May 23, 2024 | VOLUME 36, ISSUE 21

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First Sunday after Pentecost

Trinity Sunday

May 26, 2024

SCRIPTURE READINGs

Isaiah 6:1-8

Romans 8:12-17

John 3:1-17

Canticle 13

Preacher: The Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia

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

Monday, June 3, 6:45 PM: Sisters of Bede Meeting in the Parish Hall

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

Saturday, June 22, 1:30 PM: "LEGOs for Grown-ups" SoB venue in the Parish Hall (see flyer & story below)

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

GATHERING TABLE for YOUNG FOLLOWERS

By Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Some of you have asked, "What is that table in the middle of the sanctuary, and why is it right there?" Great question, and I am so happy you asked! Traditional Sunday School at St. Bede's is still on hiatus, and the Gathering Table located among the congregation offers children a clear view of the actions in the service. Some of the most familiar and powerful images of the disciples is of them seated around a table with Jesus. Children can engage their minds, hearts, and bodies in age-appropriate activities during worship, in the middle of their loving and supportive community.

It is apparent when entering St. Bede's that we value families and acknowledge that children's voices are essential to the full body of Christ. A cozy rocking chair, religious coloring materials and books, finger puppets, felt boards and other quiet items invite children to learn about the greatest love story ever told. On the coat rack across from the baptismal font, kiddos can select a worship bag filled with fun activities, and next to it choose books from the thoughtfully curated Little Love Library. Pick up a book and learn how words and pictures written for young followers can help form people of all ages. For suggestions about other quiet activities, please contact Rev. Jennifer.

Little Love Library

Children's Credenza Display

Two Jesuses

CONGRATULATIONS BETSY HITESHEW!

By Sally Wescott

St. Bede's parishioner Betsy Hiteshew began her career in early childhood development as an elementary and preschool teacher. She had a passion for young children, and she brought that commitment to her work as a teacher and advocate for children and families. She served in a leadership capacity in various professional organizations such as California Association for the Education of Young Children. Through her tireless work as an educator, she impacted the lives of thousands of children and families for over forty years.

Additionally, Betsy taught Early Childhood Education courses at Santa Monica College for 30-plus years. In the 1970’s she had a television show highlighting the development of children. Betsy founded Connections for Children as a member of the Board of Family Services in Santa Monica. Connections for Children honored Betsy with the first Annual Betsy Award in 2019. Each year it is given to a member of the early childhood community who exemplifies that same commitment. The most recent Betsy Award event, pictured here, took place on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Sally Wescott is Betsy's youngest daughter

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)

LEGOs for GROWN-UPS: Additional Room Available

By Kathy Russell

Let’s Lego!



The Lego for Grownups Sisters of Bede venue is coming up on Saturday, June 22. There were some sign-ups at the Party of Parties. I’d like to invite anyone else who loves building with Lego or is curious to join us. 

How does the venue work? 

In a couple of weeks, I’ll send an Excel spreadsheet to those who have signed up or expressed an interest. The spreadsheet contains a list of the sets in my collection. The entry for each set includes, among other things, the name of the set, the number of pieces, and a link to a picture of the completed model. This year I have added many sets that I owned but hadn’t added. On the other hand, my grandson Andrew rediscovered Lego and now has all my Star Wars sets on display in his room. I have removed them from the spreadsheet.

Once the spreadsheet is sent, it is time for you to pick the models you want to build. You will select one set that you can build at the venue. You also pick two sets to borrow to build at home. Once I have all of the requests, I will retrieve and verify the pieces in the sets. If there are multiple requests for the same set, it will be decided by first come, first served.



When you arrive at the venue, you will find a display of some of the sets Meg, Andrew, and I have been building recently. Then a build-it-yourself lunch. After lunch, retrieve your venue model and get building. 

If you’d like to participate but can’t make it on June 22, some alternatives: 

1. Sign up for the venue. To do this, contact me, Kathy Russell, or Daphne Moote. This lets me know to send you the spreadsheet. When you have selected your sets, I will bring them to church on Sunday. Because the SoB venues raise funds for local and worldwide causes, I ask that you pay for the venue.

2. If you have never built with Lego, but are curious, let’s set up a “mini venue.” Since the choir is not rehearsing after church for the summer, I can bring a simple set to show you the ropes. If you enjoy building, you can “graduate” to the real thing.



