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Most of the Diocese of Los Angeles contingent - bishops, deputies, alternate deputies, ECW delegates, staff and friends - gathered after a legislative session for a group photo, sporting their "Feeding Hungry Hearts" polo shirts.

Photo / Janet Kawamoto

General Convention wrap-up:

Following the Way of Jesus

[Episcopal News Service] Responding to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s call to “Follow the Way of Jesus,” deputies and bishops at the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting July 5-13 in Austin, Texas, acted on a record number of resolutions on key issues such as immigration, prayer book revision, Israel-Palestine, and readmitting the Episcopal Church of Cuba as a diocese. Convention also passed a $134 million budget that reflects for a further three years the presiding bishop’s priorities of evangelism, racial reconciliation and creation care. Meanwhile, the legislative processes were overseen by a resident roost of avian observers, one of which adopted a social media presence to bring a steady flow of light-feathered moments to convention amid the often-intense and passionate debates on the key issues before the church. Read more here.

The local angle

To read daily General Convention reports from The Episcopal News, focusing on the work of the Los Angeles deputation and bishops, click here. More will follow in the Late Summer issue of The Episcopal News, to be published in August.

The Episcopal News

Early Summer 2018 issue

Click here to download.

Congregations, schools invited to join Staples group purchase plan

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is entering a group purchasing organization relationship with Staples to leverage buying power for office, cleaning and hospitality supplies. The arrangement will mean congregations and schools can get 15-20% savings on any supplies ordered (more on popular items), and get free next-day delivery and individualized billing and accounting for each church or school. There is no obligation to sign up for an account. All the sorting of expenses is done for you, on one clean monthly bill. The program will begin later in the summer. For more information, contact the Rev. Amy Pringle at St. George’s, La Cañada: [email protected]

Ordination of a deacon

Bishop John Harvey Taylor will ordain Lauren Danielle Helen Grubaugh to the diaconate at 10 a.m. on July 21 at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena (626.796.1172). The prayers and presence of the diocesan community are requested.

The Angels celebrates Robert Gaestel on his 35th anniversary as rector

Parishioners at the Church of the Angels recently gathered to celebrate longtime rector Robert J. Gaestel's 35th anniversary at the parish. Diocesan Bishop John Harvey Taylor - pictured at left with Gaestel - presided at a commemorative Holy Eucharist that included the first choral performance of Cuán Manso, a new setting of the sacred poem by St. John of the Cross and composed in tribute to Gaestel by the parish's retired choirmaster, Jim Stanley. Youth of the parish presented Gaestel with a white stole, handmade and loom-woven by the Rev. Jerome Kahler, an expert weaver and longtime friend of the rector. Also presented to Gaestel was a festal white and gold cope commissioned by the parish for the occasion and created by Trappist vestment makers in Massachusetts. Tracy Gaestel, the rector's wife, was recognized and thanked for her significant contributions over the years and her partnership in ministry. At a celebratory brunch immediately following, civic proclamations and humorous tributes were read. A former Pasadena police chaplain, accomplished marksman, HAM radio operator, and occasional scuba diver, Gaestel has since 1983 ensured the preservation and repair of the church’s 1889 historic structure and has led the parish in strategic growth and expansion.  Reported by Steven Leland. Photo / Nick Agro

Yoga retreat offers 

opportunity to 'tune in' 

 Sister Greta Ronningen of Community of Divine Love monastery in San Gabriel, will lead a six-day Yoga Retreat July 31 - August 5 at Mt. Calvary Monastery, Santa Barbara. The retreat is "an opportunity to tune into yourself, to care for yourself, to quiet the mind and open the heart. It is a time to smile into yourself for a change," according to a course description. The session will be appropriate for strong beginner and intermediate students. There will be vigorous sessions as well as more gentle relaxing sessions. Breathing practices and meditation will be offered daily. The schedule will include a guided hike and plenty of free time to read, go to the beach and enjoy Santa Barbara. Ronningen (pictured) is a spiritual director, writer, public speaker and retreat leader. She is the author of Free on the Inside: Finding God Behind Bars. This retreat will open to a maximum 15 participants. The $850 cost includes: five nights accommodations, three meals a day, and the yoga program. (Clergy will receive a discount.) Retreat arrival is Tuesday afternoon after 2 p.m., and departure is after lunch on Sunday. A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space. For information and reservations call or email Mount Calvary Monastery at 805.682.4117 or [email protected], or click here. A flyer is here.

