Episcopal Community Services - Serving God by serving those in need through programs that foster hope, dignity, and independence, Episcopal Community Services (ECS) inspires children, empowers adults and transforms communities. Its  vital social services encourage healthy interdependence in the areas of  homelessness, mental illness, early childhood education, child development and substance use education. Last year, ECS served more than 8,000 people. Learn more and purchase tickets to the annual gala: www.ecscalifornia.org.

News
Bishop Applications Due April 10 -  Do you know someone who might make a good bishop? Please share our diocesan profile, and encourage interested persons to apply here. 
 
Proposed Full Communion Agreement - The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church have been seriously engaged in talks about full communion. The dialogue committee meets next April 23-25 in Chicago. Learn more from this PDF or read this article. 

Holy Week Photos - If you were not able to attend the annual Renewal of Vows service, you can still enjoy the photos here. You can also view the Maundy Thursday Footwashing photos here from Ocean Beach. If you have photos to share from Holy Week, please send them to Hannah Wilder.

General Convention 101 -  Carvel Glenn in the Diocese of Texas created this educational booklet about General Convention.  General Convention 101

Report Clergy Misconduct - As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven 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 contact John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.

Diocesan Events
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Order of St Luke Conference - Answering the Call to Heal with the Rev.  John Rice at Good Samaritan, 4321 Eastgate Mall. Friday - Saturday, April 13 - 14. For more information, contact Barbara McBride or view the PDF brochure. 

Diaconal Ordination -  The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori will ordain Kelly Mahon and Patricia Horkey to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, April 14, 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego. 
 
Water to Wine - Enjoy a night at the Natural History Museum with a special tribute to Aimeclare Roche, head of The Bishop's School. Live music, fine dining, dancing, live and silent auctions and more, all benefiting Episcopal Community Services on Saturday, April 14. Learn more. 


Children's Ministry Collective - All children's ministers are invited and encouraged to attend our first meeting on Saturday, April 14 at St. David's, San Diego, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring your positive energy and great ideas. We will discuss Vacation Bible School and summer programming, amongst other things. Contact Alex Howard, children's minister at St. Bartholomew's, Poway, with questions. 


Cursillo is a short course in Christianity. Visit the website to learn more about the upcoming retreat weekend April 19-22 in Pine Valley. 

Help Diocesan Youth - This fundraiser includes food from six countries, dancing, music and more to help diocesan youth raise funds to go on a service trip to Guatemala. Saturday, April 21, 5 -  8 p.m. at Christ Church, Coronado. Purchase Tickets. Contact Charlette Preslar for more information.


Godly Play Core Curriculum Certification - A relaxed, retreat-style training for Godly Play storytellers and doorpersons, this is the first of a three-part series. Participation in each module constitutes core training certification. Saturday, April 21, May 19 and June 16 at St. Bartholomew's, Poway. $155 per person, lunch included. Contact Alexandra Howard for more information. 



Digital Evangelism Tuesday Talks -  Join other church communicators for these monthly discussions about websites, bulletins, newsletters, social media, and how to get people to read! Fourth Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. The meeting on Tuesday, April 24 will tackle websites with Heather Holliday of St. Paul's Cathedral leading. RSVP to Hannah Wilder or  Join the meeting .


"Blessed are the peacemakers." (Matthew 5:9) Come to this workshop led by Dr. Richard Blackburn, executive director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center to learn how to understand and work constructively with conflict.  Learn More & Register

End of Life Planning - Jim Murphy, managing director at the Episcopal Church Foundation will discuss how to ensure your end-of-life and medical care wishes are fulfilled. Friday, April 27 at St. Margaret's, 47-535 Highway 74, Palm Desert (register) and again on Saturday, April 28 at Good Samaritan, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego (register). 



We hope you can join us for this retirement party at the Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego. Bobbi Hoff, executive assistant to the bishop, and Julie Young, canon for finance and administration and diocesan treasurer, will move on to their next adventures. RSVP to Keren Mondaca with "Farewell" in the subject line.
 

United Thank Offering Ingathering -  Churches throughout the diocese will gather in the contributions to the United Thank Offering on Sunday, May 6.

New Camino -  Many church leaders think they have to know Spanish to minister to and with Latinos/Hispanics. Come to the New Camino led by the Rev. Anthony Guillen, Episcopal Church officer for Latino/Hispanic ministries. Friday - Saturday, May 18 - 19 at St. Paul's Cathedral. Learn more.


Middle School Mission Trip - Applications now accepted for 2018 mission trip to Los Angeles. Learn More & Register

Save the date: Friday, July 27 and stay tuned for more information

Congregational News & Events


Our Community is All Creation -  Attend one or all in this series of lectures meant to broaden our sense of community to extend beyond humankind to all life and the ecosystems that make life possible. We begin at this Sunday's forum, April 8, 9 - 10 a.m. with Doug Satre of Plant with Purpose looking at how thriving humanity is intimately connected with everything in our environment. On Wednesday, April 18, 7 - 8:30 p.m. our own Bishop Katharine will consider the ocean as a community of life on which we all depend and our role as stewards. For information contact David Tremaine .







Benjamin Britten's "Noye's Fludde" (Noah's Flood) -  This church opera is a co-production that involves children and others from at least six congregations. All are welcome. Visit www.allsoulspintloma.org  for tickets.


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Icon Writing Workshop June 25-29 at St. Paul's Cathedral. Enjoy a five-day retreat led by Teresa Harrison who will teach the prayerful practice of painting or writing a Byzantine-style icon. The workshop emphasizes the step-by-step process using Jo Sonia acrylic paint and 23 carat gold leaf, as well as on the spiritual practice of allowing God to work in and through us. The fee is $435 and includes all supplies, five full days of instruction, and lunch. To RSVP please contact  Julie McMinn.


Every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at St. Timothy's, a Celtic Evensong takes place. Questions? Contact the Rev.  Wilfredo Crespo . 

Beyond Our Diocese
Building a Culture of Evangelism - About 400 clergy and lay people from 80 dioceses gathered in Cleveland Heights March 14-17 for the Episcopal Church's second Evangelism Matters conference. It was a program of worship, fellowship, inspiration, and advice on "practical evangelism with an Episcopal heart," in the words of the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, the presiding bishop's canon for evangelism, reconciliation, and stewardship of creation. Read on. 

Diocese of Texas Hosts 2018 General Convention - The 79th General Convention will take place at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, July 5 - 13. Visit the website:  www.generalconvention.org  for information on housing, resolutions, children's programs, transportation, etc. Volunteers are needed. Register here . 


50 Years Since King's Assassination - Access a video curriculum sponsored by Trinity, Wall Street in honor of the lasting impact of Dr. King's ministry. April 4, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary since his assassination.  


Two sessions of the Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency (October 15-24) are open for registration. These nine-day intensives provide cultural competency for congregational leaders. Registration deadline: September 29. Learn more .



July 17 - 25 Theological debate camp provides high school students with an opportunity to build faith through intellectual channels. SUMMA offers fun, friendship and the opportunity for a deepened and more thoughtful faith. Applications due Friday, June 1. Learn more.



Celebrating Baptism - Enjoy a short video about baptismal prep at the Church on the Square in Baltimore, Maryland. This is part of Thursdays at 2 from the Episcopal Church communications office. Each week, a new short video shows off a congregation or ministry around the church.

 

Registration now open for the 2018 Missional Voices National Gathering which takes place Thursday-Saturday, April 19-21 at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis.  Cost: $99 (includes meals); registration is free to current seminarians.  Find more information on housing and register online .  Learn more.  Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is the keynoter with other talks from great voices across the Episcopal Church.