The Keys, April 2013 by St. Peter's, Redwood City, CA

The Keys

April 2013

of St. Peter

No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!

And yet who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? Ecclesiastes 2:19

Foolish Thinking Ain’t a horse that can’t be rode, Ain’t a rider can’t be throwed. In this month which opens with a day of foolishness, we thought we’d pause for a moment to consider just how useful fools can be. Usually fools are like Rodney Dangerfield—they don’t get no respect. In the interest of fair play, however, let’s look at the good points of foolishness. If we can’t bring ourselves to love a fool, we can at least sympathize, or, in the words of the great philosopher Mr. T, “Pity the fool!” There are many times when it’s helpful to have someone around who can put profound truth into simple terms. That’s the fool’s primary duty. When Dangerfield said, “My wife—she’ll kiss the dog but she won’t drink from my glass,” he provided as much insight into human nature as any two or three chapters in Introduction to Psychology. We can add that fools associate with royalty, which is more than you can say for most people. Kings and queens keep fools around because a fool is free to speak openly at times when smart people might be circumspect. Henry the VIII employed a court fool named Will Somers, with whom he held rhyming contests. Elizabeth I had a female court fool, a rare bird. Although men are often fools for women, women are seldom anybody’s fool. It’s widely held that there’s no fool like an old fool, but as Richard Pryor’s elderly character Mudbone observed, “You don’t get old being no fool. There’s lots of smart young men… dead as hell.”

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

In the tarot deck the Fool has his own card. Like the joker in regular playing cards, the tarot Fool is a kind of blank slate in games—he counts as a zero, changes suit, and trumps everyone. In fortune telling the Fool card can suggest lack of selfawareness or an impending change. Shakespeare knew the value of a fool. By one count his plays contain 23 fools, including Feste in Twelfth Night, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the unnamed but very important fool in King Lear. Most of these fools offer something more than foolishness. They provide both comic relief and unique wisdom. The delightful irony that fools can sometimes be a good source of wisdom has been the saving grace of fools for ages. Ecclesiastes (6:8) raises the thought-provoking question: “What hath the wise more than the fool?” and it’s really a challenge to answer. After all, even the class valedictorian was once a sophomore, “a wise fool.” The irony wasn’t lost on St. Paul. In his first letter to the Corinthians (3:18) he wrote, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise,” meaning that assumptions of wisdom can lead to self-deceit, while foolishness can lead to wisdom. In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul said, “I am become a fool in glorying;.” (12:11) The love of Christ had carried him away. This is yet another of the fool’s redeeming virtues: foolishness can be a sign of unbridled passion, as anyone who has ever sung, “Baby, I’m a fool for you.” knows. Our own St. Peter may hold the keys to heaven, and he may have been the foundation of the church, but as a mortal he was just as foolish as the rest of us. When he saw Jesus walking on the water he tried to follow, with predictable results. And he was aware of his own weakness. In Luke, Peter says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Peter has been called headstrong, doubtful, April 2013

and confused, but it’s also said that he was “the greatest of the saints precisely because of his humanity, his shortcomings, his doubt and, moreover, his deeply felt understanding of all these things.” Impulsiveness and weakness could be called foolish behaviors, but they’re behaviors that everyone engages in… reflections of humanity. Does that make everybody a fool? Well, it’s safe to say that all of us can be fooled. On April 1 wariness and wit count for absolutely nothing… everyone is equally prone to being pranked and punked, and thus the lesson of human frailty and fallibility is brought home to everyone… no charge for the cringe. There are patron saints for an almost endless array of subjects, including cities, animals, diseases, and professions. Appropriately, some subjects also have a patron fool. In 1494 Sebastian Brant gathered many of them in an illustrated allegory called “Ship of Fools,” in which a whole fleet of different fools set sail—one of whom was the Book Fool, the patron fool of your editor. All of us spend so much time trying to avoid foolishness that it’s good to have one month in the year when we can just go ahead and embrace our Inner Fool. After all, wise and powerful people come and go, while the fools never seem to leave. We won a hard-fought Revolution to free America from kings, but a quick glance at Congress reminds us that it’s much harder to lose the fools.

