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October 2007
Vol. 9 No. 9
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 October 2007 [Vol. 9 No. 9]
The Vestry is in the process of developing a budget for 2008 and determining financial needs and priorities. Obviously a critical part of that process is the annual pledge campaign. In the next month you will be receiving a request to make a pledge of your treasure as well as your time and talents to support the mission and activities of St. Patrick's. In making your pledge we encourage each of you to consider the many reasons to support St. Patrick's. We also encourage that your gift be made without reluctance nor under compulsion but cheerfully - for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 7-8).
And we at St. Patrick's have so much to be cheerful about. This year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the building of St. Patrick's. Twenty-five years ago, the congregation was not very big but enormously generous with their time, their talents and their treasure. While listening to the history of our church sermon on August 19, I was amazed at the determination and foresight of that founding congregation. It occurred to me that the founders of St. Patrick's were "real disciples" and we are the beneficiaries. Our pledges today can and perhaps should be a celebration of what we have been provided and a recognition of the need to continue to provide for the future.
Our pledges can also be supported by more practical considerations - ever-present bills! While we do not have plans for new buildings or major changes, we do have a significant responsibility to be good stewards of our church home and to maintain it for future generations. In terms of facilities we are exploring the need and costs for additional landscape work, and maintenance/repair of the driveways and parking areas. We have increased the work of the Sexton position and are exploring how to fill the needs of the Property Manager position. St. Patrick's has also been asked to be prepared to be an emergency shelter in a disaster and we are determining the responsibilities and costs of that with the assistance of the Emergency Preparedness Committee. We are also discussing the needs of the youth and younger families in our church and the need for regular child care during services and paid youth group leadership. The Vestry is also considering a part-time assistant rector position (possibly a .25 position).
Margaret Merchat,
Junior Warden, Vestry
All find a welcome:
Suzanne Pollard has moved to Oakmont. She was a member of St James, San Francisco.
Greg & Linda Goodwin's daughter Lauren is getting married in June 2008.
Candy Akers is a neighbor of the McDonalds on Pythian Way.
Joseph and Mary Jester are moving to Woodley Place in Oakmont from MN.
Jose and Maria Cruz are our new sextons. They are living in the Upper Room. A welcome reception is being planned for them at an upcoming coffee hour.
For this, much thanks:
To Robert Young & the Eldorado Syncopators for playing the Jazz Mass on Sept 3.
Pris Abercrombie, Naomi Holm and Connie Philippe manned the phone in the Parish Office.
Farewell to:
Pete and Pat Wolffe are moving to 5401 Victory Court, Fairfield CA 94533. They have been members of St Patrick's since 1988. They ran the Sunday "Shamrocks" Suppers. Pete also ran the Men's Lunch.
We ask God's protection of:
those serving in the military overseas
Chris Whittaker Dallas Casey
Dan Whitwright George Sutherland
Mike Bennett
We will exalt you, O God, our King:
Congratulations to Michael and Betsy Monnot who have been promoted from being "priests-in-charge" to being "Co-Rectors" of All Saints, Sacramento; and who are expecting their second child. As the Senior Warden says, "Good things are happening at All Saints!"
Connie van Loben Sels has retired from the choir. We thank God for her 40-year ministry in the choir of St Patrick's. She has been a choir member (& a children's choir director) for over 70 years.
May they know God's healing power:
| Lolita Seguin | Linda Belding |
| Hertha Brown | James Landon |
| John Burt | Jack Rockwell |
| Matt Harris | Ray Estabrook |
| Mark Kirkland | Al Cook |
| Eleanor Anderson | Beverly Daw |
| Vashti Papworth | Pete Rosser |
| Jan, | Teddy, | | John, | Pierre, | | Andy, | Kanaan, | | Steve, | Phyllis, | | Aurora | and Benjamin |
Blessings on:
Wes Cazel & Bob Morell are on the team for the Men's Cursillo in Sept.; Raymond & Susan Skipp & Carolyn Watson (from San Antonio) who will be on the team for the Women's Cursillo in Oct.
May they rest in peace:
Wyn Warfield died on Sept 5. She became a member of St Patrick's in 1985. She had been living in the Grove Nursing Home in Healdsburg.
Deepest sympathy:
To Fran Gent. Larry died on August 25. They had also been members since 1985.
