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St. John's Mission Statement
St. John's is a Christian community that intentionally gathers
to experience God's love through Episcopal worship, education, fellowship, and ministry to the wider community.
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Holy Week and Easter
The Heart of the Christian Year
Holy Week begins on the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, as Jesus enters Jerusalem and is welcomed as king. The week progresses to the Last Supper when Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and his betrayal and arrest on Thursday evening; his trial and crucifixion on Friday; and his conquering death and resurrection on Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus' earthly life.
Holy Week culminates with the Paschal Triduum (sacred three days): starting the evening of Maundy Thursday, through the evenings of Good Friday and Easter Eve on Saturday (with the Great Vigil of Easter,) and ending the evening of Easter; all celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Paschal Triduum is experienced as one liturgy: having remembered the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, we wait and pray (vigil) at the altar of repose on Maundy Thursday; then we continue with the reading of the Passion along with the veneration and prayer (vigil) at the cross of Christ on Good Friday; leading us to the Easter Vigil where we gather and pray (vigil) around the new fire to hear the stories of salvation after which we celebrate the resurrection of Christ in the Holy Eucharist; a celebration that continues into Easter day.
"What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul.
What wondrous love is this!"
Sunday of the Passion - Palm Sunday: March 28th
9:00AM (In-person service in the courtyard and livestreamed on our website)
Liturgy of the Palms and Liturgy of the Word with a reading of The Passion According to Mark
Maundy Thursday: April 1st
7:00PM (In-person service in Nale Hall and livestreamed on our website)
We gather for an adapted Jewish Passover Seder and Christian Agape service with our Maundy Thursday liturgy. Our liturgy will include elements from the Jewish Seder; description of the Seder Plate and the Five Question asked that night. We will continue with the Liturgy of the Word, a symbolic remembrance of Foot Washing at the Last Supper with the directive to serve our neighbors in need, and the commemoration of the institution of Holy Eucharist with the blessing of bread and wine. Since this begins the "one liturgy" of the Paschal Triduum, our liturgy of this day has no formal dismissal.
Good Friday: April 2nd
12:00PM (In-person service in the courtyard and livestreamed on our website)
Noonday prayer with Stations of the Cross
7:00PM (In-person service in the courtyard and livestreamed on our website)
We will gather in reflective prayer, with no formal introduction, for the Liturgy of the Word including hearing the Passion of Christ, solemn prayers and the veneration of the cross with time for individual prayer at the cross of Christ. Again, there is no dismissal; you may stay in prayer before the cross.
Holy Saturday - The Great Vigil of Easter: April 3rd
7:00PM (In-person service in the courtyard and in the church; livestreamed on our website )
We will again gather in reflective prayer (vigil) as we light the new fire and Paschal Candle and we hear again the stories of salvation; proclaim Alleluia, hear the New Testament scripture, reaffirm our faith with the Renewal of Baptismal Vows, followed by the Celebration of Holy Eucharist and the receiving of Easter Communion.
Sunday of the Resurrection - Easter Day: April 4th
9:00AM (In-person service in the church and livestreamed on our website)
Please join us in the church for our Easter celebration of God's word, reaffirm our faith with the Renewal of Baptismal Vows, Holy Baptism and Celebration of Eucharist with the receiving of Easter Communion.
To arrange seating, if you plan to attend any of our liturgical services
please call the parish office (619) 422-4141
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Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Readings for Sunday, March 28, 2021
Mark 11:1-11 (Liturgy of the Palms)
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47
Collect for Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race
you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature,
and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering,
and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Gathering for In-person Worship
It is with great joy that, with consent of Bishop Susan and the Vestry of St. John, we are planning to gather in person for worship during Holy Week and Easter - Alleluia, Alleluia!! We will gather in person for worship beginning on Passion/Palm Sunday.
We are in need of ushers/greeters for our Holy Week and Easter Liturgies. Please contact the office if you can volunteer.
