Directly on the heels of the enactment of California Senate Bill 4, In response to high levels of interest from congregations throughout the diocese, EDSD continues to pursue our goal of advancing how our faith communities can use real estate assets to support mission-related projects, such as affordable housing, early childhood programs, and senior services. 

EDSD is pleased to announce the hire of Jessica Ripper as Mission Real Estate Portfolio Manager for the diocese. In this role, Jessica will represent congregations and the diocese as they pursue real estate projects to ensure they stay engaged and informed throughout the predevelopment and construction phases. “I’m honored to be working with the diocese and our congregations to help them realize their visions for serving as vibrant centers of community life both within and beyond their walls,” said Jessica.  

With 25 years of experience across various sectors, Jessica’s work has focused on advancing policies, programs, and practices that create more just, inclusive, and healthy places for all people to live, work, learn, and play. She and her family worship at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church. “We are so glad to have someone of Jessica Ripper’s experience and qualifications to serve our congregations as they work to advance their missions and achieve long-term financial sustainability,” said Bishop Susan Brown Snook.  

The diocese continues to work closely with Trinity Wall Street and has applied for a grant from Trinity to assist in funding this work. Jessica Ripper will lead our Mission Real Estate task force’s 30-minute presentation on our work at Trinity Wall Street’s Gift of Place conference next month. 

Additionally, EDSD has signed a limited contract with LeSar Development Consultants to assist congregations with evaluating the possibilities that their unused land may hold to add to the financial vitality of congregations and also to enhance their mission. LeSar has a particularly strong background in working with affordable housing, which can range from housing for unsheltered to family and workforce housing for middle-income households.  

Visiting small children is an exquisite experience that fills my heart with boundless warmth. Their sparkling eyes and infectious giggles are a testament to the joy of life. Time spent with these little bundles of energy rekindles a sense of wonder within adults, reminding me of the magic in the everyday world. It reminds me of unbridled faith. It is reminder of the incredible beauty of God through the eyes of a child.

In the last few weeks, I have had the joyful opportunity to spend time at all eight of our diocesan schools. Traveling from Temecula to Hillcrest, La Jolla to Coronado, Poway to Pacific Beach, La Mesa to Bay Park, the sounds of children’s laughter has guided my journey. Our Episcopal Schools are an exceptional blessing to the children and families that they serve and the communities that surround them!

While curriculum and ages vary from campus to campus, the guiding light of an Episcopal School is God’s Love, and that shines brightly in all of them. Episcopal Schools are not there simply to educate children but to ensure that every student is seen, valued, and loved in all of their messy goodness. That love is a promise offered to every community member, a promise of belovedness and acceptance precisely as they are.

Episcopal Schools are guided by four principles that help them to live out that promise every day.

• School Worship that is creative, inclusive, draws fully upon the liturgical resources of The Episcopal Church, and is a regular part of school life for all faculty and students.
• Community Life, in which reflection, prayer, and matters of the spirit are honored and cultivated and the physical, mental, and emotional health of all are supported and nurtured.
• Religious Formation and Study that is meaningful, academically substantive, and age-appropriate; and in teaching the Christian tradition, fosters dialogue with other faith traditions.
• Social Justice, which is the integration of the ideals and concepts of equity, justice, and a just society throughout the life of the school; the embracing and honoring of diversity; and the inclusion of community service and service-learning as an integral part of the life of the school.

The National Association of Episcopal Schools

Lofty goals, but principles that are in practice in each of the schools in our diocese. I saw them weaving through my visits in countless ways. Below are a few pictures and reflections that I hope will help you to see them too.

Children sing, and dance, and wriggle with fun in Chapel at St. Andrew’s in Pacific Beach.

 

 Stuffed animals and family pets were blessed at St. Andrew’s in La Mesa.

 

Families and staff at All Saints Preschool work together to create a community garden where students can plant seeds and dreams for the future.

Children engage with a story that deepens their faith while “looking for God” in the world around them at St. Thomas’ of Canterbury in Temecula.

 

Children are reminded that God is with them during Chapel at St. David’s in Bay Park.

 

Staff at Christ Church Day School are honored for the work they do every single day to support and nurture students.

 

 Children at St. Bartholomew’s in Poway balance outdoor play with indoor learning engaging both mind and body.

 

The chapel at Bishop’s School is decorated for PRIDE/Allyship Week. Chapel included presentations and music from student leadership.

I feel so blessed to support the schools in our diocese. I hope you will join me in giving thanks for our exceptional Episcopal Schools, and Episcopal Schools across our country.

God of knowledge and wisdom, we pray to you for all the schools across this country, which are part of The Episcopal Church. We remember them in their variety, in their differences, and in what they share. Give us open doors, open minds, and open hearts that we might accept, learn, and love everything and everyone whom you have given us. Help us to share our lives and what we have, and to learn from all those who are in school with us. We pray in the name of Jesus who opened his arms to all, young and old. Amen.

(National Association of Episcopal Schools)

Twenty years ago, in October of 2003, a devastating wildfire ravaged San Diego County.  Scorching 687 square miles, destroying 2,232 homes, and tragically claiming the lives of 15 individuals, the Cedar Fire burned for weeks.

A fire the size San Diego had never seen. People lost homes, lives, and loved ones. The picturesque mountain town of Julian found itself besieged by the flames for days. 

St. Mary’s in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Ramona stepped forward as a beacon of hope–opening its doors and its hearts to those in need. It transformed into an informal evacuation shelter, offering refuge to fire victims who sought solace and support. Parishioners and volunteers rallied to provide essentials like food, clothing, blankets, and other necessities to those who had been forced to flee their homes. The challenges were immense, and the needs were overwhelming. Several of St. Mary’s parishioners offered their RVs as temporary housing for families who had lost everything.

