Dec. 18, 2025 | VOLUME 37, ISSUE 51

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2025

Preacher: The Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Thursdays in Advent, 3:30 - 4:30 PM:

Contemplative Prayer in the Chapel

Thursday, December 18, 7:00 PM: Longest Night Eucharist & Healing Service in Chapel

Sunday, December 21, after both services: Sanctuary Tree Trimming, Greening of the Church, Setting up for Christmas Eve services

Wednesday, December 24,4:30 PM: Christmas Eve Family Eucharist & Pageant with Thad's;

10:30 PM: Christmas Eve Candlelit Mass with Festive Music

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist: Christmas Eve

Wednesdays | 4:30 PM & 10:30 PM

Sanctuary

Adult Forum: None

Wednesdays | 8:00 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE: TONIGHT at 7:00 PM

On Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 pm, we will hold a Longest Night service of prayer, song, and meditation for those who find the holidays difficult. Our hope is that this worship service will create a safe and sacred space for anyone struggling to feel the joy and light of this Advent and Christmas season. We remember that we worship a God who is with us, even in the darkest of times.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: 3:30 PM TODAY

Contemplative Prayer at St. Bede’s! Starting Thursdays in Advent

A Practice of Stillness and Presence

By Deb Kaufman Giordano

Come and experience Contemplative Prayer in Advent starting on Thursdays. We’ll be gathering from 3:30PM-4:30PM in the chapel. The dates are:

• Thurs., Dec 4

• Thurs Dec 11

• Thurs Dec 18

We’re offering this weekly practice in Advent, because Advent invites us to wait in patience — to slow down, pause and prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. Contemplative Prayer, an ancient monastic practice, becomes an Advent practice of patient waiting: time set apart to rest, wait, and listen for God in the stillness.

Our time together includes:

• We begin at 3:30PM with a silent walking meditation in the sanctuary and in the garden, to

help shed the energy of a busy day (five minutes)

• We gather in the chapel and open with a short prayer of thanksgiving for our time

together in God’s presence

• We listen to a short reading/reflection on Advent.

• We declare our intentions for the silent meditation by the Facilitator praying this Opening Prayer: ”Ever present God, we thank you for this gift of time. We sit before you in gratitude and in silence: making no petition, seeking no intervention, remaining content simply to be still in your holy presence. Amen.

• We sit together for a 20-minute meditation beginning with Psalm 46:10 —

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Each phrase gently repeated, dropping one word at a

time, until we rest in simple stillness: Be.)

• The 20-minute sit starts and ends with three chimes of a bell; and concludes with the

Lord’s Prayer

• We share in a Lectio Divina which involves three readings of a brief portion of scripture

appointed for the day. During the first reading we will notice any word or phrase that calls to us. During the second reading, we will reflect on what that word or phrase means. During the final reading we will reflect on what that word or phrase might be calling us to do in the days/weeks ahead.

• We adjourn at 4:30PM with a closing prayer.

For questions, feel free to email Deb Kaufman Giordano at: debspirituality777@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Wednesday, December 24, 4:30 pm: Christmas Eve Family Eucharist & Pageant with Thad's

Wednesday, December 24, 10:30 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelit Mass with Festive Music

SISTERS of BEDE CHRISTMAS PARTY: Recap

By Susan Holder

This year’s Sisters of Bede (SoB) Christmas party was truly spectacular. From the moment I entered, I was captivated by the ambiance—the lighting, décor, music, and festive scents made the parish hall feel like an elegant holiday restaurant. Being warmly welcomed by the joyful faces of my dear friends felt like a little piece of heaven.

SoB president Daphne Moote, with the help of Melora Sundt, orchestrated the event beautifully. Melora’s vintage Christmas tablecloths, colorful quilted table runners, lantern-lit tables, and a festive tabletop Christmas tree on the gift table set the mood, creating a magical atmosphere. Daphne’s selection of Christmas music added to the jubilant celebration.

