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Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 30, 2025
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Joshua 5:9-12
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Psalm 32
Preacher: The Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia
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Saturday, April 5, 6:00 PM: "Paint & Sip & Nosh Party" SoB venue in Luther Hall
Saturday, April 19, 8:00 PM: "The Great Vigil of Easter" in Sanctuary
Sunday, April 20, 10:00 AM: "Easter Mass of the Resurrection" in the Sanctuary followed by Easter Brunch
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Bible and Breakfast
Tuesdays | 9:30 AM
Luther Hall & Zoom
Midweek Eucharist:
Wednesdays | 7:00 PM
Sanctuary
Adult Forum: Lenten Study
Wednesdays, | 8:00 PM
Luther Hall & Zoom
| | | LAETARE SUNDAY: 4th Sunday in Lent | | | | |
stjohntb.org, Sanbornville, NH
The Fourth Sunday in Lent is known, in Latin, as Laetare, for lightening, indicating a lessening of the Lenten fast.
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In the English church, it is also known as “Mothering Sunday,” and the faithful were encouraged to visit the church or cathedral where they were baptized. Apprentices working away from home had the day to visit their mother church and their mother, so this Sunday is the church’s celebration of mothers and those who serve in a mothering capacity in our lives, secular and spiritual.
The Lenten fast was no small thing in earlier times! In the historical murder mystery I’m currently reading (set fairly late in the reign of Henry VIII), it notes butchers arrested by the authorities at the behest of the Bishop of London for selling meat during Lent, and nobles imprisoned for Lent-breaking.
In England, Simnel Cake is the traditional food of Mothering Sunday. It’s a special fruitcake, traditionally topped with eleven marzipan balls representing the faithful disciples of Jesus.
For more on Simnel Cakes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simnel cake
Here's a simpler Simnel Cake recipe: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/easter/easter-recipes/a26585500/easy-simnel-cake
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LENTEN WEDNESDAYS
ADULT FORUM
March 12, 19, 26 & April 2
8pm
In person and via Zoom
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Click here to join via Zoom
How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, revealing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path forward today. The Tears of Things breathes new life into ancient wisdom and paves a path of enlightenment for anyone seeking a compassionate way of living in a hurting world.
Available in hard cover one day delivery on Amazon, and instantly on Audible and Kindle.
Click here to buy on Amazon
| | ST. BEDE'S HOLY WEEK Schedule | | HOLY BAPTISMS THIS EASTER | | 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. | | EASTER BRUNCH & EGG HUNT | | A NEW DATE FOR PAINT, SIP & NOSH | | |
The "Paint, Sip & Nosh" Sisters of Bede venue has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 5. We truly hope that everyone already signed up can attend--and there's room for more guests.
Keep in mind that this is the FINAL "Paint, Sip & Nosh" venue since Kelly Riggle Hower and her husband, Mark, are planning a move to Spokane this summer. As an art teacher for children and a truly compassionate and beautiful soul, Kelly leads this venue with inspiration, encouragement and tons of positive feedback.
No art experience is needed—just come ready to enjoy a creative and social atmosphere. Plus, all proceeds from Sisters of Bede events go directly to St. Bede's Outreach Programs—so you can have fun while supporting a great cause!
Register Now
For more information, reach out to Kelly or Daphne. We can’t wait to see you there!
| | TOWNSEND FAMILY ACCEPTS NATIONAL AWARD | | The Townsend clan looks on as brother Keith gives the acceptance speech. Pictured from the right are Vyonne, Keith’s wife, David and wife Jan, nephew Alex, Carl, nephew Spencer and Jennine. | |
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It was a rather nippy day in Portland Maine on March 12th as my brothers and I accepted the national award for Tree Farm of the Year. This process started with the Washington State award in 2023 (See the June 1st 2023 Quill), and then on to the Western US Regional award last year. We’ve known since December that we won the big prize (see the January 2, 2025 Quill) but now in 2025 we finally got our day in the spotlight.
