Bishop-elect Antonio José Gallardo Lucena addressed Diocesan Council May 14, offering a preview of first-year priorities to follow his July 11, 2026, consecration, including strategic planning, developing strong communications and relationships, creating new connections, strengthening existing ones, and preparing the 2027 budget.
“My first official meeting was at clergy conference, where I met with clergy for the very first time under my new role,” said Gallardo L. “I was able to appreciate the work they do, share my desire to be a pastor for them so that, in turn, they could be great pastors to all our congregations and institutions.”
Gallardo, formerly the rector of St. Luke’s / San Lucas Church in Long Beach, is now in residence at St. Paul’s Commons, meeting with staff, heads of diocesan institutions and key partners, “to learn about the work they do, what inspires them to support the work of the diocese.”
Consecration, series of events will welcome new bishop
Noting that a series of events – the July 11 consecration and watch parties, the July 12 cathedral installation, and summer deanery gatherings – are set to welcome Gallardo L. as the diocese’s eighth bishop, the Very Rev. Canon Kay Sylvester, consecration committee chair; Sheira Smith, transitions committee co-chair; and Samantha Wylie, council secretary, offered planning updates.
All diocesan governing bodies, clergy, postulants and candidates, as well as members of the churchwide House of Bishops and representatives of groups including the Union of Black Episcopalians will be invited to Gallardo L.’s July 11, 2026, consecration, Wylie told council members.
In accordance with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s and Gallardo L.’s desires for an intimate setting, the consecration will be held at All Saints Church in Pasadena, which seats 800 with overflow space also on site. In addition to seating for clergy, congregations will each receive three tickets and will need to decide how to distribute them. In churches with distinct language congregations, each of those communities will receive at least three tickets, planners said.
At least one watch party is planned in each deanery; a website will launch soon with more celebration details, including information about a 2 p.m. Walk for Truth and Love from St. Paul’s Commons in Echo Park to St. John’s Cathedral, where Gallardo L. will be officially seated at 4 p.m., July 12.
Additionally, there will be multiple opportunities to gather, including deanery celebrations post-consecration.
‘Good News’ financial report
The Council meeting – chaired online by Canon Dr. Steve Nishibayashi, secretary of convention, on behalf of Bishop John Harvey Taylor who was traveling out of state – also received a “good news” financial report from interim treasurer Canon Dan Valdez, for the first quarter of 2026. The report included:
- Camp Stevens received a private legacy gift of $978,000 in March;
- A surplus of Mission Share Funds year to date of $85,375 including $12,500 of unallocated MSF waivers;
- Disaster recovery and resilience is ahead of budget thanks to an additional $60,000 grant received from Episcopal Relief & Development;
- General contributions were ahead by $9,900;
- Donations to the One Body & One Spirit annual appeal fund have slowed.
Communications update
To support the ministries of the incoming bishop-elect, Canon for Common Life Bob Williams proposed a consultation with media professionals and stakeholders, including the diocesan Program Group on Communications, to explore best practices that will enhance the diocesan website, “customer relationship management” (CRM) strategies, expanded use of video and social media, multi-lingual communication, and a possible reimagining of The Episcopal News.
Williams, who has announced his retirement this summer after 40 years of service in the diocese, underscored the value of continuing the legacy of The News as “a newspaper of record in Southern California and the diocese,” noting that the publication was established in 1897 by the diocese’s first bishop, Joseph Horsfall Johnson and has chronicled diocesan life ever since.
Neighborhood Youth Association scholarship will honor Bishop Taylor
Williams also invited Council members to contribute to the first Bishop John Harvey Taylor scholarship to be awarded to a college-bound NYA student June 6 at a celebration, 5-7 p.m. at St. Bede’s Church, 3590 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles. Gifts to the fund, established in honor of Taylor’s retirement this year, may be made here (www.nyayouth.org/donate).
Additional tributes to Taylor will be offered when Council next meets on June 11, 4 p.m., in-person in the Great Hall of St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park. It will be Taylor’s last council meeting before his retirement.
Innovation grant application deadline July 15
Diocesan Innovation Grants are available to support ministry to, by and with children, according to Missy Morain, diocesan missioner for Christian formation, children’s and youth ministries. The deadline to apply for a grant is July 15. “If you have an idea reach out and touch base with me,” she said. “I would love to talk with you.” The grant application is here.
Reports of work, ‘good of the order’
Corporation of the Diocese, Sharon Ellis, & Standing Committee, Artur Grigorian
Both the Corporation of the Diocese and the Standing Committee approved three consent agenda items, including a housing allowance for Gallardo L., a resolution for Camp Stevens Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, and Camp Stevens Diocesan Investment Trust accounts.
Daughters of the King “watch parties”: Canon Christine Budzowski
An experiment in hosting watch parties was “wildly successful” for the May 2 DOK Spring Assembly, including invitations to other members of the order in Province VIII, Budzowski reported. “We had nine watch parties on our zoom call and were thrilled with the results. The watch parties themselves were thrilled,” she said. “They invited guests who were not Daughters to see what we’re all about. It was a wonderful way to invite participation from women that would not normally show up if you told them we’re doing something online. They got to be relational and face to face in a welcoming environment.”
A recording of the event, with keynote speaker the Rev. Jane Tomaine, a Benedictine scholar, will be made available later.
Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change & Stillpoint: Deacon Daniel Tamm
Tamm invited everyone to the next edition of “Climate Kitchen,” the virtual series from The Bishop’s Commission on Climate Change, “Our Call to Carbon Neutrality.” The hour-long Zoom begins at 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 20. Please register here.
Tamm, a board member of Stillpoint: Center for Christian Spirituality, also issued an invitation to a “Cherished Belonging: the Healing Power of Love,” June 27 one-day retreat featuring Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Church of Our Saviour, 535 West Roses Road, San Gabriel. Early bird price: $99; afterwards $149, including lunch.
Secretary of Convention: Canon Steve Nishibayashi
Nishibayashi reminded council members that nominations are open for positions to be voted at the July 3-8, 2027, General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Nominations for Executive Council, Board of Judicial Review and other elective offices through June 12. “It’s never too early to consider elected positions in the diocese as well,” he said.
A Big Bear Getaway for supply clergy: Alan Herendich
St. Columba’s Spirit of Peace Episcopal Lutheran Church in Big Bear has a cabin where interested clergy can stay for a week in exchange for celebrating a Sunday worship service, according to Alan Herendich. The Rev. Stuart Swann, vicar, is officially retired, but drives from Yucaipa to serve on Sundays.
“It’s nice and cool up here in the summertime and we have skiing in winter,” Herendich said “So, if you want to spend a week in Big Bear, get in touch and maybe we can arrange that.”