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Deacon Celeste Stump (left) and Deacon Catherine Wagar (center) from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles talk to one of the county disaster staff at the local assistance center in Victorville, California, which is serving people affected by the Blue Cut fire. Photo: Michael Bamberger
Episcopal relief agency, Diocese of Los Angeles support California fire response
 Save the date:October conference to explore 'Christian witness, Muslim contexts'
Major speakers have been confirmed for "Jesus Amidst the Many Mosques: Christian Witness, Muslim Contexts," a one-day conference scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles. sponsored by the Diocese of Los Angeles' Program Group on Global Partnership. The conference will be designed to further faithful reflection on the global encounter of Christians and Muslims in multiple contexts, examining theological and practical concerns shared by both faiths.
Confirmed participants include:
- The Rev. Canon Paul Gordon Chandler, author of Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road
- The Rt. Rev. Boston Jacques, bishop of the Diocese of Guinea
- The Rev. Canon Titus Presler, principal-in-exile of Edwardes College in Peshawar, Pakistan
- Professor Najeeba Syeed, Muslim scholar and member of the faculty at Claremont School of Theology.
Discussion questions will include: What does the Anglican/Episcopal Church say about Islam, and in particular, about Islamic radicalism? How do Muslims around the world view the Bible and Christian teachings on Jesus and the Church? What is it like to be a Christian in a Muslim country? What can we do as a global community to prevent religious intolerance and abuse while speaking the truth?
Tickets, available here, are free, but space is limited, and reservations are requested. For additional information, visit the PGGP Facebook page or contact Troy Elder at 213.482.2040 or telder@ladiocese.org.
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 People ...
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REQUIESCAT
 Mark Thompson
August 19, 1952 - August 11, 2016
Mark Thompson, husband of the late Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd, died Aug. 11 at his home in Palm Springs, where he moved early in 2016. Thompson, 63, a licensed therapist, author and photographer, and for two decades an editor of the LGBT publication The Advocate, was a leading gay rights activist in the San Francisco area and later in Los Angeles. He was author of many books, including a trilogy on the spirituality of gay men, Gay Spirit, Gay Soul and Gay Body, and is considered a founder of the "gay spirituality" movement. An obituary written by his longtime friend and fellow activist Karen Ocamb, is here. Funeral services are pending. A reading of Thompson's works is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Dog Eared Books in the Castro district of San Francisco.
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Events & announcements ...
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 ProCathedral to join 'Concert Across America,' raises banner against gun violence The ProCathedral of St. John will hold a special concert mass at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18 as part of #Concert Across America, a nationwide effort to mark the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims and to raise awareness about violence, specifically gun violence. The service, which will include a liturgy for victims of gun violence and a performance of Francis Poulenc's "Priez pour paix" ("Pray for Peace") by mezzo soprano soloist Christen Herman, will be recorded and distributed on the Cathedral's website and its Facebook and Twitter accounts on Sept. 25. The procathedral congregation also has mounted a banner reading "Thou Shalt Not Kill - Control Guns NOW" on the front of the building, located at 514 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles 90017. (Note: An incorrect date was listed for this event in the Aug. 21 issue of the Update. The News regrets the error.)
 Seminar in Redlands to give
local, global perspective on human trafficking Trinity Church, Redlands, will present a seminar on human trafficking on Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., featuring Opal
Singleton (pictured), author of Seduced: The Grooming of America's Teenagers, president and CEO of Million Kids, and outreach coordinator of the Riverside Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. The program, which also will feature Officer Leslie Martinez of the Redlands Police Department's special victims division, will address the increasing problem of modern-day slavery in the local community and in the world. The seminar will take place at Trinity Church, 419 S. Fourth Street, Redlands. For reservations (for lunch), call 909.793.2014.
 ECW asks for contributions
to arts program for victims
of violence, trauma During 2016, the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Los Angeles is working with A Window Between Worlds, an organization that provides workshops that use art and the creative process to help people cope with the consequences of violence and trauma. AWBW is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. "We encourage all Episcopal Church Women to help make more transformations possible by giving a gift in honor of this celebration," says diocesan ECW President Martha Estes. "Just $25 sponsors a survivor's participation in one of their art workshops and $500 provides art supplies at a weekly program for an entire year. Any amount is meaningful, especially this year as they've been challenged to raise $250,000 in first-time and increased gifts -- all of which will be matched by a generous group of funders." ECW-LA board members are serving on the host committee for AWBW's anniversary brunch on Sunday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at Hotel Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica. General admission and VIP tickets are available for purchase here. Donations may be sent to A Window Between Worlds at 710 4th Avenue, Suite 5, Venice, CA 90291 (please mention ECW-LA). More about AWBW is here.
