Over the years, I’ve had countless times where I’m sitting at my desk, after a long day, looking at a half-finished project and realizing I wasn’t stuck because I didn’t care–I was stuck because I didn’t have the right tools. The ideas were there. The desire was there. The work mattered, but translating that into something clear, something that could actually connect with people and move a ministry forward was hard. Not impossible, just…hard.

I’ve come to see that equipping myself with new tools and new ideas is part of caring for a ministry. Not knowing everything is not a gap in leadership; it is an invitation to expand. An invitation to learn, to grow, and to keep developing the skills that help bring what we care about to life.

Leadership Academy 2026 is designed for exactly that moment.

On April 25, leaders from across the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will gather at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church (4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121) for a day of learning, reflection, and practical skill-building. It’s a day for anyone who has felt that quiet tension between what they hope for their church or ministry and what they currently know how to do.

What I’ve come to appreciate is that this tension is not something to avoid. It’s where real ministry begins.

In scripture, we see this pattern over and over again. God does not wait for people to feel fully prepared before calling them. Instead, God meets them in the middle of uncertainty and forms them along the way. Moses learns to speak. Peter learns to lead. The disciples learn, very slowly, how to carry the story forward.

Paul writes in Ephesians that the work of leadership is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) That word– “equip”–matters. Ministry and leadership in the church are not about having everything figured out. It’s about continually being formed, so that we can help others as they strive to know Jesus better.

That is the heart of Leadership Academy.

What I value most about a day like this isn’t just the content; it’s what it creates space for. It creates space to step back from the urgency of weekly ministry and invest in the work beneath the work. The kind of work that shapes how we communicate, how we welcome, how we form community, and how we lead. It’s a chance to pick up tools that make the work more sustainable, more intentional, and ultimately more life-giving.

It also creates space to remember that we are not doing this alone. Across the diocese, there are people asking the same questions, carrying the same responsibilities, and holding the same hope for their community. Every year, when we gather at Leadership Academy, something shifts. Ideas get shared. Language becomes clearer. What sometimes feels isolating begins to feel shared.

That kind of gathering is not just practical. It’s deeply theological. The Church has always been a learning community. From the earliest disciples to now, we have been shaped in relationship with God and with one another. We listen, we practice, we try, we fail, and we grow. Leadership Academy is one more expression of that ongoing formation. And in this Year of Evangelism, it takes on a deeper sense of purpose.

Because evangelism is not one track among many–it’s the thread that runs through all of it. It shows up in how we tell the story, how we form disciples, and how we build the foundations that make ministry sustainable. Evangelism is not just about what we say; it’s about who we are becoming as a Church.

The Evangelism Track helps us name and practice invitation.
The Discipleship track shapes us into people who have something real to share.
The Foundations track gives us the structure to support that work over time.

Together, they form a fuller picture of what it means to be a Church that is alive, growing, and connected to the world around it.

Because evangelism is not about having the perfect words or a polished strategy. It’s about being formed into people who can recognize where God is already at work and have the courage to join in. It’s about learning how to invite, how to listen, and how to make space for others to encounter something real.

And those are learned skills. They are practiced over time, in community, with intention.

If I go back to that moment—sitting at my desk, looking at something unfinished—I’ve learned that the way forward is rarely to push harder on my own. It’s to step into a space where I can say, “Who can I ask for help? Where can I learn to do this in a new way? How can I gain perspective and be reminded that growth is part of the calling?” Leadership Academy is one of those spaces.

So if you’ve felt the tension between what you hope to create and what you currently know how to do, I encourage you to come.

Not because you need to have it all figured out, but because you don’t. And that’s exactly where formation begins. Register. Show up. Be part of the day. Because the work you are doing matters. And investing in how you do that work, together, is one of the most faithful things we can do.

REGISTER FOR LEADERSHP ACADEMY

In Holy Week, over the span of a few days, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem to cheers and celebration, sharing a final meal with his friends, and ultimately walking the road to the cross. We do not look away from the suffering; instead, we’re invited to face it honestly and ask where God is calling us to stand.

