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March 10, 2026

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Golden rule is key in response to current constitutional crisis, Bishop Taylor affirms


By Pat McCaughan


Bishop John Harvey Taylor invoked the golden rule as he called for an “All-Faith Democratic Union” to actively protect human rights, when welcoming faith leaders to “A Multi-Faith Response to Our Current Constitutional Crisis” March 11 at St. Paul’s Commons in Los Angeles.


“My friends, we are all-faith, missing from public life today is a distinct, unified expression of our principles, so I propose that we need an All-Faith Democratic Union,” Taylor said. “Its vision statement would be to identify politicians who are in violation, organize against them, crush them peacefully at the polls, and send them home to see if they can learn some manners.”


Salam Al-Mayarati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, moderated the gathering coordinated by a multi-faith coalition endorsed by 22 faith-based groups with 75 attendees in person and another 300 viewing via livestream. Video is here.


Opening prayers began with the sounding of the shofar by Rabbi Sarah Hronsky, president of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders, and were offered by local representatives from Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions.

Read more

At March 11 forum (from left), civil rights attorney Connie Rice speaks following prayers offered by faith leaders, opened by Rabbi Sarah Hronsky sounding shofar. Photos: Bishop John Harvey Taylor

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Kathy Wilder leaves legacy of caring, resilience at Camp Stevens


By Pat McCaughan



As Kathy Wilder prepares to step down from her “dream job” as Camp Stevens executive director on March 31, she leaves a legacy of deep caring, embracing both challenge and joy, cultural expansion, strategic planning and grace-filled leadership in difficult times, according to staff and board members.


“It’s been the great honor of my life to be the executive director here,” said Wilder, who is also celebrating a 30-year relationship with the Julian camp. She is moving to Sparks, Nevada, where her spouse, the Rev. Hannah Wilder, will serve as rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. “I know that Camp Stevens will go on for their 75th anniversary next year,” she said. “I encourage people to engage and find peace and challenge here.”


“My first job at Camp Stevens was in 1996, as an intern, and my start date was March 18, the same start date for my job as executive director,” Wilder told The Episcopal News in a recent telephone interview. Between those events, she completed a bachelor’s degree, held positions elsewhere, and returned in 2007 to serve as the camp’s operations manager. She was a board member and also served as interim executive director, before accepting her current position in 2018.


“I was there during the Angel Fire,” she recalled, crediting former camp executive director Peter Bergstrom with mentoring her “to deal with change really well. One thing I learned is, when challenging things happen, it doesn’t mean Camp Stevens will fade away.” The Angel Fire in 2007 destroyed 15 buildings at the 260-acre camp, owned by the Episcopal Dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego.

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Diocese joins amicus brief opposing end to birthright citizenship


By EN Staff


The Diocese of Los Angeles is among a group of faith-based organizations opposing Trump v. Barbara a case U.S. Supreme Court justices are set to hear April 1, which seeks to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are either undocumented or who have temporary legal status.


“The Trump Administration’s unpatriotic policy strikes at the heart of the American dream while raising, as this government does in other ways, the specters of nativism and ethnic purity,” Bishop John Harvey Taylor told The Episcopal News. “Our diocese was proud to join in this brief and stand up for liberty and justice for all.”


President Donald Trump, on Jan. 20, 2025, his first day in office, signed Executive Order 14160, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” which declared that individuals born in the United States are not U.S. citizens at birth if their parents lack sufficient legal status.


The diocese has joined an amicus brief in support of three families who filed a class action lawsuit challenging the order. The families, using pseudonyms, include Barbara, a Honduran asylum applicant whose child was due in October 2025. Another was Susan, a Taiwanese citizen in the country on a student visa whose daughter was born in April 2025. Her child’s passport application was in progress at the time of the lawsuit. The third is Mark, a Brazilian applicant for permanent residence whose son was born in March 2025 and initially received a U.S. passport.


Read more

Churchwide annual Good Friday Offering to support Jerusalem and Middle East


Donations to The Episcopal Church Good Friday Offering will support life-giving ministries in the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, including St. George’s, Baghdad; the eye clinic in Ras Morbat, Yemen; the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza; and numerous other institutions identified by their dioceses.


