Saints Alive Online Articles
A JOURNEY OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE
from Jenny Price, Director of Children's and Youth Music
A year ago, a friend of mine gave me some information that changed the direction of my life.
For 22 years, I worked as a public school music educator with children of all ages. I was blessed to have taught some of the most wonderful and interesting children, in all kinds of environments, from tough New Yorkers to those in rural Washington State.
A year and a half ago, I was wondering where my life was headed. I knew I needed to be where the sun shined, and I knew that employment opportunities for teachers in California were few in light of the economy and the slashing of the state budget for education. I decided to take a chance and began developing a five-year plan to open my own school in Southern California.
I planned everything needed to present to a bank for funding of my school. I consulted with a friend of mine, who was well-known for helping people set up businesses. He said, “If you think you can just move to Southern California, open the doors to your business and have children flood in when they don’t even know who you are, you are sadly mistaken. Why don’t you try to find a job down there and establish a reputation first, so you’ll know what to do.”
Days later, I got a call from my friend Marilyn Colyar (a former All Saints member) who had moved to the Seattle area and sung with me in a community choir. She asked if I were interested in a children’s choir position in Pasadena? I remember saying, “Marilyn, you know what I do for a living and that I want to move to Southern California. It sounds perfect!” The rest, of course, is history.
I’ve now found a love that I didn’t know I would find - the love of All Saints and its staff, parishioners and children. I have never felt more alive and more at home than I do here.
I am grateful to have inherited a choral program with such a rich history. I hope to continue that vision and to offer children a great choral education, equipping them to lead people into the spirit of worship. I often tell the kids that nothing has more power to break down walls around adult hearts than the voices of children singing. In singing from their heart, their joy flows to the hearts of others and reaches people in magical ways. I know that they experienced this recently when the Trouvéres saw the overwhelming response when they sang for the 11:15 a.m. service on March 4. Singing at the 11:15 is new for the youth choir program, and we greatly enjoyed giving that service the same worship experience as we’ve traditionally given the 9:00 service. I don’t think they expected a standing ovation. Now they get how powerful their gift of music can be. I am so blessed to be able to stand in front of them and let that spirit flow from them – past me – and into the congregation.
As my first year comes to a close, I am inviting you all to our Spring Concert “Journeys of Faith, Hope and Love” on May 20 at 5:00 p.m. in the church (suggested donation $5). You will hear the wonderful voices of the Mastersingers, Troubadours, Trouvéres and Youth Chamber Choir perform songs based on that theme. The concert will end with all choirs performing a commissioned work by Karen P. Thomas. New Skies was written in response to the suicides of many teens nationwide who have been bullied – especially those questioning their sexual identity. The text Karen used is a pledge and an anonymous poem from the “It Gets Better” website, as well as an Emily Dickenson poem. How freeing it is to be in a community like All Saints, where standing up for LGBT youth is the right thing to do. We would love to see you at our concert.
Thank you for your love and support on this new journey for me. I am living a dream and am so thankful for the opportunity to work and worship at All Saints. I am home.
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Tiffany Bussard is a new member at All Saints, recently moving here from North Carolina. A classical singer by training and an accountant by trade, she made the cross-country journey because she wanted to study with a renowned vocal coach here in LA, and because “God told me to.” Two friends of hers from Atlanta who had both been students at Mercer University when Ed Bacon served as Dean there (and had found him utterly delightful), suggested Tiffany check out All Saints. She checked out our sermons online and was quite moved.
When she arrived in LA, she contacted several temporary accounting agencies and began attending the Life and Livelihood meetings at the suggestion of one of her fellow members in Coventry Choir. In the L&L group, she found support in navigating the emotional challenges of everything from trying to get noticed in the black hole of internet job submissions to those overwhelming feelings of inadequacy that can arise when one is unemployed. Irene Turtle assisted her with revamping her resume and was able to refer her to additional employment placement agencies. Tiffany eventually found work in a great environment via one of the placement firms, choosing the temp-to-hire route to start working more quickly.
Tiffany is pleased to have found All Saints and to have been supported in her journey through the Life and Livelihood Ministry.
