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Weekly E-Newsletter |
Week Ending October 30, 2009 |
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Dear Parishioner
St. Thomas the Apostle is an Episcopal Parish in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. We are called by God to be a holy place where love is found, where all are named and where hearts are freed to change the world.
Stewardship 2010: Christ the Rock
Almight God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor You with our substance and being strong in You and in the Power ofYour might, be faithful stewards of Your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
All Hallows Eve |
Halloween has origins in the ancient Gaelic festival known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in or sau-an), which is dervied from Old Irish and means roughly "summer's end". A similar festival was held by the ancient Britons and is known as Calan Gaeaf (pronounced kalan-geyf). The festival of Samhain celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year".
It could be seen as a festival of the dead. The ancient Gaels believed that the border between this world and the otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm. In Scotland the spirits were impersonated by young men dressed in white with masked, veiled or blackened faces.
Samhain was also a time to take stock of food supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. Bonfires played a large part in the festivities. All other fires were doused and each home lit their hearth from the bonfire. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames. Sometimes two bonfires would be built side-by-side, and people and their livestock would walk between them as a cleansing ritual. hen the Gospel was first preached in Britain, the island was inhabited by Celtic peoples. In the 400's, pagan Germanic tribes, the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, invaded Britain and drove the Christian Celts out of what is now England into Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The new arrivals (called collectively the Anglo-Saxons) were then converted by Celtic missionaries moving in from the one side and Roman missionaries moving in from the other. (They then sent missionaries of their own, such as Boniface, to their pagan relatives on the Continent.)
With its roots in Celtic cultures, Halloween is not celebrated in all countries and regions of the world, and among those that do the traditions and importance of the celebration vary significantly.
Celebration in the United States has had a significant impact on how the holiday is observed in other nations. The history of Halloween traditions in a given country also lends context to how it is presently celebrated.
In North America, Christian attitudes towards Halloween are quite diverse. In the Anglican Church, some dioceses have chosen to emphasize the Christian traditions of All Saints' Day, while some other Protestants celebrate the holiday as Reformation Day, a day of remembrance and prayers for unity. Celtic Christians may have Samhain services that focus on the cultural aspects of the holiday, in the belief that many ancient Celtic customs are "incompatible with the new Christian religion. Christianity embraced the Celtic notions of family, community, the bond among all people, and respect for the dead. Throughout the centuries, pagan and Christian beliefs intertwine in a gallimaufry (hodgepodge) of celebrations from October 31 through November 5, all of which appear both to challenge the ascendancy of the dark and to revel in its mystery."
Many Christians ascribe no negative significance to Halloween, treating it as a purely secular holiday devoted to celebrating "imaginary spooks" and handing out candy. Halloween celebrations are common among Roman Catholic parochial schools throughout North America and in Ireland. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church sees Halloween as having a Christian connection. Father Gabriele Amorth, a Vatican-appointed exorcist in Rome, has said, "If English and American children like to dress up as witches and devils on one night of the year that is not a problem. If it is just a game, there is no harm in that." Most Christians hold the view that the tradition is far from being "satanic" in origin or practice and that it holds no threat to the spiritual lives of children: being taught about death and mortality, and the ways of the Celtic ancestors actually being a valuable life lesson and a part of many of their parishioners' heritage. Other Christians feel concerned about Halloween, and reject the holiday because they believe it trivializes (and celebrates) "the occult" and what they perceive as evil. A response among some fundamentalists in recent years has been the use of Hell houses or themed pamphlets (such as those of Jack T. Chick) which attempt to make use of Halloween as an opportunity for evangelism. Some consider Halloween to be completely incompatible with the Christian faith due to its origin as a pagan "Festival of the Dead." In more recent years, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has organized a "Saint Fest" on the holiday. Many contemporary Protestant churches view Halloween as a fun event for children, holding events in their churches where children and their parents can dress up, play games, and get candy. Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Halloween for they believe anything that originated from a pagan holiday should not be celebrated by true Christians.
