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September 2006
Vol. 8 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 2006 [Vol. 8 No. 8]
I am confused. I used to think that scholars were learned people who knew what they were talking about. But now I have my doubts.
Members of the Jesus Seminar who voted on the historicity of the Gospels and who tended to be skeptics, called themselves "scholars." And those who translated the New International Version of the Bible, which they claim, is the inerrant word of God also called themselves "scholars." The two groups are diametrically opposed to each other. Both claim to be scholars. Who is right?
What makes you a "scholar?" Do you have to write a book or graduate with a PhD? Does it make a difference whether you graduated from an unknown college or a famous university like Harvard? Can you claim status because you studied with a famous teacher? If you wear academic robes, will that make you a scholar? If you write a best seller does that make you a scholar; or will people buy your book because the publishers claim that you are a scholar?
It used to be that the brightest students were awarded financial scholarships at universities. They were called scholars to distinguish them from "commoners." Now anyone can apply for a scholarship by filling out a form. You can win a scholarship by being good at a sport. Does that make you a scholar?
The word, "scholar," is derived from "school." Those who attend schools (including colleges) are therefore scholars. If you are a member of a particular school of thought or hold a philosophy then you are a scholar of that group. It does not mean that you a scholar of anything else.
A dictionary defines a scholar as one who has gained mastery over a particular discipline by long hours of study. Sometimes the conclusions they come to are suspect. It does not guarantee that they have found the truth. Perhaps we should distrust those people who call themselves scholars. Or better, perhaps all of us should claim to be scholars.
Once upon a time it meant something to be a scholar. You earned the respect of your fellow citizens. People wanted to know your opinions about important things. But now the concept has become so debased that it means nothing.
We cannot afford to become gullible and swallow the latest novel beliefs uncritically just because that's the easiest thing to do (or because the publishers' hype says we ought to). Instead we have to exercise our God-given gift of discernment. Let us have a right judgment in all things.
Hugh Stevenson
SEPTEMBER AT ST. PATRICK'S
JAZZ MASS
On September 3, Robert Young will be leading his traditional Jazz band, the Eldorado Syncopators at the 10:00 a.m. service. They will lead us in the singing of When the Saints and other Gospel songs.
ACOLYTES
Old and new acolytes will be commissioned on Sept. 3. New ribbons will be distributed There will be a training session after the 10:00 a.m. service, designed particularly for new acolytes. If you would like to be an acolyte, call the Rector (833-4228). Acolytes have to be 5th Grade or above. They serve once a month, usually at the 10:30 a.m. service.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
The first meeting of the fall will be on Sept 3 after the 10:00 a.m. service in the Common Room. The prayer list will be updated. If you have a name that you would like added to the list, call Jane Hall at 217-3970. The committee:
Jane Hall - President
Charlotte Horne - Secretary
Alice Fielder - Treasurer
YOUTH GROUP CAMP OUT
On Friday night, Sept 8, members of the youth group will camp out in Bald Mountain State Park. Those who have graduated from High School and are college bound are also invited.
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, September 9 is the next Women's Breakfast. All women in the parish are invited to meet at Su Casa at the St Francis Shopping Center at 8:30 a.m. For more information, please call the church office.
FALL SCHEDULE
On Sept. 10 we revert to three services. Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday school during the 10:30 service.
RECTOR'S LEAVE
The Rector will be away Sept 5-Sept 23. He will be taking a course in New England and visiting various associates whom he trained. In his absence, Bishop George Hunt will be taking the services and minding the parish.
ECW LUNCHEON
On Sept. 12, Bill Babula, a member of our congregation will talk about how he became a mystery writer and answer other FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). Copies of his mystery books can be borrowed from the John Bogart Library. There will be a brief business meeting beginning at 11:00 a.m.. Please sign up in the Parish Hall. All women of our congregation and guests are welcome.
CONSECRATION OF NEW BISHOP
Barry Beisner will be consecrated the next Bishop of the Diocese of Northern California at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. on September 30. If you planning on attending, please call the parish office (833-4228) so that we can car-pool.
LEN SHAHEEN
Calling all Campers and Camp Noel Porter supporters! At the end of this year Father will be retiring. Make plans to attend the annual celebration and fundraiser, October 7, 2006, which will honor his ministry. He began at CNP in 1968. Can you pass the word on to all campers from the past 40 years to invite them to this celebration?
