The congregation of St. Mark’s, Altadena, celebrates at St. Barnabas, Eagle Rock, with their new banner. Photo: Matt Wright.
The congregation of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church – Altadena — among whose members 40 homes were lost in the wildfire that also burned their church and school buildings — gathered Jan. 19 for their first Sunday-morning service at St. Barnabas Eagle Rock, where church leaders have welcomed the Altadena parish to use the sanctuary weekly going forward.
The Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon, rector of St. Mark’s, greeted the 185 in attendance and gave thanks for community support, including a $100,000 gift from the California Endowment, which made an equal disbursement to each house of worship lost in the area.
The Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon shares announcements during Jan. 19 service. Photo: Matt Wright
Parishioner Dr. Robert Ross, recently retired president of the California Endowment preached the homily, praising colleagues for their work toward “a just and fair and equitable rebuild of Altadena,” and focusing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for “beloved community” as “a North star for social justice work firmly grounded in our Christian faith.”
Ross added that King received inspiration for his concept of “beloved community” from philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, a Californian for whom UCLA’s Royce Hall is named. Royce “explicitly elevated the role of church in community terms,” Ross said, “and advanced the idea of church as community, not just a building for people to pray.”
Ross quoted Royce’s view that “a church community has a congruence of feeling, and thought, and will, such as a community of hope, loyalty and truth, unified by a guiding spirit. My life means nothing, either theoretically or practically, unless I’m a member of a community.”
At various points in his sermon, Ross drew applause, laughter, and resonance with themes of hope and transformation.
The Rev. Michael Micheler officiated, his first Mass as celebrant since his Jan. 11 ordination.
The Rev. Michael Micheler officiates at the Jan. 19 service. Photo: Matt Wright
Dr. Lisa Sylvester led music with poignant solos sung by Ayanda Fuzane (“Give me Jesus”) and Daniel Voigt (“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Fire,” a setting of Langston Hughes’s poem.)
Parishioner Maria Horner provided outreach updates, surveyed needs among parishioners, and rallied volunteers.
Diocesan Canon to the Ordinary Melissa McCarthy was present, having also attended a morning service at Pasadena’s St. Barnabas Church, where four families lost homes.
Canon Suzanne Edwards-Acton brought greetings on behalf of the Eagle Rock church, warmly known as “St. Be’s,” and the community center that includes a preschool and Seeds of Hope food distribution site.
Financial contributions to St. Mark’s may be made here.
Contributions to the diocesan appeal, which provides grants for affected churches and individuals, including those affected by the Palisades Fire may be made here.