Episcopal Church's government relations office asks churches to help 'get souls to the polls'
Helping people vote this fall and in subsequent elections is a way for congregations to be engaged in their communities and make a meaningful contribution to the nation's history, according to the "Vote Faithfully" initiative of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations.
“Cast your vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on your biases, but vote your values," says Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. "Vote the values of human dignity and equality. Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote.”
"Getting souls to the polls isn’t just about casting our own vote but helping everyone eligible vote faithfully," according to the Office of Government Relations. "We can empower every voice in our congregations in this work. Doing election engagement well does not mean taking on everything there is to do and being overwhelmed. Effective election engagement begins with looking at what your community’s needs are, what resources, skills, and interests you and your church have, and then proceeding based on how that capacity can help meet those needs.
"For some, this may be offering your parish as a polling site, for others it may mean election worker recruitment. For many, it’s persistent messaging in newsletters and bulletin boards; for others, it’s organizing child care on voting days. Whatever your path, we hope you are inspired to do more as a faithful Episcopalian modeling healthy and constructive civic engagement."
This work is strictly non-partisan, and the government relations office reminds church leaders to heed local laws, election details, and Episcopal safe church practices.
The Office of Government Relations has prepared a "Vote Faithfully" toolkit, which may be downloaded here. Materials are provided in English and Spanish, and include six Sunday bulletin inserts and ready-to-go graphics for social media and newsletters that will "make it easier for you to plug election engagement into your church’s communications. Use these graphics, bulletin inserts, and other printable and electronic material to help your church be of service in your community for the 2024 election."
Each bulletin insert focuses on a different aspect of voting:
- September 15 - National Voter Registration Day
- October 6 - National Voter Education Week
- October 13 – Why Does Voting Matter?
- October 20 – Misinformation
- October 27 – Vote Early Day
- November 3 – Vote Faithfully Sunday
In addition, the office has organized briefings and resources for church leadership about the risks of election violence this season, connecting with national experts on violence prevention, misinformation, artificial intelligence, and more. "We are using this moment this week to share this compilation of resources publicly," writes the government relations staff. "Equipping yourselves and others with this information can help us to be prepared if something further happens and lower our anxiety about the unknown."
More about the Office of Government Relations is here.
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Cal OES offers security enhancement grants to nonprofits
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is seeking proposals for grants for the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP.
The purpose of the CSNSGP is to provide funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission.
Eligibility is restricted to California nonprofit organizations that are described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of such code.
The grant subaward period of performance is Dec. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2026.
Proposal must be received electronically, by 11:59 p.m. (PDT) on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, to CSNSGP@caloes.ca.gov. Proposals received after this time/date or received to any other email address will not be considered.
Available funding totals $76,000,000. The maximum allowed per applicant is $250,000 per location for a total of $500,000.
CSNSGP Resources:
For technical questions, email CSNSGP@caloes.ca.gov
Monday, September 23, 2024, 11:59 PM (PDT). Submissions received after this deadline
will not be considered
Webinars on the 2024 (fiscal year) grant program will be held via Microsoft Teams according to this schedule:
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Thursday, August 1, 1 - 3 p.m.
Webinar 1
Microsoft Teams link
Call in: 415.906.4037
Conference ID: 877 997 939#
Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 9 - 11 a.m.
Webinar 2
Microsoft Teams link
Call in: 415.906.4037
Conference ID: 623 420 075#
Thursday, August 8, 1 - 3 p.m.
Webinar 3
Microsoft Teams link
Call in: 415.906.4037
Conference ID: 530 612 891#
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Monday, August 12, 9 - 11 a.m.
Webinar 4
Microsoft Teams link
Call in: 415.906.4037
Conference ID: 626 340 667#
Wednesday, August 14, 1 - 3 p.m.
Webinar 5
Microsoft Teams link
Call in: 415.906.4037
Conference ID: 566 067 392#
Tuesday, August 20, 9 - 11 a.m.
Webinar 6
Microsoft Teams link
Call in: 415.906.4037
Conference ID: 323 752 807#
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Coaching available for GFS Outreach Grant applications
Brainstorming and application support is available via Zoom for the GFS Outreach Grant for programs benefiting girls and young women. This significant grant fund is available to any church in the Diocese of Los Angeles.
To schedule an appointment on Zoom to brainstorm program ideas and ask questions about the application process, please email grants@gfscalifornia.org. Applications are due on Feb. 15, 2025.
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Grants available for deacons in financial need
The Fund for the Diaconate provides vital financial assistance for deacons and those in diaconal formation who have insufficient funds for their needs. Most deacons in The Episcopal Church serve as non-stipendiary ministry leaders, and lack church pensions to draw upon in times of crisis. Grants are available for ongoing support, declared emergencies, medical expenses, and diaconal formation. Applications are accepted at any time. More information is here.
