September 7, 2023 | VOLUME 35, ISSUE 34

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Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

September 10, 2023

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Ezekiel 33:7-11

Psalm 119:33-40

Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 18:15-20

Preacher: The Reverend Jennifer Wagner Pavia

Saturday, September 9, 11:00 AM: Memorial for Linda Guagliano

Sunday, September 10, 1:30 PM: Grassroots Neighbors

Monday, September 11, 7:30 PM: Sisters of Bede Meeting on ZOOM Only

Saturday, September 16, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Diocesan Climate Change Summit at St. Paul's Commons in Echo Park or Online

Saturday, October 14: Party of Parties - Stay tuned!

Bible and Breakfast

Tuesdays | 9:30 AM

Luther Hall & Zoom

Midweek Eucharist

Wednesdays | 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

Adult Forum

Wednesdays | 7:45 PM

Luther Hall & Zoom

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED THIS SUNDAY!

September 10 | 1:30 PM & 5:00 PM

Grass Roots Neighbors is a volunteer community organization. They meet the immediate needs of our neighbors experiencing food and housing insecurity. GRN mobilizes to fill the gaps in existing services by providing assistance with love and respect. The organization's vision is to be a community effectively involved in ending poverty. ​

Among their outreach programs, GNR cooks and delivers a hot meal every Sunday to various encampments on the Westside. Once a month, St. Bede's with Holy Nativity assists GNR with preparing and providing meals. There are now four different volunteer time slots:

• 2 - 4 PM (mostly chopping of fruits and veggies)
• 4 - 6 PM (mainly packaging food)
• 6 - 8:30 PM (loading and distributing the food)
• 7:30 - 10:30 PM (distributing food in Venice by bike)

GNR utilizes the kitchen facilities at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church.

SEASON OF CREATION 2023 September 1 to October 4

COME CELEBRATE WITH ST. BEDE'S! Wednesdays at 7:45pm

It's not too late to join our Adult Education experience! Be part of the global movement for the Season of Creation, an annual month-long ecumenical and global season when Christian communities pray and respond together to the cry of creation. We'll dig deep into our faith and come away feeling refreshed in our unity and our love for each other, our Creator and His Creation.

September 6 - A Passion for the Planet

Geoffrey Hudson’s A Passion for the Planet is an hour-long oratorio on the subject of climate change. Blending scientific prose, poetry, and sacred texts from many faiths, the libretto traces an arc from beauty and gratitude into darkness and out again into hope. We will watch this video of a live performance with orchestra and choir.

September 13 - Special Rogation Day Procession

In ancient times, the observance consisted of an outdoor procession that culminated in a special celebration of the Eucharist. The term from which this observance is drawn is the Latin rogare, meaning “to ask.” We will move from station to station of images to hear scripture and offer prayers for creation, for all who labor, for the fruitfulness of the land and waters; and for deliverance in time of war, disaster, and epidemic disease. Please note: the Procession will start at 7pm followed by the service of Eucharist which will conclude the evening with a period of silence.

September 20 - Creation Care StorySharing 

We know that the shortest distance between two people is a story. Stories move us and connect us like no argument or facts every could. And you don’t need special expertise to share your story. You just need to notice the moments when you’ve experienced God’s presence in your life and in the world. Then use your words – out loud – to share those stories and welcome others to do the same. No preparation required.

September 27 - The Letter Movie–A Message for Our Earth

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si', an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. A few years later, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope. This documentary follows their journey to Rome and tells their powerful personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people.

October 4 - Take Action!

Inspiration from the season will move us forward in our peace and justice work for all creation.

OTHER OFFERINGS in our community

Ballona Creek Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour

Saturday, September 9 from10:00am-12:00pm

Registration required at ballonafriends.org

Meet us in the dirt parking lot behind Gordon's Market/Alka Water

303 Culver Boulevard, Playa del Rey

Our expert docents will lead you through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, where you’ll learn about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants as you journey through different habitats. You might even meet some of the local wildlife.

