Directory of Religious Organizations

San Diego County

October, 2015 Revised January, 2016 San Diego Regional Interfaith Collaborative 1080 Park Blvd Unit 1607 San Diego CA 92101

http://www.sandiegointerfaith.org

Contents Preface ...... 8 Community Issues ...... 9 Anti Defamation League – San Diego ...... 9 Call to Action ...... 9 Center for Justice and Reconciliation, Point Loma Nazarene University ...... 10 Chaplains Caring for Veterans and Families ...... 10 Christians For Earth Care ...... 11 Churches Against Trafficking ...... 11 Council on American Islamic Relations - San Diego ...... 11 CROP Hunger Walk ...... 12 District Attorney’s Interfaith Advisory Board ...... 13 EarthCare at Foothills ...... 13 Faith in Action Team ...... 14 Interfaith Center for Worker Justice ...... 14 Jewish Federation of San Diego County ...... 15 Jubilee USA Network – San Diego ...... 15 Justice Overcoming Boundaries ...... 16 Pastors on Point ...... 16 Pax Christi USA – San Diego ...... 16 Peace with Justice Ministry at La Mesa First United Methodist Church ...... 17 San Diego Area Congregations for Change (SACC) ...... 17 San Diego Organizing Project ...... 17 Walk to Feed the Hungry ...... 19 Social Services ...... 19 Bridge of Hope ...... 19 Brother Benno’s ...... 20 Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation ...... 20 Build A Miracle ...... 21 Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego ...... 21 Central Faith Based Behavioral Health Council ...... 22 Community Christian Service Agency...... 22

Episcopal Community Services ...... 22 Father Joe's...... 23 Feeding Homeless ...... 23 Habitat for Humanity – San Diego ...... 24 Interfaith Shelter Network ...... 24 Interfaith Community Services ...... 25 Islamic Relief ...... 25 Jewish Family Services ...... 26 Lutheran Social Services of Southern California ...... 26 Mennonite Disaster Service ...... 27 Mental Health Ministries ...... 28 Metro...... 29 Mid City Christian Service Agency ...... 29 Monthly Dinner for Homeless Teenagers ...... 29 Nazarene Disaster Response ...... 30 Newman Center Catholic Community ...... 30 North Inland Faith Based Partnership Council ...... 30 Presbyterian Urban Ministries ...... 31 Prison Meditation Project of San Diego ...... 31 Salvation Army ...... 32 San Diego Catholic Worker ...... 33 San Diego Rescue Mission ...... 34 Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief ...... 34 Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) ...... 35 Uptown Community Service Center ...... 35 Volunteers of America ...... 36 Fellowship, Dialogue and Networking, Service ...... 37 The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - San Diego chapter ...... 37 Center for Christian Spirituality ...... 37 Center for Catholic Thought and Culture at USD ...... 38 Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship...... 38 Downtown Fellowship of Churches and Ministries ...... 38

East County Clergy Network ...... 40 Encinitas Mayor’s Interfaith Community Prayer Breakfast ...... 40 Escondido Clergy Association ...... 40 Faith Order and Witness Committee ...... 40 Franciscan Peace Connection ...... 41 Girl Scouts ...... 41 Hands of Peace – San Diego ...... 42 Interfaith Alliance ...... 42 Interfaith Council of La Mesa ...... 43 Interfaith Prayer Fellowship Of San Diego ...... 43 Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service ...... 43 Inter-Religious Council of San Diego ...... 44 Just Serve ...... 44 La Costa Dialogue ...... 45 Metropolitan Area Pluralism Study - MAPS ...... 45 Muslim Community Center ...... 45 Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego ...... 45 North County Islamic Foundation ...... 46 Pacifica Institute ...... 46 Poway Interfaith Team (POINT) ...... 46 San Diego Center for Jewish Culture ...... 47 San Diego City Church Ministries ...... 48 San Diego County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance ...... 48 San Diego Indian American Society ...... 48 San Diego Interfaith Choir and Orchestra ...... 49 San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir ...... 49 San Diego Regional Interfaith Collaborative (SDRIC) ...... 50 San Diego Regional Prayer Network ...... 50 San Diego Sindhi Association ...... 51 San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Council ...... 51 Santee Ministerial Council ...... 52 United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) ...... 52

Women Clergy Support Group ...... 53 Religions/Spiritual Communities ...... 53 Bahai ...... 53 Buddhist ...... 53 Theravada ...... 54 Mahayana ...... 54 Vajrayana ...... 54 Integrative ...... 54 Christian ...... 55 American Catholic Church ...... 55 Christian Science ...... 55 Jehovah's Witnesses ...... 55 Latter Day Saints ...... 56 Non-Denominational ...... 56 Orthodox Christian ...... 56 Protestant ...... 57 African Methodist Episcopal ...... 57 African Methodist Episcopal Zion ...... 57 Assemblies of God ...... 57 American Baptist Churches of America ...... 58 Southern Baptist Convention ...... 58 Christian Reformed ...... 58 Church of Christ ...... 59 Church of God in Christ ...... 59 Church of the Nazarene ...... 59 Disciples of Christ ...... 60 Episcopal ...... 60 Free Methodist Church ...... 61 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ...... 61 Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod ...... 61 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod ...... 62

Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) ...... 62 Orthodox Presbyterian Church ...... 62 Pentecostalism ...... 62 Presbyterian Church in America ...... 63 Presbyterian Church USA ...... 63 Reformed Church in America ...... 63 Reformed Church in the United States ...... 64 Seventh Day Adventist ...... 64 United Church of Christ ...... 64 United Methodist ...... 64 Volunteers of America ...... 65

Quakers ...... 65 Radical Reformation ...... 65 Church of the Brethren ...... 65

Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego ...... 66 Salvation Army ...... 66 Hinduism ...... 66 Islam ...... 66 Jain ...... 67 Judaism ...... 67 Conservative ...... 68 Independent ...... 68 Orthodox ...... 68 Reconstructionist ...... 68 Reform ...... 69 Renewal ...... 69 Unaffiliated ...... 69 New Thought...... 69 Divine Science ...... 69 Religious Science ...... 70 Unity ...... 70

Pagan ...... 70 Scientology...... 71 Shinto ...... 71 Sikh ...... 71 Taoism ...... 72 Unitarian Universalist ...... 72 Zoroastrianism ...... 73

Preface

The purpose of the San Diego Regional Interfaith Collaborative is to support the multi-religious network, creating space for communication, compassion, collaboration and service …

. By neutrally convening conversations that matter among… . Inter-religious communities and relating organizations… supporting them in . Perceiving the “bigger picture” with regard to the issues and resources of the greater San Diego region… evoking . Mutual creative energy that initiates fellowship, celebration, understanding, strategic planning and action within its multiple partners

Our aim with this Directory is to “map” the religious community as an aid to this mission.

We also refer you to an important, additional resource, the Metropolitan Area Pluralism Study, http://religionmaps.sdsu.edu/, which has a directory of religious communities.

Diligent effort was used to make this first edition as complete and accurate as possible.

At press time, a number of additional entries came to our attention. These will be included in a subsequent edition.

We also wish to add entries related to chaplains, media and schools.

Your assistance in making this resource as complete and accurate as possible is appreciated.

Please send corrections and additions to [email protected].

Community Issues

Anti Defamation League – San Diego

The mission of the ADL is to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens alike. The San Diego Regional Office has been serving the San Diego and Imperial Counties since 1978. Our office strives to keep the community safe through Education, Protection, and Investigation. The ADL is supported by strong lay leadership to effectuate its programs, and the Region has an outstanding cadre of lay leaders and committee members who work with our staff on a daily basis. These teams work hard to deliver educational programs falling within the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute, our Jewish Student Leadership (Manhigim) Program for 10th and 11th grade students, the Glass Leadership Institute for young professionals, and the Bearing Witness™ Summer Institute for Catholic Educators; on security programs such as our annual Joseph H. and Dorothy Goldberg Counterterrorism Program for local and federal law enforcement officers; educating and assisting local Jewish institutions on security matters; community outreach; addressing and resolving discrimination complaints, acts of anti-Semitism, hate crimes, and civil rights violations. The San Diego Regional Office is here to serve the community—to Educate, Protect, and Investigate—all in keeping with the spirit of stopping "…the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all."

Tammy Gillies, Regional Director 4950 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 250 San Diego CA 92123 (858) 565-6896 http://regions.adl.org/san-diego/ http://www.adl.org/

Call to Action

Call To Action educates, inspires and activates Catholics to act for justice and build inclusive communities through a lens of anti-racism and anti-oppression principles.

CTA San Diego Mike Crowley 858.748.3801 [email protected] www.cta-sandiego.org

Center for Justice and Reconciliation, Point Loma Nazarene University

The pursuit of justice and reconciliation is at the heart of our Christian heritage and at the foundation of PLNU. We pursue justice when we let the oppressed go free, share our food with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into our homes, clothe the naked, and satisfy the needs of the afflicted (Isaiah 58).

Doing justice involves being able to name injustice and to confront the powers that cause injustice. At the Center for Justice & Reconciliation (CJR), we study poverty, oppression, and Christian means of social engagement with the best of historical wisdom and contemporary research techniques. Join us as we pursue reconciliation with God and with each other.

The Center’s programs include: Brewed Awakenings Roots of Giving Border Pilgrimage South Africa Trips Abolish Human Trafficking Research Beauty For Ashes Fund Forums, Speakers, Conferences

Visit http://www.pointloma.edu/cjr to learn about other CJR programs.

For more information, contact Dr. Jamie Gates 619.849.2659 or [email protected] .

Chaplains Caring for Veterans and Families

Chaplains Caring for Veterans and Families is a networking group of military chaplains and other clergy and lay people. The group sponsors Military Ministry Forums that focus on topics of interest to religious groups that have, or want to start, ministries to veterans and their families.

The network is coordinated out of the office of Chaplain Service, VA San Diego Health Care System.

Dick Millspaugh, Chief, Chaplain Service VA San Diego Healthcare System 858-552-7599 [email protected] http://www.sandiego.va.gov/services/chaplain.asp

Christians For Earth Care

For more than 20 years, Christians for Earthcare, an informal volunteer group, has encouraged people to actively care about the earth, to pray for all God’s creation, and to teach good stewardship of the amazing natural resources entrusted to us.

The new reprint of "The Earth is the Lord’s: Handle with Care," is hot-off-the press–just in time for Earth Day where we sponsor an annual book giveaway (one per family) at our booth,"Christians for Earthcare." [email protected] www.christiansforearthcare.org

Churches Against Trafficking

Churches Against Trafficking (C.A.T.) is a networking and support group for churches, ministries and organizations in the San Diego area. We meet to network, support, encourage, learn from each other, pray and most of all unite as the body of Christ in combating human trafficking.

Meets at the Church at Rancho Bernardo, Room 21 (Back), 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court, San Diego, CA 92128.

Contact Susan Johnson, convenor, with any questions: [email protected]

Council on American Islamic Relations - San Diego

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group. The national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The San Diego Chapter was established as a full time office in 2006 to serve the needs American Muslims in San Diego County. The mission of CAIR is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Civil rights advocacy is at the center of CAIR’s work. Since CAIR’s founding in 1994, CAIR staff have worked tirelessly to advance the civil rights of all Americans. CAIR has served more than 25,000 victims of discrimination since its founding, and its regional offices receive a total of approximately 3,000 inquiries a year and work to resolve them through various legal means.

