Clergy News Masthead 2012
December 2015
From Our Bishop: Kingdom Ethics

Beloved,

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among the nations....People will faint from fear and foreboding." I am sure most of us heard Jesus words from Luke's gospel on Sunday as even more unsettling than usual. 

As ISIS sees itself acting to bring forth the apocalypse, it is harder to hear our own tradition's scriptural references to the end times.  I suggested in my sermon that Jesus is being descriptive and not predictive. These times are brittle for the human family and for the planet. It is from that fragile place that we proclaim the nearness of the kingdom, and with care, companion with people in the Jesus movement.

As a community of Christians, we live into this season in hope. That hope is fostered in prayer which leads us to preparation for a holy life, which leads us to changes in our actions so that what we do is in keeping with our citizenship in the kingdom of Christ. 

As we move through Advent toward the crèche of Christmastide, I pray that we will, by our words and actions, continually and evermore show forth the ethics of the kingdom. At a time when the internet and airwaves are filled with political incivility, may we be known for careful listening and penetrating questions. As xenophobia rears its ugly head, may we be models of hospitality and take risks in service of relationship and holy friendships. And when hate is offered to us, may we respond with love and turning the other cheek.

The Advent cry is "come, Lord Jesus, come!" Perhaps the most eloquent way to sing that song is by transforming our every action to be Jesus-like. Then, Jesus coming and the kingdom coming will be sensed in this Body.

Blessings in Advent and Christmas,

The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop
Bishop's Statement on San Bernardino Shooting
As we learn about the violence in San Bernardino, our first response is to go down on our knees and pray for those who have been killed or wounded. We pray for families and communities that are broken and scarred by senseless violence once again. Read full statement

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
stacy sauls
Chief Operating Officer, Stacy Sauls
Leadership Academy
All are invited and welcome to attend the annual Leadership Academy, a day of pragmatic workshops about Episcopal church administration. We are pleased to announce that the Rev. Stacy Sauls, chief operating officer of the Episcopal Church, will be our keynote speaker. The academy will take place on Saturday, February 20 at St. Bartholomew's, 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway. The tracks cover most of the basics for church leaders to be effective in their work. Register Online
Retired Clergy Gathering in the Desert
All retired clergy members and their spouses are invited to attend the next gathering on Tuesday, February 2, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Margaret's, Palm Desert; this event is geared toward desert clergy members. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Bobbi Hoff.
Anglican/Roman Catholic Day of Dialogue
Join the Rev. Dr. Simon Mainwaring, rector of St. Andrew's, Pacific Beach, and Chris O'Donnell, director of catechetical ministry at San Rafael Catholic Parish, as they present on the top of "The Call and the Journey: Invitation to Christ." Saturday, January 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. $25 per person, includes lunch. Please RSVP by sending your check payable to "Ecumenical Commission" to Msgr. Dennis L. Mikulanis, 17252 Bernardo Center Dr., San Diego, CA 92128. More Information
Wanted: Preaching Opportunities
If you are interested in having preaching students in the School for Ministry come to your congregation and preach, please contact the Rev. Paige Blair, 858-755-1616. These students have studied the art of preaching for the past ten weeks. They welcome the opportunity to preach in a live setting and to receive constructive criticism for improvement. 
Resilience During Disasters
Episcopal Relief & Development provided a new resource for congregations interested in planning for disasters. Through their accessible materials, including bulletin inserts, one might find that it is an easier process than one would think. These resources can be easily printed and added to a worship bulletin, and Advent is a great time to start the program. Season of Resilience
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego | 619-481-5456 | hwilder@edsd.org | http://www.edsd.org
2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92107