april 2020 chronicle...2020/04/04 · services (celebration of past clergy, renewal of wedding vows...
TRANSCRIPT
1
CHURCH
APRIL 2020 CHRONICLE
CHRIST
2
FROM THE RECTOR THE REV. DR. DANIEL LONDON
RollingtheRockAway,RatherThanPilingMoreOn
WhenJohn-MichaelTebelak,thecreatorofGodspell,attended
anEasterVigilserviceatanEpiscopalcathedralin
Pennsylvania,hewasdisappointedbythelackofjoyinthe
liturgy,especiallysincehefeltjoyburstingoutfromthepages
oftheGospels.Hesaid,“Ileftwiththefeelingthat,ratherthan
rollingtherockawayfromtheTomb,theywerepilingmore
on.”HethenwenthomeandwrotetheentireplayGodspellthat
night!
IamsurethatifJohn-MichaelTebelakattendedEaster
VigilatChristChurchEureka,hewouldhavebeencompletelyblownawaybytheoverwhelmingjoythat
eruptsinoursanctuary,especiallywhenwethrowtheAlleluiacardsintheairlikeconfetti,proclaiming,
“Alleluia!Christisrisen!”andsinging,“GlorytoGodintheHighest!”Hewouldhavelikelybeeninspiredto
writemoremusicalsaboutJesusnotinordertocompensateforthechurch’slackofjoy,butratherin
celebrationoftheholyexcitementthathefeltthechurchstirupwithinhim.
IbelievethatsamejoyfulexcitementwefeelonEasterSundayistheHolySpirit,thesameHoly
SpiritthatraisedJesusChristfromthedead.Andeveryyear,IlookforwardtobeingdrenchedinthatHoly
Spiritwithyouonourgreatfeastoftheresurrection.IhavebeenespeciallyeagertocelebrateEasterwith
youthisyearsinceitisour150thyearandIwasplanningto“pulloutallthestops.”However,thebestway
tomakeGodlaughistotellhimyourplans;andmyplanto“pulloutallthestops”hasbeenpulledtoa
nearlycompletestopbyforcesbeyondmycontrol,speciRicallyCOVID-19.AndIhaveasuspicionthatthe
HolySpiritisuptosomethingverygoodinthemidstofallthis.(InthewordsofBishopMoreland,asthe
SpanishFlupandemicwasspreadingthroughoutthisdioceseonehundredyearsago,“Wemaybesure
Godisworkingout…asolemnandbeneRicentpurpose.”)
AlthoughIknowJohn-MichaelTebelakwouldhavelovedourEasterVigilservice,Ihavebeen
feelingespeciallyconvictedbyhiswords:“RatherthanrollingtherockawayfromtheTomb,theywere
pilingmoreon.”Thisyear,IfeeltheHolySpiritaskingus,“Howcanwerolltherockawayfromthetomb
thisHolyWeek,ratherthankeeppilingmoreon?”
3
Iamhonestlyastonishedbyhowmuchwehaveaccomplishedthisyear,especiallywhenIreRlecton
ourbrilliantmonthlyguests(Don&CarolAnneBrown,SuzanneGuthrie,Dan&KarenPrice,Mark
Anschutztonameafew),ourcampusprojects(steeplecrossinstallation,repaintingofprayerlabyrinth,
renovationofPiersonRoom,completionofFr.DougLibrary,newchairs,etc.)andourspecialworship
services(celebrationofpastclergy,renewalofweddingvowsandmore).Ibecomeevenmoreamazed
whenIconsidertheprofoundchallengeswehavefacedthisyear:aRireatourfrontdoor,long-termpower
outages,behavioralissueswithvisitors,andnowaglobalpandemic!Whenthe150thAnniversaryPlanning
Committeedecideduponthethemeof“SteadfastandGrowingSince1870,”Ihadnoideahowmuchthose
qualitieswouldbetestedinusthroughoutthissesquicentennialyear.
