During the height of the AIDS crisis of the 1980's - 1990's All Saints was one of the most active churches in ministries with those affected by AIDS. We housed an AIDS chapel and provided food, shelter, and other support to individuals and their families. The church continues to actively provide support to some families today, and continues to be a strong advocate for those living with HIV and AIDS . And we continue our tradition of fostering strong, caring leaders, Gay and Lesbian and straight, who understand that our faith is best expressed in the love we show for each other. This community has found the Anglican tradition of toleration, reason and parochial care attractive, and in fact our congregation is now one of the largest in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Like the crucifix above our altar, we believe that the arms of Jesus are open to all who seek him as Savior regardless of ethnicity, language, economic situation, sexual orientation or immigration status.
ABOUT US
All Saints Parish was founded in 1904 as one of the first Episcopal churches in Los Angeles. It has grown, declined and grown again as the city has aged around it. Over the last twenty or so years Highland Park has become the home to many Latinos, both immigrants and non-immigrants. Our membership is currently over one thousand, with many of those children and youth. The majority of our members are Latinos who live within our neighborhood. Our former Rector, Father Bill Leeson, worked hard with the church leadership to reach out to the Latino Community and offer our form of Anglican catholicism, which is well received by most Roman Catholics.
STAFF
Father Tom Callard, Rector
Father Tom came to Los Angeles in 2007. Previously he served as a Vicar at a church in Chelsea, Massachusetts, worked as a missionary in Honduras, worked in a bookstore, canvassed for the environment, and was in college for a long time. Tom is married to Sagrario and they have 3 children. In addition to serving as our Rector, Father Tom is the coordinator of the Diocesan Program Group on Hispanic Ministries for the Diocese of Los Angeles, and former coordinator of the Diocesan Program Group on Peace and Justice. He loves music and the Book of Isaiah and his family.
Father Jeffrey Clawson, Assisting Priest
Jeffrey Clawson arrived at All Saints’ in October to work with newcomers’ ministries, children programs, and pastoral ministry. As a public educator for more than twenty years, Jeffrey taught at the elementary level and then worked to support academic programs at both the middle school and the high school levels. These experiences have helped make an easy transition from education to ministry. Jeffrey was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in January, 2009 after completed a Master of Divinity degree from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Jeffrey also holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling. Favorite pastimes include hiking, cooking, and travel. A recent transplant from the open spaces of Northern California, Father Jeffrey enjoys the controlled chaos of Los Angeles. Jeffrey and his partner Enrique have three dogs. They can be frequently seen taking long walks in the early morning through the streets of Los Angeles.
Seminarian Michelle Baker-Wright, Postulant for Holy Orders, serving for 2009-2010
Seminarian Norma Guerra, serving for 2009-2010
VESTRY
Dora Tojin, Sr. Warden
Nelson Hernandez, Jr. Warden
Chris Evans, Clerk
Ana Barba
Maribel Casildo
Nora Cervantes
Manuel Frausto
Carol Grosvenor
Daniel Valdez
MISSION STATEMENT
All Saints is a family of persons that exists to “tell the stories of Jesus” to its community through evangelism, outreach, empowerment, worship and education. We see our mission as discovering new ways to convey and celebrate the Good
news of Jesus Christ in worship, work and action.
VISION STATEMENT
We are a family with a vision to share the New wine of the Gospel by designing and sewing new wineskins in which to serve it. Therefore, we strive to be a Christian family seeking to be on the “cutting edge” of devising new ways to celebrate the Gospel in the context of Eucharist, Preaching, Outreach, Empowerment and Education.
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
All Saints' worship is a casual, Anglo-Catholic style which includes chanting, Sanctus Bells, occasional incense, and the joyful participation of various members of the congregation at each Mass. Our music is a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary music, including Spanish hymns at the English Mass. Throughout the year special events are celebrated during the worship, and each week true joys and concerns are touched upon through people's prayers and the reflections found in the sermons.
Worship Ministries include...
