During July—when many congregations are quieter due to the heat and too many parishioners out of town on vacation, six individuals from 4 different congregations gathered weekly to study the art of evangelism. 

The Mainline Church Evangelism Project was a national Lilly Endowment-funded research project led by Martha Grace Reese in ten denominations. Respondents to Reese’s study used words such as “pushy,” “embarrassing,” “uncomfortable,” “awkward,” “pressuring,” and more to describe evangelism. During the same period this perspective grew, mainline churches have experienced the greatest decline. For example, the collective average Sunday attendance (ASA) for the Diocese of San Diego documented in the 2019 parochial report was 4,825. In the 2021 report, that number was 2,617. Clearly, in 2021, attendance was still impacted by Covid closures and the reluctance of many people to re-enter crowded spaces, and many of our congregations have rebounded in attendance since then. Some are booming with new members and crowded worship services. But others have not yet recovered their pre-pandemic attendance numbers.  

Could there be a connection between our understanding of evangelism and decline? As we creep closer to 2024, we can no longer blame this trend on the pandemic. The trend never related to the pandemic alone. Episcopal Church participation had been in decline long before Covid came along. We haven’t shared the good news of Christ in a way that helps people hear and respond to it with joy.  

While detrimental to the Church’s vitality, an allergic reaction to evangelism is not without merit. The descriptive words described in Reese’s study demonstrate poor evangelism tactics that conscientious Episcopalians do not want to emulate. Responses to Reese’s study may demonstrate that participating Episcopalians were allergic to “evangelism” out of their affection for those in their relationship networks but outside of the Church—which would seem to be a faithful response to Jesus’s command to love our neighbors. This tells me that if Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor and commissioned us to evangelize, we might misunderstand evangelism. 

“Evangelism” often connotes fanaticism and spectacle for Episcopalians. I cannot disagree with a distaste for such traits, but abandoning evangelism is not the answer. When someone uses a hammer wrong, you don’t avoid hammers or ward off ever using a hammer again. Rather, you show the person how to use the hammer correctly. Like a hammer, evangelism is a tool—a practice. You might call it a spiritual practice. There is a better way to do evangelism. In the class referenced above, we discussed a different kind of evangelism over a month, one that is non-anxious and fits Episcopalians. 

Evangelism is an announcement, a declaration, or a proclamation of observable good news. For a Christian, the penultimate good news is of Jesus Christ and what his life, death, and resurrection made possible. To share good news means we must first experience it ourselves. Sri Lankan pastor D.T. Niles wrote, “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another where to find bread.” Our class started by exploring our spiritual journeys, understanding where we each had experienced Christ’s good news. 

With a deeper awareness of how God has been at work in our lives, we began to look outward for signs of God’s good news breaking forth in the places we live, work, and play and in the lives of those around us. We learned the importance of listening before announcing good news to share in a way others understand and relate to. 

Once we began to hone our skills of sharing Christ’s good news, we explored the art of invitation—learning how to prepare ourselves and our congregations to invite our neighbors, loved ones, and colleagues to come and hear the good news announced just as it is every week during worship in our churches.  

“I faced this class with some trepidation, having been to too many long, boring classes and meetings,” one student wrote, “Good job! It was enlightening, interesting, and productive.” Another shared that this class was “Great, on point, and very helpful!” Each student who completes the course has the requisite training to be nominated for licensing as a lay evangelist. They are also ready to share the good news of what God has done in their lives and invite others to hear the gospel proclaimed in your church. 

For certain, the pandemic impacted attendance across the diocese, but this does not change the importance of opportunities to reach out to others and make every attempt to grow our congregations. In fact, it may make evangelism more important than ever. Not for the sake of growth but for the conviction that Christ’s gospel remains good news and that our congregations are wonderful communities to learn what this means for each of us and our neighbors. When your congregation is ready to take advantage of evangelism practices, visit edsd.org/evangelism and contact me at jevans@edsd.org. 

For over 17 years, I have worked as a fundraiser in the Episcopal Church. Over that time, I have witnessed so many wonderful examples of generosity, both from donors and leaders in Episcopal congregations and a wide variety of charities.  Without a doubt, Christians are called to be generous with our time, talent, and treasure, through feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and actively loving our neighbor. Yet beyond just the biblical mandates, I find it crucial for each of us to seek to imitate God’s own nature to provide support and share our resources with others. By joyfully responding to the grace we have received and passing on our blessings and gifts to others, we become more truly ourselves in the image of God.

