~ Book of Common Prayer truncated, 212

Dean Carroll

Matching Grant Meets Its Goal!

We are pleased to announce that you - the generous people of the diocese - have achieved an important goal: you have raised $50,000 for the Carroll Center second-floor office suite at the Episcopal Church Center, and secured the $50,000 match from an anonymous donor. Thank you for this lasting tribute to the grandfather of the diocese, a kind, generous and faithful man. Donations are still welcome. Please make your check payable to "EDSD" and write "Campaign" in the memo line. Read more and participate online.

Christmas Message 

"The altar hanging at an English Advent service was made of midnight blue, with these words across its top: "We thank you that darkness reminds us of light." Facing all who gathered there to give thanks were images of night creatures - a large moth, an owl, a badger, and a bat - cryptic and somewhat mysterious creatures that can only be encountered in the darkness." Read the presiding bishop's full Christmas Message.

December Messenger Posted 

The December issue of the Diocesan Messenger has posted. It should arrive in your mailbox in the next week or so. If you do not receive it and would like to, please send your mailing address to Hannah Wilder. This issue features stories about: the future church -- what that means and how it's being manifested in the Diocese of San Diego, the upcoming diocesan convention, the spate of new clergy members, a mobile showers update, volunteering opportunities, the church in a city park, and a touch of poetry, among other things. View the online edition.

The Episcopal Church Center hosts Advent services every Sunday in Advent at 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Stasi McAteer. #occupyAdvent 

• Sunday, December 14: Consumers Anonymous, a 12-Step style discussion of the blessings and challenges of the season. 
• Sunday, December 21: Blue Christmas, A Christian worship service speaking to the pain and loss acutely felt this time of year.

The diocesan constitution and canons are available on the diocesan website, here: www.edsd.org/canons. If you prefer, you may download them here as a PDF: Constitution and Canons.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

The updated prayer cycle is now online: www.edsd.org/cycle. You may also download it as a PDF here: Cycle of Prayer.

Vestry Training

On Saturday, January 31, a training will take place for vestry and bishop's committee members at St. Thomas of Canterbury, 44651 Avenida de Missiones, Temecula, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bishop Mathes, Canon to the Ordinary Allisyn Thomas and Canon for Administration and Finance Julie Young will present the basics for steering an Episcopal congregation. $10, lunch included. Registration coming soon.

Are you planning to apply for a 2015 UTO grant? It is time to get your plans together. Information is available on the diocesan website. For more information on these items, contact UTO Coordinator Jamie Wood. 

The Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) offers a daily online Advent calendar. Sign up at www.ssje.org/adventword for a daily word and meditation, accompanied by a stunning image, delivered daily to your inbox. SSJE also offers resources for communicators and clergy: www.ssje.org/adventwordresources 
 

Anglican-Roman Catholic Day of Dialogue    

All are welcome to attend the annual Anglican-Roman Catholic Day of Dialogue on Saturday, January 24 at the Roman Catholic Pastoral Center, 3888 Paducah Dr., San Diego. Should differences in moral theology divide our churches? The Rev. Robert Christian, OP, STD will explore this topic with us. 9:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. $25, lunch included. Questions? Contact Dennis Mikulanis. 

A Place to Call Home (32:17)

"A Place to Call Home: The Story of St. Michael's by-the-Sea" is a video about St. Michael's, Carlsbad, in honor of its 120th anniversary. The Rev. Steve Schuneman, and his wife, Annette, were the videographers. We encourage you to watch this loving tribute and learn more about St. Michael's. Fair warning: this may make you want to eat fruitcake!

The Episcopal Refugee Network now accepting volunteer tutors! Wednesday and Thursday afternoons are peak tutoring times at St. Mark's, 4227 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. To volunteer as a tutor, contact Jake Young: 619-283-1337. Donations of furniture, housewares, beds, glasses, pots, pans, are always welcome. To arrange for drop-off or pick-up, please call St. Luke's, North Park: 619-283-1337. 

Join the Latino community of St. Paul's Cathedral on Friday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. for a traditional celebration of posadas, which remember Joseph and Mary's adventure finding an inn in Bethlehem. And bring a dish to share for a delicious potluck afterward! Contact the Rev. Colin Mathewson, 619-977-8173 for details.

Donate blood on Saturday, January 10, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Anne's, 701 West St., Oceanside. When scheduling an appointment, please go to: www.sandiegobloodbank.org. Click on "Donate Blood," "Appointments," and provide the code: SAEC. For more information, call 800-469-7322.
 

Holy Land Pilgrimages

Tour to the Holy Land & Jordan with David Moseley, June 6-20, 2015

Join Dr. David Moseley on a tour of the Holy Land and Jordan in conjunction with George's International Tours. Dr. Moseley teaches religion, biblical studies and philosophy at The Bishop's School and has been an adjunct faculty at the University of San Diego since 1997. He has led student trips to India, Africa and the Middle East. Brochure (PDF). Trip Details (PDF). For more information, contact Dr. Moseley.

Join St. Bart's 3rd Pilgrimage to the Holy Land! June 8-20, 2015
Imagine walking around Bethlehem, sleeping in Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee, renewing wedding vows at Cana, reciting the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa, reaffirming baptismal vows at the River Jordan, exploring the subterranean fortress of Acre from Crusader times, roaming historic Masada, visits to Episcopal schools in Ramallah, the Aida Refugee Camp, and much more, including the famed UNESCO site, Petra. Our clergy escort and spiritual guide will be the Rev. Mark McKone-Sweet, rector of St. Bartholomew's. Air and land, local Christian guide and driver, breakfast and dinner daily, 10 nights lodging, all entry fees, Jordanian visa, and more for only $3,610. ($635 single supplement.) Brochures available: Jill Henderson, 760-807-8445.
 

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. The 79th General Convention will take place in Austin, Texas in July, 2018. Learn more. Applications for the Official Youth Presence are due Dec. 23. Learn more and apply here.

Exciting and thought-provoking collaborations with well-known experts in diverse fields discussing the powerful themes in the opera's 2014-2015 season. Tuesday, January 6, 7 p.m.: Nixon in China: The Visit that Changed the World at St. James by-the-Sea, 7776 Eads, La Jolla. Host: Dr. Nicolas Reveles, director of education and community engagement for the San Diego Opera. Guest: Susan Shirk, Ph.D., chair of the 21st Century China Program at UCSD. Musical Guest: Soprano Jennifer Wu. Tickets and More Information

The San Diego Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) is a powerful and unique way for you and your congregation to step up and provide faith-based care to homeless people. ISN is a consortium of 120 churches, synagogues and other faith organizations that feed, clothe and house the homeless. About half of the churches are host congregations and the other half are support congregations. To join this network, or for more information, read the full article. 

Employment Opportunities

Full-Time Organist/Choirmaster/Music Director at All Souls', Point Loma

Jean Dornenburg Roche, mother of Aimeclaire Roche, died peacefully on November 28. Aimeclaire Roche is the headmistress of The Bishop's School in La Jolla. 

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord,
and may light perpetual shine upon her. Amen.