The Keys of St. Peter
No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!
March 2014
From the Parson Musings by Mother Susan When my children were young, they liked to ask me questions about my favorites; for instance, what’s your favorite car, what’s your favorite fruit, or what’s your favorite season? Being the rather broad-minded person I am—I can see the value in almost everything—it was often hard to give them an answer. This was especially true with seasons because for me each season brings with it some delight, some treasure. And yet, if pushed, I would admit to a preference for spring over all the others. Spring comes gently and quietly out of the gray of winter. Tiny buds of new growth appear almost imperceptibly on plants that seem dead, flowers pop from bare ground, and suddenly the birds and animals are nesting and busy again. The earth seems to be reborn, fresh and bright. Outside my door there is a small tree that was most surely dead. So dead that it was given away by the nursery (Megan Goulden saw the tree’s life within and saved it. I simply babysat). All through fall and winter it sat bare-limbed and dreary. With spring, it has come alive with green buds. Green! To me that is what spring is, not pink or yellow. It’s that new green that is everywhere right now if you have eyes to see it. Green is supple, juicy, and alive with possibility. We’re in the midst of our Lenten disciplines and there are no flowers in the church. But the green around us shows that all creation is celebrating Easter, reminding us that God goes with us when we are brave enough to step into the wilderness that is our darkness and to engage with that guilt, sorrow, grief, or whatever it is that is haunting us. This fresh, new green reminds us that we will be well, we will be reborn. You don’t need me to tell you that Lent is all about this rebirth. It is the giving of a tenth of your year—40 days is about a tenth of the year—to God. 2
The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
How you use this 40 days is up to you and God. Just mindlessly giving up something isn’t the point, nor is suffering; the point is to grow in spirit, in relation to God, to become supple and juicy again, and to shed the parts of ourselves that have become dead and rigid and dark. To search through the wilderness that is our darkness is the most fruitful of spiritual paths, but choosing to read a challenging book, taking on a discipline of exercise, or eating less, or volunteering are just as useful if your efforts are devoted to God. As always, Skip and I are available to talk should you wish to have someone to stand with you and listen as you make your Lenten pilgrimage. Personal confessions can be arranged with me should you wish and I assure you that people who make confessions, find them to be remarkably freeing. People feel new and green afterwards. I pray we will all feel new and green on Easter Day. Blessings, Susan+
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We Go Green In a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse, here and there…anywhere! Our musings turn green in this issue of the Keys because March is the greenest of months, thanks to St. Patrick. Earth Day may be in April, but practically all the green is used up in March. Green is a commonplace color with a surprisingly broad range of associated meanings. Green is for Ireland and Islam, traffic lights and environmentalism, money and gardening, love and envy, space aliens and spring, inexperience and hope, illness and false promises… and who knows what else? Did you know that until recently leprechauns wore red suits? It took until the 20th century for them to realize red wasn’t sending the right signal. Nowadays if you caught a leprechaun in a red suit you might wonder if he was real. Sometimes green is chosen because of what it isn’t. For example, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day reminds the world that you aren’t Orange. Along similar lines, a green light means go not because there’s anything inherently “go-ish” about green, but because red—the color of warning and danger—was the obvious choice for stop. And likewise, in some countries the Green Party is green just to emphasize that it’s not Red. Green Parties have a long history. One of the first was formed in Constantinople in 532 AD, when Justinian was emperor. Green shares linguistic roots with grass and grow. In ancient Rome green was the color of Venus, goddess of love and spring. The association of green, love, and spring is more or less obvious, and has endured for centuries. In the Middle Ages the troubadours used green to symbolize growing love, and young women wore green to signify they were unmarried. Even today some people insist that green M&Ms have a mild aphrodisiac effect. Back in the day green could be a challenge to artists. Ironically, considering how much greenery surrounds us, it’s not easy to make green pigment. The Romans used verdigris, produced by soaking copper in wine. Medieval glassmakers had trouble finding a good green tint, and it’s rare to see green in old stained-glass windows. In British tradition green is associated with heroism, wilderness, and rebirth. Take, for example, the Green Knight who challenged Sir Gawain, or Robin Hood and the Merry Men, who are always pictured in green, or Peter Pan, or Jack-in-the-Green, a character in May Day celebrations. All of these tales have ties to the ancient legend of the Green Man, whose forbidding face is formed from leaves 4
