I have a section in my closet with clothes that I love but no longer fit me. Seeing them reminds me of important people, places and periods of my life so I’ve found it hard to let them go to make space for things that do fit me. In many ways, congregations that enter the mission real estate program go through that same struggle of discerning what aspects of its property are sacred aspects of the congregation’s identity and when to create space for something new.

Earlier this year, Canon Jeff Martinhauk and I traveled to Denver to meet with other Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies grantees to share how to effectively support congregations in identifying income-generating missional uses of their property. We left with a deeper understanding of the potential for mission real estate to transform congregations through a greater focus on revitalizing the church campus by enhancing their relationships with the surrounding community. The most critical message: the level of positive transformation congregations experience is directly related to the level of spiritual intention that goes into the congregational engagement process.

What we learned echoes some new practices EDSD has shared with our own congregations. For example, in-depth assessments at the outset of each engagement provide congregations with information to more closely examine their membership growth and financial trajectory, potential development options, and congregational capacity to lead internal and community engagement processes. Financial forecasts prepared by EDSD allow congregations to better evaluate how income from current pledges, membership growth, facility rentals, and mission real estate collectively can contribute to the congregation’s financial health and sustainability.

Congregations are urged to prayerfully consider how they envision being in relationship with the mission real estate project from planning and design through construction to welcoming new people on campus–and to create opportunities to listen and learn what the surrounding community needs early in the discernment process. And we are encouraging congregations to engage in the often difficult conversations about which sacred spaces and objects to prioritize so that they can celebrate what they retain and grieve what they must leave behind. This more structured process is designed to help congregations maintain momentum throughout the discernment process.

In the past few months, Church of the Good Shepherd (Bonita) and St. Mary’s-in-the-Valley (Ramona) engaged in these practices as they considered what they learned about the feasibility of affordable housing projects on their sites. In vestry meetings and congregational workshops, clergy and church members weighed questions about how the number of units their sites could yield was related to the project’s capacity to generate income to support the church’s mission. Congregations are also considering whether they want to manage community amenities, such as childcare or nonprofit space, or leave property management to a development partner. Good Shepherd’s discernment process also explored long-term needs for clergy housing.

At St. John’s (Fallbrook), the congregation had an “aha!” moment when they realized what it could mean to think holistically about its campus. First, the congregation learned that the senior center they had identified as a potential fit for the five-acre Stage Coach Lane site will likely explore other alternatives. Second, they had become increasingly aware that their capacity to expand programming is limited by the configuration of their current facilities. Those realizations opened them to the possibility of relocating the church to Stage Coach Lane and redeveloping the current Iowa Street campus, which is closer to town. They are also exploring affordable homeownership housing to address the needs of the local workforce.

In addition, EDSD is helping congregations prepare for the ups and downs of the development process. While recent legislative reforms have increased the options available to congregations interested in developing their land, volatile financial markets, higher interest rates, and climate change coupled with reductions in federal, state, and regional/local funding have made it more challenging to build new homes and community-supporting facilities.

To address these challenges, EDSD has started to consider a wider range of income-generating project types. For example, EDSD has started to explore deed-restricted moderate-income development, mixed-income and/or mixed-use projects, and small business/workforce incubators and behavioral health facilities. EDSD is also consulting with experts on the feasibility of developing accessory dwelling units, duplexes, triplexes, and other smaller scale projects that could be developed independently or as a scattered site project on sites that cannot accommodate larger developments. In addition, EDSD continues to scan trends in new building technologies and environmentally sustainable design to address costs and insurance risks.
And since breaking ground at St. Luke’s in March, what was once the community garden has become the foundation for 78 units of affordable housing. The building already rises four stories from the ground.

In early September, the congregation at St. Luke’s came together after Sunday services to participate in a naming workshop for the new development. Parishioners talked with each other and used dots to show their support for potential names that reflected concepts of growth, hope, hospitality, community, and welcome in English and several East African languages. The ideas they generated will shape the identity of the new apartment homes that are expected to open in late 2026.

For congregations still considering whether to participate in the mission real estate program, consider doing a walking tour of your campus where you share stories of the important moments in each place to understand your history and discern what is sacred. And maybe find a few volunteers to remove unneeded belongings from your closet spaces to make room for the new things to come.

The Church of England announced that Bishop Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been nominated to serve as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. When she is installed at Canterbury Cathedral, Bishop Sarah will be the first woman ever to hold the office in the Church’s 1,500-year history.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop in the Church of England and serves as first among equals for the Anglican Communion–a worldwide body of 85 million members across 165 countries. In addition to her leadership in the Church, the Archbishop is also one of the Lords Spiritual in the British House of Lords.

