Webmaster's Note: Bishop Mathes has given permission to print his notes to the clergy of his diocese. The Bishop writes regularly to his clergy in order to inform, to teach, to share his joys and sorrows, and to encourage the clergy to likewise share with him. We are grateful to Bishop Mathes for allowing us to share these notes with you.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Many of you have heard of the fire on Sunday morning at our Cathedral. The good news is that no one was injured and the damage was largely limited to the women's vesting room. Beyond the faint smell of smoke and modest damage, what lingers is a sense of sadness and vulnerability. While I went off for my visitation at St. Philip's, Lemon Grove, and Terri went to do an adult education presentation at Trinity, Escondido, neither of us worried about our daughter Sara going to church without us. And yet, in a sacred place, she and others were at risk.

Why someone intentionally started a fire with hundreds of worshipers upstairs is something that we may never know. This moment is a reminder to all of us that we live in a broken world that is constantly in need of the love of Jesus. It is a reminder that even as we try to distribute this love that we have received, we may be misunderstood and targeted for condemnation or worse.

On Sunday morning, the cathedral community followed the dean's direction and "gently and safely" left the cathedral. Communion was then distributed on the corner of 5th and Nutmeg. I pray that this might be an enduring image of our church in this time. We distribute the bread of heaven, the love of Jesus, on the highways and byways even in the face of fire.

In Chirstmastide, let us be distributors of this love. It comes as the innocent love of a baby but grows into love that becomes passion, passion of the cross. In this holy season, please know of my love and deep gratitude for our life in Jesus Christ together.

Faithfully,


The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop