Ordo Virtutum, an allegorical morality play by 12th-century Benedictine nun,

mystic, artist, writer and composer Hilde-gard von Bingen, will be performed Friday and Saturday, April 24 - 25, at the ProCathedral of St. John, 514 W. Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles. Performances will begin at 7:30.

Ordo Virtutum (“The Way of the Virtues”) tells of the struggles of a pure soul, “Anima,” as she wrestles with worldly temptations as urged on by “Diabolus.” Eighteen “Virtutes” help her re-sist.

The play, accompanied by an ensemble of medieval instruments, will be presented by

Cantoris Los Angeles, a sponsored by the Arts Guild of St. John’s, and The Sorel Organization. Artistic director of Can-toris Los Angeles is Ka-tina Mitchell; stage di-rector is Patricia McKee.

The performance is a little more than an hour in length. Supertitles will help the audience follow the Latin text. Tickets are $20 ($10 for students and seniors), and may be pur-chased at 213.747.6285, ext. 106, or request res-ervations by email at music@stjohnsla.org.

WWW.EPISCOPALNEWS.COM SERVING THE SIX-COUNTY DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES APRIL 12, 2015

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Earth Day movie screening to launch discussion of local, global water issues

St. John’s ProCathedral to host performance of 12th-century play by Hildegard von Bingen

Spring Planting: At The Abundant Table farm in Ventura County, farmworker Ophelia Hernandez, Sarah Nolan, director of programs and community partnerships, and Reyna Ortega, production manager, pause to pose for a photograph. The Abundant Table and the Diocese of Los Angeles’ Seeds of Hope ministry were profiled in an April 6 Episcopal News Service article by reporter Lynette Wilson. The story (bit.ly/1ybpVta) was part of the “30 Days of Action” program launched by a webcast forum on climate change featuring Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and local weathercaster Fritz Coleman that originated at Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood on March 24 (may be viewed at episcopalchurch.org). The “30 Days” will culminate on Earth Day, April 22.

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The Program Group on Global Partnership and Seeds of Hope invite the diocesan

community and friends to an Earth Day film screening, dinner, and consciousness-raising event at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul.

As part of the diocese’s recently launched water-tithing initiative, the program will fea-ture a screening of “Ru: Water is Life,” a short documentary that portrays the plight of mil-lions of girls worldwide who spend much of each day in pursuit of water, usually unclean, just to survive.

“Water is a sacred human right,” said Troy Elder, bishop’s legate for global partnership. “Our diocese has recognized this in its priori-ties for overseas engagement, as well as here in Los Angeles. We hope that screening this beautiful short film, shot in South Sudan, will catalyze our efforts to live into our commit-ments around water conservation and overseas ministry.”

Representatives from the Los Angeles De-partment of Water and Power will discuss ways that congregations can reduce their water consumption.

The Earth Day event will begin at 7 p.m. with dinner, and will conclude by 9 p.m. Reg-istration is free, but priority will be given to “faucet families” and others interested in the water-tithing program. For reservations, or for information about how to become a “fau-cet family,” speak to your rector or vicar, or contact Troy Elder at telder@ladiocese.org or 213.482.2040, ext. 245. The Cathedral Center is located at 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Ange-les 90026.

Earth Day also will culminate “30 Days of Action,” which as reported in last week’s Epis-copal News is an invitation from the Episcopal Church to individuals and congregations to understand the environmental crisis and what they can do about it. Daily suggestions devel-oped by the Episcopal Church are available online at www.episcopalchurch.org/page/30-days-action. ?

“Choir of Angels,” a tapestry by 12th-century nun, mystic, writer, artist and composer Hildegard von Bingen.

‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark

of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” So declared “doubting” Thomas in today’s gospel.

The question before us today is: We don’t have the luxury of touching the wounds of the Risen Christ as Thomas did — how then can we believe?

I don’t believe we need to physically touch the wounds of Jesus to believe. I believe that we can truly see Christ in:u the faces (especially the smiles!) of chil-

dren.u the helping hands of friends, neighbors,

and especially strangers.u the small kindnesses that are offered to us

as well as the large gifts we receive.u the beauty of creation.u the practice of daily prayer, the reading of

scripture, and meditation.u the practice of praying the Anglican Rosary.

