A Newsletter of St. Patrick s Episcopal Church 341 Village Blvd. Incline Village, NV Phone: (775)

Transcription

1 St. Patrick s Shamrock SUMMER 2012 A Newsletter of St. Patrick s Episcopal Church 341 Village Blvd. Incline Village, NV Phone: (775) Issue date June 2012 Published Quarterly Issue No. 764 Congratulations! Each of these outstanding students are members of the National Honor Society and were awarded $1,000 by the Scholarship Committee for the Class of Pictured from left to right: Ashley Vomund, Jordan Wright, Melanie Swick and Charlene Swick.

2 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 2 ST. PATRICK'S 2012 SCHOLARSHIP REPORT The Scholarship Committee had four applications submitted this spring. The four Incline High School graduates are members of St. Patrick's and outstanding students of the Class of They all are members of the National Honor Society and were Advanced Placement students in various courses. We are pleased to award: Charlene Swick, who will be attending the Merchant Marine Academy in the fall where she will study nautical science and marine engineering. Charlene was on the "We the People" team, active in volleyball, concert band, Key Club and French Club. She attended St. Pat's Saturday Night services, Camp Galilee, and helped with Operation Shoebox and other parish activities. Melanie Swick will be attending St. Lawrence University in the fall but is undecided on her major. Melanie was involved with Key Club and won numerous awards in Nordic skiing for the IHS team as well as Cross Country track events. At St. Pat's she attended Saturday Night services, helped with Operation Shoebox and parish youth events and was a camper at Galilee. Ashley Vomund has chosen to attend Washington State University in the fall. She plans to take classes in her various interest areas before declaring a major field of study. At IHS Ashley was a member of Key Club and competed in Nordic skiing and Cross Country track. At St. Pat's we saw her as an acolyte, chalice bearer, reader and a member of the Youth Mission Team to Tuscaloosa, AL, this spring. Jordan Wright plans to attend California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo where he will study engineering. At IHS Jordan was on the "We the People" team and an award-winning athlete in basketball, football and golf. Jordan has attended services at St. Pat's. Each of these students was awarded $1,000 by the Scholarship Committee to be sent directly to their respective universities for their education. St. Patrick's should be especially proud of these four graduates who were excellent members of Incline High School, the community and St. Patrick's. Congratulations Ashley, Charlene, Jordan and Melanie! Connie Skidmore and Marsha Tejeda Scholarship Committee

3 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 3 Saying Yes, and Saying No It was 29 years ago, and I was in my second year as a lay pastor in Navajoland. Wes Frensdorff had just become our bishop there, and was giving me some tough advice. He had decided I was doing too much, and was pushing me to give up some of the many tasks I had taken on. I was pushing back, with the complaint that I had tried to give things up, but no one else would take them on. I can still hear Wes say, Eric, people won t meet a need until they feel it. If you stop and when it s gone, someone feels it, they will step forward. And if no one feels it, it s not really a need anymore. So just stop. Tough advice. As a church, it s all too easy to become like a series of round holes that we try to fill with square pegs. Why? Because they must be filled and these few square pegs are all we have to fill them with; goes the anguished cry. But what if that round hole is designed to meet a need that no one is feeling at this time? And what if truly felt needs are going unmet, because we don t have the resources and energy left to meet them? Sometimes to make room to say yes in our lives, we have to begin by saying no. Here s a helpful Buddhist teaching from Jack Kornfield. He s talking about individuals, but it applies to communities as well. Adult life brings its own natural spiritual tasks and openings. We become more caring and responsible for our family, our community, our world. We discover the need for vision and feel a strong desire to fulfill our own unique expression of life. As we mature, a natural contemplative quality enters our life. We can sense a movement within to seek periods of reflection and to gain perspective, to stay in touch with our heart. For a church, St. Patrick s is a relatively young community. And now we re moving into adult life. It s time to listen to that inner call for periods of reflection that can guide us to our communal heart. And while this process can be painful as we say goodbye to some cherished things that have served us well in the past, it s also liberating and energizing as we also find ourselves able to say yes to new opportunities. Those who have been committed to the Wednesday healing eucharist recently met for one of these times of reflection. While that service met a genuine need (and met it well) in the life of the parish at one point, in recent years it has gone down in both energy and attendance. Still, a lot of energy came out at the meeting about a continued need for healing ministry, but in new and revitalized forms. And while we may be saying goodbye to the Wednesday service, we may be saying hello to a new emphasis on healing prayers after the main Sunday service, and a new co-operative 12 step eucharist. We ll see what emerges as the hard, yet energizing, reflecting time continues next month. Continued next page..

