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September 2009
Vol. 11 No. 8
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 September 2009 [Vol. 11 No. 8]
In May, I was in New Orleans for a CREDO conference. One aim of the course is to identify a direction for one's life. I took pages of notes with ideas and diligently worked to put them in order. When I talked to one of the staff members, he suggested that I should be able to write my goal on the back of a post-it.
During a conversation early in the conference, I told the story of Eileen in Hong Kong who was asked by a Zen master, "What is the story of your life?" She knew he was not looking for an autobiography; but how could she summarize her life in just one word? This is a great exercise. Try it!
At CREDO we were deluged with a flood of paper: instructions, schedules, information and more. Then we were issued USPS boxes in which to mail home all these papers. I knew that I would never look at them again so I started recycling. I pruned my papers down to a modest file and gave the box back.
Out of the blue, my goal came to me, "Travel Light." It is the direction in which I am being led. Like you, I am weighed down daily by too much stuff. The great trick is to prioritize what is important from what is not. Once I discovered my goal, other things began to fall into shape.
I remember what our daughter, Laura, said about me at my parish 60th birthday party. She had learned from me that less is more. When you are backpacking in the Sierras, "…suddenly 5 oz of shampoo seems excessive. Why take 4 t-shirts, when 2 will suffice. Never pack more than you can carry for 8-10 days (no more than 50 lbs - ed.). Never buy more than you need. And unexpected waterfalls and moments of rest are the true treasures in life." Laura summed it up to a T!
Too much baggage keeps us in one place. Yet here we have no abiding city, because God calls us to be pilgrims who are on the move, journeying toward the heavenly city.
When walking in the mountains we are encouraged not to leave a heavy "footprint." Keep to the trail; don't tread down the fragile shoots. Don't leave litter; if you brought it in, you take it out. Don't pollute the lakes and streams; wash at least 70 feet from any water supply. Now we are being warned about "carbon" footprints (emissions of greenhouse gases): driving fuel efficient cars, using fluorescent light-bulbs, composting our kitchen vegetable waste and of course conserving precious water supplies. The more stuff we accumulate, the more energy we require. So, travel light!
Then there's the psychological baggage we carry with us: the messages that we heard when we were children and which we still take to heart even though we could have shed them long since. We hang onto guilt from the past even though, "New every morning is the love, our wakening and uprising prove" (Hymn 10). They make the heart heavy; we need to lighten up.
One of my summer tasks is to sort though photographs and throw out most of them. Sooner or later I am going to have to do the painful task of weeding through my books. It's easier to get rid of clothes; I have always said, "I can only wear one pair of shoes at a time." I also realized that physical weight slows me down. So I commend to you this goal in life: TRAVEL LIGHT!
Hugh Stevenson
All find a welcome:
Margie Sommer brought her neighbor from SLV, Betty Goodnick on June 28.
Vickie Garcia is our new Communications Administrator (see article on issue).
Relocation:
Kay McHugh is now at 9512 Porto Rosa Dr, Elk Grove 95624-2165
For this, much thanks:
Musicians at the Guitar Mass on July 12:
| Tom & Pat Babb | Marshall Ward |
| Pete Rosser | Raymond Skipp |
| Kathy Littman | Kimber Spencer |
| Dennis Studebaker | The Spauldings |
| Judy Buff who organized the service |
| And our guests from cursillo |
Sue and Bud Crystal hosted a sing-along and potluck supper on July 18 (and Marcia Ronchetti did a lot of washing up). Lets do it again!
Barbara Fry "camped out at St Patrick's" for several weeks to prepare for the Rummage Sale!
Maria & Jose our sextons took care of Brian when he was sleeping in our parking lot.
Deacon Cookie Clark was guest preacher Aug. 9.
Jean Derum hosted her sister who did a quilt presentation and gave us a quilt to auction.
George and Barbara Hunt organized the outing to see My Fair Lady in Napa on August 9.
Shirley Ward, Charlie Chapman and Hugh Stevenson did the search for Vicki Garcia.
George Hunt took the services while Hugh was away at his granddaughter's birth.
Addendum: In addition to the 27 households recognized in last month's Grapevine, Barbara Jones, Guy & Gretchen Scott, and Jim & Linda Rawls (in thanksgiving for Col JW Rawls) gave food to FISH on Fathers' Day (June 21). That makes a total of 30 households.
We ask God's protection of
those serving in the military including:
Frederic Cazel, grandson of Wes & Tommie is serving in Afghanistan.