The Rev. Leland Jones, the vicar of St. Mary’s at that time, became a lifeline for the community. With communication networks disrupted by the fire, he took it upon himself to physically move from house to house, delivering messages and ensuring that those isolated by the disaster were not alone in their plight. 

More than 300 homes in the vicinity of Camp Stevens were reduced to ash–the camp opened its doors and provided temporary shelter to families in its cabins.

The Rev. Tony Baron of St. Anne’s in Oceanside emphasized that while immediate needs such as shelter and material support would be addressed by various agencies, it was the spiritual and emotional needs of the survivors that would become apparent in the weeks and months to come. The Church Times reported that he urged his fellow clergy to “Listen, Love, and Pray,” highlighting the importance of these simple but profound acts.

In the midst of this catastrophic event, EDSD’s response extended far beyond providing traditional relief. Areas where homeless individuals had previously set up camps were also affected by the fire–leading to the loss of what few things they possessed. Because the Red Cross focuses on assisting those who are “displaced but not homeless,” individuals who lost their makeshift homes found themselves without access to emergency evacuation shelters. Recognizing that traditional support systems were missing the mark, Episcopal Community Services (ECS) stepped in to bridge the gap.

 ECS became a lifeline for those left without a clear path forward. The organization distributed food, clothing, phonecards, and provided essential housing and transportation support. In times of crisis, our values and neighborly service shine the brightest, and ECS exemplified these principles throughout its response to the Cedar Fire.

The impact of the Cedar Fire extended to various Episcopal congregations within EDSD. While none of the churches were physically damaged by the fire, they became places of prayer and centers for pastoral care. St. Francis in Pauma Valley, St. Alban’s in El Cajon, St. Barnabas in Borrego Springs, Christ the King in Alpine, St. Timothy’s in San Diego, Camp Stevens in Julian, and St. Bartholomew’s in Poway all felt the effects of the fire. These churches opened their doors to provide solace, support, and a sense of community to those in need.

EDSD’s response to the Cedar Fire of 2003 is a reminder that, in the face of devastation and despair, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego shows courage, strength, and hope. Through their actions, St. Mary’s, Camp Stevens, ECS, and various congregations within the diocese demonstrated love, compassion, and service to those in deep need. In times of crisis, our collective capacity for love and service knows no bounds.

The Cedar Fire was a tragedy, but it also served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of communities and the boundless love that can emerge when people come together to support one another. It is a lesson that continues to inspire and guide EDSD in its mission to serve its neighbors–embodying the spirit of courageous love in Jesus Christ.

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As EDSD prepares for another fire season, it’s important for all of us to take common-sense steps to stay safe and keep our communities safe. Remember the lessons we’ve learned from past wildfires: keep an eye on local fire updates, follow any fire restrictions, clear away brush from our homes, and have a plan. By working together and being proactive, we can reduce the risk of wildfires and keep our neighborhoods secure. Find resources and suggestions on how to prepare for fire here

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza had been destroyed by a missile strike, with hundreds feared dead. There are varying reports about who was responsible for the attack, with each side in the Israel-Hamas conflict accusing the other. While it is impossible at this stage to sort out questions of responsibility, I can say now that my heart is broken. The Ahli Arab Hospital has been operated for several decades by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, with strong financial support from many Episcopalians through American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a group I appreciate for its support of many schools and hospitals in the Holy Land. I was able to tour the Holy Land with two board members in 2017, including several of the diocese’s schools and hospitals, and I saw firsthand the loving and dedicated work they do.

The loss of life at the Ahli Arab Hospital is horrifying. We weep for the hundreds of dead and wounded, for the loss of medical experts and humanitarians, and for the diocese whose ministries are deeply affected by this devastating loss. As a Christian hospital, Ahli Arab has long treated all people, seeing everyone as a child of God.

This week, there was a call from Christian church leaders of the 13 denominations in the Holy Land, including Anglicans, to fast and pray for peace in the Holy Land. I ask you to join me in prayer for relief of the suffering of innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza. Pray for victims and for humanitarian relief for civilians who are in danger. Pray for the dead, the wounded, those still held hostage after the Hamas attacks on Israel, those who are refugees, and all innocent civilians who suffer from the actions of the powerful. Pray for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Pray for world leaders who may be able to bring an end to the conflict. Pray also for peace here in our country. A horrifying attack on a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago this week killed him and grievously injured his mother. Jews in the US have also experienced anti-Semitic threats. Pray that all of us may respect and protect the dignity and safety of all of our fellow citizens.

Pray for peace in the Holy Land, that people of all faiths may live together in security and that the land that is home to three of the world’s great religions may reflect God’s peace that passes understanding.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, all people may live in justice and peace. We pray now for peace among the nations, and especially for the people of Israel and Palestine. Guide us all into the way of justice and truth, and establish among us that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that all people may live and flourish in the world you have created. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

In Christ,

Bishop Susan Brown Snook

A significant milestone has been achieved in one of the mission-driven programs of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) with California Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) enactment. This legislation significantly boosts the ambitious vision of the Mission Real Estate Task Force, opening new doors of opportunity for EDSD to address the housing crisis in the region while enhancing its commitment to community service. 

Bishop Susan Brown Snook’s visionary creation of the Mission Real Estate Task Force laid the foundation for this momentous occasion. The task force’s primary mission is to assist congregations within the diocese in utilizing their underutilized properties for mission-driven purposes, such as addressing the local housing shortage. 

The new law empowers nonprofit higher education institutions and faith-based organizations, including those affiliated with EDSD, to develop 100% affordable housing projects with streamlined approval processes. This “by right” designation allows them to bypass the lengthy, costly, and often uncertain reviews imposed by local governments, significantly simplifying the process of effecting positive change through affordable housing. 

