February 27, 2025 | VOLUME 37, ISSUE 9

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Last Sunday of the Epiphany:

The Transfiguration

March 2, 2025

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Exodus 34:29-35

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

Psalm 99

Preacher: The Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Saturday, March 1, 6:00 PM: "Beer & Brats" SoB Venue at the Mohler Residence

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Tuesday, March 4, 6:30 PM: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in Luther Hall

Wednesday, March 5, 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM: Ash Wednesday Services

Saturday, March 8, 6:00 PM: "A Night of Texas Hold'em" SoB Venue in Luther Hall

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist: Ash Wed. service

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

Adult Forum: None. Resumes 3/12.

Wednesdays, | 8:00 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Reverend Jennifer and Senior Warden Jerry Hornoff donned chef hats as they cooked up pancakes for last year's Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Yum!!! Expect a repeat performance this year.

A Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will take place in Luther Hall next Tuesday, March 4, starting at 6:30 pm. 

Bring your palms from last year either this Sunday or on Tuesday so they can be burned for Ash Wednesday. In addition, we will bury the Alleluia for the season of Lent, as well as eat breakfast for supper!

There will be two services at St. Bede's on Ash Wednesday, one at 12:00 noon and the other at 7:00 PM.

A sermon by The Rev. Kirk Alan Kubicek, Priest in Charge at Christ Church Forest Hill, Rock Spring Parish, in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland:

The Ash Wednesday liturgy is possibly the most meaningful liturgy in our Book of Common Prayer. It offers us an opportunity to stop, reflect on who we are and whose we are, adopt an attitude of humility, hit the reset button, and begin again. We are invited to stop the whirlwind of life and activities that surround us on all sides and remember: God hates nothing God has made; God forgives the sins of all who are penitent; our God is the “God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness.” As if all this in the opening collect is not enough, the reminder that we “are dust, and to dust [we] shall return” ought to put our life in Christ into a proper perspective of humility.

This is made visible and tangible with the imposition of ashes from last year’s Palm Sunday palms, which seem to retrace the Baptismal Cross on our foreheads as a reminder of the promises we make each time we renew our Baptismal Covenant: to participate in the full life of the Body of Christ, his Church; to say we are sorry whenever we have violated our relationships with God and others, all others; that everything we do and say will proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; that we will seek and serve Christ in all persons; that we will strive for justice and peace for all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

The Church has long recognized how challenging it is to keep these core promises that constitute walking in the Way of Christ. This is why we set aside these forty days each year for self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, and self-denial; to read and meditate on God’s holy Word. The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us not only of our mortality and need for regular repentance but also that it is only by God’s “gracious gift that we are given everlasting life” through Jesus Christ.

Although we are to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, we ought never to forget that we are Holy Dust, created and inspired by the very breath and Spirit of God, as described in Genesis chapter 2: “The Lord God formed man [ha-adam/ha-ah-dham] from the dust of the ground [ha-adamah/ha-ah-dhamah] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” In these days, as we reflect on our relationship to the Earth itself, the Hebrew reminds us just how interconnected and interdependent we really are – adam, man, is made of the dust of the ground, adamah. Just as Moses was reminded by the burning bush that he was standing on Holy Ground, so the ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us that everywhere we stand, everywhere we walk, every speck of dust is Holy Ground – and that we are made Holy from the moment of our very first breath. Receiving these ashes is meant to remind us of these humbling and defining truths.

Next to the Cross itself, however, there is no more tender and revealing moment in God’s Holy Word than that proclaimed on Ash Wednesday by the prophet Joel, who in days of great darkness and gloom calls the people of God to a solemn assembly to pray for deliverance. Yet, amid this call to return to the Lord with all our hearts, the prophet reminds us of God’s very essence, and then imagines just how much the Lord our God loves us:

“Yet even now, says the Lord,

return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the Lord, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,

and relents from punishing.

Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

a grain offering and a drink offering

for the Lord, your God?”

Do we hear this? When we are enveloped with such darkness and gloom that we are unable to make the appointed sacrifices to God, unable to turn our hearts and minds back to God on our own, the prophet imagines that the Lord God himself will make the appointed sacrifices himself, leaving a grain offering and a drink offering on our behalf – which offerings constitute the essence of our Holy Communion. We are those people who, like the prophet, can imagine that God enters our lives and leaves an offering and blessing for us every Sunday – because our God is the God who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.”

This realization of God’s love and care for us brings us to our knees and a Litany of Repentance in which we rehearse all the possible ways in which we stray from the way of the Lord God, the Way of Christ. It is after this remarkable and thorough confession that the reset button is pressed, and we are forgiven by Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that “the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy.”