Cody Abercrombie, grandson of Pris & Jack, joining the USAF.
We will exalt you, O God, our King,
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Susan and Robert Leslie on the birth of Ian Finnegan on June 10, baptized Aug 9.
Audrey Jaynes, who is a grandmother again. Ella & Randall had a daughter, India Arzu, on July 7.
Brianna and Jason Weber who had a daughter, Stella Claire on June 29.
Holly Schulz and Spencer Simons who had a daughter, Rowyn Elizabeth, on May 5, to be baptized September 27.
Andrew Belding who has been promoted Lieutenant (RN). Andrew and Elizabeth are moving to San Diego in Feb 2010.
Sandra Hammond who won a Ballet Lifetime Achievement award from Corps de Ballet International at Fort Worth, TX late July.
May they know God's healing power:
| Greta MacLeod | Gordon Gary |
| Dale Jester | Loren Brown |
| Dick Beynon | Peg Robins |
| Ed Dill | Diana Estabrook |
| David Pippin, son of Shirley |
| Judy Rose's brother Gennaro, and Rosalyn |
Blessings on:
Thomas, son of Deborah and Winston Bull, baptized July 5.
Ian, son of Susan and Robert Leslie, baptized Aug 9.
Robert, son of Juelle and Fred Fisher, who married Heather Jordan on July 4.
Brian, son of Sallie and Chuck Wood, who married Robyn on July 11.
Matthew, son of Lynn & Roger Martin and grandson of Carolyn & Bill Perry, to be confirmed by the Bishop on September 20.
Suzanne Pollard who has attended the confirmation classes.
May they rest in peace:
Dennis Harris died on June 22. He was on the Daughters of the King prayer list since last July when he was paralyzed after a fall.
Deepest sympathy:
To Rick Lind & Kate Aldrich on the death of Rick's mother, Vi, on July 29.
RECTOR'S VACATION
The Rector will be away September 2-16 with his daughter and son-in-law upstate New York. The preacher and celebrant on Sundays, September 6 and 13 will be Bishop George Hunt. There will be no midweek services on September 2 and 9. The vestry will meet on September 22.
JAZZ MASS
On September 6, Robert Young will be leading his traditional Jazz band, the Eldorado Syncopators at the 10:00 a.m. service. They will lead us in singing When the Saints and other Gospel songs.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
The first meeting of the fall will be September 6 after the 10:00 a.m. service in the Common Room. If you have a name that you would like added to the list, call Jane Hall at 217-3970.
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, September 12, is the next Women's Breakfast. All women in the parish are invited to meet at Su Casa in the St. Francis Shopping Center at 8:30 a.m. For more information, please call the church office.
SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES
Raymond Skipp continues as the Sunday School teacher. Class begins on September 13 in the Sunday School room next to the church.
Sunday School will be every Sunday. September 13 & 20 will be at 10 a.m. When the Fall schedule begins on September 27, the time moves to 10:30 a.m.
FALL SCHEDULE BEGINS SEPTEMBER 27
We revert to three services: 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. beginning September 27. On September 6, 13 and 20, services will be at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. with Sunday school during the 10:00 a.m. service.
MENS LUNCH
The men meet at Playa Azul at 11:30 a.m. on September 16. All men are invited. Contact Harold Poehlmann (539-7097).
ECW LUNCHEON
The first lunch of the new season is September 8 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a discussion of the Oktoberfest. The speaker will be Mary Banks on Self Talk: Messages We Give Ourselves. Please sign up in the Parish Hall.
CONFIRMATION
The biennial visitation and confirmation by our Bishop, Barry Beisner, will take place on September 20. He will celebrate and preach at both services (8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.).
We have one candidate from St. Patrick's, Matt Martin, plus two others from Incarnation and one from Trinity, Sonoma. The Bishop will meet the candidates between the services. The Bishop will also renew the baptismal promises of any who wish. Are you interested? Call Hugh (833-4228). The Bishop will license Lay Eucharistic Ministers, etc. at each service.
BAPTISM
On September 27, Rowyn Simons will be baptized. She is the daughter of Holly & Spencer Simons and great-granddaughter of Wyn Warfield.
MEN'S CURSILLO
The Men's cursillo will take place on the weekend of September 17-20. Tom Babb is the Rector, assisted by Peter Rosser. Charlie Buff is the mentor. Bob Morell, Raymond Skipp and Marshall & Carole Ward are on the team. Please pray for the candidates and team.
WOMEN'S CURSILLO
The women's cursillo will be held on the weekend of October 8-11.
