Friday, November 23, 2012

Parish UPDATE: Nov. 25


Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. Remember, November is Hospice Care month. On Sunday, November 25, The Parish of St. Mary in Palms, [3647 Watseka Ave] will host an information session on Palliative Care and Hospice, Advanced Directives and funeral planning from 11 am  to 11:45 am in our Parish Hall. Our speaker will be Rose Lanam, Angeles Vista Hospice Care, Beverly Hills. If you have time to join us or have questions about Hospice Care, Advanced Directives, know that you and your friends will be welcome to join us in this project. Spread the word.

 2. Thanks...
to all who were able to join us at our joint Thanksgiving Day Eucharistic service with Grace Lutheran Church yesterday. Our efforts witnessed to the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives in building up the kingdom of God. Thank you.

3. PLEDGE CARDS AND STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN:
The Stewardship Committee and the Vestry are grateful to all who have already turned in their pledge cards for fiscal year 2013 and/or have helped in cultivating new pledges for our parish. The vision, mission and ministries of this parish are owned, powered by all of us and made possible by our shared ministries and witness to the power of God working in our lives. Let us double our efforts in raising the funding necessary to make our shared ministries sustainable. No pledge effort or donation is too small. God has been generous with us, NO DOUBT, let us be generous of our resources for God and his kingdom. May the God who continues to be generous with us, inspire us to be generous to him and his kingdom.

As already published, we need all pledge cards in by Sunday, December 9 and we will have aspecial Stewardship celebration on Sunday, December 16. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

(a) BBC VIDEO SERIES ON A HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY:
We will begin these series on Saturday, December 1. Soup and salad would be provided. Series would run every other Saturday. Please, check Sunday's bulletin for flyers and our website and Facebook for more information. Please, encourage and bring your friends to these series. Let us strengthen our faith.

(b) ADVENT SEASON begins Sunday, December 2. We will need volunteer help to set up the church on December 1 and December 22. Please, mark your calendars for these days and help if you can. Work will begin at 10 am and finish at 11 am. We will need help with ushering and greeting newcomers and visitors to church. If you can help with ushering and greeting, please talk with Sandra after Mass.

(c) DIOCESAN CONVENTION:
This year's Diocesan Convention would be a one-day event scheduled for Saturday, December 8 in San Bernadino. Please, keep our Diocese and the kingdom of God in your prayers at this time.

5. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:
(i) Recovering from illness: Bianca, Andrea Williams, Andrea's Dad, Anthony Jo, Bishop Jon Bruno, Patrick Williams, Hyacinth Young,  David Lloyd, Rev. Canon Cyprian Fields, Rev. Canon Rosina Ampah, OSH
(ii) Youth in our parish: Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Audrey, Michelle
(iii) God's blessing on our parish, its ministries and finances
(iv) Our benefactors and all who made the ministries of this parish possible
(v) The Vestry 

6. EXTRA NEWS:
(i) Anglican Communion News: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/index.cfm
(ii) Diocese of Los Angeles: www.ladiocese.org
(iii) Palms Neighborhood Councilwww.palmsla.org

See you at Mass on Sunday.

Fr. Vincent

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A blessed Thanksgiving Day

A blessed Thanksgiving Day to you and your loved ones.

Remember, our joint Eucharistic service on Thanksgiving Day is with Grace Lutheran Church, 4427 Overland Blvd. Culver City at 10 am.

Hospice Care month


November is Hospice Care month. On Sunday, November 25, The Parish of St. Mary in Palms, [3647 Watseka Ave] will host an information session on Palliative Care and Hospice, Advanced Directives and funeral planning from 11 am  to 11:45 am in our Parish Hall. Our speaker will be Rose Lanam, Angeles Vista Hospice Care, Beverly Hills. If you have time to join us or have questions about Hospice Care, Advanced Directives, know that you and your friends will be welcome to join us in this project. Spread the word.

