Vicar

The Rev. Dr. George Okusi

Bishop’s Committee Sue Williams, Bishop’s Warden Jane Topper, People’s Warden Karen Adelsek, Clerk Stacey Bergman, Treasurer John Mitchell, Bookeeper

Jeremy Richmond Larry Shaw Allen Stout Amanda Tapia Rellen Owen Hazel Bellak Precious Nwazota Tom Krumweid

Minister of Music & Editor of Canterbury Tales William Henderson St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church 5306 East Arbor Road Long Beach, CA 90808 (562) 425-4457 Vicar’s email:stlb47@verizon.net Web homepage

Canterbury

Tales

July 2016

St Thomas a Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury

Father’s Day June 19th 2016

It was a great day for us who attended 2016 Fathers

Day at the church. We had a good number of members

joining us for the celebrations. We want to thank the

team led by Christine, who prepared the delicious meal

for us. Many members thought it was Breakfast

Sunday. All the men present were given a flashlight, to

show that they are the light, and that this light must

shine all the time. Light is good and if it is not there,

there is darkness. The role of fathers and father figures

is very important in our communities. Let us support

everyone so that we have a lovely nation. Above you can see Fr. George, with the Sunday

school kids Brendin and Olivia who attend the second service. We love all our kids and we

encourage you to bring them on Sundays for the Sunday school class.

Our Celebrant and Speaker on Sunday 6/26/2016 The Rev. Elizabeth Retcher

We thank you very much Elizabeth Rechter, who is the current Executive Director of Stillpoint for joining us last Sunday June 26th 2016 for two services, that everyone enjoyed her teaching.

Elizabeth served for ten years as the rector (senior pastor) of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Laguna Beach, CA. Before that she served on the pastoral staff of St. Phillips Cathedral in

Atlanta, GA., and earlier at Trinity Episcopal Church in Princeton, NJ. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and Virginia Theological Seminary. In all of her ministry life she has emphasized the role of contemplative practices for herself and her parish, including spiritual direction, a labyrinth ministry and Taize services. She is an accomplished preacher, teacher and spiritual retreat leader.

Thank you for taking your time to be with us the whole day. We got a good time and food at Fish – O – Licious restaurant in Signal Hill. Welcome again.

From: Elizabeth Rechter <erechter@mac.com>

Date: June 28, 2016 at 12:43:48 PM PDT

To: George Okusi <calleb48@yahoo.com>

Subject: Thank you.

Dear George,

Thank you for your invitation to lead services and preach Sunday. It was good to see where you are, meet

some of your people and especially share time with Christine. I look forward to when I can help again.

I have attached a PDF of Stillpoint’s Spiritual Journey Class, which I gave you Sunday, if you felt

inclined to share it with your people. It is a small group environment for deep listening to the way God is

working in your life. EFM graduates would be good candidates, as well as, anyone discerning and

exploring next steps in their journey.

Travel safely to your beloved Kenya, and come back to us!

Blessings,

Elizabeth+

The Rev. Elizabeth Rechter Executive Director 949.241.0572 (mobile) www.stillpointca.org

Confirmation at St. Cross by the Sea in Hermosa Beach

by Bishop Diane Bruce on Sunday June 26th 2016 at 3pm

St. Thomas at Fisholicious in Signal Hill from 12 Noon on Sunday June 26th 2016.

It was a great day, and if look at the

pictures, the whole church was here. I

tell you, food was delicious. Much

thanks to Salim and Khoury for their

generosity. Everybody was happy Good

news is that we have been promised

that anytime you visit the restaurant

you will be given 10% discount provided

you mention you are from St. Thomas of

Canterbury. This is stewardship and let

us gives glory to God. Salim, May our

heavenly father, bless you and your co –

owner to greater heights. I had time to

bless the restaurant. Amen

Congratulations for the Graduation of Adam. Adam

has helped a lot in the church, being an acolyte,

carrying the cross or torches and he just loves to

work on Sundays whenever he is in the church. We

love you very much Adam and we wish you the best

of luck in your future journey in life as you move to

West Point.

And to all our students we congratulate you for

working hard in your class to move to another level.

God bless you all. Amen

Rummage Sale is coming – Donation Needed

On behalf of the church we are receiving items for the Rummage sales

in August 27th 2016. This is program is part of our stewardship and this

money help us to keep the doors open, keep our memorial Garden

clean, plant our church Garden, help with repairs and buy flowers for

the church on Sunday. Feel free to donate what can be sold.

Parking on Sundays

Many churches have a problem with parking, but as you can see, St. Thomas has a big space for parking. If you looking for a church with a good secure parking lot, join us on Sunday at 8am and 10:15am services at 5306 E. Arbor Road, Long Beach, CA 90808. Welcome!

Gratitude Dinner for Members – Saturday July 9th 2016 at 5pm

On behalf of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, we are happy to invite all our members who do so much at the church to a Gratitude Dinner. We expect the LEMs, Choir members, Altar Guild members, Men’s Breakfast team, Acolytes, Lectors, Ushers, Building committee members, all the Bishop’s Committee members, everyone who comes on Sunday. We shall do a BBQ so bring you meat or stuff and let us enjoy. You are important and we value you.