Both the men's and the women's cursillo are taking names of candidates. Are you interested? Judy Buff can tell you more.
AROUND ST. PATRICK'S
RUMMAGE SALE
How fortunate we are at St. Patrick's to have such a helpful, caring and hard working congregation. The recent Rummage Sale (July 25), sponsored by the Outreach Committee, is a perfect example of this. Not only did the entire committee work on this but the church Staff (Rector, Secretary and Sexton), Vestry, youth and many members of St. Patrick's spent hours planning, bringing, sorting, pricing, arranging, selling, buying, boxing and carrying the thousands of items. The major recipient of St. Patrick's outreach is currently the Food Program at St. Andrew's Episcopal Mission, Monte Rio. Each week, this tiny congregation provides over 100 bags of food and meals to the needy of their Russian River area. Nearly half of their members assisted us with the preparation, sale and Sunday clean up. Goodwill collected the unsold items. We even managed to fill the rented dumpster, with the help of the Kenwood community.
We are happy to report our efforts were very successful and St. Andrews will receive half of the profits from the sale, a check for $1,500. Thank you to all who made this possible!
Barbara Fry
NUMINA
The Church of the Incarnation (Mendocino Avenue, downtown) has an excellent arts program, called Numina.
- On Monday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (not Labor Day), there is a "gentle contemplative practice of listening and singing (the music of Hildegard of Bingen)." The recommended donation is $10.
- On the 4th Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. there is a presentation of a saint, artist, or writer who speaks of the spiritual journey, followed by a candlelit, contemplative service of chanting and meditation based on Taize music.
IMPORTANT OCCASIONS
Dorothy Bell celebrated her 105th birthday Aug 3.
Bea Moore is looking forward to her 102nd birthday.
Polly Lengquist celebrated her 102nd birthday in October 2008. She lives at 8991 University Parkway Apt 232, Pensacola, FL 32514-9444.
George Anderson celebrated his 99th birthday (next year is the big one!).
Gordon and Kathryn Gary celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
KAREN KRESTENSEN & BILL KELLY
Karen and Bill moved to Oakmont last September. On the first Sunday of their arrival they attended the 8:00 Sunday Eucharist, and have been sitting pretty much in the same pew almost every Sunday since then.
A blended couple, they each have children by previous marriages, three girls and four boys among them, and now enjoy grand parenting twelve members of the next generation.
Until their move, Karen worked for 28 years as a marriage and family therapist. Bill was ordained a Congregational minister in 1954. He served as a campus minister at the University of Connecticut, then as a missionary of the United Church of Christ in India. Bill's ministry experience as a Presbyter of the United Church of South India was a ten-year rounding episode in his career-long commitment to the Church Ecumenical. After interim pastoral service with United Church of Christ congregations in California and Hawaii, Bill sought, and was granted, ordination to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church in 2002.
At their home parish, St. Philip the Apostle in Scotts Valley, Karen for a time was Senior Warden, pastoral Search Committee member, Garden Tour coordinator and maker of secret-recipe toffee.
"And here, happily, we are!" they declare.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) NEWS
NEW PURCHASES
The ECW recently purchased kitchen floor mats for safety purposes and to help the weary legs of those working in the kitchen for long periods of time. They will really help kitchen workers at the Brunch and Quilt Trunk Show and Oktoberfest, not to mention the coffee hour workers each Sunday. We thank Susan Boak for being the point person on this project.
Additionally, the ECW has ordered 8 new 60" folding tables for use in the Parish Hall.
CALLING ALL TEA TOWELS
The ECW is preparing for the Oktoberfest to be held October 3, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our second annual Oktoberfest is a family affair with games for kids and adults, clowns, face-painting, popcorn, tea towels, jams, jellies & baked goods for sale, wonderful food in the German style sold throughout the day, and exciting exhibits. But we have a dilemma: there are tea towels that are not accounted for, and our supply is limited! One of the biggest sellers at these affairs is the hand-embroidered or appliquéd and edged tea towels. If any of you have tea towels squirreled away and forgotten in your embroidery or sewing stuff, please let Betsey Randolph (539-4117) or Vicki Ward (539-3731) know that you have them or return them to the workshop held every Friday from 9:30 - noon in the Common Room.