CAIR aims to build and expand bridges of understanding between the American Muslim community and the community at large using a two-pronged approach. The first approach, educating American Muslims about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, empowers community members to fully participate in all aspects of civic life. The second, educating the broader community about Islam and Muslims, helps foster mutual trust and cooperation. By working with allied organizations representing other

11 communities, CAIR has faith that investing our efforts in building coalitions will cultivate justice and understanding.

CAIR has always believed that in order to secure a brighter future for our communities, investments must be made in empowering our youth with the tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. Through its programs, CAIR aims to equip youth with the proper training and support to become agents of positive change.

CAIR seeks to empower non-citizens by helping them achieve independence, security, and the opportunity to fully participate in American society. The department provides high-quality, low-cost or pro bono services to individuals otherwise unable to obtain legal assistance. Our clients include individuals who seek asylum, legal permanent residency, citizenship or reunification with their families as well as victims of human trafficking, serious crimes and domestic violence.

Hanif Mohebi, Executive Director 316 Clairemont Mesa Blvd,Suite 203 San Diego, CA 92111 T 858.278.4547 [email protected] https://ca.cair.com/sandiego/

CROP Hunger Walk

CROP Hunger Walk the original charitable walking event in the U.S. It is a project of Church World Service. http://www.cwsglobal.org/

End hunger locally and abroad by walking with us.

Fallbrook CROP Hunger Walk

Poway/Rancho Bernardo CROP Hunger Walk

Ramona CROP Hunger Walk

Contact the CWS regional office at 888-297-2767 for more information. http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/site/PageServer?pagename=crop_main

District Attorney’s Interfaith Advisory Board

An advisory board for the San Diego District Attorney made up of a variety of religious leaders.

For information, contact J.J. Anderson at 619-531-3567. [email protected]

EarthCare at Foothills

If we learn to love the earth, we will find labyrinths, gardens, fountains and precious jewels! A whole new world will open itself to us. We will discover what it means to be truly alive. --St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

The Earthcare group is a small group that feels called to be active in environmental issues that influence our homes, families, our community, and our world. We do this by learning about and practicing sustainable living ideas that may include recycling, conservation, bee keeping, eating locally, repurposing, and alternative energy ideas, to name a few. We hope not only to practice these ideas in our own personal lives, but to encourage and educate others around us so we can adopt more sustainable practices and reduce negative environmental impacts.

The EarthCare small group's mission is to:

 Educate the congregation  Provide service opportunities and  Encourage Action

A Fair Trade City

La Mesa, California has been listed as a fair trade city. The idea being that as a community we do all that is possible through word and hopefully action to reinforce the concept of fair trade of goods. Foothills is also honored to be listed as a fair trade location. We stand behind the fair trade ethos and do what we can to buy fair.

For more information, contact Margo Miller at [email protected] http://www.foothillsumc.org/what-we-do/earthcare/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthCare-at-Foothills-United-Methodist-Church/166382260135594

Faith in Action Team

The Faith in Action Team of the San Diego Church of the Brethren emerged as the result of a book study of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.

Issues raised in the book include:

- mass incarceration rates - disproportionate arrest rates for people of color - "school to prison pipeline" - need for successful re-entry into society for the previously incarcerated - need for systems changes at many levels

Realizing the impact of the issues raised in this book in our own neighborhood, we decided the time was now to put our faith into action. We want to help provide our community with a variety of options to take action and make a difference, and to collaborate with others wherever we can.

Pastor Sara Haldeman-Scarr San Diego Church of the Brethren (City Heights) 3850 Westgate Place, San Diego, 92105. (619) 262-1988, [email protected] http://sdbrethrenchurch.org/

Interfaith Center for Worker Justice

The Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (ICWJ) of San Diego County is a membership organization, established in 1998, to bring the power and energy of the faith community's moral authority to local struggles for worker justice. ICWJ represents clergy, synagogues, churches, mosques, faith and justice organizations, and many people of faith in the San Diego region who feel called by their respective religious traditions to work for justice and stand up for the poor and marginalized.

Drawing upon the unique resources of religious traditions, the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (ICWJ) of San Diego County provides a moral framework toward realizing an economy of well-being. The mission of the ICWJ is to educate and mobilize religious and faith communities to raise awareness and support actions that sustain workers’ lives with dignity, improving wages, benefits, access to quality healthcare, working conditions and a voice on the job.

Rabbi Laurie Coskey, Executive Director Interfaith Center for Worker Justice of San Diego County 3758 30th Street San Diego, CA 92104 Phone: (619) 584-5740 http://icwj.org/

Jewish Federation of San Diego County

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County is dedicated to building a vibrant and inclusive local Jewish community and to enhancing the well being of Jews in San Diego, Israel, and throughout the world.

Guided by Jewish values, the Jewish Federation is committed to:

. Plan and implement philanthropic initiatives in order to maximize support for the local and global Jewish communities. . Provide effective and visionary community-wide planning and coordination. . Strengthen individual Jewish identity, personal meaning and belonging through involvement in a diverse San Diego Jewish community. . Foster collaborative and respectful partnerships with synagogues and agencies to support their service to the community. . Promote deep, enduring ties between San Diego and the national and global Jewish communities, especially the land, people and State of Israel. . Advocate to the media, government, and public at large with respect to issues of significance to the Jewish community. . Develop knowledgeable and effective leaders for the Jewish community. . Emphasize and support Jewish education and culture for all age groups.

Michael Sonduck, President and CEO Jewish Federation of San Diego County 4950 Murphy Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92123 Phone: 858.571.3444 [email protected] http://www.jewishinsandiego.org/

Jubilee USA Network – San Diego

Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 75 US organizations, 300 faith communities and 50 Jubilee global partners. Jubilee's mission is to build an economy that serves, protects and promotes participation of the most vulnerable. Jubilee has won critical global financial reforms and more than $130 billion in debt relief to benefit the world's poorest people.

The local group is Jubilee San Diego, an affiliate of JUSA Network. For information, contact Betsy at [email protected]. http://www.jubileeusa.org/

Justice Overcoming Boundaries

Justice Overcoming Boundaries is building a powerful network of Faith, Community, Educational, Business and Labor partners that work to advance social justice in the San Diego region. We aim to foster leaders who can develop solutions and identify opportunities, and we are intentional about developing grass-roots leaders who have the knowledge and skill to help their communities be heard and to take action in the public arena.

Our Mission is to nurture and develop grass roots community leaders, empowering them with the tools, skills and support they need to shape public policies that affect them, their families and their communities. JOB is an affiliate of the Gamaliel Network, http://www.gamaliel.org/

Christina Gonzales, Lead Organizer/Director [email protected] [email protected] 276 F Street, Chula Vista, California 91910 Phone 619-777-3492 http://www.justicesandiego.org/

Pastors on Point

Pastors on Point is an organization that galvanizes local pastors to assist with addressing the needs of communities in San Diego County.

Since 2001, POPSD’s mission has been to strengthen all communities by maximizing the resources of faith-based and partner organizations involved in economic development and neighborhood revitalization through educational and economic development programs, strategic public and private partnerships and capacity building for faith communities and community nonprofits. POPSD serves as a voice for the churches across the San Diego, providing a bridge between the community and the greater community at large. http://pastorsonpointsd.org/

Pax Christi USA – San Diego

Pax Christi USA is a national Catholic peace and justice movement. There is also Pax Christi International. Pax Christi is open to all faiths.

The San Diego chapter meets every second Monday of the month at St. James Church Parish Conference Room in Solana Beach from 6:30 PM – 8 PM. All are welcome to join for the monthly meetings.

For info, Christy Bohan: [email protected]

Peace with Justice Ministry at La Mesa First United Methodist Church

Our Peace with Justice Ministries is a small group of committed church and community members who are pursuing peace by: Meeting monthly to share updates on current issues and activities and plan future activities and actions. Studying, sharing and discussing Peace and Justice issues. Sending individual postcards to decision makers. Showing movies to church and community members. Participating in Ministries of La Mesa Community Outreach, Missions, Housing, Health, Shelter; and Guatemala Project and UMW.

Please feel free to join us on the 1st Monday of each month at 7:15 p.m. in Room 24 (downstairs in the Sanctuary Building).

For more information, please call Bob Conger at (619) 670-6317. La Mesa First United Methodist Church 4690 Palm Avenue La Mesa, CA 91941 Phone: (619) 466-4163

San Diego Area Congregations for Change (SACC)

SACC is a local affiliate of Regional Congregations and Neighborhood Organizations Training Center, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Our focus is faith-based community organizing in predominately African American Communities.

For information, contact Clovis Honore, [email protected].

San Diego Organizing Project

Founded in 1978, SDOP is an interfaith, multicultural organization representing 24 communities and congregations and over 42,500 families. The organization seeks to awaken people to their greatest resource - each other. SDOP's process is based on a model of community organization developed by PICO, http://www.picocalifornia.org/, a national institute for faith-based community organization. SDOP works ‘bottom up', focusing its efforts and resources on addressing the issues that emerge from local communities, such as the lack of affordable health insurance and housing, increasing gang and youth violence, deterioration of neighborhood infrastructure and services, and the need for decent jobs.

SDOP's mission is to build powerful volunteer-driven organizations that:

. Listen to hundreds of people . Develop solutions to community concerns . Implement those solutions

SDOP works to empower poor and moderate-income families to address their collective needs. Our goal is to help local leaders maintain and improve the quality of life for their families and for their communities. We accomplish this by organizing families to engage in the public debate about priorities and by promoting a new vision of what is possible in San Diego. SDOP leaders have a 30-year history of identifying community problems, mobilizing a grassroots constituency, and then implementing solutions to those concerns.

Some of SDOP's accomplishments: . The creation of the 6-to-6 Program, which became a national model. . The creation of Neighborhood Pride and Protection, a $19.5 million program that addressed the drug and gang epidemic in San Diego, which became the national model for community policing. . The identification and closing of over 1,200 drug ‘hot spots'. . A commercial complex, 100 new homes, and a new elementary school were built as a result of an 18-year campaign by SDOP leaders to bring economic development to Southcrest. . SDOP was a part of the ACCORD coalition, which finalized San Diego's first ever Community Benefits Agreement with the developers of the $1.5 billion Ballpark Village. . A Community Convention of 200 residents in City Heights to improve relationships between residents and agencies that serve them, and combat spiraling crime and blight. . SDOP's Affordable Housing For All campaign resulted in the declaration of a State of Housing Emergency; the passage of an inclusionary housing ordinance; $55 million in new revenues for affordable housing; and the establishment of an Affordable Housing Task Force. . SDOP's Call to Health Campaign resulted in increased funding for community clinics and a streamlined application procedures for health care services. SDOP leaders collected over 10,000 signatures as part of a coordinated Statewide campaign to put an initiative on the November 2006 ballot to fund health coverage for all kids.

The San Diego Organizing Project has 29 member congregations in the cities of San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Vista, Carlsbad, and Fallbrook.

4305 University Ave. Suite 530 San Diego, CA 92105 619-285-0797

North San Diego County Office 525 West Vista Way Vista, CA 92083

Kevin Malone, Executive Director [email protected] http://www.sdop.net/

Walk to Feed the Hungry

Buddhist Global Relief conducts a yearly Walk to Feed the Hungry which benefits Interfaith Community Services.

San Diego contact: Tom Moritz [email protected] www.buddhistglobalrelief.org

Social Services

Bridge of Hope

At Bridge of Hope, you belong before you believe. We Are...... the host of a large food distribution center in City Heights- approximately 55,000 pounds a week of food, mostly fresh produce. …a provider of furniture and all household items to families in need (which covers many different situations) …a clothing closet where new arrivals to America and people in transition can come and get what they need for themselves and their children (we are also a resource to about twenty different social service agencies in San Diego) …a place for prayer with those who come onto our property and also Bible studies, worship nights, youth group, kid's club, tutoring, Vacation Bible School, prayer walks, basketball, foosball, tetherball, arts and crafts, sewing class, sports clinics, visiting missions teams, interns. …a host of funerals and hopefully also weddings in the near future. We are a voice for the voiceless and together we advocate for a better and safer place to live and raise a family. ...a place for churches, mission teams, small groups, and individuals to serve.