The potential impact of SB 4 is substantial. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation estimate that the law has the potential to unlock more than 171,000 acres of land owned by nonprofit colleges and faith-based organizations in California, representing a vast resource for affordable housing development. 

Addressing the housing crisis in California is a multifaceted challenge requiring innovative solutions. SB 4 serves as a beacon of hope, empowering the churches of EDSD to utilize their land for the betterment of individuals and families facing difficulties in securing affordable housing. As this law takes effect, the Mission Real Estate initiatives of EDSD are positioned to be a significant force for good in our community, offering hope to those in need. 

To learn more about the work of EDSD’s Mission Real Estate Task Force, please visit: edsd.org/missionrealestate/ 

Dear Friends,

Over the weekend, the world was shocked and grief-stricken to see the attacks in Israel on unarmed civilians, resulting in many deaths and numerous hostages. Here in the US, I know that many Jews and others were deeply grieved and traumatized by the deaths and the graphic violence shown in videos of the victims, as well as videos of people around the world celebrating the violence that occurred.

The situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza is deeply complex, as all acknowledge, and a peaceful solution to generations of conflict seems very far away. But there is no excuse for terrorist acts against civilians, and we must offer our prayers for civilians held captive and innocent people in danger in this broadening conflict.

As Christians, we are also aware of the increasing tide of anti-Semitism that our Jewish neighbors face here in the US, with Americans openly flaunting neo-Nazi symbols, frequent threats of violence against Jewish houses of worship, and a rising threat of Christian nationalism that marginalizes people of other faiths. Our country was founded on the principle of freedom of religion, and our neighbors of all faiths must be free to live and worship in peace. The current wave of violence evokes horrifying memories of centuries of violence against Jewish people. For those who are grieving the violence, we must offer our support and understanding. Your Jewish friends are suffering – please offer them your prayers and support.

Throughout the world, we must pray for long-term peace in the Middle East. The Episcopal Church has long supported a two-state solution to the conflict in which a secure and universally recognized State of Israel lives alongside a free, viable, and secure state for the Palestinian people. As we face renewed violence and conflict in the Holy Land that is sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths, we pray for peace. I ask you to join me in prayer for an end to this conflict:

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, all people may live in justice and peace. We pray now for peace among the nations, and especially for the people of Israel and Palestine. Guide us all into the way of justice and truth, and establish among us that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that all people may live and flourish in the world you have created. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook

Last Thursday, I attended “La Misa in English” at St. John’s, Chula Vista, where over 40 people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds spanning several generations gathered in St. John’s Nale Hall.  La Misa in English is a monthly gathering designed particularly for the predominantly Latino/a/x-Hispanic neighborhood in which St. John’s is planted.

Each La Misa in English gathering is centered around a theme. Past celebrations have centered around San Pedro y San Pablo (Saints Peter and Paul) and Santa Maria la Virgen (the Virgin Mary). For October, St. John’s La Misa celebrated Hispanic Heritage in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

La Misa in English at St. John’s

While many people of Latino-Hispanic heritage in this West Chula Vista neighborhood may resonate deeply with the rhythms and traditions of corporate worship, La Misa offers a chance to experience communion through another lens. 

Part social, part dinner, and part Eucharist, St. John’s La Misa is a communal space for those gathered to break bread together in both the sacramental sense and as a way of growing together as one body in Christ. Time is built into the liturgy for sitting together at a table, sharing fellowship and a bountiful potluck supper (the post-Eucharist blessing, closing hymn and dismissal take place after dinner). La Misa also provides a monthly gathering opportunity for both regular members of St. John’s and various members in the local neighborhood. Families participating in the ECS Headstart program hosted at St. John’s or neighbors who, for various reasons, may not attend weekly Sunday services find themselves at home at the La Misa service.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is a national observation from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. It is a time to celebrate “the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.” Originally Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, it was expanded to a month-long observation under President Ronald Regan. 

The date of Sept. 15 is significant as the start of the observation; five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) celebrate their independence from Spain on Sept. 15, with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence in close proximity (Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively). In more recent years, and depending on the discernment of the community, Hispanic Heritage Month has also been observed as Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, or Latino/a/x Heritage Month, as a way of distinguishing and celebrating the survival, resilience, and goodness of the cultures and heritage of those Indigenous to Latin America prior to Spanish colonization.

A Rich, Multi-faceted Celebration

St. John’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month began with a fully decked-out parish hall bathed in vibrant color. Flags representative of the many countries of Hispanic Heritage decorated the walls and tables, reminding me of how a pithy phrase like “Hispanic Heritage” can belie the diversity of all that the phrase is meant to encompass.  

Beyond colorful decorations, the hall was also adorned with wisdom. Placed at each table setting were inspiring quotes from an array of Latino-Hispanic leaders and influencers from Carlos Fuentes* to Berta Caceres to Selena Quintanilla. Stories of Latino-Hispanic trailblazers and inventors lined the walls (Oscar Romero, Luis Federico, Pelé, to name a few), showing how much our society has benefited from their gifts. Later, during dinner, The Rev. Roger Haenke invited those present to share the quotes or stories that resonated with them the most. I saw my own delight reflected back to me in the voices of those who were excited to share, either because they learned something new, or because they were seeing a figure with whom they were already familiar be celebrated in a public setting. What a gift this was, to celebrate Latino-Hispanic wisdom, leadership, and contributions that are so often left out of the history books or the larger media narrative. 

