Update header 2013
July 6, 2014
 News ...
Vigil at St. Augustine's, Santa Monica  
Mia Yamamoto A vigil against the use of torture
Members from several faith communities on the Westside gathered at St. Augustine-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Monica on June 26 for an interfaith vigil in honor of the United Nations Day in support of Victims of Torture. Organized by Judith F. Lyons, the event featured interfaith readings and prayers, many of them delivered by young people. Guest speaker was Mia Yamamoto (pictured at left), a  prominent defense attorney and board Vigil at St. Augustine's, Santa Monica member of International Bridges to Justice, an organization that fights torture by training lawyers and improving legal systems. Music was provided by members of St. Augustine's, including middle school students Akira Shelton, Niko Muntz and Phoebe Muntz (pictured at left), who sang "On the Willows," from the musical Godspell. The Rev. Nathan Rugh, rector of St. Augustine's, presided at the event, which ended with a candlelit recessional and individual lighting of candles in the church's patio in memory of victims of torture.                Photos / Colleen Dodson Baker

Li Tim-Oi and Robert Runcie Facebook page
salutes 40th year
of women priests

Forty ordained women "firsts" - first priests, first bishops, first deacons - are being honored on "Episcopal Commons," a Facebook page dedicated to notable people, events and history that are the legacy of the Episcopal Church. Robert Williams, canon for community relations for the Diocese of Los Angeles, is coordinating the series and the page. He is writing and posting 40 stories of women clergy, counting down the days to July 29, the 40th anniversary of the day that 11 women were "irregularly" ordained to the Episcopal priesthood at a service in Philadelphia in 1974. Read more here. (Pictured in 1984 is Li Tim-Oi, first woman priest in the Anglican Communion, with Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie.)
 
Lotus at Echo park Lake
All are invited for July 4 walking meditation at Echo Park Lake
People of all faiths are invited to share in a one-hour walking meditation around Echo Park Lake at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 4, focusing on a theme of interdependence. Read more here. An event flyer is here.

Episcopal Church shield Nominating committee for next presiding bishop publishes first of three essays about election process
The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop (JNCPB) is continuing its work to prepare the Episcopal Church for the election of the 27th presiding bishop at General Convention in 2015. Between now and August 1, the JNCPB will publish three short educational essays. The first essay, released July 2 and found here, describes the basic timeline and steps for the nominating and election process. The second essay will outline the current roles, functions, and responsibilities of the presiding bishop. The third essay will discuss how the office of presiding bishop has changed and evolved. Questions or comments about these essays or the work of the JNCPB may be emailed to [email protected]. The JNCPB is comprised of a lay member, a priest or deacon, and a bishop from each of the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church, elected by the House of Deputies and House of Bishops respectively, plus two youth representatives, appointed by the president of the House of Deputies. Bishop Suffragan Mary Glasspool of the Diocese of Los Angeles is the bishop representative from Province VIII.

justaction Just Action  
 
Seeds of Hope cooking class
Just Action -
Seeds of Hope: Cooking
and Nutrition

In this week's Just Action video, Bishop Jon Bruno, Steven Trapasso and Erica Nieves discuss the Seeds of Hope nutrition and cooking classes currently provided at 15 churches and food banks throughout Los Angeles County.

For this and other videos in the Just Action series, click here.

 people People ...

LEAP for food St. Paul's, Tustin, and interfaith group reach out to summer school students
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Tustin, is hosting a five-week summer school program for academically at-risk children from their community, and in a program titled "LEAP of Food," they're teaming up with other local faith groups to see that the kids don't go hungry on these summer days. The churches take turns supplying a nutritious, protein-rich morning snack to the 150 children, all of LEAP for Food whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunches during the school year. For the first week, members of Aldersgate United Methodist offered burritos, fruit and milk. St. Paul's parishioner Peggy Catron, who founded the program, said, "These kids may have little to eat during the summer days, and our goal is to help them eat better and to learn better during the month-long summer school program." LEAP of Food is an outgrown of Sunday Supper, St. Paul's weekly, free Sunday dinner for the community. Besides St. Paul's and Aldersgate, participating congregations include Congregation B'Nai Israel, Holy Family Catholic Church, Tree of Life and The River in Irvine, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange.