-Sheri Briggs, Director & Founder; her blog: http://mightywonders.blogspot.com

Bridge of Hope Community Center, 4802 Trojan Ave., San Diego, 92105

(858) 380-7993 [email protected] www.bridgeofhopesd.org

Brother Benno’s

Brother Benno’s was started by Harold and Kay Kutler as a Soup Kitchen in downtown Oceanside. They named it after Brother Benno Garrity, a Benedictine monk who was well known for his tireless service to the poor in the Oceanside area. The first meal was served on October 21, 1983; and Brother Benno himself made a big cauldron of soup at his abbey and brought it to the little house that bore his name.

For the first few years, those who came to the Kitchen were mainly street people. Now most of our guests are the working poor (parents and children who struggle on a daily basis for their most basic needs), the disabled, and low-income senior citizens. In order to provide these needs, Brother Benno’s has expanded its services beyond food.

In 1991, the Brother Benno Foundation moved its services to its present location, a 12,000-square foot warehouse at 3260 Production Avenue in Oceanside, which has been divided into a dining room, full kitchen, children’s reading room, administrative offices, shower room, clothing room, computer lab, chapel, restrooms, and warehouse space.

3260 Production Avenue Oceanside, CA 92058 USA (760) 439-1244 [email protected] http://www.brotherbenno.org/

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation

In 1966, Dharma Master Cheng Yen established the Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien. With the spirit of self- discipline, diligence, frugality, and perseverance, Tzu Chi set out to help the poor and relieve suffering. Over time, the foundation’s mission started with Charity and extended into Medicine, Education, and Humanistic Culture. Tzu Chi originated in the remote Hualien area and expanded to all five major continents of the world with chapters and offices in 47 countries. Tzu Chi provides aid to over 69 nations. Its volunteers selflessly contribute through a mindset of gratitude, expressing their sincerest care and support to each and every individual in need.

TCF maintains a membership in the local chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

San Diego Service Center 5754 Pacific Center Blvd., Suite 202, San Diego, CA 92121 Tel: 858-546-0578 / Fax: 858-546-0573 http://www.us.tzuchi.org/us/en/

Build A Miracle

Build A Miracle is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, CA, that raises funds to build homes for needy families in Tijuana, located just across the Mexican border.

As with anything, Build a Miracle started out as a journey. A journey to gather family and friends and to build one house a year. People got so excited about helping, that we soon realized we would need to start a non profit. One thing we have learned is that people are generous. People want to help. People care. All they need is a good program to care about. A program where people truly need help. A program where they can see that they are changing lives.

That’s what Build a Miracle is – a simple program that has grown because of the passion of it’s supporters. A program where hundreds, actually thousands, of lives have been changed on both sides of the border. People in Mexico have had their lives changed, not only because they have a safe and decent place to live, but because they have hope. People who don’t even know them have helped them to have a better life. People in the U.S. have had their lives changed because that’s just what happens when you experience the power of giving of yourself to another.

Build A Miracle works with people from many different churches and with certain churches directly, to build homes with the goal to care for all of God's children. Individuals do not have to be religious or of a specific faith to volunteer, support or receive a home or educational assistance from our organization.

Chris and Julianne North [email protected] http://buildamiracle.net/

Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego

Catholic Charities is a ministry of the church caring for the poor and the vulnerable, with the goal of meeting the challenge of the ever-changing community by utilizing spiritual, human and financial resources to enable those we serve to experience dignity and respect.

Ministry areas include: Clinical Services, Emergency Services, Homeless Mens Services, Homeless Womens Services, Immigrant Services, Pregnancy & Adoption Services, Refugee Services and Senior Services.

Sister RayMonda DuVall, CHS, Executive Director Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego 349 Cedar Street San Diego, CA 92101 619 231-2828 http://www.ccdsd.org/ [email protected] 21

Central Faith Based Behavioral Health Council

Because it was recognized that Faith Based Organizations would be culturally relevant to individuals, it was decided that the best path to prevention and early intervention was to partner faith based organizations with County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services.

The mission of the council is: Faith based communities, in partnership with Behavioral Health Services, work to improve people's lives through integration of body, mind and spirit.

The purpose of the FBBHC is to facilitate the design and implementation of the adult system of care by providing feedback and recommendations to the Behavioral Health Director.

Chandrea Taylor Administrative Support HHSA, Behavioral Health Services (P531-S) Adult/older adult systems of care [email protected]

Community Christian Service Agency

The mission of the Community Christian Service Agency, an ecumenical Christian agency, is to provide emergency services to individuals and families in need in San Diego County, including food, clothing, and referrals, and where practical, counseling to assist in their transition to self-reliance.

The agency works from two offices: The Clairemont office, at the corner of Clairemont Drive and Rappahannock Avenue, serves primarily low-income individuals and families. The Pacific Beach Center, on the campus of Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church, serves primarily single homeless individuals. Clairemont Service Center, 4167 Rappahannock Ave., 858-274-2273 Client Service Hours: M-F 9:30am-4pm

Pacific Beach Center, 1675 Garnet Ave., 858-272-0163 Client Service Hours: Monday – Friday 10am-3:45pm [email protected] http://www.ccsasandiego.org/

Episcopal Community Services

Episcopal Community Services was founded in 1927. Episcopal Community Services offers a broad range of social services addressing homelessness, mental illness, early childhood education and development, and substance abuse education.

Operating under its mission of serving God by serving those in need through programs that foster hope, dignity and independence, ECS empowers vulnerable and struggling individuals and families by providing vital, high-quality social services that encourage healthy interdependence.

Episcopal Community Services 401 Mile of Cars Way, Suite 350 National City, CA 91950 (619) 228-2800 [email protected] http://www.ecscalifornia.org/

Father Joe's

As Southern California’s largest residential homeless services provider, Father Joe’s Villages and its partner agencies St. Vincent de Paul Village in San Diego and Martha’s Village & Kitchen in Indio, CA have been empowering people to achieve self-sufficiency for over 62 years.

Father Joe’s Villages and its partner agencies prepare up to 4,000 meals and provide a continuum of care to nearly 1,500 individuals every day—from infants and adolescents to adults and seniors. This includes over 200 children and over 200 military veterans. As industry thought-leaders, the agencies offer innovative solutions to address the complex needs of the homeless, regardless of age, race, culture or beliefs. The organizations’ primary goal is to transform lives and end the cycle of homelessness. To this end they provide housing, healthcare, food, clothing, education, job training and child development in an internationally modeled “one-stop-shop” approach.

3350 E Street San Diego, CA 92102 92102-3332 Main number: 619.446.2100 For more information about Father Joe's Villages, please contact Oscar Labiano: [email protected] 619.671.7920 http://my.neighbor.org/

Feeding Homeless

The Muslim Community Center prepares and delivers meals every 2nd Sunday of the month.

For any questions and details please contact Sr. Ayesha [email protected]

Habitat for Humanity – San Diego

Seeking to put God’s love into action, San Diego Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent and affordable home to live in dignity and safety. SDHFH is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and serves the County of San Diego. SDHFH is an autonomous, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is governed locally, raises funds locally, and builds locally. 10222 San Diego Mission Road San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 283-HOME (4663) [email protected] http://www.sdhfh.org/

Interfaith Shelter Network

The Interfaith Shelter Network is a collaborative effort by local congregations, human services agencies and government entities to provide shelter, services, and resources to homeless San Diegans throughout the region. Its mission is to coordinate the efforts of participating congregations, social service agencies, and governmental programs in order to provide shelter and other resources to homeless individuals and families and enable those we serve to move toward self-sufficiency while respecting their dignity as children of God.

The vision is to eliminate homelessness in the urban communities of San Diego County through a cooperative partnership with faith-based communities, related government programs, and social service agencies.

The Network consists of two programs: The Rotational Shelter and El Nido Transitional Living They represent the work of more than 100 San Diego County congregations and 3,500+ volunteers who link to offer hands up to people seeking an end to their homelessness.

3530 Camino del Rio North Suite 301 San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 702-5399 [email protected] http://www.interfaithshelter.org/

Interfaith Community Services

Interfaith Community Services, was founded in 1982 by a handful of diverse faith communities to address the needs of low-income, homeless, and under-served people in North San Diego County. Separately, these congregations were providing relief to people in need, but by creating Interfaith they were better able to collaborate to make a bigger impact on the needs of people in our community.

As participation grew, Interfaith evolved into broad continuum of programs and services that provides the tools and resources people in crisis need to stabilize and rebuild their lives.

These programs are organized into nine main areas: food and basic needs, shelters and housing, family and social services, employment services, children and youth programs, senior services, veterans assistance, addiction recovery, and community connections. Under these department headings are numerous programs covering a broad spectrum of support. Programs are designed to overlap so that each client receives as many services as necessary for his/her specific situation.

Interfaith offers programs throughout North San Diego County, from the coastal City of Oceanside to inland communities south and east of our Escondido headquarters. With more than 300 member faith centers, and more than 130 dedicated staff, Interfaith served more than 25,200 unique individuals last year alone.

550 W. Washington Ave. Escondido, CA 92025 760-489-6380 [email protected]

Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief USA is a community of humanitarians–staff, volunteers, affiliates, supporters, partners, donors–who have been working together for a better world for more than 20 years.

In 1993, Islamic Relief USA became an independent (and legally separate) member of a global family of collaborating relief organizations that share a common vision, mission and family identity—connected through the use of the “Islamic Relief” name. Islamic Relief USA operates seven regional offices in the United States: in northern California, southern California, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia, which is its headquarter location. These IRUSA offices have been serving to educate, inform, and raise awareness about our various relief and development projects for years.

Additionally, IRUSA holds seminars, banquets, concerts, and other public awareness programs across the country to help fund domestic and international projects. Islamic Relief USA provides relief and

25 development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world.

Saad Eldegwy – San Diego Chapter [email protected]

Jewish Family Services

At Jewish Family Service, we are One Source for a Lifetime of Help. When a family needs help following a disaster, when a family yearns to adopt a child, when a single parent can no longer make ends meet, when a senior needs food, transportation, or companionship—we make a difference in people’s lives.

We’re dedicated to serving our entire community. You can see it in our past, you can feel it in our present, and you can count on it in our future.

Jewish Family Service was founded in 1918 by a consortium of women’s clubs who sought to address the myriad of human needs of the time. Today, it has grown into one of San Diego’s premier human care service organizations serving more than 35,000 people annually throughout San Diego County and the Coachella Valley.

Its mission is to strengthen the individual, enhance the family, protect the vulnerable, with human services based on Jewish values.

8804 Balboa Avenue San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 637-3000 [email protected] http://www.jfssd.org/site/PageServer

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California

Our Mission: Lutheran Social Services celebrates the love of Christ for all people through acts of service.

We strive to walk with those in need in Southern California by EMBRACING those in crisis, EQUIPPING individuals and families, and EMPOWERING them to live with integrity, dignity and self-sufficiency.

LSS Community Care Centers in San Diego currently offer a range of programs for seniors, teens, and those in need of basic food assistance. We strategically partner with local schools, churches and community agencies to bring these services where they are needed most.

