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. |
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Rector's Corner
From the Rector
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies |
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Just a few days ago I was chatting with some former colleagues in the Diocese of London about the current and ongoing debates in the Church of England surrounding the ordination of women to the episcopate in the Provinces of York and Canterbury. In the United States these debates took place quite some decades ago- and on Saturday last a good number of Parishioners traveled together on the Red and the Blue Lines to the Long Beach Arena to celebrate the consecration of our Diocese's two new Suffragan Bishops, Bp Diane Jardine Bruce and Bp Mary Glasspool. It was an occasion of joy and celebration that was interrupted only once by two protestors- one immediately after the other- near the beginning of a rather long and exotic liturgy that was very much a product of our diverse and 'multi-faceted' Diocesan Family!
It struck Deacon Johnson and I at the time that the Christian injunction to "pray for those who speak calumny against you" is not always the easiest nor most immediate response in our hearts: but I am convinced that the way we treat those with whom we may not agree- indeed the way we listen to those with whom we may not agree- is the hallmark of hard-won, wise and generous faith. The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion has always sought to understand, to listen, to pay due attention to and treat with affection and cordial good nature even those whose understanding of faith, the Gospel, the Church and Christian witness is radically different from ours. The Presiding Bishop's immediate and utterly guileless response to the protestors in the Long Beach Arena was gentle and courteous both to the protestors themselves and, then by extension, assuring to our own Diocesan Family. You may recall an occasion some years ago on the Christopher Street West Parade when our Parish's contingent passed near the fundamentalist protestors carrying plaques with obscenities written on them - some participants in the parade jeered, booed, hissed and swore back at the fundamentalists. But our Parishioners, most notably Father Stuart, simply, quietly walked past and said a quiet prayer. Fr Stuart made the sign of the cross. I am certain the fundamentalist protestors heard the jeers aimed back at them- I hope and pray that some of them will have seen Father Stuart's response and that their heart perceived something far deeper, more profound and gentle than the cruelty they were proclaiming.
It is my prayer and hope that each of us, in our Christian discipleship, may be able to show this same wise and gentle consideration in every conversation, relationship and situation that we find ourselves in this immensely busy, 'noisy,' indeed 'rowdy' and cluttered world.
I send my love & prayers, 
Fr Ian Elliott Davies |
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Pentecost / Whit Sunday
Beginning of Ordinary Time
Duccio di Buoninsegna (1308) Tempera on wood |
Pentecost is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ. The feast is also called Whit Sunday. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday, hence its name. Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday.
Pentecost is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. Among Christians, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the New Testament Acts of the Apostles 2:31 during these Jewish "fiftieth day" celebrations in Jerusalem. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as the "Birthday of the Church".
The main sign of Pentecost is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Priests or ministers & choirs wear red vestments, and in modern times, the custom has extended to the lay people of the congregation wearing red clothing in celebration as well
Adapted from www.wikipedia.org |
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LASchola celebrates The Ascension
May 22 at 5pm
The LA Schola celebrates The Ascension presenting William Byrd's Mass in Four Voices in the setting for which it was originally composed during a Latin Rite Vigil Mass at Saint Thomas The Apostle Episcopal Church on Saturday May 22ndat 5:00 pm.
The LA Schola will also sing Peter Philips' Ascendit Deus.
William Byrd & Peter Philips
William Byrd (1540 or late 1539 - 4 July 1623) was a prolific English composer of the Renaissance. He cultivated many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard (the so-called virginalist school) and consort music.
The Four-Part Mass, which according to Joseph Kerman, was probably the first to be composed, is partly modeled on John Taverner's Mean Mass, a highly regarded early Tudor setting which Byrd would probably have sung as a choirboy. Taverner's influence is particularly clear in the scale figures rising successively through a fifth, a sixth and a seventh in Byrd's setting of the Sanctus.
