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Saturday, April 18, 2:00 - 5:00 PM: "Tea & Conversation" SoB venue in the St. Bede's Garden
Saturday, April 25, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: "Karaoke Night" SoB venue in Luther Hall
Saturday, May 2, 6:30 - 9:30 PM: "Seafood of Coastal CA Dinner" SoB venue at the Hornof residence
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Bible and Breakfast
Tuesdays | 9:30 AM
Luther Hall & Zoom
Midweek Eucharist:
Wednesdays | None on 4/22/26; Replaced by Affordable Housing
Community Forum (see below)
Adult Forum: None on 4/22/26
Wednesdays | 8:00 PM
Luther Hall & Zoom
| | | OPENINGS in SISTERS of BEDE VENUES | | |
The Sisters of Bede signature fundraising events are called "venues" - creative gatherings featuring excellent food and enjoyable activities that are open to all, including guests from outside our parish. These venues are hosted by volunteer members of the congregation throughout the year, bringing together our community while raising funds for our charitable giving. Each venue is unique, reflecting the personality and creativity of its host. From themed dinner parties to game nights, cooking classes to wine tastings, our venues foster fellowship in our church community while supporting important causes. The Sisters of Bede venues shown below still have openings.
Click HERE to sign up for any of these venues:
| | ADULT FORUM: FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS | | |
Season of Eastertide
Adult Forum Book Series
April 8-May 27 at 8:00-ish pm
following the 7:00 pm Midweek Service
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For Such a Time as This
For anyone troubled by current political trends and searching for ways to disentangle faith in God from misplaced trust in political systems, For Such a Time as This offers both challenge and comfort. Readers will come away with practical wisdom for navigating our uncertain times, a deeper understanding of Christianity’s resources for resistance, and renewed energy for the urgent tasks that faithful discipleship demands today.
Contact Rev. Jennifer to reserve a copy. Also available at your favorite bookstore, online, and on Kindle.
| | | LEGO for GROWN-UPS 6 - SOB VENUE | | |
It's almost time for . . .
| | There is plenty of room so come join the fun!!! | | |
The 2026 Lego for grownups venue for the Sisters of Bede is just around the corner. See the flyer below for details. Because I need some time to check all the sets that are requested for completeness, we need to start thinking about this now. I’ll be sending out the Excel file on April 15 to everyone currently registered as well as those participating in the past. If you are curious about what’s available and might consider joining us, make sure I have your email by then so I can send you the file.
Even if you decide not to join us, I’d like to issue a general invitation to visit our gallery. Each year, we display sets that my daughter Meg, my grandson Andrew, and I have built throughout the year. It’s always an eclectic collection. While lunch will be served at 1:00 for participants, the gallery will open at 12:30. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by and take a look.
| | VITTLES, COCKTAILS & VINYL II | | Daphne Moote and Akani Fletcher graciously hosted a reprise of the Vittles, Cocktails & Vinyl SoB venue on Sunday, April 12. Guests enjoyed an extensive selection of records, with a focus on jazz and rock & roll. In the bottom right photo, Stephanie Landry is seen browsing through a stack of 45s while Akani prepares luscious cocktails. The evening featured wonderful music, a scrumptious dinner, and engaging conversation. Thank you, Akani and Daphne, for a truly entertaining evening. | | SISTERS of BEDE MEETING with SHARING of BOOKS | | |
On Monday, April 13, Mary Deutsche warmly hosted the Sisters of Bede meeting at her lovely home, adorned with beautiful artwork collected during her travels. The evening began with a tour of Mary’s exquisite garden, featuring a vibrant array of blossoms and her newly planted tomatoes. This visual delight was followed by a delicious meal, including Mary’s flavorful chicken cacciatore made with her home-grown tomatoes, and delightful fellowship. Later, the group gathered in a cozy den to share thoughts on some of their favorite books, creating an captivating and memorable discussion. Special thanks to Mary for her hospitality and to Kathy Russell for curating the wonderful book list.
