Weekly E-News

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A Letter From Dean Penny: Future Plans

Hello St. Paul’s,

You may already have received a hard copy of this letter in the mail, but I wanted to be sure that everyone has a chance to read it before the weekend.

Click here to read the letter.

8 am - Holy Eucharist - In the Cathedral

9 am - Forum - In the Guild Room

10:20 am - Sunday School Drop-off

10:30 am - Baptism & Holy Eucharist - In the Cathedral or Worship Online

12 pm - Coffee Hour

5 pm - Evensong - In the Cathedral or Worship Online

Forum: Meet the Candidates

9 am, The Guild Room

This forum offers an opportunity to meet the seven candidates for election to Chapter. The election will take place on January 25 at our annual meeting. You can find information about all the candidates at stpaulcathedral.org/annual-meeting. Come hear them speak about their call to leadership. We also hope to have most of the candidates for election as lay delegates to next November’s Diocesan Convention present.

Evensong

5 pm in the Cathedral or Worship Online

Choral Evensong this Sunday, the First Sunday after Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord, will be sung by the Cathedral Schola with our new interim Organist Michael Lawrence, under the direction of Seonjeong Park.

The service reflects the revelation of Christ at his baptism, a moment of divine affirmation and light made manifest. The music explores themes of illumination, identity, and sacred calling central to the Epiphany season. Choral offerings include William Byrd’s Surge, illuminare, a radiant call to arise and shine; Todd’s Christus est stella, proclaiming Christ as the guiding star; and Dyson’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in F, a confident and dignified setting of the evening canticles. Together, the music and prayers invite worshippers into reflection on baptism, renewal, and the light of Christ revealed to the world.

Please give Michael Lawrence a warm welcome as this is his debut performance at St. Paul's. Michael has been in San Diego for several years, having moved here from the Philadelphia area. He is an experienced church organist and has worked in several denominations, currently at a United Methodist Church, but is looking forward to returning to the Episcopal Church and getting to know our magnificent cathedral organ.

Annual Meeting  

On Sunday, January 25 we will hold our annual parish meeting. This meeting is where we elect Chapter members (board of directors) and Lay Delegates to our Diocesan Convention. You can read about each of the current candidates, voting eligibility and more meeting details on our website. Lunch will be provided (menu coming soon).

Click here for all the details.

Report Misconduct 

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe space for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please visit our diocesan website at edsd.org and follow the directions (Click Here).

Upcoming Memorial Services

This month we have two upcoming memorial services:

• January 17, 11 am - Bill Eadie
• January 31, 1 pm - Bert Zwiers

All are welcome.

Christmas Flower Update

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God by Scott Schalon.

Simpler Living: Creation Care Ministry

Don't Turn Off the Alarm

With a move to close the National Center for Atmospheric Research (called by a climate denier a “center for climate alarmism”), there is an effort to remove this damaging provision out of the US Senate’s proposed 2026 budget. Californians especially know the importance of the work of scientists who research weather and critical emergency management. Terminating this essential work doesn’t remove the harms of climate change, and it puts us all in greater danger.

Contact our senators to support efforts to remove this provision from the budget (Click Here).

Lenten Reflections Needed

Lent is coming, and we’re creating a 2026 Reflection Booklet for the Cathedral community! Rev. Richard invites you to write a short reflection (½ page) based on daily lectionary readings. Sign up by emailing hoguer@stpaulcathedral.org with subject “Lenten Reflections” by Jan. 19. You’ll receive 1–2 assigned days. Reflections are due Feb. 4 for printing by Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations

Congress Must Investigate Military Actions

In 2009, the General Convention “condemn[ed] in any nation the first use of armed force in the form of a preventive or preemptive strike that is aimed at disrupting a non-imminent, uncertain military threat….” 

We are called to contact our representatives to investigate the recent attack on Venezuela and abduction of a sitting president and his wife. Learn more at episcopalchurch.org (Click Here).

Contact your representative (Click Here).

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer [pgs. 815-816]

Sacred Ground In Action (SGIA)

Celebrate our Kumeyaay neighbors!

Join the community in recognizing many contributions of our Indigenous siblings on Friday, January 16 at Kumeyaay Park in Chula Vista, as the Kumeyaay people are presented a commemorative plaque by the city of Chula Vista.

St. Paul’s Cathedral also celebrates the vital importance of our Kumeyaay neighbors to our community, their sacred lands that surround us, and the integrity of God’s creation.

Dean’s Breakfast at Bread and Cie

Friday, January 9, 8 am, 350 University Ave, San Diego

Join Dean Penny for her weekly breakfast at Bread and Cie (every Friday). Say hello, enjoy a delicious breakfast, ask that question you've been thinking about for so long! All are welcome! Parking is easy and free. 

Noon Eucharist

Friday, January 9, 12 pm, In the Cathedral

A brief and informal celebration of the Eucharist in our intimate Chapel. This service is held weekly on Fridays.

