wfn.org | Presiding bishop visits Jubilee ministries in San Diego

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2001-199

Presiding bishop visits Jubilee ministries in San Diego

by William F. Dopp
(Photos available at http://www.episcopalchurch/ens/2001-199.html)

     (ENS) As part of a short visit to Southern California, Presiding Bishop 
Frank T. Griswold and his wife Phoebe visited San Diego July 20-21 to witness the 
work of two of the Jubilee Ministries in the diocese. 

     On the first evening, the Griswolds met with the staff of Episcopal 
Community Services (ECS), a Jubilee Center which is the largest agency of its 
type in San Diego and one of the largest social service agencies in the nation. 
It has an annual budget of more than $20 million and more than 400 paid 
employees. ECS' director, the Rev. Amanda May, and San Diego Jubilee Officer Bob 
Morris gave the Griswolds a tour of ECS headquarters and the site of new 
facilities being planned for the downtown area.

     "What impresses me about ECS is the enthusiasm of the staff. They are truly 
dedicated to work they obviously love," Griswold commented. "There is a real 
sense of joy here."

     On the second day, the Griswolds visited the Friends-to-Friends Club House, 
an ECS outreach center for homeless persons in downtown San Diego. The Griswolds 
ate breakfast with the members of the clubhouse and spent time hearing their 
stories. San Diego bishop Gethin Hughes joined the Griswolds.

     Hughes then escorted the Griswolds to St. Luke's Church in the North Park 
area of San Diego, where they were greeted by a crowd of more than 200 
parishioners, mostly Sudanese refugees, who make up a large part of the 
membership of the parish. St Luke's, another Jubilee Center, is the home of the 
St. Luke's Refugee Network, which serves hundreds of refugees from war-torn Sudan 
with material and physical as well as spiritual needs.

     Sudanese refugee Majur Samuel, the Refugee Network manager, welcomed the 
Griswolds and presented them with a plaque from the congregation. Samuel thanked 
the presiding bishop for the honor of his visit. "We appreciate your concern for 
us," he said. Griswold answered him by saying, "The Episcopal Church will do 
everything in its power to help you."

     The visitors were treated to Sudanese music and refreshments before leaving 
for a visit to Jubilee Centers in Los Angeles.

--The Rev. Dr. William F. Dopp is Canon for Communications and Development for 
the Diocese of San Diego.