December 2009 Vol. 11 No. 11 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 December 2009 [Vol. 11 No. 11]

The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came Turning Points December At St Patrick's Annual Parish Meeting Advent and Christmas Prayers Outreach News

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THE ANGEL GABRIEL FROM HEAVEN CAME

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God" (Luke 1:26)

In the beginning God was close to his creation. In the garden, "He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known," as the Gospel song says. But because of human disobedience, beginning with Adam and continuing through all human history, God became increasingly distant. God knew whether we were "naughty" or "nice." There was a great gulf fixed like that between the Rich man and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:23).

God continued to keep his eye on his people and never abandoned them. He sent his messengers, the angels to communicate with his people. There were seven archangels who were in charge. As we sing in the hymn, Let all mortal flesh keep silence, "rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way."

The best known of the archangels were: Raphael, Michael and Gabriel. Raphael means God heals. He watched ever the son of Tobit. You can read about him in the Apocrypha. Michael's name asks the question, Who is like God? He was the commander of God's army and, at the time of Daniel, he fought and was victorious against the enemies of God's people. Gabriel means God is my master. He announced to Mary that she would be the second mother of a great nation.

If you are interested, the other archangels are Uriel (The fire of God), Sariel (The light of God), Raguel (The friend of God) and Ramiel (The thunder of God). But since these don't have California Missions called after them, like San Raphael, we can forget about them!

The Epistle for Christmas Day (Hebrews 1:1) reminds us, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."

At Christmas we celebrate that God sent his own dear Son to be among us and to be with us. Emmanuel means God with us. The Christmas Gospel says, "We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

With the annunciation and the birth of Jesus, God has restored our relationship with him. The old intimacy, which we enjoyed in the beginning, is ours again. So we sing, "As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen."

Hugh Stevenson

TURNING POINTS

All find a welcome:
Boyd Dyer has moved to Spring Lake Village from Arcata.
David Hardin and Mary Gibbs, both from Santa Rosa, were here on Nov 15.

For this, much thanks:
To Sylvia O'Neill and Alan Rea who played piano postludes on Oct 25 and Nov 15.
Our convention delegates: Barbara Hunt, Wendy Wood, Minerva Haddad, Karen Steelman, Doug Steelman and Jane Hall.

Relocation:
Penny Brewster has moved to Petaluma.
Shirley Pippin has returned to her home from Friends House

May they know God's healing power:

Greta MacLeod	Gordon Gary
Shirley Pippin	Peg Robins
Dick Beynon	Ed Dill
Harry Fry	Merilyn Adams
Marcia Ronchetti	Missy Harper
Lolita & Wayne Seguin
Judy Rose's brother Gennaro, and Rosalyn

Deepest sympathy: to John Gnam and To Shirley Pippin on the death of her son, David, in Seattle (11/7).
To Carrie Kingman, who has been taking care of Charles Nelson who died recently.

We ask God's protection of:
those serving in the military overseas
Frederick Cazel & Jamie Crouse in Afghanistan.

Blessings on:
Stella Claire, daughter of Brianna & Jason Weber, baptized on Nov 1.

Scott Alderson, son of Darci and Bob, who married Alex Holzworth on October 24. Scott is in San Antonio at USAF boot camp.

From St Patrick's Alumnae:
Eleanor Offill, who moved in 2003, writes that she is 91, in good health, has 17 great grandchildren and is living Portland, Maine. She attends St Luke's Cathedral. She sends her best to friends at St Patrick's.

Kay Plaut (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW Apt K210 Seattle WA 98136), who moved in 2003, writes: "I am living in a retirement home in West Seattle, but St Patrick's is still my 'home church' and the church of my heart. I remember the [sermons and worship]. I still read Day by Day."

Julia Felker writes from Wellington, Florida: "St Patrick's is truly a special church. I haven't really found another church home quite like St Patrick's. I can honestly say I was warmly welcomed there…. I miss California, particularly the beautiful; Sonoma Valley and I hope to visit before too long." She moved in June 2008.

FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP AND PRIMATE
I understand from your bishop that the vast majority of your congregations have worked sacrificially to make sure that the work of the larger church goes forward, both through your individual congregations' diocesan giving, and together through your 21% contribution to The Episcopal Church. Your generosity has greatly aided the mission work of the larger church in this country and around the world. Your ability to share what God has given you has helped to provide for Episcopal chaplains for our troops in Iraq, salaries for priests in places like Mexico and Liberia, resettling refugees from war-tom places like Sudan, and the education of children in all parts of our Church. I am deeply grateful for your faithful support of so many ways in which the whole Church serves God's people.

In times of suffering we must work even harder to put the needs of others before our own, to be the Good Samaritan, to remember that we are our brothers' and sisters' keeper, and that it is always "more blessed to give than to receive."

I give thanks for your creative leadership, your sustaining ministry, and your engagement in mission on behalf of "the least of these" (Matthew 25).

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori

DECEMBER AT ST. PATRICK'S

ADVENT SUNDAY, November 29, is the beginning of the New Year in the church's calendar and the 1st Sunday of Advent.

BAPTISM of Rachel Marie Canfield will take place in the afternoon of December 6 in Troy NY. The rector will be away Dec 3-Dec 11.

ECW LUNCHEON is on Tuesday, December 8, at 11:00 a.m. The ECW will wrap gifts for the family we are sponsoring.

WEDDING of Sandy Messerschmitt and Tim Winkler is at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 19.

THE 29th SING-ALONG MESSIAH will be performed at the SR High School Auditorium on Saturday, December 19, at 7:30 pm. The SR Symphonic Chorus will lead the singing, directed by Dan Earl. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit the SR Symphony's music education program. Hugh Stevenson will be singing in the chorus. www.sing-along-messiah.org

CHURCH DECORATING for Christmas will be done on Sunday, December 20, after the 10:30 am service. All are welcome to help.

FOOD BASKETS will be distributed at Star of the Valley Roman Catholic Church, White Oak Drive in Oakmont on Tuesday, December 22 from 10:00 a.m. onwards. Packing of food bags is scheduled for the day before (1-6 pm). Star of the Valley welcomes our support.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Would you like to donate towards the cost of Christmas decorations, in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one? Please sign the Flower Book in the church entrance.

SHEPHERDS & ANGELS ARE WANTED for our traditional Christmas Eve pageant. We need lots of actors and sheep, etc. If you can take part, call the parish office (833-4228), or (better) speak to Raymond Skipp.

LESSONS AND CAROLS will be at all services on December 27. A guitar choir will lead the carols at the 9:00 a.m. service.

THE JOHN BOGART LIBRARY has two new handsomely illustrated reference books: Who's Who in the Bible and a comparative religions book titled The Illustrated World's Religions. Both are useful for quick reference and have user-friendly formats.

Also, the family of Ronnie Leonard has donated a book written by Ronnie, An American Journey 1634-1961. This very readable account of her family's migration across American includes photographs and fascinating details of her very colorful Mormon ancestors. One of these is Willard Richards, a cousin of Brigham Young and advisor to Joseph Smith, who was with the Smith brothers in an Illinois jail when all except Willard were murdered by an angry mob.

"FISH is always glad to see St. Patrick's food donation because of the SOUP," said Jean Marie. Since this item is in high demand, FISH must purchase it from the Redwood Empire Food Bank when need exceeds donations. Other simple-to-prepare foods that FISH can always use are PASTA, TUNA, and PEANUT BUTTER.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

There will be one Eucharist on Sunday, January 31 at 9:30 a.m. The Annual Parish Meeting will begin after refreshments at 10:30 a.m. We will elect new members of the vestry, receive the Treasurer's report and the Rector's report. There will be time for questions and comments about the life of our parish.

ANNUAL REPORTS
Could those responsible for parish programs please submit their reports as soon as possible for the packet? Will you pick up your packet early in 2010, in preparation for the meeting?