Bishop Sarah is no stranger to ‘firsts.’ She was the first woman to serve as Bishop of London, one of the most senior positions in the Church of England, and before entering ordained ministry, she was the youngest Chief Nursing Officer ever appointed in England. Her career has consistently been marked by faithful service, pastoral listening, and a commitment to healing.

Bishop Susan Brown Snook said, “I am delighted at the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. In addition to her solid reputation as a faithful and inspiring church leader, Bishop Sarah has the distinction of serving as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury. It is heartwarming to see this kind of affirmation of the ministry of ordained women at all levels of the church.”

For Bishop Susan, this historic step recalls the election of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church in 2006:

“I was a young priest then, and I recall feeling astonished and gratified that her election affirmed my own calling as an ordained woman. I felt that her election signified that my church was taking my ministry seriously. Years later, the appointment of the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury leads me to give thanks that the ministry of women is now recognized and affirmed at the very top levels of our worldwide communion of faith.”

At the same time, Bishop Susan acknowledged the challenges Bishop Sarah will face as she steps into this historic role.

“Former Archbishop Justin Welby resigned under a shadow, and Archbishop Sarah will need to address the lingering hurts and conflicts from that situation. In addition, there is a movement underfoot to reduce the power and influence of the Archbishop of Canterbury while increasing the power of the Primates of the 42-member churches of the Anglican Communion. I do not regard this as a helpful move for our church, and I recognize that the new Archbishop enters her role at a time when the Anglican Communion is fractured and conflicted. I pray that Archbishop Sarah will be able to bring her considerable gifts to bear in bringing unity and a sense of common mission to the Anglican Communion.”

As we mark this historic moment for the Anglican Communion, let us remember our call to hold one another in prayer. Let us pray for Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally as she prepares for this new ministry, that God may grant her wisdom, courage, and grace. Let us also lift up the Anglican Communion, that we may grow in unity and faithful witness to Christ’s love. And let us pray for our own Episcopal Church, that we may continue to affirm the ministries of all God’s people and live into the courageous love to which Christ calls us.

Holy Creator, we offer our gratitude for the opportunity to live in community, where we can take comfort in others and be nurtured when needy, fed when hungry, and protected when threatened. Guide us as we strive to protect those in our midst who are most vulnerable and innocent, respecting the dignity of all humans, so we can more fully and appropriately love our neighbors and ourselves. Help us to be examples in the world in the likeness of your son Jesus, who spoke truth to power, gave hope to the hopeless, and loved selflessly. We humbly ask for all of this through the gift of your Holy Spirit. Amen. 

A Collect for Safe Church

I love curating resources for congregations, dreaming together about the ways people can grow as disciples and share Jesus’ love with the world. I listen carefully to where God is at work in their congregations and then wonder about where God may be calling them next. Sometimes that is ministry with children and youth, other times it is in support of the seniors for whom it is getting increasingly difficult to attend church on Sunday. Our call as followers of Jesus is not just to invite people to meet us in our buildings, but to go out into our broader community partnering in the God’s work in the world. 

How we do both those things matters. Whether it is in the church, a Sunday School classroom, during a Vestry meeting, at a food pantry, or on a Eucharistic visit to someone’s home, one of the primary ways we share God’s love is through a commitment to keeping each other safe. That means reading and following the model policies for children and vulnerable adults, and it means completing the required courses for Safe Church Safe Communities.

Safe Church, Safe Communities is an updated series of online learning courses facilitated by Praesidium Academy. These courses provide participants (Learners) with information needed to protect the children and other vulnerable populations in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. It is a fundamental way in which we welcome and care for all people.  

Safe Church Safe Communities training is required for all clergy, employees, lay leadership, and volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. This training must be renewed every three years.

And while this training is integral to our ministries, we also recognize that it can be daunting. In our commitment to make it more accessible this year, several updates have been made to the ways in which you can complete the training.

ONLINE

Access to the online courses through Praesidium Academy has been streamlined into three categories: clergy, employee, and lay volunteer. In each of these categories, a step-by-step guide to enrolling in Praesidium Academy is provided, along with direct links to each of the required modules. There is even a checklist that can be printed and kept next to the computer, allowing you to check off your classes as they are completed.

IN-PERSON

We recognize that online training may not be the best fit for everyone. Whether it is due to challenges with technology or the need for additional pastoral support during the training, in-person training may be a better fit. In-person training is offered a minimum of twice a year to increase access to this vital piece of our ministry together. 

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 26-27

Each member of God’s church has a unique role to play in the church and in the community that they serve. We bring our gifts and our skills to our shared life together. Those gifts are vital to congregational health. 

We also bring our past experiences, our pain, and our worries. Our faith communities provide us a place to heal and be nurtured. In the opening prayer there is a line that specifically speaks to this.

