Thank You to Archdeacon Cindy Campos

After four eventful years of service as Archdeacon of the Diocese of San Diego, The Rev. Cindy Campos has discerned that it is time for her to return to diaconal ministry as a parish deacon. We so greatly appreciate Archdeacon Cindy’s dedicated work in this important role.

Cindy was ordained as a vocational deacon in September 2020, in a masked Covid-era service in the outdoor courtyard of the Church Center in Ocean Beach. That ordination service proved to be a symbol of the ways Cindy would minister as a deacon and help overcome barriers and transform our diocese. She served as parish deacon at St. Bart’s in Poway, her sponsoring parish, and then at St. Andrew’s Lake Elsinore and St. Dunstan’s San Diego. She was named archdeacon in 2022, and in that role, she has truly helped develop the ministry of service to the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely (the BCP description of diaconal ministry, p. 543).

In her work as archdeacon, Cindy has traveled extensively through our diocese doing Sunday visitations, sometimes on her own and often with me. She has spoken compellingly in many congregations about the ministry of the deacon, inviting people to consider whether they or others in their congregations might be called to that role.

Cindy has recruited and mentored many new deacons and deacon candidates during her time as archdeacon. She has also spearheaded important service initiatives, including “Beanie Bundles” (warm hats, gloves, and socks provided to migrant farm workers), and the FAITH accompaniment ministry for migrants attending hearings at the federal courthouse. She has served as chaplain to retired clergy and provided pastoral care to many. She has organized and led deacons’ retreats and brought the deacons together in community to support one another. She has provided teaching and mentoring to deacons in training at the West Coast Collaborative. She has been a valued and appreciated colleague on the diocesan staff.

I am so grateful for Archdeacon Cindy’s ministry with our diocese. She has truly led our deacon community at a transformative time in our diocese, raising awareness of the ministry of deacons and shepherding many new deacons to serve God and Christ’s Church. I know she will continue to serve faithfully as a deacon, providing care and support for all in need.

Cindy’s time as archdeacon will conclude as of May 31, and she will be assigned to Good Samaritan San Diego as a parish deacon. We offer prayers of gratitude for all Cindy has brought to our diocese and many of our congregations, and we pray for her renewed diaconal ministry at Good Sam.