2010 VESTRY
At the Annual Meeting, we will elect three new vestry members to make up the total of nine. Do you have a candidate to nominate? The outgoing vestry members are Bill Ward and Hutch Gibb. The continuing members are Wes Cazel, Sarah Phillips, Fran Crane, Cynthia Pennington, Barbara Fry and Ingo Rencken. A brief vestry meeting for the new vestry is held at noon after the Annual Meeting.

UPDATE ON THE CANVASS
Thanks to all for the generous pledges that you have made for next year. As of November 17:

Pledges so far received	128	$218,000
Pledges not yet received	40	$41,000
Increased pledges	31	$7120
Decreased pledges	20	($11,065)
Pledges not renewable	7	$9,100
New pledges	15	$17,845
Average pledge		$1703
Median pledge		$1040

There are additional pledge cards on the table in the church entrance. We suspect that we will end up about the same as last year.

COMPOSTER
Xavier Cabrales and Jose Cruz have constructed a composter behind the parish hall. Drop off compostable material (leaves, grass, uncooked vegetable waste, coffee grounds etc). No meat, fish or bones.

SUNDAY NURSERY
Beginning December 2009, we are offering childcare during the 10:30 service on Sundays. The supervisor will be Carol Papworth, with help from parents and others. The nursery is in the old Rector's Office, next to the Sunday school classroom. Please pass the word.

MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW
In 2009, we met with Canon Britt Olson, the Bishop's Assistant for a mutual ministry review. We identify our main goal for the year as "to recruit, train and nurture leadership for the parish." We will meet with Canon Britt again for a follow-up on March 27. Old and new vestry members should attend.

CLERGY CONFERENCE
The 2010 Clergy Conference will be February 22-24 at Bishop's Ranch. The speaker will be Peter Steinke. He "explores the congregation as an emotional system, underscoring the significant role that spiritually and emotionally healthy leaders play in influencing the church's emotional health."

ORDINATION OF WOMEN
On Friday, January 22, 2010, Fr Roy Bourgeois will speak at St Patrick's as a guest of the Roman Catholic group who meet here. Fr Bourgeois is a Maryknoll priest and Founder of the School of the Americas Watch. He worked to end the U.S. government-funded combat training of Latin American militaries. In 2008, he participated in the ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska. He risked 36 years of priesthood to end sexism in the Church by affirming his support for women's ordination through the Womenpriests movement. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith excommunicated him last December. Members of St Patrick's are cordially invited to this meeting.

The first woman priest in the Episcopal Church was Li Tim Oi, ordained by R.O. Hall, Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong in Macau during the dark days of WWII. After the war she was forced to resign her licence (though not her priestly orders). In 1971, Bishop Gilbert Baker ordained Jane Hwang and Joyce Bennett and Li Tim Oi was officially recognised as a priest in the diocese. General Convention again rejected the ordination of women in 1973. On July 29, 1974, the "Philadelphia Eleven" were "irregularly" ordained as priests by two retired and one resigned bishop. In 1976 General Convention in Philadelphia passed a resolution declaring "no one shall be denied access" to ordination into the three orders of ministry: as deacons, priests or bishops, on the basis of their sex. In 1978, the Lambeth Conference accepted women's ordination at the discretion of the local Province.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS PRAYERS

ST NICHOLAS
December 6 is the feast day of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (around the year 300). We know him as St Nick or Santa. This is the collect (or prayer) for St Nicholas Day:

Almighty God, who in your love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

JUAN DIEGO AND GUADALUPE
On December 9-12 1531, while Saint Juan Diego was on his way to Mass, the Blessed Virgin Mary revealed herself as Guadalupe and spoke to him on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. On July 31, 2002, in the presence of 12 million people, Pope John Paul II canonized the humble Saint Juan Diego. Guadalupe was given the title "Patroness of the Americas and the Philippine Islands." This what Guadalupe said:

Let nothing frighten or grieve you,
let not your heart be disturbed,
do not fear any sickness or anguish.
Am I not here, who am your Mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not your fountain of health?
Are you not happily within the folds of my mantle, held safely in my arms?

Her words are reminiscent of the prayer of Teresa of Avila: nada te turbe: Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee;
All things pass;
God never changes.
Patience attains all that it strives for.
He who has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.

