The Keys, June 2014

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The Keys of St. Peter

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

June 2014


From the Parson

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ast Sunday, for those of you who missed it, the young people were given bottles of bubbles during the children’s sermon to assist me as I attempted to make some sense of the Feast of the Ascension. While they blew bubbles, we watched them ascend into heaven, or depending on an individual’s ability to ‘inspire’ air into the bubble, descend into the carpet. I talked of that moment when Jesus leaves the earth and goes to join the saints and angels and God in heaven, leaving us to carry on with his work here on earth.

It’s an odd feast day, most often characterized by paintings showing Jesus dangling in the air – sometimes it’s just his feet – or flying gracefully up in the air, his arms and legs extended like a dancer, with the crowd below staring up wide-mouthed in a mix of wonder and shock. Theologically, the feast commemorates Jesus’s moving from one way of being into another, growing from being in a set place and time to being in all places in all time. It’s not too big a leap to say that graduation is another way of thinking about the Ascension. Ascension and graduation, we all agreed, had much in common. They are both ways in which we move from one way of being into another. As Peter quite rightly points out in his article, we graduate into new ways of being all the time, whether we want to or not. But it seems to me that graduation and ascension both imply not just movement but deliberate and thoughtful movement. Graduating to a better way of being isn’t a given; it requires something of us. We all know people who have graduated over the years and clearly should have been held back. But that’s not what we want for ourselves. In our souls we all know who we wish to be, so how do we get there? Perhaps the guiding question is, ‘What do I need to do to get closer to who I want to be? 2

People often search for the answers to these profound questions solely within themselves, but the answers are best and most easily found in community. This may seem contradictory, but we can’t get to truly know ourselves alone; it requires the pain and joys and aggravations and blessings of being in community to graduate, to ascend to new heights. Which may lead some to wonder, why bother with all this? Choosing to care about our soulwork, choosing to bother about who we are and who we want to be, gives us wisdom, we function better in the world, we don’t become inflexible, immoveable—and it keeps us alive to the possibilities. Just as bubbles go from being liquid to being bubbles to being air, we graduate, we ascend. Blessings, Susan+ From Tuesday, June 10th through Tuesday, June 17th, I will be away on a vacation/spiritual retreat in Tucson, AZ. The Rev. Eric Nefstead will be filling in on Sunday the 15th and The Rev. Skip Bushee will be available for pastoral care in case of an emergency. The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


The Halo Awards Moments come when a simple thank you–no matter how heartfelt—isn’t enough. Though I cannot actually give out halos, I can give out what I am going to call Halo awards and we have our first recipients this month. Skip Bushee (we are adding a bit of sparkle to the one he’s got) and Rod Walker are our first Halo Award recipients. Together they bought and installed a new coffee machine. Skip did procurement and purchasing— which involved a lot of time and money, since those coffee machines cost hundreds of dollars—and Rod did the installing, which required a big book of instructions and the patience of Job. Congratulations to both of you. You look good in halos!

Summer Reading For many of us, summer brings the opportunity to catch up on our reading and to do more of what I would call reading for fun. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting if we were reading, as a church, some of the same books together. Then, we can talk together at coffee hour about the book, plus we’ll be using the books as the focus of our discussion at Bible Study class that meets at 9:15 in the Vestry Room on Sundays. The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, is the first book we’ll read. It has rave reviews and is widely available. If you have trouble finding it, give me a call and I’ll get it for you. Susan+ A review: Make no mistake: A.J. Jacobs is not a religious man. He describes himself as Jewish “in the same way the Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant.” Yet his latest work, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, is an insightful and hilarious journey for readers of all faiths. Though no fatted calves were harmed in the making of this book, Jacobs chronicles 12 months living a remarkably strict Biblical life full of charity, chastity, and facial hair as impressive as anything found in The Lord of the Rings. Through it all, he manages to brilliantly keep things light, while avoiding the sinful eye of judgment. --Dave Callanan June 2014

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We Commence to Daydream An end, a beginning, the beginning of the end, or an endless beginning? Seven years of college down the drain! —Senator John Blutarsky

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ractically everyone has spent a June weekend or two at commencement ceremonies. It’s not hard work to attend a commencement, but it’s sometimes hard to concentrate. When your editor’s body is parked on a folding chair in the noonday sun, his woolgathering mind often wanders off to odd little subjects.

