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December 2003
Vol. 5 No. 11
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 December 2003 [Vol. 5 No. 11]
Liberality
The Republican Party recently sent me a questionnaire. Their final question asked whether I would support the Party or whether I was going to vote for "Liberal Democrats." Obviously they used "Liberal" in a pejorative sense, as in "Tax and Spend Liberals." If they want to be elected, few Democrats would want to own the "L" word.
Liberal is not a "bad" word everywhere. In Britain, the Liberal Party is ironically the centrist party between the Conservatives on the right and Labour on the left, and in Australia, the Liberal party is the rightwing party.
It is a sadness for me that "Liberal" is depreciated because it is a most attractive word. I would be gratified to be described as liberal.
The derivation of the word, as any Latin scholar would know, comes from liber, which means "free," as in "Free at last, free at last, free at last." When we feel liberated, set free from all that has confined or oppressed us.
In Requiems, we sing "Libera me, domine, de morte aeterna," asking the Lord to set us free from the terrors of death.
To be liberal is to be free from narrowness or prejudice.
The pilgrim mothers and fathers came to the New World in search of liberty. The American Revolution was a struggle for freedom. Patrick Henry cried; "God give me Liberty or give me death." Fortunately God gave him the former.
Liberality means generosity, the warm hearted readiness to give. It is the liberality of God that we celebrate at Christmas; for he was willing to give his son to the world, to be born of Mary, to live and die for us, to set us free from sin and death.
May you know "the glorious liberty of the children of God" this Advent and Christmas!
Hugh Stevenson
November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent. The 10:30 a.m. service includes lessons and carols for Advent, with Eucharist.
December 7 There will be a surprising (though not totally unexpected!) guest at the 9:00 a.m. service.
At the 10:30 service, we shall celebrate the music of Robert Powell. He is (or was) the music director of a church in Greenville, South Carolina. He composed the service music we sing most Sundays. The service will also include an anthem and voluntaries by Powell.
December 21. After the 10:30 a.m. service, would you like to help the altar guild decorate the church? We will hang the star above the chancel step.
Christmas Eve. At 5:00 p.m. Family Eucharist for Christmas.
During the 10:30 pm. Festal Eucharist, the choir will sing the Song of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1634-1704), with soloists, accompanied by small orchestra and there will also be carols for all to sing.
Christmas Day. At 10:00 a.m. a celebration of the Eucharist without music for those who seek a quieter, more reflective service
December 28. At 10:30 a.m., our annual service of Lessons, Carols and Eucharist
Christmas Flowers
If you would like to donate towards the cost of the Christmas decorations, in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one, please sign the Flower Book in the church entrance.
FROM JEAN L. HENDERSON
"I am convinced that our gratitude to God is not meant to be measured out once a year around a dining room table."
Women's Column
Women's Retreat
Ladies of St. Patrick's, it is once again time to mark calendars for our annual retreat. We have reserved the Youth and Family Lodge at The Bishop's Ranch outside Healdsburg and can accommodate 18 participants. Our time together will begin with dinner on Friday, February 20th and conclude by noon on Sunday, February 22nd. The cost for this weekend will be $130.00.
Please see the sign up Parish Hall sheet for reservations. Questions may be directed to Alice Fielder, 545-7372.
ECW DECEMBER MEETING
Women of St. Patrick' s, please mark your calendars for Saturday December 13th, the day of our festive Christmas luncheon at 11:00 o'clock. We'll have a short business meeting and then a delightful music program provided by Rachel Walter, a member of the Sonoma State Chamber Singers, and her piano accompanist. They were recommended by Bob Worth who is head of the Sonoma State Music Department and directs the Santa Rosa Symphony Chorus.
Please sign up to bring either a salad or a dessert and come for some cheer!
~Jini Bauer, Program Chairman
SUCCESS. To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Youth Page
ROPES COURSE
On November 30, the youth group will spend the day team-building at the ropes course at Westminster Woods. As well as raising money for the Mission to Mexico, they are also concerned to become a community.
ADVENT WREATH WORKSHOP
On December 7, at 9:40 a.m., there will be a workshop for all ages in the parish hall, making Advent wreaths and Christmas tree decorations. Please bring greens. And any unusual wreath forms; candles will be provided, plus an order of service for use at home with the family.
ALL AGE SUNDAY SCHOOL
On December 14 and December 21, at 9:40 a.m., there will be Sunday school for all ages we will practise/learn sing familiar Christmas carols and hear a story about Christmas in other lands.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT
On Saturday, December 13, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., the youth group offers child care so that parents may get on with their preparations for Christmas. Please pass the word along and sign up in the parish hall. There will be dinner, games, movies and crafts. This is a fundraiser for the youth group's Mission to Mexico.
