FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 67 Number 10
NOVEMBER 2017
The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael and All Angels Pacific View Drive at Marguerite
Corona del Mar
California 92625
FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR
All Saints’ Day – The Church Triumphant
A
ccording to the pundits and pollsters, we live in a “post-Christian” age. The headlines routinely bring us images and anecdotes that, we are told, demonstrate the Church’s weakness or irrelevance in contemporary society – declining church attendance, the Gospel coopted by politics, the manipulations and naked greed of predatory “televangelists.” It’s not a pretty picture. Given such abundant evidence of the flaws, weaknesses and failures of the Church, it’s not hard to understand why so many people are ready and willing to deem our times “post-Christian.” On Sunday, November 5, we will be celebrating All Saints’ Day, one of the greatest feasts of the Church year. It’s a day when we remember all the saints in our prayer and worship – famous saints like Francis of Assisi and Teresa of Avila, but also a vast multitude “of those whose faith is known to God alone.” It’s a day when we rejoice in the memory of every Christian who has ever lived, from the renowned to the obscure, from the ancient heroes of the faith to our own beloved dead, and we give thanks for their place “among the saints in the light.” This feast is a celebration of the triumph of the Church, because it is a celebration of the triumph of every individual Christian who has gone before us and now stands in the fullness of the light and life of the Triune God. All Saints’, in a way, is the Church’s celebration of Easter projected into the far distant future. Every Easter, indeed every day of our lives as believing and praying Christians, we celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ over the realities of sin, suffering and death. Every day we look back in faith and joy to the moment of Christ’s rising all those centuries ago, and we seek out ways to open our lives to the power of Christ’s Resurrection in our own day in the present time. But on All Saints’ Day, we celebrate in advance that glorious day in the distant future when all the saints will share in the fullness of the Resurrection. All the saints, mind you, from the famous to the unknown, the familiar to the strangers, the ancient to the modern and those saints yet to come, the faithful people we knew, loved and lost, and, of course, you and me as well. On All Saints’ Day we rejoice because the Church triumphant has room even for us! All Saints’ Day is a reminder to us that no matter what shape the Church may seem to be in at the moment, the triumph of the Resurrection will be sure and entire, and it will include us. Because we know that God will bring to completion the good work of the salvation of the human race, we get to celebrate that triumph far in advance, this year and every year on the Feast of All Saints. Pity the pundits and pollsters who have only the (supposed) demise of the Church to celebrate. We Christians know better. Happy All Saints’ Day!
949.644.0463
stmikescdm.ladiocese.org
JOURNEY TO GENEROSITY Dear Fellow Parishioners:
O
ctober 2017 was a busy month for St. Michael’s - it included the Commissioning of the Choirs, the Blessing of the Animals, and the Cavalcade of Saints. We also explored together how we could live more generously as individuals and as a community of faith during our annual Stewardship Campaign. As the Stewardship Vestry person and on behalf of the parish, I would like to thank everyone who joined this year’s Campaign and made a pledge for the coming year. Your commitment to the continuing life of this community is deeply appreciated. Without all of you St. Michael’s would not be the warm and wonderful place that is it. Your generosity, in response to the abundance in your life, represents a vote of confidence in the parish that will fund the mission and ministry of Saint Michaels and All Angels and transform lives as we journey forward in this time of transition. The Vestry expressed the hope of receiving pledge commitments from 100% of our worshiping community. If you are still considering pledging, please know that all pledges are welcome. Please turn in your pledge cards as soon as you are able. The Vestry will soon be considering the budget for 2018, and having accurate information will be very helpful during this process. Yours in Christ, Stacie Tibbetts Stewardship Commissioner SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE! SET UP DIRECT GIVING TO SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS: Pledge payments can now be scheduled using web banking. For details and instructions call our bookkeeper, Maile, in the Parish Office, 949-644-0463, ex. 15. She will be happy to help you simplify your life!
