Two Sunday Mornings on Calle Magdalena
San Dieguito United Methodist Church sits on Calle Magdalena in Encinitas, where for more than 130 years Methodists have gathered to worship, teach children, feed neighbors, and serve the North County coast. The church is best known for two very different Sunday morning services that share one address: a traditional Classic service in the Sanctuary with hymns, choir, and organ at 9:30 am, and The Garden, a contemporary service with shared tables, a live band, and a come-as-you-are atmosphere in Founders Hall at 11:00 am. Around that pair of services the congregation has built a deep music program, a preschool that has welcomed Encinitas toddlers since 1980, a long calendar of small groups and contemplative prayer practices, and a steady stream of community outreach from Fill-A-Belly dinners to recovery meetings.
A Methodist Presence in Encinitas Since the 1880s
The story of San Dieguito begins long before the Sanctuary on Calle Magdalena was built. Methodists have been gathering in Encinitas since as early as 1887, when the Community Methodist Church of Encinitas met at 3rd and D Streets. Across the highway in Cardiff, Methodists began meeting sometime before 1914 at the corner of Manchester and Birmingham, in what became the Cardiff Community Methodist Church.
By the mid-1960s, both congregations were feeling growing pains, and it became clear their interests would best be served by a merger. At a combined Easter sunrise service in 1968, the two churches announced they would become one. Reverend Phillip Collin and Reverend Ronald Bobo were assigned to serve one church with two locations. That same year, a parcel on Calle Magdalena was purchased, and two buildings from the old Encinitas church were moved to the new site, enlarged, and given a facelift.
In 1973, Reverend Charles Boss arrived as Senior Pastor and began planning the construction of a new Sanctuary. His wife Kathy served as organist for many years, and together they built the music program that is now recognized as one of the best in the county. The new Sanctuary was dedicated in November 1980.
Under Reverend James Dallas, who was appointed in 1985, the church continued to expand. New groups formed, including a strong United Methodist Men branch. The church became heavily involved in Migrant Ministries, the Community Resource Center, Interfaith Peacemakers, and Laubach Literacy. Reverend Charles Hoffman followed in 1991 and led for fifteen years, extending ministries to children, young people, and parents. The Lagos program was initiated, the North Coast Singers children's community choir was formed using the church's facilities, and new social groups were organized for younger adults. During these decades the campus was rebuilt and significantly renovated: a new entrance and Narthex for the Sanctuary, a worship room for parents with young children, a spacious sacristy, a nursery, a memorial bell tower, plus new offices, classrooms, a music room, a youth center, and a conference room.
Reverend Mark Feldmeir took over in 2006 and built on the church's traditions of community outreach and international humanitarian relief. His era planted the church's participation in the Light Your World Day of Service, which deployed thousands of volunteers in service to local and global missions across its seven-year span.
Reverend John Shaver served from 2014 to 2023. He oversaw the renovation of the Sanctuary, completed in December 2016, and led the congregation through the development of a new vision plan. In 2016, the Vision Team and Administrative Council adopted the mission statement that still guides the church today: Welcome all. Grow in Faith. Engage our Neighbors. Serve the World. Reverend Shaver kept the congregation connected through the pandemic, implementing state-of-the-art AV technology to stream worship online and continue programs virtually. The church emerged stronger, with a full schedule of worship and events on campus, a vibrant youth program, and ongoing community outreach.
Reverend Dr. Mark Maddix began serving as Executive Pastor in July 2023 and now serves as Senior Pastor. He brings a wealth of experience from twenty-five years in Christian higher education and twelve years of pastoral ministry. Under his leadership the Forum lecture series has been revitalized and The Garden service has launched, enriching the church's ongoing ministries.
The Classic Service: Hymns, Choir, and Organ
At 9:30 am on Sunday mornings, the Sanctuary fills with the sound of hymns, choral and organ music, and what the church describes as theologically fresh sermons. The Classic service follows a traditional order developed around a weekly Scripture and sermon, sung to organ and choir. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month, and all children and adults are welcome to participate regardless of church membership.
The preaching team teaches on a wide range of topics relevant to today's world. One week the message might challenge listeners to be good stewards of the earth; another week it might offer a fresh interpretation of a passage that reorients how the Bible is read. Each message is designed to engage the mind, stir the heart, and empower people to live out their faith. The service is also livestreamed on Vimeo and archived so anyone can revisit previous services and messages at any time.
Children ages three through fifth grade begin the service with their families and are then invited to leave together for Sunday School. Infants through preschool are cared for in the nursery. A Family Quiet Room just off the Sanctuary is available for any family whose young child needs a little extra room to wiggle.
The Garden: Live Band and Shared Tables
At 11:00 am, Founders Hall becomes The Garden. Here the mood shifts to upbeat music from a live band, shared tables, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. The Garden is a multi-generational community that values curiosity, honors every identity, and celebrates people fully and authentically. Rather than a choir and organ, the band leads contemporary Christian songs. The service follows a conversational pattern of reading and discussing Scripture together, an extended time of fellowship, and music.
