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May 2002
Vol. 4 No. 5
Archive of Previous Issues
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The Grapevine is published monthly
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by St. Patrick's Episcopal Church
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Table of Contents for May 2002 [Vol. 4 No. 5]
BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS
Each day brings news of more violence in the Middle East between Palestinians and Israelis. It has been described as a “Cycle of Violence,” in which each suicide bombing is followed by
more tanks destroying Palestinian homes, which in turn is followed by more suicide bombing. At the same time, each side wants to win public opinion and especially the sympathy of our own government.
This is only the latest of a succession of intractable struggles throughout the world. We are more aware of it because we are still in recovery from the violence in our own land. Before this
there was Kosovo, and Northern Ireland and Rwanda and so the list goes on.
At the heart of all of these there is an evil, which gains power and blows up in our faces. “Be sober, be vigilant,” says the writer of 1 Peter, “ for your adversary the devil walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour.” If we are not careful, the devil will devour us and we will be caught up in the mess.
If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem. Some behaviors are not helpful.
- Calling people names. It is easy to label people, “terrorists.”
- Finding someone to blame, a scapegoat. There is always the temptation to take sides.
- Asking who started it. You can go back to the beginning of time and there will be no definitive answer to that question.
- Asking, “Why doesn’t the USA or the President do something about it?” We should be deeply appreciative of General Zinni who has been sent to do an impossible task.
- Washing our hands of the whole business and saying, “A plague upon both their houses.”
- None of these responses will accomplish anything and they make us feel righteous only for an instant.
There are at least three behaviors that are helpful, remembering that ultimately we are dealing with evil.
- Sacrifice. An ecumenical peace-making group is going from California, composed of Christians, Jews and Muslims. There will be groups from all over the world, meeting
with people from both sides, pleading for peace. They may find themselves in the line of fire; some may not return. Peace making is a dangerous business; Jesus calls them
“blessed.” I know of a Fellowship of Reconciliation group that has gone to Colombia. Vietnam vets returned to Vietnam to bring peace to others and to make peace in their
own hearts. I could give other examples, including that of Jesus, he laid down his life to take away the sins of the world.
- Confession. An English friend of mine who works in Liverpool wrote a book, “Pardon and Peace,” in which he says that we must accept our responsibility for the troubles in
Ireland. You cannot make confessions for others (what they did wrong) but only for ourselves.
Step 8, of the 12-step program, invites us to make “a list of all persons we had harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.”
- Prayer. There is a story in the Gospel about the disciples trying unsuccessfully to heal a child of a demon. Sometimes conflicts become so screwed up, that we cannot resolve or
even manage them. So Jesus says, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
- All of us get embroiled in conflicts from time to time. What is true for the healing of nations is also true for individuals and families. We have to keep believing that there is a
solution, even when we cannot see it, that there is the possibility of resurrection in the midst of death.
--Hugh Stevenson
AROUND THE PARISH
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL UNIQUE BOUTIQUE
Here is a checklist for things to do in May for the October 19th Boutique.
- Start plants or cuttings for the Outdoor Shop. Call Connie von Loben Sells (822-5281) if you need pots.
- If you haven’t already done so, start your contribution to the Artist’ Corner — small paintings, drawings, stained glass, wood work, needlework, etc. Call Barbara Fry
(5380-2164) for more information.
- Attend the Friday Workshops on May 10th and 24th at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Room.
- Deliver your jelly jars with lids to the choir room for those who will be making jams and jellies for the Gourmet Pantry.
- Now that spring cleaning time has arrived, as you go through those closets, cupboards and drawers, remember the Boutique’s Silent Auction. Kathryn Gary will pick up items
in Oakmont (539-7932) and Marilyn Schlangen (833 5011) will pick them up in other locations. They will do whatever is necessary—iron, mend, polish to make them ready for auction.
Note: The September 7, 2002, Fundraiser mentioned in the March Grapevine has been postponed until a date in 2003. Watch for further news after the first of the year.
Thank You: Thank you St. Patrick's for donating over $150.00 to Episcopal Relief and Development for Afghanistan. Your checks and Hope Chests during Lent were much appreciated.
Barbara Fry, ERD Representative
Worship Committee meets on May 1st at 4:00 p.m. If you have comments or suggestions about our worship please pass them on to the Rector.
Morning Prayer. When we surveyed the congregation in January a number of parishioners said how much they enjoyed Morning Prayer. On May 5, we shall use shortened Morning
Prayer and Eucharist. Being the first Sunday of the month, it will be Rite II at 8:00 a.m. and Rite I at 10:00 a.m.
Rector’s Vacation. Hugh will be away May 8-13. Julie will “mind the farm.”
Ascension Day Eucharist. Thursday May 9 is Ascension Day, forty days after Easter. We remember that Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at God’s right hand to reign as King and to
watch over us. The Eucharist is at 9:00 a.m. Do please come, if you can!
Human Race. On Saturday, May 11, at 8:00 a.m. at Slater School on Montgomery Avenue, the Human Race starts. Among the many local charities, which are being supported, is our own
Valley of the Moon Children’s home.
