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July/Aug. 2002
Vol. 4 No. 7
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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If you would like to be notified when each issue
of the Grapevine is put online, click here.
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Table of Contents for July/Aug. 2002 [Vol. 4 No. 7]
Snapshots
My vacation this year is not until November, although I have planned a number of short breaks during the summer. Inspired by Hugh and Angela’s trip to Turkey and their great slides, I have
been taking short treks to far off places by re-visiting my slide collection and family pictures. I love photography and the challenge to document places and family fun for later enjoyment.
Pictures, as you know, can tell 1,000 stories. That’s one of the reasons why I like taking photos. What did I capture at the moment and didn’t see, but now have a chance to view?
This made me think about the parables and stories of the Bible, how they are snapshots. I can imagine Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each with their chosen camera and assortment of
lenses. Eager to retell the life-giving story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection they try to capture the essence of an event or feeling of the Divine presence through word pictures. I can
imagine Matthew with a box brownie and perhaps John with a Nikon. Mark I’m sure had the first Kodak camera. And Luke, well maybe a German Leica. Paul has to be the Ansel Adams
of the Mediterranean documenting the cultural landscape.
Of course pictures never quite capture the whole scene or convey the moment accurately.
Vibrant colors in real life are not as lively on film (it’s hard to capture the bright mustard color). So too with the stories, histories, poetry and prophetic writings of the Bible. Yet we know that
God is revealed from the different lenses used. And, like our family photos we can revisit the “biblical” snapshots and see more each time we sit with the holy pictures.
While many of you will be taking your own photo essays of family outings or personal trips this summer, our community will be having two special “photo” presentations. First, there will be a
preaching series in July and August on the book of Ruth. Over five Sundays, the preachers will be using word images to share the story of Ruth and her rich faithfulness to God. Secondly, in
August, St. Patrick’s will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the present church building. There will be a special celebration and Eucharist August 18, 2002. Hugh has gathered some of
our “family” pictures into an album documenting past St. Pat’s events. Do you have any to share?
Have fun this summer taking snapshots. I look forward to seeing and hearing about your summer adventures!
--Julie Wizorek
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
When I was coming to St. Patrick’s in 1991, I called the Diocesan Office to ask about the parish. They told me that my predecessor, John Bogart, was the “founding Rector.” Actually,
there were vicars before John, but things took off during his watch. He was here 1979-1990. I have invited John to preach on August 18th, the occasion of the 40th anniversary of our
foundation as a mission and the 20th anniversary of the Dedication of our church.
How have things changed in the past 20 years? Each year, we file a “Parochial Report Form” with the Diocese, which gives our statistics. This shows that our membership and the number of
households have doubled. Back in 1982, the average Sunday morning attendance was 96; it is now about 190. Church school enrollment was 40 and is now 60. There were 96 pledges for
$46,000. There are now 184 pledges for $260,000.Our indebtedness was $232,000; this was borrowed to pay for the new church. That debt was paid off and we owe now $15,000 on the
mortgage on the Parish Hall.
Back then, we were a Mission, under the Bishop’s control. We are now the sixth largest parish in the diocese. In 1982, Gordon Gary was the senior warden; Glenn Hendrix took over the
following year. Diana Estabrook took over as clerk from Barbara Jones. Connie van Loben Sels, Camille Richardson and Gordon Phillips were vestry members. Of those who were
members before 1983, 42 are still active members today.
These are names and statistics. They suggest, by the grace of God, continuing growth in numbers and the faithfulness of our parishioners. We have been blessed with leadership and
vision from our lay members. To hear more about our story, come on August 18th and meet John Bogart.
--Hugh Stevenson
SUMMER EVENTS
Ruth’s Story. During July and the first weeks of August we will hear on Sundays, the story of Ruth. She was a foreigner who came to Israel and was befriended by Boaz, a local landowner.
Boaz married Ruth and she became the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus. This short book tells us about Ruth’s courage and perseverance. She reminds us that
there is a place for aliens in our society and in our church.
Summer Dress. During these hot summer Sundays, please feel free to “dress comfortably.” There is no rule that says that when you attend an Episcopal church you have to wear jackets and ties etc.
