July/August 2008
Vol. 10 No. 7

Archive of Previous Issues

The Grapevine is published monthly
(except for a combined July/August issue)
by St. Patrick's Episcopal Church

Table of Contents for July/August 2008 [Vol. 10 No. 7]

     

ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC

In his book, Tokens of Trust, Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury reflects on what it means to be the church. This will have practical application at the Lambeth Conference, to be held during July.

I've been trying to give some sense of what you could call the moral heart, the moral energy of the Church, an energy so like that of a working marriage; and trying to give some sense of why we need those moments of shared experience when we are told in word and sacrament who we are, and, just for a moment, really are what we're meant to be. The Nicene Creed sums a lot of this up by describing the Church as "one, holy, catholic and apostolic."

It is one because God's call is one and the same, God's Son is one and the same, God's Spirit is one and the same. We're not one because we have managed to find a more or less satisfactory level of agreement among ourselves, but because there is one invitation to one relationship with God the Father. This unity is expressed always in very diverse ways, but it is not a free-for-all; we have to learn how to see the one Christ reflected in countless ways - if I'm allowed another musical analogy, we have to hear the tune to which all the variations relate.

Likewise with the Church as holy. As I've indicated, our holiness isn't a matter of achievement but of relatedness to Christ. We are holy because we stand in the holy place, where Jesus stands; we are rooted in heaven where the Son adores and gives himself in love to the Father. 'Where I am, there will my servant be', says Jesus in John's Gospel; and where he is is next to the Father's heart. When our lives are caught up into his, that is where we belong; and that is why we are 'holy'.

And the Church is catholic. The word means 'universal', certainly, but it has many more resonances. It isn't just a geographical term - the Church was 'catholic' when it consisted of no more than twelve people in Jerusalem. One of the great writers of the fourth century explains that it also means that the Church tells the whole truth to the whole human race, to every sort of person. In Greek, the word meant something like 'of general application'. So a 'catholic' Church is one that is always concerned with wholeness - being faithful to the whole of its own treasury of faith, but also trying to relate to the whole variety of human experience, cultural and individual, confident in its capacity to speak the same truth to everyone in terms they can make their own. This creates many tensions, because it isn't always clear what is a proper adaptation, and what is giving way to what is easy or fashionable. There is nothing new about that problem - it was around from the earliest days. Being catholic is being ready to live with the difficult job of discerning truthfully and with integrity in this area.

The apostolic Church is one where we know we are here in virtue of the fact that the first disciples were sent (which is what the word 'apostolic' means). We believe, humanly speaking, because others took the trouble to come to where we are and invite us to belong with Jesus. We celebrate our continuity with them; but being apostolic doesn't mean just looking backwards - a mistake we have sometimes made. It is about recognizing the challenge now to share the same mission, to go where people are and invite them to come in. An apostle is a delegate, a spokesperson, someone sent on behalf of another. We are to be such delegates, learning how to speak not for ourselves but for Jesus.

(Tokens of Trust, pp.127f)

 

TURNING POINTS

All find a welcome:
Michael and Janet Hogan and their children, Alex and Caroline. They live in Kenwood.
Rita Lambert from Spring Lake Village, and Susan and John Ork on June 1.
Jaime Douglas and her daughter, Whitney Brothers were here on June 8.
Korey Jones came with her sister on May 25. Her baby, Lacey was baptized the following week.

Summertime is when many people visit
St Patrick's; please welcome them warmly!

For this, much thanks:
Raymond Skipp has taught our Sunday school for another year. We thank God for Raymond's gifts of creativity and empathy, for music and drama!
Jim Rawls for his course on English spirituality.
The Book of RCL Gospels given to St Patrick's by Ninon and Xavier Cabrales in thanksgiving for Matthew Pelletier Harris.
The folding machine given to St Patrick's by Evie Borger.
From Jim Hammett: "Thanks for the cards and letters and flowers --- it meant so much to me. The prayers were answered because today the doctors said I'm cancer-free! I have less than a 10 percent chance of getting lung cancer again -- it is music to my ears!"

Relocation:
Dick Beynon has moved to: Tuscan Manor, 1920 Grosse Avenue, off Bryden Lane, 95404 (576-8042).
John Regan moved back to Santa Rosa in April, to 425 Occidental Circle.

We ask God's protection of:
those serving in the military overseas
Sam Jackson and Christopher Leonard

We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Congratulations to Matthew Atkin, graduating from UCLA with honors, in Business and Economics.

Carrie Kingman has been driving to Davis each Friday evening, and graduated in Education for Ministry (EFM).

We ask God's protection of:
those serving in the military overseas
Sam Jackson and Christopher Leonard

May they know God's healing power:
Lolita Seguin Linda Belding
Eleanor Anderson James Landon
Gordon Gary Dolores De Vito
Barbara Gamlen Cecelia Munro
2 friends of Becky Jenkins, Linda & Rheda
Mark Jenkins' grandmother, Barbara
John Phillips, son-in-law of Barbara Jones.
Matt Harris, son of Ninon Cabrales.
Jean Derum's parents, David & Elizabeth
Pierre, Steve, John
Rosemary Chapman, sister-in-law of Charlie.
Mariah Sindelar joined St Patrick's in 1992. She married Frank the same year. In 1999 she moved to Chico to be with her daughter.

