Dear siblings in Christ,
I write to you with more information on the fires, as well as an invitation to come together as a church family on Sunday morning, January 12, at 8:45 am in Cleaver Hall. Father Tim, Father Thomas, and Hannah and our other staff members have been in touch with many of you affected in all sorts of ways by the recent fires across Southern California. We know that a number of you have lost your homes and that others of you have yet to be able to assess the condition of your homes. Please continue to let us know how we can support you, and one another, at this difficult time.
To that end, the wardens of the vestry and I met this morning to look at next steps to support our community. Father Tim should be commended for his faithful pastoral work with residents of the Fair Oaks house which was lost in the fire, as well as the Washington house which was evacuated yet remains intact. Although our administrative office has already begun work on an insurance claim for the Fair Oaks house, we will need your help in the rebuilding of Jubilee Homes, as well as support for its residents affected by this traumatic event at a pivotal moment in their recovery. The Fair Oaks home was the first home bought by our beloved Deacon Bill Doulos to begin this incredible ministry of more than two decades. We remain committed to this essential work.
Moreover, we already know of at least three families in our community who have lost their homes, and many of you have learned that St. Mark’s in Altadena was lost entirely to the fire. I have been in touch with the rector of St. Mark’s, the Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon (whom many of you know from her time at COS) and pledged our ongoing support in the days, weeks, and years ahead for her community. For anyone who would like to help those most affected by the fires, Church of Our Saviour has set up the 2025 Fire Relief Fund. Ways to give include
Online: Log on to www.COSEpiscopal.org and click on the DONATE NOW button
Text to Give: Text the word SHARE and the amount you wish to give to 73256 by selecting 2025 Fire Relief Fund from the dropdown menu
By mail: Checks can be made out to Church of Our Saviour, with 2025 Fire Relief Fund in the memo, and mailed to 535 West Roses Road, San Gabriel, CA 91775. Or, you can drop checks off in our church offices.
Funds will be used to assist identified victims of the fire inside and outside our parish, as determined by the Executive Committee.
Last, I invite you to join us this Sunday morning, January 12, at 8:45 am for a delicious breakfast and community gathering in Cleaver Hall. Vito Angiuli of East Side Italian Deli and Bret Thompson of Pez Cantina have generously offered their culinary expertise for free, for breakfast for us and our wider community. Please invite anyone you would like! We will break bread together, update you on next steps, and hear your stories from the past few days.
I have also been in consistent contact with Tom Lenzo (resident expert on safety and first responders) and Jason Lyon (Pasadena City Council member) as to how else we, as the wider COS family, might support the greater Altadena and Pasadena communities. Father Tim and I will have updates from them on Sunday.
Once again, if there is anything we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the staff. Please know you are in our constant prayers, and that God is with you each and every moment.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Jeff Thornberg
Rector of Church of Our Saviour
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