eNews
02 December 2011

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.

The Time is Now. 
The  Needs are Great.

Thank you to those who have prayerfully considered the role of St. Thomas the Apostle in your life and returned your 2012 pledge card.

 

Pledge commitments represent 75% of the operating income of the Church.  We have received 110 pledges to date. 

 

We anticipate total pledges for 2012 to be approximately $45,000 below 2011 levels.  Much of this shortfall was expected and known prior to the launch of the campaign.  A significant source for offsetting the shortfall is discussed in The Organ Project story elsewhere in this newsletter.  At its regular Vestry meeting in December the Vestry will finalize a proposed budget.  As always the Vestry will present to the Parish a proposed balanced budget at the Annual Parish meeting (January 15, 2012). 

 

Please return (or revise) pledges to the Parish Office as soon as possible.

  

Stewardship Logo 2011

 

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.

 

You can watch any or all of the Stewardship talks online!

 

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 (30 November 2011): 
David Anderson
Michael Austin
Lance Barshinger & David Lynch
David Bode, MD
John Bollard
Rodney Borr
Alex Bramm
John Buckley
Steven W. Carry
Lucinda Carver
Kathryn Challoner, MD
Brad & Wendy Chambers
Efrain Cisneros
Craig Coogan
Scott Crowell
Bill Daniel
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
John & Janis Davies
Evelyn Davis
Lloyd Davis
Steve De Muth
Curtis Dombek
Thomas Doyle
Debby Driscoll
John Eglin
Michael Ensign Evans
Joseph & Michelle Farnham
Mia Fenwick
Christine Field
David Firman
Jim Fossett
Brian Frankish & Tannis Benedict
Camellia & Jeff Friesen
Howard Gaass
Christopher Gable & Gerardo Vergara
Clint Gray
Bob Halvorson
John Harper
Ron Hartwig
Wes Haynes
Peter & Julie Heimark
Jane A. Heitz
Bob Henry & Linda Wendell
Sarah Hensley
Helen Hughes
Joy Jakubowski
Luis Javier & Laurence Jackson
Patricia Neal Jensen
Jeffrey Johnson
The Rev. Mr. Walter S. Johnson
Timothy Joslin
Sue Ann Keeling
James Keltner
Margaret Kemp
Stephen Kemp
Peter T. Kempson
Taffia Kennedy
James R. Kennett
Ken Koonce
Bruce A. Larson
Len Leatherwood & Ray Beaty
Joe Lopez
Ted Marbury
Doris Martin
Vincent G. Mazzucchelli
Fr. Doug McKinney & Tom Gossard
Robert D. Miller
Paul Norwood
Ruth & Randy Oglesby
Carolyn Olman
Donesh Olyaie
Erin & Windy O'Malley
Patrick O'Shea
Robert & Barbara Patrick
Jeffrey R. Pierce
Alison Platt
Jan Quanbeck
Joseph Rials
Jo Ann Ridenour
Vince Roncone
Les Rumsey
Tim Scerba
John Schleif
Darrell Schmitt
Garland & Kathy Schweickhardt, MD
Ryan Scott
David Seck
Anita Sherman
Stan Shipley
David A. Silvas
John Sims
Amy Steelman
Walter Tanner & Jessica Kostosky
Suzanne Tenner
Thomas G. Thanangadan
Darcine Thomas & Howard March
Reece P. Thomson
John Thornbury
Paul Tournay & Lee Cox
Richard Francis Tracz
Ayako Travis
Christopher Wagner
Lynn Walker
Gary Warning
Joseph Warren
Michelle Waterloo
Robert Weihing
Charles T. Wells
Janet West
David Wildman
Randy Williams
Robert Wilson

Parking Update

No Parking
Thank you to the approx. 45 individuals who have written to the Los Angeles City Council regarding the recent approval of new parking restrictions and sent copies to the office.  
 
