|
Sacred Resistance signage now available in English, Spanish
In response to the escalation of ICE raids across Southern California, the Sacred Resistance Task Force, an immigration justice ministry of the diocese, has created signs available to congregations throughout the Diocese of Los Angeles. The sign is now available in both English and Spanish. Download in English here. Download in Spanish here.
“Within our a sanctuary diocese, this sign serves as a notice to any agency/agent engaging in immigration enforcement that due process must be followed in and around our church grounds,” said the Rev. Dr. Francisco Garcia, one of the members of the Sacred Resistance Steering Committee. “It is literally an outward and visible sign that we are guided simultaneously by our constitutional rights and by our baptismal covenant – and that both require of us to respect the human dignity of all persons, regardless of citizenship status or any other perceived status of difference.”
More information on the Sacred Resistance Task Force can be found on their website or by contacting diocesan staff liaison the Rev. Canon Susan Russell at srussell@ladiocese.org.
| | |
‘Planning for a Season of Creation’ July 31 webinar to offer theological, liturgical guidance
In the “Planning for a Season of Creation,” a webinar, sponsored by An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice, the Rev. John Elliott Lein will discuss the “Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes” that he and the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas created for lay and clergy worship leaders. The webinar will discuss the theological and liturgical goals of the Season, demonstrate how to expand rites and worship with Creation in mind, and provide room for questions and discussion. The webinar will be hosted July 31, 3:30 - 5 p.m. PST.
The guide can be viewed here. Participants are asked to pre-register. Register for the free webinar here.
| |
OC Forum ‘Immigration, Enforcement and Unrest’ series available
The OC Forum — a non-profit, non-partisan, current affairs organization — has released the first part of its three-part discussion series “Immigration, Enforcement and Unrest.” The discussion features Bishop John Harvey Taylor in addition to a professor at UCI law, a leader of the Orange County Republican Party, politicians, and other experts, bringing together multiple perspectives on recent immigration enforcement actions and protests against these actions, focusing on Southern California.
Watch the discussion here.
| | |
Donations welcomed for local families affected by ICE
Sacred Resistance is organizing donations for families affected by ICE raids, seeking shelf-stable food donations, personal hygiene items, household essentials, and baby products, in addition to financial donations.
In-kind donations may be made at 6125 Carlos Ave, Los Angeles, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Financial donations may be made through St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Hollywood via PayPal or Venmo to @ststephenshollywood.
| | |
Diocese of West Texas requests prayers, donations for flood relief
In the midst of deadly ongoing flooding beginning July 4, the Diocese of West Texas has launched a donation webpage for contributions to support relief efforts. More than 100 have been killed in the floods. Donations also can be made to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. Read the Episcopal News Service story here.
| |
Prospective leaders invited to join Taiwan Bishop Lennon Chang and L.A. Bishop John Harvey Taylor in conversation July 30
If you’re interested in leadership in The Episcopal Church, lay or ordained, and are also curious about Chinese language ministry or service in the Diocese of Taiwan, please join bishops Lennon Chang of Taiwan and John Harvey Taylor of Los Angeles for a conversation and lunch at St. Paul’s Commons on Wednesday, July 30 starting at 9:30 a.m.
“We are a multilingual diocese,” Taylor told The News. “Those who want to be deacons or priests are used to us urging them to develop capacity and eventually fluency in a language other than English spoken in one of our churches. One great choice is Mandarin – and a great way to learn would be a trip to Taiwan, possibly even an internship in one of its wonderful Episcopal missions and parishes.”
This opportunity for Los Angeles discerners to meet with Bishop Chang, and other members of his delegation will take place during their upcoming nine-day visit. Taylor led a delegation to Taiwan last fall.
The meeting and luncheon are free of charge. Those who want to attend and learn more about these possibilities are invited to send an email to the Rev. Norma Guerra at nguerra@ladiocese.org.