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Run by Mrs. Walker A Chat with the Parish’s Éminence Grise A quiet, powerful force directs the people of our parish, and we’re not referring to the Holy Spirit—we’re talking about Sue Walker. Ask any member of the congregation who keeps the church running from Sunday to Sunday and it’s Sue’s name that you’ll hear. The wonderful thing about Sue’s guidance is that it’s applied so softly, so modestly. Sue glides silently from one impossible accomplishment to another. She doesn’t threaten or intimidate… and yet who can say no when she asks a favor? We set out to learn more about Sue and probe the secrets of her success, and discovered that she was born a Hoosier and raised as a Methodist. Sue came to the Episcopal church when she began dating her husband Rod, and joined St. Peter’s in 1965 after her family moved west to Redwood City. She’s known five rectors here—Fathers Haverland, Gebhardt, Jones, Walmsley, and Chip. We were already aware that Sue coordinates the lector schedule and wrangles the acolytes, but it turns out that’s only the tip of the iceberg. We buttonholed her the other day and pressed for further details. Here’s a transcript. How many different church activities are you involved in? “I attend the Sunday morning Bible Study, I’m on the Pastoral Care Committee, I help with the Hopkins Manor Services and the dinners at Maple Street Homeless Shelter and I serve as a Eucharistic Minister and Eucharistic Visitor (taking Communion to the sick and shut-in members of the congregation when needed). I’m on the Search Committee, and I also help set up, decorate, and work in the kitchen when the Brotherhood prepares their wonderful meals on special occasions.” Of all the church activities you’re involved in, what’s your favorite? “It’s really hard to pick a favorite as I love St. Peter’s and being involved in the life of our church. I feel blessed to serve at the altar, but I think what gives me the most joy is being able to take communion to our home-bound members, the Hopkins April 2013

Manor residents, and those in the hospital. I love to see them smile and know that they are a part of our church family.” What are some of your favorite memories of St. Peter’s? “Gosh, over 48 years there are so many! I still remember our very first time at St. Peter’s… it was a very moving Christmas Eve service. Both of our children were married here in beautiful wedding ceremonies and one recent favorite memory was our 50th wedding anniversary celebration last year with our wonderful church family.” What’s your favorite activity outside church? “I love to read (when I can find time), I enjoy gardening, and I like to bake, especially goodies to give to others (so Rod doesn’t get too fat!)” What’s your favorite vacation spot? “We saw some beautiful and breathtaking sights on our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Alaska last summer, but Napili Point in Maui is my favorite.” To what do you attribute your generous volunteer spirit… what motivates you? “I love helping others.” You could search high and low and not find a better expression of Christian spirit and purpose!

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

In the Interim We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 1 Corinthians 4:10 When Peter Hutchinson suggested an issue of “The Keys” be dedicated to foolishness, my response was an enthusiastic ‘yes.’ As Peter notes, there is much in literature about the fool turning out to be the wise one or the savior – think of the opera ‘Parsifal’ – and the Bible is littered with double entendres, puns and jokes. So, it is most appropriate to take some time to explore and consider our soul work through this lens. Whenever I hear the word foolishness, or fool, I invariably remember the scripture Peter mentions in his article where Paul calls himself a fool for Christ. Much as we’d love to always be the wise, the good, the generous, the beloved, we are sometimes called instead to be a fool for Christ; to be the one who dares to call out what is pompous or greedy, the one who dares to live in a way that is anathema to how the world lives and works. In closing, I offer you this blessing: May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain to joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen. Susan + April 2013

THE DEACON’S BEACON By Dn. Skip Bushee

Well, it’s Easter Season. Since the beginning of the liturgical year, we have been through the birth, life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. It has been quite a journey. But now is a time for us to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection in our lives today. How have these events of 2,000 years ago changed how we live in today’s world? We have all heard the theological answers to these questions: Christ died as an atonement for the original sin of Adam; Christ died to show us that death is not the end; and so on. These may be intellectually satisfying but, for me, they don’t necessarily speak to the soul. For me, the great gift of Christ is that his presence among us completely changed the world, especially as to how we relate to God and how God is present with us in our daily lives. We have to read and understand the Old Testament to really appreciate the change, especially the historical books, Genesis through Kings. Our Bible study group has spent much time with these books over the past decade and has seen how different things were in those times. Many of us have been watching the new series “The Bible” on the History Channel that has dramatically (a bit over-dramatically to my taste) portrayed many of the significant events of the Old Testament. Through their reenactment, we can see how brutal the times were. Not only were humans incredibly brutal to each other (as they often continue to be today) but our God was a fearsome God, a God of kindness and blessing but also a God of terrible wrath. Most importantly, God was distant from God’s people, residing on a mountaintop or in a holy of holies where only a privileged few might enter. Those who dared to look on the face of God without special calling would die instantly. Whenever the people failed to live up to the Covenant, they faced famine, plague, slavery and imprisonment. In short, God seemed to be pretty distant and cranky. 8