Guide us as we strive to protect those in our midst who are most vulnerable and innocent, respecting the dignity of all humans, so we can more fully and appropriately love our neighbors and ourselves. 

Guide us God, so that we can more fully and appropriately love our neighbors and ourselves.

More information about Safe Church Safe Communities training can be found through this link. If you would like to check your completion status, please contact diocesan registrar, Alyson Terry, aterry@edsd.org 

When Episcopalians gather for General Convention, the atmosphere is charged with a mix of reverence and responsibility. It is here, at General Convention, that our common life is debated, prayed over, and shaped for the years ahead. Deputies from every diocese come together, not just to pass legislation, but to discern how God is calling the Episcopal Church to live out its mission in the world.

This November, at our own Diocesan Convention in San Diego, we will elect the clergy and lay deputies who will carry our voice to the 82nd General Convention in 2027. It is a moment of both tradition and fresh opportunity—choosing leaders who will represent us in the most wide-reaching gathering of our church.

The Rev. Jeff Martinhauk, who has served as a deputy, said, “The spirit of compromise and discernment of God’s will for this church is what makes General Convention a really exciting place to be … the job of the convention is to discern how we come together as the Episcopal Church to do the important work God calls us to.”

The “issues” are never theoretical. They range from how we worship to how we respond to injustice; from shaping the church’s budget to discerning its public voice in a complex world. Deputies participate in committee hearings, listen to testimony, propose amendments, and cast votes on matters that affect the entire church. It is holy work—sometimes exhilarating, sometimes frustrating—but always undertaken with prayer and purpose. 

General Convention is not just about passing resolutions; it is how we faithfully engage the pressing questions of our time while trusting that God is at work in those gathered.

General Convention can be an eye-opening experience for a “first-timer.” In 2022, lay deputy Jen Jow discovered just how much the gathering reveals about the church’s life. “My takeaway was a greater understanding of the process,” she explains, “I was nervous about how we were going to get through the 400+ resolutions in four days, but to my amazement, it got done.” 

General Convention is a moment where we can see the Episcopal Church in its fullness. In the halls and committee rooms, deputies encounter people from every corner of the church—urban and rural dioceses, different cultures and contexts, diverse perspectives and priorities. The conversations can be challenging, but they are also a reminder of the breadth and beauty of the Body of Christ.

Polly Getz, 10-time lay deputy, reminds us that General Convention is more than legislation—it is worship, community, and connection across cultures and continents. In those moments of shared prayer and song, deputies see firsthand the breadth of the Episcopal Church and are reminded that our common life stretches far beyond diocesan or national boundaries. “The main General Convention Eucharist is one of my favorite moments,” she recalls, “Worshipping with thousands of Episcopalians is unbelievable! The music alone sets my heart on fire. I sat at the table with the son of a South American bishop. His perspective was both heartening and heartbreaking. He was in absolute awe at the number of Episcopalians gathered there.”

In EDSD, we will be electing our deputies to the General Convention in November at our Diocesan Convention. This election is much more than just filling a slate of positions; it is about entrusting our representatives with the sacred responsibility of carrying our diocesan story to the wider church. Four clergy deputies and four lay deputies from San Diego will bring the lived experiences of our congregations—from the international border to the Coachella Valley, from the California coast to Yuma, Arizona. They speak for all of us.

As our local Diocesan Convention approaches, we are invited to consider who among us may be called to this ministry. Deputies must be prepared for long days of work, careful study of resolutions, and the willingness to listen deeply. They must bring a spirit of prayer, humility, and openness, knowing that their decisions ripple outward across the whole church.

The 82nd General Convention will gather in 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona, where our deputies will take their places among hundreds of others. They will pray, deliberate, and vote. They will bring our diocese’s voice into the great conversation of the Episcopal Church. And they will come back carrying stories of God’s Spirit at work in the church we love.

As we prepare for our Diocesan Convention this November, let us pray for those who will stand for election. Let us give thanks for those willing to serve. And let us remember that through our deputies, the Diocese of San Diego is shaping the future of the Episcopal Church—faithfully, prayerfully, and seeking to follow the mission of Christ.

If you feel called to represent our diocese at General Convention, we invite you to put your name forward. Use the button below to submit your nomination.

Diocesan Convention Nominations

The Episcopal Church is a body shaped by worship, prayer, and the active participation of its people. Our Church participates in a system that values shared governance, entrusting both clergy and lay members with the responsibility of guiding its mission and stewarding its resources. Through elected positions in diocesan and parish leadership, we are all encouraged to shape the direction of the Church, to ensure that the Body of Christ remains vibrant, faithful, and responsive to the needs of the world.