Such as, for example, the lack of consistency among educators as to whether graduation is active or passive. At some schools students are graduated; at others they simply graduate. It sounds more formal to say that a student is graduated— and formality befits a solemn ceremony— but it suggests not only that the school is taking more credit for the accomplishment than the student is given, but that the student may not get a vote in the decision to leave such a pleasant and comfortable place. A daydreaming editor also begins to wonder about the recent phenomenon of “commencement creep.” Graduation ceremonies, which used to be reserved for high schools and colleges, are now annual events honoring every kindergartener, third-grader, and trade school apprentice who manages to squeak through another year. And, nodding in the sun, a daydreaming editor begins to dream that since God is just, Edward Elgar is at this very minute processing around an inner circle of 4

hell, frog-marched through eternity by imps with glowing poleaxes, while youknow-what plays in a loop through a loudspeaker. It’s a satisfying image. But a sharp elbow brings us back to this world, ahem. So the daydreaming editor considers this: there are several English words that have two contradictory meanings: cleave, dust, and fast are examples. But graduation is the only word he knows with three contradictory meanings: graduation is an end, a beginning, and the steps in between. Obviously, graduation is the end of a course of a study. Graduation is also a beginning, a commencement, the start of a new phase in life. And graduation is division of a scale—there are graduated cylinders and graduated taxes. So what exactly do we celebrate at a graduation ceremony—the end, the beginning, the measured steps… or a strange combination of starts, stops, and mileposts? The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


The more we think about it, the more it seems as if graduation, which we associate with June, goes on all year long, year after year… and as we go through life we’re constantly graduating from one thing to another. Birth itself is a sort of graduation—it’s certainly a commencement. And we experience lots of other graduations before we even reach school: we graduate from muteness when we say our first word, from immobility when we take our first step, from selfishness when we learn to share, and so forth and so on. Once we get to school not even Bluto Blutarsky can avoid the inevitabilities that follow. Like it or not, one way or another, we graduate from school into independence… careers… relationships… new responsibilities… and the wisdom that comes from experience. With a little work we can continue to grow, and can graduate from self-absorption to concern for others… from self-interest to altruism… from anger to forgiveness. Every day is a graduation to the next, really, until we pass into the ultimate institution of higher education. All of life is one long course of study pointing toward a final graduation ceremony that your friends and relations may attend, dearly beloved, but you won’t. That’s where the last grade is given… and we hope we pass! In the meantime, like good books, we should welcome our frequent revisions. We’re produced in multiple editions over the years. The version of you that the world saw 10 years ago is different than the current. Perhaps you’re less colorful. Maybe you’ve lost your appendix. Maybe your contents have expanded. Perhaps you’ve become glossy… perhaps marked June 2014

and worn. Hopefully you’re not dogeared. Just as a good book is never perfected, only revised, our work is never really finished. The Author continues to suggest improvements. We should pay close attention to his notes. Benjamin Franklin’s first and favorite profession was printing, though he graduated to many other jobs and projects. We’re reminded of the epitaph that he composed for himself: The Body of B. Franklin Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ’d, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended By the Author. A pleasant thought to end our daydreams with. And now the crowd is clapping… the mortarboards are flying… We made it! What’s next?

