Upcoming Events

THIS SATURDAY, October 17

Supper Club: We will be having Supper Club THIS Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 pm in the Parish Hall. It will be an Italian theme with Lasagna as a main course. There will be flyers in the Narthex. Please call either Julie Robinson 562 619-9011 or Cheryl Rodi 562 477-7709 for information on what to contribute.

Sunday School has begun

Sunday School began on September 27. We are excited to announce that we will have three classes based on the students we had in June and may need to be adjusted depending on enrollment. The classes are as follows: Beginners, grades K-2; Juniors, grades 3-4; and Seniors, grades 5-6. The beginners will focus on traditional Bible stories, while the juniors and seniors will study Lesson Plans that Work from the Episcopal Church based on the Gospel for that Sunday.

We need four additional volunteers to be the second adult in our “new” room.

Contact Tamera Benedict or Dana Lindsay with any questions and to sign up to volunteer. Click HERE for more information.

THIS SUNDAY, October 18 – Music at 4

Please join us TODAY, Sunday, October 18 from 4:00pm-6:00pm in the Sanctuary for the wonderful music of Ty Woodward. Equally at home as a classical or theatre organist, Ty Woodward presents a program of music by J.S. Bach, Jehan Alain, Léon Böellmann and Dan Locklair. Ty serves as organist at First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica and at the El Capitán Theatre in Hollywood.

Announcements

All Saints’ Commemorations: 

On All Saints’ Sunday (November 1^st this year), we remember our departed loved ones. This year we will be doing something a little different. We will collect names ahead of time so they can be printed in the All Saints’ Sunday bulletin. Cards to provide names will be available in the pew backs and in the Parish Hall. Completed cards can be placed in the offering plate or returned to the Parish Office. You can also email names to the Office at info@stregoryschurch.com. Please turn in names by Sunday, October 25^th.

Outreach Gift Card Donation Drive:

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! We are blessed with the honor of assisting families from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to provide food, clothing, and gifts during the holiday season. By donating gift cards, the families are empowered to shop for themselves. Our shopping locations meet the needs of the people we serve, so make sure you purchase from Target, Walmart, Food for Less, Albertsons, and Smart & Final in denominations of $25, $50, and $100. The cards may be sent to the church or placed in the collection plate. You may also make donations through the church website. Our drive runs from 10/4 - 11/15. As a frame of reference, a turkey or spiral-sliced ham dinner, serving up to 6 people, costs $69.99 at Stater Brothers. Our gift cards will be distributed based on the needs of the people.

St. Thomas of Canterbury Holiday Bazaar: 

Our sister congregation of St. Thomas of Canterbury (5306 E. Arbor Road) is having their annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 21^st. In the past, members from St. Gregory’s have joined in to sell their items at the Holiday Bazaar. If anyone is interested in selling items this year, St. Thomas is offering a reduced rate of $20 per table (normally $35). For more information or to reserve your space, contact Shelley Arnold at shelleyarnold1@icloud.com ASAP so they can finalize their plans and generate promotional flyers.

Roamin’ Gregorians: 

The Roamin’ Gregorians are returning for an upcoming Roamin’ Gregorians trip to the Nixon Library in late October and the Prince of Peace Walk on December 6. Contact Susan Mora (310) 894-0731 or sign up in the Narthex after church. 

Outreach Pet Shelter Project:  

The Pet Shelter Project finished last week with the Blessing of the Animals, and the St. Gregory Dodger Dogs and Cat want to thank you for your generous donations. We were able to donate 80 bags and cans of food and treats, 46 play toys, 27 miscellaneous supplies including piddle pads, scratch pad, food dishes, food containers, litter boxes, and bedding. The Shelter wants you to know they are very grateful for these items, and I know the dogs and cats will especially enjoy the treats and toys.

Air Conditioner Fund: 

We recently replaced the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the Sanctuary, to the tune of $120,000. While we are able to cover the expense out of our reserves, this will greatly deplete those funds. We are asking that parishioners consider giving to help offset the cost of our new HVAC system. You can do so by writing a check to St. Gregory’s with “HVAC” in the memo line. Or you can make a donation online through our parish website at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z4WR/campaign/C-12C50 and put HVAC in the note box. Thank you for your generosity.

Columbarium Niches: 

Many people do not realize we have a columbarium at St. Gregory’s. Having your ashes placed in the columbarium is a less expensive option than burial at a cemetery and provides for your continued presence in a place that has been important to you during your life. For more information, contact the Parish Office.

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!

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! 

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.

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://tinyurl.com/ydxd2jn6 and enter your email address in the box provided.

Vestry Minutes and Reports:

Following Vestry meetings, the approved minutes and reports are posted on our parish website (https://stgregoryschurch.com/). Click on the “About” tab and the last option under the dropdown menu is “Vestry Minutes & Reports.” Approved minutes (without reports) are also posted on the bulletin board outside the Fireside Room. In addition, anyone is free to review minutes and reports of previous meetings, available in the Parish Office.

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 — Here’s How You Can Help

• On the first Saturday of every month, Feed My Lambs serves our neighbors at St. Luke’s. There’s a lot that happens before Saturday morning—and we would love to have you join us!
• We Need Hard-Boiled Eggs! Every Feed My Lambs lunch includes a hard-boiled egg, and we need more egg donors! You do not have to commit every month—even an occasional contribution helps.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please clearly mark your egg carton “FML.” We share refrigerator space with other church ministries, and if the carton isn’t marked FML, we won’t know the eggs are ours to take early Saturday morning.

• Bake Homemade Cookies: Our guests love homemade cookies, and we can always use more! Please place your cookies in Ziploc bags and label them with the date and “FML.”
• Dropping Off Eggs or Cookies: Donations may be dropped off at the St. Gregory’s church office Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Because our office administrator occasionally needs to leave on church errands, please call ahead to make sure someone will be there to receive your donation.
• Come Work With Us! You don’t have to do everything—or even stay for the whole day. Pick the job and time that work for you:
• Friday before Feed My Lambs
• 11:00 a.m. — Cookie Bagging
• 12:00 p.m. — Sandwich Building
• 3:00 p.m. — Lunch Packing
• First Saturday of the month
• 6:00 a.m. — Load Out at St. Gregory’s
• 7:00 a.m. — Set Up & Serve at St. Luke’s

Interested in volunteering or have questions? Contact Tamera Benedict at tlbenedict4@gmail.com or 562-301-6800

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!

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.
• 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!

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.

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/. 

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   

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!

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 66 people!   

www.stgregoryschurch.com

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Parish Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 9am - 12pm

(562) 420-1311