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February 2006
Vol. 8 No. 2
Archive of Previous Issues
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The Grapevine is published monthly
(except for a combined July/August issue)
by St. Patrick's Episcopal Church
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Table of Contents for February 2006 [Vol. 8 No. 2]
In the locker room at the YMCA, I raised one of the questions that has been bugging me for some time. How is it that only now the American people are beginning to wake up to the corruption of the lobbyists on K Street in Washington? The lobbyist pays a lot of money to a prominent person in government who then allows him to draft legislation in the interests of his clients. For a long time, reports of this have appeared in newspapers. But only now a senior lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, has been charged, pleaded guilty and threatens to blow the whistle.
Lest this article seem partisan, let me add that both parties have been corrupted by the huge sums of money flowing through the lobbyists. For me it has been disillusioning to witness corruption in high places.
One person at the Y poked his head around the lockers and told me, “USA stands for ‘United States of Amnesia.’” The memory span of the average American is a few months. When it comes to election time we will have forgotten the name of Abramoff. If by chance we make the effort to remember the past, then we will have done a subversive thing.
The Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann, wrote about the amnesia of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. They forgot their homeland and their temple and accommodated themselves to life in a new land. “When we have completely forgotten our past, we will absolutize the present and we will be like contented cows in Bashan who want nothing more than the best of today. People like that can never remember who they are, cannot remember their status as exiles or that home is somewhere else.” (Hopeful Imagination, p.102).
Remembering gives us our identity and reinforces our values. Our worship is an act of remembering. We say, “Do this in memory of me,” yet we have moved far from the one who said these words. The catholic bishops rightly said, “The church in America now lives in a context whose values are fundamentally in tension with the claims of the church’s faith.” (Ibid, p.143)
We shall remember where we have come from and where our home is and to whom we belong. It is where we “hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thess. 5:21) Therein will lie our peace with God and with our neighbor.
Hugh Stevenson
AROUND ST. PATRICK'S
February 4, 9:00-3:00 vestry workshop in the Education Center. 6:00 pm Vestry dinner at the Chapman’s.
February 5, 9:45 am, the second discussion on the state of the Anglican Church: where are we now and where are we going?
2:00 –6:00 p.m. at St Cecilia’s Church, 2555 17th Street in San Francisco, Fr. Thomas Keating will be offering a workshop on Centering Prayer Suggested donation is $40. Call Mark Lodico at 415-252-1667 for more information.
February 12, 9:45 am we continue the adult ed. course on the Theology of Worship in the Common Room.
10:00 a.m., youth group meets in the Youth group room.
February 12, at 3:00 p.m. Laura Simpson will give a concert of romantic harp music as a preparation for Valentine’s Day. This is part of our music series at St Patrick’s.
February 14-16, the Bishop’s Conference in Sacramento will be a time of prayer and reflection. The Bishop asks us too to give thanks to God for the ministry we have shared with him in this diocese and to seek God’s blessing on those who are being nominated. There will be the usual Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
February 14, E.C.W. luncheon will be held on Tuesday, at 11:00 a.m. The speakers will be from charities which we supported in last’s year’s Bizarre Bazaar. All women are welcome!
February 15, Men’s lunch will be held on Wednesday, at 11:30 noon, at Playa Azul on Oakmont Drive.
February 18-28, Hugh Stevenson will be away on vacation; Michael Monnot will be here.
Before February 26, please bring your palm crosses from last year to church to be burnt to make ash for Ash Wednesday.
March 1: Ash Wednesday. There will be two services: 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. with the Imposition of Ashes (from last year’s palm crosses) for those who wish, followed by the Eucharist. “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a Holy Lent.” (Prayer Book p. 265).
May 6. Please note the date of the youth group Rummage Sale and start collecting your rummage. Proceeds will be given to the parish in thanks for the parish’s support of the Mission to Mexico.