Jesus modeled servant leadership when he washed his disciples’ feet and taught them that true greatness lies in humility and love. Those who are elected to leadership—whether on Standing Committees, Diocesan Councils, Disciplinary Boards, or to the General Convention Deputation—are invited to embody that same spirit of service. They are called to listen deeply, discern wisely, and act courageously for the good of the whole Church.

The responsibilities of elected leaders vary depending on the body in which they serve, but all share the common task of helping the church live into its mission: to restore all people to unity with God and one another in Christ. Some roles involve oversight of finances and property, others focus on vision and mission–helping to discern where God is calling the church to grow, to serve, and to witness in the world. And some are charged with matters of discipline and accountability. Each of these tasks is essential, and none can be accomplished by one person alone. Elected leaders collaborate with the bishop, clergy, and the laity, creating a circle of accountability that reflects the church’s belief in mutual ministry.

By serving, you become part of a living tradition of leaders who have helped the Episcopal Church navigate times of growth, challenge, and transformation.

To run for an elected position at Diocesan Convention, please fill out the nominations form linked below. 

Nomination Form

General Convention Deputation

Elect 4 clergy and 4 lay to serve as deputies at General Convention in 2027

The Rev. Kate Flexer

The Rev. Brian Peterson

The Rev. Lilia Mendoza

The Rev. Roberto Maldonado-Mercado

Mae Chao

Cynde Durnford-Branecki

The 82nd General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be held in July 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona. The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years, it meets as a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese. The legislative process of General Convention is an expression of The Episcopal Church’s belief that, under God, the Church is ordered and governed by its people: laity, deacons, priests, and bishops.

Secretary of Convention

Elect 1 clergy or lay to serve until 2027

The Secretary shall take minutes of the proceedings of the Convention, certify Deputies to General Convention, cause to be prepared and posted Journals of Convention, and other duties as listed in the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. The Records, books, and Journals of the Secretary shall be open at all times to the inspection of the Ecclesiastical Authority, of the Standing Committee, of the Convention, and any Committee or Commission thereof. The Secretary is elected for a one-year term and may be re-elected.

In addition, the Secretary of Convention records the minutes and resolutions of the monthly Diocesan Executive Council meetings

Disciplinary Board

Elect 2 clergy and 1 lay to serve until 2028

The Disciplinary Board hears cases regarding the discipline of clergy as specified in accordance with Title IV of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church. Members of the Court are elected for staggered three year terms and may be re-elected for multiple terms. The Disciplinary Board will meet as needed.

Executive Council

Elect 1 clergy to serve until 2029

Elect 2 lay to serve until 2029

Elect 1 lay to serve until 2028

The Rev. Brian Peterson

Joe Lopez

The Diocesan Executive Council serves as the Board of Directors of the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. It is the legally constituted governing body of the diocese.

In accordance with California State Law and Diocesan Canons, DEC has fiduciary responsibility for the assets of the diocese. Responsible for implementing, maintaining, and revising the Strategic Plan as necessary or appropriate.  Develops and recommends to Convention the annual budget.

Diocesan Executive Council normally meets virtually the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Meeting dates are subject to change because of calendar conflicts.

Standing Committee

Elect 1 clergy to serve until 2029

Elect 1 lay to serve until 2029

The Rev. Douglas Worthington

The Standing Committee of the Diocese shall consist of four clergy who are voting members of Convention and four Lay members who are communicants of the Church and who are at least 18 years of age. Members are elected by Diocesan Convention for staggered terms of four years. The Standing Committee acts as the ecclesiastical authority when the bishop is absent or incapacitated. The powers, functions, and duties of the Standing Committee shall be those prescribed by the Constitution and· Canons of The Episcopal Church, and by the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese. Upon expiration of the member’s term, no person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Standing Committee for a period of one year.

Standing Committee currently meets virtually on the third Tuesday of each month, at 12:00pm.

To find out more about Diocesan Convention, please visit ConventionEDSD.org and watch for updates in the weekly EDSD News.

On World Refugee Day, June 20, Bishop Susan Brown Snook was invited to participate with faith leaders from throughout San Diego in attending immigration court as a ministry of presence. After that powerful experience, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego joined the Roman Catholic Diocese and the San Diego Organizing Project in FAITH—Faithful Accompaniment in Trust & Hope. In this ecumenical ministry, clergy volunteers from seven faith traditions are offering presence at immigration court hearings. Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Unitarians, Muslims, United Church of Christ members, and the Church of the Nazarene are welcome to offer a steady presence of support for fear-filled people facing the prospect of deportation. The goal is not legal advocacy or interference, but to offer spiritual presence, comfort, and solidarity in a space where many feel unseen, fearful, and vulnerable. 