Iamproudtosaythatwehaveindeedremained
steadfastthisyear;andwehavegrown.AndIam
convincedthatwewillcontinuetogrowthisyear,but
apparentlynotbypilingonmoreandmoreactivities
andspecialevents,becauserightnow,theHolySpiritis
invitingustodiscoverwhatitmeansto“rolltherock
awayfromthetomb,”ratherthankeeppilingmoreon.
Howdoweopenourselvestoreceivethespecialgifts
GodhasinstoreforusthisHolyWeek,whichwillbe
likenoother?HowwillGodcontinuetoworkthrough
theHolyWeekliturgieswhenweareforcedtoengagewiththeminradicallynew(andperhaps
uncomfortable)ways?Howdoweremainachurchoutsideofourlovelychurchbuilding?Furthermore,
howdoweremainachurchwithoutactuallygatheringtogetherasthechildrenofGod?Howintheworld
canweworshiptogetherusingFacebook,YouTube,Zoom,orotherprograms(especiallywhensome
parishionersdon’thaveaccesstocomputersorinternet)?HowcanwefulRillourmissionmorefullyby
actuallydoingconsiderablyless?Allofthesequestionsandmorehavebeenhauntingmyprayerlifeand
theyallseemdeeplyconnectedtothatinitialquestion:Howdowerolltherockawayfromthetombwithout
pilingmoreon?
Wearecurrentlyattemptingto“rolltherockaway”bycontinuingtoofferHolyWeekservicesonline.
However,aftermuchthoughtandprayer,theworshipcommitteehasdecidedtonolongerstreamservices
fromthechurch.Althoughitisheartbreaking,weneedtoallremainphysicallyisolatedatthistime,outof
loveandconcernforthemostvulnerableamongusandforeachother.
4
OnMaundyThursday,Christgaveusanewcommandment(amaundatum):toloveoneanother,
evenwhenitrequiressigniRicantsacriRice.ItisthereforeonlyappropriatetocelebrateMaundyThursday
bystayinghome,anexpressionofsacriRiciallove.IwillbeconductingworshipservicesthroughoutHoly
WeekfromtheTransRigurationHouse.Iwillbeincludingotherclergyandlayleadersintheworship
servicesthroughzoom,whichwillbelive-streamedonYouTube.
It’simportanttorememberthattheservicesofHolyWeekarenotrequirementsweareobligatedto
fulRillbutdivineinvitationstoentermorefullyintothemostpassionatelovestoryofalltimeandall
eternity.InthosewordsthatJohn-MichaelTebelakhelpedpopularizeinGodspell,theHolyWeekliturgies
areinvitationsto“seeGodmoreclearly,toloveGodmoredearly,andtofollowChristmorenearly,”aswe
walktogetherintheWayoftheCross.
PleaseknowthatIamholdingyouallinmyprayersaswewalkthroughthischallengingseason
together,knowingthatChristwillultimatelyleadustothatnew,brightmorningofreunion,refreshment,
andgloriousresurrection!
InHisLove,
AllShallBeWell,
Daniel+
5
FROM THE ASSOCIATE PRIEST FR. DAVID SHEWMAKER
FearversusTrust
Thereareover300versesintheBiblethatinstructustonotbeafraid.Thisindicatestomethattheancientfolksunderstoodhowdangerousfearcanbe&wishedtoteachustoovercomeitbytrustingthatGodwillkeepusinhishands.Ourbiologicalmakeupissuchthatweavoiddeath&painascompletelyasweareable.Sincethereisanoverabundanceofpain&wealleventuallyfacedeath,itisquitedifRicultforusnottogetcaughtup,indeed,obsessedwithfear.SotheWordofGodinstructsustoresistthisimpulsetobeafraid.Followingareafewofthesefearavoidanceverses:
John14:27–“PeaceIleavewithyou;mypeaceIgivetoyou.Idonotgivetoyouastheworldgives.Donotletyourheartsbetroubled,anddonotletthembeafraid.”
Matthew6:34-“Sodonotworryabouttomorrow,fortomorrowwillbringworriesofitsown.Today’stroubleisenoughfortoday.”
Romans8:38-39–“ForIamconvincedthatneitherdeath,norlife,norangels,norrulers,northingspresent,northingstocome,norpowers,norheight,nordepth,noranythingelseinallcreation,willbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGodinChristJesusourLord.”