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

With the coming of Christ and his great sacrifice for us everything is changed. God is no longer distant but right here among us, even within us. Calamity still strikes but most of the time it is caused by human hands and actions. We are even coming to understand that calamities of weather are caused or at least exacerbated by our own mistreatment of the planet. Still, when calamity strikes, God is right there beside us to support us and guide our way. God is so much more loving and forgiving and never a God of wrath and punishment. I know that because of the gift of Christ I can look forward to something wonderful when I die but that is not what thrills me the most. For me, the real gift is the real presence of Christ in my life today. Because of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, death and resurrection, I am blessed with a life that is full, rich and immensely joyous. All because of how one life changed the world 2,000 years ago.

Dn. Skip

April 2013

News from One Flight Up The Patter of Big Feats You don’t need to spend much time with Mary Lyn Azar to learn that the children in the church’s Godly Play program have never been busier… or more productive. A glance at the program’s accomplishments in March is enough to convince. Mary Lyn reports that during Lent the younger class worked on stories from Jesus’s life and works—including the story of Jesus and the children, the healing of Bartimaeus, and Zacchaeus the tax collector. These stories, told together as Jesus moves down the road with a gathering crowd, gave the children a taste of what drew people to Jesus. The older class heard similar stories from The Greatest Parable, a collection that includes stories from the Sea of Gallilee as well as the annunciation, transfiguration, and resurrection. At the end of March all of the stories were joined together to emphasize the bigger lesson. Mary Lyn says, “I often find the children’s wondering at Easter inspiring and thought provoking, and their joy in the celebration lifts the spirit.” On March 17th the children assembled Hope Bags for the homeless—small bags containing snacks, toiletries, and messages of hope and encouragement. The beautifully-decorated bags are on the table in the back of the church. Take a couple to keep in your car. What’s next? The Godly Play parents are kicking around an idea for the kids to make crafts for either the Holiday Bazaar or a separate craft sale. The “Crafty Kids” will help come up with ideas for projects they would like to make as well as ideas for where they would like to donate the funds raised. There’s also been discussion of having the children’s choir continue with bimonthly rehearsals and monthly performances. Under Jim Sharpe’s direction, the choir was certainly in fine voice on Easter Sunday. Mary Lyn tells us that everyone in the Godly Play program sends a big thank you to the ECW, who contributed $500 toward new story materials. It takes a village! 10

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

April 2013

From the Vestry

And rejoicing at the Search Committee The most recent Vestry meeting was on Wednesday, March 13. Here are some highlights: -It was the first monthly meeting with Interim Rector Susan participating, and she led discussion on a number of items, including children’s services and youth ministry, outreach programs, and possible office improvements. -The Vestry continues to consider strategies and options for the church organ. -A new copier contract was approved. The new contract will provide significant savings. -The treasurer was not able to attend the meeting, so the Vestry did not review church finances. Like everyone else in the parish the Vestry is always curious about the ongoing rector search, and Dave Goulden, chairman of the Search Committee, was invited to provide an update at the Vestry’s next meeting on April 10. More information will be forthcoming in the next issue. In the meantime, the Keys has learned that response to the Parish Profile was surprisingly strong. One source says that the Search Committee has been “deluged with resumes and applications.” Twelve candidates have applied (so far), and some of them are reported to have very impressive CVs and backgrounds. If you have any questions or concerns, Senior Warden Mary Esther Schnaubelt and the other Vestry members . are always happy to hear from parishioners.

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Wandering in the Desert A sad farewell to our sexton

Sadly for us but happily for him, our sexton, Mark Weiss, has accepted a new job in Las Vegas. He and Shannon are packing up and leaving at the end of this month, and they’ll both be deeply missed. Shannon is a lifelong parishioner and Mark became a member of St. Peter’s in 1988. Mark and Shannon were married in the church in 1992. Mark became sexton in 1999, and since then our buildings and grounds have been in very good hands… well tended by a loyal parishioner. We asked Mark to tell us his happiest memory of St. Peter’s and he replied, predictably, that his wedding tops the list. When Mark proposed to Shannon, Father Jones blessed their engagement ring during Sunday services. The hymn that followed the blessing was… wait for it… “Turn Back, O Man, Forsake Thy Foolish Ways.” Mark and Shannon got to re-live the experience when they read the Monday morning paper: Father Jones had called the story in to Herb Caen. Mark’s duties as sexton have often taken him to the church late at night, and he says that the building sometimes creaks and groans. He thinks it’s loudest when the seasons change. But Mark adds, “Or maybe it’s a ghost. Who knows?” After they move to Las Vegas Mark and Shannon plan to visit Christ Church, where Father Barry Vaughn is the rector. Old-timers may remember that Father Barry was once an interim rector at St. Peter’s. When you see Mark and Shannon, remind them that it’s not too late to forsake their foolish ways. In the meantime, warmest wishes to them both! April 2013

