A Message from Bishop Susan Brown Snook |
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Dear Friends,
Two groups of people in our community, along with the people who love them, are hurting this week: Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI people), and LGBTQ people.
This week, our country witnessed yet another act of racial violence, directed against Asian-American women in Atlanta. We grieve with the families of those killed, while we pray for relief from fear and sorrow for all those of AAPI descent. Christians condemn any murders, but murder directed against members of a particular race should hit Christians very hard. We worship a God who created all humans in the divine image, and we follow a Savior who commanded that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Over and over in the Bible, we are told that we are called to do justice in the name of the God who erases divisions between people. Paul says in Galatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” And in our own baptismal covenant, we vow to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
For LGBTQ people, who have so often been hurt by the church, this week brought another reminder of that painful history. To our LGBTQ siblings in Christ, I would like to say: you are welcome here. I am glad to be part of a church that honors the gift of love in same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. And I honor my many friends who have chosen to enter the commitment of marriage to love and cherish another human being, created in God's image. I am saddened that many LGBTQ people have been hurt this week, and I offer my prayers and continued support.
Our church has paid careful attention to the issues of sexism and marriage equality over the past few decades. But under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, we are just now beginning to address our issues with racism. We cannot deny that our own church is overwhelmingly white, and that the Episcopal Church has participated in racist structures throughout its history. Recently, in meetings, conversations, and personal realizations, I have come to understand, more than ever before, how urgent the work of anti-racism is in our church. I ask you to join me, not only in condemning racist violence when it happens elsewhere, but also in working to understand how racism affects our community and our church today, and dismantling unjust structures wherever they occur. I want to help our church overcome our racist past and our sad lack of diversity today, because the church of Jesus can best do its mission when we reflect the glorious diversity of God’s children. I hope that we can participate in opposing the racist and unjust structures that prevent so many of God’s children from flourishing in our world. And I pray that together our church can join in the great project of removing the barriers between people that God has given to us in Christ Jesus.
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In Christ,
Bishop Susan Brown Snook
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Next month, for the second installment of Transformation Academy, we have invited the Rev. Dawn Davis- the creator of Forward Movement's Revive discipleship program, to be our keynote speaker at Discipleship Academy! Two breakout sessions will follow: The first will feature Charlette Preslar, our diocesan Youth Missioner who will speak on the topic of discipleship in our youth groups. The second breakout will feature the Rev. Dawn Davis who will lead us through a practical exercise on prayer.
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The Peace & Justice Academy Recap
God on the Loose: Activism as an Act of Discipleship
Rev. Traci Blackmon Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ
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"It was wonderful seeing you last night at Peace & Justice Academy- the first installment of our new online faith enrichment series: Transformation Academy! I hope that like me, you were blessed, inspired and challenged by the powerful message delivered by the Rev. Traci Blackmon, as well as by the conversations led by our breakout group leaders. We are so grateful for everyone who made this event possible, and for all those who attended."
-Canon Christian Gillette
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The Rev. D Rebecca Dinovo |
Responding to Injustice: What is the role of the Church Biblically and Theologically? |
This breakout session will feature discussion following a brief overview of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures that ground the church's theology on the subject of faithfully responding to injustice in its many forms in our society today, with particular focus on racial and economic injustice. |
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Deann Rios and The Rev. Janine Shenone |
Make a Difference through Advocacy and Activism |
This breakout session will feature discussion of a Christian response to injustice through advocacy and activism. We will look at shorter and longer term impact, aspects and examples of various ways to engage in this work. Participants will consider how they can get involved with advocacy and activism. |
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Holy Week & Easter Offerings |
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The EDSD Virtual Liturgy Team is again happy to provide several worship services for your use during Holy Week. See the descriptions below, along with when they will be made available for your congregation to download and use as you wish.
A Service of Shadows – With the traditional feel of a Tenebrae service, the Service of Shadows has a simpler format and opportunities for worshipers to sing along at home. With readings from Psalms and Lamentations from readers around the diocese and with a diocesan band to lead us in Taize chants, you can look forward to a spiritually filled time of worship. A Service of Shadows will be available for download on Monday of Holy Week.
Good Friday Service – a traditional Good Friday service with the Bishop from the Cathedral. It will livestreamed at noon on Good Friday and will be available for download on Maundy Thursday.
Holy Saturday Service (English and Spanish) – a simple spoken service. The Holy Saturday service will be available via livestream on Holy Saturday, April 3, at 9:00 a.m. This service will be available for download on Maundy Thursday.
2 Easter – The Diocesan Offices will provide a recording of the Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch's 2 Easter sermon during Easter Week. Canon Gwynn will also be celebrating and preaching at St. Bartholomew’s on 2 Easter. The service will be available for viewing through St. Bart's livestream.
If you are interested in being a reader for any of these offerings, please contact the Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch for details about recording and submission.