Once de Mayo. Instead of having a Cinco de Mayo celebration we are having a fund raising
dinner May 11. It will be a pasta dinner. We budgeted $5000 from fundraising activities this year.
Children’s Communion. Judy Buff is teaching a class for Grades 2-5 in Sunday school about communion for children. This will lead up to Communion Sunday on Mothers’ Day, May 12.
Most of our children have been receiving communion, so this is not “First” communion. But is important for them to know more about what they are doing.
UTO in gathering, May 12. There will be a separate mailing of blue United Thank Offering envelopes. There are also blue boxes on the table in the Church entrance, if you prefer. The
Women’s Auxiliary, now the ECW, invented the United Thank Offering and it was organized by Julia Emery and Mrs. Richard H Soule in 1872. Men are invited to contribute as well!
Pentecost is May 19. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 tells us that visitors
from all over the world had gathered in Jerusalem for the pilgrim festival and each heard the good news about Jesus in their own tongue. It made sense. We read two verses of the Gospel
in different languages. We can usually cover: French, Spanish, German and sometimes Italian and Russian. What about Polish or Portuguese or Chinese or a Scandinavian language? Can
you help us? The liturgical color for Pentecost is red; why not wear red in honor of the Spirit?
New Member Class and Welcoming. On May 26, between the services, we will have a class for new members and for those who have questions about what we do at St. Patrick’s.
The following week, on June 2, we will welcome new members at both services. If you are interested in being welcomed, please call the parish office (833-4228)
Movie Night. On May 26, 4:00 p.m. in the Education center, you are invited to watch a contemporary movie and discuss it with others.
Wanted: Coffee makers. We need people to make coffee and refreshments for both services. You can make your display as grand or as simple as you like. The purpose is to give
us an opportunity to share the fellowship of the church.
Renewal of Baptism. You can be baptized only one time, but you can (and should) renew your baptism often. Easter is the prime time for baptism. The font has been placed in the
Church entrance so that you may touch some of the baptismal water to your forehead, remembering that you were born again through the waters of baptism.
Forward Day by Day for May, June, July is now in the rack in the Church entrance. Please
take a copy. It is the church’s gift to you. It includes each of the readings for the daily office.
Name tags. New name tags are being made for all members of the congregation. Do you have
a plastic holder? Please bring it back to church. There will be baskets in the parish hall and the church entrance.. Thank you. Nancy Dill.
Under Orders. A number of our members are associates of the Order of the Holy Cross, or of Julian of Norwich or of the Sisters of the Transfiguration. A gathering including lunch is
planned for associated members of religious communities for June 15, 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Office of the Bishop in Sacramento. Further information will be available. Please tell the
Rector if you plan to go.
Camp Noel Porter. You can find fliers for Camp on the youth notice board in the parish hall. The cost of camp this year is $235; early registration is $220. We have some “camperships”,
to defray some of the cost.
Daughters of the King. In order to serve the members of the Daughters of the King who are working full-time, we have expanded our monthly meeting time to the evening as well. The First
Friday of the month is held during the day, and the Second Wednesday of the month is held during the evening. The agendas are identical. We thank God for his provision and blessings on
our order. The theme which was picked for the Fall Assembly of All Daughters of the King in Province Eight, to be held at St. Patrick’s on September 28th, is “The peace of God which
surpasses all understanding.” Julian of Norwich reminds us, “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Update. The dinner was a great success. We made $2,452.25 for the church! I would like to thank everyone for their help and support. The kitchen crew was
fantastic and all the help during the dinners was critical and superb. As usual the wonderful folks who help with the decorations and table set-up during the day make the plan a beautiful
reality. And the clean-up crew always saves the day (or evening) – particularly Jay Brown! I also want to thank the Fishers and Hunters (sounds like a wild game event) for the divine
beverage donations for the raffle, and to Connie van Loben Sels for the gorgeous flowers. And a final, sincere thanks to all of you who buy tickets and come to the dinner. It truly is a
congregational effort.
--Margaret Merchat
The Bargain Faire. June 29th is the date of this year’s Bargain Faire and we are once again hoping for a great sale. We hope you are finding lots of your no longer used or needed
treasures which will make their way to this big event and become someone else’s longed for and treasured heirlooms. We can use anything except clothes, computers, hard-cover books or
electrical items which are not in good working condition.
Many things have already been donated for which we are most thankful, but storage space at church is limited so if it is possible to wait until the week of the Bargain Faire to bring your most
welcome articles, we would be most appreciative. However, if it is not convenient, please call either one of us and we will try to help. We look forward to your wonderful donations and valued help.
Connie van Loben Sels, Chairman (833-5381)
Marion Carlsen, Co-Chair (838-7139)
National Day of Prayer. A National Day of Prayer was honored at St. Patrick’s Day on May 2, 2002, at noon. The National Day of Prayer is sponsored by the Episcopal Church
Women and the Daughters of the King at St. Patrick’s. At the National Day of Prayer, an annual event established by an Act of Congress, prayers are offered for our nation, its people
and its leaders. One of the prayers offered was written by Lloyd Ogilvie: “Gracious God, all that we have and are is a result of Your amazing generosity. Since September 11th, in the
battle against terrorism, we have discovered that You truly are our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. We rededicate ourselves to be one nation under You. In You we trust.