ACOLYTES – vest and carry candles and the cross during the Mass
ALTAR GUILD - prepares the church, the candles, the altars and sacred vessels for worship
CHOIR – leads the singing and music during Mass
FLOWER GUILD – arranges the flowers in the church
MASTER OF CEREMONIES – vests and serves at the altar, helps insure a smooth flow during the Mass
SUB DEACONS – Chalicers assisting in the distribution of the Holy Communion
MEMBERSHIP MINISTRIES
All Saints' members are as diverse and varied as can be found in any congregation, yet they are brought together in true Anglican style by a shared love for the presence of God in Christ and a delight in the community of the church and its ministries.
Membership Ministries include...
CHILDREN – Weekly Sunday school instruction and activities during the Mass, special events at other times
CONFIRMATION – Classes preparing older children and adults for the sacrament of a mature commitment to Christ which happens at the Bishop’s annual visitation. Preparation last approximately 6 months
CURSILLO EN CRISTIANIDAD – An annual, weekend Christian experience of renewal and spiritual enrichment.
FIRST COMMUNION- Classes which instruct children in the basics of the Mass, tell them important stories of Jesus Christ, and prepare them to reverently understand the Holy Communion. Preprataion lasts approximately 6 months.
GRUPO HISPANO – an ongoing meeting of church members to study the Bible, enrich their faith, share in fellowship, and help carry out special events and ministries in the church
HOME BLESSINGS – bringing the love of the church to members’ homes through a blessing with the priest and a team of lay people
HOSPITALITY MINISTRY – Coffee hour after the English Mass with snacks, juice and an occasional full breakfast. A food sale after the Spanish Mass with delicious, home cooked meals available at a super low cost
KID’S CLUB – a weekly meeting of children 5-11 with Bible stories and videos, crafts and activities
MEN’S MINISTRIES – retreats and gatherings during the year designed specifically for the men of the parish
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY – a ministry offering love, support, healing, and emergency attention to members in various states of need
VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS MINISTRY – welcoming people who are new, answering questions and offering guidance and orientation
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES- retreats and gatherings during the year designed specifically for the women of the parish
YOUTH – ministries for youth and young adults of the parish, focused on doing activities and good works, building friendships and spirits, praying and deepening the faith. Regular, weekly meetings
OUTREACH & SERVICE MINISTRIES
All Saints serves one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles, and for ten years has been a National Jubilee Center, recognized for its commitment to issues of justice and poverty.
Our Outreach and Service ministries include...
ENGLISH CLASSES- All Saints is in partnership with the Franklin High Adult Education program and offer free classes here during the week
HIGHLAND PARK FOOD PANTRY- All Saints distributes food to our neighbors who are in need, on a monthly basis on Saturdays. Dates to be announced - see the calendar. We are partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Volunteers are invited to call the church offices for more information.
JUBILEE AEROBICS CLASSES – Our health ministries include weekly aerobics classes and healthy cooking instruction offered by our friends from the Jubilee Consortium of Los Angeles Starting January 2010 classes will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6-7pm for a cost of $2.
PARISH NURSE- our health ministries also include an onsite parish nurse who is here Thursday mornings from 8am-1:30 pm to offer minimal but important health care services free of cost. This service comes from our partner Queenscare
THERAPIST – All Saints has made available a therapist to provide professional, confidential therapy to its members at a minimal cost, offering support for anxiety, family problems, depression, help in adjusting to the United States, parenting issues, for individuals, couples and families. We are working with the Rose City Counseling Center in Pasadena
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE – the parish provides a limited number of scholarships to church members pursuing post high school studies. Scholarship applications are available in the summer and scholarships are awarded in the fall
ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRIES
COUNTERS– count the weekly offering with the treasurer
FUNDRAISING TEAM- a team of members who sponsor events and opportunities for the parish to raise funds
NEWSLETTER – work on the monthly publication the parish sends to its friends and members
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES – Supporting the parish by encouraging members to pledge generously, supporting members by encouraging them to generously give to God.
TREASURER- oversees the financial wellbeing of the parish
VESTRY – works with the Rector, Father Tom, to implement the ministries of the church and assure that the Parish is financially and administratively sound
WEBSITE – support for our parish website
