Is there anything more joyful than the sound of children laughing? It twinkles like starlight, peals like bells, bubbles, and lifts everyone in the room. A child’s laughter comes from the core of their being, wild and free. It calls to us as adults, reminding us of when we were filled with that wild joy too. 

Vacation Bible School is the perfect way to fill your campus with that laughter and joy! And yet, planning Vacation Bible School can feel daunting. Organizing volunteers, shopping for crafts, learning the music, finding fun and engaging games, and creating registration forms is a heavy lift, and that is in addition to the important work of vetting the curriculum. Building off the success and lessons from last year’s EDSD Vacation Bible School, this year’s program, Shout for Joy! – an adventure through the psalms – creates space for children to explore the psalms and write their own psalms, too. Playful art projects and inspiring music deepen the experience for participants. 

Last year, six congregations in our diocese used the EDSD Love Is… curriculum. Below are a few of their reflections. 

Amy Reams & Shanta Muñoz offered Love Is as a collaboration between St. Luke’s, North Park, and Christ Church, Coronado. They said, “We had a great week! While the kids played on the waterslides during our final celebration, some parents graciously told me how blessed their families were by the camp. A new-to-town family connected with friends, a shy teen found her confidence in being a junior counselor, kids who sang their songs in the shower all week… but perhaps the most meaningful was a mom who just walked by our sign-in on the first day and spontaneously asked if we could accommodate her daughter with special needs. Of course! On the last day, she told me with tears in her eyes what a blessing this week had been for her daughter and how grateful she was for our loving community. The very thorough curriculum that Charlette created really gave us what we needed to pull off this week!” 

Kari Robinson from St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea in Pacific Beach reflected, “The children were super into the “Love, Love” song we taught them to sing in rounds. We were able to have FOUR groups singing at the same time, with kids as young as five years old! Many parents stayed and participated, and there were connections and new friendships made in varied and rich ways!” 

Leighton Jones from St. James’ by-the-Sea shared, “Love was truly an action word at both St James by-the-Sea VBS camps this year! At our preschool Godly Play VBS our campers explored Gods love with daily stories, activities with staff, songs, and crafts. This group of campers really connected to God through music and even got the opportunity to play our new organ! Our older campers connected deeply with the drama rotation. Groups created skits depicting love from 1 Corinthians and presented them to both families and campers at our closing celebration. With the heat and humility, each day of camp concluded with popsicles, thanksgiving and daily love sightings. We are already buzzing with excitement for next Summer’s VBS!”  Register today for this amazing offering!

In recent weeks, Southern California experienced unprecedented rainfall, leading to a surge in weather-related challenges for homeowners and organizations alike. This deluge has not only saturated landscapes but has also put many buildings to the test. Among these are church buildings, some of which have reported issues with leaky roofs and other related physical plant problems. Proper maintenance and preventative measures are crucial to safeguarding these valuable properties against the elements. As we navigate through the winter and spring seasons, addressing these concerns promptly can help mitigate further damage and ensure the longevity of these community pillars.

The EDSD Property Committee exists to assist congregations with all matters concerning the maintenance of church property. The committee has some preventative maintenance suggestions it would like to pass on to mediate damage to your property in the future. It also wants to share some hints on solar systems. The committee’s recommendations are below.

WINTER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Several roofing companies will do a complete roof evaluation for free or for a nominal fee. The property committee can help fund these inspections for both missions and parishes.  Submit a grant request here: https://edsd.org/grants/

Pay attention during and after it rains to major puddles or areas that are flooding. Evaluate the reasons and possible solutions. This will help to avoid failures in the future, such as sinkholes or major asphalt/cement cracks. Be especially alert for trip hazards in common areas and your parking lots. The property committee has dealt with several issues such as these in the past and can help make suggestions to avoid future damage and insurance claims.