We reaffirm our accountability to You, to the absolutes of Your Commandments, and to justice in our society. Bless our President, Congress, and all our leaders with supernatural power. We
commit ourselves to be faithful to You as Sovereign of our land and as our personal Lord and Saviour. Amen.”
TURNING POINTS
Baptisms
- Blessings on Brianna Jewel, newborn daughter of Karen and Brian Borgfeldt, baptized on Easter Day, March 31.
- Emily Elizabeth, daughter of Beth and Ed Lewis and granddaughter of Vashti Papworth, April 7.
- Chase Edward and Channing Ray, twin sons of Mary Alyce and Mark Stephens on April 28.
Thanks
- To Carolyn Woodson and members of Kenwood Community Church, who took part in the Good Friday service.
Prayers for healing:
- For Joan Ingold;
- Carol Papworth (who broke her leg);
- Arlis Watson who was readmitted to the hospital;
- Camille Richardson’s daughter, Sally;
- Elinore Streich’s nephew, Robert.
VESTRY REPORT
- Financial report. We started the year with a deficit of $30,000. We balanced our budget by carrying forward the surplus from 2001 and drawing on the Operating Reserve Fund.
After the first two months of 2002, pledge offering is $2000 below budget.
- We had a lengthy discussion about the position of sexton.
- Julie reported on “Faith Alive.” We need six months lead-time and will need to set up 18 committees. There will be a lot to do. We are meeting a lay person from St. Augustine’s,
- Rocklin who had a Faith Alive weekend recently.
- Nancy Dill is working on name tags for all our members with her husband Jack Schuyler. Thanks to Doug Steelman who created name blanks on his computer.
- Hutch reported that 76 people have signed up for eScrip program.
- The date of the fund raising dinner was changed to May 11, 2003, so as not to crowd the Unique Boutique in October.
- Brian Borgfeldt installed the new bench given in memory of Tom Clark.
- We expressed thanks to Margaret Merchat for chairing the St. Patrick’s Day dinner, which netted about $2200.
- Discussions of having a scout troop at St. Patrick’s and the installation of antiphonal organ speakers were postponed.
John Bogart Library
This month we purchased two more books in the New Church’s Teaching Series: Horizons of Mission by Titus Presler and Ethics After Easter by Stephen Holmgren. Missions offers a fresh
vision of mission in the multicultural environment of a global community encompassing Africa, Asia and Latin America. His ten principles for mission in the 21st century will help parishes
engage in world mission as companions in mutuality. Ethics After Easter focuses on questions such as “How am I to live after Easter?” He discusses the role of conscience and reason, moral
discernment, and so forth.
From the Phillips’ family we added eight books to our library:
The New Testament in Modern English, translated by J.B. Phillips.
Jesus’Audience. The Social and Psychological Environment in which He Worked by J. Duncan Derrett. This is a fascinating discussion of Jesus’ world.
Confessions of St. Augustine, translated by Edward Pusey.
The Church in the Age of Revolution. 1789 to the Present Day. By Alec Vidler.
The Living World of the Old Testament by Bernhard Anderson. This is very readable with good pictures.
You Have Set Our Feet in a Large Room. The Heritage and Destiny of the Episcopal Church by The Rev. Charles Daughtery. This is the shortest, most readable of our
histories of the church. It is excellent.
All the books are on the shelf by the sign “New In Our Library.” I hope you find something to enjoy.
--Ronnie Leonard
A WORLDWIDE CATASTROPHE
Today, more than 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. It is more than a public health crisis. Beyond the rising death tolls and rates of infection, it has decimated a large part of the
work force, fractured and impoverished families, and orphaned millions, killing countless adults in the prime of life.
Episcopal Relief and Development is deeply involved in the battle. We are primarily working in two directions: educating people about the illness and its transmissions; and providing critical
emotional and spiritual support to those suffering from HIV/AIDS and to their families.
For instance, we are providing an HIV/AIDS curriculum for African seminaries to help future clergy teach prevention and deliver compassionate care to those suffering from the disease. So
far, four seminaries in Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa are adding this HIV/AIDS training to their curriculum. In Zimbabwe, we’ve supported a network of rural health centers
that offer health care and counseling for families, especially for the orphans left behind.
Here at home, Episcopal Relief and Development supports centers that offer a number of services for people living with HIV/AIDS, including nutritional counseling, prevention
programs, medical care, housing assistance, and bereavement counseling. In the last year alone, we have committed more than $1 million for HIV/AIDS.
Thank you for believing that together we can make a difference in the millions of lives affected by this disease.
Please send a contribution for AIDS Relief or to our General Fund so we can continue this vital ministry.
Mail contributions to:
Episcopal Relief and Development, Dept. B102-1
P.O. Box 12043
Newark, NJ 07101.
For more information or to donate by credit card, visit our website at www.er-d.org or call (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129.
--Sandra S. Swan
Executive Director
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