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In the photo above, Bishop John Harvey Taylor, front center, poses with most of the Diocese of Los Angeles team at The Episcopal Church's 80th General Convention, which concluded its meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 11.

Pictured from left are: the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, correspondent for Episcopal News Service and The Episcopal News; the Very Rev. Keith Yamamoto, volunteer coordinator for Public Safety; the Rev. Canon Kelli Grace Kurtz, deputy; the Rev. Pat Hendrickson, volunteer coordinator; Canon Andy Tomat, deputy; the Rev. Fennie Chang, deputy; Dan Valdez, deputy; the Rev. Antonio Gallardo, deputy; Ivan Gutierrez, deputy; the Rev. Kate Lewis, volunteer coordinator; and Rachel Nyback. Not pictured are Canon Jim White, deputy, who was out on the last day with a cold; and Merrill Whatley, communications director at St. Cross Church, Hermosa Beach, who assisted with tech. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Nyback)

Above right is the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, chaplain to the House of Deputies for the last three meetings of General Convention. Outgoing President Gay Clark Jennings presented him with the House of Deputies medal for his service. (Photo: Scott Gunn)

The Episcopal News issued an email report for each day of General Convention, plus a July 12 wrap-up. Links to those reports and to many other articles about convention actions are here. On social media, participants and others posted using the hashtag #GC80.

Education for Ministry (EfM) a four-year program of course in scripture, theology and church history sponsored by the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, will be offered in about 20 congregations around the diocese, according to Gary Leonard, diocesan EfM coordinator.

EfM is taught in small-group settings, usually from September to May. In addition to academic studies, participants explore their personal beliefs and effective practice of their faith.

"During these uncertain times with COVID-19 disrupting our lives and the struggle to end racial inequality," Leonard wrote in a course invitation, "you may have been looking for new ways to deepen your faith or for a way to challenge old ways of thinking so that you can start putting your faith into action in challenging new and dramatic ways."

During a recent graduation service for EfM graduates, Bishop John Harvey Taylor remarked that the program helps "to address the disconnect in basic biblical understanding between those who preach and those who hear." Making that connection, he added, is vital to forming effecting lay leaders in the church.

Each EfM session includes prayer, worship, theological reflection and discussions on the book readings. Through the course of the four years EfM works from a common lesson book that will cover the following themes:

Year A: Living faithfully in your world

Year B: Living faithfully in a multicultural world

Year C: Living as a spiritually mature Christian

Year D: Living into the journey with God

"EfM uses a wide variety of sources to challenge you and to deepen your faith," says Leonard. "If you are a past graduate of EfM, this is an entirely new program compared to what you experienced in the past. Graduates of EfM are invited to enroll in any year they wish to take."

To learn more about EfM, visit the Sewanee website here. For more information about local EfM sessions, contact Leonard at [email protected]. Registration deadline for the coming program year is Aug. 31; some groups fill up fast.

This article appears on the Episcopal News website here.

[The Episcopal News – June 22, 2022] A Mental Health Justice Town Hall – set to underscore professional best practices for dealing with mental health crises often referred to local police – will be hosted via Zoom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, by the Bishop’s Commission on Gospel Justice and Community Care of the Diocese of Los Angeles. All are invited to attend. Advance registration is required: click here.

The town hall will be opened by Bishop John Harvey Taylor, who will introduce a pre-recorded video presentation by U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter, who represents the 45th congressional district in Orange County. An Episcopalian, Porter has long advocated for deploying mental health professionals to respond when people living with psychological issues need assistance or restraint.

Porter’s remarks will be followed by a live discussion with panelists Taun Hill, founder of the Miles Hall Foundation in memory of her late son who during a mental health crisis was fatally shot by police; Gigi Crowder, executive director of the National Alliance of Mental Illness, (NAMI), Contra Costa County; and Pete Cohen, retired sergeant, San Diego Police Department.

Read more here.

Rose West, a member of St. Mark's Church, Altadena, was installed as treasurer of the Union of Black Episcopalians during the national organization's recent meeting in Baltimore, held just before General Convention. West is also treasurer of the Los Angeles-based H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of UBE and was honored as a bronze life member of the organization last year. She also has served St. Mark's in various capacities, including treasurer, vestry member, senior warden and chair of the search committee.