OKTOBERFEST RAFFLE
Tickets for the raffle will be on sale at coffee hours beginning Sept. 13. Items include premium wines, household decor items, a Spa facial from Hello Beautiful, A Half-day of Organizing Assistance, Model T transportation to a gourmet picnic, and much more. There is also a Silent Auction that includes a Country French Quilt, Sterling Silver Bracelet and matching ring, and a special Gourmet Dinner for 6. For those who cannot attend the actual event on Oct. 3, there are Proxy Bidder Buddies -- you decide how much you're willing to bid for items and your buddy will bid for you! Contact Shirley Ward for more information, or to offer additional raffle items (shireywardmail@sbcglobal.net).
EYEGLASSES NEEDED
An additional ministry is collecting prescription eyeglasses to be given to the poor in third world nations. If you have any prescription eyeglasses lying around please bring them to the Parish Hall and place them in the collection basket. We appreciate any donation that you can make, and we will arrange for shipment in December.
ECW MEETING
The ECW meets quarterly, in February, May, September and December. The September meeting will be held on September 8 at 11:00 a.m., with speaker, Mary Stewart Banks. Mary's topic will be "Self-talk", an interesting and thought provoking idea. At the meeting we will discuss the Oktoberfest and its needs, the final meeting of the year, and Christmas Project plans.
PRAYER SHAWLS
This year one of the ministries of the ECW is to provide warm hand knitted or crocheted shawls or lap blankets to the elderly in a local convalescent facility. We are really perking along with this project. At least 12 have been completed, and many more are nearing completion. Our target date is November 22 so that Hugh can dedicate them at the 10:30 service. Following the dedication the shawls will be distributed to the needy elderly in time for Thanksgiving.
QUILT TRUNK SHOW & BRUNCH
On August 29, Sally Fry, a renowned Quiltmaker and international lecturer, will be presenter at the ECW Quilt & Trunk Show (& brunch) in the Parish Hall at 10:30 a.m. Sally has graciously donated a quilt she made to be raffled at the event. We are fortunate to have such an acclaimed speaker. Sally is the sister of Jean Derum. Tickets are available at coffee hours on Sundays and at the Quilted Vine Shop (a fabric store located at 170 Farmers Lane) during the week. The cost is $20 for the Trunk Show. Raffle tickets are 1 for $2 or 6 for $5. We are supporting the needs of our local school, Kenwood Elementary, with the proceeds. Please help us to make our contribution worthwhile.
STEWARDSHIP
The season for our Stewardship reflection is approaching. The spirit of our shared ministry has manifest itself in many and diverse ways this past year. Even amidst the economic downturn St. Patrick members have shown faithfulness as well as boldness and generosity with pledges, bequests and new calls to sharing time, talent and treasure.
The Book and Bake sale for the Youth Group was a result of many parish and community households deciding some books and media were no longer needed on home shelves. The spring cleaning brought fresh resources to support fresh housing in Mexico. The abundance of so many books, CD's, DVD's and cassettes carried over to our Rummage Sale! This plethora of assets underscored our ability to transform one form of value to another. Our homes became less cluttered and worthy coffers were blessed. A true "Win-Win" scenario of mustard seed magnitude!
Please accept my thanks for your commitment to parish finances and St. Patrick's ministry outreach. We hope you will find continuing creativity and joy in sharing your blessings for the current and long range plans of God's work through St. Patrick's.
Richard Randolph
Planned Giving Coordinator
NEW OFFICE EMAIL ADDRESSES
Hugh Stevenson, Rector
hugh@stpatskenwood.org
Marcia, Parish Admin
marcia@stpatskenwood.org
Vicki, Communications Admin
vicki@stpatskenwood.org
General Information
info@stpatskenwood.org
WELCOME VICKI GARCIA, OUR NEW COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR
Vicki writes, "I was so happy to have been offered the position of Communications Coordinator. Working in a church office for me is a ministry and a joy.
I'm married to a wonderful, loving and forgiving man (his name is Mitch). I have two children, a son and a daughter. They both live in Southern California. Oh, I also have two beautiful grandchildren.
I have a love of plants and flowers that keeps me in the garden; tending my garden has become a spiritual practice for me. Some of the things I enjoy are bike riding, painting, working in stained glass and creating stained glass mosaics. A few of the things that renew my spirit are spending time with good friends, attending silent retreats and volunteering my time to help others. And what would life be without some delicious dark chocolate along with a glass of red wine!"
THE JOHN BOGART LIBRARY
Thanks to Carol Gwatkin for her donation of Happy Life Blues - A Memoir of Survival, by Cecily Marshall. The author, Carol's college classmate and a daughter of missionary parents, describes her life in the Philippines before and during World War II, including imprisonment in a Japanese prison camp. This compelling look at difficult times includes photographs.
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