St. Luke's Episcopal Church with The Bishop 11.23.2025

We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill 

Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of San Diego

San Diego, CA

 The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook has served as the Fifth Bishop of San Diego since 2019, where her ministry focuses on church planting and church growth; strengthening leaders and congregations; and service to neighbors, including migrants along the US-Mexico border. Her previous service in the church included being Canon for Church Growth and Development in the Diocese of Oklahoma, and church planter, vicar, and rector of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Scottsdale, Arizona. Prior to ordination, Bishop Brown Snook was a Certified Public Accountant, working in taxation for major accounting firms in Houston, Texas.

Bishop Brown Snook served as a member of The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council from 2012 to 2018 and chaired its budget committee and its Joint Standing Committee on Local Ministry and Mission. From 2022 to 2024, she co-chaired the Task Force to Advise the Church on the Denominational Health Plan, whose work produced important reforms to the DHP at the 2024 General Convention. She was elected as a deputy to the General Convention from Arizona four times and was a co-founder of the Acts 8 Movement, a group dedicated to revitalization in the church. She has served on the boards of The Gathering of Leaders and of Forward Movement. In current churchwide service, she serves on the Joint Budget Committee of Executive Council and the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution, and Canons.

Bishop Brown Snook is the author of God Gave the Growth: Church Planting in the Episcopal Church, and the co-editor of Acts to Action: The New Testament’s Guide to Evangelism and Mission.

She was elected to her first term on The Church Pension Fund Board of Trustees in 2024.

She holds a DMin from Virginia Theological Seminary, an MDiv from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and an MBA, MAcc, and BA from Rice University. 

Return to the church of your childhood

 

In January, Church of England bishops from around the country will gather - with "national unity and diversity" one of the topics on the agenda. A political theologian and other experts have been invited to help discuss the issue, which is seen as one of the biggest it currently faces.

When she was appointed in October, the Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Sarah Mullally described a divided society, warning "people are frightened for lots of reasons, and often that then presents in ways that, for other people, may feel threatening".

Clergy like Mr Jones have largely been left to their own devices so far when it comes to welcoming people like Gareth to the Church, while supporting those who feel threatened by the movement to which he belongs.

St. Luke's is making news

 

Looking South on 30th Street in North Park

MISSION REAL ESTATE: INVITING TRANSFORMATION AND RENEWAL

By: Jessica Ripper, Mission Real Estate Portfolio Manager

I have a section in my closet with clothes that I love but no longer fit me. Seeing them reminds me of important people, places and periods of my life so I’ve found it hard to let them go to make space for things that do fit me. In many ways, congregations that enter the mission real estate program go through that same struggle of discerning what aspects of its property are sacred aspects of the congregation’s identity and when to create space for something new.

Earlier this year, Canon Jeff Martinhauk and I traveled to Denver to meet with other Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies grantees to share how to effectively support congregations in identifying income-generating missional uses of their property. We left with a deeper understanding of the potential for mission real estate to transform congregations through a greater focus on revitalizing the church campus by enhancing their relationships with the surrounding community. The most critical message: the level of positive transformation congregations experience is directly related to the level of spiritual intention that goes into the congregational engagement process. Read More

  

The Impending Worldwide Anglican Schism

 

Oct 5, 2025

Anglicanism is about to break in half. Here's why.

The New Archbishop of Canterbury: A Turning Point for the Church?

 

Oct 4, 2025 Rev Dan's Podcast

This week’s announcement of Dame Sarah Mullaly as the next Archbishop of Canterbury marks a defining moment for the Church of England. Is this a new dawn of progress — or the continuation of a long drift away from biblical conviction? In this video, Rev Dan explores what this appointment really reveals about the direction of the national church, the growing gap between hierarchy and local parishes, and what it means for those trying to stay faithful within a compromised institution. We’ll talk about leadership, theology, the faithful remnant, and the hope that Christ will still build His Church — even when institutions falter.

A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

The Church of England announced that Bishop Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been nominated to serve as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. When she is installed at Canterbury Cathedral, Bishop Sarah will be the first woman ever to hold the office in the Church’s 1,500-year history.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop in the Church of England and serves as first among equals for theAnglican Communion–a worldwide body of 85 million members across 165 countries. In addition to her leadership in the Church, the Archbishop is also one of the Lords Spiritual in the British House of Lords.

Bishop Sarah is no stranger to ‘firsts.’ She was the first woman to serve as Bishop of London, one of the most senior positions in the Church of England, and before entering ordained ministry, she was the youngest Chief Nursing Officer ever appointed in England. Her career has consistently been marked by faithful service, pastoral listening, and a commitment to healing.

Bishop Susan Brown Snook said, “I am delighted at the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. In addition to her solid reputation as a faithful and inspiring church leader, Bishop Sarah has the distinction of serving as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury. It is heartwarming to see this kind of affirmation of the ministry of ordained women at all levels of the church.”