| | SCENES from ST. BEDE'S HOLY WEEK & EASTER | | Rosemarie Disalvo lights the candles at the Tenebrae service. | | Washing each other's feet at the Maundy Thursday service. Left: Dani Rodriquez washes the feet of Holly Matsurra. Middle: Holly washes the feet of Daron Matsurra. Right: Deb Giordano washes the feet of Rev. Jennifer. | | Left: Rev. Akani Fletcher gives the sermon at the Good Friday service. Right: "It is finished" - John 19:30. | | For the Easter Vigil a beautiful floral arrangement created by Rev. Jennifer adorns the gradine shelf on the Gospel side of the altar. | | As the Easter Vigil begins Rev. Jennifer lights the fire that symbolizes Christ's resurrection shattering the darkness of sin and death. | | Rev. Jennifer lights the Paschal Candle from the fire. | | Rev. Daniel Tamm delivers the sermon at the Easter Vigil. | | Children enjoy the St. Bede's Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday morning. Photos: Rosemarie Disalvo | | Rev. Jennifer declares "Alleluia. Christ is risen" at the beginning of the Easter Sunday service. | | At the Easter Sunday service, the St. Bede's choir is accompanied by stringed instruments to create joyful, triumphant music to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. | | Left: Colorful hydrangeas enhance the beauty of the altar. Right: Another floral masterpiece by Rev. Jennifer adds a festive elegance to the Credence table holding the bread and the wine before they are consecrated. | | Beloved people of God join together in festive jubilation at the Sisters of Bede Annual Brunch. All brunch photos: Jessica Mariglio | | |
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to creating a meaningful Easter experience for all of us! From the reflective, somber services of Tenebrae, Stations of the Cross, and Good Friday to the joyous Easter celebration, it was truly special. The vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, and warm fellowship made this year’s Annual Easter Brunch a resounding success. Penny Jennings, treasurer for the Sisters of Bede, shared that ticket sales for the brunch raised an impressive $1,045—almost double the $526 raised in 2019, one of our best years before the pandemic. What an amazing achievement!
| | A POIGNANT, PERSONAL STORY of BAPTISM | | The Baptism of Jenna Elesa Alvada Maughan | | Jenna is full of joy at the conclusion of her Easter Vigil baptismal ceremony. | | |
By Jenna Maughan
My journey to baptism started long before I walked through the doors of St. Bede’s. I grew up in a non-denominational Christian household. My family’s church attendance stopped when my mom and dad separated and when my mom came out as a lesbian. Almost overnight, we lost the entire community my parents had built. I knew early on that many church congregations would only accept me as long as I hid who I was. Throughout college, I would attend services here and there with friends, but I always felt like I would never be accepted as my full self.
When my mom was diagnosed with terminal intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, I began making decisions that were excruciatingly hard. I cared for my mom through her cancer battle for 3.5 years. I saw how death isn’t one moment, but something that happens progressively over time. I watched my mom lose her ability to think, speak, and eat. The person who cared for me most in this world slowly fading away. During the last month of her life, I really began to pray and trust in faith. I remember the moment I asked God to take her into His arms. The next day, she passed away as I listened to her final heartbeat through the stethoscope she had bought me for medical school. One of the greatest gifts of my life was being able to shepherd my mom into death in a way that felt safe and dignified.
| | Left: Rev. Jennifer baptizes Jenna "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Right: Jenna displays a big smile as Rev. Jennifer wipes her face and pronounces her as "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever." | | |
After her death, I struggled daily with depression, insomnia, and binge eating. It got to a point where, once again, I asked God for help. I challenged myself to put even a fraction of the effort I gave to my mom’s care into caring for myself for the same length of time as her battle. After about two years, I lost 130 pounds. I found my smile again and started to feel like life was actually good again. I started leaving my house more and spending time with friends. Laughter didn’t feel like an assault on my grief anymore; it started to feel like healing.
Those friends eventually convinced me to start dating, which led me to meeting my beautiful girlfriend, Catherine, who adds so much happiness and joy to my life. She asked if I would go with her to important church services. What she didn’t know was that I was already playing with the idea of finding a church. So I said, “What if I go to more than just twice a year?”
That’s when I walked through St. Bede’s doors. I was amazed by the culture and the inclusive atmosphere. I felt immediately accepted and knew I didn’t have to hide who I was. After months of attending St. Bede’s services, I realized this was where I wanted to continue my journey, and I decided to be baptized at St. Bede’s.
For the first time, I feel like I have found a church where I can fully be myself while growing in my relationship with God. I am deeply grateful to this community for showing me that church can be exactly like my faith: open, trusting, and a true reflection of who I am.
| | Jenna reaches up to the Paschal Candle to light her personal Baptismal Candle. | | | | |
The Sisters of Bede book cart is an excellent resource not only for our congregation but for the groups that use our facilities. In exchange for books, the reader leaves a free-will offering. The money collected is added to the funds donated by the Sisters to the NYA.
Each month, Melora Sundt and I add a bunch of “new” books to the cart and weed out books that have been on the cart for several months. Melora takes the “weeded” books to support a similar program at the YMCA.
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We depend on donations of your unneeded books to stock our carts. Several years ago we had lots of inventory to fill the carts each month, but we are running low at this point. We especially need: mysteries (our most popular), general fiction (including romance), and general nonfiction.
If your Spring cleaning efforts include making some room on your bookshelves, nightstand, or beside your favorite chair by reducing the number of books, please consider bringing them to church. You can leave them next to the book carts in the parish hall and I’ll make sure they are put away.
Thank you for your continued support of the Sisters of Bede book cart.
