6 Rest for Weary Refugees By John McLevie, PhD., board president and parishioner at St. Andrew’s, Encinitas in collaboration with Terri Mathes An Attitude of Gratitude


The following are faithful supporters of the Episcopal Refugee Network:


• The Women of St. James, La Jolla • The Society of St. Paul • St. Peter’s, Del Mar


• St Mark’s, City Heights hosts two tutoring programs.


• Christ Church, Coronado provides supplementary food, clothing, personal items.


• Christ Church Thrift Shop and St. Mary’s Guild


• St. Dunstan’s, San Diego provides personal items, clothing, food.


• St Alban’s, El Cajon has become the El Cajon center for refugee work.


A Far Cry from Thailand: A young American citizen, child of Karen refugees, smiles at the Fall Festival held at St. Andrew’s, Encinitas, which raises funds for Episcopal Refugee Network (ERN). Each week, over 70 children receive tutoring, English lessons and more.


I


t is almost two years since the Episcopal Refugee Network (ERN) was accepted as


an Institution of the Diocese of San Diego by the Convention of 2009. At that time a number of congregations realized that this is truly a missionary program that serves some of the most needy in City Heights and El Cajon. Tribes-people like the Karen, Karenni, and Chin from the mountains of Myanmar come to us from the United Nations bamboo encampments in Thailand. Bhutanese come to us from camps in Nepal in the Himalayas. Darfuris still come from the camps in Chad after escaping the destruction of their villages in Sudan. All are the victims of genocide.


Less than one percent of our newest neighbors speak even a few words of English. They cannot find work in the current non-job market of San Diego. The Episcopal Refugee Network works to help these refugees become productive citizens and not a permanent welfare class. The children crowd in for learning and 72 attend tutoring with our volunteer instructors. There are 24 children now on a waiting list.


One of the Karen refugees we serve is a parapalegic. The Myanmar military forced him and other Karen to walk ahead of them


as they cleared a field of land mines. His legs were lost in the process, as were many lives. When he arrived in San Diego and was connected to the ERN, we supplied him with a wheelchair, which lit up his whole face. He is able to move around with surprising alacrity despite the fact that there are no elevators in his City Heights apartment complex. He can’t quite keep up with his three children, but he’s much better off than before.


The Karen are a quiet, but determined people. Baldwin joined St. Alban’s, El Cajon three years ago. The Rev. Rebecca Dinovo reports,


“our church helped him furnish his home, learn English and graduate from high school.” Today he has a driver’s license, a car and he holds a part-time job. His older sister, Mu Thaw, works for the ERN as a translator in addition to her full-time position in a medical clinic.


“It was a real joy when we blessed their first car with plenty of holy water and thanksgiving to God,” said Mother Dinovo.


After the relentless work of just staying alive during genocides whose intention it is to see you dead; the Karen, and other refugees,


The Bishop’s Sabbatical J


By Hannah Wilder


esus removed himself often in his ministry to be alone, to spend time with God, to be


renewed. Our own bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, will take a sabbatical from May 1, 2011 through July 31, 2011 for a time of Sabbath, renewal of spirit and recommitment to God. Theological underpinnings for present- day sabbaticals can be traced back to Leviticus 25, where God commands the Israelites to desist from working the fields every seventh year. Genesis


In 20 years of ordained ministry, this will be the bishop’s first sabbatical.


also tells us that God rested from the work of Creation on the seventh day. It is fitting then, that Bishop Mathes will begin his seventh year as our bishop by taking time apart to relax and renew his spirit.


“I am deeply grateful to the Standing Committee, the staff and the diocese for granting me this opportunity,” said Bishop Mathes.


In 20 years of ordained ministry, this will be the bishop’s first sabbatical. He plans to think


deeply about and write about the theology of confirmation, a topic that has interested him for many years (see bishop’s letter, page 2). A sabbatical can offer opportunities for discovery and creativity for both the bishop and the people of the diocese.


“Hopefully, the leaders in our diocese will be energized as they discover new gifts of ministry during this time,” said Bishop Mathes.


This is a planned leave as stated by the Letter of Agreement that Bishop Mathes signed when he was elected as our bishop in 2004. X


• St. Luke’s, San Diego serves as our storage base and food sorting base.


• St. Andrew’s, Encinitas has donated over $5,000 per year for the past four years and 50 members pledge $150


per family per year.


Thank you for your many gifts. Together, you make it all possible! X


experience relative safety in San Diego: there are free schools, and food stamps, and a long list of Episcopal churches that help cover the things food stamps won’t cover. Imagine: you don’t speak the language and you’re still looking for work and you miss your home and the loved ones who where killed, but you are safe and there’s the promise of something a little bit better. Like Mary making do with a stable instead of a room at the inn, these are the people ERN welcomes and does its best to comfort and house. In this season of Advent, what better way to remember our Lord, who was himself a wanderer and a stranger? Here’s how you can help:


• volunteer as a tutor. No special training necessary. Contact John McLevie: jmclevie@aol.com or 760-633-4445


• send donations to Episcopal Refugee Network, 4305 University Avenue #630, San Diego,CA 92105.


• visit our website to learn more: episcopalrefugeenetwork.org. X


Jennifer Palmer, petitefeetphotography.com


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