June 2025
“Deacons practic
e Gospel on the road”
by the Ven. Laura Siriani, Archdeacon
EDLA Deacon Daniel Tamm describes his ministry this way: “I act from the call to invite Episcopalians to practice the gospel in the public square.”
Deacons all over the diocese are doing just that as they advocate for justice through community organizing, collaborating with faith groups, and acting on behalf of our most vulnerable neighbors.
In the last month, Daniel’s legislative advocacy skills led to organizing the Climate Justice Now event in Altadena, an interfaith call to action supporting California’s Climate Superfund Act, designed to make fossil fuel companies pay for their share of climate-related damages. Daniel serves Holy Nativity in Westchester.
Canon Deacon Joanne Leslie helps lead a Santa Monica project that seeks to use a portion of the Santa Monica Airport property as low-income housing for city workers. https://www.cloverfieldcommons.com. Leslie states, “
The public conversation has been heated about this project. I see my role as a deacon, representing the moral and ethical principles of the faith community, and as a longtime Santa Monica resident, as a distinctive perspective ”.
Trinity, Santa Barbara, deacon John Draper serves as chaplain at Cottage Hospital and ministers to inmates through his Safe Harbor Ministries program at Lompoc prison. John has been invited to present the details and stories of his prison ministry to deacons nationwide at the Triennial Conference.
Deacon Pat Hendrickson continues her long-time work with people with disabilities. This includes her work with Special Olympians and ministry to the group homes run by Momentum for clients with severe physical and medical challenges. Pat will lead a workshop about her ministry at the Triennial Conference this month.
Deacon Christie Mossman collaborates with Methodist Deacon Jeanne Roe Smith to serve 70 – 100 UCLA students at 580 Café, encouraging the next generation of leaders to pursue justice, equity, and faith-based action. “The Café is a thoughtful and vibrant collaboration between our two denominations,” Mossman said.
Today, deacons everywhere are focused on protecting the most vulnerable with food, showers, and safe places to worship. EDLA deacons support the work of Sacred Resistance while serving hospitals, college campuses, retirement homes, half-way houses, and prisons. Finally, we are passionate about preaching a message that reflects living the gospel in today’s world.
Over the last few years, it has been our joy to visit large and small congregations, encouraging active ministry in a world that needs to know the way of love more than ever. We will be on the road this summer and fall to preach and worship with congregations throughout the diocese. If you would like a deacon to visit your parish over the summer or fall, you may contact The Ven. Laura Siraini, Archdeacon, at lsiriani@ladiocese.org.
Angelus Links
Clergy: Office of Formation and Transitions Ministry
The next issue of Angelus will be electronically transmitted and published in June 2025.
Please email news and connections items to Angelus editor, the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, at: revpatmccaughan@aol.com by May 22.
Angelus is a joint project of the Office of Clergy Formation and Transition Ministry and the Office of Communication of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
213.482.2040, ext. 251
The Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, editor
revpatmccaughan@aol.com
949.892.0525
Reminders
TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
The Diocese of Los Angeles maintains a membership in TENS, so all congregations may access its stewardship resources. The log-in for 2024 is Ephesians5:2 (note: case sensitive, no spaces). The website is here.
“The theme for the year is Walk in Love, a celebration of the joy and gratitude we have for God and our community that lead us to share our stories, our journeys, and our gifts. Our resources are making a special effort to lift up diverse voices as we share the stories that inspire us to share our wealth, works, and wisdom with our ministry.” — TENS
URGENT CALL: Update Clergy Supply List with Office of Formation and Transition Ministry
We are in great need of more assistance with Sunday supply and interim positions. If you are available to assist with supply, long term supply, transition ministry, etc., please email Tom Quijada-Discavage at tdiscavage@ladiocese.org to make sure you are on our list. Please consider helping us out!
Grants available for deacons in financial need
The Fund for the Diaconate provides vital financial assistance for deacons and those in diaconal formation who have insufficient funds for their needs. Most deacons in The Episcopal Church serve as non-stipendiary ministry leaders, and lack church pensions to draw upon in times of crisis. Grants are available for ongoing support, declared emergencies, medical expenses, and diaconal formation. Applications are accepted at any time. More information is here.
Connections
MICHAEL PAUL ANDERSON was installed as rector of St. Columba’s, Camarillo on May 31, by Bishop John Harvey Taylor.
JULIE BEALS has been called as rector of St. Andrew and Christ Church-Torrance and Recdondo Beach, and will be installed as rector at 10AM Saturday, June 7. The diocesan community is invited to attend. The service will take place at St. Andrew’s, Torrance, located at 1432 Engracia Ave., Torrance.
BILL DUNN was installed as rector of Trinity, Redlands, on May 24.
BOB GAESTEL retires June 8 as rector of Church of the Angels, Pasadena.
ANTHONY GUILLEN retired May 1 after nearly two decades serving as Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries for The Episcopal Church.
