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From Our Bishop


Sabbatical on the Horizon D


ear Friends in Christ, It has almost been six years since I


arrived in Southern California to begin serving as your bishop. I still remember the somewhat controlled chaos of that time. In a mere 60 days, we went from considering life with you as a possibility to unloading a few possessions and ourselves at a tiny cottage in Pacific Beach. It seems as though we have not slowed down since.


While being your bishop is immensely privileged and fulfilling, I have not easily found times of reflection in this fast-paced, peripatetic life. For this reason, I am grateful that I will have my first opportunity for a sabbatical in the coming year. For three months, from May through July, I will lay aside the duties of my office and spend 12 weeks in a time of refreshment, renewal and reflection.


Even Bishops Need a Break: After twenty years of ordained ministry, Bishop Mathes will take a three month sabbatical beginning in May 2011 to rest, relax and rejuvenate.


I will particularly focus on deep thinking and writing about a theology of confirmation. In my experience as bishop, I do not sense that we have fully thought out what we mean when we confirm, receive, or reaffirm people in this Church. I find that our actions are not fully informed by teaching; they often seem disconnected from our understanding of baptism. As bishop, I believe that I have a responsibility to you to attend to


Sabático en el Horizonte Q


ueridos amigos en Cristo: Hace ya casi seis años que llegue al


Suroeste de California a servir como su Obispo. Todavía recuerdo el caos de este tiempo. En solo 60 días, tuvimos que considerar las posibilidades de venir a vivir con ustedes, empacar unas cuantas cosas y acomodarnos en una pequeña cabaña en Pacific Beach. Hasta la fecha no hemos parado.


Mediten sobre lo que significa


El ser su obispo es un privilegio inmenso, sin embargo; no he encontrado tiempo para reflexionar en esta vida de enseñanza acelerada. Por esta razón, estoy muy agradecido de tener la oportunidad de tener mi primer sabático el próximo año. Por tres meses, de Mayo a Julio, voy a hacer a un lado mis obligaciones de la oficina y pasaré 12 semanas de renovación, reflexión y descanso.


Me enfoque será la reflexión profunda y escribir sobre la teología de confirmación. En mi experiencia como Obispo, no siento que hemos pensado realmente el significado


Clergy Transitions


The Rev. Suzanne Watson is the new priest- in-charge at St. David’s, San Diego.


The Rev. Kathleen Kelly is the new rector at Good Shepherd, Hemet.


The Rev. Gwynn Freund is the new vicar at St. Mary’s in-the-Valley, Ramona.


“ser sellado por el Espíritu Santo y marcados por Cristo para siempre.”


this. My sabbatical will provide the perfect opportunity to do this important work.


Some have suggested that such a focus is not sufficiently restful. Be at peace. First, I think that I will find the luxury of this study most rejuvenating. In addition, I anticipate the break in routine and place to be life-giving.


As I step aside for Sabbath, I ask that you, the people of the diocese, join me in the reflective part of this season. I ask you to wonder what it means to be baptized into the Body of Christ. Ponder what it means to be “sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.” I believe that if we take what we do seriously, there are profound implications for how we are the church -- how we are to and for each other. I look forward to living more deeply into our baptismal identity when I return from sabbatical, and in the years to come.


Faithfully,


The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes Bishop of San Diego


de confirmar, recibir o reafirmar a la gente de esta iglesia. Siento que nuestras acciones no están totalmente informadas sobre la enseñaza, algunas veces parecen estar desconectadas del significado del bautizo. Como obispo, creo que tengo la responsabilidad de atender a esto. Mi sabático ofrecerá la oportunidad para hacerlo.


Hay quienes han sugerido que dicho enfoque no ofrecerá descanso. No se preocupen, primero que nada siento que este estudio me ofrecerá un lujo rejuvenecedor. Además


anticipo que el descanso de la rutina es vivificante.


December 12 19 24 25


Visitations Christ Church, Coronado


St. Matthew’s, National City St. Paul’s Cathedral St. Paul’s Cathedral


January 2011 2 9


St. Hugh’s, Idyllwild


11-13 Provincial Meeting, LA 16 23 30


February 6


13 20


St. John’s, Indio


No visitation - Convention St. Timothy’s, San Diego


Holy Trinity, Ocean Beach St. Stephen’s, Sun City


St. Bartholomew’s, Poway St. Andrew’s, Lake Elsinore


Mientras estoy en mi sabático, les pido que me acompañen en esta reflexión. Les pido se pregunten el significado del bautizo dentro del cuerpo de Cristo. Mediten sobre lo que significa “ser sellado por el Espíritu Santo y marcados por Cristo para siempre.” Creo que si tomamos en serio lo que hacemos, habrá implicaciones profundas, sobre lo que somos como iglesia, y como somos entre nosotros. Espero que al regresar de mi sabático y en los años venideros, poder vivir más profundamente nuestra identidad bautismal.


Fielmente,


El Reverendísimo James R. Mathes Obispo de San Diego


The Messenger The Official Publication of The


Episcopal Diocese of San Diego Editor Hannah Wilder hwilder@edsd.org


Four issues published in 2010: Spring (March), Summer (June), Fall (September)


and Winter (December).


The Messenger encourages the submission of articles and pictures. We also appreciate knowing what topics are of


greatest interest to our readers; please tell us what you would like to read about. We reserve the right to select and edit material offered for publication. Send news and ideas to


hwilder@edsd.org.


“News from the Office of the Bishop” is published weekly by email. To subscribe, send a request to:


hwilder@edsd.org. “Diocesan News” is published by email monthly. To subscribe, send a request to: hwilder@edsd.


org. For weekly news and calendar updates online, visit the diocesan website:


www.edsd.org


Lori Niles Meena


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