A limited supply of H1N1 Vaccinations are available to St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners this Sunday via the Church's outreach program with QueensCare.

 

 

Vaccinations will be given following the Center for Disease Control guidelines interpreted for the parish:

1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months (parents, siblings, and day care providers)
3. Health care and Emergency Services personnel, Clergy, and Eucharistic Assistants
4. People 6 months through 24 years of age
5. People living with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza complications (eg: HIV/AIDS, medical immuno-suppression, asthma, COPD, other chronic lung illnesses, diabetes, cancer, and survivors of cancer).

(L-R) The Right Reverend Chester Lovelle Talton, D.D. Bishop Suffragan;  Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, Canon to the Bishops of the Baltimore-based Diocese of Maryland Bishop Suffragan-Elect; The Right Reverend Joseph Jon Bruno, D.D. Bishop Diocesan; Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce Bishop Suffragan-Elect;The Right Reverend Sergio Carranza Bishop Assistant
 

 

The six-county Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, canon to the bishops of the Baltimore-based Diocese of Maryland, to the office of bishop suffragan, in which she is called to assist Bishop Diocesan J. Jon Bruno in ministry to the region's 70,000 parishioners. Glasspool, 55, was elected Dec. 5 on the seventh ballot taken by some 800 clergy and lay delegates to the 114th Annual Meeting of Diocesan Convention, gathered in Riverside, Calif., as the diocese's chief legislative body.
 
Bruce, 53, was elected Dec. 4 on the third ballot taken by some 680 clergy and lay delegates to the 114th Annual Meeting of Diocesan Convention, gathered in Riverside, Calif., as the diocese's chief legislative body. 

 
The women are the first to be elected a bishop in the diocese's 114-year history.  Glasspool is also the first openly partnered lesbian to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church, which includes some 2.4 million members in 109 dioceses in 16 nations. She is the 17th woman to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church; its House of Bishops includes some 300 active and retired members. 

For full coverage:  http://episcopalnews.ladiocese.org/top-story.html

Unity, Faith and Order commission develops vision, urges 'gracious restraint' following L.A. election.  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_117607_ENG_HTM.htm

Harold S. Kushner's book, The Lord Is My Shepherd - Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm, is our source for a five week study exploring one of the most familiar and intriguing portions of Scripture. In the midst of difficulty people of faith have turned to these powerful verses for comfort and support. Journey with us as we try to find the source of its power and enduring witness.

Steven DeMuth, a candidate for the seminary, leads the book discussion.  The discussion meets on Tuesdays after Mass (7:30pm) and will go from November 17 to December 15.  You may purchase the book at Amazon or any other retailer.

In response to the H1N1 Flu (commonly known as the Swine Flu), St. Thomas Hollywood encourages parishioners to partake of communion via intinction.  The Sacred Minister will dip the host into the wine and place the consecrated host on the parishioners tongue, which should be extended.

 

For those parishioners who out of custom prefer to continue using the chalice, the chalice is cleaned with a grain-alcohol cloth after each use, significantly reducing any transfer of germs.

 

We are mindful of the sensitivity of certain people to these issues, and we would kindly remind you that receiving just the Sacred Host is full Communion. You do not have to receive the Chalice, and vice-versa: receiving only the Chalice is full Communion.

 

Common sense will be one of our best weapons against this flu:

For more information:  www.flu.gov

• Personal hygiene products (especially disposable razors, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene items,  disposable diapers and  deodorant)
• Ribbon and other basket-making equipment and supplies for Baskets of Hope
• New or gently used children's books

 

Join us for a Dessert and Savory Reception after Christmas Eve Mass. The Hospitality Committee would  like to invite any Parishioner who would be interested making or purchasing a Savory or Dessert Treat for this event to sign up on the bulletin board in the large parish hall or contact John Boughner 310-606-1503 / johnmboughner@aol.com.

Our Every Member Canvass campaign completed on Sunday, November 22, Christ the King.  This is the final week that lists our Parishioners.  Please return your Pledge Card to the Office as soon as possible to allow for proper planning for 2010. Please contact the Office if you have any questions. 

 

We are deeply grateful to the following Parishioners who have pledged for 2010:
 

We need your help.  This year we are assisting the children of women living with AIDS through Women at Risk. St. Thomas has supported this organization for a number of years.  The needs have quadrupled since last year, while their funding has decreased.  This year we'll be assisting 64 families and 129 children.  We had 20-30 children last year from this group.  For these children, this will be the only present they receive.

There are many of the unclaimed angels. A family heard about our efforts - friends of a parishioner. They took thier kids to Toys R Us to select gifts. They filled an entire car trunk with new gifts. They also gave a handful of Ralphs gift cards in addition.

 

This Sunday is the last day to claim and angel and return the gifts.  If you haven't  claimed an angel, please bring gift cards, or donate money for Outreach Committee to shop.

Thank you for your generosity!

 

Associate Rector

On the Second and Fourth Saturdays of each month the Homeless Breakfast takes 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.

Volunteers are invited to assist the Altar Guild in cleaning the church interior on Saturday, December 19th, beginning after mass at approximately 10:30a.m.   

 

Volunteers are also invited to come decorate the Church on Wednesday, December 23rd beginning at 9a.m. Lunch will be provided! 

 

If you would like to participate, please contact the Sacristan, John Thornbury at john_thornbury@yahoo.com or 310.869.1194.

Interesting facts about

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