The Keys
March 2013
of St. Peter
No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!
“The desert could not be claimed or owned - it was a piece of cloth carried by winds, never held down by stones…” Michael Ondaatje,The English Patient
Huffing and Puffing Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by. —Christina Rosetti
A shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather A quiver in my lips as if I might cry… —Natalie Merchant Are there phrases in the Sunday liturgy that have a special resonance for you? One of the editor’s favorites, and appropriate for this time of year, is “Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit.” The phrase’s redundancy reinforces the point that spirit is breath and that inspiration is, in essence, God’s breath in us. English words like spirit, respire, and spiritual all come from the Latin word for breathing, spiritus. The English derivations have taken on lots 2
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of different meanings—spirits can be passions, strong drink, or even ghosts—but they’re all metaphors for the invisible force of moving air. Moving air is something we associate with March, the time of year when gusty winds spin weathervanes, scatter hats, loft kites, and blow robins back from the tropics. At any given moment March may be a frisky lamb or a roaring lion, but either way it’s a month full of brisk, windy days. The ancient Greeks had a different wind god for each point of the compass. Notos was god of the south wind; Euros was god of the east wind (which was thought to be unlucky); Zephyr was god of the west wind; and Boreas was the god of the north wind. At this time of year they all get a workout, and it’s anyone’s guess whether the next breeze will be a balmy zephyr or a boreal blast. In New England, March is Mud Season, the month when every dirt road is a ribbon of brownie mix. We know of a farmer who once looked out his front window and saw a neighbor buried up to his neck in a muddy patch of road. “Enoch! Enoch! Are you all right?” the farmer shouted. “I am,” Enoch called back. “For I have a good horse beneath me.” March 2013
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In fairness, let’s note that in New England bitter March is also sugaring season—the time when gallons of sap become pints of maple ambrosia. With the bitter comes the sweet! We don’t have a big maple sugar industry here in California, but the winds of March blow on us just as they do on everybody else. It makes sense in a poetic way to have March “blow” spring in. Spring is a resuscitation, hemispheric CPR, the time when the world around us blinks its eyes open and returns to life. There is something very cleansing in a good breeze, which may be why so many people begin their spring cleaning in March. This brings us back where we started. When we pray to have our thoughts cleansed by inspiration, we’re asking God to blow off the dust, so to speak. It’s especially helpful to be inspired during times of transition… and around here we don’t need a calendar to sense the winds of change. We may not see the wind, but we feel it, and as we watch windmills spinning or sailboats slicing through the water we sense its potent force. What a fine month March is—these brisk days when something so invisibly powerful passes through. In March it’s good to pause, maybe even tremble for a moment like the leaves, or bow like the trees, and then move forward into spring, cleansed and inspired.
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A Big Welcome! Our New Interim Rector is the Best of All Parsons As spring arrives St. Peter’s has a new interim rector, Reverend Susan Parsons. Susan is a relatively familiar face, since she’s been serving as our supply priest since early February. On February 24 the Vestry invited her to be our interim rector, and as of March she’s “officially ours.” We caught up with Susan after services last Sunday and she generously took time to share her thoughts and first impressions. Susan told us she noticed two things in particular when she came to St. Peter’s. “The people here are great,” she said. “It’s a strong community of very nice people, willing to engage constructively, even disagree constructively. At some churches politics play a big role, but I’m glad to see that isn’t the case here. “Another plus at St. Peter’s is the huge physical plant… there’s lots of room to grow.” Susan’s arrival coincides with Lent, a season in the liturgical calendar that she said is more about spiritual discipline than renunciation. We asked her to tell us more. “Most people focus on something small, like giving up chocolate. The real point is—what can you get from the larger Lenten experience… what brings you closer to God? After all, Jesus went into the desert so he could hear the voice of God better. “These days there may be more value in turning off our cell phones for a half hour every day than in giving up chocolate. We can all benefit from sitting quietly in ‘companionable silence’… to listen and connect with the higher power. “We don’t have to do all the work… listening can be an offering.” March 2013
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Susan mentioned that one of her plans for Holy Week is to hold an Easter Vigil. “The symbolic move from dark to light is very moving,” she said. “And it ends in a wonderful celebration. I’d love to have all the bells and whistles for Easter… and tons of flowers!” And looking ahead? “I believe the kingdom of God is not ‘out there’ somewhere, but right here with us, and that our call as a church is to continue the work of Jesus in building the kingdom of God right here and right now. To begin we must first make the kingdom a reality in our own midst—in the way we treat one another and the way we work as a church. I want to recognize our abundance, be able to experience joy, and have a sense of wonder while respecting boundaries.” As St. Peter’s enters the next phase of our search for a permanent rector, Susan’s help and guidance will be an essential part of the process. And if first impressions are any indication, we’re in very capable hands. By the way, Susan and two maltipoos are looking for a home here in Redwood City… so if you have a lead, call the office!
