October 2004 Vol. 6 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 2004 [Vol. 6 No. 9]

Let's All Get Along A Message From Father Ed Howell United Thank Offering October and November Events Capital Campaign Turning Points Steward At St. Patrick's

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LET'S ALL GET ALONG

As members of the Episcopal Church, we are concerned about and involved in the political process. Most of us, I would guess, have deeply held convictions. When we claim in our vision statement that we "value diversity," we hope that within our congregation we will respect and listen to one another even when we know that the other person is totally misguided! I believe that ultimately civility is more important than our particular political opinions. Our Bishop, in his weekly letter to the diocese, says some things that bear repeating.
Hugh Stevenson

"Along with you I have been watching the present election campaign unfold on the nightly news and in the papers. I sense a spirit of hostility and animosity that seems to be worsening day by day. It is not my intention by way of these remarks to influence your vote or tell you how to present issues in your own parish or in your own lives. What I want to talk about is the hostility and negativity that seems to be becoming much more prevalent in our lives in the United States. We do have issues before us that are extremely difficult and people can have absolutely polar views on what to do about these issues, but destructive comments and behavior are, in my view, inappropriate. We seem to have lost something in the area of compromise these last twenty or thirty years.

Maybe it's just because I'm becoming older and more cynical but it seems like the art of compromise and people being willing to set aside agendas for the good of the wider community is lost…. People hold on to their point of view to such an extent that they are willing to destroy the whole process, and the economic stability for thousands of people. This style of wedge politics is dividing us further and further across all segments of society.

One of the greatest gifts that we have in the United States is the gift of being able to go to the poll and to cast a ballot. I hope you will encourage friends and members of your congregation to use the gift of their ballot to bring about a just society not only for us here in the United States, but that we might again take the leadership role of bringing peace and justice to all of God's people. Please lead your people to understand that the issues facing us can be used to destroy anyone who does not agree with a particular point of view. In all of this, I ask that you place before God, in your prayers, the state of this nation and the world.

Pray that there may be peace and an end to all forms of violence. Pray that we may once again take a role of leadership to bring about that peace that only comes from God. In Peace, +Jerry"

A MESSAGE FROM FATHER ED HOWELL

Meanwhile, I'm very glad to be here. I spent September and October of last year in Honduras - this is quite a contrast, which reminds me to thank you all again because St. Patrick's Outreach Committee gave $500. to "Honduras Hope." Bishop Allen and the ministers there are very thankful. See you in Church, Father Ed

MEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The St. Patrick's Men's club will have their October 13 luncheon meeting at Spring Lake Village, 5555 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa at 12:00 Noon. The cost is about $14.00.

The speaker is the Reverend J. R. Young, Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Service in Sonoma County. The chaplaincy service consists of a group of volunteer clergy from many different denominations who respond to emergency situations along with police, fire, and other rescue personnel. These chaplains provide an extremely valuable service to the people involved in tragedies - both victims and rescuers.

The men's club extends an invitation to anyone who would like to join us.

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE
The Unique Boutique will be held Saturday, October 16 between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. There will be many unique items for sale created by the women of St. Patrick's over the past few months. This will be the last Unique Boutique and the all who have contributed to this special effort are to be congratulated.

There will also be a silent auction. Please search your closets, cupboards, attics, garages, and any other storage areas for items to be offered in this auction. We need quality items such as china, linens, silver, antiques, and other collectables.....in good condition, please. To donate, please contact Sandra Hammond at 833-2450, Dorothy Mills at 833-2426, or Marjorie Friedrich at 538-2164.

ST. PATRICK'S ENDOWMENT Now is the time to complete an application to request a grant from the Endowment Fund of St. Patrick's. Applications received by November 1, 2004 will be considered at the next quarterly review. Distributions from the Endowment Fund are limited to (1) capital needs of the parish, (2) outreach ministries and grants and, (3) seed money for new ministries or special one-time projects. Call Pam at the office (833-4228) for an application form.

UNITED THANK OFFERING

UTO contributions from parishes throughout the United States total $3 million dollars each year. This money is used to support and strengthen the mission and ministry of the Church in this country and throughout the world.

• In Fort Worth, UTO purchased dental equipment for a clinic which offers dental care to low income families.
• In Western Michigan, UTO provides a salary to expand the ministry to refugees from Sudan.
• In South Africa, a grant from UTO pays for electrical service to a clinical, primary school and convent, thus improving the services that they can offer.

ECW NEWS UPDATE
I received a note from Mary Carouba to pass along to everyone who attended the ECW luncheon on September 14: "It was a wonderful event, and I'm so happy you invited me to participate. I really liked the women in that group, and felt so warmly received." She goes on to express her appreciation for our purchases of "Women at Ground Zero" on that day. $10 from every book is donated (that is the author's profit) and so our group donated $600!"

Mary and Susan will be giving their "Women at Ground Zero" presentation in Davis on October 23rd, so if you know anyone who would like to attend, I'll pass along the details.

