Diocesan Convention Caught the Spirit “G1080b7859aada3d0beaf-0bfa255627b9560d816ed2fdd9632edf.r19.cf2.rackcdn.com/... · escala más baja de salarios, éstas áreas están sobrepasadas.

Spring 2012

Quarterly Newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego

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The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego 2728 Sixth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 619-291-5947 www.edsd.org

IN THIS ISSUE: Bishop’s Letter

Page 2

Water to Wine

Page 5

Rebuild Haiti

Page 4

Interfaith Foot Washing

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Diocesan Convention Caught the SpiritBy Hannah Wilder, diocesan communications coordinator

“God’s mission has a diocese. Are we that diocese?” questioned the Rev. Paige Blair in what was one

of the highlights of diocesan convention – her Saturday morning sermon. “That was not a rhetorical question,” she continued.

“Are we that diocese?” “Yes!” responded an enthusiastic congregation. We are that diocese. During an on-message convention, aspects of our new mission plan permeated the annual gathering. From the Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas’ keynote address to the learning opportunities that drew more than delegates, the convention explored the concept of mission and specifically our diocesan mission in this time and place. The 34-page plan contains six goals and 13 objectives; read the full plan at: edsd.org/strategicplan.

Presentations “The central element of God’s mission, the missio Dei, is God’s desire to restore to unity that which had become broken; to reconcile a divided world, to heal a hurting humanity,” explained Bishop Douglas in his address titled, “To Make the Broken Whole.” Learning opportunities showed the ways our diocese is already living into that holy mission. Representatives from the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach, that is engaged in ministering to homeless people and in ending homelessness, gave a presentation on Friday morning, as did seminarians Mr. Colin and Ms. Laurel Mathewson who talked about evangelism in terms of respectful listening, and Diocesan

Jubilee Officer Ms. Pam Crooks, who co-led a workshop on building a Jubilee ministry in your congregation with the Rev. Christopher Johnson, social and economic justice officer of the Episcopal Church. Other learning opportunities included “Spirituality in the Workplace,” “Following Jesus into a Sustainable Future,” and “Icons: A Window

to Heaven,” in which participants wrote an icon that was an accurate-sized version of the Sinai Christ; it was truly a diocesan creation. Workshop presentations are available online: edsd.org/diocon2012.

New Logo Our new diocesan logo, unveiled at

Convention Eucharist: The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, our bishop, celebrates the Eucharist under a banner displaying our new logo and tagline. Our convention focused on our new mission plan, and the concept of mission. In the Photo from left to right: the Rev. Bill Zettinger, the Rev. Joseph Dirbas, the Rt. Rev. Samir Kafity, the Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, the Rt. Rev. Jim Mathes, and the Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas.

CONVENTION Continued on Page 3

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo:

En el sermón predicado en la pasada Convención General en Anaheim, nuestra Obispa Presidenta dijo algo muy popular, “el latido del corazon de la Iglesia es misión, misión, misión.” En nuestra diocesis, el latido es fuerte y constante. Durante nuestra convención diocesana, fué aprobada unáminamente la afirmación de mision y vision, asi como un plan para establecer el rumbo que tomaremos en los siguientes años, para cumplir con la misión de Dios. Aceptando el llamado a una misión con un caracter audaz, y nuestra pasion es infundir un amor sin temor, el amor de Cristo.

El plan de misión se divide en tres partes, las cuales pienso, es un momento esencial para mencionarlas.

Primero, tenemos que definir y defender la acción.

• pobreza y desamparo;

• nuestra frontera, inmigración, y trabajadores emigrantes;

• militares activos, veteranos y sus familias.

Con un 23% de población desamparada compuesta de veteranos, y con trabajadores indocumentados consistentemente en la

escala más baja de salarios, éstas áreas están sobrepasadas. En los siguientes meses, nuestra diócesis continuará desarrollando los niveles más altos de conocimiento y experiencia en éstos tres grupos para que puedan ser representados responsablemente y para actuar decisivamente.

En segundo lugar, mientras trabajamos representando y tomando acción, continuaremos trabajando en el Centro Episcopal en Ocean Beach hasta que sea totalmente operable. Actualmente, bajo el liderazgo de Ms. Nancy Holland, nuestro centro eclesiástico es un lugar vital de servicio ministerial. El centro ofrece servicio a 3,000 contactos por mes, incluyendo: Despensas, tres comidas por semana, juntas de Alcohólicos Anónimos, servicios medicos, asistencia legal, cortes de cabello gratis, y más. Hemos desarrollado planes preliminares para la renovación del edificio, cumpliendo con la ley de Americanos Incapacitados, renovar la cocina y adaptar el segundo piso, el cual será la oficina del Obispo.

