St. Dunstan’s was teeming with voices—singing, greetings, laughing. The opening Eucharist for Leadership Academy set a foundation of purpose for the day. With over 100 attendees gathered, it was clear they weren’t there just to listen. They came to engage, to challenge themselves, to step forward in faith and action.

The Rev. Cyndi Jones, interim priest in charge at St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea in Pacific Beach, set the tone with her sermon–calling on all attendees to embrace inclusion not as a task but as a way of life. Speaking from her own experience as a wheelchair user, she challenged the community to reflect on what true inclusion looks like in the Church. She reminded the congregation, “All people are fearfully and wonderfully made.” But do we celebrate the inclusion of all—or do we default to questioning the cost? 

Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, participants discovered perspectives they had never considered before. During the Safe Church, Safe Communities training, while focusing on ways the Church remains vigilant in protecting its most vulnerable members, one participant admitted they had not fully grasped the prevalence of abuse and the responsibility churches carry in addressing it. For many, this training reframed the way they understood their role in fostering a culture of safety and trust. Safe church, Safe Communities training is required for all clergy, staff, vestry members, and other key lay leadership roles. You can find out more about Safe Church Safe Communities training here.

Across the campus, in the Welcome Track, a conversation on neurodiversity became a true moment of awakening, when a participant admitted that they had never encountered the term “neurodiversity” before. Another person shared that people with disabilities make up the largest marginalized group in society, with approximately 20% of the population identifying as having a disability. It was a humbling realization. The session provided thoughtful conversation and reshaped the way people thought about true inclusion, but the class didn’t conclude with theories or statistics; it moved into real, actionable changes that churches can implement to become places where neurodiversity is embraced. You can read more about neurodiverse church experiences here.

The Storytelling Track, tucked away in St. Dunstan’s Youth Room, became an unexpected place of discovery for many. One participant, reflecting on the session, said they had never realized how powerful character transportation was in crafting a compelling story. Another marveled at the experience of writing a group poem, something they never expected to be part of a leadership workshop. “I didn’t know we could write a group poem,” they said. “Thank you, Chris T!” There was an energy in the room, a collective realization that our stories are opportunities for connection, authenticity, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. To learn more about sharing your story, reach out to Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty at ctumilty@edsd.org

And that only speaks to three of the workshops. There were important conversations around accessibility, presented by the St. Dunstan’s disability ministry, and practical and engaging faith formation opportunities for teens, led by the EDSD Youth Leadership Council. The workshops provided practical tools for ministry, but it was the people—their passion, their honesty, their courage to be vulnerable—that made the day transformative. Again and again, attendees were moved by the sheer depth of commitment in the room. One participant described the overwhelming desire of so many to be truly welcoming. Another shared that St. Brigid’s talk about inclusion, particularly for people on the spectrum, left a lasting impact. A third reflected on a simple yet profound truth they had taken from the day: “Everyone matters or no one matters.”

The Youth Leadership Council, a group of 12 teenagers from across the diocese, left a powerful impression.  What do young people need from the Church today? It is simple: a place to belong, a space to ask hard questions, a faith that feels real. The council’s guidance stirred important conversations about how congregations could better serve the next generation. One participant was deeply moved by what they heard and made a commitment to expand children’s and youth programming in their parish–determined to create an environment where young people truly feel at home.

Throughout the day, the holy moments were impossible to miss. The kindness of St. Dunstan’s volunteers, the warmth of the facilitators, the creativity that flowed through the storytelling sessions, the powerful testimonies shared in discussions on neurodiversity—all of it created an atmosphere where Episcopalians felt encouraged to step into their callings.

Transformation begins within individuals before it can take hold in communities. It was a call to step forward, equipped and inspired, into the work that will shape the Church for years ahead.

The commitments made at Leadership Academy were not empty words. They are aspirations for the future of the church. It is a reminder that transformation begins within individuals, take hold of their faith and share it. It is a call to step forward, equipped and inspired, into the work of discipleship that will shape the Episcopal Church in San Diego.

