St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church and School | | |
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We are a Christian community seeking to know and unconditionally share God's unfailing love. | |
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January 9th to 16th, 2025 | |
This Sunday, January 12th, 2024
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ Sunday
In-person services at 8:30am and 10:30am
Our 10:30am service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
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Friday, January 10
- Hoag Faith Community Nursing Workshop, Conscious Aging: The Art of Finishing Life Well (see below)
Saturday, January 11
- Memorial Service for Derek Wimmer at 11am in the Sanctuary followed by a reception in Sacquety Hall (see below)
Sunday, January 12
- Baptism Sunday
- Small Change Sunday to support our Laundry Love Ministry
- Godly Play at 10:30am in Room 9
- Episcopal PRIDE Alliance Group Potluck Luncheon at 12:15pm in Sacquety Hall
Tuesday, January 14
- Rector's Bible Study at 11:00am in Sacquety Hall
Wednesday, January 15
- Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the Chapel
- Laundry Love at 5:30pm at Huntington Coin Laundry
Sunday, January 19
- Godly Play at 8:30am in Room 9
- St. Wilfrid's 50th Anniversary Celebration of becoming a parish between services
- Healing Ministry Meeting at 11:50am in the Office
- Worship and Special Services Committee Meeting at 12:15 in Fr. Nathan's office
- Youth Group Meeting at 4:30pm in the Youth Center
Monday, January 20
- The Church Office and Preschool will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21
- Grief Group Meeting at 9:30am in the Office
- Rector's Bible Study at 11:00am in Sacquety Hall
- Preschool Board Meeting at 5pm in the Preschool Office
- Men's Group Meeting at 7:30pm in the Office
Wednesday, January 22
- Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the Chapel
Saturday, January 25
- Celebration of Wisdom Luncheon at 11:30am in Sacquety Hall
Sunday, January 26
- Single Service followed by our Annual Parish Meeting in Sacquety Hall (see below)
- Godly Play at 9:30am in Room 9
Monday, January 27
- Vestry Meeting at 6pm in Sacquety Hall
Tuesday, January 28
- Rector's Bible Study at 11am in Sacquety Hall
Wednesday, January 29
- Weekly Holy Eucharist at 7:15am in the Chapel
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Children are welcome at St. Wilfrid's!
Our programs are divided by age with all children rejoining their families for the Eucharist. Visiting children are always welcome.
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Godly Play
- For children ages 4yrs to 5th grade
- Montessori based and hosted by a dedicated team of trained volunteers
- Bible stories, manipulative play, art, and prayers
- Located in Room 9
- Godly Play is available at the 10:30am service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and at the 8:30am service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. On months with a 5th Sunday, it will be offered at both services.
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Little Lambs
- For toddlers to children 4yrs of age
- Bible stories, art, and outdoor play (weather permitting)
- Available during both services on Sunday and as needed for other services in Room 1 or 8
- Begins 15 minutes before the service starts
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I am writing this article on Wednesday morning, and my thoughts and prayers are directed to those whose homes and businesses have been impacted by the various fires burning throughout Southern California. I join with so many of you, who are also praying for the firefighters and other public servants who are working to extinguish these fires with minimal loss of life and property damage. We especially pray for the community of St. Mark’s in Altadena, whose sanctuary has burnt down.
Even after watching the local news networks for just a few minutes, it’s easy to feel afraid, sad, or overwhelmed. I think these are normal emotions to experience when facing challenging and daunting situations. Taking a good, hard look at loss is never easy, as our television screens are filled with fire-related pictures and stories of loss. I know there are some who would argue that we should be looking for the positive side of things – focusing on giving thanks to God for those homes that are saved, and those lives that have been spared. There is some wisdom in offering thanks to God for the good things that are happening in the midst of difficulties.
However, it is important to acknowledge, both to God and to ourselves, just how difficult things can be at times. When we are honest with God about our struggles, about the challenges that we are facing, there can be a spiritual freedom that shows us we don’t have to play-act with God. We can invite God into the moments of our lives where we are in pain, where we are struggling, and where we don’t see any easy answers. Perhaps we are angry, frustrated, or feeling sad because things aren’t going the way we had hoped, planned for, or envisioned.
So, I encourage you to keep bringing your cares before God. Keep doing the good works that you are doing. In the words of Paul to the church in Galatia, “Let us not grow weary of doing good.”
We are doing so many good things at St. Wilfrid’s. We have one Renewal of Baptismal Vows scheduled at our 8:30 service, and three baptisms at our 10:30am service this Sunday. God’s Spirit is doing good and mighty things in our parish. Let us continue to support one another, so that we may not tire of doing good. May God be our source of strength and courage.
