The Bishop's Easter Book Study
DiscipleshipEDSD is excited to introduce a new opportunity to deepen your discipleship during this Easter Season! Join Bishop Susan as she guides us through a study of Julia Gatta’s engaging book, Life in Christ: Practicing Christian Spirituality.
With its great heritage from English mystics, the Episcopal Church has been "spiritual" since before it was trendy, and modern Episcopalians have been in the forefront of exploring practices beyond Anglican boundaries. Yet, perhaps only rarely do they grasp the implications of the theology embedded in these practices or in the liturgies of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, which has shaped Episcopalians in this country with its emphasis on baptismal spirituality and the centrality of the Eucharist.
Julia Gatta wants to change that with her new book, Life in Christ. Applying her years of experience as pastor and spiritual director combined with her study of the spiritual wisdom of the past, she explores common Christian practices and their underlying theology through an Episcopal lens. In the tradition of Esther de Waal, Martin Smith, and Martin Thornton, with particular reference to scripture, The Book of Common Prayer, and the wisdom of the Christian spiritual tradition, she illuminates methods readers may already be practicing and provides insight and guidance to ones that may be new to them.

Each Friday in Easter beginning on April 17th, Bishop Susan will offer a video reflection on a chapter of the book, and provide questions for individuals or groups to reflect and engage with the text. Interactive conversations hosted by clergy and diocesan leaders will also be offered, where you can participate in fun and engaging conversations in community! Order your book today , and get ready to learn, grow, and be encouraged in your faith!
Memorial Day: Pray, Thank, and Remember
Since 1868, on the fourth Monday of May, in the Spring when flowers were abundant, Americans have decorated the graves of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation while serving in military uniform and remembered them and their families.

Normally, for most of us, in past years we have seen it as a long weekend, the beginning of Summer, a time to begin a vacation, or just spending time with family and friends. These days we are living in a new reality of self-isolation and being quarantined, it is similar in many ways and yet different than those who gave their lives in their sacrifice to our country. Memorial Day is just around the corner, and rather than it being just another day at home, (we all have had enough of that) maybe this year join one of our parishes offering a Memorial Day service online or watching on TV what is happening in Washington D.C.

This day is a day to pray for all those who gave their lives while serving in the Armed Forces and died in combat and pray for those serving now who are not getting a day off, like all our healthcare workers. If you know someone who is serving, or a veteran thank him or her for their service. But most of all, take a moment to remember the men and women who lost their lives and thank God for them.

Next week, Rev. Frank Munoz will be recording a special Memorial Day address that you can play for your congregation on Sunday or during your Memorial Day service.

Again, if you need any assistance in planning a service, or would like to invite me to speak to your congregation, please contact me at fmunoz@edsd.org or at 858-395-0203.
Knighted: The Rev. Canon Barnabas Hunt
ORDER OF ST. JOHN FOR THE FAITH AND IN THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY

The Diocese of San Diego and the Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook are delighted to congratulate the Rev. Canon Barnabas Hunt on his recent elevation by Queen Elizabeth II as a Knight of the Order of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. This high honor follows many years of dedicated servant ministry to the order and the people of the Holy Land. Our diocese s proud and inspired by his service.

Salt and Light
Becoming a Military and Veteran Friendly Church
By: Rev. Frank Munoz
Did you know that veterans are 10 times more likely to go to clergy than all other Mental Health Providers? Our military and veterans often don’t know where to go to for help, compassionate care and support. Often they are seeking a more comfortable place, like a church or clergy for help with their problems. We can be there for them! In association with the Military Chaplain Association, the “Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation (VMFC) was conceived to promote a sense of community, acceptance and support for Veterans and their families.” Our churches can be those places where our military and veterans find support.  Read More
EDSD Youth Baccalaureate Service
The Diocese of San Diego will be honoring graduating high school seniors with a special Baccalaureate Service on June 6 at 5:00 p.m. on the Diocesan YouTube and Facebook pages. All graduating High School Seniors are invited to be part of this service which will be live-streamed on the diocesan YouTube channel and Facebook page. The service will be lead by Bishop Susan and will include Seniors throughout the service. There are multiple levels of participation from submitting a photo of your Senior to being involved as a reader or providing service music. We would love to have youth from all of our parishes featured in the service. Interested Seniors and their families are asked to contact Charlette Preslar, youth missioner, at cpreslar@edsd.org for details on how to be involved. 
How to: Targeted Social Media Ads
Digital Tooling Tuesdays
Are you reaching as many people as you can with your digital worship service? We can help at Digital Tooling Tuesdays, a new offering to dive deep into the tools used for live streaming worship, engaging people on social media, and creating evangelistic content that attracts people to the church.

Digital Tooling Tuesday begins on May 12 at 2 p.m. with Communications Director Chris Tumilty hosting a Digital Open House to answer all your questions about live broadcasting.
Look forward to expert guest speakers in the fields of video production, live streaming entertainment, movie making, sound engineering and more.
Is It Supposed to be This Hard? 
Toxic Relationships, Spirituality & Well-being
Wednesday May 13 to June 10 from 6:00 PM—7:30 PM
Leader: Dawn Stary, member of St. Luke's North Park, Postulant for the Priesthood, and Experienced Pastoral Counselor

Do you have some relationships that are so hard? Some that are stressful and overwhelming? Some that make you feel confused, angry, sad or scared?  Whether it is an intimate relationship, friendship, family connections or professional, some relationships can be toxic. 

In this class, you’ll learn:
How to identify red flags, ways to begin to trust your instincts, where God is in the midst of these relationships, how to create boundaries and how to begin to create change and or exit these relationships where to find additional resources.

Register here
Virtual Youth Group
Diocesan Youth Group - a chance to be together, when we can't be together! - youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in a diocesan wide youth group offering. The group meets Tuesday nights at 6:30 for games, movie nights, music and more. On Thursdays there are faith formation opportunities for both Middle and High School students. The Middle School group meets at 10:00 a.m. and the High School group at 11:00 a.m. Our time together includes check-ins, scripture, laughter and prayer. Please contact Charlette Preslar, youth missioner, for more information: cpreslar@edsd.org 
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.