June 9, 2024

Deanery 6 lay ministers commissioned after completing training through Bloy House

By John Harvey Taylor

[The Bishop’s Blog – June 2, 2024] Pat Holt has attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pomona since birth. She’s done everything around campus that a layperson can. In the seventies, her two eldest daughters attended the parish school, now closed.

Now she’s senior warden. Since the retirement of the beloved St. Paul’s rector, the Rev. Canon Mark Hallahan, she and the vestry have been exploring the increasingly common question in The Episcopal Church of how a lively, service- and justice-driven parish like St. Paul’s can survive and thrive if, for whatever reason, for the time being, it can’t afford to pay a full-time rector.

On Saturday, commencing yet another season of her life-long ministry at St. Paul’s, Pat stood in the nave with 21 colleague lay leaders and was commissioned by the Holy Spirit, mediated by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, as a Eucharistic minister and visitor as well as for her ministry of governance. Others were commissioned as worship and pastoral leaders and preachers — all part of a pilot program offered by Bloy House, The Episcopal Theological School at Los Angeles in what we call Deanery VI, comprising missions and parishes in the south central part of our sprawling diocesan family.

Besides a hearty crew of 13 from St. Paul’s, we commissioned brilliant lay leaders from Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Covina; St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Claremont; Saint John’s Episcopal Church in La Verne; and Saint Mark’s Episcopal Parish, Upland. The area dean and St. Mark’s rector, the Very Rev. Keith Yamamoto, provided indispensable leadership in getting the project underway.

Above: Winners of the hat contest line up to receive their prizes at the 2024 GLEAM Garden Party on June 2 at the episcopal residence, home of Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O'Connor. Below: Thomas Diaz, new GLEAM chair, addresses the gathering. Photos: Janet Kawamoto

New leader takes the rainbow baton at GLEAM’s annual garden party

[The Episcopal News - June 5, 2024] The world desperately needs the witness of LGBTQIA+ Christians because their struggles for inclusion, equality and recognition have given them unique skills and perspective, Bishop John Harvey Taylor told Episcopalians gathered at his Pasadena home for the annual Bishop’s Commission on LGBTQ Ministries garden party on June 2, the beginning of Pride Month.

Taylor delivered his remarks before a playful but heartfelt ceremony in which the Very Rev. Christopher Montella, who has served as chair of the commission since 2016, handed a symbolic rainbow-hued leadership baton to former vice-chair Thomas Diaz, member of All Saints Church, Pasadena, who now is chair of the commission, known as “GLEAM.”

Echoing Taylor’s comments, the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, the diocese’s canon for Engagement Across Difference and staff liaison to GLEAM, told the group, “You are here for a reason. And the reason is the aching need of this world, of this church, of this planet for a vision of love inclusivity and beloved community, and queer people are the ones to lead the way. This is who we are, this is what we do, and there's no better place to do it from than the Diocese of Los Angeles.”

Bishop Taylor, LGBTQ Episcopalians and allies to join LA Pride parade June 9

LGBTQIA+ members of the Diocese of Los Angeles and their allies will join Bishop John Harvey Taylor to march in the historic L.A. Pride Parade in Hollywood on Sunday, June 9.

“Join us as we gather with our bishop to stand up to injustice, model God's unconditional love for all people and celebrate the beautiful diversity that makes the LGBTQIA+ community so essential and vital to the Episcopal experience,” says the Rev. Christopher Montella, outgoing chair of GLEAM, the bishop’s commission on LGBTQ ministries.

The parade is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Diocese of Los Angeles marchers will gather at the staging area at 11 a.m.

Montella notes that all marchers must sign up in advance and check in at the staging area before the parade begins, and that due to parade regulations no one will be able to join the contingent along the parade route.

To march in the parade, email gleamlainfo@gmail.com. Parade details, including staging location, parking information and other guidelines, will be sent in response. (No registration is needed to watch the parade.)

“This work is as critical as it has always been,” says Montella. “We look forward to showing up on parade day to do the work of proclaiming God's inclusive love for absolutely everyone.”

SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 15

Juneteenth service planned at St. John’s Cathedral

The H. Belfield Hannibal Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Program Group on Black Ministries of the Diocese of Los Angeles invite the diocesan community to a service in honor of Juneteenth at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at St. John’s Cathedral, 514 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles.

Juneteenth (June 19), which the U.S. Congress declared a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed that the Emancipation Proclamation – signed two years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln – had ended slavery in the Confederate states. Sometimes called “Second Independence Day,” Juneteenth is a symbolic date of freedom for African Americans and a time of reflection, learning, self-assessment, and healing. The Diocese of Los Angeles passed a resolution at its 2021 convention adding Juneteenth to its liturgical calendar as a feast day.

Above: Celebrant Lester Mackenzie leads a Tanzanian praise song at the 2023 Juneteenth service.

CompanionsFranciscanSpirituality_tn image

Franciscan spirituality immersion program offered at San Francisco retreat house

A 10-day residential immersion in Franciscan spirituality for women offered by the Sisters of the Community of St. Francis will take place July 12 - 22 at St. Francis House, 3743 Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco.

Participants will share in the life of prayer, work, ministry, and community at St. Francis House, and join in study of Franciscan spirituality with a focus on nature mysticism and creation spirituality.

The program is open to women over 18. Room and board are provided as part of this free program, but donations are always welcome. (Space is limited. St. Francis House is not wheelchair-accessible). Another immersion program is scheduled for Sept. 27 - October 6.

For information, click here, or contact Sr. Pamela Clare, CSF, at pamelaclarecsf@aol.com.

Update begins summer schedule

The Episcopal News Update will begin its summer biweekly schedule while looking toward its daily coverage of the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church, to be held June 22 - 28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Summer publication schedule:

June 16 (publication June 12)
General Convention daily reports from Louisville (The Update will be on hiatus for June 23 and 30.)
July 7 (publication July 3)
July 21 (publication July 17)
August 4 (publication July 31)

The regular weekly schedule will resume with the Aug. 18 (publication Aug. 14).

News and calendar items for consideration may be emailed to editor@ladiocese.org. Deadline is Tuesday at noon.

The Bishop's Blog ( Additional entries are here)

Baccalaureate at St. Margaret’s School, San Juan Capistrano

June 2, 2024

Before becoming head of school at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano last year, Dr. Jeneen Graham had been a Tartan parent, trustee, academic dean, and upper school head. So she has seen her share of graduating classes. When I asked about her vision for the last year of the class of 2024, she said, “The confidence of community.”

Supporting Jubilee Homes recovery ministry

June 2, 2024

During the early days of COVID, laid off as a restaurant worker, Justin was living with four other guys in a Jubilee Homes sober living house in Pasadena. One of their coping mechanisms was binging “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” In season six, episode five, as Larry David drove down Fair Oaks, the guys spotted Jubilee Homes founder the Rev. Bill Doulos standing on the sidewalk right out front.

People

Diocese of Los Angeles writers, scholars contribute to history journal celebrating 50th anniversary of women's ordination

The Diocese of Los Angeles is well represented in the June 2024 issue of Anglican & Episcopal History (AEH), published by the Historical Society of The Episcopal Church.

The new issue is focused on the ministry of ordained women as the church marks the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia 11, a group of women who were ordained to the priesthood in 1974, two years before such ordination was approved by General Convention.

The Rev. Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, priest of the Diocese of Los Angeles and longtime professor at both Bloy House and the Claremont School of Theology, is editor-in chief and book review editor of AEH. Kujawa-Holbrook also collaborated with the Rev. Fran Toy, the first Asian-American woman ordained to the priesthood, in an oral history article.

The issue also features "The Shattering of a Stained-Glass Ceiling," a review of The Philadelphia Eleven documentary film, by the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, canon for Engagement Across Difference of the Diocese of Los Angeles and a longtime activist for LGTBQ+ and women's rights.

In an essay titled "Women on the Pages of Anglican and Episcopal History: A Growing Cast," author Carla Roland Guzmán offers a detailed examination of women’s representation in AEH since 1932. She praises the contributions of historians including Kujawa-Holbrook and the Rev. Sylvia Sweeney, retired dean of Bloy House.