Santa Barbara musician wins honors

Steve O'Connor, music director at All Saints by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Santa Barbara, was honored recently during induction ceremonies into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit Honor Society.  More than 150 undergraduate and graduate students from colleges around the United States, including those from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where O'Connor is working on his Master's Degree, received this recognition of academic and citizenship prowess. O'Connor also won the $1,000 graduate student award at Loyola Marymount University's Huffington Ecumenical Institute symposium on liturgical music for his  essay "Liturgical Music in 21st Century Western Environments" and a short musical antiphon.

REQUIESCAT

Catherine Keyser-Mary The Rev. Catherine Keyser-Mary
January 11, 1942 - July 1, 2014

The Rev. Catherine Iona Keyser-Mary, a priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Los Angeles and most recently assisting at Church of St. John the Baptist in Aptos, California, died July 1. She was 72. Her husband, the Rev. Pard Keyser, a Presbyterian minister, died some years ago. Survivors include her father Paul Butz, 98, a missionary in Peru; two brothers and two sisters Ginger and Rachel; a son and three daughters, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending. Keyser-Mary served at Christ Church, Redondo Beach, in various capacities from 2002. She also was director of pastoral care and chaplain at Episcopal Communities & Services' Canterbury and Covington campuses from 2005 to 2008. Full obituary here.

 eventsEvents & announcements ... 

Betsy Crimi Caregivers' support group
to begin at St. James' Church, Newport Beach

A caregivers' support group will begin at St. James the Great Episcopal Church in Newport Beach on July 9. The group, led by facilitator Betsy Crimi, will meet each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for eight weeks. Crimi was the director of religious education at St. Simon & St. Jude Roman Catholic Church in Huntington Beach for 12 years, after which she developed and implemented programs for the frail and elderly for the City of Huntington Beach, and facilitated support groups for caregivers and for those experiencing grief and loss. She is now a parishioner at St. James'. For more information, contact Crimi at [email protected] or call St. James' Church at 949.675.0210. St. James' the Great Church is located at 3209 Via Lido, Newport Beach 92663-3973.

IPL graphic Interfaith program
on "Climate of Hope"
will be held July 26
at Cathedral Center

Are you concerned about climate change and local environmental challenges? Are you active in your congregation and want to meet others in the faith community making similar efforts? The interfaith community is invited to "A Climate of Hope" on Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. - 12 noon at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul. Participants will spend the morning reflecting, planning and acting on pressing local environmental concerns. Because the event will take place just before the end of the California legislative session, participants can make their voices count on crucial legislation aimed at creating healthier communities. The event will also feature sessions on "telling your story"; local environmental challenges and solutions; and practical resources on "greening" congregational facilities and tips for church members. Among the speakers will be the Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, president of Interfaith Power & Light. The day will begin with check-in, refreshments and networking at 8:45 a.m. in the Cathedral Center's Great Hall. For reservations, click here or contact Allis Druffel at 310.752.3436 or [email protected]. The Cathedral Center is located at 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026.

 calendar This week around the diocese ...  

FRIDAY, JULY 4, 11 a.m.
Interfaith Walking Meditation
Echo Park
(across the street from)
The Cathedral Center of St. Paul
840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026
Information: 213.482.2040, ext. 240 or [email protected]
     People of all faiths are invited to share in a one-hour walking meditation around Echo Park Lake, focusing on a theme of interdependence. While completing the .9-mile path, participants will stop at six stations for reflection and prayers offered in six faith traditions: Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Baha'i. Participants are also invited to observe silent meditation and prayer while walking between the stations. The path borders the recently restored beds of lotus flowers, traditional symbols of enlightenment in several faiths. The walk will begin promptly at 11 a.m., beginning near the steps to the boathouse, a familiar landmark in Echo Park. Free parking will be available at the Cathedral Center until the lots are filled, and then on the adjacent streets. The event is sponsored by the recently launched Interfaith Coalition of Southern California, an emerging alliance of interreligious organizations engaged in strategic planning for common cause.

 artsThis week in liturgy & the arts ...

