December 2025

Looking Ahead with Hope and Prayer

by Bishop-elect Antonio Gallardo

Dear Friends:

“The old leaves wither, die, and fall away,

and the new growth extends forward into the light.”

This quote by Bryant McGill, American author, speaker, and thought leader who advocates for human rights and gender equality, is about the natural cycle of life and the importance of letting go of the past to embrace new beginnings.

It uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate that the end of one phase is necessary for the start of another, encouraging the idea that change is a vital and continuous process.

We Christians are starting the season of Advent, which marks the end of a liturgical year, or the beginning of a new one, depending on how you see it.

For some, the Advent season focuses on preparation and expectation, the anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas, and this is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.

The reading for Advent 1 from the prophet Isaiah reminds us that the covenant that God made with creation will be fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ.

^“For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;…” (Isaiah 2:3).

These words from the prophet Isaiah are a multi-voiced meditation of faith around the crisis of the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E, and the ensuing crises of deportation and loss that the people of Israel and Judah were suffering.[1] 

These words are also meant to offer a hopeful message of restoration.

“… they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).

Even though the makers of the book of Isaiah did not know the way ahead, it is clear that they did not doubt that there was a way ahead.

The book of Isaiah “rolls” toward the future that has just begun with God’s promise, a promise which is not fully formed, or developed, and yet it is a future that is as sure as the God who plans and builds.[2]

At the beginning of this Advent season, we are reminded that the consummation of God’s purpose for creation is pictured as the second coming of Christ. And when that time comes, we won’t meet a stranger, but the one who has already been among us, the one that we did not meet in person, and yet, we know, we love, and we experience every day.[3]

We are also reminded that the end of times will come unexpectedly, and that like our ancestors, we will experience moments when what is ahead of us is uncertain.

Just three weeks ago I was elected as the next bishop of our diocese. Such news may naturally bring to some the uncertainty of the future, or the melancholy that endings bring along.

The first Sunday of Advent is perfectly appropriate for that moment in the life of our diocese, because we are invited to shift our focus from our earthly worries to the branch that will spring up as God has promised. We are invited to prepare our hearts and our minds for what God has in store for us.

People at the time of Isaiah found hope in the promise of a savior.

People at the time of the Matthew found hope in the second coming of Christ.

We are people of hope, and we find hope in a Christ that is coming back one day, and who is always ready to renew our lives, every single day.

This beginning of Advent we are either focusing on the worries of what is ahead for our communities and our diocese, or we can look forward to the renewal that God has in store for us.

This beginning of Advent, Jesus is inviting us to wait with patience, and on guard.

He is inviting us to wait with hope, so that our hearts are not weighed down by the worries of this moment of transition.

In the middle of our worries, God is at work bringing to pass an all-encompassing goal. God continues working on transforming the beautiful spiritual communities in our diocese; God is working in making sure that the old will give way to something radically new.

At the beginning of this Advent season, through the book of Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew, we realize that we are living challenging and uncertain times like our ancestors.

We are also reminded of the promise running throughout the Bible, that God will ALWAYS be present among our communities and our diocese, as promised in the book of the prophet Isaiah:

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

After the election of a new bishop, this diocese is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for what is ahead.

Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf, in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them.

In the same way, and during Advent, I invite you and your communities to look back on God’s past gracious actions on your behalf, while at the same time you look forward in eager anticipation to what God has in store for us.

In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents this diocese’s cry during the Advent season:

 O come, O come, Emmanuel,

 And ransom those who cannot see ahead.

 Those who worry about what’s so near

 Until the Son of God appears.

 Rejoice! Rejoice!

 Emmanuel shall come to thee, as he came to Israel.

Wait with patience;

Expect with hope;

Pray incessantly;

Be on guard;

And rejoice, because God is with you. Amen

[1] Walter Brueggemann, “An Introduction to the Old Testament,” page 177

[2] Walter Brueggemann, “An Introduction to the Old Testament,” page 189

[3] Boring & Craddock, “The People’s New Testament Commentary,” page 266

 Mirando Hacia el Futuro con Esperanza y en Oración

por Antonio Gallardo

Queridos Amigos:

“Las hojas viejas se marchitan, mueren y caen,
y los nuevos brotes se extienden hacia la luz.”

Esta cita de Bryant McGill, autor, orador y líder de opinión estadounidense que aboga por los derechos humanos y la igualdad de género, trata sobre el ciclo natural de la vida y la importancia de dejar atrás el pasado para acoger nuevos comienzos.