JURY DUTY
I have been summoned to appear in Oakland to serve on a Federal District Jury, from October 22. I will be on call for two weeks. I have no idea how much time it will take, but I fear it will be disruptive. Why me! - Hugh Stevenson
FALL SCHEDULE IN OCTOBER
We revert to three services. [8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.] on October 6. During Sept, the services will be at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. with
Sunday school during the 10:00 a.m. service
AROUND ST. PATRICK'S
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Sunday school, directed by Raymond Skipp, meets at 10:30 (during the service) in the Sunday school classroom, next to the church. Children who are acolyting can attend class after the entry procession. The classes last for the full hour of the service. On some Sundays, the children stay in church with their parents.
| Sep 30 | Children in church |
| Oct 7 | Children in church |
| Oct 14 | Regular class |
| Oct 21 | Healing Sunday |
| Children in church | |
| Oct 28 | Regular class |
| Nov 4 | Regular class |
ADULT EDUCATION
Adult Education is on Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the Common Room. All are welcome to the classes. We begin on October 7, we are reading and discussing Marcus Borg's book, Jesus, Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary. Hugh Stevenson gave the library a copy of the book. You will find this with the new books .
A very interesting history by Robert Payne: The Making of the Christian World From Christ to Dante is the gift of Nell McDonald. Payne gives sound history and vivid prose in a fascinating, easy to read book, full of interesting anecdotes.
Living in Sin. A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality by John Shelby Spong addresses contro-versial subjects: homosexuality, pre-marital sex, lesbianism, among others. Spong says his book is a call for Christian people to suspend judgment temporarily, to engage the data, to be part of the debate, examine sexual prejudices, redefine values and help transform the times. It is thoughtful and well worth reading (gift of Nell McDonald).
UNITED THANK OFFERING
For 2007, UTO made grants of nearly $2.5 million to 104 projects. In California they made a grant to San Francisco General Hospital to fund domestic violence training. They also paid for kitchen facilities in the Lillian Vallely School in Idaho and made the retreat house of the Society of St. Margaret in Central New York accessible for people with disabilities.
UTO was one of a number of charities for which we used to have special offerings twice a year. The vestry decided that we did not want to give the impression that we were always asking for money. People increased their pledges and we now make an annual grant from St. Patrick's of $1500. We do the same for Heifer Project, Episcopal Relief and Development, and the seminary (Church Divinity School of the Pacific). The grants are listed in the packet of annual reports in December.
Our Diocese sent $12,449 to UTO in 2006. Our contribution was 8.3% of the diocesan giving.
If you wish to make a personal donation to UTO or any of these other charities send a check to St Patrick's and mark it with the destination whither you would like it to go.
CURSILLO
There are separate cursillo weekends for men (Sept 20-23) and for women (Oct 4-7). For further information about upcoming weekends, see Judy Buff. We almost always have parishioners participating. There are about 60 of us at St. Patrick's. Please pray for the candidates and the team members. The Cursillo 4th Day group meets every 4th Monday of the month in the Education Center.
QUARTERLY STATEMENTS
Statements will be going out during October to all who have made pledges in 2007. 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 2007?"
OCTOBER EVENTS
September 30
- Guest preacher at both services: Dr Jim Rawls. His sermon is entitles "The Spirituality of Bird Watching.
- Sunday school children come into church.
- The Spaghetti Feed for the 6th Grade Kenwood School Outdoor Program will be at the Maple Ring this year. They will use our kitchen the day before to prepare food.
FALL SCHEDULE
On Oct 7, 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. Adult Ed at 9:45 in the Common Room.
October 7
- Women's cursillo at the Angela Center
- Sunday school children come into church
- We hope to welcome our new sextons and introduce them to the congregation during coffee hours.
- Blessing of the beasts at St Francis' Winery, on Pythian Road, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. in honor of St Francis. Fr. Patrick Leslie of Star of the Valley Roman Catholic Church will perform the blessing. All are welcome.
- Daughters of the King meet at 11:30 a.m.
October 13
Camp Noel Porter-16th Annual Gala Celebration - Silent and Live Auctions, 5:00 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento. Tickets: $50 ($25 donation; $25 hors d'oeuvres). Childcare provided.
For reservations, please call 530-583-3014
October 14
- Sunday school for children at 10:30 a.m.
- Members of the congregation will make brief presentations about stewardship.
October 20
Holiday Bazaar takes place, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
October 21
- Healing Sunday. On the Sunday closest to St. Luke's Day, at all 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 why 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
- Sunday school for children at 10:30 a.m.
- Members of the congregation make brief presentations about stewardship.
October 28
- Pledge Ingathering. In mid-October, you will receive through the mail a pledge card for 2008. 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 blessed at the services on November 4th.
- Sunday school for children at 10:30 a.m.
November 4
- Daylight Savings time ends. The clocks fall back one hour.
- Commemoration of the Departed. 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 proceed to the Memorial Garden, to pray for those who are interred there.
- We plan to sing Evensong for All Saints at 4:30, followed by potluck supper at 5:30 and Hugh's sabbatical slides at 6:30.
