October 13, 2024

Congregations around the diocese mark St. Francis Day with blessings of animals

Dogs and cats, turtles and lizards, and other pet animals joined their humans at church on and around Oct. 4, feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, widely revered as patron saint of animals and the environment.

Pictured at top: Holy Spirit Community gathers pets and people for a brief service in Echo Park, across the street from their meeting place at St. Paul's Commons, before offering blessings. At left: a winsome canine awaits a blessing at St. Augustine's Church, Santa Monica.

More pet blessings (clockwise from top left): A priest blesses two dogs at St. Andrew's, Torrance; a well-vested pooch at St. Peter's, San Pedro poses with the Very Rev. Jeanette Repp, rector, and dean of Deanery 8; a priest appears to counsel a dog before bestowing a blessing at St. Mark's, Upland; the Rev. John Watson, priest-in-charge of St. Athanasius' Church, blesses a tub of turtles in Echo Park; a dog at St. Thomas' Church, Hollywood, and his people join in the service; and a dog accepts a blessing at St. Mark's Church, Glendale. Many other congregations marked the day, which also concluded The Episcopal Church's Season of Creation. Photos: Facebook

Feature

Our Saviour, San Gabriel, shares ‘holy dumplings’ with community

By Shireen Korkzan

[Episcopal News Service – October 8, 2024] When she was five years old, Jessica Jin learned to make dumplings, a beloved family tradition throughout China, especially the northern region. She kept those skills throughout her life, even today, 13 years after moving from Beijing to the United States, where she and her family settled in San Gabriel, California. Today, she’s an active parishioner of the Church of Our Saviour, an Episcopal parish with a growing Chinese congregation.

“The Saviour church community is a place of support and unity for me. Here, we care for one another, share our faith, and build deep friendships,” Jin told Episcopal News Service. “This community not only gives me a sense of belonging, but also encourages me to grow in my faith.”

Jin participates in a few ministries at the Church of Our Saviour, including the Chinese Lunch Team, a group of about a dozen parishioners who cook traditional Chinese meals for various events throughout the year, including dumplings for the city of San Gabriel’s annual Dumpling & Beer Fest, which took place on Oct. 4 this year. The event, a unique twist on Oktoberfest reflecting the city’s predominantly East Asian population, attracts between 5,000 and 6,000 people every year. The Church of Our Saviour was the only religious institution that participated in the festival, and proceeds from the 2,000 beef and pork dumplings they sold will benefit the church’s senior program.

Coming up

Standing Committee opens applications for Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee; Oct. 18 deadline set

by EN Staff

[The Episcopal News – October 2, 2024] Emphasizing culturally and geographically diverse representation, the diocesan Standing Committee has opened applications for the search committee for a bishop coadjutor to be elected in 2025 to succeed Bishop John Harvey Taylor upon his retirement in 2026.

The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. Search committee appointees will be announced on Nov. 5.

"We invite your active participation in forming a search committee that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our diocese," Standing Committee officers the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, president, and Rose Hayden-Smith, secretary, wrote in an Oct. 1 letter to the diocese. "Your involvement is crucial in encouraging a broad spectrum of people to apply, ensuring transparency, inclusion, and representation across our diocese’s 10 geographic deaneries located in six counties."

The Standing Committee's letter and related application materials are available in Spanish here.

LAST CALL!

Golfers (and non-golfers) invited to take part in Oct. 14 Shepherd's Cup Golf Classic

Calling all golfers! The second annual Shepherd’s Cup Golf Classic and Dinner will be held on Monday, Oct. 14 at the Industry Hills Golf Club and Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry.

The day will include the tournament, putting and other contests, a banquet dinner with guest speaker Bishop John Harvey Taylor, live and silent auctions, and an opportunity drawing. A video invitation from Bishop Taylor is here. (Oct. 14 is Indigenous Peoples Day, also known as Columbus Day, a federal holiday.)

This year’s event will benefit campus ministries in the Diocese of Los Angeles, including the Canterbury Clubs at UCLA, USC and UC-Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Riverside.

Non-golfers are welcome to the social hour and banquet.

More information about the tournament and registration links is here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. All congregations of the diocese are encouraged to make up a foursome and compete for the Shepherd’s Cup.

Faculty and staff invited to Episcopal schools celebration Oct. 10

Bishop John Taylor and the Commission on Schools invite Episcopal school leaders in the Diocese of Los Angeles to gather at St. Paul's Commons on Thursday, Oct. 10, to celebrate Episcopal Schools Week.

The event will begin with Eucharist at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon. It is open to all who serve in Episcopal schools in the diocese.

St. Paul's Commons is located at 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles 90026. Parking is available underground and on the street, but carpooling is strongly encouraged

Registration is required; click here.