Read more
| | |
IRIS merchandise funds immigrant support
Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service (IRIS) has launched merchandise to help fund its work supporting immigrants and refugees, available here. In addition to IRIS branded items, IRIS offers “Know Your Rights” themed merchandise. IRIS also continues to seek donations to the IRIS Emergency Fund, which still serves as the organization's main support, keeping its doors open to immigrants and refugees.
| | |
Bishop Taylor invites all in diocese to join in Shepherd's Cup golf classic Sept. 15
This year's annual Shepherd's Cup golf tournament and dinner will take place Monday, Sept. 15 at Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona. Above, Bishop John Harvey Taylor issues a video invitation for all in the diocese to participate. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit diocesan fire-relief efforts. Registration and more information are available here.
| | |
CLUE to host daily mass and weekly vigil praying for immigrant families
In response to recent Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and detentions, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) is holding daily mass services Monday - Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Placita Olivera. CLUE welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds to the services, and invites attendees to bring signs, prayers, and presence. More information is available on the CLUE “Summer of Resistance” Instagram page, here.
CLUE will also host a weekly prayer vigil for those who have been disappeared by ICE every Tuesday, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., at the Los Angeles Federal Building, 300 N. Los Angeles St. Register here to attend. Find more protests and events on CLUE's Summer of Resistance Instagram page.
| | |
All invited to Guibord Center dinner honoring Bishop Taylor July 17
The 2025 Guibord Center annual celebration dinner themed “We Are the Light” will take place July 17, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will begin with a tour of the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and continuing with a dinner and program. The celebration, which will honor Bishop John Harvey Taylor, recognizing his dedicated interfaith work, will take place at the Huffington Center at the St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 Normandie Ave., Los Angeles.
“When we come together, we create something bright and luminous — a reflection of the Sacred in all its diversity,” The Guibord Center wrote in an invitation “At the Guibord Center, we believe in the power of gathering to open hearts, shift narratives, and build bridges. Our work has never been more urgent, or more full of hope.”
Reservations and further information here.
| | |
Diocese will offer ‘Godly Play’ training Sept. 18-20
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is offering a three-day Godly Play training September 18-20, designed for those who seek to nurture the spiritual lives of children and communities through wonder, play, and sacred storytelling.
Godly Play invites participants to encounter God through story, silence, and creative response, rooted in Montessori principles and the rhythms of the Christian tradition. Whether participants are new to Godly Play or looking to deepen their practice, this training offers the tools and theological grounding to lead sessions with depth, clarity, and joy.
The immersive training experience will be held Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Commons, Echo Park. It is designed for Christian educators, clergy, volunteers, chaplains, school staff, and anyone seeking to nurture the faith of children and communities through imaginative and reverent practices.
The training costs $350, including the sessions with certified trainers, all materials, and lunch and refreshments on Friday and Saturday. Partial scholarships may be available. Please reach out to mmorain@ladiocese.org if cost is a barrier.
Register here.
| | |
Becoming Beloved Community grant applications due August 31
Becoming Beloved Community grants are available for Episcopal Church projects highlighting systemic change, with applications due August 31. The grants are funded by the General Convention budget and are designed to support projects that seek to create sustainable, systemic change in truth-telling; sharing the dream of Beloved Community; practicing healing and reconciliation; and repairing the breach in institutions and society.
More information here.
| | |
Episcopal Dodger Night will be August 29
Episcopal Night at Dodger Stadium will be August 29, for the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks game, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Dodgers have raised ticket prices this year, so the cost will be $42. A drone show will follow the game. Congregations must select a coordinator, who will monitor sign ups, collect ticket fees, and place the order. Please email coordinator name, congregation, and email address to the Rev. Canon Greg Larkin, Episcopal Dodger Night coordinator, at DodgerNight@yahoo.com.
| | |
Episcopal Church offers weekly update calls on immigration policy, peace in Middle East, government policy
Episcopal Church Immigration Updates
Tuesdays, 9 - 9:30 a.m. PT
Join Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Government Relations every Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET for 30-minute updates on U.S. immigration policy and how Episcopal congregations and communities are responding. Spanish interpretation is available. Register here.
