The Canterbury Tales

Transcription

1 The Canterbury Tales May 2015 Coming to a Decision About Your Gift from Pastor Liz FIRST...PRAY There is no substitute for time spent talking with God and listening to God. Prayer is at the heart of this Campaign. SECOND...EVALUATE Be honest with yourself and God about how you feel about your money and stuff. Do I see it as all mine to protect or others will take it from me and leave me without? Do I see it as all mine but give out of a sense of guilt? Do I see it as all belonging to God but am fearful to admit that as I might be asked to give too much leaving me with not having enough? Do I see it as all belonging to God and have confidence that if I give what God asks I will not lack? THIRD...GRATITUDE EXERCISE Although the desired outcome of this Capital Campaign is our ability as a church to manage our debt wisely for the future, the process to get there needs to be a spiritual one. There are lots of ways to try to raise money (many that have done damage to people s spiritual journey) that we as a church do not want to take. The process we want to undertake will help each of us grow closer to God and do whatever we decide to do out of willingness to respond to God with joy, not out of pressure from people. But to do this requires spiritual willingness to stretch in ways that may not be familiar or comfortable but could grow your soul significantly. The following process is designed to help you think through this spiritual process as you consider your three-year commitment. We spend so much time thinking of the things we do not have, this is an opportunity to be grateful for all we do have. Take a pack of sticky notes and begin writing down everything you have on separate notes. Put down your income, talents, family and friends, church, assets, savings, furniture, luxuries, vacations. Put all the notes on a table in front of you. As you write it them down, thank God for it, be grateful. Then pray again, God, what is your will for me? and begin to consider what you think God wants. FOURTH...TRUST Giving that pleases God has to do with giving first to God not out of guilt or simply to a need. We can give as an act of trust and out of love for God, beginning with prayer and growing in gratitude and trust. We cannot all give the same amounts, but we can make equal sacrifices. It has been said that a sacrifice is giving up something we love for something or someone we love more. What is the motive and attitude you feel right now? There is no formula, no quick accounting, no comparison gift model, no percentage target for a Capital Campaign commitment. As always, the truest measure of stewardship is not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Not everyone has the resources to make a million dollar gift, but each and every person can meaningfully invest themselves in what God is doing at this church in proportion to the resources he or she has to work with. Each should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 1

2 From the Pastor Moving Forward We are moving forward in prayer this month as we listen for God s leading, in what is being asked of each of us in the Capital Campaign. We cannot move forward without prayer. God s love for us is our foundation and prayer guides us in our grateful response to God. All the money talk can be distracting or even annoying to some, but we are committed to being good financial stewards of what God has given St. Augustine and so we pray. We pray for God s guidance, wisdom and peace of mind. Our financial commitments are between God and each of us and we can trust that God will guide us well. I hope that you are joining me daily, lifting up our voices and our hearts to God in thanksgiving for this sacred space, for this growing community of people of all ages, for God s unfailing love. We have much to be grateful for and together we are making a difference in our communities. As we move forward, Easter is still in the air. The alleluias fill the air and the tomb stands empty, both signs for us that God s love makes all things new. We are an Easter people...together we are an Easter people. Keep praying and keep listening God is calling us forward! God s Peace, Pastor Liz forward in faith Capital Campaign 1 Seminarians, Where Moms Connect 9 From the Pastor 2 Women s Retreat 10 The Future 3 DOK, Brotherhood, Prayer Shawl Ministry 11 Service Times/Calendar 4 Meal Ministry, Sole Hope Shoe-Cutting Party 12 Outreach Committee, In Memory 4 Kairos, Eucharistic Ministry 13 Called to Build Capital Campaign 5 UC Davis Mini Medical School, Columbarium 14 Outreach Activities 6 St. Augustine LOGO-WEAR 15 FISH, Sunday School, Nursery 7 Birthdays, Anniversaries, Companion s Corner 16 Vacation Bible School 8 Contact Page 17 2

