News
-Canon Allisyn Thomas named Sub Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral
-Canon Mary Moreno Richardson Featured in Episcopal Life Magazine
-The Rev. Cathey Dowdle Goes to Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine
-Cathedral Youth Head For the Hills
-Come Join the Urban Collective
-Cathedral Center for the Performing and Visual Arts
Announces Bus Trip to the Getty
Canon Allisyn Thomas named Sub Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas will be installed as Sub Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral at the Cathedral Day Eucharist, Sunday, January 28, 2007 following her nomination to that office by Dean Richardson and the unanimous approval of the Cathedral Chapter at its meeting in December.
Allisyn joined the staff of St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2002 as the Director of Spiritual Formation. Her responsibilities included overseeing all education programs at the Cathedral for children and adults. However, upon the resignation of Eva Myking, Allisyn served as the interim Cathedral Administrator for approximately nine months. Dean Richardson made Allisyn the Canon for Spiritual Formation in January of 2004 and in 2005, she also assumed responsibility for Cathedral liturgy. Prior to her ordination in 2000, Allisyn practiced law for approximately fifteen years, with most of those being with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, specializing in redevelopment, economic development and historic preservation. Allisyn is married to Skip Thomas, a Deputy Public Defender.
In addition to her ministry at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Canon Thomas was chair of the diocese of San Diego’s deputies to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church last summer in Columbus, Ohio. She also was a member of the diocesan nominating committee when the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes was elected Bishop of the diocese of San Diego. Canon Thomas chaired the committee which planned and led the bishop’s consecration service at the Town and Country Center in Mission Valley, and his installation service at St. Paul’s Cathedral the next day.
Canon Mary Moreno Richardson Featured in Episcopal Life Magazine
Canon Mary Moreno Richardson with two villagers, in a completely empty village
Our Canon for Hispanic Ministry, The Rev. Mary Moreno Richardson, was featured in a front page article in the January issue of Episcopal Life magazine which goes to thousands of church members throughout the country and is seen by thousands more on the publication’s web site: Episcopal-life.org. (Click the closer look section). Last fall Mary visited villages on the shores of Lake Patzucuaro in the state of Michoacan. Canon Moreno Richardson was invited there by the producers of a state-sponsored documentary about the crisis of outward migration, Richardson met with families that have stayed in the villages. She interviewed them, offered advice and counsel, and explained both the dangers and the sources of support for those who choose to travel north.
The producers met Richardson last year when they came to San Diego to interview immigrants and those who work with them. Impressed with the bilingual priest’s compassion and her ability to articulate the problems and dangers, they included lengthy interviews with her in the film. They also said they hoped she would come spread the word to young people.
“It is a big issue… The young people is the one who is leaving Mexico,” says filmmaker Gabriela Enriquez in her second language. “We find all the towns are remaining with only old people. So we don’t have a future now. All our future is leaving from Mexico.” Enriquez served as host for Richardson’s visit. She’s arranged to have a graduate student, Mariepas Valenzuela, drive Richardson to villages around the lake. The towns are home to families of Indigenas, native people of the region. Their communities have been severely altered by outward migration, according to Enriquez.
“Mostly it is the future that is worrying me,” says the filmmaker. “Little kids are living in the towns with the grandparents. There is a gap, intergenerational.” With her project, Enriquez plans to generate a debate. “We want the young people to talk about it, to think about what they are doing, why they are leaving … what it will mean for them and for their country.” Enriquez will show her film, made with a grant from the Ministry of Culture, “in the high schools and preparatory schools… in the towns and in public places,” she said.
Richardson, Canon for Hispanic ministry at St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego, was on a mission. As a volunteer with Border Angels, a group of immigration activists, and founder/director of the Guadalupe Art Program for teenage Latinas, Richardson encounters numerous families who have emigrated from this region of Mexico. Most are undocumented. Most have faced terrible physical and emotional risks to pursue work and lives in the southwestern United States.
Nan Coby, one of the leading journalists in the Episcopal Church traveled with Mary and wrote the story. Carol Barnwell took the moving photographs of their mission to Mexico.
The Rev. Cathey Dowdle Goes to Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine
The Rev. Cathey Dowdle, who was an intern at the Cathedral since last fall, was ordained a Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chula Vista December 21, 2006. Her last Sunday at St. Paul’s Cathedral was January 3. Beginning January 7, she will be the Deacon at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine until her ordination as a Priest sometime in June of 2007, at which time she will become the rector of that parish. The cathedral clergy and staff had a special going away party for her just before Christmas.
Cathedral Youth Head For the Hills
The Cathedral Teens went hunting for fossils and theories last October at the Agua Caliente County Park for a science-and-fellowship-filled weekend to learn more about the constellations, the Big Bang and other scientific theories. In October, Andromeda was visible to the naked eye so it was a good stargazing evening for everyone. The teens had great fun playing around, eating and staying up late in the crisp desert air. They came back happy and tired with lots of camp laundry. Thanks so much to Bob and Eric for their loving and generous teen ministry. All those between 13-17 are welcome to participate in Cathedral Teens.
Come Join the Urban Collective
The Urban Collective is a new group of 20- and 30- somethings at the Cathedral. We get together to check out local art galleries, meet for drinks or coffee, and share our different takes on life, faith and the Spirit.
Here are some upcoming events, please join us!
For details and more information, call Heather Naddour (619) 813-4361 or Chris Harris (619) 298-7261 x334 or email us at harrisc@stpaulcathedral.org.
*1/20 Saturday 5pm – We kick it off with a wine tasting and art show at Jonas Depuis Gallery - 3312 Fifth Ave in Bankers Hill.
*2/11 Sunday noon – Join us for Sunday Brunch after the 10:30 service at La Vache – 420 Robinson in Hillcrest.
*3/1 Thursday 7pm – We’re off to San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art’s Thursday Night Thing (TNT), an ongoing program of intriguing events in MCASD's Downtown galleries.
*TBD - Culture & Cocktails - The DJ spins, exotic beverages flow, artworks dazzle, and museum visitors glow at SDMA's popular sundown series.
What is an Episcopalian?
Beginning Wednesdays on January 17 from 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm and running through March 28, St. Paul’s Cathedral offers fellowship and a shared learning experience for all those wishing to become Christians through Baptism, or Episcopalians through Confirmation or Reception. It is a wonderful class for those who want to Reaffirm their commitment to ministry in Christ. All people, however, are welcome! The class meets in the Guild Room. For more information or to register, please contact The Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas at thomasa@stpaulcathedral.org or 619.298.7261, ext. 333.
Cathedral Center for the Performing and Visual Arts
Announces Bus Trip to the Getty
At the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Saturday, January 27, 2007 - Group bus tour sponsored by the Cathedral Center for the Performing and Visual Arts.
See this extraordinary exhibition at the Getty in Los Angeles which offers a look at some of the oldest surviving icons of the Byzantine world, and provides rare insight into monastic life at the remote Holy Monastery of St. Catherine which lies in the shadow of Mt. Sinai in Egypt and is the world's oldest continuously operating monastery.
Bus trip includes a 20 minute orientation at the Getty and an audio for the Icon Exhibit. Time on your own will be available to see other exhibits and the beautiful grounds. Free talks are available on the Getty architecture and gardens. Lunch on your own. Cost is $45.
Please reserve by January 17. Call Caroline Morse at 619-233-3747. Gather at the Cathedral at 7:30 am, and depart 8 am. We'll be leaving the Getty at 3 pm and arriving back at the Cathedral between 5:30 and 6:00 pm.