West is pictured above (second from left) with fellow UBE executive board officers the Very Rev. Kim L. Coleman, president; the Rev. Linda T. Wilson, secretary; the Rev. Canon Lynn Collins, first vice president; and James E. Pierce, second vice president.

Children from St. Wilfrid's Episcopal Preschool at St. Wilfrid's Church in Huntington Beach, had a Japanese performance day on a recent Sunday to celebrate the end of the school year. A pancake breakfast concluded the festivities. The preschool offers Japanese language study for preschoolers as well as an after-school language program for children up to age 12. More about the preschool is here. Photos: Debbie Pratt, preschool director

[Instituto de Liderazgo] Te gustaría:

Si tus respuestas fueron si, el Instituto de Liderazgo te invita a participar en Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento, una clase que comienza el 13 de agosto, a cargo de Benjamín Galán, un instructor de Religión y Espiritualidad en la Universidad Loyola Marymount.

Las clases se ofrecen en persona y virtualmente (a través de Zoom) y se llevarán a cabo en español.

Si te gustaría recibir más informes escríbenos por favor a: [email protected]. Si estás listo para inscribirte, por favor utiliza este enlace.

The Instituto de Liderazgo will hold a series of classes in Old and New Testament led by Benjamín Galán, an instructor of Religion and Spirituality at Loyola Marymount University. The classes will be conducted in Spanish, and will be held both in person and online. For information, email to [email protected]. To register, click here.

The church-wide Episcopal Church Women (NECW) will present "Caregiving and Alzheimer’s in Today’s World," a workshop presented by Marge Burke on Saturday, July 16 at 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT).

This workshop is designed to give a face to Alzheimer’s disease from the caregiver’s and care recipient’s perspective. Participants will learn the importance of mind, body, spirit and the arts, how to find resources and create a support system. Burke (pictured at left) has written a trilogy of her experience caring for her husband over the course of nine years. Learn more about the workshop and register here. Attendance is limited to the first 100 persons who log into the Zoom workshop here.

This the first of what NEDW hope will be a monthly series of workshops. Many of the presenters who were scheduled to give workshops at the recently concluded General Convention have agreed to provide their workshops via Zoom. More information is here.

[Commission on Ministry] The Commission on Ministry (COM) serves the diocese by guiding individuals as they discern how they may be called to further lay or ordained ministry. In fulfilling this responsibility, COM advises the bishop in determining current and future needs for ministry in the diocese, and works closely with the Office for Formation and Transition Ministry.

This is a holy and deeply challenging ministry in an ever-shifting landscape. Recently, in an effort to provide transparency and update the documentation of the discernment process, COM published an extensive set of pages on the diocesan website. The information can be found here, or visit the diocesan home page, click on the dropdown menu on the right and select “Leadership: Are you called.”

Read more here.

Camp Stevens has announced that a donor will match all gifts to its campership fund until July 29.

According to Kathy Wilder, camp director, some 40% of children attending summer camp receive partial or full camperships.

A video about Camp Stevens and its campership program is here.

To donate, click here.

The Program Group on Hispanic Ministries, Instituto de Liderazgo and the office of the archdeacon invite members of the diocesan community to explore their gifts for ministry in a half-day program titled "Calling All Servant Leaders - The Diakonia of All Believers" at St. Paul's Commons on Saturday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Among questions to be explored are:

A complimentary lunch will be provided. To register, click here.

St. Paul's Commons is located at 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles. Secure underground parking is available.

Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality, an institution of the Diocese of Los Angeles, will present Spiritual Journey, an eight-month exploration of spiritual life in a small group setting, both online and in person. The program is intended for "individuals seeking to deeply enrich our relationship with the Divine and help you recognize the ways that God/Spirit is present and working in your life," according to Stillpoint's website.

A trained facilitator accompanies members as they develop their skills in deep listening and personal discernment. "You will be introduced to the deep and expansive practices of spiritual formation, the ancient practice of spiritual direction, and a process of discernment for the next steps in your spiritual journey."

The Spiritual Journey Program is open to people of all denominations and faiths. In-person sessions will be offered in Pasadena, Santa Barbara and Long Beach. Two online options will also be provided: one of the online sessions is created intentionally for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) individuals. Groups will begin in September 2022 and continue through April 2023. Each group meets one Saturday per month (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.). Facilitators will determine which Saturday to meet based on the needs of the group. Sessions will include time for personal reflection, sharing in pairs and triads, experience-based learning, group discussion of assigned readings, and practice in forms of prayer and contemplation.

