On Sunday, September 12, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was in town for the Installation of SWCA Bishop Brenda Bos – but she didn’t miss participating in acts of service for “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday!
That morning, Bishop Eaton joined the congregation of St. Mark’s, Los Angeles, Pastor Matt Keadle, and Living the Resurrection’s Pastor Marj Funk-Pihl as they packed COVID-19 care kits, prepared for an Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries afternoon reception honoring both Bishop Bos and Sierra Pacific Bishop Megan Rohrer, and toured “The Nest,” an early childhood education center and preschool for low-income families – many of which are facing unemployment and homelessness - in the St. Mark’s/USC neighborhood.
ADA-compliant, with furniture crafted for young children and cabinets and counters designed for safety, “The Nest” serves 32 children between 18 months and 40 months old and is the result of a three-year plan and partnership between St. Mark’s, California Hospital's Hope Street Margolis Family Center, and area architects and builders, many of whom donated their time and skill. From under-utilized space at St. Mark’s they created an innovative, safe, and much-needed learning environment emphasizing light and an open-floor concept.
This was Bishop Eaton’s first chance to join a congregation for “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday, and clearly she enjoyed it very much! You can hear more about it on the Vinyl Preacher podcast.