May 22, 2025 | VOLUME 37, ISSUE 21

VIEW AS WEBPAGE

Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Feast of Saint Bede the Venerable

May 25, 2025



SCRIPTURE READINGS

Acts 16:9-15

Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

John 14:23-29

Psalm 67

Preacher: The Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Saturday, May 24, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: "Japanese Animé Dinner" SoB venue at Kadota/Sundt Residence

Sunday, May 25, 3:30 - 5:00 PM: Evensong with Lilia Ensemble in the Sanctuary (see flyer below)

Saturday, May 31, 1:00 PM: "Vicar of Dibley and Afternoon Tea" SoB venue in the Luther Hall.

Saturday, June 7: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: "Spring Brunch SoB venue at Rea Crane Residence

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist:

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Chapel in the Sanctuary

Adult Forum: The Tears of Things

Wednesdays | 8:00 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Please be sure to put our next Friends of Music concert on your calendar!!! You will be transported by a beautiful Evensong featuring the delightful Lilia Ensemble along with the St. Bede's Choir directed by Frank Basile. This event will take place on Sunday, May 25, the feast of St. Bede, at 3:30 PM in the St. Bede's Sanctuary.

NYA President/CEO Bob Williams welcomes students, staff, trustees, donors, and members of the congregations of St. Bede's, St. Augustine by the Sea, St. Matthew's, and Ahavat Torah to the joyous lunch reception. Photo: Penny Jennings.

THANK YOU ST. BEDE'S from the NYA!

Thank you, St. Bede’s, for the wonderful lunch and Neighborhood Youth Association Open House celebration on May 18! Your loving and generous hospitality makes it possible for NYA to continue its mission of 100% college placement for our deserving students, and we are so grateful to you all. We express deepest thanks for providing the delicious Baja Cantina fare, to Alice Short for so expertly coordinating all the arrangements, to Penny Jennings for the wonderful photos, and to all who helped with set-up and clean-up. It was a joy to be able to thank Rev. Jennifer, Karen Scharre, and Jerry Hornof as NYA’s Angels of the Year, and to celebrate the legacy of NYA support deepened through the years by so many St. Bede's parishioners, especially the late Bonnie Dawson, Ruth Nicastro, and Joan Reitzel. As our NYA motto reminds us: “Together We Succeed.”

Gratefully,

Sonia R. Hernandez, site director, and

Bob Williams, president/CEO on behalf of NYA’s board of trustees.

Four of the twelve students in the 2025 graduating class shared their stories and answered questions. Photo: Penny Jennings

INVITATION to NYA SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION

Around the table from left to right: Marissa Kovalovs, Lyn Hernandez, Catherine Caprio, Jessica Mariglio, Isaac Warren, Emily Mayock, & Roman Del Rio

On Tuesday, May 13, a few folks from St Bede's Young Adult Fellowship met up for drinks and trivia night at LA Ale Works in Culver City. As you can see from the photo they were having a great time. Jessica Mariglio is wondering if there are any others at St. Bede's who would like to get involved with the Young Adult Fellowship. Jessica states that they aren't strict about the definition of "young adult"--if the title resonates with you, you'll fit in. :)

Anyone who would like to join the Young Adult Fellowship is invited to email Jessica to let her know. Email her at JMariglio@gmail.com and you will be added to the group chat.

The visitation of The Rt. Rev. Ed Little began with the traditional three knocks on the church door with his pastoral staff. Senior Warden Jerry Hornof welcomed him in where he joined the procession to his seat at the altar. Photo: Penny Jennings

What a delight it was to have Bishop Ed Little come visit us at St. Bede's. Parishioners found him to be gentle, warm, kind, and easy going . . . truly, full of grace. We were so fortunate to hear his sermon where he shared his wisdom, earnest love for Jesus and sense of humor. Bp. Ed talked about how our souls thirst for the living God, conceding that we are spiritually dehydrated without Him. He quoted the risen Jesus as saying, “To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.” Bp. Ed encouraged us to “take a drink of Jesus,” gave examples of how we can do this, and summed up his sermon, stating: “We’re thirsty. Take a drink. It’s free.”