Religions other than Christianity also have varied views on Halloween. Some Wiccans feel that the tradition is offensive to "real witches" for promoting stereotypical caricatures of "wicked witches". Traditional Judaism frowns upon the celebration of Halloween." In Arab countries where it is celebrated, devotion is given to St. Barbara.
Adapted from www.wikipedia.com
Join St. Thomas on Monday, November 2. Two Requiem Masses will take place on All Souls' Day this year (12noon and 7:30pm). Every name in the Parish Chantry Book will be prayed for during the course of the day, and at the 7:30pm Requiem Mass, the Parish Choir will be singing the beautiful Faur� Requiem Mass.
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Book Discussion continues at 9:15am |
Each Sunday at 9:15am there is a Book Discussion on Samuel Wells' book "Power & Passion." The book looks at the passion of Christ by examining 6 different characters: Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate's Wife, Peter and Mary Magdalene.
"Power & Passion" was chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury as his Lent book for 2007, but it is a book that can be shared any time we need to reconsider our own power in the light of the power of Jesus' resurrection and allow our own passion to be renewed by the passion of Christ.
The book discussion will be held on Sunday's from 9:15am to 9:45am in the Small Parish Hall.
Shireen Baker, a candidate for the seminary, leads the book discussion. You may purchase the book at Amazon or any other retailer. |
Feeling Hospitable? |
The Hospitality Committee is looking for volunteers to help set up and clean up after the coffee hour on Sundays. They would like four to six volunteers so a schedule can be set up and no one person has to work more than once a month. The coffee hour is an important part in our Parish fellowship allowing us to get to know each other better. Your participation can help keep this essential part of Parish life running smoothly. Please contact John Boughner, Les Rumsey or the Parish Office if you are interested. |
Health Care as a Human Right: November 20 |
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Community Outreach Holiday Meeting |
Stewardship of Community Outreach would like to ask volunteers to meet following 10:30 Mass in the Sunday School room/rear rec. hall for a short meeting to discuss holiday outreach....including Project Angel Tree and SOVA food bin and food drive this Sunday, November 1st, 2009. If you can't make the meeting but would like to participate please contact Todd. |
This weeks Stewardship Meditation |
As we observe All Saints and All Souls days we remember all those who have touched our lives and have come before us in our Parish. We are part of an intricate web of relationships with many people. These holy ones remain among us in so many ways. In our Parish look around and see what legacies we have in our beautiful church, in our liturgy and music, and in our ministries. In our personal lives, we are a part of the past in all we are today. In our faith community, we are surrounded by the programs and beautiful surroundings of past men and women who contributed and loved sacrificially. Such reflections pose a question: What are we doing with what we have inherited to maintain, strengthen, and grow in our Parish and ministries? What do we wish to leave for others? Building on the past, caring for the present, and concern for the future are the qualities of wise stewardship. |
Pledgers for 2010 |
Our Every Member Canvass campaign is in its final stretch. We are deeply grateful to the following Parishioners who have pledged for 2010:
David Anderson Tom Balamaci & Patrick Wildnauer John & Linda Bruce Kent R. Burke Steven W. Carry Ted Chigaros Craig B. Coogan Scott G. N. Crowell Donald Cummings William Daniel Fr. Ian Elliott Davies Evelyn Davis Thomas Doyle Robert L. Ducker John Eglin Charles Elliott & Joseph Gaudioso Michael Ensign Evans David Firman Howard Gaass Clint Gray Andy Harland Bob Halvorson Ron Hartwig Peter & Julie Heimark Jane A. Heitz Bob Henry & Linda Wendell John Holloway J. Todd Howell Helen Slayton Hughes Jimmy Hughes Bronwyn, Greg & Henry Jamrok Luis S. Javier Mary L. Johnston Timothy Joslin Sue Ann Keeling Stephen Kemp Peter T. Kempson Taffy Kennedy James R. Kennish Thomas Kingsley Ken Koonce James & Elizabeth Lancaster Bruce A. Larson Len Leatherwood & Ray Beaty Joe A. Lopez Robert D. McConnell Robert D. Miller Sandra Minott Brett D. Morana Barry Norcross Michael Owen Jeffrey R. Pierce Vincent Roncone John V. Schleif Darrell Schmitt John Scoles Gary K. Shaw Stan Shipley Fr. Mark D. Stuart Thomas G. Thanangadan Reece P. Thomson John Thornbury Paul Tournay & Lee Cox Robert Van Meter Lynn Walker Gary Warning Joseph Warren Robert Weihing Janet West Stephen Yoder |
Service Schedule |
MASSES & DAILY OFFICES Sunday 7:30 AM - Morning Prayer 8:00 AM - Low Mass
9:45 AM - Rosary 10:30AM - High Mass with Choir - Childcare Available 4:30 PM - Evening Prayer Monday through Friday
7:30 AM - Morning Prayer 6:30 PM - Evening Prayer
7:00 PM - Low Mass
Tuesday 6:00 PM - Reconciliations / Confessions
Saturday 10:00AM - Low Mass 5:00 PM - Vigil Mass with Gregorian Chant 6:30 PM - Compline
Many additional activities occur each week at St. Thomas the Apostle. See the calendar for more!
