The Witness

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

Sunday

8:00AM Holy Eucharist

without Music

9:00AM Bible Forum in

Boydston Room

10:00AM Holy Eucharist

with Music

Sunday School and

Childcare available

during the 10:00AM

Service

Tuesday

5:00PM Centering Prayer

Wednesday

12:15PM Holy Eucharist,

Morning Prayer or Healing

Service

Welcoming Worshiping Working

Reflections 2

Vestry 3

New Delegates 4

Treasurer’s Report 5

Sexton’s Report 6

Creation Care 9

Calendar 7

Inside this issue:

Volume 24, Issue 2 February 2020

The Big Day: 02022020

By The Rev. Ian Delinger, Rector

Candlemas, Groundhog Day and the Super Bowl are all on the same day this

year, and the date is a palindrome: 02/02/2020.

Candlemas is the day in the Church’s calendar on which we remember Jesus’

Presentation in the Temple as an infant. Recounted in the middle of Luke chapter

2, Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the Temple. This would have been Mary’s first

opportunity to enter the Temple because, according to Leviticus 12, a woman

who bears a son shall not be “clean” until 33 days after the boy’s circumcision,

which is 8 days after he is born, which, for Jesus, is January 1. In a few countries,

great celebrations will take place. In Mexico, it is one of the days on which tama-

les are eaten, as I learned when producing a radio piece on tamales. We will

celebrate Candlemas with a regular Sunday Holy Eucharist. (If someone wants to

host Coffee Hour with tamales, I’m sure that would be appreciated by every-

one!). The largest seems to be in Puno, Perú, on

the coast of Lake Titicaca.

Groundhog Day is huge deal in Punxsutawney,

PA. Over 20,000 people will descend on the

town to see Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his

home at Gobbler’s Knob. This form of weather

prediction comes from the Pennsylvania Dutch

as far back as 1840, but has much earlier roots

in Germany itself. Phil has taken on a kind of

demigod status, and his big day is big business.

It even spawned a film in 1993 starring Bill Mur-

ray, which is watched every year around this

time. Being part of the 20,000 fans to stand in

the cold to see if Phil sees his shadow or not is

only a small part of a much bigger program.

If you are a member of the Groundhog Club,

you are invited to a whole host of events: The

Groundhog Ball, special seating at Gobbler’s

Knob, the Dueling Pianos event, the Annual Groundhog Banquet, and Brunch (Continued on page 10)

Volume 24, Issue 2 The Witness Page 2

The Witness

General Information

The Witness is a monthly newsletter published by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, San Luis

Obispo, CA to provide information about the parish to the congregation. Subscriptions are free to

anyone. Send request along with your name and mailing address to the church office. Donations

to help offset distribution costs are appreciated. Make checks payable to St. Stephen ’s.

The Church’s e-mail address is: office@ststephensslo.org

Contribution of articles is encouraged. Please e-mail submissions to witness@ststephensslo.org The deadline for emailed submission of articles is the third Friday of the month. Email any ques-

tions to witness@ststephensslo.org © Copyright 2020 by St. Stephen ’s Episcopal Church. All

rights reserved.

POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections to: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1344 Nipomo

St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3935

Hands on Stewardship at St. Stephen’s

Thank you to Lynn Hollister, Kathleen Pennington and Gail Taylor for teaching Sunday

School in January.

Thank you to everyone who donated non-perishable food to Grass Roots II through our

Sunday School kids’ Souper Bowl of Caring Food Drive.

Thank you to Shannon Larrabee, Clark Lewis, Jim Murphy for their service on the Vestry, and for organizing the Annual

Meeting. Lee and Lynn Hollister for hosting the Newcomer’s Welcome Reception. Skip Parks for carrying the St.

Stephen’s Banner during the consecration of Bishop Lucinda. Rosey Parks for lending her voice to the Consecration

Choir.

Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped in the office this last month. Thank you to all of the contributors for the

articles for this issue.

