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February 2009
Vol. 11 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 Febuary 2009 [Vol. 11 No. 2]
In our Prayer Book (pp. 264ff), there are a number of Proper Liturgies for Special Days. They begin with the liturgy for Ash Wednesday and take us up to Easter. Once, these liturgies were well attended at St. Patrick's (15 years ago, nearly 90 people on Ash Wednesday; now less than half that). Most of these services are observed on weekdays when we would not normally be going to church. I want to encourage you to attend some (or all) of them in 2009. In the words of the introduction to the Ash Wednesday service, "I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent."
February 25 is Ash Wednesday. This marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent. The service, which is at 9:00 a.m., is austere. Those who wish, come forward to the altar rail to receive ashes, made from last year's palm crosses, on their foreheads with the words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." We acknowledge our sin in the reading of Psalm 51 and in the Litany of Penance, which is a lengthy confession. Among other things, we repent "our waste and pollution of God's creation."
April 5 is Palm Sunday. We bless and distribute palms at all services, asking that "these branches may be signs of Christ's victory and that we who bear them may hail him as our King" (p. 271). At the 10:30 service we read and re-enact the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, singing, "All glory laud and honor." For the Gospel we read as a play the passion story of Jesus, his trial and crucifixion.
April 9 is Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin for command. Our service is at 7:00 p.m. We recall that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (John 13) and instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood" (p. 274) at which he commanded his followers to "Love one another." At the end of the service, we strip the altar and leave the church barren for Good Friday. Then by candlelight we "watch" in response to Jesus' question to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Could you not watch with me one hour?" We have flowers in St Patrick's, which has "become" the Garden.
April 10 is Good Friday. The one-hour service begins at noon when Jesus hung upon the cross. There is no Eucharist. Usually we read the version of the Passion in the 4th Gospel. But this year, we will present "Steps," a multi-media composition by Armand Russell, based on the Stations of the Cross. We pray the Solemn Collects (p. 277), interceding for "people everywhere according to their needs."
We celebrate the Easter Vigil at 8:00 a.m. on Easter Day, April 12. The Easter candle is lit at the church entrance and is carried into the church. During the reading of the Exultet (p. 286), the lights are switched on and we pray the light of Christ may "shine continually to drive away all darkness."
These are the Proper Liturgies. Come and share them with us! May they be a blessing and a deepening of your faith.
Hugh Stevenson
Feb 1 The Daughters of the King meet after the 10:30 service. If you have names of people for whom you would like prayers, please pass them on to Jane Hall (or the office). Would you like to be part of this intercessory ministry?
Jim Rawls' course on English Spirituality begins with John Donne- 9:45am in the Common Room.
Feb 7 Vestry supper & workshop. On Saturday night, Feb 7, there will be the vestry supper at the home of Anne and Charlie Chapman. The new vestry will meet after church on Sunday, Feb 8 to get to know one another and to set goals for 2009.
Feb 8 The Rev Jocelynn Hughes will preach and celebrate at the 10:30am service. She is Campus chaplain at The Belfry, the joint Lutheran/Episcopal campus ministry at UC Davis. She may bring students from The Belfry.
Feb 10 E.C.W. luncheon at 11:00am. Box lunch, with music by the 5th and 6th grade concert band from Kenwood School. (See page 3)
Feb 9-11 The Rector will be at the Bishop's conference at Bishop's Ranch. There will be a midweek service on Wed, Feb 11 at 9:00am.
Feb 14 Valentine's Day. The women's breakfast group meets at Su Casa corner of Farmers Lane in the St Francis shopping center at 8:30 am. All women are welcome.
Feb 15 February is Black History Month. We will sing spirituals at both 9:00 and 10:30. The choir will sing Soon and very soon.
In the evening, a Service of Light for the Epiphany season. We will share the light through the congregation, as we sing, "Hail gladdening light." A potluck supper will follow. Please sign up in the Parish Hall.
Feb 18 The men's lunch will be at 11:30 am. All men are invited; contact Harold Poehlmann, the coordinator. The venue will be announced nearer the time.
Feb 21 Congregational Leadership Conference at Grace Church, St Helena. (See page 4)
Feb 22 is the last Sunday in Epiphany. The theme of this Sunday is the Transfiguration of Jesus upon the mountaintop. Hymn 135 reminds us to look forward through the cross to Easter. The disciples were filled with awe. "When from there thou leddest them/steadfast to Jerusalem/ cross and Easter Day attest/God in man made manifest." On this day, we burn palm crosses in preparation for Ash Wednesday.