Noted in Brief Lenten Succulents and Easter Lilies This year countless folks contributed to some of the most beautiful displays of floriculture ever seen at St. Peter’s. First, the altar was flanked with copper bowls filled with succulents throughout Lent; they were later planted on the church grounds in time for Easter Day, where they will serve as a reminder of the congregation’s generosity. Then, several people contributed calla lilies out of their own yards to create arrangements in their place in the church. And, in keeping with tradition, the church was filled with beatiful Easter Lilies, donated and dedicated by dozens of parish members. Many thanks to all who have contributed in so many ways to the beauty of the church and the season!

From the Restaurant Critic Fine dining at St. Peter’s has never been finer. The hardy chefs of the Brotherhood swung from Shrove Tuesday pancakes… to St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage… to an outstanding Easter brunch… without missing a beat. Each occasion topped the one that came before. Many grateful thanks to all who pitched in! Egg Hunt Was a Smashing Success! The Crafty Ladies worked egg-stra hard this year. They got cracking and helped the Easter Bunny fill hundreds of eggs; their work was over easy! Thanks to everyone who brought candy, stickers, and other goodies to fill the eggs; if the dozens of happy kiddies on Easter morning were any indication, this year’s egg hunt will be hard to beat.

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Noting the Quoting Services on Easter Sunday were a joyful conclusion to Holy Week, and the occasion was brightened even more by the “Collection of Easter Quotations” booklets distributed in the bulletins. The booklets of inspirational quotations were edited, designed, and produced by our wonderfully creative parish administrator, Denise Delaney. Stop by the office to pick one up if we missed you on Easter!

Peet’s for St. Pete’s Our monthly coffee sponsorship program is back up and running! Many thanks to Su Boocock for her sponsorship for April; lift your cup to her at coffee hour! If you would like to sponsor a month, please write denise@stpetersrwc.org

Very Handsome in Profile Have you seen the St. Peter’s Parish Profile? It’s available for viewing and downloading on the parish Web site: www.stpetersrwc.org/news.htm Hard copies are available on request; call the office. The Parish Profile is the culmination of months of effort on the part of every member of the Search Committee, and it’s a fantastic portrait of our parish and how we see ourselves. Not to be missed!

Treat and Retreat This year’s Women’s Retreat will be an important step in ongoing discussion of women’s issues at the parish… and a great opportunity get away from everyday stress, bond with old and new friends, and move forward on your spiritual journey. Only half the parish is qualified to attend. If you’re among the elect, sign up today! The Retreat will be held from Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19 at the beautiful Bishop’s Ranch. Cost: $210. Can you charge a retreat? We don’t know… ask Shireen Luna Woo at (510) 407-2500 or Becky Schenone at (650) 888-2921.

April 2013

Serve a Fool! The month of April is a wonderful time to make everyone a fool! A fruit fool, that is. A fool is a traditional English dessert; the first recipe dates to the mid-17th century. The origin of its name might derive from the French verb fouler, which means “to crush” or “to press” (in reference to the process the fruit goes through in the dessert’s preparation). Any seasonal fruit may be used, such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or even gooseberries (the classic fruit of fools). To make a raspberry fool, you’ll need one cup of berries, plus more for garnish. Puree them in a food processor or blender, then strain out the seeds by pressing the puree through a fine strainer. In a large bowl, whip 1/2 cup of heavy cream to stiff peaks, add 3 tablespoons of honey or sugar, then gradually add 1/2 cup of thick yogurt (Greek works well) 2 tablespoons at a time. When the mixture holds its shape in peaks, fold in the puree and mix whole raspberries throughout. Spoon into dessert dishes and garnish with whole berries. Cover and chill at least an hour or overnight. You may want to multiply this recipe; no one will foolishly pass up the offer of seconds!