El tercer componente de nuestro plan, es una escuela de ministerio, del cual su lugar será el Centro Episcopal de Ocean Beach. Exhorto a nuestros clérigos, juntas parroquiales y Comités de Obispos a pedir a quién ya esta

sirviendo en un papel diaconal (representando el servicio ministerial en el mundo y trayendo las necesidades del mundo a la iglesia) y quién ya esta sirviendo un papel sacerdotal

reuniendo la gente de Dios alrededor de la mesa). Mientras identificamos a éstas personas, debemos invitarlas a asistir a la escuela, un lugar de formación para aquellos que han sido afirmados por la iglesia ambos como líderes ordenados y como líderes no ordenados. Definitivamente, será un lugar

lleno de vida, formación y aprendimiento para la comunidad diocesana.

Por medio de una clara representación y acción, con un centro diocesano que representa el servicio de la iglesia y por medio de una iglesia que proporciona y autoriza a los miembros del cuerpo, el latido de la misión creciendo más fuerte. Lo escuchan? Misión, misión, misión . . .

Fielmente,

El Reverendísimo James R. Mathes Obispo de San Diego

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In a sermon preached at the last General Convention in Anaheim, our presiding bishop famously said, “the heartbeat of the Church is mission, mission, mission.” In our diocese that heartbeat is strong and steady. Diocesan convention unanimously approved the mission and vision statements, as well as the mission plan, and set us on a course for the next few years that is all about God’s mission. We accept our call as a missionary community. Our character is one of daring. And our passion is imbued with Christ’s fearless love.

There are three parts of the mission plan that I think are important to highlight at this pivotal moment. First, we have defined three areas of advocacy and action:

• poverty and homelessness; • the border, immigration, and migrant workers; and • active military, veterans, and their families.

With 23 percent of the homeless population comprised of veterans, and with undocumented workers consistently at the lowest end of the income scale, these areas overlap. In the months ahead, our diocese will continue to develop the highest level of knowledge and expertise on these three areas so that we can advocate responsibly and act decisively.

Secondly, as we do this work of advocacy

and taking action, we will continue to move toward making our Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach fully operational. Already, under the leadership of Ms. Nancy Holland, our church center is a lively place of servant

ministry. Presently, the Center facilitates 3,000 service contacts per month including: a food pantry, three meals per week, AA meetings, medical services, legal assistance, free haircuts and more. We have developed preliminary plans for renovation

work on the facility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upgrade the kitchen, and retrofit the second floor to house the Office of the Bishop.

The third component of our plan is our School for Ministry, the locus of which will be the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. I encourage our clergy, vestries and bishop’s committees to ponder who is already serving in a diaconal role (incarnating the servant ministry in the world and bringing the world’s needs to the church) and who is already serving a priestly role (gathering the people of God around the table). As we identify such persons, we must invite them to attend this school, a place for forming those whose calls are affirmed by the Church both as ordained leaders and as lay leaders. Indeed, it will be a lively place of formation and learning for our whole diocesan community.

By clear advocacy and action, with a diocesan center that incarnates the serving church, and through a school that enables and empowers the members of the Body, the heartbeat of

mission is growing stronger. Can you hear it? Mission, mission, mission . . .

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes Bishop of San Diego

2 From Our Bishop Convention 3

Our passion is imbued with Christ’s fearless love.

Moving Into Mission as a Diocese

The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes: He reminds us that our new mission plan is no small plan, and that it’s not about us.

Cumpliendo la Misión como Diócesis

Nuestra pasion es infundir un amor sin temor, el amor de Cristo.

2 From Our Bishop Convention 3CONVENTION Continued from Page 1

convention, reflects our mission plan visually, even as the tagline, “fearless love,” boldly sums up our new understanding of our diocesan identity. Delegates approved the mission plan in an uncontested vote. They approved thirteen other resolutions, six of which administered changes in our diocesan governance structure, and two of which addressed Episcopal Church structural reform; the latter generated some discussion. A resolution affirming our continued commitment to the Millennium Development Goals also sparked a lively, albeit brief, debate. All resolutions as passed are posted on the diocesan web site: edsd.org/diocon2012.

Bishop’s Cross Perhaps the most memorable moments of convention were the announcements of the Bishop’s Cross

recipients, which generated standing ovations. Bishop Mathes awarded Ms. Polly Getz, and Mr. Peter Bergstrom and Mrs. Vicki Bergstrom, for their years of service to our diocese, Ms. Getz as a member of diocesan governance committees, a parliamentarian, and an attorney, and the Bergstroms as directors of Camp Stevens for eighty years of service, combined.

