October 2005 Vol. 7 No. 9 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 October 2005 [Vol. 7 No. 9]

Giving Without Guilt Women's News Turning Points October Events Vestry Notes

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GIVING WITHOUT GUILT

This article is not intended to manipulate you into making a financial pledge to St Patrick's, even though October is the month in which we send out pledge cards to all our members and invite you to pledge for 2006. In the past, a whole variety of levers have been used to prise your money into the coffers of church. It is of course your choice.

The first method has been guilt. You "ought" to support the church. NPR uses the word, "freeloader," of those who listen to public radio without paying their pledge. There are no "freeloaders" in the church. Jesus invites each one of us, "Come as you are."

The Bible has a lot to say about riches. "Its easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." "Lay not up for yourself treasures on earth." Jesus told the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. When I was confirmed, I had read these texts and asked my parish priest whether I was too rich to get into the Kingdom of heaven; he replied, "You're not rich." None of us is! Abusing the sacred words of Jesus to coerce us into giving, tends to shut our ears to what Jesus really wants to say to us.

The word "Stewardship" is a very attractive concept and is central to our lives as Christians. It means that God cares about all that he has given us. But when it is exclusively associated with fund-raising, it gains negative connotations.

Sometimes questionable theology has been used. At a revival meeting, an evangelist said, "Invest in heaven tonight," when everyone knew that they were being invited to pay the bills of the mission. Our pledges pay the operating expenses of St Patrick's. Otherwise the church could not continue to exist. The church has bills to pay, but I believe that's not the primary reason for giving.

Decisions about giving are very personal. No one can make us do it. These are some of the reasons that make sense to me. We give:

• Because we want to belong to this particularly community of people.
• Because its part of our spiritual discipline: like reading the Bible or saying the daily office or visiting the homebound.
• Because it's the right thing to do.
• Because it challenges our consumer society. I wonder what your reasons are?

Giving is the acknowledgement of our abundance. When someone was asked, "How much money is enough?' the person replied, "more than I have at the moment." The answer to the question "how much shall I give?" is "more than I do at the moment."

Giving money away brings joy to a number of people. A woman sold her house and moved away. But out of her receipts, she gave me $1000 to help women in distress. Right after that a number of women came asking for help with rent and PGE bills and money for gas. It was her pleasure to make the donation. It was my pleasure to give it away. And it was a lifesaver for those who received it.

May the choice that you make about your giving bring you joy and draw you closer to your God.

WOMEN'S NEWS

Don't forget, helping hands are needed the day of the Bazaar (and a few days before!) to make it a huge success. There will be sign-up sheets in the parish hall, or contact any of the Bazaar chairs. We'll need cashiers, traffic directors, and people to work the floor. We also need folks to sell raffle tickets, especially at the tables that will be set up in various locations.

Items are still needed for the Silent Auction. Of course, we'll need baked goods, jams, and jellies the day before the big event. You can pick up containers to package your goodies.

Most importantly, tell your friends and neighbors about the Bazaar, and bring them with you. Please join in, and help us earn big contributions for CARE Children's Counseling Center, The Living Room and Vineyard Workers Services. They're counting on help from you!

Finally, a big Thank You to those who have already lent a hand by knitting, sewing, making wonderful crafts, and donating skills, services and love. You're much appreciated!

The next breakfast will be held on Saturday, October 8 in the Education Center. The meeting gathers promptly at 8:30 am in order to view the video, "Jerusalem" while enjoying breakfast. The film runs to 85 minutes. There will be time for comments and questions afterwards. Please bring a dish to share that does not require the use of the oven. For further information, call Bette Leedom (537-7587)

There will be an informational meeting on Sunday October 2, after the l0:30 service in the Common Room. The Daughters of the King is a lay order of prayer, which is worldwide. Each Daughter chooses to follow a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service. Our prayer list is made up of requests from members of the parish (which are confidential) and is more extensive than those read on Sunday. By becoming a Daughter one's prayer life leads to a deeper relationship with God.

Fall Assembly 2005 will be at St Patrick's on October 29. 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our chapter, St. Hilda' chapter, will sponsor the meeting. The theme is: Pray for one another! Eucharist, Workshop, Assembly Lunch is $5. All women welcome. For more information and for prayer requests, call me at 217-3970.
Jane Hall President

TURNING POINTS

All find a welcome:
Xavier and Ninon Cabrales
Joan King and her son, John King.
Bill Kline
Keith Sadko & Leslie King visiting from Iowa
Brian & Leslie Payne, Jacqueline & Matthew

For this, much thanks:
Margaret Bock organized the neighborhood meetings. Thanks to the hosts and hostesses who had meetings in their homes, and to the vestry members who took notes. Thanks to all who attended a meeting.
Robert Young and his Dixieland jazz group, Eldorado Syncopators who played on September 4, an elegy for New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.
Armand Russell for the anthem, "Lord of Hosts" which the choir sang on September 18.

Loren Brown has moved to The Meadows, 1800 Atrium Parkway, #237, Napa 94559 (224-5434).
Claire Morelli's new address is 25 Bay Farm Road, Duxbury MA 02332 (781-582-1243).

We ask God's protection of:
Those serving in the military overseas, including Tyler Harris

We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Charlotte Horne has sold her parent's house.
Alicia Wray and David Harris are looking forward to adopting a child.

