Jan2014lom

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 64 Number 1

JANUARY 2014

The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael Pacific View Drive at Marguerite

Corona del Mar

California 92625

...From the Desk of the Rector

BELOVEDS IN CHRIST, New Year’s opportunities include asking important questions such as “Who am I anyway ... really?” and “Why am I the way I am?”

Beginning new years it is tempting to talk about resolutions, all those things we promise to do, or stop doing, when 2013 changes to 2014, that will make life better, improve health and increase joy.

But experts say that resolutions usually fail because they don’t get to the real heart of what’s going on inside us, that we can’t fundamentally change our behavior until we fundamentally understand who we are, and that who we are is shaped by what be believe.

Do you want to make big changes in your life? You will have to be willing to dig deep into your whole belief system and your reasons for being. For example, it’s a waste of time to resolve to go to the gym when you haven’t dealt with your reasons why the couch is so important to your life.

Resolutions are about what you will do; real change happens as a result of knowing who you are.

What do you fundamentally believe about yourself? ...about the world” ...about God? And how do those beliefs shape your behaviors? Getting down to that level of examination and awareness can lead you into a full new year.

And, if determining who you are is the beginning of personal transformation, the question of why you are is the next step that moves you toward a purpose in life. Many “Why I am” or “Why I am not” statements connect with religious faith. British philosopher Bertrand Russell turned his famous lecture into an essay, “Why I Am Not a Christian” in 1927. C.S. Lewis responded in the 1940s with a series of radio talks which became Mere Christianity. John Stott added Basic Christianity and Why I Am A Christian in the 1950s. At Saint Michael & All Angels we have learned from Bishop John Krumm who wrote Why I Am An Episcopalian in 1957 and from Chris Yaw who wrote Jesus Was An Episcopalian (and you can be one too!) in 2008. We are all shaped by our beliefs and our beliefs deeply direct our actions and the trajectory of our lives. How does belief affect you, and where will it take you this year?

The “why?” of Christian faith is all about God reconciling the whole creation, remaking and renewing it in God’s own image. Jesus spoke most often about the “Kingdom of God,” or the reign and rule of God on this earth for the purpose of its transformation. Out of a solid sense of why I am a Christ-follower, we know this world needs to be saved. We know this world needs wisdom. We know this world needs God. If you don’t think people care about trying to save at least some corner of this world, consider the huge interest in super hero movies: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Spiderman, Captain America. We Christ-followers love it that God has called us to be superheros and supersheros for our corner of the world, or at least mini-superhero/ supersheros. It is exciting to be a part of it all!

As the new year begins, we are called to examine our beliefs and ways they might turn into action. Resolutions are less important than results, and the call of God is for us to go and do the work of the kingdom each and every day God gives us to live and love.

& All Angels 949.644.0463

www.stmikescdm.org

PARISH NEWS AND NOTES FINANCIAL UPDATE THROUGH NOVEMBER 2013: Preliminary year to date Income is $463,855.Our YTD Expense is $511,609. The parish Net Ordinary Income is ($47,753), which is $6,770 ahead of our plan. Our YTD Pledge Income is $378,212 which is $13,370 below our plan through the end of 2013. We are making progress in closing the gap between our expenses and income.

Our total operating cash balance is $216,784 of which $138,306 is designated gifts; leaving a net balance of $78,478. This also includes funds raised for the church refurbishment.

The Endowment Trust has a balance of $173,618.

We really need everyone to bring their pledges current so that we can end the year in the black. We are beginning the budgeting process for 2014, so we need to know that we will be current in 2013. Also if you have not made your pledge for 2014, please turn it in this month.

* * * RAY W. URWIN, D.M.A. HAS JOINED SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS as minister of music.

He previously served as music director, director of music ministries, choristers director, and resident composer at St. Francis Church, Palos Verde Estates before becoming its organist/accompanist in 2012 (see article on page 3.).

Yours, in Christ BUILDING OUR F AITH: L OVING CHRIST AND SER VING OUR COMMUNITY FAITH: LO SERVING

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

JANUARY 201 4 2 2014

(MORE) PARISH NEWS AND NOTES CONTRIBUTIONS WERE MADE TO THE RECTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND most recently by by her family in gratitude for the life of Roberta Chapin and by Bill Leasure and Jack Towner in thanksgiving. These funds extend our Parish’s mission of outreach, providing for such needs as can be helped by financial assistance.

* * * HELP FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE: We are once again in need of donations for replenishing our food cupboard. Please call Murry McClaren with any questions; and THANK YOU ALL for your help!

JANUARY Anniversaries

St. Mike’s Facebook Page facebook.com/ SMAACDM

“Like” us!

Read us every day for latest parish news, diocesean, TEC and AC updates, personal devotions, sacred music.

A community within our community

* * * LOAVES AND FISHES: In January we will collect new and gently used blankets and jackets for the homeless people who visit the soup kitchen.

Monetary donations are always welcome, too, and checks should be made payable to Saint Michael & All Angels, with Loaves and Fishes on the memo line. (Tax ID #95-2123746)

* * * PLEASE CHECK THE DISPLAY RACK ON THE WALL IN MICHAEL'S ROOM. Pick up a pamphlet or two to share with family and friends. A donation box is provided.