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We hope to see you soon!
Blessings from
St. Thomas the Apostle |
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All Souls Day |
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Celebrant (8am)
The Rev. Mark D. Stuart
Celebrant (10.30a):
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily (8am & 10.30a): The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies Deacon (10:30a): The Rev. Mark D. Stuart Organist-in-Residence (10:30a):
John West
Studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, under Sir Frederick Bridge (organ) and Dr Ebenezer Prout. Organist of St. Augustine's, Queen's Gate, London; St. Mary's, Berkeley Square, London, 1884; He Composed cantatas, services, anthems, incidental music, organ pieces and songs
POSTLUDE
Fanfare on 'Sine Nomine
John A. West
After playing numerous funerals and improvising on this tune, I eventually put it in writing.
This piece is published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers out of Minneapolis.
As far as I know I am not related to the composer of the prelude, although I have not done a search in my lineage
READINGS
Isaiah 25.6-9 Psalm 24.1-6 Revelation 21.1-6a John 11.32-44 |
Clergy |
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The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Rector
The Rev. Mark D Stuart
Associate Rector
The Rev. Michael Cooper
Assistant Priest
The Rev. Mr. Walter Johnson
Deacon |
Pastoral Counseling |
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One-on-one Pastoral counseling is available. Please contact the office (323-876-2102 ext 2) to schedule an appointment with the Clergy. |
Daylight Saving Time |
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At 2am on Sunday, November 1st clocks will be reset back one hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST), returning the Pacific region to Standard time.
Please reset your clocks before retiring to make you arrive to Church on time!
Although not punctual in the modern sense, ancient civilizations adjusted daily schedules to the sun more flexibly than modern DST does, often dividing daylight into twelve equal hours regardless of day length, so that each daylight hour was longer during summer. For example, Roman water clocks had different scales for different months of the year: at Rome's latitude the third hour from sunrise, hora tertia, started by modern standards at 09:02 solar time and lasted 44 minutes at the winter solstice, but at the summer solstice it started at 06:58 and lasted 75 minutes. After ancient times, equal-length civil hours eventually supplanted unequal, so civil time no longer varies by season. Unequal hours are still used in a few traditional settings, such as some Mount Athos monasteries.
Benjamin Franklin suggested firing cannons at sunrise to waken Parisians. During his time as an American envoy to France, Benjamin Franklin, author of the proverb, "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise", anonymously published a letter suggesting that Parisians economize on candles by rising earlier to use morning sunlight. This 1784 satire proposed taxing shutters, rationing candles, and waking the public by ringing church bells and firing cannons at sunrise. Franklin did not propose DST; like ancient Rome, 18th-century Europe did not keep precise schedules. However, this soon changed as rail and communication networks came to require a standardization of time unknown in Franklin's day.
