Godly Play Core Training
2025-05-30 15:00 - 2025-06-01 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Christ Episcopal Church, 1114 9th St, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is pleased to offer a Godly Play Core Training Retreat on May 30, 31, and June 1, 2025 at Christ Church Coronado. This retreat will allow congregations the opportunity to refresh their training and to bring new storytellers and door holders into the fold as they complete their program year and look forward toward Fall.
Throughout the retreat, participants will experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Additionally, Godly Play’s guiding Theology of Childhood is introduced, so participants become more deeply connected to their work. The circle of participants becomes very strong and trustworthy when this work is done in the closed environment of a several-day retreat, and participants enjoy spiritual renewal and lasting friendships.
Over the last several years, we have had participants from across the diocese. This year, we are hoping to further expand the circle and the connections that come from doing this deep work together.
Godly Play Core Training is $75 for members of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and $355 for those outside of our diocese.
The times for each training day are below.
You must attend all three days of the training in order to receive a certificate of completion.
– Friday, May 30, 3 PM – 9 PM
– Saturday, May 31, 9 AM – 5:30 PM
– Sunday, June 1, 12 PM – 5:30 PM
REGISTRATION IS FULL FOR THIS TRAINING.

Evangelism 101
2025-06-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-10 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-24 18:00 - 19:00 and 14 more dates | Zoom
EDSD’s Evangelism 101 course explores a non-anxious form of evangelism rooted in the Episcopal tradition. Students will discuss the theological roots of the gospel and how to lead a congregation toward evangelistic practice by example. Those who finish the course may be nominated for lay evangelist licensing. For more information and to register, click here.
Register
Registration closes 5/27 at 5 p.m.

Safe Church Safe Communities In-Person Training
2025-06-13 09:00 - 12:00 | The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA, 92107
In-Person Safe Church Training
June 13, 2025
9am-noon
The Episcopal Church Center
“Safe Church Safe Communities” training is required by the Episcopal Church every three years. In our commitment to support as many people as possible in accessing the training, we have begun offering in-person training in addition to the training offered online. This in-person training meets the needs of those who are challenged by technology, or who would benefit from participating in community. Participants will receive training on ethical and theological expectations placed on church workers/volunteers, the impact of misconduct, and the Church’s commitment to creating spaces where individuals and families are secure and valued. Safe Church, Safe Communities training is required for all volunteer and employment positions throughout the diocese. It is the Church’s responsibility to ensure safety, integrity, and trust within its community.
In order to complete all the necessary aspects of the training and receive a certificate, you must attend the full training. Please register below.
Register Here

Godly Play Advanced Training
2025-08-07 15:00 - 2025-08-09 17:00 | St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States
August 7, 8, 9, 2025
St. James by the Sea
Cost: $100 EDSD / $355 outside of EDSD
If you have been seeking a circle of practitioners with whom you might deepen your Godly Play practice, tend to your own spiritual life, and find fresh ways to kindle Godly Play in your context, welcome! Designed for Godly Players with a minimum of one completed Core Training, and three years of Godly Play experience “under their belt,” this 3-day retreat may be just what you have been hoping for. Certified Godly Play Trainers Jana Sundin and Charlette Preslar will guide this circle and encourage discovery learning through story, preparatory reading, small group dialogue, and playful wonder. Whether you are an engaged volunteer, a guiding clergyperson, or a program leader, you will leave renewed and able to draw on your deeper understanding of Godly Play to benefit your Godly Play circle and beyond.
Prerequisites:

3 years of Godly Play practice with a working knowledge of the core stories and the spiral curriculum.
Previous completion of one Godly Play Core training with a licensed trainer.
Engage with two guiding texts (Teaching Godly Play by Jerome Berryman and Godly Play in Middle and Late Childhood by Cheryl Minor) as well as other pertinent writings.
Complete the case study which will be emailed to you before July 10.

The training will take place over three days:
August 7 – 3:00 – 9:00 PM
August 8 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
August 9 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Advanced Training is a first-time offering for our diocese. It is designed to not simply share new information, but to help participants learn to think critically about the work they are doing so they can improve skills. Advanced Godly Play Training is something you can come back to again and again since the centerpiece of the three days is time to work with case studies, specific interactions between children, children and teachers, or teachers and others in the community, brought by each of the participants.
Register Here
Prior to the training please complete the following preparatory work.
READ:
Teaching Godly Play by Jerome Berryman
Godly Play in Middle and Late Childhood by Cheryl Minor
LISTEN:
In the beginning… Jerome Berryman – The Godly Play Foundation Podcast
BEGIN:
Case Study The object of the Case Study is to have something to analyze with the group as a way to deepen your Godly Play practice. The worksheet is for your use in reflecting, not a written report to be turned in. We will cover this in the first day of the training and you may make adjustments before you review it with your group.
This training offering is open to US-based Godly Play practitioners. If you are outside the US, please connect with your nearest Godly Play Global Association for training offerings.