This year, on Holy Monday, we are walking with neighbors from across San Diego to call attention to the fear many immigrant families are experiencing and to pray for compassion and dignity in our community. We will gather for Repairers of the Breach: A Holy Week Service of Lament & Public Witness at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church (4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121) on March 30 at 6:30pm with Episcopalians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and community partners for a shared time of prayer. It will include church leadership from across Christian denominations, including Bishop Susan Brown Snook, Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, and Bishop David C. Nagler of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

In moments when communities feel broken or divided, we return to scripture to remember the calling placed before us:

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

the restorer of streets to live in. (Isaiah 58:12)

Isaiah 58 is a powerful critique of empty religious practice. The people are fasting and performing religious rituals, yet injustice continues around them. God responds through the prophet by saying that the kind of worship God desires is not merely ritual observance but justice, compassion, and care for the vulnerable.

To repair the breach, we must step into that broken place with compassion and courage. In every generation, the Church faces moments when it must decide whether to stay silent or show up. Holy Week reminds us that Jesus never avoided the places of suffering. Again and again in the Gospels, he drew near to those who were afraid, marginalized, or pushed aside. We follow that same path.

When neighbors are hurting, the Church gathers to pray. Lament is one of the oldest traditions in the life of faith. The Psalms are filled with it. The prophets practiced it. Even Jesus himself cried out in lament from the cross. Lament allows us to tell the truth about pain while still placing our hope in God.

Across San Diego, our neighbors are living with persistent anxiety of immigration enforcement and the possibility of family separation. For some congregations, this is not an abstract issue– many of our churches include immigrants, refugees, and families whose lives are directly affected by these realities.

Following the indoor service, participants will move outside for a public procession to the Executive Drive Trolley Station, where the evening will conclude with a brief closing prayer and public witness.

You are encouraged to bring signs or religious symbols as expressions of prayer and solidarity. We ask that flags not be carried during the procession so that the focus remains on prayer and witness rather than political identity. Transportation will also be available for those who would like to participate but are unable to make the walk.

For the EDSD, gatherings like this are not about politics. They are about prayer, presence, and faithfulness to the promises we make in baptism: to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being. Repairing the breach begins with something simple: showing up.

All members of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego are encouraged to attend and to bring friends from their congregations. Clergy are encouraged to wear purple stoles in keeping with the penitential character of Holy Week. Together, we will pray, walk, and bear witness to the hope that God continues to work through people who choose compassion over fear.

Repairers of the Breach: A Holy Week Service of Lament & Public Witness

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego

6:30 p.m. — Service of Prayer and Lament

7:00 p.m. — Procession to the Executive Drive Trolley Station

Transportation will be available for anyone who wishes to participate but is unable to make the walk to the trolley station, ensuring that all who gather can take part in the evening’s prayers and witness.

And for Courageous Love in Action, public witness resources, prayer practices, and more, visit: www.edsd.org/courageous-love-in-action

REGISTER

Do you remember the first time you had to dress for something that mattered professionally? It likely wasn’t about fashion. It probably wasn’t about looking impressive. If you’re like me, it was about walking into a room and hoping that you belonged there.

I remember standing in front of a mirror, adjusting a shirt that didn’t quite fit right, wondering if anyone else could tell that I felt out of place. The clothes were just clothes, but they carried weight. They held the question so many of us carry into new spaces: Am I enough to be here?

For many college students at SDSU and UCSD, that moment is still very real. Their first interview, their first internship, is right around the corner–that first step that they’ve worked hard to reach. And for some, one of the biggest obstacles isn’t preparation or talent–it’s simply having something appropriate to wear.

Professional clothing can be expensive. It can feel out of reach, especially when you’re already navigating tuition, books, rent, and everything else that comes with building a future–a suit or a blazer can become a serious barrier.

That’s what makes something as simple as a clothing drive so meaningful.

A jacket hanging in your closet, the one you haven’t worn in years, is exactly what someone else needs to step into that room with confidence. A pair of shoes that carried you through your own milestones could now carry someone else into theirs. These are small things, but they are not insignificant. They shape how a person shows up. They shape how a person is seen. Sometimes, they even shape how a person sees themselves.

In Church life, we often talk about generosity in big, sweeping ways. We talk about transformation, about justice, about changing lives. But more often than not, transformation begins in small, tangible acts. Partnering with our Methodist siblings at SDSU, this year’s Professional Clothes Drive is your opportunity to offer what you already have for the sake of someone else.

Agape has long been a place of welcome and belonging for college students. It is a ministry built on presence—on showing up, listening, sharing meals, and reminding students that they are not alone. This clothing drive is simply an extension of that same spirit. It is a way of saying: We see you. We believe in you. We want you to succeed.