Just before the formal liturgy began, members of St. John’s performed and instructed two different styles of dance significant to different Latino-Hispanic heritages. David Naranjo, assisted by Iris Atkins, demonstrated and instructed basic merengue steps (merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic. It’s known for its “walking” dance steps, which make it a very accessible, beginner-friendly, dance style). Ashley St. John performed a Ballet Folklórico dance, and Adela Curiel then taught us a variation of the Ballet Folklórico dance, El Jarabe Tapatío, perhaps more widely known in the US as the Mexican Hat Dance. My legs burned, and I was slightly winded by the time musicians Maria and Joe Love began the opening song. and I don’t think I’ve ever been so invigorated or filled with breath (or Spirit?) at the beginning of a Eucharist. 

At a typical worship service, just before the formal liturgy begins, I personally, am used to spending that time in comfortable, spacious silence, that I might only break only to quietly whisper a hello or wave excitedly at a friend a few feet away. It’s a ritual of calmness I practice to still my mind and my breathing in order to prepare for the moment of worship. At last week’s La Misa, replacing that moment of spacious silence with dance was an unexpected gift. Joyfully dancing while surrounded by community in a sacred expression of ancestral heritage and celebration actually readied my mind, body and spirit for Eucharist; it reminded me that laughter and movement are equally and sacred as silence and stillness.

This month’s liturgy included a special Contemporary Reading written by Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. Sor Juana was a poet, writer, scholar and nun who was born out of wedlock in 1648 in colonial Mexico. In a time of clear hierarchies and power structures, women were not widely taught or encouraged to read or write, and so Sor Juana, who was driven by her love of God and Jesus, tutored herself. As I read her bio (which was included in the liturgy booklet), I couldn’t help but marvel at how deeply she would have had to be rooted in her own belovedness in order to trust that she, too, was made in the Image of God, and that her wisdom born out of the lens of her social location, was valid, and worthy, and good.

What struck me most was the way she painted a picture of Jesus that was warm, intimate, and vulnerable, writing, “What could be more worthy of love than that heavenly modesty, that gentle softness pouring out mercies in all His movements, that depth of humility and meekness, those words of eternal life and eternal wisdom?” To Sor Juana, Jesus was a person whose power was rooted in softness, and whose greatness and power came from a posture of humility. I left wondering, how might her picture of Jesus differ from the picture of those with systemic power in colonial Mexico, an era built on power through might and violence, and on the labor and exploitation of those whom Jesus might refer to as “the least of these?” (Matt 25:31-40, which was also the Gospel reading of the evening).

Respecting Wisdom and Dignity in Cultural Celebrations

Through the readings, teachings, music and fellowship of the evening, I went home feeling full – and not just because of the birria and carnitas that were part of the number of dishes brought by the community for dinner. Too often in our history as the Episcopal Church, which, in our country, is historically a predominantly white institution, multicultural celebrations have often been treated superficially. Groups from various ethnic or cultural backgrounds may have been invited to perform their cultural dances, and food from various cultures may have been served. But, while food and dances have their own rich stories and wisdom behind them, they were offered in a way where an unfortunate message is clear: these cultures are the “other.” 

These groups of people and their heritages have historically been displayed for the consumption of the dominant white culture, with little opportunity for voices and wisdom of the culture to be heard and received. These performative celebrations left all those in attendance the chance for a deeper, broader multicultural wisdom and, therefore, a deeper, broader understanding of God’s creation and expression of love. 

What a difference it makes to have a celebration that not only includes visual and gustatory** enjoyments but holds expansive space for the wisdom and voices of leaders of Latino-Hispanic heritage, both those from the St. John’s community and others whose legacies are more publicly and historically known.

Dr. Terence Lester, a writer, theologian, and founder of Love Beyond Walls, once wrote: “‘Everyone is welcome’ is drastically different from ‘we built this with you in mind. People don’t want to go where they are merely tolerated, they want to go where they are included.’” St. John’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, and their ongoing La Misa in English, was not only built with the Latino-Hispanic community in mind, but it continues to grow and be co-created with seats at the proverbial table for leaders from the community it seeks to serve.

Latino-Hispanic Heritage and Leadership in EDSD****

Of course, St. John’s Chula Vista is not the only congregation in our diocese that celebrates Latino-Hispanic heritage as a way of being. Other congregations who have long held space for Latino-Hispanic heritage, leadership and voices include St. Philip-the Apostle, Lemon Grove, alongside the pastoral leadership of former diocesan Latino-Hispanic Missioner, The Rev. Carlos Garcia; St. John’s, Indio; St. Matthew’s, National City; St. Andrew’s, Lake Elsinore; and St. Paul’s, Yuma.

St. Peter and Paul, El Centro, under the leadership of The Rev. Lilia Mendoza, is starting to offer new Spanish language worship services.  The people of All Saints, Hillcrest, and the Rev. Carlos Expósito, offer Spanish-language Sunday worship materials, First Communion classes, and free/free-will-offering Thursday afternoon Spanish classes that are open to the general public.

Our diocese has also been blessed by a number of lay and ordained leaders of Latino-Hispanic heritage over the years, including current diocesan clergy, the Rev. Paul Carmona and the Rev. Cristina Borges, the Rev. Roberto Maldonado, and the late Rev. Juan Acosta, who served as our diocesan Latino-Hispanic Missioner for over 15 years, and was a founding presence for several Latino-Hispanic communities, including St. John’s, Indio and St. Matthew’s, National City.

Each of these congregations, and each of these leaders, has helped represent a different piece of the Latino-Hispanic American cultural identity (which is varied and diverse in itself, as Latino-Hispanic culture is not a monolith***). Each of these congregations and leaders, has helped bring our diocese towards a fuller, broader, deeper understanding of the wildly diverse and equally beloved possibilities of what it means to be made in the Image of God. And, how much richer we all are for it.

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*Feel welcome to search these names if they’re unfamiliar to you!

