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Deans' Note | October 24, 2021
Over the past several years Halloween has become a big holiday, at least in Southern California. It's also become a holiday celebrated by adults as much as children. Sociologists and psychologists have explored why this is happening (just google: "Why Halloween has become so popular?") One thought is that it has to do with identity exploration - "Who am I and who will I become?" Could that be a roundabout way of asking the big questions about our mortality?
Whatever the reason, late October and early November is a time when many cultures celebrate a connection to the dead. One of the most well known is Samhain (sow-in) celebrated in pre-Christian Celtic areas such as Ireland. At this turning of the year, when summer and the harvest was giving way to darker days and the winter ahead, the veil between this world and the next was thought to be thin. This celebration of remembering the dead was incorporated into the Christian celebration of the saints and our communion with them. Similarly, the Latin American celebration of Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead is rooted in the traditions of indigenous peoples before Christianity.
We too incorporate these traditions into our celebrations at St. John's, this year on Sunday November 7, as we remember all the saints including our beloved dead and realize that in the communion of saints we are united with them. As has been our tradition, we invite you to bring photos or mementos to place on the altar.
This year we will add a new celebration on the day before Halloween, the evening of October 30, inviting all our neighbors to St. John's for a children's celebration. Trick or treaters will be welcomed to get some treats and enter the cathedral where they will experience some "scary" organ music. We particularly thank sexton Ada Galindo and Kelsey Delgado, our communications consultant for thinking of and implementing this wonderful idea.
This is one way we can engage our neighborhood and culture. As we do so, we have another opportunity to open our doors not only for a community event, but to invite those around us to come and see who we are, and maybe invite them to engage more deeply in the questions that matter deeply to people -- at their heart the spiritual question about who we are and where we're headed.
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Trick or Treat at the Cathedral
October 30, 2021
from 5pm-7pm
Join us for a spooky evening at the Cathedral! There will be candies, music, photo opportunities and free raffles.
Saturday, October 30, 2021 between 5pm-7pm.
This is a safe physically distant family event.
Masks will be required indoors.
Costumes are encouraged.
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Vaccination Policy
Don't forget to bring your vaccine card to mass if you have not already done so! We are continuing to build our Cathedral Vaccination Registry. Facial coverings continue to be required."
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Vestry On-Call
This Sunday's Vestry Person On-Call
Hamilton Yang (2024)
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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Christian Education
Praying the Gospel Stories with Our Imagination
Sunday October 24 and 31, 2021
at 11:30 am
Often when we study the text of the Bible we examine history, context, and thought to engage the meaning. Sometimes that's referred to as "left brain" thinking. While that approach to the text is integral to our ability to interpret the Bible and to experience God through it, it isn't the only way. We need also to engage our "right brain." Mother Lyn has taught us to explore the text using Lectio Divina, a way to chew on a small section of a biblical text to listen and experience what God might be calling us to do or to be in response. Another way to experience the biblical story is through creative contemplation using our imagination. This style of Bible study comes from the Jesuit tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Its goal is to help us experience Jesus as he comes to us through the Gospel stories by deeply using our imagination and to place ourselves in the story. Come explore this way of experiencing Scripture.
This Sunday we hear the story of Bartimeus, a blind beggar Jesus heals in the town of Jericho. There are many details Mark relates in this brief passage to stir our imaginations. We invite you to read the story before the class, Mark 10;46-52.
This class involves personal sharing and group interaction, it will not be recorded or go live on Facebook. Please join us either in person or via the Zoom link on the St. John's community page.
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Pathways To An Open Heart
The Labyrinth: Walking Your Way to God
Wednesday October 27, 2021
at 7:00 pm via Zoom
There are many ways that one can draw closer to God. In this series, Mother Lyn shares four that, with practice, can serve as doorways into a deeper relationship with God. The class will meet on Wednesday October 27, November 3, 10, 17, at 7:00pm via Zoom.
Zoom link will be posted on the St. John's Cathedral Facebook Group on the day of the class.
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All Saints and All Souls Day (Observed)
Sunday, November 07, 2021
- On Sunday, Nov. 7, we will remember in a special way all those who have left this world and whom we hold dear in our hearts. Everyone attending the 8:00 am and 10:00 am Masses may bring a picture or memento of a loved one and place it on the High Altar near the Blessed Sacrament. After the service, you may choose to leave your mementos and photos for the month of November, where they will be placed on a special altar of remembrance in the style of Latin American folk culture.
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Stewardship Luncheon
Sunday, November 07, 2021
at 11 am
"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
- James 1:17
Members of our congregation are invited to join together for fellowship following our all saints and all souls observance to learn more about the start of our Stewardship season and share personal stories and reflections about our community and unique house of prayer.
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Compline
Sunday, November 07, 2021
at 8pm
- Join us in-person or online via Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter for our monthly service of candlelit Compline led by the choir under the direction of Dr. Christopher Gravis; food and fellowship will immediately follow service.
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Newcomer Gathering
Sunday, November 14, 2021
at 11:30 am
If you have been attending St. John's (virtually or in person since March of 2020) as a new member, please join us for a tour of the church and a light reception. Our clergy would be pleased to welcome you and answer any questions.
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Memorial Eucharist for Vestry Member Rick Censullo
October 30, 2021 at 11:00 am
Members of the congregation will note that a memorial eucharist will be held at the Cathedral on October 30th at 11:00am to honor the life of Vestry member Rick Censullo who entered into eternal rest on January 14th, 2021.
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2021 People, Power, Progress Party
Sunday November 14th, 2021
at 3pm-5pm
Community Coalition is an LA based organization committed to driving and achieving a radical post COVID-19 recovery for South Los Angeles. They are working to dismantle systems of oppression and reconstruct a new path forward such that Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples are able to focus on community healing.
You can purchase tickets to their fundraising event here.
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Your donations will be used to buy turkeys for our upcoming Food Pantry on November 20. Give online, or in person. Envelopes are available on the welcome table and can be placed in the offering plate. | |
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Office Hours
The Cathedral is open for parishioners and visitors:
Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday from 8:00 am - 11:00 am
(Appointments only through our Sexton, Ada Galindo)
Sunday Mornings starting at 7:00 am
Monday and Friday Office is Closed
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Important News for GivePlus App Users | St. John's Cathedral | Hello,We're Vanco, the eGiving provider behind your church's GivePlus Mobile app. We're getting in touch today to notify you that we are replacing the GivePlus Mobile app with an improved app - Vanco Mobile - that comes with more features and tools. Your church is already set up with the new Vanco Mobile app so you can get started using it today. | | | | | | |