The Rev. Thomas Ni contributed an article about the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Florence Li Tim-Oi, first woman priest in the Anglican Communion, at Church of Our Saviour, San Gabriel.

Former Los Angeles priests the Rev. Gina Gore and the Rev. Tim Vivian are also among the contributors.

The first essay in the journal is "On the Boundaries: Reflecting Fifty Years Along" by the Rev. Carter Hayward, one of the Philadelphia 11, who will be the keynote speaker at this year's Diocesan Convention, to be held in Riverside Nov. 8 - 9.

AEH issues may be purchased in print or digital format for $10; email mpayne@hsec.us for information.

Service of ordination slated for June 8 at St. John’s Cathedral

Bishop John Harvey Taylor will ordain three and receive one to the Sacred Order of Deacons at a service at St. John’s Cathedral at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8.

The ordinands are: Margaret Stivers of St. Richard of Chichester Church, Lake Arrowhead; Michael Mischler of St. James’ Church, South Pasadena; and Karen James of The Church of the Epiphany, Oak Park.

Hart Roussel of St. Andrew’s, Fullerton, who was formerly ordained in another tradition, will be received as a deacon of The Episcopal Church.

The prayers and presence of the diocesan community are invited. The cathedral is located at 514 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles 90007.

This week

Bloy House training classes for lay ministers begin this week

Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School at Los Angeles, offers a range of classes for lay leaders and ministers that will qualify them to be licensed in a variety of roles, including chaplain, lay eucharistic minister, eucharistic visitor, preacher, evangelist, catechist, pastoral leader, or worship leader.

Classes to be offered beginning this week are:

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Anti-Racism Training for Lay Licensing

Bloy House

1300 E. Colorado Street, Glendale 91205

Instructor: Canon Suzanne-Edwards Acton, founder of My Work To Do

Anti-racism was made a requirement for lay licensing by our diocese in response to an effort by the national church to encourage these discussions in local settings for those in lay leadership. The purpose of this class, based on the nationally recognized My Work To Do program, is to help participants learn how to talk about issues of systemic racism. Lunch will be provided. This class, or equivalent anti-racism training, is required for all licensed lay ministries.

THURSDAYS, JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27; 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Episcopal Identity

Via Zoom: Register

Facilitated by the Very Rev. Gary Hall, president, and Linda Allport, dean of Bloy House

How would you describe the modern Episcopal Church - its theology, its worship and community, its history, its organization, and what you love about it - to a friend who has never experienced it? In this deeper dive than confirmation class, even cradle Episcopalians will learn something new about our church. For those in lay ministry, it provides the foundation for all ministry, where we live out our baptismal vows and represent the values of the Episcopal Church. This class is required for all licensed lay ministries, except Eucharistic Minister, for which it is recommended.

SATURDAYS, JUNE 8, 15, 22; 9 – 11 a.m.

Deacons: Who, What, Why -

An Introduction to the Sacred Order of the Deacons

Via Zoom: Register

Facilitator: The Rev. Dennis Sheridan, Ph.D., a professor emeritus of Azusa Pacific University and Episcopal deacon since 2014.

Three 2-hour sessions will offer a glimpse into the life and history of the diaconate. We’ll answer the questions: What does it mean to be a deacon today? How do I know that I am called? What are the steps for getting there? Participants will hear stories about deacons who act as the bridge between the church and the world and learn about the distinctive diaconal voice. Recommended for those discerning a call to ordained ministry.

There is a $25 fee for each course. Additional information, full course descriptions and information about lay licensing programs, as well as the Spanish-language Instituto de Liderazgo, may be found here.

Teresa of Avila book by San Diego priest to be launched June 6 at Westwood event

Laurel Mathewson, an Episcopal priest and co-rector of St. Luke's North Park in San Diego, will launch her new book, An Intimate Good: A Skeptical Christian Mystic in Conversation with Teresa of Avila, on Thursday, June 6 in the Wesley room at Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles.