The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
and branches. He symbolizes the cycle of life… and life’s mystery. Carvings of the Green Man can be found on buildings as old as 400 AD, but his legend is much older than that. Green is the color of other mysterious creatures and monsters, from the serpent in the Garden of Eden, to the Green Goblin in Spiderman, to “little green men” from outer space. Osiris, Egyptian god of the underworld, was green. Green is a sacred color in Islam. Muhammad’s robe and banner were green, and he taught that “water, greenery, and a beautiful face” were three universally good things. The Koran tells us that in paradise the faithful wear green silk robes. Appropriately, many flags from Muslim countries have green as their dominant color. In Western churches, green vestments are worn during Ordinary Time, which begins at Candlemas—right around the time of year when everybody starts to wonder when the greenery will return. Green, the color of hope, is also associated with baptism and the Eucharist. In the Byzantine church, green is worn on Palm Sunday and Pentecost. Flipping back to Caesar for a moment, we note that not only is money green but that “green” is money. In the Middle Ages you dressed in green if you came from a merchant family… like the Mona Lisa. The “greenback” is about as old as St. Peter’s—it dates from the Civil War. The U.S. is one of the few countries that have green paper money. But everyone around the world knew what the O’Jays meant when they sang “Mean, mean, mean green.” In one of its most recent metaphorical incarnations, green means “environmentally responsible.” The new home of PNC Financial Services Group, one of America’s biggest banks, will allegedly be the greenest corporate headquarters in America when complete. That sounds appropriate. Green inside and out! Green and the sporting life go hand in hand. Pool tables are green… in imitation of lawn bowling pitches, which resemble the greens on a golf course. The green gaming tables in casinos date back to Renaissance Venice. Ping pong tables are green in imitation of lawn tennis. And is there a brighter green anywhere than the emerald glow of a baseball park on a summer evening? Green is shorthand for unripe, as in “Blackberries are red when they’re green.” Green cheese is uncured. Why the moon should be made of it is more than we can tell you. Likewise, we have no idea why an inexperienced cowboy should be a greenhorn, or how someone new on the job could possibly be green behind the ears. We’re clear on the green part—it’s the horns and ears that have us stumped. Sometimes it’s pretty obvious why we call something a “green.” Greenhouses, village greens, and collard greens are good examples. People with greenhouses often have green thumbs, a phrase coined in 1925. Sometimes it’s totally unclear as to why something’s green. Why should we be green with envy? What’s up with that Jolly Green Giant? 5
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There’s at least a smidgen of logic to the tradition of calling the place where actors wait offstage the Green Room. The name comes from a room in the 17th century Theatre Royal in London’s Drury Lane. Here’s some more greenery to ponder… • • • • • • • • •
Greener pastures aren’t always greener. Calling Vermont the “Green Mountain State” is redundant. Supposedly it was named Greenland to encourage people to move there. Green is said to be the healthiest of teas. Green Lantern and Green Arrow are both good guys… unlike the Red Baron. A prime destination in Oz is the Emerald City. A prime destination in Redwood City is Emerald Hills. Goethe claimed that green was the most restful color. Green is the color of disgrace in China, but jade represents virtue.
Before we leave the subject altogether, let’s pause to remember how much fun kids have with green. They may not like broccoli, but they’re drawn to just about everything else that’s green-colored. Young fans have made Kermit the Frog the most popular green celebrity… forget Lorne or Seth or Mean Joe. And think of the children’s books that feature green! Anne of Green Gables, Greenwitch, The Green Book, and Green Says Go… not to mention our personal favorite, Green Eggs and Ham, a hymn to irrational obstinacy. What could be more attractive to any child or U.S. Senator than steadfast refusal to try something new and interesting? But as Dr. Seuss taught, there are some joys in life you can’t resist, even if you try. Like a windy filibuster, winter eventually ends. The leaves blossom and spring arrives. And when it comes to green and spring, we’re all in agreement. “I do! I like them, Sam-I-Am!”