One of the most practical ways we can each do this is by financially supporting our parishes and the many Episcopal institutions that do such transformational work in our world. Each person must determine for themselves the appropriate gifts that fit their context and provide the greatest benefit to all involved.  The work I do at ECF is most often as enabler and guide for giving, especially for planned gifts from individual estates or retirement assets. I work with donors directly who need to investigate the best ways to be generous and give most effectively. And I work with various leaders who seek to raise awareness to their fellow parishioners or constituents to understand how to become more generous and knowledgeable of various giving options.

Making gifts to charities could be quite simple, like weekly cash donations to a church, but sometimes can be very complex and life-changing. Eleven years ago, I worked with a disabled individual and her guardians to create a Charitable Gift Annuity provided a number of benefits to her, including a guaranteed lifetime income, in addition to an opportunity to make a very significant gift at death to her parish, without the burden of managing those assets. Recently this woman passed away after receiving many years of fixed income for herself, and now leaves a significant gift to her parish. That ultimate gift will enable capital improvements to her congregation’s buildings so that they are even more accessible to handicapped and other individuals. There are many other mutually beneficial gifts that can be planned in advance that can solve a number of complex family and circumstantial issues, while also providing future financial resources to support the causes and institutions that move our hearts.

Another significant part of my work is empowering leaders with innovative and helpful tools and guidance. For example, many congregations struggle to come up with fresh ideas and materials every year to encourage greater generosity. Parish leaders, both lay and clergy, are typically so over-burdened nowadays, especially when it comes to planning stewardship efforts and creating new materials to share with parishioners to inspire generous commitments. I can recall numerous conversations with frantic volunteer leaders who had suddenly been designated to oversee the annual giving campaign. They would have preferred to have started months before! Unfortunately, with limited time, they simply needed to get their stewardship effort in place right away. It has always been so heartening to share ECF’s new resources that provide templates for letters and other resources. And I consistently enjoyed being able to tell them those same online resources would enable them not only to store all of their documents for future reference, but also would provide easy to use calendars to guide their stewardship effort throughout the year-to-come.

I am so grateful that my work at ECF has enabled me to empower others and share my own gifts throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond.

There are two great opportunities coming up in the Diocese of San Diego in September for both individuals considering a gift and those parish leaders seeking to encourage more generosity among the members of their congregation.

For donors: September 14, 2023 –12noon-1:30pm at St Paul’s Villa, San Diego

Benefits of Charitable Giving through Estate and Gift Planning

Come join others from throughout the Diocese of San Diego for lunch and a brief presentation by James W. Murphy from the Episcopal Church Foundation on a variety of ways that you can make gifts to your Episcopal parish or other Episcopal Church charities that will also provide you and your family many other benefits.

To Register, contact Craig Smith at St. Paul’s Senior Services at either csmith@stpaulseniors.org or by phone (619) 239-6900 x3056

For parish leaders: September 16, 2023 – 10am-12noon at The Episcopal Church Center, Ocean Beach

Using the Resources of ECF360’s Comprehensive Fundraising Tools

Come join other parish leaders to learn the best ways to use the Episcopal Church Foundation’s comprehensive fundraising website ECF360 with James W. Murphy and Cn. Jason Evans. All registrants will receive a complimentary subscription for their parish to ECF360 from the Diocese. Register Here

By James W. Murphy, CFRE

Jim is Director of Stewardship Resources and Operations at the Episcopal Church Foundation, overseeing ECF’s financial resources programs: planned giving, donor solutions, including ECF’s Donor Advised Fund program, and ECF’s comprehensive giving resource, ECF360. He is also the author of two books: Faithful Giving-The Heart of Planned Gifts (2022) and Faithful Investing- The Power of Decisive Action and Incremental Change (2019), both from Church Publishing, Inc.

The Fall 2023 semester is right around the corner. At SDSU, move-in is tomorrow, August 17! This academic year could be an opportunity for your congregation to connect with college students in a new way. Here are a few tips and ideas that may spark your imagination about how your congregation can share the good news of Christ with college students this school year.

