Weekly News Update

The First Sunday in Lent

Sunday, February 18, 2024, 8:00 am Said Holy Eucharist: Rite I (in the Lady Chapel)

Sunday, February 18, 2024, 10:00 am Sung Holy Eucharist: Rite II (in the Sanctuary)

In-Person and Live Streamed on YouTube | Service Leaflet

Interim Dean and Priest-in-Charge's Note

St. John’s Cathedral began Black History Month this year on January 14^th with the Feast Day of Martin Luther King Jr. and will end on the last Sunday of February; however, let us celebrate the beauty of diversity in ethnicities and cultures of the people of this land and the world all year – as the body of Christ.

I wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to Canon Earl Mounger for his leadership, and the labor of love given by the Black History Planning Committee, including Bob Bowen, Marci Clare, Velma Ford, Felicia Gaddis, Lurelean Gaines, Gloria Flowers, Deacon Margaret McCauley, Caleb Triche, and Martha Watson among others who contributed their gifts of talents and time.

Let us give special thanks to The Mary Harris Gallery for curating a wonderful exhibit of works by Black artists. The Rev. Canon Warner Traynham, former rector of St. John’s, Tony Concept, Mary Harris, Chris Rocket, Anaya Needleman, Donald White Jr., Staff Campbell, Khaliyfah Al-Aswani, Charro, and Richard McKinley offered artistic representation of the cultural heritage and experiences of the African diaspora.

We also heard God’s word preached by The Rev. Brandon Harris, Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, The Rev. Canon Warner Traynham, and Mr. Andre Henry, an award-winning musician and author. Moreover, our hearts were stirred spiritually and remain full as a result of glorious music performed under the direction of Dr. Christopher Gravis, and with Dr. Zachery Neufeld, both on organ and piano with his jazz trio.

Thank you! May we continue to celebrate God within and beyond this community as we grow in love.

Love and blessings,

Anne+

Upcoming

Food Pantry

TOMORROW, February 17th

8:30 am - 10:30 am

Our Food Pantry distribution is TOMORROW, February 17th. We are committed to supporting our community by providing fresh produce, canned goods, and frozen goods to families in need. The gates will open at 8:30am, and we will continue serving until supplies last. We invite everyone to come and take advantage of this opportunity to access nutritious food for themselves and their families.

Lenten Service of Lament, Hope and Call to Action for Black Lives

TOMORROW, February 17th

3:00 pm

Hosted by the diocesan Program Group on Black Ministries and the H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians. A potluck meal will follow the service of Evensong

RSVP...TODAY!

DATE CHANGE: Bible Study

Have you looked at the Sunday readings and thought you'd like to study them a little more deeply? To talk about them with your fellow parishioners? Well, now you can! Join us for a weekly Bible Study during Lent. Starting Wednesday, February 21, we will meet on Zoom from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Our conversations every Wednesday will be on the readings from the prior Sunday in Lent. If you're interested in meeting with us, please sign up with The Rev. Mel Soriano and the Zoom details will be emailed to you. See you in Bible Study!

Mark Your Calendar for Next Saturday!

Laós Chamber Music is collaborating with St. John's Cathedral to present Maurice Durufle's celebrated Requiem and a new Requiem commission by LA based composer Niall Taro Ferguson. St. John's and Laós is thrilled to be offering this free event to welcome our broader Episcopal community and celebrate the Cathedral as a Diocesan space.

Follow this link to reserve your FREE seat

Inquirer Classes

Sunday Mornings, starting February 25, 9:00 am to 9:45 am

Are you new to the Episcopal Church and want to know more? Or maybe you're a long-time member but just have a few questions. The Inquirer’s Class is a small group setting where participants have an opportunity to explore what the Episcopal Church is all about and to look at their faith in the context of their past experience, what they’ve been taught, and what the church believes and teaches. Participants have an opportunity to ask questions and share responses in an open, warm, and welcoming environment. Please sign up with The Rev. Mel Soriano.

ONE SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY; 9:00am

The congregation joins the Rev. Dr. Eric Law in the Parish Hall for another Brunch and Conversation at 10:30am as we celebrate our past and imagine the future together.

Preparation for Baptism

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. Are you interested in baptism, for yourself or for your children? Our next baptism will be held on Saturday, March 30 during the Easter Vigil. Please contact The Rev. Mel Soriano to prepare yourself and your children for baptism.

A Message from Bob Bowen...

A series of workshops is planned for persons of the Saint John’s community who are interested in the relationship between creativity and religion…primarily at our Cathedral. Depending on the agreed upon specific focus of those persons who come to the first session, we will construct a plan which will include: objectives, frequency of meeting and desired outcomes.

Here is an overview which might be helpful to interested parishioners:

“God is a process at work in the universe, within and among us, that makes for the fulfillment of our human potential.” The author is Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso. We will apply this and other

viewpoints to our creative adventure.

If you are interested, please contact the Cathedral office. I look forward to our initial gathering and beyond.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 5 STAGES OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Confirmation Classes

Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the baptized Christian expresses a mature commitment to Christ and receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Are you interested in the sacrament of confirmation? Our diocesan confirmations will be held on Saturday, May 11. Classes in preparation of confirmation will be held on Sunday mornings from 9 am - 9:45 am starting Sunday, April 14. Please sign up with Rev. Mel Soriano.

Community

Walt Disney Concert Hall Tickets

Thanks to Canon Earl Mounger, we again have a number of tickets (Limit TWO per household on a first come, first served basis) for an Organ Recital at the Walt Disney Concert Hall NEXT SUNDAY February 25th at 7:30 pm featuring Wayne Marshall. His recitals have garnered the attention of millions of fans worldwide and online. He showcases his exceptionally varied repertoire in this dynamic program. Please see Heyden Morales (one of our Sextons) after the service this Sunday to pick up a ticket - and be sure to send your thanks to Earl Mounger!

A Visit from the City Clerk

THIS SUNDAY, February 18, 2024 after both services

The Office of the City Clerk will be tabling on Sunday before and after the services to assist us with preparing for the upcoming elections. They want to help ensure everyone who is eligible to vote is registered, everyone’s registration is up to date, and everyone receives the vote-by-mail ballot they wish to vote with including cross-over and party ballots. Attached below is the Primary Nominating Election postcard that includes important information and dates. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to come speak to them!

LEARN MORE HERE

Seeds of Hope seeks funds to replace stolen forklift

The forklift belonging to Seeds of Hope, the Diocese of Los Angeles' food justice ministry, was stolen the night of Feb. 11, according to a Feb. 13 Facebook post from the agency. Staff members discovering the loss also found a broken lock and bent steel gate at their rented distribution center in Hollywood.

"This is a key piece of equipment for us as we load and unload heavy pallets in the process of distributing over 60,000 pounds of free, fresh, healthy produce each week," the staff wrote on Facebook. "But we are not going to let this loss disrupt our efforts!"

Seeds of Hope will rent a forklift while awaiting insurance funds for a replacement, and is seeking donations to help cover the rental cost of about $2,500 for a month.

To contribute, click here.

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