Termites and wood rot are common issues at our churches. An inspection at least every 18 months will prevent roof and facia damage from occurring. Usually, these inspections are free, and the property committee can help fund these inspections if they are not free. Submit a grant request here: https://edsd.org/grants/

SOLAR PROJECTS

Many churches are interested in installing solar. We recommend that you get an electrical usage evaluation and switch to LED and other electric-saving options before committing to installing solar. Your usage is a big part of determining the size and cost of the equipment installed. We have helped several congregations with both these projects. Please feel free to reach out to us with questions/concerns.  Grant money may be available for either of these projects on a case-by-case basis.

YOUR PROPERTY COMMITTEE

Again, the Property Committee is here to help. The members of the committee have decades of experience with property management and repair issues. We are willing to visit your church to see whatever problems you might be experiencing and to give advice as needed. The chair of the Committee is Sandi Lanzarotta. Please contact the Rev. Canon Jeff Martinhauk at jmartinhauk@edsd.org, and he will put you in touch with Sandi.

I recall many years ago wrestling with a deeply personal loss in my life. I was a young father, working long hours, felt isolated from meaningful friendships, and was exhausted. As a lay person, I entered a church service on an Easter Sunday and was immediately enveloped by the liturgy. From beginning to end, I was reminded of hope and new life, and in that troubled season of life it was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. You never know who will walk through your church doors on Easter Sunday, longing to hear a message of good news. 

The celebration of Jesus’s resurrection offers a unique opportunity for congregations to extend warm invitations to neighbors, friends, and family. According to a Gallup poll, while 30% of Americans attend church regularly, a staggering 80% participate in Easter festivities. With more than twice the usual number of Americans considering attending church on March 31, it’s crucial for congregations to be prepared to welcome and engage these potential visitors. 

Easter is more than a religious observance; it’s a celebration that transcends denominational boundaries. As most Americans join in, churches have a golden opportunity to reach out to those who may not regularly attend services. The Gallup poll’s statistics underscore the widespread cultural significance of Easter, making it an ideal time to extend invitations and foster a sense of welcome among diverse groups. 

The upcoming 1.5-hour online evangelism class on Tuesday, March 5, at 5:30 pm presents an invaluable opportunity to learn about effective outreach tools and practices. Evangelism is an announcement, a declaration, or a proclamation of observable good news. For a Christian, the ultimate good news is of Jesus Christ and what his life, death, and resurrection made possible. In his book Transforming Evangelism, Episcopal priest the Rev. Dr. David Gortner writes, “Evangelism is your natural expression of gratitude for God’s goodness.” In other words, evangelism is your articulated appreciation for how your soul has been nourished by what God has done and is doing. For many of us, one of the ways God nourishes us is through weekly worship. It is no mistake, then, that one of the ways we go about evangelism is by inviting others to worship with us. In doing so, others hear the good news proclaimed and are nourished by God’s love. 

Hosted by myself along with Charlette Preslar, Director of Formation, and Chris Tumilty, Director of Communication, this class is designed to cater to both evangelism newcomers and those looking to refine their skills. Whether you are a first-time participant or licensed lay evangelist, the class promises to offer insights and strategies tailored to enhance your Easter outreach efforts. Participants will learn about the approaches to community engagement, effective communication strategies, and practical tools for inviting others to join Easter celebrations. For those who have previously attended EDSD evangelism classes, this session is an excellent opportunity to refresh and refine your plans for Easter outreach. The class will provide a platform to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strategize how to make the most of Easter Sunday. 

Easter is a time of joy and renewal. It is a chance to share this good news of Christ with those who may not otherwise cross your church’s threshold. I hope this class can help your congregation steward this opportunity as best as possible. Whether you’re new to evangelism or seeking to refine your skills, this class is a stepping stone toward creating a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming celebration on Easter Sunday. I hope you will join us. 

As space is limited, prospective attendees are encouraged to register soon. Register today! The deadline for registration is set for February 23.  

Time is a complex and slippery concept. Philosophers argue about whether there is even such a thing as time. That’s too deep and complex for me, though I do understand that we can experience time in different ways. It’s not as simple and straightforward as it first appears.