And as a Church, this is exactly who we are called to be. We are a people shaped by the love of Christ–a love that notices what is needed and responds. Love that understands that dignity matters. Love that believes that every person deserves to walk into the next chapter of their life with confidence and hope.

So I want to invite you to take a look in your closet.

Is there a suit you no longer wear? A blazer that’s been sitting on a hanger for years? A dress, a shirt, or a pair of shoes that could serve someone else better than they’re serving you now? If so, consider giving them new life. Your donation may seem small, but to the student receiving it, it could mean everything. It could be the difference between hesitation and confidence. Between anxiety and readiness. Between feeling like an outsider and knowing they belong.

The Professional Clothes Drive runs through April 15. To donate or learn more, please contact Greg@AgapeSanDiego.org.

This is a simple way to make a real impact. And sometimes, the simplest acts are the ones that carry the most grace.

In church life today, many of us have noticed a quiet tension in the formation of children and youth. Our young people are busy–academically driven, highly scheduled, and often remarkably accomplished. And yet, alongside that achievement, we also see anxiety, hesitancy in self-expression, and a diminished capacity for imagination and sustained attention.

As the Church considers how best to nurture the next generation, one answer deserves renewed attention: meaningful exposure to the arts–not solely as entertainment, but as a vital part of Christian formation.

It is precisely this conviction that shapes St. Bart’s 2026 Summer Camp, a two-week Musical Theatre Camp taking place July 6–17, 2026, at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Poway (info at stbartschurch.org/summercamp). While the camp culminates in a celebratory showcase of selections from a beloved musical, its deeper purpose is formation: cultivating confidence, creativity, empathy, discipline, and joy within the life of the Church.

Musical Theatre Camp will serve two age groups: children ages 6–11 in a morning session (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) and youth ages 12–17 in an afternoon session (1:00–4:00 p.m.). Over the course of two weeks, participants will immerse themselves in scene study, vocal work, choreography, character development, and elements of stagecraft, such as props, design, and production.

Musical theatre is uniquely holistic. It engages the whole person. Students must read carefully, memorize faithfully, move intentionally, sing attentively, and collaborate generously. They learn to interpret narrative, understand character motivations, and respond to direction. It is demanding but joyful work.

The Church’s long-standing relationship with the arts is not accidental. From sacred music and stained glass to architecture and poetry, Christian communities have always expressed faith through beauty. This reflects something essential about who we are.

Scripture opens with a God who speaks light into being and delights in the goodness of creation. To say that human beings are made in the image of God is to affirm, among other things, that we are creative by design. When children act, sing, design, and imagine, they are exercising this God-given capacity.

Just like at church, musical theatre rehearsal includes trial and error. Lines are forgotten. Harmonies wobble. Blocking needs adjustment. Yet this is where some of the most important learning happens. Students discover that excellence is rarely immediate; it grows through patience and practice. In a culture that prizes instant results, the slow discipline of rehearsal becomes an unexpected gift.

By the final showcase, what families witness is not simply a performance. They see growth—new confidence, stronger voices, deeper friendships, and the satisfaction that comes from shared effort.

For our youth, portraying a character requires stepping into another person’s perspective—their hopes, struggles, and motivations. That practice forms habits of understanding that extend far beyond the stage. In a divided and impatient world, the ability to inhabit another’s story is a deeply Christian virtue.

The arts also nurture what we might call the moral imagination—the capacity to envision not only the world as it is, but as it might be transformed by grace. Stories shape us. When young people engage them actively rather than passively, they learn to discern meaning, wrestle with complexity, and communicate with nuance. Theatre offers a structured space for expression. Students practice projecting confidence even when nervous. They learn to channel big emotions constructively. They discover how to communicate clearly and publicly. These are transferable skills that serve them in classrooms, churches, and eventually workplaces.

And one of the most powerful aspects of musical theatre is the way it forms community. A production succeeds only when everyone participates faithfully. The lead depends on the ensemble; the ensemble depends on those working behind the scenes. Every role matters. This is a lived image of the Body of Christ. Young people experience firsthand what it means to contribute to something larger than themselves. Success is collective.

That shift is more than educational—it is spiritual. To create something beautiful, even in small measure, is to reflect the Creator. The rehearsal hall becomes a place of participation in that creative calling.

