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June 2004
Vol. 6 No. 6
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 June 2004 [Vol. 6 No. 6]
On the Third Day
At Easter, we have in mind the story of the empty tomb. All the Gospel writers tell of people coming to the tomb where Jesus was buried and finding it empty. In Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built over the place where people thought the body of Jesus had been laid. In art, Piero della Francesca shows Christ rising from the grave with his banner of victory, while the soldiers guarding the tomb sleep. When Mel Gibson wants to portray the Resurrection he shows us the tomb. So the tomb becomes the symbol of Christ's rising from the dead.
But if the Resurrection is about anything, it is not about the tomb. Luke tells us that three women came to the tomb early on Easter morning to anoint the body of Jesus for burial. Two men in dazzling apparel meet them and say, "Why do you seek the living among the dead." The message of the Resurrection is that Jesus is not dead, but alive. The last place to look for him is in the tomb, because now he is present everywhere else.
He is with two disciples walking to Emmaus. Luke tells us that they are sad and empty. The Risen Lord joins them and interprets the scriptures for them. He both tells them that the scriptures are fulfilled in his resurrection, and he is himself present with them.
John tells us that the Risen Lord is present with his disciples on the first Easter evening and again a week later. There are traditions that He also appeared to his disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. Paul lists those to whom the Risen Lord appears. He adds 500 brethren at one time, James the brother of the Lord and last of all to himself on the road to Damascus. Down through the ages, even in our own day, people have experienced the presence of the Risen Lord.
The resurrection was central to the message that Paul proclaimed. He said that if the dead are not raised then his preaching was in vain and his life has been wasted. He emphasized that Christ was raised from the dead and so will we be. There is no mention of the empty tomb in his proclamation. He wanted us to know that death is not the end either for us or for those we love. For there is reserved for us an inheritance, imperishable, undefiled and unfading in the heavens in God's company.
Hugh Stevenson
Palm Sunday: April 4.
At the 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. services, the palms will be blessed and distributed after communion. At the 10:30 a.m. service we gather outside the doors of the church by the St. Patrick's Cross (weather permitting) and process in, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. Those who wish, may sit in church and wait for the procession to arrive.
Holy Tuesday: April 6.
At 6:00 p.m., "Seder" supper in the Parish Hall. Else Redmond will cook the lamb. The rest of us will bring the side dishes. We will conclude with the washing of the feet of those who wish. Please wear shoes and socks that slip off and on. Please sign up in the Hall.
Holy Wednesday: April 7.
At 9:00 a.m. Midweek Eucharist and Healing
Maundy Thursday: April 8.
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. At the latter service, there will be an anthem and we will conclude with the stripping of the altar, reminding us that Jesus was stripped before his crucifixion. The church is stark and bare for Good Friday.
Good Friday: April 9.
The Good Friday service is at noon; we invite members of Kenwood Community Church to join us. The church will be barren with no adornments and there is no communion on this day.
Holy Saturday: April 10.
Would you like to help the Altar Guild decorate the church at 9:00 a.m.?
Easter Day: April 11.
The 8:00 a.m. service will begin with the lighting of the Paschal candle and will conclude with the singing of "Jesus Christ is risen today." The 9:00 a.m. service is Family Eucharist and is followed by the Easter Egg Hunt. The11:00 a.m. service will be Holy Baptism and Festival Eucharist with special music. We will baptize Martin Pettet and Grace Elizabeth Eldridge. Are there others who would like to be baptized?
The Flowering Cross. Before the beginning of the 9:00 a.m. service on Easter Day, the children decorate the flowering cross and carry it into the sanctuary. Please bring flowers for them to decorate the cross.
- 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. on Easter Day. She says that she has plenty of 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.
Youth Group News
Fundraising and planning are going well for the Youth Group's trip to Mexico. We will leave on June 12 and come back on June 19. There are 12 kids and 3 adults signed up to go, with the possibility of 2 more kids as well. Everyone at St. Patrick's has been extremely supportive of this effort and we are all very grateful. We have 2 more fundraisers coming up. See the details below.
Youth Group Meeting
The next Youth Group meeting will be Sunday, April 4 after the 9 a.m. service. Meet at 9:45 in the Youth Group Room.
Pancake Breakfast April 25
Get ready for another delicious pancake breakfast and fellowship from 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 25. Look for the kids to be selling tickets in the weeks prior. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. Proceeds go to the mission trip to Mexico.
Youth Group Collecting Items for Rummage Sale. The Youth Group will be holding a rummage sale on Saturday, May 1, in the Parish Hall. Do you have anything you'd like to donate? Bring your rummage items to church and just put them in the Youth Group room. Please, NO mattresses, clothing, or shoes. We will also be storing things in the storage locker in the back parking lot, space allowing. The kids will be setting up and pricing items on Friday, April 30, and the sale will run from 8 to 1 on Saturday, May 1. If you'd like to help, please call Ann Peters at 833-5524. All proceeds go to the mission trip.