Serve: It’s no surprise that the current economic instability affects the most vulnerable the most. As housing and education costs continue to skyrocket, many students are forced to choose between tuition and rent. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, meeting physical needs like food and shelter is foundational to any spiritual, emotional, or psychological care or support.

What resources do you have to offer to serve the physical needs of students?

Could you organize a group to provide weekly meals for college students?

Are you a property owner? Could you rent your property to students at an affordable rate? Does your congregation have an activism or advocacy cohort with whom you could partner with to organize community members? Could you host an educational event like the affordable housing forum created by Faith in Action at St. Andrew’s, Encinitas?

Engage: At Agape House SDSU, we sit on campus with free food and a big sign about it. We play some music, have a place to sit, and welcome people as they show interest. When we connect with someone, we’re not shy about asking to exchange information (“I come here every week, and I usually send a reminder text – would you like a weekly reminder text about free pizza?”). I’ve found pretty good odds they’ll say, “Yes.”

It’s an unusual thing to hand out free food without strings attached, so students may seem skeptical at first, but that’s because they’re waiting for whatever earful you wanted to give them while they ate their pizza. Surprise them by instead asking questions about them. The best way to make someone feel welcome, seen, and valued is to show genuine interest in getting to know them!

People always ask, “Why are you doing this?” For us at Agape, the answer is something like, “Because we love you!” or “Because we love meeting new people and making a space for people to connect and relax.” And because most of us don’t encounter a lot of people disrupting people’s norms and routines to create a connection, the conversation always picks up from there.

If you or your church want to join Agape House in this on-campus ministry, please contact me at heather@agapesandiego.org. 

If your church isn’t very close to a college campus, or if there is another congregation that meets closer, consider visiting the campus together or on a rotating schedule. The unity of the Episcopal Church is one of our glowing strengths, and we share a testimony of peace when we can partner across congregations and function as one body to love the world. Students are paying attention to signals that you value unity and diversity. 

Support: Create a space outside of the church and outside of the classroom for students to ask questions that feel like they belong in neither. Students are exploring new ideas and examining old beliefs–sometimes, people are afraid about what they can or can’t say in a church building or in class. A spiritual community for students holds space for both doubts and curiosities, for processing and unlearning, so think about a neutral location that can offer this, like a park or even a café. Reminder: you don’t have to have answers to listen to people’s questions!

By consistently showing up and holding space, by offering authenticity and belonging, we offer students a taste of life in the community carried in their hearts as they continue to grow and lead in the world. 

If these ideas have stirred anything up in you or you would like more support brainstorming with your congregation on how to connect with college students, I would be happy to help. You can reach me with any questions at heather@agapesandiego.org.

The sun shined its golden face over St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in City Heights on August 12 as the church grounds buzzed with anticipation for this year’s Back to School Bash, where backpacks blessed by congregations are given away to students. Families, many struggling under the weight of economic challenges, arrived and were greeted by joyful Episcopalians from throughout EDSD.

School supplies, already a significant expense for families, have witnessed an alarming surge in prices. A study by World Remit shows that the price of back-to-school supplies has risen a whopping 28% in the U.S. this year. 

Celebrating its 11th year, the program (started by the EDSD Service and Justice Coalition) has steadily expanded its reach and impact since the pandemic. At its height, pre-pandemic, the Back to School Bash handed out 435 backpacks to the community. This year, 12 congregations in the diocese participated. The collective effort witnessed a commendable feat: filling 256 backpacks, which is 100 more than the previous year. These weren’t just ordinary backpacks. Volunteers, whose ages spanned from a tender 2 years to a commendable 81, painstakingly filled each backpack with age-appropriate books and educational supplies.

While stuffing packs, Howard Smith, Senior Warden at St. Mark’s, signed in volunteers. “It would be great to do 350 or 400 backpacks, but we can’t do that on our own. That’s why all these churches come together—to do more for people than we can do alone,” he said, eyes gleaming. 

A little over a week later, on August 12, children lined up for face painting and other fun activities. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church transformed into a hub of activity, ensuring there was something for every family member to enjoy. Beyond the distribution of backpacks and supplies, families were treated to a day of fun and community bonding. Events ranged from a book faire, crafts, face painting, and storytime to raffles, prayer flags, and even a photo booth. Of course, snacks were on hand to replenish the energy of attendees. Such a wholesome approach ensured that families left not just with supplies but also with cherished memories.

