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Stories by Joseph O'Brien

Sheep and Goats: Calvary Lutheran Church

Contact: 424 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach 858-755-2855 www.calvarylutheranchurch.orgMembership: 350-400Pastor: Mark DonaldAge: 57Born: San DiegoFormation: Gustavus Adolphus, St. Peter, MN; University of Minnesota; Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN Years Ordained: 23San Diego Reader: What’s the …

November 14, 2025
A poem for Halloween by John Crowe Ransom

NecrologicalThe friar had said his paternosters dulyAnd scourged his limbs, and afterwards would have slept;But with much riddling his head became unruly,He arose, from the quiet monastery he crept.Dawn lightened the place where the battle …

October 31, 2025
Sheep and Goats: Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Contact: 2324 Miller, Ave., Escondido 760-737-0393 www.chaliceuucongregation.orgMembership: 160Pastor: Sharon WylieAge: 53Born: San DiegoFormation: Pomona College, Claremont; Starr King School for the Ministry, BerkeleyYears Ordained: 12San Diego Reader: What’s your main concern as a member of …

October 24, 2025
Three sonnets by Lady Mary Wroth on her 488th birthday

1.When night's blacke Mantle could most darknesse prove,And sleepe (deaths Image) did my senses hyre,From Knowledge of my selfe, then thoughts did moveSwifter then those, most [swiftnesse] neede require.In sleepe, a Chariot drawne by wing'd …

October 17, 2025
Sheep and Goats: Pacific Life Church

Contact: 1625 Pacific Beach Dr., San Diego 858-945-0777 www.pacificlifechurch.orgMembership: 150        Pastor: Steve BombaciAge: 70    Born: San JoseFormation: Bethany Bible College, Scotts Valley (now closed); Vanguard University, Costa MesaYears Ordained: 41San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite …

October 10, 2025
Two poems by Oliver Goldsmith

When Lovely Woman Stoops to FollyWhen lovely woman stoops to folly,And finds too late that men betray,What charm can sooth her melancholy,What art can wash her guilt away?The only art her guilt to cover,To hide …

October 3, 2025
Two poems for the autumn by Francis Turner Palgrave

The Golden LandO sweet September in the valleyCarved through the green hills, sheer and straight,Where the tall trees crowd round and sallyDown the slope sides, with stately gaitAnd sylvan dance: and in the hollowSilver voices …

September 26, 2025
Sheep and Goats: St. David’s Episcopal Church

Contact: 5050 Milton St., San Diego 619-276-4567 www.saintdavidschurch.comMembership: 120 (Attendance: 55-60) Interim Priest-in-Charge: Father Kirby M. SmithAge: 71Born: Mount Clemens, MIFormation: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Lieutenant, U.S. Army (1976-1980); University of San Diego-Knauss School of Business; …

September 19, 2025
A poem from TTL

Seasons, Mirrors                                    -for Shelia Sherwin, on her sixtieth birthdayIWe tell ourselves: objects in mirrors areAlways forced revisions of …

September 12, 2025
Sheep and Goats: 61st and Division Streets Church of Christ

Contact: 6070 Division St., San Diego 619-263-6931 www.61anddcoc.orgMembership: 225 (Attendance: 130)Pastor: Jermiyah KellyAge: 28Born: San DiegoFormation: Morehouse College, Atlanta, GAYears Ordained: 3San Diego Reader: What’s your main concern as a member of the clergy?Pastor Jermiyah …

August 29, 2025
Three poems by Federico García Lorca

Fable Unicorns and cyclopses.Horns of goldand eyes of green.Over the steepin giant confusionthey illustrate the unglazedmercury of the sea.Unicorns and cyclopses.An eyeballand a power.Who doubts the terribleefficiency of those horns?Nature!Conceal your targets.Song of the Horseman CórdobaRemote and …

August 22, 2025
Three poems by Giosuè Carducci for his 190th birthday

The OxI love thee, pious ox; a gentle feelingOf vigour and of peace thou giv'st my heart.How solemn, like a monument, thou art!Over wide fertile fields thy calm gaze stealing,Unto the yoke with grave contentment …

August 1, 2025
Sheep and Goats: South Bay Community Church

Contact: 1055 Tierra Del Rey, Ste. A, Chula Vista 619-267-5500 www.southbaycc.orgDenomination: Non-denominationalMembership: 30Pastor: William FryeAge: 28Born: San DiegoFormation: Mentored at South Bay Community Church Years Ordained: 5San Diego Reader: What is the mission of your church?Pastor …