Leadership Academy is not just an event every year; it is a movement toward growing into the Church that God calls us to be.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. It’s an odd thing to say in a Christian church, where we proclaim that Jesus has defeated death and brought us to eternal life. Why do we remind each other today of our dustiness, our grittiness, the impermanence of our bodies and our very lives?

The key to what we celebrate today is the word “remember.” When we say you are dust, and to dust you shall return – that is simple fact. Every molecule of our bodies came from the dust of the universe that blew outward from the Big Bang, the dust that formed stars and planets, the dust that formed this earth. Out of that dust our bodies were made, and when we die, those molecules of US will be recycled for other uses. We are dust, and to dust we shall return.

But the key to Ash Wednesday is not the fact of our dustiness. The key is the word “remember.” When we remember that we are dust, we remember not just our death, but the other part of our faith, that God willed every molecule of our selves into being. We remember that God looked at the dusty, beautiful world, and called it “very good.” We remember how God reached into the dust and lovingly handled it, rolled it, breathed into it, to create human beings. We remember that we are holy and beloved. We remember that our own God took on the dust of human existence with his own life in Jesus. We remember that God welcomed our holy human dustiness as he welcomed Jesus back into God’s presence.

“Remember that you are dust, to dust you shall return” means, remember that the very dust of your body is forever linked with the creator of the universe. Remember that your dusty humanity has been washed in the water of baptism and made a part of Christ’s own Body. Remember that the ashy cross marked on your forehead is drawn over the same place where you were marked with the sign of the cross at your baptism, when someone said, You are sealed with the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.

This day, this Ash Wednesday, this day of dust, is a day not of death but of resurrection. We remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, but that’s not the end of the story. The last chapter of Good Friday was followed by the new story of Easter. The end of our dusty human lives will be followed by the new creation of resurrection. You are dust, and to dust you shall return. Thanks be to God.

Throughout Lent, take a few moments each day to deepen your faith with Faith to Go in Lent, a daily podcast featuring reflections from individuals across the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Each episode offers a fresh perspective on the daily Gospel reading, inviting you into a journey of prayer, contemplation, and spiritual growth.

Whether you listen during your morning coffee, on a walk, or as part of your daily devotion, these reflections provide a meaningful way to connect with God and our diocesan community. As we walk this Lenten path together, let these voices inspire you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Christ.

Join us every day throughout Lent at edsd.org/faithtogo and discover the power of shared faith and reflection. May this season of renewal bring you insight, peace, and a deeper relationship with God.

On March 1 at Leadership Academy, we are offering a Foundations Track with two key opportunities to reinforce your church’s foundation: Safe Church, Safe Communities and Youth Faith Formation – Beyond Grub and Games. These sessions help ensure that your church is a place of trust, accountability, and vibrant discipleship. 

Building a strong foundation is essential for the life and longevity of the Church. In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus teaches that those who hear His words and put them into practice are like a wise builder who constructs a house on the rock—able to withstand storms and trials. Just as a solid foundation provides stability to a structure, a strong church is built on faith, integrity, and discipleship. A thriving congregation is not just about joyful worship on Sundays; it is about creating a community that nurtures spiritual growth, fosters meaningful relationships, and ensures the well-being of all who enter. By prioritizing safety and formation, we build a church community that can stand firm in its mission for generations to come.

Safe Church Safe Communities (Registration is Full)

Sacred spaces have always been considered a place of safety…

Through Safe Church, Safe Communities training, we uphold our responsibility to protect all members, especially the most vulnerable, by equipping leaders with the tools to maintain ethical and secure environments. 

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego requires that all church volunteers and staff complete Safe Church, Safe Communities training in order to serve.  In 2023, St. Paul in the Desert in Palm Springs began a campaign to increase their church’s safety–making a pledge to have all volunteers and staff up to date on training by Easter 2023.  

In the sermon, the Rev. Dan Kline said, “We, as the clergy, cannot guarantee something unsafe will never happen here. I wish we could. But what we can guarantee is that we will do everything in our power to prevent the likelihood of something unsafe from ever happening. And if you ever try to do something here – to one of our children, to an aging person, or anyone – we will love you by working with the authorities to put you in jail,” to resounding applause.