Before adjourning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, the convention participated in a closing liturgy based on our mission plan. It concluded with this prayer by Francis Drake: Disturb us, O Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the water of life; when, having fallen in love with time, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of heaven to grow dim. Stir us, O Lord, to dare more boldly . . . In the name of Him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes and invited the brave to follow. Amen. X

Faces of Convention: from top to bottom 1) Servant Ministry award winners were recognized by their clergy at the gala dinner. 2) Polly Getz received one of the Bishop’s Cross awards, an honor bestowed by Bishop Mathes for her outstanding work on governance structures. 3) Dean Richardson and Bishop Douglas, bishop of Connecticut and our keynote speaker. 4) Peter and Vicki Bergstrom receive the second Bishop’s Cross award for over forty years of service each, to Camp Stevens in Julian. Many more faces than this made our convention great. View photos at: edsd.org/photos.

Excerpts from the Bishop’s AddressWe have before us no small plan. And what we have

before us is not about us.

It is not overly remarkable to suggest that we live in a

time of great, if not tectonic, shifts in social, cultural

and religious norms and assumptions.

Over these last few years, we have weathered some

challenges and yet have grown stronger, if not

numerically, certainly in our spirit, connectedness,

focus and identity.

The strands that are coming together on this day

will change how we are as a people of God.

It is not about us . . . it is about fearless love;

Christ’s love moving through us.

Where is the church? It is wherever two or three

are gathered to do God’s mission.

This feels like a nudging of the Holy Spirit. We

are taking a simple building in a community

where there is much travail and despair and

planting our center. It is here that we will have

our school for ministry. It is here that the bishop’s

staff will work and serve. It is here that we will

explore fresh expressions of worship for a new

age of mission.

It is not about us, but it is now our turn. We have

a mission; we have a plan. Let’s be on our way. X

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Since September, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has raised $18,500 to rebuild

the Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The complex, along with the majority of the country’s Episcopal churches and

schools, was destroyed by a magnitude seven earthquake in January 2010. Our diocesan

goal is $25,000 with two thirds of the congregations participating.

When I traveled to Haiti, I was confronted by the stark contrast between the organizational savvy of the Episcopal Church and that of the Haitian government. Even a brief foray into Port-au-Prince makes it clear that the government, such as it is, is almost totally dysfunctional and provides almost none of the essential services that contribute to healthy living. The Episcopal Church, however, is well-organized, has a national presence, operates schools, clinics, and hospitals, and works in local communities to deal with issues of hunger, homelessness, disease, water supply and economic justice. And it does so with an open hand to everyone.

At the Bishop Tharp Institute in Les Cayes, there was a small homeless encampment just beyond the walls of the campus. The head of the school has reached out to them with food,

medicine and other support. This, in turn, has meant that the Institute has no problems with security. Some months before my visit, the building next door was burned down in a protest. But protestors were careful to see to it that Institute itself was unharmed.

A year after the quake, the Episcopal Church launched a church-wide campaign called Rebuild Our Church in Haiti. The campaign calls for every diocese and congregation to join the rebuilding efforts. Abundant resources are available

to support your congregation’s campaign. Visit episcopalchurch.org/HaitiAppeal to download materials or contact me, co-chair of the Rebuild Haiti Committee: [email protected], or 760-583-9873. Over half of our congregations have engaged in some kind of fundraising activity for this campaign so there are lots of models from which to draw.

It has been especially inspiring to see how some of the smaller congregations have taken up this challenge and exceeded their fundraising goal by a factor of two or three. X

4 WorldWide Focus Of Note 5Rebuild Haiti Campaign Draws Widespread ParticipationBy Mr. Jerry Campbell, diocesan campaign co-chair

St. John’s, Fallbrook, a congregation without a church building for two years, felt strong empathy with Rebuild Our Church in Haiti.

Project Chair Jen Morin initially launched the project as part of an Alternative Giving Fair before Christmas. Symbolic bricks were sold at $10 apiece; purchasers received a handsome certificate for gift-giving, and big spenders were rewarded with beautiful candle-holders decorated with saints’ pictures by ceramicist Mike McCormick. Later in the month, traveler Dave Cummins shared his impressions of the devastation in Haiti, among other events.

St. John’s children were each given a decorated shoe box in which to accumulate coins for the Haitian church; a professional face-painter transformed them into fairies and angels one Sunday, and the teens and little

ones helped out with many of the creative displays and crafts that were featured at each Sunday’s fund-raising festivities.