The pamphlet "Family Prayer" lists short prayers that are appropriate for families whenever they gather together.

In this hectic world we live in, it is essential to take time each day to remember what really counts. Here are the titles of prayers: "Grace at Mealtime," "For Our Family," "A Blessing," "For Joy in God's Creation," "For a Special Day," "An Intercession," "For Help," "For the Day's Work," "A Confession," "For Guidance," and "The Grace." Note that a family of one can benefit from this pamphlet, also.

Senior Warden...............................Lynn Headley [lynnheadley@earthlink.net] 714.963.5932 Junior Warden........................................[Open] Christian Education.......................Barbara Black [syblack@sbcglobal.net] 949.375.3048 Clerk of the Vestry...................... ...Karlene Miller [karlenemiller@gmail.com] 949.336.6215 Building and rounds.................... ..........[Open]

Birthdays 2nd - Craig Kennedy 5th - Nora Higgins 12th - Gracemarie Dell Angelo 18th - Sharon Ferguson Bruce Stuart 19th - Marcia Last 20th - David Davidson 22nd - Herb Hoffman Anne Logie 27th - Ann Morris Stacie Tibbetts 31st - Ali Haghjoo Weddings

PHONE TREE MINISTRY: NEW MEMBERS NEEDED. Our goal is to contact every parishioner by phone once a month.This is a great opportunity to get to know others better and to share information, needs and suggestions about Saint Mike's. Please contact Ruth Poole at 949.644.9263.

* * * TIME AND TALENT If you are thinking about volunteering with one of our commissions at St. Mike’s, please review the “Parish Life” booklet on the “back rail” of the Sanctuary. which describes these activities. We need greeters, acolytes, coffee hosts, and ushers, and have other interesting assignments as well.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people at St. Mike’s. Please call Melinda Rader with questions at 949.230.3644.

* * * LEST WE FORGET: There have been 4,489 American military casualties in Iraq and 2,155 in Afghanistan. "Lord hear our prayers for those who are dead and for those who mourn."

VESTRY MEMBERS Communications...........................Clyde Dodge [clydedodge@cox.net 949.375.1530 Evangelism.................................Melinda Rader [melinda.rader@roadrunner.com] 949.230.3644 Fellowship......................................Teri Corbet [hbangel49@msn.com] 714.964.5505

7th - John & Elizabeth Stahr 14th - Ray & Monty Pentz

* * * FRIENDS OF MUSIC CONCERT FEATURING THE CHILDRENS CHOIR OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHOIR directed

by Pete Avendano Sunday, January 26, 2014, 4pm in our sanctuary.

* * * DO YOU HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS? Please contact sbeechner@stmikescdm.org with changes or additions.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE is a publication of Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar, CA. Copy deadline is the second Wednesday of the month.

We welcome letters and articles.

Editor: Susan Beechner 949.644.0463

Finance...........................................Jim Palda [paldajim@gmail.com] 626.533.8037 Mission......................................Gail Haghjoo [gail.haghjoo@gmail.com] 714.553.7120 Stewardship...................................Joan Short [joanshort@earthlink.net] 949.644.0719 Worship.The Very Rev’d Canon Peter D. Haynes [phaynes@stmikescdm.org] 949.644.0463

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

RAY URWIN JOINS ST. MIKE’S AS MINISTER OF MUSIC

By Norris Battin

R

ay W. Urwin, D.M.A. has joined Saint Michael & All Angels as minister of music. He previously served as music director, director of music ministries, choristers director, and resident composer at St. Francis Church, Palos Verde Estates before becoming its organist/accompanist in 2012.

Urwin graduated from Oberlin Conservatory, received his master’s degree in orchestral conducting from SUNY Stony Brook, and earned his doctorate in organ performance from Yale University.

Formerly director of music at the Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington, Delaware, Urwin was founder and conductor of the Twentieth Century Ensemble of Delaware and the Cathedral Chamber Players and was assistant conductor of the Yale Concert Choir and the New Haven Chorale.

Urwin is one of the most distinguished church musicians in the United States.

He is the composer of two popular hymns in the Hymnal 1982 (679 “Surely It is God Who Saves Me,” and, S169 “My Flesh is Food Indeed”). In 2009, he composed two new hymns for the Annual Conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians.

An expert of the organ music of French composer Olivier Messiaen, Urwin is a distinguished harpsichordist and continuo player, including in his repertoire Bach’s 5th Brandenburg Concerto, Telemann, Handel, Rameau, C.P.E. Bach and others.

He was the featured harpsichordist in his debut at Carnegie Hall, playing Elliott Carter’s Sonata for Flute, Oboe, Cello and Harpsichord.

As an organ recitalist and accompanist, Urwin has performed in New York, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Princeton, Sacramento and other cities, and has been a featured Wednesday recitalist at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles.

You can hear Dr, Urwin performing here: http://bit.ly/RayUrwin and his website is http://rayurwin.com/.

Welcome to St. Mike’s, Dr. Urwin!

