This Sunday we will be voting on ideas for statues for the front of the church. To help you start to think about your own votes, here is a review of the statues which already exist at St. James, as well as the saints and other historical figures appearing in our stained glass windows. Just because a certain individual is already depicted, doesn't mean they can't appear as a statue out front as well. It's just something to consider. We have 4 empty niches so you will vote for 4 figures in order of importance to you. Thank you for considering this important question.
Voting for Vestry Members and Convention Delegates this Sunday
This Sunday at Annual Meeting, we will be voting for four new vestry members. Completing their vestry terms are: Grace Ogbunamiri, Jeff Bryan, Vanessa Mesia-Ullrich, and Chris Woodyard, our Junior Warden.
We have five individuals running for vestry, and four slots available. In this newsletter, you will be able to read their biographies to prepare for the vote.
We will also be voting for delegates to Convention (Nov 7-8, 2025). We need four delegates and one alternate. Unless more nominations come forward, we can vote Ken Robbins, Marsha Vargas, Vincent Agoe and John Thies as delegates, with Matt Wallace as the alternate.
We look forward to seeing you for this year’s Annual Meeting, scheduled for immediately following the 10:30 service THIS Sunday, January 26th.
Nominees for Election to the Vestry
Gloria started her film career in Nigeria 16 years ago when she was still a manager at Serene Security Services Inc. She currently serves as a Director at Fountain Security Services Inc., while also attending graduate school pursuing a degree in Public Administration. Gloria was born into the Anglican church, baptized as an infant, confirmed at 16 years old, then joined the Girls Guild two years later. Having been raised in church and singing in the choir, services have become a deeply-rooted culture for Gloria, who feels it’s very important not to worship anywhere else but her safe place—the Episcopal Church. In 2014, Gloria made her first visit to California, where she stayed on Wilshire Blvd. Looking for services to attend on Sunday, she Googled “Anglican church” nearby and found St. James. Since then, she has always come back, and St. James Anglican Episcopal Church is her church home, and she will serve in every way she can.
25 years ago, my wife Joy and I began looking for an Episcopal church to raise our daughter. We wanted to bring her up with the spiritual values we had grown up with. After visiting several congregations, we came to a service at St James and knew instantly that this was the right place. The liturgy and values were familiar, but the diversity of ethnicities, languages and cultures were like nothing we had experienced. Our family has benefited in so many ways from being part of the St. James' community. My career includes 30 years as a film Art Director, as well as extensive work restoring 100-year-old spanish apartments. We are so lucky at St. James to worship in this beautiful neo-gothic masterpiece. I am excited to contribute to its restoration any way I can.
I have been a member of St. James' Church for 26 years, since moving to the Hancock Park area. As the granddaughter of Croatian immigrants, I grew up in Palos Verdes, attended USC, and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Interior Architecture. My career journey has spanned architecture, commercial real estate, and, for the last two decades, advancement work at Marlborough School—where many girls from Saint James matriculate and are wonderful additions to the Marlborough community.
At Marlborough, I focused on friend-raising and fundraising, leading initiatives to engage alumnae, encouraging them to give back through a legacy society to support annual operating funds, tuition assistance and financial aid endowments. In addition, I spearheaded several capital campaigns to complete the school’s architectural footprint and design, expanding the library, science, arts, and sports facilities.
As a parishioner, I’ve served on the Saint James’ School Board and a rector search committee. I am honored to be considered for a position on the Vestry of Saint James.
Martin Nwogu was born and raised in Nigeria, with part of his childhood spent in Europe. Since migrating to the United States, Martin has called Los Angeles home for over three decades, where he is an active member of the Nigerian community.
Martin is a graduate of Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Computer Information Technology. Over the last 25 years, he has worked as an Information Technology professional, acquiring numerous IT certifications. His experience spans both private and government sectors, allowing him to build a diverse skill set.
In addition to his career, Martin is a dedicated husband to Gertrude Nwogu, who is also an active member of both St. James Church and the African Christian Fellowship. For more than 30 years, St. James has been their place of worship. Currently, he serves as an active member of the African Christian Fellowship within the church.
Martin is hopeful that his background, experiences, and dedication will bring valuable contributions to the Vestry of St. James Church.
Mike is a retired attorney. He grew up in Virginia and then attended Brown and the University of Virginia Law School. He practiced law in Virginia, Minnesota, and Los Angeles. Mike has been actively involved in Episcopal churches in Virginia, Rhode Island, Minnesota, and Los Angeles. He has been a vestry member and a warden at several other parishes. At the diocesan level he was a judge, and then the presiding judge, of the diocesan Ecclesiastical Court and for many years taught lecturing and discernment at the diocesan ministry fairs. At St. James’, Mike has acted as a lector, intercessor, chalice bearer, and subdeacon and has been a member of the St. James’ men’s group. He also was the convenor of Femi Gonsalves-Knight’s discernment committee. He is very excited about the St. James’ renovation project. St. James’ is an amazing place – outstanding music, excellent preaching, dedication to taking the Gospel and the Christian life seriously, social ministry to the local community, and a very diverse congregation filled with loving people who know how to have a good time!
You can continue to contribute to the One Body, One Spirit campaign where funds go directly to those in need during this continued fire devastation.
What is the Episcopal Church?
Are you new to the Episcopal Church and interested in its history, beliefs, and structure? If so, please join us for a six-part online course continuing Tuesdays at 6:30 PM. To join these discussions, please email Father Jon at jfeuss@stjla.org.
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On That Evil Day Stand
Felicia V. Gaddis
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Even More Episcopal News
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