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March 2007
Vol. 9 No. 3
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 March 2007 [Vol. 9 No. 3]
I have known Melva Wheelwright for 15 years through the Ministerial Association. She is the LDS representative. Over the years she has told me about how ministry works in the Mormon Church. We can learn from them. HS
I appreciate the opportunity to share with you my personal experiences as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Central to our faith is the understanding that God, the Father, is actually just what Jesus said-"Our Father who is in Heaven." Jesus told us that he is the son of God and came to earth to give us examples of how to be more like our Father in Heaven-"thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
So if you look at the wording closely, you see that God is our Father, too--your father and my father. Otherwise, Jesus would not have said so. All of us are sent down to earth to follow the teachings Jesus shared with us and to see if we can become like him so that we can one day live again with a loving Father in a heavenly family.
In order to come to earth we arrive into a family setting-we each have a mother and father here. It is the responsibility of each member of that family to help the others become as much as possible like Jesus has shown. When we return to heaven we can take with us only what we have become. We don't take money or houses or our favorite sports equipment. But we do take the love we have in our hearts for others. We take what we have become. This is why we believe that families are an eternal unit and if we have learned to love and support each other in a Christ-like way, family members can associate together again after this life. The same possibility applies to other people that we hold dear. They are our brothers and sisters because God is the Father of us all.
This central belief is what empowers the other aspects of our church. The church exists to assist individuals and entire families to reach the goal of living a Christ-like life. Obviously, such a life is not just for Sundays and must be practiced every day.
This begins by parents teaching their children to pray and to recognize answers to prayer-to feel promptings from the Holy Ghost and act on them. Although this is a daily task, each Monday evening families gather to hold Family Home Evening. Families sing, pray, and study a teaching of Jesus. This night would also include a fun activity to increase the love among family members.
The support for families, which is provided by church programs, is aimed at specific needs. The women belong to an organization called Relief Society where they share information and skills that interest women. They might learn about creating a family budget, how to communicate with teenagers, or work on a humanitarian project. The meetings are planned by a member of the group to meet needs within their own membership. The men have a similar organization to help them with their personal needs. The youth meet in the evening for a time of instruction and a short activity. Young children meet also. The foregoing meetings are held once a week.
Each weekday morning during the school year, high school youth meet before school (i.e., 6:30 a.m.) for an hour of scripture study where they learn what Jesus taught and discuss how to apply it in their lives.
Church members are encouraged to become self-reliant-to acquire job skills, plan for financial needs, and acquire the skills needed to meet the demands that life places on them. Instruction on how to do this is also included in the weekly meetings.
As you can see, there is much to do. Each member contributes to this effort by holding a voluntary position. One might serve as a scouting leader. Another might be the friendly person who greets you at the door each Sunday morning. There are nursery leaders and primary teachers, too many ways to serve to list them all here. But every person has a further way to serve. Each family is assigned two people to visit them once a month and keep a watchful eye on their needs. These are called Home Teachers. If there is a case of illness or unemployment or other trial that the family is enduring, the Home Teachers step in to help out. Additional support comes from Visiting Teachers-women who provide the same service. Every able-bodied adult in the congregation has the opportunity to serve as a home or visiting teacher. Those who are not able to leave home can also participate by making phone calls to check on the welfare of others.
The church provides a wide variety of materials (written materials, dvd's, etc.) to assist in these various endeavors. These materials can be found at www.lds.org and are available to anyone regardless of church affiliation.
Melva Wheelwright
JOHN BOGART LIBRARY
Thanks to Barbara Hunt the library now has the program, several newspaper articles and the DVD of the Investiture of our new Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori. These are in a folder next to the New Books. After you have finished with this material, please replace the clips on the folder so that the DVD is not lost.
We have a fine reference book for the section on Comparative Religion: Getting Oriented. What Every Christian Should Know about Eastern Religions but Probably Doesn't by Paul Alan Laughlin. Herein is a lucid, well-written explanation of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. This is the gift of Berthilde Williams.
Lastly, there are two new novels. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson is written in the form of a letter from an elderly, dying minister to his young son. It is an account of his life and that of his forebears, a tale of family history through generations. Gift of Berthilde Williams
The second novel is Remembering Love by Francine Rivers. Set in the California gold country in 1850 it is a love story in a western setting. It is big book, but you will find it very hard to put down. Gift of Cynthia Pennington.
