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THE HAPPENINGS
at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church
in Woodland Hills, California
NOVEMBER 9, 2025
THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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PRINCE OF PEACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Is called to know, love, and serve Jesus as Savior and Lord,
to share his healing and transformation with all people.
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Worship at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
10am service is livestreamed on YouTube
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BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING will be held in the Church Office today, Sunday, November 9, 2025, following both the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM services.
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VETERANS DAY CLOSURES
The Church Office and the Food Pantry will both be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 in honor of Veterans Day.
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DEACON'S DEN: CONVENTION TIME
It’s that time of year again when representatives from all the parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles gather together for a couple of days to plan ahead for the coming year. And every nine years or so, the highlight of the convention is the election of a new Bishop to lead the diocese going forward. So, here we are, going to convention and getting ready to elect a new Bishop.
Now, who from Prince of Peace will be voting for the Bishop? Well, our delegates to convention this year will be Father Brian and Deacon George, Ann Lowe and Becky Wray, Bill Prescott and Christine Lehman, and Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson, as an interested observer, but not voting.
And who are the nominees for whom they will be voting? In alphabetical order they are:
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The Rev. Dr. Antonio Gallardo, Rector, St. Luke’s/San Lucas, Long Beach
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The Rev. Monica Burns Mainwaring, Rector, St. Martin in the Fields, Atlanta
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The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of L.A.
And to give a little flavor to the name, here is a short quote from each of our nominees:
Rev. Dr. Antonio Gallardo: “I am a person of faith, a pastor, a steward of resources, a teacher, a deliverer of results, and someone who inspires people to work together, building upon their own strengths and abilities. Above all, I am a follower of Jesus Christ who strives to live every day – by the grace of the Holy Spirit – with a genuine desire to respond faithfully to God’s radical call. I see beauty and possibility arising from the reimagining of the role of bishop that is currently happening in our Church: an increased focus on humility, vulnerability, and pastoral care; the exploration of new possibilities to evangelize; the insistence on supporting local communities, where the actual work with the people happens; and the nimbleness to respond to the growing needs of the world.”
Rev. Monica Burns Mainwaring: “I am grateful to be on this journey of discernment with you as together we seek God’s will for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. You have been in my prayers for a long time. I see ourselves in a liminal moment, that is, a time in between what was and what is yet to be revealed. Our familiar structures and patterns have led us to decline, and we wonder about viability and sustainability. Though I perceive that there is in the Church a great deal of loss and grief and fear, I also perceive a great amount of curiosity, hope, and earnest expectation in EDLA about what God might do among us.”
Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy: “I am honored to be one of your candidates for the eighth bishop of Los Angeles. I have so much hope for this diocese, for the work that lies ahead, and for all the ways God is calling us into new and vital lives of faith in this unique geography at this unique time. I am deeply committed to cultivating relationships and inviting people into the shared work of our diocese. I believe leadership is most transformational when it is collaborative – empowering individuals to offer their God-given gifts for the flourishing of the whole community. I hold firmly that we, as a diocese, are greater than the sum of our parts, sustained and inspired by the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.”
So, your delegates are on their way to Riverside to vote for our new Bishop. Your prayers for guidance and discernment are truly and sincerely appreciated.
Amen.
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Prayer of the Week:
For Serenity
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O God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference;
living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
(Reinhold Niebuhr)
If you would like to submit a Prayer of the Week,
please send it to Cara Gordon at cara7890@yahoo.com
or Christine Lehman at comm@popwh.org.
Thank you!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL: IS IT TOO SOON TO TALK ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
It’s never too soon when we’re talking about the true meaning of Christmas! Our Sunday School has begun a new series based on Advent Conspiracy – a movement that helps us celebrate Jesus’ birth with purpose and joy.
Though Advent officially begins on November 30, we started the series a little early so we can also make time to prepare for our Christmas Pageant on December 21! Through stories, crafts, and our Christmas Pageant rehearsals, our kids are discovering how to celebrate Jesus’ birthday in meaningful ways.
