Summer 2025
“Engaging a Season of Creation”
by the Rev. Payton Hoegh
The rhythm of our liturgical calendar invites us to deep appreciation of the fullness of our Christian life. Its flow offers us insights and opportunities to explore a cohesive theology of embedded and embodied practice that is both ancient and ever new. Each season extends its own lessons and deeply needed reminders of what it means to be followers of Christ and how our tradition beckons us to draw from its rich well to faithfully respond to the distinct needs of our time.
Whether in Ordinary Time, Epiphany, Advent, Lent, or Easter, we are grounded by these seasons even as we are encouraged to explore new and creative ways of being and living out our faith in and through them.
This year, On September 1st, we are invited to the same in the Season of Creation.
The Season of Creation, long acknowledged by our Orthodox siblings, is an emerging addition to our Episcopal liturgical calendar which runs through September and culminates on October 4th and the Feast of St. Francis. It calls us to deep attention to the original blessing of God and to the earliest duty given to us by our creator: to tend to and care for this world, our shared home.
This is a time of reverence and gratitude for the gift of creation, of prayer and worship that reflects the psalmic assurance that we are part of a more wild and wonderful choir than we can imagine, and of renewed commitment to just action that honors the biblical guidance to be in right and loving relationship with all that God has made.
In the past year, the Season of Creation was affirmed in a resolution at the 81st General Convention and a new Perennial Edition of the widely-used seasonal resource compiled by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and Rev. John Elliott Lein was released as a comprehensive guide for congregational engagement. It includes collects, prayers, litanies, sermon prompts and a broad array of liturgical resources to make observation of the season easy and accessible for any community.
This year, as we continue to heal from devastating wildfires and work to build frameworks of resilience to fortify us in these crisis-touched times, the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, with Bishop John’s blessing, is encouraging all of the communities of the Diocese of Los Angeles to engage the Season of Creation and collectively reaffirm our commitment to creation care.
To support this endeavor, the Commission on Climate Change is joined by colleagues on the Commission on Liturgy and Music in assembling resources that can make this season meaningful and moving. Additionally, the Commission on Climate Change is making members available as guest preachers and planning a slate of offerings to explore the gifts and themes of this season, to draw our community together in learning, reflection, and worship.
We look forward to sharing further details in the days to come.
By observing the season of creation with so many of our siblings in faith, we stand assured that:
“[We] will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song…
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
Explore how your parish might mark this season and, together, let us join that holy chorus! May this sacred song echo in our hearts all year long as we live into our call to care for creation.
–The Rev. Payton Hoegh is a member of the Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change and Program Director for The Center for Spirituality in Nature.
Angelus Links
Clergy: Office of Formation and Transitions Ministry
The next issue of Angelus will be electronically transmitted and published in September 2025.
Please email news and connections items to Angelus editor, the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, at: revpatmccaughan@aol.com by August 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 has renewed its membership in TENS: the Episcopal Network for Stewardship, which offers stewardship resources, teaching and training opportunities.
The diocese’s membership provides access to TENS materials for all its congregations. To log on, visit the website, select “Annual Pledge Campaign” from the navigation bar and “Tell Out My Soul” from the dropdown menu. The password for 2025 is Luke1:46. (Note: the password is case sensitive and there are no spaces. No user name is required.) Materials are available in English and Spanish and in MS Word and PDF versions.
The campaign theme is “Tell out My Soul,” a celebration and proclamation of the Good News. “The Good News that fills our spirits with joy is about the radical abundance, abiding love, and healing power that Jesus shares with us when we respond to his call to follow him. All of the gifts that we have been given are ready to burst forth to serve our neighbors and share our love with a world in need.”
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.
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!
Diocese offers free grant writing workshop
All are invited to join the Rev. Shannon Kelly, a seasoned leader in ministry innovation and grant strategy, for a free Zoom webinar: Grant Writing 101 — sponsored by the Immersed in Worship initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The webinar will take place Aug. 6, 4 p.m.
Whether you’re new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will offer practical tools, insider tips, and encouragement to help you confidently bring your project to life.
This session will also include an opportunity to ask questions about the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles’s Immersed in Worship Grant opportunity.
Register by emailing mmorain@ladiocese.org
Becoming Beloved Community grant applications due Aug. 31
Becoming Beloved Community grants are available for Episcopal Church projects highlighting systemic change, with applications due Aug. 31. The grants are funded by the General Convention budget and are designed to support projects that seek to create sustainable, systemic change in truth-telling; sharing the dream of Beloved Community; practicing healing and reconciliation; and repairing the breach in institutions and society.
