december 2008 church of our saviour perspective dec08_web.pdf · december 2008 church of our...

12
DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 1 In This Issue ............. Christmas at COS 2 ........ A Bottom-Up Advent 3 ...................... Help Wanted 5 ........... The Church Proper 6 ........ Holiday Volunteering 8 ........... Who’s in the Pews? 9 .................... Lay Schedule 10 ............................ Calendar 11 Merry Christmas !om the staof the Perspective! PERSPECTIVE Bishop Marc Handley Andrus to Visit COS Congregation to gather for one service he Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus will join the parishioners of COS in worship on December 7 th at one combined service at 10 a.m. Bishop Marc will preach and celebrate communion at this special Community Sunday service. In addition to the regular elements of our worship, the members of the Altar Guild will be commissioned to their work. At coee hour, the Episcopal Church Women and St. Anne’s Circle will host the annual Christmas Bazaar. Gifts made by members of the Circle, as well as items from ZimZam, will be on sale in the Shackelford Choir Room. All proceeds will benefit the outreach programs of COS. IN DECEMBER AT COS On December 5, it’s First Friday Flicks for Middle Schoolers at 6:30 p.m. Once again the children of our parish will be able to purchase their own holiday gifts at the Children’s Boutique on December 14 th, following the 10:00 service. For a few quarters, treasures that others have donated can be found, bought and even wrapped. Our older children help the younger ones...we encourage them to be independent and suggest that Mom & Dad enjoy coee hour while the little ones shop. That only works if the rest of us donate those treasures before the Boutique! A box can be found in the Fireside Room, so please take a few minutes to go through your closets and cupboards and donate what you don’t need. Thank you for supporting this fun tradition! Any questions, call Maggie 388-1327. For the complete Christmas schedule, see page 2 of this issue. T

Upload: others

Post on 23-Aug-2020

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 1

In This Issue.............Christmas at COS 2

........A Bottom-Up Advent 3......................Help Wanted 5

...........The Church Proper 6........Holiday Volunteering 8

...........Who’s in the Pews? 9....................Lay Schedule 10

............................Calendar 11

Merry Christmas !om the staff of the Perspective!

PERSPECTIVEBishop Marc Handley Andrus to Visit COSCongregation to gather for one service

he Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus will join the parishioners

of COS in worship on December 7th at one combined service at 10 a.m. Bishop Marc will preach and celebrate

communion at this special Community Sunday service.

In addition to the regular elements of our worship, the members of the Altar Guild will be commissioned to their work. At coffee hour, the Episcopal Church Women and St. Anne’s Circle will host the annual Christmas Bazaar. Gifts made by members of the Circle, as well as items from ZimZam, will be on sale in the Shackelford Choir Room. All proceeds will benefit the outreach programs of COS.

IN DECEMBER AT COSOn December 5, it’s First Friday Flicks for Middle Schoolers at 6:30 p.m.Once again the children of our parish will be able to purchase their own holiday gifts at the Children’s Boutique on December 14th, following the 10:00 service. For a few quarters, treasures that others have donated can be found, bought and even wrapped. Our older children help the younger ones...we encourage them to be independent and suggest that Mom & Dad enjoy coffee hour while the little ones shop.

That only works if the rest of us donate those treasures before the Boutique! A box can be found in the Fireside Room, so please take a few minutes to go through your closets and

cupboards and donate what you don’t need. Thank you for supporting this fun tradition!Any questions, call Maggie 388-1327.For the complete Christmas schedule, see page 2 of this issue.

T

Page 2: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 2

CHRISTMAS AT COSSunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent

8:00 a.m. Early Worship10:00 a.m. Lighting of the Advent Wreath and Choral Worship, the baptism of Lucy Lowery

Come help us usher in the New Church Year!Sunday, December 7th The Second Sunday of Advent / Bishop Marc’s Visitation

(no 8:00 a.m. worship)10:00 a.m. Community Sunday Worship with Bishop Marc Andrus11:30 a.m. Christmas Bazaar and Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Sunday, December 14th The Third Sunday of Advent8:00 a.m. Early Worship9:45 a.m. Godly Play, Cloud of Witnesses, Middle Saints10:00 a.m. Choral Worship11:30 a.m. Children’s Christmas Boutique and Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Sunday, December 21st The Fourth Sunday of Advent8:00 a.m. Early Worship

