The annual clergy Renewal of Vows service was held on Tuesday, March 26 at St. John’s Cathedral in Los Angeles. Bishop John Harvey Taylor preached; Canon to the Ordinary Melissa McCarthy and the Rev. Norma Guerra, associate for Formation & Transition Ministry, co-celebrated the Eucharist. Bishop Taylor led deacons and priests in the renewal of their ordination vows. Representing the Standing Committee of the diocese, the Rev. Kate Cress, rector of St. James’ Church, Los Angeles, and the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, rector of St. Mary’s Church, Laguna Beach, led the four bishops present — Frank Brookhart, Ed Little, Naudal Alves Gomes, and Taylor – in their reaffirmation of their vows. At the end of the service, the bishops invited priests and deacons to have their hands blessed for their work of ministry.
The renewal of vows services, always held on Tuesday of Holy Week, is also the occasion for the bishop to bless oils that are then used for baptisms and annointing. The olive oil that was consecrated and then distributed to the clergy is a gift of the Diocese of Jerusalem, with which the L.A. diocese has a longstanding companion relationship. The oil was transported from the Holy Land by Randy and Doni Heyn-Lamb of All Saints Church, Pasadena.