SUNDAY, JULY 6, 6 p.m.

Theatre Dybbuk: Tefillah or Prayer: A Translation
The Church of Our Saviour
535 West Roses Road, San Gabriel 91775
Information: 626.282.5147 or www.churchofoursaviour.org
     An original work by Theatre Dybbuk, which draws its presentations from Jewish myths, folklore and history. Tefillah was designed to be performed in sacred spaces. Suggested donation: $20.

MONDAY, JULY 7, 7 p.m.
Centering Prayer
St. James' Episcopal Church
1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena
Information: 626.799.9194
     The centering prayer group meets each Monday evening, except holidays.

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 6:15 p.m.
Centering Prayer
The Church of Our Saviour
535 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel 91775
Information: 626.282.5147
   No previous experience is necessary. Centering Prayer group meets every Tuesday in St. Luke's Chapel.

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 7 p.m.
Contemplative Prayer
Church of the Messiah
614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana 92701
Information: 714.543.9389
     Contemplative Prayer meets every Tuesday evening for an extended period of silent meditation and prayer in the Upper Room. Those unfamiliar with this method of prayer are welcome to join others who have practiced contemplative prayer before.
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 7:30 p.m.
Centering Prayer
St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
1227 Fourth Street, Santa Monica
Information: 310.395.0977
     All are welcome; no previous experience needed. The church is located on Fourth Street between Wilshire and Arizona. Parking is available in the public parking garage across the street. Centering Prayer is offered at St. Augustine's on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (except Thanksgiving Day).

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 7:30 p.m.
Contemplative Taiz� Experience
Church of Our Saviour
535 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel 91775
Information: 626.282.5147, ext. 13 or [email protected] or [email protected]
     A serene candlelight service of prayer, reflection, and music on the second Friday of each month.

SATURDAY, JULY 12, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Pathway to Peace: Labyrinth Walking for Dummies
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
1145 West Valencia Mesa Drive, Fullerton
Information: The Rev. Canon Paul Edwards, [email protected]
    Learn to walk ninety percent of the Chartres Labyrinth virtually in one session. Walk it daily in your home and deepen your spirituality. The seminar will be held on the second Saturday of each month. Cost: $10 for materials.

SATURDAY, JULY 12, 3 p.m.
Concert: String Quartet and Organ
Cathedral Center of St. Paul
840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026
Information: 213.482.2040
     St. Athanasius Parish celebrates the restoration of Echo Park Lake Park and reinstitution of its annual Lotus Festival with a concert for string quartet, soloists, and the church's Beckerath pipe organ, featuring music by Handel and Purcell, including Handel's Water Music in honor of the lake and its thriving lotus blossoms. James French, director.

SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2:30 p.m.
Four-Hand Piano Concert
Church of the Messiah
614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana 92701
Information: 714.543.9389
     Performed by the PJ Ensemble featuring Jim Vaskov and Patti Amelotte.  Join us for a relaxing program of music by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Poulenc.  The program is free of charge and all are welcome.  Street parking is free.

MONDAY, JULY 14, 7 p.m.
Centering Prayer
St. James' Episcopal Church
1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena
Information: 626.799.9194
     The centering prayer group meets each Monday evening, except holidays.

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 6:15 p.m.
Centering Prayer
The Church of Our Saviour
535 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel 91775
Information: 626.282.5147
   No previous experience is necessary. Centering Prayer group meets every Tuesday in St. Luke's Chapel.

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 7 p.m.
Contemplative Prayer
Church of the Messiah
614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana 92701
Information: 714.543.9389
     Contemplative Prayer meets every Tuesday evening for an extended period of silent meditation and prayer in the Upper Room. Those unfamiliar with this method of prayer are welcome to join others who have practiced contemplative prayer before.