BASKETBALL: Available to all in All Angels' Court on Mondays,7-9pm. All are welcome! ...pick-up games ...bring friends! Basketball court footwear only, please. Spread the word!

JANUARY 2014

HOLY WOMEN HOLY MEN

Norm Ewers

WILLIAM LAUD (1571-1645) ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY William Laud was born in 1573, became Archbishop Canterbury in 1633, having been Charles the First's principal ecclesiastical advisor for several years before. He was the most prominent of a new generation of churchmen who disliked many of the ritual practices developed during the reign of Elizabeth the First, and who were bitterly opposed by the "Puritans."

Laud believed the Church of England to be in direct continuity with the medieval Church, and he stressed the unity of Church and State, exalting the role of king as supreme governor.

He emphasized the priesthood and the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, and caused consternation by insisting on the reverencing of the Altar, returning it to its preReformation position against the East wall of the church, and hedging it about with rails.

As head of the courts of High Commission and Star Chamber, Laud was abhorred for the harsh sentencing of prominent Puritans. His identification with the unpopular policies of King Charles, his support of the war against Scotland in 1640, and his efforts to make the Church independent of Parliament made him widely disliked. He was impeached for treason by the Long Parliament in 1640, and finally beheaded on January 10, 1645.

Laud's reputation has remained controversial to this day. Honored as a martyr and condemned as an intolerant bigot, he was compassionate in the defense of the common people against landowners.

He was honest, devout, loyal to the king and to the rights and privileges of the Church of England. He tried to reform and protect the Church with his sincere convictions. But in many ways he was out of step with the views of the majority of his countrymen, especially the "Divine Right of Kings."

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He made a noble end praying on the scaffold, "The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy on me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them."

Source: The Proper for the Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 1997, together with The Fixed Holy Days Church Publishing Incorporated.

New York

LIFE LINE SCREENING returns to Saint Michael & All Angels on Monday, January 277h in All Angels’ Court.

Most people can’t identify a single risk factor or a warning sign of stroke, yet over 750,000 Americans will be affected by a stroke this year alone! Life Line Screening will be here at St. Mikes on January 27th performing a day of preventive health screenings.

Screenings are fast, painless and offered at low cost. They involve the use of ultrasound technology and scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which can lead to a stroke, aortic aneurysms which can lead to a rupture, and plaque buildup in the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease. Also offered is a bone density screening to assess the risk for osteoporosis.

These non-invasive, inexpensive and painless ultrasound tests help people identify their risk for stroke, vascular diseases or osteoporosis early enough for their physician to begin preventive procedures.

Please see the pink flyers in Michael’s Room for information about making appointments, cost of screenings and discounts.

Appointment spaces are limited and pre-registration is required. Sign up now by calling toll free to 1.800.324.9458.

* * * IN THE ABSENCE OF A VESTRY/ CHAIRPERSON for our Buildings and Grounds Commission, if you have a concern about our campus please put notes in cubbie/boxes in our Parish Office for both “Buildings & Grounds” and “Sexton” (parish custodian). Thank you.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

JANUARY 2014 4

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

Our mission is to seek and share Jesus Christ as spiritual food for life’s journey.

3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625 949.644.0463 949.644.9247 FAX www.stmikescdm.org The Very Rev’d Canon

Peter D. Haynes, Rector [phaynes@stmikescdm.org] Susan Caldwell Director of Christian Education [scaldwell@stmikescdm.org] Ray Urwin, D.M.A. Interim Minister of Music [rurwin@stmikescdm.org] The Rev’d Fennie Chang, Ph.D., Canterbury Irvine The Rev’d Canon Ray Flemming Assisting Priest The Rev’d Jefferson Hulet Assisting Priest The Rev’d Barbara Stewart, Ph.D., Assisting Priest Susan Beechner, Parish Secretary [sbeechner@stmikescdm.org] Donnie Lewis, Bookkeeper [dlewis@stmikescdm.org]

WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday Holy Eucharist 8am Choral Eucharist 10am Nursery Care from 9:30-11:30am Adult Education 9am Sunday School 10am Tuesday HE, MP, alternating Tues. at 7:30am Wednesday Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Peace and Healing-12 noon ABOUT SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CORONA DEL MAR

We are a Christian Community of the Anglican Communion who come to hear God’s word and receive and share the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our purpose is to have Christ live in us in order that in Christ we may live faithful and productive Christian lives.

Our commitment to the Gospel is evangelical; our liturgical tradition, catholic; our theology orthodox but open to thought, reflection, and spiritual endeavor.

We care about the world and strive to serve Christ in it.

Susan Caldwell

Christ to the Nations

S

an Diego is filled with many tourist destinations, Balboa Park, the Zoo, Little Italy, Seaport Village and the Maritime Museum among others.

Having gone there over Thanksgiving to see the sights and to tour The Star of India, the oldest active merchant sailing ship, which marks its 150 anniversary this year, I came upon a small religious gift shop in Seaport Village.