Thank you all for the beautiful table decorations, the salads, and desserts. The next meeting will be Saturday, December 11, so mark it on your calendars. You won't want to miss this special holiday luncheon and program.
Nina Pohl

OUTREACH COMMITTEE QUARTERLY REPORT
The Committee welcomed Nancy and John Young, Kathy Prisant and Robert Leonard as new members. We regret that Sara Phillips has resigned because of other commitments. Continuing members are: Louise Clark, Barbara Fry, Jackie McDonald, Bill McDonald, Alec Peters, Laurie Raess, Elayne Roland, J.C. Speight, and Rev. Hugh Stevenson.

Hal Poehlmann and Tommy Apostolides are St. Patrick's representatives on the Board of the Vineyard Workers Services organization. Committee members have played an active role in its program to teach English to Latino workers during the crush. Four member of the Committee assisted the staff of the Homeless Shelter at the Armory in serving a dinner earlier in the year and we plan to volunteer for service there when the shelter reopens in the late fall. Parishioners are invited to take part in this activity.

The Committee plans to assume a leadership role in helping the parish develop a response to the threat of global warming. Several parishes in our Diocese have joined a statewide group of churches to undertake steps to reduce energy consumption, explore alternative sources of energy, provide education opportunities in this area, and be involved in public policy discussions. Rev. Stevenson plans to discuss this subject with the Vestry soon.

The Committee is still operating with a reduced budget, but there is a possibility of additional funding for special programs. We had $1500 to disburse this quarter and decided to donate $500 each to (a) Episcopal Relief and Development for its work in Sudan, (b) a Diocese of Honduras program, and (c) a "Brown Bag" program to prepare and serve meals for vineyard workers.

A bulletin board display in the Parish Hall covering Committee activities has been reorganized by Alec Peters and parishioners are urged to peruse it.
Bill McDonald, Chair p>

OCTOBER and NOVEMBER EVENTS

Breakfast The youth group will provide breakfast on this day, raising funds for a Mission to Mexico trip in 2005.

Men's Cursillo John Landon is a candidate.

October 10 and 17
Centering Prayer At 9:40 am in the Education Center, a workshop on centering prayer, which includes a videotape of Father Thomas Keating and time for meditation.

October 6, 13, & 20
Rites and Reasons A series exploring the Prayer Book, conducted by Father Ed Howell, is on Wednesday mornings following the mid-week Eucharist from 9:45 to 11am.

October 17
Healing Sunday On the Sunday closest to St. Luke's Day, at the 8:00 and 10:30 am 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.

October 24
Pledge Ingathering In the middle of October, you will receive a pledge card for 2005. Please complete your card and send it back by mail, or bring it on this day. The cards and the givers will be blessed at the services on October 31.

Women's Cursillo October 21 - October 24.

October 30
We are planning a parish square dance.

October 31
Commemoration of the Departed On this day closest to All Saints, we will remember by name those who have died. Please add the names of those you want remembered to the list in the Parish Hall. After the 10:30 service we will process to the Memorial Garden, to pray for those who are interred there.

All Saints Baptisms Walter and Lee, twins of Liz and Lang O'Brien, will be baptized at the 10:30 am service.

November 6
Ordination of John Leech The Bishop will be at St Patrick's to ordain John a deacon at 11:00 am. There is a reception following the service.

November 7
SS Wesley Sunday Samuel Sebastian Wesley, the grandson of Charles Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was the greatest composer of English Cathedral music since Henry Purcell (200 years earlier). We will sing his music on this day, including the hymn, The Church's one foundation, with his familiar tune, Aurelia.

November 14
Diocesan Convention will be held in Redding on November 15-16. Cliff Kent will celebrate Morning Prayer & Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:30.

November 22
The singing group, LIBER unUSUALIS, will perform at St. Patrick's on Monday, November 22 at 7:00 pm. This Boston based trio of young singers includes Carolann Buff, daughter of Judy and Charlie. Their program is "a cappella" music from 14th century Italy and is titled "In the Company of Mars: Johannes Ciconia and the ItalianTrecento." A $10.00 donation for the concert is encouraged. CDs will be available.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Priscilla & John Abercrombie, Darci & Bob Alderson, Kate & Rick Aldrich, Micke & Don Allison, Millie Allyn, George Anderson, Phyllis & George Arack, Karen & William Babula, Kris & Greg Baird, Mary & Peter Banks, Linda & Rick Belding, Dorothy Bell, Beatrice Biggs, Margaret Bock, Bea Bogel, Evelyn Borger, John Boskovich, Brycie & John Brigham, Hertha Brown, Loren & Willard Brown, Barbara & John Burt, Rose & Billy Burton, Charles Campbell, Jane & Bob Carpenter, Louisa Carter, Anne & Charles Chapman, Louise Clark, Mary & Jack Coon, Fran & Don Crane, Phyllis Cressy, Dorothy Crowley, Jean & Richard Derum, Nancy Dill, Nancy & Jim Duffy, Jean Elliott, Jean & Fred Feuille, Alice Fielder, Juelle & Fred Fisher, Marjorie Friedrich, Barbara & Harry Fry, Wendy & John Gallagher, Kathryn & Gordon Gary, Fran & Lawrence Gent.