Advent Conspiracy reminds us that Christmas can change the world when we:
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Worship Fully – Remember that Christmas is all about Jesus.
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Spend Less – Be thoughtful with money so we can help others.
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Give More – Give time, love, and handmade gifts from the heart.
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Love All – Show kindness and care, especially to those in need.
God bless you and all the children Jesus entrusted in our care!
Blessings,
Alma Fountain
Prince of Peace Children and Family Ministry is dedicated to be a safe place to GROW in faith, have fun in fellowship, live the Word, and share God’s love.
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RESPONDING TO HURRICANE MELISSA
Episcopal Relief & Development is in close contact with our partners, including local dioceses and agencies in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, as Hurricane Melissa continues to cause widespread devastation throughout the Caribbean region.
With wind speeds of 185 mph, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 29 as a Category 5 storm. The storm is the strongest hurricane in Jamaica’s history and one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. Causing major damage to public infrastructure, Hurricane Melissa has left approximately 77% of the island without power and displaced more than 6,000 people.
A precise death toll and full understanding of damages are still difficult to determine as many areas remain inaccessible. However, severe flooding and landslides, dangerous storm surges and upwards of 30 deaths have been reported across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.
“Our local partners are assessing the needs of their community as the damage and long-term effects of this disaster become clearer,” said Eric Weaver, Director of Global Disaster Response & Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We stand by, ready to support them and the communities they serve as we learn more about the extent of damages and how best to target our response.”
Please pray for the people impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Donations to the Hurricane Relief Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners as they respond.
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COMMUNITY DINNER THANKSGIVING ASK
On Saturday, November 22, the Community Dinner is feeding our unhoused neighbors a Thanksgiving Dinner. We need the following from you, our generous parishioners:
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ROASTED TURKEYS: We will give you a frozen turkey on Sunday, November 16. Please roast it and return it to Taylor Hall no later than 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 22.
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TWO PEOPLE to roast turkeys.
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Four Pumpkin and four Apple PIES from Costco.
If you are willing to roast a turkey or contribute a pie, please email communitydinner@gmail.com or call Dorothy Seguin or Patty Papps. Their cell numbers are in the POP Directory.
Our unhoused neighbors thank you!
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OUTDOOR COMMUNITY LABYRINTH WALK: STEPPING INTO GRATITUDE
Please join us for our monthly Labyrinth Walk Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
What are you grateful for this year, this month, this day? Step into the labyrinth for insight and clarity.
- Step into the labyrinth to gain the quiet and inner silence necessary to discern.
- Step into the labyrinth and listen to what it is you need to hear.
- Walk your way to mindfulness, inner peace, and well-being.
Labyrinth walking, an ancient form of moving meditation, offers stress reduction, contemplation, and increased relaxation. Found all over the world, labyrinths provide space to decompress from the “busy-ness” of life.
Prince of Peace Church, a local, Episcopal community church, has a beautiful outdoor labyrinth amidst a tranquil garden setting that can be enjoyed 24 hours a day.
Our monthly walks are:
- FREE & open to the public.
- facilitated by Certified Veriditas-trained Labyrinth Facilitator, Chantel Zimmerman, of Art and Soul Lab.
The event kicks off with an introduction to labyrinths from 6:00 PM to 6:15 PM, followed by a "warming ceremony: from 6:15 PM to 6:30 PM. Participants walk the labyrinth at their own pace from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
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LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER (LEM) TRAINING
We will be offering training sessions for LEMS and those who wish to become LEMS on Saturday, November 22 and Saturday, December 6 at 10:00 AM, for about an hour. Experienced LEMs are encouraged to attend one of the sessions. New LEMs should plan to attend both sessions. Please note that LEMs are required by the Diocese to be licensed, and this training is necessary for licensing. If your schedule does not permit attendance and you wish to serve as a LEM, contact Father Brian or Deacon George to make alternative arrangements for the training. Thank you for serving!
