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May 2006
Vol. 8 No. 5
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 May 2006 [Vol. 8 No. 5]
When I was growing up in England, I visited churches where the Ten Commandments were inscribed on the wall behind the altar. They were the first thing I saw when I entered the church. I thought that they were old fashioned.
Nowadays we read the Ten Commandments twice a year at St Patrick’s: the first Sundays of Lent and Advent. In the Holy Communion service of the 1662 Prayer Book, the minister is directed to turn and read them “distinctly to the people, still kneeling.” When the prayer book was revised in the 1970s, one of the objections made by evangelical leaders was that the Ten Commandments became optional.
When Moses went up Mount Sinai and brought down the Ten Commandments inscribed on two tablets it was a cause of celebration. Now the people knew what God’s will was and what they needed to do to please him. Some of the psalms praise the commandments; “How I love thy law” says Psalm 119. In time the law became a burden rather than a joy. Paul changed the focus, saying that we live by grace, not by law.
God gave the commandments, so that the people would know what their obligations were within the covenant that they had with God. As I was hearing the commandments read during Lent as the Old Testament reading in church, I reflected on what I would I would write if I was re-doing the commandments. I realized that we already have the Five Commandments in our prayer book. Every time we have a baptism, and especially at Easter, we renew our covenant with God. We promise to be faithful church members, to resist evil, to proclaim the Good News, to love our neighbor and to strive for justice (BCP, p. 293).
Today, the Ten Commandments have become a battle field between “religious” people and “secular” people. There are monuments with the Ten Commandments at court houses all over the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Polls suggest that about ¾ of the population want them to stay. I doubt that most of those people could recite them from memory. They have a symbolic value. They have little to do with God.
God gave his people the commandments because he cared about how they behaved. The people rejoiced to receive them because they wanted to love God better. It seems to make more sense to me, rather than setting up a massive monument as a political machination, to internalize the Commandments and to try to live them, loving God and our neighbor.
Hugh Stevenson
WOMEN'S NEWS
WOMEN’S LUNCHEON
The next ECW luncheon & program at St. Patrick's is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, at 11:00 am. Judy and Charlie Buff have graciously accepted our invitation to be our speakers and share their recent experience of traveling to the Holy Lands. Program and luncheon are open to all women of the church. Anyone who has questions should contact Jean Meyer, President.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR
The Holiday Bazaar co-chairmen Vicki Ward and Barbara Fry have defined this year’s goals to be Community and Charity. As a community, our members bring together their talents ideas and labor to produce an event to raise funds for our charities. This year a large portion of the proceeds from the Bazaar will go to The Vineyard Workers, The Living Room and Social Advocates; for Youth.
The Workshops meet on the second and fourth Fridays from 9 until noon and are making Holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas) decorations. Everyone is invited to attend—no special talents are required. For those who cannot attend the workshops, but would like to do simple sewing at home, Vicki Ward has prepared packets containing materials and directions for making various items. Vicki can be reached at 530-3731.
Tea Towels are our best sellers and they are now are ready to be to be washed, hemmed, ironed and decorated. Any one willing to do one or all of these tasks, please call Barbara Fry at 538-2164 and she will get the towels to you.
Time for Spring Cleaning! Please look into your closets and cupboards for quality items that you don't need anymore but that the Silent Auction could use---fine linens, china, silver, or maybe that one-of-a-kind object d'art that has been gathering dust. Call Sandra Hammond, 833-2450 or Dorothy Mills, 539-0509.
Though it is a bit early to begin making jams and jellies for the Gourmet Pantry, we need to begin saving 8 oz. jelly and jam jars. They can be put in the cupboard behind the door of the choir room.
JOHN BOGART LIBRARY
Four rather scholarly books to review this month.
The first is Misquoting Jesus. The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, by Bart D. Ehrman. For almost 1,500 years Biblical texts were "hand copied by scribes who were deeply influenced by the cultural, theological and political disputes of their day." Ehrman writes for people who are interested in learning how our New Testament developed, about changes in the text, and even what some of the original words were.