Bernadette & Hutch Gibb, JoAnn & Will Haymaker, Jean Henderson, Sue Hogan, Charlotte & Will Horne, Dorothy & Vic Howard, Barbara & George Hunt, Ann & Robert Hunter, Jill Hunting, Rae Jayne, John Jenkins, Barbara Jones, Betty & Cliff Kent, Johanna Knight, Sally Lamp, Cathy & John Landon, John Leech, Sheila Leach, Bette Leedom, Rosalyn Leonard, Jane & Joe Linker, Shirley & Robert Lowe, Marion MacInnis, Gloria & Charles Mangee, Kay Martinelli, Pat Mates, Nell & Bill McDonald, Margaret Merchat, Jean Meyer, May Miller, Dorothy & Arlen Mills, Beatrice Moore, Pamela Moore, Harry Morse, Frances & Tom Nute, Antica Odabashian, Claire & John Morelli, Sylvia & Michael O'Neill, Wilson Partridge, Lucille Pearson, Pam & Colin Pegley, Cynthia Pennington, Carolyn & William Perry.

Ann & Alec Peters, Harold Poehlmann, John Pond, Virginia Poust, Laurie Jeanne Raess, Don Read, Else & John Redmond, Roberta & Willis Rives, Peggy & Tom Robins, Jean & John Rockwell, Elayne & Herc Roland, Marcia Ronchetti, Josephine Ross, Marge & Bob Ruehrdanz, Sandra & Armand Russell, Marcia Rutledge, William Schlangen, Sande Schlumberger, Phyllis Senter, Olive Settle, Margaret Sommer, Rosie & J.C. Speight, Joy Spragens, Karen & Douglas Steelman, Petra Sten, Angela & Hugh Stevenson, Joyce & Bruce Taylor, James Thacher, Maureen & John Thompson, George Thoresen, Sharon & Lou Traeger, Buffy & Allen Treat, Antoinette & Arch Turner, Marge Ward, Vicki & Charles Ward, Bobette Watson, Berthilde & Henry Williams, Patricia & Peter Wolffe, Ruth & Wayne Wright.

TURNING POINTS

For this, much thanks:
Robert Young and the Eldorado Synopators gave us a rousing start to the Fall season with the Jazz Mass.

Kate Aldrich, with help from Margaret Merchat and others, chaired the first August parish party and dance; Judy Buff led us in the Virginia reel.

Relocation:
Will & Loren Brown have moved to 1512 King Avenue, Napa 94559. They still plan to be here on the 3rd Sunday, when Will is ushering.

We ask God's protection of:
those serving in the military overseas Frank Papworth, Mike Bennett, Rick Bolen, Ryan Gnecco Benjamin Borger, Michael Anderson, Jeff Stout.

We will exalt you, O God, our King:

• Congratulations to Cameron Fisher who graduated from Colby College with a degree in English. Cameron will be living and working in San Francisco.
• For the healing of Karen Sipich, friend of Marge Ruehrdanz.
• For successful surgery for Marge Ward.
• Frank Papworth, promoted to sergeant, in Iraq.
• Bette Leedom on the birth of her first great grandson, Joshua Edward.

May they know God's healing power: Linda Belding, Lolita Seguin, Hertha Brown, Phyllis Arack, Joan Ingold, Henry Williams, Harry Morse, Catherine Priestley, John Morelli, Betty Fleming, Arch Turner, For Natalie, daughter of Cathy Landon.

Blessings on:
Barclay Bates and Jason Eckenroth, married on September 25.

May they rest in peace:
Sam Smith,
Peter Flournoy, Shirley's nephew
Doris Traeger, Lou's aunt
Sheila Leach's mother, Patricia Jackson
Tom Sawyer (9/3)

VESTRY NOTES
At the August meeting, we dealt with a number of financial issues.

• We have received a bequest with no conditions attached from Ben and Lee Nutter. We voted to set aside $30,000 in each of the next two years to supplement our income in order to provide an assistant. The balance will be placed in a special fund to provide housing for future Rectors of St Patrick's.
• We increased Mel's hours as sexton to 25 hours each week.
• We approved a letter of agreement for Ed Howell who will cover during Hugh's absence.
• We are revising the fees for use of the church and hall for weddings and other functions.
• We approved a merit raise for Hugh.
• We will pay a quarter of the premiums for health insurance for Robert, our music director.
• The Capital Funds Drive has been a great success and air-conditioning is now installed in church.

STEWARDSHIP AT ST. PATRICK'S

The clergy and vestry are planning to present a program of suggested activities which will help you to experience the life enriching qualities of stewardship if you decide to become involved.

We look forward to bringing you ideas to enhance your worship experience, methodsof prayer, activities that beneit the less fortunate in our parish community and the wider world, and an awareness of the efforts of other Episcopal churches and other Episcopal Relief and Development programs; in short to help inspire you to a more deeply God centered life.

The horizons of stewardship are as broad as the star on a clear night; it is up to each to us to grasp the possibilities of a more meaningful life as lived with "Year Round Stewardship."

Please watch for and participate in the activities that will be presented to you in the coming months. John Morelli