Car Wash??? We may have a car wash sometime in May. Look for details in the next
Grapevine.
Camp Noel Porter
It's time to sign up for summer camp. See fliers in the Parish Hall, or on line at campnoelporter.com. Counselor training for young people 15 ½ and older begins on June 13. The cost is $240 for the week. Regular camps start June 20 and cost $250. There are "Early bird specials" with $20 off, if you register before May 15. If you introduce a new camper to CNP, you get a discount of $50. St Patrick's offers "camperships" to parish members who request them. You have to get the approval of your clergy or Senior Warden, so please get your application to me to sign off as soon as possible.
Camp Noel Porter has been in operation since 1953. The summer program is for young people going into grades 4th-12th. The camp occupies 11 acres south of Tahoe City. The camp is run by young people under the supervision of the Rev. Len Shaheen. The campers lead the daily worship in the outdoor chapel; there are campfires, swimming (for some) in the icy lake, barbecues, arts and crafts, and a program presented by the chaplain of the week. It is a time to unwind, to make friends and to come closer to God and new friends.
Hugh Stevenson
Bishop's Conference
The Fourth Bishop's Conference to be held April 27-29 2004. It will focus on Congregational Development. It will help us look at those areas of parish life that may need renewal or strengthening, including stewardship, liturgy, long range planning, evangelism, developing lay ministry, etc. The Very Rev. James Lemler, Dean and President of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary has agreed to be the keynote speaker. It will be held at Konocti Harbor. For further information, call the Rector.
ECW Column
CHURCH WOMEN
invite the men.
The women of the ECW cordially invite the men of St. Patrick's to join them for their April 13th luncheon meeting at 11:00 a.m. Our featured speaker will be the Rev. Ed. Howell who will have up-to-date news from Honduras (our companion diocese). This will be very interesting and informative. Please sign up on the sheet in the parish hall if you're coming. (Salad or dessert, please!) .We look forward to your presence! Jini Bauer (538-8624)
UNIQUE BOUTIQUE
needs hands and heads.
Unique Boutique needs hands to help with the tea towel project, specifically: volunteers to bleach, wash and iron towels; embroiderers; and appliqué appliers. Tea towels are one of our biggest moneymakers at the annual boutique, with proceeds going to deserving charities. Please lend a hand to this effort help our non-profit friends make it through these rough economic times.
Unique Boutique also needs heads, with lots of good ideas in them!! On Friday, March 26, please bring a sandwich and join us at 11:30 in the Commons Room. We'll brainstorm for new project ideas and lay the groundwork for those projects that move forward; also contribute your ideas for display, new additions, and visibility in the community.
FISH
FISH reports that we helped feed 47000 people in 2003 by our weekly donations of food and by our ingatherings at Vacation Bible School and at Harvest Thanksgiving. The full list is published on the board in the Parish Hall. Please keep the donations coming! Thanks to those who ship the donations each week.
RECENT DISBURSEMENTS
The 2004 budget for the Outreach Committee is $6,000 versus $10,000 in 2003. It is hoped that the budget will be increased later in the year as it was last year. For the first quarter, $1,500 in grants were made, with $1,000 going to the Interfaith Shelter Network to support the Santa Rosa homeless shelter, and $500 to FISH. Many other organizations also have great needs because of increased demands for services and a decline in funding from both governmental and private sources.
The Committee agreed to follow the guidelines in the Better Business Bureau "Wise Giving Guide" in making decisions on which organizations to fund. These guidelines define the maximum fraction of funds received that can be spent on promotion and administration, and contain recommendations on organizational governance, board responsibilities, reporting, etc.
For the past three years, George MacLeod has served as St. Patrick's representative on the Board of Directors of Vineyard Workers Services (VWS). He has made a major contribution to this organization, but his term has expired and he has asked to be replaced. We are pleased to report that two members of St. Patrick's have agreed to serve new three-year terms - Tommy Apostolides and Hal Poehlmann. The Endowment Committee will continue to support VWS both financially and by providing help with other needs such as tutoring and food service.
Bill McDonald
GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
On April 9, Good Friday, by tradition, the retiring collection goes to the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. This has been going on for 82 years. In an area of major conflict between Jews and Arabs, the Anglican church has a reconciling role to play and is involved in many outreach projects. Some of the Arabs are not Moslem, but are members of our church.
Turning Points
All find a welcome:
Marge Crawford has recently moved into Spring Lake Village.
Bob and Kathy Prisant have been attending. They live in Sonoma close to Kathy's father, John Thompson.
We welcome Sheila King who lives in Santa Rosa. She brought her husband, Forest, to the Lent suppers.
John Jenkins and Susan Malone have attended St Patrick's. They will be married in April.
For this, much thanks:
Marcia Ronchetti is serving as vestry clerk
Kate Aldrich for chairing the St. Patrick's Dinner and for Margaret Merchat and her many helpers.
