Unless you’ve gone through it, it’s hard to imagine the grueling experience of Marine Corps boot camp. Recruits are hundreds of miles away from home, maybe for the first time in their lives, aren’t permitted to speak with any loved one or friends back home, face huge physical, mental, and emotional challenges every day–for thirteen long, demanding weeks-on-end. They emerge proud, prepared, and ready to serve, but the process of getting there is tough. Some of the only ‘downtime’ (other than sleeping) a recruit gets is three hours each Sunday morning to attend worship, if they choose to.

The Marine Corps Recruiting Depot (MCRD) in San Diego (near the airport) is where almost all recruits who live west of the Mississippi—more than 20,000 a year—come for basic training. Currently, there is no Episcopal worship service offered at MCRD. But we have been invited, as a diocese, to change this!

We are putting together a team of priests, deacon and lay people who will offer the Eucharist, a time for group discussion and individual conversation, and the showing of an episode of The Chosen every Sunday morning from 8:00-10:45. Our goal is to recruit enough volunteers so no one needs to serve more than once every couple of months, unless they’d like to. We’re hoping to launch this meaningful new ministry in October.

If you’d like to sign up to help with Sunday services at MCRD, or if you’d like to learn more about this opportunity to serve our neighbors experiencing one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, please contact the Rev Douglas Worthington, the rector of All Souls’ in Point Loma, at dworthington@allsoulspointloma.org.

These brave young women and men have volunteered to serve their country in ways many of us have never contemplated, and they’re going through an unrelenting ordeal to prepare. How comforting and reassuring for them it will be for us to come alongside them, each week, to let them know how deeply they’re loved, carried, and cared for by Christ–and by us in the Episcopal Church.

A burning bush, angelic appearances, an overwhelming catch of fish—being ‘called’ in the Bible often involves miracles and supernatural circumstances. Mine did not. No divine voice boomed, “Become a vocational deacon, Gigi.” But when I think about it, my path to the diaconate had themes in common with those earlier invitations, elements that guide all of us to a greater understanding of discipleship.

The first theme is receptivity – actively listening for God’s still, small voice and being open to its beckoning. Jesus speaks directly to Peter, telling him to put aside his fishing nets, so he can “catch people.” An angel leads Mary to mother a movement that will change the world.

My call started with a trusted friend and mentor, who gently asked if I’d ever considered the diaconate. I had very few reference points. I grew up in the Episcopal church, but none of the parishes that I worshipped at had deacons. I’d heard the Steely Dan song Deacon Blues, but I was fairly sure that wasn’t going to be helpful. At the time, I was coordinating a hot breakfast ministry for unhoused folks and advocating for affordable housing. So, when she told me a deacon is the bridge between the Church and the world, especially encouraging the voices of the marginalized, I was intrigued.  

Another theme of my call was recognizing that God created each of us specifically and loves us unconditionally. When I finally understood the diaconal call, I only knew two people who had pursued it – a licensed marriage and family counselor and a history professor with extensive knowledge of theology and spirituality. I’m not a mental health care professional or an intellectual heavyweight, so I felt like Peter when Jesus asked him to follow. Me? You must be kidding.

Then I remembered the series of parish profiles I wrote. I heard stories of transformation and change that could only be the work of the Holy Spirit. I realized that God gives each of us unique gifts for holy work; we have everything we need to take our place in God’s expansive community if we only believe it.

God’s call takes time to come to fruition; that’s our third theme. Paul was rounding up and persecuting Christians long before accepting Jesus’ invitation to proclaim His Good News. I spent over twenty years teaching Sunday School – many of them as a Godly Play storyteller. I learned to recognize the inherent spirituality of everyone, especially the youngest of my siblings in Christ. Sharing our wonderings about God helped me to see how the Holy Spirit was moving in my own life.

My diaconal call evolved over three years. It involved two years of study through the West Coast Collaborative (WCC), field placement, and a process of discernment aided by individuals and groups of folks who helped me make sense of God’s whisperings.

That point leads me to the fourth call theme – community. It’s not always easy to perceive what God is calling us to do and be; we need each other’s guidance, as well as God’s. Paul, struck blind, was helped by his friends into Damascus, where he was compassionately cared for and ultimately healed by Jesus’ disciples.

Community shaped my journey of discipleship. A group of women became trusted companions on the way, meeting weekly for reading, discussions, and discovering. Working with Sacred Ground circles and LARK workshops revealed the injustices of racial inequality and the necessity of repentance as a guidepost to reconciliation.

To build relationships between volunteers and our neighbors in need after our community breakfast on Saturday mornings, several of us developed a short prayer liturgy. One of our neighbors calls it the Table of Kindness; it’s a space for sharing moments of suffering, resilience, and hope. Together, we’re extending God’s table outside the sanctuary into the world via a picnic table on the lawn.