Utiliza la metáfora de un árbol para ilustrar que el final de una fase es necesario para el inicio de otra, fomentando la idea de que el cambio es un proceso vital y continuo.

Para nosotros, los cristianos, estamos comenzando la temporada de Adviento, que marca el final de un año litúrgico o el comienzo de uno nuevo, según cómo lo veas.

Para algunos, la temporada de Adviento se centra en la preparación y la expectativa, la anticipación del nacimiento de Cristo en la temporada previa a la Navidad, y esto forma parte de la historia, pero hay más que eso en el Adviento.

La lectura del primer domingo de Adviento del profeta Isaías nos recuerda que el pacto que Dios hizo con la creación se cumplirá con la venida de Jesucristo.

“Porque de Sión saldrá la enseñanza del Señor, de Jerusalén vendrá su palabra.

El Señor juzgará entre las naciones y decidirá los pleitos de pueblos numerosos…” (Isaías 2:3).

Estas palabras del profeta Isaías son una meditación de fe, y que incluye múltiples voces, acerca de la crisis de la destrucción de Jerusalén en el año 587 A.C., y las crisis consiguientes de deportación y pérdida que sufrían los pueblos de Israel y Judá.[1] 

Estas palabras también pretenden ofrecer un mensaje de esperanza y de restauración.

“… Ellos convertirán sus espadas en arado y sus lanzas en hoces. Ningún pueblo volverá a tomar las armas contra otro.” (Isaías 2:4).

Aunque los creadores del libro de Isaías no conocían el camino a seguir, está claro que no dudaban de que había un camino a seguir.

El libro de Isaías se proyecta hacia un futuro que acaba de comenzar con la promesa de Dios, una promesa que no está completamente formada ni desarrollada, y sin embargo es un futuro tan seguro como el Dios que planea y construye.[2]

Al comienzo de esta temporada de Adviento, se nos recuerda que la consumación del propósito de Dios para la creación se presenta como la segunda venida de Cristo. Y cuando llegue ese momento, no nos encontraremos a un desconocido, sino a quien ya ha estado entre nosotros. A alguien que no conocimos en persona, y sin embargo, conocemos, amamos y sentimos cada día.[3]

También se nos recuerda que el fin de los tiempos llegará inesperadamente y que, como nuestros antepasados, experimentaremos momentos en los que lo que nos espera será incierto.

Hace apenas tres semanas fui elegido como el próximo obispo de nuestra diócesis. Estas son noticias que pueden traer naturalmente para algunos la incertidumbre de un futuro, o la melancolía que traen los finales.

El primer domingo de Adviento es perfectamente apropiado para ese momento en la vida de nuestra diócesis, porque estamos invitados a cambiar nuestro enfoque, de nuestras preocupaciones terrenales hacia el tronco que brotará, tal y como Dios ha prometido. Estamos invitados a preparar nuestro corazón y nuestra mente para lo que Dios nos tiene preparado.

La gente en la época de Isaías encontró esperanza en la promesa de un salvador. La gente en la época de Mateo encontró esperanza en la segunda venida de Cristo.

Nosotros somos personas de esperanza, y encontramos esperanza en un Cristo que volverá algún día, y que siempre está dispuesto a renovar nuestras vidas, cada día.

Al inicio del Adviento o nos centramos en las preocupaciones sobre lo que está por venir para nuestras comunidades y nuestra diócesis, o podemos esperar con ilusión la renovación que Dios nos tiene reservada.

Al principio del Adviento, Jesús nos invita a esperar con paciencia y bien atentos. Él nos invita a esperar con esperanza, para que nuestros corazones no se sientan pesados por las preocupaciones de este momento de transición.

En medio de nuestras preocupaciones, Dios está obrando para cumplir un objetivo que lo abarca todo. Dios sigue trabajando en transformar las lindas comunidades espirituales de nuestra diócesis; Dios está trabajando para asegurarse de que lo antiguo dé paso a algo radicalmente nuevo.

Al comienzo de esta temporada de Adviento, a través del libro de Isaías y el Evangelio de Mateo, nos damos cuenta de que vivimos tiempos difíciles e inciertos como nuestros antepasados.

También recordamos la promesa presente en toda la Biblia, de que Dios SIEMPRE estará presente entre nuestras comunidades y nuestra diócesis, como se promete en el libro del profeta Isaías:

“No tengas miedo, pues yo estoy contigo; no temas, pues yo soy tu Dios. Yo te doy fuerzas, yo te ayudo, yo te sostengo con mi mano victoriosa.” (Isaías 41:10).

