[Episcopal dioceses of Kansas, West Missouri and California] Bishops Dean E. Wolfe of Kansas, Martin “Marty” Field of West Missouri and Marc Andrus of California have challenged each other to a friendly World Series wager to raise money for local diocesan charities and to share the cultural wealth of their areas with one another.

Wolfe’s diocese is headquartered in Topeka; Field’s office is in Kansas City, Missouri; and Andrus’ is in San Francisco.

If the Kansas City Royals win the World Series, Andrus will make available Ghirardelli chocolate, sourdough bread, Anchor Steam beer and a San Francisco Giants cap to bishops Field and Wolfe. If the Giants win, Wolfe and Field will provide Boulevard Beer, Kansas City barbecue and a Kansas City Royals cap.

The bishop of the losing team will have to pose wearing the winning team’s cap in place of a miter, the bishop’s liturgical headwear. The losing bishop will also make a donation to a charity of the winning diocese’s choice.

The bishops of Kansas, West Missouri and California also are inviting congregations and individuals to be involved in this effort. While the end of the Series will determine which of the bishops “wins,” they are encouraging their members to make donations on behalf of either the Royals or the Giants to Episcopal Relief & Development, the Episcopal Church agency that aids in domestic and overseas disaster relief and works internationally to alleviate poverty, hunger and disease.

Episcopal Relief & Development has created a special page for the World Series, at www.episcopalrelief.org/worldseries2014. Fans can click on their team’s pennant to make a donation in the team’s honor.

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas includes some 11,000 members in 45 congregations, as well as a secondary school and two social service agencies. It covers the eastern 40 percent of the state of Kansas. More information about the Diocese of Kansas can be found at www.episcopal-ks.org.

The Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri serves the western half of Missouri with 48 churches and around 11,000 parishioners. Our churches are located in the urban areas of Springfield, Joplin, St. Joseph, the Kansas City metro area and many small towns and rural areas. The diocese is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. For more information, visit www.diowestmo.org.

The Episcopal Diocese of California serves a diverse community of faith encompassing the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Approximately 27,000 people form 80 congregations in six counties. More information about the Diocese of California can be found at www.diocal.org.