At the end of the ten-week project, the children presented their coin-filled shoeboxes for blessing during a service. And as thanks for all who had participated, a grand Haitian festival was held on the Sunday before Lent, featuring sparkly green and purple Mardi Gras beads and decorations, a make-your-own-mask table, magic tricks by the Rev. Leland Jones, hand cut-outs inscribed with wise Haitian proverbs, and a delectable buffet of spicy Haitian food. When the last sequin and feather had been cleared away and the final count recorded, the hard-working outreach committee found that this tiny church of just 100 members had raised over $1,500 to rebuild the church in Haiti, a number that was 300% of goal! X

The gala to benefit the Episcopal Refugee Network (ERN), Amazing Journeys, will

be held on May 5, 2012 on the enchanting Berkeley, a Victorian steam ferryboat berthed on Harbor Drive at the San Diego Maritime Museum. Fabulous auction items offer opportunities to sail on a tall ship or dine on ethnic cuisine in elegant private homes. Over 200 guests will enjoy dancing and singing by members of the refugee community who are clients of the ERN. The children and families who have been driven from their homes in Africa and Asia, come to us from UN refugee camps. The ERN provides educational programs and basic necessities to refugees struggling in this strange, new country – our own. One such program is after school tutoring; one boy who came to the program half-starved, weak and listless, is now a 6’9” student at the University of Arizona and a member of their legendary basketball team.

Volunteers and staff help refugee families adjust to a dramatically different life, even explaining how to deal with our grocery stores, so different from their homeland markets. Each week, staff deliver over 1,500 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables from community food banks, to the homes of needy refugee families who cannot get to distribution points. Staff and volunteers often have to explain how to prepare unfamiliar items. The ERN subsists on parishes’ monthly

financial support as well as individuals’ commitments to supply household goods, transportation, food and friendship to these brave newcomers who have themselves made amazing journeys in search of a safe harbor here in our diocese. On May 5 we will

celebrate the enrichment of all our lives and communities together, while raising funds and awareness for the ERN. Tickets are $75. Please call for information on opportunities for underwriting and auction donations: Ms. Susan Hayes, 858-756-0612. X

Amazing Journeys Benefit for Episcopal Refugee Network By Ms. Susan Hayes, parishioner of St. Andrew’s, Encinitas and event co-chair

Seeking Safe Haven: Bishop Mathes stands with two Karen women from the hills of Burma, during our convention. The ERN will host its second annual benefit gala on May 5. For more information, watch this brief video: http://tinyurl.com/74rr77j.

Tips from St. John’s, FallbrookBy Patti Campbell, parishioner of St. John’s, Fallbrook

Smaller congregations have taken up this challenge and exceeded their fundraising goal by a factor of two or three.

The deputation and alternates to General Convention are

on schedule to meet once per month until the first week of July when the church-wide gathering officially begins. Four of our deputies will serve on committees: I will serve on the Constitution Committee; the Rev. Andrew Green is assigned to the Structure Committee; the Rev. Paul Carmona will serve on the Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music Committee; and the Rev. Michael Russell is on the National and International Concerns Committee. Ms. Polly Getz, esq. will once again serve as parliamentarian to the House of Deputies.

Our diocesan convention will submit at least one resolution, which facilitates a more timely and thorough restructuring of the Church by allowing for a constitutional convention. Such a convention would be authorized to make immediate changes to the constitution of the Episcopal Church.

To be elected to serve as a deputy to General Convention from our diocese is incredibly humbling and a tremendous honor. Having now served as chair to three of our deputations has

allowed me to work with tremendously faithful, talented, and dedicated people. I think we have done good work in helping to further Christ’s mission in the world. We look forward to going to Indianapolis this summer to continue this work, as well as meet up and reconnect with colleagues from other dioceses.

For more information about General Convention, visit generalconvention.org. X

4 WorldWide Focus Of Note 5

Having served as chair to three of our deputations has allowed me to work with tremendously faithful, talented, and dedicated people.

General Convention Deputies Prepare for IndianapolisBy the Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas, chair of the deputation

Our new mark carries the hues of our diocesan seal, which continues to serve

as our official mark on legal documents and certificates. The golden color represents the light of Christ in the world; it also symbolizes the sands of our deserts and beaches. The red stands for the transformative Holy Spirit and the blood of Christ, while the three blue sections represent faith, hope and charity in the color of water, a powerful symbol of renewal in

baptism. The tagline emerged from our vision statement as the most descriptive element of our diocesan characteristic: fearless love.