Else Redmond for leading the "Seder" supper.
We ask God's protection for:
The men and women serving overseas, especially, Frank Papworth, Adam Derum, Michael Anderson and Benjamin Borger.
We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Thanks be to God for the birth of Grace Elizabeth, daughter of Beth & Grace and granddaughter of Jean & Dick Derum. On March 16, weighing in at 8lb 11oz.
James Hoey and Jake Kimsey have returned safely after serving in the Iraq area.
May they know God's healing power:
Phyliss Mealman is in Montgomery Manor
Kit Bradshaw is the niece of Ruth Phillips
Natalie Matrazzo is the daughter of Cathy Landon
Herc Roland is now home (and editing the Grapevine!)
Linda Belding
Lolita Seguin
Hertha Brown
Henry Williams
Gayle Garrod
Betty Pepper
Ruth Daugherty
Sylvia Smith-Bennett
Blessings on:
Those who will be baptized at Easter: Martin Pettet, and Grace Elizabeth, daughter of Beth and Chris Eldridge.
May they rest in peace:
Marilyn Schlangen died on February after a long illness. She ran the silent auction for many years at the Unique Boutique. She was involved in many other activities: SR Symphony League, Junior League. Our deepest sympathy to her husband, Bill, and her son Charlie
Al Larsen, Sue Hogan's brother, in San Jose
Hugh Dunn in Wenatchee WA, he would have been 103 in April. Patricia's phone number, 1-509-667-8476. Her address is 2105 Sleepy Hollow Heights, Wenatchee Washington, 98801-9609
Dr Charles Long. Married here December 29, 1992 to Tamara, he was 51. Doctor at Kaiser. He and Tamara had two children: Carter and Cameron.
Nancy Duffy's mother died 12/22. She was 92
Lee Duffy, Jim Duffy's brother, died Feb 9 in Texas. He was 74.
The Rev Gordon Griffith was Rector of St Clements, Berkeley (1965-1988). He retired to Oakmont with Natalie, his wife, where he played tennis and golf. He was an associate at the Church of the Incarnation. He and Natalie had many friends at St. Patrick's.
Spence Flournoy died on March 11. As well as being a key member of St. Patrick's, Spence made a major contribution to the local community. Many members of Rotary attended his memorial service, of which he was a Past President. Our deepest sympathy to Shirley and his children.
All Parish Worship
On April 25, there will only be one service: at 10:00 a.m. When we began holding a third service on Sunday mornings, we acknowledged that it was important from time to time to unite for a single service, in order to share communion with those who usually attend different services. On April 25, the youth group will hold a fund-raising pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. onwards, so that we may sit down with one another before we share our worship. Although this is not the time that you usually worship, please come at 10:00 a.m. Will you wear your nametag? A lot of nametags have been put out on the rack in the parish hall.
February Vestry
A lot is going on at the beginning of the year.
- Some of our vestry members attended the Deanery conference at St Helena. The Senior Warden discovered that she had been in college with the Rector of Grace church. Hugh later represented the parish at the dedication of their new building.
- We are still in the hunt for a new assistant, who, we hope, will have gifts in the area of Sunday school and youth work
- There is quite a lot of Adult Ed going on. Hugh taught a Bible study in February on Sundays 9:40-10:30, which was well attended. Also a course in issues raised by the popular novel, The Da Vinci Code. Carolann, daughter of Judy and Charlie Buff gave an outstanding lecture on Hildegard of Bingen and her music.
- The lights at the entry of our driveway have been fixed
- The church sign has been altered to reflect the actual times of our Sunday services.
- We will be having a capital campaign to raise funds to air condition the Church and the Education Center.
- We agreed to advertise in the Oakmont Press
We set our agenda for the year at the vestry workshop at the end of January, with the help of Canon Barry Beisner from the Diocesan Office.
Credo
Credo stands for Clergy, Reflection, Education, Discernment, Opportunity. It is a one-week course sponsored by the Church Pension Fund. I have been invited to attend the conference in Richmond, Virginia. I will be leaving on Saturday, April 24 and will be back in Church for the Eucharist on Wednesday, May 5. I am hoping to see Julie and Martin Wizorek while in Virginia.
Hugh Stevenson
Window Washing
Now is the time to get your windows washed. Mel, our sexton, is doing window washing. Book with her by phone, 833-1173. She also cleans gutters.
Men's Fellowship
Breakfast
On the second Wednesday of the month, a group of men gather at 7:00 a.m.at Coco's on Farmers Lane for breakfast.
Lunch
On the third Wednesday of the month, a group of men gather at Doce Lunas in Kenwood for lunch.
Golf
Each Monday morning early, a group of men gather for golf on one of the Oakmont courses.
All men are invited to these events. For up-to-date information about the meals, call Charlie Buff (539-2667). For information about golf, call Doug Steelman (538-3970).
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