Our New Vestry

At the Annual Meeting on January 19, 2020, Bill Crewe, Kathryn Marshall and Craig McCollum were elected to 3-year

terms on the Vestry. They join the current Vestry:

Gail Taylor (‘20) Senior Warden

Bob McCorkle (‘20)

Jennifer Sayre (‘20)

Lee Hollister (’21)

Diane Levison (’21)

Roxanna Shaheen (’21)

Alison Preston is the Vestry Clerk.

The Vestry will meet for dinner on Friday, January 31, and meet for an all-day Retreat on February 1. The next Vestry

Meeting will be on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 12:00 in the Boydston Room. The Junior Warden will be elected at that

meeting.

Page 3 Volume 24, Issue 2

Volume 24, Issue 2 The Witness Page

Come Sing With Us And Feel Good

According to lifehack.org* singing releases endorphins which are hormones that increase feelings of euphoria and pleasure. Singing also releases oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone” because it is released when people snuggle up. It is known to decrease stress and anxiety. Both of these hormones can make you feel better in general and decrease any pain you might be feeling.

You can feel better by joining us in leading a Sing-Along of Love Songs at Bella Vista Care Center, 3033 Augusta Street, on Saturday February 15th from 10-11am and at Sydney Creek Memory Care, 1234 Laurel Lane, on Sunday February 16th from 3-4pm. We'll be leading the residents in singing songs you probably already know, like "You Are My Sunshine", "Bicycle Built for Two", and "Oh Susanna". We practice in The Shire (room at the end of St. Stephen’s Education Building closest to the parking lot) on Tuesday afternoons from 5:15-6 p.m. Attending practice isn’t required, but you’ll feel better if you do…… Bring your voice and/or ukulele, drum, finger cymbals, etc. to The Shire February 3rd and 10th to go through the music together, or just come to Bella Vista or Sydney Creek to sing along and be happy. If you’d like directions, a copy of the word sheet or music ahead of time or have questions see, call or email Kathleen at 805-546-0880 or kapennington@netscape.net. *https://www.lifehack.org/288228/11-amazing-benefits-singing-you-may-not-know

SAVE THE DATE!

The 5th Annual Canterbury Shire Chili Cook-Off, with Silent Auc-tion & Raffle Fundraiser, will be held on Saturday, April 18th, from 4-6pm at St. Stephen's, SLO.

More info to follow in your March newsletters. Thank you for your

support!

I will represent St. Stephen’s at the annual Diocesan Convention

on November 6 &7, 2020.

Our New Delegates At the Annual Meeting, we also elected the following Delegates to Convention: Liz Frost, Bruno Giberti, Rosey Parks And Alternates: Gail Taylor, Kathryn Marshal

Our Delegates will represent St. Stephen’s at the annual Diocesan Convention on November 6 &7, 2020.

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Volume 24, Issue 2 Page

Notes from the Treasurer…..

As of this writing we have 48 pledging units for a total of $181,033 ($25,620.08 was prepaid pledges). If you would like to pledge for 2020, please let me know and I can get a pledge card to you.

Our Fair Share calculation deadline is January 31,2020. This is our “gift” to the Diocese and has a very clear method of calculation. Last year we submitted a recalculation around the middle of the year to lower our Fair Share to $1,817/month.

Here are the current donation totals in our various Restricted Funds:

RSVP Demo: $9,970 Wood Siding: $19,000 Painting: $11,090 Jean’s Building Fund: $6,910 The funds for the new doors are in the Endowment Checking Account. The new glass doors add an inviting feel to the church.

Here are the Mechanics Bank balances as of January 18, 2020:

Operating: $96,636.28 Money Market: $46,185.88 Endowment Checking: 20,235.88

Faithfully Submitted, Katie Arndt, Treasurer

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Volume 24, Issue 2 The Witness Page

Supporting Sundays Prayer Intentions

It is the role of the Church, as individuals and corporately, to pray for those in need and to give thanks for the good-

ness of God. To offer a prayer intention, you can scribble a name or cause in the Prayers of the People binder at the

back of church, with the Ushers. The Prayers are written out as they are to be read on Sunday mornings; simply

write your intention under the relevant petition. There are also cards in the pews, or you can call or email the office.

