The Bishop's Blog
Thoughts and reflections from Bishop John Harvey Taylor
Education for Ministry graduation
Jun 23, 2026
The risen Christ couldn’t have been clearer about the Church’s mission. He tells Peter, “Feed my sheep.” It’s still true. Research confirms that churches are healthy, and churches grow, when lay and...
Juneteenth
Jun 20, 2026
I don't remember who said or suggested it, amid all the history and commentary I've been reading and hearing this year with respect to Juneteenth. The gist of the insight is that people don't make...
Daring to Hope: Witness from Gaza
Jun 19, 2026
Gaza-born Mohammed Balah, 32, is watching the World Cup from an apartment in Doha, Qatar, where he plays on the Al Shahaniya team. Named Palestine's most valuable player in 2017, his thrilling play...
Visiting St. Michael’s, Riverside
Jun 18, 2026
It was just another Thursday at St. Michael's Riverside Episcopal Ministry Center, more or less. Running a little late because of bad traffic, volunteers arrived about 8:45 a.m. with a truck full of...
Disclosure Day, Project Hail Mary, and the Golden Rule
Jun 16, 2026
In Steven Spielberg's new movie “Disclosure Day,” a whistleblower threatens to publicize files about interplanetary visitations. Among them is a video showing President Nixon in 1973, trying to...
Visiting All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church, Montecito
Jun 15, 2026
My au revoir tour took Kathy and me to the central coast over the weekend for a visitation at All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito. Mind you, that's not southern California. It's...
Presiding at my last Diocesan Council
Jun 12, 2026
On Thursday afternoon, I presided at the last of perhaps 80 meetings of our Diocesan Council since I became bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles in 2017. It was one of the few we've had in...
Campbell Hall commencement
Jun 10, 2026
My album from Campbell Hall's commencement ceremonies last night at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, my last opportunity to play my accustomed role of offering a benediction and presenting the Bishop's...
The Golden Rule, Mile by Mile
Jun 7, 2026
“Preach the gospel” may be the single most common piece of homiletic advice. No matter what's happening in the world or the preacher’s life, the good news is the best bet — the birth, life,...
40 days from the end of my ministry
Jun 3, 2026
Today finds me 40 days from the end of my ministry as bishop diocesan in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. It's a sweet spot indeed. I relish these remaining days with the same joy and curiosity...
Pride Month and voting the golden rule this
Jun 2, 2026
At the start of Pride Month, as a fellow traveler with my queer siblings, I say it's time to move beyond tolerance and inclusion and adopt a paradigm of ruthlessly punishing golden rule violators at...
Deanery V grad night
May 31, 2026
Some 20 college and high school graduates from Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles parishes in and around the San Gabriel Valley, also known as Deanery V, got together Sunday evening at St. Edmund's...