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THE DEACON’S BEACON By Dn. Skip Bushee Graduation can be a time of great anxiety. It is a time of transition, a time when the future can be very uncertain. I remember vividly my own college graduation. It was 1968, the height of the Vietnam war. The draft lottery had not yet been instituted and most traditional deferments had been eliminated so virtually every able-bodied male was drafted into the army immediately upon graduation. I was 1A and received my induction notice barely one month after graduation. Fortunately, I had already begun Air Force Officers’ Training School in San Antonio so I was able to decline the Army’s offer. But that’s another story... St. Peter’s is approaching a graduation of sorts this September. We will celebrate our sesquicentennial - 150 years of existence. In 1864 we were in the midst of another great and painful war, the War between the States. There were only a handful of Episcopal churches in California, all in the north. We were founded in the same year as the first Episcopal church in Southern California. So is this just another milestone to be celebrated and forgotten? I don’t think so. Nationally, the Episcopal Church is in crisis. Its membership is declining and its overall mission and direction is unclear. My service at Trinity, Menlo Park has given me a new perspective on how unique St. Peter’s is, both in its talented and loving congregation and in its position in a community with extraordinary needs. This is a time when we are facing an uncertain future and we need to feel anxiety about where we go. We are blessed with a new strong and caring leader and with a number of young and energetic families. We are doing an excellent job of refurbishing our facility and stabilizing our finances. I strongly believe that this is a time when we need to look beyond our selves, to dream big and envision a new future, a future where we find new ways to serve the many and varied needs of our local community. I am hopeful that we can partner with other churches in the area, especially our wealthier Episcopal neighbors, to combine our resources and make a difference here on the peninsula. I hope we can find ways in the coming months to gather in groups and dream. I am convinced that we can make a difference if we do.

Dn. Skip 6

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


Baton Notes –James Sharpe

Ascension Commencement to Pentecost Last Sunday, we celebrated the Ascension of our Lord. What this means in the real world is that Jesus and the disciples went alone to a high place, and, before Jesus left them, said, “OK – it is now time for graduation. Now you shall commence doing the work and, and you no longer have me to teach you in person.” It is graduation – just as many of us are experiencing it now. This is frightening. The fear of the unknown, of leaving trusted associates, of testing one’s choices without the help of a mentor. This happens when we change schools, change jobs, or just try doing something we have not done before. Of course the disciples, and Jesus’ followers, received an unexpected gift – that of the Spirit. We call this Pentecost, and it is considered the true birthday of the Church. We celebrate that this Sunday by joyfully singing hymns and anthem such as “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart,” or “Arise, Shine and Share Your Light.” This gift means that God’s leadership and presence in life is still, and always will be, with us. Life might be considered a series of commencement events. Daily we have choices, opportunities, or doubts. Using the gift of the Spirit, there is ample support and reason to move forward in new ways. We are seeing it in our parish as we preparation for Mother Susan’s installation, and the celebration of 150 years of activity as an active spiritual community. As has been said before, choir is a way to try something new. Even if you don’t have interest or skills in this part of our worship, maybe someone else, a friend, co-worker, or young person, does, and needs your encouragement. Be fearless! You can help them graduate and commence singing in our choir. We will meet on the second and fourth Sundays of June at the usual time of 9:00 am. Please join us. Grace and peace, JAS

June 2014

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Lofty Visions –Peter Swain-Kates

Brother, can you spare some quarters? When I lost my voice on Easter, it was embarrassing. Usually that kind of event is reserved for Christmas Eve, is well publicized, and always precedes activity solemnly described in solemn words such as “… a committee was formed, and after due deliberations …” All of which sounds serious, expensive, and, in this case, unnecessary. You see, it was all because of a battery. Not the kind you have in your car, or the kind you use in a flashlight. No – simply the tiny kind that you find in a desktop computer, the one which keeps the clock running when the computer is off, and which “remembers” other fancy stuff such as how the computer is set up. When that battery fails, the computer won’t start, or might even stop. No problem - you just zip off to the store and get a new one. Cost is $3.50. In my case, there are two batteries, one on each of the computer boards which help me sing, and neither had been replaced in fifteen years. … sigh … Anyway, then my caregivers had to locate the computer file which tells me how to sing, the cable which gets/sends instructions, and a laptop computer to do all this. Just in case, my computer boards were tested, and appear to be OK. The program was reloaded, and, voilà, just about everything works. Now – what would be nice is to sing both loud and soft. There are some shutters which open and close. These control how much sound I share. Loud is nice, but the real thrill is singing so softly that those listening experience chills - just like at Grace Cathedral. Similar to stretching my legs, it would be nice to again be able to use them again. Word is that it might happen. As always, keep singing. It is your job. PSK

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The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


Noted in Brief Church Women Unite!