November 11
Diocesan Convention will be held in Redding on November 10-11. Cliff Kent will take the Sunday services with assistance from lay members of the congregation. Our delegates will be Wendy Wood, Kathy Littman, Minerva Haddad, Karen Steelman and Doug Steelman plus Hugh Stevenson. This is the year we elect deputies to General Convention.
November 25
Harvest Thanksgiving. Please bring an item of food for FISH.
Spread the word to friends and neighbors that
St. Patrick's Thirtieth Holiday Bazaar is October 20, offering a dazzling array of Christmas gifts and decorations as well as Halloween and Thanksgiving items. There's something for everyone.
Stock up on homemade jams, jellies and baked goods in the Gourmet Pantry. Visit the Garden Shop for indoor and outdoor plants, unique garden decorations and novelty birdhouses. Raffle tickets are on sale at the door or between services. Raffle items include a fresh a floral wreath, custom birdhouse, beauty products, handmade decorative Christmas stocking, red work Santa, wine and much more. Consider taking some and selling to friends and family. Call Audrey Jaynes at 539-4555 for tickets.
Bid in the Silent Auction for linens, china, crystal, antiques, fabrics from around the world and other object d'art appropriate for giving or keeping.
Visit our new Coffee Bar and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee or mixed coffee drink. Enjoy a delicious sack lunch or gourmet salad and beverage to eat on the patio or inside.
Visa and MasterCard accepted. Ample parking provided.
BLESSING OF ANIMALS
Blessed are you, Lord God,
Maker of all living creatures.
You inspired Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless our animals.
By the power of your love,
enable them to live according to your plan.
May we always praise you
for all your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you Lord God,
in all your creatures!
Amen.
HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE THE
HOLIDAY BAZAAR A SUCCESS
There is still work to be done at the
Friday Workshops 9:00 am-12:00 noon.
Silent Auction Item Pickup
Items are still needed for the Silent Auction. Please call Sandra Hammond (833-2450), Dorothy Mills (539-0509) or Shirley Ward (545-3606) before October 10 to have them picked up.
Deliver Your Bazaar Items
Thursday or Friday (Oct. 18th or 19th)
Between 9:00-12:00
Gourmet Pantry items go to the Common Room. These items are always very popular. Our St. Patrick bakers need help again this year. Make a batch and store in the freezer now. Last minute baked goods, cakes, pies, cookies, muffins as well as candy are very popular as are jams, jellies and chutneys. Labels are in the parish hall for all those jams and jellies. Call Jean Meyer at
833-5575 if you need more.
Deliver plants, cuttings and garden items to the Garden Shop.
Save
the
Birdhouse!
To keep it in the
church garden, more contributions are needed. It would be great to have it setting on its post at the Bazaar.
PARISH DIRECTORY
The new, updated Parish Directory is now available. You can pick up your copy in the Parish Hall or the office.
One day, in my former parish, a young adult came to see me. She was working in the local nursing home. She told me how hard her job was. She worked a 4-hour shift and was responsible for eight residents. Often one resident would take longer than 30 minutes. Then she would have less time for the others. She was powerless to do anything about it.
Some years ago, health workers, organizing a protest march from Santa Rosa to Sonoma, asked if they could stop off en route at St Patrick's. I said, "Yes, of course," and Nina Pohl came and helped. Their Nursing Home was "For Profit"; staffing and salaries were being cut so that they would have to do more work in less time for less money.
I think about members of our parish, my own family and perhaps one day myself as residents in Nursing Homes. What kind of care will we expect or hope for?
I have become a member of Healthcare Justice. We are concerned about the healthcare system in Sonoma County, which is in crisis. The Sutter Medical Center needs to remain open. It is the county's largest provider of Medi-Cal services.
I attended a demonstration outside Memorial Hospital on behalf of health care workers who want to unionize. I noticed that most of the clergy who were there were Roman Catholic. A couple of days later a woman approached me and thanked me for attending. She said that she and her colleagues in the hospital feel powerless; they seek to have a voice. They want there to be a free and fair election. Despite the rhetoric this has not been made possible.
There has been a certain amount of comment in the press. Bishop Walsh of the Roman Catholic diocese hopes that efforts by the workers to have a free and fair union election will be honored. Appealing to the National Labor Relations Board is worse than useless; they take forever to get round to looking at the issues.
This is stewardship season. For my own personal stewardship, I need not to be a couch potato, indifferent to justice issues. I also believe that when the under-privileged (like health care workers) have a voice and become empowered, they get better at what they do. They provide better service. In the Baptismal Covenant, we are asked, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?" Both with my words and my actions, I want to say, "I will with God's help."
Are you concerned about health care in our community? Are you interested in being part of a discussion? Please let me know.
Hugh Stevenson
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