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,
I have just returned from a luncheon and lecture at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downtown Los Angeles. I was there at the invitation of Fr Jerry Anderson, representing our Parish, because this year Good Samaritan celebrates its one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of founding and a long and honourable history of ministry and healing in our City and Diocese. It struck me as I sat in the Chapel (which was built in the same era as our own Parish Church) what a remarkable age it must have been to live in LA at the time- a population growth that sky-rocketed as each successive decade passed. The first Parishioners at STAH must have witnessed some remarkable changes and developments- and what a wonderful legacy we have inherited and in which we now participate.
We are all saddened to learn of the sudden death of Stuart Gavert one of our devoted Parishioners and late Vestryman. Stuart often had a wise comment or observation to make from Church history because he also saw the wisdom of taking the 'long view' of tradition, faith and Church issues. Stuart would have observed that one hundred and twenty five years may seem like a long time to us but that it is actually a tiny moment in the long expanse of faith first revealed to our ancient ancestors. Stuart and I enjoyed a somewhat romanticized view of Queen Elizabeth I... being a Welshman this comes naturally to me... and being descended from French Huguenots (for whom Elizabethan Anglicans had deep affection and close friendships) it also came naturally to Stuart-and I am fairly certain that he is berating Archbishop Cranmer for Calvinist tendencies in the revision of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer!
Stuart's Requiem Mass will take place at the Saturday Vigil Mass on 26th June at 5pm and will be sung by the LA Schola. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. We send our love, support and prayers to Cody, Stuart's partner, and to Lauri & Dan (Stuart's sister and brother-in-law) and to Stuart's many, many friends. We hope you will be able to join us in the funeral rites and celebration of Stuart's life.
Rest eternal grant unto Stuart, O Lord +
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
I send my love & prayers,
Fr Ian Elliott Davies |
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Saint Alban
Feast Day June 22
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox Communions.
According to Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, I.vii and xviii, Alban was a pagan living at Verulamium (now St Albans), who converted to Christianity, and was executed by decapitation on a hill above the Roman settlement of Verulamium. St Albans Abbey was later founded near this site. Alban sheltered a Christian priest (Geoffrey of Monmouth's later interpolation giving his name as "Amphibalus", the name for the cloak) in his home, and was converted and baptised by him. When the "impious prince", as Bede has called him, sent Roman soldiers to Alban's house to look for the priest, Alban exchanged cloaks with the priest and was arrested in his stead at Chantry Island. Alban was taken before the magistrate, who was furious at the deception and ordered that Alban be given the punishment due to the priest if he had indeed become a Christian. Alban declared, "I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things." These words are still used in prayer at St Albans Abbey. St Alban was eventually sacrificed to the Roman gods and was condemned to death. He was taken out of the town across the River Ver to the top of the hill opposite. The reputed place of his beheading is where St Albans Cathedral now stands.
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Stuart Gavert, RIP
Longtime Parishioner died 6/14/2010
Stuart on Palm Sunday 2010 |
Stuart Gavert died on Monday, June 14, 2010 at home. Stuart was a beloved Parishioner and former Vestryman of St. Thomas the Apostle. Stuart conated a Black Fiddleback Chasuble in 2009 and helped restore the Rose Pink High Mass Set in 2008.
The Requiem for Stuart will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 5pm in conjunction with the Latin Mass accompanied by LA Schola, a favorite of Stuart's. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Donations in Stuart's name may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle and will be earmarked to the Parish Endowment Fund.
Rest Eternal Grant Unto Him, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. |
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Father's Day
Sunday, June 20
The first Father's Day celebration was in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. Modern Father's Day was invented by Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Creston, Washington, who was also the driving force behind its establishment. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who reared his six children in Spokane, Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts to establish Mother's Day. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.
Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. President Woodrow Wilson was personally feted by his family in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson made Father's Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The holiday was not officially recognized until 1972, during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
More phone calls are made in the United States during Mother's Day than during Father's Day, but the percentage of collect calls on Father's Day is much higher, making it the busiest day of the year for collect calls.
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Blood Drive
June 27
Tim Cunningham writes: Patrick Oshea's bone marrow transplant was a success. He is still at City of Hope recovering. He has asked in lieu of gifts or flowers to donate blood and or blood platelets. Louise Whitney and myself have coordinated a blood drive with the City of Hope. We have scheduled this for June 27th between the hours of 8:30am to 2:30pm. If you are interested in becoming a blood donor on June 27th please email me a contact number to reach you on. I have a schedule that the City of Hope has asked me to fill in and commit to designated time slots. We are hoping for 75 signups. We know this is a huge favor to ask but it is for a great cause and if your blood can save a life it would make it all worth it.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to a great turnout. With fingers crossed, Patrick might be well enough to make an appearance to show your gratitude. |
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| Trinity 3
Celebrant 8:00am & 10:30am
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily 8:00am & 10:30am
Shireen Baker, Seminarian
Deacon 10:30am
The Rev. Walter S. Johnson
Assistant Organist 10:30am
Thompson Howell
Readings:
1 Kings 19.1-4 [5-7] 8-15a
Psalms 42, 43 [42 or 43]
Galatians 3.23-end
Luke 8.26-39 |
| Shireen Baker Homily
On Sunday, June 20 Shireen Baker will preach the homily. Shireen leaves for Seminary at the end of June. She is a postulant for Holy Orders sponsored by St. Thomas the Apostle. |
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Follies June 19
The annual Choir Follies will occur on Saturday, June 19th at 7pm in the Parish Hall. The show will begin at 7:30pm. This year OSCAR music is the theme.
Coffee and desserts will be served. There will also be an opportunity drawing for great prizes.
All monies raised support the Choir, especially their Annual Workshop Retreat in September.
Tickets are available at Coffee Hour from any member of the Choir for a suggested minimum donation of $20.
Join us on June 19th for an evening of fun, fellowship and music. |
Treasurer's Report
Gifts received as of May 31, 2010: $161,109.61 Ministries funded as of May 31, 2010: $159,606.71 Balance: $1,502.90 |
May minutes
Minutes from the May 2010 Vestry meeting are now available |
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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Homecoming BBQ
On Saturday, July 3, 2010 join us in the Rectory Garden for a BBQ 12pm to 3pm. Burgers (beef, turkey, veggie), Hot Dogs, Beans, and other summer treats will be prepared by the Hospitality Committee.
All are welcome! This is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with current and former Parishioners, neighbors and make new friends. Come see the new Sunday School room!
Celebrate the 4th of July, St. Thomas Patronal Weekend with food, fellowship and fun! |
Mother Knows Best
On June 24 in 1579, the first Anglican service was held in the Americas. Francis Fletcher, sailing with Sir Francis Drake, read from the Book of Common Prayer in California. |
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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