Diocesan Convention: Casting Our Nets
Bishop Susan Brown Snook is excited to invite you to this year’s Diocesan Convention: Casting Our Nets. As we move into the Year of Evangelism in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we are especially focusing on sharing the joy of Christ in our lives with the world. Today, the world needs the hope and joy of Jesus Christ more than ever.

At this year's convention, you can look forward to presentations on the strategic plan, a keynote from the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, workshops, and more.

For the first time in the history of the EDSD, Diocesan Convention will be held completely online. To help prepare for this year’s convention, the Diocesan Staff has prepared a new convention website to help explain and provide resources for our first virtual convention. Through this site, you can register as a delegate, a visitor, or an exhibitor, read through the current resolutions presented to Diocesan Convention, and make suggestions for nominations that are still open for elected office. Please explore the new website and contact us with questions or suggestions.
But how are we going to meet virtually?

Utilizing a new event management platform, Whova, delegates and visitors can look forward to a clear agenda, ways of connecting, exhibitor space, workshops, and more. Due to the technological hurdles of a virtual convention, we are asking that ALL delegates attend one of three online training sessions to prepare for Diocesan Convention. Each session will have an overview of the Whova platform, voting, and more. Please register for 1 of the 3 training sessions through the convention website.  Visit the new website at www.ConventionEDSD.org.

“… and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.
Join the Diocesan-wide Worship Service, Sept 6
Bishop Susan Brown Snook will offer a Diocesan Worship Service on Sunday, Sept. 6. It’s a time for the diocese to come together in worship, and for clergy to have a break if they choose, and join with other Episcopalians throughout our diocese for worship. Congregations may stream the service from their congregational channels, or individuals may access it from the Diocesan Facebook page. Bishop Susan will preside and preach, recording from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Music and prayers will be in English and Spanish, with a bulletin available in both languages. It’s a day for our diocese to come together in worship and thanksgiving! If your community would like access to the recording for your own communication channels, please contact the Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty, for access. Bishop Susan's sermon will be available for separate download if clergy would like to include it in their local service. Access to the files will be made available, by request, on September 4.
Commission on Ministry: Day of Information
As you listen to God’s voice in your life, do you believe God may be calling you to service as a deacon or priest? Have you spoken to your clergyperson about a possible vocation to ordained ministry? If so, you will want to attend the EDSD Day of Information, offered by the Commission on Ministry, on September 26th from 9 AM until noon.

This virtual meeting will provide the opportunity to explore the orders of ministry in the Church; lay, deacon, priest and bishop. The meeting will provide an overview of the latest information on the discernment and formation process in our diocese as well as a presentation of the various options for educational formation for ministry. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the morning.

The Day of Information is designed for serious inquirers, their spouse/significant other and their sponsoring clergyperson. Registration is required. 

Questions? Please contact the chair of the Commission on Ministry, The Rev. Brian Fidler at com@edsd.org.  
Online Church Learning with ChurchNext.tv
Are you looking for ways to connect with others while learning about your faith and growing in Christian discipleship? ChurchNext.tv is an online Christian learning platform which offers courses on scripture, liturgy prayer, family, self-care, church history, theology and more, all taught by expert teachers. Many congregations are finding that ChurchNext allows for people to gather for online learning while also being connected to their community. These courses provide perfect content for your discipleship group or formation gatherings, and can be used both in person and in conjunction with online videoconferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts!  

If you would like to take advantage of the diocesan license purchased by EDSD, just ask your clergy leaders to reach out to cgillette@edsd.org to complete their setup!  
Camp Stevens Open to Family Groups
A Peaceful Place Apart: Even During Coronavirus

Camp Stevens, an Episcopal camp and retreat center just outside of downtown Julian, has shifted gears this year—instead of summer camp for 100 kids every week, the facility now offers day use for hiking, swimming, meditating in the outdoor chapel, as well as small overnight retreats for individuals and families. Nestled on 256 acres of wild land, the camp prides itself on ecological sustainability and a respect for nature. Healthy, delicious meals served by masked and gloved staff on an outdoor patio provide sustenance in the midst of recreation. 
 