3 The Future Our forward in faith Capital Campaign was launched Sunday, March 22 nd. During the months of March and April, different events and activities took place to explain the purpose of the Campaign. Information Packets were distributed, children and youth were celebrated and an Information Forum and Contemplative Prayer Service were held. In addition, dinner and lunch gatherings were hosted in homes and at the church to share our financial plan for debt management and creative ways that you might make your financial commitments. Pastor Liz preached about our call to partner with God in serving our neighbors and the importance of this Capital Campaign in making our ministries possible. We have seen three inspirational videos about the history and ministries of St. Augustine Church and about how what we do as a faith community matters. This forward in faith Capital Campaign is for debt management. Our goal is to raise $400,000. These funds will be used to pay down the principal on the $1.5 million loan to the Diocese and to bridge the budget shortfall of our facility costs and mortgage payment. With this Capital Campaign, we are practicing good stewardship to ensure financial stability for St. Augustine Church, so that we can continue to serve God and our neighbors in new and exciting ways! Please join us Sunday, May 17 th for our Commitment Sunday special Mexicanthemed brunch. At that time, the people of St. Augustine Church will be given the opportunity to make a three-year commitment to the forward in faith Capital Campaign. 3

4 Service Times Calendar 8 a.m. Sunday Service The early service begins at 8 a.m. This is a simple communion service without music, using Rite II. The quiet service will appeal to some every week and to others occasionally as a quieter way to worship. 10 a.m. Sunday Service The second service is supported by the St. Augustine Choir. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m., excepting some Holy days and special occasions. The FISH Youth Group meets 9-10 a.m. most Sundays. May 14 th 7:30 p.m. May 17 th May 24 th 10 a.m. Service 10 a.m. Service May 28 th 7-9 p.m. June 7 th 11:30 a.m. June 21 st 10 a.m. Service Where Moms Connect Year-End Party At Melissa Lovin s Home forward in faith Commitment Weekend Pentecost Sunday Wear red, yellow or orange Paul for Tomorrow s World A Guest Lecture With N.T. Wright William Jessup University Brotherhood of St. Andrew BBQ Luncheon forward in faith Announcement Sunday Mission /Outreach Committee Our approach to outreach ministry is changing, especially how we fund projects and create new opportunities to help you find your mission and maybe how to start something new. The following members have agreed to serve on our new committee: Stephanie & Jim Tilton, Rhonda & Rich Wampler, Rick Lovin, Ken Cichocki, Bob Deering, Jack Dillon, Jerry Harner, Matt Diaz and Jim Quinney. Our new committee will meet May 11 th and we will be sending out information related to how we will operate and many of the new opportunities as soon as possible. I assure you this will be more than a name change. Much more to follow Jim Quinney June 22 nd - June 26 th September 12 th 9 a.m. Noon 4-8 p.m. October 10 th Noon - 9 p.m. November 6 th through November 9 th In Loving Memory Jane Louise Rider Vacation Bible School Climbing Mt. Everest Annual Church BBQ Pig Roast Outreach Event Women s Retreat September 11, 1919 ~ April 5,

5 Called to Build...IT S A NEW DAY! Ending June 30, The successful Called to Build Capital Campaign has given St. Augustine Church the gift of sacred space, our new Church building. New families come through our doors each Sunday. The Sunday School and Youth programs continue to thrive. Our beautiful nursery is filled with the sounds of happy toddlers. New voices join our choir to bring us joyful music. Small groups meet regularly, and we are now able to host our own spiritual, outreach and social events. Campaign Results Campaign Goal $500,000 Campaign Commitments $523,898 Total Collected to Date $486,959 Thank you for your contributions to the Called to Build Capital Campaign...A NEW DAY HAS DAWNED! 5