 Nursing students
in Haiti will benefit from Oct. 8 gala in Los Angeles Faculté des Sciences Infirmières de l'Université Episcopale d'Haïti (Faculty of Nursing Science of the Episcopal University of Haiti) in Léogâne, Haiti, will benefit from "A Gala of Support" on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, sponsored by the Friends of the National Black Nurses Association of Los Angeles and the Haiti Nursing Foundation. A networking reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the gala and ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 each. The event will raise support for students at FSIL Nursing School, the first four-year baccalaureate program of nursing in Haiti. FSIL has graduated eight classes; 115 men and women who are the first Haitians to earn this degree within their own country. Today, 140 men and women are enrolled at the school. Few can afford the $4,000 required annually for tuition, books, uniforms, room and board without scholarship aid. Most FSIL graduates (95%) remain in Haiti to address the health care needs of the nation. Tor purchase tickets for the Oct. 8 gala, or for information, contact Eric J. Williams, NBNA president, at ewilliams@nbna.org or Lovene Knight at loventy5@gmail.com. The Renaissance Hotel is located at 9620 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles 90045.
 Lobster Fest at
St. Alban's, Yucaipa St. Alban's, Yucaipa, will hold its 17th annual Lobster Fest on Sept. 24, with dinner seatings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dinner choices include a whole Maine lobster ($30), Surf & Turf ($40), or steak only ($30). All meals also include a cheese biscuit, coleslaw, baked potato, and dessert. Beverage offerings are iced tea, lemonade or coffee. Patrons may bring their own adult beverages. Prepaid reservations must be made by Sept. 16. For reservations, contact Lucy at 909.790.1022 or Linda at 909.224.6086.
 More Lobster: St. Mark's, Downey, Lobster Fest St. Mark's Church, Downey, will hold its annual Lobster Fest on Saturday, October 1, featuring lobsters flown in fresh from Maine and tri-tip beef smoked to perfection. Take-out lobsters ($28) will be available beginning at 1 p.m., and the seated meal (with all the trimmings) will begin at 6 p.m. Lobster and tri-tip dinner is $40; Lobster dinner is $32; Tri-tip dinner is $32, and a children's meal is $10. (A convenience fee of $1 per dinner will be added for credit card orders.) The evening will also feature a gift basket raffle and live music by The Peatheads. St. Mark's Church is located at 10354 Downey Avenue, Downey 90241. For additional information and to place orders (deadline is Sept. 2), visit www.mkt.com/stmarksdowney, call 562.862.3268 or email to church@stmarksdowney.org.
All Saints, Beverly Hills, to screen 'Reconcile,' a film on how the church welcomes 'the other' All Saints Church, Beverly Hills, will sponsor a premiere screening of Reconcile, a short film produced by the parish, on Saturday, Sept. 24, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Reconcile "deals directly with the issue of how the church welcomes LGBT members, raises the question of how we live in harmony with "The Other," those people who look, think, act, believe or live differently than we do," according to the event announcement. A video message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will precede the film. Afterwards, Dee Dee Myers, Warner Bros. executive and former White House press secretary, will lead a discussion on "Learning to Love the Other" with a panel that will include writer, director and producer Quinton Peeples; Todd Purdum, national editor and political correspondent for Vanity Fair; Gary Roberts, executive vice president of Fox Legal Group; and the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, Episcopal priest and author. A wine and cheese reception will conclude the evening. Admission is by advance-purchase ticket only: click here to purchase tickets at $10 each. All Saints' Episcopal Church is located at 504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills 90210.
 Spiritual formation community meets on Sundays
at St. Paul's, Pomona "The Human and the Holy," a spiritual formation community at St. Paul's Church, Pomona, meets on Sundays, 1:30 - 5 p.m., for prayer, personal reflection, spiritual practice, reverent dialogue in companion circles, thoughtful presentations, and ritual action. This year the group's theme is "From the Inside Out: Living a Significant Life." All are invited to join other "holy vagabonds on the way to becoming more deeply human as we ponder and practice living what matters most." The group's leader and guide is Dan Miller, Catholic teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director. Dates are: Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 19, April 23 and May 21. For more information about registration and cost, contact Jean at 626.964.5861 or j.ajayesthal4@verizon.net . St. Paul's Church is located at 242 E. Alvarado Street, Pomona 91767.
 'Into Silence' contemplative retreat planned for September in Santa Barbara The Community of Divine Love, an Episcopal monastery in the Diocese of Los Angeles, will offer "Into Silence," a guided contemplative retreat, Sept. 8 - 11 at Mt. Calvary Monastery in Santa Barbara. It will be led by Brother Dennis Gibbs and Sister Greta Ronningen of CD (pictured), both of whom are chaplains to the incarcerated of the Los Angeles County jail system, as well as writers, retreat leaders and spiritual directors. Cost for the retreat is $400 per person for four days and three nights, including accommodations and meals. Space is limited to 15 participants. For information, or to register, contact CDL at 626.703.4474 or info@cdlmonks.org, or Mt. Calvary Monastery at 805.682.4117 or mtcalvary1@aol.com. A flyer is here.
