WWW.EPISCOPALNEWS.COM SERVING THE SIX-COUNTY DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES DECEMBER 22, 2013 THE Episcopal News Weekly Scan to subscribe to The Episcopal News A Christmas message from the presiding bishop F or a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 I saiah pronounces these words to a people who remember the yoke of slavery laid on their shoulders. They’ve been waiting for this child, whose birth transforms that yoke into a mantle of authority. They are promised that this authority will continue to grow as the peaceable commonwealth is established — with justice and righteousness for all, and for ever. This promise is spoken anew to people in every age, to those who have lived under op- pression or in dark depression, to the hun- gry and ill and imprisoned. The birth we celebrate offers hope, in Word made flesh, who comes among us to heal and walk this way with us. The mantle of authority on his shoulders begins in the swaddling clothes of a child born in the humblest of circumstanc- es. Yet that authority is recognized even by foreigners from far away. That mantle of au- thority does continue to grow, through a life offered for others, raised into new life, and passed on to new generations of fleshly God- bearers. Wherever justice and righteousness is done, that authority is growing, borne on the shoulders of the Prince of Peace. He comes again, bearing the grace of the One whose image he wears in flesh. Seek him, sing his new song, declare his glory, and tell out the good news to all the nations: God reigns, and he is coming bearing righteous- ness and truth on his shoulders. May you discover that humble authority born again on the edges of the world’s notice. May that royal inheritance and authority of the stable be born in you, enliven your heart, and rest on your shoulders. Bear it abroad in peace, this year and throughout the ages. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church Remembering Mandela: South African Gumboot Dancers perform at a Dec. 14 service in memory of Nelson Mandela at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul. Bishop J. Jon Bruno and the Rev. Lester Mackenzie led the service, which was attended by members of the South- land’s expatriate South African community, as well as the Hon. Cyril Ndaba, South African consul general in Los Angeles. Bishop Edward Mackenzie (at right), former bishop suffragan of Cape Town, who worked with Mandela, shared stories of his compassionate leadership. Remembering Newtown: Irvine United Congregational Church hosted an interfaith remembrance Dec. 14 for the 20 children and six teachers killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, exactly one year before. Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce (above left) offered a prayer, then (above) watched with other faith representatives as Charles Blek and Canon Mary Leigh Blek of the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence and St. George’s Episcopal Church, Laguna Hills, led the tolling of the bell 26 times in honor of the victims. The Bleks then invited participants to ring the bell in honor of other victims of violence, and began by naming their son Matthew, shot and killed in 1994 in New York City. At left, a participant and her son hang a paper bell as a memorial to victims and a pledge against violence.
Transcript
WWW.EPISCOPALNEWS.COM SERVING THE SIX-COUNTY DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES DECEMBER 22, 2013
THE
Episcopal News Weekly Scan to subscribe to
The Episcopal News
A Christmas message from the presiding bishop
For a child has been born for us, a son given to
us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah pronounces these words to a people who remember the yoke of slavery laid on
their shoulders. They’ve been waiting for this child, whose birth transforms that yoke into a mantle of authority. They are promised that this authority will continue to grow as the peaceable commonwealth is established — with justice and righteousness for all, and for ever.
This promise is spoken anew to people in every age, to those who have lived under op-pression or in dark depression, to the hun-gry and ill and imprisoned. The birth we celebrate offers hope, in Word made flesh, who comes among us to heal and walk this way with us. The mantle of authority on his shoulders begins in the swaddling clothes of a child born in the humblest of circumstanc-es. Yet that authority is recognized even by foreigners from far away. That mantle of au-thority does continue to grow, through a life offered for others, raised into new life, and passed on to new generations of fleshly God-bearers. Wherever justice and righteousness is done, that authority is growing, borne on the shoulders of the Prince of Peace.
He comes again, bearing the grace of the One whose image he wears in flesh. Seek him, sing his new song, declare his glory, and tell out the good news to all the nations: God reigns, and he is coming bearing righteous-ness and truth on his shoulders.
May you discover that humble authority born again on the edges of the world’s notice. May that royal inheritance and authority of the stable be born in you, enliven your heart, and rest on your shoulders. Bear it abroad in peace, this year and throughout the ages.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts SchoriPresiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Remembering Mandela: South African Gumboot Dancers perform at a Dec. 14 service in memory of Nelson Mandela at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul. Bishop J. Jon Bruno and the Rev. Lester Mackenzie led the service, which was attended by members of the South-land’s expatriate South African community, as well as the Hon. Cyril Ndaba, South African consul general in Los Angeles. Bishop Edward Mackenzie (at right), former bishop suffragan of Cape Town, who worked with Mandela, shared stories of his compassionate leadership.
