We wish you a happy July 4th! Our office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 and reopen on Monday, July 8. 

A resolution passed at Diocesan Convention in February, Resolution 13-04, calls upon the members of this diocese to begin every meeting in 2013 with this agenda item: "How will what we do here affect or involve those living in poverty?" Please add this to your agendas and consider ways we can positively impact those living in poverty. Read the full text of Resolution 13-04.

A new school is opening this fall for all adult learners, including those seeking ordination. Watch this space, and the Fall Messenger for more information about this exciting new entity in our diocese. For more information, contact Simon Mainwaring.

Apply for a grant from the Diocese to support new congregational ministry initiatives. Learn more here: edsd.org/fearlessgrants. Deadline: July 31.

This person offers hospitality to visitors, answers incoming calls, and assists with mail processing and distribution. Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel helpful. Flexible hours within our open hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Help is most needed Tuesday - Thursday. Please contact Julie Young, 619-481-5453.

Host a Japanese teenager August 10-12 as part of the International Odyssey camp at Camp Stevens. After spending one week at camp, Japanese students stay in the homes of Americans to get a sense of what life is like in the States. If you are interested in hosting two Japanese teens, contact Zach or call the camp: 760-765-0028.

A risograph in good condition and three drums of blue, black and purple ink are currently posted on the Bishop's List. For more information, and other exciting items, visit: www.edsd.org/bishopslist.

Please place the following paragraph in bulletins, newsletters and enewsletters and forward a copy to Bishop Mathes. NB: The person to whom reports are made has changed to the Rev. Thomas Wilson. Please update your paragraph accordingly. You may always look for the most up-to-date information on the diocesan website: www.edsd.org/reporting 

Report Sexual Misconduct

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of sexual misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Thomas Wilson, twilssd@gmail.com , 619-518-4713.

The annual Bishop's Appeal joins hundreds of Episcopalians from all corners of our diocese to provide life-giving services for people in need. Together we can do more. Learn about the Appeal and Donate Here.

Saturday, July 27 at St. John's, Chula Vista, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. An active group of service ministers hold their quarterly meeting to collaborate on service projects, swap ideas and amplify their positive impact by working together. All welcome. Contact Sarah Shealy Stump for more information or to RSVP. Visit www.edsd.org/dsc to learn more.

A roundtable discussion for church communicators, this gathering will focus on social media. Learn why social media is so important for churches, and how you can use different channels effectively. All of us are teachers and learners, so come prepared to share best practices and learn new ones. Thursday, August 8 at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. RSVP by August 1 to Hannah Wilder, 619-481-5456. Bring your lunch or order a deli sandwich or salad for $5.

Join the summertime diocesan-wide service project: a backpack drive for children throughout our diocese who are homeless or low-income. School supplies, clothes, shoes, binders, paper, pens are all welcome. Backpacks and other supplies will be distributed at a bash at St. Mark's, City Heights on Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, edsd.org/dsc or contact Heather Nunnery Smith.  

Peter K

This kick-off event for a six-week program features Peter K, fitness expert and motivational speaker. The program, Well to Serve, Well to Lead, addresses specific challenges faced by Episcopal employees, and helps you reach your fitness goals. Also, CREDO staff will provide a holistic approach to health and wellness that invites participants to reflect on their journeys, discern God's voice and invite transformation. Bishop Mathes will start things off with a personal testimony about his journey toward health. Open to all employees of the Episcopal Church, and the members of their households, this one-day seminar can change your life. Tuesday, August 27 at Good Samaritan, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. $10, lunch included. Register Here. Questions? Contact Hannah Wilder, 619-481-5456.

Peter K Interviews Presiding Bishop on Health

Dan and Carol Rondeau

Dan and Carol Rondeau, leaders of St. Margaret's, Palm Desert have graciously agreed to serve as chaplains to retired clergy, spouses and partners in the Coachella Valley. The Rev. Al Smith and his wife, Stephanie, serve as chaplains to the same on the San Diego side of the diocese. For more information, visit: www.edsd.org/retiredclergy.

Bob Nelson

We are pleased to announce that Bob Nelson, deacon from Del Mar, is the new diocesan Jubilee officer. He replaces Pamela Crooks, who has been the Jubilee officer for the past six years. "I'm grateful for the good work of Pam Crooks," said Bishop Mathes. "She has built a firm foundation for this servant ministry in our diocese. And I am looking forward to working with Bob Nelson as we continue to seek ways to be Jubilee to the poor and vulnerable in our world." Learn more about Jubilee Ministries.

Andrew Rank and Barnabas Hunt

Congratulations to Andrew Rank and Barnabas Hunt, new members of the Order of St. John, an historic, chivalric and charitable order dating back to the Crusades and which today raises millions for the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital.

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is excited about new monthly celebrations for homeless clients. On the third Friday of each month from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., ECS hosts Life Celebration parties at Friend-to-Friend in North Park to celebrate birthdays, sobriety anniversaries, and other client goals. Individuals from churches are invited to partner with ECS to help make these parties a success! For July 19, this involves coming to the party, bringing a salad, and sharing in the celebration of ECS' program members' success. This is a great way to support ECS and to interact with and bless the clients...and the events are a lot of fun! To learn more, or sign up to come to this month's party, please contact Deann Ayer, 619-694-9892.

St. Philip's provided a wonderful meal and festive decorations and they brought a great group of folks to help make the June Life Celebration party a success! Thank you!

Our diocese is a member of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS), which allows all congregations to access member resources on www.tens.org. Our username is: "generous," and the password is "giving." TENS resources include material for teaching discipleship, generosity and environmental stewardship, suggestions for annual pledge campaigns, capital campaign guidance, liturgical and worship materials and other aids to year-round messaging. Please note the opportunity to learn via webinar from the extensive presentations at this year's Flourish in Faith conference on July 12 and 13. The four education tracks focus on: cultivating faithful giving, tending the stewardship message, tilling the soil in the field of stewardship and stewards in bloom. Webinar registration is $75 and includes opening worship, plenaries and four workshops. Register.

Would you appreciate a mentoring relationship with someone from the Faithful Giving Committee (formerly the Stewardship Committee)? Is there someone in your congregation who could usefully participate in the work of the committee? If so, please contact Kathleen Kelly, 760-399-7225.

Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 28 at 2 p.m. at the Diversionary Theatre. Join members of St. Paul's Cathedral as they present a delectable prose-poem celebrating the inhabitants of a fictional Welsh fishing village. Cathedral members bring 63 characters to life with their voices and your imagination. Tickets: $18. Produced through arrangement with Samuel French Inc. Directed by Bill Eadie. Purchase Tickets Online or call 619-220-0097.

Friday, September 13 - Sunday, September 15 St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla will host a John Swanson art exhibit and sale. Join us early on Friday evening for a private cocktail party and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons to view and purchase Mr. Swanson's exceptional works. The event will be held at St. James, in the library, chapel and on the patio. All proceeds will support Casa Cornelia Law Center, which provides free legal aid to victims of human rights and civil rights violations. For more information, contact Cori Catalano, 619-890-2553.

The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) 2014 will be held July 9-13, 2014 at Villanova University in Philadelphia. EYE14 is a significant opportunity for high school students and their adult mentors to gather with other youth throughout our international Episcopal Church. Find EpiscoYouth on Facebook and on Twitter @EpiscopYouth and join the EYE14 Facebook event as well.