July 25, 2025
Three poems by E.B. White for his 126th birthday

A Natural HistoryThe spider, dropping down from twig, Unfolds a plan of her devising, A thin premeditated rig To use in rising. And all that journey down through space, In cool descent and loyal hearted, She spins a ladder to the …

July 18, 2025
Sheep and Goats: King's Cross Church

King’s Cross ChurchContact: 4747 Soledad Mountain Rd, San Diego 858-999-0117 www.kingscrosschurch.usDenomination: Southern BaptistMembership: 200 (Attendance: 250-300)Pastor: Daniel BosAge: 47Born: Holland, MIFormation: Hope College, Holland, MI; Point Loma Nazarene UniversityYears Ordained: 4 San Diego Reader: What’s your main …

July 11, 2025
A poem for wedding season by Edmund Spenser

From EpithalamionYe learned sisters which have oftentimes Beene to me ayding, others to adorne: Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes, That even the greatest did not greatly scorne To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes, But joyed …

June 20, 2025
Sheep and Goats: St. Timothy's Lutheran Church

Contact: 2602 Reo Drive, San Diego 619-475-1575  www.sttimothysd.orgMembership: around 200 Pastor: Tim Jones Age: 59Born: National CityFormation: San Diego State University; Bethel Seminary (now closed), San Diego Years Ordained: 13San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on …

June 13, 2025
Three poems by William Butler Yeats for his 160th birthday

When You Are OldWhen you are old and grey and full of sleep,And nodding by the fire, take down this book,And slowly read, and dream of the soft lookYour eyes had once, and of their …

June 6, 2025
Two poems for Memorial Day by Randall Jarrell

Death of the Ball Turret GunnerFrom my mother’s sleep I fell into the State,And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,I woke to …

May 23, 2025
All People's Church: Get rocked, get real, and give it away

Contact: 8262 Allison Ave., La Mesa 619-286-3251  www.allpeopleschurch.orgDenomination: All Peoples Global Movement of ChurchesMembership: 900Pastor: Robert HerberAge: 49Born: Austin, TXFormation: Baylor University, Waco, TX; Antioch Discipleship School, Waco Years Ordained: 18San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor Robert Herber: Friendship …

May 16, 2025
People's Church tries to bring God's story to life

Contact: 4955 A St., San Diego 619-264-5825  www.peopleschurchsd.orgDenomination: Assemblies of GodMembership: 200-250            Pastor: Phoebe DialAge: 64    Born: Manila (Olongapo City), PhilippinesFormation: Bethel Bible College, Manila; All People’s Church Bible School, San Diego Years …

May 2, 2025
A poem for Good Friday

I.N.R.I.A rough quiet was universal in the grain,The world was sunk with a thud in its post-hole,The land planed smooth with a dead calmOn a rude length of wood. This somber season     Lends itself …

April 18, 2025
Poems by William Shakespeare for his birth (and death) day

110Alas, ’tis true, I have gone here and thereAnd made myself a motley to the view,Gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,Made old offenses of affections new.Most true it is that I …

April 4, 2025
St. Mark's City Heights Episcopal Church looks for love

Contact: 4227 Fairmount Ave, San Diego 619-283-6242 www.stmarks-cityheights.orgMembership: 25Pastor: Father Richard LeeAge: 53 Born: Leicester, EnglandFormation: University of Wales, Bangor, Wales; Episcopal Diocese of San Diego School for MinistryYears Ordained: 9San Diego Reader: How long do you …

March 28, 2025
Three poems by John Fletcher

Take, Oh Take Those Lips AwayTake, oh take those lips away,That so sweetly were forsworn,And those eyes, the break of day,Lights that do mislead the morn:But my kisses bring again,Seals of love, but sealed in …

March 21, 2025
New Life Presbyterian is not just a social club

New Life Presbyterian Church of La MesaContact: 5333 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa 619.667.5999 www.newlifelamesa.orgMembership: 300Pastor: Joel WoodAge: 47Born: Lima, OHFormation: Moody Bible Institute, Chicago; Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburg, PAYears Ordained: 16San Diego Reader: What …

January 3, 2025
Pastor Lisa Petty finds God in dive bars

First United Methodist Church of EscondidoContact: 341 S. Kalmia St, Escondido 760-745-5100 www.fumcescondido.orgMembership: 500 (Attendance: 250)Pastor: Lisa PettyAge: 45Born: PowayFormation: California State University-Fullerton; Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO Years Ordained: 10San Diego Reader: Why did you …

