Holy Sprinkling: The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, asperges the Episcopal Church Center and the people gathered for its dedication on Friday, February 21.
Dedication Photos on Flickr

Photos by Michael Conner, Richard Schori, Geoff Carson, Linda Collier and others.

Remember Daylight Savings Time starts on Sunday at 2 a.m. Set your clock forward one hour on Saturday night to make sure you arrive on time to church.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Convention Wrap-Up

DioCon14 Logo

The 40th Annual Diocesan Convention was a phenomenal success, largely attributable to the many volunteers, delegates, workshop presenters, special guests and staff. If you weren't able to attend, here are some photos, videos and other information about this special two-day event:

Presiding Bishop's Sermon (14:24)

Presiding Bishop's Keynote Address (12:33)

Bishop Mathes' Address (31:50)

Dedication Ceremony (15:57)

We are grateful for all of the time, energy and enthusiasm that contributed to the planning and execution of this affair. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending our 41st Diocesan Convention on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 at St. John's, Chula Vista.

Office of the Bishop Move

The diocesan staff will move April 7 - 9 to the Episcopal Church Center. Please make a note of our new address and be aware that our offices will be closed during the move.

2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92107

Help Build the Serving Church

The diocesan capital campaign, Build the Serving Church, officially launched during diocesan convention. "Your part in this campaign is essential," said the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori during her keynote address. "You can help to ensure that the ministry of Jesus continues in this part of California for generations and populations yet to come." Informational packets about the campaign were mailed to congregations last week. Campaign volunteers will follow up to help every church participate in reaching the $2.5 million goal. For more information about the campaign, visit: www.edsd.org/servingchurch or contact Jerry Campbell.

Daily Lenten Videos

Receive short, daily videos from the Brothers of the Society of St. John that delve deeply into the gospel that shapes their community life. John's message of love can unlock our hearts and transform our lives. Subscribe with your email here.

Hungry for Lent

Join Episcopal Community Services in giving up one meal each week for Lent. Donate what you would have spent on that meal to ECS programs for homeless, mentally ill people. From March 5- April 19, fast in solidarity with those who struggle to find their next meal. For more information, visit the website or contact Deann Ayer, 619-694-9892.

Mobile Shower Update

The Rev. Bob Nelson reports that the mobile shower unit is fully operational and has given its first shower. Trainings will be held on Thursdays at St. Anne's, 701 West Blvd., Oceanside, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to guide people through the shower process, and drivers experienced in towing RVs are wanted for one Saturday shift per month. For more information, read this article and contact Father Nelson.

DIOCESAN EVENTS

Stations of the Cross

Every Friday in Lent, come to the Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, for a contemplative 30-minute service on the Stations of the Cross. A dramatic meditation will take place on Good Friday, April 18, 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Presented by the Cathedral Center for Visual and Performing Arts. All welcome.

Leadership Academy

Leading an Episcopal church is no easy task. Juggling finances, communications, outreach, discipleship and mission can be taxing. Attend this one-day conference about everything you need to know to be an effective leader. Saturday, March 15 at St. Bartholomew's, 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway, $15 in advance. $20 at the door. Scholarships are available. Please contact Canon Julie Young for scholarship information. Visit the diocesan website for workshop specifics and to register. Jimmy Bartz, founder of Thad's in Santa Monica, will lead a workshop on attracting people in their 30s and 40s. Al Rodriguez, expert in Hispanic ministry, will share his belief that one doesn't need to speak Spanish to minister to Spanish-speakers.

The effects of courage: Jimmy Bartz at TEDxVeniceBeach (18:11)

Daughters of the King Quiet Day

Enjoy a day of rest and renewal with meditations led by Sister Bunny interspersed with quiet times for contemplative prayer, journaling and walking the labyrinth. Coffee and gathering at 9 a.m. Program 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Eucharist at 12 p.m. followed by lunch and optional silent reflection. Saturday, March 15 at St. David's, 5050 Milton St., San Diego. Bring a salad or dessert to share and a first aid item to donate. RSVP to Janet Allen Shaw, 619-823-2304.