I could not have followed the sacred path to ordination were it not for the loving WCC community of mentors and postulants who gathered online every Thursday evening for sharing, learning, and discussing theological and practical assignments. Both my sending and field placement parishes held me close in loving care, even as they allowed me to delight in new ministries and liturgical presence.

The fifth theme – trust – is a summary of the previous four, because well, life happens. And though God’s way is simple, it isn’t easy. Peter bowed to political pressure, denying Jesus before recognizing him as the Messiah and working tirelessly to spread his gospel of love.

My discernment process was marked by joys and struggles – family deaths and births, a move to a new home, and assorted illnesses. I told my spiritual director and anyone who would listen that I was holding the call lightly, and I knew that I could pause my diaconal work at any time. My mantra became a verse from John 15 “Abide in me, as I abide in you”, and somehow, there was always time and grace to accomplish God’s purposes.

So, Scripture helps us understand five themes of the Divine call to discipleship – being open to God, recognizing our gifts, taking time, discerning in community, and trusting God’s direction. It’s important to note that, though my call ultimately resulted in ordination, God welcomes us all into holy work of renewal. The invitation to discipleship is different for each of us and changes from season to season in our lives, but everyone has a part to play in the restoration of God’s creation, which is torn apart by division and exclusion. 

I am called to be a deacon. What are you called to? 

If you are considering a call to the ordained ministry or would just like to learn more, join Diocesan leaders at the Day of Information scheduled for September 20 from 10:00-2:00 at St. Paul in the Desert in Palm Springs and October 18 from 10:00-2:00 at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. Registration is required.

The leadership of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is aware of an allegation made on social media against the Rev. Roger Haenke, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chula Vista. The post alleges sexual misconduct with a minor, and we are taking this seriously.

The diocese has notified law enforcement and child protective services and is cooperating fully with civil authorities. Additionally, a formal disciplinary proceeding under Title IV of The Episcopal Church’s Canons—the church’s process for addressing clergy misconduct—has been initiated. 

Fr. Haenke is on a previously scheduled medical leave and will remain on leave until further notice. 

“The safety of all members of our congregations and communities—especially children—is our highest priority,” said Bishop Susan Brown Snook, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. “As Christians, we are called to hold one another to account, and we are committed to reconciliation and healing if we fall short of our own ideals.”

The Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch, Canon to the Ordinary, is a senior diocesan leader and was present at St. John’s on Sunday to read a pastoral letter to the congregation and offer support. That letter is available online here.

Anyone with information related to this matter is encouraged to contact the police, Child Protective Services, and the diocesan intake officer, the Rev. Willy Crespo, listed at https://edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/ or call the diocesan office at 619-291-5947.

We ask for your prayers for everyone impacted by this situation.

I have heard it (and maybe said it myself) so many times in church:  ‘don’t send it to committee.’  Whatever ‘it’ is, it is not uncommon for even the most dedicated Episcopalian to get frustrated at times by the church’s slowness to action when facing an opportunity, getting mired in detail.

Our society has seen a dramatic change in the view of institutional process in the last 50 years.  We have a church that was built on not only the Book of Common Prayer but also the Constitution and Canons, Parochial Reports, and committees for everything.  It can seem like we’re stuck in molasses as we administer our affairs in a world primed for social media, quick reaction, and fast change.

As a full-time church administrator, I am no stranger to these sentiments.  In my current role, I am often the one calling for detail, process, and order to our governance.  That has been a growing edge for me, because as a parish priest I was very much in the camp of ‘the institution needs reform because it’s too stuck in the past.’  I very much believed that the structures and mechanisms of the church had become too separated from the mission of the Church.

But I’ve been in the role of Diocesan Treasurer and the Bishop’s Canon for Finance for a few years now.  My position has given me new insight into our administrative processes in the church, and I’ve come to not only appreciate its value but to also believe there is a case for making finance, governance, and leadership (church administration) a spiritual practice rather than seeing it as an impediment to mission.

I would suggest that a primary focus of church administrators (by which I mean anyone paid or unpaid, lay or clergy, providing this ministry to the community) is to hold the community together.  As Episcopalians, the church is primarily a community:

1. What is the Church
2. The Church is the community of the New Covenant

– BCP Catechism, p. xxx

A community requires trust, and administrators are, in large part, stewards of the trust that church members place in their community.  A good church administrator must take action not based on his or her own opinions, but focused on how to bring transparency, honesty, and clarity to the community; to take action based on deepening trust among the congregation.