9:45 a.m. Godly Play, Cloud of Witnesses, Middle Saints10:00 a.m. Service of Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion11:30 a.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Family Greenswinding and Decoration of the Church

Wednesday, December 24th Christmas Eve4:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant and Communion Service10:00 p.m. Christmas Choral Celebration and Eucharist

Thursday, December 25th Christmas Day10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Celebration at the Redwoods

Sunday, December 28th The First Sunday after Christmas

8:00 a.m. Early Worship9:45 a.m. Godly Play, Cloud of Witnesses, Middle Saints10:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist

December is a time for a lot of visitors and guests as we all travel the road to Bethlehem. It is also a busy time for our community with a pageant, the Bishop’s visit, St. Anne's Christmas sale, children’s Christmas boutique, and Greenswinding.Take a moment to share the road with your fellow travelers and invite them into all the joy

during Advent that COS has to offer.And save the date: COS’ Winter Welcome Luncheon to greet those new to our community will be Sunday, January 25th from noon to 1:15. Please consider joining us. Invitations to follow. Please email us at officeoursaviourmv.org or call 415.388.1907 if you are not sure we have your contact information.

Needed ... Desperately!: Activity Bag Shepherd. We need one or two people to offer to restock the children’s activity bags at the back of the church. Supplies provided and you can do this at a time that is convenient for you. Commitment: 45 minutes a month. Please call the church office if this easy ministry sounds like “your bag!”Children’s Worship Circle Music Maestro...is it you? Our bell ringers are looking for an adult who is musical to help us plan songs and bells seasonally for our circle. Planning can be done at a convenient time for you from home. Commitment: 60 minutes a month. Please call the church office (388-1907) if you would like to volunteer or learn more about either of these opportunities.

A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH FROM THE WELCOME MINISTRY

HELP WANTED

Page 3: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 3

colleague—one who often disagrees with me when it comes to more

controversial subjects in the Church—threw down the gauntlet several months ago. We were in a very lengthy and impassioned written debate on human sexuality and marriage when he finally drew the conversation to a close by declaring that the essential difference between us was thus:He engages in “top-down” theology, while I engage in “bottom-up” theology. At first glance, this might seem like an irrelevant esoteric observation to bring into the everydayness of our lives as Christians in community. But the more I pondered what he wrote, the more I was inclined to agree with him, and the more I realized how insightful his observation really was.When we start talking about the work of God we do it one of two fundamental ways: The first way is to crack open a book, talk tradition, appeal to an authority figure, or build a structure of well-considered reason. The second way is to appeal to the mysterious divine presence we find among the lives of our sisters and brothers, the stories of faith and wonder we share in common, and the witness of

God’s miraculous love in our midst.As a Christian rooted in the Anglican tradition, I’m tempted to say we tend to use both ways to reveal God’s work. Often these two methods of theological exploration are in conversation, and sometimes they are even in disagreement with one another. As true as the value of both approaches may be, this time of year, when Advent ushers in a new cycle of seasons for our community, I’m struck that the roots of all our hopes and expectations around God in Christ largely go—well —bottom-up. Advent is all about the expectations and hopes of a historical people who yearned for a brighter day – a people in exile, a people brushed aside by great military and political powers, a people occupied and powerless desiring a return home to their unique life and place with God. Advent is also about the expectations and hopes of a historical people-—us—who wrestle with economic and environmental challenges on scales never before seen in the world...who tangle with the vast chasm between rich and poor in the human family...who reckon daily with our own finitude, vulnerability, and imperfect relationships despite all our knowledge, technology, and material wealth.

This strikes me as a profoundly bottom-up approach to seeking Christ in our lives. We encounter

the living God among us when we begin with our own unique stories, our hopes and expectations, inexorably linked as they are with our disappointments and worries. We encounter this remarkable God when we bring all of this together into community, our edges knocking together and our hearts and lives engaging with one another.And that God, we are told this time of year, has come among us. This is not a God delivering teaching from on high, or administering truth through a vast trickle-down theological economy. This is a God, as we say at the end of Advent, who emerges as a fragile, otherwise ordinary human being on the edge of empire in a tiny Judean town. This is a God born among us in a way that is scandalous to the greater world and a source of wonder to a young mother uncertain about what the future may hold. This is a child promised as king of kings under singing stars and angels but born amongst the straw and grime of a stable and