Parish women are invited to a meeting in the Vestry Room after the 10:30 service on June 22. Under discussion: how to organize moving forward. Do you have thoughts on how the ECW can be more vital and inclusive? What projects should we tackle in the second half of 2014? Pull up a chair and share your ideas! Questions? See Su Boocock, or give her a buzz at 650 591-9395.

Independence Day Service on June 29!

We will celebrate Indepence Day on June 29 with one service at 10 a.m. Plan to join us!

Down Under

Sexton Marco Picon reports that the city has completed work on the sewer line beneath Clinton Street and is almost finished repaving the street and sidewalk. If your faith in engineering is unshakeable, rejoice that our plumbing problems have been solved. If you think it might be a little soon to rejoice, light a candle in the sanctuary!

Speaking of Candles…

Nancy Oliver tells us that there are several dates available for altar candles and flowers. There’s no better way to commemorate a loved one or an important moment… and it’s a gift that’s appreciated and enjoyed by the whole congregation. Costs are surprisingly reasonable. Give Nancy a call at 650 592-5822.

Thanks!

A mysterious force moves through our parish, invisibly performing good works… and we aren’t talking about the Holy Spirit. We’re talking about Laura Ild. We’ve heard from many sources that Laura has been hard at work cleaning, organizing, and generally improving the facilities, and everyone touched by her efforts is amazed at her dedication. And everyone’s grateful. If you open a closet door and discover that the contents have been mysteriously straightened up and set to rights, tip your hat to Laura. We need more like her!

Resurgent from the Retreat:They fall back…and now they’re stronger than ever!

Last month’s St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat got rave reviews. Held at Bishop’s Ranch on the weekend of May 16 through 18, the retreat had something for everyone—yoga, art, envisioning, and relaxation were all on the agenda. The weekend’s theme was transformation, and it seems as if each participant was transformed for the better. We’re told that yoga won’t follow the winetasting next year… but it was perfect otherwise.

Peet’s for St. Pete’s

We are very grateful to The Park Family for their sponsorship of Peet’s Coffee for June; lift your cup to them at coffee hour! Would you like to sponsor a month? Please write denise@stpetersrwc.org June 2014

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May 2014 S M T W T 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29

F 2 9 16 23 30

June

S 3 10 17 24 31

Sunday

SPY: St. Peter’s Youth 1:30-3:00 p.m. (bowling)

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Monday

2

Tuesday

3

Wedn

Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.

8

9

Vestry Meeting 7 p.m.

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Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m.

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16

Mother Susan out of town June 10-17

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Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m. Father’s Day Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m.

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ECW Meeting following 10:30 service TENTATIVE: SPY: St. Peter’s Youth 6:00-7:30 p.m.

ONE SERVICE AT 10:00! Independence Day to be celebrated!

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Mother Sus

Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.

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30 Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


2014

nesday

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July 2014 S M T W T 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31

Thursday

5

Friday

6

F 4 11 18 25

S 5 12 19 26

Saturday

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Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00

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12

13

14

19

20

21

27

28

Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00

18 Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00

san returns

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Youth Group trip to Pen-TV

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Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00

Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00

June 2014

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From the Vestry The last meeting of the Vestry was on Tuesday, May 6. Treasurer John Lessar presented updated financial reports. A quick summary of the church’s performance through the first quarter of 2014 shows us almost breaking even and ahead of budget: January through March, 2014 Actual

Budget

Variance

Revenue Expense

$73,005 73,902

$66,694 72,925

$ 6,311 977

Net

$ - 898

$ -6,231

$ 5,334

Brotherhood of St. Peter’s. JD Davidson gave a brief report on the Brotherhood’s activities. In recent years the Brotherhood has contributed about $2,500 to the parish, used to purchase Godly Play materials, kitchenware, appliances, and other needed items. The Brotherhood has also hosted four dinners in the past year, including Thanksgiving dinner, the pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, and brunches on Easter and Mother’s Day. In light of declining Brotherhood membership, it seemed to the Vestry that now would be a good time to re-think future activities, and many suggestions were forthcoming. Further thought and discussion will follow. Other items on the agenda... Music. The congregation is receptive to including some more contemporary music in the 10:30 services. Buildings and grounds. Among recent activities… • • • • •

Megan Goulden has supervised several new plantings. Timers for outdoor lights have been installed. Paving stones in the grounds fronting Brewster Street are still under discussion, Likewise benches and other improvements to the grounds fronting Clinton Street. Plans to dedicate the Library to the memory of Bruce Lacina are proceeding.