The specific practices and tools that administrators use to steward that trust may seem unexciting.  Producing financial statements and following Robert’s Rules aren’t the reasons anyone I know goes to Church.  But if that trust is broken or if it isn’t tended to, it has too often been the reason why people don’t go to Church (just think of financial irregularities or voices not being heard).  And perhaps with good reason; without trust, it’s hard to be a community of faith.

Stewardship has a deep history in our tradition.  Over and over again, the Bible has stories of stewardship as discipleship.  It’s unfortunate that the word stewardship has come to be limited in many circles to fundraising.  Stewardship does include how we care for our funds, but it is so much broader.  A steward is one who does not own the property him/herself but holds it for another who does own it.  The steward ensures that it is used wisely and effectively, not for the steward, but for the owner who placed their trust in the steward.

Church administrators steward many things: funds, property, volunteer time, and so many others.  But the key that makes us stewards is the discernment on behalf of the one who we hold these things for.  For me, that question is:  How do we organize the resources and people of the church to better love God and love others?

And that question is a big question; perhaps it’s THE big question.   What are the practices in your congregation that exist to discern how to use your resources to love God and love others?  In my experience, they are practices of community.  That may mean a finance committee prays before making a difficult decision about how to spread funding.  It may mean that the whole parish is invited to a conversation about building housing on vacant church land.  It may mean that vestry meetings are structured in a way that encourages all voices to be heard, even the unpopular views.  It may mean practicing forbearance when you really don’t want ‘it’ to go to committee, because going to committee promotes order and trust, and valuing life in community requires practice.

Who are these administrators, these stewards?  The answer to that has changed over the past decades.  Once upon a time, most churches had a paid employee to take care of many of these functions for them—and some still do.  But an increasing number of churches find their administrators in the pews, coming from many different backgrounds with a wide variety of gifts.  Priests are spread thin with less time for routine tasks, and churches, even large ones, can no longer rely on paid staff to do the hard work of stewardship and administration.  We have volunteer parish administrators, volunteer treasurers, volunteer committee chairs- each tasked with caring about this stewardship function deeply.  As leadership in the church changes, it may be an opportunity for the Church to more fully live into who we proclaim to be, if these new leaders (all of us) can focus on the practices that make administration into a ministry.

The bishop and the rest of us on her staff believe that it is possible to have administration rooted in mission.  For that reason, we are offering a new workshop day this fall.  Finance, Governance, and Property (FGP) will be a day where we can explore this call to missional administration together as a diocese.  All are welcome, and the day is especially structured for lay/volunteer administrators, whether you are a treasurer, committee chair, volunteer staff, or are just interested in how to steward the resources of the church in a way that intentionally works to love God and love each other.

We will have sessions on financial stewardship, property maintenance, mission and money, real estate stewardship, and leadership.  The day is modeled very similarly to Leadership academy (our spring offering focusing more on discipleship, formation, evangelism, and outreach).

Finance, Governance,  Property workshop will be held at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in UTC, San Diego, on September 13 from 8:30 – 2:00.  Lunch will be provided with your registration fee. Please RSVP your attendance today!

I have taken thousands of church-related photos that tell stories of radical hospitality, prayerful presence, and the magnetic joy of the church in action. Photographs are not just pictures; they are profound storytellers and emotional messengers. Nowhere is this more impactful than in the sacred spaces of our churches. Through photography, we can capture the spirit of the community, the sanctity of worship, and the vibrant life of faith of our church.

Good photographs can evoke feelings of awe and reverence–they are a bridge, connecting those within the church community and reaching out to those who might be looking for a spiritual home. Offering examples of solace, celebrating joyous occasions, and fostering a sense of belonging is especially important in a world where digital presence can enhance or even substitute for physical presence.  

I am excited to announce this year’s Church Photography 101 workshop, scheduled for September 13th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Resurrection Episcopal Church in Ocean Beach. Whether you are a photographer keen on using your cellphone more effectively or an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills, this workshop is designed for you.

Led by the talented Diocesan Photographer Susan Forsburg and EDSD Director of Communications Chris Tumilty, this workshop explores the art of capturing beauty and joy in church life. These expert instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for both photography and the church community.

Simeon Bruce, Director of Communications at St. Andrew’s in Encinitas, who participated in 2024, said, “I cannot stop telling people how good this workshop was, seriously. And I’m already using what I learned to improve my work at St. Andrew’s. This workshop truly took me from ‘Yeah, I have a vague idea of what looks good in a photo’ to ‘Oh, now I get WHY it looks good and have an idea of how I might try to achieve that.’