Maybe you know of it. This shop isn’t particularly filled with books but there were many crosses displayed in the window, and that is what drew me to look inside. There were many crosses of all various sizes and shapes from around the world. There were Celtic crosses and Spanish crosses of glass and metal and ones with small tiles set into the wood.

As I stood looking at the array of uniquely crafted items, I heard a woman behind me say, “Those are blessed by the priest.” I turned to see who was speaking to me. Dressed in light brown skirt and brown sweater and scarf neatly organized around her head was a petite woman with grey hair. Her accent wasn’t quite recognizable to me. Supposing her to be the owner of the store and sharing the tip as a selling piece, I took the information in, smiled at her, and I continued on my way around the shop.

At the counter, I asked the clerk what priest had blessed the crosses.

I wondered if the shop might be Episcopalian or Catholic. She said, “I am not aware of the crosses being blessed.” And she went on to say that she did not know the woman who had spoken to me but that she, herself, was the owner. The owner told me that she had known of people buying crosses for weddings or baptisms and then having the priest bless them, but not the other way around.

With curiosity, I went looking for . the petite woman dressed in brown and wearing a scarf. I found her outside sitting on a bench. I was very curious to find out why she had said what she had. She told me why and Continued on page 5

PRAYERS HEALING

Hildy Sally John Jack Dottie Rosemarie Nancy Pat Norm Bob Mary Betty Fred GUIDANCE Sue Debbie REPOSE Bob Babbe Joy Ciko Joe Bell THANKSGIVING - for Pat McNamee’s 87th birthday

Call Esther McNamee for prayer requests 949.640.1749

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAYS AT NINE: Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome, and the Kingdom of God will be 12 sessions of Sundays at Nine, beginning January 5th. Each 20-minute video segment features Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan on a location significant for the study of Paul. The themes for the twelve sessions are: Empire, Jesus, Paul’s Mission, Paul’s Character, Paul’s Vocation, Cities, Paul’s Letters, Paul’s Ethics, Paul’s Theology, Paul’s Eschatology, Icons, and Eclipse.

Join preeminent New Testament scholars Marcus Borg and John Crossan as they trace the Apostle Paul’s footsteps throughout the Roman Empire. Explore fresh insights into Paul’s message of the Kingdom of God, its challenge to Roman imperial theology, and the apostle’s radical relevance for today.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

Christian Education continued from page 4

then I asked her where she was from.

“I am from Egypt,” she said and followed up by saying that I should travel to Egypt when the fighting stops and when there is peace.

She said Egypt was a special country because Jesus had been there. She then showed me the medallion around her neck. In the center of the gold piece was a crucifix.

Knowing her to be a Coptic Christian, I told her that her heritage and faith had a very precious and long history. There at Seaport Village we talked about her faith and my faith.

Even as strangers, we could speak freely as Christians and our love of Christ.

At Epiphany, January 6th, we think of Christ to the nations. The Magi knew the promise that had been made to all, that a Savior would be born in Israel.

We, like the Magi, can follow the Star to that quiet place in Bethlehem or that quiet place in our hearts where the fighting stops and there is peace.

The Star that appeared in the East and moved ever so precisely to position itself over the house of Joseph and Mary and the Child, Jesus, can give us purpose to pause and reflect.

The Magi came and rejoiced and then returned to their country by a different road.

And it is easy to retell the rest of the Story. In obedience to Joseph’s dream, the Holy Family fled to avoid the massacre. In obedience, Joseph and Mary carried baby Jesus to a place of safety. And then when the danger had passed, Scripture was fulfilled. “Out of Egypt, I will call my Son.” May your New Year 2014 be blessed with joy and peace and safety.

JANUARY 2014

HANDS IN HEALING YOUTH PILGRIMAGE

A

fter the life altering pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013, Bishop Jon Bruno gave his blessing for another youth pilgrimage into the Holy Lands.

The first four Youth Pilgrimages were a huge success and in 2015 we are taking another group of youth to explore the Holy Land and their spirituality.

The ten to twelve day trip is broken into two geographic areas. Half of the pilgrimage is spent in Nazareth, exploring the Galilee, Tiberias, the Mount of Transfiguration, the Via Mara, among many other historic and biblical sites.

The remainder of the trip is spent in Jerusalem at the Holy Land Hotel.

While in Jerusalem, the group explores the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Dome of the Rock, Western Wall, Mount of Olives, the Judean Desert, and other exciting, fun places.

Youth have an opportunity to touch every body of water in the region-swimming in the Galilee and Mediterainian, floating in the Dead Sea, or standing knee deep in the Jordan renewing their baptismal covenant.

Currently, we are in the process of taking names of youth 14-17 years old (with a $500 deposit to secure a place) for our fourth pilgrimage in 2013-August 1-12.

The estimated cost is $3,500 per youth, which may be offset by fundraising done by your parish and our diocesan office. This figure is subject to change as flight and ground costs fluctuate from year to year.

For information contact: Chris Tumilty Digital Communications Officer Missioner for Youth ctumilty@ladiocese.org 213-482-2040 ext 211 Videos and photos of previous pilgrimages are on the diosesan website at this url: http://youthministries.ladiocese.org/ youth-pilgrimage-info.html

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(MORE) PARISH NEWS AND NOTES EPIPHANY MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH POTLUCK DINNER: Please join us in the South Wing of the sanctuary for a potluck dinner at 5:30 p.m. We will gather together to talk of the arrival of the Magi who came to celebrate our Lord’s birth.