Amidst the laughter and activities, a deeper purpose connected everyone. Thérèse Carmona, a parishioner with a warm smile, said, “Schools often provide supplies while students are on campus, but when students go to afterschool tutoring programs or home to do their homework, they need their own supplies.”

The “Back to School” period is typically the second-largest spending event for many families, coming only after the holiday season. In light of the soaring costs, the burden on financially struggling households has become increasingly heavy. The initiative by St. Mark’s and other churches within the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is more than a charitable act; it’s a lifeline.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Lee, priest-in-charge at St. Mark’s, said, “The Back to School Bash is so important to St. Mark’s congregation.  It is a very real way of putting our faith into action, serving families who live in our community and beyond, reminding us that God’s love radiates out into the world.” St. Mark’s didn’t just offer school supplies that day; they offered hope, community, and a shared understanding of the challenges many faced. The church’s grounds transformed into a sanctuary where families could momentarily forget their worries, snapping photos in the booth, participating in raffles, and sharing snacks.

The day’s success was a testament to the courageous love the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego shares with the world–a beacon of hope in challenging times. Thank you to St. Mary’s in-the-Valley, St. Mark’s City Heights, St. Albans in El Cajon, Christ Church in Coronado, St. Dunstan’s in San Carlos, St. James in La Jolla, St. Bartholomew’s in Poway, St. Luke’s in North Park, St. Peter’s in Del Mar, All Soul’s in Point Loma, St. Phillips in Lemon Grove, St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego, and everyone who gives of their time, talent, and treasure. You echo the Episcopal ethos of serving and uplifting our neighbors.

While the rising costs of study materials present a daunting challenge, the concerted efforts of congregations throughout the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego remind us that unity, empathy, and actionable support can make all the difference. The Back to School Bash is an example for other communities across the church to come together and ensure every child begins their academic journey with the tools they need to succeed.

To learn more about participating in next year’s Blessing of the Backpacks and the Back to School Bash, please contact Amy Maxim Ennenga (amym@stmarks-cityheights.org), St. Mark’s Outreach Coordinator and organizer of the event.

I have always loved August. The preparations for Back to School have carried me from my childhood, well into my adult life. It is a time not only for purchasing pencils and notebooks but for investing in dreams. It is a season where anything feels possible.

One of my favorite things to purchase for Back to School is a calendar, a real, paper calendar. All of my appointments and commitments are in the calendar app on my phone and computer too, but there is something glorious about a paper calendar. Electronic calendars are for meetings and requirements. Paper calendars are for choosing and committing to the things that we want for the year ahead.

Those feelings and associations have carried over into my ministry world. Designing children, youth, and intergenerational offerings requires paper and pencils… and possibly highlighters and sticky notes. It is good, joyful, and Holy work, and I love it!

Below are the planned offerings for Children and Youth this program year. I invite you to pour over them, share them with your families and your congregations, and add them to your calendar, paper or otherwise.

EDSD Youth Ministry Program Calendar ‘23-24

The theme for this year’s EDSD Youth Ministry Program comes from Micah 6:8, He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? We will explore each section of this reading at one of the primary events this year. Diocesan youth programing is for students in grades 6-12.

9/17 KICK-OFF EVENT – Fun and games with youth from around the diocese. Location announcement coming soon!

11/11 CONVENTION – Do Justice – Youth will support a service project for Veteran’s at this year’s diocesan convention being held at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

2/9 – 2/11 EPIPHANY RETREAT – Love Kindness – A weekend retreat at Camp Stevens where we will explore what it means to show kindness to ourselves and to others. 

2/18 – 3/24 WE BELIEVE… CONFIRMATION PROGRAM – We Believe is a diocesan-wide, hybrid confirmation program for youth in grades 9-12 utilizing the My Faith, My Life curriculum. This program will last 6 weeks, and participants will be eligible to be confirmed at their home congregation during the next visit from Bishop Susan or during The Great Vigil at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. All of the sessions that are scheduled to be in person will also be offered on Zoom.