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JAZZ VESPERS: JOHN PROULX
Sunday, May 27, 5:00 p.m. in the Chancel. The jazz scene is abuzz about singer/pianist/composer John Proulx. His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John will be joined by Zac Matthews on bass and Dave Tull on drums. For more information, visit www.johnproulx.com. Child care is provided. If you would like to use the elevator for accessibility, please arrive five minutes early. Information = Melissa Hayes, 626.583.2725 or mhayes@allsaints-pas.org.
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THANK YOU! 2261 MOSQUITO NETS FOR AFRICA!
Enormous thanks to all who bought mosquito nets during Lent and supported our Diocesan campaign of Forty Days, 40,000 Nets! Our goal of 2000 nets was surpassed, and through your generosity we purchased nets that could save the lives of up to 7500 people. Malaria is a killer disease that affects millions of people each year, especially young children. Our efforts will help Nets For Life to continue their work in 17 African countries.
The effort was creative and the result of a lot of different actions! The 20/30 group compiled a cookbook of their favorite recipes and proceeds were donated towards mosquito nets. On Palm Sunday teams of people went out into Pasadena, collecting donations and engaging in conversation about the need to prevent malaria and the effectiveness of mosquito nets in doing so. Our children held a lemonade stand at the Rose Bowl to raise money, and took mite boxes home to collect spare change for mosquito nets. Youth took donation envelopes and brought back their proceeds. People made online donations. Everyone played their part! Thanks to all, especially Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes, who co-ordinated the six week long campaign.
For those who did not yet get around to making a donation, it’s not too late! The diocesan campaign continues until December 2012. Donate online at www.inspirationfund.org. More information = Wilma Jakobsen at wjakobsen@allsaints-pas.org or 626.583.2762.
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WELCOME OUR NEW DEACON, CHARLEEN CREAN
We are thrilled to welcome a new face on our chancel, Charleen Crean, a deacon assigned to All Saints by Bishop Bruno. Charleen was ordained 26 years ago in the Diocese of Hawaii. She moved to Pasadena two years ago from Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband John, to begin a new job at Huntington Hospital Senior Care Network. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker by profession, she will be working with Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis on Peace and Justice concerns, and is also hoping to encourage more vocations to the Diaconate.
A deacon is an ordained person who is assigned to parishes by the Bishop, primarily at the request of a parish. Deacons generally have a full time job outside of the church. The Order of Deacons is one of the oldest of the Orders in the Church.
The Book of Common Prayer defines the liturgical role of Deacon as Reading the Gospel, setting the altar, bidding the creed and confession, and giving the dismissal.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
See Me Naked: Stories of Sexual Exile in American Christianity
Stories of sexual scandals in churches throughout the nation have been downright routine in recent years, suggesting to many Americans that a deeply rooted problem plagues American Christianity—and prompting some to abandon their congregations altogether. In See Me Naked, Amy Frykholm takes us beyond simple indictments of, or blind allegiance to, Christian cultures to explore the complex, intimate intersection of sexuality and spirituality as it affects the lives of ordinary Christians.
See Me Naked explores the many ways that people work to recover from harmful beliefs and restores the notion that one of the key insights of Christianity is that the body, with all its struggles, pains, and difficulties, is a vehicle of the holy and can lead us into a fuller relationship with God.
This GALAS Book Study Group meets six Thursdays, from 7:30-9 p.m., beginning April 26 at the home of Deb & Judy in Monrovia. Please call Deb Ogden at 626.303.3509 for location and to confirm.
All Saints 101: Spring Session Starts May 6!
Q. What is All Saints 101?
A. All Saints 101 is for folks from other faith traditions, from no faith tradition, and for lifelong Episcopalians. The eight week class includes staff presentations and the opportunity to meet in small groups with other newcomers. You’ll learn more about yourself and All Saints Church.
Q. Who is it designed for?
A. All Saints 101 is for you if you’re brand new and wondering if All Saints Church is the church home you’ve been looking for OR if you’ve been attending for awhile and are ready to figure out where your “place” is in “wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith there is a place for you here.”