The Parish continues to work towards obtaining a meeting with Councilmember LaBonge or a representative of his office to try and mitigate this unilateral decision.  Councilmember LaBonge called Fr. Davies on Wednesday, November 23 and informed him that the parking rules will take effect in mid-January.  We subsequently have learned that the rules are temporary and will be evaluated in August 2012. 
 
The officers and Vestry continue to try and find a solution, but one does not appear to be available to mitigate the rules from taking place.  We will provide more information as we have it.
Reason for the Season 

 

The annual outreach programs continue this year.  Thanks to Christopher Gable for leading the program!

SOVA Outreach

SOVASt. 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. 
 
Angel Tree

 
Angel Tree
It's Angel Tree time again! This year we at St. Thomas are assisting children at two groups. 

Hillsides is the LA Episcopal Diocese foster care and treatment center for kids who are at-risk. http://www.hillsides.org/ 

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.
 
VETERANS

This year, we are reaching out to military veterans and their families via the LA/SFV Veteran's Employment Committee.  The LA/SFVVEC helps encourage employers to hire veterans re-entering the civilian workforce and assists unemployed veterans and their families. 

Please bring inexpensive ($5 range) unwrapped toys and canned good/packaged foods/personal care items to help these families in need. 

DADT repeal this Fall gives us another great reason to help these families in need, and to support the people who support us.

Thank you for your generosity!
 
Christmas Hospitality
 
Christmastime is an especially hospitable time at St. Thomas.  

CHRISTMAS EVE:  Join us for a Dessert and Savory Reception after Christmas Eve Mass. The Hospitality Committee would  like to invite any Parishioner who would be interested making or purchasing a Savory or Dessert Treat for this event to sign up on the bulletin board in the large parish hall or contact Don Cummings.

BOXING DAY:  There will be an Open House at the Rectory from 5pm to 7pm on Monday, December 26, 2011 for our annual Boxing Day Open House.  All are welcome.  Please contact Michael Ensign if you'd like to bring something.
NEW YEAR'S EVE:  A pot-luck will be served after the 10:30pm Mass.  Sign up on the bulletin board in the large parish hall or contact Don Cummings.
The Organ Project

The Vestry is excited to announce that it unanimously approved the launch of The Organ Project at its November 16 meeting.

 

The current organ was delivered in 1990 by Organ Builder Weston Harris. At that time it had a 'life expectancy' of 10 to 15 years. Now more than 20 years later, the instrument is in desperate need of a rebuild. The organ does not currently function, making it nearly impossible to play for longtime organist-in-residence John West and assistant organist Thompson Howell. Failing systems result in ranks of pipes that won't play at all, some that won't sound on certain notes, some notes that cipher (stick) once played, and others that just start playing all by themselves from time to time without playing a note on the keyboard. The organ that is practiced on at 9am is different when played at 10:30am. The fact that most people don't recognize the deficiencies is a testament to the caliber of these artists.

 

John West at Organ

 

On October 28 John West tendered his resignation citing the deteriorated condition of the instrument as his primary concern. John has consistently reported to the Vestry and the Parish (via the Music Committee report at the Annual Parish Meeting) the serious nature of the problems. John is tremendously thankful for the love and support of the Parish but feels that the instrument cannot continue to be used in its current condition. John's conclusion is not unexpected.

 

Weston Harris has provided the Vestry an annual Review of the instrument for the last several years. Ken Kukuk and Ed Burnside of Burnside Pipe Organ simultaneously provided their analysis of the instrument.   The unanimous determination of these professionals with the 2011 Review is that the organ is no longer reasonable or safe to operate. Age, wear and tear and other maintenance issues mean that key parts (notably the relay and the blower) are potential fire hazards and structural liabilities to the Church itself. The relay is essentially the motherboard or hard drive of the organ and it regularly fails and needs to be updated. The blower provides the necessary amount of wind pressure so the organ has enough air to play the pipes correctly and it requires new bearings and the structural support that it sits on is no longer considered stable. There is no short term remedy.

