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By Pat McCaughan

[The Episcopal News – January 19, 2022] The Jan. 15 diocesan celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Common Struggle, Common Hope,” featured calls to action from The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and guest preacher Missouri Bishop Deon Johnson, spirited music, and reflections from Asian Pacific Islander, Latinx, African American, Native American and LGBTQ members of diocesan New Community ministries.

Hosted in-person by Christ the Good Shepherd Church and livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube, the service began with videotaped greetings from diocesan Program Group on Black Ministries co-chairs Canon Susan Edwards Acton and the Rev. John Limo and acknowledgement that the land on which the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is located belonged to the Tongva people.

Curry, in a Jan. 6 videotaped message from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the one-year anniversary of the capitol riots, cited “forces intentionally seeking and working to divide us. Left unchecked, unaddressed and unhealed, this can lead to the decline and deconstruction of our nation.”

The promise of the United States “as the multiracial, multiethnic, pluralistic democracy that was envisioned ... becomes a real and greater possibility if enough of us will summon the spiritual courage necessary to attain it,” Curry said. “It is not an exaggeration to say that we are living in a moral moment of spiritual peril and promise. Such a moment demands moral vision that sees beyond mere self-interest and beholds the common good – a spiritual strength, stronger than any sword.”

Read more here.

By Pat McCaughan

[The Episcopal News – January 19, 2022] Buoyed by recent priestly ordinations and a gathering of Province 8 bishops hosted at the St. Paul’s Commons Retreat Center, Diocesan Bishop John Harvey Taylor told the Jan. 13 meeting of Diocesan Council that “rediscovering mission, optimism and responsibility as stewards of true Christian orthodoxy” are themes as the program year gets underway in 2022.

“In view of recent events in our country, we have no option other than to proclaim that the incarnate God, the risen Christ, the plural face of God, reflecting all races and cultural and national designations, all orientations and identifications, the full complexity of human expression all in the face of God, is true orthodoxy,” Taylor said after a brief welcome and orientation for new council members.

He encouraged joining the Jan. 15 annual diocesan Martin Luther King Jr. celebration (see related story), sponsored by the H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians. King “not only said ‘I have a dream,’ but called us to a radical understanding of our servant-based responsibilities to one another, to be practitioners of equity, and economic and political and social justice to one another,” he said.

Taylor, who on Jan. 8 ordained Julie Beals, Jose Luis Garcia-Juárez, Katherine Feng, Guy Leemhuis and Joshua Paget as priests, added that the nation and the world need now, more than ever, “the redemption, the love, the forgiveness and the inspiration of the Risen One.”

Read more here.

Episcopal Church’s Province VIII bishops meet in Los Angeles  

Bishops from the Episcopal Church’s Province VIII – which comprises dioceses stretching from Taiwan to Idaho – met in Los Angeles Jan. 11-13 at the Retreat Center at St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park, to strengthen friendships and discuss topics of mutual interest and common cause. Pictured here between sessions are (from left): Bishop-elect Elizabeth Gardner (who will be ordained and consecrated in Nevada on March 5) and Bishops Lucinda Ashby (El Camino Real), Susan Snook (San Diego), John Harvey Taylor (Los Angeles), Robert Fitzpatrick (Hawaii), Diana Akiyama (Oregon, Patrick Bell (Eastern Oregon), Megan Traquair (Northern California), Gretchen Rehberg (Spokane), Brian Thom (Idaho), and Mark Latimme (Alaska). Other bishops diocesan who were unable to attend are Marc Andrus (California), Lennon Chang (Taiwan), Scott Hayashi (Utah), Jennifer Redall (Arizona), David Rice (San Joaquin), and Greg Rickel (Olympia). Photo: Bob Williams

The Chinese congregations of the Diocese of Los Angeles invite the entire diocesan community to a virtual celebration for the Lunar New Year ("Year of the Tiger") on Saturday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m. The online celebration, hosted by St. Thomas' Church, Hacienda Heights, will take place on Zoom here. A flyer is here.

