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August 4, 2019

diocesela.org/episcopal-news

Presiding Bishop tells young Episcopalians: ‘We must help America find its soul’

A Union of Black Episcopalians youth worship service became a call to action July 24 when Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (pictured at right) took the pulpit at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California. Youth (above) read lessons and prayers during the service. Curry urged the UBE leaders, youth, several hundred local worshippers and visiting conference-goers to consider, “between now and next year, leading a massive voter registration and education drive and a get-out-the-vote campaign.” Frequently interrupted by applause and shouts of “amen,” he emphasized, “This is not a partisan statement. We can’t tell people how to vote. That’s not right. But we can tell people, ‘You must vote.’ “It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.” Read more about the UBE meeting, held last week in Los Angeles, on the Episcopal News Service website in reports by the Rev. Pat McCaughan, ENS correspondent, vicar of St. George's Church, Laguna Hills, and writer for The Episcopal News.

Advocates for refugees plan day of action on Aug. 3

Rise for Refugees: A National Day of Action and Outrage has been planned on Saturday, Aug. 3, in response to news that the Trump Administration is considering setting a refugee admissions ceiling of zero for the 2020 fiscal year. In Los Angeles, advocates for refugees will meet on the Southside steps of Los Angeles City Hall for a demonstration at 1:30 p.m. on August 3. IRIS (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service, a ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles) is a sponsor of the event, along with other immigration centers and We Are All America, a refugee advocacy organization. According to IRIS director Meghan Taylor, zero refugee admissions "would result in a near total refugee ban, collapsing the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program and the infrastructure of humanitarian protection this country has built over decades—all during the worst global refugee crisis in history."

Taylor explains that the president by law must consult with Congress when setting the refugee cap. "We will be encouraging Congress to demand this, as well as to support the GRACE Act which would set a floor in terms of the number of refugees the US receives each year," she said. "There are more than 40,000 vetted, screened and travel-ready refugees overseas. Most of these are family reunification cases. We cannot break our promise to these refugees. Finally, we will be encouraging Governor [Gavin] Newsom to approve a proposal on his desk to allocate $12 million to the remaining resettlement programs in California (currently down to 18 of 28 when Trump took office)." More information is here. To participate, contact Taylor at [email protected] or 323.661.8588.

Are you ready to light up your life? 2019 Bishop’s Concert will feature Debby Boone

Get your tickets before August 1 and save! Click here

Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O'Connor invite members of the diocesan community to the second annual Bishop's Concert, featuring Grammy Award-winning singer, actor and author Debby Boone, on Friday, October 11 at the episcopal residence, located at 3435 E. California Boulevard in Pasadena. Gates will be opened at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be served before the performance, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. Valet parking will be available. Tickets are $60 if reserved before Aug. 1; $75 thereafter. To reserve tickets, click here. Proceeds will support diocesan ministries.

Episcopal News Update, Weekly on summer schedule

The two weekly publications of The Episcopal News - the Update and the Weekly, a Sunday bulletin insert for congregations - are on a biweekly summer schedule. Regular weekly issues of he Update and Weekly will resume in the last weeks of August.

Nominees for diocesan office invited to submit videos along with other candidate information

Canon Steven Nishibayashi, Secretary of Convention, has requested that candidates for diocesan offices to be elected at this year's Diocesan Convention (Nov. 15 - 16) provide a video — taken on their phones — in which they identify themselves, their congregations, the office for which they are running, and a short statement of their reasons for seeking the office. Links to these videos will be provided along with the usual candidate information (photo, short biography and statement) in the Nominations pages of the convention website.

For information about the video, see the July issue of Convention Notes here.

Schedule for deanery pre-convention meetings

Convention is Friday - Saturday, Nov. 15 - 16 at Riverside Convention Center

As Diocesan Convention approaches each year, meetings are held in the deaneries of the diocese for clergy, convention delegates and all interested Episcopalians. Schedule is here.

