December 2024/January 2025
From the Rev. Greg Kimura
Diocesan Sanctuary Task Force reconvenes
Tuesday night, December 10, over thirty people packed the room at St. James’ Episcopal Church in South Pasadena. Another thirty joined via Zoom. They represented Episcopalians and inter-faith leaders from all six counties in the Diocese of Los Angeles to restart the Sanctuary Task Force.
“We don’t know what will happen [to our immigrant neighbors], or how, but we need to be prepared,” said the Rev. Francisco Garcia, former rector of Holy Family, Inglewood.
Also known as “Sacred Resistance,” the Sanctuary Task Force was formed through a resolution passed by unanimous consent at the 2016 Diocesan Convention for the Diocese to become a sanctuary diocese.
At the time, the Sanctuary Task Force addressed government policies through faithful action on such issues as the so called “Muslim ban” and “zero tolerance family separation.”
It was also the Diocese’s liaison with groups like IRIS (the Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service) in assisting families working their way through the complex asylum-seeking bureaucracy, providing housing and other assistance such as showing up in support during asylum hearings. IRIS also assisted communities in trainings about constitutional rights for immigrants, distributed “Know-Your-Rights” cards, and established rapid-response teams to video U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids to ensure constitutional rights are respected.
Bishop Taylor led the Sanctuary Task Force with other denominational leaders in December 2017, on a “Faith Caravan” to visit over 3,000 people housed in El Barratel, a rodeo grounds near Tijuana that had become the largest shelter for migrants seeking asylum. The Faith Caravan included nurses, human rights advocates, and clergy to provide aid and witness the inhumane living conditions.
The first meeting of the newly reformed Sanctuary Task Force was focused on vision and organization in response to calls for mass deportation of millions of immigrants, protection of LGBTQ+ rights, and health care access.
The group plans on having working groups to handle nonviolent protest action; legal advice on individual cases; liaising with allied nonprofits and NGOs; fundraising for direct support and legal aid; and a communications/social media arm to get the word out and to advocate for reform of the broken immigration system. It wants to establish contacts in all the deaneries that can serve as local resources.
“Sanctuary used to mean housing people in churches,” said the Rev. Canon Jaime Edwards-Acton, rector of St. Stephen’s, Hollywood, and vicar of St. Barnabas’, Eagle Rock. “[Today] it means a variety of ways that individuals and church groups can live out the biblical idea of hospitality to our neighbors.”
Members of the Task Force will be participating in International Migrants Day, 10 am, Wednesday, December 18 at Placita Olvera, 401 N. Main St., Los Angeles. The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm, Tuesday, January 7 at a location to be determined, for those who’d like to join (a zoom option will be provided). For more info and to keep up to date, visit www.lasacredresistance.org and the Episcopal Sacred Resistance — LA Facebook page.
The Rev. Greg Kimura, PhD (Cantab.) is Rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church, South Pasadena (1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena, CA. 91030). He can be contacted at:
626-799-9194
213-220-0241 (cell)
Angelus Links
Clergy: Office of Formation and Transitions Ministry
The next issue of Angelus will be electronically transmitted and published in January 2025.
Please email news and connections items to Angelus editor, the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, at: revpatmccaughan@aol.com by December 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
SUSAN ANDERSON-SMITH was called as half-time priest-in-charge of Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Los Angeles in November.
JULIE BEALS began serving as rector of St. Andrew’s and Christ Church in Torrance and Redondo Beach on Dec. 1, where she had been serving as priest-in-charge-under-special-circumstances.
TIM BLACK began his ministry as vicar of St. Michael’s University Mission in Isla Vista on Nov. 3, the day of a visitation by Bishop John Harvey Taylor. Tim and his wife Patricia relocated from the Diocese of Atlanta.
BILL DUNN has been called as priest-in-charge-under-special circumstances at Trinity Church in Redlands where he has been serving during their transition.
PAT EUSTIS has been serving as supply priest at St. Philip’s Church in Los Angeles, which will celebrate its 117th anniversary on Nov. 17.
GREG FROST is retiring as rector of St. Andrew and St. Charles, Granada Hills.
BOB GAESTEL is retiring after serving as rector of Church of the Angels for about 40 years.
ANTONIO GALLARDO and NORMA GUERRA have been named to the board of trustees of the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS).
Bishop John Harvey Taylor will ordain KAREN DAWN JAMES, HART THOMAS ROUSSEL, MARGARET GARRISON STIVERS, and MICHAEL JOHN MISCHLER to the priesthood at 10 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2025 at St. John’s Cathedral, 514 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles. All in the diocese are invited to attend.
GREG KIMURA will be installed as rector of St. James Church in South Pasadena on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. The diocesan community is invited to attend. Clergy: red stoles.
LESTER MACKENZIE has been called to serve on The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s staff as chief of mission. He is also chaplain to the House of Deputies and Executive Council. He representing the Los Angeles diocese at the 2024 United Nations climate change conference, which began Nov. 11 and runs through Nov. 22. He had been serving as rector of St. Mary’s Church in Laguna Beach.
DOMINIQUE PIPER has been appointed to The Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music.