4 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 4 Saying Yes, and Saying No! continued. The Lectio Divina group met and is exploring the use of technology to expand their outreach. The 8:00 AM service will have met by the time this is published, to sharpen their focus and better meet needs. A worship committee has formed to help shape our Sunday, 10:00 AM service to meet our needs now. There is a steering committee forming to work with our youth as they shape a ministry that meets their current needs. It may not look like what we have done in the past, but that s ok as long as we stay true to St. Patrick s heart. The lay eucharistic visitors are forming, to meet a need to reach out to those who may not be able to physically come to church. Yours for a Song may take a year off, or we may find new ways altogether to meet the need for fellowship and fundraising. But in all these cases, as long as we stay thankful for the good work that was done in the past, and true to where our heart is now, the tough decisions that are made will be the right ones. Saying yes and saying no; it s never easy. But it s a big part of growing up as an effective and evolving ministering community. And much like our personal journeys to adulthood, it can be one heck of an exciting trip as well! Rev. Eric Heidecker Search Committee Update The Search Committee for a new rector has met a dozen times over the last six months. In mid-june it will have completed the Parish Profile, and this will be made available to the congregation on our web site (paper copies can be made on request). Along with other information about our church's search (salary range, etc.) this Profile will go to a national deployment service operated by the Episcopal Church. Most of the candidates who apply for the position will learn about us through this service. All candidates will be referred to our bishop's office for preliminary checking, and appropriate candidates will be presented to the Search Committee. We hope to begin receiving applications by mid-summer. Of course all candidates whose names come to us by any avenue will be treated the same. The search will involve subcommittee visits to candidates' churches for listening and extensive interviews, and finally visits by candidates to St. Patrick's. The Search Committee will present two or three names to the vestry for the final decision. If you have questions please see a member of the Search Committee, and please pray that we be granted the wisdom and energy to do this work well. Steve Barney, Beth Drewes, Karen Colbert, Colin Dawson, Emy Gurowitz, Lydia Schamp, Bob Skidmore (Chair), Cindy Boudett (ex officio)

5 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 5 Take a New Walk This Summer All of the larger-than-life questions about our presence here on earth and what gifts we have to offer are spiritual questions. To seek answers to these questions is to seek a sacred path. ~ Dr. Lauren Artress, Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool Sometime this summer, you may find yourself searching: for an answer, for inner companionship, for a way to express a longing or grief, for a way to say thank you for the magnificent beauty around you. Come to St. Patrick s and look for the white Peace Pole at the end of our parking lot. It marks the entrance to our stone labyrinth there for your discovery. Walking the labyrinth (from The labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. The labyrinth has only one path, so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives. It touches our sorrows and releases our joys. Walk it with an open mind and an open heart. Three stages of the walk Purgation (Releasing): A releasing, a letting go of the details of your life. This is the act of shedding thoughts and distractions. A time to open the heart and quiet the mind. Illumination (Receiving): When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you to receive. Union (Returning): As you leave, following the same path out of the center as you came in, you enter the third stage, which is joining God, your Higher Power, or the healing forces at work in the world. Each time you walk the labyrinth, you become more empowered to find and do the work for which you feel your soul is reaching. Guidelines for the walk Quiet your mind and become aware of your breath. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. Do what feels natural. Open your soul to receive peace and possibility on your own sacred path.

6 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 6 Find Peace and Quiet This Summer Lectio Divina divine or sacred reading is a method of prayer based on slow, contemplative reading of texts. This ancient practice helps us quiet down, rest, and listen for the still, small voice of God touching our hearts. You are warmly encouraged to drop in anytime you can to our group on Thursdays, 12:15 to 1:00 pm in the Chapel, or to practice on your own. We will you texts for your use every Thursday morning. Questions? Please contact Clare Novak ( or clarecnovak@gmail.com). Please also let her know if you'd be interested in a facilitated call-in Lectio Divina session on a free conference line. Choosing a text for Lectio Divina Find a passage that sparks your spirit or raises questions during your reading of the Bible or other spiritual poetry or literature. Select Scripture relevant to the season. For example, read selections from the Gospel about the birth of Jesus at Christmas or the Passion sections at Lent and Easter. Practicing Lectio Divina Lectio Divina can be practiced alone, with a partner, or in a group. Begin by placing yourself in a comfortable position. Take a moment to become calm. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you hear God s Word. 1. LECTIO 2. MEDITATIO Read the passage, simply listening and savoring the reading. Read the passage a second time. Listen for or notice a word or phrase that touches your heart, that shimmers for you. Take the word or phrase in by slowly repeating it to yourself. Reflect on it in silence. Continued next page..