Madelyn Rosen Cornner

September 16, 1947 - July 24, 2019

Madelyn Rosen Cornner, 71, wife of the Rev. Canon Robert Cornner, retired rector of Church Church, Redondo Beach, died July 24 after a long battle with cancer. Survivors include her daughter Ariana, son-in-law, Nathan and their son, Wolf; step-sons Matthew Cornner (Sarah) and Charles Cornner (Hope) and granddaughter Alex. Services will be private. Madelyn Rosen earned her A.A. degree from Santa Monica Junior College and her B.A. and M.A. degrees in psychology at Antioch University. She was just beginning her internship as a marriage and family counselor when Stage IV lung cancer prevented her from completing it.

Mary Maud Sadler

1919 - 2019

Mary Maud Mitchell Sadler, 100, widow of the Rev. Canon C. Boone Sadler Jr., former rector of St. Luke's of the Mountains Church, La Crescenta, and a founder of Camp Stevens, died July 22 at her home in Point Loma. Survivors include her three daughters, Rachel Anne Mueller (Richard) of Carmel, California; Genevieve James of Westminster, Colorado; and Betsy Northam (Jack) of San Diego. A requiem Eucharist will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 at All Souls' Church, 1475 Catalina Boulevard, San Diego. A lifelong Episcopalian and third-generation San Diegan, Mary Maud attended Stanford University before marrying Sadler in 1942. The couple ministered at two congregations in the San Diego area (then part of the Diocese of Los Angeles) before moving to St. Luke's in 1953. During his tenure, Boone Sadler, with support from Mary Maud, teamed up with the Rev. John Lax to found the diocesan camping program, which continues today as Camp Stevens in Julian, California. The Sadlers moved to San Diego upon his retirement; Boone Sadler died in 2006.

Rep. Schiff to lead forum at All Saints, Pasadena, on combating bigotry, discrimination

Adam Schiff, U.S. Representative for California's 28th District, will lead a community forum on Interfaith Activism at All Saints Church Pasadena, at 6 - 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5 to "explore ways to combat bigotry and discrimination and promote pluralism, acceptance and freedom for all," according to an announcement from the parish. Sponsored by the Muslim Public Affairs Counsel, the Islamic Center of Southern California, IKAR and All Saints Church, the evening will include panel discussions with community and faith leaders in conversation with Schiff. Panelists will include Andre Henry, Omar Ricci, Brooke Wirtschafter, Salam Al-Marayati and the Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints. Although all space at the church has been reserved, anyone interested is invited to participate via live-stream here. For information call 323.258.6722 or email to [email protected].

Interfaith leaders retreat 'for lasting change' slated for August

An Interfaith Leaders' Retreat, titled "Navigating Through Differences for Lasting Change" will be held Friday - Sunday, August 16 - 18 at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles' ministry and administrative hub in L.A.'s Echo Park. The retreat is for leaders who "are tired of “kumbaya” events where people celebrate shared values but are secretly uncomfortable and afraid of the differences," says Tasneem Noor (pictured), who will lead the event.

"The Interfaith Leaders Retreat is a unique brave, safe space where you can let go of the 'what if' syndrome -- an attachment to having only safe conversations due to fear of judgment, messing up, or being misunderstood. There will be no presentations or lectures. No debating or judging. Instead freely explore and question the aspects of religion, faith, and spirituality that are compelling, complex, and at times contradictory. Experience three simple ways to model and inspire authentic engagement and leadership that melts hearts, and opens minds." Noor, one of three Interfaith Ministers at the Diocese of Los Angeles, has 13 years of combined experience in facilitation, leadership trainings, coaching, counseling, and healing. She also is a co-programs director at NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change. Participation in all three days is essential. Cost is $299 per person. Some scholarships are available; for information, contact Noor at [email protected]. For complete information about the program, and to register, click here. Accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Cathedral Center's retreat center.