Tras la elección de un nuevo obispo, esta diócesis se encuentra en una situación similar a la de Israel al final del Antiguo Testamento: en expectativa y esperando en oración lo que está por venir.

Israel miró hacia atrás a las acciones pasadas y generosas de Dios en su nombre, al guiarlos fuera de Egipto durante el Éxodo, y sobre esta experiencia, llamaron una vez más a Dios para que actuara por ellos.

De la misma manera, y durante el Adviento, les invito a ustedes y a sus comunidades a mirar atrás a las acciones pasadas y llenas de gracia que Dios ha hecho en su nombre, mientras que al mismo tiempo miran con emoción a lo que Dios nos tiene preparado.

En este sentido, el himno de Adviento “Ven, Ven, Manuel” representa perfectamente el grito de esta diócesis durante la temporada de Adviento:

 Oh Ven, oh ven, Emmanuel,
rescata ya a todo aquel,
que piensa sólo en su situación
y espera su liberación.
¡Vendrá! ¡Vendrá! Emmanuel;
Alégrate como lo hizo Israel!

 Esperen con paciencia;
Esperen con esperanza;
Oren sin parar;
Estén atentos;
y alégrense, porque Dios está con ustedes.

Amén

 

[1] Walter Brueggemann, “Una introducción al Antiguo Testamento,” página 177

[2] Walter Brueggemann, “Una introducción al Antiguo Testamento”, página 189

[3] Boring & Craddock, “El Comentario del Pueblo sobre el Nuevo Testamento,” página 266

 

 [1] Walter Brueggemann, “An Introduction to the Old Testament,” page 177
[2] Walter Brueggemann, “An Introduction to the Old Testament,” page 189
[3] Boring & Craddock, “The People’s New Testament Commentary,” page 266

 

“The Flourishing of Deanery III: The Incarnation Deanery in Action”

by Joseph Warren, Deanery President and the third in a series of Angelus columns about diocesan deaneries

 

The Very Rev. Ian Davies, Deanery III Dean and rector of St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood, (pictured, left)

 

Deanery III—affectionately known as The Incarnation Deanery—continues to demonstrate what vibrant, Spirit-led ministry looks like across a diverse constellation of congregations. From climate advocacy and contemplative practice to street-side hospitality and inter-parish outreach, the deanery’s parishes are embracing both ancient traditions and courageous innovations in ministry. Their collective work offers a powerful witness to the Incarnation: God made known in the lives, commitments, and compassion of everyday people.

Holy Nativity, Westchester: Community, Climate, and Compassion in Action

This Sunday, Holy Nativity Parish celebrates the 85th birthday of a beloved parishioner with a joyful potluck—a simple but profound reminder of the community’s commitment to sharing life together.

 Later that day, the Rev. Deacon Daniel Tamm invites the parish into deeper engagement with justice through a Nonviolence Activism Workshop, facilitated by the Interfaith Solidarity Network in collaboration with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE). This offering continues Holy Nativity’s longstanding devotion to peace, dignity, and human flourishing.

The parish’s expanding climate justice ministry has also stepped into bold new territory. Parishioners recently met with their Los Angeles County Supervisor to support a forthcoming Resolution to the Board of Supervisors advocating for the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act currently before the California legislature. In a further affirmation of his leadership, Deacon Tamm has been appointed by Bishop John Taylor as Co-Chair of the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, strengthening the parish’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

St. Mary’s, Mariposa: Prayer and Presence on the Streets

At St. Mary’s, Mariposa, a simple yet powerful new ministry is taking root. Parishioners have begun offering prayer and water on the streets surrounding the church—a gesture of hospitality, presence, and pastoral care to neighbors and passersby. This quiet ministry embodies the heart of the Gospel: meeting people where they are, offering comfort, and recognizing Christ in every encounter.

All Saints’ Beverly Hills: Contemplation, Compassion, and Community in Transition

All Saints’ Beverly Hills (ASBH) is entering a season rich with contemplative offerings, community engagement, and significant transition.

The parish is hosting multiple upcoming quiet day retreats that weave together centering prayer, guided meditation, and creative art expression. Beginning in Epiphany, ASBH will offer a regular weekday centering prayer practice, alongside Taizé evening worship and Thursday noon worship, deepening the parish’s commitment to accessible spiritual formation.

ASBH continues to steward city grant funds to support neighbors in need—providing food, transportation, housing assistance, and more. This work has strengthened a meaningful partnership with St. James in the City, where ASBH volunteers help prepare food that complements St. James’ long-established feeding ministry. These shared efforts have forged friendships and mutual joy between the congregations, demonstrating the power of collaborative outreach.