St. Bart’s 2026 Summer Camp is, at one level, a local parish initiative. Yet it also represents something larger: a commitment to holistic formation within the Church. It affirms that imagination, beauty, discipline, and joy belong within our shared life of faith.

As families consider summer opportunities, this camp offers more than two enjoyable weeks. It offers durable virtues–confidence shaped by practice, empathy deepened by storytelling, resilience forged in rehearsal, and friendships built through collaboration.

The arts are not peripheral to Christian life. They are one of its most natural expressions. When we place scripts in young hands, teach them to sing in harmony, and invite them to step into the light of performance, we are doing more than preparing a showcase. We are helping form thoughtful, courageous, creative young Christians.

Find out more about Musical Theatre Camp at stbartschurch.org/summercamp

I am delighted to finally be on the ground and among you as your new Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership Development. At the time of writing, I’ve been in California for a whole thirteen days, but already I can tell that my initial impressions from the interview stage were correct: you have a stellar team here in the Offices of the Bishop. From Bishop Susan on out, these are folks who know deeply what their ministry is and are skilled and passionate for that work. As I begin to meet the people of the diocese, I am learning this is widespread: you are a remarkable group of Christ followers. You are active in your communities, you have a story to tell of God’s work among you, and you even seem to like each other! I’m deeply privileged to be able to join you. 

I’ve been invited to share a few things about me and a tiny bit of my story here, to help you get to know me – and I am eager to hear your stories soon, as I travel around the diocese.   

There’s the basics: I’ve moved here from Indianapolis, IN, following five years of transitional ministry in three very different congregations (one recent church plant, one small-but-mighty church, and one large endowed parish). Before that, I spent six years in campus ministry in St. Louis, MO, and seven as an associate rector in Ann Arbor, MI. And yes, even before that, I was a born-and-bred Midwesterner, growing up outside Cleveland, OH, and attending seminary in Evanston, IL. (I did venture past the Great Lakes region to attend Smith College, but gravity pulled me right back afterward.)  

There’s the “what brought you here” angle:  Spending the last five years in interim and interim-adjacent ministries helped me clarify that the real heart of my priesthood has always centered around discernment: equipping individuals and congregations to ask meaningful questions and identify faithful answers. I saw that same heart in the description for this Canon role, and though I didn’t think I was looking for a new position, I found myself unable to ignore the posting when people put it in front of me. I was compelled by your diocesan vision of Courageous Love and the way this position pulls together congregational development, transition ministry, and care for clergy and lay leaders.  

Then there’s the “but who really are you” side… and I confess, I always feel flummoxed as to what other people might want to know about me early on. So, a few jobs back, I once asked a few friends what *they* thought people should know about me as I come into a new community. Here are their top five! 

1. I love to cook for other people. I’m particularly devoted to the Smitten Kitchen as a source of inspiration, and especially to her salted brown-butter crispy treats as a means of relationship-building. 
2. I am wildly undecided about whether to call the little moving pictures on social media “jifs” or “gifs” because I see good logic on both sides, but I embrace them as a means of nuanced communication with no ambivalence whatsoever.  
3. My conversational vocabulary and phrasing were deeply formed in my 20s by the writing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The West Wing, so much so that I don’t always notice when I’m making a show reference (but I do always enjoy it when people point them out)! 
4. My love for the Indigo Girls has been constant and true since I discovered them at camp at age 11. I have probably seen them live more times than all other bands combined. 
5. Even though I’m a cradle Episcopalian, my favorite hymn is a Lutheran one: All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen. I love it because it doesn’t claim that we’re there yet in building a fully inclusive, justice-oriented community; it names the places we need to go as followers of Jesus. I especially love to sing it at the end of a service so that we name what kind of church and world we want to build – one where prophets speak, and love is found, and each person’s best dreams and visions are part of the whole – and then it sends us out to go actually do it! 

I’m excited to meet you all over the coming months and begin to hear who you are and how the Holy Spirit has moved in your lives. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with my favorite Lenten blessing: 

May God the Lover, who does not despise the broken spirit, give to you a contrite heart. May Christ the Beloved, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his wounds. May the Holy Spirit of Love, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon and peace. And the blessing of God the Three in One be among you and remain with you always. Amen. 

When was the last time you waited patiently for a moment that never arrived? The coolest toy. The college acceptance letter. The marriage proposal. We all feel our hearts, stomachs, and hopes sink at some point in our lives.