1Peter5:6-7–“HumbleyourselvesthereforeunderthemightyhandofGod,sothathemayexaltyouinduetime.Castallyouranxietyonhim,becausehecaresforyou.”
Isaiah41:13-ForI,theLordyourGod,holdyourrighthand;itisIwhosaytoyou,“Donotfear,Iwillhelpyou.”
However,wehavetremendouspressuretopullusintofear-basedthinking&feeling;sowhatarewetodotocombatthis?Again,weturntoscripture:
1John4:18-19–“Thereisnofearinlove,butperfectlovecastsoutfear;forfearhastodowithpunishment,andwhoeverfearshasnotreachedperfectioninlove.WelovebecauseheRirstlovedus.”
6
And,againtoSaintPaul:
Romans8:26-28–“LikewisetheSpirithelpsusinourweakness;forwedonotknowhowtoprayasweought,butthatverySpiritintercedeswithsighstoodeepforwords.AndGod,whosearchestheheart,knowswhatisthemindoftheSpirit,becausetheSpiritintercedesforthesaintsaccordingtothewillofGod.WeknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodforthosewholoveGod,whoarecalledaccordingtohispurpose.”
Therefore,itisquitecleartomethat,thoughIcannotbymyselfovercomefearallthetime,IamabletoremembertoalwaysseektobringmyselfintotheawarenessofthestronglyprotectivepresenceoftheHolyGod,whoistheessenceofthePerfectLovethatcastsoutfear.IfIcanjustremembertoturnalwaystomyLord,tofallonmykneeswhenevertheybeginshakinginfear,thenIwillfeelHispresence&trustinhimwillwinoverfearofthingsintheworld(likepandemics&ineffectiveleadership,etc.)
And,ofcoursethereisthisscripturegem–
“Donotworryaboutanything,butineverythingbyprayerandsupplicationwiththanksgivingletyourrequestsbemadeknowntoGod.AndthepeaceofGod,whichsurpassesallunderstanding,willguardyourheartsandyourmindsinChristJesus.”(Philippians4:6-7,NRSV.)
Fr.ShewmakerMarch23,2020
7
FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN ROYAL MCCARTHY
Blessingstoallasweweathertheextendedshelterinplace.Wecontinuetopursuecreativewaystostayconnectedwhilecomplyingwiththethe“lockdown“guidelines.WehaveinstalledanupgradedrobustWiFithroughoutthecampuswhichwillhopefullyinsureseamlessstreamingofservicesandinformationfromtheChurch.Mostofourongoingprojectsarestillontrackwithextendedtimelines.Wecontinuetoworkonourdisasterpreparedness.Youallwillbecontactedregardingourphonetree,whichshouldberolledoutbythetimeyoureadthis.
Theemailchainsthataregoingaroundareabreathoffreshair.Itisgreattohearfromallandtheprayersandwordsofencouragementaretrulyablessing.IfyouknowofanyonethatneedsanythingpleaseletmeorFatherDanielknow.
JustrememberthistooshallpasswithGod’shelp.
Peace&GodBlessRoyalMcCarthy
FROM THE MUSIC COORDINATION MERRY PHILLIPS
Sinceourmusicprogramistemporarily‘onhold’fornow,Iamgoingtodigressfromwritingaboutthingsmusicalandshareapersonalstorywithyou.Ihavebeenmakingaconcertedeffortduringthesedaysof“ShelteringinPlace”togothroughandsortoldboxesof‘stuff’into“keep”or“discard”piles.It’sanarduousprocessasmanyofyouknow,butitalsohasitsrewards.IfoundabookthatmyparentshadgiventomeonmyRifthbirthday,theRirstbirthdayIcelebratedwithmynewadoptedfamily.Tobehonest,I’mnotsureIeverreadthebook.Itwastooadvancedfora5-year-old;butre-visitingitnow,Inowhaveabetterunderstandingofwhymymotherpickeditoutforme.Thebook,OYeJigs&Juleps!,isacollectionofessayswrittenby10-year-oldVirginiaCaryHudsonin1904whileattendinganEpiscopalboardingschool.