The Episcopal Church has held a Good Friday Offering to support Christians in the Middle East beginning in the aftermath of World War I and through to the present day. Gifts may be made through congregations or directly by individual donors.


"We do not know what the political future of the Holy Land will be; but whatever that future, our siblings in Christ in The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East will continue to serve God’s people through their congregations, hospitals, schools, orphanages, and humanitarian aid programs," said Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe. "These vital ministries serve people of all faiths without distinction, bearing witness to the power of hope and healing across divides."


A Good Friday Offering concert will be streamed online on April 18.


Learn more and donate to the Good Friday Offering here.

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United Thank Offering shares updates, encourages participation


[United Thank Offering] United Thank Offering (UTO) invites Episcopalians to practice gratitude in inventive ways, with every penny donated going out into the world as grants i to Episcopal and Anglican Communion groups aiming to solve difficult community problems the following year. There is a saying that “gratitude makes you fall in love with the life you already have” and, once you feel the power of gratitude, you want to spread it around so everyone feels it and others are blessed by it. Read on to hear about how your parish can get involved.


Read more

Reminders & Resources

Applications open for 2026 CLUE summer Young Religious Leaders Fellowship


Young adults passionate about economic justice and faith -rooted organizing against low wages, racism and unjust immigration policies are invited to apply for the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) Young Religious Leaders Fellowship. The 2026 Fellowship cohort will work alongside experienced organizers and faith leaders in the fight for a sacred and just society, with the program running from June 15 - Aug. 23.


Learn more and apply here

New resource for Anglican-Roman Catholic reconciliation offered for study groups, shared liturgies


Eight years in formation, a new joint resource from The Episcopal Church and the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. addresses how deeper union between the churches can be realized through shared work in interreligious, racial, and ecological reconciliation.

More information here. Find the resource here

Episcopal Church LGBTQ+ task force encourages survey participation


All are invited to complete a 15- to 20-minute survey offered by the Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion to help the church better understand how it honors the dignity of all people and where work remains to be done. Survey must be completed by March 15


“Since 1976, when General Convention affirmed that 'homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church,' the Episcopal Church has expanded full access to ordination, marriage, and leadership for LGBTQ+ members,” said the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, chair of the Episcopal Church’s Task Force on LGBTQ Inclusion. “However, the reception of these commitments varies widely. And so as the chair of the Episcopal Church’s Task Force on LGBTQ Inclusion, I want to personally invite, encourage and urge you to participate in a church wide survey about LGBTQ+ experience in the Episcopal Church.


“In 2022, the 80th General Convention established the Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion to conduct a churchwide audit. This survey seeks to hear from all members, both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+, about your experiences with pastoral care, sacramental access, representation in leadership, and institutional accountability. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. And your commitment to calling our Church to live fully into its commitment to full and equal claim for ALL God’s beloved matters. Please give us 15 minutes of your time to complete the survey and be part of the ongoing journey of becoming more fully the Beloved Community God would have us be. Thank you and God bless!”

 

A survey report will be shared with the 82nd General Convention in 2027. Learn more and complete the survey, offered in English, French, and Spanish, by March 15.

Cancelled: Discernment Information Gathering set for March 14 will be rescheduled


The diocesan Commission on Ministry (COM) has cancelled the Discernment Information Gathering (DIG) that had been set for Saturday, March 14. More information will follow when available.

L.A. summer young-adult trip to Taiwan set to build relationships linking companion dioceses


By EN Staff


Young adults ages 18-30 are invited to apply for a mission experience in the Episcopal Diocese of Taiwan, a companion diocese of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Set for June 25-July 8, the trip will be hosted by the Diocese of Taiwan, and co-led by the Rev. Hsin-fen "Fennie" Chang and Missy Morain, L.A. diocesan missioner for Christian formation, children and youth ministries. The experience will include visits to churches and church schools, and sharing in leadership of the Northern Region Children’s Camp, a summer day-camp for children. Participants also will visit night markets, museums, and multiple cities in both the northern and southern regions of the diocese. Application and more information are available here.

Bloy House to offer Sacred Leadership Licensing courses in March, April

 

Starting March 16, Bloy House will offer a new four-week slate of courses, including:

 

Multiculturalism: In light of the present political and theological crisis in nationally, Bloy House will offer this course as a survey of both white Christian nationalism and theologies of liberation. The Very Rev. Paul Anthony Daniels will teach this course.