For thousands of San Diegans, their hopes were dashed this month when both the city and county closed their federal housing assistance waitlists. When the lists closed, more than 200,000 people who were waiting for assistance learned that they shouldn’t expect the lists to open again for at least a few years. The expected wait time was a staggering 15 years.

At St. Luke’s in North Park, the construction of the 78-unit Amani, which means peace in Swahili and aspiration in Arabic, offers a sliver of hope for San Diegans with limited incomes. According to a 2025 United Way of San Diego County report, more than 300,000 San Diegans’ incomes do not cover basic needs, such as housing, food, health care, child care, food, transportation, health care, and taxes. When completed in late fall 2026, the Amani will offer studio and 1-2 bedroom apartment homes in the heart of North Park specifically for households earning 30-70% area median income.

“The Amani represents more than an affordable home. It’s a foundation for thriving families and a stronger community. When people have a safe, stable place to call home, they can pursue education, build careers, and fully participate in the life of our region,” said Elizabeth Wilberg, Chief Executive Officer of Episcopal Community Services and a member of the diocesan Mission Real Estate Task Force. “This special community supports the workforce that drives San Diego forward, and it even provides a lifeline for our mission-driven professionals, including clergy, who are increasingly priced out of the neighborhoods they serve.”

Given the high demand for affordable homes, prospective residents will need to complete an online pre-application to be placed on the interest list. The leasing team will respond to applicants in the order they are received. Applicants will also need to provide proof that they meet income requirements by participating in an interview. The developer anticipates that the interest list will open in the next couple of months.

In the interim, the construction team is finishing the framing and systems before they transition to working on the building’s exterior (pictured).

The name Amani will not be the building’s only connection to St. Luke’s North Park, whose congregation first conceived of building affordable homes on the site. Although the timing is not yet certain, the developer plans to install a mural on the side of the building facing the main entrance to the church. The mural will be a collaboration between a local artist and the congregation, transforming the bare wall into a vibrant image that radiates a message of peace, hope, and neighborly love for the community.

The Amani is only the beginning of what our diocese can do to transform our lives and our neighbors’ lives.  The Mission Real Estate program is currently working with more than a dozen congregations in various stages of discerning how their campuses can be instruments of courageous love in action. To learn more about the Mission Real Estate program in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and the Amani, visit: www.edsd.org/mre

Information Sources:

Affordable Housing Resource Guide.. (2026). San Diego Housing Commission. English and Spanish versions offer information on affordable rental homes and assistance programs in the City of San Diego, as well as contact information for other cities and the county.

Breaking Barriers, Building Opportunity: The Real Cost Measure in California in 2025. (2025). United Ways of California.

Beloved in Christ,

Like many of you, I awoke this morning to the news that the United States and Israel had launched military strikes against Iran.

Amidst deep concern about the possibility of a wider conflict in the Middle East, I ask for prayers for all those affected by the current conflict: innocent civilians in several countries who are at risk of harm; members of the military who have been deployed to the area to support the strikes (including the crew of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln); and also a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land from the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut who are reportedly sheltering at St. George’s College in Jerusalem while missile alarms go off around them.

Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, asked for “urgent, unceasing prayer” in a pastoral letter today, and called for Christians to “let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor. 8:1),” and for Christians to be bridge builders and reconcilers in this conflict. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote today to ask the church for prayers especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people, saying, “In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the US government.”

I ask all our congregations and people to pray for a quick end to this conflict and for protection of all innocent people who are in harm’s way. I join you in prayer that the conflict may not widen to encompass other countries and peoples. I offer this prayer, which was sent out this morning by the Rev. David Madsen and the Rev. Michael Plekon, the priests at St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs:

Heavenly Father,

You call us to be people of peace—steadfast, courageous, and grounded in your love.

Even as we seek to walk the way of peace, our hearts are heavy for all who live in danger today.

We pray for the people of Iran and the people of Israel.
We pray for the service women and men of the United States.

And we pray for every person, in every land, who finds themselves in harm’s way, whether by conflict, fear, or circumstance beyond their control.

Hold them in your light.

Guard their lives.

Guide the leaders of nations toward wisdom, restraint, and compassion.

