St Thomas the Apostle
eNews
May 07, 2010
Greetings!

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
From the Rector
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
 

In these weeks many of us are turning our thoughts and prayers to vocation. We are celebrating, as a Diocese, the consecration of our two new Suffragan Bishops and also giving thanks to God for our Parish's two new Postulants for Holy Orders, Shireen Baker and Steve De Muth. On Sunday we will be holding our Annual Ministry Fair- an opportunity for each of us to contribute to our common calling in this place "by God to be a holy place where love is found, where all are named and where hearts are freed to change the world."

 

One of the issues with discerning one's call- in whichever direction God calls- is that we have a rather grand idea of what "vocation" and "calling" can be. We like to imagine, sometimes, that God has, of course, reserved the most important and majestic role for us. There's a star on the dressing room door, we like to think that when that "ratt-tat-tat-tatt" comes on the dressing room door, it's going to be the archangel Gabriel calling-, "Mr Smith, Miss Jones, they're waiting for you on set, you'll be on in two minutes." Lights, music, action. It can be something of a shock and a let-down then, when we get there and realize that actually all we'll be doing is helping out, and if we're lucky, get into the shot as an extra, at the very most we will be "third munchkin from the left." God's "call" is not quite as 'grand' as we had hoped- and it may be a calling to do something obscure, mundane, domestic or apparently hum-drum. This is as true for saints, martyrs, prophets, parishioners, Vestry-members, Nuns, Monks, lectors, greeters, clergy, volunteers, check-out staff, politicians, actors, plumbers, professors or musicians, as it is for all of us. The way we respond to God's call will determine who we will become.

 

I hope and pray that we put as much energy and discipline into honing our God-given skills of friendship, generosity, kindness, commitment, hospitality and good humour.

 

A man that looks on glasse,

        On it may stay his eye;

Or if he pleaseth, through it passe,

        And then the heav'n espie.

 

        All may of thee partake:

        Nothing can be so mean,

Which with his tincture (for thy sake)

        Will not grow bright and clean.

 

        A servant with this clause

        Makes drudgerie divine:

Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,

        Makes that and th' action fine.

 

        This is the famous stone

        That turneth all to gold:

For that which God doth touch and own

        Cannot for lesse be told.

 

"The Elixir," by George Herbert, Welsh Priest and Poet

 

 I send my love & prayers,
Fr Davies Signature
 
Fr Ian Elliott Davies
Apostolic Succession
Consecration sacred part of succession
 
Apostolic SuccessionApostolic succession is a doctrine which asserts that the chosen successors (properly ordained bishops) of the Twelve Apostles, from the first century to the present day, have inherited the spiritual, ecclesiastical and sacramental authority, power, and responsibility that was conferred upon them by the Apostles, who in turn received their spiritual authority from Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion are the predominant proponents of this doctrine.  Present-day bishops, as the successors of previous bishops, going back to the apostles, have spiritual and ecclesiastical power by this unbroken chain of ordinations stemming from the Apostles. This link with the Apostles guarantees for them their authority in matters of faith, morals, and the valid administration of sacraments.
 
Apostolic succession is one of four elements which define the true Church of Jesus Christ and legitimizes the sacramental offices, as it is considered necessary for a bishop to perform legitimate or "valid" ordinations of priests, deacons, and other bishops. Apostolic succession is transmitted during episcopal consecrations (the ordination of bishops) by the laying on of hands of bishops previously consecrated within the apostolic succession. This lineage of ordination is traceable to the original Twelve Apostles, thus making the Church the continuation of the early Apostolic Christian community.

Only bishops and presbyters (priests) ordained by bishops in the apostolic succession can validly celebrate or "confect" several of the other sacraments, including the Eucharist, reconciliation of penitents, confirmation and anointing of the sick.
 
When the Church of England broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century, the Church of England retained the episcopal polity and apostolic succession inherent in the Catholic Church. At first the Church of England continued to adhere to the doctrinal and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church. However, in the years following the split, the Church of England was increasingly influenced by the Protestant theology popular on the continent. Pope Leo XIII, in his 1896 bull Apostolicae Curae, ruled that the Church of England had lost its apostolic succession due to the changes in the rite of episcopal consecration which invalidated the sacrament. However, since the 1930s Old Catholic bishops (whom Rome recognizes as valid) have acted as co-consecrators in the ordination of Anglican bishops. By 1969, all Anglican bishops had acquired Old Catholic lines of apostolic succession fully recognized by Rome.
 
Adapted from www.wikipedia.org
 
The Rev. Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce and The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool will each be consecrated as Bishops Suffragan on Saturday, May 15, 2010.  Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will officiate.
Bishops Suffragan Ordination & Consecration
Fact Sheet

              Rejoice

Date & Time:  Saturday, May 15, 2010

Doors open at 12 noon

12:30 p.m.  Celebration Gathering - featuring music and dance highlighting the cultural diversity of our diocesan community

1:30 p.m. Liturgy for the Ordination and Consecration of Bishops Suffragan

Clergy and other participants are asked to arrive by 12:30 p.m.
 
Location: Long Beach Arena - located in the Long Beach Convention Center Complex, 300 Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California (90802). Seating capacity for the liturgy will be at least 6,700.

Travel Directions: www.longbeachcc.com.The Long Beach Convention Center, site of the Long Beach Arena, is easily accessible via  Public Transport. 

Parking: Ample parking is available at the Long Beach Arena/Convention Center; rate is $10 per car.
 
Lunch/Snacks/Coffee will be available for purchase at the snack bar in the Long Beach Arena lobby - light lunch items, snacks, coffee and soft drinks.  There are many other restaurants within walking distance of the Arena should you wish to come early and have a nice lunch. 
 
