October 2009 Vol. 11 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: Mary Banks, 539-7378

Table of Contents for October 2009 [Vol. 11 No. 9]

In Defence Of The NHS Turning Points October at St Patrick's Around St Patrick's Stewardship

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IN DEFENCE OF THE NHS

Back in 1948, during the desolation that faced the UK at the end of WWII, Sir William Beveridge founded the National Health Service (NHS). This promised health care to every person in the UK. Of course it was expensive, but most people thought it was worth the cost. For 60 years, health care in the UK has been a right, not a commodity to be bought and sold.

In recent debates about universal health care in this country, derogatory remarks have been made about the NHS. "We don't want a system like they have in England," some people say. There are complicated arguments for both sides of Congress's proposed health care plan. But, for all its faults, I defend the UK's NHS. The NHS insures 100% of the population but costs less per capita than health care in this country.

When I lived in England, I had an excellent General Practitioner. When I needed hospitalization, I received it; and I got free eye care (frames were extra) and free gold dental crowns (which are now 35 years old). Thirty years ago Angela, who was a foreigner, had a medical emergency. She was taken to hospital in an ambulance, received treatment from a top doctor (a "Dame of the British Empire") and had a successful outcome. For the past 14 months, my great-nephew has been in and out of neo-natal intensive care at the Great Ormond Street children's hospital (the best in Britain, perhaps in the world). If these treatments had happened in the United States, they could have been prohibitively expensive. Even for someone with good health insurance, imagine what the co-pay might have been. But, under NHS, the cost for all of these was zero. In Britain free health care is considered a right, which fulfills both the baptismal covenant (BCP, p. 305) where we promise "to seek and serve Christ in all persons," and the Prayers of People IV (p. 388) where we pray that "we may serve the common good."

Some critics of socialized medicine intentially misrepresent practices of the NHS. They say, "Stephen Hawkins (who suffers from motor neuron disease) wouldn't have a chance in the UK, where the National Health Service would say that the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless." Hawkins, a British citizen and resident, himself says, "I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS; I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived."

Health care is handled differently in different countries. There will likely never be the equivalent of the NHS in the United States. My point is that the British system does not deserve the recent criticism. I called my family in the UK to check if they were satisfied with the NHS and they replied, "absolutely!"

Incidentally regardless of what is or is not in the Health Care Bill, everyone should have a signed Durable Power of Attorney for health care, stating your wishes for end of life care. You can get a copy at http://www.ilrg.com/forms/states/ca-powerofattorneyhealth.html. Take the initiative and talk to your doctor.

Hugh Stevenson

TURNING POINTS

All find a welcome:
Harv and Jeanne Doron have transferred their membership to St Patrick's.

Relocation:
The Rolands and Kay McHugh have not found churches like St Patrick's!

Kay McHugh has moved to her permanent address: 9955 Kennet Way, Elk Grove, 95757.

Elayne and Herc Roland are at 4219 Embassy Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-2438. Their phone # is 616-724-4707, and email: herc@aol.com.

Peg Gannon has moved to 1436 Richmond Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106-1811.

For this, much thanks:
Our acolytes commissioned on Sept 27:

Marcia Ronchetti	Ray Estabrook
Elizabeth Peters	Chris Voegels
Emma Sweeney	Jared Hunt
Christian Rencken	Camerin Rencken
Jackie Schloemp	Helen MacLeod
Nathan Ostrander	Matthew Martin

And Marge Ruehrdanz who has been organizing the acolyte guild.

To the Schloemp family and the Voegels family, who organized the Ice Cream Social on September 6.

To Wes Cazel and all who helped with the parish picnic on Sept 20.

To George Hunt, who took the services while the Rector was away.

We ask God's protection of
those serving in the military including:
Frederic Cazel, grandson of Wes & Tommie is serving in Afghanistan.

We will exalt you, O God, our King,
CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Laura and Shawn Canfield on the birth of Rachel Marie on August 28 (granddaughter of Angela and Hugh Stevenson).

Brycie and Colby Self on the birth of Brier Leigh, 9 lbs! (granddaughter of Bonney and Ewing Philbin) on August 12 in Seattle.

Brianna and Jason Weber on the birth of Stella Claire on June 29.

John Burt's son, Tom, whose marriage to Kate Chamberlain will be blessed on Sept 20.

May they know God's healing power:

David Pippin, son of Shirley
Greta MacLeod	Gordon Gary
Ed Dill	Loren Brown
Dick Beynon	Peg Robins
Lolita & Wayne Seguin
Judy Rose's brother Gennaro, and Rosalyn
Dicksie Tamanaha is recovering from surgery.

