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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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Sermons
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| | The Sixth Sunday of Easter |
To see more sermons and services go to our YouTube Page!
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Cynthia Williams, RIP
For Cynthia Williams, a sung Requiem accompanied by a combined choir of St. Thomas and LASchola will take place on Saturday, 16 May at 5pm.
All Parishioners are encouraged to attend.
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| | Cynthia Williams with her son, Randy |
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A Thank You Note to the Parish from the Presiding Bishop
Click on the image to download the letter.
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"Let's Talk About" - May
On 17 May, the "Let's Talk About Series" continues. This month's subject "Anglican Hymns: Traditions and Backgrounds of our Music" will be led by Organist Choirmaster Jeffrey Parola following the High Mass.
Jeffrey Parola is an American composer of numerous orchestral, chamber, and choral/vocal works. His music is varied and eclectic, reflecting a wide range of musical influences. Jeffrey's recent major professional commissions include Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra, written for clarinetist Paul Green and the Atlantic Classical Orchestra and conductor Stewart Robertson, which premiered to critical acclaim in Florida in March 2014. this view of life, a piece for chorus and string quartet, was written for Choral Chameleon, directed by Vince Peterson, which premiered in New York City in May 2013. Commissioned by the Los Angeles-based Pacific Serenades, Three Divertimenti for bassoon and string quartet received its premiere performances on 21 & 25 June 2014. Upcoming commissions include a piece for 2 pianos for Hocket in 2015, and a piece for the BluePrint New Music Ensemble, to be premiered in Spring 2016 with Nicole Paiement conducting.
Jeffrey is the recipient of numerous notable honors. In 2009, he was awarded the Jim Highsmith Orchestral Composition Prize for his large orchestral work, The Long Valley, which led to a public performance of the piece by the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, led by Maestro Andrew Mogrelia. Jeffrey received an honorable mention for the 2009 European American Musical Alliance (EAMA) Prize for his work, Sempiterna, a 25-minute pseudo-requiem for a cappella chorus, and three years later, Jeffrey was awarded the 2012 EAMA Prize for The Long Valley. In 2013, Jeffrey was selected by a committee of philanthropists and musicians to receive the Rappaport Prize for Music Composition, which culminated in a commission to write his Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra for the Atlantic Classical Orchestra. In 2014, his 5 Short Pieces for solo piano was awarded the Peter David Faith Endowed Memorial Award in Composition at the University of Southern California. Also in 2014, Jeffrey was chosen to be the recipient of the 2016 Hoefer Prize, the highest award granted to distinguished alumni composers from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The Prize involves the commissioning of a new work and a week-long residency at the Conservatory in the spring of 2016, which includes lectures and student mentorship.
A committed educator, Jeffrey serves as an instructor on the faculty at the University of Southern California, where he teaches Aural Skills and Theory. He is a recurring composition faculty member for the Choral Chameleon Summer Institute, which is a New York City-based summer program for composers and conductors, designed to immerse composers and conductors of choral music in real-world, practical learning experiences.
Also an active performer, Jeffrey is an organist, conductor, and vocalist. He is presently the organist and choirmaster at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Hollywood, and he has sung professionally with several highly acclaimed ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and Schola Cantorum San Francisco.
Jeffrey is currently finishing doctoral studies in composition at the University of Southern California, where he studied composition with Frank Ticheli and Donald Crockett and orchestration with Stephen Hartke. He earned his master's degree in 2005 from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with David Conte. Jeffrey earned his bachelor's degree from UCLA in 2002 after studying with Mark Carlson, David Lefkowitz, and Ian Krouse.
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St. Thomas Concert Series
On 30 May at 8pm, the stunning, acclaimed soprano, Christina Borgioli, comes to St. Thomas to offer an evening of sacred song. The varied repertoire on this program features music by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Wolf, Strauss, Boulanger, and Rorem, and includes the world premiere of a new sacred song by St. Thomas the Apostle's Organist/Choirmaster, Jeffrey Parola. Free admission!
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"Let's Talk About" - June
On Sunday, 7 June, the "Let's Talk About Series" continues. This month's subject "Marian Devotion and the Rosary" will be led by Deacon Walter S. Johnson following the High Mass.
Walter S. Johnson was born on December 18, 1938 to Walter H. Johnson and Mary E. Johnson in Wilmington, Delaware. Walter is the oldest of three children. The other children are James and Florence.
Walter's Mother and Father weren't religious parents, but his blessed grandmother was very religious and Baptist. She made sure that her grandchildren where in church every Sunday morning. This was the foundation of his faith.
He attend # 29 elementary, Bancroft junior high, Howard
High school there. After graduation from High school 1956, he enlisted into the National Guard for six months of army service.