November 8, 2024
WAV College Church reminds kids that time is short

WAV College ChurchContact: 4875 Viewridge Ave., San Diego 510-917-2093 www.wavcollege.churchMembership: 110Pastor: John KoAge: 47Born: Olney, MDFormation: University of California-Berkeley; Biola University, La MiradaYears in Full-time Ministry: 7San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on …

October 25, 2024
Karla Lightner saw how Unity made a difference

Unity San DiegoContact: 3770 Altadena Ave, San Diego 619-280-2501 www.unitysandiego.org Membership: 110Pastor: Karla LightnerAge: 67Born: Evanston, ILFormation: Unity Urban Ministerial School, Detroit, MIYears Ordained: 4San Diego Reader: Why did you become a minister?Pastor Karla Lightner: …

September 20, 2024
City View Church pastor preaches Christ crucified

City View ChurchContact: 8404 Phyllis Pl., San Diego 858-560-1870 www.cityviewsd.comMembership: Four 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services: English, 160; Ethiopian, 35; Swahili, 35; Spanish, 30Pastor: Chris Soto Age: 53Born: San FranciscoFormation: Bethany University, Santa Cruz Years Ordained: 30San …

August 23, 2024
Hope Church pastor Sean Beaudoin had a vision in prison

Hope ChurchContact: 5651 Water St. La Mesa 619-922-1547 www.hopechurchsandiego.comAttendance: 125-150Pastor: Sean BeaudoinAge: 44 Born: San Diego Formation: 8 years in county, state, and federal prison as a six-time convicted felon; Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA; Gateway Seminary, Mill Valley; …

August 9, 2024
Mission Valley Christian Fellowship wants people to love, grow, and help

Mission Valley Christian FellowshipContact: 6536 Estrella Ave., San Diego 619-683-7729 www.mvcf.comMembership: 175 Pastor: Robert CobbAge: 50Born: La MesaFormation: Bible Study at Mission Valley Fellowship Years Ordained: 25San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor …

Missiongathering San Diego seeks to move away from Christian Nationalism

Missiongathering San DiegoContact: 8693 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa 619-354-3993 www.missiongatheringsd.orgDenomination: Disciples of ChristMembership: 85 (Attendance: 30-40)Pastor: Braeden StorkersenAge: 30Born: Fullerton Formation: Antioch Bible College, Temecula; Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago; Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA; Claremont …

June 21, 2024
Christ Episcopal Church says God loves us, warts and all

Christ Episcopal Church & Day SchoolContact: 1114 Ninth St., Coronado 619-435-4561 www.christchurchcoronado.orgMembership: 400 Pastor: Mother Regan M. SchutzAge: 45Born: Eugene, ORFormation: Jesuit High School, Portland, OR; University of Colorado, Boulder; University of the South-The School of Theology, …

June 7, 2024
Unitarian Universalist Justine Sullivan wants everyone to get along

First Unitarian Universalist Church of San DiegoContact: Hillcrest Campus—4190 Front St., San Diego; South Bay Campus—970 Broadway, Ste. 104, Chula Vista www.firstuusandiego.orgMembership: 500Lead Minister: Justine SullivanAge: 61Born: Boston, MA Formation: Boston University; Simmons College-School for Social Work, …

First Baptist Church of San Diego follows the Great Commission

First Baptist Church of San DiegoContact: 5055 Governor Dr., San Diego 858-457-4827 www.fbcsd.comMembership: 55 (Attendance: 125-140)Pastor: Matthew AdrianAge: 38Born: Kansas City, MOFormation: Baptist Bible College (now Mission University), Springfield, MOYears Ordained: 17 San Diego Reader: Why did …

Fr. Robert Maldondo was qualified by the call

St. Matthew’s Episcopal ChurchContact: 521 E 8th St., National City 619-474-8916 www.stmatthewsnatlcity.orgMembership: 200 (Attendance: 40-60)Pastor: Father Roberto MaldonadoAge: 65Born: Manati, Puerto RicoFormation: University of Puerto Rico; Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico; Palmer Theological Seminary, St. Davids, …

North Coast United Methodist wants to be the hands and feet of Christ

San Diego Reader: How long do you spend preparing your sermon?Pastor Drew Davis: My sermons are topically based. I usually spend Fridays working on my sermons, but I am daily processing what my sermon will …