New ecumenical program offers training for refugee sponsors

The Diocese of Los Angeles, through its IRIS (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service) ministry, is a member of the newly formed Ecumenical Collaborative for Asylum Seekers (ECAS), which will hold two one-day orientation and training sessions for for potential sponsors and support circles for individuals and families seeking asylum. The training will be in English and Spanish, and lunch will be provided. The training is identical on both days; participants need attend only one. Session dates and locations are:

Friday, August 23, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Central Lutheran Church

6425 Tyrone Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Saturday, August 24, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

East Whittier Christian Church

9951 Mills Avenue, Whittier, CA 90604

There is no charge, but reservations are requested: contact Meghan Taylor, executive director of IRIS, at [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE

Gooden Center announces 2019 'Run for Recovery'

The Gooden Center, an Episcopal Church-related treatment center for men dealing with addiction, will hold its annual "Run for Recovery" fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Lacy Park in San Marino. The event will include a 5K run, finisher medals, t-shirts, a Halloween costume contest, vendors, food, live music and activities for the whole family. Dogs and strollers are welcome. For information, visit goodencenterrun.com

GFS invites girls to weekend camp at Wrightwood: sign up by Aug. 1

Registration is open for the annual camp for Girls Friendly Society/Los Angeles (GFS/LA), to be held Friday - Sunday, Sept. 6 - 8 at Camp Wrightwood, 1401 Linnett Road, Wrightwood, CA 923977. The weekend camp will offer swimming, workshops, campfire time, games and more. The camp is for girls ages 8 and up; girls ages 6 - 7 may attend with their mothers. A tiered pricing structure will allow all girls to attend. Registration deadline is Aug. 1; click here to register.

Brad Karelius will be among presenters for men's spirituality series

The Rev. Brad Karelius, retired rector of Church of the Messiah, Santa Ana, will be among the presenters for "On the Road: A Spirituality Series for Men" at Emmaus Spiritual Ministries July 13, Aug. 3, Sept. 22, Dec. 7 and Feb. 1 (2020). Karelius (pictured), author of Desert Spirit Places: The Sacred Southwest and other books on spirituality, will lead the Aug. 3 retreat, titled "A Journey in the Desert: A Spiritual Treasure Map," during which he will lead an exploration of treasures of the desert experienced by Jesus and the monastics - solitude, silence, and surrender, using the American Southwest as a backdrop. Karelius will present his own desert encounters after his life fell apart in the catastrophic health crises of his son Erik. "We will discover resources for our own journey within desert wisdom and Ignatian spirituality, with significant time for personal contemplation and group discussion," according to a course description. A flyer with more information is here. Other presenters will be the Rev. Jim Clarke, head of evangelization of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Daniel Smith-Christopher, professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles., located at 434 South Batavia, Orange. The five-part series is designed exclusively for men who are seeking spiritual nourishment and strength for living in today's busy world. Topics selected for the series will affirm and validate the spiritual journey of men, including life transitions and rites of passage. Participants may register for the entire series, or for individual sessions. Information, topics of other sessions, and registration are here.

Daniel E. Walker to lead program on 'African Spiritual Roots of Gospel Music' at St. John's Cathedral

Music scholar Daniel E. Walker, Ph.D., will offer "African Spiritual Roots of Gospel Music" on Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 - 9 p.m. at St. John's Cathedral, 514 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles 90007, presented by the Guibord Center. With the help of a gospel choir, Walker, founding director of the University of Southern California Digital Library's Gospel Music History Archive and lead historian for the exhibit "How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles" currently running at the California African American Museum, will guide the audience back in time to gospel music's beginnings in ancient Africa through its development as an expression of faith and hope in the midst of oppression. A reception will follow the program. Reservations are requested for planning purposes: click here.

Lombard Mennonite Center offers conflict resolution workshop

Conflict is normal and inevitable whether in the home, school, community, church or workplace. Leaders in all walks of life often have a responsibility to help others work through their conflicts. The Mediation Skills Training Institute presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC), which facilitated the recent reconciliation program in the Diocese of Los Angeles, is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. The five-day institute also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory. Although focused primarily on the church setting, the skills learned are directly transferable to other settings; managers in business, attorneys, experienced mediators and others in leadership will be enriched by the training as well. The Mediation Skills Training Institute will be held at the Lutheran Center at 1300 East Colorado Street in Glendale August 26 - 30. Those registering by July 26 will receive an early bird tuition rate of $695 ($895 for those registering after that date). Click here for more information and to download a brochure/registration form.

Episcopal Church digital invitation kits for Back-2-School and Back to Ministry now available

Continuing the invitation to connect The Way of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life more deeply to the seasons of the year, The Episcopal Church is developing additional free and downloadable resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith. A Back-2-School Digital Invitation Kit and the Back to Ministry Digital Invitation Kit is available now. Each of these kits include: a customizable poster and postcard; a social media-ready graphic; and a Facebook cover image. Each kit also includes a video prayer message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry which can be embedded on a church’s website. These resources are themed both with and without Way of Love graphics. For more information (in English and Spanish) and links to resources, click here.