And make us instruments of your peace—steadfast in hope, generous in mercy, and committed to the flourishing of all your children. Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook

On February 19, 2026, EDSD became aware of a mother and her three children, ages 5, 16, and 18, who were taken into the U.S. immigration system in Soldotna, Alaska. The mother and the 5 and 16-year-olds were quickly flown thousands of miles south to San Diego and deported to Tijuana, Mexico. The rapid sequence of events left the family and friends disoriented and frightened. The mother was separated from her 18-year-old son, who remains detained. What followed is a powerful story of connection across dioceses, borders, and ministries–a reminder of how faith communities can respond when vulnerable people suddenly find themselves bereft.

The family’s deportation sparked vigils in Alaska, but for the mother and children, the most immediate needs were simple and urgent: where would they sleep, and how would they navigate an unfamiliar city?

Rev. Paige Blair-Hubert, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Del Mar, contacted The Rev. Michael Burke, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage, after seeing his social media post about the family. Rev. Paige then reached out to Robert Vivar, the EDSD Migration Missioner, who found the family and offered support.

Burke and Blair-Hubert share more than professional ties; they went through the ordination process together. St. Mary’s Anchorage was Rev. Paige’s sponsoring parish for ordination and remains the congregation where her stepmother worships. Their connection made communication direct and immediate.

Within hours of the family’s arrival in Tijuana, arrangements were made for them to be received at Comunidad de Luz, a shelter for migrant women and children supported in part by the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. The shelter provides temporary housing, meals, and access to educational and vocational resources in a structured and stable setting.

The family only stayed at Comunidad de Luz for a few hours, but it gave them the time to connect with their attorney and continue on to join extended family members farther south in Mexico. During their brief stay, they were provided food, shelter, and assistance with the next steps.

Robert Vivar, EDSD Migration Missioner and Interim Executive Director of Comunidad de Luz, said, “While we didn’t host this family for long, we were happy to provide a welcome to a country that feels foreign. When you get deported, it is like being a fish out of water–even your home country feels strange. Comunidad de Luz was honored to welcome them. We want to make people feel welcome. We are here to show that people care and to give comfort.”   

While the mother and two younger children were settling into safety, their 18-year-old son remained detained in Alaska. A Spanish-speaking priest visited him to reassure him that his family was safe and receiving care.

Rev. Paige said, “That together we could be the Body of Christ and work to offer grace to this dear family… it gives me hope.”

The response drew appreciation from church leaders in Alaska as well. Bishop Mark Lattime contacted Bishop Susan Brown Snook to express gratitude for the assistance provided. In an email to Comunidad de Luz leadership, Bishop Susan shared, “Bishop Lattime said that in the difficulty they are facing, the fact that there was someone available who could immediately find them, help them, and show the face of Christ to them means the world.” She added that the diocese remains available if additional support is needed and expressed gratitude for those involved in receiving the family.

We are called to care for the vulnerable–the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. Jesus identifies, over and over, with those on the margins–telling his followers that whenever they welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, or clothe the naked, they welcome him.

For Episcopalians, this is not abstract theology. It is a lived practice.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and Comunidad de Luz continue to serve as a place of refuge for migrant women and children who arrive in Tijuana with limited resources and limited options. In this case, clergy relationships spanning across the globe enabled a rapid response during a moment of uncertainty.

The family’s time at the shelter was brief, but it provided stability during a critical transition.

Visit www.comunidaddeluz.org to learn more about Comunidad de Luz or support this vital ministry.

On April 25, you are invited to join us at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Diego for Leadership Academy, a day dedicated to learning for both clergy and lay leaders within our diocese. This time spent learning in community facilitates congregational growth and connection within our diocesan community. New and experienced leaders come together to explore new ideas and develop skills that will impact their ministries in the year ahead. One of the most remarkable blessings of our diocese is the depth of wisdom and talent within its leaders. Leadership Academy celebrates and builds upon that shared strength, highlighting voices from different congregations and communities in our diocesan life. 

The day begins with Morning Prayer in the sanctuary. With a message shared by Canon Jason Evans, shared prayers and hymns, we will ground ourselves in worship to prepare for a day of learning. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues from across the diocese, deepening the relationships that support our shared ministry. The day closes with a time of reflection, centering God in all that we do and marking our commitment to serve with Courageous Love. 

Leadership Academy offers the chance to choose, à la carte, from three tracks, each designed to inspire and equip participants for leadership in diverse contexts. 