Blessings on:
Lacey Lee Jones who was baptized on June 1.
Tim Coons and Ginnie LaMon who were married at Carneros resort on May 24.
Carrie Searcey and Brian Cheng who were married on June 6 at BR Cohn winery, and
Josh Gordon and Lauren Goodwin who were married at St Patrick's at 3:45 on 6/7/08.
Tommie and Wes Cazel's son, Dan, married Shenoa in Monterey on 6/13/08.

May they rest in peace:
Bill Reynolds died on May 22. He and Nancy joined St Patrick's in 2005 from Fort Myers FL. Deepest sympathy to Nancy, their daughter, Hollie, and family.

 

JULY EVENTS AT ST PATRICK'S

WORSHIP TIMES
During the summer, the times of Sunday services are Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The winter schedule resumes at the end of September.

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
A summer course of sermons.
At the beginning of the year, I was asked, "What does 'grace' mean?" This is one of a number of short words with profound meanings, which we will expound during the summer. I have chosen epistle readings and hymns on the theme of the day.
Preacher at 10 am
7/6 Cliff Kent Freedom
7/13 Jim Rawls Grace
7/20 Hugh Stevenson Joy
7/27 LA King Peace
8/3 Hugh Stevenson Love
8/10 LA King Wisdom

SUMMER ADULT EDUCATION
Introduction to the Gospels
7/20 What is a Gospel?
7/27 Mark
8/3 Matthew
8/10 Luke
8/17 John
8/24 Thomas
There is a trend nowadays: on the one hand to question the historicity of the canonical Gospels, and on the other to suppose that the non-canonical gospels reflect a historical reality. We will examine the purposes for which the evangelists wrote their gospels, the emphases each one wanted to make.

FUND-RAISING WORKSHOPS meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in the Common Room, in preparation for the October 4 Festival.

JULY 6, INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
On July 6, the Sunday closest to Independence Day, we will celebrate the birth of our nation and sing some national hymns.

JULY 13, PARISH FORUM
To discuss projected major capital expenditures. At the initiative of the newly formed Finance Committee, Charlie Chapman, our treasurer, has made a projection of our capital expenses for the next 12 years. For example we anticipate that we will need to replace the roof of the church in about 7 years. We plan a parish forum on July 13 at 9:00 a.m. in the Common Room. Charlie will report on and answer questions about 2008 expenses as well as introducing the projection of our expenses. He will also report on the funds we have in hand from the capital funds drive (of a few years ago) and from the Memorial Fund. The next tasks are to replace the badly stained carpet in the church entrance and to reseal and re-stripe the front parking lot. These were among the projects for which we raised capital funds. Please bring your questions and comments on July 13. If you cannot attend the forum, please email/bring your questions to me at the Parish Office. Hugh Stevenson

JULY 20 GUITAR CHOIR
We have invited a number of guitarists (and a bass player, Kathy Littman) to lead the worship at the 10:00 a.m. service on July 20. We shall sing songs made popular at cursillo weekends and at Camp Noel Porter.

JULY 26 RUMMAGE SALE
The Rummage Sale will be on Saturday July 26, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. sponsored by our Outreach Committee, on behalf of our outreach to St Andrew's Mission in Monte Rio. Items for the sale should be in sellable condition and EXCLUDE large furniture and appliances, as well as clothes. Donations should be left in the Youth Room in the Parish Hall during Office hours. A dumpster will be provided for non-sellable items that people in the community may deposit July 24-26 for a small fee to cover the rental of the dumpster. Any volunteer help will be appreciated during those dates. Please contact Bill McDonald (538-5571) or Barbara Fry (538-2164).

 

AUGUST and SEPTEMBER EVENTS AT ST PATRICK'S

AUGUST 17, FEAST OF DEDICATION
August 17 is the anniversary of the dedication of the building of St Patrick's. We are blessed with a glorious worship space. We will remember our dedication and our benefactors.

AUGUST 17, SUMMER BAR-BQ
We are provisionally planning a summer barbeque at St Patrick's on the afternoon of Sunday, August 17

SEPTEMBER 7, JAZZ MASS
On September 7, Robert Young to bring his trad. Jazz Band, the Eldorado Syncopators, to lead the music for the 10:00 a.m. service. The costs of the service are underwritten by a bequest from the family of Spence and Shirley Flournoy who took a delight in the annual Jazz service and wanted to ensure that it continued. The service will be followed by the Ice Cream Social.

SEPTEMBER 14, SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday school restarts on September 14 during the 10:00 a.m. service, directed by Raymond Skipp.

BREAKAWAY CATHOLICS
During the summer a group of independent Catholics will be worshipping in our parish hall on alternate Sunday evenings.

DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
Rae Jayne, Judy Buff and I attended the training at Star of the Valley Church on May 27. They have trained trainers; about 30 members of the congregation are trained in CPR and AED, who return for annual updates. They have used their defibrillator at Sunday worship. They have other emergency equipment. They welcomed us, Episcopalians, and shared useful information with us. At a vestry meeting in 2007, we voted to purchase an AED (defibrillator). The 3 of us learned (Rae already knew), the current procedure for CPR, AED, Heimlich maneuver, and epi-pen. It would be good to send others to the training next year-or organize our own training at St Patrick's.

FROM THE JUNE VESTRY
We reviewed the main items that we have discussed in recent vestry meetings:

External Outreach. We want to stage an event that will benefit our community. We plan to sponsor a health or safety fair, inviting many local agencies with the support of the Kenwood Fire Department. We looked at different dates. September 2008 will not work for several of us; May 2009 may be better. Can you help us by serving on a task force? Please sign up in the Parish Hall.

Youth Ministry. We would like to hire a youth coordinator, but the parish will need to raise more money to pay this person. There are a number of alternative youth group goals for 2009: Mexico or Africa or Honduras.

Stewardship. We want to recruit a large task force to plan and execute our Every Member Canvass in 2008. We are looking for up to 30 members. Would you be willing to serve on this committee? Please sign up in the Parish Hall.

In addition we discussed the schedule of major capital expenditures that we want to prepare for up to 2020. This will be presented to the parish at the Forum at 9:00 a.m. on July 13.

Immediate capital expenditures include replacing the stained carpet in the church entrance and in the sanctuary with more durable flooring, which we hope will last for several decades. We also need to reseal and re-stripe the front parking lot. We raised money for these projects at the recent Capital Funds Drive. H.S.

SEPTEMBER GRAPEVINE, which 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.

 

AROUND ST PATRICK'S

CIVILIAN MEMORIAL
Jill Hunting describes herself as a latter-day "Forrest Gump"-showing up at an interesting moment in history. She attended the groundbreaking of the new HQ for the U.S. Institute of Peace, facing the Lincoln Memorial in Washington-the St. Patrick's representative-along with the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, and 4 secretaries of state. Jill is writing a book about her brother who was killed in the Vietnam War while working as a civilian volunteer. In a "Perspective" on KQED, she noted that while there are memorials for fallen military, there are none for civilians. She has proposed that a bronze "Book of Remembrance" be included in the Institute of Peace, on the "War and Peace" corner of the National Mall.

ECW NEEDS TO BORROW A VIDEO RECORDER
For the ECW meeting on September 16 the Rev. LA King will speak on the Women's History of the ECW. As you know she is a great speaker and the content of her presentation is worthy of a video to keep in our library. Does anyone have the skills and equipment to video this presentation? Please contact Vicki Ward @ 539-3731.

OCTOBERFEST
To build more family participation into the ECW events, this year's fundraiser will be an Oktoberfest to be held on October 4! The idea is to have games for children, possibly pony rides, and other areas of interest for the entire family. There will be oompah-pah music, and good food (in the German style with some Americanization). Please plan for the whole family to attend. Invite neighbor children, and if your own children are grown, bring them, and especially your grandchildren. The hours will be extended so that young children will be able to participate. More information to come!

We need a volunteer to be a clown. The ECW will provide the costume and face paint. The clown will be at the games area to entertain the small children. Please contact Vicki Ward (539-3731) if you would like to volunteer. Thank you!

FISH NEEDS FOOD
Each Sunday some people donate food for FISH. The donations, which FISH receives, fall off drastically during the summer. FISH buys some food from the Redwood Empire Food Bank. In addition, they get donations from Trader Joe's, Pacific Market, Whole Foods and Safeway. This is what they include in a basic bag of food for 4 to 6 people.

Food Item Quantity Cost
Tuna 2 cans at .57 ea. $1.14
Cereal Large package .36
Mac. & Cheese 3 boxes at.31 ea. .93
Spaghetti 1 pound .42
Tomato Sauce 2 cans at 20c .40
Vegetables 3 cans at .45 ea. 1.35
Fruit 1 can at .20 ea. .20
Refried Beans 2 cans at .20 ea. .40
Peanut Butter 1 jar at 1.08
Rice 1 pound bag .42
Frozen Ground Chicken 1 pound "chub" .50
TOTAL $7.20

Please bring any of the above and drop off in the basket at church. FISH also wants to re-use your plastic supermarket bags.

FISH is desperate for volunteers who can offer one day a month for 4 hours. Please call Nancy Stephan at 542-0469.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Vintage House in Sonoma needs your help. The Council on Aging Senior Day Program is in need of mature volunteers. Must be in good health and feel comfortable working with seniors. Volunteers help with discussion, exercise, entertainment, pet therapy, games, arts and crafts and serving lunch. Commit to one day per week, 2-4 hours. Please contact Beverly Smith at 935-0850 for more information and registration.

 

 


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