Church Programs St. Martha’s Guild - St. Martha’s continues to meet each Tuesday. We have a pretty consistent attendance of 7-10 each week. Some of our members cannot always be with us but do drop in occasionally. We have relaxed and sometimes informative, or humorous conversations. From time to time they participate in events sponsored by the City of Lakewood. Last year they went to the Lollipop Lane event in October, hosted a booth that sold only handmade items. We have some very productive members in our group who worked diligently to provide us with a large number of items which were quickly sold. Because of their hard work, they have given financial support some outreach programs, which bring the name of the church to local organizations. They have also donated

money to the Lakewood Meals on Wheels, to the Long Beach animal shelter and the Episcopal Church Women’s request for funds, through the Memorial program, the information for which was put into the October Canterbury Tales, and requested the name of Tom Waage to be placed in the Book of Remembrance at the Cathedral, in recognition of all the time, effort and work he did to improve building and appearance conditions here at St. Thomas. They support church members by either calling, visiting and inviting them for lunch together. They have also organized an outing social hour time to Knotts Berry Farm. Feel free to join us one of these Tuesdays and you learn a lot.

St. Thomas Men's Breakfast Group - The purpose of the meeting is Fellowship. We have been meeting for twenty years. The Men of St. Thomas were meeting once a month at 8:00 A.M. at Coco's Restaurant for breakfast. But as happens in our changing economy Coco's went out of business. We have had several other Restaurants go out of business; Russell's, Baker's Square, Marie Calendars, to name a few. We now meet at Denney's located at 5520 South St, Lakewood, CA 90713. The breakfast is an open event to all men of the parish and their sons, grandsons, nephews and friends the men would like to invite. It is always held on the second Saturday of the month. The consistency of the time and place helps the Men to schedule in advance and we have regular attendance from most of the participants. We have supported the Pancake supper for several years, and maintenance work that is necessary at the church. Last year 2015, they helped fill the dirt and plant the garden after Tom Krumwied and Bert Pezone made containers for the garden. Fellowship is very important in the life of a church, and by providing this non-threaten breakfast we strive to fulfill a need that would otherwise be omitted in the life of the Church. Join us.

The Prayer Tree

You might be wondering what this tree stand for in the Narthex. It is for receiving prayers for those whom you want us to pray for. It also helps us to get prayers for the bulletin. Write the name of the person you want the church and what you want us to pray for – for peace, protection, healing etc,. If you go to the table you will a piece of paper and a pencil. Take the opportunity.

Bishop Azariah is visiting our Church on September 11th 2016

The Most Reverend Sammy Azariah is the Moderator of the Anglican church of Pakistan, Bishop of Rawindi. He has been in the office from 2009 – present. He was ordained in 1980, and consecrated on the 19th July 1987. He is married to Khushnud and they have three daughters.

Early life - Azariah studied at St. Paul's High School and at St. Patrick's College, in Karachi. He completed his Honors in Sociology at the University of Karachi, in 1971. He had his theological education at Trinity Theological College, in Singapore, where he obtained his B.D. in 1976 and was awarded a B.D. Degree in 1979.

Ecclesiastical career - He was ordained a deacon of the Church of Pakistan in 1979 and as a priest in

1980. He served first as curate at St. Andrew's Church, in Karachi, to serve mainly his small English language congregation. He later became Rector, which he was until 1987. He taught during this time at the Church of Pakistan Seminary, now known as St. Thomas' Seminary. He was elected the youngest Bishop of the Diocese of Rawindi in 1987. He first served as the Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, from 1997 to 2002, and serves once again since 2009. He also serves in the executive committee of the World Council of Churches.

The Church of Pakistan (United) - The Church of Pakistan is the result of the union of four denominations: Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran and Presbyterian (Scottish), which took place in 1970. The United Presbyterian Church which had been involved in the negotiations did not join. Initially there were four dioceses in the Church of Pakistan, i.e. Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Sialkot, but in 1980, through a special resolution and for better ministerial work, four new dioceses were created: Hyderabad, Rawindi, Faisalabad and Peshawar. There are eight active diocesan bishops with an additional bishop for the Gulf Ministries. This appointment was made to take care of the pastoral and worship needs of Urdu-speaking workers in the Gulf. There is a presiding bishop for the Church of Pakistan who is known as the moderator and has responsibility for a three-year term. The United Church of Pakistan is the second largest church in the country after the Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop will attend the two services at 8am and 10:15am respectively. Welcome Bishop!

+ + +

Jokes!

Sign Board: What’s missing in ch _ rch?

Priest to congregation: Don’t be Pew Potatoes!!!

For Your Prayers

1.) We pray especially for Our Presiding Bishop Michael, our Bishops Jon and Diane, and our Priest George.

2.) The world, especially the people of the United States, and for peace all over the world and wherever there is oppression or trouble.

3.) Serving in the Armed Forces at home and around the world as listed: members of the U. S. Army: Deanne, Robert, Bradferd and Alex; the U.S. Marine Corps: Sean and Mark; the U.S. Air Force: Jordan and Joshua; the U. S. Navy: Jonathan and Charity; and the U.S. Coast Guard: Jennifer and Corey.

4.) The protection and guidance of Parishioners and Friends as listed: Bob, Wayne, Richard, Penny, John, Bradley, Wendy, Mary B., Amy, Ashley, Jason, Jacob, Amanda, Angelina, Liz, Cheri, Ashley, Rachel, Margaux, Evan, Christian, Ed, Sandy, Raul, Mindy, Anthony, Sandra, Mary, Sativia, George, Dario, Marge, Lydia, John, Jonathon, Gary and Darrelyn.

5.) The healing of Parishioners and friends as listed: Rachel, Andrew, Terry, Nell, Margo, Vicki Misner, Vicki Howe, Katie, Linda, Connie, Martha, Penny, Diana, Richard, Ana, Michael-Andrew, Taft, Mary, Doreen, Peter, Manuel, Lorenzo, Doug, Joel, Dina, Kathie, Malcolm, Allyson, Karen, Liz, Lynn, Evelyn, Margaret, Ellen, Carlene, Rellen, Jeanine, Steve, Becky, Mia, Katherine, Rose Marie, Myrna, Joy, Heather and Gabriel.

6.) Homebound and Special Needs: Bette, Gerry, Dorothy, Ellen, Margaret, Becky and the homeless, the poor and the unemployed, affordable housing for families, the end of Ebola, AIDS and Cancer in the world, and for those suffering from mental illness.

7.) Birthdays: Ryan Khoury 7/2, Federico Sierra 7/8, Michael Utzman 7/16, Juanita Bennett 7/18, Jason Heatherly 7/23, Samantha Jovanovic 7/23, Amanda Tapia 7/29, Karen Adelseck 7/30

8.) Anniversaries: Ashley & Auggy Sanchez 7/3/2011, Michael-Andrew & Taft Blackburn, 7/19

July 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 9:30am - Side by Side

Prayer Gathering 4:00pm – Sisters Fellowship International

3 Seventh Sun. after Pentecost Proper 9 BREAKFAST / FAMILY SUNDAY

8:00 am - Holy

Communion Said/Anointing 9:30am-Side by Side Church - CH 10:15 am – Holy

Communion Sung/Anointing

4

Independence Day

5

9:30 am – 11:30am St.

Martha’s Guild 5:00pm - Bible Study 7:00 pm – AA – CH

6 7:00 am – AA

– CH 7:30 pm –

Side by Side Church Bible Study

7 7:00 am – AA

- CH

8

9 8:00 am - Men’s

Breakfast at Denny’s Lakewood

9:30am - Side by Side

Prayer Gathering

11:00 am - Lectio Divina

3:00 pm - Blessing of the marriage of Ruben & Esteban

4:00pm – Sisters Fellowship International

5:00 pm - Gratitude Dinner

10 Eighth Sun. after Pentecost Proper 10

8:00 am - Holy

Communion Said 9:30am-Side by Side Church - CH 10:15 am – Holy Communion Sung

12:30 pm - Bishop’s Committee meeting

11

12

9:30 am – 11:30am St.

Martha’s Guild 5:00pm - Bible Study

7:00 pm – AA – CH

13 7:00 am – AA

– CH 7:30 pm –

Side by Side Church Bible Study

14

7:00 am – AA

- CH

15

16 9:30am - Side by Side

Prayer Gathering 4:00pm – Sisters Fellowship International

17 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 11

8:00 am - Holy

Communion Said 9:30am-Side by Side Church - CH 10:15 am – Holy Communion Sung

18

19

9:30 am – 11:30am St.

Martha’s Guild 5:00pm - Bible Study 7:00 pm – AA – CH

20 7:00 am – AA – CH

7:30 pm –

Side by Side Church Bible Study

21 7:00 am – AA - CH

22 23

9:30am - Side by Side

Prayer Gathering 4:00pm – Sisters Fellowship International

24 Tenth Sun. after Pentecost Proper 12 8:00 am - Holy Communion Said 9:30am-Side by Side Church - CH 10:15 am – Holy Communion Sung 12:00 Church Picnic in the Backyard

25

26

9:30 am – 11:30am St.

Martha’s Guild 5:00pm- Bible Study 7:00 pm – AA – CH

27 7:00 am – AA – CH

7:30 pm –

Side by Side Church Bible Study

28 7:00 am – AA - CH

29

30

9:30am - Side by Side

Prayer Gathering 4:00pm – Sisters Fellowship International

31 Eleventh Sun. after

Pentecost Proper 13 8:00 am - Holy

Communion Said 9:30am-Side by Side Church - CH 10:15 am – Holy

Communion Sung

Notes:

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

5306 East Arbor Road

Long Beach, CA 90808-1109

Phone: (562) 425-4457

Fax: (562) 425-8317

E-mail: stlb47@verizon.net

Web page: www.saintthomasofcanterbury.org