Last names A-L bring soups or salads; M-Z bring main dish/casseroles Children are welcome. They will get to taste and see that the Lord is good!

We will have an Epiphany Cake that has surprises in it. And there will be the special arrival of three mysterious guests! Come join us as we look forward to 2014 and to begin our liturgical calendar year. Any questions?

Please follow up with Melinda Rader, Louise Stover, Susan Caldwell, or contact the church at 949.644.0463 Ext. 12.

* * * PLEASE REMEMBER . . . Saint Michael & All Angels has a Parish Emergency Fund funded by parishioners and available to parishioners facing financial emergencies and needing economic assistance. Requests should be directed to our rector or any member of our Vestry. Currently there is $5000 in this Fund. At one time there was more than $20,000 in the Parish Emergency Fund; so, if you are able to contribute, all gifts are welcome!

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FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE - ADS NEEDED! Our newsletter is printed at no cost to Saint Michael’s by C & M Publications, thanks to the support of the local businesses’ ads found on the back of the calendar each month. If you or someone you know might like to become a sponsor, please call Susan Beechner in the parish office for more information.

949.644.0463 x10.

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MEN’S GROUP: Each week we discuss a chapter or two of a book, typically on theology, philosophy and science. We meet 7.30-9am each Thursday in the Davis Library. All men are welcome regardless of faith or lack of it.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

SHARPS AND FLATS

BOB GRANT

The Relationship Between Chant and Rap

B

ling, swearing, treating women as objects, glorifying gangstas—rap music’s meaning to many. Yet it may be argued that rap can be shown to have a real connection to chant of the Christian Church. Yes, some rap may be all the above, as well as being poor poetry with rubbish rhyming devoid of meaning.

However, other rap music can be profound, dealing with the difficulties of life, rich in rhythm and rhyme. In some cases, as with the Psalms, rap reaches into the sublime. The following four sections examine the differences and similarities between rap and chant under various themes.

Recitophon In some rap songs a recitation and antiphon occur simultaneously (hence the term recitophon), e.g., a female voice will sing a repeated melody that decorates the male rap underneath—similar to early organum (earliest form of part-writing often using chant). Some rap songs are recitations, pure and simple, often a cross between singing and speaking, and closest to the solo recitation chant by the priest or even chants used for portions of the Qur’an. In rap there are many songs that alternate between recitation and antiphon—a short, memorable melody (that you may often hear fans of the song singing by heart) that punctuates the actual rap.

Mode & Melody Although some raps are supported by an underlay of variant chords usually they have few chord progressions, if any at all, unlike most Western music since the 18th century—e.g., ballad-like popular songs where chord progressions support a more complex melody—rather they are often modal in quality like chant.

The melodies of the antiphons that make up the chorus of so many rap songs are remarkably akin to short pieces of chant such as antiphons, responsories, and simple parts of the Eucharist. These chants, and their unconscious inheritance of rap melodies, have two main characteristics in common: small range and stepwise motion. Including a classic melodic curve typical of simple chant melodies, and show the presence of the use of melodic motifs or formulae in rap. Known as centonization (derived from Latin, cento, or “patch work”) these formulae are of course present in chant and are key phrases that are used as building blocks for many different chants and texts.

Rhythm & Rhyme Raps employ a regular percussive beat (often as a bass line); chant needs no extra beat apart from the pulse, or stress, of the words in themselves and the

JANUARY 2014 6

fall and rise of the rhythmic flow of the notes. Thus on a first hearing rap seems to be utterly unlike chant in terms of rhythm. However, this is not the case! Is it more boisterous beats or rhythmic words? Different raps use differing beats, heavier or lighter; however, word stress and rhyme are the most important devices that draw the listener’s attention to the words in both chant and rap.

Emotion & Meaning From any media source you will hear so many superficial rap songs about money, bling, sex, cars; some just a bit of fairly innocent fun; and some about self-glorification or self-justification of the singer. This selfobsession could be described as the reverse or a parody of true Christian worship directed to the glory of God. In what sense then, if any, may the emotional expression and meaning of rap music be comparable to Christian chant? I contend that the Psalms offer a blueprint for such a positive comparison. In their imagery, realism, their plain speaking, and ability to deal directly with the most deeply distressing (and hopeful!) life experiences some rappers show great insight into the soul’s struggle with the forces that threaten her from both without and within.

The Psalms are replete with natural imagery to describe the state of the Psalmist’s soul. If one reaches behind the often sanitized and watered-down translations of much Scripture used (or left unused) in many churches today one discovers a penetrating ability of the inspired writers to name things for what they are, to speak plainly and bluntly.

The Bible uses vulgar terms and swear words, e.g, Philippians 3:8; Isaiah 36:12; or violent and offensive imagery to describe one’s enemies, e.g., Psalm 137:9, Psalm 58:8; over even one’s friend, e.g., Ezekiel chapters 16 and 23; and striking sexual imagery in the Song of Songs.

