“The loving thing” is the whole thing at Saint Matthias Episcopal Church, two blocks from Whittier College. For a third of a century, its members have handed out food Monday through Friday to anyone who asks. The ministry used to be called the Soup Hour. Calling it “The Loving Thing” makes for a better theological statement.
The phrase is also the favorite mini-sermon of two rectors in a row, the Revs. Bill Garrison and Carole Horton-Howe. The parish’s former associate rector, first formed for ordained ministry at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Hills, Carole served a congregation in The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego before returning to Whittier in June. She’s worked as an HR expert specializing in anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, a paralegal, and a flight attendant. So she brings many gifts to her innovative evangelical project at St. Matthias, among them her photographer and usher spouse, Bob, beloved for his kind, welcoming spirit.
Founded late in the 19th century, St. Matthias was the first mission established by the first bishop of Los Angeles, Joseph Horsfall Johnson, who had been consecrated on Matthias’ feast day. Bishop W. Bertrand Stevens consecrated the current building in November 1943. Until then, folks had worshiped in the parish hall, where my old boss, Richard Nixon, met Pat Ryan in the thirties when they were passing time as amateur thespians. We had a delicious lunch there on Sunday, when I visited to preside, preach, and observe the Holy Spirit confirming, receiving, or reaffirming a class of nine.
Sunday being the last of my three visitations at St. Matthias before retirement, Carole, on behalf or the congregation, gave me a book about the fabled city as well as a copy of a congratulatory letter that Nixon, as a private citizen in the political wilderness, had sent “Father Waldo F. Chase” at St. Matthias in February 1962.
This treasure sent me down a “Where’s Fr. Waldo?” rabbit hole. Born in San Francisco, he taught music at the Marlborough School and was also celebrated as an organist and choir director. He died in 1966 at age 104, meaning that “the most memorable milestone” Nixon mentioned in his letter was Chase’s centennial. One assumes he had retired in the Whittier area. I’d have to check parish records to see if he was still doing organ supply gigs.
In Fr. Waldo’s spirit, with Kevin McKelvie as organist and director, the St. Matthias choir was splendid as always. J.D. Neal, a postulant for holy orders, couldn’t have been more gracious and attentive as my volunteer chaplain. His mother, Miriam, was in the congregation Sunday. They are still mourning the recent death of JD’s father, John, who, with Miriam, was so proud of their son’s vocation.
Our confirmation nine, just enough for a playoff baseball team, assuming you can do without a closer, are heading out into a world about which the prophet Habakkuk, from whom we had heard, spoke eloquently: “Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise; so the law becomes slack, and justice never prevails.”
Yet we had good news to celebrate as well, also prompted by our readings. “From Second Timothy, we heard words attributed to St. Paul this morning,” I said. “His friend and colleague Timothy was a product of a mixed marriage. Timothy’s mother, Eunice, was Jewish, his father a Gentile. Imagine the suspicious stares across the dance floor at their wedding feast!
“In the very first verses of the letter, Paul lifts up both Eunice as well as Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, as guardians of the faith. Two women praised in the sacred scriptures — the same scriptures that the church used to deny the priesthood to women.
“Even today, many if not most denominations insist that women can’t celebrate, or preach, or teach. These churches all love Second Timothy. These churches are built on the foundations that Eunice and Lois hold up even now, standing tall in paradise. They’re holding the church up, but by and large the church still won’t give them a chair in the sanctuary.
“I imagine their arms are getting tired. And yet they persist. Which is why I invite us to give thanks for Carole’s ministry – and to give thanks that, after 1400 years, someone besides a male has been called to the See of Canterbury.
“This beautiful autumn day in Whittier, AD 2025, in the certainty of the Resurrection in Christ – as the church continues to strain toward a conception of the justice and wholeness of the realm of God — let’s plant some mustard seeds and give God praise and thanksgiving for Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally.”
