By the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan
The first year of his episcopate will be about strengthening relationships, creating new ones, serving as a resource to congregations and setting a foundation for the future of the diocese, Bishop Antonio José Gallardo Lucena said during a lively question and answer session at an Aug. 29 gathering at St. Wilfrid’s Church in Huntington Beach. Episcopalians in South Orange County welcomed Gallardo for the deanery celebration, hosted by the Very Rev. Peter Browning, Dean of Deanery 10 and the Rev. Nathan Biornstad, St. Wilfrid’s rector. Creation care, resources for language translations, affordable housing, sales of church property, and the diocesan Requiem or Renaissance program, building community and evangelism, were discussed. Participants, like Dave Dorff, a St. Wilfrid’s member, said bringing congregations together was a wonderful idea. Three deanery visits remain: Deanery 1, Sept. 12; Deanery 8, Sept. 19 and Deanery 3, Oct. 10.
Photo by Justin Baker-Rojas