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G A L A S Gays and Lesbians/All Saints serving the GLBT community ___________________ |
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH Episcopal-Anglican PASADENA |
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wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, there is a place here for you. -The Rev. Dr. George Regas, Rector Emeritus
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132 N. Euclid Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 792-1172 http://www.allsaints-pas.org Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.
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New July 2009: See below for new activity (Potluck) |
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the Leadership Chair of GALAS A Heartfelt Goodbye Dear GALAS- It is with a heart full of love, gratitude and humility that I announce the end of my term as GALAS Chair. What a journey this has been for me. Few are blessed with the opportunity to serve and offer leadership during a time when their heart’s desire, spiritual growth and energy were ripe for the offer. These past two plus years have been the most spiritually fulfilling and rewarding of my life. Our community has experienced much during these past thirty months. Some of our community may be still catching up to some of the political gains we have made during this time; others still grieve for our setbacks. Most of us are still in advent as we await the decision of our state’s Supreme Court on the constitutionality of Proposition 8. As I’ve said before, the “tipping point” of change for the eventual nation-wide passage of same-sex marriage and full inclusion of gays and lesbians into society occurred some time ago. I strongly believe it’s only a matter of time until we will experience a freedom that was unimaginable to me at any time during the first fifty years of my life. The ability to be in a position to serve and advocate for you has been a blessing beyond words, and a treasured honor. Whether it was meeting you for the first time at the GALAS Table, mingling with you at a potluck or speaker event, connecting with you at a retreat, or being in the enviable position of hearing your stories and the words of your heart during one of our book study or discussion groups, there are so many memories that I will take with me that continue to affirm my deep seated belief that we are a blessed community. Whatever course the political, social, and religious landscape takes in regards to our community, I will always continue to hope and pray that each and everyone of you come closer to the belief that you are the beloved of God, and that you can experience your sexuality as a gift from God. Ours is such a wonderfully rich and generous community. Our bread for this world, our gifts, have provided much comfort, inspiration, and joie de vivre to the world. My pride in membership in a church (of my infant baptism), which has provided this safe and inclusive space and place in which to worship, is huge. My pride in our community is overwhelming. Whatever you may have experienced during these past thirty months from GALAS has been the result of quite a village. My gratitude is extended to all on the leadership council with whom I have served; all past GALAS Chairs who have built the foundation from which I could serve, and the members of the clergy and staff at All Saints and other churches in our diocese who offered support on so many levels. I offer deep appreciation to those of you who opened your homes and your hearts, your professional expertise (much of it gratis), and the non-GALAS members of our church who have supported our community in so many ways. To my dearest friends who supported me emotionally and spiritually during times of great challenge, growth, and change—you are in my blood (“like holy wine”), and I love you dearly. And to all members of our GALAS community who have indelibly touched my heart and blessed me beyond measure—you have my abiding love and gratitude. I’m not going away. I will take a break, but sooner than later, you will see me at the table, welcoming newcomer’s at one of our brunches, co-facilitating one of our discussion groups, and--save the date—April 16-18, 2010 will be our Fourth Annual GALAS Spring Retreat. If you would like to remain in touch with me and correspond over issues pertaining to our community, or read one of my occasional writings on matters dear to many of our hearts, I invite you to respond to me at dodgerblue52@yahoo.com (same as margiaustin@verizon.net) by the end of May and I will, at some future date, invite you to join me as my “friend” on Facebook. Now, with an eye towards the future, I would like to introduce Janis Reid as your new GALAS Chair. Janis has been a member of All Saints since 1992 and she has served in leadership on various Peace and Justice ministries, including of late, GALAS. I have had the privilege of knowing Janis for the past five years and I know that Janis’ commitment to Christ’s sense of peace and justice is embodied by her work and life. Janis has my full support, and I trust she will have yours. I’m excited to see how our GALAS will transform under her leadership. Our ministry is in great hands. And now, I bid you adieu-- May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. With love and gratitude, Margi Austin |
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Book Study Group GALAS Thursday Night Book Study Group Resumes September 2009(7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Last book read: "The Last Lecture" Randy Pausch When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living. -- Amazon.com review. The group will meet at the home of Deb Ogden and Judy Detomaso, 127 N. Melrose Ave, Monrovia (north from Foothill Blvd, in between Santa Anita and Myrtle Avenues.) The group starts Thursday, May 7 (7:30pm -9:00pm) and runs six weeks. Please call Deb Ogden at 626-303-3509 or Janis Reid 323-999-5123 with any questions. GALAS events are inclusive--all of God’s children are warmly welcome to attend. |
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Saturday August 1 6-9pm At the home of Phil Wheeler 2113 Minoru Drive , Altadena , Ca 91001 Based on last number of your primary phone number, bring enough food for eight. Main Dish 0-2 Side Dish 3-5 Drinks 6-7 Desserts 8-9 Please contact Janis Reid at galasmail@usa.net Please feel free to bring a friend or family member or just bring yourself! |
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GALAS WELCOME BRUNCH The next Welcome Brunch is being scheduled soon! These brunches are held at McCormick and Schmicks at 1 PM. Come enjoy good food, fun conversation, and ways with new approaches to having new ideas presented to the leaders of Galas- a way for your voice to be heard!! April 16-18, 2010 GALAS FOURTH ANNUAL SPRING RETREAT Camp Stevens Julian, Calif. Watch for details! |
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Ongoing ... GALAS Discussion Group Embracing All of Me Affirming and Integrating My Spirituality and Sexuality GALAS offers discussion groups dealing with issues surrounding acceptance, and the life long process of coming out. Each week, topics, which lend themselves to the sharing of personal stories, struggles, and successes in living out your life as GLBT man or woman, will be discussed. These discussion groups will have something to offer regardless of where you find yourself on the road to acceptance and integration of your spirituality with your sexuality. If you would like more information about this group, please contact Janis Reid at 323-999-5123, and watch for upcoming start dates. |
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Sermons, forums, treatises and other important writings and documents that have impacted GALAS and All Saints Church. |
