Bishop Mary @ The White House!

In case you missed it, here's Bishop Mary Glasspool's report on her recent visit to the White House for the LGBT Pride Month Reception.

Go, +Mary!!

Pride Parade 2011: Power, Passion, Purpose

Once again, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles joined forces with our Lutheran counterparts to celebrate Eucharist together before taking the message of God's inclusive love to the streets of West Hollywood. Here's a look at some of the great cloud of witnesses who gathered this morning:


And here are some photos of another Truly Fabulous Pride Day L.A.

Tick Tock L.A. Pride!

Annual Episcopal-Lutheran Pride Eucharist:

WHEN: Sunday, June 12 • 9:30 am (note time change from earlier 9:00 am announcement)
WHERE: Corner of Santa Monica Blvd & Crescent Heights Blvd in West Hollywood, CA

Celebrating the call to common mission in God's inclusive grace, folks from welcoming Lutheran and Episcopal parishes gather at 9:30 AM for our annual Street Eucharist before the parade begins.

Presiding: The Rev. Susan Russell, All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena
Preaching: The Rev. Dean Nelson, Bishop, Southwest CA Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

With both communions represented in their own parade units, look for the "pink triangle Martin Luther" and/or the Episcopal flag at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd & Crescent Heights Blvd to guide you to the actual site of the Street Eucharist, which will be held somewhere in the parade line-up, further down Crescent Heights Blvd. (Site TBD Sunday morning based on where our parade units end up in the line-up)

For more information contact Susan Russell at srussell@allsaints-pas.org or 714.356.5718

A Year Ago Today ...

... we gathered in Long Beach to help the Holy Spirit make two new bishops in the Church of God.


Here's a look back at what was MOST "an amazing day" ... and with thanksgiving for all the work and witness of the last 365 days! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

L.A. Diocese PRIDE Shirts 2011

Since L.A. Pride ... AKA Christopher Street West ... falls on Pentecost this year (June 12) designer Randy Kimmler came up with this great representation of spirit filled welcome for our Pride theme 2011.


The shirts not only help us make God's love tangible on Santa Monica Blvd but the proceeds from their sale also help support the work and witness of the Diocesan LGBT Program Group. If you're interested in buying one ... or a dozen ... click here to submit an online order.

Join us in a Pentecost celebration of God's inclusive love -- and the Episcopal Church!

Garden Party 2011

It's always a special occasion when members of the LGBT Program group gather with friends and allies to celebrate and support the work and witness of Equality -- and this year was made even MORE special as our honoree was the Marvelous Mary Bruno.



Here are some snapshots of a totally awesome day ... with thanks to all who worked so hard to make it so fabulous. ENJOY!

A "Monday in Holy Week" Event @ Fuller Seminary

by Susan Russell, Program Group Chair

It's a kind of unusual way to spend Monday in Holy Week, but I'm honored to have been invited to be part of a panel this coming Monday night at Fuller Seminary. The program is being framed by the question: "What can Fuller Seminary do to prepare its students for ministry in congregations who are divided on the issue of homosexuality?" Yes, that would be an invitation from FULLER Seminary ... the same week that the Diocese of San Joaquin authorizes liturgies for the blessing of same-gender unions.

• Remember that the next time there's a "one step back" after "two steps forward" on the journey toward justice and you think we're never going to get there.


• Remember when you fear that the church will never live up to its promise of full and equal claim to the LGBT baptized.


• Remember when it seems that liberty and justice will never mean "all."

Remember a week when both Fuller Seminary and the Diocese of San Joaquin took two steps forward! Here are the details of Monday's event ... join us if you're in the neighborhood!

Fuller's Peace and Justice Advocates and Just Peacemaking Initiative Present:
DIVIDED BY HOMOSEXUALITY:
Pastoral Tools for Mediation and Dialogue
Monday April 18th 7pm in Travis Auditorium

Panelists:

The Reverend Canon Susan Russell
Senior Associate at All Saints Church in Pasadena Chair of the Program Group on LGBT Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

Bishop Yvette Flunder
Senior Pastor, City of Refuge, United Church of Christ Residing Bishop, Refuge Ministries/Fellowship 2000

Rev. Dr. Ken Fong Senior Pastor,Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Rosemead

Paul W. Clement, Ph.D.,
ABPP Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, South Pasadena

Chris Moore
PhD Candidate in Christian Ethics, Fuller Seminary Former Fellow at St. John's the Divine