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Dean's Note | June 11, 2023
Dear Friends in Christ,
Word is trickling out the St. John’s principal service on Sunday will be at 8am! Please join us. Wake early, roll out of bed, don’t shower, come in comfortable clothes, sing, pray, and celebrate the love of God. By simply joining us at 8am, you will express your love for all of God’s people. If you would like to walk with us/ or ride in the LA Pride, we will leave after the service and YOU will get a free St. John’s t-shirt and have lots of fun.
I will say that the parade is not for everyone, even if you love us and our LGBTQIA siblings. Truth be told, for years I struggled with the free expression and sassiness of the LGBTQ community, especially if you wished to quiet or closet our full expression of life and love. Since then, I have come to appreciate the strength and courage it takes to be your true, authentic self, created in the image of God. This does not mean I am fully comfortable with it all; but, at this moment in history, I stand boldly with my LGBTQIA sibs for equal human rights, respect, and love.
I know, there is nothing like a last-minute change when attending church at your regular time is comforting. When it was not clear how to support the Episcopal Diocese of LA’s participation in LA Pride and carry on with church, I decided to give all of you the power to make this decision. I am grateful to everyone who voted. Of those who acted, 83% voted to combine services. While it is true that the vast majority did not vote, if one does not act on one’s beliefs, it doesn’t count or matter. We are called to live our faith with love, and you matter greatly.
I am pleased that parishioners also spoke up about their care and willingness to participate in the process to call your next Dean. Thank you! Your voices, cares and concerns, dreams and visions matter greatly when it comes to the future of St. John’s and discerning together how God is calling us. I am honored to journey with you. The future of St. John’s is very bright and full of possibilities. In the meantime, there is love to share in this world of ours, and I hope you will join us on Sunday. Please sign up TODAY, if you wish to walk with us in the parade.
There will also be a simple spoken service at 10am (similar to the 8am service most Sundays) with Fr. James Lee Walker, who will celebrate his 50th year of ordained ministry.
Much love and blessings,
Anne Sawyer
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Message from Dr. Lo Sprague
Dear St. John’s Family,
While many of us struggle to grasp what it means to be transgendered, the truth remains that our children and their parents, the people who love them more than anything in the world, are under attack.
It is okay to be confused by this issue and even repelled by it. It’s disorienting to learn that someone doesn’t feel like they’re in the right body - How painful for everyone! - but we must respect that the prayerful private decisions and the medical care needed to heal these discrepancies belong to the kids and their families. We know where Jesus would stand - right beside these kids and their families.
Please stand for trans-kids and their families by joining us at the Gay Pride Parade this Sunday. If you can come please register by noon on Friday for security reason.
Sign up here! If you can’t join us, please wrap us in your prayers.
Thank you!
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Requiescat in pace
With great sadness, we announced that Valeria McCray died last Monday, June 5, 2023, at 101 years of age. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to her children and family. Mrs McCray was a beloved, faithful member of St. John's Cathedral LA for a lifetime. May she rise in glory, and rest with God forevermore. More information about her service will follow.
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Second Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, June 11, 2023
In observation of the LA PRIDE parade, we will be adjusting our service times for the week. Our regular Choral Mass, which is typically held at 10am, will be moved to 8am. Similarly, our Said Mass, typically held at 8am, will be moved to 10am. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that our parishioners can still attend the services. Please note that the 10am Said Mass will be in-person only. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this temporary time change.
Livestream available via Facebook and YouTube | Service Leaflet
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Photo: First Diocesan Juneteenth Service, 2022 | |
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Juneteenth Service
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Diocese of Los Angeles will present its second annual Juneteenth celebration at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 here at St. John’s Cathedral. The Rev. Stacey Forte Dupré will the the preacher for the service, which is sponsored by the Program Group on Black Ministry and the H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians. The Adrian Dunn Singers will perform spirituals and gospel music and the Rev. Lester McKenzie, a native of South Africa and rector of St. Mary's Church, Laguna Beach, will provide African drumming and song.
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Vestry On-Call
Heather Ward
Vestry members are partners with clergy, encouraging the growth of community and the establishment of common ground in the spiritual life of the congregation. Parishioners are always welcome to speak with these individuals on Sunday morning; they assist in making sure our questions, comments, or concerns are heard.
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LA Pride Parade
Sunday June 11, 2023 at 11:00 am
Former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will join members of the Diocese of Los Angeles to march in the historic L.A. Pride Parade in Hollywood on Sunday, June 11, beginning at 11:00 am.
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Street Closure Taking Place on Sunday, June 18 for CicLAvia—South LA
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In case you're not familiar, CicLAvia is a non-profit organization that partners with the City of LA to produce car free days, transforming the streets into public parks for the day. The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public. Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell's office will also be partnering with us to bring their 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair to this event!
On that day, 6.2 miles of streets (including portions of Vermont Ave and Century Blvd) will be closed to cars from 7am to 6pm. During this time, motorized vehicles will not be able to access the route. 8 major intersections will be open for cars to cross the route. Parking will not be allowed on the route starting at 1am that day.
Though the church is not directly on the route, please note that there may be additional traffic congestion during the event hours, and you may need to take a different route to church that day. Please plan accordingly and allow additional time to drive.
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Love Letter LA: LGBTQ Mixer
Celebration and Mixer for LA's LGBTQ + Professionals, Artists, Activists and Allies
Friday, June 23rd from 6 pm-8 pm
at DTLA Proud A+R=T Community Center
This second Love Letter LA counter narrative space is intentionally positioned during the June 2023 Pride Month with an aim to shed light on the profound impact of queer people of color throughout the history of Los Angeles, connect the LGBTQ+ community and allies, and foster a sense of belonging.
Love Letter LA will also honor the founders of Queer Mercado who have created a space in East LA that solely focuses on LGBTQ+ businesses and Toni Newman, an African-American transgender author, sex workers' rights advocate, Director of The Coalition for Justice and Equality Across Movements at National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC). The event will feature a networking reception with music and libations!
Sign up below by June 16th!
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