There are even crude metaphors for the action of God Himself, e.g., Psalm 78:6566. All this crudity has a point. It is a real reflection of people’s emotions and brings to life that which could not be expressed by “beating about the bush.”

In rap music there may be a lot of unnecessary swearing and coarseness.

However much of it makes perfect sense in context. Rappers can reflect back to us how we really (often secretly) feel about things; and how life really is for others.

They can give us an insight into the state of a disturbed soul that psychology would have trouble describing.

Conclusion The question may be asked as to why there is such a close and unintended connection between chant and rap music. It is my contention that this remarkable unconscious connection has come about due to the peculiarities of the

history of popular music in the West. At one time, i.e., in the first Christian Millennium, chant was the popular music of the Christian people. Chants generally had a small melodic range and proceeded step-wise, making them easy to learn. Then as chant became more sophisticated and complicated choirs (often of monks) were needed to cope with the singing. However, popular secular music still remained close to simple chant in modal quality, melodic range, and outline.And this close relationship between popular music and the sophisticated music of the cathedral and the Court continued for centuries to come until the great divorce that began in the Enlightenment period and beyond—a separation reflected in the fields of theology, philosophy, and science.

Thus much modern “classical” music has become increasingly esoteric, complicated, obscure, and difficult to listen to, let alone sing along with. It has become the music of the elite who often have little connection to what remains of the secular or sacred establishment.Alongside and opposed to this rarefied “high” musical culture has grown up the popular music of the masses, from the 19th century Music Hall to the X Factor of today. One may discern in this music an ever deepening simplification that has reached its culmination in rap. It is almost as if musical history has been reversed (in an unconscious reaction against elite artistry that loses itself in its own subjectivity).

Therefore in the rap music of today one may hear echoes of ancient and medieval musical culture: in the primacy of the words and in their simple recitation (rather like the bards of old such as Ulysses, who sang their poetry to the crowds); in the return to the everyday themes of real life, love and loss; and in the simple melodic turns that act as refrains easily remembered and sung by the people.

Like Jazz, Ragtime, Country Western, R&B, Rock & Roll, and other American musical forms, Rap has found a firm home in the studios, stages, media, and homes of the American culture and the world as well.

One could almost imagine the early Americans hearing the chants of the Catholic and Episcopal churches, the ritual music of slaves, and the later synthesis of these two into the early call-and-response ritual of African-American churches, and how this synthesis might have in some way, small and large, influenced what would evolve to become rap.

You will draw your own conclusions from this study. Yet I am making an attempt to link one aspect of modern culture to the authentic and foundational musical culture of the Church. I urge you to see how the Church may open up her true liturgical treasures of today’s society, and to relate them to modern culture, lest we relegate them to be no more than esoteric, benign dinosaurs—totally Jurassic.

Calendar of Ev ents At Saint Mic hael & All Ang els Events Michael Angels

Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Nursery care from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Sundays-at-Nine, 9:00 a.m., DL Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.

Godly Play, children 4-11, Yellow Room Formation, 5th-8th grade, Green Room

Basketball, 4:00-5:00 p.m., AAC House of Speed, 5:00-6:30 p.m., AAC St. Mike’s Basketball, 7:00-9:00 p.m., AAC

Holy Eucharist, Morning Prayer, alternating on Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m.

Whiz Kids, 9:15 -5:00 p.m., AAC JOURNEY , 7:00-9:00 p.m., NW Basketball, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., AAC

AA meeting, 7:00-8:00 a.m., SW Yoga class, 9:00-10:00 a.m., NW (not 1/1) Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Peace and Healing, 12:00 Noon Whiz Kids, 1:45-5:00 p.m., AAC (not 1/1) Basketball, 5:00-8:00, 8:00-10:00 p.m., AAC

Men’s Group, 7:30-9:00 a.m., DL AA Big Book Study, noon-1:00 p.m., SW Whiz Kids, 1:45-5:00 p.m., AAC (not 1/2) Basketball, 5:00-8:00 p.m., AAC Parish Choir Rehearsal, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Children’s Choir Rehearsal, 5:00 p.m., NW

Yoga class, 9:00-10:00 a.m., NW Whiz Kids, 9:15-11:30 a.m. AAC (not 1/3) Basketball, 5:00-8:00 p.m., AAC AA meeting, 7:00-10:00 p.m., SW

Basketball, 8:00-10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

EACH WEEK

JANUARY 2014

DL - Davis Library NW - North Wing BR - Blue Room, AAC

SW - South Wing PC - Parish Center RR - Red Room, AAC

(

47th Annual Parish Meeting, 11:30 a.m., AAC SOUPer Bowl Sunday Friends of Music present Harana Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, 4:00 p.m.