We often feel that there is not enough time. We talk about time being precious. We say that time ‘flies by.’ When we’re up against the clock, we often say that we are in a race against time. This way of thinking is present in the Bible. The prophet Zephaniah says: “The great day of the Lord is near and hastening fast.” St. Paul is even more blunt: “Time is short,” he says. Yet, there are occasions when, rather than flying by, we experience time as being a burden. Prisoners talk about “doing time.” If we are bored, we might say that we are ‘killing time.”

Some of us have the amazing experience of feeling that time stood still. These are often profound moments of great significance. There are moments when our life could have gone in a radically different direction. In such moments, we have the feeling of stepping outside the confines of time to see what truly matters. Whitney Houston sang about “one moment in time when I will feel eternity.” This understanding of time is also present in the Bible. The Psalmist says: “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by.”

What all this shows, I think, is that we can experience time in different ways, and we might even say that, to some extent, we can shape time. I heard a fellow priest recently say that when people came up to her when she was feeling rushed, they said, “Have you got time to talk?” She would often reply by saying something like, “No, not really, I only have five minutes.” Now, if that happens, she replies by saying: “Yes, I have a whole five minutes.”

I invite you to consider your attitude to time this Lent. We might benefit from seeing this six-week period as a gift of time. If we deny ourselves something during Lent, we will be merely counting down the days, longing for it to end. Or we could lean into Lent and ask ourselves – ‘what am I going to do with these six weeks?’ Psychologists say six weeks is long enough to form a new habit. So, let’s aim high this Lent. Giving up chocolate might not be enough. Let’s use this gift of time to make a difference.

Under Bishop Susan Brown Snook’s leadership, EDSD has made a significant effort to advance the understanding of how congregations can use their real estate assets to support mission-related projects. For many years, St. John’s in Indio has been doing this. The congregation has used their classrooms, parish hall, and kitchen through their various programs to serve the broader community. In May 2023, EDSD awarded the church a $50,000 grant to support an ambitious renovation of St. John’s kitchen. Their vision was to transform the kitchen into a multifaceted space that not only serves the congregation but also amplifies community outreach initiatives. Now that this renovation is complete, St. John’s is living up to their vision. 

The journey of transforming St. John’s kitchen began with a vision to create a space that embodied the church’s mission of community service and outreach. The renovation process was marked by careful planning and collaboration among the church members, architects, and builders–expanding the kitchen’s capabilities and making it a culinary haven for both congregation and community. Now, with newly painted and newly installed appliances, there is a palpable joy for the community service opportunities that lay ahead. 

The remodel focused on creating a kitchen that was not only more efficient and safe but also welcoming for volunteers. The introduction of state-of-the-art equipment and ergonomic design considerations meant that volunteers could now prepare meals in a comfortable and secure environment. This attention to detail in the kitchen’s design is rooted in a commitment to volunteer well-being and efficiency in serving others. 

Volunteers, both new and seasoned, found the renovated kitchen a joy to work in. The modern facilities and welcoming atmosphere inspired increased participation in the church’s ministry activities, thereby strengthening the bonds within the church community and beyond. The kitchen’s multipurpose nature allowed for a range of activities, from cooking classes to workshops, inviting everyone to engage and learn. 

With the kitchen’s capabilities vastly enhanced, St. John’s eagerly stepped into its role as a hub of compassionate service. St. John’s has extended its outreach programs, offering meals to those in need and hosting events that fostered community connection. The kitchen, once a simple place for meal preparation, has become a beacon of hope and service in the community. 

Beyond serving as a space for meal preparation and community service, the renovated kitchen has opened up new possibilities for catering and generating income. This potential revenue stream offered a sustainable way to support the church’s ministries and outreach programs, marking a significant step towards financial sustainability for St. John’s. 

Events at the church can take on a new dimension with the improved kitchen facilities; gatherings, celebrations, and community functions are now bolstered by the kitchen’s capabilities, making every event a memorable and seamless experiences. The renovated space was not just a physical transformation but a catalyst for creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of community. 