FROM THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Parish Prayer Book: We are gathering material for a St Patrick's Prayer Book. It will include prayers for special occasions and favorite prayers, plus simple orders of service for weekday mornings and evenings. Do you have any favorite prayers that you would like included?
Quiet before worship: The church entrance is getting noisy especially before the 10:30 service. Please greet your friends outside the church so as not to distract those who are saying their prayers in church.
AROUND ST. PATRICK'S
ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER
Saturday, March 17 is the day the leprechauns will invade St. Patrick's! To honor our patron Saint, a traditional dinner will be served with seatings at 5:45 pm and 7:15 pm. This dinner is a big fundraiser for our parish. Tickets are $15 for those over age 13 and $5 for those younger than 13. Tickets will be on sale after Sunday services and through the parish office. There will be alternatives to corned beef
Of course, this dinner could not be a success without the help of many of you. There are sign up sheets in the parish hall for many opportunities to serve! If you would like to help, but are unsure of what you can do, please call me. Please call Tommie Apostolides to help with donations for raffle baskets and special prizes.
March 4: Lent 2, Sunday school studies Jonah & the Whale. Gospel: Jesus risks death in Jerusalem
March 10: Emergency Preparedness Committee meets at 11:00 am. Judy Buff writes, "Our manual explaining the duties of key parishioners is now 6 years old. Our parish hall is an evacuation center. Cots and blankets and a few other supplies are stored above the parish hall for Kenwood Fire Department. I am calling a meeting to re-look at these plans and bring them up to date. If you are interested in helping, please contact me and come to the meeting. If this time is not convenient, please let me know a better meeting time for the future. This will be a multi-layered project looking at everything from individual preparedness to making sure the community of Kenwood is equipped to handle a disaster." Judy Buff, Vestry Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness Task Force (539-2667)
March 11, Healing Sunday, we will offer the Laying on of Hands and anointing with oil for healing for any who wish. You may seek healing for physical ailments or for emotional or mental pain or for another reason. Please come forward after the Prayers of the People.
Sunday school studies the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. Gospel: Why bad things happen.
March 18 is the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day, our patron saint. We give thanks for the Celtic saints who are depicted in our windows and we pray for the people of Ireland, and Irish people abroad. The fourth Sunday or middle Sunday of Lent, is called Laetare Sunday. (Mothering Sunday in U.K.) Traditionally this Sunday was a break from the Lenten discipline.
Sunday school stays in Church. Gospel: The Prodigal son.
March 25. The Sunday before Palm Sunday, there is no Adult Ed. We make crosses for Palm Sunday. Please come and help.
Sunday school studies Jeremiah, the unpopular prophet. Gospel: the wicked tenants.
April 1. Palm Sunday. Blessing and distribution of crosses. Procession of Palms at the 10:30 service
Sunday school studies Isaiah, the suffering servant.
Other March Events
Bazaar Workshop: Vickie Ward and Jean Derum are chairing the Bazaar. Workshops will resume on 2nd and 4th Fridays at 9:00 am in the Common Room. Everyone is welcome.
Wednesday mornings: The course on The Benedictine Life continues on Wednesday mornings at 9:45, finishing at 11 am
Lenten Potluck: The same course on The Benedictine Life continues on Thursday evenings. We gather at 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall for a potluck supper, followed by the program at 7:00 pm. We finish with Compline at 8:30 pm.
TURNING POINTS
All find a welcome:
Paul Christiansen
For this, much thanks:
Robert Young and friends Karen Carle (mezzo) and Ted von Pohle (baritone) gave a concert of Schumann's song cycle, Myrthen on Feb. 18.
The new piano was given in memory of Rosalie Beynon by her family.
Thanks to all who hosted neighborhood meetings, took notes or attended. The vestry will review the comments at their annual workshop.
We ask God's protection of:
those serving in the military overseas
| Chris Whittaker | Dallas Casey |
| Dan Whitwright | George Sutherland |
| Mike Bennett | Joseph Palamino |
| Troy |
May they know God's healing power:
| Hertha Brown | Wyn Warfield |
| Janice Currie | Lolita Seguin |
| Jack Rockwell | Linda Belding |
| Norman Wood |
Minerva Haddad's relatives: Ed, John,
Mary, and Teddy
Blessings on:
Amelia Rose Leslie baptized on February 18.
Charlotte Horne a candidate at the Feb. cursillo; and Kathy Littman, and John and Cathy Landon who are team members at other cursillos.