8
Theywerediscoveredinanattictrunkandpublishedin1962.RangingfromtopicssuchasSacraments,EtiquetteatChurchtoreligionsofChinatheyareachild’simpressions-naïveandinnocentandfullofcharmandprecociousness-oftheworldinwhichshestudiedandlived.TheRirstchapterbeginswith,“SacramentsarewhatyoudoinChurch.Whatyoudoathomeissomethingelse.CookingandsewingandrunningtheBisselssweeperandeatingandsleepingandprayingandscrubbingyourselfarenotsacraments.”ShegoesontodescribeBaptism,“theypourwateronyourheadandthat’sasacrament”andConRirmation,“[w]henyouaretwelveyouwalkbackinyourselfwithyourbestdressandshoeson,andyournewprayerbookyourmotherbuysyou,andyouwalkuptotheBishop,andhestandsup,andyoukneeldown,andhemashesonyourhead,andyouareanEpiscopal.Thenyouaresupposed
toincreaseinspirit.Theneverybodykissesyouandthat’sasacrament.”Withthisdelightfulbeginning,Iwasdrawnintothebook,andhadtositdownandreadit.(Whichiswhymysortingisgoingalongatasnail’space!)
Ididn’tknowthatmymotherhadbeenraisedEpiscopalianuntilImyselfwasconRirmedin2006atage48.AndIreceived,asagiftfromher,theprayerbookshehadbeengivenuponherconRirmation.ShetooattendedanEpiscopalBoardingSchoolandthisbookmusthavebeenquiteentertainingtoher.OurlovefortheEpiscopalchurchwassomethingweRinallyatlasthadincommonanditwasagreatgifttomethroughmymother’slastdays.
AsIthinkaboutwhatwearealldoingto“ShelterinPlace”athome,includingperhapsdeRiningasacredspace/altarinourhomeandfollowingMorningPrayerandworshipservicesonline,IfeelthatIambeinggivenanewperspectiveonthesacraments.Ihopethatregardlessofwhereweare,weallcontinueto“increaseinspirit”andRindcomfortandmeaningintheobservanceofworshipandthesacramentsasavirtualcommunity.Eachessayinthisdelightfulbookconcludeswithabriefprayer;thiswasoneofmyfavorites:TheLordhavemercy.Christhavemercy.Lordhavemercy.GodblesstheBishop.Godblessmymissionbox,andJesusbemyfriendandhelpmeifyoucan,please.Amen,andBeItSo(p.25).
Now,whichpileshallthebookgoin?
9
Lay MinistriesBy Thomas Swanger
Our Lay Ministries have changed their focus, just a little. Well, OK, a lot, since our Shelter in Place began.
We’re finding ways to minister to each other via Email, phone and Facebook. How blessed we are to have so many members who come up with unique and exciting ways to stay in touch.
I’ll bet that by the time COVID 19 is a thing of the past and we’re able to worship side by side and face to face, you’ll be excited to join one of these ministries. In the meantime, let the office know if you have a new way to stay in touch and create a new ministry.
Each of the leaders below would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about serving in lay ministry.
Lynne Bean Coffee Hour 822-6086Elizabeth Harper-Lawson Eucharistic Visitors 445-1726Bob & Sara Hines Contribution Counters 445-8974Vickie Patton Story Corner 443-1825Anne Pierson Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers 442-2025Thomas Swanger Lectors and Intercessors 498-8833Susan Whaley Ushers and Greeters 445-2924Kathy Clague Altar Guild 822-5860
- Thomas
April BirthdaysIf your birthday is missing from this month, please let us know by emailing [email protected]
10
TheApril2020CycleofPrayersforourDioceseandtheAnglicanCommunion
Pleaseprayforthediocese’,congregations,andclergylistedbelowontheDiocesanandAnglicancyclesofprayeraswellasthoseprayersrequestedbyourBishop,DeanandDiocesanSearch&TransitionCommittees.
