6 Connecting Online By Hannah Wilder, communications coordinator


and thank you note to the congregation of St. Anne’s, Oceanside is heart-warming and another testament to what we can do when we band together.


Facebook has been called “social networking on steroids,” and that has proven true for our diocesan page: facebook.com/diosandiego. Administered by people throughout our diocese, the page showcases recent photos and videos, links to interesting articles, event information, and people’s comments. It’s a good place to ask a question and receive more than a few answers.


New Diocesan Web Site: edsd.org features easy navigation, online donations, event registration, an active blog, a functioning search feature, updated news and more.


The site, which launched shortly after Easter, resurrects all information from our old site, and brings many more resources to newcomers and seasoned Episcopalians alike.


O Our blog features stories from congregations,


SHELTER Continued from page 3 working with different personalities.


The fundamentally sacramental element to this is that this was an experience of being in communion. The Greek Orthodox theologian, John Zizioulas, talks about how society’s notion of being individuals is transfigured by our true identity as persons in community with one another. It is only in this kind of right relationship that we come to know who we truly are. There is clearly an element of that in our experience of the Interfaith Shelter. Through the experience of sharing space, saying prayers and breaking bread together, listening with curiosity to the life stories that each has to offer, we start to see more of the humanity that we share. It is an embodied image of what it means liturgically to gather around the communion table.


As I have learned from our regular weekly hunger suppers for the hungry and homeless in Pacific Beach, there is really so very little that separates “me” from


“them.” The people who come to our church as our guests also reveal themselves to be our teachers, prophets, pastors and friends. All it takes is the time and the willingness to sit and eat with one another.


George Herbert says it much better than I ever could in his poem, “Love Bade Me Welcome.”


LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.


But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in,


Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack’d anything.


‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’ Love said, ‘You shall be he.’


‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on Thee.’


Love took my hand and smiling did reply, ‘Who made the eyes but I?’


‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve.’


‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’ ‘My dear, then I will serve.’


‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’ So I did sit and eat. X


ur new diocesan web site, edsd.org, brings even more ways to connect with other congregations -- online.


youth ministry and social service agencies. Currenly you can read about four-year-old Martha and the safe, secure, loving home Episcopal Community Services provided for her. There’s also a story about a graduating senior who didn’t have the money to pay for his cap, gown and the privilege of walking with his class on graduation day. His photo


A new diocesan account on flickr.com, a photo-sharing site, allows photographers in every congregation to upload photos. This is a good way to view a snapshot, if you will, of what’s going on in other congregations.


If you haven’t had a chance, take a moment now to visit edsd.org and poke around. If you would like to send feedback, or if you’re interested in authoring a blog or uploading photos, contact Hannah Wilder, hwilder@ edsd.org. X


Vibrant Youth Ministry: Youth ministry thrives in 27 percent of congregations surveyed. These youth just returned from the Episcopal Youth Event in St. Paul, Minnesota where they spent time with over 1,100 other young Episcopalians.


SURVEY Continued from page 3


ministry. Again and again, respondents noted bright, strong clergy leadership as one of the keys to success in a range of ministry areas. Another oft-noted factor of success was tradition or longevity. For example, a congregation that hosts a successful annual holiday tour has been doing so for almost 60 years. Other churches reported longstanding relationships with outside ministries and community centers that they perceive to be beneficial endeavors.


A church that felt proficient at service and outreach to the community reported that, “We pick an annual theme or area of concentration so that our efforts remain focused and the congregation can easily understand what we're trying to accomplish. We try to conduct three types of activities: fund raising, volunteer participation and education. We also include our day school students in as many of our programs as possible. We publicize upcoming events in our local newspaper to encourage participation/involvement, raise


awareness and as a low-key evangelism effort.”


Most of the individuals who replied said they would be willing to share their expertise with others, overwhelmingly favoring email (69 percent) or a phone conversation (63 percent) as their method of connection. Others were open to in-person training sessions or leading workshops.


Currently we are in the process of formatting this information in a way that will prove most helpful to our congregations. If you are interested in learning more about the survey or viewing the results, please check the


“For Congregations” section of our new diocesan web site: edsd.org.


Our bishop has often described our diocese as a constellation of stars, all shining brightly in their communities. We hope these survey results reflect a bit of that light, which ultimately emanates from the one true light. X


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