Thursday, January 6, 2022 |
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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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The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 9, 2022
9:00 am
Please join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist at 9:00 am in the church.
Come, pray, sing, receive Holy Communion,
and join us for fellowship following our liturgy.
We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
for Sayuri Lynn Zuazua
and
renew our own Baptismal Vows
Collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit:
Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep
the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior;
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God,
in glory everlasting. Amen.
Readings for the First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
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If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream services:
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Following the worship service, all are invited to process into the courtyard
and to the Grave’s Pavilion
for the dedication of the Rev. Al Stott Conference Room
and the re-dedication of the Rev. Jack and Sarah Tolley Memorial Library.
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Reflection on Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
Luke’s opening words in today’s Gospel are striking. He writes: “The people were filled with expectation and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.” The Israelites had been waiting for centuries for “the Christ:” the One who would come and save them. To some of the people, John may have been a likely candidate for the Christ who was to come. He was a mesmerizing and ascetical man. He was an engaging speaker and he was a prophet.
However, John clarified his role for the people. He told them: “I am baptizing you with water, but one who is mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” Then John added, “He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John is speaking of Jesus whom he had just baptized.
After Jesus was baptized and while he was praying, the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. And then a voice from heaven said: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life. It is the gateway to life in the Spirit. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God. We become members of Christ’s Body, the Church. Thus, as members of Christ’s Body, we are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in Church’s mission.
Most likely many of us were baptized as infants. Thus we likely do not have a memory of receiving this sacrament. Yet, Baptism is the keystone for the other sacraments.
What gifts have I received from the Sacrament of Baptism?
Am I grateful for this sacrament?
Do I truly appreciate the Sacraments of the Church or do I take them for granted?
In reflecting on these questions, you may find a new appreciation for the gift of your baptism, and it may strengthen your appreciation for your parents, your faith, and for the love God has for you. You are a child of God. What more do you need or want?
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Altar Flowers for 2022
The Altar Flowers for January 9, 2021 are given by Gregg and Elizabeth King in celebration of Elizabeth's birthday.
Our 2022 Altar Flower sign-up is available in the Narthex. If you are not able to sign up in person, please contact the office to see if your desired date is available. If you donate online, please contact Maria with your dedication: maria@saint-johns.org
Suggested donation is $40.00.
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The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
The Sacraments (BCP 857-858)
Q. What are the sacraments?
A. The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.
Q. What is grace?
A. Grace is God’s favor towards us, unearned and
undeserved; by grace God forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and strengthens our wills.
Q. What are the two great sacraments of the Gospel?
A. The two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church
are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.
Holy Baptism (BCP 858-859)
Q. What is Holy Baptism?
A. Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us
as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.
Q. What is the outward and visible sign in Baptism?
A. The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in
which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Q. What is the inward and spiritual grace in Baptism?
A. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.
Q. What is required of us at Baptism?
A. It is required that we renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Q. Why then are infants baptized?
A. Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God.
Q. How are the promises for infants made and carried out?
A. Promises are made for them by their parents and sponsors, who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him.
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Epiphany Faith Forums
We will have the opportunity to hear inspiring messages from the Diocesan Convention:
You are the Light of the World.
During our fellowship in Nale Hall following the worship service, we will watch and discuss these recorded messages.
Sunday, January 9 - Bishop Susan Brown Snook's address to the Convention
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Forum from January 2
If you were not able to attend the Forum on January 2nd, you may watch Canon for Mission, Jason Evans' address to the Convention here:
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Sunday School
Sunday School is now available. Children ages 4 and up are welcome to come and learn about the Word of God with Heather Wallace.
Children must be masked in order to attend Sunday School. They will gather in the Sunday School Room before our service begins and return at the Sign of Peace.
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Child Care
Child Care is available during our Sunday Services. Ana, the daughter of Alex Valdez-Beer, will be staffing our child care room.
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We Are Here For You!
We carefully gather in person at St. John's, we would like to remind you that we are here for you!
If you are not able to join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist, we will bring Holy Communion to you. You may call the parish office (619-422-4141) and request communion to be brought to you by one of our Eucharistic Visitors.
If you, a family member, neighbor or a friend are interested in celebrating a significant event in your spiritual life, please know that you are welcome.
We would be honored to be a part of your Baptism, Holy Communion, Quinceañera Marriage, Renewal of Vows or Anointing of the Sick.
At St. John's, no matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey - you are welcome here
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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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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION |
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Outreach Collections
St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
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New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
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Pill Bottles - Matthew 25 Ministries (Sally Elliott)
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Eyeglasses - (Norma Dunn)
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Greeting Cards - ECS HeadStart (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change (Norma Dunn)
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Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.
You may also bring your items to church during our weekday office hours, Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm. Ring the doorbell, and you will be buzzed in to leave your items outside Nale Hall.
If you do not feel comfortable driving, please contact the parish office, and we will find a volunteer to pick up the items from your home.
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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The Rev. Al Stott Conference Room Dedication
On Sunday, January 9th, following the worship service, we will move across the courtyard to the Grave's Pavilion for the dedication of the newly created Rev. Al Stott Conference Room and the re-dedication of the Rev. Jack and Sarah Tolley Memorial Library. We will then gather in Nale Hall for hospitality and our Faith Forum: Bishop Susan Brown Snook's address to the Convention.
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A Different Kind of Book Club
We'd like to try a different kind of Book Club and see if there is enough interest to continue it on perhaps a monthly basis.
We wouldn't all read the same book. Instead we would each talk about a book we have read recently, why we liked it, and giving enough of the plot to entice others. It would take no more than one hour.
If you are interested, please send an email to Diane Gustafson (diangus15@aol.com) and tell whether you would like an in person session, Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. It's possible we can do more than one format.
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Coffee/Tea with Rev. Roger
For almost the entire time that Rev. Roger has been at St. John's we have been in a pandemic with part of that time being shut down.
Rev. Roger would like to provide an opportunity for any members of the parish to "get to know him".
On Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:30, following Morning Prayer and Bible Study,
Rev. Roger will be available in the Rev. Jack and Sarah Tolley Memorial Library for a visit. This is time to get to know him, ask him questions, and learn about his vision and dreams for the church.
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Hospitality
Hosts Needed!
Our new hospitality chart for 2022 is available. Please sign up to host a Sunday morning.
Please join us for hospitality after the Sunday morning worship service.
If you would like to host a Sunday, you may sign up on the poster in Nale Hall or by calling or emailing Maria at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org
Refreshments should be individually portioned or wrapped, or served by a server who is the only one touching the serving implements.
Coffee Donations
We are low on coffee for Sunday Hospitality and would welcome your donation of a large can of regular ground coffee, such as Costco's Kirkland brand or any brand of your choosing. (We still have enough decaf.)
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New Waste Rules in Effect January 1, 2022
When you attend hospitality, you may notice extra waste receptacles in the hall. New laws require that all food waste be separated from trash or recycling. Please look for the proper containers and dispose of your food waste and paper/plastic waste in the designated bins.
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Guidelines For New Recycling And Trash Disposal
Blue Recycle Can
• Cardboard, cereal boxes, egg cartons.
• Junk mail, shredded paper.
• Bottles, jars both plastic and glass.
• Toys (NO batteries or electronics).
• Aluminum cans, foil.
• Plastic cups, NO styrofoam.
Green Waste
• Dirty paper, cardboard.
• Pizza boxes, Paper coffee filters, paper ice cream containers.
• Paper take out boxes.
• All food scraps, scraped off plates.
• Fruit, veggies, coffee grounds.
• Eggshells, meat/bones.
• House plants, tree and bush trimmings, grass, wood, weeds and branches.
• Cork (no plastic).
• Cooking grease.
Regular Trash Bin
• Glass other than jars and bottles.
• Plastic items mixed with metal, fabric or rubber.
• Kitty litter, pet droppings.
• Juice, soup, milk type boxes with foil lining.
• Composite materials.
• Biodegradable plastics.
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Centennial Celebration
2022 will be our Centennial Year!
Our Centennial Liturgy will be on September 18, 2022.
In 1922, we were founded as a mission of St. James Episcopal Church and two years later chose the name St. John's.
In planning for our celebration, we will need your help on the following committees:
- Communications and Publicity
- Gala and Fundraiser
- Liturgy
- History and Archives
Lynn Young, Diane Gustafson and John Will have been sorting through many documents and photos on the history of St. John's. If you know some of our history please let them know.
Would you be interested in helping with any of these committees?
Do you have ideas of how we can celebrate this important milestone?
Please contact Maria Love in the parish office by calling 1-619-422-4141 or emailing maria@saint-johns.org
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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.
to be included in the Zoom meeting.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
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Prayer Quilt Ministry
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.
Prayer Quilt Ministry Update
Those who attended church in person or online on December 12 may remember that a quilt was blessed for Lynn Luckey, a friend of Teri Tatu. Lynn had been diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer and was scheduled for surgery on December 23 to remove a watermelon-size mass.
Teri shares that the surgery took only three hours instead of the planned 5-6. The surgeon performed a hysterectomy and appendectomy, and Lynn did well during the surgery. Pending biopsy results, she may not need chemo. She has come home from the hospital and is taking Tylenol.
In 2021 St. John's blessed and gave twenty prayer quilts. Thanks to Christy Gollihur, who has since moved to New Mexico, we have a good supply of quilts for 2022.
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Daughters of the King Prayers
All the women of the parish are invited to discern becoming a member of the Daughters of the King. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Young (208-695-7735) or Linda Dennehy (619-429-4747).
If you have a special prayer request for Daughters of the King, you are invited to fill out a prayer card, found in the narthex. Drop your prayer request in the church-shaped box or in the offering plate. These requests are confidential and are separate from our printed parish prayer lists.
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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 Jensen, Drew Shorkey, Cody Crossland, Cameron Ronie, Chariti Paden, Mark Stanfield, Sean Robinson, Jonathan Martinez, TK Nguyen, Christopher Lindshield, Timothy Lindshield, Jeremy Colton, David Sanchez, Jonathan Baldera, Nick Wyatt, Daniel Getreu, Jamal Warner, Matt Hernandez, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Katherine Milam, Sebastian Morales, Richie Lebron, Roberto Johnson and the crew of USS Essex.
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
give them courage to face the perils which beset them;
and grant them a sense of your abiding presence
wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott Hunter, Steve Magill, Gary & Shirley McCarren, Ann Lindshield, Anna Jones,
the Guajardo family, the Halsten family Dorothy Hintze, Dale Evans, the Hartung family, Dinah Bates, Adam Beneschan and Bob Smalley.
O God of heavenly powers,
by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies
all sickness and all infirmity:
Be present in your goodness with your servants,
that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored;
and that, their health being renewed, they may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of St. John's in Chula Vista.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Iglesia Anglicana de Chile.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Guardsmen serving in the California Army National Guard.
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ADMINISTRATION AND STEWARDSHIP |
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The Vestry
David Dennehy, Senior Warden
aaaaaa619-840-9994
Lynn Young, Junior Warden
aaaaaa208-695-7735
Bill Cheney, Treasurer
Terry Farrelly, Assistant Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Jane Ferguson
Alejandra Valdez-Beer
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Annual Meeting (Sunday, January 23rd)
Vestry Positions
In the coming year, three positions on vestry will become vacant. If you have an interest in joining the vestry, please consider running for election.
Delegates and Alternates for General Convention
For the 2022 General Convention, St. John's needs 2 Delegates and 2 Alternates to attend the Convention.
If you would like more information about Vestry or Diocesan Convention, contact David Dennehy at masterfrog@att.net or 619-840-9994. |
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2022 Stewardship Campaign |
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Our stewardship campaign this year focused on using the gifts that God has given us in order to transform the lives of all people. While St. John's needs your monetary pledge, we hope that you will also give of your time and talent.
As you discern your stewardship gift, your vestry encourages you to prayerfully consider an increase in the amount you will pledge. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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January 9, 2022: Dedication of the Rev. Al Stott Conference Room
------- and re-dedication of the Rev. Jack and Sarah Tolley library
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January 9, 2022: Faith Forum, Bishop Susan Brown Snook's address to the
-------Convention, in Nale Hall following the dedication
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January 16, 2022: Special Vestry Meeting after the worship service
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January 17, 2022: Office Holiday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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January 17, 2022: Men of St. John's meeting, 6:00 pm at Tim Attaway's home
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January 23, 2022: Annual Meeting, in Nale Hall following our Worship Service
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Parish Office Hours and Contacts
As our staff are now fully vaccinated, we are permitted to open our parish office.
Masking and social distance should be maintained when visitors are present.
The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Please call the parish office if you have any questions or concerns
(619-422-4141).
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be working half-days in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday; and all day Wednesday and Thursday. 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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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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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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Faith to Go
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.
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Resources for Emotional Support
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is changing life for all of us. You may feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated in these circumstances.
You're not alone!
Find resources to connect with real people that can help, here.
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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, and foregoing the common cup.
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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.
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