Commission on Ministry: Day of Information
Saturday October 9th via Zoom, 10 AM – Noon 
Are you feeling the draw of the Holy Spirit? Are you gifted and want to bless others? Perhaps to teach, preach, or lead worship? We are here for you, one need not be ordained to do so, and we can help prepare you for your call. Considering ordination anyway? We are here for you too. The Commission on Ministry invites anyone discerning any call to ministry—lay or ordained—to explore the possibilities with us. We will overview the various lay licensing opportunities that are available and the ordination process. We will answer your questions and get to know you, regardless of where you are on your personal journey as a disciple. Bishop Susan, cochairs Meredith Hardy and Rev. Richard Hogue, along with the other members of the Commission on Ministry want to discern with you. We are so excited to dive deeper and explore each other’s gifts! Register here to join us for this discernment opportunity.
Youth Ministry Leaders Training Weekend
Children and Youth Ministry leaders are invited to a weekend training and retreat at Camp Stevens. The training begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 16th, and will conclude with Eucharist in the outdoor chapel on Sunday, October 17th. You are welcome to come on Friday night for additional sabbath time, at no additional charge. Per diocesan guidelines, all attendees must be vaccinated for Covid-19.
 
Retreat Cost: $125
Saturday only (without overnight accommodations): $50
Registration includes Your accommodations in the Wolterstorff Lodge at Camp Stevens, three incredible Camp Stevens meals, and a few special surprises. 

Highlights of the weekend include
  • Small-Group breakouts for Godly Play, youth ministry games, Las Posadas, and pageants

  • Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany planning for children, youth, and families

  • DSD resource review for chaperones, social media, and waivers

  • Best practices – resource, program, and event sharing

  • Hiking, napping, singing, laughing, sitting around the fire, and being disconnected from the world for sabbath

  • Worship in the Camp Stevens outdoor chapel
      
We would truly love it if a Children and Youth Ministry representative from each parish was represented at this Leadership Retreat. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join us!

Any questions regarding this program should be directed to Charlette Preslar, [email protected]. 

Diocesan Convention Changed to Virtual Meeting
Diocesan Convention 2021 will be held virtually November 5-6. The virtual environment allows EDSD to provide live workshops and presentations from across the Episcopal Church. With expanded offerings, new workshops, and guest speakers, you can enjoy a safe, educational, and energizing convention from the comfort of home--or as a delegation at church.

Registered delegates will be provided with a zoom link and voting code via email the week of Convention. Visitors can enjoy the live broadcast through the Diocesan YouTube channel.
Visit www.conventionedsd.org for regular updates and registration information.

The Diocesan Convention agenda is listed below. (This agenda may change slightly as we draw closer to the event).

Friday, November 5
2:00 - 5:00pm Convention Workshops
5:15pm Opening Prayer and Conversation between Bishop Susan Brown Snook and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Saturday, November 6
8:00am Registration Opens
9:00am Convention Opening Worship
10:30am Business of Convention begins

Please email the Director of Communications, Chris Tumilty, with any questions regarding this year's virtual convention.
Ordination to the Diaconate
Photography provided by: Susan Forsburg
Congratulations to the Rev. Nancy Jo Burnett, the Rev. Katherine Logan Gordon, and the Rev. Daniel James McMillan on their ordination to the diaconate. The beautiful ordination service is available for your enjoyment below.
Diocesan Vaccination Policies for Staff and Events
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has been committed to loving God and our neighbors through public health policies that help ensure healthy practices within our diocese. Now that the Pfizer vaccination has been fully approved by the FDA, EDSD’s Executive Council met on Saturday, August 28, 2021, and approved a new COVID-19 policy. This policy applies to employees of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and to diocesan events such as Clergy Conference, Diocesan Convention, and Ordinations until further notice. The diocese is not issuing directives for employees of congregations or for congregational events, but we recommend these policies for your Vestry or Bishop’s Committee to consider adopting or adapting for your congregation. These policies do not apply to events that are organized and managed by outside (though affiliated) groups, such as Cursillo, Episcopal Community Services, or RefugeeNet. Read More
Open Enrollment is Coming
Employees of the Diocese--Open Enrollment is coming. Health and Dental insurance plans will remain unchanged in 2022. If you are an employee of the diocese and work more than 1,000 hours, you will be offered the chance to enroll in the Denominational Health Plan from October 27 to November 17. Be on the lookout for a green envelope from the Church Pension Group with your enrollment package, and a letter from your employer in the next few weeks with more information.
Creation Care Offerings
As we move through the Season of Creation this fall, the EDSD Creation Care Task Force and a number of churches in our Diocese are hosting events, services, and more to help us engage in learning and work focused on care for the earth, one of God’s most precious gifts to us. Here is the complete calendar of offerings, and below are details about two of them. To learn more about the EDSD Creation Care Task Force, contact Deann Rios at [email protected].
Saturday, October 2, 10am - 2pm: Be the Change Festival will offer climate solutions through a celebration of the many benefits of electric vehicles and home electrification, sponsored by the Environmental Stewardship Team of St. Bartholomew’s in Poway. Contact Parth with any questions.


Wednesdays, Oct. 13 – Nov. 10, 7 - 8pm: Braiding Sweetgrass Book Study will reflect on essays focused on creation care by indigenous scientist and gifted storyteller Robin Wall Kimmerer who calls us to celebrate and live in reciprocity with the rest of the living world. Sponsored by Simpler Living of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Environmental Stewardship Team of St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church. Contact Parth with any questions.

Community Conversations: Climate Change
St. Dunstan's in San Diego invites you to a Fall Wednesday night series entitled: "COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS." The talks will cover concerns and issues facing our neighborhoods.

7 PM, In-person: Church Sanctuary or Livestream:

Sept. 29: "Pollution in South Bay Estuaries, Imperial & Coronado Beaches, & Tijuana" 
Speaker: Jules Jackson, Community Engagement Coordinator, WILDCOAST
Church Security and Emergency Planning
Acts of targeted violence against houses of worship are a real—and potentially growing—problem in the United States. Keeping our churches and neighborhoods safe is a key focus of The Episcopal Church, our diocese, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego offers free, comprehensive security and emergency plan tools and templates for your use. Please contact Jeff Green for more information about church security or emergency planning.

The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations recently shared these resources:
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