6 The Gathering Inn Food Pantry Ministries Rotating Shelter Program Our Gathering Inn hosting in April was very successful, especially with our new rice pilaf dish. It was well received by the 67 guests we hosted. This event takes place very second Wednesday of the month. The next dinner is May 13 th. We host about 65 women, men and children by providing a substantial hot meal and overnight shelter for our brothers and sisters who are either permanently or partially homeless. If you haven t signed up yet, pick a month and come and join us. It is very rewarding and does not take a lot of time. The sign-up book is in the rear of the Church in the outreach area. Jim Quinney Items needed... Good clean socks; tall ones, short ones, white ones and even striped ones. Let s make hundreds of people have Happy Feet! C mon and Fill the Basket!!!!! Even the greatest optimist has likely resolved that we will not get much more rain this year. Summer clothes are needed, especially socks. We are also collecting toiletry items and clothing for The Gathering Inn. Please place your donations in the grocery cart. Our food pantries need dry cereal, peanut butter, beans, rice and any other non-perishable foods. These items are sent to the food pantries at St. James, Lincoln and St. Vincent de Paul. Carol Alexander, the representative from St. James, has expressed many thanks and appreciation for our support of their food pantry ministry. The St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room ministry can also use salad dressing. Thank you for your contributions. St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room The St. Augustine group serves meals at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room the third Thursday of each month. We volunteer from approximately 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., helping to prepare, cook and serve those in need of a warm meal. Approximately two to three hours of standing are involved. All food is provided and no cooking experience is needed. Please contact Gaby Sisk, if you are interested in working in this important ministry. 6

7 The FISH Youth Group will continue regular meetings at 9 a.m. on Sundays through June, led by Jim Quinney. The group is looking to plan a weekend retreat in the mountains in August. More information to follow. For more information regarding the Youth Group studies and activities, please contact Jim Quinney or Gaby Sisk. Changes are also occurring in the nursery. We have added a very simple snack for the children. During the snack time, Shelby Larkey, nursery teacher, will read a Bible story. The children will have the opportunity to color a worksheet that reinforces the story. We have also added Bible songs as background music. It is a great way at this age to start to introduce them to the Bible stories and songs. Volunteers are needed to back-up nursery care. If you are interested, please contact Melissa Lovin. We have made many changes over the last two months to our Sunday School program and all are being received positively. We now have specific music that we are learning for the first 13 minutes of class time. The kids are doing great with this! After music, we break into our Primary (4 years through kindergarten) and our Elementary classes (1st - 5th grade). During 30 minutes of class time, the children read and discuss a Bible story and do a craft activity. We have also added prayer time at the beginning and end of class. On Pentecost Sunday, May 24 th, the children will process at the beginning of the 10 a.m. service. They did such an excellent job on Palm Sunday processing with the palms that they have been asked to do this again. We would like the children to wear red and Mrs. Lovin will have special wands for them to wave during the procession. New this year, we will be having Sunday School throughout the summer. If you are interested in this ministry to be a lead or assistant teacher, please see Melissa Lovin. We need volunteers for both elementary classes and the primary classes. I would love to have enough people that you may only be teaching every other month - although if you want more, I am happy to oblige! The teachers now have part of a bulletin board in the Sunday School classroom. You can see who is teaching and where we need teachers. Please take a look and you can signup, right there if you want! 7

8 Mark Your Calendars!!! Vacation Bible School June 22 nd - 26 th This year s Vacation Bible School will be even more exciting than ever before! The VBS children will discover God s mighty power and promises as they explore Mt. Everest through Bible stories, music, crafts and games. The children will embark on an icy mountain adventure right here at St. Augustine. Encourage your neighbors, friends and family to enroll their children in St. Augustine s Fourth Annual Vacation Bible School. Stay tuned for more information! Calling All Volunteers We are currently still short one adult crew leader. If you are interested in volunteering for the week and hanging out with five children, please see Melissa Lovin. We promise it will not be hard!! Registration is going well and we are currently about 30% full. Registration forms can be found on the welcome table or contact Melissa and she can it to you. We are having a mandatory VBS staff meeting on Monday, May 11 th at 6:30 pm in the classrooms. This will be our opportunity to go through the week, so everyone will know what is going on. We have already met with many of the teachers and they are excited about Climbing Everest!! 8