 

 

Organ Pipes

 

Some of the key impacted parts could be repaired or replaced. The cost of these repairs would be nearly 25% of the cost of the complete rebuild, with none of the short-term dollars benefitting the long-term rebuild. In other words, if we fixed the blower and relay to work today, the cost of doing that would be lost when the ultimate rebuild of the organ happens as those parts would be replaced in any rebuild. Any short-term work would not solve the structural issues. The consensus of the organ professionals is that the most effective solution to the organ (both time and money) is to stop its use now and rebuild the organ. The Vestry has agreed that we are ready to do this.

 

The Acoustics Project has set the stage for the rebuild of the organ. The Acoustics Project has established a resonant sound in the building for which the scope of work and timbre of the instrument can best be determined. There was a unanimous consent of all of the stakeholders in 2008 when the Acoustics Project was launched to follow this path. An Organ Subcommittee was established by the Vestry at its 2011 Vestry Retreat. In October the Vestry empowered the subcommittee to recommend a Scope of Work. Members include the organists (John West and Thompson Howell), the original organ builder (Weston Harris), an Executive Committee liaison to Vestry (Craig Coogan), two members of the Parish (Michael Ensign Evans, Lucinda Carver) and the Rector (Fr. Ian Elliott Davies). The subcommittee met at the end of November to commence the development of what's needed. Bids will be solicited (via either a Design Build process or a Scope of Work procedure) and the Vestry will evaluate and ultimately authorize the work to commence. How long this will take is not clear, but all parties are moving as quickly as possible.

 

The Executive Committee has been empowered to provide financing and fundraising plans for the organ to the Vestry at its December meeting. A designated fund for the Organ exists and will be utilized to solicit grants and donations to fund part of the work. The immediate financing of the rebuild is likely to be a combination of donations and deficit financing (loan) secured by the instrument itself and the annual restricted allocation from the Endowment fund.

 

Jim KeltnerThe organ will continue to be used through the Epiphany service on January 6. Starting on January 8, 2012 Jim Keltner will play the piano at each service. During the liturgical seasons of Epiphany, Easter and Advent we will have additional instrumental accompaniment. A brass quartet may be used for Easter Day. The Parish is blessed to have instrumentalists who may audition with Jim to augment the music during the service. Additional instrumentalists will be engaged to round out the sound. An organist will not be hired for 2012, allowing for funds to be allocated for singers and instrumentalists. There will also be some net cost savings to the General Fund as well.

 

During the course of the first few months of the year, however, the Music Committee, Rector and Vestry will continually evaluate the liturgical effectiveness of this option.  At some point an interim organ (smaller pipe, electronic, etc.) may be brought in.  No option is off the table with the overall goal to insure that our liturgical experience is as strong as possible.

 

The concert in October led by Lucinda Carver provided a wonderful example of how our sacred space resonates musically with a piano and string instruments. We will miss our pipe organ during the time that a Scope of Work is developed, bids are taken and the work is done but we will be well served with a rich variety of music that supports our core liturgical mission. Father Davies is particularly excited about this liturgical opportunity to explore music in our worship.

 

The Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle is blessed to have so many talented musicians and committed individuals. The Vestry thanks John West for his service, musicianship and friendship. We look forward to welcoming him home when the Organ Project is complete. We also are most grateful to Thompson Howell for all of his contributions and we are thrilled that he will be part of the sub-committee.

 

The rebuild of the organ is an exciting opportunity for St. Thomas!  

Goodshop

 

Thanks to those Parishioners who use www.GoodShop.com on behalf of the Parish.  We have received our annual check from the company - this year it's $279.33 for a total over the past 3 years of $1,305.56!

If you shop at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, eBay.com...or any of thousands of companies - they will contribute up to 30% of your purchase to St. Thomas the Apostle at no additional cost to you.

It's easy - goto GoodShop.com (www.goodshop.com) and in the box "Who Do You Support" put in "St. Thomas the Apostle." Click on the St. Thomas located in Hollywood, CA.  Then click on your store - and follow the link "Goodshop this Store."  For St. Thomas to receive donations, you must click through to the store from this site.
Goodshop
Christmas Week

 

XMAS Family Mass 3

 

SATURDAY, 24 DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS EVE
5:00PM    Family Mass (Sermon & Hymns)*
11:00PM  Midnight Mass (Sermon & Choir)
NOTE:  Complimentary Valet Parking will be provided for the Midnight Mass Service.  Drop your car off on Gardner Street.
 
