Support Wildfire Victims
Our fellow Episcopalians in the Dioceses of Los Angeles and Northern California continue to reel from the impact of the recent wildfires. Monetary donations are most helpful. Donate to the US Disaster Response Fund via Episcopal Relief & Development to provide support for acute needs and on the long road to recovery.

Suggested Bulletin Text: Wildfire Victims Need Your Help
The Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire have destroyed more than 10,300 structures, 246,000 acres, and killing at least 79 people. Your contribution to the US Disaster Fund will directly assist victims. Donate online: https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now   or mail a check made out to: "Episcopal Relief & Development" PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life. - The General Thanksgiving excerpt, Book of Common Prayer, 101.

The Office of the Bishop wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving. We will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23. We will reopen on Monday, November 26.
We Want Your Walkabout Questions
Final candidates for the fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will be presented to the diocese in walkabout events held across the diocese from January 13-18. During the walkabout, we will listen to the candidates responding to specific questions. The transition committee asks for your help in drafting suggested questions about candidates’ visions for our diocese, their views on mission, or whatever you believe is important to know about our candidates. Please submit your question (with your name, church name and whether you are clergy or lay person) by e-mail to:  candidatequestions@edsd.org by December 19.
45th Annual Diocesan Convention
Thank You St. Dunstan's, Cursillo, Area Two, Volunteers, and Delegates!
We appreciate everyone who attended the annual convention, and all the hands who worked so hard to make it a connective, productive event. We elected new leaders, passed two resolutions and held good conversations about the bishop search. Thank you one and all!

Ministry Together Service Project
Thanks to YOU, our diocese collected 960 pairs of socks, 213 pairs of underwear for Episcopal Community Services' Friend-to-Friend homeless outreach center; 260 pounds of peanut butter and other food items for St. Paul's PACE low-income seniors; 6,300 diapers, 1,900 wipes, and 18 tubes of diaper rash cream for RefugeeNet's young families.

Two Upcoming Ordinations

Ms. Lilia Mendoza will be ordained to the diaconate on Sunday, December 2 at St. Paul's, Yuma. The service will take place at 10 a.m. Arizona time, 9 a.m. California time. Lilia is a native Spanish speaker who was sponsored by the Spanish congregation at St. Paul's. Our Latino missioner, the Rev. Carlos Garcia, tutored her and prepared her for ordination. Congratulations, Lilia!

The Rev. Patricia Horkey will be ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, December 9 at St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs at 10 a.m. She attended St. Hugh's, Idyllwild, who sponsored her for ordination. She was ordained to the diaconate last spring and will now join the priesthood. Congratulations, Patricia!
Way of Love Advent Curriculum

Journeying the Way of Love is a new Advent curriculum tied to readings and themes from the lectionary. The curriculum and advent calendar are available for download here .

More Advent resources from The Episcopal Church, including the Becoming the Beloved Community series, which focuses on racial reconciliation, are available here.
Walking in Welcome:
An Advent Series on Migration

Episcopal Migration Ministries will host a series one webinars to educate Episcopalians about immigration, refugee ministries, resettlement, and advocacy. Learn More

Volunteer in Disaster Areas
Around the Church

Episcopal Relief & Development invites anyone looking for volunteer opportunities to visit volunteer.episcopalrelief.org and register in the system. Currently four dioceses impacted by the 2017 hurricane season are in need of volunteers: Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Texas and Florida.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

The Cycle of Prayer through the rest of 2018 can be accessed on the diocesan website and is posted here:

The week of December 2, 2018 – First Sunday of Advent
Clergy and people of: Christ the King, Alpine
The members of the Executive Council as they gathered for the annual retreat this weekend
Lilia Mendoza, ordained deacon on Sunday , December 2

The week of December 9, 2018 – Second Sunday of Advent
Clergy and people of: Church of the Good Shepherd, Bonita

The week of December 16, 2018 – Third Sunday of Advent
Clergy and people of: St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs

The week of December 23, 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Clergy and people of: All Saints’, Brawley

The week of December 30, 2018 – First Sunday after Christmas
Clergy and people of: Holy Cross, Carlsbad

Civil Discourse Curriculum
Use the following five-week Civil Discourse Curriculum to better understand and practice civil discourse particularly as it relates to politics, policy, and legislation. This resource will also help folks understand why civil discourse is so important to living out our Gospel call and solving the problems facing our communities, country and the world.

