Almighty God, by our faith in the Risen Christ, we give thanks that your spirit of grace and mercy and love and justice will be with all the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and especially the Rev. Dr. Antonio Gallardo, called yesterday as eighth bishop of Los Angeles. As the diocese prepares to welcome our spiritual leader and pastor, comfort the people of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Long Beach, where Antonio is rector, as they bid au revoir to theirs. Comfort and counsel the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy and the Rev. Monica Mainwaring, whom your own spirit also called as nominees, as they discern the next season of their abundant ministries. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Photos: My scrapbook from the second day of business at diocesan convention at the Riverside Convention Center. The first photo shows Antonio and me in June at an anti-ICE demonstration at the federal building in downtown Los Angeles.)