Q. When does it start, end and meet?
A. Spring classes begin Sunday, May 6 and meet through June 17 on Sunday evenings from 7-9 p.m. New members are welcomed and celebrated at the 11:15 service on Sunday, June 24.
Q. Why is it called “All Saints 101”?
A. We want to communicate in its title what the program offers: an entry level opportunity to learn the All Saints story and find out where it connects with your story and God’s story.
Q. How do I sign-up?
A. Visit the table on the lawn on Sundays, register on-line, or contact Linn Vaughan at 626.583.2744 or lvaughan@allsaints-pas.org.
Easter Taizé Eucharist and Potluck
Taizé prayers are candlelight, contemplative prayers, with readings, song and silence - a time to renew and refresh the spirit. Taizé is also about community. Join us on Sunday, May 6, at 5:00 p.m. for our monthly 5pm Taizé Eucharist, and walk the labyrinth at any point before, during or after the service. Afterwards, we gather in the Seminar room for a simple potluck meal. Please bring either soup, bread or fruit. For more details, contact Isabel Leus at ileus@allsaints-pas.org or 626.583.2733.
Children, Youth & Families In the Rector’s Forum!
Spirituality, Community and Peace & Justice are not just for grownups at All Saints Church! These core values are deeply embedded in our work with our children and youth. The staff and volunteers of our CYF department design our age-appropriate curriculum and programs to ensure that these youth and children are provided meaningful experiences that support their growth and development
On Sunday, May 13, at 10:15 a.m. at the first-ever CYF Rector’s Forum we will launch the Roadmap, a document that follows the educational and spiritual formation journey of our children from birth through high school. It has been six years in the making as we developed curriculum and programs that teach and support our core values of Spirituality, Community, Peace & Justice.
Come join us as we celebrate the importance of children, youth and their families in the life of All Saints Church. And yes, we do know it is Mother’s Day! We hope you will plan to attend this significant first-ever Forum, and then head off to enjoy time with your family!
The Mastersingers and Troubadours will sing, children’s artwork and photos will be on display and we will hear stories from youth, staff and volunteers who provide meaningful experiences that support growth and development for all of our children and youth.
All are invited so please come whether you have children, nieces or nephews, godchildren or grandchildren, students or learners, or none of the above! For more information contact Wilma Jakobsen at 626.583.2762 or wjakobsen@allsaints-pas.org.
Spring Children & Youth Concert
On Saturday, May 20, at 5 p.m. in the church, the Mastersingers, Troubadours, Trouveres and Youth Chamber Choir will present a concert: “Journeys of Faith, Hope and Love,” featuring both sacred and secular works for all ensembles and end with selections for all choirs combined. Suggested donation of $5.00. Childcare will be provided. (see cover story)
Live Talks LA Presents Michael Sandel: Moral Limits of Markets
Michael Sandel, whose “Justice” course at Harvard is standing room only, will be at All Saints on Wednesday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Sandel’s latest book, What Money Can’t Buy, takes up one of the biggest ethical questions of our time: Isn’t there something wrong with a world in which everything is for sale? If so, how can we prevent market values from reaching into spheres of life where they don’t belong? What are the moral limits of markets? Should we pay children to read books or to get good grades? Should we put a price on human life to decide how much pollution to allow? Is it ethical to pay people to test risky new drugs or to donate their organs? What about hiring mercenaries to fight our wars, outsourcing inmates to for-profit prisons, auctioning admission to elite universities, or selling citizenship to immigrants willing to pay?
To register, go to http://livetalksla.org/blog/2012/01/16/an-evening-with-michael-sandel/. Registration is $15 with an All Saints discount: use code ALLSAINTS to get the discount.
Celebrate New Life with Cooperative Process Training
Integrate the new life of the post-Easter season with your daily life. Equipping yourself with the Cooperative Process will help you keep current with your emotions and reduce the stress in your relationships. You will have language to help open a conversation which may have been off limits. Ed Bacon wants everyone in the parish to be trained, in order for us to develop a common language. Anne Peterson and members of Leadership All Saints look forward to seeing you Tuesday, May 22, 6-9 pm, in the Guild Room. A light salad will be served ($5 donation). If that date doesn’t work, consider Saturday, June 9, 9am to noon in the Learning Center. Register at the Small Groups Table or contact Amanda McCormick, amccormick@allsaints-pas.org.