The evening began with appetizers, drinks, and a fun “Guess the Christmas Song” game, where players identified the song title written on a sticker on their back. The serving table featured a Lego church built by Kathy Russell (see article below) and an incredible spread of holiday dishes: five different salads, stuffed mushrooms, scalloped potatoes, grilled vegetables, Christmas lasagna, Honey baked ham, roast pork loin, and options for gluten-free and vegan diets. Drinks included wines, champagne, Italian sodas, lemonade, and hot spiced cider, while desserts were indulgent and delicious.

The evening continued with a lively Christmas gift exchange, filled with laughter and joy. Melora generously brought several of her gorgeous handmade quilts, inviting the sisters to take one and donate to the church in her name—a thoughtful gesture that added to the Christmas spirit. Thank you, sisters, for making this year’s party lavish, joyful and memorable!

All photos: Liz Mohler, Daphne Moote and Susan Holder

A CHURCH MADE of LEGOS

By Kathy Russell

This is St. Bart’s Church, built from Lego. I built it this Fall and brought it to the Sisters of Bede Christmas Party. It got a lot of interest, and I thought I’d share it with the rest of the parish. This is the story of St. Bart’s Church.

One of the most anticipated Lego events each year is the release of the Winter Village set. Since the first set released in 2009, annual speculation and rumors abound. The series has included a bakery, toy shop, fire station, shops, and trains. On the less “realistic” side, there has been Santa’s workshop, a clubhouse for his elves, and a gingerbread house.

Avid Lego hobbyists snap these sets up, not only because they are usually lots of fun, but to add to their own Winter Village. A search on the Web retrieves images of Winter Villages taking up whole rooms or replacing the cars in the garage.

At my house, we only have a very small space to set up our Winter Village. Although I own many of the sets, there is no way they will fit in the space we have. As a result, my daughter Meg, my grandson Andrew, and I have more of a “winter display” than a Winter Village. It’s pretty eclectic and varies from year to year. This year we have the official gingerbread house, another house, a huge Santa, a ginormous tree that houses Santa’s headquarters, an official Lego set that’s a Star Wars At-At decked out in seasonal finery with a gingerbread Darth Vader, and St. Bart’s Church.

St. Bart’s Church is not an official Lego set. Lego has strict policies against several kinds of subject matter: drugs and alcohol use, violence against people and animals, modern warfare, and religion. They are pretty strict about those things. A few years ago, Lego was about to ship a new set out to stores. It was marketed as a fire-fighting aircraft. When critics pointed out that almost all of these planes were purchased by the military, the shipments were halted and the set cancelled. On the surface, the Notre Dame Cathedral seems to be an exception. However, that set focuses on its architecture, rather than on its religious function.

Since I couldn’t get an official Lego church, I headed to a website called Rebrickable. On this site, Lego fans who have created a set and instructions to build it can offer the instructions to other fans. These creations, referred to as “My own Creation” or “MOCs” do not have the same subject matter restrictions as official Lego sets. Anything goes. The sets can be tiny or massive. The designers can offer them for free or charge a fee, which is usually quite modest. Attendees at the Lego for grownups venues have selected several of these MOCs to build at home or seen built sets in the gallery.

Once you select the MOC you want to build, you have to collect the pieces. To do this, you upload the set’s parts list to a want list on another website called Bricklink. Bricklink is a network of independent “stores” that sell individual parts. The first step is to find as many of the pieces in your own stash. Once you have removed the parts you have from your want list, the biggest challenge is optimizing the best price for the parts while purchasing from as few stores as possible. You place your order, wait for USPS delivery, then get building.

When I searched Rebrickable, I found more than 1000 church sets. Some were huge, requiring more than 20,000 pieces. Others were tiny, using only a couple of hundred. Many had no interior. Some were crudely built or downright ugly. St.Bart’s fit the bill perfectly. Its official title is “Winter Village Old Stone Church.” It was designed by BigBobsBricks and required 1771 pieces, of which I had about 75-80% in my stash. The instructions cost about $10 and the purchased pieces less than $100. That’s about what an official Winter Village set would cost.