7 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 7 Lectio Divina continued ORATIO Read the passage a third time. Ponder the word or phrase that touched your heart, and ask How does this word or phrase touch my life or connect with my need or longing? What is God, the Word, saying to me? This is a good time to write in your journal, if you desire. 4. CONTEMPLATIO Read the passage a fourth time. At the end of the reading, let go of your words and enjoy the experience of refreshment, of resting in the arms of our God of grace and love, our compassionate Father, our nurturing Mother. Savor the peace, the comfort, and the silence. Conclude with your own prayer of gratitude or The Lord s Prayer. If meditation sounds difficult, foreign, or oddly woo-woo, consider that we have learned to focus our minds closely on all kinds of efforts all day long: from driving to reading to solving problems at school or work. In this simple, structured practice, we learn to focus our minds as a way to relax into God s love, listen in silence, and receive new understandings, far beyond what we could have controlled or imagined. Jesus said: I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Could this be what He meant? An initial meeting for a New Men s Bible Study group will be held on Thurs., July 19th, at 8:30 am in Eric s office. Please contact Richard Ashley (rashleycpa@comcast.net or ) with any interest or questions.

8 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 8 Haiti Relief Challenge From the Christian Science Monitor in January of this year: Two years after a devastating earthquake in Haiti - an event some have dubbed the most complex humanitarian crisis of modern times - fresh signs of progress are offering hope. Many of those displaced by Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake have been relocated, and buildings and roads repaired. But reconstruction in Haiti has been complicated by deep economic and social problems. So our neighbors to the south are still struggling to put their lives back together. Many Haitians still live in camps or in overcrowded conditions with families or other nonsustainable arrangements, both of which lack proper hygiene, which in turn leads to disease. The US CDC reported: "An outbreak of cholera has been ongoing in Haiti since October 2010." But most Haitians have few resources to address the problem. That s where you come in. The St. Patrick s Outreach Committee is launching a matching grant challenge to all parishioners to help with this situation. From now until the end of July, every dollar donated to St. Patrick s that is designated for Haiti relief, will be match from our outreach funds, up to $2000. So let s see how far we can go with a significant donation to Partners in Health, a group already on the ground running twelve facilities, including a cholera clinic. It employs 5,500 people: doctors, nurses, community health workers, and general staff. 98% of the employees are Haitian, which means not only employment but local knowledge being developed. Let s not let Haiti be forgotten. Be sure to put Haiti Relief in the memo line of your check or on an envelope if you donate cash. Partners In Health

9 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 9 News and Updates HOSTE HAINSE A venture to keep poor Nepalese children out of carpet factories and in school, Hoste Hainse has been supported by St. Patrick s for many years. The elimination of child labor through education requires hoste hainse the Nepalese expression meaning working collectively at a challenging task. In one of our schools 38 out of 41 students in the graduating class passed the national School Leaving Exam, a gateway to further education. Considering that only 30% of students in government schools are graduated from K-5 school, this is quite an achievement, especially since in Hoste Hainse schools all the children are low-caste. KARIMU Salima Makalenzi is a young woman who came to Masolato Anglican Theological Seminary in Dodoma, Tanzania seeking a Diploma in Ministry. Because she lacked proficient English she was switched to an English class for the wives of seminarians sponsored by KARIMU. She graduated on June 8 th and will now be able to begin studies in Ministry. This is the second year St. Patrick s has supported KARIMU and its mission to Anglican seminarians and their families in Tanzania. We are particularly pleased that the Diocese of Tanganyika supports women in ministry. This is not the case in all African dioceses.