If you have questions regarding this email and event, please call Fr. Vincent at  310-558-4124

Friday, November 16, 2012

Parish UPDATE: November 18


Beloved of God and of this parish:

A.  November is Hospice Care month
On Sunday, November 25, our parish will be hosting a forum on "Palliative Care and Hospice, Advanced Directives and funeral planning" from 11 am  to 11:45 am in our Parish Hall.  Our speaker would be Ms. Rose Lanam, Angeles Vista Hospice Care, Beverly Hills. If you have time to join us or have questions about Hospice Care, Advanced Directives, know that you and your friends will be welcome to join us in this project.. Spread the word.

B. THIS WEEKEND - NOVEMBER 17 & 18:
(i)  Saturday, November 17: Our parish rummage sale begins at 8 am and would be finished by 3 pm. If you can help out, that would be most helpful.
(ii) We will host a poker-night fundraiser to support Lou Gehrig's disease research beginning at 3:30 pm on Saturday, November 17. Funds would benefit ALS and St. Mary. Admission is $40.
(iii) Vestry would meet on Sunday, November 18 following the 10 am Mass. Vestry members please take note and come with your monthly reports.

C. JOINT THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICE
In keeping with the traditions of this parish, we will join our sisters and brothers at Grace Lutheran Church, 4427 Overland Ave, Culver City on Thursday, November 22 for our joint-Thanksgiving Day service. Service begins at 10 am . Please, spread the word and bring your friends. Let us work towards the realization of Jesus' prayer that "they may all be one as you Father and I are one". 

D. EVENSONG
On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm in the Chapel. We are usually done by 7:30 pm. As usual, you and your friends are welcome.

E. UPCOMING EVENTS:
(i) Sunday, December 2: First Sunday in Advent and beginning of the new Church year.
(ii) Saturday, December 8: Diocesan Convention, San Bernadino
(iii) Sunday, December 16: Vestry Meeting
(iv) Sunday, December 23: Advent 4. Neighborhood Christmas sing-along - 3.30  to 5 pm.

F. Of your charity, please pray for:
(i) all who are discerning vocations to various ministries in the church
(ii) Bishop Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham and the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
(iii) all who are recovering from recent illness: Bianca Mussenden, Sr. Rosina Ampah, OSH, Patrick Williams
(iv) safety for all who will be travelling this coming week to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.
(v) our nation as it begins the healing process post-election
(vi) a very successful parish stewardship campaign

See you at Mass

Fr. Vincent

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Parish UPDATE: Nov. 11


Beloved of God and of this parish:

A. THIS SUNDAY, November 11

(a) As already published, we will be observing this Sunday as Day of Remembrance and focusing on Veteran families. Not too late to invite your Veteran friends to church tomorrow. Sandra Dyson would be our homilist.

(b) St. Joseph Hall has been rented for an event on Sunday, Nov. 11 and will be "decorated" Saturday afternoon. Depending on how much decoration is needed and weather, we will provide alternate venue for coffee hour post-Mass.

(c) The Worship Committee will meet in the Rector's Office following Mass if the patio is not available.

B. NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY NAMED
Yes, the Anglican Communion has a new Archbishop of Canterbury who will take over from Dr. Rowan Williams. 

Here is a link: http://us.mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=247k65q0nq1fl

C. UPCOMING EVENTS:

1. THRIFT (RUMMAGE) SALE:
(a) Friday, November 16 - all day preparation and pricing of items for the rummage (thrift) sales to raise funds for the church.
(b) Saturday, November 17 - sale begins at 8 am and finishes at 3 pm.

2. POKER NIGHT FUNDRAISER
We will host a Poker Night to raise funds for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease. This is a private initiative and our parish will get a share of the funds raised. A $40 donation is requested. We expect over 50 participants. Please, invite your Poker friends to the event. Event begins at 4 pm.

3. NOVEMBER IS___:
  • National Diabetes Month
  • Lung Cancer Awareness Month 
  • Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month as well as 
  • Hospice Palliative Care Month
  • We will have two conversations on Hospice Palliative Care on November 25 after Mass. Conversation would include preparing Advance Directives and Funeral Plans
4. EVENSONG AT ST. MARY
Tired at the end of the day from all that office work and traffic? Need some time to pray with friends? Join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm  to pray the Evening Service from the Book of Common Prayer. Spread the word and bring your friends.