Peter Philips (c. 1560 - 1628) was an eminent English composer, organist, and Catholic priest exiled to Flanders. He was one of the greatest keyboard virtuosos of his time, and transcribed or arranged several Italian motets and madrigals by such as Lassus, Palestrina, and Giulio Caccini for his instruments. Some of his keyboard works are found in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Philips also wrote many sacred choral works.
A reception will be held after the Service.
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Osteoporosis Screening
May 30, 2010
The Parish Nurse Program at St. Thomas the Apostle will be offering Osteoporosis Screening on Sunday, May 30th. Dr. Tim Wright, our parish nurse will be providing the screening, and answering any questions regarding bone density health. All women over 50 years of age are encouraged to take part in the event. Other parishioners are also invited if they would like to be screened. This event is free by a generous contribution from an anonymous sponsor. |
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Bishops Suffragan Ordination & Consecration
Large number from St. Thomas community attend celebration
On Saturday, May 15, 2010 Fr. Ian Elliott Davies and Deacon Walter S. Johnson led a contingent of St. Thomas parishioners to the Long Beach Arena for the consecration of Bishops Suffragan Diane Jardine Bruce and Mary Douglas Glasspool. The group walked from the Parish to Hollywood & Highland and boarded the subway, then a bus and then a train on a 2 1/4 hour adventure. Once in Long Beach other members of the St. Thomas community were also in attendence.
The 4-hour service celebrated the 1,044 and 1,045th bishops in the Episcopal Church.
From choirster and long ime member Sarah Hensley:
I had to opportunity to sing in the Consecration choir which was very efficiently assembled by David York from St. John's Pro Cathedral. Canon Dr. James Vail was our conductor. Music was well known to all. The South Coast Brass and many other instruments accompanied the choir and enhanced the consecration processions. Even though we were in an arena, the Consecration was an intimate, inspiring, spiritual experience. I helped elect our new Suffragan Bishops last December at Diocesan Convention. Singing in the Consecration Choir allowed me to support our sisters and praise God.
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Ordination Volunteer(s) needed
Saturday, June 12
On Saturday, June 12, 2010 there is an Ordination at St. John's Cathedral. The Bishop Guild needs volunteers. Patricia Neal Jensen has represented St. Thomas in the past, but is unable to do so this year. She writes of her experience:
The ordination cake and coffee service does not require any particular talent!! Just a willingness to cut and serve cake and set up tables and smile. It is spectacular to view an ordination, of course, and we workers peeked in and watched a bit as well. Donna Keller and the Bishops Guild never have enough help. Steve DeMuth and his partner came with me and were a great success and much appreciated. The set up is pleasant work and then a lull (peeking time) while the actual ordination is going on, and then cake is flying as everyone comes out of the church at once and his hungry and eager to celebrate. It is so much fun to see the newly ordained and their families. It is an exciting and happy day.
The ordination is at the ProCathedral and the work is over at noon. Bishop's Guild's function is to support candidates for ordination and they do it financially (raise money) and spiritually (cards, letters, prayers). Important work and not burdensome. It would be lovely to have St. Thomas continue to be represented.
If you are able to be of service to represent St. Thomas please contact Donna Keller. |
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John West - AGO Concert
June 6 at 4pm
The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year. Six organists have been asked to perform on this historic occasion and our Organist in Residence, John West is honored to be one of them.
The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, 540 S. Commonwealth Avenue on June 6 at 4:00 pm. First Church houses the largest church organ in the world and the attendance is expected to be overflowing.
This is a free event so please come and arrive early!
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| Whit Sunday
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
Assistant Organist 10:30am
Thompson Howell
Prelude:
How Fair and how Pleasant art Thou (Antiphon 5)
By Marcel Dupre
Postlude: Toccata in E Minor By Johann Pachelbel
Readings:
Acts 2.1-21
Psalm 104.26-36, 37b [104.26-end]
Romans 8.14-17
John 14.8-17 [25-27] |
Ordinary Time
With Pentecost we enter "Ordinary Time." Ordinary Time which comprises two periods - one following Epiphany, the other following Trinity - which do not fall under the "strong seasons" of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter.