The SENIOR COMPANION Program operates throughout the county to bring healthy seniors and frail seniors together for mutual support & companionship. The CARING NEIGHBORS Program serves the Santee Community to assist seniors with minor household repairs to enable them to comfortably and safely remain in their homes. PROJECT HAND Food Pantry daily (M-Sat) serves those in need of food staples/basics in the Chula Vista area. TALENT SEARCH and UPWARD BOUND are both U.S. Dept. of Education TRIO Programs that work with students from Chula Vista area high schools to successfully complete high school and transition into college.

Emergency Services: Food Pantry, Grocery Packs

Program Resources: Senior Companion, Caring Neighbors, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Resource Outreach

Interim Contact: (Area Director position to be filled by Nov. 1, 2015) Ellen D. Waild Executive Vice President Lutheran Social Services [email protected] 714-244-4270

Mennonite Disaster Service

MDS, the disaster-relief agency of Mennonite churches in the United States and Canada, began at a picnic in Hesston, Kansas in 1950. As Sunday school members gathered to share ideas and food, they expressed a common desire to “seek opportunities to be engaged in peaceful, helpful activity...just where we find ourselves.”

MDS is responsible for organizing disaster response in Canada, the United States and their territories. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is responsible for organizing disaster response efforts in international settings.

MDS maintains a membership in the local chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. http://mds.mennonite.net/home/

Mental Health Ministries

Mental Health Ministries is an interfaith web based ministry to provide educational resources to help erase the stigma of mental illness in our faith communities. Our mission is to help faith communities be caring congregations for people living with a mental illness and those who love and care for them based on the “Caring Congregations” five step model of education, commitment, welcome, support and advocacy.

Mental Health Ministries was founded in 2001. Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder is appointed by the bishop of the California-Pacific Conference of the as the Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries. There is a nine member Advisory Committee. This ministry has also been designated as a permanent mission outreach of the San Carlos United Methodist Church and they act as the fiscal agent.

Mental Health Ministries has evolved into an ecumenical and interfaith outreach. It works with faith communities, advocacy groups, United Methodist Church community organizations and mental health professionals. The focus is on using one’s faith and spirituality as an important part of the recovery and treatment process and as a way for family members to find strength and hope in caring for a loved one with a mental illness.

A distinction is made between spirituality and religion to be inclusive of the many belief systems that bring comfort and hope to people. Spirituality springs from a belief system that gives meaning to our lives. It grows out of our experience rather than doctrine. Religion, on the other hand, refers to a faith community grounded in a set of beliefs, practices and a shared history such as churches, mosques, temples, etc.

Mental Health Ministries provides resources for faith communities that can be adapted to each congregation based on the needs and makeup of the worshipping community.

Mental Health Ministries has created a wide variety of user friendly downloadable print and DVD resources with many of the print resources available in Spanish. This website also has training curriculums and other resources developed by denominations and national groups working in the area of spirituality/faith and mental illness. Congregations can choose from this “menu” of resources and adapt them to the unique needs of each faith community. Our Inspiration section that includes Devotions, Prayers and Quotations. http://www.mentalhealthministries.net/index.html

Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, Coordinator [email protected]

Metro

Metro is the social service and community development arm of the forty-eight United Methodist Churches throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Since it was established, Metro has been a vehicle for churches to reach the least, the last, and the lost. Metro also works with community members to effectively live in society and assist them in becoming more knowledgeable regarding their rights and responsibilities as members of their neighborhood. It is committed to empowering low income individuals, families and communities to overcome poverty and to achieve self sufficiency through employment, education, social services and leadership development.

Mission Statement: Overcoming Poverty, Strengthening Families, Building Communities

Focus of the agency: Prevention; A responsiveness and attachment to local neighborhoods; A "systems" approach that included the youth, the family, the community, and local churches as part of the prevention efforts; and, A belief that our services must be transformative, moving individuals from positions of dependency and vulnerability to a position of strength and self-sufficiency.

6154 Mission Gorge, Suite 104 San Diego, CA 92116 Phone: (619) 285-5556

Email: [email protected] http://www.metrosandiego.org/

Mid City Christian Service Agency

(619)286-1100 6184 University Avenue San Diego, CA 92115

Monthly Dinner for Homeless Teenagers

The Newman Community, the Catholic Community at UCSD, shares dinner on the first Sunday of each month with the homeless teenage girls and boys at Storefront shelter in Hillcrest. We prepare the meal ahead of time then carpool to the shelter and sit down with the girls for dinner from 6:50-7:45pm.

To participate or to help organize this monthly outreach, contact a co-chair, either Sandy, [email protected] or Sara, [email protected]

Nazarene Disaster Response

Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) is Nazarenes mobilizing for disaster through Readiness, Response, and Recovery. It is a ministry of the Church of the Nazarene, an organizational network of local churches and volunteers that team together to respond to disasters. It falls under the jurisdiction of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada department.

Unlike other, large disaster response agencies (FEMA, the Red Cross), NDR cannot muster an army of paid responders or buy helicopters to fly in and rescue victims. We rely on our churches, and our only goal is to enable them—with training, leadership, relationships, and logistics—to serve each other and the world.

NDS maintains a membership in the local chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada Regional Office 1-800-306-9950 [email protected] http://www.usacanadaregion.org/compassion-overview

Newman Center Catholic Community

In addition to regular community activities, Newman Center, the Catholic Community at UC San Diego, also has projects assisting Burundi, the Border, and the hungry. Breaking Bread Ministries serves Rachel’s House; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; St. Vincent de Paul; So Others May Eat, at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church; Storefront; and Community Christian Service Agency.

Phone: (858) 452-1957 [email protected] 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121 http://www.catholicucsd.org/

North Inland Faith Based Partnership Council

The mission of the council is: Faith based communities, in partnership with Behavioral Health Services, work to improve people's lives through integration of body, mind and spirit.

The purpose of the FBBHC is to facilitate the design and implementation of the adult system of care by providing feedback and recommendations to the Behavioral Health Director.

Karen Bernardy Administrative Secretary Behavioral Health Services Adult/older adult systems of care Phone: 619-584-5077 Fax: 619-563-2760 [email protected]

Presbyterian Urban Ministries

Presbyterian Urban Ministries (PUM) is a Christ centered outreach, dedicated to helping those in need with a focus on a hand up rather than just hand outs.

We are NOT a typical Outreach. We ARE a Christ Centered organization dedicated to helping those in need, focusing on lending a Hand UP rather than just a Hand OUT!

We are not a homeless shelter, We are not a soup kitchen. We are not another thrift store.

We are an organization that works with our clients in a dignified way to show Christ's Love in action through our prayers, love and devotion to this population.

We ARE Servants of Jesus Christ, Putting His love into action by: Magnifying God's Name, Proclaiming God's Word, Equipping God's People for a better life.

2459 Market Street San Diego, CA 92102 619-232-2753 [email protected] http://pumsd.org/

Prison Meditation Project of San Diego

The meditation program is conducted under the auspices of the Buddhist programming at Donovan but inmates join the group who are Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. All of these traditions see the value of meditation. We are a fully racially integrated program at Donovan.

The prison project is non denominational, some volunteers and inmates aren’t even Buddhist. We are allowed to offer the program under the religious freedom act and go into the facility under the wing of religious programming. It is unofficially under the umbrella of Sweetwater Zen Center of National City. 31

Yoga people and a wide mix of folks come in to offer volunteer support. We also have a Tibetan nun involved, other Zen and Theravada lineages in the mix as well.

The organizer is ordained in the Plum Village Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) and the United Buddhist Church is the legally recognized nonprofit founded to represent Thay and the Sangha. Directly under that umbrella is a program started with the Abbott at Deer Park Monastery called True Freedom. It is a Dharma sharing pen-pal program for inmates who are looking for support on the path. Our monasteries get quite a bit of mail from inmates, who have found the address in the back of one of Thay’s books, and in many cases they are serious about developing a spiritual practice and asking for direct support on the path. We also offer literature as we are able, including complimentary inmate subscriptions to the Mindfulness Bell, a journal on the art of mindful living and Dharma books when available.

Peter Kuhn [email protected] United Buddhist Church http://www.prisonmeditation.org/

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

For more than 120 years The Salvation Army has been delivering services and hope to the less fortunate on the streets of San Diego and to those in shelters, schools, and daycare centers across the Southland.

Our work is to meet human needs without discrimination in your community. Our goal and our promise is to do the most good possible. Our programs include service to those lost in alcohol and drugs, families and individuals in financial, physical, and spiritual distress, seniors needing a nutritious meal, and fellowship. We reach out to the homeless, who need a warm bed for the night or a new start with counseling. We offer job training and a place to stay for up to a year. Services: Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Disaster Services Food Programs KROC Center Senior Services Spiritual Guidance Shelter & Transitional Housing Youth Services

2320 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 619-231-6000 http://www.sandiego.salvationarmy.org/sierra_del_mar/home 32

San Diego Catholic Worker

The San Diego Catholic Worker, part of the Catholic Worker movement, is committed to the following actions that imitate Christ: a call to service, a belief in the human dignity of all, and an interrelationship with a compassionate God and one another.

As Catholic Workers, we struggle to carry out our double mandate: to minister to the needs of society’s forgotten people, and to challenge and offer alternatives to the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and perpetuate suffering and violence.

Following Christ’s example, we also believe it is our duty to spread the word of our work and provide others with the opportunity to serve.

The San Diego Catholic Worker will achieve its goals by the grace of God and by working together to bring about a world of peace and justice as envisioned by our founders, Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin.

The San Diego Catholic Worker welcomes everybody and provides services to all, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, handicap, sex, or sexual orientation.

San Diego Catholic Workers continue to provide food to people in need, but on a smaller scale. Many of the people served are homeless, others are just too poor to provide for themselves or their families. Sometimes the food is distributed by members themselves, and sometimes the food is either delivered to another community group to be distributed or paid for from Catholic Worker funds.

For example, the San Diego Catholic Workers provide quality sit-down lunches to between 70 and 100 homeless and poor people—and anyone else who drops in, nobody asks questions—every Friday in Christ Lutheran Church on Cass St., in Pacific Beach.

We also collect and distribute toiletries and clothing—as much as we can get our hands on—to people in need at the Neil Good Daycare Center for homeless people on the east side of 17th St., just south of K St., on the third Saturday every month. Some of the clothes are donated and others, such as socks and underwear, are bought new. In the rainy season ponchos are supplied.

To keep the public aware of the ongoing struggle for social justice and peace, not only here in San Diego, but throughout the entire world, we publish the San Diego Catholic Worker newspaper, three times a year. The newspaper has 3,000 regular subscribers (it’s free, so please sign up for it); and another 2,000 copies are distributed through various outlets, mostly parishes. If you would like to take responsibility for having it distributed in your parish, please let us know.

We also conduct traditional Catholic Worker Friday Night Free Soup and Bread and Water Suppers followed by a talk and discussion about important current events such as war and peace, strikes and trade unions, and other religious traditions, (e.g. Islam) that have an impact on our striving for peace and justice throughout the world. These are always held at Our Lady of Refuge Parish Hall in Pacific Beach. Future events will be advertised on this Website

Hospitality House: 2428 L Street San Diego CA 92102 Mailing Address: PO Box 127244 San Diego CA 92112-7244 33

Phone: 619-298-3755

619-298-3755 [email protected] www.catholicworkersd.org

San Diego Rescue Mission

The San Diego Rescue Mission believes in the inherent worth of every homeless man, woman, and child. Our mission is to spread the good news of salvation through Christ by serving the needs of the poor, addicted, abused, and homeless, thus improving the quality of their lives. Our programs provide the rehabilitation and discipleship that allow us to achieve this mission, leading to positive, lasting change – and creating better lives for those we serve, their families, and the community as a whole.