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From the Vestry The shortest month of the year, and yet your hardworking Vestry managed to squeeze two meetings into February! The first was the regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Ash Wednesday, February 13, where much of the Vestry’s time was spent discussing the Parish Profile, submitted a few days earlier by the Search Committee. Committee Chairman Dave Goulden was on hand for the meeting. Although a few possible changes were suggested, the Vestry’s deep appreciation for the Profile’s content and design (as well as the Committee’s efforts) was unanimous. The final version of the Profile was approved by e-mail during the following week, and is posted on the church’s Web site at www.stpetersrwc.org/news.htm Financial reports for January, 2013 were reviewed. Actual Budget Variance Income $ 17,890 $ 20,904 $ -3,014 Expense 35,599 23,050 -12,549 Net $-17,709 $ -2,146 $-15,564 Another item on the agenda on the 13th was the position of interim rector. In order to resolve several details, a final decision was postponed until the Vestry’s second meeting of the month on February 24. At that meeting 10 members of the Search Committee were present for part of the discussion, after which the Vestry agreed to offer the position of interim rector to Reverend Susan Parsons. As always, questions and concerns are welcome. See any member of the Vestry. March 2013
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THE DEACON’S BEACON By Dn. Skip Bushee
I just finished a fascinating book called “The Healing of America” by T. R. Reid. In it, he talks about our health care system in the United Stated and compares it with a number of other systems around the world. I was saddened to learn that not only are we the only industrialized nation in the world that does not offer universal health care to all of its citizens but that our health care costs as a percentage of GDP are more than twice those of other developed nations and our health outcomes are much worse. Sad to say, even when Obamacare is fully implemented, there will still be 25 million Americans without health insurance. My question is: as Christians, are we obligated to advocate for universal health care in this country? As a country, we have always prided ourselves on being rugged individualists, with each person having the freedom to pursue his or her own interests without excessive government taxation or interference. Many believe that we have gone too far in the direction of big government and entitlement programs for the poor. The writers of the Declaration of Independence said that “Man is created with certain inalienable rights, and among those are the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It says nothing about the right to universal health care. Of course, in 1776, medical science was pretty primitive, so universal health care had little meaning. Most countries spend about five percent of their health care dollar on administration. In fact, our own Medicare system, with all of its inefficiencies, only spends about five percent on administration. But the private insurance companies on which the bulk of our health care system depends spend, on average, 20 percent on administration, largely because of how much is spent on denying coverage to high-risk customers and in processing and denying claims. This does not even include the legions of clerks that are required in doctors’ offices to fill out the endless paperwork that insurance companies require. 8
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But even setting aside the cost savings potential of universal health care, shouldn’t basic health care be something that, as Christians, we should seek for all Americans? Why should hard working people be denied health care because they have gotten sick or lost their jobs? Why should those struggling to feed and clothe their families be forced further into poverty because of illness? Of course, we tend to throw up our hands at the task because of our dysfunctional congress that depends on the contributions of big insurance companies and big drug companies for reelection and these companies have a huge vested interest in the status quo. But this is America. As Christians, we do have a voice. Why can’t we come together and insist on change? We have done it before and we can do it again.