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 In this issue ...  
 Episcopal News 
The Episcopal News
Click here to download and read
the Summer 2014 issue of
The Episcopal News
 Episcopal News 
Malcolm Boyd column header
A letter that shook me
and changed my life


by Malcolm Boyd
 
I got involved in civil rights gradually. At the outset I simply cared deeply but didn't know very much about it. It became clear that it was one thing to be legitimately in favor of racial justice, yet quite another to take a controversial public stand on the issue. Race was dynamite as a major issue in America. In 1961 it was sharply dividing U.S. families, places of worship, universities, you name it. Virtually everybody had an opinion. I realized that I was acutely interested. I was touched by influential writings of the time, voices speaking from books and the theater and in film. But I kept my distance intellectually and emotionally.

Read the rest here.


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 musings

 opportunitiesOpportunities ...


TRAVEL & PILGRIMAGE 

 

The Portugal Way of St. James
September 19 - 29, 2014
Sponsored by Christ Church of the Ascension, Phoenix, Arizona, and let by the Rev. Phillip Jackson, rector. Visiting sites in Portugal and Spain, concluding at Santiago de Compostela. Cost: $3,300 per person (double occupancy), including 9 nights' accommodation, daily breakfast, six lunches, three dinners; tour guide, day cruise on the Douro River, air-conditioned tour coach, all entrance fees and gratuities. Airfare, insurance, additional meals not included. Information and tour brochure here. Contact: Bonnie Waite, 480.899.8006 or [email protected].

Pilgrimage: The Holy Land
December 1 - 11, 2014
The Rev. Nancy Crawford, ECW national board president invites all to join this spiritual pilgrimage  -- women, men, couples and youth.  Organized by Lynn Headley of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Price:  $3,300 (double occupancy), which includes roundtrip nonstop flight from JFK (New York) to Tel Aviv, meals, lodging, entrance fees, tips. ($520 additional for a private room). A brochure with detailed information is here.

 

_________________

EMPLOYMENT

 

ALTADENA: Director of Children, Youth and Families Ministry. Saint Mark's Church seeks a dynamic, energetic person to build on their successful program for children, youth and families. Full job description and application information here. Contact: the Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon, rector, at  [email protected] or 626.798.6747.  

 

COMPTON: Interim school director. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Compton seeks a full-time interim school director to bring a positive, collaborative approach to continuing innovation as the school begins its search for a permanent director. Information here.

COMPTON: Bookkeeper. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Compton seeks to hire a bookkeeper to make the entries and balance the books every week, help prepare the budget, and bring a positive, teamwork-oriented approach to the church and school. Information here.

COMPTON: Fundraiser. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Compton seeks to hire a successful fundraiser to help find ways and means of raising funds for the church and school as we begin to search for a permanent director of the school. Information here.  

 

COSTA MESA: Music Director (Organist/Choir Director). St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. Part time (8 hours/week) Sundays, one weekly rehearsal, plus additional holy day services. Full job description and application information here.  

 

LOS ANGELES: Bilingual member service representative, Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union. Requires at least an AA degree and some accounting knowledge. Salary plus medical, dental and life insurance, paid vacation and pension. Job description and application instructions here.   

 

UPLAND: Interim Preschool Director. St. Mark's Episcopal School seeks an experienced preschool leader committed to early childhood education to serve under the guidance of the Head of School beginning in mid-July 2014. Job description and application information here.  

 

_________________________

VOLUNTEER

 

For volunteer opportunities, click here.


_________________

TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT

GRAVESITES: Episcopal Communities & Services has approximately 30 gravesites available at Live Oak Cemetery, located in Monrovia, and is selling these spaces at $1,000 each (they usually run $4,500 or more). The gravesites can be purchased individually or in blocks. ECS also has four available sites for cremains only; these can be purchased for $500 each. For information call Lisa Oddone at Episcopal Communities & Services, 626.403.1497.


The Episcopal News Update
is emailed on Wednesday evening each week. Deadline for submissions is each Tuesday at noon. Send items for inclusion in the Update to Janet Kawamoto, editor, at [email protected], or mail to The Episcopal News Update, P.O. Box 512164, Los Angeles, California 90051 (email is preferred).  
 
To subscribe to the Update, click on the link below, or send a request to [email protected]