April 2006 Vol. 8 No. 4 Archive of Previous Issues The Grapevine is published monthly (except for a combined July/August issue) by St. Patrick's Episcopal Church E-mail St. Patricks The Rev. Hugh Stevenson, Rector Editor: Herc Roland, 538-3134

Table of Contents for April 2006 [Vol. 8 No. 4]

Parting of Friends Holy Week Around St. Patrick's Turning Points Bits and Pieces Annual Bazaar

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PARTING OF FRIENDS

John Henry Newman had a large following. He was one of the best-known preachers in the first half of the 19th century. He was one of the founders of the Oxford Movement and wrote many of the tracts about what was wrong with the Anglican Church. He was a High Churchman. In 1843, he made the decision to convert to Roman Catholicism. Many of his followers attended his last service as an Anglican. He preached a sermon entitled, “The Parting of Friends.” The church was overflowing with his friends. It was an emotional event. People sobbed audibly; there was not a dry eye in the church.

The current polarizing of opinion within the Episcopal Church is a similar Parting of Friends. I was saddened to learn that All Saints, Irondequoit had voted to leave the Episcopal Church and join an Anglican diocese in Uganda. When we first came to the USA in 1980, Richard Kew, the Rector, and the congregation of All Saints made me most welcome. It was a “religious” kind of parish and I feared that they would not find me spiritual enough and would reject me. Far from it, they saw levels of faith in me that I did not know were there. One family let us use their house for the summer. We received much kindness.

I read recently a number of vitriolic comments on blog sites about the Bishop and the Diocese of Rochester. There is much anger in the air. If I were to reflect on What Would Jesus Do, I would conclude that these comments are not worthy of him. They make any kind of future reconciliation much more difficult. They forget that once we were friends. Tears rather than shouting are more appropriate at our parting.

During Holy Week, we will hear again the words of Jesus at the Last Supper. This was his last teaching before his crucifixion. He told his disciples that he would be leaving them. It must have been a painfully agonizing meal. He told them not to be afraid. He bestowed upon them the blessing of his peace, which is not as the world gives. Even though physically separated, he explained that they would still be united as branches on a vine. And he promised them that if he went away he would also return.

There will be more Parting of Friends before we are finished. Let us remember that those with whom we have fundamental disagreements were once and (please God) still may be our friends.

Hugh Stevenson

HOLY WEEK

We have invited Carol Menke’s choir, Cantiamo to come and sing Evensong for us as a prelude to Passiontide. We hope to do Evensong at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday April 2. Potluck supper will follow. Please check the Sunday bulletin.

Easter is April 16.

Palm Sunday: April 9, 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 process into church, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday.

Holy Tuesday: April 11 at 6:00 p.m., Seder supper. Please sign up in advance. John and Else Redmond will cook the lamb. The rest of us will bring the side dishes.

Holy Wednesday: April 12, at 9:00 a.m., Midweek Eucharist and Healing.

Maundy Thursday: April 13. 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. This will be followed by a vigil.

Good Friday: April 14, 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.

Holy Saturday: April 15, the Altar Guild will decorate the church at 9:00 a.m. Would you like to help them?

Easter Day: April 16, 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 Flowering Cross. Before the beginning of the 9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist, the children decorate the flowering cross and carry it into the sanctuary. Please bring flowers for them to decorate the cross. The Easter Egg Hunt follows the service.

The 11:00 a.m. (Note Time) Festal Eucharist will include Holy Baptism with special music. Do you know of children or adults to be baptized?

Easter Egg-tivities. The Easter Bunny needs jelly beans and small chocolate Easter candies for the Easter egg hunt. This will take place after the 9:00 a.m. service on Easter Day. She says that she has enough plastic Easter eggs from last year.

Easter Coffee Hours. Refreshments will be served after the 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. services, but not after the 11:00 a.m. service. Would you like to volunteer with others to do the coffee, juice and refreshments? At the same time, could you please check the schedule and see if you can lend a hand on another Sunday?

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."

Easter Parking - if the “front 40” is dry enough, we will use it for overflow parking. Please do not block the entrance leading from the church driveway. Do remember that there IS additional parking at the rear of the church.

AROUND ST. PATRICK'S

JOHN BOGART LIBRARY
There are four new books in the library this month.

