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. |
Rector's Corner  |
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in
Christ,
"God never gives us more than we can handle" is the
kind of thing that people say (while trying to be helpful and comforting) to us
when there seem to be way too many heartbreaking, depressing matters all around
us.
In Sunday's Gospel lection this coming weekend Christ
insists that tragic events are NOT punishment sent from God: "Do you think
that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than
all other Galileans? No, I tell you . . ." St Luke 13.
We see so many heartbreaking events in our world we
might be tempted to despair- it is at these times that I try to remember the
words of Frederick Buechner: "God doesn't reveal his grand design. He reveals
himself. He doesn't show us why things are as they are. He shows
his face." It is our frail minds that try and justify why there is pain and
suffering- the reality of following Christ (most especially in this Lenten
season) is to trust in God's grace and in Christ's compassion. I hope and pray
each one of us will be drawn closer to Christ and to one another as we continue
to travel through Lent together.
I also add my gratitude to Father Lee Walker for
celebrating and preaching at last Sunday's Masses while the clergy & Vestry
were away on our annual retreat.
I send my love & prayers to you all,
The Rev'd Fr I.E. Davies, B.D. (Wales & Cantab) M.R.I.Ph.
| |
Edward King - March 8
|
 Edward King (29 December 1829 - 8 March 1910) was an English
bishop. King was the second son of the Reverend Walker King, Archdeacon of
Rochester and rector of Stone,
Kent. King graduated from Oriel College, Oxford, he
was ordained in 1854, and four years later became chaplain and lecturer
at Cuddesdon Theological College (now Ripon College Cuddesdon). He was principal at
Cuddesdon from 1863 to 1873, when he became Regius
Professor of Pastoral Theology at Oxford and
canon of Christ Church. He was the principal founder of the
leading catholic theological college in the Church of England, St Stephen's House, Oxford, now a
Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford.
In 1885 Dr King was made bishop of Lincoln. The most eventful episode of his
episcopate was his prosecution (1888-1890) for ritualistic
practices before the Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward White Benson, and, on appeal, before the judicial
committee of the Privy Council. Dr King, who loyally conformed his
practices to the archbishop's judgment, devoted himself unsparingly to
the work of his diocese; and, irrespective of his High Church views, he
won the affection and reverence of all classes by his real saintliness
of character. The bishop, who never married, died in Lincoln. Despite
protestations, he was never canonized by Cosmo Gordon Lang despite a High Mass in white
vestments being celebrated in his honour at the High Altar of Lincoln Cathedral.
Edward King is commemorated in the calendar of the Church of England
(with the status of a Lesser Festival or 'black letter day') on 8 March,
the date of his death.
Adapted from www.wikipedia.org
|
Vestry Retreat
|
The clergy and Vestry spent Feb 26-28 at Serra Retreat praying and meditating. There were work sessions to develop goals for 2010. (Photo of the above work session courtesy of Eddie Milla.) Some of the goals include: - Implementation of the Sunday School Program (Expected no later than Easter.)
- Continuation & expansion of Adult Education series through faith discussions related to practical areas of secular life.
- Further outreach to the Homeless Community in cooperation with QueensCare and the St. Thomas Health Cabinet through foot-washing & foot care. (See related article to the right.)
- Grow awareness and attendance for the LA Schola & Saturday Latin Masses.
- Parish-wide workdays will be held to improve the facilities through paint, tiling and many other projects.
- Implementation of many of the Acoustics recommendations that will begin the "restore the silence" to the Church by reducing ambient noise.
In other business Stephen Kemp was elected Clerk of the Vestry after Josephine Richstad resigned the position (but remains on the Vestry). Mr. Kemp was appointed by the Vestry in February to fill the resignation of Steve DeMuth who is in the discernment process. If you have any questions regarding the Vestry or the Retreat, please speak with one of your representatives! NOTE: The Vestry itself pays directly for the cost of the Retreat. Photo below of Serra Retreat after the rain storm that showered the Vestry during the Stations of the Cross (held outside). (Photo courtesy of Craig Coogan.)
|
Movie Night - March 5, 2010 - TONIGHT
|
Movie Night returns tonight: Friday, March 5, 2010 at 7pm with a pot-luck organized by St. Martin's Guild.
Les Misérables is a 1998
film adaptation of Victor
Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, directed by Bille
August. It stars Liam Neeson, Geoffrey
Rush, Uma Thurman, and Claire
Danes.
As in the original novel, the story line follows the adult life of Jean
Valjean (Liam Neeson), an ex-convict (paroled following
19 years of hard labor, for stealing bread) pursued by police Inspector Javert (Geoffrey
Rush).
Following the screening (on a large screen) Fr. Davies will lead a discussion
|
Nutrition Education March 7
|
March is National Nutrition Month. National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information
campaign created by the American Dietetic
Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making
informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity
habits. The St. Thomas Health Advisory
Board, and Dr. Tim Wright, our Parish Nurse, will have a table set-up during the
coffee hour after the 8:00am and 10:30am Masses on Sunday, March
7th. Please stop by, check it out for some interesting displays,
handouts, and ask some questions about nutrition. |
| Celebrations! |
March 1, 2010 (St. David's Day) marked the 8th anniversary of Fr. Davies' first service at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Today, March 5, 2010 marks the Father Rector's birthday!
|
Census 2010: It's in Our Hands
|
In mid March, households across the country will receive Census forms
by mail. This decade's Census is a vital opportunity for our communities to show
our diversity and our strength. It's time to stand up and be counted!