Participants learn essential photography principles such as the exposure triangle—understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together to create the perfect shot. Combined with tips and tricks for improving composition through positioning, the rules of thirds, leading lines, and more, this workshop distills years of experience into a one-day training.

Photo 101 is designed to be hands-on. It’s not just about listening and learning; it’s about doing. Participants will have the opportunity to take their own photographs during the event, which will then be reviewed in a supportive group setting. 

An important aspect of church photography that will be covered during the workshop is the appropriate use of photos. Understanding what images are suitable for sharing and how they can be used respectfully and effectively to communicate the life and work of Jesus Christ at your church is crucial. Photos are a powerful tool, but they must be used wisely, especially in a context as intimate as a church environment.

The ultimate goal of good church photography is to share the story of your church through images effectively–showcasing the life and work of Jesus Christ as lived out by our communities in vibrant color (…or in black and white). Photographs can highlight worship services, community activities, outreach efforts, and the everyday moments that make up the life of our church. By sharing these images, we invite others into our community, offering them a glimpse of the fellowship and divine love that define our congregations.

Join us at the Church Photography 101 workshop to learn how you can contribute to this essential ministry and help share the powerful story of faith, hope, and love that your church embodies. Register for Church Photo 101 here.

In Matthew, we get this picture of Jesus:

“He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

It’s no secret that St Luke’s has been blessed to welcome lots of children. There are many Sundays when the number of children and youth matches the number of adults in our pews. Yet, it had been 50 years since the last Vacation Bible School took place on our campus. For many years we were the grateful recipients of Christ Church Coronado’s generosity and partnership in their Camp Create, and before that a partnership with St. Paul’s Cathedral for Camp Spirit, both beloved traditions of diocesan “family life” among our children and youth. This year, though, we had a different Holy Spirit nudge- it was time to bless our kids, our neighbors, and our diocese with a St Luke’s VBS at home.

The initial “why” became clear quickly. VBS can be an effective tool for connecting children and families to God and the church, plus the community we serve benefits immensely from summer childcare support.

The “how” was a bit terrifying. We share our cozy campus with two other churches, Refugee Net and their weekly food distribution, an incoming Montessori preschool, AA meetings, multiple independent chefs, and now a giant affordable housing construction project. Transportation is a challenge–half our children and teens need rides to participate. Budget limitations keep St. Luke’s entire, already busy, staff at part-time hours. There was also very little money for VBS. 

Thanks in no small part to the cheerleading of Diocesan CYF Director Leighton Jones and Diocesan Formation Director Charlette Preslar, along with the adventurous leadership of our pastors and vestry, we took the leap anyway. We used the diocesan provided (free!) VBS curriculum, this year called PATH created by Charlette Preslar, as a base for our week. It was a practical and helpful tool, which included everything from monthly/weekly/daily timelines and step-by-step art project directions to graphics, daily verses, games, and even a prepared t-shirt print company. Having a solid logistical and thematic base in PATH made it much easier to build what we needed for our context. Which for us involved accommodations for preschoolers, a chapel time, Godly Play stories, and some integration with Refugee Net. 

Our whole church staff took this VBS calling seriously. Fr Colin led full days of four square and gaga ball, Mtr Laurel told hours of Godly Play stories. Amani Ago ran an elaborate ground control operation with pick-up vans, driven by the Rev. Isaiah Dau, Ted Larive, and Paul Reams. Jon Paramore led groups of children through a service project with Refugee Net, hosted by Katherine Bom and Nadia Agory. Sarah Hankins did a literal song and dance to help the kids create skits. Christiana Rice pulled together her talented family, plus five teens in our youth group, to create a worship band. Fargin Neim went on more than a handful of Costco runs. Even our accountant, Michael Mawien, jumped in and handed out hot dogs and pizza to hungry kids. 

There was also the generous congregational and community support, which ranged from creating art to registering campers and from serving lunch to reading picture books to sun-weary kids. We wore our matching shirts, and my heart overflowed with all the collaboration–the body of Christ in action. Working together made this effort not only possible and sustainable, but honestly fun. 

Then there were the teens. What started as a practical need for extra bodies to supervise children quickly turned into a clear ministry goal. At one point in the midst of a heated game of musical chairs, facilitated completely by an 8th-grade boy from our youth group,  Father Colin leaned over to me and said, “Are we actually doing this for the teens?” It turns out, maybe we were. When our teens served, they were different–responsible, empathetic, problem-solving, up in front reading scripture and giving testimonies, and off their phones. 