CAROLE HORTON HOWE begins serving as rector of St. Matthias Whittier, on Sunday, June 8.
A more detailed report will be available later.
KAREN JAMES has been called to serve as priest in charge at St. Francis Mission in Simi Valley beginning in July.
JOSEPH OLOIMOOJA is now serving as Priest in Charge / Under Special Circumstances at Holy Faith Parish in Inglewood.
JOSH PAGET will conclude his ministry at St. Cross, Hermosa Beach on June 22. He has been called as associate rector of St. Alban’s, Westwood and chaplain for UCLA Canterbury.
RAND REASONER will retire July 1 after 36 years as rector of Prince of Peace, Woodland Hills.
MICHAEL SAHDEV will conclude his ministry at All Saints, Beverly Hills on June 1. He has accepted a call to serve as associate rector of the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City.
STEVE SWARTZELL has been called as rector of Trinity, Orange, and will be installed at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 14. The diocesan community is invited to attend. Clergy: red stoles.
WINNIE VARGHESE has been named the 12th Dean of St. John’s Cathedral in New York City.
Request to Clergy
June 2025
With over 40 congregations in some stage of transition and other clergy trying to take some much-needed time off, please consider helping us out!! We are in great need of more assistance with Sunday Supply and Interim positions. If you are available to assist with supply, long term supply, transition help, etc. please email Tom Quijada-Discavage at tdiscavage@ladiocese.org to make sure you are on our list.
Congregational Openings
June 2025
Clergy are encouraged to request that their name be placed on an “interest list” if they would like to be considered for:
a) positions, regardless of the progress of the congregation in determining their process, or their readiness to receive names;
b) placement by the bishop in mission congregations or where an appointment is otherwise applicable.
Contact the Rev. Canon Tom Quijada-Discavage at tdiscavage@ladiocese.org or via phone at: 213.482.2040.
Open positions:
ACTIVE (Rectors)
Receiving names/Soon to post
None currently open
ACTIVE (Vicars)
Receiving names/Soon to post
None currently open
ACTIVE (Associate/Curate/Other Positions)
IRVINE, St. Andrew’s / Assistant Priest, half-time
- St. Andrew’s is seeking a half-time priest with strong preaching, interpersonal, and collaborative skills. The ability to welcome new and diverse persons and to communicate with young people is essential. This person would assist with preaching, Christian formation, and would partner with our rector in supporting the ministries of our congregation.
- For more info, visit website:https://standrewsirvine.org, Facebook link
- Please send cover letter/questions/resume toPeter@standrewsirvine.org
RIVERSIDE, All Saints’ / Full-time or Part-time Associate “Generalist”
- All Saints is a well-established (1886) progressive, inclusive congregation in the heart of downtown Riverside, across the street from Riverside Community College and a block down from Riverside Community Hospital. We participate in interfaith and interdenominational events and ministries. We are deeply committed to Care of Creation in all its forms (energy conservation, emergency response, community gardening, promotion of alternative energy resources, and a spiritual of the stewardship of creation). We are in the process of building a solar pavilion which will provide 150% electrical capacity, based on recent use. We tend to those in need, especially our unhoused neighbors and those who hunger. We are Laundry Love Riverside. We have an active youth group and a Small Saints Sunday program for children under 12. Our music program is full and encompasses several genres. We have a pipe organ, a director of music, and choir leads. We have a close relationship with Camp Stevens and the clergy person will have opportunity to be chaplain one summer camp week. We host community Taize and yoga. We are active in the civic community, advocating for strong, just, and merciful community. We share our space with an early childhood development program, the Quakers, a resource agency for aged-out Foster young adults, an Armenian congregation, and several 12 step groups and PFLAG. Our liturgy is tight and yet accessible. We’re slightly higher than average on the low church-high church continuum, but also creative in adapting liturgy to modern sensibilities.
- At the end of the two-year contract the clergy person will have experienced a wide breath of ministry, across parish, mission and outreach settings and within the diocese. They will have ample opportunity to preach, teach, and hone their pastoral skills. Our rector has experience as a mentor to newly ordained and the congregation is enthusiastic at hosting a newly ordained or new-to-parish clergy person.
- The position is best described as a “generalist”. The clergy person will work directly under the rector and share in the priestly tasks of a medium sized congregation (ASA in-person 115, plus digital attendance approx. 20) administrating the sacraments, preaching, teaching, providing pastoral care, and administrative duties. It is expected that the clergy person will meet regularly with the rector and will actively participate in the life of the congregation.
- Please be in direct contact with The Rev. Canon Kelli Grace Kurtz, Rector with any questions and paperwork if interested – motherkelligrace@gmail.com
SANTA BARBARA, All Saints by the Sea / Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Families, full-time.
All Saints has grown over 18% last year and we are seeking to expand our relationship and opportunities to nurture the faith of our children, youth, and families. We are seeking a collaborative, creative leader with a joy for parish ministry and for making our faith accessible to all ages with experience with children, youth, and young adult ministry to oversee all programming associated with children, youth and young adults, nurture parents in their roles in their families, coordinate our school chapel program, preach, coordinate all liturgies associated with children and youth, support the pastoral care of our community.