In
particular, 2010 will be the first time that the Census reports numbers on
same-sex spouses, in all fifty states. In the previous census, if a same-sex
couple indicated that they were married, they were reclassified as "unmarried
partners" in official tabulations. This year, people will be counted exactly how
they identify their relationship. And because the Census relies on
self-identification, cohabitating same-sex couples who consider themselves
married can identify as such on the form, regardless of whether or not they live
in a state that legally recognizes their relationship.
For those members
of our communities who don't live with a same-sex partner, the 2010 Census does
not ask specific questions about sexual orientation or gender identity. On the
question asking about a person's sex, transgender respondents should select the
gender with which they identify.
Here
are five very important things everyone should know about the
Census:
1. It's Safe. All Census forms and
personally-identifiable information are kept completely confidential for 72
years. They don't get shared with any other government agencies (including the
military, the IRS, or immigration), and they're not subpoenable under the
Patriot Act. 2010 Census information will be made public-for genealogical
purposes-on April 1st, 2082.
2. It's Easy. The 2010 Census is
"short-form" only, and should take 10 minutes or less to complete.
3.
It's Important. Census numbers are used to determine political representation in
Congress and state legislatures, and are also used to allocate and distribute
more than $400 billion in federal funds to state, county, and local
governments.
4. Everyone Counts. The Census is a count of everyone who is
residing in the United
States on April 1st, 2010, regardless of
citizenship or legal status. It is vital that our communities participate, and
help ensure a complete count of all people this year.
5. The Census is
hiring! We are currently hiring hundreds of thousands of door-to-door
census-takers in communities all across the country. These temporary jobs are
part-time or full-time with flexible hours, and pay well. If you are interested
in applying for a Census job, please call our toll-free jobs line at
(866)-861-2010, or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov
|
| 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! | |
We hope to see you soon!
Blessings from
St. Thomas the Apostle |
|
|
| Featured Article |
 |
CELEBRANT (8am & 10:30am):Fr. Ian Elliott Davies HOMILY (8am & 10:30am):Fr. Ian Elliott Davies DEACON (10:30am):The Rev. Mr. Walter S. Johnson Assistant Organist (10:30am):Thompson Howell
Chorale Prelude
"Nun Bitten Wir Den Heilgen
Geist" (We pray now to the Holy Spirit) by Dietrich Buxtehude
(1637-1707)
Buxtehude is generally considered to have been
the greatest or the German organists in the years preceding Bach. Born in
Sweden, Buxtehude spent the most important years of his life in the German town
of Lubeck. His Preludes on Chorale melodies became the model for Bach's own
writings. One of the best known anecdotes concerning the youthful Back is his
pilgrimage on foot to Lubeck to meet Buxtehude and to hear the concerts of
"Evening Music" given by Buxtehude at St. Mary's Church. (E. Power
Biggs)
There are no postludes during the Lent season.READINGS:Isaiah
55.1-9
Psalm 63.1-9
1 Corinthians 10.1-13
Luke 13.1-9
|
| Clergy |
 |
|
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Rector
The Rev. Michael Cooper
Assistant Priest
The Rev. Mr. Walter S. Johnson
Deacon |
| Pastoral Counseling |
|
|
One-on-one Pastoral counseling is available. Please contact the office (323-876-2102 ext 2) to schedule an appointment with the Clergy. |
| Vigil Mass |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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. |
Socks Needed
|
 |
Our clients at St. Thomas the Apostle Breakfast Club, are in need of
Socks. There will be a basket in the Parish Hall to place your
donations.
(The sock distribution will be done in addition to podiatry medical care provided by QueensCare and the St. Thomas Health Cabinet.)
Thanks, and my
God continue to bless you.
The Rev. Mr. Walter S. Johnson, Deacon
|
| Lent Study Course |
 |
Lent Study Course for 2010 "The Eucharistic Gospel: Through Lent With St John"
which will show us art work inspired, through the ages, by the Fourth Gospel.
The course will bring together two of Fr. Davies' favourite themes - the literature and
Gospel of the Johannine Community and superb artwork. The course will
inspire our devotions and our hearts as we 'travel' at a very different pace
through Lent this year.
Wednesdays during Lent
7pm Mass followed by Lenten Soup generously provided by Jacquline Cole and then the Lent Study Course
Please join us!
|
Treasurer's Report
|
| Bounty Received thru January 31, 2010:
$35,455.08
Ministries Funded thru January 31, 2010:
$34,100.90
Balance: $1,354.18
|
| Mother Knows Best |
Interesting facts about
St. Thomas the Apostle, The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Community  |
On March 7 in 1530, Pope Clement VII rejected
Henry VIII's request to divorce Catherine of Aragon.
|
| ePrayer List |
|
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.
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. |
| Miss a week? |
|
If you missed an eNews, they are now conveniently archived! Click here! |
| Minutes |
|
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" link under "The Parish" and follow the link to "Minutes.") |
|
|