If you’d like to help those who have been impacted by the fires, the Diocese of Los Angeles is requesting relief contributions through their One Body & One Spirit Annual Appeal. More information and a link to donate can be found here.
We are also collecting gift cards that will be given directly to the two clergy members whose housing were destroyed in the fire. You can purchase SCRIP gift card to donate on Sunday before and after the services.
Many blessings,
Fr. Nathan Biornstad+
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Celebration of Life for Derek Wimmer
On Saturday, January 11th at 11am, we will be celebrating the life of Derek Wimmer, who was a beloved member of St. Wilfrid’s for many years before he moved to Pennsylvania.
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How to Have Your Best Year Ever | |
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Happy New Year from your EPA (Episcopal PRIDE Alliance) Family!
When you read this we will already be a few days into 2025. Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Have you already broken it?! Like many, you may have given up on making resolutions years ago?
Well, what if you could have your best year ever, or at least be on the journey? I may not be able to promise you riches, love or sainthood, etc., but I may be able to help you get on the right path. I only ask that you bring at least one thing that you would like to change or have better by January 1st, 2026. Aren’t you worth a healthier you?
Please join EPA, this Sunday, January 12th in Sacquety Hall at 12:15pm for “How to Have Your Best Year Ever,” led by Steven Nadolny. Steven gave a similar presentation at Loyola Marymount University.
Our meetings are potlucks, so please something to share for about 8 people. If you don’t regularly attend EPA meetings, please text or contact Steven at 714-536-5172, so we can plan to have enough handouts prepared. We hope to see you there. Come have your best year ever!
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Robin Baldwin
I have been attending St. Wilfrid since December 2022 and became a member on September 10, 2023 when I was received into the church (since I had previously been baptized and confirmed in other Christian denominations). I have been a Greeter since 2023 and a few months ago began serving as the Greeter Coordinator, which I truly enjoy because I get to work with such a wonderful team. I feel so blessed to be part of this community of compassionate, welcoming people. I like to say that all roads on my faith journey have led me to St. Wilfrid's!!
I am excited and honored to be considered as a member of the Vestry. In my professional life, I am a certified association executive with nearly 30 years’ experience working for a not-for-profit professional membership organization. As a staff person, I provide leadership and support for our amazing volunteers! I also volunteer for organizations in my field such as the Society for Scholarly Publishing. I have firsthand knowledge of working with various Boards and committees, so I am eager to put my talents to good use for my church home.
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jill McKenna
I’m an Orange County native and cradle Episcopalian (grew up in St. Anselm in Garden Grove) and I’m blessed and grateful to have this church home and family at St. Wilfrid’s. I have dual BAs in history and print journalism from The American University in Washington, D.C. and an MA in English from Chapman University. My late mother and I found St. Wilfrid’s in 1984. I was later married by a St. Wilfrid’s priest (at another location) and my son was baptized here in 1995.
I’ve worked as a technical and business writer my whole life, with periodic additions as an adjunct faculty member at Chapman University (including an initial post teaching English in a federal prison) and a 40-hour OSHA Hazardous Waste and Emergency Operations Response instructor at a small firm in Los Alamitos. I’ve worked on nuclear and conventional power plant jobsites, written proposals to public agencies and private firms, developed training materials in the early days of wide Internet use, and currently serve as a technical writer for a financial technology firm headquartered in Dallas.
Currently, I serve on St. Wilfrid’s Engagement Committee, manage St. Wilfrid’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, and have worked on the print newsletter, The Chronicle. My fervent belief is that St. Wilfrid’s is a place where anyone can deepen and widen their faith in God; find a truly loving community; and take advantage of limitless opportunities to build God’s kingdom right here in our own back yard. My hopes are to grow our parish family, reach out to the wider community, and help make sure our neighbors know we – and God – are here for them.
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Wayne Varnes
My Name is Wayne Varnes and I am one of the Vestry candidates for the upcoming term. I came to St. Wilfrid’s on Palm Sunday of 2012 and have been attending regularly since then. I still remember the first two people who said hi to me that day.
I am a Eucharistic Minister, Crucifer, and Thurifer and have been for almost 10 years. I met my wife here and we had the most beautiful wedding. Many of the people who helped us with our wedding have become good friends. One of the things I like the most about the Episcopal Church, and particularly St. Wilfrid’s, is the openness of people. The church welcomes people from all walks of life and encourages individual thought.