St. Paul’s Commons sets Oct. 20 Evensong to mark 30th anniversary of campus opening

[The Episcopal News – August 28, 2024] All are invited to an Oct. 20 Evensong set to mark the 30th year of St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park, as headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

“The spirit of service and hospitality prized by our diocesan community continues to guide the ministries shared in Echo Park these three decades,” said Bishop John Harvey Taylor, who will preach at the 5 p.m. Sunday liturgy featuring a volunteer choir assembled from across the L.A. diocese’s five and one-quarter counties.

To join the choir for the Evensong, click here for the signup form. Music will be sent to all singers who register. There will be one rehearsal, on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 20 (time to be announced).

“This mission is cause to celebrate anew as we shape deepened ways of feeding hearts hungry for spiritual growth, community life, and social services provided to neighbors in need.”

Camp Stevens opens annual ‘Acorns to Oaks’ auction

Camp Stevens has opened its annual auction, a major fundraiser for its programs.

Proceeds from Acorns to Oaks 2024 go to the most important and urgent needs at Camp Stevens, from facilities repairs to program supplies. To participate, donors will need to create an auction account; links are available on the auction page. Bidding ends Oct. 31.

Auction items range from adventures with Camp Stevens staff members to a holiday bakery box prepared by the camp’s own kitchen crew to handmade artworks to a Las Vegas magic show by Nathan Burton.

Camp Stevens, which serves the dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego, hosts summer camp sessions for children, weekend family camps, retreats, conferences and more on its 256-acre campus of pine-oak woodland near Julian. Learn more about Camp Stevens here.

Kaleidoscope Institute to offer online course on ‘Becoming Beloved Community’

The Kaleidoscope Institute will present Becoming Beloved Community: Racial Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Training, a dialogue-based online course beginning Thursday, Oct. 17, 4 - 6 p.m. PT (7 - 9 p.m. ET) on Zoom.

This six-week course, offered in conjunction with Bexley Seabury's Pathways for Baptismal Living, will be led by Kaleidoscope Institute facilitators, and is designed to fulfill the Episcopal and other denominational canonical requirements for anti-racism training. It will explore the vision of Becoming Beloved Community and offer a deep dive into bias, power, and systems of injustice.

Sessions will focus on respectful dialogue, truth-telling, and building relationships that foster real change. Participants will engage in personal and group reflection, explore key topics like the Doctrine of Discovery and intercultural competency, and select one book from an insightful reading list to guide their journeys. They also will have opportunities for meaningful reflection, discussion, and practice in a supportive environment.

For more information and to register, click here.

The Kaleidoscope Institute was founded in 2006 in the Diocese of Los Angeles by the Rev. Canon Eric Law. According to its website, KI helps communities “develop intercultural competency, embrace a culture of anti-racism, practice inclusion, explore new ministry incubation, foster stewardship, guide community transformation, and support overall congregational vitality.”

The Bishop's Blog (additional entries are here)

Travels on the Storm King Highway

October 5, 2024

This time of year, or just a few weeks later, Richard Nixon, who in his exilic retirement lived in northern New Jersey, liked to drive up state route 9 along the Hudson River to see the fall foliage. In Peekskill for a family wedding, enabling the latest in a series of photos of her with sisters Maureen and Nancy, Kathy and I followed 37’s old autumn trail this morning, past West Point and making it as far as Cornwall-on-Hudson. We drove back down the Storm King Highway, five miles of breathtaking vistas, skirting the river through tunnels of green on the verge of bursting into orange and red.

Requiescat in pace

Stephen Hooper Rosebrook

November 29, 1994 - September 26, 2024

Stephen Thomas Hooper Rosebrook, 29, son of the Very Rev. Betsy Hooper-Rosebrook and Tom Rosebrook, died Sept. 26. He had collapsed a few days earlier after running in a 10K race in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he was a firefighter.

Survivors include his parents; his brother, Andrew; his fiancee, Suzanne Moore; and his daughter, Eleanor.

A service was held on Oct. 4 at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green. A second service will be held at St. Mark’s Church, Altadena, on a date to be announced.

Rosebrook was born Nov. 29, 1994 in Anaheim, California. He attended St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Altadena, where his mother was a longtime chaplain, and graduated in 2013 from Temple City High School.

He graduated with Verdugo Fire Academy Class 18 in 2015 and worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT) in Los Angeles County. He began his career with the Bowling Green Fire Department in 2017 and was promoted to engineer in 2021. He also was enrolled in Eastern Kentucky University’s paramedic science degree program.

An obituary is here.

Diocesan Convention https://diocesela.org/convention

'Inside Out Church - Episcopal Identity in Our Neighborhoods' is theme of 2024 convention

The 129th Annual Meeting of Convention of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles, themed Inside Out Church: Episcopal Identity in our Neighborhoods, will be held on Friday evening, Nov. 8 and all day on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Riverside Convention Center at 3637 5th Street, Riverside 92501.