It will be included with the existing ones, typed up into the prayers the following week, and remain on the list for 4-6

weeks.

Memorials through Candles and Flowers

You will notice that the flowers and candles on Sunday mornings are given in memory of loved ones. If you wish to

remember your loved ones in this way, you can sign up on the sheets in the Parish Hall, or contact a member of the

Altar Guild. Choose the Sunday you would like to have your loved ones remembered (or an anniversary, birthday or

other commemoration), and give a check or cash to Katie Arndt for the appropriate amount. Suggested donations

for Candles: $15 Flowers: $45.

Coffee Hour

Some of you like to serve your brothers and sisters in concrete, physical ways. Hosting Coffee Hour is a fun and very

social way to do that. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall, or you can contact Sophia Agbo. She will guide you

through what you need to bring, what time to be at church to set up, who is available to help you, how much fun you

can make Coffee Hour, and when to know when all is cleaned up and it’s OK to close up shop (usually the last one

out). Gail Taylor is stepping down from the Hospitality Team as she assumes the role of Senior Warden. If you would

like to join Sophia in sharing the responsibilities of Hospitality, please see Father Ian.

Sexton’s Report

February 2019

More Lights…

On Christmas Eve, I deployed 18 solar LED walk lights along the sidewalk from the parking lot to the front door for

safety and ambience. Christmas morning before 9AM when Katie and I ushered, I retrieved them for next year. They

have been disassembled, the batteries removed, and stored in the red barn for the next night event or service.

Oven

I repaired the left oven in the kitchen, and, when I was finished, all burners, both ovens, and both sides of the griddle

worked.

Three panels of the fence between the classrooms and ASN have blown down against our building during a storm.

ASN was notified, and the fence has been temporarily propped up. No update on a permanent repair or replacement

is available yet.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Arndt, Sexton

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Volume 24, Issue 2 Page

Bible Selections for February

2-Feb-20 9-Feb-20 16-Feb-20 23-Feb-20 26-Feb-20

Presentation/Candlemas Epiphany 5A Epiphany 6A Epiphany Last Ash Wednesday

1st READING Malachi 3:1-4 Isaiah 58:1-12 Sirach 15:15-20 Exodus 23:12-18 Joel 2:1-2,12-17

PSALM Psalm 84 Psalm 112:1-9 +Glory Psalm 119:1-8 Psalm 99+Glory Psalm 103:8-14

2nd READING Hebrews 2:14-18 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 2 Peter 1:16-21 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40 Matthew 5:13-20 Matthew 5:21-37 Matthew 17:1-9 Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Birthdays

Judy Mackey 2-Feb

Lynn Wiech 6-Feb

Karla Gibson 6-Feb

Eric Fisher 9-Feb

Frances Edwards 11-Feb

Richard Foge 12-Feb

Al Williams 12-Feb

Kathleen Pennington 16-Dec

Frances Robertson 18-Feb

Peter Agbo 20-Feb

Bud Zeuschner 23-Feb

Christina Bearce 25-Feb

Ann Patry 28-Feb

Anniversaries

Fred & Carol Astaire 14-Feb

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 4 5 6

7

8

9

10 11

12

13 14 St. Valentine’s

Day

15

16

17 18

19 20

21 22

23

24 25 Shrove Tuesday

26 Ash Wednesday

27 28

29

February 2020 Who’s Celebrating?

Ongoing Activities

Handbell Practice Tuesdays 4:00 PM

Sing-Along Practice Tuesdays 5:15 PM

Centering Prayer Tuesdays 5:00 PM

Mid-Week Service Wednesdays 12:15 PM

Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays 5:15 PM

No handbell practice on 2/4

Important Dates!