May they know God's healing power:
Linda Belding, Arden Throndsen, Hertha Brown, Dave Jerrell, Joan Ingold, Jinx Schall, Perry Barker, Lolita Seguin, Pam Kendall after surgery.
The Wrights' daughter, Janice,
Sandra Hammond's son in law, Mark

Blessings on:
Michael Mahoney and Cameron Perusse who were married on September 10.
Jim Robertson and Christine Henkels who were married on September 17.
Jackie Senter's stepdaughter, Colleen Gnam who was married to Mark Merius. (9/10)

May they rest in peace:
Billie Thomas died on Sept. 9. Her service was in her former parish, St. Matthew's Sacramento.

Deepest sympathy:
Minerva Haddad on the death of her sister, Nedda Touma (9/7)
John Redmond on the death of his father, John (senior) (9/17)
Joan King on the death of her husband, John (senior)
Rex and Jane Hall on the death of their niece, Sabrina.
Alice Fielder on the death of a long-time friend, Ron Olson

OCTOBER EVENTS

October 9
* How Rome came out top. At 9:45 a.m., an adult Ed study course begins.
* Sunday school for children, taught by Carolee Fagent, begins at 10:30 am in the Education Center.

October 16
* Healing Sunday. On the Sunday closest to St. Luke's Day, at the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, we offer the laying on of hands and anointing with oil for those who come forward to the altar rail. We do not ask for what you are seeking healing. For many, it is a great comfort to receive the laying on of hands with the prayers of the gathered congregation.
* Members of the congregation will make brief presentations about stewardship.

Bizarre Bazaar
The Bazaar takes place on Saturday, October 22, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

October 23
* Women's Cursillo. This weekend, Sandy Eddy and Val Studebaker will be candidates and Paula Cook will be on the team.
* Members of the congregation will make brief presentations about stewardship.

October 30
* Pledge Ingathering. In the middle of October, you will receive through the mail a pledge card for 2006. Will you please complete your card and send it back by mail, or bring it on this day. The cards and the givers will be blest at the services on November 6.

* Commemoration of the Departed. On the closest to All Saints, we will remember by name those who have died during this past year and other loved ones. Will you add their names to the list in the Parish Hall? After the 10:30 a.m. service, we will proceed to the Memorial Garden, to pray for those who are interred there.

On October 30
Birthday Party and Open House in the Parish Hall. Hugh Stevenson, turns 60. Come to the party at 3:00 pm. Do not bring a gift, but bring yourself and a dish to share: hors d' oeuvres, salad, entrée or casserole, or dessert. Bring Your Own Bottle. Please sign up in the parish hall so that the set up team knows how many to expect.

November 13
* Diocesan Convention will be held in Sacramento on November 12-13. Bishop George Hunt will take the Sunday services. Our delegates will be Wendy Wood, Marcia Ronchetti, Vic and Dorothy Howard, Hugh Stevenson and Michael Monnot.

November 20
* Harvest Thanksgiving. Please bring a can or dried food, which will be blest at the altar and then distributed by FISH.

VESTRY NOTES

SEPTEMBER MEETING
We spent most of the September meeting, discussing the neighborhood meetings. Seven groups have met so far and there are 4 or 5 yet to go. We hope about 100 parishioners will; have attended these meetings. We have received much more input than we would have done at a town hall meeting. People said they enjoyed meeting their neighbors. A sub-committee will look for 4 or 5 themes that run through your responses and then strategize.

• In his report the treasurer said that we will need to increase our income from pledges by at least 10% if we are going to maintain our parish programs including keeping our Assistant, Michael.
• We are beginning to look for five candidates for election to the vestry at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Please pass on your nominations.
• The Parish Commission on Ministry is interviewing Marcia Ronchetti as an aspirant for Holy Orders. The vestry will vote at the October meeting.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES
The directories have arrived and are in the Parish Hall. Please help yourself to one per household. Thanks to Bette Leedom for all her hard work.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS
Statements have been sent out to all who have made pledges in 2005. Please Note: they do not include the final week of September! Please check them against your own records. They will answer the question that some people ask, "How much did I pledge last year."

COMPUTER CARTRIDGES
Please bring your inkjet and laser printer cartridges to church. We can recycle them. For each cartridge we will get $1.00. In the course of a year, we might raise as much as $2000! At the same time, it is good stewardship not to be dumping cartridges in landfill.

HOME VISITS
Questions came up at some neighborhood meetings. Do homebound people receive the Sunday bulletin? Yes, we send out about a dozen bulletins each week. If you know of anyone who is being left out, please call the office (833-4228).

LIVING THE QUESTIONS
The study group is meeting on Thursday evenings: 6:00 pm potluck supper; 7:00 pm we view a short video. We finish with compline at 8:30 pm. As well as discussion about finding a faith of our own, the videos include suggestions for spiritual disciplines (like walking the labyrinth) and the theme of the lesson is illustrated by a potter.

PRESIDING BISHOP'S PRAYER
At the time of Katrina's devastation, the Presiding Bishop shared this prayer:
God of mercy and compassion, be in our midst and bind us together in your Spirit as a community of love and service, to bear one another's burdens in these days, as we face the ravages of storm and sea. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord from whom alone comes our hope. Amen.

A CHILD'S VIEW
A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered the pages. Suddenly a pressed leaf fell out of the book. "look what I've found," he called his mother. "Adam's underwear."