As St. John’s newly renovated kitchen continues to unfold its potential, it stands as a testament to the church’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its congregation and making a meaningful impact on the broader community. St. John’s, Indio, has not just remodeled a space; it has cultivated a nurturing environment that feeds the body, mind, and spirit of all those it serves.  

To learn more about diocesan grants or mission real estate projects, please visit EDSD’s website.

Enjoy this written copy of the sermon provided by Rachel Ambasing at Leadership Academy 2024’s Opening Eucharist. (Texts: 1 Samuel 17:32-40; John 15:9-17)

My call is to support our congregations in moving toward a diocese where everyone has enough and where everyone can find belonging. My name is Rachel Ambasing, I serve on the Diocesan Staff as Missioner for Community Vitality and Diversity. I also get to serve as Lay Pastor for this emerging faith community that we’re growing here in Ocean Beach called Church of the Resurrection. 

I’m grateful and excited for a couple of reasons: one is that this is the relaunch of Leadership Academy, and the first one we’ve held in person since 2020, and related to that is 2024 is our diocese’s Year of Leadership. I’m also glad because I’ve realized what a blessing it is to be able to gather in community, especially when we can gather with people we don’t get to see very often or with people that we haven’t met yet–to just be together, learn together, learn from each other, and to see what might unfold as we journey through Leadership Academy together.

Here at Resurrection Ocean Beach, we try as much as possible to practice mutuality, especially during our preaching, so since I’ve shared with you how I’m feeling, I’ll pose the same question to you – how are you feeling? How are you feeling this morning, in this space, surrounded by all these people who you may or may not yet know? 

And, I’m also wondering – why are you here? What led you here, to this space, on this Saturday morning? Was it curiosity? A very convincing invitation from your clergy or congregational leadership? Obligation? Concern for your community? Or…what if love is what led you here? How is love a part of your journey here today? And how could love be a part of your journey today?

Love has been on my mind a lot lately, mostly because around the end of 2023, a local thought leader named Jessica Dickson, who I follow on Instagram, posted an exhortation of sorts to anyone setting New Year’s Resolutions or New Year’s intentions, inviting us to create intentions not based on shrinking ourselves or our own perceived inadequacies, but instead to set intentions that start and end with love. 

What it would mean for me to set an intention that starts and ends with love, because love means so many things, and has been given countless definitions by countless brilliant minds. And I was reminded of these wonderings as I reflected on this morning’s Gospel and Jesus’ exhortation to his disciples – to us – to abide in his love. What does that mean? What would it look like to dwell, to remain, to be held and kept in God’s love?

I was part of a Lectio Divina Cohort this past summer with a local contemporary monastic organization called Shema, and one of the cohort leaders, Pastor Kevin Portillo, shared: 

To abide in God’s love is for us to be aware of and accept the fact that God knows and loves every single part of us – especially those parts of us that might seem too tender, or too shameful, or too weak or wounded or unwanted for us to even acknowledge in ourselves. Then, to live as people accepting of this gift, or to live as people abiding in God’s love, would be to live trusting that we can consciously bring our fullest, truest selves, our most loving and loved selves to God, and also, to the forefront of our lives; It would mean we no longer believe the lie that we have to lie to ourselves, or to others, or supplement ourselves, or hide parts of ourselves away, in order to be worthy.

To live as people abiding in God’s love is to allow ourselves to be open and perhaps even vulnerable, trusting that we can do so because God has us; God holds us. And, connecting this with the theme of leadership, what would it mean, and what would it look like to be a leader who presented their fullest, truest selves to the world, especially those parts of themselves that others might deem unfit or unworthy? If there was a leader brave enough to claim and live as nothing more and nothing less than who God created them to be – what could a leader like that achieve?

We might see a possible answer to those questions in our first reading, which is a piece of the story of David and Goliath – one of the most well-known and most referenced Biblical stories, even in non-religious contexts, because it’s widely known as the quintessential underdog story: where one unlikely, “lesser” opponent, David, faces off against a much larger, mightier, dominant force, in Goliath, who is referred to in today’s reading as “the Philistine.”

