The Year of Discipleship 2025

At our 51st Diocesan Convention, Bishop Susan said, “We are to be salt and yeast to the world. Ingredients that, if you add just a tiny amount, it changes the whole shape and flavor of the dish. It turns it into something it wasn’t before. For us, being salt and yeast means loving the world just as Christ has loved us. Love makes all the difference. Love can change the minds and hearts of human beings.”

How can we live out our daily lives in Christ-like love? Carrying the lessons we learn in church into our homes, workplaces, and communities? In our families–modeling Christ’s patience and forgiveness? In our workplaces–striving for integrity, kindness, and excellence? In our communities–seeking the welfare of others, advocating for justice, and pursuing reconciliation?

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is celebrating a Year of Discipleship throughout 2025. At its core, discipleship is about trying to become more like Jesus. It is the process of realigning our lives with Jesus’ teachings–growing your spiritual maturity and cultivating practices that sustain your faith in a way that extends beyond personal prayer and Sunday attendance into our daily lives. 

During our 51st Diocesan Convention, Bishop Susan said, “The work of the church today is about discipleship. It is about growing up into our baptism. It is about taking on the armor of God to proclaim the gospel of peace. It is about maturing into Christ, who is our head and calls us to ministries of healing and transformation.”

This Year of Discipleship is an opportunity to intentionally deepen our understanding of what it means to live as disciples. Like many aspects of faith, discipleship is both an individual and communal endeavor. Individually, it calls us to personal growth and reflection. In community, it encourages us to generously support, gently challenge, and lovingly uplift one another.

Here are some easy ways you can join in the Year of Discipleship:

Leadership Academy – March 1 at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church – new and seasoned leaders can explore the ways we are the body of Christ by engaging around topics of accessibility, storytelling, and ministry with teens and young adults. (Registration opens January 15)

Faith to Go in Lent – a daily podcast devotional featuring voices from all over our diocese reflecting on the Gospel. 

Spiritual Practices – a series of articles and videos will be available on edsd.org to enliven our existing spiritual lives and perhaps invite us to something new. 

LARK – May 2 & 3 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – Local Anti-Racism Knowledge is an antiracism program created and designed especially for the context of our diocese. This program creates space for learning and then calls participants to live into that deeper understanding by committing to a plan of action.

Knowing Yourself – May 4 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – this half-day workshop creates space for individuals to explore the complexity of their own identities and how it informs the way they interact with the people they interact with each day.

How to Invite a Friend to Church – Inviting friends and family to church can be challenging, but we know it is crucial. This Summer, join Diocesan leaders for this online training on how to prepare yourself and your church for the Invite a Friend to Church season. 

This year is a fresh opportunity to follow Christ and share His love with the world. In the months ahead, we will explore Bible Study, Daily Prayer, Family Faith Formation, Education for Ministry, and Spiritual Retreats. Let’s journey together, supporting one another as we grow in faith, serve others, and share the hope of Christ. Whether you are a lifelong Christian or just beginning to explore your faith, this Year of Discipleship is an opportunity to take the next step.

For resources for individuals, families, and communities, visit www.edsd.org/formation or contact Charlette Preslar at cpreslar@edsd.org.