When Mathewson was 21, the pain of losing her mother to cancer, along with “a naturally skeptical and questioning outlook,” sent her on a years-long existential journey. Along the way, she unexpectedly experienced an overwhelming sense of God's love and discovered a surprising affinity with the 16th-century Spanish saint, Teresa of Avila. An Intimate Good, which has a foreword by Sojourner founder Jim Wallis, is “a moving memoir about the upheaval of loss, and the dawning discovery that God is near, God loves us, and God is good.”

Westwood Church and The Loft pastor Molly Vetter will be in conversation with the author about this newly-released book and the ideas behind it.

Mathewson also recently published a new edition of St. Teresa of Avila's masterpiece, The Interior Castle: Exploring a Spiritual Classic as a Modern Reader.

Events & Announcements

Diocese seeks communications coordinator

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is seeking a communications coordinator skilled in social media, digital publications, and news reporting and editing.

A description of the full-time diocesan staff position is here. Qualified applicants are asked to email a resumé and cover letter to Canon Anilin Collado, diocesan missioner for human resources, before June 30.

The communications coordinator will succeed Canon Janet Kawamoto, who has announced her retirement after 22 years on the diocesan staff, serving as editor of The Episcopal News and producing other diocesan media. Kawamoto will be recognized at Diocesan Convention for her decades of outstanding service which began in 1981 when she served as communications assistant through 1985.

Based at St. Paul’s Commons in Echo Park, the new coordinator will work with continuing staff members Canon for Common Life Bob Williams, who oversees the diocesan communications department, and the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, longtime senior writer for the Episcopal News and editor of the Angelus clergy community newsletter. Advising the work of the department is the diocesan Program Group on Communications and Public Affairs.

Kaleidoscope announces new leadership training programs

The Kaleidoscope Institute, which trains leaders to create gracious space for courageous conversations and consulting to heal and transform organizations, has announced several summer training programs. Full information and details can be found here. www.kscopeinstitute.org/events

TUESDAYS, JUNE 25 and JULY 2, 4 - 6 p.m.

Conversation Guide Training

Via Zoom

Information/Registration

This training provides the opportunity to learn and practice the basic Kaleidoscope Institute tools to build more inclusive and participatory communities. We recommend this training for those who want to run better meetings, facilitate challenging conversations, or simply make sure everyone gets truly heard in a conversation. Participation in both sessions is required. (An additional training will be held on Aug. 24 and Sept. 7, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.)

TUESDAYS, JULY 9, 16, 23 and 30, 4 - 6 p.m.

Facilitator Training Tuesdays

Via Zoom

Information/Registration

This facilitator training will provide resources to coordinate and facilitate inclusive small group dialogue using the KI gracious leadership tools, skills and processes. Also, it will equip you with tools to learn how to invite people to come to an initial dialogue, designed to achieve mutual understanding through deep listening. This training event will provide KI resources for your work and ministries and for building and nurturing relationships in your congregation. It is necessary to attend all four sessions. (Another training is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14 - Oct. 5, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.)

TUESDAYS, 9 a.m.

Kaleidoscope Bible Sharing for Preachers

Via Zoom

Information/Registration

Are you a preacher? Come spend an hour each week with KI founder and innovator the Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law to listen and reflect on a lectionary text for the upcoming Sunday, in preparation for preaching in a multi-contextual community. This weekly gathering of the preaching community will use a combination of the multi-contextual preaching model Law shared in his book, The Word at the Crossing and the Kaleidoscope Bible Sharing process.

Jubilee Consortium seeks young people to join food justice ministry

The Jubilee Consortium, a ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles based in Hollywood, invites young people ages 21 - 29 who are passionate about food justice to join its 2024 - 2025 JYLA Food Justice Corps.

Applicants who live in Los Angeles County, have at least a high school diploma or GED, and are interested in food justice issues, inspired to serve and be a change maker, and interested in living simply in community with fellow corps members are invited to apply.

The year-long program begins in August 2024 and will end in July 2025. Corps members work four days each week, with one day of learning and training each week covering topics such as composting, produce dehydration, food safety, urban agriculture, social enterprise and more. They will receive several certifications throughout the year, including that of Master Gardener through a University of California program. Several retreats will be held throughout the year.