The acolytes will be commissioned at the 10:30 service and after the service there will be a special coffee hour to honor the acolytes.
Feb 25 On Ash Wednesday, there will be one service, 9:00am. 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)
March 1 SS Wesley Sunday. Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876, died on April 19) was the grandson of Charles Wesley and was the foremost church musician of his day. He became organist of Hereford Cathedral at the age of 22 and went on to be the organist of 3 other cathedrals. The choir will sing his "Wash me thoroughly" as well as several of his hymns including Hereford (Hymn 704).
Dedication of Palls. At the 10:30 service we will dedicate palls given by:
Grace Barner in memory of her mother, Helen Ruffin Warfield (1899-1991). She gave a lifetime of ministry to women's ministry in the Episcopal Church including President of the Women's Auxiliary for Province 8 (13 dioceses in 5 states).
And by Kathy Scherer in memory of her mother Mary Beers (1917-2008) who was directress of the altar guild at St Andrew's, Ben Lomond, CA.
LENT
During Lent, at Rite II Eucharists, we will say the contemporary version of the Lord's Prayer, which begins Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…As last year, we will use a Eucharistic Prayer from the NZ BCP.
The 1st Sunday in Lent. The liturgical color changes to penitential purple and we use Eucharistic prayer that focus on the cross.
Catechumenate. Lent originated as a time when "converts to the faith were prepared for holy baptism" at Easter (BCP p. 265). Do you have children (or grandchildren) or adults to be baptized at Easter? We would like to pray for them during Lent.
FORWARD DAY-BY-DAY
The latest Bible study notes (February-April) have been placed in the tract rack in the Church entrance. Please help yourself. There should be enough for all those who want one.
LENT BOOKLET FROM ERD
We have ordered The Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten books. This year's book, "Peace and Compassion to Heal a Hurting World," includes daily meditations from the Rev. Barbara C. Crafton, an unofficial chaplain to Episcopal Relief and Development. She sees the holy in daily events of life. The daily scriptures and meditations are thoughtful and provocative. She also offers frequent sermon ideas relating to Episcopal Relief and Development.
FRIDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS
At the Friday morning workshops, we are offering knitting classes for beginning to advanced knitters. Bring your talent, needles and join us for a new ministry at St. Patrick's. We are making lap robes, blankets, shawls for elderly patients of a local convalescent hospital. Practice yarn is provided from the vast supply donated to the ECW over the years. Other projects for the Oktoberfest will be assigned as we move through the spring months. We will be making our own clown costume and of course, the ever popular Tea Towels.
ST. PATRICK'S CELEBRATION
Saturday, March 14 is the day the leprechauns will invade St. Patrick's! To honor our patron Saint, a traditional dinner will be served with one sitting. This dinner is a big fundraiser for our parish. Tickets will be on sale in due course after Sunday services and through the parish office. Of course, this dinner could not be a success without the help of many. We will need donations for raffle baskets and special prizes.
A WELSH AND ENGLISH PILGRIMAGE
There's still room to join Jim Rawls on his pilgrimage to sacred sites in Wales and England, May 14-25, 2009. The pilgrimage will include Tintern Abbey on the banks of the River Wye and the remote cathedral city of St. David's, perched on the spectacular Pembrokeshire coast. Other highlights include Choral Evensong at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle and college chapels in Oxford. The itinerary features visits to Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff Castle, Caernarfon Castle, and Coventry Cathedral. For further information, visit www.OnPilgrimage.com, e-mail jamesjabus@hotmail.com or call Jim at 938-1981.
JOHN BOGART LIBRARY
We are starting 2009 off with a variety of new books for our collection. In Faith and Politics, John Danforth, an Episcopal priest and former Republican senator from Missouri, criticizes the Republican party for becoming beholden to the Christian right and acting as a divisive force in American society.
Thanks to Michael O'Neill for a completely different kind of book, Summons's Christian Miscellany, by Parminder Summon. This book is an amusing collection of facts, curiosities and trivia about Christianity. Light reading.
And finally, Holiness, by Donald Nicholl is a gift from Hugh. He says it is one of his favorite books. The cover blurb declares it is a contemporary spiritual classic and offers many insights. See for yourself; find it in Christian Education and Living.
