Dean’s Letter: A Future with Hope

The well beloved verse from Revelation 21:5, “See, I am making all things new,” pretty much sums up my feelings from Sunday two weeks ago. Traditionally known as “Homecoming Sunday” here at the Cathedral, this Sunday was a bit different from how it has been observed in the past (the Ministry Fair has been moved … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: One Way to Remember 9/11

Like many I remember very clearly where I was when I first learned of the planes flying into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. I was downstairs getting coffee when my husband Skip yelled from upstairs for me to turn on the television immediately. I did just in time to see … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Lights!

Some of you may have seen, read, or heard about the Cathedral lighting up its outside walls in pink in honor and thanksgiving for the life of Dolly Parton, a true embodiment of grace, wisdom, generosity, and humor.  Plus, that woman could sing!  Dolly died on August 25th and her death touched unknown numbers of … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Gratitude

As some of you know, I am leaving on Friday for a long planned trip to Iceland. You may well be thinking given I just started as Interim Dean, it is a little soon to be taking a vacation, but this trip has been in the works for over a year and our Senior Warden, … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Ordinary Time

When I was ordained in 2000, the rhythm of church life felt different. Summers were generally slower with less activity and often fewer people as folks went away on vacation,  took advantage of sunny days to go to the beach (this is southern California after all) or other daytime activities, and generally relaxed more. However, … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Radical Welcome

In her book Radical Welcome, Embracing God, The Other, and the Spirit of Transformation,15th Edition, the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers defines “radical welcome,” in part as follows:                Radical welcome is first and foremost a spiritual practice. It combines                the Christian ministry of welcome and hospitality with a faithful                commitment to doing the … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Pride Expressed

As I mentioned a while ago in a sermon, one of the things that struck me the first time I came to the Cathedral some 35 years ago was seeing a gay couple in the pews a couple of rows ahead of me, sitting next to an older woman, with her grandson sitting next to … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Music & Hope Reaching Across the Border

Last Sunday Canon Richard Hogue announced that an event that benefits Comunidad de Luz, “An Evening of Music and Hope,” on August 7 and 8, needs volunteers. Because the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and by extension, the Cathedral, is involved in so many things it is not always easy to keep up with all … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Community at its Fullest

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego was formed in 1973, having originally been part of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The area that would eventually become the Diocese of San Diego was developing its own identity and the need to create a new diocese became apparent. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bankers Hill became … READ MORE…

Letter From Dean Allisyn: Micro-Pilgrimage

Some 25 or so years ago I, along with other folks from St. Paul’s, went on a pilgrimage of British cathedrals organized by the Rev. Canon Anne Chisham and Lanita Carroll, and “narrated” by Dean James Carroll, our first dean. It was an amazing trip that took us from York Minster Cathedral at the north … READ MORE…