For many years, Safe Church, Safe Communities training has been offered online exclusively, but this weekend, at Leadership Academy, many will have an opportunity for an in-person training led by the Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch, Canon to the Ordinary, and the Rev. Dan Kline, Co-Rector of St. Paul in the Desert Palm Springs. 

While this in-person opportunity has reached capacity, online training is always available. Please contact Diocesan Registrar Alyson Terry at aterry@edsd.org or visit www.edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities to learn more. 

Youth Ministry: Beyond Grub and Games

The third workshop in the Foundations Track is a conversation about Youth Ministry. Led by our EDSD Youth Leadership Council, this workshop will address questions that come up often in youth ministry. What matters to you in a youth group? How does a church support your faith? What barriers do you encounter in coming to church or youth group? Where do you see God in your life? 

The EDSD Youth Leadership Council is entering its fifth year of guiding diocesan youth programming. In addition to helping to plan retreats and events, they also partner with congregations who are strategizing youth programming. This diverse group of 13 young leaders represents 9 congregations across our diocese.

While they cannot speak for every young person in our diocese, they will share candidly of their own experiences. Come with an open heart to hear what God is doing in their lives.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to keep an eye out for the hanging metal signs emblazoned with the Episcopal Shield and the boldly declared words, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”. It delights me to find them, to wander down the block to find the church, and to discover – Is it stone or redwood? Does it have stained glass windows? Then, I look for the second sign, usually located near the front door. This sign usually includes the service times.

Both of these signs excite me because I know what the sign means to me. “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” speaks to our church’s commitment to respect the dignity of every human being, to see each person as beloved, and to strive each day to walk more closely with Jesus . It reminds me that I can envelop myself in ancient liturgy, hear the scripture read and reflected upon, say the prayers with a community, and after the Eucharistic prayer, I can come to the table. For those seeking a deeper spiritual connection, a place of healing, or a supportive community, I know that the Episcopal Church offers a space for all to grow in faith.

And – I know that those words and ideals are aspirational. I know that no church is perfect. We are filled with human beings, and human beings are exceptionally fallible. I know that even though our hearts cry out that we welcome you, sometimes our words, actions, and buildings can limit the opportunity for people to find true belonging. 

And that is precisely what the Holy Spirit has been pestering me with this past year. What would it look like if we wrestled with the opportunity to not just welcome people but create true belonging? We could imagine a community where every person felt their gifts were needed. We can adapt our worship spaces and services to meet the needs of all of us. We can step away from certainty and then we can humbly try to live into the words on the sign. 

If you long for this too, I hope you will register for the Welcome track at Leadership Academy. A description of each of the exceptional workshops is below.

Register Today!

Accessibility in Action

Join the Accessibility Group from St. Dunstan’s as they share their journey toward creating an inclusive and welcoming campus. This session will explore their innovative efforts, including a creative video, assistance for people with hearing loss, ramps and wheelchair-accessible seating, large-print materials, gluten-free communion options, and a quiet room for sensory-sensitive individuals. Learn practical strategies and gain inspiration for making your church more accessible to all.

Rhythms of Grace – Worship that engages across the spectrum of neurodiversity

Join members from St. Brigid’s Oceanside and St. Peter’s Del Mar as they tell stories of their work embracing neurodiversity and promoting inclusion in their worship spaces. The conversation highlights the ongoing work – successes and challenges – that are part of their rhythm of life. Come and see if you find yourself in their story.

“The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”: Becoming the Church We Say We Are

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he exhorts believers to “welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (15:7).  As followers of Jesus, our call is to embody this welcome, particularly to those most vulnerable and on the margins of society. But, to extend Christ-like welcome – that is, welcome that leads to belonging, and welcome that celebrates one another in the fullness of our various identities – is challenging. Join Sarah Hankins from Uptown Community Services, Danielle Beabout from EDSD’s LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Taskforce, and Rachel Ambasing, EDSD’s Missioner for Community Vitality and Diversity, for an honest, reflective, and generative conversation about living into our aspiration of Christ-like welcome.

“Stay Salty!” was the call heard all around Camp Stevens during the second annual Epiphany Children’s Camp in January.

God calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world in Matthew 5. These verses guided our 3-day camp for 36 children grades 3rd-5th and 10 devoted chaperones, all choosing to spend the long MLK weekend at their diocese camp.

On Saturday, we dug into the study of salt as a camp and in small groups. Everyone had the opportunity to dye their own bag of salt while reflecting on how they could be the salt of the earth in their community, churches, and schools. We continued this reflection while learning the art of archery, forming homemade pretzels, and crafting resistance art pieces with watercolors and salt. Saturday night brought games, singing our favorite camp songs (Banana Slug!), and bonding with our roommates over whispered candlelight conversations.

Sunday morning began our study of light. We discussed light’s value in the world and the many colors of light exhibited around us. Everyone crafted a beaded safety pin that represented the unique pattern of colors they shine in the world. They also began crafting a variety of beaded friendship pins to exchange with each other. As we hiked on different trails and played in the Treehouse, we reflected on how the light shone through the trees, on the meadow, across the mountains, and sparkled upon fool’s gold found along the way. We spent time with camp’s animals, lost teeth, played endless games of GaGa Ball, and warmed up by the fireplace with homemade hot teas. Sunday evening welcomed a taco dinner and the most beautiful Eucharist with Canon Gwynn, Father Isaiah, and an interactive homily with Charlette. The children served as acolytes, ushers, readers, intercessors, and a joyful camp band. The day was brought to a happy conclusion with an energetic glowstick-folk-dancing party that led to bright glowstick room decor, and more whispered conversations in the night.

As camp came to a close on Monday morning, we filled our bellies with too many pancakes and hiked to our closing program at the outdoor chapel to the song “We are Marching in the Light of God.” There, we were reminded of our call to be salty while combining our dyed salt into large pillar vases and our call to be the light of the world through a friendship circle pin exchange. Camp ended all too soon with the arrival of parents, plans for future playdates, and many hugs goodbye. Together, we all left saltier and brighter.

“Stay Salty!” Our response to this call during camp and to the conclusion of another transformative weekend could only be a response of “Be Bright!”

Caring for those who feel especially vulnerable has always been close to my heart. As Bishop, I have witnessed the fear and uncertainty that many immigrants and marginalized communities experience daily. Their struggles are not distant concerns but realities that demand our presence, our voices, and our support. So when Cardinal Robert McElroy and the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, along with the San Diego Organizing Project, invited me to join in an interfaith vigil at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, I was quick to agree. 

This Sunday, I joined the standing-room-only crowd of nearly 900 people gathered inside the cathedral, as faith leaders, members of churches, and neighbors united in support for immigrant families. An estimated 600 more were waiting outside–unable to get into the packed church. As the first female Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, this was a historic ecumenical moment for me. I was honored to be invited by the Roman Catholic Cardinal to participate in the vigil and sit next to him in a place normally reserved for Roman Catholic auxiliary bishops as he sat in his cathedra, or bishop’s chair. It was a gracious gesture that underscored our shared Christian commitment to stand with those in need. 

I am not surprised that the sanctuary overflowed with people seeking hope, justice, and unity in the face of uncertainty. Over the last few weeks, I have heard story after story of the fears of people, including many with legal status in this country, who are anxious about going to their children’s schools, visiting a food pantry, or participating in worship at church. While our country needs strong and reasonable border policies that ensure that people who arrive here and are allowed to stay will be productive members of society, the compassion of Christ also calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Our Diocese has a long history of supporting migrants–like preparing food for asylum seekers in transit, sharing Eucharist at the border, and most recently, the development of Comunidad de Luz, a migrant shelter for women and children in Tijuana. EDSD continues to be a place where vulnerable people are served, cared for, and loved as Christ intended. 

This experience reinforced for me the importance of courageous love—the kind that works to love God’s people and care for those who are vulnerable, as Jesus called us to do in his famous words of Matthew 25: “Truly I tell you, if you did it to one of the least of my siblings, you did it to me.” As I left the vigil, I carried with me the hope that this kind of solidarity  will show us the true face of Christ–unrestrained, radical love. 