Kathy Russell
| | A VERY SUCCESSFUL CLOTHING DRIVE | | |
Our joint clothing drive with Ahavat Torah was a HUGE success! We must have collected 20-25 bags of clothing, including items for men and women (shirts! pants! jackets! dresses! shoes!) and children. Many of them were brand new.
On Palm Sunday, several parishioners helped label, sort and organize the items in preparation for delivery. A big thanks to everyone who assisted!
On Wednesday, April 1, we delivered some of the clothing items to the six families--introduced to us by Sacred Resistance-- that are sheltering in place.
On Thursday, April 2, members of the Mission Committee delivered several bags of men’s clothing to The People Concern facility at Olympic and Fifth in Santa Monica. They were very grateful. (Men, we were told, don't buy as many clothing items as women, which means fewer pieces are donated.)
In the next week, we will be delivering the other items as well, to the Sojourn Women's Shelter and other facilities. What a joy to work with so many people from both congregations!
| | SUPPORT SACRED RESISTANCE | | |
St. Bede's has partnered a task force of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, called Sacred Resistance, that assists immigrant families who are sheltering in place. The Mission committee has been assisting in the delivery of household goods, groceries and clothing.
There are two ways you can help:
1. Local Family Support We are currently supporting local families who need the following items:
ART SUPPLIES: Sketch pads, markers, construction paper, children's scissors, pipe cleaners, crayons, gel crayons, air dry modeling clay, stamps, stickers
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Notebooks, loose paper, notepads, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, rulers, pencil sharpeners, erasers, highlighters, pencil/pen bags, glue sticks, Sharpies
HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry soap, hand soap (soft soap), liquid baby bath soap, diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6), bleach, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, oatmeal, pasta
CLOTHING: Men's sizes L/XL, women's sizes M/L, children ages 4-10. Coats, sweatshirts, shirts, pants, and socks (new or gently used) are all welcome.
How to give:
2. Broader Community Distribution
Sacred Resistance is also collecting dry goods and household items for distribution to families throughout Los Angeles County. View their wishlist here: https://www.myregistry.com/organization/sacred-resistance-los-angeles-ca/5220494
You may also drop off items directly at Sacred Resistance headquarters in Hollywood:
- Monday–Tuesday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Thursday–Friday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Address: 6125 Carlos Ave, Los Angeles CA 90028
Monetary donations can be made here: Venmo: @ststephenshollywood Paypal: https://bit.ly/sacred-resistance
Your generosity helps families in our community during a vulnerable time. Thank you for your support.
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Dear friends,
Many of you have shown concern about new immigration policies and how they will impact this vulnerable population among us here in Los Angeles. Below is information about how you can get involved through CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice), an organization that St. Bede's works with and supports. Join us in preparation for this essential work.
Blessings,
Rev. Jennifer+
At the core of nearly every faith tradition lies the concept of a just, harmonious, and loving society where all souls are valued and everyone can thrive.
It is unconscionable that people fleeing violence in other countries would be deported back to those places, regardless of threats to their safety and security.
Because the Trump Administration is threatening immigrant communities across the country (regardless of documentation status), CLUE is working across Southern California to protect immigrant workers and their families in a variety of important ways.
You can join us in this work or support it with your donations knowing that you are doing your part to protect vulnerable people.
SUPPORT CLUES IMMIGRATION WORK
RAPID RESPONSE NETWORKS
If you see ICE Activity anywhere you go, you can report it to the Rapid Response hotlines in your area.
- Los Angeles: 888-624-4752
- Orange County: 714-881-1558
- San Bernardino/Riverside: 909-361-4588
- Kern County: 661-432-2230
- Central Valley: 559-206-0151
CLUE is working with RRN partners to offer ongoing trainings for faith leaders and community members who want to show up for workers and families being targeted by ICE.
If you want to be trained to be a rapid responder and you live in Orange County, Los Angeles or the Inland Empire, contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org.
CLUE WELCOME NETWORK
CLUE is cultivating its vast network of houses of worship to create a network of congregations that provide respite, and even longer-term shelter, to migrants released into Southern California.
Over 30 congregations are already participating in the CLUE Welcome Network that houses asylum seekers and refugees. We receive referrals from CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) for asylum seekers in need of shelter, from legal service providers that are seeking sponsors for people being released from detention, or direct walk-ins. Some congregations in the network provide temporary shelter or short-term housing, and others support those efforts with gifts of supplies, transportation, etc.
Thank you for standing in intimate solidarity as we seek to build a society where everyone is safe and lives with dignity.
If your congregation is interested in joining the network, offering housing or supplies or services, please contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org.