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Finding Your Way Are you looking for a new way to get connected or help out at St. Peter’s? Wondering what your ministry might be within our community? There may be more going on than you realize and more chances to get involved that you know. Think about one of these ministries and if something interests you, get in touch with the contact person listed below. • Choir—contact James Sharpe at JSharpe@stpetersrwc.org • Parish Governance (Vestry, Deanery, Finance or Buildings & Grounds)—Sr. Warden Mary Esther Schnaubelt at meschnaubelt@gmail.com • Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes and Lay Readers—contact Sue Walker at davtronr@aol.com • Godly Play (Sunday School)—contact Cari Chen at caripangchen@gmail. com • Altar Guild—contact Barbara Naas at gladbarb@comcast.net • S.P.Y. (Youth Group)—contact Mary Esther Schnaubelt at meschnaubelt@ gmail.com • Hopkins Manor Nursing Home Ministry—contact Deacon Skip Bushee at gsbushee@gmail.com • Maple Street Shelter Ministry—contact Pat McCarty at pat_mccarty@ sbcglobal.net • ECW (Episcopal Church Women)—Su Boocock (650) 591-9395 or Kathryn Marconi (650) 365-8861 • W.O.W. (Women of Wisdom)—Lori Castellucci at loriange1551@sbcglobal. net • Crafty Ladies (ECW)—contact Midge Bobel at (650) 364-0195 • Brotherhood (Men’s Group)—contact JD Davidson at jdconstruction_2000@ yahoo.com Of course, if you have an interest in starting a fellowship group or ministry at St. Peter’s, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Vestry so we can assist and support you in that effort.

April 2013

The Next Page The Keys is a monthly newsletter for all members and friends of St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. And all members and friends are welcome to submit articles for it. You might be a member of a group in the church that would like to invite more people to a gathering you are having. Or, you might be someone who has just read an interesting book and want to share your thoughts about it. The parish staff does reserve the right not to publish something if it is, for some reason, deemed inappropriate. But, we do publish most articles that are submitted. If you have questions about your submission for the Keys, please contact Peter Hutchinson at keyseditor@stpetersrwc.org

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship 18

The Keys, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal Church

Rites of Passage April Birthdays Kimberly Fonner �� 4/1 Cindy Sholes �� 4/1 Molly McDermott �� 4/7 Bob Bendz �� 4/9 Andrew Hutchinson ��4/10 Shannon Walker ��4/17 Harper Goulden ��4/17 Bill McDermott ��4/17 Diane Heinrich ��4/19 Graciela Walker. ��4/20 Justin Redman ��4/24 Phil Wolf ��4/28

“Isnt it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fools Day and ends with cries of ‘May Day!’” — Anon.

“Today is the day to propose to a girl. If she accepts, thats your LUCK. Otherwise just tell her it’s April Fools.” — Anon.

April Anniversaries J.D. & Donna Davidson �� 4/1 Angelo & Lori Castellucci �� 4/10

Please contact the church office to make sure we have YOUR birthday or anniversary date to celebrate. April 2013

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church   St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 178 Clinton Street 178 Clinton Street Redwood City, 94062 Redwood City, CACA 94062 www.stpetersrwc.org www.stpetersrwc.org

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St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Worship Schedule:

Holy Eucharist: Sundays 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays 12 Noon in the Chapel

Worship Schedule: Holy Eucharist:

Sundays 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays 12 Noon in the Chapel

The Rev. Marc Andrus  Bishop of the Diocese of California The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus Bishop of the Diocese of California The Vestry: Mr. Steven Azar Clergy & Lay Staff: The Rev. Susan D. Parsons, Interim Rector Ms. Adina Badia The Rev. Skip Bushee, Deacon Mr. James A. Sharpe, Music Minister Mr. Mark Weiss, Sexton & Facilities Manager Ms. Denise Delaney, Parish Administrator

Officers of St. Peter’s: Ms. Mary Esther Schnaubelt, Senior Warden Mr. Dave Householder, Junior Warden Mr. John Lessar, Treasurer Mr. Darryl Race, Clerk of the Vestry

The Vestry:

Mr. Steven Azar Mr. Ted Hardie Ms. Adina Badia Ms. Lori Castellucci Mr. Dave Householder Mr. Dave Householder Mr. Peter Hutchinson Mr. Peter Hutchinson Mr. Arthur Lloyd Ms. Susan Mitchell Ms. Nancy Oliver Ms. Nancy Oliver Ms. Mary Esther Schnaubelt Mr. Darryl Race Mr. Scott Turner Ms. Mary Esther Schnaubelt

The Keys is published monthly for members and friends of St. Peter’s Episcopal The Keys is published monthly members and be friends of St. Episcopal Church. News items Church.for News items may emailed toPeter’s denise@stpetersrwc.org. Next deadline: th April 26th; pictures welcome! You can find The Keys IN FULL COLOR at may be emailed to office@stpetersrwc.org. Next deadline: November 5 – pictures welcome! www.stpetersrwc.org