Join the effort to stop gun violence.

December 2015

Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath This Weekend

The bishop's office invites our 47 congregations to join the third annual Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath weekend, December 10 - 14. This is the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, and only weeks after the San Bernardino shooting, about an hour north of us. Pledge your support and participate at the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath website. More information is available from Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence and from Bishops United Against Gun Violence. Litany for Gun Violence Prevention by Bishop Lane of Maine. Bishop Mathes' Statement on the San Bernardino Shootings and Bishop Mathes' recent call for gun control activism.

Diocesan News

Blu and his family are refugees from Myanmar. The Bishop's Appeal helps support Episcopalians from all walks of life.

Join the Bishop's Appeal

Each congregation contributes to the mission and ministry of the Diocese of San Diego. Those funds cover 70% of the work our diocese accomplishes. The remaining 30% comes from gifts to the Bishop's Appeal. The appeal reaches those in need whether at home in the form of refugee support, youth, young adult and campus ministries or beyond our borders through ecumenical relations, partnership with the Diocese of Western Mexico, and the Mission to Seafarers. In recent years the Appeal has provided significant support for seminarians as well. Your gift helps build and support these important ministries. More information about the appeal. Donate Online today. Thank you!

Disaster Preparedness

The disaster preparedness committee met this week to draft a letter to your clergy person and senior warden about the preparedness work authorized by the 42nd Annual Diocesan Convention. The work entails identifying a disaster prep coordinator for each congregation and completing the asset map. If you are interested in learning more about this committee, or joining its work, please contact Keen Haynes. Read Resolution 15.2-03 for more background information.

Register for Spring Semester

8 a.m. New Testament I (Simon Mainwaring, David Moseley and Lark Diaz)

10:15 a.m. Pastoral Care (Babs Meairs & Frank Munoz)

1:15 p.m. Liturgics II (Timothy True, Patrick Walders, Stasi McAteer, Nancy and Alex Nagy)

3:30 p.m. Ecumenism and World Religions (Nancy and Alex Nagy, Regina Ballard)

Classes begin Saturday, January 16 and run through Saturday, April 16. All sessions take place at the Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego. All are welcome to attend. If you have questions, please contact the rector of the school, the Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas, 619-481-5451.

Navajoland Sunday: June 1

Bishop Mathes has partnered with the Episcopalians of Navajoland to honor and support ministries there. To that end, Sunday, June 6 will be Navajoland Sunday in our diocese. Please keep an eye out for more information as the date draws near.

Trips to the Holy Land, Turkey and Greece with David Moseley, Ph.D.

Embark on an adventure for the summer of 2016 with David Moseley, PhD, religious studies teacher at The Bishop's School, theologian-in-residence at St. Paul's Cathedral, and former professor of theology at the University of San Diego. As well as leading trips to the Holy Land (Israel, Palestine and Jordan) in June and working alongside local guides, David will teach a series of classes in the spring for trip participants about the history, geography and culture of the places visited on the trip. Learn more by visiting the diocesan website or contacting David Moseley.

Diocesan Events

Celebration of New Ministry in Yuma

All are welcome and encouraged to attend the celebration of new ministry at St. Paul's, 1550 14th Avenue, Yuma, Arizona on Wednesday, December 16 at 6 p.m. The Rev. Timothy True is the new rector. He and his wife, Holly, joined our diocese last year, along with their five children.

Ordination to the Priesthood

The Rev. Monica Mainwaring will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, December 19 at 10 a.m. at Christ Church, 1114 Ninth St., Coronado. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. A festive reception will take place after the service in Hinde Hall.

Christmas Services

All are welcome to attend the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. The Rt Rev. James R. Mathes will celebrate on Christmas Eve at 10:30 p.m. and he will preach and preside on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. The Office of the Bishop will be closed December 23 - 25 for Christmas and December 30 - January 1 for New Year's and termite tenting. Warm wishes for a holy Advent and Christmas season.

Anglican Roman Catholic Day of Dialogue

Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy members meet on Saturday, January 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. for a day of dialogue. The Rev. Simon Mainwaring, rector of St. Andrew's, Pacific Beach, will speak about The Call and the Journey: Invitation to Christ. Chris O'Donnell, director of catechetical ministry at San Rafael Catholic Parish, will also present on this theme. The cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch. For more information, visit the diocesan website.

Youth Collaborative Meeting

The Youth Collaborative, open to all in youth ministry leadership, will hold its next quarterly meeting on Saturday, January 23, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Thomas, 44651 Avenida de Missiones, Temecula. Please bring your calendars, youth curricula and Bible studies for sharing ideas and $5 for lunch. We will recap past events and plan for our spring youth retreat and fall leaders' retreat, summer missions for 2016 and 2017, and seasonal events. We will also discuss youth spiritual formation and work experientially with the Echo the Story curriculum. RSVP directly to Brigitte Sipra.