These three photos show the inside of the church. If this were St. Bedes, the photo on the left is Rev. Jennifer performing Holy Eucharist, in the middle is Frank at the organ, and on the right are the parishioners in their seats with the choir behind. All photos: Kathy Russell

I had a good time building this set and like how it turned out. There are so many clever touches that bring it alive as a functioning church. The stained glass in the “west” end. The wall hangings with shepherds and camels. The hymn and verses boards. Outside is a Nativity scene with the Holy Family modeled in snow.

I assembled the minifigs in the “congregation” from parts in my collection. The choir and organist were given burgundy and white robes to match St.Bede’s colors. I switched the priest from a man in black vestments to a woman in blue vestments, to match the Advent colors on the table covering.

That’s the story of St. Bart’s Church and how I came to build it out of Lego. I wish you a hopeful Advent season and a very Merry Christmas!

SACRED RESISTANCE: Help Immigrant Families

By Alice Short

In recent months, St. Bede’s has made several connections with Sacred Resistance, a standing task force of the Los Angeles Archdiocese that is assisting immigrant families that are living under the threat of deportation and are sheltering in place.

A few of our parishioners have started to work with a handful of families, delivering some household goods and children’s clothing, and the Mission Committee is also working to assist.

They will need a variety of things on a regular basis, and we can help in a number of ways: The families might request some specific household items, which we can purchase, and they continue to need clothing. The children are hoping for school supplies and art supplies.

We are also collecting money to buy some of these supplies. Checks (with the words “fall clothing/assistance drive”) and cash are welcome!

We will be setting up bins at church for people who purchase those 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

GIFT CARDS : Pizza, grocery stores, Visa gift cards, Target gift cards

HOUSEHOLD GOODS: body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry soap, hand soap–soft soap, liquid baby bath soap, diapers size 4,5,6, bleach, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, oatmeal, pasta

CLOTHING for 4 Families : The men in these families wear sizes large or XL. The women wear sizes medium and large. The children range in age from 4 to 10. We don’t have exact sizes for them, but many clothing items list age ranges as well as sizes. The families would welcome coats, sweatshirts, shirts, pants and socks– new or gently used.

Thank you!

SACRED RESISTANCE ~ Los Angeles

Who We Are

We are people of faith and conscience standing together against injustice. Rooted in our commitment to resist evil and protect the vulnerable, we work to support immigrants, refugees, and all marginalized communities. Sacred Resistance is a social justice ministry and advocacy branch of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles that was formed after Diocesan Convention voted in 2016 to be a Sanctuary Diocese.

What We Believe

We believe that every person deserves dignity, safety and the right to live without fear. When systems of oppression threaten our neighbors, our faith calls us to act. Our baptismal covenant calls us to "persevere" in resisting evil. We understand that as a sacred promise to stand against the systemic forces that oppress and marginalize any member of our human family– including but not limited to racism, sexism, nativism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

We are situated at the intersection of faith and action, recognizing that true sacred practice means protecting the vulnerable and confronting systems that perpetuate harm.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SUPPORT for IMMIGRANTS

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Jessica and her husband Rob head to the food distribution drop off site.

By Jessica Mariglio

During a recent trip to Southern Italy, I found myself intrigued by a tradition tucked into Naples' café culture: il caffè sospeso, the suspended coffee. The practice is simple—you buy an extra coffee and leave it "suspended" for a stranger who can't afford one. Just a small act that leaves a little goodness for the next person who needs it.

Coming back to Los Angeles, I carried with me a desire to continue this tradition of looking out for one another. Having just finished Sara Miles' excellent memoir, Take This Bread, about how distributing food became her path to understanding both hunger and grace, I began thinking about providing nourishment as an expression of solidarity. So when I heard that families in our community were afraid to leave their homes because of the current political climate, I knew I had to get involved.

I started volunteering with CLUE Justice's initiative to feed immigrants sheltering in place. The process is simple—we load cars with fresh vegetables, canned goods, and baby food, then drive to drop-off locations where the provisions can be collected by those in need.

