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Weekly E-Newsletter
Week Ending
March 26, 2010
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.
In This Issue
Rector's Corner
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Easter Flowers
Easter Vigil Desert Reception
Gourmet Easter Brunch
Easter Egg Hunt
Census 2010: It's in Our Hands
Holy Week & Easter Service Schedule
Passover Begins
Wedding Saturday, March 27
Socks Needed
Mother Knows Best
Parish Directory
ePrayer List
Rector's CornerFr Davies in Hat

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we approach Holy Week

Rabbi Rosove from Temple Israel of Hollywood and I had lunch last week and he and I got to talking about the Paschal elements in our respective traditions.... ours, which is profoundly rooted in the Exodus tradition and all the elements of "the Lamb of God who takest away the sin of the world"- and how our Christian liturgies on Palm Sunday and throughout Holy Week try to 'make present' the 'passing over' into the new life of grace and hope. But we can only understand the contours of that grace, hope, celebration and rejoicing if we have also kept in our hearts some of the experiences of sadness or bereavement and that 'letting go' of the old... which is what we are meant to have been doing throughout our lenten journey. At the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt into the wilderness and then on into the Promised Land- the Land Flowing with Milk and Honey there is the remembrance that the 'old life' (Pharaoh, his chariots and warriors symbolizing perhaps those things that would prevent us from entering into new life or seeing grace at work) and as we approach that boundary, the liminal, the margins at the edge of the Red Sea- it looks as if we've reached the end of the line, perhaps the old enemy will overtake us and triumph- perhaps we cannot move on any further, we are so stuck and 'mired' in destructive desires, behaviours- and so Moses prays for God's help and the Red Sea divides. There is an ancient rabbinic tradition that says that God's power is SO dynamic that it isn't just the Red Sea that divides at that moment but it is EVERY river, every stream, every expanse of water, every bowl and jug of water throughout ALL the Universe that divides- a powerful sign to us that God's grace is not limited. Many of us need to ponder and 'sit with' those elements for a good, long while... sensing some of the mystical elements in our tradition.
 
I send my love & prayers for a blessed Holy Week & Triduum,

IED Signature
 
The Rev'd Fr I.E. Davies, B.D. (Wales & Cantab) M.R.I.Ph.
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Palm SundayPalm Sunday is the feast that commemorates an event mentioned by all four Canonical Gospels Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19: the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his Passion. It is also called Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion.

Palm Sunday is marked by the distribution of palm leaves (often tied into crosses) to the assembled worshipers.  Palm fronds are blessed with an aspergilium outside the church building. A procession also takes place. It includes the normal liturgical procession of clergy and acolytes, the parish choir and the entire congregation.  The palms are saved in many churches to be burned the following year as the source of ashes used in Ash Wednesday services. The Roman Catholic Church considers the palms to be sacramentals. The vestments for the day are deep scarlet red, the color of blood, indicating the supreme redemptive sacrifice Christ was entering the city who welcomed him to fulfill- his Passion and Resurrection in Jerusalem.

In the Episcopal and many other Anglican churches and in Lutheran churches as well, the day is nowadays officially called The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday; however, in practice it is usually termed "Palm Sunday" as in the historic Book of Common Prayer and in earlier Lutheran liturgies and calendars, by way of avoiding undue confusing with the penultimate Sunday of Lent in the traditional calendar, which was "Passion Sunday."

Adapted from www.wikipedia.org
Easter Flowers
Easter Lily
If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Easter flowers and decorations, please fill out the yellow form provided with the Order of Service and return it with your donation to the offering plate or the Parish Office no later than Palm Sunday, 28 March, 2010.  The suggested minimum donation is $25.  You may also contribute via PayPal.  Please provide your "In Memory Of" or "Thanksgiving for" in the Special Instructions Section of your PayPal payment. 
Easter Vigil Desert Reception
DessertsEaster Vigil Desert Reception will be held after the great vigil Saturday evening, April 2.
 
Please stop by the kitchen before the service to drop off your favorite decadent goody.  
Gourmet Easter Breakfast
Easter Brunch
Join us for our annual gourmet Easter morning Breakfast created by our own John Boughner.