In faith and solidarity,
Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez
| | A PRAYER for IMMIGRANTS from BISHOP TAYLOR | | PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND | | ST. BEDE'S ONLINE GIVING PORTAL | | |
Visit the St. Bede's website and at the top of every page, look for the "Donate" button. When you click on the "Donate" button, you will be transported to St. Bede's Vanco eGiving and Payment Process Site.
Vanco is an industry leader in online payments. More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, and educational organizations trust Vanco to securely complete transactions every day. Vanco complies with PCI Level 1 standards, the highest security standard in the payment processing industry.
You are invited to set up one-time or recurring gifts using credit, debit, or bank transfer on Vanco's secure payment processing platform. Giving online through the Vanco site saves time and the hassle of remembering to bring your offering. In addition, you decrease the expense incurred by St. Bede’s from handling and processing checks and cash.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL NEWS
A newsletter serving the Diocese of Los Angeles
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Diocesan Council hears plans to welcome bishop-elect with ‘best consecration ever’; financial reports offer ‘nothing but good news’
By Pat McCaughan
Diocesan Council, meeting April 9 online, heard updates on planning “the best consecration ever” for Bishop-elect Antonio José Gallardo Lucena on July 11; the availability of grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 for innovative intergenerational worship; and an invitation for youth to join a June 25-July 8 companion-diocese trip to Taiwan.
Interim treasurer Canon Dan Valdez told Council members he had “nothing but good news to share” about February 2026 financials, and Diocesan Missioner for Disaster Relief and Resilience Grace Wakelee-Lynch reported progress in long-term fire relief efforts to those impacted by the January 2025 wildfires.
The Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change is hosting two events: an April 15, “Faith in Tomorrow: Speaking Out for our Climate Future”, part of L.A. Climate Week in Koreatown, in partnership with Interfaith Power & Light. Register here, and a 5 p.m., April 22 Climate Kitchen meeting via Zoom, Register here.
Canon Christine Budzowski, president of the diocesan Episcopal Church Women, extended an invitation to members of the Order of the Daughters of the King throughout the diocese and Province VIII for a May 2, 2026, online Spring Assembly, “Leaning on God: Benedictine Practices for Troubled Times.” Guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Jane Tomaine, an oblate of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph’s, Minnesota. Tomaine is a retreat leader and author of St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living. Registration is available here.
Eastertide is a time to recall that “everything about our Lord is an invitation to reconciliation and to unity,” said Bishop John Harvey Taylor, who chaired the Council meeting. “We’re being invited, particularly in these times, to think of ways to manifest that, remembering that there is indeed one faith, one baptism, one God and Lord of all.”
READ MORE HERE
| | The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, bishop suffragan of armed forces and federal ministries, speaks April 15 in a webinar about Christian responses to war. | |
Church panelists argue US war in Iran fails tests of both ‘just war’ and pacifist traditions
By David Paulsen
The United States launches a deadly war thousands of miles away in Iran. The “Secretary of War” frames the military attacks as aligned with “the providence of our almighty God.” The president threatens that “a whole civilization will die tonight” to pressure his Iranian adversaries to surrender.
Two Christian theological traditions can help guide faithful responses to such actions and rhetoric by the Trump administration, according to the three panelists in an April 15 webinar convened by The Episcopal Church’s Washington, D.C.-based Office Government Relations. Some theologians use a “just war” framework in analyzing government-sanctioned violence, while others argue for a pacifism rooted in Jesus’ teaching that Christians should love their enemies.
Under either theological approach, the Trump administration’s war on Iran fails the test, the panelists concluded.
“The U.S. war in Iran is unjust. It’s a violation of international law and the rule-based order. It’s an affront to the way of the prince of peace,” Kyle Lambelet, an associate professor of ethics at Virginia Theological Seminary, said in arguing for the doctrine of pacifism in the Zoom webinar.
Lambelet was joined on the panel by the Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, The Episcopal Church’s bishop suffragan of armed forces and federal ministries, and Charles Mathewes, professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. The discussion was introduced by Rebecca Blachly, the church’s chief of public policy and witness, and moderated by Scott MacDougall, the church’s director of theological resources.
The Episcopal military chaplains whose service Ritonia coordinates “are feeling torn right now” as they provide pastoral guidance to military leaders and servicemembers at war. They must grapple with how to respond when military action “violates moral convictions,” such as the deaths of more than 150 Iranians at a school that was destroyed when the U.S. and Israel initially launched their bombing campaign on Feb. 28.
The war with Iran “certainly doesn’t meet the criteria, at least in my opinion, of ‘just war,’” Ritonia said. She advises military chaplains to “sit in the tension of that space” and “let your presence make it easier for truth and mercy to be spoken in the same breath.”
The theology of war has moved to the forefront of contemporary debate since President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance openly criticized Pope Leo XIV over the Roman Catholic pontiff’s calls for peace, as Jesus taught.
READ MORE HERE
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