Deans' Note
May 23, 2021
The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? (Acts 2:4-8)
What was the miracle of Pentecost? We might initially be drawn to the way people from various cultures and languages all understood the disciples' words, and the coming of the Holy Spirit as wind and fire is pretty dramatic.
Yet the real and abiding miracle of Pentecost is less about these stunning manifestations, but about the new thing, God was doing. God's dream for humanity, a new creation was beginning to spread throughout the earth in the power of Jesus crucified and risen now let loose in the world through the Holy Spirit. That miracle shows us the way we live out Pentecost in our lives now.
What we may not notice in the Pentecost story is the lack of common understanding between the people who gathered in Jerusalem. Remember the story of the Tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis? Humankind engaged in a prideful collaboration to build a tower to the sky and to decide for themselves how to rule the world. God scatters them and separates them into tribes with disparate languages so they no longer could understand one another.
Pentecost turns that story on its head. God's dream is to unite all the disparate cultures and people of the world so that we can all hear one another and be one family. The problem with the world is that we still can't get over Babel. We can't listen to one another. We can't understand one another and we live in fear, sin, suspicion, and conflict.
The miracle of Pentecost is that God has birthed a new community of love to undermine the curse of Babel, where we each can hear our language spoken, our story told and understood.
It's a really powerful coincidence then that on Pentecost we are also celebrating Asian Pacific American heritage at St. John's. We will listen to languages spoken other than our own. Others will hear their language spoken. Yet beyond the mother tongues of some of our siblings in Christ, we will listen together to hear one another. St. John's is a place where we seek to be Pentecost people, by valuing the voices and the stories we each bring. This is truly prophetic work in our nation now.
We hear the stories of Asian Americans experiencing racist attacks verbally and in some cases physically. We as Pentecost people must confront the sin of fragmentation and tell a different story. We are a new creation in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We share the common water of Baptism. We share the same feast at our Father's table. The same breath of the Holy Spirit enlivens us. That identity makes a difference as we go out into the world.
May the miracle of Pentecost empower us to dream God's dream, to proclaim in word and deed this vision glorious. In the language of our Prayer Book we pray:
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart and especially the hearts of the
people of this land, 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.
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Together we can create an inclusive, equitable, and just society where all API LGBTQ people will thrive.
Bystander Intervention to stop anti-Asian American, Pacific Islander, and xenophobic harassment. Hollaback! is a global, people-powered movement to end harassment — in all its forms.
The Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) is a coalition of community-based organizations that advocates for the rights and needs of the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Community in the greater Los Angeles area, with a particular focus on low income, immigrant, refugee and other disadvantaged sectors of the population.
Faith And Community Empowerment (FACE} works to shed light on injustice and inequity that exists in our society. FACE creates impact by leading the charge on social justice issues as well as working with faith, community, and government partners on programs, initiatives, and movements to be a voice, hands, and feet of change in the community.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) advances social justice by engaging Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities through culturally relevant advocacy, research, and leadership development.
Satrang serves the South Asian LGBTQ community by promoting awareness, acceptance, and empowerment through social, educational, and advocacy-related events. We envision an inclusive and visible community in which South Asian LGBTQ-identified people feel whole and heard.
Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT} has held a distinctive record of providing high-quality programming through its vision – to advocate, educate, and achieve optimal health and well-being for vulnerable communities.
Organization of Chinese Americans - Greater LA (OCA-Greater LA) is a chapter of a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political & economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.
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Indoor Worship
Sundays at 9am
In-Person & Facebook Live
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All vaccinated people are welcome to attend indoor worship. Please make a reservation if you plan to attend. Seating is limited and socially distant. Also, masks are required.
We ask that you get vaccinated against covid-19 before you attend public in-person worship.