Traveling the Way of Love Episode 4: Turn

"Traveling the Way of Love, Episode 4: Turn," the latest installment of a new video series from The Episcopal Church Office of Communication, premiered July 23 on The Episcopal Church website and on The Episcopal Church Facebook page. Hosted by Chris Sikkema, the Office of Communication’s manager for special projects, Traveling the Way of Love shares stories of the ways people across The Episcopal Church practice the Way of Love with each episode highlighting one of the seven Way of Love practices: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. This fourth episode focuses on Turn. Three additional episodes are planned for 2019; watch for them in September, October and November. Episodes are closed-captioned. Read more here.

Expert on dementia will give talks "Healthy Aging" in Costa Mesa

Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., a nationally known expert on dementia and aging, will give a series of talks on "Issues of Aging for Yourself, Your Family and Friends" on Wednesdays, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, 7 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 183 E. Bay Street (corner of Orange) Costa Mesa 92627. The community is invited. Suggested donation is $12 per session. (The first session was held in July.) For more information or to register, call the church office at 949.548.2237 or email to [email protected].

Strawberries, carrots, greens and more at The Abundant Table Farm

The Abundant Table Farm in Camarillo invites the diocesan community to enjoy its delicious organic strawberries, sweet organic orange carrots, luscious organic greens and much more. The Farm Store is currently open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day of the week. For more information, visit The Abundant Table Farm Store on Facebook, or call 805.983.0333. The farm is located at 1012 W. Ventura Blvd. in Camarillo, off the Central Avenue exit from the 101 freeway.

Franciscan spirituality program for women to be offered in summer, fall

Companions in Franciscan Spirituality, a free 10-day residential immersion program in Franciscan Spirituality, will be offered by the Community of St. Francis in San Francisco for women over 18 July 19 - 29 and Sept. 27 - Oct. 7 (St. Francistide). The program includes studying Franciscan spirituality and living out of that spirituality by sharing in community life, worship and ministry in the church and wider community. For more information, click here or contact Sr. Pamela Clare at [email protected].

The Abundant Table announces date for 'Feast in the Field' fundraiser

The Abundant Table will hold its annual "Feast in the Field" fundraiser this year on Saturday, Aug. 24, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., celebrating more than a decade of supporting health, wellness, organic farming and community building in Ventura County. To buy tickets ($90 for adults, $45 for youth ages 6 to 20), click here.

Episcopal Church grants program will support local and regional evangelism efforts

Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. The application deadline is October 1. The grant program, which began in 2017 as a result of the 2015 General Convention’s increased investment in evangelism galvanized by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, awards up to $2,000 for an individual congregation and up to $8,000 for multi-church, diocesan and regional collaborations. Read more here.

Book of Occasional Services 2018 is available to download in English, Spanish

The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) is pleased to announce the release of The Book of Occasional Services 2018, a collection of liturgical resources related to occasions which do not occur with sufficient frequency to warrant their inclusion in The Book of Common Prayer. Read more here.

Episcopal and Lutheran recovery ministries to offer 'Addiction & Faith Conference' in Minnesota

The second annual Addiction & Faith Conference, hosted by the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy (FRLC) and Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church (RMEC), will be held September 20 - 22 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. Keynote speakers will be lecturer and author the Rev. Brian McLaren and psychiatry professor and author George E. Vaillant. For more about the conference schedule, costs and scholarships, click here.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Seeds of Hope Friday Night Farming

Edendale Grove Garden

840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles

Information here

Seeds of Hope, a food justice program based in Los Angeles, invites all volunteers for an evening of service and fellowship. Participants will help maintain the Edendale Grove Garden and its living labyrinth, share a fresh dinner on the roof of the Cathedral Center, and view an episode of the six-part KCET miniseries LA Foodways: From Farm to Freeway, in which Seeds of Hope and its director Tim Alderson are featured.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Feast in the Field

The Abundant Table

Information here

This farm-to-fork dinner and silent auction fundraiser supports The Abundant Tables ecological justice, environmental stewardship and farm education programs for youth and their families, featuring a three-course meal prepared by local chefs from Season Catering and featuring organic produce from the farm along with locally raised beef and pork and local wines. Tickets are $90 for adults and $45 for youth ages 6 to 20.