Throughout Scripture, God calls the faithful to walk alongside the vulnerable. From Israel’s command to welcome the stranger in Leviticus, to Christ’s teaching that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for him in Matthew, our Christian tradition affirms the sacred duty of accompaniment. Presence is not passive; it is an active, courageous step toward empathetic care. To sit, to pray, to wait–reminding people facing fear and uncertainty that they are not alone, and that God is with them.

The Ven. Cindy Campos, Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, has been attending multiple court hearings a week. “Our purpose,” Cindy explains, “is to be a presence to those seeking asylum, refugees facing deportation, those individuals or families before the judge with or without an attorney. We do this at the individual’s request, to provide spiritual support, not to cause any trouble. We are there as a gift of presence. Our actions speak for themselves.”

With cases moving quickly and often without legal counsel, individuals can feel invisible—reduced to case numbers, files, or legal technicalities rather than recognized as people with hopes, families, and stories. 

“I see you. I am here to stand by your side, to provide support. To pray with and for you if you would like. I will stick with you until the very end, no matter how your case ends up,” said Rev. Cindy.

Many feel that their voices or actions cannot create meaningful change, but the Gospel reminds us that discipleship begins not with sweeping reforms but with small, faithful acts of love. Personal agency can be found in the choices we make each day—in how we spend our time, how we treat others, and where we place our attention. These simple choices ripple outward, reminding us that we are not spectators to the world’s struggles but participants in God’s mission of justice and mercy.

Our agency takes on its fullest expression when directed toward the people right in our neighborhoods–vulnerable neighbors, immigrants, the unhoused, families struggling with food insecurity, or those who feel unseen. By showing up, listening, and extending care, we embody Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves. We may not control national policy, but we can choose to serve with courage and kindness where we are planted. In doing so, we discover that real change begins close to home–one relationship at a time.

Rev. Gigi Miller, a deacon in EDSD, shared her experience, “I’ve felt a palpable sense of fear and anxiety from immigrants and their families; one young person I sat beside was visibly trembling. I offered a smile and tried to remain a calming presence.”

Not surprisingly, it is not only immigrants and refugees who carry heavy burdens in the courtroom. Judges, lawyers, interpreters, and court staff are also stretched by the constant emotional strain and the weight of life-altering decisions made each day. Court workers often witness the deep anxiety of those before them without the ability to ease their suffering. Stress and fatigue are shared by everyone in the room–the ministry of presence offers quiet support not just to those on trial, but to everyone under the pressures of this system.

That “gift of presence” often becomes a lifeline. Rev. Cindy recalls an immigration attorney who, overwhelmed by the stress of representing a family of six, reached out to her in gratitude: “Thank you for being here.” Simply sitting beside him helped restore his composure so he could stand strong for the family he was defending. 

“I’ve been told by other volunteers that we are making a difference to the lawyers and judges as they consider the cases before them,” Rev. Gigi reflected. “I’ve seen the smiles of relief on the faces of folks waiting for their hearings when we arrive with tangible expressions of faith.”

For Rev. Cindy, the courtroom encounters have reshaped her vocabulary of faith: “Two words have grown in my vocabulary—hospitality and gratitude.” The ministry of presence in immigration court is not about fixing or solving, but about showing up, embodying Christ’s compassion, and bearing witness to the dignity of every child of God.

A young man, without an attorney, asked Rev. Cindy to sit with him through his hearing. “We may not have been able to communicate in words,” she said, “but just sitting together, exchanging an occasional smile of support, got him through. Me, too.” Against all odds, the judge granted him more time. “We walked out of the courtroom together and out into the brilliant sunshine. He gave me the biggest smile, waved, and took off running down the sidewalk. May God be with you.”

We are called to live out courageous love in real and tangible ways. FAITH offers us an opportunity to stand with our neighbors in their hour of greatest need, to practice radical hospitality, and to embody the Gospel’s call to love without condition.

If you are interested in learning more about how clergy can participate in this ministry of presence, please contact Caylie Cruze from San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP) at caylie@sdop.net for the appropriate training. Or sign up for regular updates on the program at faithsd.flocknote.com/generalinterest.

“This country was not founded on freedom.  It was founded on stolen land, cleared by slaughter, and built by stolen people, broken by force.” These are the words of Lyle W Fass in an Instagram post entitled “Why Is America Like This.”

How has America become what it is today?

I am Susan Green, a facilitator for the Sacred Ground program, which was developed almost six years ago by the Episcopal Church.  It is made up of books, articles, and videos that challenge participants to travel back in history, peeling away layers of sanitized facts to discover the truth about how America came to be what it is today.

The Sacred Ground program is based on small dialogue circles where participants come together to reflect on the challenging content of the 11-part curriculum, which focuses on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories. Woven into these histories are family stories, economic class, as well as political and regional identity.

