Dear Ones,

I want to thank you again for an incredible 40th Diocesan Convention. The weekend was an outward and visible sign of our community life -- increasingly more connected and vibrant. I have the advantage of being in each of our congregations; it is wonderful to see the various parts of the body come together.

I know that our convention happens in the midst of busy congregational life. January is the time for annual meetings and Lent is upon us with the appropriate and yet demanding spiritual leadership through that season. I pray that the Leadership Academy to be held this Saturday, March 15 at St. Bartholomew's in Poway will powerfully assist you by providing training for your leadership, especially those who are in new positions. 

I also hope that the day will be consonant with Lent in that all who attend will find ways to see that their vocation of church leadership is best practiced by a combination of wisdom and knowledge, prayer and worship, listening and reflection. Please encourage and empower your congregational leaders to participate. Cost should not be an impediment for anyone. The greatest value is participation and growth.

That is actually not a bad mantra for Lent: participate and grow. May we all strive for that to be our wilderness way. In these forty days of Lent, we have the opportunity to go deeper in who and whose we are. Let us begin. 

Rest in Peace

Mary Lou Sutter, mother of the Rev. Dr. Mac Collins, died on Friday, February 14. Please remember her husband, John Sutter, and the whole family in your prayers.