- Housing is provided. If you resonate with this, please send your resume, CDO profile and a letter of introduction to The Rev. Channing Smith at Channing@ASBTS.org. Have a great day!
TUSTIN, St. Paul’s / Curate – Associate for Children and Youth
- Paul’s, Tustin, a progressive parish in the heart of suburban Orange County, California, seeks to add a full-time associate priest/curate to our staff. This role is an expansion of our staff, meant to help us to better serve a new influx of younger families with children.
- This person will have responsibility for education and program for the parish’s children and youth. This includes oversight of Sunday School, recruiting and training teachers and aides, and regular updating of curriculum. This person will have direct responsibility for the high school youth, offering weekly meetings and possibly outings and retreats, as well as service opportunities.
- Paul’s is committed to Safe Church principles, and the successful candidate will ensure that all volunteers working with children and youth undergo appropriate background checks and training.
- Additionally, this priest will take part in collaborative liturgy planning, worship leadership, educational event planning and implementation, and preaching.
- This priest will be energized by ministry with children and youth; make frequent contact with parents and serve them pastorally; seek actively to share God’s love with kids and empower them to develop an ethical approach modeled after Jesus.
- Take a look at our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel for a taste of our worship, preaching, and music:
- stpauls.org
- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064497052235
- https://www.youtube.com/@st.paulsepiscopalchurch-tu6374
- We can’t wait to meet you!
- Send resume, cover letter, and video link of a sermon you’ve preached to: administrator@stpauls.org
OXNARD, All Saints’ ~ Todos los Santos / Associate Priest for Children’s and Youth Ministry (part time)
- Please be in direct contact with The Rev. Melissa Campbell-Langdell, Rector with any questions and paperwork if interested – revmelissalangdell@gmail.com
- This person should be ordained or about to be ordained as a priest, conversant in Spanish and English and ready to learn and support our children’s, youth and family ministries. Flexible scheduling is available.
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MFjXuOdF63HKuC-Y7TO2dBoCGrX_-UUR/view?usp=sharing
OPEN
Receiving names/developing profile
Beverly Hills, All Saints Parish – Full-time Rector
Fullerton, Emmanuel Parish – Full-time Rector
Fullerton, St. Andrew’s Parish – Full-time Rector
Granada Hills, St. Andrew and Charles Parish – Full-time Rector
Hesperia, St. Hillary’s – Part-time Vicar
Inglewood, Holy Faith – Full-time Rector
Laguna Beach, St. Mary’s – Part-time Rector
Long Beach, St. Thomas of Canterbury – Part-time Vicar
Los Angeles, St. John’s Cathedral – Full-time Dean
Ojai, St. Andrew’s Parish – Part-time Rector
Pasadena, Church of the Angels – Bishop’s Chapel – Full-time Vicar/Rector
Westchester, Holy Nativity Parish – Full-time Rector
Woodland Hills, Prince of Peace – Full-time Rector
OPEN
No longer receiving names/Interviewing candidate
Los Olivos, St. Mark’s
Rancho Santa Margarita, St. John Chrysostom
MISSION & OTHER POSITION APPOINTMENTS
Mission congregation positions, some of them part time, for which the Formation and Transition Ministry office is presently receiving names for the bishop’s consideration.
Barstow, St. Paul’s Mission and Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran
Big Bear, St. Columba / Spirit of Peace Mission
Gardena, Holy Communion Mission
Lake Arrowhead, St. Richard of Chichester Mission
La Verne, St. John’s Mission
Moreno Valley, Grace Mission
Needles, St. John’s Mission
Norwalk, St. Francis Mission
Rialto, St. Peter’s Mission
Simi Valley, St. Francis Mission
Wilmington, St. John’s / Holy Child (PIC) Mission
Yucca Valley, St. Joseph of Arimathea Mission
NON-ACTIVE
Parish congregations that will at some point be searching for clergy leadership, but are now working with supply clergy, a long-term interim or priest in charge:
Arcadia, Church of the Transfiguration Parish
Downey, St. Mark’s Parish
Garden Grove, St. Anselm
Lancaster, St. Paul’s Parish
Los Angeles, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish
Los Angeles, Melrose, Trinity Parish
Los Angeles, St. Philip’s Parish
Monterey Park, St. Gabriel’s Parish
Ojai, St. Andrew’s Parish
Ontario, Christ Church
Pasadena, All Saints Parish
Pasadena, St. Barnabas Parish
Pomona, St. Paul’s Parish
San Fernando, St. Simon’s Parish
Santa Maria, St. Peter’s Parish
Santa Paula, St. Paul’s and Emmanuel Lutheran
South Gate, St. Margaret’s Parish
Van Nuys, St. Mark’s Parish