In announcing this year’s theme, Bishop Diocesan John Harvey Taylor said, “What we do on Sundays is the launch pad for how we live as Episcopalians in a spiritually hungry world. The church becomes the diaconate writ large when it goes outside its walls.” Inside Out Church is an examination of the diocese’s work in chaplaincy, service, and advocacy.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church, the diocese will welcome the Rev. Carter Heyward, one of the historic Philadelphia Eleven, as special guest and keynote speaker at this year’s convention.

Pre-Convention diocesan presentations and deanery assemblies scheduled for October

Three online pre-convention diocesan presentations will feature remarks from Bishop John Harvey Taylor, a preview of the treasurer’s report on next year’s diocesan budget, and other details about Convention.

Deanery assemblies will follow on Zoom directly after the diocesan presentation. Those who are unable to attend their deanery’s presentation are welcome to attend a different session. The Zoom link is the same for all three sessions, scheduled on the following dates:

Deaneries 3, 4 & 5: Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m.
Deaneries 6, 7 & 8: Saturday, October 19, 2 p.m.
Deaneries 1, 2, 9 & 10: Sunday, October 20, 3 p.m.

Zoom meeting ID for all sessions is 892 7335 7794, or use the direct link. Advance registration is not required.

Canon O’Connor invites clergy spouses, partners to special space at convention

Clergy spouses and partners are invited to take advantage of their special space at this year’s Diocesan Convention, meeting Friday and Saturday, November 8 - 9 at the Riverside Convention Center.

The spouses’ space at the convention center will be open during the business session on Saturday, Nov. 9, according to Canon Kathy O’Connor, spouse of Bishop John Harvey Taylor, who recently issued an invitation to join her there during convention.

“Clergy spouses and partners will have our own meeting room, as always, in the Convention Center,” O’Connor wrote. “Refreshments and snacks, as well as lunch, will be available in our space on Saturday; and of course, the Exhibit Hall will be open.”

O’Connor also invites spouses to the convention reception and banquet, to be held on Friday evening, followed by a screening of The Philadelphia Eleven, a documentary film about the first women ordained to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church.

O’Connor asks that clergy spouses and partners who are planning to attend the convention contact her at mizkoc@gmail.com.

More about Diocesan Convention:

Are you interested in running for a diocesan office? Nominations are open. Learn more here.
Would you like to have an Exhibit Hall booth at convention for your ministry or business? Get information and register here.
Youth ages 13 and up are invited to volunteer to work at convention, helping with registration, the exhibit hall, and serving as ushers, runners and facilitators. There is no cost to volunteer, and all meals are provided. As business will only be conducted on Saturday this year, volunteers will not need to stay overnight. Letters verifying volunteer hours will be available upon request. To participate or for more information, contact Missy Morain, the diocese’s missioner for Christian Formation, Children and Youth, at mmorain@ladiocese.org.
Do you need childcare at Diocesan Convention? It's offered without charge for children ages 0 - 12 on Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pre-register here.
Would you like to attend the Friday, Nov. 8 banquet dinner? All are invited and welcome; you do not have to be a delegate. Buy tickets here. Dinner will be followed by a 7:30 p.m. screening of The Philadelphia Eleven documentary (free).
Coffee and concessions will be available for purchase inside the Convention Center all day Saturday. An Italian buffet lunch will be served in the Raincross Ballroom during the afternoon break. Buy tickets in advance here. (Some tickets may be available for purchase on site, but it is not guaranteed.)

More information is available in an email recently issued by the Diocesan Convention office, or visit the convention website. Questions may be directed to Canon Steven Nishibayashi (snishibayashi@ladiocese.org), secretary of convention, or to Samantha Wylie (swylie@ladiocese.org), convention coordinator.

In the congregations

Calling all crafters: Christ the Good Shepherd Church seeks handmade items for holiday fair

Christ the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church needs crafters willing to donate items for its holiday fair, which will be hold on Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We need you if you knit, crochet, embroider, make handmade Christmas ornaments, potpourri, candles, potholders, have self-published books through Shutterfly or Amazon, or more," said Celestine Candida of Good Shepherd Church. She added that all crafts must be handmade. Vendor fee will be $25, payable to the church.

Christ the Good Shepherd Church is located at 3303 W. Vernon, Los Angeles. For more information, contact Candida at ccandida6834@gmail.com.

Robert W. Lee to lead events in San Marino, Riverside exploring 'Theology in the Public Square'

All Saints' Church, Riverside, and St. Edmund's Church, San Marino, invite the diocesan community to “Theology in the Public Square,” a two-part event with the Rev. Robert W. Lee, author of A Sin By Any Other Name: Reckoning with Racism and the Heritage of the South.