So, leading up to this point of the story, the Philistines have been warring with Israel, and in the middle of these battles, Goliath, the monstrous, imposing champion of the Philistines, has issued a challenge: for any one man from the ranks of Israel to fight him, one-on-one. If this man were to defeat him, the Philistine forces would then submit themselves as slaves, but if this man were to lose, Israel would condemn their own ranks to slavery. The stakes are high, and the likelihood of being killed by Goliath is even higher, so, understandably, none of the Israelites rise to the occasion… until David. 

And so we see in today’s reading this interaction between David, who is at this time a young shepherd and is so slight in stature that Goliath later compares his physical appearance to that of sticks. And then there is Saul, a seasoned warrior whom David served as armor-bearer; Saul is described earlier in the first book of Samuel as being an entire foot taller than anyone else in Israel. As David tells Saul of his intention to face Goliath, Saul responds by telling David that he lacks the training and experience as a warrior and, therefore, can’t win. David doubles down on his claim, letting Saul know that in his time as a shepherd, he was wrestling with bears and lions, all for the sake of saving sheep.  

David sees what Saul is blind to, and sees, perhaps, what God might see. Although David’s experience is different from the traditional warrior training that Saul and Goliath have, he understands that his skills aren’t insignificant – and he recognizes that God has been with him – abiding with him – every step of the way. David stayed steadfast and true to himself and true to God as he honored the sacredness that is his life. How often do we, in our own lives, dismiss our skills or experiences as insignificant or irrelevant just because they diverge from the norm or from tradition? 

David convinces Saul. So Saul helps prepare David for battle by outfitting David in Saul’s own armor and sword. Which makes sense – if a person is going out to battle, especially someone as inexperienced in battle as David, it makes sense to arm him, as the other warriors are armed. David gives the armor a fair try, only to realize that, although the armor is useful to Saul, and to everything Saul is and has been made to be, Saul’s armor on David is an impediment and actually restricts David from moving as he was made to move, from using the skills and gifts God had given him. 

David takes off Saul’s armor and instead picks up his shepherd’s equipment: his staff, his shepherd’s bag, plus a sling and 5 stones, and heads out to face Goliath. David goes into battle fully vulnerable in the sense that he’s wearing nothing to shield him, nothing to protect him, except for the knowledge and faith that God had him, that God’s abiding love held him. 

He faces and defeats this monster of empire, this legend of violence, equipped with little more than his skill and experience and equipped with nothing less than exactly who God had called him to be. How many times in our own lives have we tried on armor meant for someone else, armor that didn’t serve the purposes to which God has called us yet didn’t have the awareness or even the audacity to dare to take it off? When in our own lives, have we chosen to hide or stifle ourselves – those best, most special, and unique parts of ourselves—in ill-fitting armor because wearing armor is just the way we’ve always done it? Or because we were afraid that there would be nothing to hold us, to abide with us, to love us if people knew who we were once that armor comes off? 

As we all try to lead and practice ministry, and love our neighbors, and build community in this world filled with all sorts of giants of Empire – giant systems of oppression, and violence, and beasts of discord and division of all kinds – sometimes we might be tempted to lead by embodying ways that are armored, ill-fitting. It might feel like protection or serving our call when it actually does the opposite–hiding our truest, most loving parts of ourselves – the pieces of us that might be most needed in this world. As we see in this bit of David’s story – Goliath wasn’t defeated by another Goliath, nor was he defeated by a more typical, armored, mighty warrior like Saul – it was only someone who had the courage to know exactly who God had made him to be, and to embody that person, fully and vulnerably.

Bringing us back to today and to what we’re doing here at Leadership Academy:  In her book “All About Love,” Bell Hooks writes, “The choice to love is a choice to connect – to find ourselves in one another.” It’s hard to find ourselves in one another if we all collectively hide ourselves away. It’s easier to find ourselves in one another if we allow ourselves to be known. And so my hope for each of you, and for myself, is that today, we choose to abide in God’s love by choosing to connect, to learn from each other, yes, and to allow ourselves to see and be seen in all of the rich and varied ways God expresses God’s self through each of us, in all of our different communities and contexts. 

