Bishop’s Visit September 13th

We are so looking forward to a visit from our new Bishop, The Right Rev. Antonio Gallardo Lucena on September 13. In addition to preaching, he will confirm and receive members of the English speaking and Korean speaking congregations. We also will have baptisms, which require no training, so, if you or your child would like to be baptized, there is still time - just reach out to me. And, we have one more choice. This one is very beautiful. In the Episcopal Church, Reaffirmation is a rite for already-confirmed Episcopalians who wish to publicly renew their baptismal vows during a bishop's visit. Sometimes people drift away, and it is a chance to affirm our return - a holy homecoming. Let me know if you would be interested in baptism or reaffirmation at: kcress@stjla.org​

Meet the New Chaplain at St. James' School

I am happy to share with you the news that St. James School has appointed a wonderful new chaplain, The Rev. Susan Anderson-Smith. She recently retired after 27 years of active ministry in parishes in Tucson, AZ, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as in school ministry.

The Rev. Anderson-Smith is Co-founder of Imago Dei Middle School in Tucson, AZ, a tuition-free, Episcopal middle school for economically disadvantaged children, where she served as Chaplain and Religious Studies teacher from 2006-2017 and again from 2021-2024. 

She attended the University of Mississippi and received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and holds a Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School.

Susan is married to The Very Rev. Anne Sawyer, Dean of St. John’s Cathedral, Los Angeles.

You will get a chance to enjoy Susan‘s preaching and celebrating on September 20, when she will fill in for me while I am on vacation. Be sure to say hello and give her a warm welcome.

Godly Play in Parish Hall

Godly Play, a fun class for our St. James children, will be every 1st and 3rd Sunday during 10:30am service! Parents may drop off their children ages 3 and up at Godly Play in the Parish Hall before 10:30AM service for a child-focused lesson. Children under the age of 3 may attend with a trusted adult. Two adult volunteers will be present, and parents will be asked to sign a consent form. Children will be returned to their parents in the church by adult volunteers by the time of announcements. Come join us this Sunday for fun, child-centered lessons and activities!

The Godly Play Schedule is below:

September 6 (No Godly Play, Labor Day)

September 20

October 4

October 18

November 1

November 15

Coming Up at Saint James'

Friends, there are lots of amazing services and events coming up, and here are a few important dates for you to save:

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​Sept 13 Visitation by Bishop Antonio Gallardo Lucena with baptisms and confirmations

Sept 27 St Michael and All Angels and full choir returns

Oct 4 Feast of St Francis of Assisi and Blessing of the Animals

Oct 11 Evensong returns

Oct 18 African Fellowship Sunday

Nov 8 Evensong

Dec 13 Lessons and Carols

Dec 24 Christmas Eve, 4pm (Family) and 8:30pm

Dec 25 Christmas Day 10:30am (English) and 12:30pm (Korean)

GREAT MUSIC

Announcing the 2026-2027 organ recitalists …

Sunday, October 11

Maurice Clerc | Dijon, France

Sunday, November 8

Johann Vexo | Nancy, France

[no recital in December: Lessons and Carols]

Sunday, January 10

Jinhee Kim | Atlanta, Georgia

Sunday, February 14

Chuyoung and Erik Wm. Suter, organ and piano | Washington, DC

Sunday, March 14

Jae-Hyuck Cho | Seoul, South Korea

Sunday, April 11

Emma Whitten | Los Angeles

Sunday, May 9

Kartika Putri | Wausau, Wisconsin

Previous Week's Sermon

The Hard Question​
The Rev. Kevin Gunn