Dn. Skip
March 2013
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News from One Flight Up Underway with Godly Play We were asking about Godly Play the other day, and the tireless Mary Lyn Azar posted this dispatch from the second floor… “In the last two weeks of February Cari Chen and Kim Schiff told the story of Jesus’s time in the wilderness in the younger classroom, while I worked with Eleanor Hiles in the older classroom telling of Jesus’s ministry in Galilee. “For the younger class, the story of Jesus’s temptation in the wilderness begins after Jesus is baptized and has crossed the River Jordan to spend time fasting and praying. The story talks about how Jesus was tempted, resisted, and then was filled with God’s spirit. “The older class continues to study the story of The Greatest Parable, which covers Jesus’s life and works. On February 17 they were introduced to the story and discussed the prologue in John. We covered three major events: the Annunciation, Transfiguration, and Resurrection. On February 24 we discussed the stories of Jesus’s rejection in Nazareth, the calling of the disciples, the Sermon on the Mount, the feeding of the 5,000, and Jesus walking in fields of grain on the Sabbath where he is questioned by the Pharisees. “The children responded well. Many of the individual parts of the story are already familiar to them and the goal of The Greatest Parable is to remember and bring the stories together to discuss the big picture.” Mary Lyn told us that she’s hoping to establish a two-year story cycle in Godly Play. She also mentioned that all of the families in the program are grateful to the Vestry and the Episcopal Church Women for funding and support. Mary Lyn has ambitious plans for March, including a “green” environmental project for St. Patrick’s Day, and preparing Hope bags for the homeless. 10
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“I have considered making this an ongoing Godly Play service project, available for the children as a choice during their work time. We could keep bags available to be filled in the classroom and items including non-perishable food, juice boxes, and small toiletries ready to go in the bags. Children complete the bags by drawing pictures and writing messages of hope before filling the bag with items. To launch this project the children could make a first set of bags, place them in the back of the church, and decorate a box that can be used by the congregation to donate items for future bags.” If you’d like to learn more about St. Peter’s fast-moving Godly Play programs, Mary Lyn is happy to talk. She mentioned there’s a special need for door people in March and beyond.
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Noted in Brief 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!
St. Patrick’s Day Brunch Join us for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Brunch, sponsored by the Brotherhood of St. Peter’s. Brunch will occur immediately after the 10:30 service, and will include corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. Suggested donation is $10 adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, or $25 for families of 2 adults plus children (12 & under). Please RSVP to (650) 367-0777, denise@stpetersrwc.org
Women’s Retreat 2013
Come nurture your mind, body, and soul, by joining us for a relaxing weekend retreat in the serene surroundings of the Bishop’s Ranch. The Women’s Retreat gives us the opportunity to leave the stress of day-today obligations at home, bond with other women from the St. Peter’s community, and focus on our individual spiritual journey. The retreat will begin Friday, 5/17 in the evening, and end on Sunday 5/19 in the afternoon. Guest speaker: TBA. The cost for the weekend is $210, which includes two nights (shared occupancy) and five meals. We are anticipating about 12-14 attendees this year. For more information, contact Shireen Luna Woo at (510) 407-2500 or Becky Schenone at (650) 888-2921 12
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Peet’s for St. Pete’s Our monthly coffee sponsorship program is back up and running! Many thanks to Kathryn Marconi for inspiring its return and for sponsoring the first month of February. We’re also very grateful for Heather Hoffman’s sponsorship for March; lift your cup to her at coffee hour! If you would like to sponsor a month, please write denise@stpetersrwc.org
Lily, O Lily…
Each year the St. Peter’s Altar Guild, along with other volunteers from the congregation, prepares our church for Easter. On Easter Day, everyone arriving at St. Peter’s is greeted by a sanctuary filled with beautiful Easter lilies. To help cover the cost of these plants we ask members of the church to donate one or more of them in thanksgiving or in memory of someone or something. The cost is $15 per plant. Please make your check payable to “St. Peter’s Altar Guild” and deposit it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office during the week. Give Nancy a call at (650) 592-5822 for more information.