There were also incredible moments from the children. One boy spontaneously shared his own family’s refugee story with pride as the children prepared to distribute food to more recent arrivals. A group of children new to Godly Play clamored for extra stories in the Sacred Story Room. Many kids learned to use a prayer labyrinth for the first time. Some very small, very new English speakers confidently belted out the chorus to “My Lighthouse” with huge smiles, surrounded by friends. The week ended with a beautiful explosion of divine joy as our whole church family danced around our kids as they led us in a Swahili song, “Yesu, Ni Wangu” or “Jesus is My Eternal Glory.”

During our VBS week, we served 48 kids and empowered 17 teen volunteers. 21 of those young people were not normally on our Sunday ministry rosters. More than the numbers, though, our VBS was a celebration of a courageous, whole church offering- a coming together of our various ministry areas and talents to make something together to serve these children of God, which served our larger congregation and our neighborhood. 

In our storeroom, when one child asked, “Why doesn’t God make everyone happy and everything peaceful?” another child responded with, “I think it might be because God wants us to help make things beautiful.”

Did we all fall into our beds at the end of the day, covered in chalk and rainbow beads? Yes. Will our sanctuary ever be free of confetti? Probably not. Are our hearts expanded, our relationships fortified, our awareness of Christ’s presence more acute? Yes, yes, absolutely yes.

I’m pretty sure that if Jesus had pony beads, he’d have handmade rainbow bracelets up to his elbows and his “lighthouse hands” ready, singing at the top of his voice with the rest of us.

To find out more about EDSD’s Vacation Bible School Program, contact Charlette Preslar, Director of Formation, at cpreslar@edsd.org

Ocean Beach is known for its big heart and unique spirit, and that was on full display at this summer’s OB Street Fair and Chili Cook Off when tens of thousands of people descended on our beachside neighborhood for music, chili, and the unmistakable local vibe. In the midst of it all, Resurrection OB set up a booth with a simple mission: to offer something real, something refreshing—for the body and for the soul.

We didn’t have chili or stuff to sell or prizes to win–what we offered was free water for the thirsty and space for the hopeful. Under our pop-up, next to the coolers filled with chilled water, we set up a large board with a simple yet profound question at the top: “What is your dream for your neighborhood?”

We weren’t sure what to expect. It was a street fair, after all. People were here for the Hodad’s burger eating contest, the beer garden, the artists alley, the kids’ fun zone, or to catch some live music and soak up the sun. Who is going to stop and reflect–to write, to share something heartfelt? And, at first, many hesitated–a few said they didn’t have a “dream.” That word felt a little too big, too loaded, too abstract. 

That’s when Michael Dotson, a member of Resurrection, reframed the question, asking, “What are your hopes for your neighborhood?” Suddenly, the word dream felt less abstract, and the markers started moving.

Again and again, people paused at our booth. Some stopped for a drink of water, but many were drawn by the board, curious about what others had written. …then they picked up a marker.

“We all get along! And affordable rent! PLS”

“For all to be loved & accepted”

“Heal Cindy”

“Kindness”

“Know your neighbors.”

“Empathy for the brokenhearted.”

“To just walk again.”

That’s when another Resurrection member, John McAteer, realized what was happening. These weren’t just dreams or hopes. They were prayers. Prayers from and for the world outside our booth. Prayers for neighbors, for family, for community. And many of the people who wrote them likely didn’t realize they were praying. Isn’t it great how that’s just part of the mystery and grace of it all?

The board filled throughout the day, but we were surprised by the volume. It wasn’t just a few reflective individuals; it was dozens and dozens. People who didn’t think they had anything to say suddenly found they did, and what they shared was honest, heartfelt, and often remarkably vulnerable.

We believe the church’s job isn’t just to say prayers—it’s to collect them. To listen. To make space for the longings of people who don’t know where to put their longings. To treat a street fair booth on Newport Avenue as sacred ground

By the end of the day, our board was packed, covered in the handwriting of our neighbors.

The next morning, when we gathered for worship at Resurrection OB, we brought the board inside, filled with the prayers of our community. One by one, church members walked up to it, quietly reading what had been shared. And then something beautiful happened, we all kind of started nodding in agreement. Recognizing each truth, each prayer that had been written. Realizing that nearly every prayer on that board was one we shared, too.

There’s something powerful about seeing our individual hopes reflected back to us through the voices of others. That’s what the Church can be—a place where we discover we are not alone in our longing for something better.

In the Episcopal tradition, we pray the Collect early in the service. A Collect is more than just a formulaic prayer—it is meant to gather (hence the name “collect”) the prayers of the people and focus them into a single, unified voice. John McAteer reflected during church that, “These posts became a kind of Collect; the collected hopes–or prayers–of our neighbors.”

That Sunday, our prayers weren’t just printed in the bulletin or read aloud; they were handwritten in marker. Posted on paper. Visible in color. From the people of Ocean Beach and beyond. And we joined them in prayer. 