Health Guidelines
In addition to encouraging vaccination - we will strictly adhere to our action plan and the following guidelines (until the restrictions are lifted):
- Temperature/symptom assessment
- Contact tracing (name and phone number of all in attendance)
- Hand hygiene
- Double masked
- 6 feet social distancing: entering the space, seating, one communion line (inside the church)
- Communion will be bread only - No cup
- No Touch: at sign of peace, no passing collection plate
- Disposable worship booklets
- No congregational singing (one or two vocalists 12 feet apart)
- Shorten worship service (indoor - 45 minutes)
- Attendance in the church allows for 25% of church capacity which is 65 people - we will implement a reservation list - Please call the parish office if you plan to attend any of our worship services
- Services will be live-streamed for those who do not feel comfortable gathering
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Flowers for the Church
Easter Flowers
Our church will be decorated with beautiful flowers for  Easter.
If you would like to honor your loved ones in our worship bulletin on Easter, please email or call the office (maria@saint-johns.org; 619-422-4141) with your requests:
In honor of ____
or
In memory of _____
or
In thanksgiving for _____
You may also mail your request and donation to:
St. John's Episcopal Church
760 First Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
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Altar Flowers
 Our Altar Flower donations chart for 2021 is available in the parish office. If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion without coming to the office, please contact Maria at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org.
The suggested donation for altar flowers is $40.00.
The following dates are available:
April 25
July 4
August 1, 15 and 22
September 5
October 3, 10, 24 and 31
November 7 and 21
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Irish Blessing
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be with you.
And, may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
author unknown
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Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study 
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting.
Please contact Rev. Cathey (revcat@gmail.com)
to be included in the Zoom meeting, or to update your info, if she does not have your current email.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
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Parish Prayer Lists
Birthday and Anniversary Prayers
We would like to acknowledge and pray for anyone celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary in the coming week. Please let us know by Thursday of the prior week so that we can get it in the Sunday liturgy. If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.
Our Parish Prayer Intentions
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.
For our Military
Matt, Drew, Cody, Cameron, Chariti,
Mark, Sean, Jonathan, TK, Christopher,
Timothy, Jeremy, David, Jonathan, Nick,
Jamal, Matt, Daniel, Jocelyn, Devon, Taylor,
Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian, Richie and Roberto.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott, Steve, Gary and Shirley, Ann and Jim,
Kevin, Muriel, Kirby, Florence, Colby, Reshmie and Kiran Oliver,
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For the repose of the soul of Lois Miller. May light perpetual shine on her.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of
St. John's in Fallbrook.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for all Vietnam Veterans.
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Prayer Quilts
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind  you that there are many quilts available for anyone in need of prayer and support. This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. Please contact Diane Gustafson directly ( diangus15@aol.com) or through the office ( maria@saint-johns.org).
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OUTREACH & EVANGELIZATION
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Lenten Outreach
Forty Days-Forty Items
During this Lenten Season, our act of charity has been  to think about those less fortunate by removing one item from your closet or dresser that you no longer wear or need and put it into a collection bag.
St. John's will donate your clothing to the people in need who are served by Uptown Community Service Center, hosted at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, North Park.
As we near the end of our 40 Days, please drop it off your bag(s) of clothing at the church by Wednesday, March 31st. Include with the bag(s) a list of the type and number of each article of clothing.
90% of their clients are men but only 5% of the clothing donations are for men!
The following items are really needed:
- Warm hoodie sweatshirts (men / women)
- Sweatshirts
- Sweatpants
- Jeans
- Pants
- Gently used socks
- Shoes (they are in great need of men's shoes!)
- Blankets
- Used towels (for the Showers Ministry)
- Ball caps
- Used backpacks
- Heavy duty plastic grocery bags (for dispensing clothing to clients)
Items they need but which must be new:
- Toiletries
- Men's and Women's underwear
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Outreach
St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss 
our parish Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
- Blankets - Coordinated by Denise Czer and Sarah Tolley
- Pill Bottles - Coordinated by Sally Elliot
- Eyeglasses - Norma Dunn
- Magazines - Bob Dunn
- Greeting Cards - Norma Dunn
- Emergency Food Pantry - Coordinated by Maria and Joe Love
Our collection day will be Wednesdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. (during this pandemic while we cannot gather)
Tables with labeled bins will be set up outside the church. You may drive up and drop off your items in the appropriate bins. If you do not feel comfortable driving, we will find a volunteer to pick up the items from your home.