I was honored to be invited to close the vigil, sending the gathered community into the world. Here is what I said:

This cathedral is named for St. Joseph, the guardian and protector of Jesus and his blessed mother Mary. As guardian and protector, the Bible says that Joseph discovered in a dream that the holy family was at risk of their lives and fled with them into Egypt to escape a violent threat, and only came home when the threat had passed. 

In other words, like millions of people in the 2,000 years since then, the Holy Family were refugees, migrants. Like them, so many other families flee because they cannot live in their home countries. They flee violence, war, starvation, poverty. They flee threats to their families. They flee failed crops, wrecked economies, dangerous communities. They flee in hope of a life where they can care for the ones they love.

Last year, I met a young family in a shelter in Mexicali – husband, wife, teenage son, young daughter. They had fled their home in southern Mexico because gangs had tried to recruit their son. When they resisted, the gangs came in the middle of the night and shot up their home, and told them if they were still there in the morning, everyone would be dead. They fled with what they could carry, all the way to the border, where they waited and hoped they could find a better life. And I don’t believe there is anyone here who can  tell me you would not have done the same to protect the ones you love. Of course we would, because we are human beings, and we are made to live in community and care for one another, just as Joseph cared for Jesus and Mary.

Every country needs strong and reasonable borders, and a way to ensure that those who arrive will be productive members of society. Our country needs the kind of agreement on immigration that would ensure strong, safe, and productive migration – not a situation where people live in fear that their families might be torn apart.

In Christian tradition, Jesus’ beloved mother Mary sings in the song we call the  Magnificat that God will cast down the mighty from their thrones and lift up the lowly. Every person who has position, power, and security must take these words to heart, hearing them as a call to share God’s blessing and God’s abundance with all the people God loves. As God told Abraham in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures: I will bless you and you will be a blessing. We are blessed to be a blessing to others.

People of all faiths believe that God is a God of love and compassion. God is a God who makes a priority of caring for the vulnerable and welcoming the stranger. That means that God is a God who calls us to join in caring for those who migrate, because they are God’s beloved children. In our walk with migrants, honoring the image of God in each person, respecting the dignity of every human being, loving one another as God has loved us, we are doing the very work of God.

As we prepare to walk a very short distance in procession, walking symbolically alongside all those who migrate in hope of a life of safety, let us pray:

Guide our footsteps, gracious and loving God. As Joseph showed the way of compassion in guiding his holy family to safety, guide all of us in walking the way of compassion in our lives. Help us care for those in need of better lives. Help us learn from you the way of love. Bless all those who migrate out of fear and despair, and guide them to lives of safety. Open our hearts to your compassion; open our ears to your words of hope; open our hands to bring care to all those in need. Help your words to be spoken today, help your words to be heard. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

To find out more about what EDSD is doing for migrants, please visit edsd.org/migration-ministry

I am an avid reader. I love being transported into a new land, a new identity, a new experience, and in doing so, I tap into the power of another person’s story. Whether in a good book, a photograph, or a film, stories have always pulled me in and challenged my preconceived perspectives. A good story moves me toward understanding something bigger.

In ministry, storytelling is more than just a form of communication—it’s a way to connect people to the deep and abiding love of Christ. A well-told story doesn’t just share information; it creates a bridge between experience and understanding, allowing us to see God at work in the world around us. When we tell stories, we invite others to step into something bigger than themselves, to witness transformation, and find a new place in the ongoing narrative of life.

What I love most about storytelling is its ability to make the intangible tangible. For me, faith is often mysterious–a journey filled with questions, doubts, and revelations, but through storytelling, I can give shape to the unseen, helping other people encounter God’s presence in the real and life-altering way that I do.

Whether it’s through a long-form written story, a carefully composed photograph, or a video that layers images, sound, and narrative, stories breathe life into our ministry. They have the power to inspire action, build community, and remind us that we are all part of God’s unfolding story of love.

I am excited to invite you to the Storytelling Track at Leadership Academy on March 1 at St. Dunstan’s in San Diego. This track offers three sessions designed to enhance your ability to tell impactful stories. Whether you’re writing for your church newsletter, capturing a caring moment through photography, or crafting a compelling video, these sessions will equip you with a greater understanding of your power to share your story. Join us as we explore the art and craft of storytelling and learn how to use it to deepen engagement and build lasting connections in your ministry.