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From the Vestry The most recent Vestry meeting was on Wednesday, February 26. On the agenda… -Several maintenance items were addressed, including a sewer issue caused by problems in the city’s lines and upgrades to the exterior lighting. -The Vestry reviewed information about the Home and Hope program (formerly IHN) and discussed ways in which St. Peter’s parishioners can support the program. -Work organizing the church archives continues, with gracious assistance from Linda Proctor of the History Room at the Redwood City Public Library. -The people’s warden for 2014 is Megan Goulden. Finally, the Vestry has approved the following budget for 2014: Income Expense Net
$ 280,001 294,915 $ -14,914
Questions and concerns can be addressed to any member of the Vestry.
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THE DEACON’S BEACON By Dn. Skip Bushee For some reason, when our fearless editor suggested “Green” as the theme for this month’s Keys, I immediately thought of Kermit the Frog and his signature song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green.” At first, I thought this song was about prejudice, about devaluing those who look or act differently, but as I studied the lyrics, I realized that it is so much more. Ultimately it is about learning to love yourself, to appreciate those unique characteristics that set you apart. The song begins with: “It’s not easy being green It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things And people tend to pass you over ‘Cause you’re not standing out…” Kermit is speaking for all of us when we see ourselves as being plain or ordinary, not seeing ourselves as God sees us. But then he turns it around and sees the brighter side: “But green’s the color of spring And green can be cool and friendly-like And green can be big like a mountain Or important like a river Or tall like a tree” God calls us to “Love our neighbor as ourselves” but how can we do so unless we learn to love ourselves first, to see ourselves as unique and special in God’s eyes. This Lenten season it night be a good time to reflect on how you are “green.” It is time to reflect on what about you is different or unique. Like Kermit, it might be the color of your skin or it might be your background or life
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experience. It might be a particular gift you have or the way you see the world. Whatever it is, you might try to reflect on how what you might have once considered ordinary can really be extraordinary. Like Kermit you might learn to end your song: “I am green, and it’ll do fine It’s beautiful, and I think it’s what I want to be”
Dn. Skip
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The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
March
February 2014 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Sunday
Monday
2
9
Tuesday
3
10
Wedn
4
Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.
11
Doughnut Morning in Library 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m.
16
17
Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.
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Doughnut Morning in Library 9:15 a.m. SPY: St. Peter’s Youth 6:00-7:30 p.m.
23
24
Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.
25
Doughnut Morning in Library 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m.
30
31
Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m.
Doughnut Morning in Library 9:15 a.m. SPY: St. Peter’s Youth 6:00-7:30 p.m.
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Staff Meeting 1-2 p.m. The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Vestry M 7p
h
2014
nesday
Meeting p.m.
April 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
Thursday
5
12
19
26
Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00
Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00
Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00
Friday
F 4 11 18 25
S 5 12 19 26
Saturday
1
6
7
8
13
14
15
20
21
22
27
28
29
Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00
Crafty Ladies 10:30-1:00 March 2014
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Be a Player!
Godly Play is looking for a few good grown-ups We asked Cari Pang Chen how things were going upstairs, and discovered that there’s an abundance of students but a shortage of teachers. Here’s what she told us… “The Godly Play program is undergoing a transformation: we need more adult leaders in the program. “We’re asking members of the church to pick a Sunday to share with the children as Godly Play leaders. We need two adults each Sunday – one to lead an activity, and another to provide support in the classroom. “The activity could be a Godly Play lesson or another story, song, Bible passage, or experience of your choice that reflects the lessons and values of the church. A critical component is giving the children an opportunity to explore personally or reflect through discussion, hands-on activity… or both. To tie everything together during Lent, we will create a “Love Chain” where the children will add their a link to a chain that highlights what helpful and meaningful contribution they want to challenge themselves to work on during Lent in their family, school, or at church. We will leave this in the parish hall, and bring it up to the Godly Play room each week to reflect on it together. We invite everyone to add to and reflect on the “Love Chain” during Lent.” Godly Play is one of the programs that make St. Peter’s a unique resource for families… and you don’t have to be a parent to help out. Interested? Contact cari@rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.