EVENSONG
Carol Menke will direct her choir, Cantiamo in the singing of Evensong on October 8. There will be a potluck supper to follow.
SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES
Raymond Skipp will be the new Sunday School leader. Class begins on September 10. We shall try meeting in the old parish office, near the sanctuary, which will be convenient for acolytes.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 2006-2007
COMING SHORTLY
September 10 and 17 at 9:45 in the Common Room, George Hunt will discuss
- What is the Episcopal Church?
- The differences between the Anglican and Episcopal churches.
September 24 and the Sundays following, a course on Health Care issues, led by members of our own congregation.
| Funeral arrangements homes | Hugh Stevenson |
| Residential care | Nancy Dill |
| Powers of attorney | Ray Estabrook |
| Dietary considerations | Elyse Jaynes |
| Home health care & Hospice | Christine Henkles |
| Estate Planning & money management | Rick Harrison Smith |
| Blood pressure & health issues | Vicki Ward,
Becky Jenkins |
| Health Insurance | Vicki Ward |
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
An EfM group is forming on Mondays beginning October 2 at the Church of the Incarnation. Flyers about EfM are on the table in the Parish Hall. Sign up for one year at a time. Call Pat Moore (579-2604) for more info.
FUTURE COURSES
Other suggestions for Adult Ed. courses: would you like to make other suggestions? Would you like to be a leader for any part of these topics?
Change. Why are there changes in our liturgy? This course might include: changing circumstances, fashions, new technology, growth and repentance, what things change and what endures. O thou who changest not abide with me.
Benedictines. For the historians: where did the monastic movement come from and what was the influence of the Benedictine movement on medieval life. For those interested in spirituality: what does the Rule of Benedict say? The life of prayer and lectio divina…. Benedictines today (like Sr. Joan Chittester).
CHRIST-CENTERED 12-STEP GROUP
Are you interested in being part of a Christ-centered Twelve Step group? The Twelve Steps help people struggling with destructive habits and addictions in any form, including addiction to relationships, work, and all manner of food and substance abuse. Most Twelve Step groups are secular in nature, but we are trying to start a Christ-centered group that may serve people interested in receiving Christ's healing touch, including people who are not attending church.
Brief history of the Twelve Steps. The Twelve Steps began as Six Steps used by a Christian organization called the Oxford Group to help alcoholics recover. Later a small group of alcoholics led by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith expanded the Six Steps into Twelve. They eliminated Christian references, calling God the Higher Power so that the Steps would have more universal appeal. Twelve Steps groups operate anonymously and without organization according to a set of rules called the Twelve Traditions.
Celebrate recovery. The Rev. Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life) recently started a Christ-centered Twelve Step group called Celebrate Recovery. It is growing by leaps and bounds in the emerging church nationwide.
St. Patrick's Twelve Step group. The opportunity exists to start a Twelve Step group at St. Patrick's with a more open-minded Christian theology than Celebrate Recovery. The group is open to anyone struggling with a habit, compulsion, or addiction and seeking the healing touch of Christ. The group will follow the Twelve Steps in a Christ-centered way through prayer and fellowship. A major component of the program is confidentiality, which means that anything said in the group and anyone attending the group stays within the group.
If you are interested in helping form this group, please contact Dennis Studebaker (575-4565); email: stbaker@sonic.net.
TURNING POINTS
All find a welcome:
Toni Knorr, neighbor of Rae Jayne in Kenwood
John Heidel & Maria Zaragoza and Isabella.
Ursula Zopp & Alix Henderson and Kavanaugh.
For this, much thanks:
Eddie Gibb talked about his experiences at General Convention on June 25.
Ryan of AA cleaned the carpet in the parish hall on July 26.
Fred Fisher and a helper weed-whacked the front property on July 27.
Becky Jenkins sent over a work crew to trim the trees on the main highway.
Michael Peterson, our property manager, who has organized the repair/replacement of major church appliances.
Jane Hall organized the party for those who joined St. Patrick's during the past five years.
Farewell:
Fran & Tom Nute have moved to Oak Creek Apartments, #35, 1850 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto 94304 (1-650-330-1267).
