Mrs. Joann Armstead, parishioner of St. Margaret's, Palm Desert, is the new diocesan coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development. She moved to Rancho Mirage last year from Henderson, Nevada, with her husband, the Rev. DeLaney Armstead, retired deacon. An accomplished business woman, Mrs. Armstead has a detailed plan about promoting Episcopal Relief & Development in the Diocese of San Diego. Welcome! Read about our new coordinator on the diocesan website.

The United Thank Offering (UTO) grant application process is now open. Complete criteria, worksheets and applications are available online: www.episcopalchurch.org/page/uto-grants. The applications are due to the review committee no later than Monday, February 8. The committee is available to assist with applications. Contact Jamie Wood, UTO chairperson, with questions.

All are welcome to attend this day of pragmatic workshops about effective church leadership. The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray Reeves, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, will be our keynote speaker for the plenary session. Workshop titles include: Vestry 101, Parochial Reports, Social Media, Graphic Design, Stewardship 101, Make Your Property Work for You, Youth Collaborative and Leading Change. Saturday, February 20 at St. Bartholomew's, 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway. $15, $20 day of. Congregations that bring their entire vestry or bishop's committee will be our guests. For more information and to register, visit the diocesan website.

The diocesan School for Ministry (SFM) is a great place to learn in a community. Spring workshops (only $25 each) feature talented teachers including Michael J. Christiensen (video below). Upcoming topics include: church redevelopment, church systems, theology and practice of shalom, building and leading teams, leading change, and fresh expressions of ecclesia. Classes take place at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach, however, virtual attendance is available and encouraged. For more information or to register, visit the diocesan website.

Daughters of the King (DOK) Upcoming Events

Spiritual Practices for the 21st Century - Lynn Nau, retreat leader,  9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. David's, 5050 Milton St., San Diego. In tough times we need all the inner strength and courage we can muster to stay resilient and balanced. In this Quiet Day, we will explore the four contemplative habits of stillness, silence, surrender, and gratitude as we learn or refresh practices of centering prayer, guided imagery, affirmations, and awareness of the presence of God. There will be time for silent reflection and an opportunity to walk the labyrinth. We will gather at 9 a.m.and the program will be from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. followed by a noonday service, then potluck lunch. Please bring a salad or dessert to share.

Saturday, April 9: DOK Diocesan Board Meeting - All DOK are welcome
12:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Bring a bag lunch. Trinity, 845 Chestnut Street, Escondido

Saturday, April 23: Quiet Day "A Closer Walk with God" hosted by Our Lady DOK Chapter, St. Thomas of Canterbury, 44651 Avenida de Missiones, Temecula

Saturday, May 21: DOK Spring Assembly, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. James by the Sea, 750 Prospect Street, La Jolla

All are welcome to join the effort in Ocean Beach for the annual interfaith community footwashing. Thursday, March 24, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church Center. For more information, visit the diocesan website.

Episcopal Community Services invites you to a country faire and circus for all  ages. Join us on Sunday, April 10 at San Dieguito Park for BBQ, carnival, games, hiking trails, a country circus and more. ECS is also planning to organize a team for the June 3-5 Rock-n-Roll marathon series. Contact Deann Ayer for more information. 

Join the multi-generational Episcopal Community Services (ECS) team to walk/run the 5K in the Rock 'n' Roll marathon on June 3. This is a fun community event to raise awareness about and support the work of ECS. For information about how you can get involved, contact Deann Ayer, 619-228-2840.

The Youth Collaborative, open to all in youth ministry leadership, will hold its next quarterly meeting on Saturday, April 9 at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. Please bring your calendars, ideas and $5 for lunch. Mark your calendar for the remaining meetings: August 13 at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea, Pacific Beach and October 29 - 30 at Camp Stevens - leadership retreat.

Come to Camp Stevens with the youth collaborative for wild adventure! Ropes course, trail blazing, service projects, campfire, freetime, chapel, prayers, Bible-talking, laughing and singing. Two nights of slumber parties, six delicious, organic meals. Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1. $110 per person. Open to all diocesan youth. Register online.

During Lent the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) offers a series of spiritual disciplines focused on God as the chief gardener of our souls. Just as stakes and lattices nurture the growth of young plants, so too can spiritual disciplines support the flourishing of our whole being. This series uses a tool from monastic spirituality called a rule of life to explore and cultivate our relationships with God, self, others and creation. To watch an introductory video by Brother David Vryhof, signup, or download the free workbook, visit: ssje.org/growrule. 

Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) invites us to walk the path of Lent with this year's meditation series featuring reflections on spiritual practices written by the organization's staff, partners and friends from around the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. Spend Lent holding in prayer those who work with the world's most vulnerable. Ditigal versions of the English and Spanish booklets are available online: www.episcopalrelief.org/Lent. Hard copies are available from Episcopal Marketplace. Order by Monday, February 1 for delivery by Ash Wednesday.  

Lent Madness, inspired by college basketball tournaments, pits 32 saints against each other in a bracket as each saint seeks to win the coveted Golden Halo. Throughout Lent, fans vote for their favorite saints at www.lentmadness.org. The saintly scorecard is the definitive guide to Lent Madness in 2016. Many parishes and families like to keep track of the competition on the bracket poster. Other accouterments include the saintly beverage holders and the golden halo flying disc. 

Lent is a time for introspection and self-reflection. As we make this turn inward, we typically become intentional about changing the routine and rhythm of our daily lives. We may also choose to take on a practice or habit or give something up. Living Well Through Lent 2016 is a tool to assist you on your journey. It can be used as a daily devotional, the basis for a Lenten program, or as a handout at Ashes to Go. Weekly themes include letting go of normal, shoulds, control, perfectionism and worry. Order online now in English and Spanish. Contact Edith Braeger with questions.

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.

How has God called you to serve the church? Preaching? Music? Songwriting? Charles Wesley, the 18th century songwriter and co-founder of Methodism, has much to enrich your ministry. Choose from one of three workshops to learn how this historical hero can enhance what you do today. Wesley and Stronger Preaching; New Music Setting for Wesley Hymns; Getting Out of Songwriting Ruts with Wesley's Help. Saturday, March 12, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University, 3990 Lomaland Dr., San Diego. $30 workshop or $50 workshop and banquet. Register online: www.charleswesleysociety.org.

Simone Campbell, SSS, author of Nun on the Bus, and activist for economic justice, will be a keynote speaker at The Episcopal Network for Stewardship's annual conference, June 3 - 4 at All Saints', Pasadena. All Saints' has been a leader in the Episcopal Church around stewardship for over 50 years and is the largest Episcopal Church in the West. For details go to: http://www.tens.org/2016-conference/. If you are interested in going with a diocesan group and perhaps renting a bus, contact Hannah Wilder.