~ In God's Hands: Common Prayer for the World

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego received a grant from The Episcopal Church's mission enterprise program to identify leaders in the Latino/Hispanic communities of the diocese and to increase active members in our congregations. The Rev. Colin Mathewson and Canon Nancy Holland have been working with the Consensus Organizing Center and San Diego State University's school for social work to identify potential leaders and train them to be consensus organizers. 

San Diego State University's Consensus Organizing Center met with over 30 interested, potential participants in the leadership program on Sunday, September 28 at St. Paul's Cathedral. Many concerns were heard, questions answered and ideas generated. Program Intern Becky Gleason said she came away from the meeting with the impression that "prospective participants are unified by a common desire" to implement change in our diocese regarding Latino/Hispanic ministries. Watch this space for future updates on this new initiative in our diocese.

Latinos make up a large and growing segment of our population, but Latino ministries often struggle within the Episcopal Church. Why? What cultural assumptions and differences stand in the way of our efforts to proclaim the good news to this vibrant demographic? Join us to learn more about evangelism among Latinos at a workshop led by Juan Martinez, professor of Hispanic studies and pastoral leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. Reading his book, Walk with the People, is a pre-requisite for attendance. Saturday, November 15 at the Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Rev. George Calvert.
 

Volunteer for General Convention

The Diocese of Utah seeks volunteers for the 2015 General Convention, which will take place at the Salt Palace Convention Center June 25 - July 3. Shifts range from 2-6 hours. More information and signups are available online.

Signup on our new interest lists to receive the most relevant information for you. For example, we have news just for finance and administrative personnel, for wardens, for people interested in music, social justice and Hispanic/Latino ministry, and more. Receiving e-communications from the Diocese of San Diego is the best way to stay connected to the latest news.  View the signup lists. View our Email Archives.

The Episcopal Refugee Network (ERN) is looking for tutors on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. at St. Mark's, 4227 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. They especially need help on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Donations are also requested, particularly beds, couches, tables, glasses, plates, pots, pans, etc. You may drop off at St. Luke's, 3725 30th St., San Diego or arrange for a pickup. Thank you for your support of the life-giving ministries of the ERN! For more information, contact Jake Young, 619-283-1337.

Bible Women

In this groundbreaking book, Episcopal priest Lindsay Hardin Freeman identifies every woman who speaks in the Bible, providing their words, context, and historical background. We learn which women speak the most (hint: it's not Mary!) and which books have the fewest words from women. Questions at the end of each chapter encourage individual or small-group reflection about what we might learn from each of these women and how God is speaking through them to us. $22 from Forward Movement and More Information.

Dean Carroll

Matching Grant Doubles Your Gift

An anonymous donor has given a $50,000 matching grant to the Carroll Center, which is the second floor of the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. Bishop Mathes said that "naming the office suite after the Very Rev. James E. Carroll is a tribute to this kind, generous and faithful man." Your gift does double-duty in the Carroll Center. Please make your check payable to "EDSD" and write "Carroll Center" in the memo line or read more and participate online.

All outreach/service ministers are encouraged to attend the next quarterly service summit on Saturday, October 11 at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please RSVP to Sarah Shealy Stump.

A special evensong in honor of those who have remembered the Episcopal Church in their wills/estates/trusts and other end-of-life plans will take place on Sunday, November 2 at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. If you have remembered the Episcopal Church in your estate please, let us know and please RSVP to Keren Rodriguez, 619-481-5455. More Information.

Through the academic year 2014 - 2015, all are welcome to join the conversation at the School for Ministry housed at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. On Wednesday, October 17, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Dr. David Moseley  and Dr. Mary Doak will explore, "Is Faith Reasonable?" $10, includes light refreshments. Register Here. View More Offerings.

Attend the 2014 Commuter Core Training hosted by St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. October 18: Parables and November 15: Liturgical Action. Registration Information.

If you're a writer, editor, web master, social media person, clergy, or anyone who works on communications for an Episcopal church in our diocese, you are welcome to attend this quarterly meeting. Bring a brown bag lunch and get connected to other communicators. This quarter, we will discuss signs -- the outward and visible signs that tell our communities who we are. St. Andrew's, 890 Balour Ave., Encinitas. Wednesday, November 5, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Hannah Wilder. 

A group from our diocese will attend this one-day workshop about the family systems perspective on leadership and anxiety in the church. Saturday, November 6, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, 16550 Bernardo Heights Parkway, San Diego. To take advantage of the group discount with the diocese, please indicate your willingness to attend by contacting Hannah Wilder, 619-481-5456. Online Brochure.

Building a Planned Giving Ministry and Legacy Society in your Congregation

Saturday, November 22, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at St. Bartholomew's, 16275 Pomerado Blvd., Poway. Join the Episcopal Church Foundation's Jim Murphy and parish leaders from other congregations in an interactive session on best practices and new ideas for implementing on-going planned giving work at your congregation. Review resources, including the new toolkit, Planned Giving on Demand, to empower your leadership and learn how to support and thank donors. Leave with an action plan to move forward confidently with planned giving in your congregation. Individual 30-minute meetings with three parishes; parishes must register in advance. RSVP to: Registrar Keren Rodriguez, 619-481-5455.