If you are not vaccinated we invite you to watch our service online at 9 am via Facebook Live. |
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Christian Education
In-person & Online
Sunday, May 30, 2021, at 10:30 am
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Join us for Chrisitan Education in-person or online. Our next session is on May 30, 2021, at 10:30 am. |
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Writing and the Pandemic
An Invitation from St John’s Cathedral
Saturday, June 5, 2021
10 am - 12:30 pm
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It has been over a year since we encountered the COVID-19 pandemic. We have sheltered in place, masked up, remained at home, worked, and prayed from home. We have heard cries for justice and have marched and have grieved for those we have lost. Many of us learned to zoom for worship, for work, for school, and for almost everything. Our worlds became quieter and slower and for many of us, solitude was a part of our everyday life. As we prepare for a post-pandemic world, with the City of Los Angeles reopening and as we prepare for changes we wish for and worry about. The Writers Group of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral invites you to a quiet morning of writing and reflection.
On Saturday, June 5th the group will host a socially distanced retreat to pray, write, and discuss the effects of the past year. The gathering will be indoors. A temperature check and mask are required.
If you are fully vaccinated and wearing a mask, you are invited to join us:
When: Saturday, June 5, 2021
10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Where: St John’s Episcopal Cathedral
514 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
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Adult Vacation Bible School Summer 2021
The Man, God Exalted: Reading David in II Samuel
June 13 - July 25 (In-person & Onlne via Zoom)
Sundays at 10:30 am
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David is one of the most complex and enigmatic figures in the whole Bible. He emerges from obscurity to become the leader the Old Testament looks to as the inspiration for the Psalms, the greatest king of Israel, and the New Testament claims as the ancestor of Jesus. Yet this favorite of God, is also a murderer, adulterer, and power-hungry warrior. Join us this summer as we explore this story of intrigue, betrayal, passion, pathos, tragedy, and grace.
Over several Sundays at 10:30 am, we will read Second Samuel, focusing on key scenes, prose, and poetry that have intrigued artists, writers, musicians, and religious thinkers across the generations. What light can history and archeology shed on what we know about David? Readings from this biblical book are part of our lectionary this summer, and our preachers will be invited to engage these texts during the Sunday sermons. We will also be joined by guest presenters to be announced. This class will be conducted in a hybrid format, both in-person and live over Zoom (June 13- July 25).
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Vaccination Clinic
May 22, 2021
11 am - 1 pm
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We welcome everyone age 12 and over to get their COVID-19 vaccine at St. John's Cathedral garden tent.
No appointment is necessary.
There are no barriers to vaccination. For more information or for assistance with transportation email us to:
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2021 Neighborhood Council Elections Area 3
Empowerment Congress North Area
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The Area 3 Rep seat is highly contested: 4 candidates for 2 seats.
Who can vote:
Anyone who works at USC or attends USC, or who lives or owns property in Area 3, attends Church at St. John’s Cathedral or is a stakeholder at a non-profit located in area 3 is eligible to vote. (But must request a ballot.)
How can you vote:
First, you must request a ballot (either by US mail or online by email) by May 18, then receive a ballot and vote by mail by May 25 (postmarked).
Click here to download an application to request a ballot.
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Anyone over 12 and over is eligible to receive the vaccine.
The Covid-19 vaccine clinic at Kedren Hospital does not require appointments for anyone who is eligible but there is a special senior line.
Also, Kaiser Permanente allows persons 75 and over, outside their plan to get vaccinated by calling 1-833-KP4CARE (1-833-574-2273).
Seniors who need to access other options can receive internet support, please contact Fr. Dan for more information.
Meet the Doctor Who Turned His LA Clinic
Into a COVID Vaccine Hub
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We might be socially distancing, but that doesn't mean we can't connect with our community. Follow us on social media for announcements, services, special content, live discussions, and prayers.
Like us, tag us, share us with friends & family.
@stjohnsla #StJohnsLA
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Online Live Services
Services will continue to be streamed live on Facebook.
Holy Eucharist (Sunday Mass)
Sundays at 9:00 am
Christian Education
Sundays at 10:30 am
Evening Prayer
Tuesdays & Thursday at 6:30pm
Compline
2nd Sunday at 8:00 pm
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Online Giving
Giving is still important to the operation of the church in these interesting times.
Checks made out to "St. John's Church" may be mailed to Clergy House; reply to this email for the address.
You can also text STJOHNSLA to 44321 for a text-to-give option!
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