Evangelism 101
2025-09-25 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-23 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-30 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-06 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-13 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 10 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.

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, 2025-11-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-03 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-31 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-14 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-28 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

Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training - November 12, 2025
2025-11-12 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 490 Farragut Circle, El Cajon, CA, 92020, United States
The diocese offers quarterly workshops for Eucharistic Visitors. These learning sessions will serve as a resource for prospective congregation-based trainers and Eucharistic Visitors. Whether you are a novice, interested in being a trainer, or a seasoned Eucharistic Visitor, opportunities abound to learn more, develop, or improve skills, and become more proficient in how we serve God and the church.
How we become involved in the church’s ministry as Eucharistic Visitors varies. For some, an inner sense tells us, “This is what I ought to do,” For some, our clergy asks us about becoming involved in this ministry. Others may be requested by their priest, deacon, or warden to fill a need in the congregation. Beyond how we begin our involvement in lay ministry, God’s reality calls us to do so. Jesus’ words to his first disciples also apply to us: “You did not choose Me; I chose you.” [John 15:16]
The workshop will include conversations around What Does It Mean to Care, Small Group Role-Play/Case Studies, Eucharistic Visitor Preparation, and Reporting and Tracking Eucharistic Visitations. The Rev. Canon Nancy R. Holland, Deacon, will convene and lead the workshop at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in El Cajon from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with two short breaks and a 30-minute midday break.
You are expected to read and study two books in advance of the training: With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life by Henry Nouwen and A Manual for Eucharistic Visitors by Beth Wickenberg Ely. Financial assistance is available. Have questions or need additional information? Please contact Deacon Nancy at hollandnc46@gmail.com or 619.823.8998. There is no cost to attend.
Requirements for Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training

Communicate with clergy at home congregation to express interest in Lay Eucharistic Visitor training. Have them complete the EDSD Lay License Nomination form.
Register for Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training (see below).
Read With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life by Henry Nouwen and A Manual for Eucharistic Visitors by Beth Wickenberg Ely.
Attend full training.
Complete full training.

Requirements for Eucharistic Visitor License

Confirmed member in good standing of The Episcopal Church.
Nomination from clergy at home congregation.
Completed Safe Church Safe Communities training.
Completed Background Check through The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
An additional 1 hour module is being developed for this license to provide the Eucharistic Visitors with antiracism and social location knowledge which will benefit their ministry. People who have completed the Eucharistic Visitor training in 2025 will be contacted when this module is available.
Completed EDSD Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training.

WORKSHOP DATES:
* November 12, 2025: In-person at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in El Cajon

Register HERE

In-Person Safe Church Training
2025-11-18 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Paul in the Desert, 125 W El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA, 92262, United States
In-Person Safe Church Training
November 18, 2025
9am-noon
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, 125 West El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262
“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.
Register Here
