September 28, 2023 | VOLUME 35, ISSUE 36

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

October 1, 2023

Preacher: The Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Saturday, September 30, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Lifeline Screening in Parish Hall

Sunday, October 1, 2:30 PM: Los Angeles Recorder Orchestra concert in Sanctuary

Saturday, October 14, 6:00 PM: Party of Parties in Parish Hall

Monday, October 16, 7:00 PM: Vestry meeting

Saturday, October 21: Jouyssance concert in Parish Hall

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

Adult Forum

Wednesdays | 7:45 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

THE PARTY OF PARTIES IS COMING !

If you would like to host an event for Sisters of Bede, all you need to do is pick a theme; create a menu; choose a date, time and place; decide how many guests you’d like to have at your event; and what you’d like to charge. If you have any questions, or need ideas, please see one of the Sisters.

If you would like to be a host, please fill out the form (LINKED HERE) and return it to Daphne Moote by Sunday, Oct. 1. You can either bring it to church or email it to moote@mac.com.

A ST. BEDE'S TRADITION CONTINUES WITH HOMECOMING SUNDAY

The St. Bede's Homecoming Barbecue took place on Sunday, September 24, after the 10:00 AM service. The annual event marks the end of the summer vacation season and offered an opportunity to reconnect with the St. Bede's family and highlight our many opportunities and activities. The food was abundant; the fellowship, fabulous.

CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT with DR. LUCY JONES

Elizabeth Coombs, Carl Townsend, Dr. Lucy Jones and Susan Holder

The parishioners shown in the photo above were blessed to attend the diocesan Climate Change Summit at St. Paul's Commons on September 16. The Summit was hosted by the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, and the primary presenter was Dr. Lucy Jones, the Disaster and Resiliency Chair.

It was an honor to hear featured speaker Dr. Lucy Jones share her knowledge, distress, wisdom and hope about the current climate conditions on our fragile earth. As a distinguished seismologist, Dr. Jones is known to most Southern Californians as the “earthquake lady.” Dr. Jones said that in recent years she has gravitated more to researching climate change because “our climate crisis is the most important thing we face on earth.” She reminded us that, as a scientist, she is always in search of the truth and that the data doesn’t lie but always wins.

With regard to the problem of climate change, Dr. Jones said, “As long as our energy systems continue to produce carbon, we’ll never get out of this climate crisis.” She elaborated on the accelerating changes in our earth’s climate, including rising global temperatures, melting glaciers and warming oceans, worsening air pollution and extreme weather resulting in droughts, fires and flooding. “All of these,” she said. “are unpredictable and becoming both more frequent and more intense.” Dr. Jones noted that “all systems are being stressed” and this is leading to “impaired crops and famine, species extinction, higher incidents of illnesses and pandemics, rising sea levels, and eventually mass migrations (move or die) and wars.” The economic impact of all this seems insurmountable. “The good news is that, with the increase in disasters happening all over the world, more people are open to talking about this crisis and finding solutions.”

As for finding solutions, Dr. Jones noted that “the decision to act requires emotional engagement.” She stated, “We must strive to get past our grief, fear and anger to feelings of hope and pride in our community.” She also clearly acknowledged that “the final solution has to be global.” Dr. Jones declared that “some actions, compared to others, have a greater impact, such as electrification.” She announced the goal of electrifying our automobiles and appliances, referring us to the website rewiringamerica.org. In addition, Dr. Jones discussed other energy sources such as solar and wind, the need for job re-training as we shift to renewable energy, and risk-reduction activities, especially for those who are most vulnerable. She also spoke about improved adaptation, disaster resilience and preparation and encouraged partnership.

Deacon Daniel Tamm, Advocacy Subcommittee Chair, emphasized the importance of all of us reaching out to our legislators, for “they pay attention to what comes in, especially messages from faith communities.” Tamm also urged us to “speak from our hearts.” Twice we gathered into breakout groups and shared the solutions in which we were already engaging. We also shared our concerns for our children, grandchildren and beyond, and expressed gratitude that many in the younger generation are committed to taking up this cause.