BUILDING OUR F AITH: L OVING CHRIST AND SER VING OUR COMMUNITY FAITH: LO SERVING
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
THE 2017 VESTRY Senior Warden...................................Mark Peterson markpeterson@catespeterson.com.......949.252.2622 Junior Warden........................................Clyde Dodge clydedodge@cox.net..............................949.375.1530 Christian Education...........................Melinda Rader melindarader2244@gmail.com...............949.230.3644 Clerk of the Vestry.....................................Jill Faller jjfaller@gmail.com...................................949.706.9495 Building and Grounds........................Michael Kiper Islandmd1@aol.com ...............................949.350.2884 Communications..................................Norris Battin nbattin+SMAA@gmail.com..................949.500.2442 Evangelism...................................Anne Warmington amwarmington@hotmail.com................202.550.4100 Fellowship .............................................Beth Bianchi bethebianchi@gmail.com.......................949.721.0192 Finance.................................................................Open Worship...............................The Rev. Michael Seiler mseiler@stmikescdm.org........................949.644.0463 Mission................................................Kati Nicholson kmowat22@gmail.com............................949.300.3164 Stewardship.........................................Stacie Tibbetts sltibbet@uci.edu......................................714.544.8490 Ombudsperson...................................Craig Kennedy ckennedy@cpkenlaw.com................... ..949.474.1500
50 YEARS! . Our parish history, “A Celebration of 50 Years,” is available for $15 from Lulu Press bit.ly/SMAAhistory. Twenty percent of the purchase price supports our parish budget. 51 pages of text, color photographs, and historical tables.
NOVEMBER 2017
St. Mike’s Gift Fair November 19th 8am-1pm
P
lease mark your calendars for the Annual St. Mike’s Gift Fair. As usual we will be holding the Fair on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to give you all a chance to get some gift shopping done before the holidays are upon us! The St. Mike’s Gift Fair is a great place to stock up on unique host/hostess gifts as well as stocking-stuffers and Christmas gifts. This year we hope to grow the Fair and invite the broader community to shop with us. Annual favorites like Free Wheelchair Mission, Heifer International, St. Mike’s Table, St. Mike’s Youth table, Zatoun Olive Oil, and Origami Owl Jewelry will be returning - and NEW vendors like Mixed Bakery, OneHope Wine, See’s Candies, and others will be joining the fun! Help Needed: If you know of an artisan or business owner who you think we should invite to participate in our Gift Fair, please contact me at kmowat22@gmail.com and I can reach out to them to give them the details. If you would like to volunteer to support this event (set-up / host a table / make snacks etc...), please contact me as well! Music, Snacks, Activities for the kids will be provided. Cash, Cheques, and Credit Cards will be accepted.
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NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Birthdays 1st - Barbara Black 3rd - Cam Wallis 7th - Jim Headley 11th - Constance Davidson 18th - Laird Blue 19th - Marcia Commins 19th - Danielle Shaw 24th - Adam Dooley 25th - Harry Stahl 25th - Jeff Stone 26th - Robin Hardt 28th - Sy Black
Baptisms 1st - Lynne Ruedy Anne Warmington 8th - Susan Zevnik 16th - Stacy Stone Weddings
21st Keith & Paddy Nelson 23rd Tony & Mary Caldarone 28th Harry & Susan Stahl
SENIOR FITNESS: An exercise class for seniors meets for an hour every week on Tuesdays at 1:30pm in the North Wing. If you would like more information and are interested, please contact Peggy Montgomery, 949.644.2239.
---Kati Nicholson
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PDF COPY of our Parish Directory, please send a request to nbattin+SMAA@gmail.com.
ADULT ACOLYTE CAPTAINS NEEDED: The ministry commitment is based on a rotation Sunday schedule and on an “as needed” basis depending upon the liturgical calendar year. Contact Susan Caldwell, Director of Christian Education, 949.644.0463 ext.12 if you would like to take part in the Acolyte Ministry at Saint Michael & All Angels.