Music In Advent
Gershwin. Sunday, December 7, at 3:00 pm, Sylvia O'Neill will play a recital with her teacher, Alan Rae, 4-hands, one piano. The program will include music by Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue.
Dana Couey. Sunday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m., Dana with Doug Harman will play familiar songs for the season. No charge; retiring collection.
Sing along Messiah. Wednesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m. at Luther Burbank Center.
Charpentier - Song of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas Eve, 10:30 in church.
God chooses the most unlikely people:
Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Samson had long hair, and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was burnt out.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
John the Baptist ate bugs.
Peter denied Christ.
The disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
Mary Magdalene was, well, you know.
The Samaritan woman was divorced. More than once!
Zacchaeus was too small.
Paul was too religious.
Timothy had an ulcer ... and
Lazarus was dead!
God also chose you and me.
October Vestry Meeting
- We are looking for a permanent clerk for the vestry. Any takers?
- We discussed matters arising from the Town Hall Meeting on October 5.
- In her absence (packing), we praised the contribution that Julie has made to St Patrick's and we planned the Farewell Supper in her honor.
- The Parish Finances will come out alright if we have a four month interim between assistants (November 1-February 28)
- The Diocese tells us that delegates to Convention must be over 18; so Carol Papworth is, alas!, ineligible
- John Leech is meeting individually with members of the vestry. We need to vote on his candidacy for ordination at the next meeting
- Brochures with pledge cards have gone out to active members of the congregation;. They will be dedicated and opened on November 2
- We have county permission to convert the store room in the Education Center into a bath room
- We are getting other bids for air conditioning in the church. The furnaces are 21 years old. It makes sense when they are replaced to add on air conditioning.
- Thanks to Hank McLain and John Morelli, the nametag rack has been installed in the parish hall. Please keep your nametag there and wear it at parish events. If you need a new nametag, call the parish office.
- The Unique Boutique was a very happy occasion and over $8000 was raised
Every Member Canvass
As of November 18, we have received 137 pledges for $201,371. Very many thanks to all who have pledged their financial support for next year. We are looking for about another 50 more pledges. If you have not yet made a pledge and need a pledge card, please pick one up from the church entrance or call the parish office (833-4228).
Annual Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on January 18. There will one Eucharist on that Sunday at 9:30 a.m.; the meeting will begin after refreshments at 10:45 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 a report by December 1 for the packet? Will you pick up your packet on or after December 29 in preparation for the meeting?
NOMINATIONS
We are recruiting three candidates to serve on the vestry. The qualities that we are looking for are: faithfulness (both in worship and in stewardship), leadership, vision, an ability to work with others, a concern for the well being of the parish, and the faith that God does all things well. The outgoing vestry members, who make up the nominations committee, are Jean Derum, Hutch Gibb and Don Allison.
Vestry meetings are held on the Fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. Very rarely do they last longer than two hours. A major item on the agenda is concern for the well being of the members of St. Patrick's.
On Saturday, January 31, there will be a vestry workshop led by Canon Barry Beisner, in which vestry member get to know each other and review recent accomplishments and goals for the New Year. There will also be a Deanery workshop with the Bishop in February for treasurers and vestry members.
Website
Check out the photos on our website of the Unique Boutique and Julie's party, at . The last Grapevine took 2 weeks in the mail. You can read it sooner online.
Outreach
SING-ALONG MESSIAH
On Wednesday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m., many will gather at the Luther Burbank Center to take part in the Sing-along Messiah, conducted by Dan Earl. There is a poster in the parish hall. This is a fund-raiser for the Hospital Chaplaincy Services. Tickets are $16 for General Admission, and $12 for Seniors and Students. Further information, see www.sing-along-messiah.org
HEIFER PROJECT
You can buy a flock of chickens or a llama (or part of one!) and the money will go to the Heifer Project. Animals will be for sale on December 14 and 21 after each service.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
On Monday, December 22, from 8:00 a.m., food parcels will be packed at Star of the Valley parish hall, White Oak Drive; and the following day, they will be distributed. Volunteers are welcome.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
If you would like to add to the donation of $500, which your Outreach Committee has already sent, Episcopal Relief and Development is collecting donations for the Fund for wildfires in S. California. Checks payable to ERD and designated for California Wildfires. The address of ERD is PO Box 12043, Newark NJ 07101.M
SOCKS FOR THE HOMELESS
St. Patrick's Cursillo Fouth Day is collecting good quality new socks for the homeless. These socks will be given to the Armory and given out to the men and women there on Christmas Eve. They hope to have about 125 pairs for men and 25 pairs for women. If you would like to help, please buy a new pair (or several pair) and bring them to church by December 21. You can put them in the basket in the narthex. The Armory also needs blankets. Thank you for helping to give some warmer feet for Christmas Day.