The circles become communities built upon deep listening and trust as the participants get to know each other.  As the community builds, it is designed to become a safe place to express anger and grief as these emotions well up in the participants’ reflections.

Sacred Ground is a part of the work of Becoming Beloved Community, the commitment, by the Episcopal Church, to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our religious communities, and in society.

Well over 1,200 people in our diocese and 25,000 across the country have participated since the initial launch of Sacred Ground.  Our collective outrage over the murder of George Floyd in 2020 kept that momentum alive.  And although that may have waned somewhat, the need to engage in this kind of conversation has not. In fact, today’s current climate of disinformation and polarization increases the value of this program rooted in faith.

On September 2, our new Presiding Bishop, Sean Rowe, spoke to a large gathering of Sacred Ground facilitators and organizers for the launch of a new year of Sacred Ground. He told us how he organized an early circle of bishops to experience the program first hand.  Now considering Sacred Ground to be “a key tool for doing the Lord’s work,” Bishop Rowe emphasized the need to continue through our Christian faith resisting injustice, honoring the dignity of all people, and renouncing evil in the world.

Everyone is invited to participate in Sacred Ground. We welcome repeat participants as well as newcomers. The next informational meeting will be on October 1 from 3-4 pm on Zoom.  The next circle will begin on Wednesday, October 22, 3-5 pm, also on zoom. Watch the diocesan news for more information about the Zoom invitations. Join Nan Hardison, co-facilitator, and me as we delve into the buried truth about why America is like it is.

This past summer, I served as a camp chaplain for the fourth year in a row, and something clicked in a way it hadn’t before: I finally get the magic of summer camp. I don’t just mean I understand the fun of s’mores or silly songs or sleeping in cabins (though I do). I mean, I finally understand why people talk about camp like it’s holy ground–because it is. The magic of summer camp is the same magic I’ve always known in church: people coming together, learning to love each other, growing in relationship, and practicing what it means to belong.

At its heart, summer camp is about community–the type of community Jesus invites us to. It’s about being deeply known and wildly accepted. In a world where so much is transactional, hierarchical, or image-driven, camp–and church–offers a radical alternative. You matter here not because of how you look or how much money your family has, or what you can achieve. You matter because you’re you.

Camp strips things down to what’s essential. There’s no need to perform. Kids don’t have their phones. Makeup doesn’t matter. Clothing trends don’t define anyone. What rises to the surface are the qualities that truly sustain life: kindness, empathy, courage, creativity, joy. These values are not just encouraged–they are the currency of camp. They are celebrated, practiced, and passed around like friendship bracelets or bug spray.

As a chaplain, I get to float among cabins and activities. I lead worship under oaks and pines and grape leaves. I talk about God by the fire pit. I offer support when homesickness hits or when someone feels left out. But mostly, I get to witness the sacred work of friendship and formation. And I’m convinced: this is discipleship. This is church.

Every summer, kids flock to camps for fun and independence. Yet what they remember most aren’t the ropes courses or canoe rides–it’s the friends. Camp friendships are forged in the intensity of shared experience: whispering in bunks at night, singing at community gathering, struggling together through team challenges, or laughing uncontrollably during skits and celebrations. These bonds go deep, fast. And for many, they last a lifetime.

Why? Because camp removes the filters. There’s no scrolling, no selfies, no social media anxiety. Campers spend days unplugged and fully present. They get to know each other face-to-face, moment by moment. In today’s screen-saturated world, this kind of connection is both rare and healing.

Camp friendships aren’t based on social status or clique dynamics. Kids aren’t sorted by grades or extracurriculars or Instagram followers. They’re mixed together–shy kids, confident kids, goofy kids, introverts, extroverts–and invited into a shared life. For many, it’s the first time they experience unconditional belonging. 

Camp doesn’t care about what neighborhood you’re from or what labels you carry at school. It asks, instead: What brings you joy? What’s your favorite game? Want to sit with us?

I’ve watched campers show up hesitant and guarded, unsure if they’ll fit in. Within a day or two, they’re painting faces, sharing stories, playing gaga ball like they’ve known each other forever. This isn’t accidental–it’s intentional. Camp is structured to foster trust, connection, and inclusion.

In many ways, camp becomes a sanctuary from the harsh realities of judgment and exclusion. It echoes the way Jesus welcomed people–on the basis of their humanity, not their status. When camp is done well, it models what a church can be: a place where people are received with delight, not evaluation.

Camp isn’t always easy. That’s part of the magic. Kids face challenges–being away from home, trying new activities, navigating cabin dynamics. But here’s the beauty–they do it together. They learn to solve problems, ask for help, and try again after failure. And they’re surrounded by friends and counselors cheering them on.

