2 Wage and Tax Statements before year-end payroll is processed. W-2s should not be processed until you receive this information from the Office of the Bishop in December. Please click here for further details.
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bishop's appeal
Our Bishop's Appeal is the annual campaign to support the mission of the diocese. This important appeal enables us to live out our call in the form of outreach, mission work and congregational support. Please encourage your congregation to support our common life by supporting the Bishop's Appeal. Read a letter from Bishop Mathes and donate.
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worker's comp insurance
As many of you are aware, worker's comp rates for churches in the Diocese of San Diego have fluctuated considerably in the last few years. Many of our churches received sizeable worker's comp increases retroactively for the insurance year October 2009 through October 2010. This was due to an increase in the experience modification rating change put in place by the California Worker's Compensation Insurance Board. The experience rating for the diocese has since come down and the renewal modification for the current year is .83. Please click here to see a more detailed explanation.
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retired clergy gatherings
Retired clergy, spouses, partners and surviving spouses will gather at the Episcopal Church Center on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Bishop Mathes welcomes all to this annual occasion, which begins with the Eucharist, followed by luncheon and discussions. Please RSVP today to Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454. The Center is located at 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego.
A second retired clergy gathering will occur on Thursday, Nov. 15 at St. Paul in-the-Desert, Palm Springs. Please RSVP today to Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454.
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area baptisms: a note from bishop mathes
The 1979 Book of Common Prayer recovered the ancient church's practice of the bishop, when present, celebrating at Holy Baptism. While this is not practical in many cases, I want to continue to encourage you to schedule baptisms during my visitations. When that is not possible, I likewise want to urge you to reserve baptism for the Great Vigil of Easter, Pentecost, All Saints' Day or the Sunday after All Saints' Day, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (I Epiphany).
It is particularly valuable that the bishop baptize adults who have come to be followers of Jesus. This permits the water bath and the chrismation with oil that happen in baptism to be united with the laying on of hands by the bishop in confirmation - thus recovering the ancient church's practice. To allow for particular opportunities for adult baptism by the bishop, I have scheduled the following diocesan services for adult baptisms. Even though this is being provided to create opportunities for adult baptisms, I imagine that you will have whole, or parts of, families who may wish to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, you may also wish to bring people to these services for confirmation. These opportunities are provided for your creative use in forming Christians in community for God's mission.
Contact Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454, at least 30 days in advance with the names and ages of those you will bring for each service.
2013
Saturday, January 12: Eve of The Baptism of our Lord at St. Andrew's, Pacific Beach
Saturday, March 30: Easter Vigil at St. Paul's Cathedral
Saturday, May 18: Eve of Pentecost at St. Thomas, Temecula
Saturday, October 26: To Be Arranged
2014
Saturday, January 11: Eve of The Baptism of our Lord at St. Margaret's, Palm Desert
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diocesan convention
Deadline for Resolutions and Nominations If you would like to submit resolutions and nominations for diocesan convention, you must submit them by Dec. 1. For more information, contact Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454. For information about the convention, visit our website.
Lay Delegate Certificates All lay delegate certificates were due on October 1. Please submit yours today to Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454.
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clergy sabbaticals
Sabbaticals are an important part of clergy renewal; Bishop Mathes encourages you to plan for your own sabbatical as part of leading a healthy congregation. The diocesan office has a limited amount of funds to support this important renewal activity. Clergy planning sabbaticals should submit funding requests to the Office of the Bishop by Monday, Dec. 3 to Bobbi Hoff. Sabbatical policies are on the diocesan website.
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save the dates
Mark your calendar for these important upcoming 2012 events:
November 8: Retired Clergy Gathering at the Episcopal Church Center. Please RSVP to Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454.
November 10: Eucharistic Visitor Training at St. Peter's, Del Mar. Contact Travis Thomas, 619-481-5455.
November 11: Armed Forces Evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral.
November 15: Retired Clergy Gathering at St. Paul, Palm Springs. RSVP to Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454.
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Thank you for reading "Clergy News," Bishop Mathes' main mode of communication with the clergy of our diocese. If you have suggestions or comments, please send them to Hannah Wilder; 619-481-5456.
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