A BOTTOM-UP ADVENT

A

Continued on page 4

Page 4: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 4

A BOTTOM-UP ADVENT

the watchful eyes of smelly shepherds and an apparently average Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. The expression “bottom-up theology” carries with it an almost comical, if not mildly offensive meaning as we imagine a baby Jesus needing to be changed like any other infant.Advent is a profoundly bottom-up season because it is when the very earthiness of our imperfect lives are met by a God who loves us from the ground up; from our toes to the tops of our heads, from the roots of our ancestry to the very end of our unrealized futures. This is a God who enters our households and lifts up our children, who raises the sick from their beds, who climbs in our tombs and summons the dead to life.So join with us this Advent and Christmastide and engage in the deep work of bottom-up theology as we spill out all our expectations and

hopes before our God, tell the stories we share amongst our generations in pageant, sacrament, and prayer, and build community to welcome with joy the light promised us and the greater world in the midst of darkness.Blessings to all of you, and wishes for a hopeful bottom-up Advent,

It is time again to prepare for the Christmas Pageant. All kids who would like to be a part of the Pageant are welcome.

There are parts for angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, readers and the Angel Gabriel – something, for everyone! Being a part of the pageant is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.Please mark your calendars for the practices which are scheduled for December 7, 14 and 21 after the 10 a.m.

services. All interested participants, please meet in the upstairs choir room immediately following the church service.And before Godly Play each Sunday, we’ll be learning the Christmas carols that will be sung in the pageant. Meet on the labyrinth at 9:45 a.m. to polish up your angelic singing.

ORDER POINSETTIAS TO ADORN THE CHURCHThe adornment of COS with poinsettias and other flowers at Christmas is made possible through memorial gifts and thank offerings. If you would like to remember someone special, or give thanks in this way, please fill out the card available in the office and attach a check in the amount of $20 per plant. Please mark your check “Christmas Flowers” and return it to the Parish office. Christmas flower requests should be received in the office no later than December 15.

CALLING ALL ANGELS...AND SHEPHERDS...KINGS!

continued !om page 3

Page 5: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 5

aving spent the last few months writing about treasure, I find that time and talent are on my mind as I look forward

to 2009. These, of course, are every bit as indispensable to a thriving church as treasure is, but perhaps even harder to recruit and organize. In an ideal world, no one person at Church of Our Saviour would be in charge of more than one ministry, although of course he or she could

participate in many different areas. Similarly, leadership would turn over regularly, so that fresh ideas and enthusiasm could be brought to bear on whatever challenges face us and no one would

burn out. Finally, nearly every one would participate in some aspect of our ministry and would find that participation to added to his or her experience, rather than being a chore or a burden.So is this attainable? I think so, but only if are clear about our needs and goals, don’t overreach our capacity and are willing to ask each other for help and to accept being turned down on occasion. So, to get specific, here are areas where new leadership and participation are needed.1. Hospitality Committee—this group would

coordinate with Parish Life to help put on lunches for special events at COS such as parish work days, adult education, town meetings and so on. Lunches could be made or bought and all expenses would be reimbursed. We are hoping for a group of at least eight people who would put on one or two lunches a year, with a partner. Being on this committee would be an ideal way for a relatively new person to get more involved. If you are interested, please call Cathy Steele at 381.0966.

2. Adult education coordinator. This person would work closely with the rector and the

adult education committee to plan adult education events throughout the year. Adult education was revived at COS in 2008 and regularly attracts 25-30 people to each session. Clearly a vital ministry in need of lay leadership. If you are interested, please contact me at 389.6571.

3. Outreach chair. Another vital ministry at Church of Our Saviour which has been ably led by Maggie Lang for the past three years. This person works with the committee to evaluate, plan and implement COS’s efforts to help the less fortunate in our community and around the world. For more information call Maggie at 388.1327 or Betsy Rosen (453.1213), who is the interim chair.

4. Junior Warden. Steve Quarles is stepping down from this position, which at COS involves looking after our buildings and grounds. Technical skill and experience are welcome, but not required. The junior warden also plans the parish workdays. Please call Father Richard (388.1907), Steve (383.4149) or me if you are interested.

5. People who are interested in working with the Church School can contact Mother Este at 388-1907 to discuss how they might help. There are many ways to be involved.

If none of these ideas seem right to you, please call Father Richard or me and tell us what you have in mind. There are so many ways to be a part of this community, we are sure we can find one that would work for you.

Kathleen PirainoSenior Warden

HELP WANTED

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work

for the good of all, and especially for those of the

family of faith.

Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:10

When you immerse yourself in something at church, it can be a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. The amazing thing is how quickly you become part of the family and connect on a deeper level to other members of the church.

Paige MacLeod, Musical Feast Co-chair

H

Page 6: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 6

ane fumbled with the lid on the bottle of aspirin tablets. Shaking two into her sweaty

palm, she chased them down with a few gulps of tepid water from the smeary glass on her bedside table.

“Bother,” she muttered, and flopped over amidst the tumbled bedclothes. Sick with a bad cold, Jane could only wait it out. She had phoned in to the college and rescheduled the classes she was to teach for the rest of the week. Jane imagined the mixture of glee and irritation on the faces of her students as they arrived at the classroom door, only to find the note pinned next to the doorframe: Class Cancelled; Instructor Illness.

At least they could still post their essays on line. Unlike many who had been teaching for years at the college level, Jane loved the paperless delivery of required class work. She gazed now at her computer, its power light winking to remind her it was alert and ready to work.

Instead, Jane sat back against her pillow, and reached for the parish cookbook, published several years before her arrival. She hoped to find some typical American dishes she might cook for the ladies’ get together she and Jane planned for the following weekend.

“Plum Cake,” Jane whispered hoarsely to no one in particular. She shuddered a bit, reading the ingredients. “One and a half cups sugar, one cup vegetable oil. What?! Two small jars baby food!”

Jane flipped quickly past this and paused at Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

“This seems promising and very American,” Jane mused. She tagged the page with a bright pink Post-It note and moved on. “Cracked Angel Pie.” Jane conjured up the notion of a dessert table with an evangelical theme. However, the pie’s ingredients list began with 20 Ritz crackers, crushed, and Jane quickly revised that thought. A few other recipes from the cookbook revealed English roots: “Steak and Kidney Pie,” and “Gooseberry Fool Pie,” but Jane dismissed these immediately as she intended to be as American as possible for this celebration.

Tossing the booklet to the floor, Jane pulled up the covers, and closed her eyes. Perhaps, was her last thought before falling asleep, perhaps she would just put out bags of crisps and big rude jars of salsa sauce like the Yanks, and call it a party. They seemed happy enough with that here.

Days later, recovered sufficiently to trundle a trolley down the aisle of the Mill Valley Market, Jane assembled a collection of foods guaranteed to please any Marinite. Crashing her cart into a display of toffees, Jane looked up from her shopping to see her friend Elizabeth frowning in the jams and jellys.

“Oh good. Jane.” Elizabeth seemed not the least bit surprised to see her English friend in the small market. And indeed, Jane thought, one could greet a friend

or acquaintance nearly any time she stopped by the store. It reminded Jane enough of the small country shops in England that she made it a habit to do most of her marketing at the locally owned grocery.

“What are you planning for our party?” Jane asked Elizabeth curiously, noting that her friend’s hand was hovering around the pancake syrups.

“I’m looking for Sweetened Condensed Milk,” Elizabeth replied. “I plan to make the Key Lime Pie from the parish cookbook. That seems American, doesn’t it?” Jane’s loyal friend had embraced Jane’s idea for a party that would have no shred of Britishness to it. “I see it called for in so many recipes, and yet I don’t believe I have every actually purchased a can of it for any reason!”

“Here, dear,” Jane pointed down lower on the shelf. “It’s nasty stuff, but makes a very sweet dessert, which should go over well with most everyone, then!” The ladies laughed in memory of past gatherings with women where plates of brownies and cookies evaporated quickly, while shriveled carrots and grainy raw broccoli stumps remained in untouched piles.

“Everyone in American talks a good health show, “ Jane smiled, “Yet they love their pudding as much as the Brits.”

“And the jokes about English cooking!” Elizabeth continued the rant, “I went to a pot luck last

THE CHURCH PROPERChapter 14

Continued on page 7

J

Page 7: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 7

week, and counted four tamale pies and five cardboard buckets of take away fried chicken! My grandmother’s Sunday roast joint would have gone over much better than that pathetic excuse for a meal, I can tell you!”

The two women paid and carried out several bags each.

“See you at church tomorrow, then!” Elizabeth waved a friendly hand as she dropped Jane off at the curb. Jane let herself into her small home feeling again deeply grateful for the comfort of friendship.

The two met again at church next day. Jane hoisted a pan of frizzled brown cake for Elizabeth’s inspection. Elizabeth’s nose wrinkled in distaste. “That’s quite a brown, muddy mess, now, isn’t it?” she criticized in a cheerful voice.