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Kathryn and Rod Marconi A remembrance
It was always a pleasure to see that beautiful Maybach parked in front of the church on Sunday mornings, a sign that Kathryn Marconi was inside, ready with a smile and a greeting for everyone. The empty parking place and the empty seat in the pew are sad reminders of how much our parish will miss Kathryn and Rod. Kathryn and Rod were devoted not only to each other and their family, but also to many outside interests, one of which was St. Peter’s church. For years our parish benefitted from Kathryn’s generosity of time and spirit. She was an inspiring leader of the church women, and her tireless efforts ensured the success of every project she was part of. Whenever we asked, “What’s the ECW up to?” she always had a long list, delivered with a smile. The church women’s financial support of many worthy causes is a special legacy of her leadership. Mother Susan describes Kathryn as a “big-hearted soul.” She said, “Kathryn had a smile and warm greeting for everyone—whether old friend or stranger— and a happy, genuine interest in the people around her. Her leadership and her presence at St. Peter’s will be missed.” Here at the Keys what we’ll miss most about Kathryn is her indomitably sunny spirit. In recent years there were many occasions when she had plenty of reasons not be cheerful… but we never heard her complain. Deacon Skip told us, “The one thing I will always remember about Kathryn was how gracious and loving she was. Even when she was in great physical pain, she was always outgoing, with never a thought to herself.” The Maybach was in good company in the Marconis’ stable. Rod loved cars, and their garage was home to two Thunderbirds (new and old) and a Mustang as well. We’d like to think that right at this minute Rod and Kathryn may be enjoying a leisurely drive together under a blue sky and bright sun, joyful and content, inseparable. A memorial service for Kathryn and Rod is scheduled for Saturday, April 5 at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow.
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Baton Notes –James Sharpe Fallow Fallacy Although we welcome every drop, our critical need for water in California is not alleviated by our current rainstorms. The vision of unplanted fields, vacant pastures, and shortages of every kind, all because of water, is absolutely frightening. There is a big difference between letting a growing area rest, as in letting it lie fallow, and finding ourselves unable to plant a field already rested. Nonetheless, the green we are seeing now is an extraordinary change. As always, the green reminds us of new life, and often the nature of the new life is surprising, even to those whose experience and skill is the recognition of growth. Often the best encouragement we can give each other is simple freedom to share what is personally meaningful. At St. Peter’s church, we do not check theology at the door, or worry about who, or whether, someone will appear for choir. Staying out of the way is part of nurturing a fallow field to full bloom. Our young people have shown us that: by declaring what is meaningful to them in song, and then sharing it with us, we have all benefited and learned. By listening to each other, and recognizing the gifts of others, we build relationships that last a lifetime, and more. The best farmer manages the field, not the plant, and joyfully awaits what will come, and is overjoyed in its variety. During Lent, we will have another opportunity to listen to the Spirit. This is an ideal time for reflection, and a great time for rejuvenating a singing voice perhaps “too” rested. I hope you will join others in the next weeks. The choir meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 9:00 am, the youth meet on the 1st Sunday of each month at 10:00 am. As a choir we will also sing on Palm Sunday and Easter. Join us, invite others, and let us all rejoice in what comes from fallow voices. All are welcome. Grace and peace, JAS 14
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A Cup is a Cup is a Cup… –Beth Sharpe
Really? Well, maybe... After all, cups typically have handles and they come in a variety of colors and shapes--- many have pictures or designs inside and out. Sometimes a cup has qualities such that we refer to it as a mug. Perhaps you prefer a certain type of cup (or mug) that feels just right in your hands? Maybe it’s the one you prefer to use each morning? Maybe it’s the cup your grandchildren prefer to use when you make cocoa? Maybe it’s the cup you keep in your office? I prefer mugs that are chunky and large enough that I can wrap both hands around—bypassing the handle! It’s been suggested that it would be fun to have a variety of mugs in the church’s kitchen for use after worship or during meetings or work sessions. Can’t you picture a colorful and whimsical collection of mugs/cups? Perhaps you have a mug at home that you no longer use? I easily can think of a few mugs at our house that have found their way to the back of the kitchen cabinet…. I’m going to bring them to church for anyone to use! Let’s all do this! There is no need to buy anything. Just think of it as a re-cycling project that puts your seldom-used mugs into regular use once again. This time at St. Peter’s.
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Noted in Brief Succulentens…Help the tradition continue!