Register Today!

Session One: Crafting Compelling Narratives for Ministry

The art of the written word can shape how we connect, remember, and engage with our faith. In this session, discover how to craft narratives that captivate, inspire, and deepen your church’s impact. Join EDSD Director of Communications Chris Tumilty and EDSD Mission Real Estate Portfolio Manager Jessica Ripper to learn about weaving storytelling into your writing—whether for sermons, newsletters, or social media—to create content that resonates. Explore our shared need for structured stories that evoke emotion and make our messages unforgettable.

Session Two: Stories in Motion–Lessons from A Case for Love

Join A Case for Love director Brian Ide for an inside look at the power of video storytelling. Using excerpts from his recent nationwide release, this session will explore how to craft compelling visual narratives that connect with viewers, stir emotions, and inspire change. Whether you’re new to video or looking to enhance your skills, this workshop will provide valuable insights into creating authentic and impactful storytelling through film.

Session Three: Photography–The Art of Visual Storytelling

A single image can tell a powerful story. In this session, EDSD Director of Communications Chris Tumilty and EDSD Missioner for Community Vitality & Diversity Rachel Ambasing will show how photography can share the mission and vision of your church with authenticity and impact. Learn the fundamentals of photography–exploring how composition and lighting help shape a narrative and gain insights into the appropriate use of images online.

Register Today!

My favorite part of recording Faith to Go each week is getting to talk about the Gospel with a friend, but talking about scripture hasn’t always come easily to me. I spent a good portion of my life questioning whether I knew enough to be part of the conversation. Yet, the weekly opportunity to wrestle with scripture has been a lynchpin in my discipleship. It has pushed me to think about how God’s word has meaning in my own life. Pair that with the gift of talking with a beloved colleague, and Monday mornings have quickly become my favorite day of the week. 

Faith to Go, our diocesan podcast, is hosted by David Tremaine and myself. We follow the lectionary, reading and discussing the Gospel for the Sunday ahead. At the start of each episode, one of us shares a “God Sighting,” a place where we saw or felt God’s presence in the prior week. These two simple acts, noticing God and talking about Scripture, have enriched my faith.

Embracing these two simple acts, these spiritual practices, is one small way that each of us can keep a Holy Lent. Faith to Go is releasing a special Lenten devotional with that in mind. For each of the 40 days of Lent, a different voice from our diocesan family will offer a God Sighting and a reflection on the day’s Gospel. These five-minute episodes are an invitation to open yourself up to a daily conversation with God inspired by the wisdom and insights of others. The beauty of it being a podcast is that it allows you to take in reflections and Scripture while on the go. It invites you to pause, reflect, and apply what you’ve heard to your own life, particularly as you journey through the season of Lent.

On the First Sunday in Lent we hear Luke 4: 1-13, the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert. That scripture begins

After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

Forty days in the wilderness. Forty days to journey with Jesus, to strengthen our discipleship, to notice God moving in our lives, to listen to the spiritual reflections of voices across our diocese. Forty days to keep a Holy Lent.

Faith to Go in Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, with a new episode airing Monday through Saturday each week. The final episode will air on Good Friday. Our regular episode of Faith to Go will still arrive as scheduled on Monday mornings. 

The rhythm of a daily podcast, listened to while driving, exercising, making coffee, or at the end of the day, can provide connection and support. Hearing how others wrestle with or find hope in the same Scriptures can offer comfort. It reminds us that we’re not alone in the wilderness. 

We have God, and we have each other.

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 

In December 2024, Bishop Susan Brown Snook joined fellow faith leaders in Arizona by signing the collective statement on the treatment of migrants. In their statement, these leaders decried deportation practices that threaten the sanctity of families, compromise religious liberty by targeting places of worship, and deter individuals from seeking vital services. Acknowledging both the legitimate authority of nations to regulate our borders and the urgent humanitarian concerns of those fleeing crisis, the signatories collectively insist that policymakers and enforcement agencies uphold human dignity. 

The recent reversal of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) sensitive locations policy, which previously protected places like churches and hospitals from immigration enforcement actions, has validated legal concerns for religious communities, as raised in the statement signed by Bishop Susan. 

