St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church and School

We are a Christian community seeking to know and unconditionally share God's unfailing love.

Weekly Newsletter

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Friday, July 3

• Church and preschool closed in celebration of Independence Day

Sunday, July 5

• Food Pantry Sunday: bring non-perishable food to donate
• Celebrate Independence Day (see below)
• Blueberry Pancakes after the 8:30am service on the patio
• Hot Dogs at 11:30am on the patio

Tuesday, July 7

• Grief Group Meeting at 9:30am in the church office
• Rector's Bible Study at 11am in Sacquety Hall
• Men's Group Meeting at 7:30pm in the office

Wednesday, July 8

• Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the chapel

Saturday, July 11

• Watch party for the Ordination and Consecration of the 8th Bishop of Los Angeles, Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena at 10am at St. George's Episcopal Church (see below)

Sunday, July 12

• Small Change Sunday to support Laundry Love
• Godly Play for Everyone at 9:30am in Sacquety Hall
• Episcopal PRIDE Alliance Potluck Luncheon at 12:15pm in Sacquety Hall

Monday, July 13

• Bunco Night at 6:30pm in Sacquety Hall (see below)

Tuesday, July 14

• Rector's Bible Study at 11am in Sacquety Hall

Wednesday, July 15

• Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the chapel
• Laundry Love at 5:30pm at Huntington Coin Laundry

Monday, July 20

• Finance Meeting at 6pm in the office

Tuesday, July 21

• Grief Group Meeting at 9:30am in the church office
• Rector's Bible Study at 11am in Sacquety Hall
• Preschool Board Meeting at 5pm in the preschool office
• Men's Group Meeting at 7:30pm in the office

Wednesday, July 22

• Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the chapel

Monday, July 27

• Vestry Meeting at 6pm in Sacquety Hall

Tuesday, July 28

• Rector's Bible Study at 11am in Sacquety Hall

Wednesday, July 29

• Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the chapel

Do you ever read something, and then find yourself stopping to think about it? I do. Recently, I was reading an article in The Christian Century. The article was discussing Heretical Nationalism (aka Christian Nationalism) and how the dogma of the American church has changed over the past 250 years. At first glance, Heretical Nationalists don't seem too far off base. They seek, or some would argue "demand", that Christian principles must be at the center of our governmental laws, policies, and social norms. Yet, they define Christianity in a narrow, unbiblical way. Instead of recognizing the dignity of every human being, they only see value in people who agree with them, who live in accordance with their rules, and they are quick to define who deserves God's love and grace. Instead of acknowledging the diversity of the human experience, they seek to limit it.

They overlook the story in the Book of Acts where Philip responds to the Spirit of God, and teaches the Gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch, who almost certainly was a gay man. The eunuch responds by asking to be baptized and, according to church legend, this castrated man shared the Gospel throughout Ethiopia, which is one of the first places that the Gospel was shared outside the Roman world. Most likely, the Ethiopian convert was gay, which makes Heretical Nationalists uncomfortable. If they acknowledge his sexuality at all, they believe that he left behind his 'lifestyle' to follow Jesus.

Heretical Nationalists seek to leave people out. They do not invite them to come in, just as they are, to experience the love, warmth and healing power of God. On the other hand, in the Episcopal Church we welcome everyone as best we can.

As the article in The Christian Century pointed out, Heretical Nationalists were not a major influence in the founding of our country, as much as they like to claim that they were. In fact, the faith groups that formed the largest components of Heretical Nationalists were among the religious minorities. The dogmatic and charismatic denominations that prevail in today’s understanding of the Christian faith (as presented in the media) were marginal in 1776. When our country was founded, the largest denominations were the Episcopalians and the Congregationalists. In five states, Catholics didn't even have the right to vote. Our country was very different from the way it is today.

Congregationalists and Episcopalians no longer dominate America's religious life; today, we make up about 2% of the population. Yet, our impact upon our country's history and its early leaders is impressive. George Washington, an Episcopalian, resigned his military commission after the Revolutionary War, and was the first to give up military power and retire to private life since the Roman military leader Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus in the 5th century BCE. Instead of seizing power for himself and crowning himself king, Washington did something no one had done for roughly 2200 years. He gave up great power. Did I mention that he was an Episcopalian?

George Washington isn't the only notable Episcopalian in American history. Others include the following: President James Madison, who was a key architect of our Constitution, President James Monroe, who brought the country back together after a divisive era of partisan politics, Patrick Henry, who declared, "Give me liberty, or give me death" was an Episcopalian, as was Betsy Ross, who made our first stars and stripes flag. Thirty-one signers of the Declaration of Independence were Episcopalian.

My point, in sharing all of these facts, is that we have a rich history. Our country, although far from perfect, is worth celebrating. I believe that we strive to live out our ideals. We have not yet arrived, but hopefully, and with God's help, we will move closer to doing so. We cannot allow others, who claim to be Jesus' representatives on earth, to be the only voices that proclaim who Jesus is. We, too, have something to say. We have something to share. We care about our country, so we must not be silent.