Liturgy Highlights: We are honored that Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will officiate as chief consecrator. Diocesan Bishop J. Jon Bruno will preach the homily.
 
Acolytes:  Bloy House Seminarians will serve as acolytes.
 
Lay Attire: Sunday Best / festive native dress
 
Clergy Attire: Cassock, surplice, and red stoles; Bishops -- cope and mitre (updated from earlier announcement).
 
Offering: The offering received during the service will be designated for the discretionary accounts of the new Bishops Suffragan.
 
Greeting the New Bishops Suffragan: We anticipate the new Bishops Suffragan will be available for a limited time to greet attendees after the service.
 
Photography:Please limit photography and do not use flash in the Arena; it is very disruptive during the Liturgy.
 
Live Webcast & Video on Demand: There will be limited live video streaming available with priority to out-of-state viewers.  After the liturgy, on-demand viewing will be available via the diocesan web site.
 
Translation into Spanish, American Sign Language Interpretation: The liturgy will be both translated into Spanish and interpreted in American Sign Language live on site. Persons wishing translation or interpretation should check in at the Arena Hospitality Desk for special seating. For Spanish translation, wireless headsets will be provided on loan.
 
Gifts from Individuals are most welcome to help defray the cost of this event. Contributions may be forwarded by check payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and designated for the May 15 liturgy.
 
Ministry Fair
May 16 after Mass

Ministry Fair
The annual St. Thomas Ministry Fair will be held on Sunday, May 16 after Mass.  Informational tables will be throughout the Parish Hall with brochures and representatives from each group.  This will be an excellent opportunity to thank all of those who contribute so much to St. Thomas as well as and opportunity for Pairishioners to contirbut time and talents.
 
Acolytes
Altar Guild
Breakfast Club
Buildings & Grounds
Choir
Community Outreach
Faith & Knowledge (Sunday School & Adult Education)
Guardian Society (Planned Giving)
Hospitality
Lectors
Newcomers Committee
St. Agnes Guild (Gardening)
St. Martins Guild (Social Group)
USC / AIDS Lunch
Ushers/Greeters
Our Lady of Walsingham
Lay Eucharistic Minisiters
Minisry of Communion

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) administer Holy Communion during weekly Masses. Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs) make visits to those who are homebound or hospitalized with illnesses. Parish training is required for LEMs; Diocesan training and licensing is required for LEVs.  Please contact Rector's Warden Les Rumsey or visit our booth at Ministry Fair!

In This Issue
Rector's Corner
Apostolic Succession
Bishops Suffragan Ordination & Consecration
Ministry Fair May 16!
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Evenson May 16
Movie Night is TONIGHT
Consecration May 15 (St. Thomas schedule)
Long Beach Pride
Concert May 30, 5pm
Called to Serve
Mother Knows Best
ePrayer List
Easter 7
 

Celebrant
8:00am & 10:30am
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

Homily 8:00am & 10:30am
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

Deacon 10:30am
The Rev. Walter S. Johnson

Organist-in-Residence 10:30am
John West

Prelude:
Communion 
Louis Vierne
 
Postlude:
Carillon Sortie
Henri Mulet


Readings:
Acts 16.16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-end
John 17.20-end
Evensong May 16
 
The St. Thomas Choir will be singing the Evenson on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 4:30pm.  Please join us!

Movie Night May 14 

Join us for Movie Night, TONIGHT Friday, May 14 following the 7pm Mass. 
 

wall-e

 
The story follows a robot named WALL-E, who is designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth far in the future. He eventually falls in love with another robot named EVE, and follows her into outer space on an adventure that changes the destiny of both his kind and humanity.
 
A potluck supper is also served by the St. Martin's Guild. 
 
Discussion follows.
 
Join us for Film, Food & Fellowship!
Consecration May 15
 
 

LA Bishops

On May 15, 2010 at approx. 10:00am Fr. Davies and  Deacon Johnson will begin their pilgrimage to Long Beach Arena.  They will walk to Hollywood/Highland and continue on the Metro.  Please be at the Church at 10:00am if you would like to travel with Father & Deacon.  (Cost for public transportation the responsibility of the individual.) 

NO Mass will be held at Church on Saturday, May 15, 2010.  Morning Prayer will be held at 9:30am as usual.

Long Beach Pride
 
 

lglgp

On May 15 & 16 2010 the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride festival will take place.
 
Visit the web site for details!
Concert May 30, 5pm
 
There will be a benefit concert for our two Seminarians, Ms. Shireen Baker and Mr. Steve De Muth, on Sunday, May 30th at five in the evening.  The concert will be a moveable feast of music and song beginning in the Church and moving into the Parish Hall for fellowship and refreshments and entertainment.  Look forward to seeing you there!
 
NOTE:  St. Thomas the Apostle is unable (due to budgetary considerations) to provide direct financial support to its Seminarians to offset the significant cost of their continuing education.  A free will collection will occur at the concert that Shireen & Steve will share to offset the cost of their education.  Checks should be made payable to Shireen Baker or Steve DeMuth.
Called to Serve
 
More than 170 Episcopalians, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson and others involved in social service ministries gathered in Newark, New Jersey, April 28-30 for "Called to Serve: The Episcopal Church Responds to Domestic Poverty," a conference designed to explore the nature of domestic poverty and the church's role in addressing it.  Full Article
 
"Jubilee," a documentary about the 12-year relationship that transformed both an affluent Dallas parish and a high-crime neighborhood, produced by the Episcopal Church's Office of Communication, debuted at the conference April 28. The documentary is available to view.
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.
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.
Mother Knows Best

 
Charles II
Charles II
 
On May 19, 1662, England's King Charles II approved a bill requiring all ministers to assent publicly to the Book of Common Prayer.
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.
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