3/16 – 3/17 NIGHTWATCH – Walk Humbly – This annual overnight Lenten journey is taking a weekend pilgrimage to the desert this year! 

6/1 PENTECOST PLAY DAY – Our program year wrap up complete with sailing, games, hot dogs and s’mores!

EDSD Children’s Ministry Program Calendar

1/13-1/14 EPIPHANY CAMP @ CAMP STEVENS (grades 3-6) – Together we will bring together Summer Camp, Vacation Bible School, and children from all over our diocese for this brand new offering. Registration will open in September for this program. 

4/27 INTERGENERATIONAL CREATION CARE PLAY DAY – In collaboration with the Creation Care Community, this offering will take place in several areas of our diocese. Participants will engage with activities, crafts, and educational elements as we consider how all people are called to care for God’s creation.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM 2024 – The theme for next year’s curriculum is Shout for Joy! This entirely free curriculum will explore the psalms through art, drama, and music. More information and registration for the curriculum role out will be available in Advent.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is excited to announce plans for a new Episcopal community have taken root in the city of Oceanside, California. Under the leadership of the Rev. Brian Petersen, St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church will be a beacon of hope and transformation for the community of Oceanside.

One of the core principles at St. Brigid’s is the idea of shared common life. The founding members envision a community where faith is not a Sunday obligation but a daily rhythm that permeates every aspect of life. Through shared meals, fellowship, and engaging activities, St. Brigid’s encourages members to live life together, supporting and uplifting one another through thick and thin.

Just like your favorite food truck that moves around town, you’ll need to be following St. Brigid’s to know when and where worship happens. “At first, we’ll hold services in parks, in living rooms, and maybe in small chapels around town–maybe even a while walking down the beach,” said the Rev. Brian Petersen, “But our ministries will be born out of our common life together. We want to create a community that embraces the paradigm shift in the church. We want to be an example and serve the people around us.” 

Understanding that actions often communicate more than words, St. Brigid’s wants to make a tangible difference in the lives of Oceanside residents by focusing on service. The goal is for St. Brigid’s to be known as a church that truly embodies its values by making positive impacts in the community.

Oceanside’s 172,000+ residents are a melting pot of Southern California, with a range of cultural, military, economic, and spiritual demographics all mixing together. St. Brigid’s will be a haven of love and acceptance for all people–a place where families find solace in its nurturing environment, a place where children can laugh and play while learning about Jesus, and where individuals from different backgrounds find a place where their unique heritage is affirmed and celebrated.

“Our ambition is to become a sanctuary of shared experiences, where joy and sorrow are celebrated and mourned collectively,” said Rev. Petersen, “St. Brigid’s is a place where we live into the rhythm of life together. A rhythm of prayer, work, ministry, and worship fueling our daily lives and igniting our spirits.”

With each phase of its development, St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church is designed to leave an indelible mark on the community; envision Oceanside transformed from a city of strangers to a community thriving on love, compassion, and unity!

The story of St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church in Oceanside is just beginning, but even now, it stands as a testament to the power of faith, community, and service. Last month, in recognition of St. Brigid’s potential, the congregation was awarded a New Episcopal Community grant from the church-wide office of The Episcopal Church.

We invite all members of our diocese to pray for this emerging congregation. To learn more about St. Brigid’s Oceanside, their worship times, and locations, contact the Rev. Brian Petersen at stbrigidsoside@gmail.com and visit their website at osidechurch.org. Follow St. Brigid’s socials on Facebook and Instagram. You join their newsletter here. 

The Olympic peninsula just outside of Seattle is home to deer, otters, and bald eagles. The shore is decorated with driftwood structures, and the mountains loom impossibly close to the horizon. It also serves as home to The College for Congregational Development.

This past June, a delegation from St. Mary’s in the Valley, St. Thomas of Canterbury, and diocesan staff attended the college for the very first time. The program was incredible. Our delegation learned and explored models for change that could be applied in our ministries. We visited neighboring congregations, celebrated their ministries, and considered how they welcome and engage with newcomers. We learned facilitation and feedback techniques and practiced them in our small groups.

And for all of those things listed above, it barely covers the surface of this experience!