Tuition is $500 and includes instruction, facilitated group interaction, and private sessions with faculty (does not include books). There is a $25 application fee. After the application form is submitted, a program facilitator will contact the prospective participant to provide further instructions and a scholarship request form to complete. Deadline to apply is September 2, 2022.

For more information and to begin the application process, click here.

A group of Girls Friendly Society members and leaders will travel to Boston during the first week of August for the GFS National Assembly. According to GFS-Los Angeles President Margaret Nolde, one of the customs at National Assembly is for each delegation to bring trading pins that represent their locality. "It occurred to me that maybe some people have pins gathering dust in drawers," said Nolde, "and they might be willing to donate so the members can share a bit of California with other GFS members while on the East Coast.

The pins can represent California in any way – sports teams, national parks, cities, the Disneyland Resort or other local theme parks and attractions, schools, organizations, the California grizzly bear, the state flag, the state flower (California golden poppies), etc.

Nolde asks that anyone who has such pins to spare and who would like to donate them to the GFS delegation mail them to her at St. John the Divine Church, 183 E Bay Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. The deadline to receive the pins is July 25.

For more information, contact Nolde at [email protected].

After a two-year Covid pandemic-imposed hiatus, Episcopal Night at Dodger Stadium will be back on Friday, Sept. 23. Game time is 7:10 p.m. The home team will play the St. Louis Cardinals, and the game, win or lose, will be followed by fireworks.

Bishop John Harvey Taylor will throw the ceremonial first pitch. He writes about his preparations here.

In response to the Dodgers' recent shift to electronic ticketing, the Rev. Canon Greg Larkin will email instructions on how to order tickets this year to each congregation's coordinator, who will receive and distribute tickets for his or her congregation. Clergy in charge of congregations: email the congregation name and city and the Dodger coordinator's name and email address to Larkin at [email protected].

[The Episcopal News – May 11, 2022] To mark its 70th anniversary, Camp Stevens invites alumni, former staff, friends and the diocesan community to a Restorative Justice Retreat Oct. 28 – 30. The weekend will celebrate the camp's history of impact and growth while looking to the future.

Valarie Kaur – renowned civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, innovator, best-selling author of See No Stranger, and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project to reclaim love as a force for justice – will deliver a keynote address at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. More about Kaur is here.

Read more about the retreat as well as other anniversary events here.

The Episcopal Church's Safe Church Office has produced three new educational modules – "Pastoral Relationships," "Inclusion," and "Power and Relationships" – as part of its Safe Church, Safe Communities training for the prevention of sexual and other abuse. Completion of the series is mandatory for Episcopal Church clergy and lay leaders, and must be renewed every three years.

The new training modules bring the total number to nine, all of which can be found on the Praesidium Academy website here.

Read more here.

[Anglican Communion News Service - July 12, 2022] Until now the wider worldwide Anglican Communion, outside of England, has been represented by just one of the 16 members of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) for the See of Canterbury.

But under changes to the Standing Orders of the General Synod formally approved today, there will now be five representatives of other churches of the Anglican Communion – one each from Africa; the Americas; Middle East and Asia; Oceania and Europe.

The new rules will also ensure the inclusion of laity and clergy as well as bishops; a balance of men and women and that at least half of the five will be of Global Majority heritage.

All diocesan bishops of the Church of England, including the archbishops, are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen following a nomination by the Crown Nominations Commission for the see.

Read more here.

More reporting from Episcopal News Service is here.

The Lambeth Conference will meet at the University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral in England July 27 - August 8. Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O'Connor will attend along with bishops from around the Anglican Communion. Below are stories and resources about the meeting and its history. The Lambeth Conference usually meets about every 10 years; the last meeting was in 2008.

Bishops close convention with climate emergency statement ahead of Lambeth [ENS - July 11, 2022]

Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Conference planners set tone of unity over division for upcoming summer gathering (ENS, June 22, 2022)

Lambeth Conference history articles publicly available (Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, June 15, 2022)

Christ the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

3303 W. Vernon Avenue, Los Angeles

Information: 323.295.4139

Items for sale will include jewelry, books, art, records, clothing, furniture and more. Come one, come all!

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

428 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach

Tickets/information here

Questions: Linda Bratcher at [email protected] or Joslyn Aitken at [email protected].