This builds emotional and spiritual resilience. Campers learn they can handle discomfort. They discover they can be brave and vulnerable. They realize that community is built not in perfection, but in practice–in showing up, day after day, with grace and grit.

This is formative work. It prepares kids not just for school or adulthood, but for discipleship. It teaches them what it means to be part of a beloved community–imperfect, messy, real–and how to keep showing up for one another. Isn’t that the very essence of Christian life?

Camp is church without the pews. It’s worship without the bulletin. It’s theology lived in real time, around a campfire or at the edge of a trail. It’s prayer in motion, in the form of shared meals, spontaneous laughter, and quiet moments of awe under the stars.

Kids at camp learn about the God who delights in their creativity, who meets them in their questions, who walks with them in friendship. They learn that sacred things don’t only happen in buildings. They happen in games, in trust falls, in songs sung out of tune.

As my week as a chaplain ended, I asked myself: How can we bring this magic into our churches? Can we create communities that are just as welcoming, where people are met without judgment? Can we build relationships that go deep, fast–because time is short and love matters more than image? Can we structure our ministries to foster real connection, rather than just polished programming? Yes. Because the magic of camp is not a mystery. It’s just love, practiced fiercely and freely.

Camp taught me (again) that people are hungry for belonging; that kids thrive when they are trusted; that friendships forged in shared experiences become sacred bonds; that when we slow down, unplug, and listen to each other–God shows up. That camp is holy ground.

If you would like to learn more about Camp Stevens, visit www.campstevens.org

When I started as the Director of the Ramona Youth Collaborative this past Easter, I had a strong sense that something special was beginning—but I couldn’t have predicted just how much life and energy this program would bring to our community in just a few months. The Ramona Youth Collaborative (RYC) is more than a youth group. It’s a movement—four churches coming together across denominational lines to do something bold: offer a radically welcoming space for middle and high schoolers to show up as they are, be truly seen, and know they belong.

The idea was sparked by a group of clergy who shared a common concern—what about the kids who feel like they don’t fit in? What about the ones who are questioning their identity or faith, who feel judged, silenced, or simply invisible in traditional religious spaces? In Ramona, a beautiful but often conservative mountain town, those questions are urgent. The Rev. Hannah Wilder of St. Mary’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church put it plainly: “In a town like Ramona, where youth sometimes feel like they have to hide who they are, we are creating a space where they feel they are seen, valued, and matter.”

So, Rev. Hannah, along with the Rev. Wes Ellis of First Congregational Church, Rev. Kristi Grimaud of Ramona United Methodist Church, and Pastor Lawrence Hand of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, took a leap of faith. They formed the Ramona Youth Collaborative—RYC for short—and hired me to lead it.

Here’s what’s been happening since:

We kicked things off with weekly trips to the beach. No agenda—just time to connect, play in the surf, and start forming bonds. Then in August, we officially launched with our first Sunday gathering at First Congregational Church, where we meet weekly. We read the Bible together, ask questions, play games, eat snacks, and talk about what matters to us. We wrestle with what faith means in our everyday lives and how to make sense of the world around us through a lens of love, justice, and grace. I’m not here to give kids all the answers—I’m here to help them become the kind of people who ask courageous questions and look out for one another.

That’s what RYC is all about—belonging. We don’t ask anyone to check their identity at the door. We honor each person’s unique story. Whether a kid is shy or outspoken, curious or skeptical, gay or straight, churched or unchurched—they are welcome here. We create space for all of it, because we believe Jesus does too.

And we don’t stop at spiritual conversation. Our teens are already getting involved in hands-on service projects that make a real difference. This summer, we helped with food distribution at the Ramona Food and Clothes Closet. We’re getting ready to serve at Open Door, the weekly community meal hosted by First Congregational. And in January, we’re planning to take a group on a mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico to build homes for families in need—a continuation of the kind of outreach I’ve loved doing for years in my work with churches in Chula Vista and La Mesa.

For me, volunteering and giving back isn’t optional—it’s part of discipleship. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors, and that’s not just a metaphor. These service experiences are deeply formative. When teens hand out food, hammer nails into a frame, or sit with someone who’s struggling, their faith becomes real. They start to see that their life matters, their actions have impact, and they’re capable of leading.

And that’s one of my biggest hopes for the future of RYC—that it becomes a launching pad for young leaders. I want to equip teens with the skills, confidence, and compassion they need to lead in their churches, schools, and neighborhoods. We’re planting seeds now that will grow for years to come.