MARY TOROREIY begins her new ministry as rector of St. Mary’s Church in Lompoc on Dec. 1. She had served previously as vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal and Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran churches in Barstow.
JOSHUA WONG will be installed as rector of St. Michael the Archangel Church in El Segundo at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025. The diocesan community is invited to attend. Clergy: red stoles.
Congregational Openings
December 2024/ January 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
Whittier, St. Matthias Parish / Half-time Rector
St. Matthias seeks a rector who is loving, prayerful and a leader with strong, collaborative administrative skills. We will wholeheartedly welcome a minister with abilities and passion to educate us through preaching and Christian Education that enhances our spiritual formation and continued community growth. We seek leadership in discerning effective ways to attract and welcome individuals and families through our St. Matthias commitment to warmly welcome everyone who comes through our doors. We also seek a priest with a pastoral heart to support us in caring for those in crisis, sickness, and other needs. We have a very active core of lay persons eager to collaborate with and support our rector in all the ministries that carry us to the living out of our motto, “Doing the loving thing.”
Parish profile may be found here.
Parish OTM and other documents can be found here.
For more information, please contact the Rev. Canon Thomas Quijada-Discavage directly at the email below or by phone at 323-350-7675. All interested appplicants should respond with: a letter of introduction/interest, a current CV/resume, and an updated OTM to: tdiscavage@ladiocese.org
Rancho Santa Margartia, St. John Chrysostom Mission / Vicar
The Office of Formation and Transition Ministry is currently accepting materials from clergy interested in applying for the open position of Vicar at St. John’s
For more information, or to read the congregational profile, please contact the Rev. Canon Thomas Quijada-Discavage directly at the email below or by phone at 323-350-7675. All interested appplicants should respond with: a letter of introduction/interest, a current CV/resume, and an updated OTM to: tdiscavage@ladiocese.org
ACTIVE (Associate/Curate/Other Positions)
TUSTIN, St. Paul’s / Curate – Associate for Children and Youth
St. 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, to better serve a new influx of younger families with children.
This role includes responsiblity for education and program for the parish’s children and youth, oversight of the Sunday School, recruiting and training teachers and aides, and regular curriculum updates. This person will have direct responsibility for the high school youth, offering weekly meetings and possibly outings and retreats, as well as service opportunities.
The successful candidate will ensure that all volunteers working with children and youth will undergo appropriate background checks and training. They will also participate in collaborative liturgy and educational event planning and implemention worship leadership and preaching, and exercise a pastoral presence with families.
For more info, visit St. Paul’s website, FaceBook page and YouTube channel.
Please forward 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)
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. Please be in direct contact with the Rev. Melissa Campbell-Langdell, rector, with any questions and paperwork, if interested, at: revmelissalangdell@gmail.com. For more info, click here.
SAN CLEMENTE, St. Clement by-the-Sea. Assistant Priest, part-time.
Ministry to include preaching once per month, help with pastoral care, and faith formation. Ideal for a shared ministry with another congregation or a retired clergyperson. Please be in contact with the Rev. Patrick Crerar with any questions and paperwork if interested at: FrPatrick@scbythesea.org or 949-492-3401.
OPEN
Receiving names/developing profile
Inglewood, Holy Faith Parish
Los Olivos, St. Mark’s Parish
Ojai, St Andrew’s Parish
Redondo Beach, Christ Church Parish–St. Andrew’s, Torrance / Rector
Westchester, Holy Nativity Parish
OPEN
No longer receiving names/Interviewing candidate
Lompoc, St. Mary’s Parish / Rector
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.
Big Bear, St. Columba / Spirit of Peace Mission
Gardena, Holy Communion Mission
La Verne, St. John’s Mission
Lake Arrowhead, St. Richard of Chichester Mission
Moreno Valley, Grace Mission
Needles, St. John’s Mission
Rancho Santa Margarita, St. John Chrysostom Mission
Rialto, St. Peter’s 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, Parish Church of the Transfiguration
Beverly Hills, All Saints’ Parish
Downey, St. Mark’s Parish
Fullerton, Emmanuel Parish
Fullerton, St. Andrew’s Parish
Garden Grove, St. Anselm’s
Lancaster, St. Paul’s Parish
Los Angeles, Church of Christ the Good Shepherd
Los Angeles, St. John’s Cathedral
Los Angeles, St. Philip’s Parish
Los Angeles (Melrose), Trinity Parish
Los Olivos, St. Mark’s Parish
Monterey Park, St. Gabriel’s Parish
Ojai, St. Andrew’s Parish
Pasadena, St. Barnabas’ Parish
Pomona, St. Paul’s Parish
Santa Maria, St. Peter’s Parish
Van Nuys, St. Mark’s Parish
OTHER OPENINGS
WITHIN THE DIOCESE
LOS ANGELES: Episcopalian Hospital Chaplain, PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, 1225 Wilshire Boulevard. Full time, salaried. Reporting to one of our department supervisors or managers, this position provides spiritual support to patients, their loved ones, and staff in our hospitals. This chaplain serves people of all belief systems (religious and non-religious), and provides or arranges special rites and rituals as requested by patients and/or surrogates. Full job description and information here.
OUTSIDE THE DIOCESE
A list of postings from the wider Episcopal Church is here.