The time seems right for me to now give back to the church by becoming a member of the Vestry. I have been an officer in both the Order of the Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge and have experience working in small and large groups to make plans and execute ideas. I feel that I can bring a unique perspective to the Vestry and have hopes for many good things to come.
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Robert Morgan
I'm Robert Morgan. My wife, Gail, and I have been members of St. Wilfrid's for around two years. I have been a life-long Episcopalian. I am a former lay reader (Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, Las Vegas) and a licensed Eucharistic Minister (St. Jude's Epicsopal Church, Burbank). I served as a senior warden/vestry member at All Saints Anglican Church in Damascus, Syria for two years. As lifelong learners and educators, both Gail and I were school teachers for 30-plus years. We both continue to substitute teach for Long Beach Unified Schools and tutor students of all ages in our start-up tutoring business.
I am open to the Lord's direction, willing to serve where called. Currently, Gail serves in Laundry Love and Godly Play, and both of us attend Wednesday morning's Holy Communion services. We alternate attending the 8:30am and the 10:30am services, and are hugely blessed by both.
I continue to pray for the Vestry selection process and am confident you will as well.
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Lou Podesta
My name is Lou Podesta, and I have been invited to apply to join the vestry at St. Wilfrid’s. I have been a member of this parish for about a year and a half (after years of discerning a transition from the Roman Catholic to the Episcopal Church).
I have some background in church ministry and leadership including several years as a youth minister, a liturgy and music coordinator and as a coordinator of ministry to the sick and shut-in. I also spent four and a half years in a monastery as a friar (“monk light”!).
Having spent twenty-plus years in a public high school classroom, I’m now a retired English teacher. I enjoyed every year of it, but I’m glad to now have more time to volunteer for things that interest me. At St. Wilfrid’s, I am part of the Youth and Family Commission. I also do behind-the-scenes work on plumbing repair and church bell maintenance.
I thank you in advance for considering me as you decide on voting for new members of our parish vestry.
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Fred Whipple
I joined the Episcopal church in my 30s. I was brought up Presbyterian, but never liked it – I felt my parents went to church for the wrong reasons (mainly social status). When I left home for college, I was quite “anti-church”. But later, I visited an Episcopal church near my home and was very impressed with the honesty, reverence, and “seeking” I found there. Over the following decades I became active in several parishes in that area, including one term serving on a Vestry. I love the fact that all Episcopal churches use the same liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer, which are based on those used by Christians for many centuries past. For me, this history and continuity give us a special connection to the evolution of Christianity over the ages and help enlighten our relationships with Jesus, the apostles, and the Bible.
I moved to California in 2000, but it wasn’t until 2013 that I found St. Wilfrid’s. I came here to attend a choral concert on a Saturday. I was very moved by the music and also pleased to discover an Episcopal parish I had not known about. I immediately felt at home. Although I lived about 40 miles away, I was happy to make the trip here every week. (I have since moved and now live nearby.) I particularly appreciate our clergy and staff. Sunday mornings and the Tuesday Bible study are always highlights of my week. I look forward to them.
I am honored to be considered for service on the Vestry. If chosen, I expect that Vestry work will become a rewarding part of my spiritual journey and will provide many opportunities to deepen relationships within this wonderful community.
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Candidates for General Convention | |
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Jeff Campana
I’ve been a member at St. Wilfrid’s since 1998, after taking the newcomer’s class with Father Charles Sacquety. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and lived in six other states between 1982 and 1997. The Episcopal Church was an important part of my life at each one of these stops.
My wife Debbi and I have been married for 42 years, and we live in Huntington Beach. Our two adult sons, Brian and Kyle, were members of the youth group at St. Wilfrid’s as teenagers. Both are married, and we have been blessed with three grandchildren. I am retired after a career in automotive marketing and market research but I work part-time for Visit Huntington Beach, the non-profit visitor bureau for the city. In addition to St. Wilfrid’s, my main volunteer activity is the Lions Club. I have been a member of the Huntington Beach Host Lions Club since 2016 and have served as club president, vice president, and currently, secretary. I am an Eagle Scout and served as a Boy Scout leader for over 30 years.
I served on the vestry from 2013-2017, and was Senior Warden for the last two years. I also proud to have served as a 2017 Diocesan Convention delegate and as a member of the 2020 Parish Profile team. I am currently active as an usher and lector. I feel that St. Wilfrid’s is a special, welcoming place, and I would be honored to serve as a delegate to the 2025 Diocesan Convention. This is an important convention, as we will be selecting a new Bishop Coadjutor. I feel that I am well qualified to represent our parish in this selection process.