“We have always been a place where people can relax, retreat and find a space to heal,” said Executive Director Kathy Wilder. “That hasn’t changed because of COVID. We hope people still come here and know that we’re taking extra care and concern with safety and precautions. We listen to people’s needs and help them have a restorative time when they’re here.” Read More
Church Publishing Offers More Latinx Resources
[Episcopal News Service] The diversity of the Episcopal Church’s Latinx membership was on full display recently when more than a dozen representatives met alongside Church Pension Fund and Church Publishing Incorporated staff to discuss new resources for Spanish-speaking Christians.

Among the ongoing commitments discussed at the meeting were translation plans (from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish) for existing materials; seeking and supporting Latinx authors to develop books for children, youth, and adults; resources for seminaries and students, and materials for individuals and parishes. In addition, a consultation group to encourage new authors and advise editors is being formed. Read More
EDSD.org Under Construction
404 Error: Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.

EDSD.org is going through some changes. You may find that your bookmarked or saved links are now broken, or that information you're used to finding has been moved.

Please be patient as we work to update EDSD.org to better serve you into the future. If you have questions or come across a broken link, please email Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty. Thank you for your help while we work to better our digital presence.
Resources for Emotional Support
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is changing life for all of us. You may feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated in these circumstances.

You’re not alone!

Find resources to connect with real people that can help, here.
Grants Available to Churches
Our diocese is pleased to offer a grants program to support you in enhancing online and outdoor worship. Grants of $250 to $750 will be provided to help cover the cost of sound and online equipment, and may be used to cover purchases dating back to March 15, 2020. To apply for a grant, please click here.

In addition to our technology grants, please remember that we have raised funds under our “For Such A Time As This” campaign to help those who are suffering from the economic downturn. I am happy to help your congregation start a feeding program, support your members who have lost jobs, or otherwise relieve suffering that you know about. To apply for a grant, please send me an email describing the need and the amount you are requesting. I am eager to help.
TENS Offers Resources for Virtual Stewardship
The Episcopal Network For Stewardship (TENS) provides virtual stewardship materials that are free to all congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego via our diocesan TENS membership. This year, TENS is providing resources that help congregations with virtual stewardship campaigns. 
 
TENS member resources are available to all congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego via the diocesan membership. For login information, contact Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty at ctumilty@edsd.org or Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Keren Mondaca, at kmondaca@edsd.org.
Public Statement of our Commitment
The Rev. Brenda Sol, rector of St. Andrew’s in Encinitas, and other clergy colleagues in our diocese created a statement of our commitment to our baptismal covenant and Jesus’ call to us during this time of twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice. Any church in our diocese is welcome to use this statement, for instance as a clergy-vestry joint statement, or as an ongoing statement in your bulletin.
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.
Composition: How to make your images look good!
Checklist to Resume In-Person Worship
Due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, in-person worship is suspended in our diocese. Please continue to pray and prepare for when we can gather together again. Both the bishop and the state of California have issued guidelines for in-person worship. A congregational checklist that consolidates and simplifies these guidelines can be found here.

Some counties have also issued separate guidelines and requirements, so please check your local county guidelines. Please note that San Diego County requires that a Reopening Plan be posted in a public place. The template for the plan can be found here. 
School For Ministry Registration is Now Open
Register for Fall classes at: https://edsd.org/schoolforministry

Dates to remember: 
Registration closes 8/24/20
Orientation 8/29/20
Courses begin 9/5/20 
Faith to Go: Your weekly formation resources
A Weekly, On The Go Resource for Parents and Non-Parents Alike

Hosted by the Faith To Go team in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar. Joined each week by a special guest, the Faith To Go team highlights themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your faith discussions and reflections throughout the weekMore Here
COVID-19 Resources
Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is here to support you through this difficult time. The sudden impact of COVID-19 on our community-life does not mean we need to give up community. Find a list of resources that can help here: including a bulletin for Morning Prayer, resources for online giving for your congregation, help in setting up video meetings, Faith at Home resources, and more.
If you have or need any type of resource that is not listed here, please email Christian Gillette, Canon for Evangelism and Discipleship with your materials or request. 
Diocesan Staff: Working Remotely
holy trinity building
Due to COVID-19 the Diocesan Staff will be working remotely. You can find contact information for each of the staff members here. Feel free, as always, to call Bishop Susan, Canon Gwynn, Canon Christian, Rev. Kirby, or Chris for any reason. Please email the other members of the Diocesan Staff as their cell phone numbers are not listed.