Mother Carole Horton-Howe of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Temecula, said, “So often the concept of growing a congregation takes us to places of anxiety and despair. We’ve all heard about the shrinking church. The College isn’t buying it. Their programs invite us to partner with them, with our congregations and the Holy Spirit in work that transforms anxiety into hopefulness and builds our churches in real and tangible ways.

“I found the CCD experience to be an energy-saturated and joyful experience that encourages action through informed processes. Information was shared in plenary sessions and in small groups in realistic scenarios. The curricula were thoughtful and well-presented. During our time with leaders and students at the CCD, we shared ideas and tried on the college’s processes. Leaders are generous with sharing their time and expertise – readily available for one-on-one brainstorming sessions. We returned to St. Thomas of Canterbury, ready to implement what we have learned. We can’t wait to see these processes at work and feel confident that we’ll also see God’s love move through us and into the lives of our neighbors.”  

The College for Congregational Development is a two-year program. Before returning to the college next Summer, our delegation will have reading to do at home. Each participating congregation also has a project to design and implement in their local contexts. Next year we will return to the college for another deep dive into the material before completing our assessments.

An additional blessing of our time at The College for Congregational Development is the close ties it formed in our delegation. The delegation has plans to meet throughout 2023/24 to check in and update each other on their progress.

If you or your church would like more information about the College for Congregational Development, please contact Diocesan Director of Formation Charlette Preslar at cpreslar@edsd.org for more information.

Before we begin, please listen to our student leaders share God Sightings at The Episcopal Youth Event on this and next week’s episodes of the Faith to Go Podcast available right here: Apple, Google Play, or Spotify. Then visit @diosandiego on Instagram for accompanying photos and videos from the EYE adventure.

It was 4:30 am on the Fourth of July. Tamika, my Lyft driver, sped down the 94-West toward Lindberg Field, and I start to wonder when this adventure really began for me.  

It was before the last delegation meeting at St Luke’s, last month’s chaperone meeting at Broken Yolk, and way before last year’s delegation announcement at Diocesan Convention…

Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) is a massive conference of teenagers from across the globe that gather every three years to celebrate each other, worship together, and grow as the cutting edge of the Episcopal community. 

In July 2023, 14 students and chaperones from The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego landed at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., to begin their EYE adventure. 

A week of energy, music, worship, befriending, learning, teaching, and sleep (never in that order twice). I was excited about what our youth delegation was stepping into. An intense experience with other youth that are primed for a future of action and formation as their generation’s passion shapes the next century.  

I found myself standing with the Rt. Rev. Brian Prior, Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Alabama in a ballroom planning a thousand-person game of rock-paper-scissors. We’ve known each other for over 30 years and mused on the history of the church, youth ministry, and our future. “This generation IS the CHURCH!” is the message that Bishop Prior continues to drill home. The immediacy and passion with which they (the students) believe is necessary now more than ever.

After a morning of Noah’s Ark-level rainfall, Bishop Prior and I stood smiling at each other, giving high fives and energetic words of encouragement as Hawaiians, Guamanians, students from Munich, Taipei, and the Caribbean, Arctic, and everywhere in between careen into the ballroom. This level of enthusiasm is par for the course at EYE–the largest gathering of Episcopalians outside of General Convention.

We heard from a pantheon of leaders in the Church–a message of love from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to a message of belonging from Julia Ayala Harris, President of the House of Deputies. 

But speaking wasn’t only what struck the youth; music upon music helped support a myriad of emotions. 

Josh, a youth from the Diocese of Kansas, said, “I saw God yesterday during worship. We sang a song called ‘Ten Thousand Reasons,’ and I remember swaying back and forth with the people next to me, looking around and seeing everyone doing the same thing–head up to God. It was an amazing moment for me.” 

After attending this week with not only our youth from San Diego, but youth from all over the world, the best advice that I can offer to my fellow church leaders is, “Get out of the way. This generation is here!”

Almost as soon as it started, it was time to depart.  With hugs and promises to visit far-flung locations, students’ Instagrams flooded with hearts as friendships solidified in real-time. 

Our youth delegation was bound for Old Town Alexandria, VA, to experience the power of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and countless monuments.

On our final boarding of the Metro to the airport for our flight home, some students left their Metro cards for other riders and some kept them as souvenirs. 