EverySunday,theDiocesanTransitionCommitteesrequeststhatwepray:LookgraciouslyonyourChurch,andsoguideournewbishop,TheRt.Rev.MeganTraquair,thatshemayserveasafaithfulpastor,careforyourpeopleandequipusforourministries. EverySunday,TheVeryRev.SaraPotter,DeanofourSemperVirensDeanery,hasaskedustoprayfor:
Intercessor:WeprayforthecongregationsofourDeaneryandespeciallyforSt.Alban’s,Arcata,astheylearntoworshipGodinnewways.Maythelightoftheresurrectionshinethroughtheminwaysthatbringlifetotheirneighborsandtheworldaroundthem.
AndweprayforSt.Mary’s,FerndaleastheyplantheirRinalstepsasacongregation,thatyourgracewouldbeeverpresenttotheminthesedaysofmourningandthanksgivingfortheirlifetogether. SpeciXicSundayPrayersforourdioceseandtheAnglicanCommunion:
April5,,Prayfor: DiocesanCycleofPrayer: GraceEpiscopalChurch,St.Helena,TheRev.AmyDenneyZuniga,Rector,The Rev.AnneClarke,AssistantRector,TheRev.WendyWatson,Associate AnglicanCycleofPrayer: TheChurchoftheProvinceoftheIndianOcean,TheMostRevdJamesRichard WongYinSong,Archbishop
April12,Prayfor: DiocesanCycleofPrayer: GraceEpiscopalChurch,Wheatland,TheRev.GeorgeFoxworth(3Sundayspermonth)andTheRev.RickLaughman(1Sundaypermonth) AnglicanCycleofPrayer: PrayforthePeaceofJerusalemandthePeopleoftheLandoftheHolyOne
11
April19,Prayfor: DiocesanCycleofPrayer: St.Nicholas’EpiscopalChurch AnglicanCycleofPrayer: ChurchofIreland April26,Prayfor: DiocesanCycleofPrayer: HolySpiritEpiscopalChurch,LakeAlmanor,TheRev.MattWarren,Priest,and St.Patrick’sEpiscopalChurch,Kenwood,TheRev.DoyleDietzAllen,Rector,The RevKarenKing,Associate,TheRev.DonnaRoss,Associate,TheRev.Marcia RivenbergTyriver,Deacon AnglicanCycleofPrayer: TheEpiscopalChurchinJerusalem&TheMiddleEast,TheMostRevdMichael Lewis,Archbishop May3,Prayfor: DiocesanCycleofPrayer: HolyTrinityEpiscopalChurch,Nevada,City,TheRev.BradleyHelmuth,Rector, TheVeryRev.MaryHauck,Associate,TheRev.PhilipReinheimer,Associate AnglicanCycleofPrayer: TheAnglicanCommunioninJapan,theNipponSeiKoKai,TheMostRevd NathanielMakotoUematsu,Primate Ifyouwishtoofferprayersdailyforthechurchintheworld,ourAnglicanCycleofPrayerhasadailylistofdioceseandclergywhowouldbeneRitfromyourprayerministry.Thislistcanbeobtainedviathiswebsite:https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/352680/acp_2020_q1.pdf.Ifyoudonothaveacomputer,Iwouldbegladtomakeacopyofthe2020AnglicanCycleofPrayerforyou.-AnnePierson,Deacon
ECWandQuiltersPlushavesuspendedmeetingsuntilwearenolongerexpectedtoshelterinplace
12
The Rt. Rev. Megan M. Traquair
Bishop, Diocese of Northern California
Staff
The Rev. Dr. Daniel London Rector
The Rev. David Shewmaker Associate Priest
The Rev. K Lesley McCloghrie Associate Priest
The Venerable Pam Gossard Archdeacon
The Rev. Anne Pierson Deacon
Merry Phillips Organist and Music Coordinator
David B. Powell Choir Director
Thomas Swanger Verger
Dr. Douglas Moorehead Organist Emeritus
John Hammond Sexton
Emily Joy Caffrey Administrative Assistant
Vestry: Royal McCarthy (Senior Warden), John Patton (Junior Warden), Nellie Thompson, Christina Strevey, Lynne Bean, Jannetje Vrieze, Laura Rose
Bob Hines (Treasurer)Peg Gardner (Clerk)