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E-Newsletter
January 9 - January 15, 2026
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Pledge Numbers and Envelopes:
Please be advised that the Envelope Number and Pledge Number that you currently have will be remain the same for 2026 (unless you are a new pledge). A list is provided in the Narthex with your pledge number. Envelopes are also available for those who requested them. We ask that when you find your assigned envelopes, please initial on the Envelope Number summary so we know that they went to the right home. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office or email info@stgregoryschurch.com.
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A Climate Evensong:
A joint offering of the Bishop's Commissions on Climate Change and Liturgy & Music of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM at All Saints Church, Pasadena. The service will be an opportunity to gather in lament for the losses in the fires, in hope for resilience in the ongoing recovery, and in commitment to action to reverse the damage to our world. Inspired by the vision of Dr. Lucy Jones, the service is framed within the traditional Anglican liturgy of Choral Evensong and is an invitation into a musical and meditative sound bath to find stillness and experience God’s grace. All are welcome, in person and via live stream at https://allsaints-pas.org/livestream/. A reception will follow.
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Diocesan Convention Delegates:
The Diocese of Los Angeles holds its annual convention on the second weekend of November. Each parish is represented by its clergy and lay delegates. We are entitled to three delegates – one to be selected by the Vestry from among its members, and two to be elected at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in representing us at the Diocesan Convention on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Riverside Convention Center, please notify the Parish Office. If you have any questions, see Fr. Michael.
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Annual Reports:
With the New Year, it’s time to start thinking about our Parish Annual Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, February 1st (more to come on that). In preparation for the Annual Meeting, we will need to produce the Annual Report. All persons responsible for a ministry program in the Parish (you know who you are) should submit written reports of the year’s activities to the Parish Office no later than Wednesday, January 21st. Reports need to be in Word or Word-compatible format and emailed to the Parish Office at info@stgregoryschurch.com. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
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American Sewing Guild:
Starting Sunday, January 11, the American Sewing Guild (ASG) Long Beach neighborhood group will be meeting monthly at St. Gregory's in the Parish Hall Conference Room at the same time (1:00 - 3:30) as the Stitches of Faith group. The ASG is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sewing arts through education and community engagement. ASG aims to preserve and advance sewing as an art and life skill. Members of St. Gregory's, as well as interested people from the community, are welcomed to join us at a meeting. The group is very excited to have a regular meeting home at St. Gregory's and cannot wait to demonstrate their ability to help and promote sewing skills to all levels of sewists who attend. For questions or more information, contact Susan Mora.
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Stitches of Faith:
Are you looking for a space to share your creativity, enjoy fellowship, and be inspired? Stitches of Faith is a gathering for anyone who loves to craft—or wants to learn! Whether you knit, crochet, quilt, paint, or want to try your hand at another craft, this group is open to all skill levels, including beginners eager to discover something new. We meet on Sundays from 1:00–3:30 PM in the Conference Room. Each week, we will enjoy time for projects, encouragement, and conversation in a relaxed, faith-filled environment. Light refreshments will be provided. Bring your supplies, your curiosity, and your kind spirit. Come create, connect, and grow in community with us!
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Lend a Hand:
Like any older building, St. Gregory’s constantly needs maintenance and touching up. Fred Cornett has made up a list of things to do in the near future: Cleaning and arranging the janitor’s closet and the storage areas, cleaning the trash cans, etc. Many hands make light work, and most of the jobs won’t take much time if two or three people join in. There is a signup sheet in the narthex, and Fred is always available for consultation or questions: (562) 308-6955. Thanks, Fred, for getting the projects going!
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Altar Flower Donations:
Need a wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one or friend? Make a flower donation. There is a flower donation chart located on the Narthex wall that you can use to sign up for special dates to donate altar flowers. Simply fill out a donation form attached to the bottom of the chart and return the form to the Parish Office. Payment for flowers can be made by check or online at this link. Make sure you specify your donation is for Altar Flowers. The Altar Guild thanks you.
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Episcopal News Updates:
The Diocese provides weekly email updates to help you keep informed about what’s happening all over our six-county diocese. If you want to receive the Episcopal News, visit https://diocesela.org/episcopal-news/contact/ and enter your email address in the box provided.
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Feed My Lambs & Food Bank Needs:
THANK YOU for your generosity and your donations
Here’s the latest news on our parish feeding programs.
- Feed My Lambs
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Homemade cookies can be dropped of any time. Please put your homemade cookies in Ziploc Bags and label them with the date and "FML" (this way we know they are for Feed My Lambs and not other purposes).
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Please do not bring hardboiled eggs. Due to issues with eggs, we now have a dedicated team responsible for providing hardboiled eggs.
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Volunteers – If you are interested in helping out Feed My Lambs, contact Tamera Benedict at (tlbenedict4@gmail.com, 562.301.6800).
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Food Bank The Food Bank relies on your financial support and appreciates all donations of
- funds or non-perishable food items. We also can use more volunteers at:
- bagging and distribution the THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month from 8:30 to 11:00 AM
- any other time you may have available and could assist with assembling our bags (e.g. on Sunday before or after service, or any time the office is open for access)
Please contact the Parish Office (info@stgregoryschurch.com, 562.420.1311) or Bill Eldon (billeldon@gmail.com, 562.234.9920) for more information about the Food Bank.
Your continued support of our feeding ministries, through product and monetary contributions, is greatly appreciated!
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Gratitude for Your Support of the Parish:
We continue to be humbled and so incredibly grateful for your generosity in supporting our parish and its ministries! While you may not be able to drop your donation in a real offering plate, there are still ways you can make sure your donation gets to the parish:
- You can mail your check to the Parish Office.
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Make donations through our online payment account, accessible through the parish website at http://stgregoryschurch.com/4721-2/.
- Scan the QR code found in the Sunday bulletin.
And again, THANK YOU for your continued support!
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Online Parish Directory:
Our online parish directory is at https://www.instantchurchdirectory.com/. This is a secure site and can be accessed using the email address you had published in the parish directory. You can also download the "Instant Church Directory" on your smart phone. Versions are available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and Kindle.
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One Body & One Spirit Annual Appeal:
The Diocese has established an ongoing campaign focused on raising funds to assist congregations, schools, affiliated institutions, and their communities who are faced with unprecedented challenges. We are invited to prayerfully consider making a donation to help others in our Diocese who may have unmet needs. More information is available at https://diocesela.org/annual-appeal/.
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Forward Day By Day:
For those who use the "Forward Day by Day" booklet for personal devotions and need the newest edition mailed, please contact the Parish Office: (562) 420-1311 or info@stgregoryschurch.com
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In Case of Emergency...Notify Your Priest!
In the event of a hospital stay, illness, death in the family, or other pastoral emergency, please call Father Michael on his cell phone (909-373-6478). And PLEASE, no excuses about not wanting to bother us. That’s why we are here – for YOU!
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St. Gregory's Food Bank:
Our monthly Food Bank distribution takes place the third Wednesday of every month. This ministry helps us help our neighbors by providing a supplemental source of groceries. We CANNOT do this without your generosity. CLICK HERE for more information.
This month we served 82 people!
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Pastoral Care Note
When you are ill and not able to attend services at church, Clergy would like to know. They will visit you at your home or in the hospital. They will bring Holy Communion and the love of the congregation as well as prayers to your bedside. Please contact the parish office, 562 420 1311.
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