Forward Day by day. The latest Bible study notes (February-April) have been placed in the tract rack in the Church entrance. They include the Biblical readings for each day according to the Episcopal calendar. Please help yourself. There should be enough for all those who want one.
LENT STUDY GROUPS
We are planning 2 groups:
- On 4 Wednesday mornings, beginning March 1, at 9:45 in the Education Center (after the Ash Wednesday service) The Chronicles of Narnia; CS Lewis his life and times; the other writings of CS Lewis; allegories; The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe as an allegory. We hope to view the movie during the course.
- Living the Questions: the conclusion of the course we started during fall 2005, on Thursdays beginning March 2. Potluck supper at 6:00 pm (for those who wish). Study at 7:00 pm during which we will view the video and discuss, concluding with Compline at 8:30 pm.
LAY LEADERSHIP
Each year at our annual meeting in January, our congregation elects candidates to serve on the Vestry and delegates to the Diocesan Convention.
The Vestry is the body of lay representatives of the congregation that works in concert with the Rector to discern and carry out God's vision for the parish.
The Vestry consists of the Rector and 12 elected members, elected at the Annual Meeting in January. The Vestry includes a Senior Warden chosen by the Rector and the Junior Warden chosen by the vestry.
The Treasurer is elected by the Vestry and is responsible for the financial records of the church.
The Clerk of the Vestry is elected by the Vestry and keeps the minutes of vestry meetings.
Vestry Responsibilities
The Vestry’s canonical (legal) responsibility is to raise money for the parish and authorize the expenditures and make sure the buildings and grounds are maintained. In addition, they nourish the spiritual life of the parish, support the Rector and help discern and articulate God's call to our parish.
The Vestry holds an annual workshop to develop a common agenda, build consensus and define expectations. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month to identify issues and to make policy, business and program decisions. We normally do not meet in July, and the December meeting is transferred to early in the New Year.
Serving as one of the congregation's leaders is about having a sense of purpose and compassion for the parish community. We depend upon the grace of God to guide us. Participating as a Vestry member or a Diocesan Delegate is a great way to get to know the parish. It is an honor to be able to serve the church community in this way.
Will you begin thinking about whether you would like to be nominated next year?
EPISCOPAL ELECTION
Diocesan Convention Delegates
The Diocesan convention is comprised of lay and clergy representatives from each congregation in each of the deaneries that make up the Diocese of Northern California. St Patrick’s has up to 6 delegates.
The search committee is currently visiting our top candidates. The committee has been very discreet in their work and nothing is known about who the candidates are. This is the schedule for 2006.
- On February 17, the Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates to the Standing Committee. Shortly afterwards we should know who has been nominated.
- April 24-28, the nominees will “walk about” throughout the diocese, so that we may meet and question them. The meeting in our Deanery will be on Tuesday, April 25, at the Church of the Incarnation. Our delegates and alternates to the electing convention should be there to meet the candidates. The meeting is open to all. Shortly afterwards at St Patrick’s we will meet to share our impressions.
- May 6, the election will take place at Cameron Park, near Sacramento. If we fail to elect a new Bishop, we meet the following Saturday to try again.
- June 13-21, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church meets in Columbus, OH. The deputies from a majority of the dioceses must consent to the election of our new bishop. Michael Monnot’s wife, Betsey, is one of the deputies from our diocese. They will be in Columbus.
- September 30, our new Bishop will be consecrated as the next Bishop of Northern California. (S)he will be “coadjutor, ” (or associate bishop) until the end of 2006 when Jerry Lamb is scheduled to retire.
- November 11-12, the regular Diocesan Convention will be held at Redding. This will be Jerry Lamb’s farewell and an opportunity to meet the new Bishop.
CANDIDATES FOR 2006 VESTRY
JILL HUNTING
Jill has been attending the 8:00 a.m. service since 2001. She lives in Sonoma. Her daughter May is a student at Middlebury College. She works as an editor of books and magazines. She writes about wine and food; her specialty is truffles. Jill would like there to be more opportunities to get to know other members of St. Patrick’s. She is struck by the number of people who come to church by themselves. She ponders whether we can do more to meet the needs of single people.