Coffee Makers. Could you please keep an eye on the sign up sheets for coffee makers in the Parish Hall? Lets have coffee, tea or cold brunch during the summer.
Altar Guild. We are recruiting new members for the Altar Guild. If you are interested in service, talk to Bette Leedom or Hugh Stevenson
Women’s Breakfast Group. The next women’s breakfast will be July 13th. In June we had such a great time stretching before breakfast, that Sharon Traeger has agreed to meet anyone
at 8:00 am for a half hour of Tai Chi. Then at 8:30 am we are driving down to Trinity, Sonoma, to walk the Labyrinth. Bring a sack breakfast, as we will eat in the Labyrinth grove after our
“inner pilgrimage.” There will be no women’s breakfast in August. Questions? Call Julie Wizorek or the Church Office. Come join us for fun, food and fellowship!
Daughters of the King. “I will sing unto the Lord, because He has dealth bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:6.
With grateful hearts the Daughters of the King at their June meeting: thanked God for all the answered prayers over the past months, wrote letters to service men and women via Travis Air
Force Base, and wrote letters to our sister chapter in Anderson, before we departed for the end of the year luncheon at Chopin’s.
The daughters will not meet in July or August but they will continue to take prayer requests, remaining steadfast in prayer until they meet in September to renew their fellowship with one
another and to put the finishing touches on the planning for the Provincial Fall Assembly of the Daughters of the King on September 28th. An invitation is extended to all women of the parish
to attend the Assembly.
--Sharon Traeger
UNIQUE BOUTIQUE
These lazy days of summer are a good time to prepare items for the Boutique – only four months from now. Here are some ways you can contribute to this very important event:
Beginning July 12th the Workshops will meet every Friday except for August 2nd, Vacation Bible School week. There is something for everyone to do. Come and join in the fellowship
and enjoy the delicious refreshments. Those of you who are working independently at home, please let Rosie Speight (538-3885) know what you are making so there will be no
duplication. With fresh fruits coming on the market it is time to start canning them or making jams and jellies for the Gourmet Pantry. If you need jars please call Jean Meyer (833-5575).
Marilyn Schlangen (833-5011) and Kathryn Gary (539-7932) are always ready to accept items for the Silent Auction and they will pick them up and do whatever is needed before
putting them in the auction.
Don’t forget this year’s new Artists Corner which will include all types of artistic items such as paintings, needlework, glasswork and woodwork. For information call Barbara Fry
(538-2164) or Dorothy Pierce (537-9159).
In addition to plants, cuttings and seedlings, the Outdoor Shop can use decorative pots, baskets or other containers. Gardeners who need pots for their contributions can call Connie
von Loben Sells (833-5281).
If you have names to be added or deleted from the Invitations list please turn them in to Robin in the church office or call her at 833-4228. The increase in the cost of postage makes it
necessary to limit additions to people living in Sonoma County.
TURNING POINTS
Congratulations to more graduates:
- Sylvia West has a BA in sociology from Sonoma State, while at the same time being the mother of Brittany.
- Else Redmond has her AA/AS in Physical Therapy/Group Exercise license for teaching seniors and at the same time her daughter,
- Rebecca Redmond, has a BA in Fine Arts from Hofstra College, Long Island with a specialization in drama. Rebecca will be working in the theater in Sacramento.(Both
graduated cum laude so John is officially surrounded by bright women!)
- Christina Witkowski has her BA from Monterey State University in Collaborative Health and Human Services.
Blessings on Tom Moseman and Lindsay Wise who were married on June 22nd.
On Grayson Hyland Glivar, baptized on June 30th.
Thanks to, Elayne Roland, the outgoing President of the Episcopal Church Women and Nancy Dill the incoming President. The rest of the committee is Sarah Phillips, President elect,
Elinor Offill (secretary) and Alice Fielder (treasurer).
Thanks to Robert Young for re-assuming the organist’s bench, and to the choir for their music during the past year:
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Connie van Loben Sels
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Charlotte Horne
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Phyllis Cressy
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Bernadette Gibb
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Jackie Senter
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Elayne Roland
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Linda Lewis
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Hank McLean
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Charles Richard
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Hugh Stevenson
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John Leech
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Spence Flournoy
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John Redmond
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Also Sally Wagner sang with us during the course of the year.