PO Box 80427 San Diego, CA 92138 619-687-3720 (888) 737-3728 http://www.sdrescue.org/ [email protected]

Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief

California Southern Baptist Convention is a fellowship of about 450,000 members in approximately 2,100 language and multi-ethnic congregations that cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America. Each week throughout California 82 language groups and almost 100 ethnic groups are represented in congregations throughout the convention.

California Southern Baptist Convention is one of 39 state Baptist conventions and fellowships that work in all 50 states and American territories. Each state convention is independent of, but cooperates financially in, the work of the SBC. CSBC and the SBC share a common bond of basic biblical beliefs and a commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world.

In addition to other ministries, CSBC maintains a membership in the local chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

678 East Shaw Avenue Fresno, CA 93710 559.229.9533

Mike Carlisle [email protected] http://www.csbc.com/disasterrelief

Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO)

Third Avenue Charitable Organization, a social ministry born out of First Lutheran Church, provides a safe and welcoming place where healing of mind, body, and spirit can happen for any and all who come. In operation every week of the year, it welcomes all people in need, regardless of religion, for free meals, medical and dental care, and mental health services.

TACO’s current ministries are made possible by the support of grants from several organizations and the support of local institutions and volunteers. The members of First Lutheran Church also support TACO with generous monetary and in-kind gifts as well as many volunteer hours.

1420 Third Avenue San Diego CA 92101Phone: 619-235-9445 Director/Social Worker: Jim Lovell [email protected] http://tacosd.org/index.html

Uptown Community Service Center

Uptown Community Service Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego, providing services to homeless, poor, and needy persons in a manner that is respectful and inclusive of all individuals and all circumstances. It is run by dedicated volunteers and provides services to over 2,000 homeless and very-low income persons each month. We help our neighbors in need by providing:

. Information and referrals . Mailbox & Message Center . A Computer Center with internet access and use of fax and telephones . Food distribution twice a week . Clothing & Hygiene Supplies . Assistance Obtaining a California ID Card

4101 - B 30th Street San Diego, Ca 92104 (619) 281-8411 Hours Of Operation: 9:00 To 3:00, Monday Through Friday uptowncsc.org [email protected]

Volunteers of America

For more than 119 years Volunteers of America Southwest has stepped forward to help vulnerable individuals in the community through our direct services and programs by providing services and tools to improve their quality of life. Each year Volunteers of America Southwest serves over 13,000 individuals, children, and families in San Diego County, Imperial County, and Southern California’s Inland Empire.

Services:

Education & Development For Children

Aging & Caregiver Services

Behavioral Health

Veterans Services

Housing

Healthy Meals

Volunteers Of America Southwest 3530 Camino Del Rio North Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 282-8211 http://www.voasw.org/

Fellowship, Dialogue and Networking, Service

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - San Diego chapter

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans over 190 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1921, is the first American-Muslim organization. Its journal, The Muslim Sunrise, is among the earliest and longest running American-Muslim periodicals. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian.

Tahir Ijaz [email protected]

Maaz Bajwa [email protected]

Center for Christian Spirituality

The Center’s mission is to address and foster the spiritual journey of individuals and communities. We seek to provide access to spiritual development through four areas: personal enrichment, academic life, professional life, and social justice.

The Center pursues its mission by:

· offering opportunities and events for spiritual enrichment which serve both the greater San Diego community and the University

· facilitating access to helpful resources and links for further knowledge and exploration

· promoting shared initiatives with faith community partners to provide programs/presentations of particular interest pertaining to spiritual development

619-260-4784 [email protected] http://www.sandiego.edu/ccs/

Center for Catholic Thought and Culture at USD

The open and dialogical character of catholicity in thought, culture and action is celebrated through its activities. Through its work, the CCTC continues to enable and foster the engagement between USD's Catholic identity and its academic mission. The catholicity of the University of San Diego is aptly captured in the gospel-inspired principle 'all are welcome'. The CCTC is responsible for developing and delivering programs relating to Catholic thought and culture for the university and local community alike. These embrace a wide variety of the forms of engagement of the Church with the wider world.

For information, please call our department office at (619)260-7936 or e-mail our department at [email protected] http://www.sandiego.edu/cctc/

Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship

Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship (CLEF) is a faith-based non-denominational Christian non-profit Para-church organization committed to a Biblically oriented outreach to the law enforcement community of San Diego County. We strive to do this through a variety of approaches as the Holy Spirit leads with opportunity, insight, answer to prayer and spiritual burden driven by personal involvement with law enforcement agencies and personnel. We believe the Lord established this ministry, and provides for it as He sees fit, altogether spiritually, physically, financially, and materially.

Modern law enforcement is fraught with every manner of spiritual darkness and difficulty. Our society struggles with turmoil over fundamental issues of right and wrong, with Truth itself held suspect and compromised by moral relativism. Those in the law enforcement profession come face to face with the corruption of the evil within us all on a daily basis.

The annual Law Enforcement and Emergency Personnel Prayer Breakfast is usually presented in late April or early May each year. [email protected] http://www.sdclef.org/

Downtown Fellowship of Churches and Ministries

Vision: "The Church and the community in partnership for the spiritual and social renewal of downtown San Diego" Mission: To seek the spiritual and social renewal of downtown San Diego through Church and community partnership. 38

With the guidance and support of Scripture, the Holy Spirit and prayer, we do this by:

• Relationship Building- develop meaningful, long-lasting relationships with spiritual well-being the priority. • Resource Coordination- through ministry network and community partnerships, deploy resources for the most efficient and meaningful impact. • Empowerment- Meet together and coordinate appropriate expertise to effectively train, educate, resource, and encourage our members and volunteers in ministry and service. • Advocacy- bring to bear the collective voice of the members and partners to advocate for appropriate causes of interest to the Downtown Fellowship.

Current Downtown Fellowship activities

Monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month provide a forum for networking, sharing information, coordination, and learning from guest speakers. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date Street, SD, CA, 92101.

Training/Learning: formal trainings have focused on homeless assistance teams, companionship, and asset based community development. Working groups have formed with concentration on sharing best practice around street outreach ("Doing it Better Together" initiative), life skills curriculum, and companionship models.

Partnership with Connections Housing (CH): Since March 2013 DF has been an active partner with PATH and ALPHA. DF works to integrate with and complement the client services of PATH/ALPHA and other social service providers at CH. DF facilitates a Bible Study on Wednesday afternoons; life skills training for PATH/ALPHA case managers and residents; move-out/in kits as interim residents find permanent housing; clothes and accessories for job preparedness and transportation support for new job opportunities. DF seeks to build long term relationships with CH clients, providing lasting friendships as clients transition to permanent housing. DF, PATH, and UPLIFT are implementing a new companionship program at CH.

Responsible Street Outreach: Since February 2013 DF has facilitated a working group focused on coordinated and holistic street outreach. The “Doing it Better Together” initiative seeks to engage all community stakeholders and encourage an intentional relational approach for all street outreach. This relational approach aims to assist the homeless in taking transitional steps towards getting off the streets, including housing, job training, and other appropriate social services.

Participation in Other Collaboratives: DF is an active member of the 25 Cities initiative, with focus on the housing first model.

Bruce Menser, Board President Email: [email protected] Phone: (619) 792-7762 Ben Montoya, Board Chair 320 Date Street 39

San Diego, CA 92101 Email: [email protected] Phone: 619-507-1777 http://www.sddowntownfellowship.com/

East County Clergy Network

Informal conversation and networking. Usually meets the first Wednesday at Noon.

No contact info currently available.

Encinitas Mayor’s Interfaith Community Prayer Breakfast

Annual breakfast usually held in May.

For information, contact Brandi Lewis [email protected]

760-633-2618

Escondido Clergy Association

Usually meets the first Wednesday at Noon.

For info, contact [email protected].

Faith Order and Witness Committee

The Faith, Order and Witness Committee that was a part of the Ecumenical Council of San Diego County for many years continues to meet monthly. It is a small ecumenical study group representing Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Lutheran, African Methodist Episcopal (AME), United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, and Independent Christian traditions, but open to all Christian communions.

The purpose is to keep abreast of current developments that contribute to the quest for Christian unity, for example, the bilateral dialogues among various denominations that are producing agreements , such as the Lutheran-Roman Catholic conversations that led to a consensus statement on the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, signed in Augsburg, Germany, on October 31 ("Reformation Day") in 1999. The group also explores programs of the World Council of Churches, especially its Commission on Faith and Order that produced a convergence text on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry in 1982. It has also studied the issue of immigration; Ut Unum Sint, the 1995 encyclical of Pope John Paul II. It is currently studying The Church: Towards a Common Vision, a document produced by the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches.

All who are committed to the unity of all Christians are welcome to attend. For further information contact the Rev. John George Huber, chair of the Faith, Order and Witness Committee, at [email protected] or 619-507-0768.

The Rev. John George Huber, D.Min. Pastor Emeritus, University Lutheran Church, La Jolla, Coordinator for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Coronado Council of Churches

Franciscan Peace Connection

The Franciscan Peace Connection is one of the newest outreach ministries of the Clinton Franciscan family. We are a San Diego-based outreach ministry organization. Most of our energy initiatives focus on spreading what we know about nonviolence and peacemaking by connecting and collaborating with individuals, groups, organizations, schools, neighborhoods, etc.

8654 La Mesa Blvd Ste A La Mesa CA 91942 619-741-5861 www.franciscanpeaceconnection.org [email protected]

Girl Scouts

My Promise, My Faith Pin & Religious Recognitions: My Promise, My Faith Girls of all grade levels can now earn the My Promise, My Faith pin developed by Girl Scouts of the USA. This pin, which girls can earn once a year, complements existing religious recognitions and allows all girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts. A girl earns the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and directly tying it to tenets of her faith. Requirements for this pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels.

Religious Recognitions Religious recognitions are created by national religious organizations/committees to encourage the spiritual growth of their youth members and reinforce many of the values integral to Girl Scouting. While My Promise, My Faith helps girls connect Girl Scouting with their faith, the religious recognitions programs help girls grow stronger in and learn more specifically about their faith.

Each religious organization/committee develops and administers its own program. The To Serve God religious recognitions brochure shows the religious recognitions that have been created by various faith groups. You can find this brochure, a video that explains the religious recognitions programs, and other resources for collaborating with the faith community at P.R.A.Y. Publishing: http://www.praypub.org/partner_gsusa.htm. Some religious organizations are not affiliated with P.R.A.Y. or may not have a national office; to learn about their religious recognitions, contact their local leaders.

Elisa Villarreal Troop Support Specialist (K-5) Girl Scouts San Diego 1231 Upas St. San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 610-0781 (direct) [email protected] www.sdgirlscouts.org

Hands of Peace – San Diego

Hands of Peace is an interfaith organization developing peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens through the power of dialogue and personal relationships. [email protected] www.handsofpeace.org

Interfaith Alliance

Info: [email protected]

Interfaith Council of La Mesa

The Council was created to provide the La Mesa faith community with a means to meet together to discuss issues involving or impacting the City of La Mesa and how the faith community might be involved in addressing them. The mission of the Interfaith Council of La Mesa is to contribute to the well-being of the general population of our community including individuals, families and those at risk community members through the resources and actions of the Interfaith Council’s membership.

. . . to contribute to the well-being of the general population of our community including individuals, families and those at risk community members through the resources and actions of the Interfaith Council’s membership.

In existence for 3+ years, the group was originally convened by the Mayor of La Mesa. Interests have ranged widely, from emergency preparedness and veterans’ issues, to a Summer Lunch Program (now in its second year) and the International Day of Peace event we have just started planning. They meet monthly, at noon on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Community Room at the La Mesa Police Department.