SUNDAY, 25 DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS DAY
10:30AM  High Mass (Sermon & Choir)*

SATURAY, 31 DECEMBER - NEW YEAR'S EVE 10:30PM  Low Mass followed by alcohol-free New Year's Eve Potluck Party in the Parish Hall.  All are welcome!

SUNDAY, 01 JANUARY
8:00AM    Low Mass (Sermon)
10:30AM  Hight Mass (Sermon & Choir)*
NOTE:  The Parish Office will be closed from 23 December 2011 through 5 January 2012.

FRIDAY, 6 JANUARY - EPIPHANY
7:30PM  Epiphany Mass (With Choir)

* Denotes Childcare available
In This Issue
The Time is Now. The Needs are Great.
Parking Issues
Reason for the Season
The Organ Project
Goodshop
Sermon Available
Movie Night 12/16
Mother Knows Best
Christmas Flowers
Complexities of Advent
Cell of Our Lady to meet
John West Concerts
Church Preparation
Annual Parish Meeting
Coming Soon...
ePrayer
History online
Video Introductions
Quick Links
Advent II

Celebrant (8am & 10:30am)

Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

 

Sermon

Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

 

Deacon

The Rev. Walter S. Johnson


Organist-in-Residence
John West

PRELUDE
Prepare The Royal Highway
17th Century Swedish Folk Tune
Setting by John A. Behnke


Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Tune: STUTTGART, Psalmodia Sacra. 1715
Setting by Edward Broughton


POSTLUDE
Postlude on "Sleeper's Wake"
Miles I'A. Martin 

 

The Choir sings the Missa Brevis by Cannicciari at each Mass during Advent. 
LECTIONS

Isaiah 40.1-11
Psalm 85.1-2, 8-end
2 Peter 3.8-15a
Mark 1.1-8

Sermon Available
 
111127 Advent I Sermon.mov
111127 Advent I Sermon.mov

 

Did you know that all of the Sermons from March 2011 on are available online at our website and on our YouTube channel?

 

Advent (our time of preparation) is a wonderful time to revisit past sermons. 

MOVIE NIGHT:  Christmas Vactation 
 
National Lampoon
Following the 7pm Low Mass on Friday, December 16, come join the fun at Movie Night and Potluck Christmas party! This month, we'll be showing National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Bring your favorite Christmas treat and prepare for hilarity with your Parish Family (and the Griswold family)! 
Mother Knows Best 

 

On November 30 in 1554, recently crowned Queen of England, Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII, restored Roman Catholicism to the country. Nearly 300 Protestants would be burned at the stake by "Bloody Mary," including Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, and Nicholas Ridley. Nearly 400 more died by imprisonment and starvation.

 

Christmas Flowers
 
ChristmasFlowers
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.

Donate

 

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?

 

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 ([email protected])

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

Go to lamc.org for tickets

 

Church Preparation

 

The annual Altar Guild cleaning extravaganza will take place immediately after the 10am mass on Saturday December 17th.  Lunch will be provided.  While this is an all-day affair, any amount of time contributed will be appreciated.  Please contact John Thornbury at 310.869.1194 for further information. Thanks!
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 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 available 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.  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.  
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.
Coming Soon...

 

Please join us for many Parish activities.  Here's a sampling of upcoming events - a full list is available online 

 

December 1-3
Clergy and Delegates attend annual Diocesan Convention

 

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 

 

 

 

 

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.
History online 

Exterior 1931

Articles and photos from the early years of St. Thomas the Apostle are now available on our website!


Video Introductions

A brief introduction to the liturgy at St. Thomas:

St Thomas Liturgy Sampler.mov
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
Introduction to St. Thomas
 
Quick Links

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