Lee is the author of four books, and is known for his work in combating the racist past of the South, the United States, and his ancestor, Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He has preached across the world from small churches to large cathedrals. He offered a prayer at the 2021 Inaugural Prayer Service at the invitation of President Biden and has testified before Congress on Confederate monuments. He also has made numerous television appearances including The View.

The first event, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, will be Sara Plays Her Game, a short one-woman play written by Frank Canino and presented by Christina Miller at All Saints Church, 847 Terracina Drive, Riverside 92506. The character Sara tells gripping and moving stories from her childhood in France during World War II, including the game her father taught her, if she should ever need to leave quickly to escape the Nazis. The play will begin at 6 p.m. Lee will give a presentation after the play, at 6:20 p.m., followed by questions and answers at 7 p.m. A reception on the south portico will follow.

The second event will be a speaker event featuring Lee on the following day, Thursday, October 17, at St. Edmund’s Church, 1175 San Gabriel Blvd, San Marino 91108. It will begin with a 6:30 p.m. reception, followed by the program at 7 p.m.

Brass Rubbing Center returns to St. Luke’s, Long Beach, Oct. 15

Brass Rubbing Medieval Arts Center will begin its 38th residence at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Long Beach on Oct. 15, continuing through Nov. 9.

In this fun and educational experience for people of all ages history comes alive as participants experience the drama and imagery of the Middle Ages through the simple hands-on craft of brass Rubbing.

Docents will guide groups through St. Luke’s parish hall, reconfigured as “Cassidy Castle” with banners, shields, stained glass-type windows and medieval music, sharing information about medieval times; about knights, armor, and customs that have endured through the centuries. Attendees will be guided step by step as they create lasting pieces of art by rubbing metallic waxes on paper over facsimile brasses that copy those found in English churches.

The Brass Rubbing Center is open for four weeks, Oct. 16 - Nov. 9 (closed Sunday and Monday). Cost is $10 per person, including brass rubbing supplies. English tea parties, featuring dainty sandwiches, goodies and tea in china cups, are available: $28 for adult and $8 for children.

For reservations email brass.rubbing.lb@gmail.com. St. Luke’s Church is located at 525 E. 7th Street, Long Beach 90813

Service at Huntington Beach church will celebrate 50 years of women in the priesthood

St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church in Huntington Beach invites the diocesan community to a special service celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in The Episcopal Church on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m.

All are invited, especially female clergy, who are encouraged to wear red stoles and join the procession.

“This service is being designed by women, will be led by women, and will include music composed by women,” said Nancy Davies, senior warden of St. Wilfrid’s, in a letter of invitation. “It will be a service in celebration of God’s work through women over the past 50 years.”

Davies noted that the service also will honor the late Rev. Nancy Sinclair, retired vicar of St. Theodore of Canterbury Church, Seal Beach, who helped with planning before her death on August. 26.

During the first half of the 20th century, women in the Episcopal Church began exploring ways to increase their participation in the church. At the 1970 General Convention, a resolution was put forward to approve women’s ordination to the priesthood, but it failed to pass the House of Deputies, although women already were ordained to the diaconate. In response, the Episcopal Women’s Caucus was formed in 1971 to generate future advocacy work for women’s ordination. In spite of EWC’s efforts, at the next General Convention in 1973 a resolution to approve women’s ordination once again failed.

By July 1974, three retired bishops agreed to ordain a group of qualified women deacons. Eleven women presented themselves for ordination to the priesthood in a service at Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. Thereafter, these women became known as the Philadelphia 11.

Although some church leaders reacted harshly to the “irregular” ordinations, EWC continued its work, and at the 1976 General Convention, the ordination of women to the priesthood was authorized.

An interactive timeline of the history of women’s ordination in the Episcopal Church is here.

Events & Announcements

Calling all singers! Volunteers needed for choir at St. Paul's Commons Evensong

To join the volunteer choir for the 30th anniversary Evensong at St. Paul’s Commons, click here for the signup form. Music will be sent to all singers who register. There will be one rehearsal, on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 20 (time to be announced). According to the Rev. John Watson, who will lead the Evensong, organizers would like to include at least one singer from every congregation in the diocese.

To learn more about the Evensong see the Episcopal News story, "St. Paul’s Commons sets Oct. 20 Evensong to mark 30th anniversary of campus opening," above or here.

'By Your Side' training sessions set for autumn

Since 2011, the mission of By Your Side – a program of Episcopal Communities & Services – has been to support people in times of change and difficulty, particularly in health crisis, and to be at their bedside at the end of their lives as needed. More than 500 volunteers have been trained to be a compassionate presence.

By Your Side's next 10-hour training session will be held on Mondays, Nov. 18 - Dec. 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (location to be determined). All classes will be hybrid, with an option to attend via Zoom.