“Yes, well,” Jane agreed, “I followed the recipe to a T, so perhaps the taste makes up for its humble appearance.”

Elizabeth held aloft a pie pan mounded with white fluffs. “Marshmallows, sugar, and something called, Kool Whipt Kreme.” Jane could almost hear the awkward phonetic spelling of the product in Elizabeth’s disdainful tone.

Behind the two English ladies, a commotion erupted. Sister David, along with her sometime pet dog, Ranger, burst into the room.

“Oh Sister!” Elizabeth huffed in horror. “I don’t believe dogs were invited to this event!” The small woman, who lived in dread of encounters with dogs,

scrambled to get out of reach of the dog’s muddy paws. The pie she held slid neatly out of the pan and hit the floor with a smooshy plop. Ranger happily took to lapping up the sticky pile of sweet puffs of dessert intended for the ladies’ social event.

“Elizabeth!” Sister David looked reproachfully at the dismayed woman still clutching the pie pan. Bits of whipped topping splattered both women’s shoes. “How could you have been so careless? I don’t believe all that sugar can be good for Ranger!”

Elizabeth looked incredulously at Sister David. “Whatever are you implying?! It was YOUR silly dog that caused this disaster!”

At just that moment, the stiff black-coated figure of Mrs. Butler appeared in the doorway. Taking in the scene before her, it was immediately apparent to the older woman what had taken place.

“Is that my Better Than Sex Pie all over the floor!” Ranger looked up from the pleasure of consuming an entire dessert in one go, his muzzle coated with peaks of white topping and chocolate cookie crumbs.

Sister David and Elizabeth turned together in shock to stare at the somber Mrs. Butler, their earlier quarrel forgotten.

“Your recipe?” Elizabeth gulped, failing to conceal her surprise.

“Why Mrs. Butler,” Sister David chortled her hearty guffaw. “I am truly sorry I won’t get a piece of that naughty dessert!” Here, all the women present joined her in laughter. “No one

would appreciate that pie more than my Ranger here, though! He’s led a very sheltered life!”

As the dog licked up the remaining splatters of pie from the linoleum floor, Sister David gave a quick hug to Elizabeth and said, “I’m so sorry dear. Let’s hit the market quickly and find a few pies for replacements. I’ll pay.”

Elizabeth squeezed Sister David’s arm in forgiveness. “That’s quite alright, dear. I’m not certain any of us were really prepared for the experience of Mrs. Butler’s indulgent dessert! Some things are probably best left to God’s humbler creatures. There’s bound to be plenty of Jane’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake for all. It seems rather, well, dense. Only tiny pieces will need be cut.”

As more women poured into the parish hall, the air was filled with the sound of cheerful cluckings, and the scent of cinnamon, spice, and lilac perfume. Jane sliced neatly into her Pineapple Upside Down Cake and was delighted to see that while the outside appeared brown and burnt, the inside revealed a delectable, moist interior promising sweet delight.

“Do come and have a bit of dessert!” Jane called to the ladies. “The cake only looks formidable on the outside,” Jane gestured inclusively to Mrs. Butler and held a plate out to the elder woman who eyed her critically. “I believe you’ll find it satisfies a need for something sweet,” Jane couldn’t help adding.

Continued !om page 6

Page 8: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 8

very year I arrive at the doorstep to the holidays thinking that this year, my

family and I are going to get involved in the myriad volunteer activities for helping those in need. And every year I struggle to find an activity that we can all participate in. I look back over past years (before children) when Bill and I helped out at the annual AIDS Foundation dinner for those affected by AIDS. It was a gratifying experience, helping to cook and then serve hundreds of folks, who for many reasons had come for this lovely meal. When the children were very young, they went with us, Rachel in a backpack, and I felt happy that we were working together as a family to help others. But at some point and for reasons that remain unclear, it was decided that small children could no longer be included. Then began the search for another charitable agency/ event . Some years were more successful than others. Many times I was told that this organization or that event had plenty of volunteers…perhaps next year. I began to think I should sign up in August!We live in an affluent community and although we have many in