Ash Wednesday: A day to stop, reflect on who we are and whose we are, adopt an attitude of humility, and hit the reset button of our life in Christ. A day to remember that we are dust, but that we are Holy Dust, animated by God’s own breath. For it is God’s own Spirit that enlivens us and sustains us, day in and day out. A day to remember that God loves us so much as to make sacrifices for us when we are unable to do so ourselves. A day to allow God in Christ to forgive us so that we might live the residue of our lives reflecting the very love that God has for us and for all of creation. A day that we may remind ourselves with great humility to love God, love all others, and love all of creation itself. For that is what it means to be the Holy Dust of God! Amen.

Even if you are not a gambler, or a gambler at heart, you can come join the laughter and fun while supporting a great cause, as proceeds from Sisters of Bede venues go directly to St. Bede's Outreach Programs. You don't even have to know how to play the game since instructions will be provided. Thank you, Tim. This is your chance to try something new, or, if you're an old hand at Texas Hold'em, show us how it's done!

🔗 Sign up here: Register Now

For more information, reach out to Tim Peters or Daphne Moote.

As many of you know, our Verger, Kathy Fairchild, had to say goodbye to Vogue, her beloved retired racing greyhound last May. A lovely service performed by Reverend Jennifer, with many 4-legged creatures in attendance, was held for Vogue at St. Bede’s. 

Since canine companionship is essential to Kathy, she soon began her search for a new dog, putting out the word to her friends and checking rescue groups. Her most important and non-negotiable criteria were the following: her new dog must like people, like children, and like being around other dogs. While Kathy has always loved big dogs (Vogue was 80 pounds), she decided that it was important to be flexible in this regard.

Kathy acknowledged that it took time to investigate possible leads, finding that some dogs were too old and others were not healthy enough. When Kathy first saw Roxy, a 20-pound Beagle who is 4 years old, she was willing to give her a try. During the first few days with Roxy, Kathy witnessed Roxy mourning the loss of her previous family. Then “something clicked in” and Roxy became quite happy and comfortable living in her new home with Kathy. Kathy explained that Roxie went from life in a condominium to life in a backyard with one to two walks per day. Kathy says that “Roxy is a very sweet dog and curious too, as she stops and smells everything during their walks." A new love story is taking shape.

Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace. In the case of Holy Baptism, the outward and visible sign is water in which the person is baptized in God's name, and the inward and spiritual grace is union with Christ, birth into God's family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit. Special days are set aside for baptisms, the next being The Great Vigil of Easter on April 19. If you are interested in Holy Baptism for you or someone you know, please speak with Rev. Jennifer.

Dear friends,

Many of you have shown concern about new immigration policies and how they will impact this vulnerable population among us here in Los Angeles. Below is information about how you can get involved through CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice), an organization that St. Bede's works with and supports. Join us in preparation for this essential work.

Blessings,

Rev. Jennifer+

At the core of nearly every faith tradition lies the concept of a just, harmonious, and loving society where all souls are valued and everyone can thrive. 

It is unconscionable that people fleeing violence in other countries would be deported back to those places, regardless of threats to their safety and security.

Because the Trump Administration is threatening immigrant communities across the country (regardless of documentation status), CLUE is working across Southern California to protect immigrant workers and their families in a variety of important ways. 

You can join us in this work or support it with your donations knowing that you are doing your part to protect vulnerable people.

SUPPORT CLUES IMMIGRATION WORK

RAPID RESPONSE NETWORKS

If you see ICE Activity anywhere you go, you can report it to the Rapid Response hotlines in your area.

• Los Angeles: 888-624-4752
• Orange County: 714-881-1558
• San Bernardino/Riverside: 909-361-4588
• Kern County: 661-432-2230
• Central Valley: 559-206-0151

CLUE is working with RRN partners to offer ongoing trainings for faith leaders and community members who want to show up for workers and families being targeted by ICE.  

If you want to be trained to be a rapid responder and you live in Orange County, Los Angeles or the Inland Empire, contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org. 

CLUE WELCOME NETWORK

CLUE is cultivating its vast network of houses of worship to create a network of congregations that provide respite, and even longer-term shelter, to migrants released into Southern California. 

Over 30 congregations are already participating in the CLUE Welcome Network that houses asylum seekers and refugees. We receive referrals from CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) for asylum seekers in need of shelter, from legal service providers that are seeking sponsors for people being released from detention, or direct walk-ins. Some congregations in the network provide temporary shelter or short-term housing, and others support those efforts with gifts of supplies, transportation, etc.

Thank you for standing in intimate solidarity as we seek to build a society where everyone is safe and lives with dignity.

If your congregation is interested in joining the network, offering housing or supplies or services, please contact Sithy Bin at sbin@cluejustice.org.

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez

Visit the St. Bede's website and at the top of every page, look for the "Donate" button. When you click on the "Donate" button, you will be transported to St. Bede's Vanco eGiving and Payment Process Site.

Vanco is an industry leader in online payments. More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, and educational organizations trust Vanco to securely complete transactions every day. Vanco complies with PCI Level 1 standards, the highest security standard in the payment processing industry.