For further information and to register, contact Susan Brown at sbrown@ecsforseniors.org or 626.403.5424. A fee of $70 (which includes all materials) is due by the second class. ECS team members are complimentary; scholarships are available for public enrollees. CE (12 hours) for nurses is available for an added $30 under California Board of Registered Nursing Provider CEP 16239. Anyone may take the training; there is no obligation to volunteer.

SAVE THE DATE

Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change sets Nov. 20 webinar with scientist Katharine Hayhoe

[The Episcopal News – August 14, 2024] Internationally renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe will keynote a diocese-wide webinar set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 by the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change. Attendees are asked to register here.

Hayhoe is chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor and the Political Science Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Public Law in the Department of Political Science at Texas Tech University, where she is also an associate in the Public Health program of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. In addition, she is a principal investigator for the Department of Interior’s South-Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and the National Science Foundation’s Global Infrastructure Climate Network.

From the wider church

Episcopalians in the Southeast dig out, clean up from Hurricane Helene and help neighbors where they can

By Melodie Woerman

[Episcopal News Service – October 9, 2024] As power is being restored across the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, the Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, North Carolina, has begun its cleanup after Hurricane Helene. Photos posted to its Facebook page show cushions and prayer books stacked outside, rooms filled with items tossed asunder by floodwaters, and massive plastic tubes running throughout the building to help dry things out, even as mold remains a significant problem.

In the nearly two weeks since the hurricane tore through the Southeast United States, causing destruction from coastal storm surges in Florida to mountainous river flooding and landslides in western North Carolina, Episcopal churches and institutions are picking up the pieces even as some are preparing for another hurricane churning in the Gulf of Mexico.

Among the more dramatic images reported days after the storm were of flood waters pouring through the streets around, and into, the cathedral, located in one of the areas hardest-hit by massive flooding after as much as 30 inches of rain fell on the region.

Q&A: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry reflects on an eventful nine years as churchwide leader

By David Paulsen

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was elected and confirmed in June 2015 at the 78th General Convention, and on Nov. 1 that year, he was installed as presiding bishop, becoming the first Black denominational leader of The Episcopal Church.

A lot has happened in Curry’s nine-year term, from natural disasters in many of the church’s dioceses to a global pandemic that upended much of parish life and forced the church to embrace new technologies to remain connected. Throughout, Curry has led the church in its focus on racial reconciliation, evangelism and creation care while preaching Christian love to counter the societal hatred that continues to fuel political divisions in the United States and beyond.

Curry also had the opportunity to address an estimated audience of billions when he was asked to give the sermon at the May 2018 royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. That sermon drew sudden worldwide attention to Curry’s Christian message of the power of love, while Episcopalians across the church continued to warmly welcome him for countless pastoral visits and revivals.

Episcopal Church office to host election night virtual prayers

Everyone is invited to join election night virtual prayers, hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations from 5 to 7 p.m. (PT) on Nov. 5.

Bishop Sean Rowe, who will become presiding bishop on Nov. 1, will offer an opening reflection and prayer. Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries.

Register here to join the event via Zoom, or watch a livestream on The Episcopal Public Policy Network’s Facebook page. (Note: for simultaneous Spanish interpretation, register for Zoom.)

Election Resources

In addition, explore these election engagement resources online from the Office of Government Relations:

“Vote Faithfully” toolkit: Instructions and resources for local “get out the vote” strategies
Church bulletin inserts and graphics
Episcopal Election Activators: Volunteer program to promote nonpartisan election engagement
“Episco-pols” podcast
Resources on addressing political violence
Civil discourse training
“Misinformation, Disinformation, Fake News: Why Do We Care?”

LGBTQ+ ministry leaders in Brazil and South Dakota discuss welcoming the stranger through UTO grants

[The Episcopal Church – September 26, 2024] Panelists from two recent United Thank Offering (UTO) grant recipients, the Anglican Church of Brazil and the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota, will share about their ministries to welcome LGBTQ+ people who are at risk in their communities in a "Radical Welcome" webinar. The discussion will be held virtually, Tuesday, October 22, at 10 a.m. PST.

The discussion will be moderated by the Rev. Canon Heather Melton, staff officer for the United Thank Offering, and Aaron Scott, staff officer for gender justice. Learn more here.

UTO awarded more than $1 million in grants in 2024 to 20 projects within The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion that seek new ways to “welcome the stranger,” as directed by Jesus in Matthew 25.

For more churchwide stories, visit Episcopal News Service.

