April 30, 2026 | VOLUME 38, ISSUE 18

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Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 2026

SCRIPTURE READINGS



Acts 7:55-60

1 Peter 2:2-10

John 14:1-14

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Preacher: The Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Saturday, May 2, 6:30 - 9:30 PM: "Seafood of Coastal CA Dinner" SoB venue at the Hornof residence

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Corona parish expands inter-generational ministry using ‘Immersed in Worship’ resources

By Pat McCaughan

Two-year-old Oliver and other members of St. John’s Church in Corona “walked” a symbolic road to Emmaus during an inter-generational worship service on a recent Sunday morning.

Together, they placed, in the baptismal font, stones representing “what you are carrying in your heart,” according to the Rev. Patricia Stansfield, rector. “Two disciples walked a road, carrying confusion, grief, and hope,” she said. “We walk that same road. We also walk with Jesus, carrying our own hopes and our grief.”

The movement continued, as portions of the gospel (Luke 24:13-29), were read at four stations created throughout the church. At each station, worshippers received a prompt, to assist delving deeper into the well-known gospel lesson about the two disciples who did not recognize Jesus in their midst.

Sticky notes were provided so worshippers could share and post to the church wall, an unfulfilled hope.

“We heard that the disciples had hoped. They had hoped Jesus was the Messiah, and they were disappointed. They couldn’t see the end of the story yet, and so for each of us, that’s a part of the story as well. There are things we hope for that don’t always pan out the way we anticipate,” Stansfield said. “They don’t always turn out on a timeline the way we hoped they would.”

READ MORE HERE

Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally preaches at St. Paul’s Within the Walls Episcopal Church in Rome, Italy, on April 26.

Archbishop of Canterbury preaches at St. Paul’s Within the Walls during 4-day Rome pilgrimage

By Lynette Wilson

[Episcopal News Service – Rome, Italy] In her first homily outside the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally preached on April 26 during a choral Evensong at Rome’s St. Paul’s Within the Walls about what the church is called to be in an increasingly polarized world, a place where hospitality is essential to Christian witness, not simply an option.

The church is called, she said, “to be a place of encounter and dialogue across difference, a place where we do not begin with suspicion, but with a deeper truth – that every person is created in the image and likeness of God.”

READ: Full text of Mullally’s sermon.

“To recognize that image in the other, especially when it is difficult to do so, is at the very heart of Christian hospitality.”

READ MORE HERE

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