Bp. Little greeted the congregation after the service, including Vestry member Emily Mayock. Photo: Penny Jennings

Daughters of the King President, Kathy Fairchild, looks on as Rev. Jennifer leads Stephanie Landry and Kelly Riggle-Hower in the Service of Preparation for Membership in The Order of the Daughters of the King. Photo: Penny Jennings

The Daughters of the King (DOK) is an international Order for women who have taken a lifetime vow of service to God, to their church, and to daily prayers. The St. Bede’s church service on Sunday, May 4, included the Service of Preparation for Membership in The Order of the Daughters of the King. This special service provided Rev. Jennifer with the privilege of presenting Stephanie Landry and Kelly Riggle-Hower as candidates who were about to embark on the 12 weekly sessions required for entry into the Order. This series of sessions, which follow the DOK National Study Guide, helps prospective members explore their faith and learn about the Order. Each session asks challenging questions, stimulating reflection and discernment that can lead to spiritual growth, the deepening of faith, the strengthening of prayer life, and a growing commitment to serve God and church as we live out our Baptismal Covenant. 

Sisters of Bede Meeting on Monday, May 5 - Front row: Daphne Moote (Chairperson), Tana Raikes (Secretary), Ina Klem, Susan Holder, & Mary Deutsche. Back row: Kathy Russell (Book Cart Coordinator), Bond Harper, & Penny Jennings (Treasurer). Photo: Lana Spraker

By Lana Spraker

The Sisters of Bede (SoBs) is a group of St. Bede’s women who meet the first Monday of the month to share fellowship, delicious food, stimulating conversation and prayer. We support each other with heart-centered listening. Usually there is a topic to focus our thoughts. This is also a time when we share our concerns for our loved ones, the community and the world. The trust that has been cultivated over time inspires us to speak from our hearts about life’s challenges. The SoBs offer the gift of spiritual support for each other, and we laugh a lot as well!

All those people at St. Bede’s who identify as women are invited to join us in person at 6:30 PM in Luther Hall for food and conversation on the first Monday of the month. At 7:30 PM there is a Zoom hookup for women who cannot come in person. (Note: there will be no Monday night SoB meeting in July.)

We truly hope you will join us.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Rev. Jennifer or any of the women pictured above.

By Kathy Russell

Saint Bede is the Patron of our Parish. We will be celebrating his feast day on May 25, including an Evensong service. Let’s look at why he is so well remembered.

Bede was an English monk and priest. He was born in about 672 and spent most of his life in Northumbria, in the Northeast of England. At the age of seven, he entered a monastery near his home, but soon moved to a larger monastery at Jarrow. Despite the customary age of ordination to the deaconate of 25, he was ordained at the age of 19. His ordination to the priesthood was at age 30.

Bede is best known as a scholar in a variety of subjects: history, science, theology, grammar, and hagiography. While he authored 60 books, he is best remembered for his

Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, or An Ecclesiastical History of the

English People. Completed in about 731, its five books span the time from

the earliest days of Christianity in Roman Britain to the early 8th century. The

focus of the work was the growth and unification of the Church in Britain.

Thus, it does not emphasize the events and political struggles in the wider

world. Nevertheless, it is considered, to this day, an important source of

information on this period in English history. He has often been called the

“Father of English History.” The Historia was widely copied in the years

shortly after his death, both in England and on the Continent. It was first

printed in 1475 in Strasbourg. (Note: the Gutenberg Bible was printed in

about 1455.)

One that may be familiar from reading the Bible is to tie events to a particular ruler’s reign. For example: In the 6th year of King X’s reign.” Bede, however, chose the “Anno Domini” method. This system was devised in 525 by Dionysius Exiguus to calculate the date of Easter. Bede adapted this form of dating to the events of the 8 centuries of history covered by the Historia. Largely because of the popularity of his work in the middle ages, the “Anno Domini” dating was adopted as the preferred dating method.

Bede died on the eve of Ascension Day on May 25, 735. He was buried in the monastery at Jarrow. According to legend, the epithet “Venerable” was added to his tombstone by angels. However it came about, he was referred to as the Venerable Bede from the 9th century onwards. In 1022, a monk who cared for the shrine to St. Cuthbert in Durham,

secretly moved Bede’s bones to Durham, and placed them in St. Cuthbert’s coffin. When Cuthbert’s remains were moved to the new Durham Cathedral, Bede’s bones were placed in a separate relic box at his side. In 1370, Bede’s bones were moved to the Galilee Chapel at the West end of the cathedral.