need, the opportunities for helping as a family at this time of year seem limited. The solution, of course, is to work with and support these agencies all year round, not just during the holidays. But since it is November and we can see Christmas just around the corner, here are a few ideas:Adopt-A-Family: either through Ritter House 457-8182 X138 or Adopt-A-Family of Marin 456-7805.Warm Wishes: will have their annual backpack assembling get-together on Saturday Dec. 6th at 8 a.m. (you really do have to arrive at 8:00) in Novato. A sign-up sheet is in the Fireside Room. We’ve also volunteered to deliver some of the backpacks to the homeless after they’re assembled. Community service credit for youth is available. For information: 472-0211.Canal A&iance: welcomes checks for donations that will be distributed to families or individual children in their after-school program. For information: 306-0426.Episcopal Relief & Development: send holiday gifts in someone’s name, which will provide water,

food, seeds or farm animals for the most needy around the world. Heifer International offers this also. Check out www.er-d.org.Kiva: learn about microloans (as low as $25 ) that help entrepreneurs around the world who are in need of funding to start or expand an existing business. Church of Our Saviour now has six loans to women from five different countries, four of which have almost been repaid. You can explore those requesting microloans on their website, www.kiva.org. Gift certificates are available.Carpenter’s Kids: We wrote last month about the commitment that our parish will be making for the next 5 years. We will provide the funds for 50 AIDS orphans in Tanzania for their primary education. Perhaps your family can support one or two children for one year for $50 each. Call Maggi Nicholson or Diane Amses for more information.We hope that you will take some time as a family to help others over the holidays and throughout the New Year. Thank you.

Ma(ie Lang, Chair

EHOLIDAY VOLUNTEERING: WHAT CAN WE EACH DO?

GREENSWINDING AT CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOURJoin in a beloved family tradition at Church of Our Saviour following coffee hour on Sunday, December 21st as we gather to decorate the church for Christmas. A stone soup lunch will be provided along with activities for small children and ornament-making for older children immediately after the pageant dress rehearsal. Make Greenswinding part of your family preparation for Christmas!

Page 9: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 9

Song for ’09: A& Langs FineAlmost twenty years ago, the newly-resident Lang family came to visit Church of Our Saviour. That same day, they received a house call from Fr. Murray Hammond, and right after that, Fr. Murray announced his retirement. Fortunately, the Langs did not take his departure personally. They stayed and cheerfully made themselves indispensable.Both Maggie and Bill Lang were originally southerners – Bill from New Orleans and Maggie from Florida. They were married at St. Luke’s Episcopal in Marianna, Florida, a place that has some history in the family. Maggie’s parents were also married in St. Luke’s in 1945. Their wedding was held in the church basement because the building itself had recently burned down. This was the rebuilt church, however; the original had also burned down when it was caught in a battle during the Civil War.This month, Maggie is outgoing Chair of the Outreach committee, but she has also served on Altar Guild, Adult Education, and as Church School Coordinator before Godly Play arrived. When her tenure on Outreach ends this month, she plans to “take a break and get some perspective.”Taking a break will take some effort. For twenty-five years, Maggie Lang was a pediatric nurse and a nurse practitioner, then for twelve years, part of a neonatal

clinic. She had her own home visiting business, and after that, worked as a lactation nurse. All of these were jobs she loved, but after being caught in a crush of hospital mergers, she bowed out of the profession.Her husband Bill, however, is still working in medicine. Originally trained at Children’s at CPMC, Dr. Bill Lang now has his own business doing clinical trials for AIDS. As a consultant in drug development, he and COS’s Dr. Phil Norris, will present an adult ed workshop here on Jan. 18 about HIV/AIDS. (“I was recruited by my wife,” says Bill.) This will coincide with our Diocese’s Millenium Goals and with our church’s involvement in GAIA, the Global Aids Interfaith Alliance, currently active in Malawi.As for the three Lang children, one has already left the nest. Alex, now 24, has his own apartment and is going to College of Marin, where he’s studying complete information services.Rachel, 16, was one of the pilgrims to New York this year. She remains bonded to her fellow pilgrim and lifelong friend, Star Huson. “I go spiritually with her together,” says Rachel, adding that she’s met “some really amazing people” at church. Rachel’s dad counts her church friends as one of the big benefits from his daughter’s attendance. “They’ve been together many years.”

Dylan, 12, is forthright with his own enthusiasms, especially the exhilarating combination of freedom and safety he enjoys at The Bishop’s Ranch parish retreat. “It was really fun because I didn’t have to listen to my parents.” His dad adds, “It’s a big part of our family life.”Both Rachel and Dylan have served as acolytes here at church, and both have helped their mom with Altar Guild duties “since they were toddlers.”For now, Maggie has already started to get involved in emergency preparedness in the schools, taking Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and advanced training in search for missing persons.Let us all rest well tonight. Marin is in good hands.