Barreling along… Our new Second Harvest Food Closet barrel located in the hall near the office is almost half-full! Next time you go shopping, please pick up a few nonperishable food items to add to it. We’re hoping to return the barrel to the folks at Second Harvest in record time. March 2013
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You’ve Got Mail!
A big thank you to all the Godly Play students who made cards for the residents of Hopkins Manor in February! The cards were delivered on Sunday the 17th to the appreciative residents. In addition to cards for the residents, the children made cards for the staff too… and sent a basket of cards to Caroline Arnold.
Dining in Style
Our restaurant critic reports that nothing could possibly top last month’s delicious Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner served up by the Brotherhood. Four stars… and a thousand thanks from the very happy Mardi Gras diners.
Looking into the Future
On Sunday, February 24 the women of St. Peter’s met to discuss the future of the church’s women’s groups, and the consensus was to continue both dialogue and planning. Under Becky Schenone’s direction new options will be examined. Simultaneously the ECW will carry on under the leadership of a coordinating committee consisting of Kathryn Marconi, Sue Walker, and Su Boocock. Not counting the men, everyone is looking forward to the upcoming St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat in May.
Making a joyful noise
Our choir is off and running, under the direction of Music Minister, James Sharpe. The choir meets at 9:00 am on alternate Sundays, and enthusiastically welcomes everyone! Pictured at right are Steven Azar, Erik Chen, Beth Sharpe, Su Boocock, and Teri Chin. Please contact James for more info: jsharpe@ stpetersrwc.org, (415) 883-1696 14
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A Saintly Smackdown!
Use Lent as an opportunity to brush up on your knowledge of the saints If you think it’s unfair of basketball to hog all the madness in March, take Interim Rector Susan’s advice and browse www.LentMadness.org. You’ll find familiar playoff brackets, but instead of colleges battling for a sports championship, it’s saints battling for the Golden Halo—hilarious, educational, and strangely addictive. Here’s some more information, right from the source: Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. The winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. As Lent Madness continues to grow and evolve, what won’t change is the essence of Lent Madness: allowing people to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in the faith and reminding one another that there’s no reason for a dreary Lenten discipline. If this helps people connect with the risen Christ during this season of penitence and renewal, and have a bit of fun in the process, then it continues to be worthwhile. March 2013
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Throwback Thursday
Visit our Facebook wall for some blasts from the past!
Have you ever visited St. Peter’s Facebook wall? Or, for that matter, Facebook? Lots of folks find social media sites like Facebook daunting for a variety of reasons. The good news is you don’t even need to have a Facebook account to look at our wall! Come see some of our recent posts, namely those posted on Throwback Thursday: www.facebook.com/stpetersredwoodcity
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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 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 JASharpe@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. March 2013
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The Next Page The Keys is a monthly newsletter for all members and friends of St. Peter’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
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Rites of Passage March Birthdays Denise Delaney �������������������������������������� 3/1 Barbara Naas ������������������������������������������� 3/3 Adina Badia ���������������������������������������������� 3/3 Carol Lacina �������������������������������������������� 3/7 Ronnie Scopel ����������������������������������������� 3/9 Katherine Rivera ����������������������������������3/13 Derrick Woo �����������������������������������������3/14 Ileene Redman ��������������������������������������3/15 Ella Hoffman ������������������������������������������3/16 James Redman Jr. ����������������������������������3/16 Michael Ede �������������������������������������������3/22 Gabriel Azar ������������������������������������������3/24 Megan Goulden ������������������������������������3/27
“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.” —Robert Frost
“The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds…they mature slowly. ” — Peter De Vries
March Anniversaries Karen Zack & Frank Scioscia ����������������� 3/6 Su & Victor Boocock ������������������������������� 3/8
Please contact the church office to make sure we have YOUR birthday or anniversary date to celebrate. March 2013
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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
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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
t
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 Keys IN FULL COLOR at March 25th; pictures welcome! You can find The may be emailed to office@stpetersrwc.org. Next deadline: November 5 – pictures welcome! www.stpetersrwc.org