Additional information can be found on the Bishop's Commission on Climate Change and the Climate Change Summit website.

SEASON OF CREATION 2023 continues . . .

Adult Education (Wednesdays 7:45 PM):

September 27 - The Letter Movie–A Message for Our Earth

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si', an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. A few years later, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope. This documentary follows their journey to Rome and tells their powerful personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people.

October 4 - Take Action!

Inspiration from the season will move us forward in our peace and justice work for all creation.

Prayer for Creation

Creator God, you formed this world in your loving hands. With a resonant word you brought forth life: beautiful plants and beloved creatures you called good. From the soil, you shaped humankind and breathed the spark of life into our lungs. Placing our feet on this Earth, our home, your desire has always been for us to walk alongside you, mindfully engaging with, tending to, delighting in, and caring for creation.

All too often we have failed to live into this call. We have not loved as you love. We have been selfish and shortsighted. We have been blind to the consequences of extraction, consumption, waste and pollution. Forgive us these shortcomings and open our eyes once again to the beauty of this world you have created.

Set our hearts and guide our hands this day to move once more into balanced relationship with Earth so that all you have touched and stirred into life might be loved as you have taught us to love.

Amen

ST. BEDE'S ONLINE GIVING PORTAL

Visit the St. Bede's website and at the top of every page, look for the "Donate" button. When you click on the "Donate" button, you will be transported to St. Bede's Vanco eGiving and Payment Process Site.

Vanco is an industry leader in online payments. More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, and educational organizations trust Vanco to securely complete transactions every day. Vanco complies with PCI Level 1 standards, the highest security standard in the payment processing industry.

You are invited to set up one-time or recurring gifts using credit, debit, or bank transfer on Vanco's secure payment processing platform. Giving online through the Vanco site saves time and the hassle of remembering to bring your offering. In addition, you decrease the expense incurred by St. Bede’s from handling and processing checks and cash.

FROM THE EPISCOPAL NEWS

A newsletter serving the Diocese of LA

St. Stephen’s, Hollywood, launches ‘Firefly’ electrician training program for young women

[The Episcopal News] In this technological age, the world needs electricians, and St. Stephen’s Church, Hollywood, invites young women interested in acquiring those skills to a special training program beginning Oct. 14 and continuing monthly for two years.

The St. Stephen’s Firefly Program, funded by a grant from the Los Angeles Girls Friendly Society, will give young women ages 14 – 17 “technical training, hands-on group projects, and mentorship in a fun and interactive space,” according to an announcement from the church, which is well known for its innovative projects. The program is offered for “beginners, aspiring electricians, or young women looking to expand their skill set.”

The $50 registration fee includes necessary safety equipment and overalls (valued at $315). Scholarships are available, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Registration for the program – required by Oct. 7. – is here. Sessions will be held once a month on Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6125 Carlos Avenue, Hollywood (Los Angeles) 90028.

EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE

Marine Corps veteran ready for ‘best job in the church’ as bishop overseeing military chaplains

By David Paulsen

[Episcopal News Service] Long before the Rev. Ann Ritonia, above, was elected an Episcopal bishop, before her ordination to the priesthood and even before her 17 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves, she dreamed of success as a musician: Her goal as a teen and young adult was to perform someday in “The President’s Own” Marine Band.

“Most of the girls played the flute and clarinet. Not me,” Ritonia said in an interview with Episcopal News Service. “I played the euphonium,” a brass instrument resembling a small tuba.

Although Ritonia, 66, never earned a seat with that prestigious military band, she says her musical education, military service and 15 years of ordained ministry have well-prepared her for her next calling. On Sept. 30, Ritonia will be consecrated as The Episcopal Church’s bishop suffragan for armed forces and federal ministries, a role responsible for recruiting, endorsing and supporting more than 100 chaplains in the military, veterans’ hospitals and federal prisons.

She will be the first woman to serve in that role – and likely also the first euphonium player.

“I think I’ve got the best job in the church,” she told ENS. “I think all of the skills that God has given and helped me develop over the years have kind of come into place like a puzzle, at this time, for this ministry.”