5. THANKSGIVING DAY JOINT EUCHARISTIC SERVICE
At Grace Lutheran Church, 4427 Overland Ave, Culver City at 10 am on Thursday, November 22.  This is an annual event going back many years. Join us in celebrating our common discipleship and witness to the reconciling love of God.

6. POST ELECTION
The 2012 national elections are over. It is time to pray and work for reconciliation across our nation and healing of our land asking God to begin first with "me/us". Christ has given us the ministry of reconciliation, we come therefore as ambassadors of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 5:18 - 20

7. Of your charity, please pray for:
(a) those recovering from recent illness: Jon Bruno, Bianca Mussenden, Anthony Joseph, Patrick Williams, Cyprian Fields
(b) all who are recovering from the effects of super-storm Sandy.
(c) all who have been recently diagnosed with Cancer: Rosina
(d) all who work to make the Palms community safe for residents and businesses. 
(e) all Veterans and their families
(f)  the Diocese of Los Angeles as it prepares to meet on December 8 at Diocesan Convention
(g) God's blessings on our Stewardship Campaign, our shared ministries and vocations in this community.
(h) our students: Vincent, Larry and Simone (College); Jeffrey, Audrey, Michelle (Middle and High School)

See you at Mass on Sunday.

Fr. Vincent
www.stmarypalms.org

... ""Every Christian needs a half hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour." - Saint Francis of Sales "

Friday, November 2, 2012

Parish UPDATE: Nov. 4


Beloved of God and of this parish:

Here are some UPCOMING notices requiring your attention:

1THIS SUNDAY,  ALL SAINTS DAY:
(a)  Our All Saints Day celebrations will be on Sunday, November 4.  During the Prayers of the Faithful, we will pray the Litany of the Saints, alternating between Men and Women voices. For those who observe Dia de los Muertos, have a great event. 

(b) Pledge and Stewardship Campaign:
We kick-start our Stewardship and Pledge Campaign this Sunday. We invite you to a special coffee-hour presentation in St. Joseph Hall, following Mass. When we give to God and his kingdom, we do not become poor, we become rich. We invite you to thank God for his many blessings on your life, to thank God for our shared ministries in this part of God's kingdom and to encourage you to consider how you would give of your time, talent and treasure to honor God and his work in the coming year. The feast of All Saints, reminds us of those who gave in most cases their all to God and his kingdom and we are called to emulate their generosity and faithfulness. Give to God and his kingdom and you will not become poor.

2.  SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 IS VETERANS DAY:
We will keep this special day as a Day of Remembrance. If you know a Veteran, please invite him or her to join us in our local celebration of Veterans.

3. NOVEMBER IS___:
  • National Diabetes Month
  • Lung Cancer Awareness Month 
  • Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month as well as 
  • Hospice Palliative Care Month
  • We will have two conversations on Hospice Palliative Care on November 11 after Mass. Conversation would include preparing Advance Directives and Funeral Plans
4FUNDRAISERS IN NOVEMBER:
(a) Saturday, November 10: 
Our parish's Fall Thrift Sales. Please, donate items and volunteer to help set up, clean up and welcome shoppers as they buy. You might make a friend for our parish. More on this in next week's bulletin and during the Sunday notices.

(b) Saturday, November 17
We will host a Poker Night to raise funds for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease. This is a private initiative and our parish will get a share of the funds raised. A $40 donation is requested. We expect over 50 participants. 

5EVENSONG AT ST. MARY
Tired at the end of the day from all that office work and traffic? Need some time to pray with friends? Join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 pm - each night - to pray the Evening Service from the Book of Common Prayer. Spread the word and bring your friends.

6. OF YOUR CHARITY PLEASE PRAY FOR:
(a) Bianca Mussenden, Patrick Williams, Sr. Rosina Ampah, OSH and all who are recovering from recent illness. Remember to pray for all who minister to their needs at this time.

(b) All who are battling the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

(c) The Vestrymembers, staff and volunteers of our parish.

(d) Clergy and people of The Church of Advent (San Francisco) and St. Mary the Virgin, (New York), our special partners in ministry.

(e) All who have recently lost their jobs or are searching for gainful employment.

(f) Our nation as we elect a President this Tuesday, November 6. May the elections be peaceful and may we be united as a nation post-election.

See you at Mass this and every Sunday.

Fr. Vincent