Vestry Retreat 1-Feb

Souper Bowl of Caring 2-Feb

Vestry Meeting 9-Feb Brotherhood Breakfast 12-Feb

Sing-Along @ Bella Vista at 10AM 15-Feb

Sing-Along @ Sydney Creek at 3PM 16-Feb

Pancake Supper @ 5PM 25-Feb

Ash Wednesday Service @ 6:30PM 26-Feb

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Volume 24, Issue 2 The Witness Page

Parish Activities in the first part of 2020

As you start to look at your calendars and how your home and family life will take shape through

out 2020, here are some activities that will be taking place at St. Stephen’s outside of our normal

Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday worship and our monthly lunch serving at 40 Prado.

There are a variety of activities, some of which are worship services to put in your calendar to

attend (A), and some are community activities for which you may consider being the organizer

(O) (see Fr Ian) or being a volunteer (V) (see Stephanie if an organizer has not yet been

decided).

Mark your calendars and keep a look out for notices in your

Sunday Bulletins and in The Witness for more information!

2/1/2020 Vestry Retreat

2/9/2020 Vestry Meeting

2/10/2020 Opening Doors of Interfaith Understanding (A)

2/25/2020 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at 5PM (O,A)

2/26/2020 Ash Wednesday Services at 12:15PM & 5:30PM (A)

3/1/2020 Endowment Committee Meeting

3/14/2020 Agape Community Workshop by Kelsey Davis (A)

3/29/2020 Sayre/Pillow Early Music Concert (A)

4/5/2020 Palm Sunday (A)

4/9/2020 Maundy Thursday Service at 5:30PM (A)

4/10/2019 Good Friday Service at 12:00PM (A)

4/11/2020 Holy Saturday Sanctuary Cleaning Day (V)

4/12/2020 Easter Sunday Service at 8AM & 10AM (A)

4/19/2019 Low Sunday/Quasimodo Sunday with possible Eucharistic Brunch (A)

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Volume 24, Issue 2 Page

Tending the Flock

Sometimes a person indicates that they would like to see me, but know I am “very busy”. My primary

responsibility is the care of the good people of St. Stephen’s!! I am always ready to meet parishioners one-to

-one or in groups, in my office, in your home, or out for coffee or a glass of wine. You can always catch me

when you see me…as long as you see me put the date into my calendar(!!!) or call

or email me. We can talk about the more serious issues of your life, the good times

that you are experiencing, and everything in between. Home Communions can be

arranged in the same way.

As in the past, I hope to arrange times to meet with parishioners informally. I

haven’t worked out the dates or the format, but that will come soon. As the Rector,

and I have Cure of Souls at St. Stephen’s, and my mantra is: People are my

CREATION CARE REFLECTIONS

Several people who read my Creation Care article in the January issue of The Witness have indicated an interest in exploring the possibility of this new ministry, and I hope many others will join us.

Lent, which begins February 26 with Ash Wednesday, seems an especially appropriate time for beginning our exploration of the topic. I suggest an organizational meeting after the 10am service on a Sunday in early March, to be determined. At that meeting, in addition to getting ourselves organized, we could review some of the national Church’s resources for Creation Care, which would include some suggestions for personal or group Lenten reflections.

Please see me at coffee hour on Sundays, call me (805-709-0840) or send me an email (kathrynb@mail.fresnostate.edu) to let me know of your interest. If you didn’t have an opportunity to read my January article, I will have copies of it at coffee hour.

-Kathryn Bumpass

Chocolate Factory Opens March 23rd!

Once again, St. Stephen’s Parish Council’s delicious and fun outreach

fundraiser will take over the parish hall for the two weeks before Palm

Sunday. It’s as much fun to make the chocolate eggs as to eat them, so

consider signing up to help. We’ll be making up to 400 eggs again this

year and will be offering two sizes, ½# and ¼#. Priority in filling orders will

be given to “chocolate factory workers” and remaining orders will be filled

by date received.

Sign-up sheets for “factory workers” will be on the bulletin board in Ramsden Hall around March 3rd and

order forms for these beautiful, and delicious chocolate eggs will be in the March Witness, on the bulletin

board, inserted in bulletins and at the web site in early March.