Corps members will receive an $800 per month stipend, plus free housing (or housing stipend), utilities and transportation, basic healthcare, and the support of staff and mentors.

For information, email junmey@jubileeconsortium.org. (Right-click on image to download flyer.)

St. Mark’s School, Altadena, offers full scholarships for underserved children

St. Mark’s School, Altadena, in partnership with The Children’s Education Initiative (TCEI), a non-profit organization, is offering a rare opportunity to children in underserved communities: full scholarships to its highly rated elementary school.

The scholarships, which are available for children entering kindergarten in the Fall, will cover 100% of tuition and other associated fees such as childcare and uniforms.

Saint Mark’s is an independent Episcopal school for students in preschool through grade 6, located at 1050 E Altadena Drive, Altadena 91001 (at the corner of Lake Avenue and Altadena Drive). Parents or guardians of prospective students are invited to call Maggie Young at 626.798.8858 to set up a school tour, and to visit the school website to apply. Families will be asked to fill out a tuition assistance application. Translation services and support available.

Camp Stevens summer camp sessions are filling up: Register now

Summer sessions for children at Camp Stevens, the diocesan facility in Julian, California, are filling up fast; the first three sessions are already fully booked.

Camp sessions will be held the following weeks:

Session 1: June 23 – June 28, ages 8-15 FULL
Session 2: July 7 – July 12, ages 8-15 FULL
Session 3: July 14 – July 19, ages 8-15 FULL
Session 4: July 21 – July 26, ages 8-15 - OPEN
Session 5 (International Odyssey): July 28 – August 3, ages 12-17 - OPEN

"At Camp Stevens, our program isn’t built around crafts and activities: it’s built around people," camp staffers wrote on Facebook. "Each member of the group brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that shape a one-of-a-kind experience each week.

"The job of our staff is to facilitate creative outdoor play that builds belonging and fosters connection. On a given day, an adventure group might tackle a team building challenge, paint watercolors out by the pond, explore off trail and find a clearing to build forts in, hop in the pool at free time, visit with the camp farm animals, and watch shooting stars as they drift off to sleep. As our returning campers and staff have shared: there’s always more to see and explore but what makes it really special are the people you’re there with."

For full information and registration, visit the website. A few openings are available for Counselor Training (June 16 - 21), for campers age 16 and up who would like to be considered for summer camp counseling positions. Information and application forms are here.

Early childhood educators invited to summer institute in San Juan Capistrano

[The Episcopal News – March 20, 2024] Registration is now open for the inaugural St. Margaret’s Summer Institute for early childhood education, to be held June 14 - 15 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and School in San Juan Capistrano.

The institute will bring together early childhood educators, administrators and policy makers over two days to explore and elevate the quality and excellence of early childhood education. Attendees will explore the essential role of play in early childhood education, diving into the latest research, methodologies and best practices.

Episcopal schools teachers and administrators are especially invited and encouraged to attend, according to the Rev. Ryan Newman, executive director of the diocesan Commission on Schools.

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 will be $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.

From the wider church

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon kicks off Nuevo Amanecer

By Shireen Korkzan

[Episcopal News Service — Hendersonville, North Carolina – June 4, 2024] “If it’s not about love,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said, “it’s not about God.”

“Live your life so that when children see you, they see something about the love of God,” Curry preached during the June 3 opening worship service of Nuevo Amanecer, a churchwide conference that celebrates and supports Latino ministries in The Episcopal Church.

Three hundred Latino Episcopalians are gathering June 3-6 at Kanuga Conference and Retreat Center here, for the popular conference that’s been hosted biennially by The Episcopal Church’s Latino/Hispanic Ministries since 2008. This year’s theme is “Sembrando Amor y Esperanza,” or “Sowing Love and Hope,” which Curry reflected on in his sermon.

Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice takes first steps as nonprofit with inaugural board

By David Paulsen

[Episcopal News Service – June 5, 2024] The inaugural board of the newly formed Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice held its first two meetings last month, and this month, it is preparing to offer an informational session at the 81st General Convention to provide updates on the launch of this much anticipated churchwide network.