CHRISTMAS
A prayer for Christmas that Jill Hunting found among the papers of her brother, Pete, a civilian IVS volunteer who was killed during the Vietnam War. Jill writes about him in her book, Finding Pete.

By the way of Bethlehem, lead us,
O Lord, to newness of life;
By the innocence of the Christ Child,
renew our simple trust;
By the tenderness of Mary,
deliver us from cruelty and hardness of heart;
By the patience of Joseph,
save us from rash judgment and ill-tempered action;
By the shepherds' watch,
open our eyes to the signs of thy coming;
By the wise men's journey,
keep our searching spirits from fainting;
By the music of the heavenly choir,
put to shame the clamor of the earth;
By the shining of a star,
guide our feet into the way of peace.
--Author unknown

ADVANCED DIRECTIVES
When people are asked: "If you were very sick and near the end of your life, what would be most important to you? Regardless of the type of group: Seniors, baby boomers, college students, health care providers, attorneys, employees, grandparents, parents, or adult children - these are the responses heard most often: -To be surrounded by family and loved ones
-To be in their own home, if possible
-To avoid pain
-To have people praying for or with them
-To express love and forgiveness to others
-To receive love and forgiveness in return

OUTREACH NEWS

The Outreach Committee
The Committee met in both August and November. With a continued awareness that local charities are experiencing difficulties in these turbulent economic times, the committee has again chosen to emphasize giving to community needs. At its November meeting three leaders of local organizations were invited to speak about the work of their respective groups.

Four years ago, Daryl Bellach and his wife started KENWOOD CARES. With the help of the Kenwood community for both funding and direction KENWOOD CARES has provided 100% of its funds to individuals and families in need in Kenwood. (Our own Alec Peters runs an ongoing ad in the Kenwood Press, at no charge, to alert those in need.)

Bill Burrell, a leader of SONOMA OVERNIGHT SUPPORT and BROWN BAGGERS, spoke on the success of the downtown Sonoma house for homeless individuals and families that has operated almost two years. During most of this time it has had the capacity to house nine people. The house operates with an in-house manager and full participation in chores by the clients. Some support and direction for the clients is provided. Bill spoke of the continued need for transitional housing in the area. BROWN BAGGERS make and distribute more than 200 burrito lunches (Mondays and Thursdays) and 70 lunches (Wednesdays and alternate Fridays) each week.

Steve Dale, director of the LA LUZ CENTER/ VINEYARD WORKERS SERVICES, spoke about this newly-combined local organization. LA LUZ CENTER provides a wide range of services to families in need, over 95% of whom are Latino. Those wanting help come to the center for resources, services, and guidance with computer skills, health education, GED adult classes, legal aid and family counseling. VINEYARD WORKERS SERVICES assist the Sonoma Valley farm worker community with finding safe and clean housing.

Outreach Committee Grants:
August

Kenwood Cares	$500
Sonoma Overnight Support (SOS)	$500
Redwood Empire Food Bank	$500
Council on Aging (Sonoma Meals on Wheels)	$500
Total	$2000

November

Brown Baggers	$300
Kid Street Project	$300
ERD/ Philippines	$1000
FISH/ Sonoma	$400
Redwood Empire Food Bank	$500
Kenwood Cares	$500
Sonoma Overnight Support (SOS)	$500
La Luz Center/ Vineyard Workers Services	$500
YWCA women's shelter in Santa Rosa	$500
Total	$4500

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2010

ECW Christmas Project
The ECW is providing a special Christmas for a family of 11 children, mother and father. Thanks to all who picked up Wish Envelopes in the Parish Hall. ECW will gratefully receive cash donations and donations of non-perishable food. The parcels will be wrapped at the ECW Christmas lunch, December 8 at 11:00 am. Gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army later that week.

Heifer Project
A number of our parishioners support Heifer Project. Copies of the Heifer Christmas catalogue are in the Parish Hall.

Daughters of the King
The Daughters will be collecting toiletries for homeless people in shelters to be distributed on Valentines Day in February. Please bring toiletries to the Parish Hall. Watch for more information next month.