Abundant Table invites all for Camp Day July 22

The Abundant Table Farm Church Community will hold its first-ever Journey Together Farm & Faith Summer Camp Day on Sunday, July 22, 2 - 5:30 p.m., an afternoon of playful exploration on the farm, delighting in the glory of creation and the richness of the land and the food it provides. Participants will celebrate the joys of summer on the farm through games, Bible stories, crafts, cooking, music and farm activities. The day will culminate with a worship service and potluck dinner. The camp day is free and open to all ages. Participants should dress in layers for heat and sun protection (and potential mess so change of clothes might be helpful) and bring hat, sunscreen, water, 100% cotton tie dye item. They also are invited to bring a backpack to donate to Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP)'s school supplies drive. The Abundant Table Farm is located at 1012 W Ventura Blvd., Camarillo 93010. For reservations (requested for planning purposes), email to Lisa Devine, [email protected]

Corona Del Mar parish to offer 'Discovering The Bible' series

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar, invites all to “Discovering The Bible,” a 15-week series offering a top-down, big-picture view of the New Testament, beginning Sunday, September 9, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. By reading some carefully chosen excerpts from the gospels, Acts, epistles and Revelation, participants will get a broad sense of the New Testament’s history, meaning and witness to Jesus Christ. No previous biblical knowledge is necessary, and it is not necessary to attend all sessions. The course will be led by the Rev. Michael Seiler, interim rector at St. Michael’s. There will be plenty of opportunity for conversation, questions, discussion and even some laughs. There is a $32 fee to cover the cost of the “Discovering the Bible” manual. Contact Seiler at [email protected] to register and reserve a manual. Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is located at 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar 92625 (949.644.0463).

All Saints, Pasadena, offers summer adventures for kids

Summer Adventure at All Saints, Pasadena, will be held July 23 – 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. for children and youth entering kindergarten - eighth grade. High School-aged youth may participate as camp counselors. This year’s camp will be focused on the earth and sustainability. Students will plant low-water gardens using a variety of succulent plants, create sustainable art projects such as welcome mats and coasters from recycled fabrics and other recycled materials, and play games outside in nature. They will also learn about how kids can reduce their carbon impact and why that’s important. It will aim to inspire environmental creativity through faith, fun and fellowship. The week will end with the grand opening of All Saints' new low-water succulent garden on Friday afternoon, July 27. Parents and friends will be invited to celebrate at our Garden Party here at All Saints. Summer Adventure is curated for the children and youth with a curriculum that reflects making God’s inclusive, transforming love tangible for all of our campers. Before- and aftercare will be available at extra cost. Dance and aerobics will be offered in the afternoons. The registration fee is $150 (whole week) or $35 per day; additional registered siblings receive a $50 discount off the weekly fee. Register here. For more information contact Kelly O’Phelan at [email protected] or 626.583.2764. All Saints Church is located at 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena.

Santa Rita Abbey in Arizona

invites women to monastic

experience weekend

Is God tugging at your heart, inviting you to come closer, to live more deeply, more prayerfully, more generously? Could God be calling you to the consecrated life? The Sisters of Santa Rita Abbey in Sonoita, Arizona, invite women between the ages of 21 and 40 who are discerning their vocation to a Monastic Experience Weekend Friday, Aug. 31 - Monday, September 3. There is no cost for the weekend. Come and find out what contemplative nuns do all day (and half the night) and why. Pray, learn, rest and reflect. Hear vocation stories and share your own. More information is here. For the Abbey's website, click here; or email to [email protected], or call 520.455.5595.

Emmaus offers Sojourner's Well: Refreshment for Spiritual Directors 

Emmaus Spiritual Ministries is launching a new program, The Sojourner's Well, which has been designed to meet the ongoing formation needs of spiritual directors. Considered a "master class", this nine-part series of monthly sessions, which begins in September, will refresh and deepen skills for those who are active in the ministry of being companions to others on their spiritual journey. Participants may choose to register for all nine sessions, or for individual sessions. Emmaus Spiritual Ministries, located at 434 S. Batavia Street, Orange, CA. is a program of the Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Stephen Bruce, a spiritual director and husband of Bishop Suffragan Diane Jardine Bruce, serves on the Emmaus board. For additional information or to register, click here or call Sonya Longbotham at 714.744.3172.