VESTRY TREASURER CONFERENCE
In February, the Office of the Bishop will present Congregational Leadership Conferences. The conference in our Deanery will be on Feb 21 at Grace Church, St Helena. The new format covers a wider array of topics of interest to Treasurers and Vestry Members as well as to other Church Leaders such as Building Committee Members, Youth Leaders, etc. This year's conference will include:
- Presentations and discussions centered on Our Vision and how it is being implemented in the churches in your area. See the statement in the Annual packet.
- Vestry 101 for new vestry members.
- A seminar on Risk Management with a rep. from the Church Insurance Company.
- A workshop on the new format for the Treasurer's Monthly Report.
- A presentation of new apportionment ideas with an opportunity to provide input; a new apportionment calculation will be presented for 2009 Diocesan Convention approval.
- A presentation by Rick Harrison-Smith, the Executive Director of the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California.
The conference begins with coffee and registration at 9:30 am and will end at 3:30 pm. Lunch will be served. We hope everyone who has an interest in these topics will be able to attend. RSVP to Thea Mangels at tmangels @dncweb.org or (916) 442-6918 ext. 10.
SPRING CURSILLOS
- Feb 26-Mar 1. Women's weekend. The theme is, "Lord, who am I?" Taking part will be Cathy Landon.
- Apr 2-5. Men's weekend. The theme is, "Only in God." Taking part are Tom Babb (music director), Pete Rosser, Marshall Ward, Bob Priestley. All have worshipped with us at St Patrick's. The first three have played their guitars and Marshall plays at the 9:00am service on 4th Sundays.
- Apr 30-May 3l. Women's weekend; the theme is "Come unto me." Taking part is Paula Cook.
Please remember them, their team members and the candidates in your prayers.
WHEAT-FREE WAFERS
If there is demand we will order wheat free wafers for communion. Call me! They are made of soy flour and are free of gluten, egg, dairy products, sugar, salt and nuts. These are specifically for those who have allergies. For the rest of us we will continue with the regular wafers. Hugh Stevenson
JESUS SEMINAR
The Westar Institute celebrates the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origen of Species at the 2009 spring meeting. The Title is Religion, Science and Evolution. Westar meets at the Flamingo Hotel March 18-21. You can register on line. The website is
http://www.westarinstitute.org/index.html.
These are the speakers:
- Louise S. Mead is Education Project Director at the National Center for Science Education in Oakland. She will talk about teaching evolution to children.
- Michael Zimmerman is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and professor of biology at Butler University in Indianapolis. He will talk about the Evolution/Creation Controversy.
- Mark Chancey is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He will talk about The Bible, the First Amendment, and Public Education.
- Stephen J. Patterson is Professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He is the keynote speaker his address is Relocating Jesus. He will talk about the context of the Gospel of Thomas.
The schedule is posted on the board in the Parish Hall. If we buy a copies of the tapes of the lectures, who would like to borrow them, to listen to at home?
Hugh Stevenson
Join the ECW for an old fashioned Box Lunch Social in the Parish Hall at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 after a short business meeting.
Entertainment: Musical program will be provided by the 5th and 6th grade concert band from Kenwood School. The Music and Arts Program at Kenwood School was the recipient of $2500 that the ECW earned this last fall with our Oktoberfest. The students and their teacher are eager to share their talent and music with us.
This event will be a first for St. Patrick's and the ECW and we are encouraging the woman in the parish to attend. Invite a friend; offer a ride to someone who doesn't drive. Call a member of the ECW board if you need transportation or have questions.
There will be a few variations from the old fashioned way Box Socials were held in the past. (Wherein the fella bid on a basket and sat with the gal who brung it!). This is the plan: Every woman participating brings a decorated "box" or basket containing lunch for 2 people. Bag/box/basket sample ideas are displayed in Parish Hall. If you need further ideas, rent the video "Oklahoma" for a very good rendition of an ol' fashion box social.
Each box/basket is to be unidentified to all but the owner. However, each should contain a short descriptive note on the outside saying how many portions are inside, and a general description of the contents i.e. ham or chicken, salad or casserole etc. This way the auctioneer has enough information to do a great selling job! (The owner can put their name on the inside to get the basket and any other contents you wish back).