Kids are welcomed into a safe, flexible space to play, create, or simply hang out while adults worship nearby. Worship Leader Leah Duval, a musician, visual artist, and arts administrator, grounds the service in Southern gospel traditions and a deep love for communal worship. Before coming to San Dieguito, Leah founded the Gifted Harmony Choir, an ensemble for people with developmental disabilities, and served as Co-Worship Leader at Urban Village Church in Chicago.
A Music Program Recognized Across the County
Music is at the heart of San Dieguito's identity. The church's music program, originally shaped by Reverend Boss and his wife Kathy in the 1970s, is now recognized as one of the best in San Diego County. Director of Music Dr. Yewon Lee is an accomplished conductor and pianist whose performances have spanned the United States, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Israel. Trained at Seoul National University, Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and the University of Southern California, where she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music, she also serves as Music Director of the San Diego Festival Chorus and as a Community Choir Representative for the California Choral Directors Association.
Organist Jonathan Mamora brings an international career to the Sanctuary bench. A candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts at the Eastman School of Music, a Bachelor of Music graduate of La Sierra University, and a Master of Music graduate of The Juilliard School, Mamora has won first prize at numerous international piano competitions and was invited to compete in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, advancing to the quarterfinal. He also serves as Director of Keyboard Studies at La Sierra University and as Organist at La Sierra University Church.
Andrew Scher, Director of Bell Choirs, grew up attending San Dieguito and participated in the children's and youth choral and handbell programs here. He has been ringing handbells for over twenty years as a member of Purdue Bells, Velocity Handbell Ensemble, LA Bronze, Cathedral Bells of St. John's Lutheran Church of Orange, San Diego Harmony Ringers, and the recent Zenith Handbell Ensemble. He has also taken up change ringing with the Encinitas Handbell Change Ringers.
The Chancel Choir rehearses Thursday evenings under Dr. Lee's direction. The Bell Choir rehearses Sunday mornings before the Garden service. The Sanctuary also hosts a full calendar of guest ensembles: Sorelle, a women's vocal ensemble, rehearses there on Sundays; the North Coast Singers, a regional youth chorus founded in 1993, uses the church as home base for rehearsals and its annual Youth Creating Harmony Choral Festival. Sacra Profana, a San Diego choral ensemble, rehearses here as well. The Music Series, a free concert series presented by the church, regularly brings guest artists to the Sanctuary for an afternoon of music.
Where Children Grow: Sunday School, Youth, and a 45-Year-Old Preschool
San Dieguito takes its call to children seriously. The Family Life page opens with Jesus' invitation: "Let the children come to me" (Matthew 19:14), and the congregation's spirit of openhearted welcome guides every interaction. Children begin Sunday mornings in worship with their families and are then invited to leave together for Sunday School, where classes for ages three through fifth grade offer fun, interactive lessons that help children flourish in faith and friendship. Infants and toddlers are cared for in the nursery, and a Family Quiet Room adjacent to the Sanctuary is available for any family whose child needs a little extra room.
United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) gathers youth in grades six through twelve on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Youth Room, for meaningful conversation, activities, and service projects. Youth Sunday School follows the same rhythm as the younger children's program: youth begin in the main worship service and then head to the Youth Room for a time of connection, learning, and fun. Confirmation classes are offered regularly and celebrated once a year, and Confirmation is open to adults as well as youth. Vacation Bible School is held each June for children from age three through rising fifth grade.
The church is Ministries Safe compliant. All volunteers and staff who work with children and youth have completed training in child protection and safety, background checks are up to date for paid staff, and every classroom always has at least two adults present.
A few steps away, on the same campus, San Dieguito United Methodist Preschool has been a cornerstone of the Encinitas community since 1980. The preschool welcomes children from age two through five of all faiths and backgrounds. Anne Mari Buchanan, who has been part of the preschool community since her youngest daughter attended as a three-year-old, became director in 2017. The preschool offers flexible schedules, with classes meeting two, three, or five days a week, plus Early Bird drop-off from 8:00 to 8:30 am and Extended Day care from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. A two-week summer school is offered in July. The preschool can be reached at 760-436-9287.
Adult Faith Formation: Forum, Bible Study, and Contemplative Prayer
San Dieguito offers a rich menu of adult learning and prayer practices throughout the week. The Forum, a Sunday morning lecture series revived by Pastor Maddix, meets at 11:00 am in Rooms 11 and 12. Each week brings a new guest lecturer on a topic from the practical to the spiritual, ranging from spiritual writers and contemplative practice to local environmental issues and global missionary work. Lunch is often provided.
Bible Study meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Conference Room and online, led by Pastor Maddix using a study guide. Short-term Book Studies run four to eight weeks at a time and cover Bible study, spiritual practices, Christian theology, and connecting faith with world issues. One group meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room; another meets Friday mornings at 10:00 am in a member's home and online.