Blessings on:

Peter Belding and Kim Hiland, who were married on September 26.

Kate Aldrich, who went on a nursing mission to the Solomon Islands.

Emily, daughter of Heather and Erik Shumaker, was baptized on September 27.

Rowyn, daughter of Holly and Spencer Simons, was baptized on September 27.

Those confirmed & received by the Bishop on September 20:

Matthew Martin	Ken Blair
Bob Gebhart	Joseph Jacobs

May they rest in peace:

Henry Hayes joined the choir at St Patrick's Easter 2006 and died in Friends House on September 1. Deepest sympathy to his widow, Rosemary.

Larry Celaya, father-in-law of Douglas Cazel and long time friend of the Cazel family, died on September 17 in Phoenix.

OCTOBER AT ST. PATRICK'S

ACTIVITIES
This is a family-oriented affair with fun and food for children and adults of all ages. There will be games, a light show, two clowns, tattooing (temporary) and face painting. Carnival Games include Football Throw, Sponge Ball Tic-Tac-Toe, Go Fish, Duck Pond and an hourly Cake Walk with delicious home-baked cupcakes.

REFRESHMENTS
There will be hot dogs, chips and apple cake for the children; bratwurst, sauerkraut, German or regular potato salad and apple cake for the adults. Soft drinks, beer and wine will also be sold.

RAFFLE AND SILENT AUCTION
Raffle 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. The Silent Auction 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 (shireywardmail@sbcglobal.net).

PANTRY
The Pantry has been a tradition of St. Patrick's for nearly 30 years. Items for sale include the attractive and useful tea towels, delicious baked goods, home-made jams, jellies and chutnies.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS
Statements will be sent in October to those who made pledges for 2009. Please check them against your own records. They will also answer the question that some people ask at pledge time, "How much did I pledge in 2009?"

THE MINISTRY OF HEALING
On St Luke's Day, October 18, we will offer the Ministry of Healing at all services. This is a statement (adapted) from the Iona Abbey Worship Book (2002).

The ministry of healing reflects the belief that God's purpose for us all is a life of wholeness, as expressed in the life and teaching of Jesus. It is an integral part of our Christian witness.

Each of us stands in need of healing, but in this ministry we recognize also the social dimension. The healing of divided communities and nations, and the healing of the earth itself, have their place alongside the healing of broken bodies, hurt minds and wounded hearts, and of the hurts and divisions within ourselves. So too our prayers are complementary to the work of medicine and other forms of healing, which are also channels of God's loving and transforming purpose.

For those who wish to come forward, this is an opportunity to receive or share in the ministry of the laying-on of hands. This can be either for yourself or another person or situation. In and through this ministry, we affirm that healing is not restricted to particular individuals but is a corporate, inclusive process - the work of the whole Christian community in which we all have a part to play. God's healing purpose, the promise of God's fulfilling and sustaining love, is for every one of us. Whether we choose to come forward or to remain seated in prayer and concern, God can use our presence in this service.

WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
At 8:30 on the second Saturday of each month (October 10 this month), women of St. Patrick's have an informal breakfast get-together at Su Casa restaurant. In today's sometimes hectic and impersonal world, this group provides an opportunity for renewing the spirit and connecting with other women in the parish. All are welcome as regular or occasional attendees. Please call Mary (539-7378) if you would like additional information.

AROUND ST. PATRICK'S

FROM KENWOOD SCHOOL
6th Grade Outdoor Ed Fundraiser. Karen Voegels was the coordinator. They cooked their "Yosemite Pasta Feast" in the kitchen at St Patrick's. Karen writes:
"We so appreciate the amazing support that St Patrick's continually gives to Kenwood Elementary. Without the use of the church kitchen we could not have pulled off such a wonderful event. Thank you so much for your generosity. Signed: The 6th Grade class, parents and Spaghetti Feed Volunteers."

FROM THE QUILT TRUNK SALE
Special thanks for their assistance with the ECW Quilt Trunk Show on August 29:

• Friday food preparations and table settings: Vicki Ward, Phyllis Cressy, Jean Meyer, Johanna Knight, and Barbara Fry.
• Saturday, kitchen staff: Vicki Ward, Phyllis Cressy and Jean Meyer.
• Clean up: Vicki Ward, Phyllis Cressy, Jean Meyer, and Susan Boak.