Our Mission: The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego: a missionary community that dares to follow Jesus Christ in his life of fearless love for the world.

Our Vision: Undeterred by borders or barriers, we are pilgrims with Jesus in relentlessly

New Diocesan Logo

Annual Benefit at The Lodge: The Rev. Chris Chase and Mrs. Rebecca Chase enjoyed the Episcopal Community Services fourth annual benefit, “Water to Wine: Making Miracles at ECS.” The event took place at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.Highlights from the silent auction include a handmade heirloom quilt and tickets to a Lakers game. The crowd came to a roaring applause as auctioneer Jack Berkman sold a pair of Adirondack chairs, handcrafted by our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes. The benefit raised vital funds to support Episcopal Community Services, specifically in the areas of homelessness and mental illness. For photos, go to: ecscalifornia.org/about-ecs/photo-gallery.

Water to Wine a SuccessBy Ms. Alyssa Osian, director of marketing and communications for Episcopal Community Services

Fragile Earth SymposiumBy Ms. Grace VanThillo, St. Paul’s Cathedral parishioner and event chair

searching for others to befriend, know and invite to Christ’s Eucharistic table of reconciliation and sacrificial love.

We seek and strive to be a people of fearless love as we follow the one who is fearless love incarnate. X

When Bishop Mathes introduced last September’s House of

Bishops’ Pastoral Teaching, he expressed that, “with the mounting urgency of our environmental crisis, the bishops have urged us to respond to this catastrophe in the making.” The upcoming Fragile Earth Symposium is our diocesan response and prayerful action to answer this call. The symposium will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012, 9:00 a.m.

- 3:00 p.m., at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway, 92064.

Bishop Mathes will share his own reflections in the morning, and workshops will be convened for participants on topics of conservation, education, advocacy and community responses. These community responses may encompass individual, family, congregational and interfaith creation care opportunities; plus, environmental advocacy in the broader community.

“The church must lead so that we can change our ways of consumption and stress on the planet. The bottom line,” emphasizes Bishop Mathes, “is that we must talk the talk AND walk the walk. I pray that we can make our diocese a leader in environmental stewardship. As inheritors of some of the most beautiful places on the planet, let us show ourselves to be responsible trustees.”

Please contact Becky Lawton ([email protected] or 619-481-5455) to register for this symposium; and if you are interested in offering a presentation or sharing resources about your congregation’s creation care activities.

The complete letter from our bishop and the House of Bishop’s Pastoral Teaching are available on the diocesan web site: http://tinyurl.com/6r288lq . X

The Rev. Rebecca Edwards is the new curate/associate at Good Samaritan, San Diego. She assumed duties in mid-June, right after her ordination to the diaconate in East Tennessee.

“I hope that God’s light can shine through me in some way to everyone at Good Sam, and I hope to be a good companion as we journey in faith together,” says Edwards.

Interesting fact: she plays the accordion and she owns a spinning wheel. X

The Rev. Andrew Green, rector of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert was recognized February 11 during the 18th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala in Palm Springs. Celebrity Host Joan Rivers presented him with the 2012 Partners for Life Award, which honors Andrew’s 17 years on the Desert AIDS Project’s (DAP) board of directors as well as his, and his parish’s, commitment to people living with HIV/AIDS. This year 1,500 banquet guests gave a record $1.5 million.

Interesting fact: The City of Palm Springs also named February 12, “The Reverend Andrew Green Day,” in honor of his many years of service to DAP, the City of Palm Springs, the school board, as well as county homeless task forces. X

The Rev. Clarke Prescott, is the vicar at both St. Stephen’s, Menifee and St. Andrew’s, Lake Elsinore. He began these dual vicar posts in the summer of 2011.

“My hope is that St. Stephen’s grows to include families and children,” writes the Rev. Prescott. “Presently the congregation is comprised of wonderful friendly, hard-working, experienced folks.”

At St. Andrew’s, he hopes the congregation will include seniors and families and be an outreach center for the community.

Both congregations are presently facing long delayed significant repairs to their facilities. X

The Rev. Jerome Hinson, Fleet Chaplain, US THIRD Fleet has been at his post since the summer of 2011. He writes: “one of my admiral’s sailing directions to me was that, “sailors and Marines who go over the horizon on their nation’s behalf, ought to be sustained by the rites and sacraments of their faith.” The piece of geography we work with is North Pole to South Pole, West Coast to the International Dateline. Chaplains facilitate the free exercise of religion, provide the rites, sacraments and ordinances of the faith bodies we represent, care for all, and advise our commanders on the accommodation of religion, issues of morale and ethics, and the impact of religion and culture on the force and operations. It is an exciting and dynamic interfaith endeavor.” X

The Rev. Troy Mendez, associate rector of St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, focuses his energies on adult Christian formation, pastoral care, and newcomer incorporation. He’s served there for almost one year. He wants St. Margaret’s to be known for “solid learning, caring people, and building welcoming connections in the community.”

