St. Luke's of Monrovia

Dear Friends,
 
I am well on the road to recovery. After four bone marrow biopsies, I await the fifth to get final verification of the effectiveness of my chemotherapy treatments. The doctors say the healing is moving forward at a miraculous pace, and I know that the outpouring of prayer and love is making all the difference. 
 
I am enjoying the Caring Bridge web page as well as the cards and well wishes extended to me and my family. I want you to know that I read each and every one, and they provide me strength and comfort. 
 
I will have another bone marrow test next week to confirm my progress. Every day I feel stronger in body and spirit. Mary and I send our love to all.

Yours in Christ,
+ J. Jon Bruno

April 26, 2012

My dear friends,

As we move close to the 12th anniversary of my consecration on April 29, I am looking forward to the future, yet any time we make too many plans, we have to wait and listen for God.

Having had what I thought was a bout of pneumonia since the House of Bishops last met in March, I have gone back into the hospital to determine what this nagging problem has been.

With the great assistance of Dr. David Cannom of Los Angeles Cardiology Associates, Dr. Glenn Hatfield of The Medical Group, Dr. Lasika Senevirante of the Los Angeles Cancer Network, and the staff of Good Samaritan Hospital, I have discovered that this nagging problem is more than I thought it was. But I have been convinced by Dr. Cannom and Dr. Senevirante that I am too stubborn to let this go by the wayside, so we will start immediately to begin aggressive treatment for Acute Monocytic Leukemia (AML M5).

I don't do anything lightly, and I am never surprised that when God calls me, it is to do more than I asked or thought. The doctors are of a mind that we can beat this, but I want to be honest with you: I am frightened. Not unlike the amputation, or the metabolic staph infection (MRSA) that I experienced, or the court cases, a few challenges have come across our path.

I want you folks to be as positive as you can be, and I need your prayers and support at this time. I want you to know that I have raised all of these concerns with my colleague Bishops, Diane Jardine Bruce and Mary Douglas Glasspool.

I will continue to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles with the able assistance of the Bishops Suffragan and the Executive Staff. I, together with Bishops Bruce and Glasspool, Canon David Tumilty, the Rev. Canon Joanna Satorius and Canon Robert Williams, will continue to be the management team of the Diocese.

This will require some changes for us to continue to serve you in the life of this Diocese, and we will remain faithful. We will not hold things back from you, and we will remain in regular communication.

If it should be that my health does take a turn for the worse, I will do what is needed to accomplish the election of the next Diocesan Bishop. I have notified Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Bishop Stacy Sauls, and the Rev. Canon Chuck Robertson, and they have all assured me that they will do all they can to be of assistance.

I want to assure you all of the depth of love, respect and grace that I feel from this Diocese each day of my life. My love to you, my appreciation, and forever my dedication.

Yours in Christ,

J. Jon Bruno

Sixth Bishop of Los Angeles

The Reverend John E. Crean, Jr., Ph.D.

Interim Pastor, St. Luke’s Episcopal Parish

122 South California Avenue

Monrovia, CA 91016

626-357-7071

Dearly Beloved in Christ!

Let me take this opportunity to greet you in the Name of our Lord! We begin together on Holy Name Sunday, January 1^st 2012. A New Year! A New Beginning! I am absolutely thrilled that Bishop Bruno has appointed me to serve as your Interim Pastor.

Whenever I assume leadership in a new parish, I like to put people at ease about what to call me. Shortly before ordination in 1974, I asked my mentor, “What should I have them call me?” His answer was unforgettable: “They will call you what they need to.”

I am most comfortable with just “John” or “Father John.” You choose. I have an old parishioner who insists on always calling me “Professor.” (Remind me to tell you a funny story sometime about how they address me in Germany.)

Terminology interests me. I think terms are important. My “job” title here is “Interim Pastor.” Both words are significant. “Interim” means that under no circumstances may I succeed myself here and become your rector. While my time with you has no specific limit, I simply serve as long as necessary until your new priest arrives.

“Pastor” is even more meaningful. The Diocese has chosen that term deliberately. The term “rector” derives from the Latin regere, to rule. The word “pastor” is related to our word pasta. At least etymologically speaking, a rector rules, while a pastor feeds.

I hope to be “among you as one who serves,” who feeds, who pastors. I have been charged to work alongside your elected leadership, the Vestry. Together, we are supposed to make sure we have everything we need to be the church here in Monrovia. Both Vestry and Bishop are counting on me to get St. Luke’s ready to receive the next priest God will send you. I welcome that assignment and promise to offer my experience in our joint endeavor, while loving you all to death (but hopefully not literally!) in the process.

Please call me whatever you will . . . but please do call me! I am most eager to get to know and love you all.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

John+

The official ingathering of pledge cards was on Oct 30th. Many thanks to those who have turned their 2012 pledge cards. If for some reason you have forgotten to turn yours in, please do so as soon as possible so the Vestry can begin the task of setting up our budget for 2012.    

People often ask, what is stewardship?  At its most basic, it is how we care for the gifts we have received from God.  It is the wise and faithful use of our resources – our time, talents, and treasure – all of which we believe were given us by God.  Stewardship is about community and how we function together.  It is a personal thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts that God has given us.  While emphasizing once more the importance of the use of our time and talents during this fall stewardship effort, our primary focus will be on the commitment to financially support God’s work at St. Luke’s through pledging.

            Your pledge to St. Luke’s allows the Vestry to make plans and allocate funds for the support and strengthening of the ministries, missions, and outreach efforts of the church. It aids in the preparation of a master plan or budget for the coming year. The budget will weigh heavily on the Vestry’s decisions both in calling our next Rector and in maintaining our existing programs.