Sometime between the ID check and the metal detectors in security, a parent called asking if I was aware of the potential delay of our connecting flight through Chicago. Not at all. She explained that the time between connections was shrinking due to the weather and asked if I’d like help looking for hotels in Chicago in case we needed a layover.

…Uhhhh… Hold Please.

This began the greatest use of patience and gratitude that my parents ever taught me.  Right now.

Our chaperone team agreed that we’d inform the students and their parents with a plan rather than updates.  Later we’d learn that these wonderful travelers were well aware of the delay because they’d been following the app since the metro station. Such good travelers.

I made my way to the airline agent at the gate with a flury of other disgruntled travelers.

“Tami (the gate agent), we see the growing delay for our layover and wonder if we may, please, fly on the next flight to San Diego?”

“Absolutely… That’ll be Tuesday,” she said.

It was Sunday evening. I had 14 students and chaperones with me. Tuesday might as well have been next year. “Jesus, I could use some help here.” 

I asked, “Can we, please, fly into LA?  Orange County, Ontario, even Phoenix, then drive home?” 

“I’m so sorry, those flights are full”

“When are the next flights?”

“For 14 travelers… Tuesday.”

I called the hotel that we just left and explained our situation. They offered to book rooms for the night. –THANK YOU, BETTY!

Our chaperones found a nearby Target where we could purchase everything that we were watching slide up the ramp into the plane bound for Chicago. The plane that we weren’t on. I was still at the gate waiting for an update. 

“Ok, Greg,” we were on first names by this point, “how about this?”

Tami and Sade, our gate agents, worked out three flights across 16 hours to carry our 14 students and chaperones through six separate airports to get us home. 

“We’ll take it! Thank you, Tami!”

Three hours after checking in, we connected with parents, explained the plan to the students, moved through all kinds of emotions together, and made it back on The Metro headed for Target.  Arriving within moments of closing, we loaded up on essentials for the next day’s travel and hopped back on the Metro.

Everyone was famished, we had not had a moment to eat dinner. Chaperones googled restaurants that were still open at 10:45. We discovered Bud and Edith’s 24-Hour Diner. They welcomed us with thumping dance music as all 14 of us entered. By 12:30 am, Chicken Fried Steak never tasted so good. We ate together and walked the remaining blocks to our hotel, where we were greeted with keys and a late checkout, compliments of the house. Betty’s great!

The next day began with two of us leaving at dawn for the first flight for home. The rest of us went back to Bud and Edith’s for lunch, then back to the airport. Take Two.

While riding north on the Metro, each of us shared that it took us a while to spin down enough for sleep then, right before we boarded, received a photo of our first group who’d left that morning beneath California palm trees. After the iconic approach into San Diego, with Coronado on the left and Balboa Park on the right, we were greeted by an enthusiastic Charlette Preslar, our Diocesan Director of Formation, holding a sign welcoming us home. 

Charlette planned, coordinated, and supported us along the way; and now welcomed the weary travelers home. What a treat. 

We prayed often, gave thanks often, and supported each other across a very long, very rewarding, very formative week together.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Trust God as the future unfolds before you.  Be patient with our student leaders. Let them try. Let them fail. Let them shine. Hold on tightly, the Church has a wonderful future, so join me by embracing the Holy Spirit within them; then let them lead.

So when did all this start for me? 

“…you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked

as Christ’s own forever. Amen.”

EDSD’s Executive Council made a momentous decision by authorizing the allocation of funds to the Mission Real Estate Task Force, enabling the engagement of a consultant who will serve as the Portfolio Manager for upcoming projects. This step signifies the diocese’s commitment to advancing its real estate endeavors and bolstering its mission in our communities. 

Bishop Susan Brown Snook called together the Mission Real Estate Task Force over two years ago to look at how congregations could use their under-utilized property to address the housing crisis across our region. The task force’s purpose is to support congregations throughout the diocese using church real estate to bring God’s good news into the world through mercy, justice, and evangelism. 

The Mission Real Estate Task Force has been diligently working towards this milestone, having successfully generated a Request for Proposals (RFP) document, which has been extended to multiple firms for their consideration and submission of proposals. This extensive process aims to identify the most qualified partner to collaborate on the diocese’s vision for its real estate program. When selected, the consultant will be responsible for setting up a program to facilitate timelines, budget management, and ongoing communications with the Diocese and the participating congregations.  