For those drawn to contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina meets online on Mondays at 11:00 am, a practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer. Centering Prayer follows at 11:30 am online. On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm, Vespers offers a half-hour of evening prayer, reflection, and communion in the Chapel and online. Wander and Ponder, a spiritual mindfulness adventure, gathers a group every other month on a Saturday morning at 9:30 am at inspiring outdoor locations to wander, ponder, and share what nature teaches about God and life. Faith Flicks, on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in Founders Hall, gathers film lovers to watch and discuss contemporary movies from a faith perspective.
Small Groups, Fellowship, and Pickleball
Beyond the larger gatherings, the life of the church pulses through dozens of small groups. United Women in Faith, part of the largest women's organization in the world, holds luncheon meetings on the second Wednesday of January, March, June, September, and November at 10:30 am in Founders Hall, with special events in May and June. Women are also invited to join a Circle: Martha Circle meets on the fourth Wednesday at 9:30 am, Miriam Circle on the fourth Monday at 6:00 pm, and Hannah Circle on the third Tuesday at 5:00 pm. The United Women in Faith Rummage Sale, held over a Friday and Saturday each fall, raises money for missions supporting local and global needs.
The Men's Ministry welcomes all men for fellowship, social events, and service projects on one Saturday each month at 7:30 am. The monthly Men's Breakfast meets at Broken Yolk Cafe in Carlsbad. Walkers and Talkers, a beloved fellowship, gathers every Friday at 7:30 am on the northwest corner of Chesterfield and San Elijo in Cardiff. Walkers cross the highway and head down to the beach or through the campground, depending on the tide. Around 8:30 or 8:45 am, the Talkers join the Walkers at Pipe's Cafe on Liverpool Drive for coffee and conversation. Ladies Who Lunch meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 am at a local restaurant. The Crafters Group gathers on the second Tuesday at 1:00 pm in Rooms 9 and 10 with portable handcrafts such as crochet, knitting, needlepoint, embroidery, applique, coloring, jewelry, and origami. Village Encinitas hosts monthly social gatherings and a Senior Education Series for older adults.
For something more active, San Dieguito operates two pickleball courts on campus, available by reservation for members and their guests, with equipment on hand for newcomers. Scouts Troop 774 also calls the campus home, meeting on Tuesday and other evenings throughout the month.
Caring for the Neighborhood: Meals, Recovery, and Service
Outreach and pastoral care are woven into the weekly rhythm. Fill-A-Belly, a long-running ministry, serves a warm dinner on the patio every Thursday at 6:00 pm for food-insecure neighbors. Volunteers are welcome to drop by any Thursday to see why it is considered such a rewarding experience. Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a separate community group that meets at the church, helps families who feel endangered in the wider community. Share the Table Sunday, held on the first Sunday of each month, collects groceries and personal products for the Community Resource Center. The annual Fill the Truck event supports the Wounded Warrior Foundation, and regular Red Cross Blood Drives are hosted in Founders Hall.
The church is deeply involved in recovery support. AA meetings are held throughout the week in Rooms 9 and 10, including a Women's Meeting and several evening open meetings. An Al-Anon Support Group meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Chapel. PAL, a support group for parents and other family members who have a loved one dealing with a substance use disorder, meets on Mondays at 6:00 pm. Partners in Progress, a support group for couples, meets on Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Chapel.
Pastoral care is offered through a Prayer Team that prays for any request received, including requests to be added to the public prayer list in the church bulletin. Anyone hurting in mind, body, or spirit can contact the church office to arrange a visit or phone call from one of the pastors.
What San Dieguito Believes
San Dieguito's Core Beliefs page opens with a clear invitation: God's grace is open to everyone. The church embraces people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs, including those with questions, those who doubt, and those who live on faith. All are welcome to participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Grace is at the center. Wherever God is present, grace is present, and grace heals, forgives, and transforms people and all creation. The church affirms belief in one God who loves deeply and is revealed in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, offering grace and forgiveness to all and inviting people into a reconciled relationship with God, one another, and all creation.
The Church is understood as the gathered community of faith empowered to follow Jesus' example of love and service. Believers grow in faith by God's grace through worship, prayer, study, and service to those in need. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments provide the basis of faith, read through the lens of church tradition, human reason, and lived experience. And because Jesus healed the sick and brought hope to those on the fringes of society, San Dieguito is committed to working for peace, love, and justice in the community and the world.
A Few Practical Notes for Visitors
The church sits at 170 Calle Magdalena in Encinitas, with a large parking lot that includes a few reserved spaces for first-time visitors near the front. There is no dress code; some people dress up and others come casual. Children are always welcome. The 9:30 am Classic service is offered both in the Sanctuary and online, and the 11:00 am Garden service takes place in Founders Hall. Services are livestreamed on Vimeo and archived, with the weekly Order of Worship available as a downloadable bulletin.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and can be reached at 760-753-6582 or info@encinitaschurch.com. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals are all celebrated here. Weddings are open to all couples, including same-gender unions and guest couples of other faiths.
Giving can be done online as a one-time gift or as recurring electronic giving, or by check made out to San Dieguito United Methodist Church (SDUMC) and placed in the offering plate or mailed to the church office. The Treasurer can be reached at extension 302 for questions about giving, gifts, and endowments.