And may all that we do start and end with love.

For me, there is a sadness, a frustration, and mixed joy when helping those along the border. Scriptures call us all to service, and people from throughout the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego continue to help those who are simply looking for a safe haven in the United States. 

The process for asylum seekers after their interview with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) often involves several steps. If the asylum seeker passes the initial screening (credible fear interview), they may be allowed to enter the U.S. to pursue their asylum claim. Asylum seekers who are released sometimes travel to another location in the U.S., often where they have family or a support network. 

This is where EDSD’s volunteers have stepped in to help. Over the last year, asylum seekers have spent rough nights at the San Diego airport following their CBP interview. With little or nothing, these people wait patiently for a flight to connect with family in another area of the country, and we all know how expensive things are in an airport. 

EDSD is currently working with a number of volunteers to organize a system of brown bag meal delivery to the airport. Many asylum seekers wait for flights to their new homes at the airport–they literally have nowhere else to go. Sometimes, the wait can be a couple of days. Many arrive at the airport hungry and do not have the funds to purchase food. 

Currently, the need is 100 meals every evening and again most mornings. We can do this for hungry, struggling people. 

I will not tell you that this ministry is easy. You will hear people speak negatively about your efforts toward helping those seeking asylum. Sometimes you will be really sad. Sometimes, your heart will be broken. You will also find new life and joy in service.

My name is Cindy Dodson. I attend St. Mary’s in the Valley Episcopal Church in Ramona. I lead a team of volunteers who help our asylum-seeking friends eat while waiting to fly to different areas of the country. I am a  second-generation U.S. citizen. My grandmother came to the U.S. with her father, an Indigenous man from Mexico. My father spoke no English when he started school. I am sure many of us have stories that are not much different–times when our predecessors were hungry and needed help.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. (Matt. 25:35-36) 

Why is this important to me? I am a follower of Christ. I cannot pretend that people are not hurting, cold, wet, without food or clean water, frightened and confused. Jesus tells us to feed people. Did you know that the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is in all four of our canonical Gospels? 

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. (Matt 14:13–21) (also found in Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:12–17; John 6:1–14). 

This passage points out just how important it is to feed, and not just feed, but to pray. I’ve had recurring wonderings about gathering enough food or enough volunteers to prepare the food for our asylum-seeking friends. Each time I ask for help, the food arrives, and the volunteers arrive–just like the loaves and fishes.

If you would like to volunteer to help make brown bag meals with your own team or to pick up, deliver, and serve the meals, please contact me at cindysberrypatch@gmail.com or visit www.edsd.org/migration-ministry to learn more.

I’m listening. How often could we catch ourselves saying this but not really be present in the space of listening. I know that I am guilty of saying it as I multitask throughout the day, most especially during dinner preparation–while I am cooking and answering emails, homework is being done, sports equipment is being searched for, and tales from the day are being shared. In these moments, I realize that listening seems to have become something we all do, while doing something else.  

So, if we aren’t listening with our full attention, could we hear when God is speaking to us?  

Recently, I had a long weekend to think about listening as I chaperoned the first-ever diocese-wide children’s camp at Camp Stevens. If you have ever been to camp, you probably know that the current world around you seems to fall away while you are there. Stresses, task lists, and even deep anxieties are no match for the fun-loving, peaceful environment of camp. It is perhaps why I was a 5-week camper and counselor for a decade of my life…the world of camp is magic. Camp allows us to truly grow, find ourselves, and listen to the world around us. During this retreat, we did just that…we listened! 

