March 2024

John Watson

New Models for Ministry; new view of roles

By John Watson

‘What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.’ –Ecclesiastes 1:9

It’s quite sobering to be reminded that even if your role title is “Missioner for New Models of Ministry,” according to the Great Teacher in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing much new about it!!

Having joined you all from the U.K. in November last year, this has been quite an experience of looking, listening and learning. Looking at how things are different here in terms of structures, ways of organizing, even some of the liturgy, looking at where God might be in all the experiences and potential; listening to the amazing voices and views, to the challenges and opportunities and listening hopefully to the Spirit for direction and resourcing; and learning – oh, so much learning. Learning about culture, language, worship, strengths and weaknesses and learning hopefully to lean on God.

A focus on growth

My role is to explore new models of ways in which churches can share or join resources to allow ministry to continue where those resources are now much less. It is a pretty broad brush and does not only focus on finding money to pay the clergy! Any model that evolves will need to include empowering and equipping lay leadership in those churches.

Not that this hasn’t been done before – hence the jibe from Ecclesiastes! There have been and are multiple examples where the joining of parishes for mutual ministry has taken place, not least historically in East Los Angeles, but also currently in Hollywood, Torrance and Redondo Beach, and the Inland Empire. There is much wisdom and learning to be shared from these current models and how this type of ‘joining together’ in mutual ministry may take shape in various ways.

However, if looking at new models is driven solely by finance, then it is simply a slow road to closure. It’s tempting and perhaps a justified institutional response to just combine resources to allow a livable wage to be paid to clergy, but if that is the sole reason for it happening, then we will see overworked clergy and underserved parishioners.

At the core of all of this venture and desire to explore new models, there needs to be a focus of growth. Growth in experience, growth in equipping the church to be church and growth, of course, in disciples.

I believe the experiences we share together can become signs of hope and an opportunity to share that with others in the diocese but additionally to others in the church in the United States. Los Angeles has always been on the forefront of ministry, dealing with social changes, responding to new waves of the Spirit towards inclusion for all. No more so than in the hard realities of mission in a time where new boundaries are being created and resources are more limited than before, in terms of people or money. We’re not short on imagination, nor heart, nor energy, nor prayer.

New models for ministry may take the shape of existing ways parishes are working together, or offer newer models. For example, a currently resourced church may become a sort of hub of mutual support for surrounding parishes that lack resources. This has been an effective model in the U.K. whereby churches are able to be supported, keep their identity, celebrate their charism and experience growth. This will mean that we clergy need a bit of re-focus, a bit of relearning that involves changing the way we view ourselves and our roles. Boundaries between parishes will need to become more porous and ministry more collaborative.

Lay leadership more important than ever

Lay leadership is more important than ever. How we organize parish life, mission and worship will need to depend on committed and supported lay leaders. The foundation for lay training is already in place. How can this be best used and shared?

Larger churches may be called on to help smaller congregations through shared leadership and even sharing people!

Deaneries can become a structure to encourage mission and even enable adoption of new models as joint discernment helps bring energy and hope as well as ideas and resources.

So as we take the steps to learning what this means and may look like for St. Athanasius and Epiphany, my prayer is that in our learning and experimenting we discover the call to be Christ’s body to serve and love wherever this takes us.

Serving as chaplain to IRIS

It is also my privilege to serve as the chaplain to IRIS, to staff who are the face of welcome and the hands of support to communities of people seeking safety, home and a new life. I also serve as chaplain to IRIS clients, who face enormous challenges in an increasingly hostile environment,

What an eye-opening opportunity this has been to be a very small part of the journey that this organization is on. What amazing staff I have encountered and inspiring stories I have heard!

In very real ways IRIS serves as the hands and feet of the Christ who embraces all. As a model of incarnation, we can find nothing better. As a model of mission in seeking and serving those who have no one to support them, we can see nothing better; as a model of ministry in which a diocesan organization can represent local churches and deliver a wide range of programs of advice and help, supporting the local and sometimes sacrificial response to refugees and asylum seekers.

Blessings,
John+

— The Rev. John Watson is priest-in-charge of Church of the Epiphany, Lincoln Heights, and of St. Athanasius, Echo Park and is Diocesan Missioner for New Models of Ministry, and chaplain to the Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service.

Angelus Links


Angelus Prayer List

From the Bishops’ Office

Safe Return to Worship FAQ

Connections

Diocesan Convention

Clergy Supply Rates

Diocese of Los Angeles

The Episcopal News

Clergy: Office of Formation and Transitions Ministry

The next issue of Angelus will be electronically transmitted and published in April 2024.

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

REGISTER TODAY

‘New Camino’ seminar will offer a fresh take on Latino/Hispanic ministries

[The Episcopal News] Congregations considering launching or expanding ministry to Latino members of their communities are invited to join the Program Group on Hispanic Ministries and the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillen, The Episcopal Church’s missioner for Latino Ministries, for New Camino, a two-day in-person seminar with a fresh take on Latino/Hispanic ministries.

New Camino, to be held Friday and Saturday, March 22 – 23 at St. Paul’s Commons in Los Angeles, “is all about reimagining and revitalizing Latino/Hispanic ministries,” according to the seminar announcement. “Come and be a part of this transformative journey, exploring new ways to serve communities in our diocese.”

Participants will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about Latino/Hispanic ministries. Through engaging workshops, inspiring speakers, and interactive sessions conducted in English, attendees will delve into innovative approaches and fresh perspectives and together forge a new path forward.

Read more here.