Ash Wednesday, the First Day of Lent First Sunday in Lent Meeting Rooms: AAC - All Angels’ Court MR - Michael’s Room CR - Conference Room

Wed., Mar. 5th Sun., Mar. 9th

Sat. Feb. 15th

Sun, Feb. 2nd

IN THE COMING MONTH

The Festival of The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 12 noon Happy New Year 2014! Office closed th Sat., Jan. 4 J. Derus vocal auditions, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Sanctuary Mon., Jan. 6th Epiphany Potluck Dinner, 5:30 p.m., SW Wed., Jan. 8th Vestry Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Lynn Headley’s home Thurs., Jan. 9th Staff Meeting, 9:30-11:00 a.m., DL Sun., Jan. 12th Adult Christian Ed Committee Meeting, 11:30 a.m., CR Wed., Jan. 15th Annual Reports due in Parish Office Senior Ministry, 2:00 p.m., CR Deadline for February 2014 For the Love of Mike, 5:00 p.m. th Sun., Jan.19 Worship Commission, 11:30 a.m., CR Mon., Jan. 20th Office closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Thurs., Jan.23rd Deanery X’s Clericus, 9:30-11:00 a.m., MR Hutchins Consort, 5:00 p.m., CR th Sun., Jan. 26 The Bible Challenge, 11:30 a.m., DL Friends of Music present Pete Avendaño and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Childrens Choir, 4:00 p.m. th Mon., Jan. 27 Life Line Health Screening, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., AAC Tues., Jan. 28th Women’s Fellowship, 7:00 p.m., Bianchi’s Home Spyglass Hill Homeowners Board, 6:00-9:00 p.m., CR

Wed., Jan. 1st

IN THE COMING WEEKS

S T. M I C H A E L & A L L A N G E L S W O U L D L I K E T O T H A N K T H E S E B U S I N E S S E S F O R M A K I N G O U R N E W S L E T T E R P O S S I B L E

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FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

DIAPER BANK MINISTRY

By Lu Stanton León

T

his year the Diaper Bank ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in McHenry, Illinois, is on track to collect, sort, and distribute more than 260,000 disposable diapers to children of low-income families, disabled children and adults, those suffering through illness, and seniors in need.

That is the work of a core group of four dedicated volunteers in a congregation that averages about 40 people on Sunday mornings.

“It’s a huge ministry for this little parish,” said Lori Lowe, who arrived at St. Paul’s as priest-in-charge in July 2012 and became i ts rector this fall. “There’s a lot of pride in our congregation about being the ‘diaper bank church.’

“McHenry is a small town. There are three Episcopal churches in the county, all small, and we’re the smallest. The Diaper Bank gives us a real profile, a real identity.”

And it meets a very real and growing need, a need that led St. Paul’s to hire Phyllis Mueller in January 2013 as the ministry’s first paid director. Mueller, a retired Presbyterian minister, works parttime and is tasked with enlisting the support and involvement of people and organizations beyond St. Paul’s congregation.

The changes were immediately apparent.

“She’s turning it into a much more efficient operation,” Lowe said. In addition to seeking additional funding and trying to broaden the volunteer base, Mueller is making the community aware of the program by penning letters to the editor and doing a lot of public speaking on the Diaper Bank’s behalf. More and more organizations are hosting diaper drives and donating “Dollars for Diapers.”

The diaper bank’s mission is three-fold.

To: Ensure families in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers for their infants, toddlers, and adults.

Raise community awareness that “basic human needs” includes diapers and that these needs are not being met for children and adults living in poverty.

Advocate for policy reform so that diapers are included in the definition of and provision for the “basic human needs” of families.

Without disposable diapers parents can’t take their children to childcare, and without childcare, parents can’t go to work. Diapers are expensive: If money is tight, parents will opt to put food on the table rather than a clean diaper on the child.

JANUARY 2014 7

“What I’ve learned from this ministry is you can’t take a child to a daycare center with cloth diapers,” Lowe said. “You have to have six to eight disposable diapers a day. Even if they had access to cloth diapers, these are people who are either going to a laundromat or using a community washing machine, and those places don’t allow you to wash cloth diapers.”

Mueller said she understands why people ask about cloth diapers.

“I love when someone asks me that because my answer is that I would give my right arm if we could go back to cloth diapers, but that’s never going to happen.

We’re such a throwaway society. It makes it almost impossible.

“I will say this. The diaper manufacturers have made tremendous progress in the last five years in making the disposable diapers more biodegradable. And I’m thrilled, and they’ve got to keep doing this. It’s a challenge.”

Mueller notes that for the St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership to grow the support base must increase.

“We keep a monthly track, and I think we’re going to exceed the 260,000 diapers we distributed last year,” she said. “We’re certainly not going to do less. While that number seems vast, it is only half of the requested need from our county, so we really need to push it up to 500,000 in 2014.

“The need is only going to grow. We’re seeing signs that people are having babies again; we’re getting more and more requests for newborns and size 1’s and 2’s.

Plus, we have 76 million baby boomers coming at us, and out of that, there is a good percentage of people who are going to need some kind of incontinence care.

You cannot buy paper products through food stamps or WIC (the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). What are people going to do?’”

Mueller succeeds Larry Eils, a volunteer who led the diaper bank service for several years. Founded in 2009 under the initiative of St. Paul’s former rector James E. Swarthout and deacon Kent Jones, it was the first diaper bank in Illinois and is believed to be one of the first five in the country.