Although the tomb was despoiled during the English Reformation, the tomb is there today and can be seen by visitors to the cathedral. The text on the wall to the right of the picture is Bede’s “Christ is the Morning Star,” which will be included in the Evensong Service. While Bede has been traditionally known as “Venerable,” it wasn’t until 1899, under Pope Leo XIII, that he was formally canonized as a Saint and Doctor of the Church. He is the only British Saint with the Doctor of the Church designation.

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.

Bishop Search: Read the Survey Results, Prepare for the Profile, Get Ready to Nominate

By Judy Stark 

Watch Video: Search Committee Co-Chairs Thomas Diaz and the Rev. KC Robertson (shown in the photo above) bring an update from our diocese of Angels and Dodgers alike.

The search for our next bishop is moving into high gear, and there are lots of ways for everyone in our diocese to be involved.

Thanks to the more than 500 people who took our HolyCow! survey earlier this spring. An executive summary of the findings is available here. Read all about what you had to say!

To further unpack the survey findings, our consultant from HolyCow! will lead a Zoom presentation on Monday, June 9, starting at 6 p.m. “The consultant will explain what the findings mean and where we stand as a diocese, and will identify themes and trends,” Co-Chair Thomas Diaz said. If you’d like to participate, please sign up here.

Our diocesan profile is in the final stages of design and editing and awaits the approval of the Standing Committee. Our plan now is that it will go live early in the week of June 2. Watch for a special announcement when we have a firm date and time.

The nominating period will open the same day the profile is posted on the diocesan website. That is the time for clergy to apply, should they feel called to the episcopate; or for everyone to nominate good candidates. The application and nomination forms are included in the profile. If you have someone in mind, don’t assume that person will come forward on their own. Sometimes people need a nudge of the Holy Spirit. So nudge them!

READ MORE HERE

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe visited the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center at St. Paul’s Within the Walls Episcopal Church in Rome, Italy, on May 19. To his right is the Rev. John W. Kilgore, St. Paul’s interim priest, and to his left is Giulia Bonaldi, the center’s director. Photo: Lynette Wilson/Episcopal News Service

Presiding bishop visits Rome’s refugee center, a model for Episcopal churches across Europe, US

By Lynette Wilson

For decades, the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center has provided a space for refugees and migrants arriving here in Rome. Today, it’s the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe’s largest refugee assistance program, and one that serves as a model for churches across the continent.

The center, housed in the crypt at St. Paul’s Within the Walls, operates a day shelter and provides food, clothing, Italian- and English-language classes, legal and job assistance, and other services to an average of 150 refugees each weekday. It does so with a small staff, interns and volunteers, and with a budget just under $400,000.

On May 19, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe visited the center and received a guided tour from its director, Giulia Bonaldi, who explained the center’s holistic approach, from providing sleeping bags to people who live on the streets to teaching them about their legal rights and helping them integrate into society.

“The work that’s happening at this refugee center is tremendous. … This is exactly what Jesus calls us to do,” Rowe told Episcopal News Service during his visit. “I think that we can see this as a model of people who are able to help resettle refugees with a shoestring budget. … I think this is a replicable model across The Episcopal Church in this time, particularly as we [in the U.S.] move from a federally funded program to more grassroots and local organizations; there’s something to be learned here.”

Rowe had travelled to Rome to attend Pope Leo XIV’s May 18 inauguration in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square. His visit to the center followed the announcement last week that The Episcopal Church would not resettle white South Africans favored by the Trump administration and would end all federal resettlement work when the church’s federal contract expires at the end of the fiscal year.

Episcopal Migration Ministries has been one of 10 nongovernmental agencies, many of them associated with religious denominations, that facilitated refugee resettlement through the federal program created in 1980. EMM will continue to serve migrants through diocesan partnerships, collaboration with other Anglican provinces worldwide, and local outreach to refugees who are continuing to get settled in American communities.

READ MORE HERE

View the latest edition of the Episcopal News Service