Remembering Newtown: Irvine United Congregational Church hosted an interfaith remembrance Dec. 14 for the 20 children and six teachers killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, exactly one year before. Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce (above left) offered a prayer, then (above) watched with other faith representatives as Charles Blek and Canon Mary Leigh Blek of the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence and St. George’s Episcopal Church, Laguna Hills, led the tolling of the bell 26 times in honor of the victims. The Bleks then invited participants to ring the bell in honor of other victims of violence, and began by naming their son Matthew, shot and killed in 1994 in New York City. At left, a participant and her son hang a paper bell as a memorial to victims and a pledge against violence.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 3:30 p.m. Advent Organ Series: David A. Gell Trinity Episcopal Church www.trinitysb.org 1500 State Street, Santa Barbara Information: 805.687.0189 or 965.7419 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 5 p.m. Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas St. Ambrose Episcopal Church 830 West Bonita Avenue, Claremont Information: 909.626.7170 ext. 222 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 5 p.m. Advent Evensong All Saints Episcopal Church 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena Information: 626.583.2750 MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 10 - 11 a.m. Centering Prayer St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 1014 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena Information: 626.798.6747 MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 7 p.m. Centering Prayer St. James’ Episcopal Church 1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena Information: 626.799.9194 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 6:15 p.m. Centering Prayer The Church of Our Saviour 535 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel Information: 626-282-5147 FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 5 - 9 p.m. La Dolce Vita and Taize Worship St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church 2109 Chickasaw Avenue, Los Angeles Information: 323.254.7569 SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 4:30 p.m. Epiphany Eve Solemn Evensong Church of Our Saviour 535 West Roses Road, San Gabriel Information: 626.282.5147
More listings and event information are at www.ladiocese.org (Calendars).
A R O U N D T H E D I O C E S E F R O M T H E B I S H O P S
Spain in the Age of FaithSt. Edmund’s Church, San Marino, invites you
on the most enjoyable tour of southern Spain ever.
13 days: June 16 - 28, 2014
Visits to Madrid, Avila, Segovia, Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Toledo and more,including Spain’s most glorious art.
For a brochure, contact [email protected] with your name and address
800-366-1536ext. 254
www.efcula.org
Did you know?The Diocese of Los Angeles has a full-service Credit Union.
The Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union has been in existence since 1994, and any Episcopalian in the diocese can join.
ECFCU offers a full line of financial products:Saving and Checking AccountsFree Income Tax Preparation Holiday Club AccountsDebit/ATM CardsIndividual Credit Counseling24-Hour Telephone InformationOn-Line Banking
Bill PayAuto LoansSignature LoansBusiness LoansWire TransfersFinancial Education
The diocese’s annual celebration commem-orating the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is planned for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, featuring the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, 11th bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, as guest preacher.
Bishop Suffragan Diane Jardine Bruce will be the celebrant.
Curry, who is renowned for his
skills as a preacher and teacher, has been fea-tured on The Protestant Hour radio program
and North Carolina Public Radio’s “The State of Things,” and he fre-quently writes for The Huffington Post. He serves on the Task Force for Re-Imagining the Episcopal Church. His book of sermons, Crazy Chris-tians, was released in August. Curry was elected bishop in February 2000, and consecrated in June of that year.
Bishop Curry to preach at MLK celebration Jan. 18
Michael Curry
The Bishops of the Diocese of Los Angeles
and their families wish you a blessed Christmas
and joy in the new year.
J. Jon Bruno and Mary BrunoDiane Jardine Bruce and Stephen Bruce
Mary D. Glasspool and Becki Sander
PHOTO/CHRIS TUMILTY
The Winter 2014 issue of The Episcopal News magazine is now online, with full coverage of Diocesan Convention 2013, including the Mar-
garet Parker Memorial Lecture by Bishop Barbara Harris; convention proceedings; reports and meditations by Bishops Jon Bruno, Diane Jar-dine Bruce and Mary D. Glasspool; the Seeds of Hope program present-ed by Tim Alderson and the Rev. Andy Barnett; and honors conferred by Bishop Bruno. To download the magazine for reading or printing, visit www.episcopalnews.com and click on the cover icon as seen at left.
