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 Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
Craig Coogan, the Parish Treasurer, and I went on the annual 'Pastoral Visitation to Palm Springs' during this last week. It is always an extremely enjoyable experience to meet up with Parishioners and friends of the Parish who now live in the Palm Springs vicinity and to 'check in' with them- it provides a wonderful opportunity to tell them about the current work and ministry of St Thomas the Apostle- and to see how each one of them are doing in the desert heat! We always take the opportunity to talk through with each person being visited how Parish Stewardship is developing in the Every Member Canvas and our plans for the upcoming year. While I am thinking of our financial plans for 2011 may I remind you all that we would be extremely grateful if you might return your pledge cards as soon as possible?- thank you!
Mrs Patricia Neal Jensen (to whom we are very grateful!) was our gracious and kind host overnight and we were able to meet up with Dr Wilson, Richard & Jay (who had been with us in Church, with Bishop Shannon and Mrs Mallory, last Sunday) and David Lynch. They all send their best and warmest wishes to the Parish family. Meeting up and visiting our 'diaspora' constantly reminds us that we are a very large as well as loving and caring community.
On Wednesday I was a guest at a very unique lecture at the Loyola Marymount University on the theology of Marian devotion in the Orthodox and Catholic traditions-- one of the eminent professors at the lecture was Fr Dorian Llywellyn who is now a Jesuit priest and theologian-- we knew each other in Wales and share a huge number of friends in common for Cambridge days- it's a very small world!
As we approach the last Sunday of the Church's Liturgical Year I take this opportunity to wish you all God's blessing, with love & prayers,
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Stewarding the Mysteries of God
Every Member Canvass program continues
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. We are most grateful to the prayerful consideration that the following individuals gave by providing a financial pledge to St. Thomas for 2011. This year's campaign ends this Sunday, Christ the King, November 21. Please return your pledge card to the office so that your gift can be considered as part of the 2011 planning process. (List updated as of November 18, 2010.)
David Bode, MD
Rodney Borr
John M. Boughner
Josh Brown
Linda & John Bruce
Lucinda Carver
Herman Churchwell
Efrain Cisneros
Craig Coogan
Scott Crowell
Donald Cummings
William O. Daniel
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Jan & John Davies
Evelyn C. Davis
Lloyd Davis
Steve De Muth
Charles Elliott & Joseph Gaudioso
John Eglin
Michael Evans
David Firman
James Fossett
Howard Gaass
John Garces & Anthony Palacios
Richard Genovese
Joe Gonzales
Christopher Gragg
Peter Grant
Clint Gray
Bob Halvorson
Ward Hansen
Ron Hartwig
Peter, Julie, Kjiel & Kaz Heimark
Bob Henry & Linda Wendell
Sarah Hensley
John H. Holloway
J. Todd Howell
Helen Hughes
James Hughes
Jeffrey Hyatt
Bronwyn, Greg & Henry Jamrok
Luis Javier
Jeffrey Lee Johnson
Mary L. Johnston
Leslie Kaplan
Jim Keltner
Stephen Kemp
Taffia Kennedy
James R. Kennish
Dean Larkin & Paul Park
Bruce Larson
Len Leatherwood & Ray Beaty
Ted A. Marbury
Doris Martin
Vincent G. Mazzucchelli
Robert D. McConnell
Robert D. Miller
Sandra Minott
Barry Norcross
Ruth & Randy Oglesby
Carolyn Olman
Erin & Windy O'Malley
D. Michael Owen, Jr.
Jo Ann Ridenour
Charles L. Rumsey
Tim Scerba
John V. Schleif
Garland & Kathy Schweickhardt
Kristin Sekora
Thomas Thanangadan
Darcine Thomas & Howard March
Reece P. Thomson
John E. Thornbury
Ayako Travis
Chris Wagner
Lynn Walker
Gary Warning
Joseph Warren
Robert Weihing
Janet West
David Wildman
Billy Ray Williams
Randy Williams
Martin William Wolfe
Addison Wright & Laurene Landon
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Solemnity of Christ the King
Feast Day celebrated November 21
 The Feast of Christ the King (or properly, the Solemnity of Christ the King) is a holy day in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, and also some Protestant churches. Prior to 1970, the feast was observed on the last Sunday in October; however, the reformed calendar approved by the Second Vatican Council that took effect in that year changed the date to the last Sunday before the next liturgical year's Advent begins (Advent marking the start of the liturgical year). Before this change, the Sunday before Advent bore the designation "Last Sunday After Pentecost" and had its own special Mass. White vestments are worn at Masses on this Sunday, rather than the green that prevails during the rest of Ordinary Time, except for those observances (solemnities or feasts) that call for either white or red. |
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Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 25
 Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.
The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. The Plymouth celebration occurred early in the history in one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States, and this celebration became an important part of the American myth by the 1800s.
The Parish Office will be closed November 25 & 26, 2010.
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Christmas Flowers
Place your request NOW!
If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas flowers and decorations, please fill out the form in the bifold and return it with your donation to the Parish Office no later than Sunday, 19 December. The suggested minimum donation is $25.
Contributions are also accepted via Paypal.
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Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in the Large Parish Hall following the High Mass on Sunday, January 16, 2011. At the meeting, the Congregation will elect four new Vestry persons to serve a three-year term. Serving on the Vestry is a further step in your spiritual life, is a further manifestation of Stewardship of our faith, and is a a tremendous responsibility and privilege. Existing Vestry persons welcome the opportunity to speak with individuals about the experience of their service. The specifics of Vestry service for 2011 are provided in an in-person discussion with Fr. Davies prior to the Annual Meeting. We invite individuals considering this spiritual journey to contact Fr. Davies as soon as possible.
Delegates to the 2011 Diocsean Convention will also be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting. The election process for 2011 will be slightly different than in prior years. Nomination forms are available from the Office. To be nominated requires signatures from 2 members of the Parish and the nominee. Nomination Forms must be submitted by 15 December 2010. At the Annual Parish Meeting ballots will be distributed. This should expedite the voting process.
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Rejoice | Reflect | Renew
From Bishop Bruno
Rejoice. Each day brings new opportunities for praise and thanksgiving to God for the grace and wonder of new life in Christ Jesus.
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and with it comes the opportunity to pause and reflect on the gifts in our lives for which we are most grateful. What makes you thankful this year? In what people and places, blessings and challenges, are you rejoicing?
As your Bishops in the Diocese of Los Angeles, we would like to hear from you and learn more about your prayers of thanksgiving, and also your current intercessions so that we may join you in remembering them with you as we pray.
Also, as we enter the weeks before Diocesan Convention meets December 3-4 in Riverside, we would like to know what it is that causes you to rejoice as being part of the faith community of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Please send your thanksgivings and other requests for prayer to us via email at bishopsoffice@ladiocese.org, and please watch this week's "Just Action" video report for more of our reflections on gratitude.
In this way, as we come together in Riverside, we will be even more prepared for our conversations calling us to Rejoice, Reflect, and Renew in the Spirit of the Holy One.
We wish you and yours a truly blessed Thanksgiving celebration.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
+ J. Jon Bruno +Diane M. Jardine Bruce +Mary D. Glasspool
P. S. The First Sunday of Advent, November 28, presents a great opportunity for us to invite our friends to church. Please watch your email and social media outlets for a message from us that can be forwarded to friends, neighbors and associates.
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Bishop Robinson to retire
Announces retirement in 2013
 Saying that the last seven years have taken a toll on him, his family and the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, Bishop Gene Robinson told the diocese Nov. 6 that he will retire in early 2013.
"Death threats, and the now-worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as bishop, have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark, who has faithfully stood with me every minute of the last seven years, and in some ways, you," said Robinson, speaking at the conclusion of the diocese's 208th annual convention.
"While I believe that these attitudes, mostly outside the diocese, have not distracted me from my service to you, I would be less than honest if I didn't say that they have certainly added a burden and certain anxiety to my episcopate."
When Robinson was elected June 7, 2003, he was the first openly gay priest chosen by an Episcopal Church diocese to be its bishop. His retirement announcement came just more than seven years after his ordination and consecration on Nov. 2, 2003. In May of this year, Diocese of Los Angeles Bishop Suffragan Mary Glasspool became the second openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church.
Robinson said that New Hampshire is "the one place on earth where I am not 'the gay bishop.'"
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Christ the King
Celebrant (8am & 10:30am)
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily (8am & 10:30am)
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Organist-in-Residence (10:30am)
John West
PRELUDE
Meditation
Gabriel DuPont
POSTLUDE
Allegro maestoso (from Sonata II)
Felix Mendelssohn
Readings
Jeremiah 23.1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1.11-20
Luke 23.33-43 |
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LASchola sings tomorrow
 | | Photo courtesy of Eddie Milla |
The LASchola sing the music of Thomas Tallis and friends in the setting for which it was originally composed during a Latin Rite Vigil Mass at Saint Thomas The Apostle Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 20th at 5:00 pm. The LASchola will sing Tallis' Music for Four Voices. Also on the program are Giovanni da Palestrina's Salve Regina, William Byrd's Confirma Hoc Deu and contemporary German composer Franz Biebl's well known and beloved Ave Maria.