Not a formally chartered organization, but Dave Merk of Journey Community Church is the Chair.

Usually meets the 4th Thursday at Noon.

Find more information at their website, interfaithlamesa.org.

Interfaith Prayer Fellowship Of San Diego

Martha L Featherston 5767 Hughes St San Diego Ca 92115

Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Join diverse San Diego faith communities in hands-on volunteer service in Balboa Park. Make it a day on, not a day off! Pre-registration is requested. 43

Sponsors: Chinmaya Mission, Congregation Beth Israel, Islamic Center of SD, First United Methodist Church of SD, First Unitarian Universalist of SD, Hillel, Temple Amanu-EL, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Christian Fellowship Congregational Church, UCC Partnership Churches.

For info, First United Methodist Church, San Diego, 619-297-4366.

Inter-Religious Council of San Diego

The Interreligious Council of San Diego strives to: Promote mutual understanding and respect among member faiths by: Dealing with issues that affect the total religious community. Sharing the members' concerns for the problems of the community, the nation and the world. Voicing those concerns when agreed upon by the members of the council. We strive for unity because disunity is destructive to society. The IRC seeks to build community bridges, not walls, by sharing information and experiences. Above all, the IRC brings together many faiths, united in diversity, in a mutual pursuit of service and harmony.

The IRC is an interfaith organization representing eight faith groups in San Diego: American Islamic Services Foundation, Baha'i Faith, Buddhist Temple of San Diego, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Christian Churches Together, San Diego Rabbinical Association, The Sikh Foundation San Diego and Vedanta Society.

As Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs, we represent many of the faith communities in San Diego. Our communities may have different prayers, different customs, different ancestries and different languages. While respecting these differences, we share certain interests, values, and goals in common. It is to give voice to these commonalities that we join together.

How We Work We recognize that misunderstanding of religious, cultural and ethnic differences has often led to bigotry, oppression, and violence. As an interreligious body, we strive to provide a model of tolerance and a voice of openess and understanding among all people. We seek to serve as a religious resource to the entire community and to provide information and programs in a balanced and non-proselytizing spirit. In order to maintain our effectiveness as a moral and religious voice, we will at all times avoid involvement in partisan politics. [email protected]

Just Serve

A resource created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for those looking for service opportunities in the community or for volunteers for projects in need of volunteers. http://www.justserve.org/ 44

La Costa Dialogue

For information, contact Rabbi Josh Burrows, [email protected]

Metropolitan Area Pluralism Study - MAPS

A website listing of faith centers in San Diego county and Tijuana, produced by the San Diego State University religion department. http://geoinfo.sdsu.edu/MAPS/

Muslim Community Center

Our Mission is to secure the future of Islam in America with Muslims who are distinguished in American society by their positive contributions and the setting of good example with their actions and behaviors to others. [email protected] http://www.mccsandiego.org/

Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego

Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego is an umbrella organization comprised of the major Muslim Organizations and Mosques in San Diego County.

Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego was established to unify the Muslim Organizations and Mosques of San Diego under one voice. This umbrella organization is currently comprised of the Islamic Center of San Diego, Masjid Al-Ribat, Masjid Taqwa, Masjid Salaam, Masjid Tawheed, Islamic Center of Eastlake, Islamic Center of Mira Mesa, Greater San Diego Muslim Community Center, Carlsbad Musallah, Masjid Ittihad, Masjid Al-Ansar, Islamic Society of North America, Muslim American Society of San Diego, Council on American Islamic Relations of San Diego, Muslim Community Services of San Diego, Islamic Charity Foundation, Pillars of the Community, and Somali Family Services. http://www.mlcsd.org/ https://www.facebook.com/mlcsd

North County Islamic Foundation

2588 El Camino Real Suite F238 Carlsbad, CA 92008 [email protected]

Pacifica Institute

Pacifica Institute was established in 2003 as a non-profit organization by a group of Turkish-Americans. Pacifica Institute designs and executes projects covering social welfare, education, poverty, and conflict resolution issues in collaboration with scholars, activists, artists, politicians, and religious leaders- communities.

The Pacifica Institute has a proven track record of working within and across communities. This work is planned and complemented through the input of the Board of Advisors, a distinguished group of individuals representing a wide range of expertise and experience.

Women of Faith, an initiative of Pacifica Institute, is a group of interfaith women seeking peace by building relationships and understanding.

Pacifica Institute - San Diego 5945 Pacific Center Blvd., Suite 507 San Diego, CA 92121 (858) 550-0213 [email protected] http://www.ndpsandiego.org/tiki-index.php

Poway Interfaith Team (POINT)

The Poway Interfaith Team (POINT) was founded in February, 2006 in Poway, California. The founding members were the faith leaders who spoke at the 2006 Baha'i World Religion Day. The faith leaders believed education and understanding of the world’s religions would bring greater friendships and cooperation among all people and wanted to continue bringing programs to the community.

In the summer of 2006, POINT created and held their first “Interfaith Summer Nights” (ISN) program in the Fellowship Hall of the Community Church of Poway. The theme was “What do the Faiths Believe?” For 8-consecutive Wednesdays, a different faith speaker gave an hour-long talk about their faith and its

46 beliefs and it was followed up with a half hour of social time and eating food from the faith’s culture. POINT had expected 30-40 people to attend from the community and instead, 70-90 people attended each week's program. POINT offered an Interfaith Picnic to the community at the end of the 8 weeks and over 120 people came to learn more about the faith, sample a variety of the faith's food and play interactive non-competitive games together.

POINT continues to sponsor the annual Interfaith Summer Nights in July and August inviting many guest speakers from all faith traditions to address the particular theme for the summer. Youth panels, cultural celebrations, movie series and dialogues have also been incorporated into the past ISN programs.

Other events POINT sponsors are the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in November, the annual February Interfaith Harmony Breakfast for all faith leaders, government, safety services and educators, and the annual Spring Symposium.

Usually meets the 2nd Thursday at 6:30 pm.

Office phone (shared with All Faith Center) : 858-487-8885 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

San Diego Center for Jewish Culture

The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture (CJC) is housed at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus, and is the largest local institution solely dedicated to exploring the Jewish experience through the arts.

The mission of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture is to offer an array of entertaining and enriching cultural, educational and artistic programming which brings the community together to connect with Jewish heritage, identity, experiences and values. CJC is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for San Diego's entire community.

The CJC offers a wide variety of programs that explore cultural identities and perspectives, promote cross cultural understanding, foster ideas of cultural appreciation and respect, and highlight human themes of family, tolerance, compassion and hope. Approximately 40,000 tickets are sold or provided annually to residents, visitors, and students for San Diego Center for Jewish Culture events.

858.457.3030 [email protected] http://www.sdcjc.org/

San Diego City Church Ministries

San Diego Church Network began in 1984 when a message was directed by the Lord to bring pastors together for prayer and relationship building. A network of pastors within San Diego began to form out of a shared prayer time each week. Some very large and influential churches have formed out of this network. Also cities have been taken back from the enemy and claimed for Christ.

Today there are many pastor prayer clusters throughout the San Diego Region. Ministry expansion has occurred through many methods, including books, preaching and teaching both at home and abroad, and through sponsored conferences and seminars. These relationships are creating love and respect which is tearing down the enemies strongholds. [email protected] http://www.sdccm.org/

San Diego County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance

Meets on the second Thursday of the month, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, lunch provided, at Christian Fellowship UCC, 1601 Kelton Road, 92115.

619.262.8095 [email protected]

San Diego Indian American Society

The San Diego Indian American Society was founded on January 14, 1984 with the objectives of:

. establishing Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Scholarship to recognize Gandhiji's contribution to the world and to benefit San Diego area high school graduates; . undertaking projects to serve people in India and San Diego; . recognizing meritorious service to the society by an individual in any field in the United States and in India; . furthering the relations between India and the United States.

(619) 698-5058 [email protected] http://sdias.org/

San Diego Interfaith Choir and Orchestra

The San Diego Interfaith Choir and Orchestra (SDICO) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established to provide high-level opportunities for members of the Interfaith Community to perform sacred and secular music from a variety of traditions and styles within a large vocal and instrumental ensemble.

Our aim is to educate children, youth, and adults in choral singing and sacred music; to encourage and develop musical talent; to promote original works and arrangements of sacred music; and to provide uplifting musical experiences that will benefit and add culture to all who participate whether as audience or artist.

We anticipate that this effort will further benefit music in the Interfaith Community as participants take their developed talents and musical leadership to enhance music in local congregations, faith centers, and other cultural endeavors.

We also pledge to donate funds raised beyond our expenses to help those in need in partnership with other faith-based organizations as they seek to feed the hungry, provide shelter, and assist and improve the lives of those in our communities.

Justin Gray [email protected] 619-977-0827 https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoInterfaithChoirAndOrchestra www.sandiegointerfaithchoir.org

San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir

The goals of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir are to:

Share its love of Jewish music with the greater Jewish Community and ensure that this genre of music is kept alive for future generations.

Enhance the spirituality of Jewish simchas such as Bar/Bat Mitzvas, weddings & other special occasions contribute to the spirituality and meaningfulness of Shabbat services.

Bring Jewish music to our older generation at senior centers, participate in community events such as Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, Jewish music festivals, and other functions.

Grow our repertoire to include all genres of Jewish music while focusing on majestic liturgical pieces.

Ruth Weber, Director [email protected] http://www.sdjmc.org/ 49

San Diego Regional Interfaith Collaborative (SDRIC)

We are about creating space for communication, compassion, and collaboration…

By neutrally convening conversations that matter among…

Inter-religious communities and relating organizations… supporting them in

Perceiving the “bigger picture” with regard to the issues and resources of the greater San Diego region… evoking

Mutual creative energy that initiates fellowship, celebration, understanding, strategic planning and action within its multiple partners

We invite you to join in the conversation, make friends, and work together to make the greater San Diego Region a better place. [email protected] www.sandiegointerfaith.org

San Diego Regional Prayer Network

The San Diego Regional Prayer Network is a network of prayer ministries working together to serve greater San Diego County by region, based on SANDAG regional designations:

There are 7 regions: North County Coastal, North County Inland, East County, South County, San Diego Central, San Diego Inland and San Diego Coastal.

The current listing of participating ministries, by region, is listed on www.prayerassist.org/connections/

The San Diego Regional Prayer Network is a catalyst for increased unity, spiritual growth, harvest of lost souls, and service in the community.

Thomas Bush, Director, Prayer Assist and Coordinator, San Diego Regional Prayer Network [email protected] www.prayerassist.org (619) 742-8694

San Diego Sindhi Association

https://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Diego-Sindhi-Association/479121912190042

San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Council

In the mid 1980’s the first female rabbi in the San Diego area arrived to serve Temple Solel in Encinitas. At the same time a Lutheran pastor, an Episcopal priest, a Roman Catholic deacon and a lead monk from the Self Realization Fellowship were considering the formation of an Interfaith Association.

This is how the San Dieguito Ministerial Association of Christian ministers was transformed to become the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association (SDIMA) in 1985. In the years since, rabbis, pastors, priests, monks and lay ministers have worked together to be a voice of the faith community from Del Mar to Carlsbad. Among other things, the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association has supported the Community Resource Center in Encinitas and a homeless shelter, which rotates in the winter between various churches and temples.

Faith communities make a significant contribution to social services and community life in a variety of often-unrecognized ways. SDIMA has been a positive contribution to the San Dieguito area by bringing together diverse faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Baha’i, Sikhism and other spiritual communities such as the Self Realization Fellowship, New Thought and Religious Science, Unity, and other interfaith expressions.