CPG: ‘Planning for Wellness’ is March 20-21

The Church Pension Fund is inviting all clergy and their spouses to a “Planning for Wellness’ conference March 20-21 at the Courtyard Long Beach Downtown Hotel, 500 East First Street, Long Beach.

The conference begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20 and concludes on Thursday, March 21 after lunch. CPG will pay for overnight stays at the hotel. The only cost is the $75 registration fee for clergy and an additional $25 for spouses. If spouses would like to attend, but their clergy partner is unable to, the cost is only $25.

Here’s a link to a web page that will give you all of the information you need. If you have any questions or want to register, you can contact CPG directly.

ACTION REQUIRED

Changes to California Paid Sick Leave laws

From the State of California Department of Industrial Relations:

Starting on January 1, 2024, employers must generally provide 5 days or 40 hours of paid sick leave to their employees in California. The Labor Commissioner has updated the paid sick leave poster and 2810.5 employee notice in English, Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Chinese Simplified, and Vietnamese. All employers should post the new poster. An employer previously providing less than 5 days or 40 hours of paid sick leave per year will need to provide employees a new copy of the notice.

Links to download the posters and FAQs are here.

SAVE THE DATE

Renewal of Vows is Tuesday in Holy Week 

All clergy of the diocese are invited to attend the annual Renewal of Vows service, to be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday March 26 at St. John’s Cathedral, 514 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, followed by a community lunch in the parish hall.

Parking arrangements are pending; information will be available soon. Clergy are invited to wear red stoles for the service. Oils for use in healing ministry and chrismation will be blessed during the service and available for pickup afterwards.

Please RVP by Monday, March 18, click here.

SAVE THE DATE

Clergy Conference planned May 6-8 at Mission Inn

The annual diocesan clergy conference is planned for May 6-8 at the Mission Inn in Riverside. Registration will open soon.

Guest speaker and other programming to be announced soon.

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!

Connections

MICHAEL PAUL ANDERSON began serving as rector of St. Columba’s Church, Camarillo, in January. He formerly served in Texas.

BONNIE BRANDON has begun serving as priest-in-charge of Church of the Holy Communion, Gardena.

ADAM DAWKINS has been called as the 6th rector of St. Alban’s Church in Westwood.

STACEY FORTE-DUPRE has begun serving as long-term supply clergy at Grace Church in Moreno Valley.

GREG KIMURA has been called as rector of St. James’ Church in South Pasadena.

LIZ KRONENBERG has been called as canon missioner for liturgy and oversight of youth and children’s programs at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, Texas. She has served as vicar of St. John’s, LaVerne, for four years, and concludes her ministry there Ash Wednesday.

CECELIA (CC) SCHROEDER has been called as the new rector of St. Timothy’s Church in San Diego. She will conclude her ministry at St. Alban’s, Yucaipa, on March 10.

JASON SHELBY‘s was installed as rector of St. Francis, Rancho Palos Verdes, on Feb. 3 with Bishop Ed Little presiding.

MEL SORIANO is serving at St. John’s Cathedral.

JOHN WATSON, who began serving as diocesan missioner for new ministry models and priest-in-charge of St. Athanasius, Echo Park, and Epiphany, Lincoln Heights, has added another role – chaplain to IRIS, the diocesan Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service. More about John is here

JOSHUA WONG has been called as rector of St. Michael the Archangel Church, El Segundo, beginning in March.

 

Requiescant in pace

The Rev. Norman Reid Freeman Jr.

May 2, 1952 – February 4, 2024

The Rev. Norman Reid Freeman Jr., a Juilliard-trained, Grammy Award-winning percussionist and timpanist who performed with the New York Pops and New York Philharmonic and with artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Metallica and Pavarotti, and who popularized jazz vespers while serving congregations in the Connecticut and Los Angeles dioceses, died Feb. 4 in Santa Ana after a long illness. He was 71.

Survivors include his music and life partner, Katherine Cash, with whom he founded the N2K duo and with whom he served as artist-in-residence at St. John’s Cathedral, Los Angeles; St. Alban’s, Westwood; and St. James’, Newport Beach; a daughter, Bridget Anne “Brady” Freeman; a son, Christopher (Shawna); and two grandchildren, Cash and Brody.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 6, at St. John’s Cathedral.

A full obituary is here.

The Rev. Karen Sue Chavez

May 22, 1948 – February 23, 2024

A celebration of life will be held for the Rev. Karen Sue Chavez, deacon, at 10:30 a.m. on March 16 at St. John Chrysostom Church, Rancho Santa Margarita.

The Rev. Canon John Saville will be the homilist. He is the retired rector of St. John’s Church, Corona, where Chavez served as a deacon for many years.

A reception will follow the service. St. John’s Church is located at 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita 92688.

Chavez, 75, died on Feb. 23 after a short illness. Survivors include her husband, Louis Chavez, and their adult children. An obituary will be posted soon on the Episcopal News website.

Congregational Openings

March 2024

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

Isla Vista, St. Michael’s University Mission / Vicar

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

Soon to post: Whittier, St. Matthias / Rector

ACTIVE (Associate/Curate/Other Positions)

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

    Redlands, Trinity Parish

    Redondo Beach, Christ Church Parish–St. Andrew’s, Torrance / Rector

    Westchester, Holy Nativity Parish

    Whittier, St. Matthias / Rector

    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

    Isla Vista, St. Michael’s University Church 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.https://jobs.silkroad.com/PIH/PIHHealthInternalCareerSite/jobs/21450

    OUTSIDE THE DIOCESE

     A list of postings from the wider Episcopal Church is here.