If you would like to learn more about Resurrection Ocean Beach, please visit ResurrectionOB.org or join us on any Sunday at 10:00 am for worship. 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit – John 15:1-5

At the end of June, 8 students and 3 chaperones from around our diocese traveled to Ecuador. We went there on a short-term mission experience to meet the people, form relationships, serve side by side, worship together, and grow in our relationship with God and in a deeper understanding of how we bear God’s image. At the end of each day, we took time to reflect on the day using scripture as a guide. The scripture above was the first and the last scripture we read in Ecuador. As we traveled through chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, we considered the many ways we abide in God’s love, and how, dwelling in God’s love and through this experience, we are called to share that love when we return home.

While each member of our delegation experienced the same itinerary and met the same people, we each were shaped in different ways during our time there. With deep gratitude for the love and prayers you sent with us on the journey, below are personal reflections from each member of our delegation. It is our first step in bearing fruit – in sharing God’s love with the world.

(Maggie) When you embark on a mission trip, you have this idea that you are helping them. However, I can confidently say that the incredible community of Misíon El Salvador, the church we visited, helped me immensely. When we arrived, we were warmed with abrazos and besitos, kind and familiar greetings. We were welcomed with warm smiles and blessings. The children shared their cheekiness and giggles. One particular little boy followed me around all day, hugging me, talking to me, playing games with me. I felt the unconditional love of God all around. The two older kids, young adults like us, quickly welcomed us as well. They shared their favorite music, their favorite sports, even their favorite panaderias (bakeries). They even managed to minimize the language barrier, making me feel comfortable in my slightly wonky Spanish, sharing stories, jokes, and laughs beyond our capabilities. El Salvador, thank you. You affirmed the vibrancy of God’s love.

(Jack) Ecuador was absolutely amazing. It really was a mind-opening experience to get to travel to a place so different yet similar to where you’re from. The culture was beautiful and the food… delicious. Everyone there was very kind and hospitable and properly greeted each other. Our guides, Dianny and Esteban were so helpful and we really connected with them during our time in Ecuador. Ambato and Quito were both wonderful to explore and learn about and I hope that we can return to continue our work with Education = Hope!

(Melina) The worship with Misíon El Salvador was a truly transformative experience. Being able to worship with the congregation of El Salvador truly taught me that love is the most universal language that there is, and that language barriers mean nothing when the community means everything. Being able to pray, praise, sing, and dance with the people of Misíon El Salvador taught me how to love without language.

(Cal) My favorite experience from this trip was when EDSD and Misíon El Salvador went up to Misíon San Isidro to help them with things around the church that needed a little bit of work. After working together all of the people went to a restaurant close by. We danced and had a great time with the local community before sitting down to eat. Some of the people helped me with my Spanish. This was my favorite experience because of the fun we had together and the way we worked to understand each other.

(Oumnia) I saw God’s presence in the amazing community. The communities that we had the opportunity to visit were so welcoming and very open. The day I felt God’s presence most was when a priest from Quito came to Ambato to celebrate the Eucharist, and she prayed for us. We were in a circle, and the priest came to us one by one, as she came by, you could feel all of these hands on you, and it is just a wave of energy and love flowing into you as you are prayed for.

(Leighton)  Outside of working alongside our community partners in Ambato, we spent intentional time learning about Ecuador, including a visit to the Equator Museum in Quito. Together we learned about the culture of the indigenous people of Ecuador, explored the 0 00”00” latitude with team and individual challenges, and formed deeper connections within our delegation. We laughed, took fun pictures, and played surrounded by the beauty of the Andes mountains.

(Brayden) I had a really fun time in El Refugio. El Refugio is a Christian camp like Camp Stevens. I’m very glad we got to go. My two favorite experiences there were petting the llama and alpaca, and when we did the Encouragement Staff activity, passing a staff to each other, and saying positive things to each other. Thank you for making this possible for all of us.

(Julia) Almost all of the people on this trip are people I have known for multiple years, but this trip has made me realize that I didn’t really know most of them. The things I have learned about my fellow travelers are not things easily learned during an icebreaker or a team-building activity. They are relationships and a community forged from spending way too much time on a bus together. You make up ridiculous road games, or you accidentally wake everyone up when you and your roommate laugh so hard at bad jokes. Youth trips are a chance to build community, both with the community you migrate to another country with – which helps broaden your view of the world – but also build a strong community within our own parishes.

