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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.
St. Thomas has a great respect for both the rich liturgical heritage of the church and for living the message of social justice proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Whether you are young or old, gay or straight, single, married or in a relationship, female or male, poor or wealthy, you are welcome at St. Thomas just as you are...a child of God and an inheritor of God's grace. |
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The Time is Now.
The Needs are Great.
The 2011 Stewardship Campaign ends on November 20. As of November 16 there were insufficient pledge commitments for 2012 for the Vestry to consider a budget for the next year at its meeting. An additional Vestry meeting has been called for early December to address the budget for 2012. Please return pledge cards as soon as possible
The 2011 Stewardship prayer:
Lord God of Hosts, Source of all gifts we, Thy people, rejoice in the fullness of Thy generosity. We thank thee for those whose lives are visible signs of Thy love and blessing to others. Give us the courage to do the same. Make us good stewards of all we have received and will receive, generously sharing our time, talents and treasure to build thy kingdom of love and justice. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord, In whom we begin and end all things.
Amen.
We are most grateful to the following parishoners who have met with their Ambassador and made a financial pledge commitment for 2012.
2012 Pledging Members (16 November 2011):
Anderson, David
Austin, Michael
Bode, David
Borr, Rodney
Bramm, Alex
Carver, Lucinda
Challoner, Kathryn
Coogan, Craig
Crowell, Scott
Daniel, Bill
Davies, Ian Elliott
Davis, Lloyd
DeMuth, Steve
Dombek, Curtis
Driscoll, Debby
Evans, Michael
Fenwick, Mia
Friesen, Camellia & Jeff
Gaass, Howard
Gable, Christopher
Gray, Clint
Hartwig, Ron
Henry, Bob
Hensley, Sarah S.
Hughes, Helen
Javier, Luis
Jensen, Patricia Neal
Johnson, Jeffrey Lee
Keeling, Sue Ann
Keltner, James William
Kemp, Stephen
Kennedy, Taffia
Lopez, Joseph A.
Marbury A, Ted
Martin, Doris
Miller, Robert D.
Olman, Carolyn
Olyaie, Donesh
Quanbeck, Jan
Rials, Joseph
Riordnauer, Jo Ann
Roncone, Vince
Rumsey, Les
Schleif, John
Seck, David
Sims, John
Tanner, Walter
Thomas, Darcine
Travis, Ayako
Walker, Lynn
Warren, Joseph
Waterloo, Michelle
Weihing, Robert
West, Janet
Wildman, David
Williams, Randy |
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Parking to be further limited
 The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved new parking restrictions for the area surrounding the Church. According to the West Hollywood Patch the council voted to restrict parking on weekends. Only residents will be allowed to park on the side streets around the Church on Saturdays and Sundays. No weekend parking will be allowed on Gardner, Sierra Bonita or Franklin Avenue. The article does not indicate when the Department of Transportation will implement the new rules, but suggests it may be soon.
Under City Council rules the vote is subject to reconsideration. The Executive Committee has written to Councilmember LaBonge requesting reconsideration. ExCom has also reached out to other elected leaders and Bishop Bruno for assistance. Many thanks to those who have also written their councilmembers on this issue. Continued outreach and pressure is needed. To date, however, no response has been received by Councilmember LaBonge or anybody at the City of Los Angeles.
The officers continue to request members of the Parish to write to Councilmember LaBonge and to their local councilmember (if you live in Los Angeles).
It is critical that the City Council hear from the Parish. With no parking on public streets and limited parking in our own lots (that will need to be monitored since others will be looking for parking) these restrictions will have a significant and detrimental impact to the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle. Please note that nobody at the Church was asked by the Department of Transportation or the City Council for input or for the opportunity to craft a solution prior to the vote.
If you choose to write, click here for the list of City Council members, address information, etc. Most have email. Councilmember LaBonge should be copied as the Church is in his district. his email is: tom.labonge@lacity.org. Please also copy the St. Thomas office at admin@saintthomashollywood.org so that we have a record of all correspondences.