Karen Armstrong's new book is The Great Transformation. The Beginning of Religious Traditions. In the 9th century the peoples of four distinct regions of the civilized world created respectively: Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hunduism and Buddism in India, montheism in Israel, and philosophical rationalism in Greece. These traditions recoil against violence, and call for selflessness and a spirituality of compassion. Does their dogma prevail today? How can we return to such values?
If one believes the hype "one of the greatest discoveries in Judeo-Christian archaeology" is discussed on our shelves: The Lost Gospel. The Quest for the Gospel of Judas Iscariot by Herbert Krosky. This is a very detailed account of how this codex was found and translated. In a companion book The Gospel of Jesus, edited by Kasser, Meyer and Wurst the translated Gospel is in English with a commentary explaining its history in the context of the early church. Do read it and join in the controversy.
AROUND ST. PATRICK'S
PARISH SECRETARY
Marcia Ronchetti is serving as our parish secretary. She does much more than the bulletin. But the hours she works as secretary are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am –1:00 pm. Outside that time please do not bother her with parish business. (This applies especially to Sunday mornings). If you want to draw her attention to parish business please call her during business hours or leave a message on her desk.
OFFICE NOTES
- Please write your name on your envelope if you are giving cash in order to receive credit for your contribution.
- If you are making a donation for more than one Sunday, you can put it all on one check. You may also write one check for your pledge and the Capital Campaign combined. Just put in “memo” how much goes in each fund.
SUNDAY BULLETIN
The deadline for getting announcements into the bulletin is the Wednesday before the Sunday. Sometimes we edit announcements to make them fit.
GRAPEVINE
The deadline for the Grapevine is the 17th of the month. We hope to get the Grapevine into the mail by the 22nd; after that it’s up to the mail service! You can usually read the Grapevine on line a few days before the end of the month at our website , thanks to our webmaster, Jim Hammett.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
The important thing is that we should have time for fellowship after each service; not how elaborate the coffee hour is. You do not need to bake goodies at home to sign up for the coffee hour. Experienced coffee makers are standing by to help first-timers. Will you volunteer to do the coffee after a Sunday service?
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Worship Committee at St. Patrick’s is planning to meet on Thursday afternoon , May 4 at 5:00PM. The purpose of this group is to bring together the various groups that are involved in many ways in the worship services at St. Patrick’s and to provide support for Fr. Hugh. We would like to have people on this committee from all three services and from the altar guild, ushers, acolytes, music, lectors/ chalice bearers, and youth and Sunday school. If you are interested in serving on this committee please contact Judy Buff at 539-2667 or Fr. Hugh at the church office. We have planned this first meeting in the late afternoon in hopes that more people would be able to attend. When the group forms we may decide on a different time convenient to everyone. We are interested in input from everyone.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
God has made us a family
We need each other
We trust each other
We love each other
We pray together
We study together.
Together we grow in Christ
Together we serve God’s people
May he bless us, each and all,
To be faithful always to his call.
TURNING POINTS
All find a welcome:
We welcomed Julia Felker from Georgia on April 2.
The Willat family on April 9: grandparents- Forest & Patricia; parents-Dave & Linda; grandson-Ryan.
The Lawrence family: Benjamin & Melissa, Grace & Ella.
Amanda Hoffman, friend of Kathy Littman attended during Lent.
Welcome back to Jack Rolston.
For this, much thanks:
- Michael Peterson and Vic Howard for cooking the main dish and setting up for tye supper after Evensong on April 2.
- Carol Menke and Cantiamo for singing Evensong on the same day.
- Judy Buff and her assistants for making 350 palm crosses.
- All who made Easter such a joyful celebration: those who contributed to the cost of flowers and to the altar guild who prepared the church. Also Robert Young and the choir, Lectors, ushers and acolytes.
- The Roland’s granddaughter and Henry Hayes augmented the choir.