You are invited to set up one-time or recurring gifts using credit, debit, or bank transfer on Vanco's secure payment processing platform. Giving online through the Vanco site saves time and the hassle of remembering to bring your offering. In addition, you decrease the expense incurred by St. Bede’s from handling and processing checks and cash.

Grand opening of affordable housing at St. Joseph’s, Buena Park, set March 12

By Mostyn Trudinger-Smith

Orchard View Gardens, the affordable housing development at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Buena Park, is set for a grand opening ceremony March 12. Bishop John Harvey Taylor, National CORE team members, local officials, and others will celebrate with St. Joseph’s and welcome residents to the building.



The congregation of St. Joseph’s has been working towards developing affordable housing on their land for almost 10 years, and now Orchard View Gardens is ready to welcome seniors earning less than 60% of the area’s median income into 66 affordable apartments, 12 of which are reserved as supportive housing for seniors who have experienced homelessness, on the St. Joseph’s campus.

Orchard View Gardens was developed by National CORE as the second affordable housing development created in a collaboration between National CORE and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The development was additionally supported by Episcopal Communities & Services (ECS) and the Hope through Housing Foundation, which will provide support and services to residents of the apartments.

“Orchard View Gardens represent a generational commitment to the foundational work of the church in Southern California,” said the Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. “Thanks to the welcoming spirit of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, the visionary work of National CORE and the indispensable support of our partners at Episcopal Communities & Services, a whole new community of our neighbors will have a place to lay their heads for years to come.”

Taylor has set a diocesan goal to create affordable housing developments on at least 25 percent of the diocese’s 128 church campuses.

READ MORE HERE

The Rev. Deacon George Packer (left) and Lay Eucharistic Minister, Richard Muniz, at last year’s event.

‘Ashes to go’ events to bring Ash Wednesday blessing outside church doors

By Mostyn Trudinger-Smith

At 8 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, the Rev. George Packer will be at the corner of Topanga Canyon and Ventura boulevards in Woodland Hills, blessing commuters with ashes. He’ll be there at 6 p.m., too. Packer is deacon at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Woodland Hills, and in addition to organizing the parish’s “Ashes to Go” event, he’s always on the opening and closing shifts.

Prince of Peace began its Ashes to Go event 14 years ago, and currently offers ashes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at one of the busiest intersections in the valley, Packer said. The event is run by lay members of the church taking two-hour shifts in teams of two or three.

Two major bus lines pass through the intersection, and Packer said that sometimes they’re invited on to the bus, to offer ashes to all who would like them. “These are usually people who either don’t have an inclination to go to church or don’t have the opportunity because they’re working,” Packer said. “We do about 600 foreheads.”

Packer said that the event is always a good opportunity for volunteers to interact and share their faith with strangers. “People have come by and they can’t believe we’re doing this,” Packer said. “And so they’ve got to take pictures of us and we take pictures of them so they can send it to their relatives back east or something, saying, ‘Look what they do here in California!’”



Packer tries to have kind and friendly conversations with everyone who shows up, whether or not they support the event. The Prince of Peace volunteers invite people to their services inside the church as well, and sometimes people show up for a service after getting ashes on the street corner, Packer said.

READ MORE HERE

The newly renovated chancel of St. Thomas, Columbus, Georgia, was dedicated on Feb. 23. Renovations also removed steps to the altar rail, moved the choir from a back loft to behind the altar, and created the multi-faceted wooden reredos screen. Photo: Diocese of Atlanta

Atlanta-area church erases barriers so everyone can worship

By Michelle Hiskey

To sing in the choir or take Communion at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Columbus, Georgia, you needed the ability to climb: two stories to the choir loft, three steps to the altar rail.

Today those barriers are gone after the recent renovation funded by a capital campaign with the slogan “Making Room for All.” The new design makes level the sacred spaces that symbolize the passage between earth and heaven.

On February 23, Atlanta Bishop Rob Wright dedicated the new nave at the 10:30 a.m. service, which also included confirmation and reception into The Episcopal Church.



“St. Thomas really seeks and welcomes and values all people,” the Rev. Grace Burton-Edwards, the church’s rector, said. “It was important to us to eliminate barriers to actively participating in the life of the church, sharing in the sacraments and being a full part of the body. We wanted to do everything we could to make it more possible for all people to share and participate.”

Now communicants can easily receive at the altar rail, the A-frame nave holds 80 more people than before, and the 11 new parking spaces include four ADA-compliant spaces close to the chapel. Behind the new altar, a choir of 45 – with space for 60 or more – sings from behind a reredos (ornamental screen). The old choir loft is a cozy spot for families with young children and groups of youth.

The project is a testament to the generous parishioners at St. Thomas. A $1 million unrestricted lead gift and a bequest helped inspire the congregation of 578. In a typical year, 160 parishioners pledge to support the church’s budget. That giving held steady as parishioners made an additional 145 pledges to the capital campaign, Burton-Edwards said.

READ MORE HERE

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