Bloy House (Episcopal Theological School Los Angeles) has announced new February offerings in the "Education for Your Faith Journey" program, which is designed to meet the education needs of those not currently served by seminaries or other church programs. Each class meets online weekly for four weeks. Class sessions are about 60 to 90 minutes long. The class fee is $50; financial aid is available.

New courses are:

Taught by Susan Brown, administrator of the By Your Side program of Episcopal Communities and Services. What are the assumptions we make about aging? Are those assumptions cross-cultural, or do they differ within the very diverse Diocese of Los Angeles? What are the facts of aging from the perspectives of employment, health and medicine, spirituality, charitable giving? What does ageism look like and to what degree might we have “introjected” biases about both younger and older people? What is the connection to “ableism”? What would a cross-generational, diversely-abled Jesus Movement” look like, and how might we get there? This four-week, one hour course will explore the questions above and probably many others, as participants survey attitudes about age and the particular picture of their own communities.

Led by the Rev. Jana Milhon-Martin, director of the Center for Lay Chaplaincy. The ministry of chaplaincy is unique. Chaplains do not seek to impart faith, but rather they operate within the ecology of belief they encounter in those seeking care. Which means the ministry of chaplaincy is focused on deep listening and supportive presence. Most often chaplains employ these gifts in places like hospitals, schools, the military, and jails. The Center for Lay Chaplaincy seeks to expand the ministry of chaplaincy and bring the gifts of deep listening and supportive presence to the ordinary footpath of everyday life. The class will explore the ministry of chaplaincy in a variety of contexts and vocations. Presenters and class titles are:

For more information and to register, click here.

*The Feb. 10 session will meet at 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Instituto de Liderazgo es un programa respaldado por Bloy House Seminary, la escuela de teología en Los Angeles, una de las ciudades con mayor diversidad étnica y religiosa en los Estados Unidos.

La misión del Instituto de Liderazgo es vital.

Los participantes adquieren los conceptos básicos sobre liderazgo en la Iglesia Episcopal, enfatizando el llamado a todos los bautizados a ejercer su liderazgo mediante un modelo de liderazgo que se adapta a las necesidades actuales, así como las herramientas para aplicar enfoques nuevos e innovadores que se necesitan en el mundo de hoy y en el futuro.

La formación y la educación fomentan una experiencia más amplia de ser un líder y fomentan nuestra participación en la renovación del trabajo de la iglesia a través de un modelo transformador y restaurador de evangelización en el mundo.

El programa incluye formación teológica, litúrgica, cuidado de las almas, ética en el liderazgo, entre otras areas necesarias para el florecimiento humano en nuestras comunidades Latinas preparando nuevas generaciones de líderes y ministros compasivos, reflexivos, y adaptativos en un mundo en constante cambio.

Otra parte importante del programa es la formación espiritual personal.

Este programa se ofrece en Español a personas que buscan formación para ministerios laicos; sin embargo, también es un recurso útil para aquellos que desean discernir más profundamente un llamado al ministerio ordenado.

 El programa es administrado por el Grupo de Programa de Ministerio Hispano y dirigido por el Rev. Carlos Ruvalcaba. Los instructores tienen basta experiencia en sus respectivas areas de enseñanza así como sirviendo comunidades Latinas en los Estados Unidos.

Las clases dan inicio el Sábado 12 de Marzo, 2022 a las 8:00 am.

Los participantes tienen la opción de asistir a las clases en persona, o de manera virtual.

Las inscripciones se abren el 1 de Febrero, 2022.

Escríbenos para recibir mayores informes: [email protected]

The Rev. Canon Brad Karelius will present "Encountering Your True Self with the Desert Mystics," a two-part introduction to desert spirituality through the lives and teachings of the desert fathers and mothers, sponsored by the Orange County-based Center for Spiritual Development.