150th Anniversary. A meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 1 to discuss party plans for the anniversary weekend in September. Volunteers are sought in several areas. Becky Schenone will facilitate. The documentary video project is track. Right Relationship certification. Right Relationship certifies that parishioners working with children have had online training at ShieldTheVulnerable.org and a brief background check. Certification is 12

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


a diocesan requirement which we support and will honor. It was stressed that parish policy requires two adults to be present at any gathering of children. The Vestry is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:00 PM, and the Keys will report on that meeting in our next issue. If you have questions in the meantime, see a member of the Vestry (listed on the back cover).

New Web Site Looking good online

If you haven’t been to www.stpetersrwc.org recently, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Thanks to a lot of effort from Dave Goulden and Trish Reilly Taylor, our new and improved parish Web site is up and running… and looking marvelous. Mother Susan tells the Keys, “I couldn’t be more delighted with the new site. I’m grateful to everyone who made the new site such a success, and I’m grateful to Deacon Skip for his years of service as Webmaster on the old site.” We hear that further improvements are planned, so keep checking.

Kid Stuff Always curious about the younger parishioners, we asked Cari Pang Chen, our Godly Play Coordinator, for a quick update on the Godly Play program and other youth activities. “We’re continuing to explore which elements of the Godly Play program are most engaging for the children and youth at St. Peter’s, and most comfortable for the adult leaders. “The kids tell us that community service activities are a real favorite. Some of the older children have said they would be willing to lead some of their favorite Godly Play stories for the younger children, and all of the children enjoyed being able to take turns reading the Berenstain Bears with one another. They also enjoyed acting out the Christmas Pageant, and would be interested in possibly acting out another story during the year. “They were not as excited to sing in front of the church every month, but would be willing to consider doing it every two months. We’ll be meeting on June 5 to do more planning for the Godly Play program. “If you and/or your children would like to be involved in the Godly Play program in the future, please let me know so we can keep you informed and involved.” You can reach Cari at caripangchen@gmail.com, or at 650 274-8643. And we can’t wait for the next dramatic performance! June 2014

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A Sesquicentennial Minute Monthly tidbits from our parish history

Our first Sesquicentennial Minute opens with a brain teaser. What do the Episcopal church in Smyrna, Delaware… the parish hall of St. James Church in Oakland… and St. Peter’s Church in Redwood City all have in common? You might say that the answer is shared DNA. Our parish’s founding rector, Father Giles Alexander Easton, was born in western New York state in 1829. In 1850 he moved to Smyrna, Delaware, where he was baptized and confirmed in Smyrna’s Episcopal church, St. Peter’s. When he started a mission church in Redwood City in 1864 he named it for the Delaware church he was baptized in. So in a way, you might say we have kin back east. Go to the Smyrna church’s home page, at www.stpeters-smyrna.org, and what do you see? Their parish motto: “All are welcome.” Hmm… maybe it runs in the family. Father Easton was a serial founder. He also started St. Matthew’s in San Mateo and St. Luke’s in San Francisco, and he served in many parishes throughout northern California. You can see his portrait in the Vestry Room. Like the Israelites, the first parishioners at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Redwood City wandered in the wilderness before they found a home. They worshipped in the courthouse and at the Congregational church, but they wanted a building of their own, and within three years they had one: the “Little Red Church” on Jefferson Avenue, across the street from the post office. The plan of the Little Red Church was modeled on the Church of the Advent in Oakland, which had been built a few years earlier. That building is still standing. After a merger in the 1920s Advent became the Church of St. James, and although the congregation built a new, larger sanctuary, they kept the original building as their parish hall. The Little Red Church was torn down in 1925 when we moved to Clinton Street, but if you want to see a ghost, head across the bridge to 1540 12th Avenue, Oakland.

The Little Red Church in Redwood City

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The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


St. Peter’s Church in Smyrna, DE, ca. 1898.