The parish is also navigating profound and hopeful transitions. As ASBH concludes its centennial year, marked by celebrations that have renewed parish identity and connection, it also prepares for leadership changes ahead:

 * The announced June 2026 retirement of Canon Dr. Craig Phillips, after 35 years of extraordinary music ministry.

• The departure of Canon Andrea McMillin, Priest in Charge, and the upcoming call of a new rector.

 Yet amid these shifts, ASBH has seen increased worship attendance, stronger giving, expanding children’s programs, and a steady stream of new members—evidence of a parish deeply alive and moving forward in faith.

St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood: Generosity, Learning, and Community Partnership

At St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood (STAH), parishioners continue to embrace outreach, education, and fellowship in dynamic ways.

In partnership with the Boozefighters and the Boy Scouts, the parish will sponsor a Toy Run on December 13 at the Burbank Elks Lodge, collecting gifts for children at Hillsides, a long-standing community partner serving youth and families.

STAH is also participating in a book drive to support the Giving Library at the Literally Healing program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This initiative ensures that hospitalized children—and their visiting siblings—can choose a brand-new book each day to keep, bringing comfort and empowerment during difficult times.

Formation remains a cornerstone of parish life as well. STAH currently offers two robust educational series: Theological Discussions on Wednesday evenings and Understanding the Old Testament on Sundays between Masses, providing thoughtful opportunities for spiritual growth and lifelong learning.

A Deanery Alive with Incarnational Ministry

Across Deanery III, God’s presence is revealed in celebrations of long life and community; in activism and environmental justice; in quiet prayer and deep contemplation; in hospitality offered on the streets; in partnerships that feed and shelter; in gifts for children and books for healing; and in the ongoing work of spiritual formation.

Together, these parishes demonstrate the beauty and breadth of embodied ministry—ministry that transforms lives and neighborhoods, enriches the Church, and bears witness to the Incarnation in all its fullness.

The parishes of the deanery are:

All Saints’ Beverly Hills
Christ the Good Shepherd Los Angeles
Church of the Advent Los Angeles
Church of the Holy Nativity Los Angeles
Holy Faith Inglewood
Parish of St Mary in Palms Los Angeles
St Aidan’s Malibu
St Alban’s Westwood Los Angeles
St Augustine by the Sea Santa Monica
St Bede’s Los Angeles
St James in the City Los Angeles
St Mary’s Mariposa Los Angeles
St Matthew’s Pacific Palisades
St Thomas the Apostle Los Angeles.

BISHOP DIANE JARDINE BRUCE has been named interim dean and president of the Seminary of the Southwest, effective Jan. 2, 2026.

GREG KIMURA was elected the 6th Bishop of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin on Oct. 18. He will be consecrated and seated by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on April 18, 2026.

MARTHA KORIENEK has begun serving as part-time priest-in-charge at St. Andrew and St. Charles, Granada Hills.

 

OPEN

Receiving names/developing profile

Fullerton, Emmanuel Parish – Full-time Rector

Fullerton, St. Andrew’s Parish – Full-time Rector

Granada Hills, St. Andrew and Charles Parish – Full-time Rector

Hesperia, St. Hillary’s – Part-time Vicar

Laguna Beach, St. Mary’s – Part-time Rector

Long Beach, St. Thomas of Canterbury – Part-time Vicar

Los Angeles, St. John’s Cathedral – Full-time Dean

Ojai, St. Andrew’s Parish – Part-time Rector

Pasadena, Church of the Angels – Bishop’s Chapel – Full-time Vicar/Rector

Westchester, Holy Nativity Parish – Full-time Rector

Woodland Hills, Prince of Peace – Full-time Rector

OPEN

No longer receiving names/Interviewing candidate

 

MISSION & OTHER POSITION APPOINTMENTS

Mission congregation positions, some of them part time, for which the Formation and Transition Ministry office is presently receiving names for the bishop’s consideration.

Barstow, St. Paul’s Mission and Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran

Big Bear, St. Columba / Spirit of Peace Mission

Gardena, Holy Communion Mission

Lake Arrowhead, St. Richard of Chichester Mission

La Verne, St. John’s Mission

Moreno Valley, Grace Mission

Needles, St. John’s Mission

Norwalk, St. Francis Mission

Rialto, St. Peter’s Mission

Simi Valley, St. Francis Mission

Wilmington, St. John’s / Holy Child (PIC) Mission

Yucca Valley, St. Joseph of Arimathea Mission