Thanks to Bonney Philbin, who has been superintendent of Sunday school for the past three years, and to Judy Buff who is taking over. And to all our teachers:
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Marjorie MacLeod
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Robin Goerl
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Juli Lorenc
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Shirley Flournoy
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Janet Fisher
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Margaret Merchat
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Vashti Papworth
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Ann Peters
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Barbara Rosenberry
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Dorothy Pierce
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Darci Alderson
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Lori Hunt
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Thanks to Sharon Traeger, for heading up the Vacation Bible School
Prayers for Arlis Watson who is currently at North Coast Rehab on Fulton Road.
Welcome to Connie Phillippe who has transferred her membership from St. Andrew’s, Saratoga.
Sue Hogan has moved in to one of the triplexes on White Oak Drive.
The following were welcomed into membership on June 2:
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Tom & Fran Nute
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Don & Irene Odone
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Cynthia Pennington
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Judy Kimsey
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Vernona Bissett
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Maryanne King
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Bill and Rose Burton
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Farewell to Beth and Bill Cary, Cheryl, Miranda and Kyle who have moved to Las Vegas, 3151 Soaring Gulls #1069, 89128 (702-562-5023). Beth was a Sunday school teacher and
Bill has been our webmaster. He will continue to post the Grapevine on line.
MAY VESTRY MEETING
- We approved a letter of agreement with Robert Young, as Director of Music and with Pat Garmy as sexton.
- Judy Buff has accepted our invitation to be Superintendent of Sunday school.
- We approved John Leech for postulancy, a step towards ordination. John’s next step will be a weekend of testing at the Center for Ministry. The vestry will pay 1/3 of the
cost. Julie Wizorek remembered her experiences in the ordination process.
- We have been discussing for some years the possibility of initiating a third service on Sunday morning. We picked a target to aim for, the first Sunday of Lent, 2003 (after
Hugh returns from the first half of his sabbatical.) Before then we will need to do a lot of planning, thinking and praying. We need to plan with the altar guild, Robert and the
music program, Sunday school and parents and others. We will be setting up a task force for this purpose.
- Julie reported that Bishop’s Ranch is booked for the 2003 Women’s Retreat, January 10-12th. There will space for a maximum of 28 women.
- Julie, Jackie Senter and Judy Buff attended the Bishop’s Conference about the place of children in church, which was held at Konocti Harbor Resort, at the end of April.
- Members of our Health and Wellness Committee met with representatives of Incarnation and St. John’s, Petaluma, in order to plan together and swap ideas. We are hosting a
Deanery meeting on October 12th.
- We have received our first check from eScrip, $83.48. There are now 100 households in the program. For more information, see Hutch Gibb.
- While Hutch was signing up people for eScrip, a number of people raised questions about the parish. We plan to have a vestry member at a table in the parish hall during
coffee hours to receive suggestions, answer questions etc.
- The once de mayo pasta dinner raised $800 net. There will be another dinner on September 7, our “Back to School” pasta dinner.
- We thanked Chuck Chapman for his contribution to the Upper Room. Pat is settled in there.
- Armand Russell will reinstate the Landscape Committee. This has now met and has suggestions for improving our church compound.
- Bill Perry convened a Public Relations committee with Judy Kimsey, Jill Hunting and Joan Mills, who came up with ideas about how we may present ourselves better.
- All of this we accomplished in just over 1-1/2 hours.
