St Thomas the Apostle
eNews
September 17, 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 Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
 
Brother and Sisters in Christ,
 
Fr DaviesTonight concludes Temple Israel of Hollywood's High Holy Days, and it will be a great pleasure to see Fr. Stuart and Rabbi Rosove again (at Kol Nidre). It feels like I'm going to an 'old school reunion!

The air should be turning cooler the weather-forecasters usually try to assure us... but for those of you who have lived in Southern California for longer than I- will take that with a 'pinch of salt!'
 
"Aye thou art welcome, heaven's delicious breath!" was how the eighteenth century poet William Cullen Bryant described it. The annual Animal Blessing will take place on Sunday 3rd October and every year many friends and Parishioners ask that they be reminded as early as possible.... So even though there are still two weeks left in this month please try to remember that Sunday 3rd October (also known as the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity or the Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost in some Church Calendars) will be our annual pet blessing being the Sunday closest to the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

While on the subject of St Francis I am certain that many of you will be thrilled to know that the Franciscan Order has taken over the running of the Parish of the Epiphany, Lincoln Heights, in our Diocese and that there are four Brothers 'stationed' there to work throughout the Diocese and City. Brother Robert-Hugh will also be a guest of the Diocese staying as a house-guest of Fr Davies through all of Lent 2011.... It's never too early to plan!
 
I send my love & prayers as always,
 
Fr Ian Elliott Davies
IED Signature
Stewarding the Mysteries of God
Every Member Canvass program launched on Sunday
 
Stewardship 2010 LogoOn Sunday, September 12, 2010 the members of the 2010 Every Member Canvass team were consecrated at the 10:30am Mass.  Your fellow Parishioners are giving of their time and talent to have a one-on-one dialogue with every member of the Parish.  This is an excellent opportunity to discuss and explore what St. Thomas means to you with a fellow Parishioner.  The in-person get together is casual and will be scheduled for what is most convenient for you - usually before or after the Mass that you attend. 
 
Your Ambassador will contact you within the first two weeks of the launch to introduce themselves and begin to find a good time to get together.
 
This is not about money.  It is not about meeting a budget.  (The budget process doesn't even begin until the campaign is over in November.)  Stewardship at St. Thomas is about our relationship to God and one another involving all aspects of our lives.  It is about supporting the ministry we actively live in this place, in our community, the Diocese, and the world.  It is about setting aside a portion of our time every day for prayer, meditation, and worship.  It is about embracing an encompassing attitude of joy and love in community. 
 
The 2010 Stewardship prayer will be prayed at every Mass from September 12 to November 21, Christ the King.  Please use in your personal devotions:
 
O God, who hast been pleased to call us to be Ambassadors for thee, make us now of one heart and mind to pray and work and give for the up-building and strengthening of thy Church at home and abroad. Bless our Every Member Canvass, and stir up the wills of all our people to do according to their ability as good stewards in thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
St. Matthew
Feast Day celebrated Sepember 21 

St Matthew

Matthew the Evangelist was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the four Evangelists.
Matthew, a former tax collector, composed the Gospel of Christ. In addition, the Gospel according to the Hebrews is to have been written by Matthew as well.

Matthew's is  usually paired with Thomas. As a disciple, he followed Christ, and was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension. Afterwards, Matthew along with Mary, James and other close followers of the Lord, withdrew to the Upper Chamber, in Jerusalem. At about this time James succeeded Jesus of Nazareth as the head of the Church in Jerusalem.

They remained in and about Jerusalem and proclaimed that Jesus son of Joseph was the promised Messiah. These early Jewish Christians were thought to have been called Nazarenes. It is near certain that Matthew belonged to this sect, as both the New Testament and the early Talmud affirm this to be true.

Matthew, for 15 years, preached the Gospel in Hebrew to the Jewish community in Judea. Later in his ministry, he would travel to Gentile nations and spread the Gospel to the Ethiopians, Macedonians, Persians, and Parthians. He is said to have died a natural death either in Ethiopia or in Macedonia. However, the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church each hold the tradition that Matthew died as a martyr.