Encinitas and surrounding communities have been truly blessed over the years by the tolerance, acceptance and affirmation of a variety of religious and spiritual expressions, which have been a significant part of the history of our San Dieguito area.

The San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association was created in 1985 by Pastor Bill Harman, Rabbi Lenore Bohm and four other clergy. They organized the association to facilitate religions coming together and gathering in each other's churches to learn about one another.

Service was another driving force of the association's creation. The word "ministerial" in the organization's title is meant to represent people who serve. Overall, SDIMA was created to provide ways to "enrich our faith experiencence."

As friends, we gather monthly to learn of each other, community service opportunities and interfaith events happening around San Diego County.

Usually meets the first Wednesday at Noon.

Please check out their news page and calendar for meeting information and interfaith events.

(760) 801-5397 [email protected] http://sdima.org/About_Us.html http://sdinterfaith.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sdimaorg?fref=nf

Santee Ministerial Council

Meets the first Wednesday or Thursday of each month.

Contact for information: 619-504-2908 or [email protected]

United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC)

The United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) is committed to the construction of a Beloved Community of justice, equitable access to opportunities in the pursuit of happiness, education, health, family stability, economic development, peace and prosperity for all people. To this endeavor we invite participation of all people of good will and their resources to work collectively in making The Beloved Community.

We strive for the relief of the poor, and work toward systemic change, economic strength and political power, to educate people about the conditions, causes and eradication of poverty, to educate our children to be academically competent and socially and morally responsible. We are engaged in challenge and struggle to create institutional change that will lead to the empowerment of poor people, while assisting them in organizational and leadership development.

To accomplish this mission we will:

Develop policy initiatives and promote awareness of crucial African American issues; Foster unity within congregations that lead to collective community projects; Enhance the capacity of fledgling, underappreciated and underserved programs serving the interests of the African American community Implement direct service projects that address specific unmet community needs.

Medical Advocacy Program (MAP) Community Unity Initiative San Diego Center For Reentry Management Health Disparities Ministries Ex-Offenders United Advisory Action Council (EUAAC) UAAMAC Guns for Gift Card Program

415 North Euclid Avenue San Diego, CA 92114 Phone: 619-264-1213 [email protected] http://www.uaamac.org/

Women Clergy Support Group

Women Clergy is a support group for women clergy.

Rabbi Aliza Berk, [email protected].

Religions/Spiritual Communities

Bahai

The Bahá'í Faith is a diverse and widespread religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in the 19th century in Iran.

The Bahá'í population is spread out into almost every country and ethnicity in the world, being recognized as the second-most geographically widespread religion after Christianity.

There are a 13 of Bahai worship centers in the region. [email protected]

Buddhist

Buddhism is one of the largest religions in the United States behind Christianity, Judaism and nonreligious, and approximately equal with Islam and Hinduism.

There are two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana. The Theravada lineage relies on the Sutras recorded in the Pali language. Mahayana is based on the Scriptures recorded in Sanskrit.

Theravada, the most ancient form of Buddhism, is the dominant school in Southeast Asia.

Mahayana Buddhism developed out of the Theravada tradition roughly 500 years after the Buddha attained Enlightenment. A number of individual schools and traditions have formed under the banner of Mahayana, including Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tantric Buddhism.

There are now a number of traditions exploring ways to integrate the various Buddhist traditions, and adapt them to contemporary circumstances and western culture and psychology. This includes the Triratna Community founded by Sangharakshita, the Shambala tradition founded by Chögyam Trungpa, and Ole Nydahl's Diamond Way.

At last count, there were these Buddhist faith centers in San Diego:

Theravada

Vietnamese 3 Vipassana 10 Kadampa 1 Other 1

Mahayana

Pure Land 2 Shin 1 Soka Gokkai 2 Tantric Thai Forest 2 Tibetan 10 Zen 19 Other 1

Vajrayana

Integrative

Christian

American Catholic Church

The American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS) is a small Independent Catholic denomination originating in the Old Catholic Church. The ACCUS, which was founded in 1999, holds some similar theological beliefs and practices to the Roman Catholic Church. It is not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or under Papal jurisdiction. http://www.accus.us/

2 churches

Christian Science

Christian Science is a set of beliefs and practices belonging to the metaphysical family of new religious movements. It was developed in 19th-century New England by Mary Baker Eddy who argued in her book Science and Health (1875) that sickness is an illusion that can be corrected by prayer alone. The book became Christian Science's central text, along with the King James Bible, and by 2001 had sold over nine million copies. http://sdchristianscience.org/new/html/index.php

14 churches

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity.

The group emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell with the formation of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society.

37 churches http://www.jw.org/en/

Latter Day Saints

The original church within this movement, founded in April 1830 in New York by Joseph Smith, was the Church of Christ, which was later named the Church of the Latter Day Saints. It was renamed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1838 which remained its official name until Smith's death in 1844.

The largest denomination within the contemporary movement is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints (LDS Church or, colloquially, Mormon Church).

In SD county there are 13 stakes and each stake consists of anywhere from 6 to 13 “wards” or congregations. https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

Non-Denominational

There are numerous non-denominational Christian churches.

Orthodox Christian

The Orthodox Church is an international federation of patriarchal, autocephalous, and autonomous churches, organized in nearly a dozen ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Each church is independent in her internal organization and follows her own particular customs. The largest is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Orthodox or Eastern Christianity was distinct, though not necessarily opposed, to that which developed in the Western portion of the Roman Empire and subsequent Medieval Kingdoms in the West. While Christianity in the West developed in lands which knew the legal and moral philosophy of Ancient Rome, Eastern Christianity developed in lands which knew the Semitic and Hellenistic cultures.

Since the Early Church was not monolithic, the two great traditions existed together for more than a thousand years until the Great Schism divided the Church. Today, Roman Catholics and Protestants are heirs to the Western tradition, and the Orthodox are heirs to the Eastern tradition. http://www.goarch.org/

15 churches

Protestant

African Methodist Episcopal

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was born in protest against slavery.

The word African means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa, or that it was for persons of African descent only.

The church's roots are in the family of Methodist churches. Methodism provides an orderly system of rules and regulations and places emphasis on a plain and simple gospel. Episcopal refers to the form of government under which the church operates. The chief executive and administrative officers of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination are the Bishops of the church.

The Fifth District includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and India. http://www.amec5th.net/

Fifth Episcopal District Administration - Office of the Bishop Rt. Rev. T. Larry Kirkland, Sr., Presiding Bishop 4519 Admiralty Way, Suite 205, Marina del Rey, CA 90295 Office: (310) 577-8530 Fax: (310) 577-8540 Email: [email protected] http://www.ame-church.com/

5 churches

African Methodist Episcopal Zion

Zion Methodism grew out of the merciless enslavement of our African forefathers. http://www.amez.org/

3 churches

Assemblies of God

The Assemblies of God was founded in 1914 as a result of a religious revival which swept around the world in the early 1900’s.

Currently the Assemblies of God USA and Assemblies of God organizations around the world make up the world's largest Pentecostal denomination with some 67 million members and adherents. http://ag.org/top/index.cfm http://www.socalnetwork.org/

79 churches

American Baptist Churches of America

American Baptist Churches are missional churches. Through the cross of Christ we embrace the world as neighbor. Our vision for mission energizes a multitude of servant ministries of evangelism, discipleship, leadership, new church development, social justice, healing, peacemaking, economic development and education.

10 churches

American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles, Southwest and Hawaii at www.abcla.org http://www.abc-usa.org/

Southern Baptist Convention

Among doctrines Southern Baptists emphasize is the doctrine of local church autonomy. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is not a church, but a network of autonomous churches voluntarily banded together to engage in missions enterprises and ministry activities designed to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord. http://www.sbc.net/

195 churches

Christian Reformed

The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) includes just over one thousand congregations across the United States and Canada.

The Christian Reformed Church has its roots in the Reformation of the sixteenth century.

5 churches http://www.crcna.org/

Church of Christ

Churches of Christ are autonomous Christian congregations associated with one another through common beliefs and practices.

Historically, Churches of Christ in the United States have roots in the American Restoration Movement, and were recognized as a distinct religious group by the U.S. Religious Census of 1906. The Restoration Movement began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century.

The churches of Christ are not affiliated in any manner with the denominational church known as "The United Church of Christ".

26 churches http://church-of-christ.org/

Church of God in Christ

The Church Of God in Christ (COGIC) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. The National Council of Churches ranks it as the largest Pentecostal denomination and the fifth largest Christian denomination in the U.S.

The Church of God in Christ was formed in 1897 by a group of disfellowshiped Baptists. A mutual separation occurred at a 1907 Convocation, occasioned by those unwilling to embrace the Pentecostal experience. In response, C.H. Mason called a meeting in Memphis and reorganized the Church of God in Christ as a Holiness-Pentecostal body. http://www.cogic.org/

33 churches

Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene is an evangelical Christian denomination that emerged from the 19th- century Holiness movement in North America. With its members colloquially referred to as Nazarenes, it is the largest Wesleyan-holiness denomination in the world. The Nazarene lineage runs through the

English Reformation, the international spread of Methodism, and the Wesleyan-holiness movement in America. The Church of the Nazarene emerged as a union of various Wesleyan-holiness denominations and by 1915 embraced seven previously separate North American and British bodies. http://nazarene.org/

26 churches

Disciples of Christ

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) grew out of two movements seeking Christian unity that sprang up almost simultaneously in western Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

The Disciples have a long heritage of openness to other Christian traditions having come into existence as a 19th century protest movement against denominational exclusiveness. At the local level and beyond, Disciples are frequently involved in cooperative and ecumenical work.

Disciples have given leadership to the establishment of Christian Churches Together that brings together Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Evangelicals and Pentecostal Christians around racial issues. http://disciples.org/

12 churches

Episcopal

The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, the gathering of Anglican and Episcopal churches from around the world.

The Anglican Church, known as the Church of England, had a strong following in colonial America. But when the colonies won their independence, the majority of America’s Anglican clergy refused to swear allegiance to the British monarch as was required. As a result, the Episcopal Church was formed.

35 churches http://www.episcopalchurch.org/

Free Methodist Church

The Free Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination within the holiness movement, in which a new emphasis on Holiness and Christian perfection had begun around the 1840’s within American Methodism.

The Free Methodist Church was organized at Pekin, New York, in 1860. The founders had been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church but were excluded from its membership for too earnestly advocating what they saw as the doctrines and usages of authentic Wesleyan Methodism. http://fmcusa.org/

4 churches

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

A merger of three Lutheran churches formed the ELCA in 1988. They were The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America.

http://www.elca.org/

33 churches

Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), often referred to simply as the Missouri Synod, is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.2 million members, it is both the eighth-largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S., the largest being Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Pacific Southwest division: http://www.psd-lcms.org/ http://www.lcms.org/

46 churches

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) is a North American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity, founded in 1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the third largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.

WELS is in fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) and is a member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), a worldwide organization of Lutheran church bodies of the same beliefs. http://www.wels.net/

7 churches

Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)

The Evangelical Presbyterian church, which gives local presbyteries the option of allowing ordained female pastors, broke away from the United Presbyterian Church and incorporated in 1981. http://www.epc.org/

1 congregation

Orthodox Presbyterian Church

The Orthodox Presbytreian Church broke away from the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PC-USA) in 1936. http://www.opc.org/

4 congregations

Pentecostalism Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.