World Water Day

World Water Day is Saturday, March 22. The official winter event of the Diocesan Service Coalition involves every congregation. We'll raise funds to purchase one well for a village ($5,000) through Episcopal Relief and Development. Creative fundraising ideas and support for your congregation are available. Contact Sarah Shealy Stump for more information or click here.

Eucharistic Visitor Training

Take the bread and wine made holy to the homebound. This diocesan training certifies all Eucharistic Visitors. Led by the Rev. Canon Brooks Mason at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. $15, includes a light lunch and a noon mass. To register and pay, click here.

Quiet Day with Desert Father

A Day of Spiritual Adventure with the Rev. Benedict Reid, Benedictine monk and Episcopal Priest on Saturday, March 29 at St. Paul's Cathedral, Great Hall, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, 9:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Continental breakfast and light lunch. $35 suggested donation, but no one will be turned away. For more information contact Margaret Liggett, 858-752-7264.

Episcopal Night at the Opera

Pulsating with Spanish rhythms, dances and color, Don Quixote by Jules Massanet is a magical world. With his loyal side-kick, Sancho Panza, Don Quixote tilts at giant windmills, confronts bandits and is nearly killed but achieves his goal in this fairy-tail, magical and whimsical San Diego Opera production. Friday, April 11 at the San Diego Civic Theater, 1100 3rd Ave., San Diego at 7 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here. To promote this event in your congregation, find resources here.

Holy Week

Via Crucis: Way of the Cross to the Border Join our Episcopal brothers and sisters from the Diocese of Los Angeles as we complete the journey they began in the morning darkness. The group travels from L.A. to the U.S.-Mexico international border bearing a Salvadoran icon of Jesus, as they walk in solidarity with all who are impacted by the immigration laws of this country. A significant walk through the Border Field State Park comprises the last leg, followed by a joint Eucharist on both sides of the border. Please Note: this year's event will be on Saturday, not Monday. Saturday, April 12, approximately 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Rev. Colin Mathewson or Canon Nancy Holland.

FootWashing All are welcome to wash feet, give away new shoes and fresh socks, cut hair, serve a hot meal, provide prayer, and be a loving presence to homeless people and people in need at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. The third annual Maundy Thursday FootWashing takes place on Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego. A concurrent event will take place at Episcopal Community Services' Friend-to-Friend clubhouse on El Cajon Blvd from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This quarterly service project of the Diocesan Service Coalition also connects people with social services that will help them long-term. Each church is asked to donate 25 new pairs of shoes or $125. For more information, contact Canon Nancy Holland, 619-823-8998.

Good Friday Meditations Bishop Mathes will give three meditations, balanced by three musical interludes. Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater," with Anne Whattoff, soprano and Tim Maguire, counter-tenor, will be accompanied by a string quartet and harpsichord. These meditations are a somber and beautiful way to honor the events of Good Friday. Friday, March 29 at 12 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego.

CAMP STEVENS

Adult Retreats

Take time for yourself this spring with a weekend retreat for adults at Camp Stevens. Retreats include: A rejuvenating women's retreat (March 28-30); a weekend gardening workshop, where you can spend time outdoors, and learn from Camp Stevens's resident garden-farm director on its 3+ acres of gardens (May 16-18).

Seeds of Hope

Is your church hoping to start a garden? Join Camp Stevens for part one of two workshops about building a successful garden. Our first workshop will focus on building your garden's foundation within the community. Topics will include strategies for planning and working in small groups that encourage participation and consensus building. Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. $10. For more information on these, and other programs, visit www.campstevens.org.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT

Chili Cook-off for Campus Ministry

Join us on Sunday, April 27, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Christ Lutheran, 4761 Cass Street, Pacific Beach. This is a great opportunity for churches to support campus ministry at San Diego State University, while enjoying great food and fellowship. Childcare is provided. If you want to enter your chili, or cookies, contact

agapehouse@gmail.com.

Sierra Service Project

All high school youth are invited on a service trip with Sierra Service Project July 27 - August 2 in Tsaile, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation. The focus is on repairing homes for elders and poor members of the community. For more information, contact Christine D'Amico.

Episcopal Youth Event

EYE

Imagine the most energetic worship service of your life. Now imagine that twice a day. Throw in workshops, parties, and celebrations of culture from Hawaii to Holland, Dominican Republic to Denver, and all across the Episcopal world. Now imagine it with 2,000 teens. That's EYE! Learn more. Please share this news with the youth of your congregation. Questions? Contact Keren Rodriguez, 619-481-5455.

EMPLOYMENT

+Director of Children's Ministries at St. James, La Jolla

+ Family Ministry Intern for St. Andrew's, Pacific Beach

View current postings >

CONGREGATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Silver Tea Honors Women of St. Mary's

On Saturday, February 15, the Women of St. Mary's-in-the-Valley, Ramona celebrated their ministry's past presidents with a Silver Tea. Twenty-three congregants attended, including the Rev Gwynn Freund, vicar. The past presidents each received a pewter angel keychain, "Joyful Angel," created by local artist Cynthia Webb of St. Bartholomew's, Poway to commemorate the event and in appreciation of their past service. The Women of St. Mary's will celebrate their 20th annual bazaar fundraiser later this year. The church is located at the corner of San Vicente Rd and Twelfth St.

Pictured (L-R) are: Vicar Gwynn Freund, Doris Stone, Georgie Suitor, Immediate Past President Maritta Simonds, Betty Carpenter, Susie Sheely, Pat Kallen and current President Shelley Devlin-Stefanyszyn.
Not pictured: Nancy Gregg, Chris Deuel and Sandy Bedard

Aztec Dancers Available

St. Philip's Colibri Aztec Dancers are available for events throughout the diocese. In keeping with tradition, this group dances as a form of praise and prayer. Donations received help St. Philip the Apostle Church in Lemon Grove. Please contact Yessenia Hernandez at 619-248-4493 for more information.

Icon Writing Retreat

June 23-27. Icon Writing Workshop at St. Paul's Cathedral will be a five-day retreat in which participants learn the prayerful practice of painting or "writing" a Byzantine style icon. The emphasis will be on the step by step process of painting an icon, using Jo Sonia acrylic paint and 23 carat gold leaf, as well as on the spiritual practice of allowing God to work in us and through us. The course per-person fee is $400 and includes all supplies and 5 full days of instruction. To RSVP please contact Julie McMinn, 917-589-5210.

Lenten Soup, Salad and Book Study

St. Alban's, El Cajon welcomes you every Wednesday evening during Lent, beginning on March 12 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a light Lenten meal, conversation around the book, True Prayer, An Invitation to Christian Spirituality by Father Kenneth Leech, and Compline prayer to end the evening. Call the church, 619-444-8212, to RSVP.

Beyond Our Diocese

Santa Paula Rural Pilgrimage Young adults and college students are invited to apply for this year's Episcopal Peace Fellowship Santa Paula Rural Pilgrimage hosted by The Abundant Table Farm Project, to be held Friday - Monday, March 21 - 24. The theme is "Re-place Yourself: Connecting to your roots and finding value in place." The pilgrimage will help young adults establish a connection to the land through a visit to Join the Farm, the Community Roots Garden and a hike in the hills near Santa Paula. Cost per person is $150. Scholarships are available. Young adults ages 18-35 are welcome to apply. Participation is limited, please apply as soon as possible. For more information, contact urbanpilgrimageca@gmail.com or register here.

Celebration of Hope Gala Dinner & Auction Join us for our annual Photocharity gala to help save San Diego homeless youth. Saturday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Music by Eve Selis and the Photocharity TMTS Band. Cocktail attire. Purchase tickets online or send checks to: Photocharity, PO Box 177, Cardiff, CA 92007.

Episcopal Health Ministries Conference

Join the annual conference with sessions for parish nurses, clergy, health ministry professionals and more. Empowering Health Ministries: Many Gifts, One Spirit is our theme for the May 8-10 conference at the Hilton New Orleans. Learn More and Register. Hear Matthew Ellis, CEO of Episcopal Health Ministries, speak on reproductive justice issues on this podcast.

Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to Hannah Wilder.

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