Matthew is recognized as a Saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican churches. His feast day is celebrated on September 21 in the West.

Adapted from www.wikipedia.org
Concert on September 19
Recital after Evensong & Benediction
 
On Sunday, September 19, 2010 at approx. 5:30pm after the Choir-sung Evensong & Benediction a free recital will take place.
 
Pianist Lucinda Carver (USC Thornton School of Music), Soprano Camille King (who sang the premiere of the Handel cantata at St. Thomas)  and violinist Aimee Kreston (concertmaster, Pasadena Symphony) will perform.
 
The Programme:
Schumann  Frauenliebe und Leben  
Brahms Sonata in G major for Violin and Piano, Op. 78

Intermission
 
Schumann  Four Lieder
Mozart L'amer�, sar� costante , KV 208
Mozart Exultate, jubilate KV 165

A pot-luck reception will follow.
Time to Re-register for Ralph's
As of September 1st - must re-register Ralph's Card
 
http://www.ralphs.com
Ralphs
It's time to re-register your Ralph's Card for Community Rewards. Ralph's requires everybody do this every September, even if you registered in August!
 
To make sure your grocery purchases benefit St. Thomas, please go to ralphs.com, sign in to (or sign up if it's your first time), click on "My Account" and then "Community Rewards" and search for Saint Thomas the Apostle (84981) 
 
Thanks for shopping at Ralph's for St. Thomas!
San Bruno Fire: Espisopalian Reponse
As of September 1st - must re-register Ralph's Card
 
San Bruno fireA gas main exploded under a residential neighborhood in San Bruno, California, Sept. 9.  Upon hearing of the disaster, Episcopalians in the Diocese of California quickly mobilized to help out. The Rev. Karen Swanson, until recently vicar of St. Andrew's, San Bruno, joined the Rev. Chip Barker Larimore, rector of St. Peter's, Redwood City, at a Red Cross relief center one block from St. Andrew's.
 
Bishop Marc Andrus was alerted of the explosion and fire and he quickly contacted hospital chaplains and clergy in the area, mobilizing them for chaplaincy work at area hospitals. Chaplains were deployed to Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Kaiser Hospital in South San Francisco; the burn unit at St. Francis in San Francisco; and Sojourn Chaplaincy prepared for injured to arrive at San Francisco General Hospital. Grace Cathedral clergy, the Rev. Mark Stanger and the Rev. Will Scott, went to St. Francis, located five blocks from the cathedral.
 

The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe immediately contacted clergy and lay leaders at Episcopal churches in the surrounding area. "The great work we've been doing in Area Ministry," Barlowe said, "in building cooperation and collaboration, worked for us, and because of bonds built in that work we were quickly able to help each other and our community."

Bishop Andrus wrote a prayer that was posted on the diocesan website during the peak of the inferno.

As fires rage through San Bruno we pray for all those in harms way  -- for residents and firefighters -- keep them safe good Lord. For those who have been injured, we pray for comfort and healing and for the EMTs, nurses and physicians who care for them. For the displaced, may they have shelter and the comfort of your Holy Spirit. And for those who have died, may they be held in your bosom, loving God. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
 
Sean T. McConnell, 
Episcopal News, communications officer for the Diocese of California.

Coastal Clean Up
September 25
 
Heal the BayOn Saturday, September 25th, from 9:00am until 12noon, over 14,000 volunteers from all over Los Angeles will take action to rid our beaches and inland waterways of unsightly and harmful debris. Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD) is an international event with over 90 countries around the world participating, making it one of the largest volunteer efforts on the planet!
 
