.

News

June is LGBTQ Pride Month

June is LGBTQ Pride Month

On June 28, 1969, the New York City Police Department raided a bar frequented by people who were gay, lesbian, and transgender. The raid was not unusual. Homosexual conduct was illegal in every state (but Illinois) and police would often raid places known to serve people in the LGBTQ community. What was unusual was that the people fought back, resisting unjust oppression and abuse from authorities. A riot broke out that lasted several days.

The following year and every year since a parade has been held in June to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community standing up for themselves.

FAQs About Jesus, the Bible, and the LGBTQ+ Community is a document authored by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles designed to answer some of the more frequently asked questions you may have about The Episcopal Church’s position. It certainly won’t answer all of them, but it is meant as a conversation starter, not a mandate.

I hope you will take a few minutes to download and read the FAQ. And please let me know if you have any further questions.

—Fr. Jason Shelby, Rector

Episcopal Church unveils new Pride shield in celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion

May 16, 2024
Office of Public Affairs

In affirmation and celebration of The Episcopal Church’s LGBTQ+ members, the Office of Communication is pleased to unveil a new Pride shield available online for churchwide use.

The design retains the upper-left blue corner of The Episcopal Church’s shield logo and incorporates elements of the traditional Pride flag as well as the Progress Pride flag and Philadelphia Pride flag. In their use of black, brown, pink, and light-blue diagonal lines, the latter two flags represent intersectional progress in acknowledging people who are often overlooked by the mainstream LGBTQ+ movement: communities of color; the transgender community; and the many thousands harmed by anti-LGBTQ+ policy—from those who lost their lives in the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s, to those still disproportionately impacted today.

“As a longtime ally of LGBTQ+ people, I was so excited to work on this Pride shield for The Episcopal Church,” said Melissa Walker, senior graphic designer. “I hope many more people feel seen and included by this new graphic as we enter Pride month.”

For half a century, Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all God’s children. Resolutions from General Convention in 1976 recognized LGBTQ+ people as children of God with an equal claim to the pastoral care of the church and equal protection under the law. In 1994, General Convention amended the church’s canons to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, providing equal access to the rites and worship of the church, including ordination. In 2015, General Convention voted to amend the canons that regulate marriage, permitting any couple the rite of holy matrimony.

In June 2023, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a video message of encouragement to “all of my LGBTQ+ family members,” noting, “I believe deep in my soul that God is always seeking to create a world and a society where all are loved, where justice is done, and where the God-given equality of us all is honored in our relationships, in our social arrangements, and in law.”

Last month, the church announced the hire of its first gender justice staff officer, a new position called for by the 80th General Convention and dedicated to justice, advocacy, and inclusion work focused on women and LGBTQ+ people.

“In the United States, the bodily autonomy of women and trans people is under attack, and fully 50% of LGBTQ+ Americans live in poverty,” said Aaron Scott, gender justice staff officer. “I am grateful for the care and intention that went into designing this new Pride shield as it not only represents the LGBTQ+ community more fully, but also lifts those who, out of sheer necessity of survival and dignity, have fought the hardest and sacrificed the most for the thriving of all of us.”

Military Outreach: June 8 Camp Pendelton donations

It is time for us to donate to our Military men and women and their families on June 8 at Hawthorne High School.

What they need:

  • Diapers, diapers, and lots more diapers (~160 babies are born there every month)
  • Strollers, cribs, high chairs, pack-n-plays
  • Bath towels, hand towels and washcloths
  • Linens, sheets, blankets, comforters for twin and queen beds
  • Sets of at least 4 plates, soup bowls, bread plates, drinking glasses, flatware (spoons, knives and forks)
  • Pots and pans with lids in good condition
  • Cooking tools (such as) Wooden spoons, serving spoons, good knives, mixing bowls, serving bowls, bakeware
  • Non-perishable food (not expired). Yes, some families are experiencing food insecurity.
  • Gift cards from Target or Walmart in increments of $25
  • Bicycles (all ages)

What they don’t need:

  • Children’s clothes
  • Stuffed animals
  • Large toys, like race tracks, play kitchens
  • Lamps, art, books, DVDs CDs, and VHS tapes

What they cannot take:

  • Electronics (TVs and monitors, DVD/CD/VHS players)
  • Used car seats

Please pass this on to your friends and neighbors. Remember to donate stuff in good condition.