For additional music, liturgy and arts listings, click here .

For recurring services (those that occur weekly, biweekly or monthly), click here .

TUESDAY, JULY 24, 7 p.m.

Taizé Service of Healing & Wholeness

St. Francis' Episcopal Church (chapel)

2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates

Information: 310.375.4617 or here

A meditative, multi-faith Taizé service that includes candlelight, periods of silence, chants and intercessory prayer with a prayer team leader, followed by a reception with light refreshments. Taizé is a calming and beautiful form of sung contemplative prayer developed in an ecumenical monastery in France. Director of Music, Youth & Arts Jeannie Cobb will lead the congregation in chanting, accompanied by USC graduate Robert Backes (a protégé of Christopher Parkening) on classical guitar and Clayton Cobb on mandolin. Taizé services are offered monthly throughout the year on the fourth Tuesday. Donations are welcome. 

TRAVEL & PILGRIMAGE

A Journey to the Holy Land 

September 2 - 14, 2018 

Led by the Rev. Heather Mueller of St. Andrew's Church, Taft, California (in the Diocese of San Joaquin) and Canon Iyad Qumri of Qumri Pilgrimages. Accommodations at St. George's Retreat House, Jerusalem, and the Sisters of Nazareth Guest House in Nazareth. Featuring visits to Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, and ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem. A flyer is here. For information, contact Mueller at [email protected].

Discovering Sacred Beauty:

A Pilgrimage to Venice and Padua, Italy  

September 27 - October 7, 2018 

A contemplative 11-day journey through one of the most beautiful parts of Italy and the sacred places that have inspired people across the centuries. In Venice we will enjoy St. Mark's Basilica and Square, the Doge's palace and the Bridge of Sighs, a private water tour of the Grand Canal, the islands of Burano and St. Francis del Deserto among others, Benedictine Monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore, a private tour of the Jewish Ghetto, private gardens, and optional visits with artists, museums, La Fenice Opera House and the Guggenheim Museum. In nearby Padua, home of St. Anthony, and surrounding areas, we will enjoy private tours, gardens, and spiritual sites. Led by Christopher McCauley, spiritual director and host of international pilgrimages, and Frank Ramirez, veteran pilgrimage host; and guided by Anthony Coles, one of the most experienced guides to religious journeys in Italy. The pilgrimage will include time to pray, savor, and rest. A detailed itinerary and key information is available here. Early registration is strongly recommended.

Transformational Journey to Israel and Palestine

October 8 - 21, 2018 (optional extension to Jordan to Oct. 25)

Offered by All Saints, Pasadena. Though the itinerary includes traditional pilgrimage sites, there will be a strong agricultural, grassroots theme, including a day picking olives. Bethlehem will be the base for day trips to Jerusalem and Hebron. Nazareth will anchor day trips to the Sea of Galilee, including a sunset cruise, and sites near Capernaum where Jesus preached. For more information, click here; for reservations contact Randy and Doni Heyn-Lamb as soon as possible at [email protected]

EMPLOYMENT

PASADENA: Assistant Youth Minister. All Saints Church, a 4,000-member progressive Episcopal church. The AYM will share the transforming love of Jesus with the youth in a real and relevant way, participating in the creation, development and operation of programs that support the spiritual formation and overall well being of all youth (6th - 12th grade) in the parish; fostering their personal spiritual growth, ethical insight, age appropriate theological and interfaith awareness and community engagement of the youth; engaging in pastoral care of the youth and their families. 30 hours/week. A full job description with application instructions is here.

SOUTH PASADENA: Professional tenor section leader, St. James' Church. Choir seeks a professional tenor section leader. Applicants should have excellent sight-reading skills, feel comfortable singing Renaissance and traditional Anglican music with one voice on a part, and be a responsible, professional employee. Section leaders perform solo repertoire throughout the church year as well. Having a degree in music is encouraged, but not required. Section leaders sing every Sunday morning (excluding summer Sundays), one Wednesday rehearsal a month and services for Advent, Christmas, and Holy Week. Email to [email protected] for more information.