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PRE-THANKSGIVING BAKE SALE: There will be a Pre-Thanksgiving Bake Sale on Sunday, November 23, on the patio following both services. Sign up to bake after services on the patio during November. Pies, cakes, cookies, muffins are all welcome. Thank you for supporting the ECW!
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DAUGHTERS OF THE KING FALL ASSEMBLY
The Daughters of the King Diocese of Los Angeles Fall Assembly was held on Saturday, November 1, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard. Three members (Nancy Aspaugh-Jackson, Marjorie Fountain, and Alma Fountain) from Prince of Peace attended and enjoyed a meaningful time of fellowship and reflection.
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During the gathering, participants joined in group discussions about the Saints assigned to them – an engaging way to learn, connect, and be inspired by one another’s spiritual journeys. It was also a wonderful opportunity to share how Daughters of the King are serving in their parishes. Our POP members spoke about the recent Day of Reflection and Parishwide Tea that our Daughters hosted, both of which fostered community and spiritual growth within our congregation. It was an uplifting day of shared faith and encouragement!
God bless you and all the children Jesus entrusted in our care!
Blessings,
Alma Fountain
Prince of Peace Children and Family Ministry is dedicated to be a safe place to GROW in faith, have fun in fellowship, live the Word, and share God’s love.
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UPCOMING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDRAISER: MinorityWealthGap, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and raising awareness about this critical issue, is excited to announce our upcoming fundraising dinner and silent auction on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the Reasoner Family Center.
This event will raise funds for essential programs such as emergency shelter, counseling, and education services for those impacted by domestic violence. We seek partners to create a Domestic Violence Hub in Los Angeles. Our guest speaker is Hon. Dr. Sharon Barnes (former attorney turned ADU Strategist and Real Estate Development Consultant).
Ticket levels: Bernice Women & Students $100; Regular $200; VIP $350; and VVIP $500.
For more details, please contact Jemba Senkandwa (jemba.senkandwa@minoritywealthgap.org or (818) 770-9814) or click on https://avvmtgju.donorsupport.co/page/FUNSHHMBTQJ.
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SECRET PRAYER PARTNERS REVEAL PARTY! Mark your calendars now - the Reveal Party for our Secret Prayer Partners will be held Saturday, December 6 at 12 Noon in the Reasoner Family Center!
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AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
In recent years AEDs have been placed in public places such as shopping centers, schools, or airports. These devices save lives by providing treatment for sudden cardiac arrest when the person is not in a medical setting.
Studies have shown that the chances of survival increase with early intervention with an AED. These devices are specifically made so that members of the public can safely use them without prior training. Once they are turned on, they talk to you and tell you how to use them each step of the way. They are safe for members of the public to use, because they sense heart rhythms and will only deliver a shock if it is necessary. You do not need to worry about accidentally doing something wrong!
Several years ago, the Vestry approved the purchase of an AED to ensure that we would be prepared to intervene in a cardiac emergency. The device is mounted at the back of the sanctuary on the street side. I encourage you to look for it the next time you come to church!
Steps to use the HeartStart AED:
- Call 911. If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call emergency services or tell bystander to call while you get the AED.
- Turn on the AED: Unzip the AED’s case. You will see a green handle that says “Pull.” Once you do that, the AED is turned on and will begin speaking to you. Follow the device's instructions.
Additionally you can visit the following site to see how easy it is to use our AED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTR556NE1gc. Focus on minutes 3-5.20 for the essentials of use.
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This week's prayer requests and thanksgivings have been compiled and are available here for your prayers and meditation. Updated prayer requests are printed on a WEEKLY basis.
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Please submit your prayer requests and thanksgivings in church on the yellow or blue prayer slips, OR by clicking on the "Submit a Prayer Request" button at the bottom of this page.
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PRINTED COPIES OF "THE HAPPENINGS"
A small number of printed copies of The Happenings are available in the Welcome Wagon outside the church on Sunday mornings, or upon request. Please contact Christine Lehman in the Parish Office (comm@popwh.org) for more information.
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