The first is the Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia of World Religions. This book has a very readable text, fine pictures and internet addresses for almost every topic. As an example one link offers a virtual tour of the Egyptian pyramids with an explanation of their religious significance. (Gift of Carol and Bill Gwatkin)

Secondly, there is John MacArthur's biography of Twelve Extraordinary Women. These are all Biblical and include Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Anna, the Samaritan Woman, Martha and Mary, Mary Magdalene and Lydia. In sharp contrast to pre-Christian Roman and Greek societies, the women of Israel and the New Testament church were never relegated to the background. They were a part of public life and worship. Their stories are valuable lessons for all of us.

We hear much of martyrs at present. In the 16th century John Foxe wrote his Book of Martyrs to "document the persecution of Christ's church by Pagans and those who were called Christians but were not". This edition is updated to the 21st century. Unfortunately, the same prejudices and hatreds are alive today just as they were five centuries ago.

Lastly, we have a splendid new translation: The David Story. A Translation of 1 and 2 Samuel by Robert Alter. Experts say this work is "sober and clear and fluid...a masterful commentary". I certainly found the commentary very interesting.
Ronnie Leonard

PALM CROSS MAKING
On April 2, during the 9:40 a.m. education time, we will make palm crosses for Palm Sunday. Instruction will be offered. Please come and help.

SUPPER CLUB
If you are interested in participating in supper fellowship in small groups, please give me a call and I’ll help arrange it.

If you would like to join, but are concerned about a special need (physical, diet restriction or time), have no fear! We will work out what works best for you. All are welcome.
Elyse Jaynes (523-4622)

ENDOWMENT FUND REQUESTS: Applications for grants from St. Patrick’s Endowment Fund are due April 21, 2006. If you have a project you would like to recommend to the Endowment Fund Committee for consideration, please call Will Haymaker at 537-1169 for additional information on the Endowment Fund. Grant application forms are available in the church office.

NEWCOMERS MINISTRIES
A number of ideas and concerns were expressed in the questionnaires and the neighborhood meetings in 2005. I have volunteered to start Newcomers Ministries. I am praying for 12 or more members of our congregation who understand the importance of welcoming and listening to newcomers in order to let them see who we are and what we are about. We need a diverse group, so that we can match the needs of all. All ideas are appreciated and needed. My goal is not to head the group but to help us get on our feet. Please contact me or Hugh or Michael. Thank you.
Jane Hall (217-3970)

PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS

• I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.
• Is there another word for synonym?
• What if there were no hypothetical questions?
• They told me I was gullible, and I believed them.
• I had amnesia once—or twice.

TURNING POINTS

All find a welcome:
Mark and Christine Jenkins and Adelaide and Dave Haberman were here in March.
Guy and Gretchen Scott have joined St Patrick’s.

For this, much thanks:
Mary Banks has signed on as our new vestry clerk.
Kate Aldrich and Margaret Merchat for heading up the St. Patrick’s dinner. Tommie Apostolides did the raffle. Many others helped.

Relocation:
Marjorie Egly has moved to Creekside Convalescent Hospital, 850 Sonoma Ave.
Arch Turner has moved to Santa Rosa Convalescent Hospital.

We ask God’s protection of:
those serving in harm’s way
Aaron Poust, nephew of Virginia Poust
Daniel, grandson of Lu Pearson
Steven Michael, grandson of Ronnie Leonard
Chris Whittaker, grandson of Susan Lee
Dallas Casey, Dan Whitwright
George Sutherland, Joseph Palamino
Michael Peterson’s son.

May they know God’s healing power:
Kerry Mertle, Lolita Seguin
Linda Belding, Hertha Brown
Janice Curry, Dave Jarrell
Mark Kirkland
Members of Minerva Haddad’s family
Pierre and Kanan el Rief
Edna Horan, Jane Dressler
Rose Rasicot, Mike Armstrong

May they rest in peace:
Dorace McKibben died on February 22 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was just over 100 years old. Her daughter, Mary Fowler, lives at 264 County Road 55, Cerillos NM 87010. She became a member of St Patrick’s in 1981.

Deepest sympathy:
to Adele Daw and her family on the death of her mother, Alice Cross. Adele had been bringing her mother to St Patrick’s since 2002.
To Joy Barker and her family. Perry Barker died on February 28. He and Joy had been members of the 8:00 am service at St Patrick’s since 1986.

We will exalt you, O God, our King:
For Cynthia Pennington’s cursillo weekend.

FEBRUARY VESTRY

• Chuck Chapman our treasurer explained how the monthly statement is set out and reviewed the various funds, their balance and what they may be used for.
• Our high-speed copier (Riso machine) has bit the dust. We discussed various replacements. We will take the money out of our capital replacement fund.
• We are concerned to improve the appearance of the church entrance. We discussed a proposal by Bill McDonald. We also want to do some landscaping around the entrance.
• We will be meeting after church on Sunday at the end of the month to review what our goals for 2006 should be. We began the discussion at the vestry workshop in February.