All Souls' Home Tour: Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All Souls’ 67th Annual Christmas Home Tour is a most delightful way to begin our Christmas readiness! A group of five lovely Point Loma homes will be highlighted this year with the interesting variety of a more compact garden home, two historical beauties, and two lovely Liberty Station homes, the first included on our tour. In addition, the Marketplace on the All Souls’ campus has expanded to include special apparel, craft and garden vendors and gourmet food trucks in addition to the unique hand-made traditions we always expect. We’re offering a special reserved ticket price for purchases of ten or more at $25.00 each, or of course, single pre-sale tickets for $30.00 each, or $35.00 on the day of the event. For more information and tickets, visit www.allsoulspointloma.org/hometour  or email derelynn@gmail.com.
Episcopal Early Childhood Education
Leadership Day
Tuesday, February 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
$35 per person. Explore key characteristics of Episcopal preschools, the roles of school board and vestry, church-school relations and managing leadership transitions. Ideal for rectors, preschool directors, vestry members and school leaders.

Camp Stevens Opening
December 7-9

Camp Stevens, our diocesan camp, is open and available for weekend retreat groups. Enjoy the rolling meadows and hiking trails, farm-to-table food, and the crisp fall air in Julian. Interact with caring staff members who are trained in compassionate communication, who value the dignity of every visitor, and who work to make your stay a pleasant one. Call about winter discounts: 760-765-0028.

Sundries for Seniors Holiday Lunch
Friday, December 14, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bring joy to low-income seniors this holiday season by filling grocery bags with care and comfort items and attending the lunch at Bahia Resort, 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego.

St. James' White Elephant and Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Shop a wide selection of Christmas decor and gifts including jewelry, paintings, woodwork, fabric art. The youth will hold a bake sale as well.


Alpine Europe Tour with Oberammergau Passion Play: May 11-21, 2020
Join Christians from around the world to witness the epic Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, an event that takes place only once every 10 years! St. Bartholomew’s has planned an exciting customized tour including the day and evening Oberammergau experience, as well as time exploring Munich, Salzburg and Lucerne! However, due to the popularity of this rare performance, interest must be determined by January 2, 2019 in order to proceed. Contact Jill Henderson, now for a copy of the itinerary, pricing and more details.

Beyond Our Diocese
Churchwide Bible Reading Initiative Begins Epiphany 2019
When we commit to reading God's Word, we open ourselves to the opportunity for transformation. The Good Book Club will focus on Paul's Letter to the Romans with participants reading a section of scripture each day during Epiphany season, beginning January 7.

Our diocese has a membership with  The Episcopal Network for Stewardship  (TENS). This membership allows congregations to use the stewardship resources provided by TENS. We hope you'll take advantage of these resources in your congregation by visiting the TENS website with username Mark and password 10:21.
Plan Ahead for Upcoming Conferences
2019 FORMA Conference: Formed to Proclaim
 
The  2019 Forma conference will take place January 23-25 in Indianapolis. The conference will explore the questions: How does liturgy form us, and how are we forming people for evangelism? Early bird rates expire October 15.

EpisComm19
Keynote Speaker:
Nadia Bolz-Weber

Episcopal web masters, writers, Instagrammers, bulletin creators, editors, photographers and other content creators are welcome to attend the annual communications conference April 29 - May 3 in Denver.

What's New, What's Now, What's Next: Boston

On February 20 - 23 the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes will host its annual conference in Boston. Dr. Cristena Cleveland, Mr. Ray Suarez, the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells are some of the speakers.