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After church today, what did you talk about at coffee hour? I was at St. Nicholas of Myra in Encino. After 37 confirmations, two first communions, and a delicious lunch, a woman told me that she has figured out how to track ICE sightings on her phone so she can tell her mother how to get to work safely. What an all-American story that is, huh?

Another member, an Hispanic United States citizen who works construction, said that the other day, as he was loading his truck, ICE swooped in and demanded his papers. Some still insist that Trump and ICE aren’t doing racial profiling. They are wrong, and this man’s testimony isn’t the only reason I know. I will send a $25 Starbucks card to the first white citizen who writes and tells me ICE has questioned or detained them on suspicion of loading their pickup on the way to work.

All over the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the federal government is terrifying our neighbors in faith. Nevertheless, under the 16-year leadership of the St. Nicolas rector, the Rev. Michael Cooper, the Holy Spirit is without interruption forming disciples to glorify God and care for God’s people. Between the lines of Fr. Michael’s lovely, unique Anglo-Catholic liturgy, I found time for a word with almost all of them. You’re never alone. Love is the only thing that works. You deserve love, and people need and deserve your love.

Carefully rehearsed, sometimes a little sheepish about their gestures of piety, each stood flanked by padrinos and parents as I anointed their foreheads, invited God’s blessing, and watched their eyes as they invited God’s blessing for me. I blessed Bibles, prayer books, candles, rosaries, and necklaces with images of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe. May they be outward signs of an inward grace each of these of these precious children and young adults experience as faith in their belovedness and their authority to go forth and heal in Christ’s name.

Osmer carried my crozier and Quincy my mitre; Ariel held my worship book. The Rev. Jose Cavalcante, whose links with this parish are two decades old, provided gracious support throughout the service.

I met a group of Iranian Christians, deep in agony about their country of origin, who worship at St. Nicolas each Sunday after the Episcopalians move to our reception. Another pastor, named April, has been serving food in the parish hall after church for 14 years, after finding that Fr. Michael was the only pastor in Encino willing to say yes and open his doors. By the time I left, over 50 had gathered. Hungry people being fed, refugees from theocracy, and siblings in Christ who are living in fear of our government and yet finding sanctuary under the wing of Christ. It was all going on in Encino on the feast of Corpus Christi (tr.).