All retired clergy in the diocese are welcome to attend the annual luncheon with Bishop Mathes on Tuesday, November 4, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego. $15. Holy Eucharist will be followed by tour, luncheon and announcements. Come early for best parking. Please RSVP to Al/Stephanie Smith: 858-538-5946 no later than October 28. A second retired clergy gathering will take place at St. Margaret's, Palm Desert on Thursday, December 11.

This retreat day will allow spiritual directors to become aware of the trauma in directees' lives and get in touch with our own trauma. Mary Byrne will give practical ways of coping through body awareness and release. Others will focus on the trauma of long-term illness, death, grieving, sexual abuse and more. Saturday, October 18, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Spring Valley. Includes lunch. RSVP to sandiegospiritualdirectors@gmail.com. $25 members. $50 non-members. 

Canon Christine Spalding offers her services as a spiritual director in training. If you are interested in receiving her guidance at a reduced rate because of her student status, please contact her directly: spaldingc@stpaulcathedral.org.

All are welcome to attend an informational meeting about the mobile shower unit called "Showers of Blessings." This unit is available for people without showers to wash themselves, receive a bit of human dignity and prepare for medical exams. Come find out more and get ready to make a difference in people's lives on Sunday, October 12 at 12 p.m. at All Souls', 1475 Catalina Blvd., San Diego. For more information, contact Pam Rieger.

Join Agape House, the Lutheran-Episcopal student ministry at San Diego State University, for food, drink and fun Oktoberfest-style on Saturday, October 11, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. $20 suggested donation or $150 for a table of 8. For more information, contact agapehousesdsu@gmail.com, 619-583-3972.

Dr. Mr. Thomas Thangaraj is well-known for his consideration of Christianity's interaction with Hinduism; his presentations are sharp and compelling. Lecture series runs Monday, October 13 - Wednesday, October 15 at Point Loma Nazarene University. View Flyer (PDF)

The Women of St. Mary's will host a bazaar with a rummage sale, a boutique, bake sale, opportunity drawing for a quilt and more. Proceeds will fund outreach projects. All are invited and encouraged to come to Ramona and make a day of it. There will also be a quilt show and an open house at the fire station in Ramona. Saturday, October 18, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. at St. Mary's, 1010 12th St., Ramona. For more information, contact Sandy Bedard.

Join the people of Sts. Peter and Paul for an evening of craft beer and fine wine, cheese, pates, art show, and non-alcoholic punch. This is the 55th Annual Fall Festival. Tickets are $25/person. Thursday, October 23, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the church, 500 South 5th St., El Centro, CA 92244. Contact Frances Rice, 760-957-2442, for tickets and information.

Saturday, October 18, 2 - 4 p.m. at St. Andrew's, 890 Balour Dr., Encinitas. Enjoy three delectable courses: finger sandwiches, scones and desserts. All menu items lovingly made by hand by our parish volunteers. A selection of fine teas and tisanes will be freshly brewed and served throughout the tea. Tickets are $10. To purchase or for more information, contact Ann Wilson, 858-424-4762. 

All are invited to attend Kenya Night featuring program, music, video, craft and fabric sale, silent auction including a 5x7 Kenyan wool rug plus a $10 optional meal. All proceeds support the Maseno Missions Orphan and Hospital Program. Friday, October 24, 6-9 p.m. RSVP to Hardisons: 619-487-0273.

Come enjoy a delightful afternoon at Christ the King, 1460 Midway Dr., Alpine on Saturday, October 25, 11:30 a.m. Fashions from Chicos, doorprizes, opportunity drawings. $25. Seating is limited. For more information, contact the church, 619-445-3419 or visit www.ChristTheKingAlpine.org. 

The Women of St. John's invite you to attend their annual bazaar on Saturday, October 25, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at St. John's, 760 First Avenue, Chula Vista. The bazaar will also take place on Sunday, October 26, until noon. Pancake breakfast $5 at 8 a.m. Bake sale, craft items, treasures from Granny's Attic, including a Thomas Kinkade print, Ralph Lauren wallet, and Christmas decorations. For more information, contact Diane Gustafson, 619-253-7298.

St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla will host a Daughters of the King (DOK) leadership training on Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Learn how to handle leadership and what is required versus what is ideal. Pot-luck. Please RSVP to Chris Miller, 760-445-9445.

USD professor and religious studies teacher at the Bishop's School, Dr. David Moseley will lead a trip to Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Amman and Petra in June, 2015.  Estimated cost for the two-week itinerary (including flights, 4-star accommodations and local transport), plus pre-departure classes, is approximately $4,000 per person. An informational meeting will be held in October. Contact Dr. Moseley

• Part-Time Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego
• Full-Time Clergy Person, St. Luke's Cathedral, Panama (More Info PDF)
• Treasurer, St. Peter's, Del Mar
• Secretary, Grace, San Marcos

For more information about these and other opportunities, click here.

Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is working with the Anglican Diocese of Bo in Sierra Leone and the Episcopal Church of Liberia in response to the Ebola epidemic that has killed thousands since the outbreak began in March. Through its local partners, ERD is supporting awareness-raising efforts and providing food supplies in addition to personal protection equipment and disinfectants to under-resourced hospitals and clinics in the affected areas. Learn More.

The Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC) has been working hard to write recommendations for the next General Convention, which begins in June 2015. Read the latest message. Visit the TREC website for more information.