The parish hall of St. James Church in Oakland, formerly Church of the Advent. This building was the model for the Little Red Church.

150th Anniversary

Party and documentary are both gathering speed During a spirited discussion during coffee hour on June 1, planning kicked off for our 150th anniversary party on September 14. Big plans… big party! Many thanks to all the parishioners who volunteered to pitch in. And yes, there’s room for more. Our Saturday celebration will include Mother Susan’s installation service, a blockbuster block party, and the world premier of our 150th anniversary documentary on the past, present, and future of St. Peter’s Church. If you’d like to help with any part of the big celebration, or if you just want to learn more, call Becky Schenone at (650) 888-2921. Speaking of the documentary… have you and your family been interviewed yet? Don’t miss this opportunity to speak for posterity! Becky will find a slot for you. The number again? (650) 888-2921. June 2014

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Surf’s Up… So’s Dinner!

We grill the grillers… we toast the roasters… If you’ve been coming to St. Peter’s for a while, you begin to associate certain people with certain activities. For example, whose image springs to mind when you think of the ushers? We’ll bet it’s Donna and JD Davidson. And who do you picture in the kitchen when you remember all those great St. Peter’s brunches and dinners? Right again—the Davidsons! Here at the Keys, we thought it was high time that somebody found out what makes this hardworking couple tick, so we sent the investigative unit out to get the full skinny. The Davidsons are a busy pair, and JD was preoccupied with a plumbing issue when our crew arrived, but Donna was willing to speak for both. How long have you been members of St. Peter’s? When did you start coming? We started attending St. Peter’s approximately 24 years ago, not long after we were married. We immediately felt at home at St. Peter’s because of all the warm, caring, and kind members who greeted us each time we attended church. I especially felt comfortable right away since the Arnolds were members. The Arnolds were neighbors of my parents when I moved to California, and Caroline was the reason I applied for a job at SRI International, where she worked at that time, 47 years ago. When I started work at SRI I didn’t have a car, so Caroline let me ride to work with her until I saved enough money. What do you like best about St. Peter’s? What do you think makes St. Peter’s special? The members of St. Peter’s have always made it an exceptionally special place to worship. I knew St. Peter’s had to be a good church or the Arnolds wouldn’t be there, and we quickly found that there were so many wonderful people at St. Peter’s. How did you get started with ushering? What is it about being ushers that you find most appealing? JD started ushering approximately 14 years ago when the head of the ushers asked him to help out, and he immediately enjoyed being a part of the service. I was on the Vestry for the first of my two terms when JD started ushering, and I felt that my plate was full, so I didn’t join until a year or so later. We both like to contribute our time whenever possible if it helps St. Peter’s to continue to thrive. Same questions about working in the kitchen… How did you get started as chefs? What’s most appealing about cooking? 16

The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


A few years after JD joined the Brotherhood, approximately 20 years ago, he was asked to help out with a meal, and it snowballed after that to where he was helping with all the Brotherhood meals. He eventually became the head cook over the years after other Brotherhood members left St. Peter’s. Of the holiday meals, which is your favorite? Why? And what’s the head cook’s favorite recipe? JD’s favorite Brotherhood holiday meal is St. Patrick’s Dinner because it’s soul food. His favorite recipes are barbequed ribs and hamburgers. Who else works with you in the kitchen? We notice that Rod Walker is often back there. Who are the other stalwarts? There have been several members of the Brotherhood helping with food preparation for the wonderful Brotherhood brunches and dinners over the years, and Rod Walker has always been there working side by side with JD. Over the past 10 years some of the other key food preparers were Dave Householder, Mark Weiss, Jim Redman… and many others. Donna, I know you’ve been on the Vestry. What other parish activities have you and JD been involved with? I’ve attended the WOW women’s group events, helped out with the Christmas Bazaar luncheon, embroidered tea towels for the Christmas Bazaar sales, and I work with JD, Sue and Rod Walker, Su Boocock, and my BFF, Cindy, to decorate the hall for the Brotherhood luncheons and dinners. Everybody envies JD for being able to surf. Donna, do you surf too? JD started boogie boarding with the kids about 20 years ago. After a year or so the boogie boarding wasn’t challenging enough, so he progressed to surfing which he had wanted to do ever since he was a teenage in New Jersey. If he didn’t have to work he would be surfing everyday. I don’t surf. The water is too cold and I’m not a strong swimmer so I prefer walking on the beach, reading a book while JD surfs, or taking pictures of JD surfing. What do you listen to while you’re driving? JD listens to classic rock while he’s driving, running, or skateboarding. I listen to either country or classic rock when I’m driving or gardening.

