November 17

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Episcopal News Weekly WWW.EPISCOPALNEWS.COM

SERVING THE SIX-COUNTY DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES

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The Episcopal News

NOVEMBER 17, 2013

Relief agency pairs with dioceses in the Philippines to counter typhoon devastation yphoon Haiyan made landfall in the central Philippines on the morning of Nov. 8, causing widespread damage, killing and displacing thousands of people and knocking out power and communications lines. Roads are clogged with debris, and the airport in the devastated area was destroyed; as a result, getting aid to people who need it is proving even more difficult than usual after such natural disasters because of the nation’s archipelago of more than 7,000 islands. Episcopal Relief & Development, an agency of the Episcopal Church, is working with its local partner, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, to assess needs and determine how best to respond to this disaster. They also are working with the National Council of Churches so that aid efforts will be coordinated as efficiently and effectively as possible. According to Episcopal Relief & Development, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines reported on the evening of Nov. 10 that an estimated 9.5 million people across 41 provinces were affected by the storm, with 630,000 displaced people who have been served at 1,645 active evacuation centers. The report also estimates the number of damaged houses at just under 20,000. High winds approaching tornado-like speeds caused significant damage as the storm swept across the center of the country, producing ocean surges up to 20 feet high in coastal areas and sending waves of water more than half a mile inland. The typhoon weakened as it crossed the South China Sea to make landfall in Vietnam on the morning of Nov. 11, and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it entered southern China later in the day. One of the hardest hit areas is the city of Tacloban, on the east central coast of the central Philippines. The New York Times reported: “The typhoon left Tacloban in ruins, as a storm surge as high as 13 feet overwhelmed its streets, with reports from the scene saying

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that most of the houses had been damaged or destroyed in the city of 220,000. In addition to prayers for the survivors and rescue workers, Episcopal Relief & Development asks Episcopalians to consider donating to its Philippines Fund. Already active in the country with agricultural and water development programs, the agency and its partners in the Episcopal Church in the Philippines are well placed to deliver immediate aid and long-term recovery assistance. Episcopal Relief & Development's website at www.episcopalrelief has more information about what church members can do to help, as well as an article about what not to send; many popular relief donations, such as canned goods, blankets and teddy bears, though appealing, are unhelpful. Cash donations are usually most effective, and make it possible for relief organizations to buy useful goods in bulk at lower cost. Often they are able to help stimulate the economy in stricken areas and avoid shipping costs by purchasing supplies locally whenever possible. ?

A prayer for the Philippines: O God our help in time of trouble, we pray for the Filipino people who have suffered this grievous natural disaster. We pray that survivors may find water, food, and shelter, and news of their missing loved ones. There is trauma and destruction in many places, and little news from some of the areas hardest hit. Give peace and confidence, O Lord, to those in the midst of the whirlwind. Open hearts and hands around the world to respond sacrificially to the urgent need. Help us to remember that we are connected, one to another, the living to the dead, the comfortable to the suffering, the peaceful to the worried and anxious. Motivate us to change our hearts, for our misuse and pollution of the earth you have given us to share has something to do with this disaster. Show us your suffering Son in the midst of this Calvary, that we might love one another as he has loved us. In your holy name we pray. Amen. —The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori   Presiding Bishop and Primate   The Episcopal Church

Contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Philippines Fund To donate, visit the Episcopal Relief & Development website at www.episcopalrelief.org OR call 800.334.7626 OR mail contributions to P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116 (write “Philippines Fund” in the memo line).

AROUND THE DIOCESE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 3:30 p.m.

300th Birthday of C.P.E. Bach

Church of the Angels 1100 Avenue 64, Pasadena 91105 information: www.coa-pasadena.org/concert-series SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 5 p.m.

A Hymn Festival for Advent

St. Ambrose Episcopal Church 830 West Bonita Avenue, Claremont Information: 909.626.7170 ext. 222 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 5 p.m.

Organ Concert: Dr. Ray Urwin

Trinity Episcopal Church 1500 State Street, Santa Barbara Information: 805.687.0189 or 965.7419 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 7 p.m.

Sacramentum

St. James’ Episcopal Church 1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena Information: 626.799.9194 or www.sjcsp.org MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 10 - 11 a.m.

Centering Prayer

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 1014 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena Information: 626.798.6747 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 7 p.m.

Healing Taizé Service

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 428 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach 92651 Information: 949.494.3542 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 7 p.m.

Centering Prayer

St. James’ Episcopal Church 1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena Information: 626.799.9194 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 6:15 p.m.

Centering Prayer

FROM THE BISHOPS

Living into ‘a new era of water’ By J. Jon Bruno

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his year’s centennial of the Los Angeles Aqueduct is a good reminder to move forward in our diocesan-wide commitment to responsible use of water. Diocesan Convention “strongly encourages that during calendar year 2014 each congregation undertake a transformational project that will increase its awareness of the need for water conservation and environmental sustainability.” This same resolution calls on individuals and congregations to read Charles Fishman’s book The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water. Again the “Diocese Reads” book for 2014, The Big Thirst is available from the Cathedral Bookstore (cathedral-bookstore.myshopify.com). “If we’re going to be ready for a new era of water, we need to reclaim water from our superficial sense of it,” Fishman writes, “we need to reclaim it from the clichés. We need to rediscover its true value, and also the serious commitment required to provide it.” For example, the 233-mile aqueduct brings water to L.A. from the Owens River in the Sierra Nevada. When chief engineer William Mulholland opened the gravity-based aqueduct on November 5, 2013, he declared, “There it is. Take it!” But when L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke at the recent centennial

The Church of Our Saviour 535 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel Information: 626-282-5147 More listings at www.ladiocese.org (Calendar) THE

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ceremony, he said, “There it is. Conserve it, respect it, share it.” This respectful approach guides our diocesan work, especially through the new Seeds of Hope community farming program. Together let us live into that new era of more intentional water conservation and protection – also partnering with overseas work to increase access to safe drinking water under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Looking back on the aqueduct, we know that without it Southern California would not have developed as it has. Yet we also recognize its effect on Owens Lake — which dried up by 1924 — and we note the problems posed by pollution as the aqueduct winds its way into the San Fernando Valley. We also face the issues of growing population and demand. “Many civilizations have been crippled or destroyed by an inability to understand water of manage it,” Friedman writes. “We have a huge advantage over the generations of people who have come before us, because we can understand water and we can use it smartly.” Remember, too, the use of water as a transforming agent of baptism. The fonts in our churches keep us mindful of this significance as we appreciate and protect God’s gift of water in our lives. ?

Kujawa-Holbrook appointed vice-president, dean at CST

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he Claremont School of Theology has appointed the Rev. Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook as its vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty. Kujawa-Holbrook is a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, an educator, historian of religion, and practical theologian. She currently serves as professor of practical theology and religious education at CST and as professor of Anglican Studies at Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont. ?

Spain in the Age of Faith St. 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

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