- Vicki Ward did the flowers with help from Jean Meyer.
- Marcia our parish secretary & Bette Leedom who prepared countless bulletins.
- Vashti Papworth who supervised the flowering cross.
- Angela Stevenson who ran the Easter Egg hunt.
- Mary Banks with help from Wendy Wood and others organized the Seder Supper on April 11.
We ask God’s protection for:
those serving in the military or as civilian staff in Iraq
Daniel Pearson, George Sutherland,
Joseph Palamino, Dallas Casey,
Chris Whittaker, Aaron Poust,
Dan Whitwright, Scott Field, and
Michael Peterson’s son
Blessings on:
Wyatt, son of Sarah & John Metzger, grandson of Clarence and Becky Jenkins, baptized at Easter.
De Colores
Dorothy Howard, made her cursillo at the end of April.
We will exalt you, O God, our King:
- We celebrate with Vashti Papworth, the birth of her great granddaughter, Kaykianna.
- With Marge Ward the wedding of her grandson, Clayton to Monique Williams on April 30 in New York.
- The safe return from Iraq of Dr. Tyler Harris, son of Ninon Cabrales, and Stephen Michael, grandson of Ronnie Leonard.
May they rest in peace:
- Alan Papworth who was Rector of Incarnation, Santa Rosa and priest-in-charge of St Patrick’s 1978-9.
- Don Lyon, whom Nancy and Jim Duffy cared for over the past three years.
- Laurie Shonerd, niece of Connie van Loben Sels.
- Dorothy Burns died on March 23. She helped with VBS over a number of years.
- Penny Hamilton Dowden Lineweaver died on April 13 in Walnut Creek. She was 90. She was twice widowed and is survived by her husband Hans (aged 98). She was active at St Patrick’s in the ‘80s.
May they know God’s healing power:
Kerry Mertle, Lolita Seguin
Linda Belding, Hertha Brown,
Dave Jarrell,
Mark Kirkland, Sandra Hammond’sson-in-law
Members of Minerva Haddad’sfamily
Janice, daughter of Ruth & Wayne Wright
Those have tests and surgery: Tom, Minerva, Pam Kendall, William Monnot, Mary Lou,
Barbara Jones, Leslee Bonino.
MAY EVENTS
EPISCOPAL ELECTION, MAY 6. Delegates (lay and clergy) from our diocese will gather at Faith Church, Cameron Park to elect a new Bishop for the Diocese of Northern California. If there is a result we will announce his name on May 7.
RUMMAGE SALE, MAY 6. Sponsored by the Youth Group. 8:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. in the parish hall. A fundraiser for St Patrick’s. Please bring items for this worthy cause; you can drop them off in the Youth Group Room behind the parish kitchen. Please, no mattresses, clothes or shoes.
HUMAN RACE, MAY 13. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, at Slater Junior High School, on Sonoma Avenue. This is a popular event, though it usually seems to rain. There are sponsored walks, runs or bike rides.
MOTHERS’ DAY, MAY 14. Bring your mother (or children) to church. Or adopt a mother for the day!
ASCENSION DAY, MAY 25. 40 days after Easter comes Ascension, one of the major (neglected) festivals of the church year. There will be a Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. on this Thursday morning.
FAURÉ CONCERT, JUNE 3. The SR Symphonic Chorus, directed by Dan Earl, will perform works by Gabriel Fauré including his popular Requiem on Saturday, June 3 at 8:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (on St Francis) and again on Sunday June 4 at 3:00 p.m at First Presbyterian (on Pacific Avenue). Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students. Hugh Stevenson, Jackie Senter, Max Church and John Redmond have tickets to sell you.
JUNE 4 is Pentecost. This festival comes 50 days after Easter. We remember how the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples like tongues of fire and they proclaimed the good news about what God had done so that all heard in their own languages. We will read verses from the Gospel in different languages. Red is the liturgical color for the Spirit. Why not wear red for Pentecost?