9 Journey of a seminarian... Hello St Augustine family! I am approaching the actual end of seminary and the beginning of my full-time priestly ministry. My graduation at CDSP is Friday, May 22nd. I am getting very excited and a bit nervous, but mostly excited! I hope that many or most of you can join me at my ordination on June 12th at St. John's Roseville. It is the Bishop's custom to ordain candidates at the location where they will begin their priestly ministry. The following Sunday, June 14th I will preside over the Eucharist at St. Augustine for the first time ever! Yes, at St. Augustine! I will then begin work at St. John's as their Assistant Priest! You will have to come visit me sometime! Much love, Sarah Where Moms Connect will host the last "official" meeting of the year on Thursday, May 14th. This is our year-end party. It will be at 7:30 p.m. at Melissa Lovin's home, 1747 Poppy Drive, Rocklin, Bring a dessert to share and your own drink. There will be no childcare for this event. We will have some social gatherings throughout the summer. If you are interested in hosting one, please contact Melissa. These events can be on any day of the week, usually evenings, and to do whatever you would like i.e. (movie night, game night, sit by a pool, etc.). Where Moms Connect will officially begin again with the curriculum in September. Meetings will be held on Thursdays. The program theme for next year will be "A Year of Blessings. Beginning in the fall, we will also be adding a Wednesday morning program. You can attend one or the other or both meetings. Topics will be the same, but the conversations amongst us will differ. Volunteers needed: Volunteers are needed for childcare on Wednesday mornings, two or three times a month from 9-11 a.m. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Melissa. We are not budgeted this year to provide paid childcare for the Wednesday morning program as we do for the Thursday evening program. 9 Vol. 5 No. 5 St. Augustine Episcopal Church ~ Rocklin, CA May 2015

10 Women s Retreat: The long awaited Women s Retreat is in planning stages. Mark your calendars for Friday, November 6th - 8th to save the date. This retreat is geared for the first-time attendee who may never have tried a retreat before. Our theme is The Friendship of Women and will be led by our own Rev. Maryellen Garnier. Conveniently located at the Mercy Center near old town Auburn, the retreat registration fee includes a private room and five delicious meals. Cost for the retreat is only $200 and a $50 deposit will hold your spot. For more information, please see Joan Howe or Maryellen Garnier, and pick up a registration flyer on the Welcome Counter. What is a Women s Retreat? A special time away from your everyday life A place to find new friends, have fun and laugh a lot Eat delicious meals and stay up late talking Explore the importance of friendships And tap into the strength of God s plan for you! 10 Vol. 5 No. 5 St. Augustine Episcopal Church ~ Rocklin, CA May 2015

11 DOK The St. Augustine Chapter of Daughters of the King meets on the second Sunday of each month after the 10 a.m. service. The next meeting will be June 14 th in the Sunday School room. If you are interested in becoming a Daughter or would like more information, please contact Deidre Shonk, Chapter President. Prayer Shawl Ministry For many years, shawls have symbolized comfort, peace, warmth and serenity. The modern Prayer Shawl Ministry, which began in 1998 as a grass-roots movement, quickly grew into a world-wide ecumenical endeavor with numerous shawls being given to grateful recipients all over the world. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew holds its regular monthly meetings at 9 a.m. in Canterbury Hall the second Saturday morning of the month. Coffee and breakfast are served. All men and boys are welcome and encouraged to attend a meeting. Rob Shonk is the Director. If you have an interest in learning about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, please contact Rob or Vice Director John Redmond. The group is planning a BBQ after church June 7 th. Our next meeting will be Saturday, May 9 th at the Church. Cole Hackley will provide the breakfast. We at St. Augustine feel privileged to be a part of this movement and enjoy our time of fellowship when we meet each month in Canterbury Hall on the second Monday of the month at 1:30. There is always an open chair for anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry. We have several shawls in inventory. If you would like to give one to someone who is not a member of St. Augustine, contact Greer Nave. They are presented with a beautiful card and a selection of prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. For shawls given outside the congregation, a donation by the giver to replenish our yarn supply is appreciated, but not required. 11