Interesting fact: He’s a big fan of religious pilgrimage and has participated in trips to Jerusalem and the Holy Land, the southeast Asian country of Myanmar, and also to the Iona Community in Scotland.

“The more I travel, the more I see the presence of the living God working through people from around the world. As the service of baptism proclaims, ‘there is one hope . . . one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; one God and father of all,’ (BCP, p. 301). X

The Rev. Matthew Canter, curate at St. Michael’s, Carlsbad, enjoys celebrating the daily mass, anointing the sick, welcoming newcomers and activities in the realm of pastoral care. He’s served at St. Michael’s since last summer and writes, “the past nine months have been an enjoyable challenge, with first living out the role of a priest, and secondly discerning how best to appropriate that vocation for the community in which I serve. During my tenure as curate I hope to better incorporate the personnel of Camp Pendleton into the life of the parish, as well as draw those who do not yet know the love of God, into his nurturing faith.”

Interesting fact: He and his wife, Ashley, have been married for five years and have been blessed with two girls, Margaret (3) and Helen (1), and their ever-trusty Border Collie, Jack. X

Mr. Tom Morelli, is the new parish administrator at St. John’s, Chula Vista. He accepted the volunteer position as a challenge in December, 2011. Called in to help facilitate change and to prepare the community for a new priest, Mr. Morelli says, “I love it. If I were a priest, I would fight for the job of priest-in-charge here. This is an environment ripe for rebirth, which is especially poignant, as we experience this Lenten season. There is a wonderful opportunity here to rebuild and resurrect this diamond in Chula Vista. It’s a beautiful campus, and the souls here are just as beautiful here as they are anywhere else. That’s from my heart.” X

Mr. Joseph Littell, parishioner at St. John’s, Fallbrook, was the subject of a December 11 National Geographic documentary about prisoners of war during World War II. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and taken to a death camp in the Soviet section of Germany. Mr. Littell is one of four survivors from the original 300. At one point, he and another prisoner managed to escape, but were caught in a nearby town. They were placed in solitary confinement, where they stayed until freed by American soldiers. Mr. Littell’s recent book on the experience helped bring the story to light and encouraged an apology from the German government. X

The Rev. Brian O’Rourke, priest associate at St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, oversees children’s, youth and family ministries. A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, he comes to us from the Diocese of Los Angeles. He is grateful for his two years of field education at the Washington National Cathedral. His wife, Jenny, is training at the Shalem Institute to be a spiritual director. The O’Rourkes are expecting their first child in June. It’s a girl! X

6 Around Our Diocese 7

People News

The Rev. Rebecca Edwards: curate at Good Samaritan, San Diego.

The Rev. Clarke Prescott: vicar of both St. Stephen’s, Menifee and St. Andrew’s, Lake Elsinore, with seminarian Colin Mathewson.

The Rev. Jerome Hinson: CDR, ChC, USN. Fleet Chaplain, U.S. THIRD Fleet.

The Rev. Andrew Green: rector of St. Paul in-the-Desert, Palm Springs.

What’s the Holy Spirit up to at St. Michael’s by-the-Sea in Carlsbad?

Well, there’s no use pretending that the last two years weren’t difficult. In September 2010, their rector resigned and a number of congregants followed him out of the Episcopal Church.

Lesser parishes might have crumbled, but the people at St. Michael’s are made of sterner stuff. Their curate, the Rev. Doran Stambaugh, was appointed priest-in-charge and like that mythical bird of fiery plumage that reduces itself to ashes every hundred years or so, the congregation rose with renewed commitment to be light bearers, providing “a beacon of God’s truth and love for the world,” as their mission states.

Last year, parishioners worked relentlessly on that beacon. They refurbished, remodeled, revitalized, revamped and restored. They reimagined their stewardship model; they hired an administrative assistant, an organist, and a new curate.

A parishioner likened 2011 at St. Michael’s by-the-Sea to her experiences in wartime.

“Terrible times make people pull together,” she said. “People you’d never see under normal circumstances all come in to help.”

Looking back on the year, outgoing Senior Warden Tony Vanaria wrote, “Spiritually, 2011 was a wonderful year for St. Michael’s.” It was a time of “uniting to restore peace and joy throughout the parish.”