Boxed dinners are provided by local Laguna Beach restaurants GG's Bistro and Noonerz. Wine and beer will be available for purchase. Tickets: $25; meal add-on is $20; drinks are $5. Proceeds to St. Mary's ECW outreach. Other concerts in the series will be on Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 8.

The Guibord Center (online)

Register here

How have changes in the culture around them impacted interfaith families across the decades and generations? These stories are a microcosm of the challenges and growth that our various faith communities confront. Their realizations and solutions bring valuable lessons and encouragement. In this session, our Keynote Storytellers explore the richness and challenges of weaving interfaith family life across three generations. Through this fascinating microcosm, they’ll shine a light on the past, present, and future of interfaith encounters occurring throughout our communities. Storytellers are: Rev. Tanya Sadagopan (guest moderator), Kersi Bhikhaji Shroff, and Rev. Claire Dietrich Ranna (read more about them here). Inspiring Stories is a virtual collaboration between The Guibord Center and IslamiCity, a global Muslim e-community.

Additional events are listed on the diocesan calendar here.

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 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

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

330 E. 16th Street, Upland 91784

Phone: 909.920.5565

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

Sponsor code: StMarks

St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church

30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita 92688

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

Sponsor code: STJOHN (note, no "s")

Questions? Contact Gary and Dena Graves, [email protected] or [email protected]

Will your church host blood drives in coming months? 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.

BEVERLY HILLS: Parish Administrator, All Saints Episcopal Church. The Parish Administrator is an essential and integral part of the mission of the church, enabling volunteers and staff to carry out their ministries effectively. This person is responsible for providing executive oversight in a calm, well-organized and timely manner. They demonstrate and utilize their overall knowledge of procedures, protocols, and expectations regarding the functioning of All Saints’ on a multitude of levels: canonical, operational, and financial, based on the priorities of the priest-in-charge and the vestry of All Saints’. They report to the priest-in-charge, will supervise other staff members, and work collaboratively with staff, vestry, treasurer, and volunteers. Full time, exempt. Excellent health benefits, time off, and retirement plan. A full position description is here. To apply send a resume and letter of introduction to the Rev. Canon Andrea McMillin, [email protected]

COSTA MESA: Full Charge Bookkeeper at St. John's Church. Part time, non-exempt. Manage all of the business's accounting, financial and compliance needs. Besides the typical task of maintaining the business ledger, the bookkeeper prepares financial statements and any required tax filings, records complex transactions such as adjusting journal entries and processes timesheets and payroll. Full job description here. Email resume and cover letter to [email protected].

FILLMORE/VENTURA: Community Engagement and Development Coordinator, The Abundant Table, a non-profit, organic certified farm and BIPOC- and women-led worker collective in Ventura County, California that seeks to transform our food system towards justice, liberation, and increased health for all people, while caring for the land and all who tend the land. Community Engagement and Development Coordinator will be responsible to oversee and coordinate the TAT community engagement and development processes, including management; fundraising; community engagement, coordination and development. 30 hours/week; salary and benefits $32,864.Full job description here.

LONG BEACH: Operations Manager, St. Luke’s / San Lucas Episcopal Church. The operations manager is the primary point of contact with the public, manages office administration, parish record keeping, print and digital communication, social media, tenants, and use of space, and provide support with worship. The operations manager reports to the rector, and works collaboratively with the staff, lay volunteers, and wardens. To be successful at this position the person must be able to work independently, anticipate needs, deal with frequent interruptions, be open to grow into the position, and handle confidential information with discretion. Job description is here. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

LOS ANGELES (ECHO PARK): Credit Union CEO/Manager, Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union. To provide strategic, vision, leadership, and management in all functional areas. Plan, direct and control credit union activities in accordance with credit union plans, policies, directives and activities as established by the Board of Directors. Responsible for ensuring financial stability and member satisfaction commensurate with the best interest of members, staff and credit union. A full job description is here. For more information and to apply, click here.

LOS ANGELES: Receptionist/Administrative Support, Diocese of Los Angeles (St. Paul's Commons). This position is unique and very important to the ministry of the diocese, being the first face and voice of communication representing the bishops and staff and the ministries that take place at St. Paul’s Commons. Duties and Responsibilities: Greet and welcome guests with grace and hospitality on the phone and in person; direct guests to their destinations; assist with bookings/calendared events at St. Paul’s Commons; invoicing; database management. A job description is here. Send applications to Canon Anilin Collado, Human Resources manager, at [email protected] or call 213.482.2040, ext. 250. Application deadline is July 15, 2022.