Of course, this kind of ministry takes resources. RYC has an annual budget of about $80,000, which covers my salary, materials, transportation, and programming. We’ve received a generous $16,000 grant from the Missing Voices Project, a religious network committed to supporting marginalized youth. Each of the four churches also contributes financially and with volunteers. We’re pursuing additional grants and donations to ensure RYC not only survives but thrives.

We’re still early in the journey, but I already see the fruit: teens opening up, friendships forming across school and church lines, and the Spirit of God moving in quiet but powerful ways. One parent told me her daughter came home from our first meeting and said, “I finally found a place where I don’t have to pretend.”

That’s it. That’s the whole point.

As Rev. Hannah says, “Often people think being Christian means excluding people who don’t fit the mold. But it doesn’t mean that. It means flinging the door wide open—welcoming people, and helping them feel like they belong and matter, without having to change.”

That’s the kind of church I want to be part of. That’s the kind of community we’re building here in Ramona. And I believe it’s possible anywhere.

If you want to learn more, support us, or get involved, you can reach me at ray@ramonayouthcollaborative.com or stop by my office at First Congregational Church of Ramona Monday through Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. I’d love to tell you more about what God is doing here—through friendship, through faith, and through the beautiful, messy, world-changing lives of teenagers.

A popular hymn at ordinations, Here I Am, Lord, focuses on one of the most powerful questions we can ask ourselves: “God, what are you calling me to do with my life?”  A question stands at the heart of all our Christian lives, but it especially applies to discernment—a structured process for those drawn toward ordination.

Discernment, at its core, is the holy art of listening. It is a prayerful practice of attuning ourselves to God’s voice, weighing the stirrings of our hearts against the wisdom of Scripture, tradition, and the community of faith. For Episcopalians, discernment is not a solitary act. It unfolds within the Body of Christ, through conversation with trusted mentors, participation in parish life, and ultimately through the gathered wisdom of the Church.

For many people, the first nudges of God’s call come quietly. Perhaps you find yourself drawn more deeply into prayer, scripture study, or service. Maybe others begin to see gifts in you that you cannot yet see in yourself: the ability to comfort those in grief, the skill to teach with clarity and joy, or the willingness to lead when leadership is needed.

In the Episcopal Church, a call to “something more” may take many forms. Some are called to strengthen the ministry of the laity–through pastoral care, administration, advocacy, or outreach. Others discover that their gifts resonate with the particular roles of deacons, who serve as bridges between the church and the world, proclaiming the needs of the marginalized and urging the Church toward service. Still others may sense a pull toward the priesthood–leading worship, preaching the gospel, and shepherding God’s people in the sacraments and the rhythms of daily life.

A call is not always dramatic or obvious. Rarely does it arrive like a lightning bolt. More often, it is like a seed, planted and watered, slowly growing until it can no longer be ignored. The work of discernment is to nurture that seed, test it, and see if it bears good fruit.

One of the beautiful truths of our Episcopal tradition is that no one discerns alone. While each person must wrestle with their own sense of call, the Episcopal Church insists that the wider community test and affirm that call. We believe that the Holy Spirit speaks not only through individual hearts but also through the gathered.

That is why those exploring ordination begin by talking with their priest, and why parish discernment committees meet with them over many months. These committees listen, ask hard questions, and pray alongside the individual. They help a discerner distinguish between personal desire, external pressure, and a genuine call from God. Later, the diocese’s Commission on Ministry and the bishop continue this work, ensuring that the Church as a whole recognizes and supports the call.

This communal discernment protects the Church and strengthens the individual. It acknowledges that ministry belongs not to one person but to the whole people of God, knit together by baptism. To be called is never to be elevated above others; it is to be invited into deeper service, with the community’s blessing and accountability.

But why does ordination matter? Ordination reminds us that ministry is not self-appointed. A priest does not stand at the altar because of personal ambition, but because the Church has prayed, tested, and entrusted them with that sacred responsibility. A deacon does not proclaim the gospel merely out of interest, but because the Spirit and the community together have affirmed that gift. Ordination embodies the truth that all authority in the Church flows from Christ, not from individual preference.

If you sense God might be calling you to something more, the first step is simple: pray. Ask God to guide your heart, to quiet your fears, and to open your ears to the Spirit’s whisper. Then, talk to someone you trust—your priest, a spiritual director, or a faithful friend. Pay attention to the places where others affirm your gifts. And be patient. Discernment is a journey, not a sprint.

The act of discerning is one of the greatest adventures of faith. In it, we discover not only who we are, but whose we are: beloved children of God; “Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me.”

The Commission on Ministry will host two upcoming Days of Information for those exploring a call to ordained ministry: the first on September 20, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs (125 W El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262), and the second on October 18, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach (2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107). If you are considering discernment, please speak with your clergyperson before registering, and clergy are encouraged to attend alongside their discerners.

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