Leadership Academy

All clergy and laity are welcome to attend this day of pragmatic workshops about effective administration of an Episcopal church. The Rt. Rev. Stacy Sauls will be our keynote speaker for the plenary session. Saturday, February 20 at St. Bartholomew's, 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway. $15, includes lunch. For more information and to register, visit the diocesan website.

Young Adult Events

Young Adult Christmas Party

Feel free to wear an ugly Christmas sweater to the Christmas party on Thursday, December 10 at 7 p.m. When you RSVP you will receive the address to the party location, a home in La Jolla. To RSVP email Young Adult Missioner Becky Gleason.

Theology on Tap

Join the conversation! Meet other young adults for an evening of fellowship, discussion and refreshments at the Stone Brewing Company, 1999 Citricado Parkway, Escondido. Thursday, January 7, 7 p.m. For info, please contact Young Adult Missioner Becky Gleason.

Vida Joven de Mexico Trip

Video Joven de Mexico (formerly Dorcas House) provides a safe and loving home for children ages 3 - 18 in Tijuana. Meet at St. John's, 760 First Ave., Chula Vista on Saturday, January 23 at 9 a.m. We will travel together in a 15-passenger van and return around 3 p.m. Valid passport and pre-registration required. Spanish is not required. Pre-Register for the Trip.

Congregational Events

Annual Virgen de Guadalupe celebration (more photos)

Celebrate the Virgen de Guadalupe with Our Latino Communities

Join the festivities at St. Paul's Cathedral on Sunday, December 12 at 6 p.m. where we will celebrate the Virgen de Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico with Aztec dancing, mariachi, and some tasty food. Come for a colorful glimpse of another culture's central religious celebration of the year! Contact the Rev. Colin Mathewson for more information.

Christmas Village at St. John's, Chula Vista

Enjoy the lights, decorations and nativity scenes at St. John's, 760 First Ave., Chula Vista every night from Saturday, December 19 through Wednesday, December 23, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. A Blue Christmas prayer service will take place in the columbarium garden. Free concert by the St. Augustine High School Band. Present wrappers (limit to regular size and 4 per family). Christmas carol sing-a-long. Free parking. Refreshments. Donations welcome. For more information, contact the Rev. David Marshall, 619-422-4141.

Special Advent Healing Prayer Service

St. Dunstan's invites you to attend a special Advent healing prayer service with quiet music on Sunday, December 20, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the church, 6556 Park Ridge Blvd., San Diego. The Order of St. Luke Healing Ministry will offer anointing and laying on of hands for those desiring prayers for healing. Instrumental music and singing will be interspersed. The service will follow the Evening Prayer Office in the Book of Common Prayer. For more information, please contact the church office, 619-460-6442 or Bette Jo, 619-204-6530.

St. David's, San Diego Labyrinth Walk and Service

Spiritual Weekend with Father Michael Fish

The InterReligious Council of San Diego invites you to share a spiritual weekend with Father Michael Fish. Friday - Sunday, January 22 - 24 at the Vedanta Monastery, 1440 Upas St., San Diego. Father Fish is a Camaldolese monk and member of the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur. Balancing solitude and ministry has taught him how to live a vibrant and valid spirituality in the world. Register online.

Beyond Our Diocese

Presiding Bishop Health Status

Our presiding bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, had surgery on Wednesday to remove a subdural hematoma. Your prayers are requested as he recovers. View the presiding bishop's hospital bedside video.

SUMMA Theological Debate Camp for High School Students

High school students in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego are strongly encouraged to attend Sewanee's annual debate camp this summer, July 18 - 26 at the University of the South. The camp trains students in theological debate and encourages them to explore theological traditions, ask questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues and examine how a life of faith calls one to service. Registration and scholarship information is available online. Cost should not prohibit anyone from applying. Contact Bishop Mathes for scholarship assistance.

Daily Advent Calendar

It's not too late to enjoy the work of the monks in the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE). They offer a daily online Advent word, meditation and prayer accompanied by images submitted by people around the world. View the calendar: www.adventword.org.

Save the Date: February 12 for Pastors Day

Special guest Eugene Cho will speak during a luncheon address at Point Loma Nazarene University on Friday, February 12, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.. This is a time of fellowship with pastors throughout Southern California. Please RSVP online. Formal invitation to follow.

Eugene Cho speaks about a hand up, not a hand out (2:22)