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Spring 2011 Quarterly Magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego


Convention Explores Signposts and Borders By Hannah Wilder T


he language of borders and signposts made its way into our 37th Annual Diocesan


Convention at First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley. Our guest speaker, Diana Butler Bass made reference to signs saying, “the ability to see God in the midst of community is the ability to read signs.” She urged us to embrace Christianity, “as the transformative work of Jesus here, in our moment of history, culture and time.” Our bishop echoed the call to recognize the signs around us saying, “In our life together, we each do different tasks and we hope that the combined efforts are signs -- messages of God -- written or spoken in words or in deeds.” Our convention theme,


“What’s God Up To?” may have inspired our speakers to encourage us to look for signs, while we are aware of the borders that separate us -- a theme Dean Richardson explored in Saturday’s sermon.


Workshops Opening Friday morning, the first workshop sessions were comfortably full. Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and The Practice of Prayer attracted people looking for tools to deepen their spiritual lives. Podcasting Step-by-Step and Simpler Living/Greening the Church gave helpful, pragmatic tips for those wanting to transform


IN THIS ISSUE:


Bishop’s Letter


Page 2 Bible Man in


Escondido Page 4


It’s More than Business: A festive Eucharist gathers Episcopalians from throughout our diocese to worship in one place. Many report this is the highlight of the annual convention gathering.


their congregations. Perhaps the best- attended workshop was Best Practices for Welcoming and Inclusion, a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Cathedral, St. David’s; St. John’s, Chula Vista; St. Peter’s and Grace. People squeezed into the


corners and stood at the door to hear what’s working around the diocese. Other well- attended sessions included: Using Drama and Dance in Liturgy; Organizing Emergence; Giving and Getting: Building Resources; The Global Village; Listening for God’s Call; and


CONVENTION Continued on Page 3


Summer Camp!


Page 6 Father


Blessing in Iraq


Page 7


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