Special Opportunity to Volunteer at the Women’s Room!
Every Wednesday for the last 5 months, women from our parish have volunteered to make a light lunch for the women at the Women’s Room. We want to continue this much appreciated ministry through the summer months and are in the need for more volunteers. If you are able to volunteer one Wednesday from 12:30 – 2 p.m. in the next few months, please contact Dorothy Christ at dchrist4@gmail.com.
YERT (Your Environmental Road Trip) at Conscientious Projector
On July 4, 2007, Mark Dixon (former All Saints Church Coventry Choir member) and friends, Ben Evans and Julie Dingman Evans, set out on a year-long journey in a used hybrid to discover the causes of climate change and see what creative innovators, entrepreneurs and organizations in each of the 50 states were doing for a sustainable environment. They took along a camera and a personal commitment to live the changes they seek for the planet, and the award-winning result is YERT (Your Environmental Road Trip), this month’s Conscientious Projector feature screening on Thursday, May 10, 7:00 p.m. at The Armory Center for the Arts. Join them on their travels as they experience wonder, challenge and one big surprise (an unexpected pregnancy for Julie and Ben) that impacts their entire adventure.
EDEN (Environmental Defense of Earth Now) co-sponsors this event. A community discussion will follow the film. The Armory is located at 145 N. Raymond in Old Pasadena. Admission is free and the facility is accessible to disabled persons. For more information, contact Marty Coleman at 626.792.4941 or visit www.yert.com.
World Labyrinth Day
Saturday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Forum). World Labyrinth Day is celebrated around the world on the first Saturday in May. It is a day that brings people from all over the planet together in celebration of the labyrinth as a symbol, a tool, a passion or a practice. Information = Ana Camacho, acamacho@allsaints-pas.org or 626.583.2737.
Peace & Justice and Office for Creative Connections Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Guild Room). All parishioners are invited to explore the implications of being a contemplation/action church. Please join Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis and Juliana Serrano for the annual meeting of the Office for Creative Connections and Peace & Justice. Information = Norma Sigmund at nsigmund@allsaints-pas.org.
Healing Memories Workshop and Training
Michael Lapsley will lead this training, Thursday, May 31–Saturday, June 2. Says Lapsley, “We are all in need of healing, because of what we have done, what we have failed to do, and what has been done to us.” Information = Zelda Kennedy, 626.583.2723 or zkennedy@allsaints-pas.org.
Summer Adventure – H2O: Watch Your Spirit Grow!
The transforming qualities of water flow through our faith and our Bible stories. Water brings new life and new possibilities, and yet access to clean water and proper sanitation remains one of the biggest challenges of people living in poverty around the world. As a church, where water plays such a central role, how do we address this challenge? Our week of camp, July 16-20, will look at stories of water and ways we can make a difference in the world. Summer Adventure is for children entering Kindergarten through 8th grade and will run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with before and after care available. Registration online begins June 1. For more information, please contact Isabel Leus, ileus@allsaints-pas.org.
Brothers on the Journey
Brothers on the Journey is an ongoing group that meets every other Monday night from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. This is a group for men to come together in a safe and open setting to work on men's issues. The group is led by Robert Cornell and Bill Berry. For specific dates and locations of the next meetings please contact Norma Sigmund at 626.583.2734 or Robert Cornell at robertcornell@earthlink.net.
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Memorial Flowers
Memorial flowers are a beautiful way to remember a loved one, celebrate a special event, or to give thanks for someone who has touched your life. To donate flowers for the altars, please call 626.583.2721.
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THE MISSION OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH
Following its prophetic call, All Saints Church seeks to embody the inclusive love Of God in Christ through spirituality, community and peace & justice.
All Saints Church, Pasadena, is a large, multi-ethnic and nationally recognized parish in the urban center of Pasadena, known for its liturgy, preaching and social outreach. It has a long history of interfaith relationships and an ongoing commitment to local, national and global issues of peace and justice.
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There are currently no memorials scheduled.
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