Churches for Middle East Peace weekly calls on Holy Land conflict
Thursdays, 7 - 7:30 a.m. PT
Join weekly briefings on the Israel-Hamas war hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which The Episcopal Church is a founding member and active on the board. CMEP mobilizes Christians in the United States to advocate for equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East. Learn more and register.
Episcopal Public Policy Network/Office of Government Relations weekly calls
Thursdays 10 - 10:30 p.m. PT
Join these 30-minute conversations each Thursday with Office of Government Relations staff members, who share an overview of the political environment and legislative outlook, offer advocacy tips, and answer questions. Register here.
| |
Episcopal Church Immigration Action Toolkit
The Episcopal Church has released an Immigration Action Toolkit, offering ways to help as well as resources for individuals, congregations, and dioceses. The toolkit is available here.
| |
TENS 2025-26 stewardship materials now available
The Diocese of Los Angeles has renewed its membership in TENS: the Episcopal Network for Stewardship, which offers stewardship resources, teaching and training opportunities.
The diocese's membership provides access to TENS materials for all its congregations. To log on, visit the website, select "Annual Pledge Campaign" from the navigation bar and “Tell Out My Soul" from the dropdown menu. The password for 2025 is Luke1:46. (Note: the password is case sensitive and there are no spaces. No user name is required.) Materials are available in English and Spanish and in MS Word and PDF versions.
The campaign theme is “Tell out My Soul,” a celebration and proclamation of the Good News. “The Good News that fills our spirits with joy is about the radical abundance, abiding love, and healing power that Jesus shares with us when we respond to his call to follow him. All of the gifts that we have been given are ready to burst forth to serve our neighbors and share our love with a world in need.”
| | |
Selected links from items previously published in the Resource Roundup are below for your reference.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Reserve St. Paul’s Commons retreat, event space
Canon Anilin Collado, retreat center manager, is available to assist with all reservations and pricing schedules; she may be reached by email at retreat@ladiocese.org or phone at 213.482.2040, ext. 250. Full information, including photos and capacity of event spaces, is available online.
The official Episcopal Church LGBTQIA+ Pride logo
Contact: The Rev. Canon Susan Russell, srussell@ladiocese.org
Questions about Safe Church may be sent to safechurch@ladiocese.org. Julie Kelly, at 213-482-2040, ext. 227, can support inquiries about the Praesidium Training Academy and Missy Morain, at 213.905.0181, is the Safe Church officer, and can answer questions about training needs, background check requirements, and reporting.
Checks to the diocese must be made out to “The Protestant Episcopal Church” or “Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.”
Mileage rate: The current IRS mileage rate (as of January 1, 2025) is 70 cents per mile.
| | RESOURCES FROM THE WIDER CHURCH | |
Migration, Refugee, and Immigration resources
American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) supports the vulnerable and displaced in the Holy Land through support of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem’s hospitals, schools, and centers for children with disabilities.
'Beloved Community' resources
Responding to racism, police brutality, and community trauma
General Resources
Episcopal Racial Reconciliation Resources:
Police Reform
Prayers for justice
Scriptures related to justice, lament, and solidarity, to assist with preparing a liturgy, finding direction and encouragement, or calling communities to work for justice:
- Exodus 22:21-23
- Micah 6:8
- Isaiah 58:6-12
- Isaiah 61
- Psalms 10, 13, 89, and 103
- Luke 4:16-21
- Ephesians 6:12-20
- Hebrews 13:1-3
| |
|
CURRICULA
Christian Nationalism study guide
A three-week study guide to The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White, from the Engagement Across Difference Ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Love God, Love God’s World
A nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry. From the Creation Care ministry of The Episcopal Church.
| | |
Listings for clergy employment in the Diocese of Los Angeles are here. (Scroll down the page.)
Listings for lay employment are here.
|
| Resource Roundup, a weekly publication for clergy, wardens, church office staff and lay leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, is emailed on Tuesdays (alternate weeks from mid-June to mid-August). Items for inclusion may be sent to Mostyn Trudinger-Smith, at mtrudinger-smith@ladiocese.org by noon on Mondays. | | | | |