Calendar

MONDAYS, 6 - 6:45 p.m. (through December 16, 2024)

Take Heart Now: Spiritual Tools for Centering and Compassion

The Guibord Center: Online

Registration

Are you looking for ways to feel more grounded in your spirituality? Could you use tools and guidance to help navigate life’s challenges? This online series will bring you inspirational and experiential presentations from notable leaders in our community. Each Monday through Dec. 16, 2024 a new speaker will share concepts, stories, and centering tools that will help ground you in spirituality and compassion. This week: Lo Sprague, director of The Guibord Center, will be joined by Aziza Hasan and Andrea Hodos, executive director and associate director of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change to address the war in Gaza

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, beginning OCTOBER 1, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Community Yoga Class

St. James Episcopal Church

1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena

Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Community yoga is an inclusive and accessible gathering for people of all ages and skill levels. 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.

WEDNESDAYS, OCTOBER 10 - DECEMBER 5, 7 p.m.

Book Discussion – People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity

Via Zoom. Contact: the Rev. Daniel Tamm, danieltamm@gmail.com

Sponsored by St. Mary’s Church (Mariposa), Los Angeles, and led by the Rev. Daniel Tamm. In People of the Way, Renewing Episcopal Identity, author Dwight J. Zscheile asks what it means to be a disciple in today's world. What does it mean to be the body of Christ in an increasingly post-Christian America? Who are we as Episcopalians, and what are we here for? Books may be purchased here.

THURSDAYS, 7 p.m.

Episcopal Students of UCLA

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

580 Hilgard Avenue, 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.

FRIDAYS, 6 - 7 p.m.

Vigil for Peace

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, 92625

Join us every Friday in the St. Michael’s sanctuary and on Zoom as we pray for peace in our community and around the world. Log-in information here (see "Weekly Worship"), or join on Facebook Live.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 7 - 8 p.m.

A Creation Taizé

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

1432 Engracia Avenue, Torrance 90501

Information: 310.540.1722. In person and online

The mutual ministry of St. Andrew's and Christ Church, Redondo Beach, invites all to this monthly candlelit service of music, meditation and prayer. Taizé services will be held in-person or online throughout the year.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

A Holistic View of Women’s Health:

Integrating Our Bodies, Minds and Spirits

All Saints Church (Learning Center)

132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena 91101

ASC Women’s Community is pleased to present the first in a series of four educational panels to promote a more holistic understanding of women’s health and to address the challenges facing women today. Holistic health is an approach to wellness that acknowledges the interdependence of physical, mental and spiritual health and emphasizes practices that promote harmony and balance. In this introductory event, panelists will cover integrative aspects of body, mind, and spirit over the spectrum of a woman’s life. Panelists will include Dr. Janet Cunningham, family and geriatric medicine; Dr. Emily Dossett, reproductive psychiatrist, assistant professor in psychiatry, obstetrics/ gynecology at USC; and Dr. Carol Heckman, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, trained in Richard Rohr’s Living School on spirituality. Cost is $25, register at link above. Scholarships are available.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 5 p.m.

Requiem and Organ Works by Maurice Duruflé

St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church

18631 Chapel Lane, Huntington Beach 92646

Performed by the choirs of St. Wilfrid’s (the Rev. William Wells, minister of music) and the Laguna Beach Chamber Singers (Ryan Brown, artistic director) with Zach Neufeld, organist. Tickets: $20 (students/seniors $15).

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Shepherd’s Cup Golf Classic and Dinner

Industry Hills Golf Club and Pacific Palms Resort

1 Industry Hills Pkwy, City of Industry 91744

The second annual Shepherd’s Cup will include the tournament, putting and other contests, a banquet dinner with guest speaker Bishop John Harvey Taylor, live and silent auctions, and an opportunity drawing. A video invitation from Bishop Taylor is here. (Oct. 14 is Indigenous Peoples Day, also known as Columbus Day, a federal holiday.) For schedule, costs, registration and other information, visit the Shepherd’s Cup website here.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

The Welcome Table: A Christian Spiritual Gathering

for the LGBTQ+ Community and Our Allies

Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church

24901 Orchard Village Road, Santa Clarita 91355

Information here or 661.259.7307

The Welcome Table is an experience created by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Gather with us as we eat, pray, sing, discuss, share communion, celebrate diversity and explore our faith community as our true, authentic selves. Come as you are, this place is for you.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 7:30 p.m.

A Service in the Style of Taizé

All Saints’ Episcopal Church

504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills 90210

Information here or 310.275.0123, ext.112

Led by the parish choir

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch & Learn: Addressing the Housing Crisis

St. Paul’s Commons, Jonathan Daniels Conference Room

840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026

Sponsored by Immaculate Heart Community. Andy Kerr, cofounder of Housing Words, a visionary nonprofit agency providing supportive housing services to chronically homeless individuals and families throughout Los Angeles County, will speak about the progress being made to help our fellow Angelenos who are struggling in the midst of the current housing crisis. What is being done? What more can be done? How can each of us use our voices to help with this crisis? What impact will the upcoming elections and Olympics have on the work being done?