Blessings on:
Lauren Carlson baptized on July 30
Jill Hunting as she travels in Vietnam
Relocation:
Sue Hogan is moving to Bethlehem Towers in SR. Can you offer rides?
We ask God’s protection of:
Those serving in the military overseas, especially Aaron Poust and Sam Jackson and Chris Whittaker.
Congratulations:
Jackie Senter has been appointed president of Sonoma County Medical Association.
Jack Abercrombie was named "Rotarian of the Year" by the Santa Rosa Downtown Chapter.
We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Congratulations to Josie Ross on the wedding of her daughter, Barbara to David Doht (June 24).
To Jean & Dick Derum on the wedding of their son Richard to Katharine Acton at Bretton Woods NH (September 15).
To May & Bill McKoy on the engagement of their daughter, Heather to Eric Shumacher.
To Bonney & Ewing Philbin on the wedding of Nick to Susan Dick in Colorado (September 17),
and Brycie's engagement to Colby Self.
To Tommie & Wes Cazel whose son, Dan, has announced his engagement to Shenoa Lawrence
George von Haunalter is marrying Gabriella Tornes in Switzerland (August 15).
Marian Wampler & Matthew Glynn, married on July 8.
Dicksie Tamanaha's son John J. Anthony will marry Loraine Kubota on Sept. 30.
Ben McLain graduated at UC Irvine with a double major in music performance and drama
May they know God’s healing power:
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Hertha Brown | Connor Fagent |
| Dave Jarrell | Roger White |
| Jane Dressler | Lolita Seguin |
| Janice Currie | Mark Kirkland |
| Linda Belding | John Thompson |
| Wayne Wright | Joe & Rose Rasicot |
| Bridget S | Dusty Lobette |
| Scott Ronchetti | Sarah Phillips |
| Tom Barnes | Sam Lamman |
| Cathy Landon's son, James |
| Cynthia Pennington's mother, Jeanne |
| David Pippin, Shirley's son whose house was burnt down in Bremerton WA. |
May they rest in peace:
Rabbi Michael Robinson
Charles Campbell died on August 17.
Deepest sympathy:
Sandra Hammond on the death of her aunt, Elaine Noll Bruce in early July.
Cathy Scherer on the death of her niece, Cindy Russell on July 17.
Hutch Gibb on the death of his father, Edwin Hutcheon Gibb on July 18.
Donald Bennett on the death of his wife, Sylvia Smith Bennett on July 17.
Linda Lewis on the death of her mother, Pat on July 20.
Tom Barnes' wife, Sue, died on August 9.
VESTRY REPORT
- We have been working long and hard revising the policies of the Designated Funds Committee (formerly called the Endowment Committee). This Committee will manage the assets of the Memorial Fund, the Capital Fund and the Rectory Fund in addition to the various Endowment Funds. Half of the funds will be invested in stock mutual funds and the other half in fixed income funds. Some of the income from the undesignated Endowment Fund will be passed on to the Outreach Committee to distribute.
- Finances are in a healthy condition, but September is the low point of the year.
- We will be sending our full complement to the Diocesan Convention in Redding in November.
- We are drawing up a Letter of Agreement for our new Director of Religious Education. We are also looking for adults to staff the nursery in which we will install speakers so that they can hear the service.
- Please attend one of the Neighborhood Meetings in October. These take the place of the Town Hall Meeting as a way to communicate to you what the vestry is doing and to hear your questions and comments.
- Please note that the Fall Schedule will begin on September 10. Services will be at 8am, 9am, and 10:30 am with Sunday school during the 10:30 am service.
- We met with Rick Harrison Smith to talk about estate planning.
- Carol Menke and her choir, Cantiamo, will sing Evensong on October 8.
- We are spending money on important repairs. A new roof and guttering above the overhang outside the kitchen will cost nearly $6500; a new condenser for the parish hall air-conditioner cost nearly $2500; painting the Education Center will cost about $3600. Michael Peterson, our property manager, has been busy getting bids and checking the work.
- We are selling the tables in the parish hall and replacing them, thanks to a donor. Do you want to buy a table?
- 70 people attended the dinner on August 12 and another 73 sent their apologies. These represented 100 households. We thanked Jane Hall for organizing the event.
- The recent earthquake reminded us that we needed to be prepared. We will look around the property before the September meeting.
