The Diocese of Los Angeles
The Cathedral Center of St. Paul
840 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026-4209
August 22, 2004
To the members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Long Beach,
My beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please know how disheartened I am by the decision of your Rector, Wardens and Vestry to leave the Episcopal Church. However, I am pleased to let you know that the mission of the Church goes on in your communities, and we will be arranging for your pastoral care through other clergy in your area. I am asking all faithful Episcopalians to contact the diocesan offices at a special phone number or email address, listed below, to gather names and facilitate communication to reconstitue the ministry of the continuing Episcopal Church in your Parish and arrange for the election of a new vestry.
The Anglican understanding of church governance is based on unity with a bishop in a geographic diocese. I know you will seek to remain faithful to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church in union with your bishop.
The consecrated buildings of your Parish are not the sole possession of the congregation. They belong to the whole Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles, where together we serve Christ in this place. Soon we hope to return these properties to those faithful Episcopalians in your community who will continue our common mission as a Diocese and a Church.
The ministry of the Episcopal Church in your communities will continue. I have attached a pastoral letter that is to be read to all congregations in this Diocese today, August 22, 2004. I want to be sure you get a chance to read it. My, thoughts, concern and especially my prayers are with you all. Please pray for me.
Please call: 213.482.2040 extension 283 or E-Mail: pastoralletter@LADiocese.org
Yours in Christ,
+J Jon Bruno