Please join us for a reception with light refreshments immediately following the Mass in the parish hall and meet the LASchola singers.
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Townsend School Concert
From Queensland, Australia, the Townsville Grammar School Senior Choir will perform a program of classical and popular choral music.
Sunday, December 5, 4pm
Admission is free, and a reception will follow. |
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Who is Christ for me?
Dr. Thomas Doyle will lead this 2-part Adult Educational Series. Inspired by a recent sermon by the retired Bishop of San Francisco, William Swing, Dr. Doyle argues that in the past 50 years, Christ has come to the American Episcopal Church in three movements looking for a room in which to appear: (1) in the civil rights movement; (2) in the women's movement; and (3) in the gay ordination movement. In each movement, His advent was tumultuous, and not everyone in the Episcopal Church expressed welcome. A fourth movement is on the horizon, and it is related to the matters of interfaith relations. St. Paul in his first Epistle to Blessed Timothy claims that there is no other mediator on earth between humanity and the Father but the man, Jesus Christ. Who is this Christ that is coming? What does it mean to welcome Him today?
Sunday, December 5
Sunday, December 12
12:30pm in the Rector's Office |
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SOVA Outreach
St. Thomas' Community Outreach Committee continues our food drive to benefit SOVA food pantries this holiday season. We collect food throughout the year to benefit SOVA, one of the St. Thomas partners in the Homeless Coalition. During the upcoming holidays our goal is to fill the SOVA food bin twice during the holidays, once before Thanksgiving and once before Christmas. The food bin is located in the foyer near the church office during the week and will be in the recreation hall during coffee hour on Sundays throughout the holidays and is marked with a large red arrow. The following items are needed:
-Canned and packaged foods
-Personal hygiene products (especially disposable razors, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene items, disposable diapers and deodorant)
-Ribbon and other basket-making equipment and supplies for Baskets of Hope
-New or gently used children's books
SOVA is a nonsectarian program of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, dedicated to alleviating hunger and poverty in the community through food distribution and offering a wide range of supportive services.
To learn more about SOVA visit their website.
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Thanksgiving Eve Service
On Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 7:30pm there will be a Thanksgiving Eve Service held where "traditional Thanksgiving hymns" will be sung and accompanied by Organist-in-Residence John West.
Please join us. |
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Advent Candle Sponsors
Advent begins on November 28, 2010. Sponsorships for the Advent Wreath are now available. The Wreath iteself is available for $100 for the season and sponsorship of each candle (4 total) is just $25. Please contact the office if you are interested. |
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Movie Night December 3
The next Movie Night is Friday, December 3 and we will screen "Planes Trains and Automobiles" starring Steve Martin & John Candy. This warm holiday classic is about a man who struggles to travel home for Thanksgiving, with an obnoxious slob of a shower ring salesman his only companion. Pizza will be served before the movie with a discussion after led by Parish Secretary Joseph Warren. The event will start after the 7pm Mass. All are welcome!
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St. Nick Sunday
St. Nicholas Sunday (December 5), and Greg Jamrock will provide music for the children during Sunday School on that day and Bronwyn Jamrock will head up preparing gift bags to be distributed to the children at the end of Mass by "St. Nicholas." Please bring your (and your friends) children. It should be fun and a lovely beginning to Advent! |
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Cell of Our Lady to meet
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Parish Society of Our Lady of Walsingham will meet on Wednesday 8, December 2010. The Holy Rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Followed by Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. The Solemn Mass will be Celebrated at 7:00p.m. The Parish Society will meet following the Mass for a potluck dinner/meeting. All are welcomed! If you would like to become a Parish Society Member or would like information about the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham please contact: Mark S. Vigil @ marksvigil@yahoo.com |
Treasurer's Report
Gifts as of October 31,2010:
$318,261.63
Ministries funded as of October 31:
$316,788.42
Balance as of October 31, 2010:
$1,473.21
Minutes from the October Vestry meeting are available online. |
Mother Knows Best
On November 23 in 1585, Thomas Tallis, composer, died in Greenwich, England. The LASchola will sing Tallis on Saturday at the 5pm Vigil Mass. |
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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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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