Organ Recital Rerun

Friday, January 9, 1 pm, Online Only (YouTube)

We will continue our break from in person organ recitals. This Friday's recital will be of Canon Martin Green. This past program features César Franck’s “Prélude, Fugue, et Variation”, plus works by Buxtehude and others. The original air date of this was from January 19, 2024.

Please remember this is virtual only. This video will air Friday at 1 pm at the top of the Organ Recital playlist, click the link above.

Showers of Blessings

Saturday, January 10, 7 - 10 am, Great Hall / Queen’s Courtyard

Our unsheltered neighbor outreach ministry will provide hygiene supplies, clothing and haircuts in the Queen’s courtyard (5th Ave side) and hot meals in the Great Hall. Our neighbors are particularly in need of men’s pants, especially pants more suited for the outdoors (jeans, work pants, BDUs, dickies). If you have some that are in good shape please consider donating. If you'd like to join us on Saturday, please give Claudia Dixon a heads up (cdixont@mac.com).

Film Spirit: The Trip to Bountiful (1985)

Monday, January 12, 5 pm, In the Guild Room

Join us for the first film study of 2026 as we watch The Trip to Bountiful (1985) written by dramatist Horton Foote. The screening begins at 5:30 PM on Monday, January 12 in the Guild Room. Enjoy conversation and warm company as we explore this award winning film. Friends and guests are welcome. Please bring your own snacks this time around, and your friends and family! 

Ethereal Sound Voyage by Lynda Arnold aka Divasonic

Saturday, January 10, 5:30 pm, In the Cathedral

Ethereal Sound Voyage is an immersive live sound meditation experience weaving together ambient soundscapes, live looping, multi-layered acoustic instruments, Sanskrit mantra, and nature-inspired textures. Each session is uniquely designed to reflect the season, the moment, and the energy of the group gathered.

The journey begins with an open vocal meditation practice—a gentle blend of toning, chant, and breathwork—that invites you to ground, open, and attune. From there, you’ll be guided into expansive soundscapes that encourage deep listening, divine connection, creative inquiry, and inner spaciousness.

Created as a sanctuary for stillness and renewal in our fast-paced world, Ethereal Sound Voyage offers an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and experience sound as a portal for healing and transformation.

Use code "StPauls20" to get 20% off. Click here to purchase tickets.

New Online Bible Course on the Hebrew Scriptures … for Smarties!

Beginning Monday, January 12, 2026, Virtually on Zoom

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online offering in the Spring -- a 12-week class on Hebrew Scriptures 2 (focusing on the Prophetic Literature and the miscellaneous Writings that include Poetry, Wisdom and Philosophy, Inspirational Stories and Apocalypse), starting on Monday 12th January 2026.  



All Classes meet on Zoom on Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Classes are recorded and can be accessed if you miss any of the *live* discussions.  For more information, click on this LINK [to the PDF of the Syllabus] which includes all you need to know about the material we will be covering, the schedule, and registering for the class.  Scholarships are available - please inquire.  And please feel free to email Dr. Moseley (drdavidmoseley@gmail.com) with any questions.

Campus Closed

Please note that the campus will be closed Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you have a pastoral emergency and need immediate assistance please call (619) 977-6318.

Partners in ministry

Ecumenical Worship Service at St. Gabriel’s

Wednesday, January 21, 7 pm, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church (13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064)

In honor of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), Dean Penny invites you to join her at St. Gabriel Catholic Church for an Armenian-style candle-lighting ceremony and prayer, as we reflect on the Light of Christ for unity, healing and reconciliation. If you are clergy and choose to vest, the color is red.

AARP Smart Driver Course

St. Paul's Cathedral is happy to partner with AARP in offering the AARP Smart Driver Course, which is designed especially for drivers aged 50 and older. Completion of the two, 4-hour class segments will result in the award of a California Mature Driver Improvement Course Certificate, and drivers in good standing will qualify for a discount on their California auto insurance policy. Regardless of a discount, the course has great tips and strategies for smarter, safer driving!

The course is scheduled in the Guild Room for January 27 & 28, from 9 AM to 1 PM.  You must complete both sessions to get a certificate. Bring your AARP membership number for the reduced rate of $20. The non-member rate is $25. Credit cards are accepted only in advance with online registration through AARP (Click Here). Payment may also be made on the first day of class by check or money order payable to AARP, but register online at the previous link or by calling 858-630-5351. Parking is available in the Cathedral's underground lot. Be sure and make a note of your license plate number, as we need to turn this in so you don't get a ticket. Click here to register for this course. 

PROCLAIM Youth Retreat

When: Starts, February 14, 2026 at 1 pm – Ends, February 16, at 10 am

Who: Youth grades 6-12

Where: Camp Stevens

Cost: $175 (grace-based pricing available)

This is a weekend filled with fun, friends, and faith. Programming is about knowing yourself and sharing God’s love in the world. The retreat includes games, hiking, crafts, worship, friends, laughter and more! Registration: CLICK HERE (Must register by 1/14) Questions? Contact our Family Minister, Taylor: milamsamuelt@stpaulcathedral.org

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