Register for Leadership Academy

EVANGELISM 

In this, the Year of Evangelism, this track is the anchor of our day. Facilitated by Canon Jason Evans, EDSD Canon to the Ordinary for Mission, participants can choose to engage with one workshop in this track or the entire series. Either way, they will leave prepared to engage evangelism in their congregation with depened understanding, and renewed focus. 

Gather 

In this workshop, we will explore practices that help congregations move from simply being friendly to intentionally welcoming. Together, we’ll reflect on how invitation is a core act of evangelism and how hospitality can become a visible sign of God’s grace in our communities. Participants will leave with concrete tools for cultivating belonging—from first-time guest experiences to pathways into deeper participation. 

Transform 

This session centers on discipleship that not only deepens faith but leads us to share it with others. We’ll explore rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and fellowship that form us into people who can clearly and confidently articulate the hope we have in Christ. Participants will learn how spiritual growth and evangelism belong together—so that as we are transformed by the Gospel, we are also equipped to invite others into that same transforming grace. 

Send 

The Send workshop invites congregations to rediscover their identity as a people who are sent into the world for the sake of others. We will explore how to discern where God is already at work in our neighborhoods and how to join that work with courage and humility. Participants will leave with practical frameworks for mobilizing lay leadership and cultivating a culture of everyday mission. 

DISCIPLESHIP 

Discipleship in the Episcopal Church is defined as the lifelong journey of following Jesus, rooted in the baptismal covenant and seeking to serve Christ in all people. In the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego discipleship is the scaffolding of our shared life together. Designed for engagement as single workshops, participants in this track will nurture their own spiritual growth and return home with new skills to share with the congregations that they serve.  

Story Circles- using stories to connect to self, each other, and Christ 

Using the method of congregational storytelling developed by The Austin Story Project, we’ll practice small group storytelling to connect more deeply to ourselves, to each other, and to Christ. This workshop is facilitated by Odesma Dalrimple and Amy Reams of St. Luke’s North Park and has an extended time frame of 9:45 am – 11:30 am. 

A Culture of Connection – Building Intentional and Faithful Small Groups, Inside and Outside the Church Walls  

Facilitated by the Reverend Paul Klitzke of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church and Charlette Preslar, EDSD Director of Formation and member of Christ Episcopal Church, Coronado. 

Discipleship for Leaders 

Leaders often know that our personal discipleship matters; that we can’t lead people where we aren’t going ourselves. But in the busyness and pressure of church leadership, sometimes attending to your own discipleship can start to feel like just one more separate task on the to-do list. In this session, we’ll explore and experiment with ways to reconnect your ministry work *with* following Jesus, making space for renewed joy and wholeness as we lead and are led by the Spirit’s guiding. Facilitated by The Reverend Canon Beth Scriven, EDSD Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership. 

FOUNDATIONS 

The Foundations Track offers key workshops to support the day-to-day life of congregations. Great for vestry leadership, communications committees, and advocacy groups, these workshops engage participants in practical ways.  

Three Keys for a Strong Foundation of Giving 

Giving is one of the core spiritual practices we can help members of our congregations develop. Too often, our discomfort talking about money and lack of clarity about ministry goals keep us from supporting people in building that practice. In this session, we’ll look at why it’s important to invite everyone into giving, explore how to plan a year-round approach to cultivating financial support and stewarding people’s generosity, and how to get over the barriers to asking we put in our own way. This workshop is facilitated by David Jay, EDSD Director of Development and member of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church. 

Channels of Communication: Who We’re Talking to and When 

This training explores how the marketing funnel helps churches communicate with clarity, intention, and compassion by understanding who we are talking to and when. Not every message is meant for every person at the same moment — a first-time visitor searching online is in a very different place than a longtime member discerning how to serve. Together, we’ll walk through the stages of awareness, consideration, engagement, and discipleship, and connect each phase to practical communication channels like search, social media, email, and personal invitation. Facilitated by Chris Tumilty, EDSD Director of Communications and member of Resurrection Episcopal Church. 

Know Your Rights Workshop
Whether you have questions about the difference between public and private spaces, how to share legal information, creating family preparedness toolkits, or navigating a caregiver’s authorization when asked, this workshop is filled with helpful tools and information. Join Robert Vivar, EDSD Migration Missioner, to better understand your rights and the risks of caring for immigrants. 

Registration for Leadership Academy is now open. Please use the button below to register before April 16, 2026. 

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