FAREWELL MICHAEL. On this Sunday we will say farewell to Michael, Betsey and William Monnot. More about this later.
BACCALAUREATE. We will recognize the following who are graduating from High School this year
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Michael Atkin | Holly Locke |
| Allyson Hunt | Ross Peters |
| Sarah Johnson | Kate Fountaine |
| Justin Overshiner |
All of them except Kate were baptized and confirmed at St Patrick’s.
SUMMER SCHEDULE. June 4 is the last Sunday of the regular service schedule. On June 11, we begin the summer schedule. Services will be at 8:00 am and 10:00 am.
CHOIR SUNDAY, JUNE 11. This will be the last Sunday with the choir before the summer. For their climax, the choir will sing, O Rest in the Lord from Mendelssohn’s Elijah. The choir will be augmented by some guests.
SUNDAY ADULT ED. We continue to meet in the Common Room, 9:45-10:30 each Sunday. We are studying religions of the world with guest speakers. This is the provisional schedule:
- Apr 23- Hugh Stevenson, Chinese Religions
- Apr 30- Episcopal election discussion
- May 7- Joann Haymaker, Sufism
- May 14- Dennis Studebaker Hinduism
- May 21- Ray Estabrook, Zen Buddhism
- May 28- Hugh Stevenson, The Judeo-Christian tradition.
VESTRY
MARCH MEETING
- The St Patrick’s Day dinner netted about $2000. We expressed thanks to Kate Aldrich for organizing it.
- We approved money to pay for the refurbishment of the church sign at the entrance of the driveway. We will also be trimming back the trees on the Highway.
- We approved money to buy a new Riso copier. (Later an anonymous donor picked up the tab).
- We circulated the Vestry Paper which discussed emergency preparedness.
- Michael Peterson has installed a new thermostat in the parish hall. Do not tinker with it! It is pre-set.
MARCH WORKSHOP
This was a follow-up to the workshop we held at the beginning of February. For the first time we said that our #1 goal for St Patrick’s is not numerical growth, but is broadening the involvement of our members.
- Before we can do this we need to know what attracts people to St Patrick’s.
- The means of involving people will be through the commissions.
- It is important to improve the appearance of our buildings and grounds.
- We need to work on communications within the parish. It was suggested that we hold quarterly meetings of vestry members and lay leaders involved in the commissions so that everyone is on the same page.
- It was suggested that we have local meetings specifically for those who have joined the church within the last five years to tell us how they were welcomed to the parish and how they see the parish
APRIL MEETING
- Judy Buff talked about the pilgrimage that she and Charlie made to the Holy Land. They visited the Mount of the Beatitudes in Galilee. She read us St Matthew’s account of the Beatitudes.
- Chuck Chapman reported on the accounts for the first quarter; they agree with our budget. There were questions about the Endowment, Memorial and other Funds, which will be explained at the June meeting.
- We have received the first check from the bequest that Denny Martin made to St Patrick’s. The vestry is considering how it may be best used.
- The Rector reported pastoral concerns and reported on our Easter celebrations. Although our attendance was down (perhaps because of the weather), it was a glorious experience.
- The vestry agreed to pay for lunch for the delegates, clergy and associates to go to the electing convention in May.
- We are approaching the youth group to see if they would like to paint the exterior of the Education Center as a fund raiser.
- There has been some interest in improving the look of the entrance of the driveway. The sign is being refurbished and the landscape committee is discussing what to plant around the sign.
- Michael reported on his future plans.
- Matters arising from the March 26 Workshop: The Worship Committee is being reconvened by Judy Buff and will meet on Thursday, May 4. The Newcomer Committee, convened by Jane Hall, is recruiting people to welcome new comers. The Landscape Committee, convened by Jean Meyer, is working on the driveway entrance. Vic Howard is working on year round Stewardship.
- At the June meeting we will discuss steps towards finding out what our members want from St Patrick’s and what keeps them coming.
- We agreed to post vestry minutes on the vestry board in the parish hall
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