The informational session is scheduled for noon-2 p.m. June 25 in Louisville, Kentucky, while bishops and deputies are gathered for the triennial churchwide meeting. Previous listening sessions at smaller church conferences and meetings have been well received, said the Rev. John Kitagawa, chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors.

“There’s a lot of good energy,” Kitagawa, a priest in the Diocese of Arizona, told Episcopal News Service. “Part of the question is how to harness that and bring people together.”

Committees recommend planning for a reduced 10% diocesan assessment rate by 2033

By David Paulsen

[Episcopal News Service – June 4, 2024] The 15% assessment on diocesan revenue is The Episcopal Church’s largest source of funding in the churchwide budget, more than $30 million a year. Six dioceses have asked General Convention to gradually reduce the rate to 10%. Now, those six resolutions have been consolidated by legislative committees into a single sentence, which bishops and deputies will consider when they gather June 23-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Resolved,” the proposed resolution says, “that the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church ask the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church to set a plan to reduce diocesan assessments to 10% by 2033.”

That simplified language was recommended June 3 in unanimous votes by the parallel bishops’ and deputies’ committees on Governance & Structure, after an extended discussion in which some deputies raised concerns about the potential impact of such a large cut in churchwide revenue.

For more churchwide stories, visit Episcopal News Service here. General Convention-related stories may be found here.

General Convention 2024

Planning under way for 81st General Convention:

Episcopal Church provides information, resources

The 81st meeting of General Convention will convene June 23 - 28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

A major portion of its business will be the election of the 28th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church to succeed the Most Rev. Michael Curry, who will conclude his nine-year term in November of this year. On April 2 the nominating committee announced its slate: Bishop J. Scott Barker of Nebraska, Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez of Pennsylvania, Bishop Sean Rowe of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Bishop Robert Wright of Atlanta. (Read more here.) A fifth candidate, Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe of Central New York, was added by petition.

More about General Convention and Diocese of Los Angeles representation:

Los Angeles deputies, bishop, others prepare for ‘giant footprint’ at General Convention [The Episcopal News – May 22, 2024]

Five official Diocese of Los Angeles reps prepare to attend Triennial meeting alongside General Convention [The Episcopal News - May 29, 2024]

Calendar

THURSDAYS, 7 p.m.

Episcopal Students of UCLA

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

580 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles

Information: episcopalstudentsucla@gmail.com

We are a group of Christians, looking to further our relationship with God and strengthen our bonds in Christian community. Meeting in the library at St. Alban's Episcopal Church (right near campus), we are a welcoming community whose goal is to live out the truth of the gospel through spiritual growth, community experience, and service.

FRIDAYS, 6 - 7 p.m.

Vigil for Peace

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, 92625

Join us every Friday in the St. Michael’s sanctuary and on Zoom as we pray for peace in our community and around the world. Log-in information here (see "Weekly Worship"), or join on Facebook Live.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 7 p.m.

Taizé Heartfulness Prayer Service

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

428 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach 92651

Join St. Mary’s on the first Thursday of each month for this service in the style of France’s Taizé monastery.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Pride Festival

St. Hilary's Episcopal Church

11305 Hesperia Road, Hesperia 92345

Free admission. Join us for a vibrant marketplace, with arts and crafts from local vendors and food trucks with delicious offerings. Also find health and wellness resources, including health screening. Also featuring free Mom hugs, as well as raffles and giveaways.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 4 p.m.

Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria

St. Cross Episcopal Church

1818 Monterey Blvd., Hermosa Beach

St. Cross Choir, soloists and orchestra presents this multi-movement musical setting of the "Gloria in excelsis Deo" text. There is no charge, but a free-will offering will be taken to benefit the music program at St. Cross.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 7 - 8 p.m.

A Pentecost Taizé

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

525 E. 7th Street, Long Beach 90813

Information: 562.436.4047

St. Luke’s invites all to this quiet hour of prayer, chant and renewal. Taizé services will be held online throughout the year. Online services available here or by joining on Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 4405 5548, Password 525).

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 7 p.m.