JOHN BOGART LIBRARY
The library has added a mystery story, a history and two Biblical Studies books for our readers.
The mystery is The Last Suppers by Diane Mott Davidson. On the way to his wedding, the groom-to-be goes to collect the priest, finding him murdered. By the time police arrive the groom has disappeared, leaving only the corpse, signs of a violent struggle and a notebook containing a cryptic note written by the groom. The bride must struggle to decipher the note left at the crime scene. (Gift of Marcia Ronchetti)
The history is that of the Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma. Called a Haven of Hope it is a story of generous men and women willing to do the hard work necessary to realize their dream of a refuge for boys needing support, caring, education and a positive sense of self.
In Biblical Studies we have added Lost Scriptures: New Testament Books that Did Not Make It into the New Testament by Bart D. Ehrman. This is an anthology of up-to-date, readable translations of many non-canonical writings from the first centuries after Christ. There is a brief introduction to each chapter. Here are the range of beliefs that battled one another in the first centuries of the Christian era.
Finally, there is The Jesus Dynasty: The Hidden History of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity, by James Tabor. Critics deem this the boldest reconstruction yet of the life and times of Jesus. Working with surviving evidence -bits and pieces from excavations -as well as scientific analyses Tabor offers an interesting new synthesis.
Ronnie Leonard
ST. PATRICK'S OUTREACH
The Designated Funds Committee (formerly called The Endowment Committee) made the following grants at their August meeting
- $3600 from the Neill Fund to paint the exterior of the Education Center.
- $600 in two small grants to give people "a leg up."
- $500 towards the cost of a vehicle to bring medical aid to people in the bush in Tanzania.
- $2500 for CDSP, our seminary in Berkeley.
The Outreach Committee made the following grants at their August meeting
- $100 for Bread for the World
- $500 towards the refurbishing of the kitchen at the Council on Aging.
- $150 for Doctors without Borders.
- $500 to Episcopal Relief and Development for the victims of the conflict in Lebanon.
- $150 for a newspaper for Transition House.
- $100 for bus passes for the residents of Transition House.
Toiletries etc. As part of its continuing work with the Interfaith Shelter Network, the Outreach Committee will be collecting items for Elsa House, which houses women and their children. Needed are small toiletries for the moms, toys for newborns to 12-year olds, and baby needs of all kinds. Please deposit items in the box marked "Outreach " in the Parish Hall. Your help is appreciated.
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy is recruiting chaplains, both lay people as well as ordained. Chaplains need to be level-headed. They respond to traumatic situations and notify families of deaths. Chaplains come from worship communities where they are known to be loving people whom people approach for their wisdom and the comfort they offer. After a thorough training, chaplains are on call twice a month and participate in monthly in-service training. For more information call Chaplain Beverly Liberman (290-6174).
HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Now that the Holiday Bazaar is two months away on October 21, there is still work to be done.
Fine linens, glassware, china, silver, antiques or collectibles are needed for the Silent Auction. Contact one of the following ladies who will pick them up, polish them or launder and iron them and do whatever is required to prepare them for the auction: Sandra Hammond 833-2450, Dorothy Mills 539-0509 or Shirley Ward 545-3606.
Now is the peak of the fruit and berry season: time to can make jams and jellies or fruit pies to freeze for the Gourmet Pantry. If you have any excess fruit, call Jean Meyer at 833-5575.
The Garden Shop needs the following items: plants and cuttings, old metal garden pails or watering cans, bird feeders, antique birdcages, small hand held garden tools. For pick up, call Marcia Ronchetti 537-7703 or Cynthia Pennington 482-8046.
Tea Towels are our most popular items and there are still quite a few to be embroidered or appliquéd. Barbara Fry has the towels, appliqués, and embroidery patterns and thread available in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service.
Everyone is invited to join the Workshops that meet in the common room from 9:00 a.m. until noon every Friday. No special talents are required to cut, baste, turn, glue; or stitch whatever is being made on a given day. The company and refreshments are especially good. If Friday doesn't suit your schedule, but you would like to sew at home, call Vicki Ward 539-3731 for items to work on at home. Vicki is also looking for acorns and other dried forest debris for making Christmas trees.
To add names to the Invitation list or to delete them, call Pam Moore, 7149 Oak Leaf Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 94509 or the parish office.
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