3 St. Mary’s Concludes a Season of Ministry


The End of an Era: Janet Goff, senior warden at St. Mary’s, carries the crucifix during the last Sunday at St. Mary’s, Imperial Beach. On February 28, the mission congregation celebrated 60 years of ministry with representatives from the Office of the Bishop and the congregation of St. Matthew’s, National City. Bishop Mathes wrote in a letter to the congregation, “Today is one of bittersweet celebration. As you grapple with ending your ministry as you know it in Imperial Beach, I want to offer you


my prayers of thanksgiving for all that you have accomplished over these past years. . . . I trust that today will be a time to remember St. Mary’s and your ministry and community together. I pray God’s blessing upon each of you as you conclude your time together at St. Mary’s. Please know that this congregation will be remembered as God’s people doing God’s work in Imperial Beach.” Care for the property returns to the diocese; it will remain open as an Episcopal Community Services Head Start location. X


Highlights


• The Very Rev. Scott Richardson delivered an eloquent sermon in which he said, “every Episcopalian in the Diocese of San Diego is a marginal Christian. More precisely, we are liminal Christians – people of faith especially attentive to doorways, gateways, thresholds.


• The Convention voted to make St. Anne’s Episcopal Church a mission – a highlight for many who have witnessed that congregation’s departure and return to our diocese. Bishop Mathes said, “I speak for the whole Episcopal Church when I say, ‘welcome home; welcome back; we have missed you.”


Reuniting with Friends: The Rev. Ted Atwood, retired priest, Lesslie Keller, executive director of Episcopal Community Services and Norma Jones from St. Dunstan’s, San Diego catch up during Convention’s Friday evening gala dinner.


CONVENTION Continued from Page 1 You Have a Story to Tell.


Financials Canon Julie Young presented the treasurer’s report on Friday afternoon, showing that at the end of 2010, the diocese held cash and investments of $5.4 million. The diocese funds missions and aided parishes in the amount of $513,710, whereas $231,291 supports programs, ministry, outreach and clergy support. The proposed budget for 2011 shows expenses of $2.2 million. Mission share pledges account for 66% of the budget; the remainder is comprised of donations, investment payout and income, and program and ministry fees.


Diana Butler Bass, noted historian, author and scholar on American religion, spoke to the crowd at the gala dinner on Friday evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Beautiful floral centerpieces donated by thirteen different churches decorated the tables and two large screens projected the diocesan shield and a slideshow of church activity throughout the year.


Bishop Mathes presented seventeen Servant Ministry Awards (see sidebar, this page). An impromptu greeting from the Rev. Bishop Murray Finck, chief pastor of our Lutheran brothers and sisters in this region, closed out the evening.


Worship A festive Eucharist on Saturday morning featured a diocesan-wide choir and worship in English, Spanish and Arabic. Participants reaffirmed their Baptismal Covenant vows, which some reported was a powerful experience in the midst of


their fellow Episcopalians. Bishop Mathes commissioned Julie Young as the diocesan treasurer and canon for finance. Young people from around the diocese led the prayers of the people, encouraging us to honor ourselves through a meditation on our hands. Half of the convention offering was given to rebuilding the cathedral complex in Haiti and half went to support the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador.


Recognition The Bishop’s Cross, a prestigious award given to people Bishop Mathes selects for their special commitment to the work of the diocese, went to Ana Garcia from St. John’s, Chula Vista; Lillian Jarrett from St. Peter’s, Del Mar; Francis and Eric Rice from Sts. Peter and Paul, El Centro; and Alex Tuttle from St. Dunstan’s, San Diego and Head Mom for Happening youth retreats. Bishop Mathes spoke touching words about each individual before placing the pewter cross around their necks. This celebratory moment was a high point of the convention.


Resolutions The convention passed six resolutions, two of which concern the governance structure of our diocese and simply outline what will be enacted at next year’s convention. One resolution called for the creation of a diocesan foundation. Another updated our disciplinary rules to match those of the broader Church. Another affects how vacancies are filled on Standing Committee. And one clarifies our governing rules about leases.


Bishop’s Address The bishop’s address focused on the strategic plan that the committee presented CONVENTION Continued on Page 7


• Cursillo volunteers provided hospitality from early morning to late afternoon.


• The Daughters of the King (DOK) provided an onsite prayer vigil throughout the convention.


• Thirty exhibitors graced the main convention hall and the lounge adjoining the hall.


We are liminal Christians – people of faith especially attentive to doorways, gateways, thresholds.


• Diocesan youth took an active role, selling water bottles, lanyards and convention pins with the logo, designed by Greg Tuttle, diocesan youth commission chair. Every year the youth plan to sell a new convention pin; collect them all!


• The youth service project assembled supply backpacks for the homeless for each congregation to use in its locale. Some delegates pitched in on the assembly line.


Servant Ministry Awards


Bishop Mathes presented seventeen Servant Ministry Awards. These awards recognize individuals engaged in life-giving work that moves beyond the church walls and ministers to the outside world.


Nancy Atherton, St. Peter’s, Del Mar Kay and Chuck Bemis, St. Thomas, Temecula Hap Blaisdell, St. Paul, Palm Springs Judy Brown, St. Alban’s, El Cajon Mirna Covarrubias, Santa Rosa del Mar, Imperial Sue Embick, St. Timothy’s, San Diego Cynthia Fleri, All Souls’, Point Loma Tanya Galvan, Grace, San Marcos Ana Garcia, St. John’s, Chula Vista Ann Gregg, St. Anne’s, Oceanside Chuck and Jo-An Howe, Christ Church, Coronado Terri King, Christ the King, Alpine Carolyn Lief, St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego Darryl and Barbara Peralta, Good Shepherd, Bonita Larry and Sue Sebastian, Holy Cross, Carlsbad Lucy Shipp, St. Paul’s, Yuma Elaine Turnbull, St. David’s, San Diego


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