American Prayer Hour sermon by Ed Bacon

[February 4, 2010 12:10 p.m. All Saints Church, Pasadena]

I want to speak and participate in this day when many across the nation are focused on prayer and I want to say a few words about the true nature of prayer and the true nature of God. And certainly I would not want to be silent on this day ... for as Dr. King often said, there are times when silence is betrayal – and today is certainly one of those days.

It is important to understand that prayer is not exclusively a Christian act. Prayer is an act of faith in which all people of all religions participate. There is one God. There is no such thing as a “Christian God.” Because God is not exclusive. Prayer certainly can be offered in the name and spirit of Christ and there are prayers that are in the Christian tradition.

But at the truest and deepest level of prayer there is no such thing as “Christian prayer.”

Now, “the Family” is a secret organization that does not hold with what I’ve just said about God and about prayer.

Watch the video of Ed's sermon here.

All Saints Church joins in The American Prayer Hour

All Saints Church
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joins in
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The American Prayer Hour

Thursday, February 4, 2010
12:10 p.m.

The American Prayer Hour is a nationwide affirmation of inclusive values and a celebration of diversity that is the bedrock of our nation.

It is also a protest of The National Prayer Breakfast, which is hosted by The Family — the secretive fundamentalist organization directly tied to the draconian “Kill the Gays” bill in Uganda.

All Saints Church is proud today to stand and pray in solidarity with those across the nation who are witnessing to God’s inclusive love as they pray for a world of peace, justice and compassion.

Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

All Saints Composer-in-Residence Jazz Pianist Bill Cunliffe is Named Grammy Winner

From Peter's Music News:

The world may watch pops stars at the Grammys from Staples Center Sunday, but there is plenty to be proud about in the world of jazz and classical music. A famed jazz pianist that has local roots was presented a Grammy for his arrangement in an album that was a tribute to pianist Oscar Peterson.

Bill Cunliffe was awarded the 2009 Grammy in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category for his track “West Side Story Medley” in the album “Resonance Big Band Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson”. Cunliffe is active locally. In addition to his performances at the Theater@Boston Court, he is the Composer-in-Residence at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena.

This is not Cunliffe’s first award for his efforts, but probably the best known. He has picked up many awards for his piano jazz efforts. Cunliffe also regularly performs with the Hamilton-Clayton Jazz group that were named Grammy winners in 2007 for their Telarc recording and often are featured at the Hollywood Bowl. Hamilton is a resident of South Pasadena, Clayton lives in Altadena.

Other past local Grammy winners include the Southwest Chamber Music that took home Grammys two years in a row in the Chamber Music category.

This year, the Best Classical Album was awarded to the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor, for its recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. The Best Chamber Music Performance Grammy was awarded to the Emerson String Quartet for its album “Intimate Letters”. The Emerson String Quartet is a regular favorite at the Coleman Chamber Concerts, one of Pasadena’s oldest classical music organizations.

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Cunliffe fans should also note that this Sunday -- February 7th -- a Cunliffe arrangement of Psalm 106 will debut at the 9:00 & 11:15 services ... written in honor of Lydia Wilkins' 106th birthday!

Update from The Episcopal Church in Haiti

Here's what's left of Trinity Cathedral ...


... and the Convent of St. Mary.

And in the shadow of unimaginable devastation, the Episcopal Church is there on the ground ...

... bringing aid, comfort and hope to "the least of these" -- those who have been the victims of systemic poverty and are now the victims of this natural disaster as well.


Here's what the Wall Street Journal reported about the work of the Episcopal Church in Haiti:

"In a ruined country whose government has all but stopped functioning in a city whose crowded shanties remain far from the cargoes of aid that are flying into the airport, someone has to fill the gap. In this part of the captial city, it falls to the church."

Watch the four minute report here ... and then donate below to the Episcopal Relief & Development Haiti Fund. Be part of making God's love tangible to our human family siblings in Haiti!

Click here to donate to the Episcopal Relief & Development Haiti Crisis Fund -- or visit the Action Table on the lawn on Sunday!
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All Saints Rector on KPFK Radio for MLK Day

All Saints Church rector Ed Bacon will guest on the Eisha Mason program on KPFK 90.7 today -- Martin Luther King Day at 2pmPacific.

Tune in (in the Los Angeles radio market @ 90.7FM) or log on here to listen live.

All Saints part of local relief efforts for Haitian earthquake

Aftermath of Haiti quakes hits San Gabriel Valley
By Brian Charles, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/13/2010 05:57:48 PM PST

Haitians pass destroyed buildings on January 13, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Planeloads of rescuers and relief supplies headed to Haiti as governments and aid agencies launched a massive relief operation after a powerful earthquake that may have killed thousands.

The first cargo planes with food, water, medical supplies, shelter and sniffer dogs headed to the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation a day after the quake flattened much of the capital of 2 million people.

Relief efforts are ramping across Southern California. All Saints Church in Pasadena will work through the Episcopal Relief and Development foundation to funnel aid to the country, said Keith Holeman, All Saints church spokesman.

"We'll be sending out an e-mail blast to all parishioners today, urging them to donate online today to our partner on the ground in Haiti, Episcopal Relief and Development -- or to bring a donation on Sunday," he said.

Holeman said cash donations are preferred in this case since the Episcopal Relief and Development foundation is on the ground ready to assist people in Haiti.

Donations to the Episcopal Relief and Development fund is is online at http://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php

Read the rest here.

KPFK with Sonali Kolhatkar: Implications of Landmark Proposition 8 Trial

On Tuesday, January 12, Susan Russell (All Saints Church) and Rick Jacobs (Courage Campaign) were interviewed by KPFK radio's Sonali Kolhatkar about the landmark trial challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

Listen here for a wide-ranging discussion on the political and theological implications of this important case ... and stay tuned to the All Saints Church News Blog for updates as the case proceeds through the courts!