 Gooden Center's Ride for Recovery scheduled for Oct. 29 The Gooden Center of Pasadena's 2016 Richard Selje Ride for Recovery is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29. Bicyclists will depart from Pasadena City Hall at 100 Garfield Avenue, Pasadena 91101, and end at the Bishop Gooden Center at 191 N. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena 91101. Riders may choose quarter century (25-mile), metric century (62-mile) or fully century (100-mile) ride routes. This year the Gooden Center is working with local parishes to set up teams of riders. Individual riders are welcome. The event will end with a barbecue, music and celebration. For information and to register, click here. For additional information, contact Susan Johnson at 626.356.0078. Donors and volunteers are also welcome. The Gooden Center, an institution of the Diocese of Los Angeles, is an alchohol and substance abuse treatment program for men, founded more than a half century ago by Suffragan Bishop Heber Gooden.
 Retreat will focus on
men's spirituality Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality, will present "A Man's Way to God" with Jim Clarke (pictured), Roman Catholic priest and director for Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church, 1940 Prospect Avenue, Redondo Beach 90277. According to the Stillpoint announcement, "Masculine spirituality is based on the lived reality of men. In this interactive gathering Fr. Jim Clarke will unpack and clarify what a masculine spirituality looks like, offering some very practical guidelines for both men and women who would like to better understand men's way to God. We will use a variety of approaches including embodied movement and rituals." Clarke is an adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University and a retreat master with more than 40 years of experience. He has been involved with men's work and ministry for 20 years. He is the author of Creating Rituals and Soul-Centered Spirituality, both available through Paulist Press. Clarke also has written two audio series on spirituality: Spirituality for the Modern Individual and A Man's Way to God. For additional information and to register, click here.
 Tour of Catholic cathedral
to highlight church's
rituals and symbols "Decoding Rituals and Symbols of Roman Catholicism," a program sponsored by the Guibord Center on Saturday, Sept. 24, 4 - 6 p.m., will offer a discussion of Catholic worship as well as a tour of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, both led by the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, ecumenical and interreligious officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The tour will feature the cathedral's tapestries, bronze doors, alabaster windows and artwork, and a discussion of how the building reflects Church symbolism and history, as well as the diverse culture of Los Angeles. There is no charge for the event, but registration is requested: click here. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located at 555 W. Temple Street (at Grand), Los Angeles. Parking is available in the Cathedral's underground lot for $8 per car. The Guibord Center, an independent organization, works to improve understanding among Los Angeles' diverse faith communities.
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This week around the diocese ...
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
'Pizza Palooza' and Community Open House
Holy Nativity Episcopal Church
6700 West 83rd Street, Los Angeles 90045
Information: 310.670.4777
Guests will be welcome to explore Holy Trinity's extensive garden, see the triptych and other artwork in its sanctuary, learn about its classes in yoga, cooking and contra dancing, and sample delicious homemade pizza baked in the outdoor community cob oven. The event is free and open to all. Face painting and sidewalk art projects will be available for children. Guests are asked to bring a can or box or bag of food to support Food Pantry LAX, which serves the hungry of the local community. For more about the open house and schedule of events, visit the parish website here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Carnival of the Instruments
Trinity Episcopal Church
419 S. Fourth Street, Redlands
Information: 909.793.2014
Trinity invites families to meet professional musicians who will introduce them to all the music instrument families: strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. Participants "ages 3 to 103" will be welcome to blow, strum, bang and pluck, guided by the professionals. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments served at this free event.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 6 - 10 p.m.
Summer Classic Lifestyle Event
St. Mark's in-the-Valley Episcopal Church
2901 Nojoqui Avenue, Los Olivos 93441
Tickets here
Information here
The evening will begin with sampling of local wines and hors d'oeuvres during a silent and live auction, followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by Jeff and Janet Olsson of New West. Two-time Grammy award-winning violinist Mads Tolling and keyboardist Colin Hogan will offer entertainment. Proceeds from the Summer Classic support local community programs and services provided by St. Mark's. Tickets, available for a $200 per-person donation, include wines, beverages, hors d'oeuvres, gourmet dinner and live entertainment, and are available only in advance at the web link above, or by sending a check and contact information (noted 2016 Summer Classic donation) to St. Mark's, P.O. Box 39, Los Olivos 93441. For additional information, contact co-chairs Carol Anders, 805.688.3445 or cadaanders@hotmail.com, and Jim Lohnas, 805.448.5403 or jimlohnas@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 12 - 3 p.m.
Heart for Uganda
Prince of Peace Episcopal Church
5700 Rudnick Avenue, Woodland Hills
Information: 818.346.6968 or udiworks.org
Featuring fun, food, games, music, dance and fashion in support of Uganda Development Initiative, a nonprofit organization that promotes economic growth, education and investment in Uganda. The event also will feature an international fashion show, a silent auction and interactive exhibits. Tickets (for food) are $12 for adults; children under 12 are free.
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FRIDAY, SEPT. 2, 7 p.m.
Dodger Night 2016
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles 90012
The Dodgers will play the San Diego Padres, and fireworks will follow the game.
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Recurring Services ...
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The worship services or events listed here occur on a regular basis; weekly or monthly. Note that some are suspended on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or Holy Week, or during the summer. Please check with individual churches for exceptions to the regular schedule. |
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