I could spend days adding more and more ways we can see Christ to this list! I bet you could help me do that as well.

No, today we don’t have the luxury of

physically touching the wounds of Christ, but we can participate in the healing of those wounds by:u sharing out of our bounty, no matter how

small or great.u participating actively in our communities

of faith.u caring for this fragile earth, our island

home.u caring for our neighbors as we would like

to be cared for ourselves.u naming and working to stem the tide of

the sin of racism.u doing little acts of kindness.u sharing our faith with those who are ques-

tioning theirs, or haven’t had the experi-ence of believing in Jesus Christ.

This “doubting Thomas Sunday” please know that it is okay to doubt, but we are not wired as human beings to stay in that state. We need and crave the connection to the Di-vine and to each other. May you find such a connection in your prayer life, in the commu-nity of faith in which you worship, and in the faces of all you meet. ?

Seeing the Risen Christ

A R O U N D T H E D I O C E S E

Episcopal News WeeklyEditor: Janet Kawamoto, editor@ladiocese.org Advertising: Bob Williams, media@ladiocese.org

THE VOLUME 4, NUMBER 14

F R O M T H E B I S H O P S — SUNDAY, APRIL 12 —

4:30 p.m. Solemn Evensong & Organ Concert St. James’ Episcopal Church 3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los AngelesInformation: 213.388.3015

— SUNDAY, APRIL 19 —2 p.m. 150th Anniversary Memorial Service for President Abraham Lincoln Cathedral Center of St. Paul 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles Information: 213.482.2040, ext. 240

4 p.m. Organ Recital — Ray Urwin St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church 1175 San Gabriel Blvd., San Marino 91108 Information: 626.793.9167

— FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 24 - 25 —7:30 p.m. Ordo Virtutum by Hildegard von Bingen ProCathedral of St. John 514 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles information/Tickets: 213.747.6285, ext. 106

— FRIDAY, APRIL 24 —8 p.m. Chamber Music Concert: Violin-fest St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 1031 Bienveneda Avenue, Pacific Palisades Information/Tickets: bit.ly/1COuObi

— SATURDAY, APRIL 25 —9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Year-round Stewardship Seminar Church of the Blessed Sacrament 1314 N. Angelina Drive, Placentia Information/Reservations: obispadjb@gmail.com

— SUNDAY, APRIL 26 —7:30 p.m. Compline St. James’ Episcopal Church 3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles Information: 213.388.3015

— FRIDAY, MAY 1 —8 p.m. Spring Concert: Majestic Handel All Saints’ Episcopal Church 504 N Camden Drive, Beverly Hills Information: 310.275.0123

More event listings and program details may be found at www.ladiocese.org (select “Calendars”).

800-366-1536ext. 254

www.efcula.org

Did you know?The Diocese of Los Angeles has a full-service Credit Union.

The Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union has been in existence since 1994, and any Episcopalian in the diocese can join.

ECFCU offers a full line of financial products:Saving and Checking AccountsFree Income Tax Preparation Holiday Club AccountsDebit/ATM CardsIndividual Credit Counseling24-Hour Telephone InformationOn-Line Banking

Bill PayAuto LoansSignature LoansBusiness LoansWire TransfersFinancial Education

840 ECHO PARK AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90026PLEASE CALL AT 213.482.2040, EXT. 228MONDAY – FRIDAY: 9AM – 4PM • SATURDAY: 10AM – 2PM

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THE 1979 BCP ANDNRSV BIBLE

By Diane Jardine Bruce

A reading of the 1865 ser-mon preached by Episco-

pal priest Elias Birdsall in Los Angeles to eulogize President Abraham Lincoln will be cen-tral in an April 19 civic memo-rial service to which community leaders and the public are invit-ed. The 2 p.m. Sunday rites will unfold 150 years to the day after Birdsall — first rector of the new St. Athanasius Church — deliver the funeral oration. Venue for the

upcoming service is the Ca-thedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles. Provost Frank Alton will read the sermon text, to which select civic and faith leaders will offer brief responses. Period music and prayers will complement the reading. Bishop J. Jon Bruno

of the Diocese of Los Angeles will preside. For information, email to media@ladiocese.org, or call 213.482.2040, ext. 240.

April 19 service to mark 150th year of Lincoln’s legacy