Above: Deacons help lead worship at Diocesan Convention in 2023. Photo: Janet Kawamoto
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Take the Episcopal Church Leadership Project survey
By Bronwyn Clark Skov
[The Episcopal Church] There is still time to help assess leadership development in The Episcopal Church! The Department of Faith Formation is partnering with the well-respected research team at Sacred Playgrounds to survey current and upcoming leaders about how we can be most effective at raising up young adults for leadership. The initiative is called the Episcopal Church Leadership Project and is funded by a generous grant from our friends at Trinity Wall Street.
As part of this project, we are surveying you and other current leaders in The Episcopal Church to discover the key factors in your faith formation and leadership development. We are also surveying young adult leaders throughout the church in separate surveys. Please take 10-15 minutes to complete this important survey. We want to hear from as many clergy and local church leaders as possible! The three dioceses with the highest response rates among their clergy and leaders will get bragging rights and an individualized report with their data, so be sure to encourage your colleagues to participate. Additionally, each respondent will be entered for a chance to win a generous Amazon gift card.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at bskov@episcopalchurch.org.
Bronwyn Clark Skov is manager for Safe Church and Special Projects. She is based at the Episcopal Church Center in New York.
Leer en español.
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SAVE THE DATE
Episcopal School leaders invited to annual Eucharist, luncheon
Leaders of Episcopal schools in the diocese are invited to save the date, Thursday, Oct. 10, for the Bishop's Annual Episcopal Schools Eucharist and Luncheon during Episcopal Schools Celebration Week (October 6 - 12).
The gathering, hosted by Bishop John Harvey Taylor and the Rev. Ryan D. Newman, executive director of the diocese's Commission on Schools, will be held at St. Paul's Commons, 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles. Eucharist will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m., followed by a lunch reception.
Official invitations requesting a reply will be sent out the week of August 19.
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Downey church offers bells, chimes, collection plates
St. Mark's Church, Downey has four cases of Schulmerick handbells, three cases of Malmark chime handbells, three cases of Suzuki chime handbells and four brass collection plates available. Contact: Dan Vaughn, 562.862.3268.
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Time to update your church’s livestreaming information
During the Covid-19 pandemic most churches of the Diocese of Los Angeles began livestreaming their worship services, a practice that most have continued ever since.
The diocesan website includes a page that lists such livestreamed services, but many of the listings are out of date, reflecting practices before churches resumed in-person worship.
The diocesan communications staff requests that clergy and church leaders check their congregations’ listings on the online services page for accuracy. Be sure to check all links, service times, personnel and other information.
If anything needs to be changed, added or removed, please send the information to news@ladiocese.org and the communications staff will update the page.
Photo from All Saints Church, Pasadena
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Congregational Discernment Committee Training coming in July
The next training for congregational discernment committees will be held at All Saints/Todos Santos, Oxnard on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2 - 4 p.m. at St. Cross Episcopal Church, 1818 Monterey Blvd., Hermosa Beach 90254
Training for discernment committees is a requirement for the discernment process in the Diocese of Los Angeles.
An additional training sessions will be held on Friday, Nov. 8 at Diocesan Convention Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th Street, Riverside 92501.
If you are in discernment talks with a parishioner, and are in the process of forming a discernment committee, please contact Cameron Johnson, co-chair of the Commission on Ministry at cameratta@aol.com or 310.415.0288 for more information or to sign up your group for the training.
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Philadelphia 11 documentary available to congregations for screening at reduced rate
The award-winning documentary feature film The Philadelphia Eleven – recently shown at Clergy Conference – is now available for screening by congregations and institutions in the Diocese of Los Angeles at a significantly reduced cost by special arrangement with the filmmakers.
The QR code below connects to the registration form; use the coupon code SMALLCHURCHLOVE for the special rate of $75. Participating congregations will be provided with a link for streaming the film and a kit of informational and promotional material.
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"As we celebrate this 50th Anniversary year of the 1974 ordinations of the first women as priests in the Episcopal Church, this moving 90-minute film offers not only a time capsule look back into our history, but inspiration for how we can follow in the footsteps of the women who loved the church enough to change it as we face the challenges of the present and future," says the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, canon for Engagement Across Difference. "It is also a great way to prepare to welcome the Rev. Carter Heyward to the Diocese of Los Angeles as the keynote speaker at our annual Diocesan Convention in November."
For more information contact Canon Russell at srussell@ladiocese.org.
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For congregations with youth-focused tenants, from the Commission on Schools
By Ryan Newman
In addition to our 33 Episcopal schools in the Diocese of Los Angeles, numerous congregations have established third-party relationships (tenants) with schools, childcare providers, and other youth-focused organizations serving children under 18. These connections are invaluable to many congregations for reasons ranging from financial support to ministry collaboration.
Recognizing the significance of these relationships, the Commission on Schools is actively exploring ways to better support congregations and their leaders who engage with schools, childcare providers, and other youth-based organizations as tenants. Among other things, we would like to collaborate closely with diocesan congregations to establish safety protocols and other universal guidelines to bolster your ministry endeavors with youth-focused tenants.