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Youth Collaborative Easter Vigil – The Youth Collaborative is proud to offer another video production based on The Great Vigil of Easter. Featuring students and musicians from our diocesan family (as well as two familiar angels), this 15-20 minute video will move through the mystery of Jesus’ journey from death into life. This offering will be available for download on March 25.
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Suicide Awareness and Prevention Continued |
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By: The Rev. Dr. Suzanne Watson |
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Two Sundays ago I had the privilege of speaking at a forum in a congregation that had just experienced the loss of a member by suicide. While mental health struggles are always common in the US, with COVID we are seeing a rise in depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and insomnia. Over the coming weeks, I will be addressing mental health concerns as we all strive to maintain our mental, physical, and spiritual health in these trying times. Last week, in part one of a two-part series on suicide, the focus was on what to do if you or someone you know is considering suicide. Today, in part two, I’ll share some tips for what to do in the aftermath of a completed suicide. Read More
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Asian American Episcopalians see Atlanta Shootings as Latest Manifestation of Long History of Racisim |
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[Episcopal News Service] Episcopalians of Asian descent are expressing anguish, fear and an urgent call to end anti-Asian racism after a white man allegedly killed eight people, including six Asian American women, in the Atlanta, Georgia, area on March 16.
“I am filled with deep sorrow over the shootings in Atlanta,” Oregon Bishop Diana Akiyama, who became The Episcopal Church’s first Asian American female bishop on Jan. 30, wrote to her diocese.
“When I first heard the news, I was speechless. It has taken me a while to find the words because my first reaction was to weep and wail,” she said in the March 18 message.
Also on March 18, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a statement about the killings.
“Wherever and whenever hatred or bigotry rises up and is directed at any child of God, we who follow Jesus of Nazareth and therefore stand for love, must act,” he said. “We must stand up, speak up and show up. Today we do so with and for our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers, sisters and siblings.”
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Listening to Love: How Love Heals |
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Christ Church, Coronado welcomes The Rev. Becca Stevens to their Lenten Speaker Series on Wednesday, March 24 from 6-7:30 pm. Becca Stevens is a speaker, social entrepreneur, author, priest, founder of eight non-profit enterprises, and President of Thistle Farms. Stevens has been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change. Drawn from 25 years of leadership in mission-driven work, Stevens inspires a broad range of non-profit, religious, and business audiences with a message that love is the strongest force for change in the world.
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Exploring Evangelism, Outreach, and Missional Ministry |
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You are invited to join us for part 2 of an exciting, 3-part workshop that will enable you to step into your calling to share The Good News of Jesus Christ with the people in our lives. If you want to learn more about evangelism and inviting people into Christian community, then this workshop is for you!
Join Canon Christian Gillette on zoom, on Wednesday March 24, from 5pm- 6:30pm as we dive deeper into the "how to" of evangelism: Forming and leading missional communities, using digital tools to create evangelism opportunities, proclaiming the good news, the connection between discipleship and evangelism, and more!
This ongoing workshop is open to both lay and clergy, young and old; anybody who wants to learn how to do genuine, non-awkward evangelism! If you missed the first session, no worries! You are still welcome to join at any time!
If you were not able to attend the first session, but are interested in joining the next session on Wed. March 24 from 5pm-6:30pm, please email Canon Christian at [email protected]. For those who attended Session 1, please use the same zoom link for session 2.
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Diocesan Military Cycle of Prayer Now Available |
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Third Sunday in Lent – The First Sunday after Christmas 2021
The week of March 21, 2021 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
On our military cycle of prayer we pray for the crews of Expeditionary Strike Group 3.
The week of March 28, 2021 – Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
On our military cycle of pray we pray for all Vietnam Veterans.
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Litany of Prayer for Vietnam Veterans Sunday |
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By: The Rev. Dr. Frank Munoz
Miltary Missioner, EDSD
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Vietnam Veterans' Recognition Act of 2017 designated March 29th as the day to commemorate the service and death 58,000 Americans, nearly 500,000 Americans and 850,000 allies that served during the war in South Vietnam (November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975). The men and women who served did not get any thanks when they returned home; most were treated with ridicule and insults. Their service has passed in our churches with little or no mention. Historically and traditionally, Veterans' Day has been more a civic than a sacred observance. As with New Years Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others, Veterans' Day is not a part of the liturgical calendar — although sometimes our churches have observed these days in some manner. The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has designated Sunday March 28th as a day to recognize the service and deaths of our veterans and their families. The honor and thanks for veterans should be in a context of prayer. This is not the time for a rehearsal of our national concerns, but when we assemble for worship, it is as citizens of God's kingdom in Jesus Christ, not as citizens ultimately subject to any nation. In worship, we celebrate the good news of God's grace and love manifest in Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Lord and Savior of the world, in whom all the creation is redeemed and is to be restored for the glory of God.