May they rest in peace:
William van Loben Sels
Susan Johnson's aunt, Lois
Charlotte Horne's aunt, Rose.
Marion Macinnis' son, John (2/15)
Barbara Fry's nephew Edward Spring
Charlie Buff's sister Ruth (2/14)
Jim Spengler's wife, Bobbie (2/24)
Tom and Alan Chesterman's mother, Helen (2/18)
Millie Allyn joined St Patrick's in 1986 with her husband Burt. She was involved in many areas of parish life including the altar guild and the vestry (1992-1994). She died on January 27.
The Rev. Ed Howell has been chosen as Interim Priest for St. Paul's, Healdsburg and begins his ministry there this month. I suggested to the Bishop that his membership be transferred to St Paul's from our own parish. So he is no longer listed as an associate of St Patrick's.
Daughters of the King. The St Hilda's Chapter at St Patrick's will celebrate their 25th anniversary on April 22. Minerva Haddad will be installed as a new member.
Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's movie about climate change will be shown at St Patrick's on April 29, at 3:00 pm. This will be a public showing for the community. There will be time for questions and comments after the film.
The Outreach Committee met in February and made the following distributions:
| Glen Ellen House vacuum | $200 |
| FISH in Sonoma | $200 |
| FISH in Santa Rosa | $300 |
| Kenwood Cares | $300 |
| Council on Aging's new kitchen | $500 |
| Doctors Without Borders | $500 |
The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 2.
BULLETIN INSERTS
During the Sunday in Lent there will be inserts concerning the readings of the day. The Lenten season is a time of reflection, repentance and self-examination, Bishop Beisner has asked each of us as individuals and faith communities to enter a time of prayer and discernment using the reflection materials he has provided. We are at a pivotal time in the life of the church, a time of challenge, a time of opportunity. Before we engage whatever process is chosen for determining vision, goals and direction, we are to remember whom we are, a people identified primarily by our relationship with God. We are to be honest about who we are, to examine our lives individually and corporately. We are to repent and return to the Lord. And we are to pray and to seek God first for direction, health and wholeness.
FASHION SHOW
There are plans afoot to hold a fashion show on April 28. Watch this space!
RUMMAGE SALE
The Youth Group Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 5. Please look through your closets, attics and garages for any treasures you can donate. We ask that you hang onto them until the end of April, and then we will start storing items in the youth group room and the storage locker. Please, no clothing or mattresses.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
Bishop Barry Beisner will be here on Sunday June 10. We already have 2 adults and 1 teenager who are interested in being confirmed. Those who were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church or other churches are not confirmed again. But the Bishop "receives" them in to the Episcopal Church. Those who have already been confirmed in the Episcopal Church can reaffirm their baptismal covenant. He will meet with the congregation between the services. If you would like to be confirmed, receive or to reaffirm (or would like more information), please see the Rector.
Easter is early this year, March 27.
HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday: April 1, at the 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. services, the palms will be blessed and distributed after communion.. At the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. service, those who wish to process gather outside the main doors of the church, by the St. Patrick's Cross (weather permitting). We enter the church, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday.
Holy Tuesday: April 3, at 6:00 p.m., "Seder" supper in the Parish Hall. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Hall so we know how many to expect.
Holy Wednesday: April 4, at 9:00 a.m., Midweek Eucharist and Healing.
Maundy Thursday: April 5. On this day, Jesus instituted the sacrament of Eucharist. He took bread, which he called his Body and wine, which he called his Blood. We will celebrate the Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. followed by the stripping of the altar, reminding us that Jesus was stripped before his crucifixion. The church is stark and bare for Good Friday. A silent vigil follows the service.
Good Friday: April 6, the Good Friday liturgy (in the Prayer Book, p. 276) is at noon and lasts about one hour. The church will be barren with no adornments and there is no communion on this day. The church will be open for private prayer from 9:00 a.m. onwards.
Easter Day: April 8, the 8:00 a.m. service will begin with the lighting of the Paschal candle and conclude with the singing of "Jesus Christ is risen today." The 9:00 a.m. service begins with the entry of the flowering cross. There will be baptisms at the 11:00 a.m. service
Easter Flowers. Will you give Easter decorations in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one? Please sign the Flower Book in the church entrance. Please write in CAPITALS. Checks payable to St. Patrick's, "For Easter Flowers."
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