Clearly in full agreement with our new mission plan’s injunction to practice fearless love, Father Stambaugh says, “the purpose of a beacon isn’t for the people in the lighthouse to be able to see themselves, the purpose of a beacon is to shine out so travelers can navigate safely to shore.”

Declaring 2012 “The Year to Shine,” parishioners are focusing the light of Christ outward, as brightly and as far as they can. To that end, they are intentionally developing and strengthening relationships with community groups and organizations.

Established by English settlers and built in 1894, St. Michael’s is the oldest church in Carlsbad. The parish grew steadily in the same building until the 1960s, when they

undeinably needed more space. Unwilling to give up their charming chapel with its oiled redwood paneling, parishioners simply built a spacious new church on the same property. The high altar is of Italian white marble with a mosaic on the front embedded with Brazilian diamonds, opals, and amethysts donated by parishioners. Both the old and new church buildings are in use for services.

A traditional, anglo-catholic parish, St. Michael’s cherishes its children. When the kids process from the sanctuary for their own sermon, youngsters vie for the opportunity to carry the child-sized cross. The Hosanna! Choir includes parishioners as young as five years old. After the service, it’s a treat to see cassocked clergy pushing the children on swings in the playground.

Between the eight o’clock and 10:30 a.m. services, the large church hall takes on the air of a festive marketplace. There’s a huge turnout. Clergy provide Christian education.

Volunteers staff coffee hour. A bake sale raises money for outreach. There’s even a charming gift shop tucked in one corner of the multi-use facility.

Vibrant chapters of both the Daughters of the King and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew take active roles in service to the

parish. Volunteers prepare bag lunches for hungry people. The congregation serves St. Peter’s of Lusaka, Zambia, and Kathy’s Kids in Rumania as well as 13 domestic groups. Their new curate, the Rev. Matthew Canter, is a veteran and under his leadership, parishioners are reaching out to military personnel, providing dinners for

local Marines and their families.

St. Michael’s takes fearless love seriously. As their mission states, they are “equipping the saints to bear witness to Christ wherever they may be, and sharing in Christ’s work of reconciliation and healing in the world.” X

6 Around Our Diocese 7

Shining Strong in CarlsbadBy Drusilla Grubb, parishioner of All Souls’, Point Loma

The purpose of a beacon is to shine out so travelers can navigate safely to shore.

A Beacon Shining: St. Michael’s by-the-Sea is the oldest church in Carlsbad; its time tested commitment to being a spiritual beacon is evident in the congregation’s life, and is reflected in their motto for 2012: “The Year to Shine.”

The spirit of jubilee is moving through this diocese! That spirit originated with the

ancient Israelites who set aside this special time to liberate slaves, servants, the land and more (Leviticus 25:10).

We are truly blessed to have twelve Jubilee Centers, including our newest one -- the Episcopal Church Center (ECC) in Ocean Beach. Ms. Nancy Holland, director of ECC, was recognized and awarded a certificate during a Jubilee workshop at convention presented by the Rev. Christopher Johnson, social and economic justice officer of the Episcopal Church. He touched on the

continuous work for justice and peace accomplished by over 600 Jubilee Centers in our Church, and talked about the importance of not only addressing the causes of poverty in our midst, but linking these efforts to Jesus’ commands in the gospel.

Several ECC representatives also shared in the convention workshop, their passion for serving the poorest and neediest among us.

Five Jubilee grants were awarded in our diocese this year, totaling over $4,000. Three $750 health and nutrition grants were given to ECS, St. Mark’s and the ERN, with a specific focus on the nutritional needs of people

living in a food desert, a neighborhood with little or no access to fresh produce or foods needed to maintain a healthy diet. A $1,000 grant was awarded to our Cathedral’s Dorcas House ministry for their 2012 summer camp program. A $1,000 grant also came to the diocese to encourage the work of servant ministry through Jubilee in our diocese.

Father Johnson will return to our diocese in April for a half-day program open to everyone about Jubilee centers and how your congregation can become one. Watch for an invitation to to the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach on April 18! X

One Jubilee Center Recognized; Five Awarded GrantsBy Ms. Pamela Crooks, diocesan jubilee officer

The interfaith community of Ocean Beach, led by the

Episcopal Church Center on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, will offer a Maundy Thursday footwashing, open to all. Scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the day will provide homeless people with new shoes, boots, sandals and socks. It will also connect them with social and medical services providers. Volunteers will conduct healing services in Trinity Chapel, provide continental breakfast and lunch and give out personal hygiene kits. The purpose is to provide comfort, solace, nourishment, support and protection to homeless people in Ocean Beach.