Before proceeding further, the Commission on Schools is eager to understand the diocesan landscape regarding congregations involved with youth-focused tenants. If your congregation currently houses a tenant offering services to youth aged 0 to 18 years, we kindly request your participation in completing a very brief form. By doing so, we can accurately identify those congregations with such tenants and tailor our follow-up based on the insights gleaned.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Your input is invaluable as we work towards fostering safer and more supportive environments for our congregations and the youth they serve.
— The Rev. Ryan D. Newman is executive director of the Commission on Schools of the Diocese of Los Angeles
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Congregational Vitality Assessment case stories: Submissions welcome
[ECF] Has your parish taken the Congregational Vitality Assessment?
If you have, The FaithX Project and their partners at the Episcopal Church Foundation would like to hear your congregation’s story:
- What did you learn about your congregation?
- How did your congregation put those learning to work?
- What kind of impact have those learnings had on your congregation?
If you haven’t heard about the Congregational Vitality Assessment (or CVA), now might be a good time to experience it in your congregation. The CVA is the only research-based, online congregational vitality diagnostic tool. It assesses 12 areas of congregational vitality and sustainability, and provides positive prescriptions for leveraging strengths and bolstering areas that need improvement.
Read more here.
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Date set for 2024 Episcopal-Lutheran Night at Dodger Stadium
Episcopalians are invited to join their Lutheran siblings at Episcopal-Lutheran Night at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
The Dodgers will play the Cleveland Guardians. Tickets are $35. Fireworks and a drone show are scheduled after the game.
More information has been sent to clergy and lay leaders, who will work with congregation-level coordinators to collect ticket orders, according to the Rev. Canon Greg Larkin, Dodger night coordinator.
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TENS 2024 stewardship materials now online
The Diocese of Los Angeles has renewed its membership in TENS: the Episcopal Network for Stewardship, which offers stewardship resources, teaching and training opportunities.
The diocese's membership provides access to TENS materials for all its congregations. To log on, visit the website, select "Annual Pledge Campaign" from the navigation bar and "Walk in Love" from the dropdown menu. The password for 2024 is Ephesians5:2. (Note: the password is case sensitive and there are no spaces. No user name is required.) Materials are available in English and Spanish and in MS Word and PDF versions.
The theme for the year is Walk in Love, "a celebration of the joy and gratitude we have for God and our community that lead us to share our stories, our journeys, and our gifts," according to TENS. "Our resources are making a special effort to lift up diverse voices as we share the stories that inspire us to share our wealth, works, and wisdom with our ministry."
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Selected links from items previously published in the Resource Roundup are below for your reference.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Reserve St. Paul’s Commons retreat, event space
Canon Anilin Collado, retreat center manager, is available to assist with all reservations and pricing schedules; she may be reached by email at retreat@ladiocese.org or phone at 213.482.2040, ext. 250. Full information, including photos and capacity of event spaces, is available online.
The official Episcopal Church LGBTQIA+ Pride logo
Information about new services being offered by Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union, based at St. Paul's Commons.
Contact: The Rev. Canon Susan Russell, srussell@ladiocese.org
For information about Diocese of Los Angeles requirements, contact Canon Anilin Collado, missioner for Human Resources, at acollado@ladiocese.org or 213.482.2040, ext. 250. Related information: Who should take Safe Church training?
Checks to the diocese must be made out to “The Protestant Episcopal Church” or “Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.”
Mileage rate: The current IRS mileage rate (as of January 1, 2024) is 67 cents per mile.
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FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH | |
'Beloved Community' resources
Responding to racism, police brutality, and community trauma
General Resources
Episcopal Racial Reconciliation Resources, including sections on how to ACT, PRAY and LEARN:
Police Reform
Racial Justice Action and Prayer
A Year of Prayers to End Racism
Scriptures related to justice, lament, and solidarity, to assist with preparing a liturgy, finding direction and encouragement, or calling communities to work for justice:
- Exodus 22:21-23
- Micah 6:8
- Isaiah 58:6-12
- Isaiah 61
- Psalms 10, 13, 89, and 103
- Luke 4:16-21
- Ephesians 6:12-20
- Hebrews 13:1-3
- Hebrews 13:1-3
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CURRICULA
Exploring the four orders of ministry: video, discussion guide
EPF Lay Preacher Training Curriculum: information here
Women's Lectionary by Wilda C. Gafney: weekly study (register here)
Christian Nationalism study guide
A three-week study guide to The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White, from the Engagement Across Difference Ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Bearing Witness
A free video-based study program that shares the stories of people living in Palestine and Israel and the remarkable ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem. From American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ).
Love God, Love God’s World
A nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry. From the Creation Care ministry of The Episcopal Church.
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Listings for clergy employment in the Diocese of Los Angeles are here. (Scroll down the page.)
Listings for lay employment are here.
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Resource Roundup, a weekly publication for clergy, wardens, church office staff and lay leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, is emailed on Tuesdays (alternate weeks from mid-June to mid-August). Items for inclusion may be sent to Janet Kawamoto, editor, at news@ladiocese.org by noon on Monday. | | | | |