** “gustatory” = concerned with tasting or the sense of taste

***“monolith” (in terms of a culture) = homogenous; rigid or fixed

****you’re invited to share a story of a leader of Latino-Hispanic ministry in the comments below!

Throughout 2023, churches across EDSD participated in the Year of Service. Hundreds of people were aided by programs focusing on creation care and migration. As a final diocesan-wide service project for the year, in honor of Veteran’s Day and alongside the business of Diocesan Convention, we are assembling care packages for Sailors soon to be deployed out of San Diego.

Our goal? 

Sharing the love of Christ by assembling 200 care packages for sailors soon to be deployed out of San Diego.

Why this initiative? 

Deployments often leave sailors longing for the comforts of home and missing loved ones. Our care packages, filled with essential items and personalized notes, aim to provide a touch of comfort and a clear message: We see you and we love you.

Where will this be?

During Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 11 you will find the epicenter of our military ministry service project in the Cathedral’s new Guild Room.

How can I help?

We invite attendees to be a part of the package assembly process. Engage in conversations, write personal notes of gratitude, and experience firsthand the joy of collective giving. You can also donate to this effort by clicking here. Donations will assist us in purchasing materials for care packages.

As we prepare for the 50th Diocesan Convention, we’re not just celebrating a milestone of faith but reinforcing the tenets of service and gratitude that underpin it. By coming together for our active duty, military families, and veterans, we’re extending our community’s warmth. We urge every attendee to join us for this project on Veterans Day.

To learn more about this service project or Military Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego please email CAPT Tierian Randy Cash at tcash@edsd.org.

Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

The call to “be courageous” is a familiar phrase in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego because it speaks to the human spirit’s incredible capacity to rise above adversity. As Bishop Susan reminds us, courage isn’t the total absence of fear but the choice to move forward despite a measure of it–a call to embrace our humanity, with all its vulnerabilities, to strive towards God’s purpose.

This year, at the 50th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we are very excited to celebrate five decades of ministry together. This year’s celebration is a reminder that while our journey may be bumpy at times, the path is illuminated by faith, courage, strength, and love. We’ve journeyed together through half a century–carrying forward our faith and mission! 

 

Pre-Convention Hearings

Budget Hearings

The 2024 budget will be reviewed in advance of convention at two hearings. These will be recorded for viewing at alternate times.

November 2, 5:30 p.m.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88178393099?pwd=M2hUbzhmUTduMWREU0RQdnNJSU1hZz09, Meeting ID: 881 7839 3099 Passcode: 958598

November 8, 5:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89729178653?pwd=NDJ4YVhGWitza1JaT3hDaXRIdFBnZz09, Meeting ID: 897 2917 8653 Passcode: 830507

Resolution Hearings

Resolutions being presented to convention will be reviewed in advance of convention at two hearings. These will be recorded for viewing at alternate times.

October 25, 5:30 p.m.    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82510151812?pwd=dFBxOXE4T2t3YkkrajNuU2J1VEtzUT09, Meeting ID: 825 1015 1812 Passcode: 576587

November 1, 5:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87563501469?pwd=YkI5U0tRNzRZSUVDNlZ6cGtOZ0FSUT09, Meeting ID: 875 6350 1469 Passcode: 622999 

 

Convention Schedule

EDSD’s 50th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held in person November 10-11 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego.

Friday, November 10

ECS Welcome Reception (Light Refreshments) 12:30-1:45

Check-in 1:00-2:00 pm

Convention Business 2:00-5:00 pm

Bishops Talks 4:30-5:45 pm

50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner 6:00-9:00 pm (Sold Out)

Saturday, November 11

Check-in 7:30-9:00 am

Convention Business 9:00-4:00 pm with breaks

 

50th Anniversary Dinner (SOLD OUT!)

This year holds special significance as we are celebrating 50 years as a diocese. We’ve journeyed together through half a century, carrying forward our faith and mission. Join us for EDSD’s 50th Annual Convention (November 10-11) and reflect on the challenges overcome and victories achieved at the 50th Anniversary Dinner at St. Paul’s Cathedral (November 10). Seating is limited. Tickets are sold on a first come first served basis.

 

Youth Presence at Convention

Join with youth from all over our diocese as we serve and play together. Each year Convention offers the opportunity for our diocese to gather for business, fellowship, and worship. A vibrant youth presence is an integral part of that day! Highlights of the day will include ridiculously fun games, a thoughtful service project benefiting our military ministry, and delicious food. Register Here

 

Convention Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in one or more of the volunteer opportunities below, please register here. 

Friday Dinner

Setup Team: We need help setting the table for dinner. Are you interested in lending a hand in the celebration of our Diocese’s 50th year of ministry? Join a small crew to prepare the Cathedral Nave for the celebration dinner!

Kitchen Crew: With every great celebration, there’s a great team to help clean up. Do you love to serve your community by helping clean up the party? We need a small, dedicated team to help tidy up after the 50th Anniversary Dinner. 

Saturday

Break Down: After Convention concludes, the Cathedral will need their church back for Sunday worship. With your help, we can reset the Cathedral nave for Sunday worship.    

 

Vendors

Vendors are welcome to at this year’s Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 11. The exhibit space, in the Cathedral’s Great Hall, will be open to the public from 8-3pm. After registering, EDSD’s vendor coordinator, Cynde Durnford-Branecki will be in contact with you with details. Please register here  

 

Nominations

Every year at Diocesan Convention, individuals are elected to leadership positions throughout the church structure. If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining diocesan leadership, please fill out the nomination form here. 