(1958)
After his army service was completed, he returned home and was employed by Alfred I. DuPont Laboratory at Chestnut Run, in Wilmington as a Lab Technician for four years. He also worked in retail for few years as well, which he also very much enjoyed doing. He loved coming in contact with the public, which was a big help for him in his change as the person he always wanted to be. Another change took place in his life, the need to change religion. This happened when his family decided to move out of the city, and into the suburb. He became a member of The Community Presbyterian Church, and became very involved in the church. He also became the youngest Elder in the church and sang in the choir.
(1968)
Walter moved to New York after four years working for the DuPont's, which was a turning point for him coming out as a gay man. This stay was for about two years working sales in the beautiful city. He met some wonderful people and they are still very close to him, and he also fell in love with a very gorgeous man. They made plans to move to the U.S. Virgin Island together.
(1989)
Then off to U.S. St. Thomas Virgin Islands and at this time he was employed by the Govt. of Virgin Islands in the Dept. Finance as a bookkeeper.
(1991)
Off again for another adventure, and this time to Los Angeles where he began working for American Title Insurance Company as a PR man.
(1993)
Walter made another giant step in my life, along with falling in and out love. He decided to take an adventure and stretch his wings a little more, and travel abroad. This time to London, England and East Africa for about a month.
(1995)
After being in Los Angeles for about two years, he realized there was something missing in his life. Church! He hadn't been in any church since moving from home in 1968. So he went out looking for a church home and found St, Thomas the Apostle Hollywood when Fr. Carroll Barbour was Rector.
(1996)
Walter was confirm into the Episcopal Church at St. Augustus by the Sea. Then he began his new religious journey has an Episcopalian, He became an acolyte, Lay Eucharistic Minister, member of the Commission on Black Ministry, Aids Walk, Gay Pride Parade, a representative for the Los Angles Diocese Commission Black Ministry in South Carolina Conference and many other actives with in the church.
(2004)
Fr. Carol Barbour asks Walter if he would like to study for the Diaconate. He attend Claremont School of Theology, and on December 2, 2006 he was ordain a Deacon in the Episcopal Church Diocese of Los Angeles. He is very blessed to be the Deacon in his home Parish, St. Thomas the Apostle. His ministry is to assist the Rector, read the Gospel each Sunday, care for the sick and lonely, Daily Office, Holy Rosary, and the homeless in our community.
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The Guibord Center
Don't miss Bishop Steven Charleston, who is returning on Saturday afternoon, May 23, 4-6 p.m., for a Special Guibord Center Event. A Native American Elder and Episcopal Bishop, Charleston is returning to Los Angeles to launch his latest book, "The Four Vision Quests of Jesus," in conversation with the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord. Bishop Charleston, the newest member of The Guibord Center's Advisory Council, is a wildly popular and beloved spiritual leader whose daily writings on Facebook have thousands of followers. He also has served as the National Director for Native American Ministries in the Episcopal Church, the Bishop of Alaska and the President and Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Please come and bring your friends.
CLICK HERE to RSVP
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The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Lections
Acts 1:15-17, 21-end
Psalm 1
I St. John 5:9-13
St. John 17:6-19
Celebrant & Preacher
Deacon
Dea. Walter S. Johnson
Organist/Choirmstr
Mr. Jeffrey Parola
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Sunday's Music
Prelude
Meditation
by Maurice Duruflé
(1902-1986)
Offertory
Most Glorious Lord of Life
by William Harris (1883-1973)
Postlude
Toccata Giacoxa
by William Mathias
(1934-1992)
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Automatic Payments
You may now make automatic monthly payments to St. Thomas via PayPal! this is an easy way to remember pledge and Capital Campaign payments. Visit the WEBSITE. Click "Donate" on the right side and follow the instructions. Make sure to check the box "Make This Recurring" in order to make it recur monthly.
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Evensong & Benediction with LASchola
On Saturday, 23 May at 5pm Evensong & Benediction accompanied by 16 singers from the LASchola will take place. All are invited!
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Kitchen Klatch
On Saturday, 20 June at 7pm Parishioners are invited to the next Kitchen Klatch social event, which will take place at the residence of Chris Fernicola. This is a great opportunity for Parishioners to meet, cook together and enjoy fellowship. For more information and for directions, contact Marty Wolfe. |
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On This Day in
Christian History
On this day in 1886 American poet Emily Dickinson, author of many poems on death, eternity, God, and the afterlife, died. Only 7 of her 1,775 poems were published at the time of her death.
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Please join us for many Parish activities. Here's a sampling of upcoming events - a full list is available online
Newcomer Orientation Series
Homeless Feeding & Outreach
23 May @ 5:00pm
LASchola accompanies Evensong & Benediction
25 May Parish Office Closed
Homeless Feeding & Outreach
County-USC AIDS Clinic Feeding Program
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Parking at St. Thomas
Regardless of what the signs read, parking on Gardner Street is now allowed on Sundays unrestricted between 7am and 1pm. There is no two-hour time limit!
If you receive a ticket, contest the ticket by filling out the form found CLICKING HERE! Contact the Office if you have any issues.
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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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