What does the Episcopal Church believe about migrants? 

The care of migrants is deeply rooted in the biblical mandate to love and serve others, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to welcome the stranger, care for the sojourner, and show hospitality to those in need (Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:18-19). Jesus’s Great Commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39) expands this call to radical compassion and selfless service. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus reminds us that our neighbor is not limited by borders or identity but anyone in need of mercy and care. In our baptismal covenant, every Episcopalian commits to “respect the dignity of every human being.” As Christians, we are called to embody Christ’s love by advocating for and ministering to migrants, recognizing their inherent dignity as children of God, and responding to their needs with justice, kindness, and open hearts. 

In 2017, as deportations and public debates intensified, the clergy and lay delegates of our 44th Diocesan Convention recognized a need for a public stance. The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego passed Resolution 17-05, declaring itself a “Sanctuary Diocese.” The resolution stated that the diocese would stand alongside undocumented immigrants, oppose large-scale deportations, and encourage all diocesan congregations to explore becoming “sanctuary congregations and institutions.” While Resolution 17-05 did not require uniform action, it does encourage each church community to discern its capacity and calling around a shared moral and theological imperative: to protect and uphold the worth of every person, regardless of immigration status. 

What does the law allow Episcopal churches to do? 

With the advent of the new Federal Administration, the legal context is rapidly changing. As of January 2025, California’s California Values Act (SB 54), for example, limits cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. It prevents most local entities from assisting with federal immigration enforcement unless specific conditions are met. While this doesn’t exempt churches from federal enforcement, it creates a more protective environment. 

Religious groups can also invoke federal and state religious freedom protections, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which prohibits government actions that unduly burden religious practice. This may be a basis for legal challenges against DHS enforcement if it interferes with worship or other religious activities. 

Churches are not generally exempt from complying with the law. Church communities may wish to make plans today to prepare if immigration or law enforcement officials attempt to enter church property.   

Generally, law enforcement officials have a right to enter public areas, even public areas of a church campus. To enter non-public areas, law enforcement, including immigration enforcement officers, need either consent or a judicial warrant.  Parishes should consider determining who has the authority to give consent and training volunteers and staff on procedures such as who to admit.  A “judicial warrant” will typically have the name of the court across the top of the page and be signed by a judge or magistrate.  Parishes may also wish to consider what is a public portion of their campus and post notices restricting access to non-public areas.  An area may be public at certain times and non-public at other times.  Much of this is fact specific.  Merely posting a sign that an area is non-public, but not acting consistent with that posting, may not be sufficient.  If federal agents arrive with a properly signed warrant from a judge, churches cannot lawfully deny them entry. Congregations can refuse entry to law enforcement officers who do not present a judicial warrant.  

Church staff and volunteers should also remember they have a right not to speak with law enforcement personnel. To the extent they speak, they should remember they must be truthful.  False statements to Federal officials can be a crime.   

What should Episcopal churches do? 

The Diocese encourages congregations—who are willing—to partner with immigrant rights groups, legal aid providers, and national coalitions to defend vulnerable populations. Some resources are provided below. 

In addition to legal responses, religious communities can mobilize to raise public awareness and lobby for stronger protections. Efforts might include hosting workshops on immigration rights or advocating for broader policy changes. If your congregation would like to host a workshop on the subject, please contact Robert Vivar, EDSD’s Border and Migration Missioner, at rvivar@edsd.org. 

Policies have continued fluctuating at state and federal levels. Our commitment remains steadfast. Whether elected officials change or enforcement priorities shift, our core commitment endures: Episcopalians in the Diocese of San Diego will strive to respect the dignity of every human being with God’s help and honor Jesus’s command to love our neighbors. 

Resources: 

CA Attorney General’s Office: Provides resources and legal standards in California 

AZ Attorney General’s Office: Provides resources and legal standards in Arizona 

Al Otro Lado: Provides direct, free legal services on both sides of the US-Mexico border. 

Episcopal Migration Ministries: Provides education for congregations advocating for the protection of migrants and refugees.  

Immigrant Defenders Law Center: Provides legal support to unaccompanied children, asylum seekers, detained community members, and deported veterans. 