The families served come from Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia—diverse backgrounds united by shared vulnerability. They've stopped attending regular food distribution events not out of choice, but out of fear for their safety.

This work matters because in addition to delivering food, we're sending a message that these families matter and aren't forgotten. When people are too scared to seek help, we can bring help to them. Our own form of sospeso-- one of kindness, if you will.

If you'd like to get involved or learn more, please contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org.

Here is the writeup Telemundo did on CLUE's work. (It's in Spanish):

https://www.telemundo52.com/noticias/local/organizacion-comida-domicilio-inmigrantes-los-angeles/2797060/

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.

FROM THE EPISCOPAL NEWS

A newsletter serving the Diocese of Los Angeles

Diocesan multicultural ministries host gala celebration honoring Bishop John Harvey Taylor, Canon Kathy O’Connor

By Pat McCaughan

Love, laughter, applause, cheers, whistles and joy filled St. John’s Cathedral Dec. 13 as an historic “rainbow” gathering of about 200 Indigenous, Black, Hispanic and Chinese American and LGBTQ+ Episcopalians offered prayers, praise, well-wishes, music, dance and other gifts to celebrate retiring Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O’Connor. Watch video here.

There were also thanksgivings for and pledges to continue Taylor’s legacy of staunch support of the ministries of People of Color throughout the diocese. Taylor, who reaches mandatory retirement age in 2026, is set to turn over leadership of the diocese to Bishop-elect Antonio Gallardo in July.

“Your message of love these past eight years has been incredible, a time of healing in our community in particular,” the Rev. Guy Leemhuis, president of the Los Angeles H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, told Taylor and O’Connor.

“We’re fired up and ready to go,” as a result, he added. Leemhuis noted that diocesan financial support of Black ministries soared from $1,800 annually to $40,000 after Taylor’s July 8, 2017, consecration. The funds were used to upgrade electronic equipment at some historic Black churches, and to build and gather community with ongoing themed celebrations of: Martin Luther King Jr.; the Rev. Absalom Jones, The Episcopal Church’s first Black priest; the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, the first woman ordained a bishop in The Episcopal Church; Juneteenth; and Caribbean People’s Day along with Evensongs and a Lenten series focused on Black Lives Matter, he said.

“We were truly feeling like we were being seen,” Leemhuis told the gathering. “That’s what it’s all about … belonging. To have such support from our bishop, we’re fired up. We have work to do,” he said. “We want to talk about church planting, about what we can do together, the rainbow is bigger tonight than my LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. I’m talking about the big rainbow. We thank you Bishop John and Kathy O’Connor.”

EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE

Erin Lederrey is the first Episcopal and the first trans woman chaplain to serve in the Swiss military. Photo: Courtesy of Erin Lederrey

Swiss military welcomes first Episcopal chaplain into its ranks

By Lynette Wilson

Being a chaplain in the Swiss military comes with challenges. Many are unfamiliar with what a chaplain does, and past church encounters with church people have “spooked” a lot of people, Erin Lederrey told Episcopal News Service.

Lederrey is the first-ever Episcopal chaplain to serve in Europe. She sees her role as more than a good listener. She’s there to provide spiritual care rooted in the Christian faith to soldiers who, in a secular context, may not speak the language of Christianity. It often requires her to talk in terms of universal truths.

Formerly a chaplain sent by the Reformed Church, founded by John Calvin in the 16th century, Lederrey has represented The Episcopal Church since last May through an agreement between the military and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Geneva.

“The Episcopal Church has given me the spiritual practice and foundation that I never had, the community and institutional support that I was missing,” Lederrey told ENS. “By being an affirming church rooted in Christian tradition, this gave me coherence between my faith, my identity and my duty, and the joy to share the wisdom I find in the Christian faith.”

Swiss men ages 18 to 30, in most cases, are required to serve in the Swiss Armed Forces, providing the country security against military attack, countering threats to internal security, supporting communities during natural disasters and providing international peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. Women who choose to serve do so equally alongside men.