Hello St. Paul’s,
Last weekend the clergy and lay representatives of every congregation in our diocese gathered in Palm Desert for our annual diocesan convention. All clergy canonically resident in the diocese are voting members of convention, and each congregation elects lay delegates every year at its annual meeting, with the number of delegates depending on the average Sunday attendance. St. Paul’s currently has four lay delegates in addition to our three staff clergy.
Convention is a combination of a business meeting and a family reunion, as we gather to worship, pray, listen, vote, and eat together. We elect people to serve on various committees, the Bishop gives an address, and we hear reports from diocesan staff. We also celebrate the joys of the past year, remember those we have lost, hear about clergy transitions, and honor people for outstanding service.
Some highlights of this year’s convention included:
- The election of our own Kate Gould to the diocesan Executive Council;
- A great sermon from Bishop Susan about being salt and yeast in the world;
- A report on the current church planting initiatives, including St. Brigid’s in Oceanside and Resurrection in Ocean Beach;
- A report on the work being done in our name at the border to care for migrants;
- A report on the Mission Real Estate initiative which seeks to make the most of the land assets belonging to our churches while providing much-needed affordable housing;
- A report on Comunidad de Luz, a shelter for migrant women and children in Tijuana, currently under construction as a joint ministry of our diocese, the Anglican Diocese of Western Mexico, Vida Joven, and Via International;
- An update on the diocesan Courageous Love capital campaign, which has raised $1.6 million towards its $2.5 million goal;
- A report on the diocesan youth ministry and a preview of the exciting things being planned for 2025;
- Videos about campus ministry, our desert congregations, and the various Courageous Love initiatives.
- Donna Perdue was re-elected to the Disciplinary Board and the Rev. Canon Andrew Green was re-elected to the Cathedral Chapter
We celebrated a joyful Eucharist and enjoyed a fiesta dinner on the patio of St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert. There is so much going on across the diocese: our Bishop is an inspired and inspiring leader, and we can give thanks for all the ministry that we are privileged to offer together.
If you are interested in serving as a lay delegate to next year’s Convention, to be held November 7-8 at St. Dunstan’s, San Diego, please let me know. We will elect delegates on January 26 at the annual parish meeting.
See you on Sunday!
Your sister in Christ,
Penny
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