Your presence and prayers are requested for the ordination of the Rev. Michael Stone to the priesthood. Join us for this holy occasion on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at Christ Church, Coronado. Luncheon to follow. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

A new diocesan cycle of prayer is available on the diocesan website: www.edsd.org/cycle. It begins on Sunday, December 1, Advent I.

Saturday, November 9, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Come to the Episcopal Church Center for a nuts-and-bolts tour. Other dates and times by appointment. Transportation available. To RSVP contact Canon for Mission Enterprise Nancy Holland, 619-823-8998.

Please join us for afternoon tea that begins at 3 p.m. Afterward, the St. Mary's, Ramona choir will sing as we celebrate the feast day of St. Cecilia, Sunday, November 10 at the Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, 92107. A storyteller will bring to life the stories of St. Cecilia. All are welcome. Transportation available. RSVP to Canon for Mission Enterprise Nancy Holland, 619-823-8998.

Photo: Lori Meena

The contents of Rancho Mirage home of President Gerald and Betty Ford will be auctioned to benefit St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, the Betty Ford Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley. Open to the public for $5 cash at the door, the auction includes everything from one-of-a-kind collectors' pieces to everyday household gadgets. Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Esmeralda Resort and Spa, 44400 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. Washington Post Story. Questions? Contact Emily Vogt.

All Souls' Home Tour

All Souls' Annual Home Tour will be Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at All Souls', 1475 Catalina Blvd., San Diego. This holiday tradition features five homes ranging from a Cape Cod bungalow to a stunning octagonal home built in the early 1900s. Handcrafted treasures, homemade goodies, madrigal music by Courtly Noyse and a spot of tea will be available for your enjoyment on the church campus. Proceeds benefit the Loaves and Fishes food pantry and the Peninsula Shepherd Senior Center, ministries of All Souls'. Tickets are $25. Purchase online or contact Lisa Faulk, 619-990-9758.

A retreat for high schoolers, this event will use The Hunger Games trilogy as a backdrop to explore the Gospel as a field guide for life. We'll begin the weekend with a trip to the movies, so bring $20 for your ticket, but your meals are on us. Friday, November 22 IMAX viewing of "Catching Fire" at Edwards 18 in Mira Mesa at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The retreat is not a sleepover. To RSVP or for more information, contact Tim Trussell-Smith, 858-755-1616 x 114.

The youth of the diocese will make beautiful holiday decorations on Saturday, December 7 and deliver them to your church on Sunday, December 8. Ask the youth in your church when the wreaths will be available for pick-up or schedule a pick-up with them. Donations are $25 a wreath; all proceeds support diocesan youth ministries for Happening scholarships. Prepayment is suggested.  Cash or checks. Make checks payable to Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (or EDSD) Memo: Happening. For more information, contact Alex Tuttle. 

The Episcopal Church supports the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. Our diocese is on board and will donate $14,000 to MDG projects in 2013! Nominate a program or organization that does work in developing nations in support of the MDGs. Send an email with the name of the organization, a link to its website, and a paragraph about why you and/or your church enjoys supporting this group. Nominate as many organizations as you wish. Send your email to edsdmdg@gmail.com  by Friday, November 8. Questions? Contact Sarah Shealy Stump.

The music and art program for homeless youth that meets at the Episcopal Church Center on Sunday afternoons welcomes your donations of: guitars, ukuleles, violins, drums and other instruments. Music teachers and art teachers are wanted, too. If you would like to help, please contact Jeffrey Sitcov.

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is partnering with the San Diego Housing Commission to plan and support the eighth Project Homeless Connect, an event at Golden Hall where our homeless neighbors can learn about resources and pick up gently used clothing. In past years there has been a shortage of men's clothing. Perhaps you, your friends, or a group at church could collect new socks and/or gently used men's clothing (pants, shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, hats, gloves, jackets, etc.),  and drop them off at Golden Hall, 202 W. C St., San Diego on Tuesday, December 3, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, view this flyer or contact Deann Ayer.

The Diocesan Service Coalition (DSC) is a consortium of outreach/service coordinators at churches throughout the diocese who meet quarterly to network, share ideas and best practices, and collaborate on outreach projects. We will hold a desert region Service Summit on Sunday, November 17 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at St. Margaret's Outreach Center, 44-710 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert. Anyone interested or involved in outreach efforts (clergy and lay) are encouraged to attend this exciting meeting with Bishop Mathes and service coalition members. For more information and to RSVP, contact Sarah Shealy Stump, 619-200-6408. 

Diocesan Convention is Fun! A group enjoys the 2013 Convention in Palm Springs. From Left: Rebecca Chase, the Rev. Chris Chase, Reggie McNeal, Josh Edwards and the Rev. Rebecca Edwards

Our 40th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held at the DoubleTree in Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Dr., San Diego. This is the one time per year for the whole diocese to gather, vote on resolutions, attend workshops, worship and be one as the body of Christ. All are welcome, not just delegates! Enjoy a reduced room rate at the DoubleTree of $129/night plus $12/night for parking. To take advantage of this discount, book your reservation online using this link: 40th Annual Diocesan Convention Lodging. The deadline to reserve your room is Tuesday, January 21.

Campaign Kick-Off Countdown

The Build the Serving Church capital campaign will kick-off on the first evening of our 40th Annual Diocesan Convention on Friday, February 21. Only 106 days away!

All are encouraged to register early for convention. The presiding bishop will be with us to bless and dedicate the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. Registration: $75 until December 31; Late Registration: $95 until February 15 REGISTER HERE Questions? Contact Bobbi Hoff, 619-481-5454.

Enjoy the music of the masters! The performance begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 at Christ the King, 1460 Midway Drive, Alpine. Tickets are $25 for the concert and include a wine and cheese reception with the artists following the concert. Silent auction and art display. Purchase tickets online or call: 619-445-8968. For more information visit: www.christthekingalpine.org. 

One of Britain's most admired musicians, Thomas Trotter has been England's Birmingham City Organist for 30 years. In 2002, he won the Best Instrumentalist award from the Royal Philharmonic Society. More recently in 2012, he won the International Performer of the Year award from the American Guild of Organists. Join us at St. Margaret's, 47-535 Highway 74, Palm Desert on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. to experience the spectacular talent of Thomas Trotter. Champagne reception following.

5:15 Ride of the Walkyries - Thomas Trotter

Experience the presence of Jesus through music on Saturday, December 7 at 7 p.m. at Good Samaritan, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego. Listen to the combined choirs of Good Samaritan and the Newman Center Catholic Community, handbell choir and small orchestra. Scripture readings and music will foretell the birth of Jesus. A reception of cider and cookies follows. 

The Episcopal Church Women of St. Luke's, North Park invite you to a rummage and bake sale on Saturday, November 23 at 8 a.m. Join us at 3725 30th St., San Diego. For more information, contact Donna Kuhn.

Join the people of St. Peter's, Del Mar for fashion, food and fun followed by shopping in the designer boutique and Christmas shopping in the holiday thrift shop. Monday, November 25, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. at St. Peter's, 334 14th St., Del Mar. $20, includes luncheon and fashion show. Contact Chris Miller for your reservation: 858-481-1945.