(Sofia) Having the opportunity to be on this mission experience was so beautifully eye-opening. Connecting with a new and welcoming group will change how I view relationships for the rest of my life. During our time at Misíon San Isidro, and with the indigenous people there, we worked alongside new friends, danced until we were out of breath (we danced for quite a while, despite the altitude literally weighing us down!), and ate as a family. Although only in San Alfonso for one day, the atmosphere was so strongly filled with love and gratitude that I will carry that group and those people with me forever.

(Jacob) I expected to enjoy this trip – that we would see wonderful things, eat great food, and make new friends. What I did not expect was how truly transformative this trip would be. I learned so much on this trip about myself, the youth, the people of Ecuador, and God. What I feel I most treasure, however, the lesson I hope I will carry, is how I (and, indeed, all of us!) am transformed by vulnerability. This has been a lifelong lesson. But this week, to love and to be loved by others, to know and to be known – this is what we are made for, it is the mystery of the life which God has given to us. I was so grateful to meet, to pray with, to experience the joy of living with our new Ecuadorian friends. And I will treasure growing closer with these amazing youth, Charlette, and Leighton. It is a privilege to dwell together in God’s love.

(Charlette) A favorite memory for me was our final morning in Ecuador. Raquel came to the hostel where we were staying and taught us to make Empanadas de Viento–light, pillowy empanadas filled with queso fresco. We learned to make the dough, beating it on the table and rolling it into shape. We learned to portion each empanada by hand. We filled them and practiced gently rolling the edges to keep the filling inside. Oumnia helped Raquel with the frying. Once they were done, we feasted! A feast which was complemented by Ecuadorian fruit–guanábana, marakuya, and taxo. God’s love was so present to me in that moment, the simple act of making and eating a meal together, laughing with friends who came with us on the journey, and those we met while we were there.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. John 15: 12-17

Earlier this year, a remarkable milestone unfolded in Tijuana, Mexico, as dozens of community leaders, clergy, and advocates gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Comunidad de Luz, or “Community of Light.” Our new migrant shelter in Tijuana, Comunidad de Luz stands as a powerful testament to what can happen when people of faith come together to answer the call to serve. 

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) has partnered with Via International, the Vida Joven Foundation, the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Anglican Church in Tijuana to make this dream a reality. Years of prayer, planning, and collaboration culminated in this vital sanctuary, which will provide safe housing and wraparound support for up to 150 women and children fleeing violence, poverty, and instability across Latin America. 

Bishop Susan Brown Snook of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego offered a blessing at the dedication, noting, “Comunidad de Luz is a sanctuary—a place where mothers and their children can breathe, rest, and begin again.” 

At Comunidad de Luz, residents find much more than just shelter. The center offers job training, psychological support, childcare, and language classes, giving families the tools they need to rebuild their lives and thrive. The project represents an extraordinary witness to Christian love in action, reminding us that faith communities can be agents of hope in the face of overwhelming need. 

An Evening of Music and Hope 

As an extension of this inspiring mission, supporters are now coming together for a unique event in San Diego—one that combines art, music, and compassion. On Saturday, August 9, 2025, you are invited to An Evening of Music and Hope, a benefit concert supporting Comunidad de Luz, hosted at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m. and will feature one of the most stirring works in the classical repertoire: Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, the Resurrection Symphony. 

This monumental work, involving a full orchestra, choir, and soloists, leads listeners on a profound journey from darkness to light. Its choral finale celebrates the promise of rebirth and spiritual renewal, echoing the very heart of Comunidad de Luz’s mission.

“Comunidad de Luz is a place of resilience and deep humanity, where healing begins through care, safety, and connection,” said Aida Amador, Interim Executive Director of Comunidad de Luz. “Like Mahler’s symphony, it holds sorrow and hope, a reminder that the human spirit can rise even through life’s most complex moments.” 

The concert will be conducted by Maestro Diego Guerra, a rising star on the classical music scene. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Maestro Guerra is a violist and conductor based in San Diego who co-founded the San Diego Philharmonic and serves as assistant conductor for the City Ballet of San Diego. His career also includes guest conducting appearances with the Denver Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Pacific Lyric Opera. 

Beyond his musical accomplishments, Maestro Guerra is known for his deep commitment to community service, including work with unaccompanied migrant minors. “While I was working in government shelters, I heard stories of loss and beauty from people who journeyed to our country, the extremes that life can show us,” Guerra said. “Mahler writes such dichotomies into his music. I’m proud to share this powerful work to manifest support for those who need it the most.” 

Supporting Comunidad de Luz
Funds raised at the concert will directly benefit Comunidad de Luz, enabling the shelter to continue its transformative work of helping families heal and rebuild. Comunidad de Luz stands as a beacon of resilience, offering a place where vulnerable women and children can find safety, dignity, and hope. 