Thirty-eight children, ranging in grades 3rd-6th, signed up to be a part of this 3-day, 2-night adventure. The weekend carried a theme of “Listening for God” with scripture from Mark 9:2-8. Our days were filled with hikes, games, small group time, delicious family-style meals, crafts, and tons of laughter. Our nights were filled with warm fires, songs, folk dancing, stargazing, and whispering while beginning to fall asleep. In all of those spaces, we listened. We listened to each other as we got to know our fellow campers, we listened to each other as we checked in on how we were feeling throughout the day, we listened as we learned new skills like needle felting and archery, we listened as we heard about the plants and animals around us like the giant pinecones, acorns, pigs and deer. And we listened to each of us say “God Loves You” as we passed out friendship bracelets before departing. In all of the listening, we heard back, “God loves you too”.  

But we didn’t just listen with our ears, we challenged ourselves to experience God with all 5 of our senses throughout the weekend. During our Sunday worship with Canon Gwynn and Charlette, we reflected on how we had experienced God during our time at camp on giant posterboards. The statements that were shared easily answer the question of why we should listen to begin with. Because, like camp, the answers were magic.  

“I saw how much God loves us through his beautiful creation around us: the deer, my favorite tree to climb, our homemade bridge at Cow Pond, the mountains, and the kindness of my peers. I tasted God’s love in the honeycomb, tea, camp dinners, and smores. I felt God’s love in new and old friendships, hugs, my chaperones, soft wool, and the games we played. And through the sounds of the chickens, wind, crickets, and laughter, I heard God.” 

I’m listening. When I say these words now, they will forever hold more weight. After a weekend of listening with all five of my senses at camp and witnessing this practice in nearly 40 campers, how could they not? God’s love is everywhere because God is love. We just have to listen, look, smell, taste and see. 

Find out more about EDSD’s Formation opportunities at www.edsd.org/formation.

What does it mean to be a leader in the church? Well, for the over 90 individuals who attended the 2024 offering of Leadership Academy at Resurrection, Ocean Beach, leadership is an opportunity to engage with our neighborhoods, other church members, and our friends about what it means to be a people of God. Throughout Leadership Academy, members from 24 churches learned from experienced professionals about what it means to be engaged with your church in a modern world. 

The Leadership Academy, held on January 20th, was not just a series of lectures but a vibrant mix of worship, learning, and community building–bringing together a diverse group of participants who explored and deepened their understanding of church leadership in the world.

The Rev. Dawn Stary said, “I appreciated the different educational opportunities. It was nice to be able to be in a community with a bunch of people that I wouldn’t ordinarily see–people who were coming to Leadership Academy to talk about discernment and ministry and how it shows up in our lives. It was great!” 

The day began with a moving Holy Eucharist at the newly planted Resurrection Episcopal Church, Ocean Beach, which set the tone for the day–reminding everyone of the spiritual foundation underpinning our roles as leaders. The beauty of the sanctuary and the sense of shared purpose created an atmosphere of hope and anticipation.

Following the service, participants dispersed into various workshops, each tailored to address different aspects of church leadership and community engagement. The workshops were organized into three main tracks: Foundations, Storytelling, and Growth.

In the Foundations track, workshops such as “Knowing Yourself: Ministry from a Place of Self-Awareness” and “Listening for God’s Call: Ministry of All the Baptized” offered attendees insight into personal and spiritual growth. These sessions emphasized the importance of self-awareness and inclusivity in ministry, resonating with many who sought to deepen their understanding of their roles within the church.

The Storytelling track focused on the power of communication in the digital age. The “Digital Evangelism” workshop, for instance, provided practical tips on how congregations can effectively share their faith through social media and websites. “Conversing Across Difference” tackled the challenging yet crucial aspect of fostering meaningful dialogue within diverse communities. These sessions were particularly well-received, as they equipped leaders with tools to navigate the complexities of modern communications and conflict resolution.

The Growth track emphasized outreach and nurturing within the church community. “Ministry with Seniors” explored ways to engage and enrich the faith lives of the church’s elder members. “Engaging Young Adults Beyond Campus Ministry” was another highlight, offering innovative approaches to include and empower the younger generation.