If you would like to participate in any way but haven’t yet signed up, please contact me.

Host Rob Kadota fires up some terrific Korean barbeque

By Susan Holder

What a blast we had at the K-Drama Dinner Party hosted by parishioners Rob Kadota and Melora Sundt. Their backyard is a fantastic setting for a party and provided an enchanting atmosphere that captivated all who were present. Amidst this picturesque backdrop we were treated to a feast of delicious Korean food, including barbequed meats and side dishes, of which the mushroom hot pot was one of the favorites.

After dinner we retired to their backyard “living room,” complete with comfortable couches, a firepit and a big TV. It was here that a newfound appreciation for Korean dramas was sparked as Rob and Melora screened samples of episodes, sharing their “not so secret indulgence.” Following this, each guest had a chance to share their own “guilty pleasures.” The experience was filled with close fellowship and lots of laughter, resulting in an unforgettable gathering that uplifted everyone’s mood and left a lasting impression. Thank you, Melora and Rob, for your generous hospitality!

Rob and Melora's backyard is filled with gorgeous plant life, a cool vibe, and a relaxing ambiance

The evening started with our drink of choice and an array of tasty, crunchy Korean treats

Delicious side dishes accompanied barbequed beef bulgogi, short ribs & chicken

Parishioners engage in serious eating along with warm & cheerful fellowship

Photo by Kelly Riggle-Hower

The Holy Spirit empowers Kyle Ferstead at 8am service

One of Rev. Jennifer's gorgeous Pentecost bouquets

The Holy Spirit empowers Elizabeth Coombs at 10am service

"Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us."

---Fr. Robert Baer



Many parishioners wore red to symbolize the flames of the Holy Spirit

Rev. Jennifer Wagner-Pavia consecrates the Holy Eucharist

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.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry speaks during ReviveATL in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 22, 2020. Photo: Diocese of Atlanta

June 22 revival, learning party in Louisville to feature prayer, worship, music and workshops

By Melodie Woerman

Planners of a revival taking place on June 22 in Louisville, Kentucky, say it will be a time of prayer, worship and music, as well as the chance for The Episcopal Church to say thank you to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry for his nine years of leadership.

The KFC Yum! Center, site of the revival, will be configured to seat up to 8,000 people, the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, canon to the presiding bishop for evangelism, reconciliation and creation care, told Episcopal News Service.

The center is a place where the church can “make a big statement about the love of God and the welcome that The Episcopal Church extends in the spirit of Christ to all our neighbors, including people who might have thought that the church didn’t want anything to do with them,” she said. Curry is scheduled to preach at what will be the 27th revival since he became presiding bishop in November 2015.

This revival, like all the others, “… invites Episcopalians to reclaim our faith and to dare to live it anew,” Curry said in a statement for ENS. He also said revivals attempt a cultural transformation by giving the Holy Spirit an entrance into people’s lives.

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Bishop John Harvey Taylor, assisted by Canon Bob Williams, presents a certificate of appreciation to Bishop Chet Talton. Photos: Janet Kawamoto

Cathedral service celebrates ministry of retired Bishop Suffragan Chet Talton: ‘Today, I feel loved by The Episcopal Church’

By Pat McCaughan

Retired Bishop Suffragan Chet Talton drew sustained cheers and applause when addressing several hundred Episcopalians from the dioceses of Los Angeles and San Joaquin, saying, “today I feel loved by The Episcopal Church.”

Talton’s life and ministry were celebrated with a special May 18 service at St. John’s Cathedral, sponsored by the Program Group on Black Ministries and the H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians.

Talton, 82, who was consecrated Los Angeles’s first Black bishop suffragan in 1991, told the gathering: “When I was a young man and I had decided to become a priest, I told one of two black priests in our diocese in California that I was going to do that. He said, ‘Don’t do it. The Episcopal Church will not love you the same way you love The Episcopal Church.’

“Well, today, I feel loved by The Episcopal Church.”

After retiring in 2010 in Los Angeles, Talton served as the first Black bishop provisional in the Diocese of San Joaquin, from 2011 to 2014, when he returned to the Southland and for a time served as an assisting bishop.

Multiple emotional tributes and glowing accolades included remembrances of Talton’s commitment to building beloved community and racial reconciliation, as well as excerpts from Race and Prayer, co-edited in 2003 by Talton and the late Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd, former diocesan poet-in-residence, who died in 2015.



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