Now there are more than 320.

When Lowe arrived at St. Paul’s in July 2012, the little church was literally drowning in diapers.

“When I first came here the diapers were kept stacked up in the parish hall and the hallway. Our partners who distributed the diapers would pick them up at church, ” said Lowe. “When I arrived arrangements were being made for a storehouse and a few months later we had a grant to rent warehouse space. All the diapers were

moved to the warehouse, so the partners pick them up there. The bad part is the parish is not as connected; the good part is that we aren’t inundated.”

St. Paul’s diapers are collected, stored, and distributed primarily through the program’s 14 social service partners that include food banks, senior centers, pregnancy centers, and domestic violence agencies.

“It started out very tiny and extremely fragile,” Mueller said. “The four main volunteers are worker bees here. They work so hard, collecting, and sorting before our partners pick up the diapers every Wednesday. Prior to my coming on, most people in the community had no idea what the Diaper Bank was. People on the street had no idea it existed or what it did.”

A diaper manufacturer funded the first few diaper banks but as the number of diaper banks grew (from a handful in 2009 to about 150 in 2011 to 320 this year), diaper manufacturers said they couldn’t give away that many diapers. So diaper banks must raise the money to buy the diapers, which they usually get for a reduced rate from the diaper manufacturers.

“Diaper manufacturers stopped donating diapers in the year and a half that I’ve been here,” Lowe said. “We try to get different organizations to have a diaper drive—local service clubs, schools and youth service clubs, churches. We have a standing box inside our double doors at church, and it’s very common to see people dropping off diapers.”

Mueller added, “A lot of gracious and understanding people are starting to get educated about the Diaper Bank and writing us checks. The volunteers are starting to expand. As soon as you educate people, they step forward.”

If you want to know more contact Mueller at 815-385-0390, or email at revphyllis.stpauldiapersrus@gmail.com.

Lu Stanton León is a staff writer for Canticle Communications. This article ,from the Diocese of Los Angeles website, is an abridged version of an article, which was first posted on the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago’s website.

* * *

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR the Sanctuary Light or Altar Flowers in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a birthday, anniversary, or other special event, please sign up on the board in the Parish Center and indicate the person or occasion to be remembered. The suggested donation for flowers is $30; the Sanctuary Light is $10. Please mark your check for the Altar Guild.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

NOTABLE BOOKS God of Our Silent Tears

By The Rt. Rev’d Dan Edwards In his book “God of Our Silent Tears” author Dan Edwards takes up the questions Where does suffering come from? What kind of God would permit innocent suffering? What good is God when we suffer? Writing in his foreword, theologian John Westerhoff calls the book an invitation to engage in conversations with the church's theologians who have struggled throughout history with the question of how suffering forces us to rethink our understanding of the Christian faith and what it has to say about the nature and character of God, and about the purposes and destiny of human beings. Westerhoff adds that Edwards, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, continues an honorable tradition in the Christian church, offering an invitation to examine experiences and feelings, questions and reflections, doubts and convictions in our human quest for answers to our deep need...

JANUARY 2014

Backpacking Through the Anglican Communion: A Search for Unity

by The Rev. Jesse A. Zink The Anglican Communion is said to be coming apart at the seams. But is that really true? “Backpacking Through the Anglican Communion” is the exciting new book that challenges the tired narrative of Anglican disunity.

Jesse Zink has traveled tens of thousands of miles around the world, visiting and worshiping with Anglicans in some of the Communion’s most diverse provinces—Nigeria, the largest province ministering in an unstable political environment; South Sudan, at one point the fastest-growing church in the world, now rebuilding after devastating civil wars; England, the mother church of Anglicans, struggling to adjust to a new, secular age; South Africa, a church dealing with the legacy of entrenched discrimination and rapid social change.

The story Zink learns at the grassroots level of the church is far different from the one that dominates its highest levels. He shows that when conversations about power, history,

and sexuality are undertaken in a spirit of mutuality and trust, they can strengthen, not weaken, the Anglican Communion. The result is a book that presents vivid slices of Anglican life around the world, argues convincingly that unity is central to the Communion’s mission, and presents a credible path to achieving that unity in a global church.

It is a book that will be sure to shape coming debates about the future of the Anglican Communion.

(Comments are from Amazon.com) THE BIBLE CHALLENGE: Hello to all you out there who purchased The Bible Challenge book last year. There were 30 of you! We will be starting The Bible Challenge again, if you missed out last year. Our group meets once a month on the 4th Sunday at 11:30am in the Davis Library beginning January 26th.

You do not need to purchase the book to participate, just bring a Bible and a happy disposition to persevere through the dry parts of the Old Testament!

Please contact Susan Caldwell at 949.644.0463 Ext. 12 if you have any questions or would like to order a book.

FOR THE LLO OVE OF MIKE Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church A Christian Community of the Anglican Communion 3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625

8

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Inside the January Issue: Page 1: The New Y ear Year Page 4: Christ to the Nations P age 7: Diaper Ministry Page

Pray for and R emember our P arish Emergency FFund und Remember Parish