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Please click on the following link or visit the St. John's website (www.saint-johns.org) for more information on our Outreach Ministries:
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A Request from your Outreach Committee
I want to take a moment to reflect on the great work our new, hard-at-work, "St. John's Outreach Committee" is doing. As you've read in the Weekly Newsletter the committee has challenged us with a wonderful Lenten Challenge; "40 Days 40 Items", a wonderful ministry. The committee also re-established collecting needed items by placing the bins on tables out front every Wednesday: I stopped by last Wednesday to drop off some items and I was very touched by the positive support those ministries are receiving. My heart-felt thanks to all for the giving that never seems to stop.
I would like to reach out with another challenge that everyone can participate in. Your Outreach Committee now meets monthly, and we need your help. We are beginning to have lengthy discussions focused on what kinds of Outreach can we start planning for as restrictions start to lessen.
This is where all of you can be a huge help by adding to that discussion. We are looking for your ideas. Remember, Brainstorming is simply coming up with ideas, "wouldn't it be great or a good idea to do --?" Go to this link "Outreach Brainstorming", and let us know your ideas. At this point don't worry about the "how" to or "what" would it take, just enter the idea and send, let the Outreach committee research the details. If you want to get involved in the planning all the better, we will get back to you. Right now, we just want to hear from you and hear your ideas. This can be fun and a great way to communicate great ideas that might never get addressed otherwise, and really get God's working doing just that, "Working".
Very Respectfully,
David Dennehy on behalf of the Outreach Committee
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Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation
St. John's has registered with the Military Chaplains Association as a Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation. With this designation, military chaplains can direct military members and veterans to us for their spiritual needs.
Ministry to active military members, veterans, and their 
families is an important outreach ministry. This outreach ministry offers us a way to tell the Good News to our many neighbors in the military and to give the opportunities for us to use their spiritual gifts while they are with us.
Rachel and Roberto Johnson, with the support of our Outreach Committee, are helping to lead this ministry opportunity.
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We Are Available in Your Time of Need
If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
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Need to Receive Your Vaccination?
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CV Fire Department: Operation Immunity
The Chula Vista Fire Department initiated Operation Immunity  on February 10, 2021, to reach out to our senior population who may have a difficult time accessing the COVID-19 vaccine. The goal is to help them overcome barriers like scheduling difficulties or lack of transportation that may hinder them from getting to a vaccination center. During the first week, CVFD provided vaccines to five Senior Citizens' communities and administered approximately 250 vaccinations. Additionally, they have visited 25 homebound Chula Vistans to administer their first COVID-19 vaccine.
Homebound Chula Vista residents can call (619) 476-2397 to be placed on a waiting list for the vaccine.
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St. Paul's PACE
St. Paul's Senior Service - PACE Center
invites members of St. John's who qualify for the COVID vaccine to schedule an appointment - call Maribel at:
St. Paul's PACE Akaloa Center
630 L Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911
619-271-7100
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Vaccination Superstation in Chula Vista
The Vaccination Superstation located at the former Sears building, 565 Broadway, is open seven days a week, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for eligible residents; however, appointments are necessary. Plans are to provide 5,000 COVID-19 vaccinations daily at the site. More than 20 Firefighter/Paramedics from the Chula Vista Fire Department have received training and are helping Sharp Healthcare staff administer the vaccinations at the County site.
NOTE: entrance to the vaccine site is from the I Street side while testing is located on the H Street side of the building.
Do you need help to schedule a COVID-19 test or vaccination at the South Bay Superstation? City staff are available to assist in English and Spanish! Call (619) 476-2397 Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for help in scheduling your test or vaccination. This service is for Chula Vista residents only and is for testing or vaccines given only at the former Sears building.
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STEWARDSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
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Reflection on Stewardship
Tim Attaway
Stewardship is so important to the health of our  St. John's church community. It can be stepping up to complete garden improvement in the courtyard. Last year we trimmed and planted during Covid19 shutdown and the improvement was subtle but important as we used the courtyard over and over during 2020. It might be cleaning out one of our storage containers, not something most would notice. It might be seeing blankets for sale, or new chairs for Nale Hall on sale and buying some.One of my pleasures is planning for and helping to put together fund raisers each year. Pancake dinner, Italian Night, St. Patrick's dinner and the Steakhouse Night all of which occur yearly with the Men's Club and the Women's Club support. Choreography of this event requires a lot of commitment from so many church members and it really is terrific when we put a nice amount of money in the treasury. Another area of stewardship is considering what you might do with your estate planning as it relates to the future of St. John's. I truly believe we can do better in this area. I would invite all to think about this aspect of support for the long term, as we cannot be here forever. A behest of money, property, or appreciated investments is easy to include in your last wishes. Gloria and I are committing to do this.
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The Vestry
David Dennehy,
Senior Warden
Lynn Young, Junior Warden
208-695-7735
Bill Cheney, Treasurer
Terry Farrelly, Assistant Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Jane Ferguson
Muriel Kulikowski
Alejandra Valdez-Beer
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Beware of Scam Emails & Phishing Attempts
If you receive a suspicious email from an address that seems to be Rev. Roger or another parishioner asking for a favor, it may be a phishing attempt. Scam emails mimic addresses we are familiar with and are very often full of grammatical errors.
Rev. Roger will never email you asking for funds or financial support by way of gift cards. If you receive an email that seems suspicious, do not open it or respond to it. Delete it immediately.
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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Parish Office Hours and Contacts
Updated Diocesan COVID Guidelines -Church Offices:
- Ensure that to the extent possible, church staff are working remotely rather than coming together in person.
- If staff and/or volunteers must come into the office for necessary activities, they should remain masked and distanced, with outdoor windows open and doors shut between people, to minimize exposure.
The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday. Please call before coming into the office, as our hours of availability may change.
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Friday. He will be available by appointment. Please call the office (619-422-4141) to schedule an appointment.
In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at 619-301-0724.
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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Sunday of the Passion:
Palm Sunday
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9:00 am
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Sunday, March 28
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Maundy Thursday |
7:00 pm |
Thursday, April 1 |
Good Friday |
12 noon
7:00 pm |
Friday, April 2 | |
The Great Vigil of Easter:
Easter Eve
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7:00 pm |
Saturday, April 3 | |
Sunday of the Resurrection:
Easter Day
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9:00 am
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Sunday, April 4
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Your weekly newsletter highlights important events at St. John's Episcopal Church. You can also find news about St. John's at www.saint-johns.org.
We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.
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Transformation Academy
All are invited to join the people of the diocese for an exciting, new virtual learning and enrichment series. Together, we'll dive deeper into four diocesan priority areas: Peace & Justice, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Leadership.
Transformation Academy is offered over four months and features national speakers and local leaders from our diocese discussing issues that transform the way we serve the Church's mission.
Get ready to "be transformed by the renewing of your minds" (Rom 12:2) as we learn together at the Transformation Academy!
Transformation Academy is an exciting series of keynote presentations coupled with two different breakout groups to dive deeper into transformational ministry. Please register for both the keynote presentation and a breakout group.
Peace & Justice Academy - Thursday, March 18, 6-7:30pm
Peace, Justice, and Local Church Ministries
Rev. Traci Blackmon, Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ
Breakout 1: Rev. Rebecca Dinovo
Pursuing Peace & Justice in EDSD
Breakout 2: Deann Rios
Pursuing Peace & Justice in EDSD
Discipleship Academy - Thursday, April 15, 6-7:30pm
Formed for Relationship-Discipleship in the Episcopal Church
Rev. Canon Dawn Davis, Assistant Professor of Contextual Theology and Director of Leadership for Ministry Programs at Huron University College
Breakout 1: Dawn Davis
Let us Pray: Learning the formational practice of praying out loud
Breakout 2: Charlette Preslar -Youth Ministry
"What is Youth Group?" How to create and sustain a dynamic youth ministry
Leadership Academy - Thursday, May 20, 6-7:30pm
Pivoting to New Realities:
Adaptive Leadership for a Post-Pandemic Church
Donald Romanik, President of the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF)
Breakout 1: Davey Gerhard
Year-round Stewardship
Breakout 2: Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch
Vestry 101
Evangelism Academy - Thursday, June 17, 6-7:30pm
Joining God in Mission
Dwight Zscheile, vice president of innovation and associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary
Breakout 1: Rev. Frank Munoz
Military Missions: Welcoming our Military Neighbors
Breakout 2: Rev. Darin Johnson
Campus Missions: Welcoming our College Student Neighbors
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EDSD Statement of Commitment
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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Episcopal Relief and Development
What Would Love Do: 1000 Days of Love
Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.
What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change
Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.
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Reporting 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 Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.
Safeguarding God's People
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724 |
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