SECRETARY OF CONVENTION

elect 1 clergy or lay to serve until 2025

Brian Johnson

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

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

 

DISCIPLINARY BOARD

elect 2 clergy to serve until 2026

Chris Craig-Jones

elect 1 lay to serve until 2026

James Hansen

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

 

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

elect 1 clergy to serve until 2027

Richard Hogue

elect 2 lay to serve until 2027

elect 1 lay to serve until 2026

elect 1 lay to serve until 2024

Mae Chao

Jamie Glorieux

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

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

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

STANDING COMMITTEE

elect 1 clergy to serve until 2028

Michal Kilpatrick

elect 1 lay to serve until 2028

Dennis Landaal

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

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

 

Resolutions

The deadline for timely submissions of resolutions to amend the canons has passed. All resolutions regarding amendments to the canons filed between now and Convention will only be considered if Convention unanimously consents to hearing the resolution. (Canon V.1.05 of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.)

 

RESOLUTION 2023-01 

Submitted by the Committee on Constitution and Canons

Name of Resolution: Amending Bylaws

Amendments to Bylaw Article XI

Resolved that the Convention amends and restates Article XI of the bylaws of the diocese to read as follows:

ARTICLE XI Bylaws, Etc.

The Secretary of the Convention shall furnish to the Secretary of the Corporation Board of Directors a certificate of the election of Directors by the Convention, and a copy of these Bylaws, certified by the Secretary of Convention to be correct, and also a certified copy of the resolutions of the Convention providing for the incorporation of the Church, and whenever amendments, alterations or additions shall be made to these Bylaws, the Secretary of the Convention, in which such amendments, alterations or additions are made, shall furnish certified copies thereof to the Secretary of the Corporation. The Secretary of the Corporation shall preserve the same and enter in a book kept by the Secretary for that purpose the said resolutions of the Convection providing for such incorporation, these Bylaws and all amendments, alterations, and additions thereto, and the Articles of Incorporation as filed in the office of the Secretary of State and with the County Clerks of those counties any portion of which lie within the Diocese, respectively, and a certificate to be furnished annually by the Secretary of the Convention of the election of Directors for the ensuing year.

11.1.00  Amended by Majority Vote. The Bylaws may be altered or amended at a Diocesan Convention by an affirmative vote of the majority of those voting.

1.01 Amendments to be Filed 90 Days Previous. No proposed amendment or addition to the Bylaws shall be considered or affirmatively acted upon by any Convention, otherwise than by referring the same to a Committee to report thereon to the succeeding Annual Convention unless a copy of such proposed amendment or addition shall have been filed with the Secretary of the Convention, at least 90 days before the meeting of the Convention.

1.02 Secretary to Deliver Amendments to Committee. The Secretary of the Convention shall deliver copies of all proposed amendments or additions to the Bylaws, filed in accordance with Title V, Canon 1.01, to the Chair of the Committee on Canons, appointed under Title I, Canon 10.08 of these Canons and such Committee shall report thereon on the first day of the Convention. 

EXPLANATION: This resolution lays out procedures for amending the bylaws.

 

RESOLUTION 2023-02 

Name of Resolution: Internal Controls

Submitted by Finance Committee

RESOLVED that Article IX of the Bylaws of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego be amended to read:

The Treasurer shall receive and keep all funds and money of the Corporation delivered to the Treasurer by or under the direction of the Board of Directors and pay them out only on checks signed by two signers who have been authorized by the Board through a policy duly authorized by the Executive Council. The Treasurer shall give bonds in such sum and manner as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. The Treasurer shall keep accurate accounts and report quarterly to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall not be an authorized signer on Corporate checking accounts.

EXPLANATION: Checks have long been a primary form of payment.  Unfortunately, check fraud is becoming just as commonplace.  The American Bankers Association found in 2019 that successful check fraud totaled $1.3 billion.  The Association for Financial Professionals found this year that paper checks continue to be the payment method most vulnerable to fraud.  Newer online payment methods result in significantly less fraud than paper checks.  It is anticipated that payment structures will continue to strengthen and emerge over the coming years as technology continues to change.

Rather than prescribing check controls around fraud within the by-laws of the corporation, this amendment moves the internal controls for all payments (not just paper checks) into a policy approved by the Executive Council.  The external auditor reviews the policy every year and reports any shortcomings or weaknesses to the Executive Council.  Such a change allows the diocese to be more flexible in preventing fraud and adopting newer payment methods with more stringent controls.  The policy of the diocese currently requires at least four people to review each transaction:  one (or more, depending on the dollar amount) to approve the bill, one to process the bill and prepare it for payment, and two people to review proposed payment requests.  Another step requires reconciliation of all bank transactions to ensure all disbursements are properly approved and accounted for.  In short, the polict is much more detailed in attempts to provide control over disbursements than the bylaws, and this amendment recognizes that.

This amendment also allows the Treasurer to be a signatory on the bank.  There are times when the diocese recommends that congregation treasurers do not have signature authority, but those cases are limited to environments where there is not adequate staff to properly segregate duties.  The diocese has enough people involved in segregation of duties for receipts and disbursements that adding the Treasurer to the bank poses no more significant risk than the current signers.  Making the treasurer a signatory also gives him or her the authorization to manage the banking relationship.  The treasurer is responsible for managing that relationship, but under our current bylaws all directions from the treasurer require authorization from a signer on the account, complicating the ability of the diocese to do business day to day without any real reduction in risk.

 

RESOLUTION 2023-03

Name of Resolution: Youth Ministry Seat, Voice, and Vote

Submitted by: Charlette Preslar

Resolved, that Canon I.4.12 be added to the Constitution and Canons, to read as follows:

The Youth Ministry of the Diocese shall be entitled to five Lay Delegates and two alternates representing separate regions of the Diocese and serving a one-year term. The Bishop shall appoint all Lay Delegates from the Youth Ministry of the Diocese after consultation with The Director of Formation, with full right of seat, voice, and vote.

