God of the sun and the sea, the rains and the winds, bear all our neighbors through this stormy night and throw a veil of protection over those battling these wildfires under the worst possible conditions. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles people are battening down during the worst windstorm in over a decade. My friends in Christ, neighbors and friends, if you can stay inside while these winds are blowing, please do so. The gusts can lift you off your feet.
The most familiar terrain could be treacherous until the winds die down sometime Wednesday, as forecasters expect they will. If you experience a power outrage, it may be intentional, to reduce fire risk.
If you must drive, watch for fallen branches and limbs.
If there’s smoke in the air, get out those masks.
Please be attentive to evacuation orders and do exactly as officials say.
By midday Tuesday, all students and staff were safely evacuated from The Parish of St. Matthew and St. Matthew’s School in Pacific Palisades. Clergy are sheltering with family members and friends. The rector, the Rev. Bruce A. Freeman, told me that head of school Alley Michaelson took vital steps in advance to protect the campus in the event of a wildfire. Tuesday night word came of some fire on campus. We’ll continue to monitor for news.
When the Eaton Canyon fire broke out in Altadena at dinnertime Tuesday, some from Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church and School were evacuated, including the rector, the Rev. Carri Grindon. The evacuation orders also affected members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena and Church of the Ascension in Sierra Madre.
The MonteCedro in Altadena, one of our Episcopal Relief & Development residences, is just outside the evacuation area, according to the chaplain, the Rev. Liz Gagnon Piraino. They’ve been without power since 6:30 p.m. Staff are seeing to everyone’s needs and watching the news. Liz is also offering the diocese’s prayers and support to her counterpart at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, reportedly badly affected by the Eaton Canyon fire.
Word also came tonight of two congregations that have opened their doors to their neighbors.
The All Saints priest in charge, the Rev. Timothy Rich, has offered the parish as a shelter for evacuees. All Saints is located at 132 N. Euclid Ave., just east of Pasadena City Hall.
At St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church/ San Lucas de las Montañas, the vicar, the Rev. Guy Leemhuis, made the same offer to church members and neighbors living in affected areas. San Lucas is at 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.
Before his retirement in 2011 after 22 years as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Sierra Madre, the Ascension rector, the Very Rev. Canon Michael A Bamberger, would have been on the front lines on a night like this. He then spent 12 years advising and working on disaster response for Episcopal Relief & Development. His ERD colleagues reached out to me tonight pledging support and inquiring about diocesan institutions that may have the bandwidth to offer support and shelter for their neighbors at risk.
On pilgrimage in Jerusalem, the bishop of California, the Rt. Rev. Austin K. Rios, also wrote to let us know of his prayers.
If you have news or need help, please leave comments below or send messages via Messenger to the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, Canon Bob Williams, or me. To offer help, especially shelter for neighbors, you can reach ERD’s Lura Steele at lsteele@episcopalrelief.org.
May our God in Christ be with you, tonight and always.