May 16, 2024 | VOLUME 36, ISSUE 20

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Day of Pentecost

May 19, 2024

SCRIPTURE READINGs

Acts 2:1-21

Romans 8:22-27

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Psalm 104:25-35, 37

Preacher: The Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Saturday, May 18, 6:30 - 9:00 PM: "K-Drama Party" SoB venue at home of Rob Kadota & Melora Sundt

Saturday, June 1, 2:00 - 4:00 PM: "High Tea with Reverend Jennifer" SoB venue at her home

Saturday, June 8, 5:30 PM: "Journey to the Holy Land" SoB venue in Parish Hall

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist:

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

Adult Forum:

Wednesdays | 8:00 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

This Sunday: WEAR RED to CELEBRATE PENTECOST

"The Pentecost" by El Greco

Adult Forum: EPISCOPAL BELIEFS & PRACTICES

St. Bede's Adult Forum

Episcopal Beliefs and Practices

Wednesdays 8pm from May 8-June 5

Welcome to Episcopal Beliefs and Practices! This forum has three goals. The primary goal is to examine and investigate Christianity in the context of the Episcopal Church and our own spiritual journey. A further hope is to give you the tools to deepen your participation in the common life of St. Bede's. Finally, if you are interested, this class should help you make an informed decision about baptism, confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church.

Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices, by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shone

While the class will loosely cover the book, it will serve as a conversation partner for your participation in the discussion.

Please read the book at your own pace, or zoom in on the topics that interest you the most.

Schedule:

May 8 - Introduction: History and Character of the Episcopal Church (Chapter 1)

May 15 - Worship and Sacraments (Chapters 2-12)

May 22 - Basic Beliefs (Chapters 13-16)

May 29 - Church and Polity (Chapters 17-20)

June 5 – Living Out Our Faith (Chapters 21-26)

NYA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT

Standing from left: Mary Tower, Jerry Hornof, Karen Scharre, Angus MacKay, Janet Hartley, Carl Townsend, Penny Jennings, Melora Sundt, Rob Kadota. Sitting from left: Mike Mullins, Rev. Jim Newman, Susan Holder, Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

By Jerry Hornof

On Saturday night the Neighborhood Youth Association (NYA) held their 41^st Scholarship Benefit at St. Mathew’s Pacific Palisades. The theme of the event was “Going Places” which aptly describes the vision and success of NYA as they send their graduates on a path to college and lifelong achievements. This was exemplified by the alumni speaker Litzy Bautista who graduated in 2023 from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York. Now preparing for law school, Litzy is a litigation paralegal for the Unhoused People Justice Project. Her interests and studies have taken her on travel to Europe and South America, places she dreamed about as a student at NYA.

St. Bede’s was well represented at the Scholarship Benefit. Beside our ten parishioners and Rector Jennifer, we were joined by Father Jim Newman, Mike Mullins, and Mary Tower. St. Bede’s proudly sponsors three scholarships (Ruth Nicastro, Bonnie Dawson, and James Newman). A generous memorial donation given by departed St. Bede's parishioner Joan Reitzel also funds four additional scholarships. Penny Jennings always has a busy night as she is the official photographer for the event.

Attending the benefit is inspiring. The NYA students take an active role in presenting and supporting the event. NYA has been active for 119 years and continues its remarkable success of supporting and encouraging students to pursue their college academic opportunities. All our parishioners are encouraged to support NYA and attend next year’s benefit.

By Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia

On May 6-8 at The Mission Inn in Riverside, I joined other clergy of the Diocese of Los Angeles for annual Clergy Conference. Dr. Kathy Wilder, Executive Director of Camp Stevens in Julian, led the group in a program called Sacred Leadership, that focused on the unique challenges and opportunities of being a faith leader. We played, reflected, discussed, discerned, and learned, all while expanding our support and knowledge of each other.

We also ate well, hugged, caught up with colleagues and friends, and made some plans for collaborative ministry between congregations. The Rev. Ryan (Newman) and I partnered to learn scarf juggling – lots of laughter and cheering each other on! Can you find me, Ryan, and The Rev. Jon (Fuess) in the photo below? The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor sends his best wishes to the good people and ministries of St. Bede's.

Blessings,

Jennifer+

Clergy of the Diocese of Los Angeles gather for a photo during their annual conference at the Mission Inn in Riverside. Photos: Janet Kawamoto

Parishioners Susan Holder, Kelly Riggle Hower and Stephanie Landry look forward to participants noshing on their charcuterie at the Sisters of Bede "Paint & Sip & Nosh" venue

Paint and Sippers Got in Touch with Their Inner Paint-Wielding Kid!

By Kelly Riggle Hower

“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

Several Saint Bede’s parishioners let their inner child out with paint on canvas on Saturday May 4, as part of the Sisters’ of Bede "Paint & Sip & Nosh" gathering hosted by Susan Holder, Stephanie Landry, and Kelly Riggle Hower.

Bolstered by the delicious and truly epic spread created by Susan and Stephanie, and with a few sips of excellent wine and sparkling lemonade supplied by these two, the group was ready to let Kelly lead them in expressing their connection to Kandinsky, Turner, O’Keefe, Picasso – or whatever other source of inspiration called them to make their mark with paints and canvas.