 

Lay Eucharistic Minister and Visitor: As canonically required, for Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors, we will offer the "Episcopal Identity" and "Antiracism" courses. These courses will be taught by the Rev. Hershey Mallette-Stephens.

 

Governance: For vestries that are interested in strengthening their relationships and functionality through prayer and process, Bloy House is offering the second iteration of our Governance course. The Rev. Jeff Thornberg will teach this course.

 

Sign up today! Any questions can submitted via Bloy House's "Contact Us" form on the Bloy House website, bloyhouse.org.


CLUE seeks donations to maintain bond fund for detained immigrants

 

Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) has been operating a volunteer-run bond fund for six months, which has reportedly become the largest immigrant bond fund in the United States. Now, after bonding out more than 100 people who have been able to return to their families, the donation-fed fund is running dangerously low.

 

CLUE is calling on the network of faith leaders and community members to help continue this sacred work. 100% of donations go directly towards paying somebody’s bond. Donations, small or large, can make a life-changing impact on families.

 

Donate here

Cathedral Connections

All invited for online noontime Lenten series led by theologian-priest Maggi Dawn

 

St. John's Cathedral invites all to share in a weekly online noontime Lenten series that began Feb. 25 with the Rev. Dr. Maggi Dawn reflecting on her book, Giving It Up, which offers daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day.


Dawn is canon theologian for the Diocese of Rhode Island, a former assistant dean at Yale Divinty School, and wife of the Very Rev. Andrew Tremlett, dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. She is also an indie rock musician and songwriter. (Tremlett and Dawn visited L.A.'s St. John's Cathedral, where they are pictured above with the Very Rev. Anne Sawyer, interim dean and priest-in-charge) on Feb. 6.


Each week Dawn will read a story, and participants will share thoughts and learnings, ponder a related question, and close in guided prayer or song. The biblical stories will be familiar, but how they relate to our lives will be fresh.


Dawn writes: "One of my favorite ways of going deeper in faith is to re-read the stories of scripture, imagining myself right inside the story. I want to get beyond the dry theory to something that connects to real life; and I believe that before we ever get to principles and lessons and calls to action, we need a deep and personal connection to God. It is my pleasure to join you this Lent for a weekly online meeting, looking further into how to deepen that connection with God. Lent is always associated with “wilderness” — but this is an invitation to a journey through Lent that does not feel like a dry, dusty punishment, but instead like a deep dive into a God who longs to feed our souls. I hope you will join me as we pray, read, and talk together."


Dawn’s book is available on Amazon electronically via Kindle or in print, though shipping may take 7-10 days. The zoom link will be available on the St. John’s website at: www.stjohnsla.org. The group will next meet on Wednesday, March 25 at noon for one hour; there will be no session on March 18.

 

The Bishop's Blog (additional entries are here)

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Solomon John Mattar

March 9, 2026


That terrible morning in June 1967, not even the purported tomb of Jesus Christ could keep them safe.


Solomon John Mattar, a Palestinian Christian, had been caretaker of the Garden Tomb in East Jerusalem since 1953. Owned and maintained by British Anglicans, it is thought by some, especially evangelicals, to have been the site of Jesus’s resurrection. Most say it actually happened at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, inside the current walls of Old City. None of us, besides the risen Christ, knows for sure.


Read more

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The Rev. Andrew Rutledge celebration of new ministry

March 9, 2026


A native of West Virginia, the Rev. Andrew Rutledge was working as a charge nurse at UCLA when, nearly 20 years ago, he visited the beautiful community of Los Olivos and fell in love with St. Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church. Called last October as its rector, he said it felt like a homecoming. During Sunday’s celebration of his new ministry, where I had the blessing of presiding, it came full circle when he pointed out his delightful mother, Kathy, and sister, Rosemary, all the way from West Virginia and our Episco-pals to their cores, sitting in the first pew.


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Desert Journeys Lenten Quiet Day

March 5, 2026


During our Lenten quiet day on Wednesday at the Desert Journeys Retreat Center in Twentynine Palms, I was in the library, reading Elizabeth Day’s saucy new novel about British politics. Outside I noticed the proprietor, the Rev. Canon David Caffrey, standing in the driveway, staring fixedly toward the rugged mountains that hug his warmly welcoming wilderness way station. I assumed he was meditating and went back to my book.