I want to especially thank my sister, Sally Frey, for bringing her beautiful quilts, antique and new, to share with us. I have listened to Sally talk about her different adventures with her quilting friends and the finding of an especially lovely quilt on one of her trips around the country. Saturday, I was finally able to see her "in action" in front of our ECW group and am so proud to have her come to St. Pat's.

The event raised $1500 for Kenwood School. Each teacher received an allocation for classroom supplies that he/she feels are most needed.
Jean Derum

Special thanks to Jean, too, for hosting this event!

MEALS ON WHEELS
The Council on Aging is recruiting drivers for the Vintage House program in Sonoma. Drivers need to commit to one day a week to deliver meals to about 12 clients. See poster on board in Parish Hall. Call Michelle Farley (996-1414).

THANKS GIVING
Giving thanks is both a habit of the heart and a deliberate discipline of the Spirit. On four Sundays in November (1, 8, 15 and 22), The Rev. Bill Kelly will guide the Adult Ed Forums at 9:45 a.m. in the Common Room. Using the Book of Psalms, music (traditional and unfamiliar) and personal story, the class will prepare both for the annual Thanksgiving celebration and for the practice of grateful living. Bill co-led the class on Islam in the Spring.

SWINE FLU
In other parts of the country people are panicking about the h1n1 virus. Not so in our neck of the woods! We are going to take some common sense precautions. I have put bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizers on the table in the church entrance and on the credence table in the sanctuary. Please use them, but don't remove them!

• I encourage you to keep your hands clean in church.
• Before you exchange the peace with a handshake or a hug, check with the recipient. You may prefer a smile, a bow and a kind word.
• It is unhygienic when people dip their fingers in the common cup when they receive communion by intincture. Would you be willing to let the Eucharistic Minister dip your wafer for you? Or receive the bread alone?
• If you are sick, stay at home.
• Get a flu shot.

For more info see: http://www.cdc.gov/ h1n1flu/?s_cid=h1n1Flu_outbreak_037 Hugh Stevenson

DIOCESAN CONVENTION
Convention will again be in Redding, CA. It will take place Friday-Saturday, November 13-14. Our delegates are: Wendy Wood, Minerva Haddad, Barbara Hunt, Karen Steelman, Angela Stevenson, Doug Steelman, George Hunt and Hugh Stevenson. Our presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, is the keynoter at convention. There is a pre-Convention meeting at St. Mary's, Napa, on October 31 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

STEWARDSHIP 2009

In October we are all invited to make a financial pledge to St. Patrick's for 2010. We need to increase our income from pledges by $20,000 just to maintain our existing programs. Pledged income has remained flat over the past 7 years at about $250,000 per year while expenses have increased with inflation. We have survived because of reserves and undesignated bequests. The good news is that in past years new pledgers made up for the pledges we lost when people moved away or died. In these volatile economic times, please prayerfully consider these factors when you make your pledge to St Patrick's.

PRAYER OF THOMAS MERTON
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Submitted by Judy Rose

SAINTS AROUND US
I experienced the "Communion of Saints" this past Independence Day as I faced the practical dilemma of a flat tire.

Just before the start of Kenwood's parade, my 1919 Ford Model T entry limped into St. Pat's convenient parking lot. With the providential assistance of Sexton Jose Cruz, I located three 2x6 boards to bridge the gap between my jack and axle. With additional help from our parade passengers, the 90-year-old Tin Lizzie was ready to roll and we completed our first parade together.

Jose and our friends, as saints on the spot, confirmed the lesson: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
Rich Randolph

REMEMBER to set your clocks back one hour when you go to bed on October 31.

GREEN TOMATO CHUTNEY
In our house, we eat more chutney than jam. It's so easy to make and it provides a tasty use for the green tomatoes that never ripened. You will need

• 3 lb green tomatoes
• 1 lb apples
• ½ lb onions
• ½ lb sultanas
• ½ lb Demerara (light brown cane) sugar
• ½ oz salt
• ¼ pint malt vinegar
• ½ tsp of ginger powder
• ½ tsp of cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp of mustard powder.

Slice up the tomatoes. Peel core and chop the apples. Chop the onions. Add the other ingredients and simmer till all are tender and the juices have reduced to a thick-ish consistency. Pour into glass jars and can.

If I have more apples I throw them in. The amount of each ingredient does not need to be accurate. I usually use more vinegar. You can make your chutney chunky, or you can chop it up in a food processor.
Hugh Stevenson (disciple of Julia!)