Fr. Munoz will deliver to you certificates of commemoration, lapel pins and buttons for distribution at your services. Please contact him at [email protected] or at 858-395-0203
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Revive Programming for Lent |
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Revive is a flexible program designed to help leaders of practical church ministry become confident spiritual leaders. Participants gain confidence in praying, understanding, and discussing scripture and will develop a sense of call to ministry.
Revive Lent is a supplemental seasonal resource for adapting the full program to fit this holy season. Six sessions, complete with outlines, video instruction, devotional practices, and discussion starters, are provided for small groups that want to grow in intimacy with God as followers of Jesus.
Revive Lent comprises 5 sessions:
- Session 1: Discovering your spiritual story
- Session 2: Telling your spiritual story
- Session 3: What is prayer, and how do we pray?
- Session 4: Making space and praying the Lectio and Visio Divina
- Session 5: Praying through the hurt
The program works well online, as communities continue to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. Through video conferencing platforms, participants are able to gather for sessions regularly.
Click here to learn more about Revive Lent and the full program.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has provided access to the Revive programs for free. Please Contact Canon Christian Gillette at [email protected] as soon as possible for more information on how your congregation can participate in this exciting discovery and discernment process during the upcoming season of Lent.
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Lenten Creation Care Book Study |
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Join us for a Diocesan-wide, virtual
Creation Care book study during Lent!
Wednesdays, Feb. 24 - March 24, 7-8pm
More than ever before, people of faith are called to pray, learn, and act for Creation Care! The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego invites you to read Climate Church, Climate World: How People of Faith Must Work for Change by Jim Antal along with others from across the Diocese and meet on Wednesday nights to discuss it - or watch the recorded discussions when you can. Together we will learn about our current reality, how our faith relates to stewardship of the environment, and what we can do to make a difference.
"Jim Antal shows how the church can engage in the urgent moral crisis of climate change. This book will inspire both the courage and conviction people of faith need to provide the leadership necessary to realize God’s dream of a just world in which humanity is reconciled to all creation.” -Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus
Each participant is asked to buy a book, and a free study guide will be provided. Sessions will be facilitated by clergy and leaders from St. Paul’s Cathedral, Camp Stevens, St. Luke’s, St. Timothy’s, and St. Margaret’s.
You can check out our book study flyer here, and register today!
If you have questions, please contact Diane Lopez Hughes, Co-Leader of Simpler Living at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, at [email protected] or Deann Rios, Co-Missioner of Peace & Justice for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, at [email protected].
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New TENS Resources and Log-in for 2021 |
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The diocese is a member of TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship), an association of church leaders, both lay and ordained, “who are committed to living generously and helping others live lives of generosity.”
All churches in the diocese can access member resources, which include creative materials for the annual pledge campaign. To access TENS membership materials please contact Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty for the new TENS password.
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RenewalWorks for Lent: Where is God Calling Us to Grow? |
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What is RenewalWorks and how can it help your church?
Through an anonymous online evaluation of each parishioner, and a series of guided workshop discussions with our staff, the RenewalWorks process helps churches (and the individuals in them) refocus on spiritual growth and identify ways that God is calling them to grow. The methodology has been tailored to the Episcopal tradition, adapting over 10 years of research that has uncovered key characteristics of flourishing congregations. It will inspire your congregation and leadership to rediscover who Jesus is, and what it means to follow him.
How does it work?
The RenewalWorks process begins with an anonymous, confidential, online survey (we call it the Episcopal Spiritual Life Inventory) taken by congregants, exploring that individual’s spiritual life. Individual responses are combined and viewed as a group, providing a snapshot of the spiritual vitality of the congregation based on research from more than 1,800 churches (of all denominations) and almost 500,000 congregants.
When can you participate?
Although you could launch RenewalWorks at any time, several congregations in EDSD are planning to participate in RenewalWorks during this upcoming season of Lent. This project is perfectly suited to the reflective spirit of this season and would provide an opportunity for us to seek God's direction together, even as we remain socially distanced.
Contact Canon Christian Gillette at [email protected] as soon as possible for more information on how your congregation can participate in this exciting discovery and discernment process during the upcoming season of Lent.
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Beware of Phishing Attempts |
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If you receive a suspicious email from an address that seems to be Bishop Susan, but it is not from an @edsd.org email account, it is a phishing attempt. Bishop Susan will never email you asking for funds or financial support by way of gift cards. Nor will the bishop's emails be filled with grammatical errors. Every official email from the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego comes from an @edsd.org email address. |
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Phishing is a cyber attack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need — a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company — and to click a link or download an attachment.
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Faith to Go: Your weekly formation resources |
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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
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EDSD.org Under Construction |
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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.
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Resources for Emotional Support |
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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.
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Public Statement of our Commitment |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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Diocesan Staff: Working Remotely |
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