At this morning’s ingathering for the United Thank Offering, which Holy Trinity Saint Benedict Episcopal Church in Alhambra does twice a year, the big donation box enclosed so many little blue boxes that the devoted, energetic rector of 13 years, the Rev. Brent Jr Quines, couldn’t lift it without help. Organized by senior warden Alpha Ofo-ob, at least 80 church members had processed to the altar with their gifts.
When officials at the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, another venerable church-wide organization, wanted to know which Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles parishes were standouts, I sent them straight to Alhambra. In recent years at HTSB, the Brotherhood has helped fix up Sunday school classrooms, repair part of a sewer, install a magnificent new parish kitchen, and replace the rectory roof. During the delicious lunch after church, led by junior warden Paul Henry Kelly, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, Brotherhood members were meeting to talk about their next projects, including a new HVAC system.
If it sounds like this thriving parish has it all going on, you’re onto something. Do you want to talk about young people? Over a dozen were caucusing at lunch. There was an equally delightful number of children underfoot. HTSB is also one of the first parishes to sign up for our annual diocesan golf tournament, which raises money for diocesan ministries.
Members drive to church from as far as Palm Springs. Most work in health care. That means they work hard for others, often in less than ideal conditions, especially this time of year. And yet they had plenty of energy left over for hospitality and fellowship. It helped that we’d all been lifted to the gates of heaven by Fr. Brent’s sermon. He wove Thanksgiving, UTO, the feast of St. Andrew’s, and the First Sunday of Advent into a homiletical embroidery that basically reads, “If you spend your life giving thanks, you may well find the world giving thanks for you.”
Without an assigned visitation, I was along to worship. It was wonderful that my colleague Canon Clare Zabala-Bangao and her spouse, Benson, had received the same inspiration. When Brent offered me the mic for the closing blessing, I thanked the congregation for being diocesan trendsetters. I also acknowledged the tragedy that gripped many in this extended family in July, when 37-year-old Ashley died while swimming with friends and family in the lower Kern River. His mom, Jane, and I sat together. Jasmine, Brent’s spouse, is his cousin.
Brent had begun worship, and the church year, by lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath, which usually is construed as signifying our hope in Christ. In the candlelight, and the thrilling strains of “I Am The Bread Of Life” during Holy Eucharist, I was conscious of the hope that those grieving Ashley will catch up with him and his memorable smile in the Resurrection. As we prepare to redeem the promise of Bethlehem, it is good to remember that the promise of everlasting life with all our saints is what keeps so many coming back for more, church year after church year.