12 St. Augustine Meal Ministry When one of our parish families is in need, healing with meals is a wonderful way of lending our support. Many thanks to Amy Quinney who has been organizing the meal ministry for the past several years. St. Augustine is now going to start an online meal calendar. Using this coordinated meal calendar will avoid duplication of meals and simplify the process. It will allow volunteers to choose a day to take a meal that is convenient and also let you know about family food preferences and allergies. Sue Zulauf will be the facilitator of this ministry. If you are interested in helping out, please Sue at saztax@surewest.net and she will get you signed up. Our hearts are always close to our friends in need, but sometimes it is difficult to know how to show our care and support. Making use of this online meal calendar is one way to show our love. Any of us can send a food hug. Sole Hope Shoe-Cutting Party Monday, May 18 th 4-8 p.m. Canterbury Hall Due to the overwhelming response of denim donations we received for Sole Hope, Kara Diaz and Melissa Lovin are hosting another shoe-cutting party. This will be an open house style, so you can come whenever and stay as long as you can. This event is on Monday, May 18 th, 4-8 p.m. Please do NOT bring any denim!! All you need is a good pair of scissors and a $10 donation to Sole Hope. We will provide the tables, chairs, denim, patterns and water or lemonade to drink. No food will be served for this event. You are welcome to bring a friend! The more people who come, the more shoes we make! If you have any questions, please see Melissa Lovin or Kara Diaz. 12

13 The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ s love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming productive citizens. Jack Dillon and Steve Mershon were participants at the April Kairos 15, a prison ministry, They worked with a team of 30 Christian men from different dominations to go into Folsom Prison to pray, to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and to share meals and fellowship with the incarcerated on a one-to-one basis. The first visit was a four-day event starting on Thursday morning and lasting until Sunday. During this time, the team taught a short introductory course on Christianity. Subsequent visits are monthly half-day reunions with the prisoners over 12 months. Jack and Steve attended a training weekend in late March. Jack was an observing leader at the April Kairos. He will be the leader at the fall Kairos 15 and Steve will be the observing leader and a leader in a subsequent Kairos weekend. There is also a team of men and women who remain outside as the support during each weekend. They provide prayers, Palanca (cookies, signs, notes), meals (breakfast and dinner), before and after each day for the team members. They also make lunch to take inside each day for both the team and inmates who are making the weekend. If you are interested in participating and/or supporting a Kairos team, please contact Jack or Steve. They are both very grateful for the love and support offered by members of St. Augustine for Kairos 15. Eucharistic Visitor s Ministry The Eucharistic Visitor s Ministry at St. Augustine serves members of the congregation who are unable to attend regular Sunday services for an extended period of time. The visitors administer communion to those individuals in their home, hospital or care facility. Need for this service may be due to age and infirmity, illness, hospitalization or other family difficulties. The Rector receives the requests for this service and consults with the Ministry Coordinator, Bill Howe. The Eucharistic Visitors are scheduled by the Ministry Coordinator, Bill Howe. The assigned Visitor then contacts the appropriate individual to verify the time and location for this visitation. The Eucharistic Visitor conducts a short liturgy and administers the communion elements to the person(s) being visited. Often, the visit concludes with a brief social time if appropriate. The Eucharistic Visitor records those served at the Church office and also returns the Communion Kit. Parishioners interested in serving in this Ministry should talk with Bill Howe, the Coordinator, or Pastor Liz. 13