Breakfast is served between the two morning Masses. It's a wonderful way to mingle with your fellow parishoners and celebrate the Risen Lord!
 
Just $10 - tickets are available from John starting Sunday, March 14 at both Coffee Hours. 
Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt
On Easter Sunday (April 4, 2010) at approx. 9:30am there will be an Easter Egg Hunt! 

Please meet in the courtyard.  (Please bring your own basket.)
 
Census 2010: It's in Our Hands
census logo
In mid March, households across the country received 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

Holy Week & Easter Services
 
Palm Sunday, 28 March
7:30 AM  -  Morning Prayer
8:00 AM  -  Low Mass
9:45 AM  -  Holy Rosary
10:30AM -  High Mass with Choir - Childcare Available
4:30 PM  -  Evening Prayer
 
Monday in Holy Week, 29 March
7:30 AM  -  Morning Prayer
6:00 PM  -  Confessions
6:30 PM  -  Evening Prayer
7:30 PM -   Low Mass
7:45 PM  -  Soup Supper
 
Tuesday in Holy Week, 30 March
7:30 AM  -  Morning Prayer
6:00 PM  -  Confessions
6:30 PM  -  Evening Prayer
7:30 PM -   Low Mass
7:45 PM  -  Soup Supper

Wednesday in Holy Week, 31 March
7:30 AM  -  Morning Prayer
6:00 PM  -  Confessions
6:30 PM  -  Evening Prayer
7:30 PM -   Low Mass
7:45 PM  -  Soup Supper

Maundy Thursday, 1 April
7:30 AM  -  Morning Prayer
6:30 PM  -  Evening Prayer
7:30 PM -   Institution of the Lord's Supper & Procession to the Altar of Repose (w/ Choir)
9:00 PM  -  All-Night Vigil of Prayer at the Altar of Repose

Good Friday, 2 April
7:00 AM  -  Meditations on the Holy Rosary
12:00PM  - Stations of the Cross
7:30 PM  -  Mass of the Pre-Sanctified & Venetration
 
Holy Saturday, 3 April
7:30 PM  -  The Great Vigil of Easter with Choir 
 
Easter Sunday, 4 April
7:30 AM  -  Morning Prayer
8:00 AM  -  Choral High Mass of the Most Holy Feast
9:45 AM  -  Holy Rosary
10:30AM -  Choral High Mass of the Most Holy Feast  - Childcare Available
4:30 PM  -  Evening Prayer

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
Palm Sunday
Holy Week Begins
St. Thomas Patron Saint


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

Organist-in-Residence (10:30am):
John West

PRELUDE
 'Largo' from Xerxes        George Frederich Handel
 
POSTLUDE
 Grand Choeur
Theodore Dubois


READINGS:
Luke 19.28-40
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-end
Clergy
Fr Davies
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Rector
 
Fr Cooper
The Rev. Michael Cooper
Assistant Priest 
 
Deacon Johnson 
 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.
Passover

Passover begins at sundown March 29th and continues through April 6.

Passover is a Jewish and Samaritan holy day and festival commemorating the Hebrews' escape from enslavement in Egypt.

We wish our Jewish brothers and sister, especially at Temple Israel of Hollywood a most blessed observance of this sacred holiday.
Wedding Saturday,
March 27, 2010
Josie and Chris
Josie Richstad invites the St. Thomas community to witness her marriage with Chris Sanchez at 5pm.
 
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
Socks
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 may God continue to bless you.

The Rev. Mr. Walter S. Johnson, Deacon

Mother Knows Best
Interesting facts about
St. Thomas the Apostle, The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Community
 
Doubt
On March 28 in 1661 the Scottish Parliament passed the Rescissory Act, which repealed all church-state legislation created since 1633. The act restored the Anglican episcopacy to Scotland.
Parish Directory
The Parish Directory is available for download.  The Directory includes Parishioners contact information who authorized inclusion in the Directory on their 2010 Pledge Card.  Click here.
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.")
Quick Links
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