We were awarded this beautiful hand-crafted wooden inlay trophy (at left).
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The conference had many good topics. New this year was a new group of landowners brought in by their interest in carbon capture. We also got to sample some of New England’s finest treats including lobster rolls and locally crafted maple syrup. A second sweet surprise were several bottles of homemade black walnut syrup from Alex’s tree farm in Kentucky.
Finally, when Keith and David got back to the ranch, they met up with brother Steve (rear left, below), and erected a permanent sign to commemorate the event.
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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
| | PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND | | ST. BEDE'S ONLINE GIVING PORTAL | | |
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.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL NEWS
A newsletter serving the Diocese of Los Angeles
| | An original rendering of the West Valley Food Pantry building, to open March 29. | |
New West Valley Food Pantry building set to open March 29
By Mostyn Trudinger-Smith
The West Valley Food Pantry, located at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Woodland Hills, is opening a new facility on the property to expand food distribution operations. With the new West Valley Food Pantry Community Center, the pantry also will host on-site social services providers, said Debbie Decker, executive director.
The grand opening will be March 29, 11 a.m., at the West Valley Food Pantry, 5700 Rudnick Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
The food pantry works to end hunger in the San Fernando Valley by providing food and other essentials to those in need. The drive-through food pantry runs five days a week, distributing around 15,000 pounds of food from grocery partners per week, according to the pantry website. The pantry also has programs delivering food to seniors, serving about 600 per month. The pantry distributes hygiene items, school supplies, and other essentials in addition to food, as well as hosting vaccination clinics.
The pantry is a ministry of Prince of Peace, and for 40 years has been sharing the church’s space, including the use of the church kitchen and church offices for food storage. The new development, still on the Prince of Peace campus but specifically for the West Valley Food Pantry, includes a large parking lot for the drive-through food distribution, a walk-in fridge and freezer, palate shelving, a walk-in food distribution room, two community center rooms, one of which will eventually be turned into a kitchen, and offices. Once the kitchen has been created, the pantry plans to host cooking classes featuring chefs from local restaurants. The distribution room has been named Margaret’s Room, in honor of Margaret Shively, founder of the pantry.
The grand opening celebration will include government officials instrumental in the funding of the project, and Bishop John Harvey Taylor of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, who has long supported the project and was present at the 2023 groundbreaking.
READ MORE HERE
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Seattle cathedral helps nonprofit turn former classrooms into homeless shelter for women
By David Paulsen
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, recently opened its doors to a shelter for homeless women. It is one of the latest of a growing number of Episcopal congregations partnering with local organizations and developers to address a nationwide shortage of affordable housing.
The congregation at St. Mark’s in the Diocese of Olympia helped fund a $100,000 renovation of two classrooms in a cathedral-owned building that once housed a school. The project was led by the nonprofit Operation Nightwatch, which began operating the shelter in the renovated space in February. The shelter, Donna Jean’s Place, is specifically for individual women, not those with children, and it has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 people at a time who need emergency housing.
Another nonprofit had operated a shelter called Noelle House in the cathedral’s parish hall for more than two decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced that shelter’s closure in 2020. The nonprofit has since reopened its shelter at another location in Seattle.
The Very Rev. Steven Thomason, dean of the cathedral, began talking with leaders at Operation Nightwatch about a year ago about filling gaps in support for people experiencing homelessness. For years, much of the emphasis locally and nationally has been on getting unhoused people into transitional housing and eventually permanent homes. Such efforts, while important, don’t always address the emergency needs of people who suddenly find themselves homeless, and “there was an increasing crisis in the number of emergency shelter beds in the city,” Thomason told Episcopal News Service.
The cathedral agreed to provide about 2,000 square feet in the former school building for use by Operation Nightwatch as a new shelter. Over six months, the nonprofit’s renovation crews added showers, toilets, lockers, a laundry facility and exam rooms for medical and mental health appointments, as well as 20 beds in a communal sleeping area.
READ MORE HERE
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