"From across the centuries, the desert fathers and mothers of the 4th and 5th centuries continue to speak to us about solitude and silence, death, grace, and true freedom," Karelius writes in the course description. "Their stories and sayings create an environment which invites our spirit to grow into God’s deepest desires for us." There will be time for personal meditation on their wisdom and group reflection at each session.

The two sessions are:

Meeting via Zoom

This session will focus on two pioneers of the contemplative tradition: Abba Moses the Black and Abba Anthony the Great.

Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Meeting via Zoom and in person (as allowed by health codes)

Karelius has been a priest in the Diocese of Los Angeles for 50 years. For 45 years he was associate professor of philosophy at Saddleback Community College. He is author of The Spirit in the Desert (2009), Encounters with the World’s Religions (2015) and Desert Spirit Places: The Sacred Southwest (2019). His new book, Desert Spirituality for Men, will be available in Lent.

The first workshop is offered via Zoom only. A link will be sent to registrants a few days before the event. To register, click here. For more information call 714.744.3172 or email [email protected]

Episcopal Peace Fellowship will offer another in its series of online programs for peace builders with "Finding Our Own Peace So We Can Become Peacemakers" on Sunday, Feb. 6, 1 – 2 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST)

The program will be led by the Rev. Dan Hines is an international freelance speaker, therapist, workshop facilitator and leadership consultant in various contexts and communities. His workshops and programs have taken him to China, Central America, throughout Canada and the U.S., and on sailboats and hiking trails. Hines, an Anglican priest, is co-founder of the intentional community RareBirds Housing Co-operative, has run for public office, and has managed a zoo.

In a course description, Hines writes: "Our “hidden wholeness” is our safe haven amid the violence of the storm around us. We seek refuge from the storm to pause, to look inward, and to catch a glimpse of the soul and to listen deeply to that small voice inside of you that speaks the truth about you, your work, and the world. In this introduction to the Circle of Trust® workshop, we will renew our courage and capacity to weather the storm in an inclusive, safe, and disciplined space of ‘solitude in community.’ We will explore the theme of wholeness using the practices of storytelling, evocative readings and poetry, inner reflection, guided meditations, and facilitated discussions."

There is no charge for the program. For more information and to register, click here.

Stillpoint will offer "Loving and Being Loved: An Epiphany Writing Retreat" led by author and spiritual guide Judith Favor on Saturday, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The program, which will be held online, will include composing a personal love profile and journaling into parts of an amorous autobiography. "Collectively, we will explore epiphany as a state of being that extends beyond the liturgical season of Epiphany," write Favor, who is an active Quaker, retired UCC pastor and teacher at the Claremont School of Theology. The day also will include small dialogue groups. The program is based on contemplative writing practices adapted from To Love and Be Loved by Sam Keen.

Registration fee for the course is $60, with pay-what-you-can options. To register and for more information, click here.

By Your Side Vigil Companions, a project of Episcopal Communities and Services, trains volunteers to be a compassionate presence in the lives of those nearing the end of life. A new set of training sessions is scheduled early in 2022.

"The mission of By Your Side since 2011 has been to be supportive of people in palliative care and to be at their bedside at the end of their lives as needed," says By Your Side director Susan Brown. "The pandemic has brought all of us to an acute awareness of life’s fragility, and of the immense value of being companioned. In adapting to the reality of COVID, we redefined being 'present' to include presence at the bedside and presence without proximity, realizing that what is most important is connection.

"We have also grappled with the need many of us feel to talk about what we are living through, perhaps to grieve. Together, we’ve explored being together – in hospitals, in our communities, over technology or the phone, in whatever ways we could. Amazingly, despite new challenges, we’ve built multi-generational kinship among people from Korea to Victorville."

Brown invites interested people to enroll in the Zoom (or hybrid) training sessions in early 2022. Each of the five sessions is two hours: Thursdays, Jan. 27 – February 24, 4 - 6 p.m., or Mondays, March 7 – April 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. There is no obligation to volunteer at the completion of the training.