A Pentecost Taizé

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

1432 Engracia Avenue, Torrance 90501

The mutual ministry of St. Andrew's and Christ Church, Redondo Beach, invite all to this monthly candlelit service of music, meditation and prayer. Taizé services will be held in-person or online throughout the year. Online services available here.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

The Welcome Table: A Christian Spiritual Gathering for the LGBTQ+ Community and Our Allies

Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church

24901 Orchard Village Road, Santa Clarita 91355

Information: 661.259.7307 or here

The Welcome Table is an experience created by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Gather with us as we eat, pray, sing, discuss, share communion, celebrate diversity and explore our faith community as our true, authentic selves. Come as you are, this place is for you.

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 7 p.m.

Taizé Heartfulness Prayer Service

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

428 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach 92651

Join St. Mary’s on the first Thursday of each month for this service in the style of France’s Taizé monastery.

Events to be included in the online diocesan calendar and the Update may be emailed to editor@ladiocese.org.

Opportunities

VOLUNTEER

Immigration & Refugee ministry

IRIS (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service)

3621 Brunswick Ave., Los Angeles 90039

Support is needed more than ever for newly arrived refugee and immigrant neighbors. Community members can volunteer with IRIS in many ways, from one-off or short-term opportunities, such as greeting newcomers at the airport, to donation coordination, transportation, translation, and more. For those interested in even deeper client connections, don't hesitate to ask about mentorship opportunities. Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi (and other languages) is desirable, but not required, for some volunteer positions. A background check will be conducted for volunteers working directly with clients. Contact Ruben Tomasian at rtomasian@ladiocese.org. IRIS, a non-profit organization, is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries. Through refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and organized community involvement, IRIS helps immigrants and refugees reach self-sufficiency. Check the website for more information.

Food Pantry

Our Saviour Center

4368 Santa Anita Avenue, El Monte

With lower pandemic numbers and everyone back at school and work our Food Pantry is in need of volunteers. Lend a hand on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., rain or shine, to help us help the neediest families in our community. Volunteers should be age 16 and up. Street parking is available on Santa Anita, McGirk and Lambert avenues. Please wear a mask. All activities are outdoors; dress appropriately and wear close-toed shoes. For information or to sign up (not required), email info@our-center.org.

PILGRIMAGES, RETREATS & TRAVEL

FULLY SUBSCRIBED: WAITING LIST ONLY

October 7 – 17, 2024

Italy Pilgrimage

Join the Rev. Steve De Muth and the Rev. Barrett Van Buren for an 11-day pilgrimage across Italy. We will visit Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. The tour price includes roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles, first class/select hotels, most meals, professional tour director, comprehensive sightseeing, all hotel service charges and local taxes, porterage and entrance fees. Cost is $4,549 per person from Los Angeles including $520 taxes/airline surcharges. For information, contact Steve De Muth, 100 N. Third Ave., Covina, CA 91723 or 626.967.3939 or padresteve@holytrinitycovina.com. A full itinerary is here.

EMPLOYMENT

Listings may be sent to news@ladiocese.org. There is no charge.

HERMOSA BEACH: Executive Assistant to the Clergy, St. Cross Church. 30 hours per week, benefits and pension. Responsibilities include working closely with the clergy, overseeing the communications coordinator, and managing the front office. For a more detailed job description please email the Rev. Rachel Nyback, rector, at rnyback@stcross.org.

HERMOSA BEACH: Communications Coordinator, St. Cross Church. 20 hours per week, benefits and pension. Responsibilities include upkeep of the website, social media, and print media, leading the strategic promotion of St. Cross events within the parish and wider communities. This also includes webcasting the 10 a.m. Sunday service. For a more detailed job description please email the Rev. Rachel Nyback, rector at rnyback@stcross.org.

LAGUNA HILLS: Church Administrator, St. George’s Episcopal Church. Part time (15-19 hours/week), to begin work in late May 2024. Areas of responsibility: communications, administration, membership, facilities management, and IT. We seek a dynamic self-starter who can implement technological, operational, and systemic changes to help the church better serve the community. This position reports to the vicar and offers opportunity for creativity and leadership. The right candidate will thrive as the primary point of contact at the church, ideally 4-5 days per week, 3-4 hours per day (we are open to flexible scheduling). Full job description here. To apply, email resume and cover letter to the Rev. Pat McCaughan, vicar, at revpatmccaughan@aol.com.

