March 2025
‘Immersed in worship’ initiative to engage children
by Missy Morain
As the new diocesan Missioner for Christian Formation, Children, Youth, I am delighted to have an opportunity to introduce myself to you.
Who am I?
I come to the diocesan staff with more than two decades of work across The Episcopal Church. I have worked with urban, suburban, and rural congregations, serving in the Midwest and on the East Coast, and have been in the Diocese of Los Angeles for fifteen years, serving at The Parish of St. Matthew in Pacific Palisades. Before St. Matthew’s,
I served at the Cathedral College of Washington National Cathedral as the director of The Center for Christian Formation. I serve the wider church on the Episcopal Church Safe Church Council and as the Chair of the Leadership Council for Forma: The Network for Christian Formation.
Why might you want to reach out to me?
- Safe Church training, policies, and procedures – Please continue to contact Julie Kelly to be set up in the Praesidium system for Safe Church training
- Christian formation for children, youth, families, adults
- Intergenerational ministry
- Sunday school curriculum, programming, and resources
- Family or child-centered worship
- Youth leadership development
- Boy Scouts/Scouting America
- Advice and guidance for hiring and appointing children, youth, and formation ministers
- Collaborative regional youth ministry
- Confirmation resources
- Godparenting
- Star Wars – I am always happy to talk about Star Wars
- Women’s Soccer – NWSL, Angel City FC, and USWNT
- If you need a listening ear and a warm cup of tea
What is my work for 2025?
This year begins the Lilly Endowment, Inc. funding for our Immersed in Worship: A Season of Welcoming the Child initiative. This four-year initiative will engage grass-roots diocesan-supported ministry to, by, and with children while equipping congregations to be places that nurture children and those who love and care for them. In 2025, we will be engaging in this work by:
- Building a database of those engaged in Ministries with Young People throughout the diocese
- Creating and distributing a newsletter with ideas, resources, and ways to connect and learn from each other
- Designing and implementing a grant process for communities within the diocese to develop and share ways of deepening worship and prayer with children.
- Developing and implementing a grant process for individuals for training and learning
- Identifying congregations that are interested in becoming Immersed Congregations – worshipping communities already deeply engaging children in worship and prayer who want to resource others in the diocese
- Asset Based Community Design regional gatherings to identify what and who our resources are
- Creating coached cohorts of worshipping communities to explore specific ways of ministry with children together
- Creating coached congregational cohorts to deepen ministry to, by, and with children in their own community
- Written resources in English and Spanish to engage young people and their caregivers in worship
Alongside the Immersed in Worship work, I am eager to connect with every community in the diocese to help equip clergy and lay leaders for ministry. I want to hear from you, learn what is and isn’t working, and learn how to help. I want to visit your parish, church, or mission to learn from you and support you. Invite me to join you for worship. I would love to join you for a formation time to talk about this work or to preach in your community. I invite you to email (mmorain@ladiocese.org), call me 213.905.0181, or schedule an appointment (https://calendly.com/missymorain) directly.
Angelus Links
Clergy: Office of Formation and Transitions Ministry
The next issue of Angelus will be electronically transmitted and published in April 2025.
Please email news and connections items to Angelus editor, the Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, at: revpatmccaughan@aol.com by March 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
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. priesthood on Jan. 11, 2025 at St. John’s Cathedral.
BILL DUNN will be installed as rector of Trinity, Redlands at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 24. The diocesan community is invited to attend. Clergy: red stoles.
A more detailed report will be available later.
PAT EUSTIS has concluded her ministry at St. Philip’s, Los Angeles, and is moving back to North Dakota.
JOSEPH OLOIMOOJA is serving as priest-in-charge-under-special-circumstances at Holy Faith, Inglewood.
STEVE SWARTZEL 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.
Requiescat in pace – Crawford Long Sachs
Deacon Crawford Sachs
Nov. 10, 1936 – Jan. 14, 2025
The Rev. Crawford Long Sachs – a retired vocational deacon from All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard and a former engineer in the U.S. Air Force – died Jan. 14 at age 88.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Rowena Butler Sachs; his children Sidney Helen Sachs, Mathew Morgan Sachs, and Karen Elizabeth Echternacht; stepson Daniel Gregory Paladini; and 17 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo with the Very Rev. Melissa Campbell-Langdell, rector of All Saints, Oxnard, and dean of Deanery 1, officiating. Deacon Kathy Moore will represent the diocesan community of deacons.
Congregational Openings
March 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
Los Olivos, St. Mark’s in the Valley Parish / Rector
St. Mark’s seeks a full-time rector who is called to community leadership both within the church and beyond its walls. We seek leadership who will bring a dependable, caring presence while nurturing all ages of our multigenerational church. Our rectory is a short walk through this burgeoning and historic town to our beautiful church. Come be a part of our thriving community!
For more information about us and our church, please visit: www.smitv.org
Parish profile may be found here.
Other info 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
ACTIVE (Vicars)
Receiving names/Soon to post
Rancho Santa Margarita, 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.
The successful candiate will be a collaborative change agent and oversee a mature, highly functioning congregation and a pre-K through 8th grade school with over 500 students.
Position description may be found here.
Interested candidates should submit via email: a digital photo, a Letter of Introduction/Interest, current CV/resume, and updated OTM to: tdiscavage@ladiocese.org
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
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
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
Beverly Hills, All Saints Parish, Full-time Rector
Granada Hills, St. Andrews & St. Charles Parish, Full-time
RectorHesperia, St. Hilary’s, Part-time Vicar
Inglewood, Holy Faith Parish, Full-time Rector
Laguna Beach, St. Mary’s Parish, Part-time Rector
Long Beach, St. Thomas of Canterbury, Part-time Vicar
Ojai, St. Andrew’s Parish, Part-time Rector
Westchester, Holy Nativity Parish, Full-time Rector
OPEN
No longer receiving names/Interviewing candidate
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 & Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran
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
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, Parish Church of the Transfiguration
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
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
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.