The Youth Ministry of the Diocese shall mean those communicants in good standing of a Parish or Organized Mission of the Diocese who are at least 14 years of age and no older than 18 years of age.

All Lay Delegates from the Youth Ministry of the Diocese shall be confirmed communicants in good standing of a congregation of the Diocese, at least 14 years of age and no older than 18 years of age, and shall possess such other qualifications as may be required by Canon.

Explanation: Youth are not the church of the future, they are the church now. Full inclusion in the conversations and voting at convention affirms our commitment to provide equity in representation. 

 

RESOLUTION 2023-04

Title of Resolution: Amendment to Bylaw Article XII

Submitted by the Committee on Constitution and Canons

Resolved that the Convention amends Article XII of the bylaws of the diocese to read as follows:

The principal office for the transaction of the business of the Corporation is located at 2728 Sixth Avenue 2083 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, State of California. The Board of Directors is hereby granted full power and authority to change said principal office from one location to another in the Diocese.

EXPLANATION: This resolution updates the address for the diocesan offices.

 

RESOLUTION 2023-05

Resolution 2023-05 was received after the 90 day deadline for timely submissions of resolutions to amend the canons. All resolutions regarding amendments to the canons filed between now and Diocesan Convention will only be considered if Convention unanimously consents to hearing the resolution. (Canon V.1.05 of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.)

Title of Resolution:  Legal Status of Missions

Submitted by the Committee on Constitution and Canons

RESOLVED, that the 50th Convention of the Diocese of San Diego amends the Canons of the Diocese as follows:

Canon II – The Mission

2.05 Effecting of Mission Organization. The organization of a new Mission shall be effected by the appointment by the Bishop of a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden, who shall be communicants of the Church, a Clerk and a Treasurer, such officers to be known as the Bishop’s Committee. Thereafter the Senior Warden shall be appointed annually by the Bishop, and such additional number of persons as the Bishop shall authorize, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Mission to be called on reasonable notice and held as soon after the first day of January as practical. At the discretion of the Bishop the Mission may elect its Bishop’s Committee, with the exception of the Senior Warden, on a rotational basis. The Junior Warden shall be elected in accordance with Title II, Canon 6.00, and the Clerk and Treasurer in accordance with Title II, Canon 6.05. Any qualified elector shall be eligible for election or appointment to such offices, except that the Wardens shall always be communicants.  In special circumstances, the Mission may incorporate at the direction of the Bishop and Standing Committee as provided in Canon II.2.17.

2.06 Organizing of Parochial Mission. The organization of a Parochial Mission shall be effected in the same manner as provided in Title II, Canon 2.05, except that appointments of officers shall be made by the Rector of the sponsoring Parish. Rotation of the Bishop’s Committee may be established with the consent of the Rector of the sponsoring Parish.  In special circumstances, the Mission may incorporate at the direction of the Bishop and Standing Committee as provided in Canon II.2.17.

2.11 Title to Property Vested in the Diocese. Except as otherwise provided by this canon, the terms of the trust specified in a will, decree of distribution, deed of gift or other instrument of donation which shall have been accepted by the donee with the consents of the Bishop and the Standing Committee, the title to real property purchased, given or otherwise acquired for Mission purposes, shall be vested in “The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego,” a Corporation, sometimes referred to herein as the “Corporation of the Diocese”; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be deemed to exclude the acquisition of any property the title to which is given and granted to or for the benefit of a specifically named or designated Mission; and title to all such property granted to the Corporation of the Diocese shall be held upon the trusts and with the powers as follows:

a)       Such property shall be held for the use of the Mission for the benefit of which it was acquired, as long as such Mission shall continue to exist under the Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego provided, that upon organization of the Mission it shall make provision for, and pay, all taxes, insurance and other expenses pertaining to the care and preservation of all such property devoted to the use of said Mission.

b)      The officers of a Mission shall not undertake construction or material modification of any structure on real property owned by the Corporation of the Diocese until plans and specifications for such work have first been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or the Committee on Facilities and Architecture to whom the Directors of the Corporation have delegated approval authority.

c)       Notwithstanding paragraph a, if a Mission is or is allowed to remain incorporated under Canon 2.17, real property may be held by the Mission corporation in special circumstances as directed by the Bishop and Standing Committee.

2.13 On Becoming Parish May Hold Property. Whenever the Mission shall have been organized as a parish and admitted into union with the Convention, and shall have been incorporated in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese and the laws of the state in which it is located, and normal expenses of the congregation have been met, including any financial obligations prescribed by the Convention, for a period determined by the Bishop and Standing Committee not to exceed of two consecutive years, and all debts and obligations to the Corporation of the Diocese pertaining to its properties have been discharged, the Parish, with the consent of the Bishop and the Standing Committee, may make written request to the said Corporation, which shall convey such real properties to the Parish. Normal expenses include, among other expenses, and subject to the discretion of the Bishop with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, fair and equitable salary, housing and insurance expenses for the Vicar, and pension fund contributions when applicable, and operating expenses including adequate insurance covering the properties of the Mission. Nothing in this canon shall restrict the Bishop and Standing Committee from directing an incorporated Mission to hold real property under Canon 2.11(c) or 2.17.

2.17 Incorporation of a Mission. In special circumstances determined by the Bishop and Standing Committee, and with the permission of the Bishop and the Standing Committee, a Mission may incorporate or keep its previous incorporation.  Executive Council shall serve as the board of directors of an incorporated Mission congregation, delegating day to day operation of the Mission to the Bishop’s Committee in a manner decided by Executive Council.  Upon direction by the Bishop and Standing Committee to incorporate, a Mission shall incorporate under the laws of the state in which it is located. The Rector of the Mission shall be the Bishop, who shall also be the ex officio Chief Executive Officer of the Mission Corporation’s Board of Directors, and the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws shall so provide.  The Bylaws shall further state that the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, from time to time in effect, shall be incorporated in said Bylaws; and that in the case of any conflict between said Constitutions and Canons and said Bylaws, the former shall prevail over and in all respects supersede and to that extent effect the repeal of the said Bylaws.  The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of any Mission, and any amendment to either of them, shall first be submitted to and approved by the Bishop, with the advice of a Chancellor and the advice and consent of the Standing Committee (referenced from Canon 3.07).