10 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 10 News and Updates 2012 Outreach Expense Report Through June As a result of its due diligence and deliberations the Outreach Committee reports the following monetary allocations during the first six months of this year. Emergency Fund $ 2, Administered by Project M.A.N.A. and used by Parasol social agencies for the needy in Incline Village. Incline High School Baccalaureate donation Golf for Education To support educational programs in Incline Village. She is Safe (SIS) 1, Formerly Sisters In Service, to protect women from abuse and trafficking in third world countries. Camp Galilee Summer Camper Scholarships (2) KARIMU (see previous page) 3, NetsforLife 1,000.00* To provide insecticide treated nets to prevent malaria. Hoste Hainse (see previous page) 1, Tuscaloosa Youth Mission Trip grant 3, Repairing and rebuilding tornado damaged houses. Total $ 12, *The Committee is sending this amount and encourages donations through July by members of the congregation. During this year the Committee will be putting pertinent information about supported projects on its bulletin board near the sanctuary entrance. Please take the time to look at the display to keep informed on the work and decisions of the Outreach Committee. Connie Skidmore

11 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 11 Jim Kelly's Retirement! Since Jim Kelly announced his retirement, we are pleased to announce two events in his honor. First, there will be a "Gratitude Gathering" on Sunday, July 15th, between services in the church library. This gathering will be in lieu of the regular forum, and all parishioners are invited. Please come ready to share your appreciation for Jim's huge contributions to St. Patrick's parish over the years. The second event will be a celebration for Jim and Lora, St. Patrick's style, in the parish hall on Saturday, August 4th, beginning at 4pm. We'll plan to have wine and appetizers outside, plus a barbecue in action, followed by a sit-down dinner inside. Parishioners are asked to bring side dishes. Also, this will be your opportunity to bring expressions of thanks via cards and notes for Jim. More details will follow, and we ask you to set these two dates aside on your calendars, and look forward to a grand celebration with your presence! Anyone who wishes to help with planning, barbecue detail, set-up and clean-up can contact Judy Morrison, ; Cindy Boudett, ; or Emy Gurowitz,

12 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 12 Now seeking EfM (Education for Ministry) students for the class beginning in September! If you have been thinking that you d like to know and understand the Bible better, and have a better knowledge of the history and evolution of Christianity itself, please consider being part of this class. The course also includes weekly opportunities for theological reflection, affording work on developing your own core beliefs and personal spiritual growth. EfM is a four year course, accredited through the University of the South. The scope and sequence of the course is as follows: *Year One: The Old Testament *Year Two: The New Testament, including Wisdom books and parts of the Apocrypha *Year Three: History of Christianity, Part I, from the time of Christ up to the mid-eighteenth century, plus a study of philosophers and theologians of the past ages who have influenced Christianity and the church *Year Four: History of Christianity, Part II, up to modern times, continuing the study of philosophers and theologians who have influenced the church Don t miss this opportunity for personal growth, in a safe and free environment, in which every opinion and thought is valued. Please contact Connie Skidmore, or cwskid@att.net if you re interested!

13 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 13 Tahoe Chamber Music Society All concerts are Sunday s at 2:30 pm, St. Patrick s Donations are kindly accepted at each concert. Sponsorships and memberships are appreciated. July 8: Phil Popham-Composer in residence with the Helix Collective July 15: Nagano and Stern July 22: True North Harp Duo July 29: In Bocca al Lupo August 5: Jonathan Leathwood, Guitarist August 12: Winn/Lenz/Brownell PianoTrio TOCCATA 7th Anniversary: Saturday July 28th at 7pm, St. Patrick s Grieg Piano Concerto* Saint Saens Symphony #3* Arias featuring mezzo Liudmila Mullin For tickets and other information, please visit

14 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 14 Saturday Night Alive! (SNA) Our Saturday, 5:30 p.m. folk service has met and decided to take the summer off. There will be a meeting in September to further the conversation about continued ways to meet the needs that service has met, and for the best use of that time slot. Feel free to share your own ideas at that meeting or let Eric Heidecker know. Coming soon to St. Patrick s website In an effort to improve transparency and improve insight into St. Patrick s financial affairs, there will soon be a new financial section on the church's website. Many church websites have similar sections which serve to enhance members knowledge and build trust. We will start with simple postings of financial statements, parochial reports and information on how to make unrestricted and restricted contributions. Stay tuned! Episcopal Church Day at the Reno Aces! Friday, August 10th at 7:05 p.m. against the Albuquerque Isotopes (LA Dodgers AAA affiliate), with fireworks! Tickets are $13, seats are behind the first base dugout in sections 113 & 114 (the sun will not be an issue for a night game). Invite your family, friends, and neighbors! Everyone is welcome! A sign-up sheet is on the foyer coffee table, and the deadline is Monday July 16th. We encourage everyone to wear red for visibility, and remember to watch the scoreboard in the third or fourth inning for recognition of our group. All totes you bring into the ballpark will be searched at the entrance. You are allowed to bring in shelled peanuts, popcorn and sunflower seeds, and bottled water as long as it is unopened. Absolutely no aluminum cans. Tickets are scanned and nullified as you enter and there is no re-entry, so take what you may need with you. After the game, kids under the age of 12 can run around the bases, then stay for the fireworks. This year, each ticket will be accompanied by a discount coupon for the Team Shop, good for that night only. Trinity Reno has red Episcopal NV hats available for purchase for the game, for $10. Please see the St. Pat s Church Office for further details, and to place an order.