To enroll or for more information, contact Brown at s[email protected] or 818.822.6044. Enrollment is limited to 30 people. A fee of $70 (which includes all materials) is due by the second class. Scholarships are available. CE (12 hours) for nurses is available for an additional $30 under California Board of Registered Nursing Provider Number CEP 16239.

Are you concerned about immigration and migrants south of the border? The border ministries committee of the diocese's Program Group on Global Partnership is seeking interested members of the diocesan family to join in its work. Meetings are held via Zoom. For information, contact the Rev. Pat O’Reilly, [email protected].

[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was the keynote speaker Jan. 17 at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance organized by the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Beloved Community Commemorative Service was livestreamed, and video of the event can be viewed on the King Center’s YouTube channel.

Curry was among a limited number of participants speaking at the event in person. Others included Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

The video is here.

By Jack Jenkins

[Religion News Service] In the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attacks — where Christian symbols and prayers were on full display — can religion still be a force of unity and goodness in America?

That was one of several questions undergirding the virtual event Jan. 13 hosted by Vanderbilt Divinity School and featuring two prominent Episcopalians: the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, and Jon Meacham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who assists President Joe Biden with speechwriting and serves as canon historian at the Washington National Cathedral.

The pair sat down virtually with Religion News Service to discuss the event, the Jan. 6 insurrection and their thoughts on the role of religion and politics.

Read more here.

Video of the conversation between Curry and Meacham is available on the Vanderbilt University YouTube channel.

[The Episcopal Church - January 5, 2022] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites applications for Episcopal delegates—including youth—to represent The Episcopal Church virtually at the 66th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW66), March 14–25.

Applications in English or Spanish are due by Friday, Jan. 28. Delegates will be expected to participate in preparatory conference calls and to participate virtually for an average of eight hours per day during the two-week UNCSW meeting.

“The Episcopal Church has decades-long experience in engaging with the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women through many committed Episcopalians who return year after year to advance gender justice and women’s and girls’ empowerment,” said Lynnaia Main, The Episcopal Church representative to the UN. “We look forward to a rich intergenerational exchange between the wisdom of our leaders and elders, the innovation brought by newcomers, and the fresh opportunities for equity and inclusion made uniquely possible by our virtual presence during this pandemic.”

Read more here.

More reporting from Episcopal News Service is here.

St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church

18631 Chapel Lane, Huntington Beach 92646

Bishop Diocesan John Harvey Taylor will install the Rev. Nathan A. Biornstad as rector of St. Wilfrid's. The prayers and presence of the diocesan community are invited (clergy: white stoles). The service will be in person and livestreamed. Registration to attend the in-person service is requested: email [email protected]. An outdoor reception will follow. Masks are required indoors.

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

580 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles 90024

Program will include Concerto No. 1 in E minor, opus 11, by Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849).

All Saints’ Church

504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills 90210

Information: 310.275.01, ext.112 or www.allsaintsbh.org

Featuring Melissa Givens, soprano and Genevieve Feiwen Lee, piano. American soprano Melissa Givens moves and excites audiences and critics alike with a rich, powerful tone, crystalline clarity, and intelligent musical interpretations. Especially noted for her expressiveness and elegance on

the stage, she’s been hailed as a singer whose music making is “consistently rewarding” and “a pleasure to hear.” Tickets: $20 adults ($10 students & seniors). Admission free with Music Guild donor season pass.

Online via Zoom: Meeting ID: 886 4226 3516: Passcode: 447392

For Girls Friendly Society board members, leaders and parents. "It has been two years of uncertainty and adjusting to circumstances," writes GFS-LA President Margaret Nolde. "Parents and branch leaders are invited to give input. Please put this meeting on your calendar to review the past year, make plans for events, and take care of business such as passing the budget, designating the donation in honor of Bishop Stevens and electing new members to the Sustaining Membership level. More information will be sent out the week of January 24."