For Bishop Susan, this historic step recalls the election of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop of TheEpiscopal Church in 2006:

“I was a young priest then, and I recall feeling astonished and gratified that her election affirmed my own calling as an ordained woman. I felt that her election signified that my church was taking my ministry seriously. Years later, the appointment of the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury leads me to give thanks that the ministry of women is now recognized and affirmed at the very top levels of our worldwide communion of faith.”

At the same time, Bishop Susan acknowledged the challenges Bishop Sarah will face as she steps into this historic role.

“Former Archbishop Justin Welby resigned under a shadow, and Archbishop Sarah will need to address the lingering hurts and conflicts from that situation. In addition, there is a movement underfoot to reduce the power and influence of the Archbishop of Canterbury while increasing the power of the Primates of the 42-member churches of the Anglican Communion. I do not regard this as a helpful move for our church, and I recognize that the new Archbishop enters her role at a time when the Anglican Communion is fractured and conflicted. I pray that Archbishop Sarah will be able to bring her considerable gifts to bear in bringing unity and a sense of common mission to the Anglican Communion.”

As we mark this historic moment for the Anglican Communion, let us remember our call to hold one another in prayer. Let us pray for Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally as she prepares for this new ministry, that God may grant her wisdom, courage, and grace. Let us also lift up the Anglican Communion, that we may grow in unity and faithful witness to Christ’s love. And let us pray for our own Episcopal Church, that we may continue to affirm the ministries of all God’s people and live into the courageous love to which Christ calls us.

 

Invite a Friend to Church Season

 

Alleluia! Christ is Risen Indeed!

Alleluia! Christ is Risen Indeed!

Easter begins in darkness: the darkness of a pre-dawn morning as women walk through sleeping city streets to the tomb of their beloved rabbi. Grief-stricken and shocked, they are unaware of the glorious sunrise that awaits them, when they discover the empty tomb and hear the news that Christ is Risen.

There have been times this year when I have felt like I am waiting in the darkness of a pre-dawn morning. Like many of you, I am deeply concerned about events in the world and the suffering of many people. I am concerned about the fears of immigrants, refugees, and people who merely look like they might be immigrants or refugees. I am anxious along with LGBTQ people who fear the loss of long-awaited protections. I worry about the economic situation and the state of the markets. I wait for the sun to rise.

That’s when it helps to remember that Easter is not just about joy: Easter is about joy inexplicably arising out of sorrow. Easter is the shocking, world-upending news that a world that believes in a story that ends on a cross must adjust to a new story that begins in an empty tomb. Easter is the assurance, against all this world believes, that death is not the end: God’s life and God’s love triumph even over death. Easter is the profoundly good news that Jesus is alive and loose in God’s beloved creation, and that means that God’s New Creation can manifest itself anywhere, anytime.

Here in our diocese, some remarkable long-term dreams of God have come to fruition recently. On March 28, we broke ground on our first Mission Real Estate project at St. Luke’s in North Park, a project that will provide 78 affordable housing units for low-income people and will bring in long-term resources to sustain the ministry of St. Luke’s. Thanks to the leaders of St. Luke’s and the leaders of our diocese who labored for a long time to make this project possible. Then, on April 1, we cut the ribbon to open Comunidad de Luz, our migrant shelter for women and children in Tijuana. Working with other partners including Via International, Vida Joven, the Anglican Church in Tijuana, and the ELCA Pacifica Synod, we created a project that will provide security and the hope of a new life for up to 150 women and children at a time while they work to rebuild a new life, probably right there in Tijuana. Our two new church plants, Resurrection Ocean Beach and St. Brigid’s Oceanside, are growing and reaching new people. Truly, the Holy Spirit is at work in our diocese, bringing hope and new life to our world.

This Easter, let us remember all those who need to hear the good news of Christ. Let us pray for those who suffer, whom God has entrusted to our care. Let us act in bold faith that God’s church has a mission to proclaim the good news of Christ in good times and hard times alike, to a world that needs to hear that good news at all times. Let us experience the life of Christ among us, this Easter Day and every day.

Jesus is risen, and the world is made anew. Alleluia! Christ is Risen Indeed.

In Christ,

Bishop Susan Brown Snook

St. Luke’s Breaks Ground on 78 Affordable Homes

The hum of passing traffic underscored a hopeful buzz of the crowd gathered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Clergy, civic leaders, developers, and neighbors stood together at the corner of Gunn and 30th Streets to witness a remarkable milestone: the groundbreaking of a new 78-unit affordable housing development on church grounds.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 28, 2025, marked the official start of construction on the first project of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s (EDSD) Mission Real Estate initiative—an effort to reimagine underutilized church property as a tool for community flourishing. In partnership with Trestle Build, the new development will provide much-needed housing for individuals and families earning 30–70% of the area’s median income.

News coverage from Fox5 San Diego can be found here.

News coverage from NBC San Diego can be found here.

News coverage from KPBS can be found here.

 

North Park church's affordable housing project highlights new market of ...

The Episcopal Diocese calls the project a “real estate with a mission.”

The 8-story apartment complex will feature 77 apartments for low-income individuals and families and a manager’s apartment. There will also be a ground-floor courtyard and a community room on the eighth floor. It's being built on a 0.2-acre lot that used to house a community garden.