15 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 15 KNITTERS GUILD OF INCLINE VILLAGE NEWS Do you love to knit or crochet? Come join the Knitters Guild, which meets every Wednesday From 1 3 p.m. in the church library! I hope you ve all had, or will have soon, an opportunity to view the Knitters Guild display of lovely hand-knitted and crocheted items in the church hallway. The exhibit will remain through the summer; in the fall, distributions of warm scarves, hats, sweaters and slippers will be made to the North Tahoe Family Resource Center. Lap robes and layettes for newborns will be taken to Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee and a supply of hats will be given to the Incline Elementary School Counselor to be available for children who need them. If there is something on display that you might be interested in purchasing, please give Peggy Harrison a call at 775) Recently, 8 lap robes, a shawl and 9 layettes were delivered to the hospital in Truckee, 20 chemo caps were taken to the American Cancer Society in Reno, 2 dog coats were donated to Pet Network for their Fur Ball and 2 scarves, a headband and felted purse were made for the Barbara Brown fundraiser. To date, 176 items have been given away! At one of the April meetings, the guild members gave me a surprise (and I DO mean surprise!) birthday party! A cake with lighted candles, a lovely gift and a card signed by lots of members made this a very special occasion. When I said I d not noticed that a card was being passed around for people to sign, they told me they d done it during a couple of meetings and members had hidden it, so I wouldn t see it, under their knitting! The warm messages touched me deeply, and I ll never forget that very memorable day! One of our newer members, Deborah Fuller, is the wife of the Life Point Church pastor, Craig. They recently returned from a trip to Kenya, where they visited a school started by their church. Deborah brought her laptop computer to a recent guild meeting and shared with interested members a slide show she d assembled. She also gave each of the members in attendance that day a bookmark handmade by Kenyans; the bookmarks depict animals found in Africa and are very unique. Peggy Harrison We welcome anyone who loves to knit or crochet, and we can help you if your skills need refreshing. Please call Peggy Harrison at for further information.

16 St. Patrick s Shamrock Page 16 Godspeed to Ashley and Lorena! Ashley Vomund and Lorena Pfaender pose before the altar at St. Pat s on their last Sunday service together as acolytes. The two friends will both be taking different paths which will lead them far from Incline Village. Lorena will be attending school in Austria where she will be comfortable speaking German and making new friends. While she plans on returning to the United States for college, she and her mom, Hannah, will be greatly missed. Ashley will be attending Washington State University this fall. She would like to thank St. Patrick s congregation for always supporting the youth of our church and is especially thankful for the generous scholarship awarded to her by our Scholarship Committee. Most grateful to Jim Beebe for delving deeply into the history of the text, she also thanks Eric Heidecker for his infectious passion. Staff & Committee Chairs The Rev. Eric Heidecker Interim Rector The Rev. Dr. David J. Mussatti Priest/ Parish Needs Team The Rev. Jim Kelly Priest Rev. Clare Novak Interfaith Minister/ Communications/ Stewardship Donna Axton Music Director Jessica Rotter Parish Administrator Viki Welling Altar Guild Judy Layton Art Laurean Meyer Capital Reserve Team Bob Skidmore Columbarium/ Flannel Team/ Coffee Hour Bill Drewes Finance Emy Gurowitz Fundraising REMINDERS: Current Photo Directories are $5.00, to cover printing costs. Pick up an updated copy today! New members, please fill out the contact information card at the front of the church, and provide your family photo to be included in our directory! The Altar Flower donation - Only $55.00! Please sign up on the chart in the Narthex and make sure to put flower fund in the memo line on your checks. Please recycle your inkjets for cash for St. Pat s! A green collection box is in the foyer! Please remember to put your inkjets in a plastic sandwich baggie to prevent leakage! Sally Hammel Music/ Woship/ Culture Lainie Vreeland Library Judy Morrison Magnetic Chuch Connie Skidmore & Cherry Barney Outreach Santa Claus Sexton Jessica Rotter & Stephanie Tall Shamrock Karen Barney Webmaster

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