All Saints’ Church

504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills 90210

Information: 310.275.01, ext.112 or here

The All Saints’ Choir will sing: "When to the temple Mary went" by Johann Eccard; Preces & Responses (St. David’s, Roswell) by Craig Phillips; Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (Mt. St. Alban) by David Hogan; "Dazzling as the sun" by Gwyneth Walker. A reception will follow the service.

St. James' in-the-City Episcopal Church

3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010

Information here

Tickets here

The Crossroads School Chamber Orchestra and ensembles, under the direction of Alesander Treger, perform music to be announced. Ticket required to attend.

St. James' in-the-City Episcopal Church

3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010

Information here

Tickets here

Choir of Saint James offers the uniquely Anglican service of Evensong in the style of the great English cathedrals on the second Sunday of the month. Freewill offering. Ticket required to attend.

St. James' in-the-City Episcopal Church

3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010

Information here

Tickets here

The organist Christopher Houlihan has established an international reputation as an “intelligently virtuoso musician” (Gramophone), hailed for his “glowing, miraculously life-affirming performances” (Los Angeles Times). Read more about this artist here. There is no charge, but a ticket is required to attend.

All Saints’ Church

504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills 90210

Information: 310.275.01, ext.112 or www.allsaintsbh.org

An evening of spectacular choral music. The Golden Bridge ensemble, led by Suzi Digby, OBE, features the finest professional singers in California. Their seventh annual concert focuses around a commission from Ola Gjeilo, whose choral music is celebrated worldwide. Suzi Digby has also commissioned Moira Smiley, Saunder Choi, and Ian Krouse for this concert, which features Golden Bridge Patron Morten Lauridsen with a movement of his "Madrigali." Each of these contemporary choral works will be paired with an English Renaissance gem, bringing music of California's acclaimed composers together with England's divine heritage of choral music. A reception will follow the service.

St. James' in-the-City Episcopal Church

3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010

Information here

Tickets here

Featuring Ambroise Aubrun, violin; Virginie d'Avezac, viola; Armen Ksajikian, cello; and Judith Farmer, bassoon. Performing Duo No. 2 in B-flat major for Violin and Viola, K. 424 by W.A. Mozart; Common Ground for Bassoon and Violoncello by Gernot Wolfgang; and Quartet in C major for Bassoon and String Trio, Opus 73, No. 1 by François Devienne. A ticket is required to attend..

Episcopal Church of the Messiah

614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana 92701

Information here

Livestreamed here

On demand here

Keynote speaker: Assembly Member Chris Holden. Recognizing the need for education and a better understanding of African American history and culture, the Messiah Black History Program was developed by Allen Doby, a late parishioner. The first Black History Program was held on Feb. 24, 2002. The program is held annually during Black History Month (February). The objective is to raise awareness of the contributions of people of African descent to society, revealing their past and present, in an effort to inspire a better world. The program offers perspectives on civil rights, social justice trends and the need to embrace the diversity and inclusion of all people. Each year, a distinguished keynote speaker is invited to share her or his journey, as a person of African descent in America. After the service, the speaker joins parishioners for a soul food luncheon and informal discussions. The first keynote speaker, in 2002, was Jewel Plummer Cobb, cancer researcher, professor and the first Black woman to hold the position of president at California State University, Fullerton.

Donors may save up to 15 minutes by completing pre-donation reading and answering health history questions here, rather than filling out forms on the day of donation.

Reservations through the Red Cross are required. All donors and staff will be screened before entering the facilities.

St. John's Episcopal Church

Vicenti Hall

4745 Wheeler Avenue, La Verne 91750

Reservations here or call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767)

Sponsor code: STJOHNS

Additional dates at this location are: Sunday, April 3; Sunday, May 29; and Sunday, July 24.

