4 New Faces in Leadership


The Rev. Gwynn Freund St. Mary’s in-the-Valley Ramona


“St. Mary’s is such a vibrant congregation! I was pleased to see such a wide variety of ages and interests in the church, and the genuine commitment to some really exciting ministries. The Labyrinth exemplifies St. Mary’s commitment to the poor and needy. It is a community garden open to all in Ramona; many of the plots are sponsored, providing our neighbors with the opportunity to grow their own food very economically. The youth group is active and engaged in the life of the church, and one can really sense the love of the members for each other.


Motherhood and housewifery were my best preparation for parish ministry. It’s a good reminder to all of us that no matter what our background or skills, we can be called to serve God and God’s people.


If you’re not familiar with Ramona, I encourage you to make a trip to visit us. It’s a lovely drive to Ramona! You’ll see beautiful rocky hills, amazing vistas, farmland, horses, cows, sheep and even an occasional emu!” X


The Rev. Kathleen Kelly Good Shepherd Hemet


“I was drawn to Good Shepherd, Hemet by the tremendously gifted people committed to sharing their gifts for the benefit of God’s kingdom. Most recently I served at Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento where I served as the canon for evangelism. In Hemet, I see sincere appreciation for the youth and talent in a vast array of fine and performing arts. I am passionate about fundraising, which I believe is about fully experiencing our blessedness and allowing God’s boundless generosity to define our experience of life. X


By Drusilla Grubb, parishioner at All Souls’, Point Loma


ant to make a parishioner of Trinity, Escondido laugh out loud? Ask him or


The Rev. Fred Myers St. Anthony of-the-Desert Desert Hot Springs


“I enjoy working with smaller congregations. My priestly ministry began in a small church with fewer than 100 members. With the help of the people there and another Episcopal church in the next city, we became a self-supporting, full-fledged parish in five years. The dynamics were a bit different, but it was done. I believe there is similar hope for St. Anthony’s, of which I am happy to be a part.” X


The Rev. Suzanne Watson St. David’s San Diego


“I most recently worked at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, NY. When I began my search, I looked for a place that understands that we are called to proclaim Christ’s love in a dramatically different social context than even a few decades ago, and that if we are to be effective we must simultaneously embrace the best of our traditions while allowing new practices and structures to evolve. St. David’s is a community filled with faithful people that also sense that we are currently at a watershed moment and are flexible enough to allow creativity and change, and successes and failures, in the process.


Since beginning my ministry in September, I think all would agree, we’ve had a fast and thrilling wild ride, including new confirmation curriculum called, Confirm, not Conform,” a three-part series,


“Honest Conversations about God and Faith,” and a “Blues Christmas Service,” on December 23.


I’m grateful to God for opening this door at this time and in this place. As a priest, I feel tremendously blessed.” X


Trinity, Escondido: It’s All Unique W


her, “what makes Trinity unique?”


When the chortling subsides, you’ll learn that at Trinity, it’s all unique. From their liturgy, to their music, to their work as Christ’s hands and feet in the world, Trinitarians glory in being unique.


When the church was being built, there was “deep concern” about the acoustical qualities of the sanctuary because of its high ceiling and shape, according to Trinity Parish 1889-1982 by Margaret Dove. Near the end of construction, the rector walked in and overheard a carpenter in the far distant corner of the balcony whispering, “Hey, here comes the preacher!” The excellent acoustics showcase an extraordinary ministry. Music Director David Lewis says positioning the choir in the balcony has the effect of putting them at “the mouth of a megaphone.” The first service in the new building took place on Easter Sunday, 1965.


Rejoice and be Exceedingly Glad Because Trinitarians rejoice in creativity, some things change all the time and every new thing they try, they do with enthusiasm. Indeed, change is embraced with such gusto, one wonders if these Trinitarians are actually


Episcopalians after all. Even the Christmas pageant is written anew every year and it’s never just a typical retelling of the Nativity story. Last year, the Holy Spirit-filled theme was “Holiday Hoe-Down,” written by parishioner Tom Carroll.


At Christmas, Trinitarians carry their banner through town singing Christmas Carols. On Mardi Gras, more than 60 teens join the congregation dancing to live bluegrass music and enjoying decadent desserts.


It’s a Dove. It’s a Plane. It’s BIBLEMAN! Yep, Trinitarians even have their own superhero. Bibleman shows up periodically wearing a red cape and golden pith helmet. His mission? “To rescue failing sermons and save Bible stories from obscurity!” Mother Meg wrote the first Bibleman script with Tom Carroll in mind in 2003. Since then Tom plays him and they periodically write him into the script for sermons or Sunday school.


Music – Sublime and Precious Trinity is known in Escondido and throughout the diocese for superb music programs including an adult choir, a children’s choir, and bell-ringers. On average, 145 people worship at Trinity each week, and some 50 of them are involved in the music program.


BibleMan: A special member voluntarily wears tights, boxers and a cape to rescue sermons and Bible stories from obscurity.


Love One Another Rubbing shoulders with parishioners at Trinity, it is clear that this is a group of people who cherish each other; love and joy abound. Trinitarians have taken Christ’s instruction,


“Love one another,” to heart. When asked if there are any difficult parishioners, Parish Administrator Suzan Reiner grinned broadly and said, “Sure, we have a couple, but we love


TRINITY Continued on page 6


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