Judy Buff
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Outreach Committee Quarterly Report
The committee welcomed Laurie Raess as a new member. We invite other parishioners to join.
The Endowment Committee has requested that the Outreach Committee provide recommendations for small grants (ca $200) to needy persons in the community for their immediate needs. The funds will come from a bequest of Gene Friedrich who started a program of this type working through Goodwill. It was decided that we will ask three organizations - Goodwill, YMCA Domestic Violence Program and Friends Outside - to screen requests for aid and we will make recommendations to the Endowment Committee for funding. A procedure that will minimize delays must be developed because the needs may be immediate and urgent.
Special offerings such as UTO, Heifer Project and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) will in the future be handled by the Outreach Committee. An initial budget of $3000 will be expected in 2004.
The Committee awarded grants of $3000
for the fourth quarter. The recipients were:
Interfaith Shelter Network, $500; Hospital
Chaplaincy Training Program, $500; ERD
for Southern California fire relief, $500;
Law Enforcement Chaplains training,
$300; Social Advocates for Youth, $300;
The Living Room,$250; FISH, $250; St
Patrick's Youth Group for support of trip
to Mexico next year, $314; St. Patrick's
booth at Kenwood July 4th celebration,
$86.
The total of the grants funded in 2003 was
$10,000. It is hoped that the parish
budget in 2004 will allow at least this
much again, plus the $3000 noted above
for special offerings.
-Bill McDonald
Turning Points
All find a Welcome:
These have worshipped with us recently:
Olive Settle
Clem & Sallie Moore and their children
Don Read
Jean Teague
And TT Smith and family
Thanks:
Kate Aldrich organized the Farewell Party for Julie, aided by Barbara Fry and Hugh Stevenson.
Relocation
New Address of Nancy Percival: 177 Guadalupe St., Sonoma 95476, Telephone 707-996-6442
Prayers:
Hertha Brown
Linda Lewis
Lolita Seguin
Joan Ingold
Marilyn Schlangen
Linda Groberg
Marjorie Egly
Henry Williams
John Morelli
Shirley Rush
Thomas Quinn
For the men and women of the armed forces serving in Iraq, especially Frank Papworth, James Hoey and Jake Kimsey
Blessings on Janie Walsh and John Humphrey who were married on November 8.
Rest in peace.
Fred Shidler sat in the front row every Sunday at the 8:00 a.m. service at St Patrick's. He served on the vestry and scheduled the Readers and LEMs. Deepest sympathy to Karin and his children.
Barbara Fry's mother, Dorothy Spring, died on November 4. She was nearly 102
Shirley Pippin is just back from Wales where her mother, Annie Toms, died. She was approaching 101.
Reg Porter died on November 11. He and his wife Roseltha picked up the ball in building St. Patrick's in the early '80s, and ran with it.
Marion Barry died on November 13. Deepest sympathy to her son, Neill
Diocesan Convention
For me this was a much more interesting Convention than usual. There was more time for the debate of numerous resolutions. At the beginning, on Saturday morning, the Bishop invited any who wished to comment on the consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire; and many did.
A number of resolutions were passed down to us from General Convention (in Minneapolis, this past summer.) We agreed to eat less and pass on the savings to feed the hungry. We supported ministry to prisoners and their families. We were urged to train in "Multi-cultural sensitivity," to combat racism. We agreed to search out young people who are multilingual to serve on our committees, and to develop internships and "leadership development programs" for young adults. John Leech successfully proposed an initiative to explore solar energy in our parishes.
More controversial was a motion seeking to end "open Communion," inviting any who wish to come up for communion. After much debate and amendments this was finally tabled. There much talk about obeying our consciences, even if it leads to breaking the canons. We even voted down a motion requiring us to tell the Bishop if we intend to break the canons!
The major issue before us was a motion from St John's, Petaluma asking that they not be required to pay assessment to the diocese and the national church since some members could not in good conscience support structures that they did not agree with. Eventually they agreed to withdraw this motion and to consult with the Bishop.
We bent over backwards to be conciliatory of all points of view, and approved a motion to continue growing in unity together.
Copies of the accounts, resolutions and reports are in the green file in the parish hall. There will no doubt be a report in the Missionary, the Diocesan Newspaper, or on line at dnc.org.
Hugh Stevenson
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