June 2014

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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 than you know. Think about one of these ministries and if something interests you, get in touch with the contact person listed below. • C hoir—contact James Sharpe at JSharpe@stpetersrwc.org • Parish Governance (Vestry, Deanery, Finance or Buildings & Grounds)— Sr. Warden Susan Mitchell at fjmsfm@comcast.net • 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 • Flowers and Candle donations—contact Nancy Oliver at (650) 592-5822 • S.P.Y. (Youth Group)—contact Susan at susandparsons@aol.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 • W.O.W. (Women of Wisdom)—Lori Castellucci at loriange1551@sbcglobal.net • Crafty Ladies (ECW)—contact Su Boocock at (650) 591-9395 or Midge Bobel at (650) 362-0195 • 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.

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The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church


Rites of Passage

June 2014

June Birthdays

June Anniversaries

Beth Sharpe ��������������������������������������������� 6/1 Elaina Harr ����������������������������������������������� 6/3 Nicholas Chen ���������������������������������������� 6/3 Arlene Sullivan ��������������������������������������6/12 Shannon Yonker ������������������������������������6/16 Mark Wieser ������������������������������������������6/19 Eric Rollin �����������������������������������������������6/19 Ryan Essenburg �������������������������������������6/22 Betty Fahy ����������������������������������������������6/22 Gloria Colon �����������������������������������������6/23 Christian Woo ���������������������������������������6/27 Rolph Mejia ��������������������������������������������6/27 Hannah Essenburg ��������������������������������6/29 Julie McKean ������������������������������������������6/30

Bob & Holly Bendz ���������������������������������� 6/4 Cynthia & Michael Sholes ��������������������� 6/22 Gene & Heather Hoffman �������������������� 6/26 Mona Dena & Jeff Redlawsk ����������������� 6/29

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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

Non Profit U.S. Postage PAID Redwood City, CA Permit no. 29

God bless everyone who assists delivering this newsletter RinETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Current Resident or

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

t

Worship Schedule: Holy Eucharist: Sundays 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.

The Rev. Marc Andrus
 Bishop of the Diocese of California The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus Bishop of the Diocese of California The Vestry: Clergy & Lay Staff: The Rev. Susan D. Parsons, Rector

Mr. Steven Azar

Ms. Adina Badia Mr. Ted Hardie The Rev. Skip Bushee, Deacon Mr. James A. Sharpe, Music Director and Organist Mr. Dave Householder Ms. Denise Delaney, Parish Administrator Mr. Peter Hutchinson Mr. Marco Picon, Sexton & Facilities Manager Mr. Arthur Lloyd Ms. Nancy Oliver Officers of St. Peter’s: Ms. Susan Mitchell, Senior Warden Ms. Megan Goulden, Junior Warden Mr. John Lessar, Treasurer Mr. Peter Hutchinson, Clerk of the Vestry

The Vestry:

Ms. Adina Badia Ms. Lori Castellucci Ms. Megan Goulden Mr. John Nieman Ms. Susan Mitchell Ms. Nancy Oliver Ms. Mary Esther Schnaubelt Mr. Darryl Race Mr. Jim Redman Mr. Scott Turner Ms. Becky Schenone Ms. Trish Reilly Taylor

The Keys is published monthly for members and friends of St. Peter’s Episcopal The Keys is published monthly members andbefriends of to St.denise@stpetersrwc.org. Peter’s Episcopal Church. items Church.for News items may emailed NextNews deadline: th online at June 27; pictures welcome! You can find The Keys may be emailed to office@stpetersrwc.org. Next deadline: November 5 – pictures welcome! www.stpetersrwc.org and www.issuu.com/st_peters_episcopal_church


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