April 9, 2026 | VOLUME 38, ISSUE 15

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Second Sunday of Easter

April 12, 2026

SCRIPTURE READINGS



Acts 2:14a,22-32

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Psalm 16

Preacher: The Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Sunday, April 12, 5:30 PM: "Vittles, Cocktails, & Vinyl II" SoB venue at Moote/Fletcher residence

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

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist:

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Chapel in the Sanctuary

Adult Forum: Season of Eastertide

Wednesdays | 8:00 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

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

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.

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 PERSONAL, POIGNANT 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.

CALLING ALL BOOKS!

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.

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:

• Shop online via their wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2X5NPRY7OJZR8?ref_=wl_share
• Drop off donations in the collection bins at St. Bede's
• Contribute financially—checks payable to St. Bede's with "fall clothing/assistance drive" in the memo, or cash



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.

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.

Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change visits South Coast AQMD, explores partnerships for clean air and public health

By Rodell Jefferson III 

Members of the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change visited the Diamond Bar offices of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) on March 24 to learn more about the agency’s work and explore ways the Diocese of Los Angeles might support clean air efforts across Southern California.

Bishop John Harvey Taylor said the invitation emerged from a recent conversation with South Coast AQMD Governing Board Chair Michael Cacciotti during an adult education forum at Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish in South Pasadena, where Cacciotti worships. He is also a member of the South Pasadena City Council.

“Michael and I got to know one another talking about our respective churches’ positions on global warming,” Taylor said, adding that Cacciotti extended the invitation at the South Pasadena forum. Taylor was unable to attend the tour because of a scheduling conflict with the spring House of Bishops meeting.

“My SCAQMD colleagues and I were inspired by the policies adopted by The Episcopal Church to address air pollution, the climate crisis and the efforts of you and your colleagues to advocate for environmental stewardship of our precious, limited natural resources on Mother Earth,” Cacciotti told Taylor. “We look forward to collaborating with you and your colleagues in the near future to share our resources and talents in this effort.

READ MORE HERE

St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City, Maryland, opened its doors on March 31 as an overnight shelter for unhoused people. Photo: Courtesy of Jill Williams

Easton diocese’s church becomes overnight shelter to keep unhoused people from facing jail time

By Shireen Korkzan

An Episcopal parish in Ocean City, Maryland, is facing a potential new legal clash with city officials after it last week began allowing unhoused people to sleep inside the church.



St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, which is part of the Diocese of Easton, faced an April 1 deadline to stop allowing unhoused people to sleep in church-provided tents on its property, or face fines up to $5,000 daily.

The small encampment was set up last fall in response to Ocean City and the surrounding Worcester County adopting ordinances in May 2025, making it illegal – punishable by jail time – for people to sleep in public spaces. In February, City Manager Terence McGean told Williams that the tents needed to be gone by March 23. The deadline was pushed to April 1, the first day a fine would have been issued.

After raising money to hire staff and cover other expenses needed to operate as a shelter, St. Paul’s By-the-Sea opened its doors on March 31, beating the city’s deadline. The new ministry, “The Shelter by the Sea,” will operate nightly and year-round from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Eastern. Additionally, the church will help overnight guests access other resources, such as substance abuse programs and affordable housing assistance. The shelter, which is mostly funded by the congregation for now, initially housed 12 people. As of April 7, one week after opening, 21 people are expected to sleep there.

The Rev. Jill Williams, rector of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea, told Episcopal News Service that guests have said they are grateful for the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep.



“Every night at 7 o’clock, people are excitedly lined up outside and ready to enter the church for the night,” she said.

READ MORE HERE

On April 1, the following message accompanied this post on Facebook: "Please join with members of our St. Thomas family, some of whom are at Kennedy Space Center right now, who have been working, supporting, and praying for the Artemis II Mission and who are now patiently awaiting a safe launch today!"

NASA’s Artemis II mission holds special meaning for Alabama ‘rocket science’ Episcopalians

By Shireen Korkzan

NASA’s successful April 1 launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972, drew more than 18 million viewers and nearly 400,000 spectators to Florida’s Atlantic coastline, aka the Space Coast.

Several parishioners of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Huntsville, Alabama, home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, were among thousands of engineers, technicians and chemists who contributed to the preparation and launch of Artemis II, and witnessed the launch in person at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.

“This launch was beautiful. …I’ve been to many space launches, but Artemis II was unique because it’s a very, very large vehicle, and it’s manned by four astronauts,” Jill Eskew, program manager for Space Launch System boosters at Northrup Grumman and a member of St. Thomas’ altar guild, told Episcopal News Service. “Every time there’s a launch, I look forward to seeing what we’re going to learn from all the data collected.”

Eskew, a chemist who serves on board of the National Space Club – Huntsville, which offers youth rocketry and astronautic education programming, is one of several parishioners affectionately referred to as a “rocket scientist” by the Rev. Donovan Cain, St. Thomas’ rector, and the Rev. Katie Kirk-Costas, curate and associate rector, because they’ve worked for NASA or various private contractors in the aerospace industry.

“St. Thomas is like a lot of churches, with a wonderful family of Christians from all walks of life,” Cain told ENS. “It’s just that here in Huntsville, the ‘Rocket City,’ we also have dedicated parishioners whose career really is ‘rocket science.’”

Ahead of Artemis II’s launch day, St. Thomas offered a prayer on Facebook for the astronauts’ safety and a successful mission using a modified prayer from the 1964 Collectio Rituum, a Catholic liturgical book.

READ MORE HERE

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