TRAVEL & PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage to England and Scotland: Tracing the Roots of the Episcopal Church

November 11 - 21, 2019

An 11-day pilgrimage exploring historic events that helped shape the Episcopal Church. Stops will include a visit to St. Andrew's Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland; a luncheon at the Eagle and Child in Oxford, where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien met with the "Inklings"; exploration of the Scottish and English countryside, shopping, pub visits, afternoon tea and more. Cost is $3,749, which covers roundtrip flight from L.A., four-star hotels, most meals, all ground transportation, guides and drivers, and entrances to everything listed in the itinerary. Led by the Rev. Steve DeMuth, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Covina. A full brochure is here.

Central Europe: Oberammergau Passion Play

September 2 - 14, 2020

Join Bishop Guy Erwin of the ELCA and Canon Jim Newman of the Episcopal Church for a 13-day journey across central Europe to Oberammergau, Germany. The day-long Oberammergau Passion Play is produced every decade and is a four-century “thank you” to God for saving the people of this picturesque Bavarian Alpine village. Experience this spiritual event and look at the culture and religion of Poland (Warsaw, Krakow, Auschwitz and Czestochowa), Hungary (Budapest), Czech Republic (Bratislava), Austria (Vienna & the Salzkammergut) and Germany (Oberammergau & Munich). Cost is $4,899 from Los Angeles including $450 taxes/airline surcharges.) Information: Jim Newman, 3590 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066; 310.391.5522 or 888.802.6722; [email protected]. A full itinerary is here.

EMPLOYMENT

Listing information may be sent to [email protected]. Most documents, such as full job descriptions, are stored in an online Dropbox folder. It is not necessary to have a Dropbox account to download the files: select "Continue download" if the program invites you to create an account.

PALOS VERDES ESTATES: Organist--St Francis Episcopal Church seeks an organist for two services on Sunday and to accompany one adult choir. 10-15 hours per week. For full job description click here.

PLACENTIA: Office secretary/Administrative Assistant, Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Experienced church secretary/administrator with strong communication skills, to provide full parish office support. Hours: M-Th 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. - 12 p..m. Responsibilities include: Computer work; office support and inventory; regular office equipment usage, including daily printing/copying; MSOffice projects as assigned, managing mail, telephone calls, etc. Send resume for immediate consideration to [email protected].

SANTA BARBARA: Director of Children and Youth Ministries. Trinity Church is seeking an experienced staff person to continue to grow programs that engage children and their families in worship, formation, fellowship, and service to others. The ideal candidate should have experience building and supporting a team of adult volunteers, should be familiar with the Episcopal tradition, and should possess an energetic, gracious disposition. Experience with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd pedagogy a plus. A full job description is here. Interested candidates should send an email to [email protected] with the subject line,"Director of Children and Youth Ministries," and attach a cover letter and resume.

SIERRA MADRE: Chaplain, The Gooden School. Starts August 2019. The Gooden School is an independent co-educational K-8 school in Sierra Madre, CA, now in its 44th year of educating and serving a diverse group of students and their families. Enrollment: 185. Requirements: Ordination in the Episcopal Church or an experienced lay leader, preferably with an M.Div. or M.A. in Religion/Theology, or B.A. in Religious Studies, etc. Chaplain is responsible for twice-weekly chapel; logistical, organizational, and inspirational support for community gatherings; community engagement and stewardship; pastoral care, etc. Full job description here.

SIERRA MADRE: Ministry Intern at Church of the Ascension. Seeking a driven and organized part-time ministry intern, 5(+) hours/week (Sunday mornings from 7:45-12:45). Job duties include assisting Minister to Young Persons with childcare and various youth service activities. As-needed assistance with various kitchen maintenance duties (including coffee hour duties and kitchen upkeep.) Submit resume and cover letter by August 1 to: [email protected], ATTN: The Rev. Canon Michael A. Bamberger.