Lay Catechist Training 2025-2026
2025-08-25 18:00 - 2026-02-23 20:00 | Zoom
A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. They function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. Their work is deeply important in expanding discipleship within a congregation.
The course is designed to not just cover faith formation for children, youth, and adults, but also invites participants to consider, “What does it look like to offer congregational formation?” Throughout the course we will evaluate and adapt curriculum that is already available to meet their contexts. By course end, each participant will have designed a program that they will offer to the congregation in the year ahead.
Each meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on the 4th Monday of the month on Zoom. Below are the dates and subjects for each class. Applicants must attend all six sessions and complete a project to be licensed. Applications will close July 18, 2025. The six sessions include:

August 25, 2025, 6:00 PM – Faith Formation for Children & Youth
September 22, 2025, 6:00 PM – Faith Formation with Adults
October 27, 2025, 6:00 PM – Formation in Congregational Life
November 24, 2025, 6:00 PM – Curriculum Review and Development
January 26, 2026, 6:00 PM – Baptism and Confirmation
February 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – Project Review and Presentation

In addition to registering for the course, applicants also need a Lay License Nomination form completed by the priest in charge at their congregation. Please complete the registration below.
Register Here
Registrants will receive an email with more details on the training at the end of July. Questions regarding the lay license process/requirements, please contact our Director of Formation, Charlette Preslar cpreslar@edsd.org.

Sacred Ground Series Info Session - Oct 2025
2025-10-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Sacred Ground is a film-and-readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of our country’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of personal stories, socio-economic class, and regional identity. Part of Becoming Beloved Community — The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministry context, and our society — the series is built around an online-accessible curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
The series is open to anyone with an interest in learning and discussing challenging issues in a safe space. The discussion groups (referred to as “circles”) provide the opportunity for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call for faith, hope, mutual respect, and love.
Find out more about what the Sacred Ground Series is all about, preview content, meet circle facilitators, and ask questions at the October 1 info session. The one-hour online session starts at 3 pm via Zoom and includes information about the upcoming diocesan-wide circle set to begin later in October.
For further questions, contact Jill Henderson: jfh@cox.net
Register Here

LARK October 2025
2025-10-17 15:30 - 2025-10-18 16:30 | Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut St, Escondido, CA, 92025, United States
LARK (Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge) began as a challenge from Bishop Susan Brown Snook. In February 2022 she asked the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force (RJRTF) to develop a localized anti-racism workshop. Since anti-racism trainings are usually designed in other regions of the country, they reflect their populations and histories. Our area has its own history, issues, and stories. LARK focuses on our local history and populations and deals with local issues and stories. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of the local context in which we minister, and begin to nurture the relationships and resilience necessary for advancing racial reconciliation and justice within our diocese.
The LARK workshop consists of the following major components:

Truth telling of the local history of People of Color by way of an overview of the major racial/ethnic groups in our diocesan region.
Case study of multi-faceted local issues by way of videos and discussion.
In-depth analysis and discussion of articles & videos regarding various local ongoing instances of racism.
Commitment to engagement: Personal Plan of Action for each participant, i.e., a commitment to specific follow-up actions and the choosing of a small group team for accountability.
Zoom meeting* to be scheduled approximately 4 weeks after the in-person workshop. The date and time will be announced closer to the workshop date. At this meeting, participants will:

reflect on their learning
report on any post-workshop activity
find the next steps for their continued journey
*Participants who are unable to attend this meeting can be given an alternate way of fulfilling this requirement upon request.

The purpose of this workshop is not simply to transmit information, but to engage participants in a collective process of discovery. The progression of the workshop is scaffolded, with the earlier activities creating a foundation for the later experiences. Full participation from beginning to end is assumed.
Participants must complete all components in order to become a LARK alumnus and fulfill diocesan anti-racism training requirements.
LARK is one part of a lifelong journey for racial reconciliation and racial justice. Whether you are a novice or veteran in the areas of racial justice and reconciliation, this LARK workshop is for you! All are encouraged to attend, and all are welcome.

When: Friday, Oct. 17, 3:30-8:30 PM & Saturday, Oct. 18, 9:30-4:30 PM, with a follow-up Zoom meeting TBD.
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut St, Escondido, CA 92025
Sign Up Deadline: Thursday Oct. 9, or when registration is full. The workshop is open to a maximum of 30 attendees.

Click HERE to Register

New Sacred Ground Circle 2025-2026
2025-10-22 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Sacred Ground is the Episcopal Church’s film & reading based dialogue series on race, racism & faith. A new Sacred Ground circle starts Wednesday, October 22, 3-5 pm via Zoom. You are invited to join this opportunity for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue in a safe space.
Register Here
Sacred Ground is the Episcopal Church’s film & reading based dialogue series on race, racism & faith. “Circles” (i.e., small discussion groups of 6-12 people) provide the opportunity for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue.
A new Sacred Ground circle (via Zoom), starts on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 3-5 pm. The circle will meet every two weeks—same day & same time—for 12 sessions: Oct 22, Nov 5 & 19, Dec 3 & 17, Jan 7 & 21, Feb 4 & 18, Mar 4 & 18, Apr 1. The facilitators are the Rev. Susan Green and Nan Hardison.
The series is open to anyone with an interest in learning and discussing challenging issues in a safe space. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call for faith, hope, mutual respect, and love.
The program assumes prior reading/viewing before each session. Selected materials are highly informative, stimulating, and transformative. Most study materials are available online.
Circles are open to EVERYONE in the diocese and beyond. If your parish has not yet organized a circle, or if you weren’t able to participate before, this is your chance! If you know of someone in the community-at-large who is interested, please share this info and invite them to join.
Register Here
For further questions, contact Jill Henderson: jfh@cox.net
Note: Sacred Ground recently had its program year launch with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and Sacred Ground program leaders, you can watch it here – link to: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=2611002672613213