Join your fellow St. Thomas parishioners and many others at the Venice Beach site at the foot of Washington Boulevard. This is the 5th consecutive year St. Thomas has been involved in running this clean-up site - let's make this year the best turn-out yet. We have traditionally had excellent turn-out from St. Thomas.
Please contact Jeff Friesen at [email protected] if you have any questions. More information is available at the Heal The Bay website
In This Issue
Rector's Corner
Stewarding the Mysteries of God
St. Matthew
Concert on Sept. 19
Reregister Ralphs Card
San Buno Fire
Coastal Clean Up Day
Movie Night 9/17
LA Schola
Sunday School
Treasurer's Report
Edna Garren Internment
Mother Knows Best
ePrayer List
Trinity 16
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
 
Readings:
Jeremiah 8.18-9.1
Psalm 79.1-9
1 Timothy 2.1-7
Luke 16.1-13
Movie Night TONIGHT 
 
 
Ponette
 
Following the 7pm Low Mass on Friday, September 17, 2010, join us in the Large Parish Hall for movie night! This month's movie will be Ponette, the story of a four-year-old who is coming to terms with the death of her mother. Ponette is the winner of "Best Foreign Film" at the NY Film Critics Circle and "Best Actress" (four-year-old Victoire Thivisol) at the Venice Film Festival.
LA Schola 9/25
 
The LASchola celebrates the Music of the Renaissance by singing Orlando di Lasso's Missa Octavi toni in the setting for which it was originally composed.  The Mass will be sung during a Latin Rite Vigil Mass at Saint Thomas The Apostle Episcopal Church on Saturday September 25that 5:00 pm. Also sung during the Mass will be di Lasso's Magnificat Octavi toni & Jubilate Deo.
 
Orlando di Lasso (1532 (possibly 1530) - 14 June 1594) was a Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. He is considered to be the chief representative of the mature polyphonic style of the Franco-Flemish school, and one of the two most famous and influential musicians in Europe at the end of the 16th century (the other being Palestrina).
 
One of the most prolific, versatile, and universal composers of the late Renaissance, di Lasso wrote over 2000 works in all Latin, French, Italian and German vocal genres known in his time. These include 530 motets, 175 Italian madrigals and villanellas, 150 French chansons, and 90 German lieder.

Saturday, September 25, 2010 @ 5:00pm.
 
Please join us for a reception with light refreshments immediately following the Mass in the parish hall and meet the LASchola singers.
Sunday School
 
St. Thomas the Apostle offers Sunday School each and every Sunday.  We have a wonderful teacher who is eager to work with children of all ages.  She provides a wonderful, fun and liturgically sound lesson.  All children are welcome!
Treasurer's Report
 
Gifts Given through 8/31/10:
$245,688.38
 
Ministries Funded 8/31/10:
$257,166.94
 
Balance as of 8/31/10:
 ($11,478.56)
 
Minutes from August 18, 2010 Vestry meeting are available online.
Edna Garren
 
Longtime friend and parisioner of St. Thomas Edna Garren passed away on Tuesday, August 24.  Deacon Johnson will lead the prayers for Internment on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 2:30pm.  All are welcome.
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

 
 
Episcopal Church FlagOn Oct. 16, 1940, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies adopted an official flag for the Episcopal Church. This was the 251st anniversary of the day the General Convention ratified the Constitution and Canons and adopted the BCP. It was designed by William M. Baldwin (d. 1942), a member of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Long Island, New York.
 
The white field represents the purity of the Christian religion. The red cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus and the blood of the martyrs. The red cross on a white field is the cross of Saint George, the patron saint of England. The blue in the upper left-hand corner is the light blue of the sky, often used by artists for the clothing of the Blessed Virgin. It is called Madonna blue and represents the human nature of our Lord, which he received from his mother.
 
The nine white crosslets on the blue field represent the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church in America in 1789: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and South Carolina. They are arranged in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross to commemorate the fact that Samuel Seabury, the first American bishop, was consecrated in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Nov. 14, 1784.
 
The colors red, white, and the blue represent the United States and stand for the American branch of the Anglican Communion. The same design is incorporated in the Episcopal Church seal, which was also adopted by the 1940 General Convention.
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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