14 Mini Medical School at UC Davis Just an hour away, University of California Davis offers a program called Aging and Medical Science: A Mini Medical School to Prepare for Life s Second Half. St. Augustine members, Marlene and Jerry Harner have finished three years and Janet Dickens has completed her first year. Since 2002, the UC Davis, School of Medicine has opened its doors to the community. With 12 hours of lively classwork, top faculty members of the schools of medicine and nursing provide interactive medical school classes condensed to the core information we need to know about our aging bodies and how to avoid the pitfalls of aging. Classes are held during February and March, Saturday mornings for two hours, at the main campus of UC Davis. Class size is 520. There is no tuition, only a request to pay it forward by becoming aging champions and ambassadors. With over 5000 graduates ranging in age from 23 to 97, Aging and Medical Science has struck a chord. Graduates say the program is fantastic, so educational and informational. Garnering international attention as one solution for a healthy aging population, the UC Davis Mini Medical School has been replicated as far away as the University of Hawaii and Singapore. For more information, go to St. Augustine Church Columbarium We have ordered our first columbarium installation of 24 niches and have received payment to reserve 12 of spaces. If you would like more information or are interested in reserving a niche, please contact Kathy Dillon or Rick Stenzel. 14

15 St. Augustine LOGO-WEAR Now Available! St. Augustine Website 15

16 May 2 May 3 May 5 May 7 May 8 May 14 May 16 May 17 May 19 May 20 May 21 May 23 May 22 May 24 May 27 May 28 May 29 May 30 May Anniversaries May 5 May 15 May 19 May 21 May 24 May Birthdays Martha Kennedy Bill Howe III Lucas Weston Steve Mershon Phyllis Frew Jane Buffington Ken Cichocki Howard Marans Hannah Wampler Les Geiger Norma Crutcher Rosanna Jensen Jeanne Rochelle Natalie Cooper Sharon Mershon Kathy Dillon Brian Fischer Beth Sulc Bill Howe II John Redmond Jerry Harner Kathy Griffin Bob Hamacher Carter Cooper Christopher Buck Liz Armstrong Tim White Fernando & Dianne Sandoval Rick & Judy Rae Jack & A.K. Butterworth Jim & Anna Foote Lloyd & Priscilla Kriner Companion s Corner No Mud, No Lotus In his recent book, No Mud, No Lotus, Thich Nhat Hanh* has an insight that is echoed in our Christian scriptures. He draws the idea out by revealing that, without mud, the beautiful lotus plant cannot develop and grow. And, without some suffering we, as well, do not develop and grow. There is a key idea in the concept of facing our suffering, accepting it and moving on with our lives. He calls it the second arrow. In it, he draws a comparison between the original wound delivered like an arrow into our souls and a second arrow that we inflict on ourselves by remembering, ruminating and recriminating ourselves for any part that we played in the original wounding. He illustrates it with the statement How could I have been so stupid? He postulates that this second area doubles the original pain and does nothing to eradicate the suffering and, in fact, entrenches it in the soul. He cautions guarding against this tendency in prolonging, delaying, and perhaps preventing the healing process. Our Christian scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, attest to this fact with statements found in Isaiah 43:18-19 and those uttered by Paul in Philippians 3:12-14 ( the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God s call through Christ Jesus to the life above. ) This passage gives insight into how Paul was able to move on in his crusade for Christ and to not inflict second arrows into his wounded conscience over his earlier, bloody history. It is an interesting view of how Buddhism and Christianity both offer a helpful look at ways to look at our past. A blessed May to you, dear friends, Carole Peterson *Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist. 16

17 Contact Information Pastor Liz Armstrong Cell Church Office Normal Work Days Sunday Thursday Associate Priest The Rev. Maryellen Garnier Please contact the Church Office or Pastor Liz for pastoral emergencies. The Mission of St. Augustine Episcopal Church is, with God s help: To Worship God To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ To reach out to our community and the world in service and education St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church A Safe Place for People Seeking God 1800 Wildcat Boulevard Rocklin, CA Phone: staugustine@staugustineepiscopal.com 17