FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 63 Number 10
NOVEMBER 2013
The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael Pacific View Drive at Marguerite
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Corona del Mar
BELOVEDS IN CHRIST,
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California 92625
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...From the Desk of the Rector
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ovember begins with All Saints and All Souls days. We will celebrate on Sunday morning, November 3 at both eight and ten o’clock celebrations of The Holy Eucharist and with “Praying Our Goodbyes” at four o’clock that Sunday afternoon. The Collect for All Saints’ Day prays, “Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you...” (BCP 245) November ends with Thanksgiving Day. We will celebrate on November 28 at 10:00 a.m. with great hymns like “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing,” “Come, ye thankful people, come,” “For the beauty of the earth,” and “Now thank we all our God.” The Collect for Thanksgiving Day (BCP 246) prays, “Make us...faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need...” Why not combine All Saints/Souls and Thanksgiving? Every day I give thanks for Don & Polly, my parents, and for other family, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, coaches who have enriched and brought God’s grace into my life. I whole-heartedly recommend this exercise and trust you will find it as rewarding, too. Observing All Saints/Souls days my feelings turn to nostalgia and lament over those who I’ve loved, and to wondering what heaven might be like. Our Catechism (BCP 862) says, “By heaven, we mean eternal life in our enjoyment of God.” Children have equally lovely perspectives: Eight-year-old Eric says, “Heaven is a place where there is a lot of money lying around. You could just pick it up, play with it, and buy things. I think I am going to buy a basketball and I am going to ‘shoot hoops’ with my great-great-grandmother.” Suzi: “Heaven is up in the sky, and you could look down at circuses for free if you want to, except you have to ask God for permission first.” Katie: “I know hat heaven is, but I don’t want to go there. I want to go to Disneyland.” Billie got into lots of mischief and his mother said, “Billy, how do you ever expect to get into heaven acting like that?” Billy thought for a moment, then he said, “Well, I’ll just run in-and-out and keep slamming the door until they say, ‘For goodness’ sake, either come in or stay out.’ Then I’ll go in.” And the young girl who I think understood it best looked at the stars one night, admiring their beauty; then she turned to her father and said, “Dad, I have been thinking: If the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what will the right side be?” Observing Thanksgiving Day I want to be lighthearted and part of formerly dispersed family gathered at laden tables and/or around games, a rare interval of authentic leisure. What I love most is Thanksgiving’s underlying idea: that existence itself is a gift.
& All Angels 949.644.0463
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www.stmikescdm.org
PARISH NEWS AND NOTES
* * * FINANCIAL UPDATE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2013 Preliminary YTD Income is $373,132. Our YTD Expense is $419,944. The parish Net Ordinary Income is ($46,812), which is $222 ahead of our plan. Our YTD Pledge Income is $304,548 which is $14,201 below our plan through the end of 2013. In the month of September we doubled our deficit, primarily because pledges were not received. At the end of September 2012 our ordinary income was ($42,480), and we are $4,331 behind last year. Our total operating cash balance is $226,162 of which $146,940 is designated gifts; leaving a net balance of $79,222. This also includes funds raised for the church refurbishment. The Endowment Trust has a balance of $ 164,461. 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.
* * * LOAVES AND FISHES: In November we will collect new white crew socks for men, women and children. 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 #952123746)
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BUILDING OUR FAITH: LOVING CHRIST AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY