Around Our Diocese

Are intellect and faith diametrically opposed?

Not God’s Type: A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith

By Diana Bennett

D

r. Holly Ordway, a young, white, highly educated professor of English and former atheist,

represented the kind of person that many observers of religion say cannot be converted anymore - a demographic supposedly beyond the reach of the church in postmodern America. Yet through a series of conversations with a wise and patient mentor, Holly not only became convinced of God’s existence, but also embraced Jesus as her Savior and Lord.

In her soon-to-be-published memoir of her

conversion, Not God’s Type: A Rational Academic

Finds a Radical Faith, Holly turns her analytical mind toward the path that leads from darkness to light - from death to life. Simultaneously

Easter Sunday earthquake

An update from El Centro and Mexicali

earthquake on Easter Sunday. Bishop Mathes visited the congregations of Sts. Peter & Paul in El Centro and San Pedro Apostol in Mexicali, Mexico to offer support and solidarity during their time of need.

O

El Centro is located in the Imperial Valley, just a 20 minute drive from the U.S. - Mexico border. It is the largest American city below sea level and is approximately the mid-point between Phoenix and San Diego.

Our congregation of Sts. Peter & Paul lost its baptismal font, which boasted Italian marble, and two marble pillars at the altar. It also sustained cracks in the wall behind the altar, roof damage, and shattered two panes of stained glass from the rose window in the choir loft.

The congregation was gathered for an Easter dinner in the parish hall when the quake struck.

“We went ahead and ate dinner together about an hour after the quake,” reported Senior Warden Mary Anne Hildebrandt. “We were all together and we were fine.”

The church in Mexicali, the border town

ur brothers and sisters in El Centro and Mexicali were hard hit by the 7.2

located inside Mexico, did not fare so well. Structural damage affects the Northwest corner of the building and the cement fence in the rear of the property threatens its demise. The building has broken windows and holes in the ceiling as well. Father Armando Casillas, the priest in charge of the Mexican congregation, said his main priority is repairing the structural damage and then focusing on the other issues.

encouraging and bracing, she offers a bold testimony to the ongoing power of the gospel - a gospel that can humble and transform even self- assured, accomplished, and secular-minded young professionals like herself.

Dr. Holly Ordway is a parishioner at St. Michael’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Carlsbad, and serves as an acolyte, lay reader, adult forum teacher,

and parish librarian. Not God’s Type: A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith is being released by

Moody Publishers on May 1. The book is available through Amazon.com. Visit Dr. Ordway’s blog at

www.hieropraxis.com. X

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“Sts. Peter & Paul have helped us so much,” said Father Casillas. “To everyone in the diocese, thank you for your concern and your prayers.”

Cross Border Connections: Canon Howard Smith shakes hands with an Anglican in Mexicali. Bishop Mathes and his staff visited San Pedro Apostol in Mexicali following the Easter Sunday earthquake. They also visited Sts. Peter & Paul in El Centro, which suffered significant earthquake damage. Providing a support network during difficult times is one main functions of the diocese.

Our diocese is working on securing funding for repairs to the church in Mexicali. This type of work is an excellent example of how we as a diocese can do more together than we

Memorial Garden

St. Stephen’s, Sun City completes four-year project in time for Pentecost

By Sandy Smolinski

S

t. Stephen’s, Sun City completed a memorial garden just in time for

Pentecost. The idea for the garden was born four years ago. Last spring, the congregation successfully built a labyrinth in a portion of the space allotted for the garden. On Mother’s Day of this year, they enjoyed the finished product. Congregants are encouraged to purchase plants and trees in memory of loved ones. Boasting palm trees and drought-resistant plants, the garden also provides a final resting place for members of the congregation.

“In this retirement community, so many have contributed so much in the later years of their lives,” said the Rev. Charles Rines, priest in charge.

“It is a symbol of who we are and who we have been.”

Spirit.

“It is a symbol of who we are and who we have been in the short history of St. Stephen’s.” X

For the Living and the Dead: Memorial

garden brings healing, delight, sacred space to St. Stephen’s, Sun City.

“The memorial garden is a way of connecting all of them to all of us in the community of the present.”

The columbarium was dedicated on Pentecost Sunday, a fitting time of year to honor the work of the Holy

can apart through our giving to the Bishop’s Appeal. If you would like to donate online, you may do so at http://edsd.org/Appeal2010. You may also send your check made payable to “EDSD” to: The Office of the Bishop, Accounting, 2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103. Please note “earthquake relief” in the memo line. X Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8