"Freedom Riders" comes to All Saints on Sunday, July 31

An extremely realistic portrayal of this most significant chapter in our nation's history the film movingly illustrates the power of moral authority in the hands and hearts of ordinary people to prevail against the KKK and racist elected officials. Freedom Riders dispels the prevailing myth that northern (white) students went on a mission to the south to combat segregation and instead makes clear that the leadership lay with the local African American residents who risked their lives to help bring justice to our land.

Please join us for an inspiring afternoon as we watch this important documentary, have lunch together and discuss the film and its implications for our anti-racism work.

Sunday, July 31
12:45 - 4:00 p.m. in the All Saints Forum

Sponsored by COLORS (Christians Offering Love to Overcome Racism in Society)

RSVP by July 26 to Mary Torregrosa (flakita@aol.com or 626-271-3056) for your lunch reservation and to arrange childcare.

The Face of Marriage Equality at All Saints Church

On Sunday, July 24th we celebrated the advent of marriage equality in New York with wedding cake on the lawn and a "photo op" for members of All Saints to show their support for equality.

With thanks to all who stepped up to show their support... and to Laura Aguilar for being our photographer du jour ... get ready for a "glory attack" as you check out this great cloud of witnesses!

Alert the Media! All Saints Pasadena Celebrates New York Marriage Equality

Here's the press release the All Saints Communication Office sent out yesterday:

On Sunday, July 24, All Saints Church, Pasadena, will celebrate the advent of marriage equality in New York with prayers of thanksgiving and wedding cake on the lawn.

“At All Saints Church we have a long history of setting audacious goals and celebrating incremental victories,” said the Reverend Susan Russell, Senior Associate for Communication & Inclusion. “And while we have not yet reached the audacious goal of marriage equality for all, we have an important and incremental victory to celebrate in Sunday’s dawn of marriage equality in New York."

“What we’ll be saying at All Saints Church on Sunday is that WE DO support marriage equality – and members of the parish will be making their voices heard not only through their prayers in church but through a 'Congratulations, New York!' photo project on the lawn after church. And our adult education hour will include an offering called “Marriage Equality 101” – updating parishioners on where we are in the journey toward equality both in our church and in our country."

Rev. Russell continued, “At All Saints Church we believe in a Protect Marriage movement that protects all marriages and in Family Values that value all families. So we are delighted to join with our brothers and sisters in New York state who are embracing equality for same-sex couples even as we recommit ourselves to the struggle for the return of marriage equality here in California and for the end of federal marriage discrimination.”

"The Good Use of Leisure" -- A Summer Adult Education offering at All Saints Church

with Scott Richardson

Join the Very Rev. Scott Richardson, Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego and our former Associate Rector, as he engages us in conversation around “The Good Use of Leisure.”

Scott will share the prayer that inspired him to reflect on the Sabbath commandment as a justice imperative as well as break down variations in the different types of leisure (vacation, family visit, sabbatical, pilgrimage, etc.), and check in around our resistance to this fundamental aspect of self-care and help us ask the question "What gets in the way of rest and recreation?"

10:15 a.m. on Sunday July 24 in Sweetland Hall

At All Saints Church WE DO Support Marriage Equality!

At All Saints Church our commitment to equality has called us to challenge the Episcopal Church to move "beyond inclusion" to the celebration of the blessing of same-sex relationships. It has likewise placed us in the forefront of the struggle for civil marriage equality both locally and nationally.

Many years ago our rector emeritus George Regas challenged us to "set audacious goals and to celebrate incremental victories" ... and last month's vote for marriage equality in New York is one of those incremental victories that we're going to celebrate this Sunday!

So please join us on Sunday, July 24 as we rejoice in the dawn of marriage equality in New York and recommit ourselves to working to restore equality here in California and to ending federal marriage discrimination.

● MARRIAGE EQUALITY 101: An update from Susan Russell on where we are in the journey toward equality in both the civil and the church arenas -- including the status of the Prop 8 case, the impact of the New York legislation and plans for next summer's General Convention of the Episcopal Church. [in the Guild Room at 10:15]
.

● WEDDING CAKE ON THE LAWN: The celebration continues after the 11:15 service with wedding cake and a "We Support" photo op on the lawn. Come, join the party as we celebrate this victory on the road to the audacious goal of liberty and justice for all!

THE BOYS OF SUMMER: Part One

Scott Richardson returns to the All Saint pulpit on Sunday, July 24

We are delighted to welcome back to the All Saints Church pulpit one of our favorite "boys of summer" -- the Very Reverend Scott Richardson (AKA Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Diocese of San Diego.)

Scott was Associate Rector here at All Saints Church from 1998-2003 and it is always a treat to have him back "home" to visit. In addition to preaching at the 9:00 & 11:15 services, Scott will offer an adult education class during the 10:15 hour ... described below.

So join us for a morning of inpiration, recreation and recollection as we welcome back our first "Prodigal Preacher" ... and then stay tuned for "The Boys of Summer: Part Two" as we look forward to having Gary Hall with us on July 31st.