LOS ANGELES: Preferred Communities Afghan Intensive Refugee Case Manager, IRIS (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service). IRIS offers refugee resettlement assistance, intensive case management and immigration legal services to the low-income refugee and immigrant community of the greater Los Angeles region. Responsible for coordinating medical and/or mental health services and provide case management to individuals with refugee and asylum status who have significant physical and/or mental health conditions. The PC Afghan Intensive Case Manager will be part of a specialized team within IRIS that focuses on intensive case manager for the agency’s most vulnerable clients. The position will work to promote self-sufficiency and goal attainment for clients, through connections to ongoing programming and mainstream supports, in compliance with IRIS programs and contract guidelines. This position reports to the Refugee Program Supervisor and IRIS executive director. Full job description and application instructions here.

LOS ANGELES: Coordinator for Capacity Building, Outreach and Volunteers, Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service. IRIS offers refugee resettlement assistance, intensive case management and immigration legal services to the low-income refugee and immigrant community of the greater Los Angeles region. The coordinator for Capacity Building, Outreach and Volunteers is responsible for: recruiting, training and supervising volunteers and co-sponsors; tracking and maintaining data; working with IRIS staff, donors and partners to coordinate donations of household goods; coordinating IRIS community engagement efforts including education and outreach to program partners, faith groups, educational institutions, and other community partners; and develop and distribute materials to engage local stakeholders around resettlement service activities that positively impact refugee and immigrant communities in the region. Full job description 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.

PACIFIC PALISADES: Live Stream Manager. St. Matthew's Parish is an inspiring house of worship situated in beautiful Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. The Director of Program Ministry seeks a part-time Live Stream Manager who is an experienced audio/visual consultant to partner with our ministry team to broadcast our live Sunday morning worship service and special services. A full job description is here. Please email your resume to [email protected]. Learn more about St. Matthew's here.

PACIFIC PALISADES: General Maintenance Worker, St. Matthew's Church and School. St. Matthew's is a vibrant community that includes both a Church and a School situated in beautiful Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. The Director of Facilities and Operations seeks a full time maintenance staff member with maintenance experience. This is a "hands-on" position and the ideal candidate will have repair maintenance and event setup experience, great people skills and a history of providing the highest level of customer service. A full job description is here. Please email resume to [email protected].

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA: Youth Minister, St. John’s Episcopal Church and School. St. John’s is a community that lives in gratitude for the love and generosity of God. The Youth Minister will have a living commitment to the Gospel of Christ and will value the ethos of the Episcopal Church. From this vantage, the person we seek will share with the youth the transforming love of Christ in real and meaningful ways. The Youth Minister will lead in the creation, development, and delivery of programs that support the spiritual formation and well-being of youths, grades 6 through college, in and from the parish. The minister will model for the youth spiritual growth, ethical insight, age-appropriate theological and interfaith awareness, and engagement in the community with the living Gospel. This minister will also assist greatly in the pastoral care of the youth and their families. This is a part-time position. Request a full job description via email, [email protected]. Submit resume and cover letter to Rev. Christopher Potter via email at [email protected]

THOUSAND OAKS: Assistant Principal, St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School. Duties include helping with admissions, development, parent relations, student supervision, and program development. Candidate must have a college degree, a teaching credential, and a minimum of five years working in a school. Administrative experience is desirable. If interested, please send resume to [email protected].

WOODLAND HILLS: Receiving Supervisor, West Valley Food Pantry. The Receiving Supervisor is responsible for coordinating the daily staging and oversight of a drive-through food delivery operation. Empathy and kindness to the clients should be part of this individual’s makeup. The Receiving Supervisor is the Food Pantry’s liaison with donating markets, and should cultivate excellent communication with the market's managers. Relationships with our volunteers is paramount, and a positive demeanor is a necessity. The Receiving Supervisor is responsible for accepting, tracking and inventory of all incoming deliveries and donations, in cooperation with the Warehouse Assistant. Full job description here.

The Episcopal News Update is published on Wednesday afternoons. News items, job listings, calendar items, questions and comments may be sent to [email protected]. Weekly deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Photos are welcome: please include them as attachments (rather than embedded in a document). To subscribe, click here.

— Janet Kawamoto, editor