Box Lunch Suggestions: They should contain a main course, a dessert and possibly some rolls and butter. Likely best to have cold things since warming things up could delay the proceedings. Please no peanut butter sandwiches due to allergy concerns. Beverages will be provided by the ECW.
The Auction: That's right; the baskets will be auctioned! Bidding will be done on each basket. We encourage everyone to participate. Bring some lose change. Beginning bid price will be affordable.
Any moneys earned from the auction will be given to the Kenwood School Music and Arts Program as part of the ECW's mission and outreach commitment to our community.
Jean Derum
SUNSHINE IS COMING!
At the request of Vicki Ward, our incoming ECW President, I'm starting the "Make My Day!" project. Over the next 12 months I will work on developing a mechanism for facilitating our church community's internal pastoral outreach. I foresee serving as communications point person who would receive information about individuals in our church community who have a special need for pastoral care. I envision setting up clusters of church members with complementing interests and skills (e.g., cooking, driving, phoning) and notifying a cluster when I learn of someone needing "sunshine." We'll brainstorm on this at the February 10 ECW meeting. If you have ideas you'd like to share with me, please call (707) 537-6685 or email sarahphillips2000@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Sarah Phillips
2009 ECW MEETING CALENDAR
| Feb 10 | 11:00am | Lunch Box Social
Kenwood School Concert Band |
| Apr 18 | tba | Spring Fashion Show |
| May 12 | 6:00pm | Deanery ECW Invitational Dinner. Speaker: Dr. LA King "History of Women within the ECW" |
| Sept 8 | 11:00am | Election of 2010 ECW Board
Speaker: Mary Banks on "Communicating with Yourself" |
| Dec 8 | 11:00am | Holiday Activities and Luncheon. Speaker: To be announced |
All find a welcome:
Allan Beattie has moved to Oakmont.
Marshall & Mari Dawson worshipped with us on Jan 4 with their children Carolina & Isabelle.
Scott & Carol Ricci were here on Jan 11, with their daughter Kari.
Jeff Hilton was here from Sonoma on Jan 11 and
Theresa Pennucci from Oakmont.
For this, much thanks:
Allan Beattie has given us a new basketball for those who play basketball in our parking lot.
Judy and Charlie Buff hosted an Epiphany Ultreya for cursillistas on Jan 3.
Fran Crane took down the decorations.
Thanks from Pat & Dan Seines of Star of the Valley Church in Oakmont: "2008 was another good year for our Christmas Basket Program. Our best estimates are: we served 920 individuals in 413 families. The cost was about $10,000 to supply food and gift certificates. It took a lot of dedicated people to put this together, including John Brigham and young parishioners from St Patrick's. I know they felt the real Christmas Spirit that comes from assisting those in need."
We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Ashley, Adele Daw's daughter, graduated from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo with a degree in Bio-chemistry.
Bea Bogel was 96 on January 6. She is doing well and is living with her daughter Rosemary in Petaluma. She and her husband, Walt (who died in 2002), were long time members of St Patrick's.
May they know God's healing power:
| Lolita Seguin | Dolores De Vito |
| Linda Belding | Evelyn Belding |
| Mark Kirkland | Milo Stevenson |
| Roberta Rives | The Hall family |
| Karen Stains | The Cronin family |
| Pierre, Walter, John, Josephine | |
| Betsy broke her arm before Christmas |
Blessings on:
Andrew Stollmeyer and Keilan Stollmeyer were baptized on Christmas Day.
Madison Schmidt, great granddaughter of Pris & Jack Abercrombie was baptized in Fremont Nebraska on Dec 28.
Eleanor Offill has returned to Portland, Maine, to the high-rise apartment building where she and Paul lived for 3 years before moving to California in 2000. She's at 401 Cumberland Ave. Apt. 308, Portland ME. 04101.
May they rest in peace:
Two old-timer former members of St Patrick's died at the end of 2008: Jack Mommsen in Illinois (he was Junior Warden in 1993) and Hjordis Wolffe in Napa (she was Altar Guild directress).
Peg Poole died on Jan 19, aged 99. She first came to St Patrick's in 1976. She was a world traveler. Her funeral; will be in Oakland.
Deepest sympathy:
Jack Abercrombie's sister, Claire Stone died in NH on December 20.
Rick Belding's mother, Evelyn, died on January 2 in San Jose. She had been with Linda, Rick and the Belding family for Christmas.
Betsy Randolph's mother, Davey Thompson, died on January 21.
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