BECKY JENKINS
Becky has been a member since 1991 with a sabbatical in the middle. She is married to Clarence; they live in Sonoma and they have two adult children, Isaac and Sarah and one grandchild. She was involved in the youth program when her children were younger. She switches between the 8:00 am and the 9:00 a.m. services. Clarence and she own Madrone Vineyard Management; they grow grapes for other people and for themselves. She finds St Patrick’s to be a welcoming place; her interests lie in outreach to the community.
CATHY LANDON
Cathy has been attending since 2001. She is married to John and they live in Oakmont and part of the year in Michigan. She attended Business College and sold real estate on the East Coast. They came to California when John opened a new office in San Francisco. They used to attend at 8:00 a.m. but now more frequently at 9:00 a.m. Her daughter, Natalie, has been on our prayer list. She has 6 grandchildren. She and John are cursillistas. She would like St Patrick’s to attract more younger families, and asks, “Can we have a musical evening with a supper and have Robert teach us new songs and hymns?” She likes fly-fishing.
MARGARET MERCHAT
Margaret has been a member since the early 1990’s. Prior to that she attended St. Paul’s, Benicia and was raised and married at St. Peter’s, San Pedro, California (where I first met Elaine Roland!) She currently attends the 9 am service, but misses the fullness of the 10:30 service and those who attend that service.
She and Jim Johnson have been married almost 24 years and have three daughters—Elizabeth, Sarah and Meredith. She has been a school lawyer for over 25 years and travels all over Northern California.
She has been involved in the Sunday school program and the youth group and taught the middle school/high school class. She chaired the St. Patrick’s Day dinner, and was on the Vestry 1997-2000.
She say, “During my attendance and participation in the community of St. Patrick’s I have found my faith grow and strengthen. I am very appreciative of the educational and thinking opportunities presented by the sermons and adult education programs as well as the Sunday school and youth group.”
She wants to explore how we can strengthen the Sunday school program, and is also interested in how we can maintain the very strong community feeling to the congregation.”
VICKI WARD
Vicki has been a member since 1994. She is married to Charlie and they live in Santa Rosa. They have several grown up children and 10 grandchildren. They switch between the 9:00 a.m. and the 10:30 am services. She was the vestry clerk in 1996. She is a nurse and retired two years ago from patient care services for Kaiser. Before that she was Director of Case Management at Memorial Hospital. She is interested in landscaping and beautifying the churchyard. She would us to hold classes on church etiquette when to bow etc. She and Charlie are cursillistas. She likes reading, travel and movies.
TURNING POINTS
For this, much thanks:
Margaret Bock our outgoing Senior Warden who chaired the nominations committee for new vestry members.
For the other outgoing vestry members:
| Bette Leedom | John Redmond |
| Ann Peters | Marcia Ronchetti |
And to the class of 2006:
| Jill Hunting | Margaret Merchat |
| Becky Jenkins | Vicki Ward |
| Cathy Landon |
Delegates to the Episcopal Election
| Judy Buff | Bette Leedom |
| Ray Estabrook | Angela Stevenson |
| Barbara Hunt | Wendy Wood |
And alternates to the Episcopal election
| Diana Estabrook | Dorothy Howard |
| Charlotte Horne | Vic Howard |
For our retiring vestry clerk:
George Thoresen
Relocation:
- George von Haunalter has moved down the road to 2819 Rollo Road, 95404.
- Julie and Martin Wizorek are now living in their own house at 249 Double Oak Road North, Prince Frederick MD 20678.
- John Regan has moved in Lincoln CA to 1913 Audubon Hill Road.
- Jinx Schall has moved closer to her son in Dumfries, Virginia, at 15338 Edgehill Drive 22025.
We ask God’s protection of:
those serving in the military overseas.