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Volume 24, Issue 2 The Witness Page

with Phil.

Super Bowl LIV is in a league of its own, as we all know. This “worship” event starts at $4,675 and goes up to

$23,375! And that’s just for the game! In the stadium, there will be 65,000 spectators and hundreds of more

athletes, performers, team staff and stadium staff. Around 100 million Americans will watch (just under a third

of the population) and another 50 to 60 million spectators around the globe. I don’t need to preach on the

religion that is football, because we have all heard that sermon at some point in our lives!

Where we focus our attention (the heart, the soul, the mind) and time shapes who we are and how we en-

gage with others. By no means is this a critique of those who enjoy things outside the Church (as do I!)! Many

in the Miami Hard Rock Stadium will be churchgoers and people of other faiths, as will those huddled around

a rodent hole at Gobbler’s Knob. The people of Puno enjoy soccer and have their own team Alfonso Ugarte.

I bring these three events together because 1) they are all on the same day, 2) it illustrates how we are part

of a bigger world, and 3) it points to how we are multidimensional and can participate in a wide variety of

activities, identify with various groups, have many gifts, yet still be one person. A single aspect of our person-

hood need not and does not define who we are.

As you fill out your Stewardship of Time and Talent Pledge Card, give some thought to the variety of interests

and skills that you possess, that make you a multidimensional person. Recognize that these are gifts from the

God who created you. And consider how you might use them to the glory of God and as part of the richly

talented St. Stephen’s Family.

(Continued from page 1)

MUSIC OF PEACE AND UNITY

The internationally renowned Yuval Ron Ensemble will present a 3-day program of unique Middle Eastern music at Congregation Beth David, in San Luis Obispo, March 13-15. The highlight of the weekend will be a concert on Saturday evening, March 14, that features work from the group’s newest album “Unity of the Heart”.

An Oscar-winning, Grammy nominee and peace activist, Yuval Ron formed his Ensemble in 1999. The group includes Jewish, Christian and Muslim artists who seek to bridge racial, religious and cultural divides by uniting the music and dance of the people of the Middle East into a unique mystical, spiritual and inspiring celebration.

They have performed peace tours around the world, imparting the ancient inter-cultural connections between Arabic, Jewish and Christian traditions. Featuring ancient as well as modern instruments, songs, stories and dance, the Ensemble offers a performance that “creates light and hope through music”.

Tickets for the Saturday concert are $45, and are available from 805tix.com. Ticket price includes a pre-concert workshop at 6pm and a dessert reception at 6:45pm. The concert follows at 7:30pm. St. Stephen’s is proud to be a local sponsor of this event.

Congregation Beth David is located at 10180 Los Osos Valley Rd., San Luis Obispo. For additional information, call 805-544-0760 or visit cbdslo.org. You may also call me at 805-709-0840 or kathrynb@mail.fresnostate.edu

-Kathryn Bumpass

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Volume 24, Issue 2 Page

Understanding Your Rights: The 4th Amendment

Wednesday, March 25

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Copeland Health Education Pavilion

French Hospital, 1911 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo

PEACE Program: Providing Education & Community Engagement about Public Safety. At the San Luis

Obispo Police Department, we understand how important it is to have a trusting relationship with our com-

munity, and believe we must take ownership in creating those relationships.

Launched in 2017, PEACE (Policing Education And Community Engagement) provides education about

what the police department does, why we do it and how the community can share responsibility for our

safety and success.

PEACE is a series of 2-hour discussions focusing on topics such as police protocols for use of force, police

body cameras and mental health resources. During the discussions, members of the public will hear from

and ask questions of different police professionals. The talks are limited to the first 120 people. Sign up here.

For questions, email Christine Wallace at cwallace@slocity.org.

11

1344 Nipomo Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Office: 805-543-7212

office@ststephensslo.org

www.ststephensslo.org

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid San Luis Obispo, CA

93401 Permit No. 57

Address service requested

Hello February