G.V. Hudson invented modern DST, proposing it first in 1895. Modern DST was first proposed by the New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson, whose shift-work job gave him leisure time to collect insects, and made him aware of the value of after-hours daylight. In 1895 he presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society proposing a two-hour daylight-saving shift, and after considerable interest was expressed in Christchurch, New Zealand he followed up in an 1898 paper. Many publications incorrectly credit DST's invention to the prominent English builder and outdoorsman William Willett, who independently conceived DST in 1905 during a pre-breakfast ride, when he observed with dismay how many Londoners slept through a large part of a summer day. An avid golfer, he also disliked cutting short his round at dusk. His solution was to advance the clock during the summer months, a proposal he published two years later.
Willett lobbied unsuccessfully for the proposal in the UK until his death in 1915, and Germany, its World War I allies, and their occupied zones were the first European nations to use Willett's invention, starting April 30, 1916, as a way to conserve coal during wartime. Britain, most of its allies, and many European neutrals soon followed suit. Russia and a few other countries waited until the next year; and the United States adopted it in 1918. Since then, the world has seen many enactments, adjustments, and repeals.
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Vigil Mass |
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Missa Vigil hoc septem dies cum lingua Latina. Missa mos ineo 5 meridianus et cum ero Abeo Gregoriana in Ecclesiae Parochiae Sancta Thomasiensis.
[The Vigil Mass on Saturday will be in Latin this week. Join us at 5pm in the Church with Gregorian Chant.] |
Homeless Breakfast |
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Saturday, November 7th the Homeless Breakfast will take place. Volunteers are welcome and greatly needed!
150 homeless and needy Angelinos are served a tasty breakfast by St. Thomas volunteers. Come at 7:00am to help prepare and share pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and good fellowship. Come at 7:30am to help serve. Come at 9:00am to help clean up.
Deacon Johnson serves as the Social Worker providing outreach to the Homess during the Breakfast. This portion of the program, including providing safer sex kits, hygene items and other critical supplies is funded in part by a grant from The City of West Hollywood. |
Mother Knows Best |
Interesting facts about
St. Thomas the Apostle |
The chalice we use at the High Altar each Sunday was made from bits of silver and gold jewelry that were donated by parishioners in the early years of the parish. It is a direct link to those people who sacrificed so much to found St. Thomas church. |
Movie Night
MILLIONS |
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The UK is about to switch its currency from Pounds to Euros, giving a gang a chance to rob the poorly-secured train loaded with money on its way to incineration. But, during the robbery, one of the big bags falls literally from the sky on Damian's playhouse, a 5-year old given to talking to saints. The boy then starts seeing what the world and the people around him are made of. Ethics, being human and the soul all come to the forefront in this filmis today and where it wants to be in the future.
Fr. Ian Elliot Davies will lead the discussion.
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ePrayer List |
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Prayer is at the center of our worship and binds us together as a community of faith. This week we commenced our electronic prayer chain email. A list of persons on the prayer list is sent weekly.
Subscribers to the prayer chain email agree to honor confidentiality of the members on the prayer list and to pray for the persons on the prayer list during the week. It is expected that the prayer chain will be sent weekly, though occasional additional emails will be sent if circumstances warrant.
The prayer chain email is an opt-in list only - it will not be sent unless you sign up for it. If you'd like to be on this distribution list, please update your profile (please use link at the bottom of the email, customized with your email)or contact the office. |
Minutes |
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The minutes from the Vestry Meetings of St. Thomas the Apostle are now available on the St. Thomas the Apostle website. Click here to get the minutes. (Or goto the "Wardens & Vestry" page and click on "Minutes.")
Each month after the Vestry approves the prior months minutes they will be posted in PDF format. |
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Cal National Bank's Community Account provides an Exclusive Offer for Family, Friends, and Employees of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. When you open any checking account, Cal National will donate $20 to St. Thomas!
Open any checking account and use any ATM with NO Cal National fee. They even reimburse all machine surcharges for Value & Market Rate checking customers.
Earn points for travel, merchandise, gift cards by using your Cal National Visa Check Card
FREE Online Banking with FREE Bill Pay
FREE Telephone banking
FREE Welcome Gift
St. Thomas now banks with Cal National! |
CONTACT: Martha Morales, 323.817.6360 at the Hollywood Branch, 6922 Hollywood Blvd. (Entrance on Orange) | |
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