Karen’s and Jerry’s tributes to Morocco, Jeannine’s ode to the hills she grew up seeing, Emily’s song in paint, Susan’s gorgeous eruption of red and green, Daphne’s channeling of Matisse, Stephanie’s rippling dance of joyful primary colors… they were all as individual as the painters who created them, and all vividly engaging.

We sipped, we painted, we noshed, and we said, “Let’s do this again next year!” If you didn’t get a chance to join us for this one, the paint, the feast and the high-quality sips will be calling to you next year, we’re sure!

A sampling of Kelly's versatile collection

Art teacher Kelly gives us guidance & inspiration

Karen Scharre shows her tribute to Morocco

Jerry Hornof's tribute to Morocco

Jennine Townsend's ode to hills in Arizona

Emily Mayock's song in paint

Daphne Moote channels Matisse

Stephanie Landry expresses joy in primary colors

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.

During General Convention’s Environmental Stewardship & Care of Creation legislative committees’ May 14, 2024 open hearing, San Joaquin Bishop David Rice and the Rev. Robin Hollis, a deacon in the Diocese of Arizona, discuss proposed resolution A098, “Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation.” The resolution seeks to endorse the proposed global treaty that would complement the Paris Agreement by laying out a guideline to phase out fossil fuel exploration and expansion while supporting countries in their ethical transition to renewable energy sources. Photo: Screenshot

Committees hear testimonies on fossil fuels treaty, creating additional task forces, nuclear energy usage

By Shireen Korkzan

General Convention’s Environmental Stewardship & Care of Creation legislative committees heard testimonies May 14 on five proposed resolutions seeking support for various environmental initiatives ranging from mitigating climate change to supporting nuclear energy usage to protecting biodiversity.

Fifty-two people attended the virtual hearing of the House of Bishops’ and House of Deputies’ committees, which though distinct, typically meet and deliberate together. Once finalized, resolutions will advance to the 81st General Convention, to be held June 23-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the committees’ last open hearing before convention.

The Task Force on Imagining a Church Grounded in Social Justice as Christian Ministry proposed resolution A098, “Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation,” which seeks to endorse the proposed global treaty that would complement the Paris Agreement by laying out a guideline to phase out fossil fuel exploration and expansion while supporting countries in their ethical transition to renewable energy sources. More than 100 cities and subnational governments endorsed the treaty during the 28th United Nations Conference of Parties of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP28, held late last year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The requested budget to implement A098 is $40,000.00.

READ MORE HERE

A student-led anti-war protest at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee, resulted in the Episcopal university’s officials agreeing to meet some of the students’ demands, including a commitment to financial transparency and divestment over time. The student-led protests at Sewanee were part of larger pro-Palestinian demonstrations held at universities nationwide. Photo: Sewanee for Palestine/Instagram

Student demonstrations at Sewanee lead to promise of financial transparency, divestment

By Shireen Korkzan

A student-led anti-war protest at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee, resulted in the Episcopal university’s officials agreeing to meet some of the students’ demands, including a commitment to financial transparency and divestment over time.

“From my place of faith, I find it really important to look at who’s being oppressed and suffering and to find ways to support and stand up for them, and that’s happening in Palestine right now,” Mairyn, a creative writing and interdisciplinary arts major at Sewanee, told Episcopal News Service. “We need to focus on ending the genocide.”

Mairyn, her last name is withheld at her request because of backlash she’s received on social media, is one of some 75 students who marched in late April and early May at Sewanee, where six students occupied the roof of All Saints’ Chapel on campus demanding school officials disclose where the school’s $440 million endowment goes and to sever ties with companies that manufacture weapons for Israel. Other protesters arranged a sit-in on All Saints’ steps and a student-led compline. They have been sharing their goals and updates on Instagram. On May 9, Sewanee officials met with students to explain how the school’s endowment works and the framework used to make investments.

The University of the South is owned by 28 Episcopal dioceses. Many Episcopal bishops serve on its board.

READ MORE HERE

View the latest edition of Episcopal News Service

Bishop John Harvey Taylor and new resident Maggie Nobel, with other dignitaries, cut the ribbon to officially open Santa Angelina Senior Housing Community at Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Placentia. Photos: Janet Kawamoto

Blessed Sacrament Church, Placentia community rejoice as Santa Angelina Senior Housing Community officially opens its doors

By Pat McCaughan

“Welcome to the Family,” sang the children’s choir – and several hundred state, county, and local faith, civic and community leaders, housing activists, neighbors, and church members cheered and applauded May 13 as Bishop John Harvey Taylor and other dignitaries officially opened the Santa Angelina Senior Housing Community with a joyous ribbon-cutting ceremony at Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Placentia.

For Maggie Nobel, a Santa Angelina resident who addressed the gathering, the welcome and her move to an affordable apartment on the church’s campus felt like “true paradise. I stand here before you to let you know that places like Santa Angelina are not just good for the community, they’re good for our country and for so many people,” said the former librarian and mother of a disabled son.

“Over the last year, my son and I lost our home of 20 years. We had to live in a motel because my Social Security payments were not enough for the apartment,” she said. “I wasn’t on the street like some, but I was still homeless. I know from experience that affordable housing means less stress and a better life.”

Seniors are among the fastest-growing population of individuals becoming homeless. On May 8, 2024, Orange County officials released a point-in-time report indicating a two-year increase of 28% in overall homelessness, with a total of 7,322 unhoused persons, 10% of whom were seniors.



READ MORE HERE

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