The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes will preside at the Christmas Eve service at St. Paul's Cathedral at 10:30 p.m. He will preach at the Christmas Day service at 10 a.m. All are welcome. Also, the diocese is promoting your special Christmas services on its website. Please send details to Hannah Wilder for inclusion.

The Bishop's Appeal enables

 important work in our diocese, including: quarterly seminars on preventing sexual misconduct, stewardship workshops for congregational leadership, communications lunches, gatherings for new clergy members, service opportunities during holy week, and many other life-giving programs. This year, all new gifts to the Bishop's Appeal will be matched by a generous donor, up to $25,000. That means your gift is doubled. Please take a moment to learn more and donate to the Bishop's Appeal. Thank you for your generous response.

Prayer Flags from Every Congregation

As this convention celebrates our 40th anniversary, all congregations are invited to take part by creating prayer flags. Used for centuries as a means to give visual voice to our prayers, hopes and dreams, prayer flags express our prayerful nature through fabric and color. The convention planning team invites each church to create 20 flags, which will adorn the courtyard during the blessing of the Episcopal Church Center on Friday, February 21. To participate, contact Ann Wilson, 858-232-4762.

To assist survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan, please give today to the Philippines Fund. More

Consider giving a Gift of Hope in honor of a family member, co-worker, friend or teacher this season. Your honoree will receive a tribute card from Episcopal Community Services acknowledging your thoughtful gift. Gifts of Hope can make a profound difference in the lives of those served by ECS. For more information, visit our website. To discuss your gift, please contact the development office, 619-228-2800.

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.

Saturday, December 21, 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.

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 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.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention will host a webinar on Thursday, December 5, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. for faith leaders to learn how they can help prevent suicide. For details and to register, visit this site.

Help spread the spirit of the season by donating new baby items for ages 0-24 months for the refugee children served by our diocese. Please bring your gifts, unwrapped, to St. David's, 5050 Milton St., San Diego on Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Contact Fred Conway with questions and to RSVP. All items will be blessed at St. David's on Sunday, December 15 and delivered to the Episcopal Refugee Network on Monday, December 16.

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.

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 78 days away!

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. 

St. Margaret's choir will retell the story of Christmas through scripture and song, with the help of the organ, instrumentalists and readers. Sunday, December 15 at 7 p.m. The organ and instrumental prelude begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, however, cans of food to benefit St. Margaret's Outreach Center are appreciated. 

Join us on Saturday, December 21 at 9 a.m. for chanting at Little Monastery of the Way. We'll chant in the small chapel and enjoy a simple, warm breakfast and fellowship immediately following. Come to listen or join in the chanting of morning prayer. Lauds is a quietly beautiful and peaceful ancient monastic office sung in the morning. The chapel is open for silent prayer or meditation at 8 a.m. Please RSVP to Sr. Karla Maria, who will reply with the address, directions, and parking information: 858-277-7543.

All are welcome at the Little Monastery of the Way for Lauds on three upcoming Saturdays: December 7, 14, and 28. Come to experience monastic peace, pray in community by chanting the Psalms or listening, and a community breakfast and fellowship. Chapel opens at 8 a.m. for silent prayer. 

8:45 a.m. Intro to the Great O Antiphons. 

9 a.m. Lauds. 

9:30 a.m. Breakfast. 

To RSVP and for directions, contact Karla Holland-Moritz, 858-277-7543.

Come hear the tales of St. Lucy and St. Nicholas as renowned storyteller Gertrud Nelson brings them to life. Join us for a sumptuous tea on Sunday, December 22 at 3 p.m. followed by Lessons and Carols. All are welcome. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Canon Nancy Holland, 619-823-8998. Transport to and from the Episcopal Church Center is available upon request. 

Join Rabbi Laurie Coskey in reading ancient texts for new meaning. Visiting with Lilith, Lot's wife, and Vashti, we will reclaim the experience of women in the Biblical tradition. All welcome. Thursday, December 5, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. RSVP by phone: 619-298-7261 x324.

Saturday December 14, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Alban's, 490 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. This will be an opportunity for worship, meditation, reflection and fellowship. Our leader will be the Rev. H. Ivor Kraft from St. Michael's-by-the-Sea. Light soup and salad lunch will be served. Please RSVP before December 7 by calling 619-444-8212 or through the new website: www.st-albans-church.org. 

When caroling, we often sing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," but for many people the Christmas season is anything but wonderful. Christ Church, Coronado invites all who are sad, lonely, hurting, lost or in any kind of pain to the Longest Night Service, during which we will offer our pain to God and seek comfort in the Christmas message with opportunities to light a memorial candle and participate in Holy Communion. All are welcome. Sunday, December 22 at 4:30 p.m. at 1114 Ninth St., Coronado. Contact the Rev. Michael Stone with questions. 

Thousands of gently used items at great prices. First Choice Night will be Friday, February 7, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 with advance purchase or $15 at the door and price plus 20 percent gives you first pick of the sale with complimentary wine and cheese - all on Friday night only. Free admission on Saturday and Sunday. Main sale day: Saturday, February 8, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Half-price afternoon: Sunday, February 9, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. So large it takes two buildings! At the corner of Eads and Silverado in La Jolla. Last year's sale raised over $40,000 to benefit charities and ministries at St. James, throughout San Diego and worldwide. Shop for a good cause. Contact Nan Thomas, 858-395-2322.