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 3 p.m.

Solo Recital: Daniel Kessner, flute

St. Martin in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

7136 Winnetka Avenue, Winnetka 91306

Daniel Kessner, professor emeritus of composition and theory at California State University, Northridge, will perform works on flute, alto flute and bass flute, including: Partita No. 2 (excerpts) by J.S. Bach; Two Etudes for Flute by JeanJean & Donjon; “Meditation” by Toutant; “Tous les matins” by Kessler; Acht Stücke für Flöte allein by Hindemith; and “Imaginary Temple” by Kessner. There is no charge.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 4 p.m.

Virtuosic Piano with Yuki Yokota

St. Gregory's Episcopal Church

6201 E. Willow Street, Long Beach 90815

Information here or 562.420.1311

Ms. Yokota’s program includes keyboard works by African American composer Florence Price, works by Chopin, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 4 p.m.

30th Anniversary Evensong

St. Paul’s Commons

840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026

To mark the 30th year of St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park, as headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Bishop John Harvey Taylor will preach; the Rev. John Watson, priest-in-charge at St. Athanasius – the historic congregation worshiping at the heart of the Commons – is shaping the bilingual Evensong to reflect current ministries in English and Spanish, longstanding community outreach, and collaboration with interfaith partners on site. Evan Griffith, organist-in-residence at St. Paul’s Commons, will conduct music for the service. Information for volunteer choir singers will be available soon. Read more.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 4 p.m.

Men's Evensong Invitational

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

122 South California Avenue, Monrovia 91016

The annual Men's Invitational evensong in honor of St. Luke the Physician features the male singers of St. Luke's Choir, plus men from other choirs around the diocese, led by Kent B. Jones, St. Luke's music director. For information about singing at the Evensong, contact Jones at stlukesdirector@aol.com. A reception will follow the service.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 7 p.m.

Compline

Mission Basilica San Buenaventura

211 E Main Street, Ventura

An a cappella service sung by the choir of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Ventura. A free-will offering will be taken.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 6 - 9 p.m.

Shake it Off Dance Party

All Saints Church, Pasadena (Learning Center)

132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena 91101

Join with members and friends of the All Saints community for a “shake it off” dance party to celebrate community and shake off the tensions, concerns and anxieties of one of the longest election cycles in the history of voting. Put on your dancing shoes, bring a snack to share for the potluck table, and dance together. Suggested donation of $10: no donation is too small or too large.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 10:30 a.m.

Celebration of a New Ministry

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church

580 Hilliard Avenue, Los Angeles 90024

Reservations: admin@stalbanswestwood.org

Bishop John Harvey Taylor will install the Rev. Adam Lee Dawkins as sixth rector of St. Alban’s Church. All are invited Clergy: red stoles. Lunch at the UCLA Faculty Club will follow the service.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 27, 5 p.m.

Thad’s at the Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral

514 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles

Information: email office@thads.org

Thad’s Church is an 18-year-old "fresh expression" community in the Diocese of Los Angeles. In an exciting collaboration, St. John’s Cathedral will host a special Thad’s service with a reception to follow. Come experience Thad’s innovative way of gathering in the beauty of the cathedral space including Thad’s unique contemporary music and dialogue-based sermon. Childcare will be provided with Halloween themed activities for the kiddos. All are welcome!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 5 p.m.

Evensong

All Saints Church

132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena 91101

As we near the end of the election cycle, gather together in the beauty of our sacred space for a service of music, healing and prayer – a time of collective reflection and contemplation. The Quartet offers music.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 8 p.m.

All-Beethoven Concert - Robert Thies, piano

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

1031 Bienveneda Avenue, Pacific Palisades

Information/Tickets here or 310.573.7422

Robert Thies, a 1995 winner of the gold medal at the second International Prokofiev Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, will perform Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto. The St. Matthew's Orchestra will perform Beethoven's "Creatures of Prometheus Overture" and Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Opus 67. Tickets: $45 or Music Guild Season Pass (available for eight concerts for as little as $285). Free parking and intermission refreshments are provided. A casual pre-concert conversation, “Liner Notes,” begins at 7:10 p.m. and is free to all ticket holders.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 4 p.m.

Concert: Messa di Gloria by Puccini

St. Michael and All Angels Church

3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar 92625

Information

Don't miss this extraordinary performance of Puccini's Messa di Gloria. This powerful work will be brought to life by the esteemed PaltenKlang-Chor of Austria, under the direction of St. Michael’s gifted organist, Lukas Hasler.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 7 p.m.

Taizé Heartfulness Prayer Service

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

428 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach 92651

Join St. Mary’s on the first Thursday of each month for this service in the style of France’s Taizé monastery.