 

EDSD: A Sanctuary Diocese

 

 

The care of migrants is deeply rooted in the biblical mandate to love and serve others, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to welcome the stranger, care for the sojourner, and show hospitality to those in need (Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:18-19). Jesus’s Great Commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39) expands this call to radical compassion and selfless service. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus reminds us that our neighbor is not limited by borders or identity but anyone in need of mercy and care. In our baptismal covenant, every Episcopalian commits to “respect the dignity of every human being.” As Christians, we are called to embody Christ’s love by advocating for and ministering to migrants, recognizing their inherent dignity as children of God, and responding to their needs with justice, kindness, and open hearts.

St. Luke’s Vision Gives Rise to Spiritual Construction Work

 

 

Ten years ago, the community garden was occupied by a mission-style chapel that had been relocated from All Saints’ Hillcrest in 1924. The Diocese and congregation initially worked with the historic preservation community to relocate and restore the chapel but ultimately accepted that they would need to demolish the building when they could not find a buyer. The chapel’s demolition created space for St. Luke’s to expand its participation in an urban farming and culinary arts job training program for refugee women and youth. In the next few months, St. Luke’s vision of redeveloping the property will take new shape as the corner lot is transformed into a construction site.

WHOSE VOICE GETS HEARD IN THE CHURCH?

 

THE EASTER INVITATION

 

YEAR OF LEADERSHIP: GOVERNANCE

 

Christmas music Organ Recital (12.29.2023)

 

 

Gabriel Arregui performs a recital spanning five centuries of Christmas music. Included composers: J.S. Bach, Jean-François Dandrieu, Healey Willan, Paul Manz, Helmut Walcha, and David Lee Heinzman.

HELP DEPORTED VETERANS

HELP DEPORTED VETERANS

By: Bishop Susan Brown Snook

At our 50th diocesan convention, we honored veterans and highlighted the military ministries of our diocese. We prepared 200 care packages for Marines and Sailors about to be deployed. And we know there is yet more work to be done in service to our veterans, as our Military Missioner, T. Randy Cash, recently outlined for us.

Military ministry in our diocese has a unique confluence with our border ministries, as we all too often meet U.S. military veterans deported to Tijuana. These veterans are not citizens but green card-holding American residents who have served America with honor, some in the most challenging wars for generations. Read More

REFLECTION, GRATITUDE, AND RENEWAL

REFLECTION, GRATITUDE, AND RENEWAL

By: Bishop Susan Brown Snook

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I am filled with gratitude for each one of you and the vibrant community we share in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. As we gather with family and friends around tables laden with the fruits of the earth, let us remember those who may be experiencing hardship and uncertainty. May our hearts be open to the needs of others, and may our hands be quick to offer compassion and support to those who are less fortunate.  In the midst of our busy lives, let us take a moment to pause and give thanks for the simple yet profound blessings that enrich our daily existence—the warmth of fellowship, the comfort of shared laughter, and the love that binds us together as a diocesan family.  Read More

October 17 2023

Join Me in Prayer

by Susan Brown Snook
Category: #Bishop's Blog

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza had been destroyed by a missile strike, with hundreds feared dead. There are varying reports about who was responsible for the attack, with each side in the Israel-Hamas conflict accusing the other. While it is impossible at this stage to sort out questions of responsibility, I can say now that my heart is broken. The Ahli Arab Hospital has been operated for several decades by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, with strong financial support from many Episcopalians through American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a group I appreciate for its support of many schools and hospitals in the Holy Land. I was able to tour the Holy Land with two board members in 2017, including several of the diocese’s schools and hospitals, and I saw firsthand the loving and dedicated work they do.

The loss of life at the Ahli Arab Hospital is horrifying. We weep for the hundreds of dead and wounded, for the loss of medical experts and humanitarians, and for the diocese whose ministries are deeply affected by this devastating loss. As a Christian hospital, Ahli Arab has long treated all people, seeing everyone as a child of God.

This week, there was a call from Christian church leaders of the 13 denominations in the Holy Land, including Anglicans, to fast and pray for peace in the Holy Land. I ask you to join me in prayer for relief of the suffering of innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza. Pray for victims and for humanitarian relief for civilians who are in danger. Pray for the dead, the wounded, those still held hostage after the Hamas attacks on Israel, those who are refugees, and all innocent civilians who suffer from the actions of the powerful. Pray for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Pray for world leaders who may be able to bring an end to the conflict. Pray also for peace here in our country. A horrifying attack on a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago this week killed him and grievously injured his mother. Jews in the US have also experienced anti-Semitic threats. Pray that all of us may respect and protect the dignity and safety of all of our fellow citizens.

Pray for peace in the Holy Land, that people of all faiths may live together in security and that the land that is home to three of the world’s great religions may reflect God’s peace that passes understanding.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, all people may live in justice and peace. We pray now for peace among the nations, and especially for the people of Israel and Palestine. Guide us all into the way of justice and truth, and establish among us that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that all people may live and flourish in the world you have created. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

In Christ,

Bishop Susan Brown Snook

Episcopal Diocese of San Diego - Employment