As serious as this situation is, please remember to be courtious and respectful in all correspondences.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this.
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Christ the King
 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.
Adapted from www.wikipedia.org
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Annual Parish Meeting (01/15/12)
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in the Large Parish Hall following the High Mass on Sunday, January 15, 2012. At the meeting, the Congregation will elect four new Vestry persons to serve a three-year term. (See NOTE below.)
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. Under the bylaws of the Parish candidates for the Vestry must submit the appropriate paperwork on or before December 15, 2011. The specifics of Vestry service for 2012 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 2012 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 2011. At the Annual Parish Meeting ballots will be distributed. This should expedite the voting process.
NOTE: At the Sunday, August 14, 2011 Town Hall meeting the Vestry outlined an Agreement that had been reached after many meetings and negotiations between the Vestry, Father Davies and Bishop Glasspool. Included in that Agreement was a request by the Bishop for the Parish to vote to amend its bylaws and extend the Vestry terms for one year. This request was the subject of much concern by the Vestry, Officers and Parish and was agreed to by the Vestry only at the urging of the Bishop. After nearly three months since the original request, the Vestry was the sole signatory to the Agreement. Absent a request from Bishop Glasspool or Father Davies the Vestry at its meeting on November 15 unanimously rescinded a series of votes from August. This action allows for the election of Vestry members to continue as usual. There will be no vote to extend terms. |
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Treasurer's Report
Gifts Received as of October 31, 2011 $291,025.23 Ministries Funded as of October 31, 2011 $293,352.70 Balance as of October 31, 2011 ($2,327.47) Minutes from the October 19 Vestry meeting are now available online on the website. |
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Adoption Month
HOLY FAMILY ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE SERVICES
An Institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
November is National Adoption Month
Who are we?Holy Family Services Adoption & Foster Care (HFS) is an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
As a full-service, licensed adoption agency with the State of California, we are dedicated to placing children in loving homes without regard to race, creed, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or other discriminatory practices.
How can you help? You can help by spreading the word that we welcome all persons who wish to create a family. We have regular orientation sessions to explain the requirements, process, and fee structures.
What if I want to adopt? But of course YOU can come to an orientation session! We welcome ALL.
Who do I call? Call our offices at 213-202-3900 and ask about our orientation session schedule. We have sessions throughout our service region. We have staff on hand who speak Spanish.
What if I know of a birthmother who wants to place a child?
Great! Our social workers are on call to help birthmothers during their pregnancies. Most of our social workers are bilingual and can be reached at our main number, 213-202-3900. |
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Outreach for the Holidays
The annual outreach programs continue this year. Thanks to Christopher Gable for leading the program!
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 as often as possible. The food bin is located in the foyer near the church office. 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. http://www.jfsla.org/sova/ Angel Tree  It's Angel Tree time again! This year we at St. Thomas are assisting children at two groups.
IRIS is the non-denominational response to the needs of refugees settling in LA area. IRIS help familes and children from Iraq, Somalia, Congo, and other countries in serious difficultiesIt's also a ministry of our diocese and strongly supported by our Bishops. ttp://ministries.ladiocese.org/iris.html
In total we're assisting 40 kids from these organizations. For most of these children, this will be the only present they receive.
We urge you to explore the ministries and work of these two very worthy organizations.
The Angel Tree will be available starting Advent Sunday, November 27th, and the (unwrapped) gifts should be returned by Sunday, December 11th.
The IRIS families also desperately need food for their tables, so, if you are able, we are also collecting grocery gift cards. There will be a sign-up sheet under the tree.
Thank you for your generosity!