LONG BEACH: Music Director. St. Luke’s Church / Iglesia de San Lucas looks forward to welcoming a creative collaborator and team player, someone who is passionate about music as a vehicle for spiritual growth and who views their music performance as a spiritual practice. The music director will lead a diverse and dynamic music program that is central to our identity as a parish, enhances our worship experience, and supports us in our aspirations to become a Beloved Community. For more information, please see the job description, which also includes information on how to apply.

LOS ANGELES: Development Coordinator. IRIS (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles) seeks to hire a full-time development coordinator (our first) as we expand and reorganize as an independent non-profit after nearly 20 years as a successful, fiscally sponsored agency. This position requires a seasoned, confident, and humble professional who thrives in a thoroughly cross-cultural environment and measures her/his/their success by helping others to achieve their own. Full information, job description and application information are here.

LOS ANGELES: Episcopal Hospital Chaplain, PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, 1225 Wilshire Boulevard. Full time, salaried. Reporting to one of our department supervisors or managers, this position provides spiritual support to patients, their loved ones, and staff in our hospitals. This chaplain serves people of all belief systems (religious and non-religious), and provides or arranges special rites and rituals as requested by patients and/or surrogates. Full job description and information here.

PASADENA: Director of Children, Youth & Families Ministry, All Saints Church, a progressive and dynamic Episcopal Church rooted in a tradition of intellectual engagement and enrichment, and fully committed to offering a deeply fulfilling worship experience. All Saints core values are Radical Inclusion, Courageous Justice, Joyful Spirituality and Ethical Stewardship. All Saints is seeking a leader who will make the love of God real and meaningful for all children, youth and families; to continue to grow an engaging, empowering, compassionate, and listening space for all young people to explore faith and how it relates to their inner lives and the lives of the world around them. This position oversees all department activities for children, youth and families, coordinates with an engaged group of volunteers, and represents children, youth and families on parish and community committees. Job description here.

STUDIO CITY: Organist. St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is seeking a professionally trained church organist. The organist will be expected to play for two Sunday services and one choir rehearsal per week. Additionally, the organist will play for special services such as Holy Week and Christmas Eve. We value traditional worship drawn from the Book of Common Prayer. The preferred style of music is classical sacred music, ranging from Palestrina to Rutter. The pipe organ was built by Reuter in 1961. R. M. Ballantyne replaced the console and performed substantial refurbishment and modernization of the instrument in 2008. The organ has three manuals and 16 ranks of pipes with some unification. The organist will work directly under our Director of Music in a collaborative manner. Salary: $18,000. Weddings and funerals will provide additional compensation. A full job description is here. Send resume to Mark Gaddis via email at administrator@stmikessc.org or by mail at 3646 Coldwater Canyon Avenue, Studio City 91604.

TUSTIN: Sexton at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 25 hours/week. The sexton serves to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and readiness of Church facilities to enable the work and ministry of the congregation and to create a pleasant atmosphere for members, guests, and staff. This includes deep cleaning of the kitchen, restrooms, church, and general gathering space(s), as well as basic household chores and changing out supplies as needed. Full job description and application instructions here.

UPLAND: Music Director and Organist. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Upland, California, seeks a part-time music director and organist who can bring musical gifts, creativity, faithfulness, and joy to our community. We hope to strengthen and expand our music program, which has a long history of quality voice and instrumental offerings from a core group of dedicated volunteer musicians who help lead the congregation in worship each Sunday. A full job description is here. Resumes, references, and links to musical performance recordings should be sent to our selection committee at music@stmarks-upland.org. Please include a short cover letter of introduction.

The Episcopal News Update is published on Wednesday afternoons. News items, job listings, calendar items, questions and comments may be sent to editor@ladiocese.org. Weekly deadline is Tuesday at 12 p.m. Photos are welcome: please include them as email attachments (rather than embedded in a document). To subscribe, click here.

— Janet Kawamoto, editor