19 Four Square 62

Presbyterian Church in America

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), which does not allow ordained female clergy, separated from Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1973 and has subsequently become the second largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States. http://www.pcanet.org/

17 congregations

Presbyterian Church USA

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or PC(USA), is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. The PC(USA) was established by the 1983 merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, whose churches were located in the Southern and border states, with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, whose congregations could be found in every state. https://www.pcusa.org/

30 congregations

Reformed Church in America

The Reformed Church in America (RCA) is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. From its beginning in 1628 until 1819, it was the North American branch of the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1819 it incorporated as the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. The current name was chosen in 1867. https://www.rca.org/

3 congregations

Reformed Church in the United States

Established in the 1700s and reorganized in the 1930s, the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) is a Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. The present RCUS is a conservative, Calvinist denomination. The RCUS is most heavily concentrated in California, Colorado, and South Dakota. http://www.rcus.org/

1 congregation

Seventh Day Adventist

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming (advent) of Jesus Christ. The denomination grew out of the Millerite movement in the United States during the middle part of the 19th century and was formally established in 1863. Among its founders was Ellen G. White, whose extensive writings are still held in high regard by the church today.

37 churches http://www.adventist.org/

United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition, in historical continuation of the General Council of Congregational Christian churches founded under the influence of New England Puritanism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC. These two denominations, which were themselves the result of earlier unions, had their roots in Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and Reformed denominations. http://www.ucc.org/

20 churches

United Methodist

The United Methodist Church is the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

The United Methodist Church was formed when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged in 1968. But it traces its heritage back to the movement begun in 1729 in England by John and Charles Wesley.

Every local church is linked to an interconnected network of organizations that join together in mission and ministry, allowing us to accomplish far more than any one church or person could alone. Within the connectional structure of The United Methodist Church, conferences provide the primary groupings of people and churches for discernment and decision-making. http://www.umc.org/

41 churches

Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America is a church in the Protestant tradition with a 501c3. It was founded in 1896 by the son of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, as a church that was concerned about reaching America’s most vulnerable. The local affiliate in the Southwest is an autonomous Christian church but describes itself as a Christian Service Organization because it is more focused on service than ideological agreement. We have commissioned and ordained ministers who continue to function within their own faith tradition. So our ministers are Catholic, Pentecostal and main line protestant.

Quakers

Quakers (or Friends, as they refer to themselves) are members of a family of religious movements collectively known as the Religious Society of Friends. http://www.sandiegoquakers.org/Home_Page.php

1 Friends meeting

Radical Reformation

Church of the Brethren

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination with origins in the Schwarzenau Brethren that was organized in 1708 by Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau, Germany. The Brethren movement began as a melding of Radical Pietist and Anabaptist ideas during the Protestant Reformation. http://www.brethren.org/

1 church 65

Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego

The Diocese was established in 1936, serving San Diego and Imperial Counties. 20% of church goers nationwide, the largest percentage, identify themselves as Roman Catholic. http://www.sdcatholic.org/

88 parishes in San Diego county and 11 in Imperial.

Salvation Army

Hinduism

Hinduism is a minority religion in the United States, American Hindus accounting for an estimated 0.5% of total US population. The vast majority of American Hindus are Indian Americans, immigrants from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the Caribbean (namely Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname) and other countries.

In this directory a Hindu faith center includes any distinct group in the broader Vedic tradition holding regular meetings for worship, meditation and/or other spiritual practices.

At last count, there were 12 Hindu faith centers in San Diego county.

Islam

Islam is the second-largest religion, the fastest-growing religion in the world, and the largest religious denomination for any religion in the world. Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam.

Salafi is a separate division of Sunni. Salafi emerged as a separate sect in a gradual process in the sub continent of India. The Salafis are a fundamentalist group that seeks to imitate the behavior of early Muslims.

The difference between Sunni and Sufi is that Sunni is a descendant of the conventional version of Islam whereas Sufi is an offshoot of the mystical branch of Islam. Sufi can be both Sunni and Shia.

A difference between Sunni and Shia has originated from political and spiritual grounds. The other differences are on the basis of religious practices and rituals people follow. Sunni is an Arabic word which means the one who follows the traditions or Sunah of the Prophet whereas Shia word is derived from Shiayat e Ali which means friends of Ali.

Jafri (Jafari) is a surname commonly associated with Muslims who are Shias and the descendants of the 6th Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq.

Mosque is the English name for a place of Muslim worship. The Arabic term for a place of Muslim worship is masjid, which literally means "place of prostration" (in prayer).

At last count, there were 29 masjids in San Diego county: 25 Sunni, 1 Sunni Salafi, 4 Shia Jafari. There is one Sufi center.

Jain

Jain Society of San Diego

The Jain Society of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization to pursue a goal of practicing, promoting and preserving the Jain religion.

1830 Anna Lane, Vista, CA 92083 (760) - 440 – 5246 http://www.jssd.org/

Judaism

Approximately 5 million of the world's 13 million Jews live in the United States. There are basically three major movements in the U.S. today: Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. Smaller movements include Reconstructionist, Renewal, and Independent.

Orthodox and sometimes Conservative are described as "traditional" movements. Reform, Reconstructionist, and sometimes Conservative are described as "liberal" or "modern" movements. There are also other groups that call themselves independent, renewal or unaffiliated.

Conservative

Conservative Judaism grew out of the tension between Orthodoxy and Reform. It was formally organized as the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1913.

There is a great deal of variation among Conservative synagogues. Some are indistinguishable from Reform, except that they use more Hebrew; others are practically Orthodox, except that men and women sit together.

There are 12 Conservative groups in the San Diego region.

Independent

There is 1 independent group in the San Diego region: Humanistic Jewish Congregation.

Orthodox

Orthodoxy is made up of several different groups. It includes the modern Orthodox, who have largely integrated into modern society while maintaining observance of halakhah (Jewish Law), the Chasidim, who live separately and dress distinctively (commonly, but erroneously, referred to in the media as the "ultra-Orthodox"), and the Yeshivish Orthodox, who are neither Chasidic nor modern. The Orthodox movements are all very similar in belief.

There are 24 Orthodox groups in the San Diego region, 17 of which are Chabad, which fall into the Chasidim category.

Reconstructionist

Reconstructionist Judaism is theoretically an outgrowth of Conservative, but it doesn't fit neatly into the traditional/liberal, observant/non-observant continuum. Reconstructionists believe that Judaism is an "evolving religious civilization."

There is 1 Reconstructionist group in the San Diego region: Congregation Dor Hadash.

Reform

Reform Judaism accepts the critical theory of Biblical authorship: that the Bible was written by separate sources and redacted together. Reform Jews do not believe in observance of commandments as such, but they retain much of the values and ethics of Judaism, along with some of the practices and the culture. Many non-observant, nominal, and/or agnostic Jews will identify themselves as Reform when pressed to.

There are 7 Reform groups in the San Diego region.

Renewal

Renewal Judaism is associated with Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, a worldwide effort to fully embrace a contemporary egalitarian Judaism as a profound spiritual practice and social transformer, reaching beyond religious boundaries and institutional structures.

There is 1 renewal group in the San Diego region: Elijah Minyan.

Unaffiliated

There are 2 unaffiliated groups in the San Diego region: Chavurah Kol Haneshamah, and the Jewish Collaborative of San Diego (JCoSD).

New Thought

The New Thought movement is a spiritual movement which developed in the United States in the 19th century, following the teachings of Phineas Quimby. The three major organizations within New Thought movement today are Religious Science, Unity Church and the Church of Divine Science.

Divine Science

The Church of Divine Science is a religious movement within the wider New Thought movement. The group was formalized in San Francisco in the 1880s under Malinda Cramer. In March 1888 Cramer and her husband Frank chartered the 'Home College of Spiritual Science,' and later in 1888 changed the name of her school to the 'Home College of Divine Science.' during the dramatic growth of the New Thought Movement in the United States.

http://divinescience.com/

0 centers

Religious Science

Science of Mind was established in 1927 by Ernest Holmes and is a spiritual, philosophical and metaphysical religious movement within the New Thought movement. In general, the term "Science of Mind" applies to the teachings, while the term "Religious Science" applies to the organizations. However, adherents often use the terms interchangeably. http://www.scienceofmind.com/

12 churches

Unity

Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Charles Fillmore founded Unity, a spiritual organization within the New Thought movement, with his wife, Myrtle Page Fillmore, in 1889. He became known as an American mystic for his intuitive guidance and his contributions to allegorical interpretations of Scripture.

4 churches http://www.unity.org/

Pagan

The term "Pagan" actually means "country dweller" and was originally used as a derogatory term by the Romans to describe any country "hick" who was unsophisticated or practiced a non-mainstream religion including the early Christians.

Paganism is a broad umbrella terms for many traditions, including Asatru (worship of the Norse Gods), Kemetic/Netjer (worship of the Egyptian Gods), Native American and Australian Aborigine shamanism, Wicca, witchcraft, Voodoo, African Native religion, and many others. A pagan may be generally defined as a follower of a nature religion that is not part of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism.

Pagan religions in the United States are referred to as neopagan and are represented by widely different movements and organizations. The largest Neopagan religion is Wicca, followed by Neodruidism. Both of these religions were introduced during the 1950s from Great Britain. Germanic Neopaganism and Kemetism appeared in the US in the early 1970s. Hellenic Neopaganism appeared in the 1990s.

Scientology

Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by L. Ron Hubbard beginning in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Hubbard characterized Scientology as a religion, and in 1953 he incorporated the Church of Scientology in Camden, New Jersey. http://www.scientology-sandiego.org/

Shinto

Shinto, also kami-no-michi, is an indigenous religion of Japan and the people of Japan. It is defined as an action-centered religion, focused on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. http://konkofaith.org/

One center in the San Diego area.

Sikh

The Sikh Society of San Diego, located in Escondido, was founded in 1994 as a non-profit religious organization designed to meet the spiritual, religious and educational needs of the Sikh Community in the greater San Diego area. http://www.sandiegogurdwara.org/

Established in 1998, The Sikh Foundation San Diego, located in Poway, is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the religious, social, cultural, educational and spiritual needs of Sikh Community in the greater San Diego. http://www.sdsikhs.org/

Taoism

Taoism is the traditional religion of China. It is believed that Taoist organizations were formally established 1,900 years ago by Celestial Master Zhang Daoling during the reign (AD 126-144) of Emperor Shundi of the Eastern Han Dynasty. However, the original sources of Taoist doctrines may be traced back to the Pre-Qin period (4000-221BC).

According to Huston Smith, Taoism can be divided into three approaches: philosophical, religious/popular, and vitalizing. The philosophical branch is concerned with how best to deploy one’s energy in service of the Tao. It is more reflective, with an emphasis on knowledge, and seeing power from wisdom. It seeks to expend carefully one’s allotment of life energy. The religious/popular branch is more like a church, with ritual used to gather cosmic energy for those who cannot get it themselves. The vitalizing branch is interested in increasing one’s allotment of energy, and is therefore more active. There is no sharp division between the three.

It seems there may be two groups in San Diego County that fall more or less in the vitalizing category, in which activities like chi gong and tai chi are studied.

Unitarian Universalist

Unitarian Universalism is a religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed but are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. The roots of Unitarian Universalism are in liberal Christianity, specifically Unitarianism and Universalism. Unitarian Universalists state that from these traditions comes a deep regard for intellectual freedom and inclusive love, so that congregations and members seek inspiration and derive insight from all major world religions. http://www.uua.org/

6 congretations

Zoroastrianism

The Zoroastrian Association of California was established in 1974 and the 400+ Southern California community encompasses an area over 150 miles from Calabasas to San Diego.

Zoroastrians worship at a location in Orange County. http://www.zacla.org