In-Person Worship Suspended
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
I am writing to you with regret to ask you once more to suspend in-person worship at our churches during the month of July. This decision does not come without significant prayer, discussion, and deep thought. As you may know, the governor of California today instituted broad restrictions on in-person gatherings in Imperial and Riverside Counties, and Arizona’s caseload is very high and increasing rapidly. San Diego County was not affected by the governor’s order, but also has tightened restrictions; the number of new cases per day in San Diego County is now almost four times as high as when I first allowed in-person worship to resume on June 21. Although the governor is still allowing churches to meet, I cannot justify taking this risk with our members’ health, or encouraging our members to believe that gathering in groups is safe, even with all the careful precautions our parishes have instituted.
 
I know how hard you all have worked to create safe plans for restarting in-person worship. I had the opportunity do my first in-person visitation since March on Sunday, June 28, to St. Francis in Pauma Valley. I had not realized how much I missed in-person worship until my experience with that lovely congregation. Celebrating the Eucharist and preaching to a live congregation after so long was a deeply emotional experience for me. And yet, despite the fact that the congregation took every precaution and was vigilant about masking and distancing, I was aware that all of us were taking a risk by being there. I have spent much time in prayer since then, as well as paying close attention to the rise in cases, and I think God is asking us to take a season away from in-person worship for the sake of our people and our community.
 
During this season away, I encourage you to provide online worship, live-streamed or recorded from your homes or from the church. If you need technical assistance in starting online worship, please contact our Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty, at  [email protected] . I will be in communication with you in late July to let you know whether we can restart in-person worship in August.
 
I am so grateful to all of you who have worked, prayed, and ministered through this time of suffering for so many in our community. I know that the Holy Spirit is still at work in our churches, and I pray for all of you.

In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook
All Aboard for Vacation Bible School 2020!
A Virtual Experience: Coming July 12th
During this unprecedented season of prevention, many members of our diocesan family have made collaborative steps toward producing VBS for our congregations and other ecumenical partners. Using Rocky Railway from Group , we’ll explore Jesus’ role in our lives. Join us for the videos of songs, skits, scripture, and prayers led by church leaders from across our diocese. Starting July 12th, these 20-30 minute videos will premiere each Sunday afternoon at 3pm. This year's VBS is a great way for families to explore faith together, and continue the conversation during dinner and into the night. 
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.
Education for Ministry: Summer Sessions
Every baptized Christian is called to ministry. What is yours? Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee) that provides the foundational education to assist you in discerning and carrying out your ministry. Like the mustard seed (Luke 13:18-19), we need fertile soil to grow. EfM is that fertile soil and we are the mustard seeds. Learning scriptures, church history, and theology is the light shining on the soil, warming it so the seed will sprout. Read More or Register Here
Virtual Ultreya brought to you by San Diego Cursillo
The Diocese of San Diego Cursillo Community produced an Ultreya video in June 2020 that addresses God's call to Christians to struggle against racism in the church and in the world. The Ultreya features talks by Rachel Ambasing of St. Matthew's National City, Debbie Kistler of St. Mark's City Heights, and The Rev. Carlos Garcia of St. Phillip's Lemon Grove. It is hosted by Ruben Rodriguez of Good Shepherd Bonita and includes music from Madison, Evan, and Ryan Beck of Good Shepherd Bonita and Alex Tuttle of St. Andrew's, in La Mesa. Please enjoy this inspiring celebration. De Colores! Find out more about Cursillo in San Diego at sdcursillo.org .
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 . 
Church Advertising Explained
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 week .  More 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.