Rosine Reynolds

WHO’S IN THE PEWS?

Page 10: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 10

Sunday Ministries

Ministry December 7 2 Advent

December 14 3 Advent

December 21 4 Advent

December 28 1 Christmas

8:00 amPresider/Assisting No 8:00 Service Father Richard Father Richard The Rev. Este Gardner

Cantor

EM No 8:00 Service Sally Thomas Ros Patterson Bill CullenLector No 8:00 Service Letty Erringer Orville Erringer Joan Martin9:15 amRedwoods Peggy Redfield Sally Thomas Ros Patterson Mother Este

Rector’s Forum 9:15- 9:45 am Father Richard Father Richard Father Richard Father Richard

10:00 amPresider/Preacher Bishop Marc Andrus Father Richard Father Richard Mother Este

Altar Guild

Flowers

Gay JohnsonJoan PeckGay Johnson

Gay JohnsonJoan PeckJoan Peck

Maggie LangNancy ConeNance Wrisley

Maggie LangNancy ConeNance Wrisley

EM Carren Sheldon Bill Cullen Elizabeth Mooney Rosalind Patterson

Server/Crucifer Frederick Paulenich Brooke Thomas Cate Wilmoth Elijah Goldberg

Acolytes Eliza Mantz Elijah Goldberg Harley Phleger Alexandra Paulenich

Lector 1 Caroline Gibbs Sally ThomasNancy ConeVyvien GearKitty Hayes

Terry Peck

Lector 2 Community Sunday One Reading Fred Cone

Scott Hayes John NicholsonGayle Partmann

Charlaine Shackelford

LEV Sally Thomas Nancy Cone Vyvien Gear Rosalind Patterson

Ushers Ben CurtisMark Gaumond

Bill ThomasSteve Quarles

Graeme MacDonaldTom Dugan

Winifred & JohnMacLeod

Coffee Host Christmas Bazaar The Hofele Family The Stervinou Family Grace Hayakawa &Masako Gray

Godly PlayNear Room Community Sunday Charlotte Thomas

Ann FrickerSally ThomasRosalie Gearhart

Mary StervinouSusan Wetzler

Godly Play Far Room Community Sunday Marsha Dugan

Charlie WilmothMary WashburnBill Thomas

Mary WashburnRosalie Gearhart

Middle Saints Community Sunday Paige MacLeodCathy Wilmoth

Carren SheldonCathy Wilmoth No Middle Saints

Page 11: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

PAGE 11

!

Page 12: DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PERSPECTIVE Dec08_web.pdf · DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR PAGE 2 CHRISTMAS AT COS Sunday, November 30th The First Sunday of Advent 8:00

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

MILL VALLEY, CA 94941

PERMIT #48

The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour10 Old MillMill Valley, CA 94942

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOURPhone: 415.388.1907Fax: 415.388.6584

Email:[email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

StaffThe Rev. Richard Helmer, Rector 415.244.1860The Rev. Este Gardner Cantor, Youth and Families 510.524.1306The Rev. Betsy Payne Rosen, DeaconLynn I. Baker, Parish AdministratorDr. Daniel Hoggatt, Organist and ChoirmasterJeff Johnson & Gay Johnson, Co-TreasurersTerry Peck, Sexton

Worship at COSSundays 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:45 a.m. Children & Youth Program 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite IIMondays 5:00 p.m. Evening PrayerWednesdays 10:30 a.m. Eucharist & Bible DialogueTuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m. Morning PrayerThursdays 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer

2008 VestryKathleen Piraino Senior WardenSteve Quarles Junior WardenMichelle Walker Clerk

Diane Amses Ben CurtisTom Dugan Paige MacLeodGillian Mishalko Randy Tarpey-SchwedSally Thomas Susan Zimmer

Godly Play Coordinators Sally Thomas Ann Fricker SandbergMiddle Saints Juliana JensenConfirmation Coordinator Kathleen PirainoYouth Group Este CantorOutreach Coordinator Maggie LangCare of Creation Ministry Mark Tarpey-SchwedAltar Guild Joan PeckEucharistic Ministers Rosalind PattersonCoffee Hour Elaine CrepeauAdult Christian Education,Blessings, Baptisms, & Pastoral Counseling Richard Helmer

Return Service Requested