Diocesan Climate Change Summit (see next article below)

Saturday, September 16 from 9:30am-2pm

St. Paul’s Commons 840 Echo Park Ave. Los Angeles

Registration required for in person or online participation at diocesela.org

Focusing on practical action by congregations and individuals, the Climate Change Summit will underscore U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s recent statement that “the era of global warming has ended” and “the era of global boiling has arrived.” The morning plenary presentation will feature seismologist Lucy Jones. "The summit is a great opportunity to bring our diocesan community together to do what we can to address this issue which affects our whole world. It’s not easy work but it is necessary work,” said the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, diocesan canon to the ordinary, who chairs the 30-member commission on behalf of Bishop John Harvey Taylor.

Ballona Creek Freshwater Marsh Tour

Sunday, September 24 from 10am-12pm

Registration required at ballonafriends.org

Ballona Discovery Park 13110 Bluff Creek Drive, Los Angeles

The Freshwater Marsh is a restored wetland that was previously filled and farmed for decades. Now it is a flourishing marsh filled with native plants providing habitat for more than 250 species of migratory and resident birds. This marsh is one of Los Angeles ’birding hot spots!

More events to be added as the season progresses.

ST. BEDE'S PARISH REPs SOUGHT for DIOCESAN CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT

Elizabeth Coombs is extending an invitation to all St. Bede’s parishioners concerned about climate change. She is encouraging us to be part of a team that actively participates in contributing to the prevention of irreparable planetary damage and the advancement of intergenerational justice at the local level. Elizabeth enthusiastically plans to be a representative and encourages all interested parties to attend the Diocesan Climate Change Summit described below. Please let Elizabeth (elizabethcoombs@earthlink.net) or Rev. Jennifer know of your plan to attend the summit, either in-person or online.

Seismologist Lucy Jones will share insights at diocesan Climate Change Summit September 16

By EN Staff

Distinguished seismologist Lucy Jones – a well-known voice for earthquake science and safety – will deliver the morning plenary presentation at the diocesan Climate Change Summit, a hybrid event set for Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park.

Registration is here. All are welcome. Coffee and table conversation starting at 9:30 a.m. will precede the program opening at 10 a.m. Sessions will continue until 2:30 p.m. with a 30-minute break for lunch.

Jones, who is a lay leader at St. James Episcopal Church in South Pasadena, will be joined by afternoon presenters Kate Varley and Lisa Markus, also Episcopalians and climate specialists from local congregations.

“The church has tremendous potential to make a difference,” McCarthy added. “I firmly believe we can do anything we are called to do when we are working in community and with God’s help. The issue of climate change needs our concerted, intentional, and communal attention.”

The summit has been called in keeping with Diocesan Convention resolutions adopted last November.

The summit program will bring news of Commission partnerships, including the “Climate Connections” disaster resilience plan, now a pilot project, engaging congregations in strategic, collaborative response to crises including earthquakes and heatwaves. Made possible by a grant from Southern California Edison, the program is coordinated by Jones, who co-chairs the Commission’s Disaster Resiliency Subcommittee with Mary Nichols, a lay leader at St. James’, Los Angeles, and former head of the California Air Resources Board.

Box lunches, available for a donation of $12, will be provided during the 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. program. St. Paul’s Commons, the diocese’s administrative and ministry hub, is located at 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles. Free parking is available in the on-site garages.

Further information may be requested from Samantha Wylie, coordinator of Diocesan Convention, by email at swylie@ladiocese.org. For those using the Metrolink or other train lines that go to Union Station, directions for reaching Echo Park are here.

The St. Bede's Homecoming Barbecue will be held on Sunday, September 24, after the 10:00 AM service. This is an annual event to mark the end of the summer vacation season, reconnect with the St. Bede's family, and highlight the many opportunities and activities at St. Bede's. The Vestry will provide everything, so it is not necessary to sign up. See you there!

Are you planning to attend worship online and want an easy way to make a pledge payment? Do you want to ditch the checkbook and set up reoccurring payments? Are you looking for a convenient way to make a one-time special gift to St. Bede's?

Did you know you can make donations online to St. Bede's, securely and easily?