For those wishing to attend, the event offers a range of ticket options. VIP guests will enjoy reserved seating, a meet-and-greet with Maestro Guerra, and complimentary wine beginning at 3:00 p.m. for $200 per ticket. General admission tickets are available for $35, with doors opening at 3:45 p.m. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, with both street and paid parking nearby. 

Individuals and organizations interested in deeper support can consider sponsorship packages to maximize their impact. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Maureen McNulty at maureen.mcnulty00@gmail.com. 

How You Can Help
Whether you attend the concert, make a donation, or spread the word, you can be part of this life-changing mission. Tickets and donations are available online at givebutter.com/cdlmusicevent. 

Comunidad de Luz embodies the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, to lift up the vulnerable, and to stand as a sign of God’s love in the world. As Mahler’s music reminds us, resurrection and renewal are always possible, even after seasons of profound struggle. Together, through faith, generosity, and shared action, our communities can help that light shine brighter.

This week, we celebrate the 4th of July – the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a holiday of picnics and fireworks and lots of red, white, and blue. And it is a day when Americans celebrate freedom, as outlined in the Declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  

The Declaration stated that freedom from something (Britain) meant freedom for something. It meant freedom to commit to the equality of all people – a promise our country has struggled to make a reality ever since. The equality of women was not considered as a possibility back then, and it would take the work of new freedom workers like Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King to bring new births of freedom to people of all races. The American experience has made it clear that freedom must be newly won and newly born in every generation, and we haven’t reached it yet.  

Pictured here are Bishop Felipe Pulido, Bishop Ramón Bejarano, and Bishop Michael Pham, who gave a moving testimony about his experience as a refugee from Vietnam.

Today, we struggle to find a balanced immigration policy in a nation built on immigration. While I am grateful that my ancestors came here centuries ago, so that I don’t personally face immigration challenges, I believe that my Christian call to compassion gives me a responsibility to care deeply about the welfare of more recent immigrants. This is why I joined the local Roman Catholic Bishops and others on June 20 in a ministry of presence at immigration court. We went, not to protest or to interfere, but to provide a ministry of compassionate presence and care for God’s people, demonstrating our concern for all immigrants along with our respect for the rule of law. I pray for just and fair treatment for all who suffer in our country today – those without homes, those dependent on government services, those whose race, nationality, religion, or sexuality put them at risk in a dangerous world. Such care for the welfare of others is one of the obligations that comes with Christian freedom. 

As Christians, our faith gives a new dimension to what the ongoing work of freedom in human lives requires. Some people believe that “freedom” means we are not constrained by anything, and any individual can do what they want to do, even if that means other people suffer as a result. But our scriptures tell Christians that freedom is not like that at all; it is not selfishness, it is not acquisitiveness, it certainly doesn’t free us to victimize others; instead it comes not only with rights and privileges, but also duties and responsibilities.  

Paul’s letter to the Galatians, which we have been reading in church the past two Sundays, contains a remarkable meditation on Christian freedom, and how we are to enact it in our lives. Two Sundays ago, we read Paul’s great declaration of the equality of all people: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Last Sunday we read further in Paul’s letter, to hear him describe what this oneness in Christ implies: Christian freedom. He wrote:  

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:1, 13-16, 19-22) 

Paul tells us that Christian freedom means that we are free, not just from something –fear and evil, sin and death – but for something – free to live out the law of love, so free that we even have the power to love our enemies. Christ has set us free to love and serve others.  

When we live without God’s love, we fall prey to the kinds of sins that afflict this world, evils we see around us every day: enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness. Attitudes like this are the things that entrap people in cycles of poverty, addiction, and misery, that cause human beings to hurt and kill each other, that make the world such a dangerous place. The life of the flesh is the life of selfishness, the life a person lives if they care nothing for the welfare of anyone else. Paul says, when we live in the world this way, we are not free. We are trapped within a world of sin; we are slaves to what he calls the flesh.  

But, he says, Christ sets us free to live by the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To be truly free means to be free for love, not free from love. It means that we, like Jesus, freely choose to give ourselves for others and make the law of love the most important reality in our lives. We have been freed by Christ so that we can be free for something – free to be the people God has created us to be – as individuals and as a community.  

In a time of deep division and conflict in our world, let us always remember that our freedom in Christ calls us to responsibility to the world around us and compassion for all God’s creatures. On this holiday celebrating worldly freedom, let us also give thanks and celebrate the freedom to love one another that God gives us in Christ Jesus.  

Please join me in prayer:  

A Prayer for Heroic Service (Book of Common Prayer p. 839)

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the
benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

A Prayer for Our Country (Book of Common Prayer p. 820)

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

For Sound Government (Book of Common Prayer p. 821)

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord. 

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.