--Hugh Stevenson
At the vestry workshop in January, these assignments were made. If you have questions in any of these areas, these are the people to call:
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VESTRY ASSIGNMENTS
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Adult Education
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John Leech
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538-3916
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Children’s Ministries
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Lori Hunt
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833-4460
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Communications
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Bill Perry
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537-7523
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Endowment
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Hutch Gibb
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538-7154
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Facilities
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Armand Russell
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833-2450
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Finance (CMS)
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Chuck Chapman
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539-3111
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Hospitality
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Kate Aldrich
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539-9603
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Insurance (finance)
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Don Allison
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539-2040
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Kitchen
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Jean Derum
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523-4553
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Music (adult and children)
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Jackie Senter
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528-0592
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Office
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George Thoresen
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538-1315
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Outreach
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Barbara Fry
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538-2164
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Pastoral Care
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Kate Aldrich
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539-9603
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Personnel
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George Thoresen
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538-1315
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Stewardship
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Jean Derum
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523-4553
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Women’s Ministries
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Nancy Dill
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537-9534
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Worship
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Armand Russell
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833-2450
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Youth Ministries
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Lori Hunt
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833-4460
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CAMP NOEL PORTER
Bishop Lamb writes about camp: “Noel Porter Camp and Conference Center is much more than just a week away for our youngsters. It is a chance for young people to look at their life of
faith and their response to the world around them as Christians in a very different way. The camps are staffed by young people and everyone has a chance to see role models of faith in
action around them for a significant amount of time.
“It is my firm belief that vocations to a significant ministry in the church, whether that be as a lay person or ordained, comes out of camping experiences and campus ministry. These two
experiences are times in a young person’s life when they are asking questions about who they are and who God is for them. The church needs to be significantly engaged in a camping
program for our youngsters and also in campus ministry for our young adults as they begin to make life’s choices.”
There will be a steady stream of children going up to camp from St. Patrick’s. We have a scholarship fund for those who would like assistance (thanks to the generosity of Dorothy
Mowry and the ECW). The money that is given on Sundays in celebration of wedding anniversaries and birthdays also goes to CNP. At this time, there is room at all camps, but the
camps later on in the summer tend to be more booked up.
ENDOWMENT FUND/GRANT REQUESTS
Mark your calendar. Yes, requests for grants from the Endowment Fund of St. Patrick’s must be received by the Endowment Committee before August 1, 2002, for inclusion in the next
quarterly review. Following the review the Committee recommends grants to the Vestry for approval. Questions and requests for applications should be directed to Karen Steelman at: steelman@sonic.net or 538-3970.
What is the nature of your project? Does your project or program need financial support beyond what is available through annual operating funds? St. Patrick’s Endowment Fund earns
income that may be used for a special one-time project or as seed money for a new ministry. Or income might be used for a capital need or additional outreach ministries. What other
possibilities are there ‘to do the work you have given us to do’?
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The Outreach Committee at a meeting May 2nd approved the following grants payable in May:
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1)
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Episcopal Relief & Development Project for Hope “Sudanese Refugees living in Kenya for high school scholarships.”
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$400.00.
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2)
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Hospital Chaplaincy Services, Sebastopol
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$500.00
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3)
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Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Training for Police and Fire Departments, Santa Rosa
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$500.00
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Doctors Without Borders, New York. This is a worldwide activity supplying medicines and equipment and health clinics which are staffed by USA doctors on temporary leave.
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$1000.00
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Bread for The World, Washington, D.C. This is a nationwide Christian movement seeking justice for the world’s hungry people by lobbying our nation’s decision makers.
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$50.00
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Elizabeth Johnson, St. Patrick’s Youth Pancake Breakfast – to benefit Valley of the Moon Children’s Home.
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$100.00
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Get your FREE tickets now! The Big Top is on its way to St. Patrick’s (July 29th to August 2nd). There will be fun for everyone at this Vacation Bible School with its circus them,
Godwerkus. – God works in us! Children from the age of 4 years and those up through the 6th grade are invited to learn about Jesus, our Savior. There will be Bible stories, creative learning
activities, music, crafts, games, snacks and more! The circus performers will include clowns, a magician, a juggler, a face-painting artist and an animal or two. The five morning sessions will
begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 noon.
There is no charge to register. We expect a great response. Space is limited so enroll your child today. Call the church office (833-4228) to register. The deadline to register is July 15th.
Invite your grandchildren, your neighbors, and your friends to the Big Top – “The Greatest Little Show on Earth.”
--Sharon Traeger
VBS Director
Hurts and Blessings
A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got
slapped was hurt, but without saying anything he wrote in the sand: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.”
They kept on walking until they found an oasis where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning but his friend saved him.
After he recovered from the near drowning he wrote on a stone: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone, why?”
The other friend replied: When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone does something good for us we
must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BLESSINGS IN STONE.
Author unknown
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