In This Issue

Office Closure

End of Life Option

Retirement Conference

Ordinations

Celebration of New Ministry

Planning Ahead

Quick Links

Clergy Finance & Admin

Liturgical & Other Resources

Congregational Development

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May 2016

Deepening Clergy Community

Dear Ones,

On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we hear words of reassurance from Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." So often, we speak these comforting words at a funeral. How often to do we speak them, but not hear them?

Too often, we hear rather the words that bring anxiety and fear. Whether it is at the back of the church, during a vestry meeting, or through an email, being deacon, priest, or bishop, means that we hear many words that sound a lot like blame and shame. And often those words come from us to us!

Oh, how we need to hear the words of Jesus. In these Great Fifty Days of Easter, Jesus reorients the lives of his followers and invites us to lives that are no longer defined by fear but by hope. I sense that the Spirit is calling us as a clergy community to go deeper into that abundant life. As leaders of the Jesus movement, the people we serve can only go deeper as we do. Our cultivation of untroubled hearts and fearless love is our mutual work. We do this together.

When we gather as a clergy community on May 24 at St. John's in Fallbrook, I will share my evolving thinking about our lives and spiritual companionship as clergy in our diocese. I am sensing a renewal of the spirit that includes changing how I, and each of us, changes. This renewal is about our shared life of prayer, study, and ministry. I pray that you will be able to be a part of this day.

During our Eucharist, we will celebrate the Venerable Robert Nelson as archdeacon. Bob's ministry will nurture the lives of our deacons as a part of this larger renewal of the clergy and the church. I am grateful to Bob for his willingness to enter into this new ministry.

Blessings to you. May you, and the people whom you love and serve, be touched by divine wind on Pentecost.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes

Bishop

NEWS & EVENTS

Bishop's Office Closure

NB: The Office of the Bishop will be closed on Monday, June 6 for the staff to attend the Lay Planning for Tomorrow Conference. Bishop Mathes encourages all congregations with lay staff to do likewise.

Flood Response

Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting local church partners in Texas, Ecuador and Japan as they respond to recent disasters. Throughout, local churches are reaching out in their communities to assess needs and accompany people as they cope with the immediate aftermath of the emergency. In addition to pastoral care, churches are also providing temporary housing assistance and emergency supplies such as food, water, fuel and other site-specific needs Learn More & Help

End of Life Option Act

As you may be aware, California's new End of Life Option Act goes into effect in June. Clergy members should be aware of the act and informed about its implications. Please click here to read about the legislation and contact the Rev. Monica Mainwaring if you're interested in forming a conversation group about this subject. We may touch on this at the upcoming Clergy Day at St. John's, Fallbrook on May 24.

School for Ministry Graduation

Join us for the second graduation at the diocesan School for Ministry on Thursday, May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Center. We will celebrate the accomplishments of Chris Harris, Richard Lee and Nancy Holland. Please RSVP to Keren Mondaca with "May 12" in the subject.

Clergy Day

Join Bishop Mathes for a time of conversation and fellowship, and a special Eucharist celebrating the Ven. Robert Nelson's new ministry as diocesan archdeacon. Tuesday, May 24, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at St. John's, 434 No. Iowa St., Fallbrook, CA 92028. We will discuss leadership and community. The bishop requests your presence and strongly encourages you to attend. Please RSVP to Keren Mondaca with "May 24" in the subject. Lunch will be served. $10 suggested donation.

Stewardship Conference

Be sure to attend The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) conference that is taking place right in our backyard: Friday - Saturday, June 3 - 4, All Saints', Pasadena, featuring Sister Simone Campbell and Father Gregory Boyle, founder and director of Homeboy Industries. Register before May 9 for early bird rates. If you're interested in going with the diocesan group, please contact Hannah Wilder.

Holy Smoke & Carbo-Load

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) invites you to attend its annual Holy Smoke and annual meeting, which will be a carbo-loading dinner in anticipation of the Rock-n-Roll 5K. Friday, June 3, 6:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego. The 5K takes place on Saturday, June 4 at 7 a.m. Holy Smoke and annual meeting kick off the weekend of the Rock-n-Roll marathon and ECS is a nonprofit race partner. A multi-generational team is forming to walk/run the 5K in support of ECS. Registration information coming soon. Questions? Contact Deann Ayer, 619-228-2800.

Planning for Tomorrow Conferences - Clergy and Lay

All active clergy members who are not yet drawing a retirement are strongly encouraged to attend the Church Pension Group's Planning for Tomorrow conference: June 7 and 8. The lay session will be held June 6. Bishop Mathes asks you to allow your employees to attend as a paid work day. The bishop's office will be closed on Monday, June 6 so all staff may attend. B Invitations have been mailed and emailed. If you did not receive one, please contact admissions@cpg.org.

Ordination to the Diaconate

On Saturday, June 11, Bishop Mathes will ordain four individuals to the diaconate: Jackie Bray, Chris Harris, Richard Lee and Nancy Holland. All are welcome to attend the service which will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, 92103. Parking can be challenging; please arrive in plenty of time.

Celebration of New Ministry

The Rev. Janine Schenone is the new rector of Good Samaritan, University City. Her celebration of new ministry will take place on Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. Please join us.

More Upcoming Events

RefugeeNet Gala at Hall of Champions in Balboa Park

Saturday, May 7, 6 p.m.

Episcopal Night at the Padres versus the New York Yankees

Friday, July 1, Petco Park

Godly Play Core Training at St. James, La Jolla, Friday - Sunday, August 5 - 7

LUV Gala supporting St. Paul's Senior Homes & Services, honoring Kathryn Bunch, Episcopal bookseller

Saturday, August 13 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Clergy Conference at Vina de Lestonnac, Temecula

Monday - Wednesday, October 3 - 5

43rd Annual Diocesan Convention at St. Margaret's

Friday - Saturday, November 11 - 12

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego | 619-481-5456 | hwilder@edsd.org | http://www.edsd.org
2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92107