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Announcements & Events

Ojai church to host stations of the cross art exhibit


St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Ojai, will be hosting a Stations of the Cross art exhibition, open March 15 through April 3. The opening reception will be held Sunday, March 15, from 1-3 p.m. Gallery hours will be Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit will feature fourteen unique stations created by local artists. The gallery will be in the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Church, 409 Topa Topa Drive, at the corner of Bristol Road and Ojai Ave. 

CLUE encourages all to buy tickets for March 23 awards dinner fundraiser

Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) is hosting its annual awards dinner March 23, bringing together partners in labor, faith, and justice organizations to connect, celebrate, and recommit to all we can achieve when we work in sacred solidarity to build a more sacred and just society. 


In the past year, CLUE has trained thousands of community members in nonviolence, resistance, and accompaniment, and helped hundreds to become court observers and rapid responders, and reunited more than 100 families separated by ICE detention. Costs of tickets and donations to the fundraiser will support CLUE's work.


Learn more and reserve a seat here.

All invited to Kairos Palestine II Webinar March 17


The Episcopal Peace Fellowship's Palestine Justice Network invites all to join a 90-minute webinar Tuesday, March 17 at 4 p.m., exploring the recently released Kairos Palestine II Document and Study Guide. The webinar will include presentations by Palestinian Christian authors of the call for A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide, and co-hosted by the U.S.-Lutheran Palestine Israel Justice Network, and will provide an overview of this vital word from our Palestinian siblings in Christ, and offer creative and practical ways to bring that message to your congregation. The program is free, but to receive the link, participants must register their interest by email to dgrafton@hartfordinterational.edu.

Register here

Claremont School of Theology to host talk with seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones


In partnership with Westwood United Methodist Church, Claremont School of Theology is eager to announce a lecture and conversation with renowned seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones. Dr. Jones, a parishioner of St. James' Episcopal Church in South Pasadena, will speak on the intersection of science, morality, and faith in our present moment. Register to attend in-person or online at https://cst.edu/lucy-jones/.

Immaculate Heart Community to introduce new climate action program; all invited to March 14 webinar


Join the Immaculate Heart Community for the introduction of Bright Action, a new climate engagement program to helps individuals as well as congregations and communities to reduce carbon emissions through simple, meaningful steps rooted in our spiritual commitment to care for creation.


Register for the March 14 webinar, from 4 - 5:30 p.m., here.


Bright Action invites the community to embrace carbon‑reduction as a sacred expression of caring for creation. Through educational modules, personalized action plans, and simple tools for tracking progress, the program helps households reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ways that are both practical and spiritually meaningful. Participants can learn climate solutions, choose actions that fit their lives, join team challenges, and celebrate collective milestones — all while contributing to measurable reductions in our community’s carbon footprint.


For congregations and organizations, Bright Action offers engagement campaigns, participation dashboards, and tools to measure Scope 3 emissions, strengthening shared commitment to stewardship and environmental justice.

St. Luke's, Monrovia, invites women singers to join March Evensong choir


St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Monrovia, invites women singers from churches throughout the Diocese of Los Angeles to participate in its annual Women's Evensong Invitational. The Evensong will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 at St. Luke's, 122 California Ave., Monrovia. Choir call is 2:30 p.m. 


Rehearsals for the choir, for those who are able to attend, will also be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 22 and Sunday, March 8. Singers are expected to learn the music in advance. Full information from Kent B. Jones, St. Luke's music director, is here, or contact Jones at StLukesDirector@aol.com.

Diocese of San Diego will host churchwide Episcopal Communicators conference

 

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will host the churchwide Episcopal Communicators Conference April 14-17 in San Diego. All communicators active in Episcopal congregations, institutions, and dioceses are invited to attend.

 

"We know that ministry today can rise or fall on connection—how clearly we speak, how well we listen, and how faithfully we share the story of what God is already doing among us," organizers said. "The Episcopal Communicators Conference is not a luxury or a marketing exercise; it is formation for this moment. Clergy and staff who attend consistently return with sharper tools, renewed confidence, and a deeper sense of support for the work they carry. The cost of participation is real—but so is the return: clearer invitations, stronger engagement, and a congregation better equipped to be seen, heard, and understood in its community."


