A committee to facilitate the July 11 consecration of the Rev. Dr. Antonio José Gallardo Lucena as eighth bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles has been named by the diocesan Standing Committee, its president, the Rev. Dr. Kate Cress, has announced.
In preparation for the upcoming 10 a.m. rites set for All Saints Church in Pasadena, the Consecration Committee will coordinate all aspects of the liturgy while working in tandem with the Transitions Committee, which is responsible for the hospitality aspects of the consecration weekend, said Cress, who is rector of St. James’ in the City, Los Angeles.
Consecration Committee co-chairs are the Rev. Canon Kay Sylvester, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Tustin, and the Rev. Carlos Ruvalcaba, assisting priest at St. Stephen’s, Hollywood. Sylvester also chairs the diocesan Commission on Liturgy and Music, and Ruvalcaba directs the diocesan Instituto de Liderazgo, and co-chairs the diocesan Program Group on Communications.
Also serving on the Consecration Committee are the Rev. Canon Dr. Mary Crist, indigenous theological education coordinator for The Episcopal Church and priest at St. Michael’s Ministry Center in Riverside; the Rev. Stacey Forte-Dupre, priest at Good Shepherd, Hemet; Terry Knowles, lay leader at All Saints, Pasadena, and Standing Committee member; Anina Minotto, verger at All Saints, Pasadena; the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, assisting priest at All Saints, Pasadena, and diocesan canon for engagement; the Rev. Sun-Swan Spriggs, deacon assisting at St. Paul’s, Tustin; and Canon John Thies, longtime lay and liturgical leader at St. James’ in the City, Los Angeles.
In its charge to the committee members, the Standing Committee notes that “each of you brings gifts of administration, compassion, and a love for the unique gifts of our diocese. We pray you will approach this work with a profound sense of prayerful humility and will extend loving pastoral care, hospitality, dignity, and respect to all with whom you engage throughout this process, especially the bishop-elect and his family, all while seeking the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“You are charged to plan and execute the liturgical events of the consecration weekend in a way that is prayerful, gracious, and in line with the practices and policies of The Episcopal Church and the Customary of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.”
Meanwhile, the Transitions Committee – co-chaired by the Rev. Canon Greg Larkin, interim priest at St. Paul’s, Ventura, and Sheira Smith, lay leader at Christ the Good Shepherd, Los Angeles – continue their work of preparing to issue invitations, securing hotel blocks, hosting meals, and arranging a farewell event and gift for Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O’Connor.
More details about the consecration liturgy and related events will be publicized as they become available.