Thank you all for your support.

St. Francis Hosts 53rd Annual Palos Verdes Antiques Show And Sale

Proceeds from the 3-day fundraiser support the Mission and Outreach of St. Francis Church

St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates will host the 53rd Palos Verdes Antiques Show and Sale, its annual fundraiser on Thursday and Friday May 30 and 31 from 11 am to 6 pm, and Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 11 am until 4 pm. The Opening Night Preview Party will be held on Wednesday, May 29 from 6 to 9 pm. Tickets are $50 presale, $75 at the door. The popular 3-day event features top dealers from Northern and Southern California and—who will display and sell a dazzling array of 18th, 19th and early 20th Century furniture, silver, prints, jewelry, china, pottery, rugs, Asian antiques, vintage Americana and more. In addition to the antiques, the show features the Harvest Cupboard with tasty homemade offerings; Garden Gazebo with plants and ornaments, Patio Luncheons and English Afternoon Tea. Ricardo, of Ricardo’s award-winning nursery, will share gardening tips on Thursday at 3:00 pm and famed comedian, Lynn Chichi will perform her hilarious “Chichi’s Table Talk” on Friday at 3:00 pm during afternoon tea. Admission is $10 with return privileges and parking is free. For more information, call (310) 375-4617.

Holy Week and Easter

Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday — March 24
Celebrate Palm Sunday at the 8:00 am and 10:00 am service.

Holy Week — March 24-30

3/27 Holy Wednesday
7 pm – Tenebrae at St. Andrew’s (Torrance). A contemplative evening of light & music.

3/28 Maundy Thursday

  • Noon – Foot washing at Christ Church (Redondo).
  • 7 pm – Holy Eucharist, foot washing, stripping of the altar, and the Watch at St. Cross (Hermosa).

3/29 Good Friday

  • 12-3 pm – Meditative service at St. Francis. Sit in the quiet of the chapel as we contemplate the last words of Christ; this is a come-and-go service.
  • 12-3 pm – Labyrinth Walk in Parish Hall
  • 7 pm – Veneration of the Cross at Christ Church (Redondo).

3/30 Holy Saturday
8 pm – the Great Easter Vigil at St Francis.

Easter Sunday — March 31
Celebrate Easter at the 8:00 am and 10:00 am service, followed by our Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the service.

St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund Update

Ayomide (Ay) Olowookere is a freshman at UCLA pursuing a major in computer engineering.

He has assimilated well into the college experience and so far his classes have largely been a review of what he had already learned in high school, but the classes are becoming more difficult. In July 2023, the St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund (SFOSF) helped Ay buy a MacBook Pro laptop computer, which he absolutely loves. It has been a great help in his studies, especially since all of his college textbooks are in digital format.

For more about the St. Francis Outreach Scholarship fund, click here.

Palos Verdes Estates Housing Element – Special Announcement

Palos Verdes Estates Housing Element – Special Announcement

February 5, 2024

As you all may know, for the past several months, the Church has been engaged in an effort to keep the Church off the list of potential sites for affordable housing in Palos Verdes Estates. To date, we have been successful because there is no basis for such action.

Recently, there have been renewed efforts to put the Church back on the list. Next Wednesday, February 7 from 6:00 p.m., the City Council of Palos Verdes Estates will be holding a special meeting to hear from the public about this issue. The meeting, which will take the form of a Town Hall Meeting, will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room of Lunada Bay Elementary School in Lunada Bay.

Designated representatives from the Church will be present to speak on behalf of the Church. Representatives from Town & Country Nursery School, which leases our Education Wing during the week, will also speak. I encourage any of you who wish to attend this meeting to do so. You will also have an opportunity to speak on behalf of the Church should you so choose.

If you have any questions or wish more information about this matter, please see Church attorney Dick Briggs.

Thank you.

—Fr. Jason Shelby

Topics

Join our Mailing List

Subscribe to stay in touch!

Our email newsletter is published every Thursday at 4:30 pm (Pacific).
Click here to sign up!

Got News?

Publication Deadline:
Tuesdays at Noon

To get news, events, or other notifications in our weekly email and worship bulletin announcements, send your news to info@stfrancispalosverdes.org by noon on Tuesday for publication on Sunday.