Many Blessings,

Fr. Nathan Biornstad+

St. Wilfrid's Church and Preschool will be closed this Friday, July 3rd, in celebration of Independance Day.

Dear St. Wilfrid's,

Thank you so much for your generous gift of $1,500. Your support makes a real difference in the lives of local students who are facing homelessness or living without parental support.

Because of donors like you, Robyne's Nest continues to help students across thirteen high schools in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Newport, and Costa Mesa. This year, our transitional housing program has provided stable housing to students who needed a place to call home, added life skills and wellness classes, and provided ongoing mental health coaching to students in need.

In addition, we launched a series of life skills and wellness classes directly on school campuses during regular school hours. These sessions, led by guest speakers from various industries and mental health backgrounds, provide students with essential tools in budgeting, nutrition, emotional regulation, job readiness, and more - right where they are, when they need it most.

Your generosity provides stability, opportunity, and - most importantly - hope. You're helping these young people not just survive, but truly soar.

From all of us at Robyne's Nest - thank you for standing with us and for believing in the potential of every student we serve.

With heartfelt thanks, 

Lisa Farmer

President, Board of Directors

Consecration & Ordination

of the 8th Bishop of Los Angeles

The Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena

Saturday, July 11th at 10am

God willing and the People consenting,

the Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena

will be ordained and consecrated

a Bishop in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

and 8th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

at All Saints Episcopal Church

132 North Euclid Avenue, Pasadena

Chief Consecrator:

The Most Reverend Sean Rowe

Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church

So that everyone across the diocese can celebrate this joyous occasion together, the Consecration Committee has arranged for watch parties in each of the 10 geographic deaneries. We are invited to attend the watch party at St. George's Episcopal Church.

St. George's

23802 Avenida De La Carlota

Laguna Hills, CA 92653

(949) 215-6155

Save the Date: Celebration to Greet 
the Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena

Saturday, August 29 at 11:00am | Sacquety Hall

Following the July 11 ordination and consecration of the Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena as the 8th Bishop of Los Angeles, a series of weekly deanery celebrations across the Diocese of Los Angeles on Saturdays beginning July 18 and continuing through Sept. 26. All celebrations are scheduled for 11 a.m. 

EPA Social Justice through the Arts

Join the Episcopal Pride Alliance and GLEAM-OC on Sunday, August 9th for an afternoon of community, conversation, and film. The event begins with a potluck luncheon (12:15–1:00 PM), followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary Sanctuary (1:00–2:30 PM).

More information coming soon!

Bishop-elect shares new video messages highlighting series of welcoming events

In new video messages, Bishop-elect Antonio J. Gallardo-Lucena reflects on the series of events planned to welcome him as the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, starting with his July 11 consecration and watch parties; the "Walk of Love and Truth" and installation on July 12; and summer deanery celebrations.

Watch message in English here.

Watch message in Spanish here.

Help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to Venezuela earthquakes

Episcopal Relief & Development invites financial support for response to June 24 twin earthquakes that have left nearly 2,o00 people dead, 10,000 injured, and thousands more missing, according to July 1 reports. Contributions to ERD's International Disaster Fund may be made here.

Requesting prayer and support for Venezuela, his home country, Los Angeles Bishop-elect Antonio J. Gallardo L. asked Episcopalians to support ERD relief efforts, noting that his family members who reside in Venezuela are safe yet deeply concerned by the crisis. L.A. Bishop John Harvey Taylor also called the diocesan community to join him in contributing to ERD response.

In a June 26 social-media posts, Bishop-elect Gallardo L. wrote: “This afternoon I joined close to 100 leaders from different faith traditions united in prayers for Venezuela. We asked for God’s compassion, wisdom and generosity. We prayed for the victims, children and families, the Venezuelan government, the leaders from other countries, for pastors and the clergy community on the ground, medical personnel, rescuers, non-profits and churches, donors, volunteers, and all who are helping. We prayed for shattered dreams, for separated families, for unity, and for the land. Please support the efforts financially through Episcopal Relief & Development, a trusted agency that supports work with local partners to provide critical relief today and long-term recovery support to those impacted by disasters like the earthquakes in Venezuela. Please make your urgent tax-deductible donation.”

“Esta tarde me uní a cerca de 100 líderes de diversas tradiciones de fe, unidos en oración por Venezuela. Pedimos por la compasión, la sabiduría y la generosidad de Dios. Oramos por las víctimas, los niños y las familias, el gobierno venezolano, los líderes de otros países, los pastores y el clero que están apoyando directamente, el personal médico, los equipos de rescate, las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y las iglesias, así como por los donantes, los voluntarios y todos aquellos que están brindando ayuda. Oramos por los sueños truncados, por las familias separadas, por la unidad y por la tierra. Por favor, apoye estos esfuerzos con su contribución a través *La Agencia Episcopal de Ayuda y Desarrollo*, una organización de confianza que colabora con socios locales para brindar ayuda inmediata y apoyo a largo plazo para la recuperación de los afectados por desastres, como los terremotos en Venezuela. Le rogamos que realice ahora su donación urgente, la cual es deducible de impuestos.”