The RFP outlines an overview of the Mission Real Estate program, delineating the task force’s objectives to augment congregational income and provide valuable services to the surrounding community. 

All four of the counties served by our diocese, like many other regions across the United States, have experienced a severe shortage of affordable housing. The escalating costs of housing and limited availability of affordable units have led to a crisis affecting individuals and families across various socioeconomic backgrounds. At the same time, the age of the average Episcopalian is from the high 50s to low 60s, and the decline in membership and giving is raising new questions for the Church about how to be in relationship with the broader community. The task force hopes the real estate project will provide a new way to financially support the mission and ministry of congregations and serve the neighborhoods around them.  

In another noteworthy development, Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies has acknowledged the diocese’s letter of inquiry and extended an invitation to progress further in the grant application process. While this invitation does not constitute a definitive commitment to awarding the diocese a grant, it is an encouraging response that reflects the potential alignment between the organizations’ shared goals.  

As the Mission Real Estate Task Force proceeds, it eagerly submitted the grant application to Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies in early July. Updates regarding the Portfolio Manager’s selection and the Trinity grant’s outcome will be shared with the diocese. Together, the diocese and its partners are poised to profoundly impact the communities they serve through the transformative development of church land. 

Learn more about this endeavor and access resources for mission real estate at edsd.org/missionrealestate.

When we are called to visit someone in their home to provide Eucharist, it is often a time of transition in their lives. Whether it be a temporary or chronic health issue, becoming less mobile from the natural process of aging, or some other reason, we are being invited into their home at a sensitive time for them and their families.

I recall visiting an elderly woman near the end of her life. The family requested the visit. Her two adult sons and four grandchildren surrounded her and sang Ukrainian lullabies. She could clearly hear the music and soft voices as she smiled gently and squeezed my hand. 

It has been a huge gift for me to bring the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist to people in that intimate setting. I get to watch the comfort and relief it can bring someone at a difficult time in their life. The vulnerability and closeness between us as we share the holy mystery of one bread and one cup have radically transformed my relationship with Christ. At Eucharistic Visitations, I witness His love and healing in people’s lives.

I love our EV service. It is a condensed version of the church service from which we are sent forth. At my Sunday morning service, I take notes during the enlivening sermon to give a brief synopsis later. As a result, my listening skills and understanding of scripture have sharpened. 

Something that surprises me is that no matter what state a person is in, they can almost always recite The Lord’s Prayer! It is inspiring to see people’s eyes light up when we bring flowers and the news from the congregation, connecting them to the goings-on of our church. It is an awesome privilege and a joy to serve on the team–to be the bearer of these holy gifts to our fellow parishioners.

Being an EV is an incredible opportunity to serve God and our community, get to know our fellows deeper, make wonderful new friends and become a more integral part of the widely diverse church community.

If you are yearning for a way to serve your church that is sacramental and pastoral, if you are looking for ways to enrich your own spiritual and faith journey, becoming a Eucharistic Visitor is for you!

Have you thought about serving as a bridge between the church and those unable to attend Sunday worship or participate in other church activities? Eucharistic Visitors bring their presence, the congregation’s goodwill, and the sacraments to share with the sick, disabled, or lonely. \

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 deeply connected in how we serve God and our 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, but I chose you.” [John 15:16]  

The workshop includes conversations around What Does It Mean to Care, Small Group Role Play/Case Studies, Eucharistic Visitor Preparation, and Reporting and Tracking Eucharistic Visitations. 

The workshops, convened and led by The Rev. Canon Nancy R. Holland, Deacon, will be via ZOOM from 9 am – 2 pm, with two short breaks and a 30-minute midday break. 

There is no cost to attend. The diocese has Lay Licensing requirements to be met before workshop participation. You can register by clicking on your preferred training date below: 

Class Dates

August 23

November 15

As Eucharistic Visitors, we share our “Eucharistic Life” with those we visit, bonding them with the congregation. What is a Eucharistic Life? Theologian Henri Nouwen says it is a life “in which everything becomes a way of saying “Thank you” ….” Service as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor enables us to live a life of gratitude with greater inner attentiveness. Are you ready to take this journey? 

Please connect with Deacon Nancy if you have questions at 619.823.8998, or hollandnc46@gmail.com