The liturgical color normally assigned to Ordinary Time is green.
The St. Thomas service will relax (slightly). The Mass settings at the Sunday High Mass will return to the congregation-participated Mathias Gloria and Shubert Sanctus/Benedictus and Agnus Dei settings. We shall return to the more complicated choir-sung settings for Advent. |
County USC Clinic
Volunteers are welcome for the monthly County-USC AIDS Clinic Feeding Program. Please meet at 9:30am in the Parish Hall kitchen to prepare sandwiches and other food for hte patients and then bring them to the clinic for distribution.
Monday, May 24, 2010. |
Dennis Gibbs Ordination
Our prayers and good wishes are with Dennis Gibbs (one of our Diocesan Chaplains) who is being Ordained to the Diaconate by the Right Reverend Chester Talton, Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, on Sunday 23rd May at 4pm. If you would like to attend the Ordination it will be at St Mark's Church, 330 East 16th Street, Upland, CA 91784. Fr Davies will be representing the Parish on this occasion and all are welcome to attend.
PRISM provides chaplain services to the county facilities, including Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Men's Central Jail,
CRDF (adult women's jail facility), Pitchess Detention Center, Juvenile Halls and County hospitals. Our expanding outreach includes the California State Prison System.
Episcopal Chaplains provide personal spiritual support to the incarcerated and their families, as well as serving the sick and the dying in county hospitals. This ministry includes:
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Individual pastoral care and spiritual guidance, including crisis counseling -
Support for family members of the incarcerated -
Facilitating Bible classes, liturgical training, conducting guided meditations, and spiritual direction -
Providing Eucharist celebrations and/or conducting Communion services. -
Bringing spiritual retreats and pastoral visits to state prison facilities -
Emphasis on Episcopal family support -
Providing a pastoral presence and counseling during end-of-life journey.
The pastoral care for those suffering in our jails, prisons, juvenile halls and hospitals will always remain at the center of this ministry of presence.
Our vision is to develop the Episcopal Chaplaincy Program into a more effective model for Restorative Justice. We are currently developing support programs for:
213.482.2040, ext. 256
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Bishop Retirement
Bishop Diocesan J. Jon Bruno invites the diocesan community to an Open House Reception
in honor of retiring Bishop Suffragan Chet Talton and Bishop Assistant Sergio Carranza
Saturday, May 29
12 noon - 3 p.m.
Cathedral Center of St. Paul
840 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles
All are welcome. Featuring refreshments, live music and entertainment for all ages.
Please let us know you're coming! Call Lilline Dugan, 213.482.2040 or email lillinedugan@ladiocese.org
Send in your memories of Bishop Talton and Bishop Carranza! Click here for details. |
| Bishop Bruno
Bishop Bruno is now St. Thomas' designated bishop for pastoral visits since Bishop Carranza has retired. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Bruno back in the near future! |
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. |
Work Party, June 5th
Join us on June 5th for a Work Party around the Parish. We'll be painting, cleaning, moving boxes, installing bumper curbs as well as some gardening projects.
Projects include the Church, the Parish Hall and the Offices.
Enthusiasm is what's required! If you have skills and muscles, that's an added bonus.
We'll provide supplies, food, beverages, and fun. You bring yourself (and friends)!
Come for an hour, or stay for the entire day. 10am to 4pm. Contact Howard Gaas, People's Warden if you have questions, or just show up! |
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.
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| Treasurer's Report
As of April 30, 2010:
Gifts YTD:
$129,953.03
Ministries Funded YTD:
$132,480.83 Balance YTD: ($2,527.80) |
Mother Knows Best
On May 23 in 1533, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, declared King Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon null and void. |
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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