As we’ve done in years past, the parish will substitute succulents for flowers during Lent. The succulents make an appealing change and remind us of the special focus of the Lenten season. Donations can be made for March 9, 16, 23, and 30, or April 6. Succulents cost a bit more than flowers, so if you’d like to make a donation, please include a little extra above and beyond the usual $40. Can you help? Stop by the office or use the donation form in your Sunday bulletin. But, hey… why not drop a check in the mail now? Make it payable to St. Peter’s Church, and tell us who (or what) you’d like to commemorate. Many thanks!
Dunkin’ Lent Nuts
Think that Lent is all about deprivation? We can’t sugarcoat it: that’s a nutty idea! How were you raised? After all, nothing could be tastier than our new Lenten series, Doughnut Mornings, starting on Sunday, March 9. At Doughnut Mornings interested parishioners will discuss “The Last Week,” a thought-provoking book by two respected scholars, Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan… and enjoy some tasty doughnuts, provided by Mother Susan. Lively discussion is provided by the attendees… and we guarantee that no one’s eyes will glaze over. Doughnut Mornings begin at 9:15 am in the Library and will continue on every Sunday until Holey Week. Join some fellow nuts and dunk your way through Lent!
Peet’s for St. Pete’s
Our monthly coffee sponsorship program is running full steam ahead! Many thanks to Sandy Buck and Gloria Colon for their sponsorship of Peet’s Coffee for March; lift your cup to Sandy and Gloria at coffee hour! If you would like to sponsor a month, please write denise@stpetersrwc.org 16
The Keys, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
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 Megan Goulden �����������������������������������3/27
March Anniversaries Karen Zack & Frank Scioscia ����������������� 3/6 Su & Victor Boocock ������������������������������� 3/8
“Under this window in stormy weather I marry this man and woman together; Let none but Him who rules the thunder Put this man and woman asunder.” — Jonathan Swift
“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” — George Harrison
Please contact the church office to make sure we have YOUR birthday or anniversary date to celebrate. 17
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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. • Choir—contact James Sharpe at JSharpe@stpetersrwc.org • Parish Governance (Vestry, Deanery, Finance or Buildings & Grounds)— Sr. Warden Susan Mitchell at fjmsfm@sbcglobal.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 • 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 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 2014
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The Next Page A cheerful reminder to every member of the St. Peter’s family—this is your newsletter. Do with it as you will! We welcome your thoughts, your gripes, your prayers, and your dreams… whatever crosses your mind. We’re always looking for contributions in any form or flavor. We accept controversy and convention. Go nuts or stay sane—but let us hear from you, whichever you choose. Please note that any member of the parish family can be Celebrity Guest Editor for one issue of the Keys. Imagine…such privilege, such power! If there’s something happening that you think the parish should know about, you’ve got a theme you’d like to visit, or a vision you’d like to share, drop us a note (hutchinp@comcast.net) or give Denise a call at (650) 367-0777.
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
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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: Mr. Steven Azar
Clergy & Lay Staff: The Rev. Susan D. Parsons, Priest in ChargeMs. Adina Badia
The Vestry:
Ms. Adina Badia Mr. Ted Hardie The Rev. Skip Bushee, Deacon Ms. Lori Castellucci Mr. James A. Sharpe, Music Director and Organist Mr. Dave Householder Ms. Megan Goulden Ms. Denise Delaney, Parish Administrator Mr. John Nieman Mr. Peter Hutchinson Mr. Marco Picon, Sexton & Facilities Manager Ms. Susan Mitchell Mr. Arthur Lloyd Ms. Nancy Oliver Ms. Nancy Oliver Officers of St. Peter’s: Ms. Mary Esther Schnaubelt Mr. Darryl Race Ms. Susan Mitchell, Senior Warden Mr. Jim Redman Mr. Darryl Race, Junior Warden Mr. Scott Turner Ms. Becky Schenone Mr. John Lessar, Treasurer Ms. Trish Reilly Taylor Mr. Peter Hutchinson, Clerk of the Vestry
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 March 28; pictures welcome! You can find The Keys online at may be emailed to office@stpetersrwc.org. Next deadline: November 5 – pictures welcome! www.stpetersrwc.org and www.issuu.com/st_peters_episcopal_church