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

Opportunities

VOLUNTEER

St. Andrew's Soup Kitchen

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

1231 E. Chapman, Fullerton

Do you have a few hours to spare on Friday nights? Join us at St. Andrew's Soup Kitchen to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who rarely have a hot meal. Fridays at 5:30 p.m. St. Andrew's is in need of dedicated volunteers to help serve dinner and assist with cleanup. Their time and effort will provide warmth, nourishment, and a sense of community to our guests. No experience is necessary – just a kind heart and a willingness to help. All are welcome. To volunteer, please contact office@saintandrewwsfullerton.com

Immigration & Refugee ministry

IRIS (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service)

3621 Brunswick Ave., Los Angeles 90039

Support is needed more than ever for newly arrived refugee and immigrant neighbors. Community members can volunteer with IRIS in many ways, from one-off or short-term opportunities, such as greeting newcomers at the airport, to donation coordination, transportation, translation, and more. For those interested in even deeper client connections, don't hesitate to ask about mentorship opportunities. Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi (and other languages) is desirable, but not required, for some volunteer positions. A background check will be conducted for volunteers working directly with clients. Contact Ruben Tomasian at rtomasian@ladiocese.org. IRIS, a non-profit organization, is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries. Through refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and organized community involvement, IRIS helps immigrants and refugees reach self-sufficiency. Check the website for more information.

Food Pantry

Our Saviour Center

4368 Santa Anita Avenue, El Monte

With lower pandemic numbers and everyone back at school and work our Food Pantry is in need of volunteers. 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. Please wear a mask. All activities are outdoors; dress appropriately and wear close-toed shoes. For information or to sign up (not required), email info@our-center.org.

TRAVEL & PILGRIMAGE

MARCH 20 - 25, 2025

A Journey of Faith & Action: In the Footsteps of San Romero

Pilgrimage: Following Celtic Footsteps

You are invited to join members of All Saints’ Church, Riverside, on a pilgrimage that unfolds the story of Celtic Christianity in Britain, from its sixth-century roots on the island of Iona, to the mighty Norman cathedral in Durham, built as a shrine for the beloved Northumbrian saint, Cuthbert. Cost: $6,595 per person, including flights, accommodations (double occupancy), all breakfasts and some dinners. Additional fees will apply. For full information and registration, click here.

EMPLOYMENT

Listings may be sent to news@ladiocese.org. There is no charge.

LAGUNA HILLS: Church Administrator, St. George’s Episcopal Church. Part time (20 - 30 hours/week). Areas of responsibility: communications, administration, membership, facilities management, and IT. We seek a dynamic self-starter who can implement technological, operational, and systemic changes to help the church better serve the community. This position reports to the vicar and offers opportunity for creativity and leadership. The right candidate will thrive as the primary point of contact at the church, ideally 4-5 days per week, 5 - 6 hours per day (we are open to flexible scheduling). Full job description here. To apply, email resume and cover letter to the Rev. Pat McCaughan, vicar, at revpatmccaughan@aol.com.

LONG BEACH: Music Director, St. Luke’s Church / Iglesia de San Lucas looks forward to welcoming a creative collaborator and team player, someone who is passionate about music as a vehicle for spiritual growth and who views their music performance as a spiritual practice. The music director will lead a diverse and dynamic music program that is central to our identity as a parish, enhances our worship experience, and supports us in our aspirations to become a Beloved Community. For more information, please see the job description, which also includes information on how to apply.

REDONDO BEACH: Children’s Ministry Leader, Christ Episcopal Church. 4 hours per week. Plan and lead creative, educational, and fun indoor/outdoor activities for children ages 3-11 years on Sunday mornings. Opportunity to expand to a new program for middle and high schoolers. For more information, please email the Rev. Julie Beals at jbeals@andrewandchrist.org.

TUSTIN: Sexton at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 25 hours/week. The sexton serves to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and readiness of Church facilities to enable the work and ministry of the congregation and to create a pleasant atmosphere for members, guests, and staff. This includes deep cleaning of the kitchen, restrooms, church, and general gathering space(s), as well as basic household chores and changing out supplies as needed. Full job description and application instructions here.

UPLAND: Music Director and Organist. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Upland, California, seeks a part-time music director and organist who can bring musical gifts, creativity, faithfulness, and joy to our community. We hope to strengthen and expand our music program, which has a long history of quality voice and instrumental offerings from a core group of dedicated volunteer musicians who help lead the congregation in worship each Sunday. A full job description is here. Resumes, references, and links to musical performance recordings should be sent to our selection committee at music@stmarks-upland.org. Please include a short cover letter of introduction.

The Episcopal News Update is published on Wednesday afternoons. News items, job listings, calendar items, questions and comments may be sent to editor@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.

— Janet Kawamoto, editor