Tyler Harris, son of Ninon Cabrales
Daniel, grandson of Lu Pearson
Dallas Casey
Steven Michael, grandson of Ronnie Leonard
Chris Whittaker, grandson of Susan Lee
Dan Whitwright
We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Congratulations to the following who have announced their engagements:
Nick Philbin
Brycie Philbin
and Richard Derum
Blessings on:
Lily Anne Lu Harris-Wray who was baptized on January 8.
John Jenkins and Susan Malone who were married on January 14.
May they know God’s healing power:
| Perry Barker | Joan Ingold |
| Linda Belding | Dave Jarrell |
| Hertha Brown | Mark Kirkland |
| Charlie Campbell | Lolita Seguin |
| Janice Curry | Gene Streich |
JJ Buchanan
Some 8 o’clockers will remember JJ Buchanan. She writes to say that she is leaving Lucas Films and is beginning a new job at Copia in Napa. We wish her well.
Ben Borger
Evie Borger’s grandson, Ben, whom we prayed for when he was serving in the military in Iraq, has now joined the Army Golden Knights skydiving team. Ben says, “The Army is a great opportunity and skydiving is an awesome sport, so I get the best of both worlds.”
JANUARY VESTRY
We began with prayer and a discussion about what had been satisfying about vestry membership.
- So far the Every Member Canvass has 167 Pledges for $246,000
We approved the budget for 2006 which Chuck will present at the Annual Meeting.
- We approved the parsonage allowances for the clergy.
- The Rector reported on members who are in the hospital, ill, ailing or facing surgery.
- The Rector reported on Christmas.
- We approved the slate of candidates for the 2006 vestry and delegates to convention. Margaret Bock and Fred Fisher will be tellers and George Thoresen will be clerk. We made arrangements for the vestry dinner and workshop at the end of January.
- Ann Peters reported on the Mardi Gras celebration which will be on January 28.
PAM SAYS FAREWELL
For everything there is a season…...
I’d like to take this opportunity to say good-by to all of my friends here at St. Patrick’s – and to thank you for your friendship, and for the help and support you have given me during the last 2 ½ years. As I hope you have heard me say often – I love this job and this community of St. Patrick’s. I will most certainly miss you.
And the other news is that I have accepted a position at AT&T with the Directory group (the Yellow Pages) – and will be working in Petaluma. I also plan to visit St. Patrick’s once in a while on a Sunday morning and during special dinners and celebrations. So, this is not really good by….
Pam Bledsoe
FIRST VESTRY MEETING
We met in the Common Room after the Annual Meeting on January 15:
- Set dates for the meetings in 2006, exchanged email addresses and phone numbers.
- Made final arrangements for the vestry dinner and workshop.
- Approved new check signers.
FAVORITE HYMNS
A recent survey of those who listen to the BBC radio program, Songs of Praise, listed the following as their favorite hymns.
- How great thou art
- Dear Lord and Father of mankind (tune: Repton; Robert Young’s favorite!)
- The day thou gavest
- Be thou my vision (tune: Slane)
- Love divine (tune: Blaenwern; we use Hyfrydol)
- Be still, For the presence of the Lord (I don’t know this one)
- Make me a channel of your peace (from cursillo)
- Guide me O thou great Redeemer (tune: Cwm Rhondda)
- In Christ alone (don’t know this one either)
- Shine Jesus shine (from cursillo)
What interested me about this list is that a couple of songs from cursillo make the “top ten” in UK. Do you notice what songs are missing? I suspect “Amazing grace” and “Onward Christian soldiers” are finally falling out of favor. What would your “top ten” list include?
HS
FINAL JOKE
Joke told by a character from a Mike Leigh play:
An American a Russian a Chinese man and an Israeli are at a street corner when a pollster comes up. He says: “Excuse me, what is your opinion of the meat shortage.”
The American asks: what is a shortage?
The Russian asks: what is meat?
The Chinese chap says: What is an opinion?
The Israeli asks, what is ‘excuse me’?
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