By providing this kind of service, homeless people are blessed, and will feel that they are not invisible, but loved. It will also raise awareness about the issue of homelessness, which is everyone’s problem. And it will connect those in need with services to move them

into healthier, more productive states.

Congregational support and volunteers wanted! Email [email protected] for more information. X

8 Upcoming Events

SFI

Interfaith Community FootwashingBy Ms. Nancy Holland, director of the Episcopal Church Center

Spring CalendarMarch 24 Licensed Eucharistic Visitor Training. St. John’s, Chula Vista. 9a-3p. [email protected]. 31 Safeguarding God’s People. St. Dunstan’s, San Diego. 8:30a-4p. [email protected].

April 2 Via Crucis to the Border: Joint pilgrimage and eucharist with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. [email protected]. 3 Renewal of Ordination Vows. St. Paul’s Cathedral. 10:30a 5 Interfaith Community Footwashing. Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. 10a-1p. [email protected]. 6 Good Friday. Office of the Bishop closed in the afternoon. 8 Easter Sunday. 9 Easter Monday. Office of the Bishop closed. 11 Communicators’ Lunch. St. Paul’s Cathedral. 12p-1:30p. [email protected]. 17 Fresh Start. Good Samaritan, San Diego. 9a-2p. 18 Jubilee Workshop. Episcopal Church Center, Ocean Beach. 12p. [email protected]. 21 Fragile Earth Symposium. St. Bartholomew’s, Poway. 9a-3p. [email protected] 21 Daughters of the King Celtic Quiet Day at St. Stephen’s, Menifee. 9:30a-2p. [email protected]. 22 Earth Day. 26-29 Cursillo at Camp Stevens, Julian. [email protected].

May 5-6 New Beginnings. Middle school retreat. Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. [email protected]. 5 Amazing Journeys. Refugee Network Gala at the Berkeley Maritime Museum, San Diego. 5p. [email protected]. 5 Daughters of the King Spring Assembly, Good Samaritan, San Diego. [email protected]. 6 Legacy Evensong. St. Paul’s Cathedral. 5p. [email protected]. 8 Preaching Conference with Lauren Winner and William Brosend at St. Bartholomew’s, Poway. 9a-3p. [email protected]. 19 Armed Forces Day. 27 Pentecost. 28 Memorial Day. Office of the Bishop closed.

Plan Ahead! June 1 Holy Smoke 85th Birthday Celebration for Episcopal Community Services. Good Samaritan, San Diego. 5p-8p. [email protected] June 2 Safeguarding God’s People. Good Samaritan, San Diego. 8:30a-4p. [email protected]. June 12 Fresh Start. St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea, Pacific Beach. 9a-3p. July 20 Episcopal Night at the Padres vs. Colorado Rockies. Petco.

The Messenger The Official Publication of

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego

Editor Hannah Wilder [email protected] Four issues published in 2011: Spring (March), Summer (June), Fall

(September) and Winter (December).

Please send all address updates to [email protected].

The Messenger encourages the submission of articles and pictures. We also appreciate knowing what topics are of greatest interest to our readers;

please tell us what you would like to read about. We reserve the right to select and edit

material offered for publication. Send news and ideas to [email protected]. “Bishop’s Office

Weekly” is published weekly by email. To subscribe, send a

request to: [email protected].

“Diocesan News” is published by email

monthly. To subscribe, send a request to: [email protected].

For weekly news and calendar updates online, visit the

diocesan website: www.edsd.org

Maundy Thursday Footwashing: People from around our diocese will gather on Thursday in Holy Week to wash feet in Ocean Beach. All are welcome and encouraged to join the project.

St. Paul’s Manor - Independent Living

St. Paul’s Manor offers seniors the chance to rid themselves of the burdens of home ownership and maintenance to spend their time doing the things they truly enjoy!

(619) 239-6900www.stpaulseniors.org

Open Houses Monthly - Free Lunch!

Call to RSVP

• Apartments from $1,343 - $1,977 including utilities, housekeeping and food services• Robust activity schedule including: live music, acting classes, writer’s group and more• Walking distance to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the beautiful Balboa Park activities

Tour anytime - 7 days a week!Friendship Fun

Laughter Good times

Signup for Summer Camp!

Camp Season’s Coming: Registration is open for summer 2012’s Adventure Sessions, International Odyssey and Wilderness Trips at Camp Stevens! Send your child or grandchild to our diocesan camp for a week of making friends, spending time outdoors and discovering more about themselves in a supportive Episcopal community. www.campstevens.org/summer.