A key organizer on the conference host committee is Chris Tumilty, communications director of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, who previously served the Diocese of Los Angeles as communications specialist and youth ministry coordinator.

 

Register here.

Episcopal Church Foundation offers congregational resources for faithful action


The Episcopal Chuirch Foundation, as part of its Vital Practices ministry, offers congregations two new Toolkits for ministry, “Congregational Solidarity and Resistance” and “Solidarity with our Trans and LGBTQ+ Siblings.”


The toolkits offer resources, prayers, study guides, advocacy tools, and practical suggestions for congregations to begin or deepen their work of solidarity with marginalized community members. The toolkits were developed in collaboration with TransEpiscopal, the Episcopal Migration Caucus, the Staff Office for Gender Justice at The Episcopal ChurchPalestinian Anglicans & Clergy AlliesSacred Resistance, and the AuSable Inclusion Center. They are designed to meet Episcopal communities where they are and equip them to widen their circle of belonging, bear witness to the dignity of every child of God, and take faithful action in the face of injustice.


The Congregational Solidarity and Resistance toolkit includes two pieces by the Rev. Dr. Francisco Garcia, one of the conveners of the Sacred Resistance Task Force in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

From the Wider Church & Media

Presiding bishop, interfaith leaders lead prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East


[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and other faith leaders led a virtual interfaith vigil on March 10 to pray for peace in the Middle East as armed conflict continues throughout the region.


Six hundred thirty people joined the vigil, which was held in response to the United States and Israel launching a series of attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Iran responded by launching counterattacks throughout the Middle East.


Read more

Teen Tuesdays welcome youth to St. Francis Episcopal Church, Palos Verdes Estates


[Easy Reader & Peninsula] Teenagers at St. Francis Episcopal Church have a new place to gather each week, thanks to the launch of Teen Tuesday. The first meeting, held recently in the parish hall, drew local teens for an easygoing afternoon of pizza, Apples to Apples, and ping pong. 


For Shelley Reece, Minister of Programming and Youth, the gathering marks the return of a long-needed space for young people in the church community. 


“I arrived at the church in August, and one thing that was glaringly obvious to me was we didn’t have anything for the teenagers,” Reece said.


Read more

Pasadena City Council upholds hearing officer’s decision, approves safe parking program at All Saints Church


[Pasadena Now] The City Council on Monday voted down an appeal to block a conditional use permit for a safe parking program for people living in their vehicles at All Saints Church.


And once again, the discussion was contentious.


Mayor Victor Gordo and Steve Madison, the senior-most Councilmembers, came to verbal blows, after Gordo began asking about calls for service numbers at All Saints Church that were not presented to the City Council or contained in the agenda report.

Read more

For more churchwide stories, visit Episcopal News Service.

Calendar

TUESDAYS, 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Episcopal Church Immigration Updates

Via Zoom

Join Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Government Relations every Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET for 30-minute updates on U.S. immigration policy and how Episcopal congregations and communities are responding. Spanish interpretation is available. Register here.


TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Community Yoga Class

St. James Episcopal Church

1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena

Community yoga is an inclusive and accessible gathering for people of all ages and skill levels. Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Beginners are welcome. $15 per class, $120 for a 10-class pass. A collaboration between Caitlyn Ference-Saunders, RYT500 and St. James' Episcopal Church. We respect the history of yoga as a holistic South Asian practice. Our classes are offered with cultural respect and religious neutrality in mind. All are welcome.


TUESDAYS, 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Teen Tuesdays

St. Francis Episcopal

2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates

The new St. Francis Youth Group meets Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall! This weekly gathering is a relaxed “study hall” style hangout where teens (ages 13–18) can come after school to do homework, enjoy pizza and snacks, play games, and share in a short devotional. It’s a space to unwind, connect with friends, and grow in faith together. The Youth Group is a joint ministry of St. Francis and Wayfarers Chapel, and all teens in the community are invited to join—so bring your friends! Come for the pizza. Stay for the friendship and faith.

For more information contact Shelley Reece, missioner of programming and youth, at shelley.reece@stfrancispalosverdes.org


WEDNESDAYS, 10 a.m.