April 4, 2024
Summit Fellowship wants to be a home of belonging

Summit Unitarian Universalist FellowshipContact: 8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee 619-562-0833 www.summituuf.orgMembership: 100Pastor: KC Marie Pendell Age: 34Born: Orange County, CAFormation: Chapman University, Orange; Meadville-Lombard Theological School, Chicago Ordination: in processSan Diego Reader: What’s the mission of your church?Pastor KC …

March 22, 2024
A poem for March by Joseph O’Brien

The property line melts into forest, its late winter browns speakAn unknown beast’s pelt; felled oaks hunch over like sleeping bears While beech and birch extend into ugly candid possum hair,And elms and maples muster into …

March 15, 2024
Plymouth Church pastor had a vision

Plymouth ChurchContact: 2717 University Ave., San Diego www.plymouthsd.com/homeMembership: 105 Pastor: Michael GonzalesAge: 45 Born: SangerFormation: University of San Diego; Fordham University, NY Years Ordained: 11 San Diego Reader: What’s the mission of your church?Pastor Michael Gonzales: Plymouth is a place …

March 8, 2024
Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church: sojourning through this world

Pilgrim Progressive Baptist ChurchContact: 4995 A St., San Diego, 619-264-3369, [email protected]: 500 (attendance: 200-300)Pastor: Donnell TownsendAge: 63Born: Tupelo, MSFormation: U.S. Navy, Corpsman; Anderson University, Anderson, INYears Ordained: 19 San Diego Reader: Why did you become a …

February 23, 2024
Lifepoint Church: Embrace, Adopt, and Equip

Lifepoint ChurchContact: 5480 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa (619) 776-9834 www.lifepointsd.comMembership: 100Pastor: Tony Orlando Age: 50Born: La MesaFormation: Bethany College (closed in 2011), Santa Cruz Years Ordained: 17 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor …

January 19, 2024
Clairemont Lutheran Church: to experience God while being grounded

Clairemont Lutheran ChurchContact: 4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd,San Diego, 858-273-7423 www.clairemontlc.orgMembership: 130 in person/40 onlinePastor: Cyndi JonesAge: 72Born: Terra Haute, INFormation: University of California-San Diego; Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA; Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MNYears Ordained: 4.5San …

December 15, 2023
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: restoring hope, empowering community, and growing in grace

St. Mark’s United Methodist ChurchContact: 3502 Clairemont Dr., San Diego www.stmarksumcsd.org 626-714-8097Membership: 350Pastor: Darin ArntsonAge: 40Born: San DiegoFormation: University of California-Irvine; Candler School of Theology, Altanta, GAYears Ordained: 7San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on …

December 1, 2023
A poem for Thanksgiving by Joseph O’Brien

…et nihil mihi deerit.The living room is over-heated, like a gaping kitchen oven-door,Long past the payoff in savory odors resulting from bowls of color.The back parlor launches its many campaigns of hushed conversation.Sunlight glistens farewells …

November 24, 2023
New Song Community Church: to help unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ

New Song Community ChurchContact: 3985 Mission Ave., Oceanside 760-560-5000 (Carlsbad Campus: 3780 Pio Pico Dr., Carlsbad) www.newsongchurch.comMembership: 800Pastor: Hal SeedAge: 66Born: Santa BarbaraFormation: Wheaton College, Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO; Fuller Seminary, PasadenaYears Ordained: 38San Diego Reader: …

November 1, 2023
Non-denominational Neighbors

Neighbors ChurchContact: 4672 35th St, San Diego [email protected] www.sdneighbors.churchMembership: 150Lead Pastor: Dan Braga (and Alexa Braga)  Age: 46Born: Gooding, IDFormation: Western Seminary, Portland, ORYears Ordained: 24San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor …

October 13, 2023
New Seasons Transformation Church: forgiving and letting go

New Seasons Transformation ChurchContact: 2300 Bancroft Dr., Spring Valley, 619-775-2994, www.nscsv.orgMembership: 600+Pastor: Bishop A.B. Vines Age: 58Born: Bronx, NYFormation: Point Loma Nazarene University; Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, GA; Cornell University, Ithaca, NYYears Ordained: 28San Diego Reader: What’s …

September 22, 2023
Coastlands Community Church: teaching and believing “in manner and mode” thanks to Flannery O’Connor

Coastlands Community ChurchContact: 3552 College Ave., San Diego; 619-630-8315; www.thecoastlandchurch.netMembership: 120Pastor: Jacob McDonnellAge: 41Born: Ferguson, MOFormation: St. Louis Christian College, St. Louis, MO (since closed); University of Missouri-St. Louis; California State University-East Bay; Biola University-Talbot School …

September 1, 2023

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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