BITS AND PIECES

PIANO RECITAL
On Sunday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m., Sylvia O’Neill and Alan Rea will give a piano recital in Church, “Four hands, one piano.” There will be a free will offering which will go to Hurricane Katrina Relief.

FISH
We are having a big collection of food for FISH in Santa Rosa on April 23 (along with other churches). FISH stands for various things, including Friends In Service Here. The friends we serve are those who are poor and hungry in our community. Please bring food especially on that day. Of course we welcome the offering of food every other Sunday too!

FISH is short of the following non-perishable food:
Canned soups, Canned tunafish
Canned fruit, Peanut butter
Canned vegetables, Dry beans
Canned beans (refried, kidney), Rice
Hot and cold cereals, Pasta
Tomato sauce (6 or 8 oz), Pork and beans
Pasta sauce, Dry milk
Please bring food on Sundays and put it in the food basket in the church entrance.

GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
In 1922, the Episcopal Church began to raise funds on Good Friday for the work of the church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Presiding Bishop mentioned in his letter a couple of years ago that the offering amounted to over $320,000. Given the ongoing unrest, including armed conflict, a significant response to this request by Bishop Griswold would indicate to the wider community of our support of God’s people no matter where they are. There will be a retiring collection at the noon service at St Patrick’s.

The Presiding Bishop asks, “Those of us who have been in Jerusalem know the suffering of the Anglican Church in that city and throughout the Middle East. Please be generous in support of your brothers and sisters. ”

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

These are the "3" steps to recognize a stroke:

1. Ask the person to smile.
2. Ask them to raise both arms.
3. Ask them to speak a simple sentence (Coherently) (e.g. “It is sunny out today”).

STORY OF ELIJAH
The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times.
"Now," said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?"
A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know! I know!" she said, "To make the gravy!"

ANNUAL BAZAAR

29th ANNUAL BAZAAR
This year’s Bazaar will be held on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Co-chairs Vicki Ward and Barbara Fry are already making plans for a wonderful event complete with a garden shop, gourmet pantry, raffle, silent auction, box lunches and a huge array of useful, lovely and interesting hand made items to sell.

They will be assisted by the following committee chairs:

Box Lunches	Barbara Hunt
Garden Shop	Marcia Ronchetti
	Cynthia Pennington
Gourmet Pantry	Jean Meyer
Raffle	Jean Derum
	Vicki Ward
Silent Auction	Sandra Hammond
	Dorothy Mills
	Shirley Ward
Invitations (mailing)	Pam Moore
Cashiers	Josephine Ross
Parking	Charlie Buff
Set up	Nancy Percival
Signage	Vicki Ward
Post consumer auditor	Sarah Phillips

Workshops, under the able leadership of Fran Crane, Barbara Fry, Bette Leedom, Jean Meyer and Rosie Speight have already begun. They are held from 9 until noon on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. All women are invited/urged to attend. The leaders have wonderful projects for everyone to work on and no special talents are required. The company is always good and the refreshments are delicious.

SILENT AUCTION ALERT!
It's time to begin searching your closets, cupboards, attic, garage, and any other storage areas for items for the Silent Auction, an always-popular event at the Bazaar. We need quality items such as china, linens, silver, antiques, and collectibles---in good condition, please. Questions? Please contact Sandra Hammond, 833-2450 or Dorothy Mills, 539-0509.

CAMP NOEL PORTER
Get ready for summer! Camp Noel Porter, the summer camp run by the Diocese, is located in Tahoe City and accepting registration forms for summer camp 2006. Since 1960 the six-day camp has been offering youth and teens from throughout Northern California the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, develop responsibility and independence, discover the beauty of the outdoors and explore their own faith in a non-pressured, relaxing and fun environment. It’s an incredible value for only $300, featuring swimming at Lake Tahoe, hiking, participation in daily camp chores, fun and games, daily worship, time for relaxation, crafts, singing, fresh air and excellent and nutritious food. Campers sleep in sleeping bags in rustic tents away from many modern distractions (no electronic or electric devices allowed). Sessions are grouped by age and run weekly from June 18-August 12.

Teens aged 15 ½ interested in being counselors throughout the summer should attend Counselor’s Training.

Wishing the whole family could attend? Check out Family Camps July 2-6, and September 1-4. Multiple-session and other discounts may be available. For more information visit their website at www.campnoelporter.com or call (530) 583-3014.