Midweek Holy Eucharist

St. Francis Episcopal Church

2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates

Join us for a peaceful midweek Holy Eucharist service, celebrated with hymns and prayers from Rite II in our Chapel. Each week we include the collect for the saint commemorated in the church calendar. It’s a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and be renewed in the middle of your week. All are welcome!


WEDNESDAYS IN LENT

February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25, 5:30 p.m.

Disastrous Dinner Parties

St. Francis Episcopal

2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates

More information: https://www.stfrancispalosverdes.org/

We’re pulling up a chair to some of the most unforgettable meals in the Gospels — the ones where Jesus said the quiet part out loud, challenged the seating chart, corrected the host, and completely rearranged the room. We’ll gather for food, conversation, and a closer look at the table moments where Jesus disrupted expectations and revealed the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God. Each week includes dinner, teaching, and thoughtful discussion. Come hungry — for good food and good questions.


All are welcome. Bring a friend. Childcare will be available at all the Lenten dinners.


WEDNESDAYS, 6:10 p.m.

Weekly Taize service

All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena

132 N Euclid St., Pasadena

Info: jeanniecobb@me.com

Come join this time of quiet worship when we still our busy minds and listen for a word from God. Take a deep breath, join in the singing of short, repetitive chants, and feel the Spirit around you. A small instrumental ensemble supports our prayers as we sing. The reading of scripture, spaces of silence, and intercessory prayer are also part of the experience. All are welcome.


WEDNESDAYS, 7 p.m.

Women's Lectionary Study

St. Francis Episcopal Church

2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates

Join us every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Library for Women’s Lectionary Study. We’re exploring scripture through “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church – Year W” by Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, discovering fresh perspectives that center women’s voices and experiences in the Bible. You don’t need the book, and you don’t need to attend every week— just come as you are to listen, learn, and share in open, thought-provoking conversation. Everyone is welcome — men and women alike!


THURSDAYS, 7-7:30 a.m.

Churches for Middle East Peace weekly calls on Holy Land conflict

Via Zoom

Join weekly briefings on the Israel-Hamas war hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which The Episcopal Church is a founding member and active on the board. CMEP mobilizes Christians in the United States to advocate for equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East. Learn more and register.


THURSDAYS, 10-10:30 a.m.

Episcopal Public Policy Network/Office of Government Relations weekly calls 

Via Zoom

Join these 30-minute conversations each Thursday with Office of Government Relations staff members, who share an overview of the political environment and legislative outlook, offer advocacy tips, and answer questions. Register here.


THURSDAYS, 7 p.m.

Episcopal Students of UCLA

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

580 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles

Information: episcopalstudentsucla@gmail.com

We are a group of Christians, looking to further our relationship with God and strengthen our bonds in Christian community. Meeting in the library at St. Alban's Episcopal Church (right near campus), we are a welcoming community whose goal is to live out the truth of the gospel through spiritual growth, community experience, and service. 


FIRST SATURDAYS, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Dress a Girl Around the World Sewing Ministry

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

242 E. Alvarado St., Pomona

All are invited to participate in St. Paul's sewing ministry, creating dresses for the Dress a Girl Around the World project. Experienced sewing is not required! Please email seniorwarden@stpaulspomona.org to attend.


MARCH 13, 7:30 p.m.

St. Martin’s Music Salon presents an evening of Chamber Music

St. Martin in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

7136 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka

Chamber and Organ Music with a variety of instruments and combinations!

Music by Beach, Bonis, Corelli, Elgar, Franck, and Prokofiev!

Featured musicians are Suzanna Giordano Gignac, Shahid Yasser Osuna, Nancy Roth, Lorenzo Sánchez, and Christian D Stendel. Freewill donation. 


SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 9 a.m.

Miroslav Volf

All Saints by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

83 Eucalyptus Lane, Santa Barbara

Miroslav Volf, Henry B. Wright, Professor of Theology and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture at Yale University will be at All Saints on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. This lecture will be on his book Free of Charge: giving and forgiving in an age stripped of grace. No need to have read his book in advance. The cost is $25.


SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 5 p.m.

Trivia Night

Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Placentia, Fellowship Hall

All are invited to have fellowship and fun at a trivia night supporting the ministries of Blessed Sacrament. Event costs $20.00/adult, children 6 and up $10.00, children 5 and younger free. Dinner begins at 5 p.m., Trivia begins at 6 p.m. Teams of 6-8 people. Drinks will be available for purchase. Cash or Check only. Childcare available.


SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 7 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day celebration 

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

580 Hilgard Ave., Westwood

Join St. Alban's, Westwood, for a concert of Irish music followed by a catered reception including finger food, Irish beers, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. The concert will feature the church choir, a guest female vocalist, pianist, and special guest Irish harp player. The concert will be lead by Adam McCrory, who was born and raised in Ireland before emigrating to Los Angeles, and said that the concert is an opportunity to share the music of his culture and history. 

Admission is based on a suggested donation of $25, which includes a drink ticket. Limited free parking is available on site; limited street parking on Hilgard Avenue, with additional parking across the street at UCLA Lot 2


SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1 - 3 p.m.

Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition Opening

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 409 Topa Topa Dr. (Corner of Bristol Rd. & Ojai Ave.), Ojai

Fourteen local artists share their talents and interpretations of the Stations of the Cross. Refreshments served under the Pergola. 


SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 4 p.m.

Women's Evensong Invitational

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

122 S. California Ave., Monrovia

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Monrovia will present its annual Women’s Evensong Invitational on Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m. This is the third in our series of choral evensongs for the 2025-2026 season. The Rev. Neil Tadken will be officiant, and Kelly Lauer will be cantor. The singers are coming from churches all over Los Angeles County and beyond. All are welcome to attend.

Selections will include Paul M. French's Nunc Tempus Acceptabile and the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Denis Mason. The Phos Hilaron and the Monrovia Preces and Responses were written by Kent B. Jones, Director of Music and Organist at St. Luke’s.  


FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 8 p.m.

St. Matthew’s Music Guild Return to St. Matthew’s Church Concert Featuring LA Phil Principals

St. Matthew’s Church

1031 Bienveneda Ave., Pacific Palisades

Allakhverdyan and Crockett Play Strauss: clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan and bassoonist Whitney Crockett with the Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s, Dwayne S. Milburn, conductor. David Lefkowitz’s Zachor, Strauss’ Duet-Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon; and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings. 

Tickets: $45 general admission | $10 students with ID at the door

For more information: musicguildonline.org | 310.573.0722


SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 4 p.m.

Jazz Angels: Empowering Young Musicians and Preserving Jazz

St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church

6201 E. Willow St., Long Beach

Jazz Angels musicians perform selections of classic and contemporary jazz standards, taking listeners through a toe-tapping history of jazz. Jazz Angels is a non-profit organization that has empowered over 4000 Long Beach youth (ages 11-17) since 2006. Free-will offering, with a reception to follow.


SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 5 p.m.

St. Cross Music Guild presents 'The Return of The Sords'

St. Cross Episcopal Church

1818 Monterey Blvd, Hermosa Beach.

 Please join us to hear these three virtuosi, as they unite for an evening of works by John Williams (Fiddler on the Roof), Mozart (Piano Trio in B - flat), Brahms (Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor) and other wonderful work.  A light repast will be offered after the performance. Parking is plentiful!!


Events to be included in the online diocesan calendar and the Update may be emailed to mtrudinger-smith@ladiocese.org.

Opportunities

PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage to Spain


Holy Trinity Church, Covina, and Blessed Sacrament, Placentia, with NAWAS International Travel

October 13 - 24 2026



Join the the Rev. Steven De Muth and the Rev. Barrett Van Buren in a pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, and Spain with Avila and Barcelona. Explore Holy places and historic sites throughout the Iberian Peninsula and France as we trace the footsteps of the three shepherd children at the Cova da Iria in Fátima, spend time with Teresa of Ávila, mystic and writer of The Interior Castle and more, participate in an evening torchlight procession on our way to the famous grotto of our Lady in Lourdes, visit majestic Madrid, the royal city and the Prado, the Archabbey of Montserrat and with the beloved Black Madonna. Finally, enjoy a few days in Barcelona and see the hopefully completed Sagrada Familia, and much more.


