To Arena That day the beach crept up on us, Its shallow sideshow of seashells, We began our sunburn early, Soaked in cold beer against curly- Cues of canvas, regatta sails Drowned in the chalky …

The Village Community Presbyterian Church Contact: 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe 858-756-2441 www.villagechurch.org Membership: 1100 Pastor: Pastor Jack Baca Age: 62 Born: Socorro, NM Formation: University of New Mexico-Albuquerque; Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ; Fuller …

Zhu Xi [Someone] asked: “Isn’t Tai-ji the general name for a diffuse being that existed before there was a heaven and earth and that was the Li of heaven, earth, and the myriad creatures?” [Zhu …

Seaside Center for Spiritual Living Contact: 1613 Lake Dr. Encinitas 760-753-5786 www.seasidecenter.org Membership: 1100 Pastor: Christian Sorensen Age: 59 Born: Hollywood Formation: California State University-North Ridge; Ernst Holmes College (Holmes Institute), Los Angeles Years Ordained: …

Billy Graham “I don’t think I would be afraid to die if I knew what to expect after death,” said a young man with an incurable disease. Evidently, he had not heard of what God …

The Hill Church Contact: 7485 Orien Ave., La Mesa 619-463-1201 www.thehillsd.org Membership: 150 Pastor: Jimmy Steele Age: 35 Born: Atlanta, GA Formation: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC Years Ordained: 1½ San Diego Reader: …

Zisi “How far-extending was the filial piety of King Wu and the duke of Zhou! Now filial piety is seen in the skillful carrying out of the wishes of our forefathers, and the skillful carrying …

St. Ephrem Maronite Church Contact: 750 Medford St, El Cajon 619k-337-1350 www.stephremchurch.com Membership: 310 Pastor: Father Toufic Nasr Born: Beirut, Lebanon Formation: Maronite Patriarchal Seminary, Ghazir, Lebanon; Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary, Washington, D.C.; Oblate …

Bishop William Poynter Christianity is that form of Religion, which was taught and instituted by Christ. It embraces the doctrines of faith, which Christ revealed; the supernatural moral precepts, which he delivered; the sacred rites, …

First Baptist Church of Clairemont Contact: 3219 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 858-273-4642 www.fbcclairemont.org Membership: 120 Pastor: Alan Thompson Age: 67 Born: Weatherford, Texas Formation: Grand Canyon College (now University), Phoenix, AZ; Midwestern Baptist Theological …

When the Farmer’s Bottega bartender Shannon Pierce created The Rosie Elephant, she looked to local farmlands and African savannas for inspiration. “It really originated out of nowhere!” she says. “I had tasted all of the …

Bishop John Milner Admitting, however, the obligation of worshipping my Creator, these men will sometimes say: “What necessity is there of my being shut up in a particular building or of my joining with other …

First Spiritualist Church of San Diego Contact: 3777 Forty Second St., San Diego 619-284-4646 www.1st-spiritualistchurch.org Membership: 87 Pastor: Lorina Pyle Age: 52 Born: Price, UT Formation: “After an intense search of self-healing and self-understanding…I turned …

Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church Contact: 390 South 39th St, San Diego 619-263-5557 www.goodshepherdmbc.com Membership: 40 Pastor: Gregory O. Morgan Age: 62 Born: Monroe, LA Formation: Faith Evangelical Seminary (Faith International University), Tacoma, WA Years …

Mobsters generally don’t like surprises – and yet to stay in the game they have to be full of surprises. Just ask Nice Guy Eddy, Mr. Pink, or Mr. Black in Reservoir Dogs – or …

Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego Contact: 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego 858-535-1111 www.cbisd.org Membership: 1200 families Rabbi: Michael Berk Age: 66 Born: San Bernardino Formation: University of California-Berkeley; Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles, …

619 Spirits North Park is the tasting room and eatery for its mothership, 619 Vodka. Both were named for San Diego’s area code, but that doesn’t mean 619’s founder and master distiller Nick Apostolopoulos is …

Sabine Baring-Gould Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. Christ, the royal Master, Leads against the foe; Forward into battle See His banners go! Onward, Christian soldiers, …

Christ United Presbyterian Church of San Diego Contact: 3025 Fir Street, San Diego 619-239-2346 www.christunitedsd.org Membership: 100 Pastor: Nathan Byrd Age: 54 Born: Washington, D.C. Formation: University of Delaware, Newark, DE; U.S Army; Princeton Theological …

Pacific Beach Alehouse is brewing up more than beer on its menu these days, says Pacific Beach bartender Sierra Berryessa. The surfside suds factory still spins its palate wheel of beers and ales, Berryessa says, …

Pomerado Christian Church Contact: 12708 Stone Canyon Rd, Poway 858-487-7312 www.pomerado.com Membership: 100 (Attendance: 150) Pastor: J.P. Charfauros Age: 34 Born: Santa Clara Formation: Azusa Pacific University Years Ordained: 1 (12 years pastoral experience) San …

The Maguey Agrio served at Banker’s Hill is the Mexican answer to the whiskey sour, says its creator, Banker’s Hill bar manager Colin Berger. Referencing mescal’s plant of origin and the Spanish word for “sour,” …

