Post Convention Reporting |
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The 47th Diocesan Convention successfully took place on November 6 and 7, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Diocesan commitment to the health and well-being of all its members, the convention was held virtually. Despite a few hiccups, the virtual convention was successful in bringing the diocese together for faith-filled worship, thought-provoking presentations, and the important business of the diocese.
Included here are links to convention presentations, elections, and information:
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New Diocesan Logo: Courageous Love |
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We are happy to reveal the new logo for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. As we move into a new season of being the hands of Christ in San Diego, this logo is a fresh icon of how we step forward with courage and love--bringing the good news of Christ to the world around us.
As Bishop Susan Brown Snook said in her Address to Convention, “…What we know is that God is with us. God is always with us. The world outside us is changing, but that doesn’t mean the end for our church. Far from it. What it means is that we are called to transformation, empowered by Holy Spirit. We are called to develop hearts that even in the face of fear and anxiety, are willing to act with courage. We are called to develop hearts, minds and ministries of Courageous Love. Courageous Love that as we move forward in an uncertain time, will call us to experimentation, to transformation. To planting seeds that may someday grow. To knowing Christ and to making Christ known, by word and example. Because our God is not a God who shrinks away in times of danger and anxiety. Our God is a God who enters into danger and anxiety and transforms it with love. Our God is a God of hope that overcomes fear. So let us act with courage. Let us act with love. Let us act with confidence that as we move into an unknown, ever-transforming future, Jesus will be with us, giving us hope.”
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Border Ministries Summit: November 20-21 |
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[Episcopal News Service] Planning for this year’s Border Ministries Summit, to be held online on Nov. 20 and 21, started well before the presidential election, but in focusing on the theme of Christian peacemaking, organizers saw an opportunity to respond to this post-election moment, whatever the outcome at the polls.
“How do we as Christians live as peacemakers in a world that is divided and angry?” San Diego Bishop Susan Snook said in an interview with Episcopal News Service. Her diocese is hosting the summit. “How do we help people enter into and follow the way of love and live lives of reconciliation as Jesus has taught us to?”
Registration is still open for the summit, now in its third year. It is intended not only for people already involved in migration ministries, but also for Episcopalians who simply want to learn more about the issues and how to get involved, Snook said. Read More
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Join us for the Virtual Border Ministries Summit 2020 and hear from those at the center of the immigrant community in San Diego. Our focus will be on Christian Peacemaking in a World of Conflict. Learn from undocumented people, deportees, first generation immigrants and Christian leaders who live in Tijuana and San Diego.
We will hear from Episcopal / Anglican Bishops and other leaders on both sides of the border, as well as from the Border Patrol and legal experts. We will not only learn about immigration but will be equipped with tangible Christian Peacemaking practices to live out in our own contexts as Everyday Peacemakers. The pain is real and the opportunity for transformation and healing is as well.
This is the Third Annual Border Summit, designed for Episcopal and other Christians wanting more information about the US-Mexico border, and for those who want to learn the basics of becoming Christian Peacemakers in this time of deep division. Learn More
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School for Ministry Spring Term Registration |
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Spring Term Registration Opens November 16 |
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Spring Term registration begins on November 16. Join students from throughout the diocese this spring as we deepen our knowledge of Christ together. This spring the School for Ministry is offering: New Testament 2, Church Mission & Society, Theology, and Christian Spirituality. Learn more about these amazing offerings on the School for Ministry website.
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Praying for Justice & Peace |
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Commentary: We need unity after a divisive presidential election.
The power of prayer can help.
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[San Diego Union-Tribune] “It seems we have hit a crisis moment in America and, as faith leaders, we recognize the important role that faith and prayer can play as a force for peace and justice,” said Rev. Rebecca Dinovo, a priest at St. James by-the-Sea in La Jolla, who took the initial steps to draw these leaders together months ago. Read More
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Remembering the Rev. Dr. Robert Crafts Jr. |
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The Rev. Dr. Robert Crafts, Jr., Captain, MC-USN retired, called over and over again to the service of others throughout multiple careers, was called home on November 7 at the age of 85. A modern Renaissance man schooled in culture, language, music, history, science and faith, he devoted his many talents to enriching the lives of those around him.
In 1986, Crafts retired from the Navy to pursue a full-time masters in divinity from Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary in Wisconsin. He received his M.Div in 1989 and returned to the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego to oversee the congregation of St. John’s parish in Indio where he served the diverse, desert community by delivering eucharistic services in both English and Spanish for nearly a decade.
In 1998, he and Carol moved back to the City of San Diego where he continued to bring the love of Christ to countless more people, both as the head priest at St. Elizabeth’s in Linda Vista and as the port chaplain for the Mission to Seafarers in downtown San Diego. It was in this latter role that he finally combined his commitment to Christ, a desire to connect with and serve others, a deep love of languages, the joy derived from sharing a good book, and his long naval experience into one purpose. He was also secretary of Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego for many years.
Crafts is preceded on this, his final journey, by 2 children and a grandchild and is survived by his wife of 57 years, two brothers, 3 children, 7 grandchildren and a great-grandson.
The Crafts family will have a private funeral at St Bart’s on November 25 at 11am. It will be live streamed on the St Bart’s media channels.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Robert Crafts, Jr. to seamenschurch.org or to the sempervirensfund.org (in support of the restoration of the Robert Crafts Grove in the Big Basin Redwood State Park which was devastated by the 2020 CZU August Lightning Complex Fires).
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Building Intentional Small Groups
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The purpose of an intentional faith-based small group is to build trusting relationships with God and one another. When we meet each other for conversation, practice, and prayer, we learn how to love. Call it a small group, discipleship circle, neighborhood group, life group or cell gathering – whatever the name, a small group provides space for prayerful support and accountability as we seek to live the Jesus Way.
Your small group may be a new discipleship group or you may decide to add a new level of intention to a circle like the vestry, Bible study, youth group, altar guild, choir, or chapters of the Episcopal Church Women, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, or Daughters of the King. The goal is to open the door for God to works on us, in us, and through us, in powerful ways in the context of a small, intentional, dedicated group of disciples.
If you would like to know more about small group discipleship, or would like assistance starting a small group ministry in your congregation please email Canon Christian Gillette at [email protected].
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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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Revive: A Discipleship Resource for Lay Leaders |
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Revive is a discipleship resource created by Forward Movement to help active lay leaders—wardens, property and finance officers, committee chairs, vestry members, church school teachers, youth ministers, pastoral visitors, and liturgical ministers—grow in confidence as spiritual leaders. Revive is about transformation through spiritual formation. In just 10 months, this small-group program transforms leaders of practical church ministry into confident spiritual leaders who love God and participate in Christ’s ministry.
If you would like more information about Revive, or would like to offer Revive to your congregational lay leaders, please talk to your clergy or contact Christian Gillette, Canon for Evangelism and Discipleship at [email protected].
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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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Grants Available to Churches |
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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.
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TENS Offers Resources for Virtual Stewardship |
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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 [email protected] or Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Keren Mondaca, at [email protected].
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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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Age of Digital Ministry Explained |
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Checklist to Resume In-Person Worship |
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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.
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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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