Full trip information pamphlet here. For more information, contact padresteve@holytrinitycovina.com or 626.967.3939

Journey to the Holy Land


All Saints, Riverside, and friends, with Qumri Pilgrimages

February 2027



Join All Saints Episcopal Church, Riverside, in a Journey to the Holy Land led by the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce and the Rev. Canon Kelli Grace Kurtz, with local guides Canon Iyad Qumri and Rami Qumri. For more information, email PilgrimKGK@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER

Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service


Assemble “Essentials Kits”, organizing drives for essential items for immigrant and refugee families, set up fundraiser events for IRIS, facilitating workshops for clients, or suggest an idea of your own. Visit the IRIS volunteer page to get involved.



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Seeds of Hope


Volunteer with Seeds of Hope at free farmers’ markets, gardens, and compost sites, which all rely on volunteers. From lifting boxes to planting seeds, every hand makes a difference.


To join, fill out the volunteer form here pick what you want to do, and join the crew.

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Food Pantry

Our Saviour Center

4368 Santa Anita Avenue, El Monte


Lend a hand on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., rain or shine, to help us help the neediest families in our community. Volunteers should be age 16 and up. Street parking is available on Santa Anita, McGirk and Lambert avenues. For information or to sign up, email info@our-center.org. Volunteers may fill out a volunteer form here.

EMPLOYMENT

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Youth Director. St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church is seeking a Youth Director who will be responsible for guiding youth, grades 6-12, in their understanding of themselves and their Christian faith. Duties include organizing social and faith-based youth events centered on belonging, community building, and appreciating their self-worth. The Youth Director should be a strong leader by example and knowledge, and will help to build strong leaders in the church from the youth community. A detailed job description can be found here.

LA VERNE: Full-Time University Chaplain and Director of the Office of Spiritual & Religious Life, University of La Verne. The Office of the Provost is seeking a thoughtful, compassionate University Chaplain to guide spiritual life and nurture community across our diverse student body. This full-time role supports students, faculty, and staff through pastoral care, interfaith engagement, spiritual programming, and mission-centered initiatives that reflect our historic Church of the Brethren values of peace, service, and inclusion. The ideal candidate will bring strong listening skills, a grounding in spiritual formation, and a commitment to supporting people from all backgrounds and traditions. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred. Full job description here.

LONG BEACH: Organist and Director of Music. St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church is seeking a talented Organist and Director of Music to begin on Jan. 1, 2026. This essential role involves playing the organ and/or piano for all worship services, directing and leading the adult choir, and collaborating closely with the clergy to plan and enhance the music for all liturgical seasons. Key administrative responsibilities include overseeing the maintenance of the church's musical instruments and managing the music budget. We are looking for a dedicated musician to sustain and grow our vibrant musical tradition. Salary will be negotiated based on experience and qualifications. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Allen Stout, the Bishop’s Warden, at astout1176@gmail.com or 714.381.5910

LOS ANGELES: Part-time Sexton. St. John’s Cathedral is seeking a part-time Sexton (20 hours per week) to assist with the care and upkeep of its historic campus. This important role helps ensure the cathedral remains a welcoming place for worship, prayer, and local gatherings. Responsibilities include facility cleaning, basic maintenance, event setup, and helping prepare spaces for services and activities. Candidates should be dependable, physically able to assist with light maintenance and setup tasks, and able to work Sundays and major church holidays. Full job description here. To apply, please email churchoffice@stjohnsla.org

PASADENA: Part-Time Youth Associate, All Saints Church. Reports to director of Children, Youth, and Families. Hours: 12 hours/week, Sept 2025 through June 2026; Wednesdays and Sundays required (non-exempt position). Compensation: $20/hour. The ideal candidate will have a heart for serving youth, spiritual maturity, a commitment to continual spiritual and personal development, and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of youth in our community. As a youth associate, you will work closely with our youth minister and director of Children, Youth, and Families to plan, organize, and implement programs that support the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of our youth. Full job description here.

WOODLAND HILLS: Part-time director of Children’s and Families Ministry. Prince of Peace Episcopal Church. Consistent with all other positions at Prince of Peace (POP), the goal of this position is to “know, love, and serve Jesus as Savior and Lord, to share His healing and transformation with all people.” Additionally. The Children’s and Families Ministry (CFM) director maintains “a safe place to grow in faith, have fun in fellowship, live the Word and share God’s love” with all children and families. Full description here. To apply, send cover letter and resume to jobs@popwh.org with “Children Ministry” in the subject line.

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

— Mostyn Trudinger-Smith, managing editor