Summer tends to be a time when the pace of things lessens in the church. I certainly hope that is true for you. It is also a time when many of us take a vacation. I always enjoy having abundant time for reading on those slow summer days. With that in mind, I have accumulated more reading material than I need. Knowing that what I read finds its way into my thinking and our conversations, I thought I would share with you both what I have read recently and what I am taking on vacation.

In recent weeks, these books have been particularly stimulating to me: A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, The Fly in the Ointment: Why Denominations Aren't Helping Their Conversations ... And How They Can Help by J. Russell Crabtree, The Case for God by Karen Armstrong, Laying Down the Sword: Why We Can't Ignore the Bible's Violent Verses by Phillip Jenkins, and Insurrection by Peter Rollins

And these will be going with me on vacation: Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr, Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics by Russ Douthat, Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations Anthony B. Robinson, and Emergence Christianity: What It Is, Where It Is Going, and Why It Matters by Phyllis Tickle

Reading is a way of recharging my proverbial battery. I also try to mix pleasure reading with reading that is largely unrelated to my primary vocational work. For me, this is life-giving. It is part of living a balanced and healthy life. 

Speaking of health, a few folks have commented on my weight loss over the last few months. First of all, this is absolutely intentional and a sign of health, not illness. As many of you know, we adopted a Labrador retriever, Hawkeye, in December and over the last six months, he and I have developed a relentless routine of morning and evening walks. We now average between 36-42 miles per week. As I made this change, I found that I eat differently and sleep better. Indeed, I think I am more productive, more patient, more attentive to my spiritual life, and simply happier.

I am keenly aware that my passion for us to be a whole, healthy church in this diocese will only be possible to the degree to which we are attentive to our physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional health. May this summer season be a time for greater health in the body.

Register for the Health & Wellness Summit

Come one, come all to a lively planning meeting in preparation for our 40th Annual Diocesan Convention next February. The meeting will be on Saturday, August 24 at St. Timothy's, 10125 Azuaga St., San Diego, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and includes lunch. This year's convention is more of an undertaking than recent conventions. The five components are: the Convention business session; our 40th anniversary as a diocese; a visit from the presiding bishop; the blessing and dedication of the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach; and the kickoff of the diocesan capital campaign. Come take part in the planning, make a prayer flag and take home new enthusiasm for this annual gathering of the diocesan family. Members who enjoy flower arranging are especially welcome! For more information, or to RSVP, contact Canon Nancy Holland, 619-823-8998.

Clergy Conference with Jay Sidebotham

Jay Sidebotham

The Rev. Jay Sidebotham will be our presenter at this year's Clergy Conference. Formerly the rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois, Father Sidebotham is now the director of RenewalWorks, a ministry of Forward Movement. You may also recognize his illustrations: CPG cartoons. He will discuss ways to assess and develop our congregational spiritual vitality. Interactive sessions will invite clergy members into conversation so we may learn from one another. 

The application deadline for Fearless Love grants is Wednesday, July 31. These diocesan grants provide start-up money for innovative ministry ideas. Funds are for new ministry initiatives for a congregation, and not to support an already existing ministry. For more information, and the grant application, visit: www.edsd.org/fearlessgrants.