More information here.
EDLA-Sanctuary-Sign-1EDLA-Sanctuary-Sign-1
Sacred Resistance signage now available in English, Spanish
In response to the escalation of ICE raids across Southern California, the Sacred Resistance Task Force, an immigration justice ministry of the diocese, has created a sign which can be posted at churches as a resource for congregations throughout the Diocese of Los Angeles. Download here. Download in Spanish here.
“Within our a sanctuary diocese, this sign serves as a notice to any agency/agent engaging in immigration enforcement that due process must be followed in and around our church grounds,” said the Rev. Dr. Francisco Garcia, one of the members of the Sacred Resistance Steering Committee. “It is literally an outward and visible sign that we are guided simultaneously by our constitutional rights and by our baptismal covenant – and that both require of us to respect the human dignity of all persons, regardless of citizenship status or any other perceived status of difference.”
More information on the Sacred Resistance Task Force can be found on its website or by contacting diocesan staff liaison the Rev. Canon Susan Russell at srussell@ladiocese.org.
Episcopal Church Immigration Action Toolkit Available
The Episcopal Church has released an Immigration Action Toolkit, offering ways to help as well as resources for individuals, congregations, and dioceses. The toolkit is available here.
Requiescat
The Rev. Phil Strange
The Rev. Philip Ross Strange – a veteran priest who served as rector of St. Paul’s, Lancaster; St. Michael’s, Riverside; and parishes in New Mexico and Texas – died July 30 at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. He was 84 and in recent years resided in North Hills and assisted at nearby St. Andrew and St. Charles Church in Granada Hills. He is survived by Susan, his wife of 58 years; their two daughters, Laura Strange-Esculcas and Sarah Strange Dearn; a son, Paul; and their families. Joining the Rev. Nancy Brown and the Rev. Canon Greg Frost at Strange’s ICU bedside on Saturday, Bishop John Harvey Taylor administered last rites. A memorial service at St. Andrew and St. Charles Episcopal Church in Granada Hills is planned for Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m.
Connections
MICHAEL PAUL ANDERSON was installed as rector of St. Columba’s, Camarillo on May 31, by Bishop John Harvey Taylor.
JULIE BEALS was installed as rector of St. Andrew’s, Torrance-Christ Church, Redondo Beach June 7.
WILL CRIST has been named long-term interim rector of St. Mary’s, Laguna Beach.
BILL DUNN was installed as rector of Trinity, Redlands, May 24.
BOB GAESTEL retired June 8 after more than four decades as rector of Church of the Angels, Pasadena.
FRANCISCO GARCIA will teach a course titled “Interfaith and Multicultural Issues in Theology and Ministry” through the Center for Anglican Leadership and Learning (CALL). He is an organizer of the Sacred Resistance Task Force in the L.A. diocese.
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.
KAREN JAMES has been called to serve as priest in charge at St. Francis Mission in Simi Valley beginning in July.
GREG KIMURA is one of four candidates on the bishop slate for the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin’s search for a sixth bishop. He currently serves as rector of St. James, South Pasadena.
PHILLIP LIENAU is serving as associate priest at St. Paul’s, Tustin.
A more detailed report will be available later.
RYAN MACIAS began serving July 1 as priest associate at St. George’s, Laguna Hills and St. Clement’s by-the-Sea, San Clemente.
CHRISTINA MILLER is serving as associate rector at All Saints by-the-Sea, Santa Barbara.
JOSEPH OLOIMOOJA has been called as the 9th rector of Holy Faith, Inglewood.
JOSH PAGET concluded 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 retired July 1 after 36 years as rector of Prince of Peace, Woodland Hills.
MICHAEL SAHDEV concluded 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.
JERRY SATHER has been appointed by Bishop John Harvey Taylor as the next vicar of St. John’s, Rancho Santa Margarita.
MARY TOROREIY will be installed as rector of St. Mary’s, Lompoc, at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. The diocescan community is invited to attend. Clergy: red stoles.
JESSIE SMITH TURNIER will conclude her ministry at St. Ambrose, Claremont, August 31, after accepting a new all in the Diocese of New York.
STEVE SWARTZELL was installed as rector of Trinity, Orange on June 14.
WINNIE VARGHESE has been named the 12th dean of St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City. She will be installed Sept. 27.
Request to Clergy
Summer 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
August 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
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
Woodland Hills, Prince of Peace.