Jewish Family Services: Provides food, transportation, health services, case management, and legal services to migrants. 

Refugee Net: Provides refugee families with academic support for kids, weekly food distribution, case management, and job development services. 

Via International: Provides leadership development to migrants and asylum seekers to promote sustainable development in under-resourced communities. 

Vida Joven: Provides life-changing care for orphaned children in Baja. 

Welcome Ministry: Provides ESL, laundry service, and food distribution to immigrants, refugees, and unsheltered of the East County. 

If you find yourself at the corner of 30th and Gunn Streets in North Park on a Sunday morning, you are likely to hear the unmistakable sound of joy. The uplifting music that wafts across the patio and lovingly tended garden beds at St. Luke’s North Park may be sung in Arabic, Swahili, or English and accompanied by keyboard, percussion, and dancing. And while the joyful music and dancing will continue, the congregation of St. Luke’s has embraced a new spiritual call and signed a ground lease with Rise Urban Partners to develop its corner lot to create affordable homes in one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

The development is not the first transformation the corner lot has undergone in recent years. Ten years ago, the community garden was occupied by a mission-style chapel that had been relocated from All Saints’ Hillcrest in 1924. The Diocese and congregation initially worked with the historic preservation community to relocate and restore the chapel but ultimately accepted that they would need to demolish the building when they could not find a buyer. The chapel’s demolition created space for St. Luke’s to expand its participation in an urban farming and culinary arts job training program for refugee women and youth. 

In the next few months, St. Luke’s vision of redeveloping the property will take new shape as the corner lot is transformed into a construction site. When finished, what is now the community garden will become home to a 78-unit multifamily residential building of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units reserved for households earning an average of no more than 60% of the area median income. In approximately two years, new neighbors will experience the joyful sounds of music wafting out of St. Luke’s each Sunday morning. 

In many ways, these last 10 years have been an extensive period of reflection and renewal. In 2018, church leaders could see that many members of the congregation—many who are immigrants and former refugees from East Africa—were struggling to keep up with rising rents. St. Luke’s leaders also recognized that city officials had identified North Park as a prime location for development and, with the congregation, embraced their role as stewards of the land for the good of the community. 

After soliciting proposals from affordable housing developers, St. Luke’s entered into an option agreement with Rise for a 99-year ground lease to develop the site. Since then, Rise has been working with architects and engineers to refine the project concept, coordinate permitting and approvals, and secure funding commitments.  

“St. Luke’s North Park location made it a natural fit for apartments affordable to low-income individuals and families,” said Rev. Colin Mathewson. “I know it will start to feel real when construction starts, and I’m looking forward to the day that St. Luke’s can be part of welcoming people into their new apartments. With God’s help, what a blessing this will be for the church and the neighborhood!” 

Last year, Rise approached St. Luke’s about applying for public funding that required a lien on the property to ensure the project’s long-term affordability. To offset the lien, St. Luke’s and Diocesan governance bodies agreed to accept a one-time, up-front lease payment of $2.2 million. The developer also agreed to fund the drawing of new parcel maps, creating a distinct parcel for the new development, prior to finalizing the ground lease. City officials approved the new parcel map in Fall 2024, and concept designs have been shared with the congregation.  

The next steps include a construction kickoff meeting followed by an official groundbreaking event. Rise also plans to involve the congregation in naming the project and ensuring that the building colors, textures, and interior design reflect the congregation’s cultural connection to East Africa. And while fair housing laws prevent Rise from setting aside units specifically for St. Luke’s members, eligible individuals and families will be encouraged to apply when the development nears completion. In addition, the upfront ground lease rent will be held in trust, from which St. Luke’s can draw a percentage of the earnings each year to fund its ministry in the community. 

The Mission Real Estate program is also helping several other churches explore development opportunities that advance their ministries of mercy, justice, and evangelism in ways that fulfill unmet community needs and enhance their long-term sustainability. Churches that commit to the program receive support with congregational and community engagement, property research, feasibility studies, and the identification and selection of development partners. To learn more, contact Jessica Ripper, Mission Real Estate Portfolio Manager, at jripper@edsd.org.