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Canon Roger Leachman
Roger Leachman presently serves on the diocesan alter guild and has attended conventions for the last twenty plus years. Originally as a delegate later as Judge of elections (20 years) Roger has been a member of diocesan council. For conventions a member of the committee on arrangements and committee on constitution and canons. Roger has also served St Wilfrid’s in many positions the one being on vestry for six three-year terms. Roger loves St. Wilfrid’s and is still active on the liturgy committee and at the Wednesday Eucharist, and as a reader. The 2025 delegates to convention will be electing our next bishop. Roger supervised the elections of Bishops Bruno and Taylor.
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2025 Pledge Update
We are thrilled to share that 88 pledges have been received, totaling $380,269. This includes 14 new pledges (some from former open-plate givers), 39 increased pledges, 31 unchanged pledges, and 4 decreased pledges. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!
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Pledge Envelopes
If you would like envelopes for your 2025 pledge payments, please contact the office and let Sharan know. You can reach out to her via email at SundayTimes@stwilfridschurch.org or by calling the office at (714) 962-7512.
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Christmas Donation Updates | |
Thank you to everyone who make a special donation toward our Christmas Thanksgivings and Memorials! We raised a total of $9,778.
Musicians: $6,673
Flowers: $1,335
Rector’s Discretionary: $705
Building and Grounds: $505
Laundry Love: $335
Robyn’s Nest: $225
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Did you miss our screening of The Philadelphia Eleven? Now you have a second chance! | |
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Outpouring of Episcopal support felt amid fires in Pacific Palisades, San Gabriel Valley foothills, Hollywood Hills
By Pat McCaughan
Locally and nationally, the Episcopal community has rallied together, in a resilient outpouring of prayers, love and support as out-of-control Southern California wildfires blazed a second straight day, destroying thousands of acres, homes, schools, and an Episcopal church among various houses of worship and historic buildings, forcing mass evacuations.
“This is devastating, incomprehensible, the magnitude of what could happen so quickly,” said Sharon Pewtress, chief operating officer of Episcopal Communities & Services (ECS), of the Eaton Fire, which began burning Tuesday night in the hills above Altadena in northern Los Angeles County, destroying St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and School there early Wednesday morning.
ECS, which operates several senior communities within the diocese, evacuated some 200 residents from its Altadena MonteCedro residence.
CNN reported that the fire has killed five with zero percent containment.
“Our property this morning was very scary; we thought we were going to lose it,” Pewtress said. Sheriffs arrived with evacuation orders before sunrise and transported residents on buses to the Pasadena Convention Center.
Episcopal Communities and Services (ECS) President James Rothrock speaks with Canon Kathy O’Connor outside emergency shelter at Pasadena Convention Center. He and staff colleagues oversaw safe evacuation of MonteCedro retirement community residents.
There, Los Angeles Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O’Connor visited with evacuees. An historic building, the Scripps Home Gloria Cottage, located on MonteCedro’s property, was lost, Pewtress said, but otherwise the campus was presumed intact.
Taylor, in a YouTube video message to the diocese noted the outpouring from across The Episcopal Church.
“Offers have been flooding in from all over the diocese, from individuals, parishes and missions that have room for evacuees who need shelter. Thank you. Bishops form all over The Episcopal Church, including Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and our former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. We have heard from Bishop Diane (Jardine Bruce) in the Diocese of Western Missouri and many colleagues all over the church, pledging themselves to your care and safety,” Taylor said.
Properties continued to blaze, including in a sixth fire, in the Hollywood Hills, fueling chaos, uncertainty, fear and “losses too great to bear,” Taylor said. “The list of names of members of our churches in the San Gabriel Valley and Pacific Palisades area who’ve lost homes could exceed 40 or 50 by the time all of the news is in,” he said.
Assistance to those displaced is underway, he added, noting that contributions to the diocesan “One Body, One Spirit Annual Appeal” have been earmarked for fire relief and will be supplemented through aid from Episcopal Relief and Development, The Episcopal Church’s disaster relief agency.
“Thanks for your courage, your fortitude, your faith and your love. An emergency such as this, is an epochal generational event for our diocese. In moments such as this, we reclaim our oneness in Christ. We gather at the foot of the cross and enfold one another in our arms and in prayer. And we pledge to continue to glorify God and to care for one another, especially those most at risk and most in need.”
Read more
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Martin Luther King Day celebration to be held Jan. 19
The annual MLK Day service and celebration, hosted by the H. Belfield Hannibal chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Program Group on Black Ministries will be held Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 from 3-6 p.m. at Christ the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 3303 W. Vernon Ave, Los Angeles.
All in the diocesan community are encouraged to attend.
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