Further, an incorporated Mission shall be subject to the canons applicable to the incorporation of parishes in Canons 3.08, 3.09, 3.10, and 3.12.

3.11 Dissolution of a Parish in Order to Become a Mission. Any Parish, incorporated or unincorporated, may request of the Convention, through the Committee on Admission of Parishes and Missions, with the approval of the Bishop and the Standing Committee, permission to dissolve the Parish association or corporation, and reorganize as a Diocesan or Parochial Mission, following the same procedure as for the organization of a Mission. Title to the property of the Parish shall then be transferred to the Corporation of the Diocese or to the sponsoring Parish if incorporated.

On September 21, about two dozen individuals assembled in the chapel linked to the Episcopal Church Center (ECC) in Ocean Beach. During this gathering, Rachel Ambasing, the Missioner for Multicultural Ministry, and other diocesan staff reflected on the extensive input they had received from Ocean Beach residents over several months. In the middle of the evening, I had the pleasure of making a happy announcement: Bishop Susan Brown Snook had chosen to name a new faith community for Ocean Beach, Resurrection Episcopal Church, and had appointed Rachel as its lay pastor.

A significant number of those in attendance signed a letter addressed to Bishop Susan, expressing their desire to come under her care as an Emerging Episcopal Community, as stipulated in Diocesan Canon II.2.04(b). This signified many months of discernment and trust-building with the Ocean Beach residents.

The decline in church attendance is a topic that frequently troubles religious communities. Countless books, products, conferences, and careers have been dedicated to resolving the issue of dwindling congregations. However, I often wonder whether church attendance is the primary concern.

How do we measure trust?

Author Seth Godin shares a story from his visit to Kenya, where he discovered the importance of trust. He learned about an institution that provides micro-finance loans to East African farmers. To qualify for a loan, these farmers need the trust of their neighbors, who vouch for their reliability. In essence, the farmer must have earned the trust of those around them to secure financial support.

People engage when they believe they can trust you. Trust is demonstrated not only through financial contributions but also through the investment of time, attention, presence, and bringing others into the fold—family, friends, and neighbors.

While it may be challenging to quantify trust, one thing is clear: churches can no longer assume they automatically have the trust of their neighbors. This era has passed; trust must now be earned.

Several factors should be considered to earn the trust of neighbors:

1. Prioritize the greatest commandment and the great commission in that order. Placing expansion ahead of loving God and neighbors has led to some of the Church’s darkest moments in history. Teaching your community to love God and their neighbors should be the foundation of creating authentic disciples.
2. Loving entails listening. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the welfare of others by listening before speaking. Earn the privilege of being heard.
3. Be consistent. Whether in the neighborhood, on social media platforms, at school board meetings, or during prayer gatherings, consistently show up and prove your reliability.

To establish Resurrection, simply opening the chapel doors and assuming that neighbors would trust us with their time, attention, and presence  was not an option. We had to step outside, get to know the community, listen to their concerns, and earn their trust.

Even before her election, Bishop Susan envisioned sharing the good news of Christ by expanding Episcopal worshiping communities. Our diocesan strategic plan set a goal to “establish five to eight new church communities” in response to this vision. For the past 18 months, diocesan staff and volunteers engaged in conversations with Ocean Beach residents, shopkeepers, and community leaders to gauge interest in a new faith community.

Ocean Beach is a young and largely unchurched community. Of the surrounding population, 62.6% are not involved in a religious community. Among those who identify as Christians, only 35.3% believe church participation is essential. The largest age group in the community comprises those aged 35 to 54, with an average age of 39. Over the next decade, the 18 to 24 age group is expected to experience the most significant growth (3.2%), while family households are projected to increase by 5.8% in the next three years.

After conducting community surveys, the ECC chapel was refurbished, addressing necessary repairs and giving it a fresh look. We also sought support from our closest Episcopal neighbors, who encouraged our efforts and held our emergent community in prayer. Throughout the summer, an anchoring group including Rachel, the Rev. Peter Sickels, and others engaged with Ocean Beach residents who care deeply about their community. We invited neighbors into the ECC chapel, where we listened to their voices and sought to discern the next steps for this space. We engaged in conversations, lit candles, enjoyed meals, and concluded each evening with Compline. As the summer breeze swept through the building, we began to sense that the Spirit was up to something new.

We learned about the concerns and celebrations of our neighbors in this unique coastal community of San Diego. They aspired to a community where everyone was welcome, regardless of their family structure. They hoped for a safe yet innovative place. They longed for something both informal and steeped in tradition. They had ambitions for acts of service that could lead to justice and transformation.

We also heard from community members about the complicated history of the Episcopal Church in Ocean Beach. As such, the name of our community, Resurrection, acknowledges the Christian hope that even when death is evident–such as the death of a community–we believe in the hope of new life through Jesus Christ.

In the coming months, Resurrection will initiate missional ministries, which are small group expressions of our community aimed at connecting with those who might not attend regular church gatherings. Resurrection will hold three monthly worship gatherings on the first Sundays of October, November, and December. On October 1, Bishop Susan will join Resurrection to commission Rachel Ambasing as the lay pastor of the community. A simple soup meal will be available at 6:00 p.m., followed by worship at 6:30 p.m. In the new year, Resurrection will start weekly worship services on Sunday evenings.