Rather than just presenting theoretical concepts, Leadership Academy provided actionable strategies and real-life examples from various professionals. Attendees found the sessions both enlightening and directly relevant to their ministries. A spirit of camaraderie and shared learning surrounded the event. Both clergy and lay participants engaged in lively discussions, sharing experiences and ideas. This networking opportunity was invaluable, fostering connections that extended beyond the confines of the Academy. The diversity of attendees – in terms of age, background, and experience – enriched the discussions and provided a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing church leaders today.

The impact of the Leadership Academy was immediately evident. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped with new skills and ideas to implement in their respective congregations. The blend of spiritual and practical learning was particularly effective, ensuring that the lessons learned were deeply rooted in faith and applicable in everyday ministry.

As the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego continues to navigate the opportunities of the 21st century, events like the Leadership Academy are vital in shaping dynamic church leadership. The success of the 2024 Academy has set a high standard for future gatherings, promising continued growth and development for leaders committed to serving the people of God in their communities. The lessons learned and connections made will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, guiding its journey toward a more inclusive, engaged, and spiritually vibrant future.

To learn more about formation opportunities in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, visit www.edsd.org/formation or email the Director of Formation Charlette Preslar at cpreslar@edsd.org.

To say this was a labor of love – absolutely. Seeing the love of those receiving and the deacon’s love for doing Christ’s work in the world is at the heart of this ministry. I am so thankful to each of you who help make Beanie Bundles a reality. 

Living out our service ministry and recognizing the face of Christ in everyone is what being a deacon in the world is all about. Watching the joy on the faces of those who received Beanie Bundles and the joy on the faces of the distributors reminds me of how important service ministry is today. 

In the Spring of 2023, the ministry of Beanie Bundles was again the key focus at our deacons meeting. Four of the deacons had a strong interest in seeing this ministry come to fruition but on a larger scale. Deacons Brooks Mason, Nancy Holland, Daniel McMillan, and I put their heads together and came up with a plan.

The work began, seeking donations and funding for 1,000 Beanie Bundles. Once we had the beanies (hats donated by St James By The Sea), gloves (through cash donations), socks (Bombas, donated by St Paul’s in the Desert), and Candy Kisses (donated by the archdeacon’s husband, Ed Campos), the hard work began.  

The four of us met weekly, sometimes more often, for hours at a time. On a good day, we had an additional volunteer or two to help ‘bundle’ the gifts together into the beanies–tying each with a ribbon.  

It felt like it was never-ending. Beanie after beanie–bundle after bundle, the ministry seemed buried under the weight of the donations. But, one night in December, the last bundle was tucked into a bag, and we celebrated.

Our bundling of the donations did not stop us from doing the real ministry.  Throughout the Fall of 2023, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s deacons distributed over 1,000 Beanie Bundles to people facing extraordinary hardship in their daily lives. Whether migrating from a distant land or working cold mornings in a field, the deacons of EDSD helped with warmth.   

We’re already talking about how we can expand this ministry, meeting the needs of more of our siblings in Christ and touching more lives throughout the year. Over the last two years, EDSD’s deacons have provided countless Beanie Bundles to a migrant camp at an undisclosed location. For the safety of those living in the camp, our deacons were not initially welcome to visit. Today, after years of collaborative ministry and with the help of Robert Vivar (EDSD Migration Missioner), trust has been cultivated. Now, EDSD has been invited to baptize nine members of the camp–ages 3 to 14.  

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Beanie Bundle ministry a reality.  

If you are moved to help with this outreach, financially or with your time, please contact Archdeacon Cindy Campos at Ccampos@edsd.org.  Financial donations may go to the Deacon’s Outreach Fund here. 

Some of the recipients of these ‘bundles’ included:

300+ to St Peter and Paul El Centro for field workers

150 to St Paul’s Yuma for field workers

50+ to St John’s Fallbrook for field workers

100 to St John’s Indio for field workers

250+ Migration Missioner for migrants crossing the border

36 to Holy Cross, Oceanside for farm workers

36 to Christian Community Services for farm workers

100+ to Deacons for Jacumba migrants