Visit the St. Bede's website and at the top of every page, look for the "Donate" button. When you click on the "Donate" button, you will be transported to St. Bede's Vanco eGiving and Payment Process Site.

Vanco is an industry leader in online payments. More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, and educational organizations trust Vanco to securely complete transactions every day. Vanco complies with PCI Level 1 standards, the highest security standard in the payment processing industry.

You are invited to set up one-time or recurring gifts using credit, debit, or bank transfer on Vanco's secure payment processing platform. Giving online through the Vanco site saves time and the hassle of remembering to bring your offering. In addition, you decrease the expense incurred by St. Bede’s from handling and processing checks and cash.

Loreen and Andy Guilford, lay eucharistic ministers at St. John Chrysostom in Rancho Santa Margarita, in the opening procession. Photo: Linda Allport

New diocesan lay licensing process to begin this Fall

By Linda Allport

For more than a year, members of the Commission on Ministry, along with diocesan and Bloy House leadership, have been developing a new process for licensing lay ministers according to the Canons of the Episcopal Church.

There are seven lay ministries identified in the canons eligible for licensing:

Eucharistic minister – a lay person who administers the consecrated elements at Holy Eucharist.

Eucharistic visitor – a lay person who takes the consecrated elements following a celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who were unable to be present due to illness/infirmity.

Preacher – a lay person who delivers sermons or homilies in a congregational setting.

Evangelist – a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to follow Christ; assists with the community’s ministry of evangelism.

Catechist – a lay person who prepares persons for baptism, confirmation, reception, and the reaffirmation of baptismal vows.

Worship leader – a lay person who regularly leads public worship in a congregational setting.

Pastoral leader – a lay person who exercises pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances.

READ MORE HERE

Julia Ayala Harris pauses during her 2022 acceptance speech upon election as House of Deputies president. | Scott Gunn photo

Retired Oklahoma bishop identified as focus of presiding officer’s complaint amid calls for bishop accountability

By David Paulsen

Clergy and lay leaders across The Episcopal Church are joining House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris in demanding reform of the church’s disciplinary process for bishops as retired Oklahoma Bishop Ed Konieczny was identified as the focus of Ayala Harris’ sexual harassment complaint.

Ayala Harris, in revealing the general details of her complaint last week, withheld the identity of the bishop who she said had “physically overpowered” her at last year’s 80th General Convention. In an Aug. 30 letter to the House of Deputies, she said she felt compelled to go public after her case had ended in a “pastoral response” rather than discipline for the bishop.

Konieczny was first identified publicly at the subject of Ayala Harris’ complaint on Sept. 5 in a story by The Living Church, citing three unnamed sources and the Diocese of Oklahoma’s chancellor, Bill Cathcart. Episcopal News Service also obtained confirmation from Cathcart, who said he and Konieczny were barred by a “pastoral directive” from saying anything about the case.

Ayala Harris referred ENS to her previous response: “Out of the concern for my safety and others, as well as potential legal and privacy issues, I cannot name the respondent bishop at this time.” The Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs also declined to comment on the bishop’s identity.

READ MORE ON ENS

At least 55 Episcopal bishops signed a letter saying they are ‘angered by and deeply concerned about the perception — or the reality — that bishops get a free pass on behavioral issues.’

Presiding Bishop offers pastoral word on church safety, accountability

By Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Office of Public Affairs

Hello, my family in Christ. Please allow me to share a few words with our church in this particular moment. I am very much aware of the deep concern that you have expressed about what happened to President Ayala Harris while at General Convention last year, about the discipline of bishops, and about how we can be and become a church that lives in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth—that authentically walks in his way of love, and in so doing helps to make the church become a place where all are welcomed and all are safe. We are all rightly concerned for President Ayala Harris and for all others who have experienced hurt or harm in the church.

I am also aware that my fellow bishops said in a recent statement that “there is a perception—or reality—that bishops get a free pass on behavioral issues.” None of us want that to be the case. For the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of our integrity, and, above all, for the sake of the well-being of every child of God who is a part of this church, we cannot, we must not, and we will not sit idly by when any one is hurt or harmed in our midst.

READ MORE ON ENS

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