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Christ the King
Celebrant (8am & 10:30am)
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Sermon
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Liturgical Deacon
Reece Thomson
Organist-in-Residence
John West |
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PRELUDE
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
JS Bach
POSTLUDE
March Triomphale "Now thank we all our God"
Sigfried Karg-Elert |
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LECTIONS
Ezekiel 34. 11 - 16, 20 - 24
Psalm 95. 1 - 7
Ephesians 1. 15 - end
Matthew 25. 31 - end |
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Sermon Available
 | | 111113 II Sunday Before Advent Sermon.mov |
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Thanksgiving Eve Service
On Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 7:30pm there will be a Thanksgiving Eve Service held where "traditional Thanksgiving hymns" will be sung and accompanied by Assistant Organist Thompson Howell. |
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Thanksgiving Greetings from Bishops
 | | Thanksgiving in Diversity |
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Mother Knows Best
On November 23 in 1585, Thomas Tallis, composer, died in Greenwich, England.
Join LASchola on Saturday, November 19 at 5pm as they sing the Mass in the setting for which it was composed. This will be their last Mass at St. Thomas until January! |
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Episcopal News - Fall Edition is now online
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Christmas Flowers
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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The Complexities of Advent
Sunday December 4
Sunday December 18
After High Mass in the Rector's Office join Dr. Thomas Doyle as he leads an Adult Education course "The Complexities of Advent."
What are the implications for theology and Christian daily living if we broaden our notion of Advent to include each developmental stage from infancy to the full maturity of Christ? Advent for Christ then is a 30 year period in which various facets of his divinity were developed. How might that look for us, in the stages of development into which we find ourselves?
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Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham to Meet
The Parish Society of Our Lady of Walsingham will meet on Thursday, December 8, 2011.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Holy Rosary: 6pm
Evening Prayer: 6:30pm
Solemn Mass: 7:00pm
Potluck Dinner: 7:30pm (in the Parish Hall)
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
For more information please contact Mark S Vigil (marksvigil@yahoo.com) |
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John West Concerts
Saturday December 3
Saturday December 10
Holiday Wonders
The Los Angeles Master Chorale
John West, organ
Disney Hall, Los Angeles
2:00 in the afternoon
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Please join us for many Parish activities. Here's a sampling of upcoming events - a full list is available online
November 19 @ 10:45am
Newcomer Orientation November 19 @ 5:00pm Final LASchola for 2011 November 23 @ 7:30pm Thanksgiving Eve Mass November 24 & 25 Office Closed November 26 @ 7:00am Homeless Feeding & Outreach November 28 @ 9:30am
AIDS/USC Feeding
December 10 @ 7:00am
Homeless Feeding & Outreach
December 11 @ 12:00pm Choir Boutique / Sing-along December 17 @ 10:30am
Semi-Annual Cleaning of Church (lunch provided)
December 18 @ 12:00pm
Our Lady of Walsingham Coffee Hour
December 18 @ 4:30pm
Advent Lessons & Carols
December 23 until January 5
Office Closed
December 23 @ 10:30am
Decorating the Church
December 24 @ 7:30am
Homeless Feeding & Outreach
December 24
Christmas Eve Services
5:00pm Family Mass 11:00pm Midnight Mass
December 25
Christmas Day
8:00am Low Mass 10:30am Choral High Mass
December 26 @ 5pm
Boxing Day Party at Rectory
December 31 @ 10:30pm
New Year's Eve Mass
January 6 @ 7:30pm
Epiphany High Mass
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ePrayer
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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History online
Articles and photos from the early years of St. Thomas the Apostle are now available on our website!
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Transformed Gardens
The St. Agnes Garden Club under Ken Koonce has transformed the gardens around the campus of St. Thomas the Apostle. Ken has put together a slide show that shows the wonderful work that he and the Club volunteers have done since October 2009.
 | | Garden Transformation Oct. 2009 -Oct. 2011.mov |
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Video Introductions
A brief introduction to the liturgy at St. Thomas:
 | | St Thomas Liturgy Sampler.mov |
A brief introduction to St. Thomas, its history, its place in Hollywood, the Damien Chapel and the organ.
 | | Introduction to St. Thomas |
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