James Archer God and Reason In defending revelation, I wish not to deprecate human reason, much less to establish Christianity on its ruins. Reason is the most beautiful ornament of our nature, the distinguishing excellence …

Membership: 550 Pastor: Ryan Rosenbaum Age: 42 Born: Fort Benning, GA Formation: University of Washington, Seattle. WA; Talbot School of Theology-Biola University, La Mirada; Hebrew University, Jerusalem Years Ordained: 18 San Diego Reader: What is …

Citrus myrtaflora—more commonly known in its native Italy as the chinotto—is a diminutive member of the orange family, and it has a secret. But it’s one of the worst kinds of secret—one that everyone knows …

Mozi How do we know Heaven loves the people? Because it teaches them all. How do we know it teaches them all? Because it claims them all. How do we know it claims them all? …

La Mesa Church of Christ Contact: 5150 Jackson Dr., La Mesa (619) 465-5150 www.lamesachurch.com Membership: 100 Pastor: Graham Clifford Age: 43 Born: Salinas Formation: Dallas Christian College, Dallas, TX; Center for Christian Education, Irving, TX …

Consider the quotidian comforts of the common whiskey flask. The preferred vade mecum of serious sippers, this versatile vessel fits in pocket, purse, or petticoat—a genie in a bottle who, at a moment’s command, provides …

Charles Butler Mystical theology is defined to be an union of the soul with God—so intimate, that her essence is, in a manner, transformed into the essence of God, and, in consequence of it, she …

Parkway Hills Church Contact: 1227 Eastlake Parkway, Chula Vista 619-656-3697 www.phnaz.com Membership: 150 Pastor: Tim Fillmore Age: 57 Born: Placerville Formation: Nazarene Bible College, Colorado Springs, CO; Point Loma Nazarene University Years Ordained: 19 San …

The Monkey King (aka Sun Wukong), a Buddhist superhero of Chinese legend, carries a 17-ton staff and can travel 13,500 miles in one somersault. He can also effortlessly transform into any inanimate object or living …

Yang Xiong As for the sage’s governance of all under Heaven, he uses li and music as the standard. If there were no li and music, then people would be the same as beasts. If …

First Baptist Church of Bostonia Contact: 1025 N 2nd St, El Cajon 619-444-1374 www.firstbaptistchurchofbostonia.weebly.com Membership: 150 Pastor: Van Tarpley Age: 46 Born: Baltimore, MD Formation: Johns Hopkins, Baltimore; Indiana University, Claremont school of Theology, San …

Charles Plowden, SJ Ages succeed ages; empires subvert empires. But the empire of Jesus Christ perseveres ever one and the same, ever persecuted and ever conquering. Because all human revolutions are entirely subservient to it, …

Marine Corps Recruitment Depot Contact: 1600 Henderson Ave, San Diego 619-524-8720 www.mcrdsd.marines.mil Membership: “More than a thousand.” Chaplain: Father Joseph Coffey Rank: Commander Age: 58 Born: Rochester, MN (grew up in Philadelphia) Formation: La Salle …

The Book of Rites As ruling over all, under the sky, (the king) is called “The son of Heaven.” …His death is announced in the words, “The king by (the grace of) Heaven has fallen.” …

Atonement Lutheran Church Contact: 7250 Eckstrom Ave, San Diego (Balboa) 858-278-5556 www.atonementlutheranbalboa.weebly.com Membership: 45 Pastor: Kate Schlechter Age: 59 Born: Glendora Formation: California State University-Long Beach; Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN; Pacifica Institute, Carpinteria Years …

Joseph Reeve, SJ To enjoy the presence of God in the manner that is suited to our mortal state, it is not necessary to ascend in spirit into Heaven, as if he resided nowhere else. …

New Paradise Baptist Church Contact: 420 68th Street, San Diego 619-266-0214 www.newparadisebcsd.com Membership: 350 Pastor: James Moore, Jr. Age: 56 Born: San Diego Formation: Southern California Bible Institute, San Diego; Faith Evangelical Seminary, Tacoma, WA. …

Mencius If a man love others, and no responsive attachment is shown to him, let him turn inwards and examine his own benevolence. If he is trying to rule others, and his government is unsuccessful, …

A little sanctuary surrounded by buffalo wings and Guinness beer

A free-thinking view of Christianity

In our marriages, our friendships, our children

Hybrid Mule in Pacific Beach

A change in the aura of the world

We’re fearfully and wonderfully made

When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet. Therefore let your visit to that temple invisible …

Sing, o goddess, of the rage of Singapore’s Merlion!... Well, okay, Homer never got around to singing about Singapore, but the old Greek scribbler also never had Waterbar’s Merlion to get his inspirational juices flowing… …

Vista La Mesa Christian Church Contact: 4210 Massachusetts Ave., La Mesa 619-463-9909 www.vlmcc.org Membership: 120 Pastor: Rebecca Littlejohn Age: 42 Born: Peoria, IL Formation: Carleton College, Northfield, MN; Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley Years Ordained: …

Risen Savior Lutheran Church Contact: 625 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista (619) 735-7617 www.risensavior.us Membership: 150 Pastor: Paul Schulz Age: 43 Born: Watertown, WI Formation: Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN; Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, …