St. John's Episcopal Church, Cardinal Gym

30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita 92688

Reservations here or call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767)

Sponsor code: St. John (note no "s")

Additional dates at this location are Sundays, June 26 and Oct. 23.

Will your church host blood drives in 2022? Send the information to [email protected] for inclusion in the calendar. Please include the date, times, location and sponsor code.

Listings may be sent to [email protected]. There is no charge.

GLENDORA: Organist. Grace Episcopal Church is seeking a professionally trained church organist to be a part of our strong and vital music ministry. The organist will be expected to play for one Sunday service and one choir rehearsal per week, feast days, and for festive concerts. We offer a traditional Rite II service at 10 a.m. on Sundays. The preferred style of music is classical sacred music, ranging from Palestrina to Rutter. The pipe organ is by Manuel Rosales, built in 1977, with a new console in 1980, and substantial reconditioning work in 2016. The organ has two manuals and 26 ranks. The organist will work directly under our choirmaster/director of music in a collaborative manner. Salary: Starting at $12,000 per year, negotiable with demonstrated ability and experience. Weddings and funerals will provide additional compensation. Position available: Fall 2021. Send resume to the Rev. Susan Scranton via email at [email protected] or by postal mail at 555 E. Mountain View Avenue, Glendora 91741.

LONG BEACH: Music Director and Organist. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church seeks a music director and organist to lead worship, work with the choir, and set a vision for the parish music program. Worship music includes traditional Episcopal/Anglican church music and sacred music from a variety of cultural and contemporary traditions, including Latino music at the Misa en Español, and monthly Taizé worship. 18 hours per week; salary $33,000-$38,000 commensurate with experience. Full job description is here.

LOS ANGELES: Seminary Dean and President, Bloy House. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is recruiting an individual to serve as dean and president of Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School of Los Angeles. Over its 50-year history, Bloy House has trained generations of lay leaders, priests, and deacons, moving flexibly with the needs of the diocese and the changing realities of academic seminaries. Our vision is that Bloy House will now put greater emphasis on lay formation and will provide an integrating hub for the many excellent existing, but disparate, formation programs in the diocese, as well as visioning new initiatives and expanded constituencies. A full job description is here.

LOS ANGELES: Preschool Director, St. James' Episcopal School. The preschool director oversees the Grammercy Place Preschool and is the supervisor for the St. Andrew’s Place preschool site director. The preschool director is responsible for curriculum, evaluation, professional development and parent and family engagement and communications for both preschool campuses. Website is here. Full job description here.

PASADENA: Administrative Assistant for Music & Children, Youth and Family Program, All Saints Church. Full-time with benefits. Administrative assistant performs routine administrative functions for the children, youth, and family program such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files. Also performs routine administrative functions for the directors of music (adult, children and youth), and associate organist-choirmaster. Full job description is here.

PASADENA: Administrative Assistant for Pastoral Care, Health & Healing and Giving Office, All Saints Church. Full time with benefits. Performs routine administrative functions for Pastoral Care, such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files; write reports of prayer requests and pastoral care needs; handle phone and email, provide information, coordinate meetings and more. A complete job description is here.

SANTA CLARITA: Director of Children's Education and Formation, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and Preschool. The role of the director will be to develop and execute strategies, curriculum and related programs that create an environment for children to grow and thrive in their pursuit of early childhood education, socialization, and spiritual foundations. This position reports to the Rector and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the preschool including staff management, Summer VBS and management of the parish Sunday School program. A full job description is here.

UPLAND: Office Administrator, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The office administrator is a multi-faceted part-time position involved in most aspects of church operations. The individual is the face and voice of the parish office to parishioners and the public. The position reports to the rector and works closely with the vestry (board of directors), senior lay leadership, and bookkeeper. St. Mark’s actively supports COVID public health safety guidelines, including always wearing a mask and providing proof of COVID vaccination. Excellent computer and administrative abilities are required. Full job description is here.

Additional job listings are here. Listings are free: send information to [email protected].