The Diocese of San Diego celebrated the resumption of Episcopal worship at Holy Trinity Church in a joyful Service of Hope and Healing on January 9. In 2006, the then- congregants of Trinity voted to leave the Episcopal Church over concerns of the ordination of gay and les- bian clergy. After several years of legal proceedings, the parish was legally returned to the diocese on December 31.
Bishop James R. Mathes preached at the service, which included the celebration of the Eucharist and renewal of baptismal vows. Mathes said, “The doors of this church stand open always to offer peace and sanctuary to everyone, regardless of creed…there is no qualification to the word ‘you.’ All are welcome.”
Sandi May was in attendance. She is a former congregant at Trinity who left the parish because of its refusal to allow the full ministry of women. May commented, “Trinity has a long history in this community, more than just the past 20 years, and it was good to acknowledge that and begin to move forward. It felt like I was home again. This week, and today, I could feel the beginning of healing. And it was good to see people worshiping here who would not have been welcome before — there were gay and lesbian people in the congregation this morning, and today was also the first time a woman has ever helped administer communion here.”
Over 100 people from the Diocese of San Diego attended the resumption of Episcopal worship and ministry at Holy Trinity.