The Good Use of Leisure with Scott Richardson
Join the Very Rev. Scott Richardson, Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego and our former Associate Rector, as he engages us in conversation around “The Good Use of Leisure.” Scott will share the prayer that initially got him on to this subject, reflect on the Sabbath commandment as a justice imperative, break down variations in the different types of leisure (vacation, family visit, sabbatical, pilgrimage, etc.), and check in around our resistance to this fundamental aspect of self-care (i.e., what’s getting in the way of our meeting our need for rest and recreation?) 10:15 a.m. in Sweetland Hall

Zelda Kennedy Honored with Women in Business Award

21 outstanding businesswomen were honored today at the 12th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards luncheon. State Senator Carol Liu and Assemblymembers Mike Gatto and Anthony Portantino hosted the event at the Castaways in Burbank.

The awards celebrated the power of women who serve as role models and contribute to the greater good of the business community -- and we are celebrating that one of the awardees was our own Zelda Kennedy, who was honored as "Outstanding Non-Profit Employee."

CONGRATULATIONS, Zelda!

The Lay Counseling Ministry: A Support for All Saints Parishioners During Challenging Times

Stressful life events such as divorce, unemployment, death of a loved one, or relationship conflicts are difficult to manage emotionally, physically and spiritually. God finds us in the joys and sorrows of life. God doesn’t abandon us.

Come learn about the ways in which All Saints Church walks with you with care and love; guiding you through difficult times.

Led by Stephen Galton in the Guild Room
Sunday, July 17 from 10:15-11:00 a.m.
For more information contact Norma Sigmund

Journey to Jerusalem

As part of our summer adult education series, Jim Prendergast will present a slide show visit to Jerusalem during  Holy Week -- including a side trip to Bethlehem and Ramallah.

The presentation will also consider variations in Christianity, examining not only the Latin Church, but the Greek Church, the Armenian Church and the churches of Egypt and Ethiopia.

Come be both entertained and informed!

Sunday, July 17 from 10:15-11:00 a.m. in Sweetland Hall
For more information contact Norma Sigmund

"This is our life; This is our faith"

Carissa Baldwin totally nailed it in her sermon this morning when she "preached the All Saints Church mission statement."



Watch the whole sermon here.

All Saints Says "Thank You"

On the 3rd of July we celebrated Independence Day with prophetic preaching, powerful music ... and thank you notes.



The prophetic preaching came from our Rabbi-in-Residence Leonard Beerman ... and you can watch the video here if you missed it. The powerful music ranged from "Fanfare for the Common Man" to "Lift Every Voice and Sing" ... with some Scott Joplin as the "icing on the cake" Postlude. And the thank you notes were to Governor Andrew Cuomo and the four Republican State Senators who helped make liberty and justice for all come just a little bit closer with their leadership on marriage equality in New York.

Here's the letter we sent to Governor Cuomo ... the senators' letters were like-unto-it ... altogether signed by over 300 parish members.

Dear Governor Cuomo,

We write to express our deep gratitude for the extraordinary leadership you provided in the passage of the Marriage Equality Act in New York State.

On this day, in the life of our parish, we commemorate Independence Day and celebrate that we are now one step closer to realizing the vision captured in these words from July 4, 1776 -- “We hold these truths to be self-evident, and all (people) are created equal.”

As a faith community that believes in the image of God in every person, and in God’s love and concern for justice for all people, we celebrate this monumental achievement for civil rights. We look forward to the day when marriage is recognized and celebrated for all people, regardless of gender, and we congratulate you and the state of New York for leading that effort.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe bends towards justice”. We witnessed that in New York State with your extraordinary leadership.

Sincerely,

So here's to a Sunday Well Done. To celebrating the birthday of our country by celebrating the values of justice, compassion and gratitude. THANK YOU!

"Erasing Hate" Screening set for Saturday, August 6th

Produced by award winning filmmaker Bill Brummel, "Erasing Hate" is an unforgettable true story of transformation and redemption -- and All Saints Church will be the venue for an August 6th screening of the feature length documentary.

Violent skinhead Bryon Widner's face, neck and hands were covered with intimidating, racist tattoos. Then he began a series of painful end extensive laser tattoo removal procedures - twenty-five treatments over the course of more than a year and a half. But the tattoo removal was just the outward sign of an inner transformation. "Erasing Hate" chronicles both in a film that offers a first person look inside the dark world of racist skinheads, yet offers hope in the story of one man's escape from a life of violence, addiction and bigotry.

Join us at in the Forum at All Saints Church on Saturday, August 6 at 5:00 p.m. for a screening of this extraordinary 90 minute film -- followed by a Q&A session with filmmaker Bill Brummel.

Sponsored by All Saints Church, COLORS (Christians Offering Love to Overcome Racism)  & "The Conscientious Projector." Suggested donation $5 at the door.

For more information email info@allsaints-pas.org or call 626.796.1172