July/August 2005 Vol. 7 No. 7 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 July/August 2005 [Vol. 7 No. 7]

The Green Season Summer Events Turning Points Independence Day Endowment Funds From the Bishop

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THE GREEN SEASON

The seasons of the church year exist for our sanctification. At Christmas, Jesus is born in us. In Epiphany, the majesty of God is revealed to us. During Lent, he leads us through the wilderness. On Good Friday, he dies for us. At Easter, we rise with him. At Pentecost, God pours out his Spirit upon us. At Trinity, the climax of the church's year, we realize the nature of our God.

All these festivals are behind us. What lies ahead? For the second half the year we will be in Ordinary Time. For me, it is a relief not to be preparing for a major feast. I enjoy the summer time. You come to church because you want to be there, not because it's a festival.

The season of Pentecost is the "green season." We wear green vestments in church. But more than that, green is the color of growth. Around us, especially after the June rains, the world is a riot of life, before it dries out to a golden brown.

"Green" has come to mean being environmentally conscious. Our Energy Committee is working on reducing our consumption of electricity and gas. We are getting an estimate for the installation of solar panels. We are doing this because we want to be good stewards-and we hope to save money.

We are also conscious of our environment, the beauty of the valley in which we live and worship. We render God our thanks for the wonder of God's creation. "All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above. Then thank the Lord."

For me, the summer is the time when I catch up and plan for the year ahead. I choose hymns and prepare schedules and work on the calendar.

This Ordinary Season is no less holy than any of the major festivals. God is present in all times. Every moment has the potential for spiritual growth. God is always present in the every day parts of our lives.

"Green martyrdom" is distinguished from "red martyrdom," the shedding ones blood for one's faith. It is the living out of one's ordinary life in steadfast endurance for Christ's sake.

I hope and pray that this green season will be a time of refreshment and growth for you.

SUMMER EVENTS

Worship times. During the summer, the times of Sunday services will be Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Psalms. In response to a special request, we are including the gradual psalm appointed for the day in the 10:00 a.m. service as well as at the early service.

Modern Creeds. At the 10:00 a.m. service we are using various contemporary versions of the Creed. These come from the "Worship Book" of Iona Abbey, in Scotland.

Air-conditioning. This is the first summer that we will have air-conditioning. We should be comfortable in church.

Dress Down. During the 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 punch during the summer.

Altar Guild. We are recruiting new members for the Altar Guild. If you are interested in service, talk to Fran Crane or Hugh Stevenson.

Summer hymns. During the summer, we sing "favorite hymns" that are (hopefully!) well known. Please make a list of your 10 (or 20) favorite hymns and send it to the Rector for use in future years.

Dedication Anniversary. Our church building was dedicated on a hot summer's evening in August 1982. We will remember that date and give thanks for all who built our church at our services on August 14.

Jazz Mass. On September 4, at the 10:00 a.m. service, Robert Young and his jazz band, the Eldorado Syncopators, will kick-off the fall season.

Fall Worship Schedule. On September 11, we return to the three-service schedule: Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. (the contemporary service) and 10:30 a.m. with the choir.

The next Grapevine will be published at the end of August, will include details of the start up of parish activities after the summer recess. Please submit your articles by August 17.

Introduction to the New Testament. On Wednesdays in August, Hugh Stevenson will be leading a Bible Study on the New Testament. We will seek to discover where the individual books came from, what was their context, and who wrote them. We will examine what was going on in the Biblical world at that time. Bring a copy of your favorite version of the New Testament. If you have a Study Bible, bring it. There is no charge and you are invited to bring a friend. Please sign up in the Parish Hall to register. The first session will be on August 10.

TURNING POINTS

For this, much thanks:
Sincerest thanks to all who so generously gave of their time in emptying and refitting the kitchen for the Deep Cleaning. Your efforts have paid off and we now have a new and improved kitchen. Please stop by to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Marcia Ronchetti

Thanks to Robert Young directing the music this past year and to the choir:
Connie van Loben Sels    Charlotte Horne
Phyllis Cressy                   Bernadette Gibb
Jackie Senter                    Elayne Roland
Else Redmond                 Hank McLean
Hugh Stevenson              Armand Russell
John Redmond

And to our guest singers on May 29: Virginia Poust, Adele Daw, Alice Fielder, Dave McCracken.

Rick and Linda Belding were at Annapolis to watch Andrew graduate, their furthest journey since Linda's surgery in 2000.

Isaac Jenkins graduated from High School and is going to study viticulture at the Junior College.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence Day was first celebrated on July 8, 1776 after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The 4th of July was declared a legal holiday in 1941. John Adams wrote that the Fourth of July, "...ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..." It looks like Mr. Adams certainly set the stage for what we see today in celebrations around the country. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about the 4th of July.

• Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
• The Chinese made the first fireworks in the 800s, filling bamboo shoots with gunpowder and exploding them at the New Year with the hope that the sound would scare away evil spirits.
• On June 14, 1777, Congress adopted a resolution calling for a flag with thirteen alternating red and white stripes (representing the original thirteen colonies) and a blue canton or "union", with thirteen white stars. The resolution defined the significance of the colors: "Red: hardiness and valor; White: purity and innocence; Blue: vigilance, perseverance and justice."
• A new star is added to the U.S. flag on the July 4th following the entry of a new state into the Union. Hawaii joined the U.S. on July 4, 1960.

A second history is The Age of Faith by Will Durant. It is a survey of "the medieval achievements and modern significance of Christian, Islamic and Judaic life and culture from 325 to 1258." The section on Islamic Civilization 569-1258 contains a fine biography of Mohammad, an explanation of the Koran and explains the grandeur and decline of Islam. All very pertinent today.

In a more contemporary vein, we have The Soul of Politics, Beyond "Religious Right and Secular Left", by Jim Wallis. The author says both liberal and conservative visions are inadequate for our world; we need a new political morality combining social justice with personal responsibility. The problems are too great to rely on politicians. We should transcend narrow self-interest and embrace the common good. Wallis makes a strong case for change.

A third history is Whose Bible Is It. A History of the Scriptures through the Ages by Jaroslav Pelikan. This relates how the Bible evolved from an oral tradition to its modern existence in a multitude of languages and translations, covering the earliest Hebrew texts, the New Testament in Greek, translations into Latin, the development of Jewish and Christian Bibles, etc. This is a compelling and accessible history by a renowned scholar.

The fifth book speaks to all of us. Just Wondering, Jesus. 100 Questions People Want to Ask by Tom Ehrich. The author is an Episcopal priest who asked readers of his weekly newspaper column and daily e-mail meditations to send him the questions they would like to ask Jesus. He was overwhelmed by the response. Here are 100 questions with his answers. The questions cover a wide range of subjects: evil, peace, scripture, sexuality, etc. The book was the gift of Barbara and George Hunt, whose recommendation appears on the cover.

ENDOWMENT FUND

FROM THE BISHOP

"I want to thank you and all the members of St. Patrick's Church in Kenwood for a delightful visitation this past Sunday. It was good to be with you and the congregation for the six Confirmations and two baptisms on the Day of Pentecost. It seemed to me that the families of the babies that were baptized and the Confirmands had a significant understanding of the sacramental action that was occurring for their children, or in the case of the Confirmands, for them.