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE is a publication of Saint Michael and 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 sbeechner@stmikescdm.org nbattin@gmail.com www.stmikescdm.ladiocese.org
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
FORWARD MOVEMENT PUBLICATIONS The daily message from the venerable Episcopal Church publication “Forward Day by Day” appears each morning on the Daily Mike Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/ SMAAdailymike/timeline. A ministry of The Episcopal Church, Forward Movement has been inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists around the globe since 1935 through our offerings that encourage spiritual growth in congregations and individuals:https://fowardmovement.org. Please check our Forward Movement display rack on the wall in Michael’s Room. Pick up a pamphlet or two to share with family and friends. We provide a donation box for your convenience. “The Bible & Episcopalians,” this month’s selection from Forward Movement, is ‘a must read’ for all of us. The Rev’d James L. Burns summarizes for the reader lessons on how to read the Bible. “For Episcopalians, strict literalism is not the primary approach to holy scripture. Our tradition invites us to engage the Bible with intelligence, faith, humility, and love, seeking to find the meaning of God’s Word in the context of our lives and our world.” The author explains what the Bible is and what it is not. He encourages “regular and faithful reading of scripture as a discipline, just like physical exercise.” --Ruth Poole DO YOU HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS? Please contact sbeechner@stmikescdm.org with changes or additions. A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and continuing on earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --BCP page 816
NOVEMBER 2017
Women's Fellowship Meet, Greet, Eat
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REBEKAH By Frederick Buechner
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Rebekah's marriage to Isaac was a family arrangement rather than a love match, and all the love she had in her to give she seems to have lavished on Jacob. When she overheard old Isaac say that he was going to give Jacob's twin brother, Esau, the paternal blessing and make him his heir, she was almost beside herself. She ran and told Jacob what was up and said he'd better get to Isaac before Esau did or Esau would get the blessing and everything that went with it and Jacob wouldn't get a blessed thing. Jacob objected that, blind as Isaac was, he would still be able to tell the brothers apart because Esau was a hairy man whereas he, Jacob, had all he could do just to raise a toothbrush mustache. Just one touch, Jacob said, and the old duffer would know that something fishy was going on. Rebekah thought fast and, after dressing Jacob up in one of Esau's best suits, produced some bearskin gloves for him to put on his hands and an extra pelt to wrap around his neck. The trick worked beautifully. Isaac thought it was Esau kneeling before him, and Jacob carried the day. When the cat was finally out of the bag, Esau first burst into tears and then announced that, by the time he got through with Jacob, not even his mother would recognize him. But again Rebekah thought fast. She told Jacob what his brother had in mind and persuaded him to get out of town while he could still walk. Jacob took the advice, and the bitter irony of it is that if Rebekah ever saw the apple of her eye again, it is at least not so recorded. It is also not recorded when or where or in what state of mind Rebekah finally died, but there is a note to the effect that when the time came, they buried the lonely old woman in a cave at Machpelah. Years later Jacob was buried there too, and if she had any way of knowing about it, one can imagine her happy at last to be lying there side by side with the beloved boy for whose sake she had betrayed not only Isaac, her husband, and Esau, her son, but God himself, in whose name the fateful blessing had been given. Genesis 24-27
LEST WE FORGET: There have been 4,545 American military casualties in Iraq and 2,394 in Afghanistan and other locations. "Lord hear our prayers for those who are dead and for those who mourn."
Originally published in “Peculiar Treasures” and later in “Beyond Words.” The Rev. Frederick Buechner is a Christian theologian and author of 36 books, including an autobiography, essays, sermons, quotes, fiction, and other nonfiction.
Do you have a desire to make some new friends and deepen personal relationships with fellow parishioners? Enjoy relaxed conversation in small groups? Then Meet, Greet, and Eat is for you! We will organize small groups (6-8) for pot-luck meals to be held in homes. You may chose to host a group, but that is not necessary to participate. Singles and couples are welcomed! If you are interested, please contact Beth Bianchi, 949.636.3418.
* * * INKLINGS: Meets monthly on the third Thursday, 9:30-11am, in the Davis Library to read and study writings of C.S. Lewis. Susan Caldwell leads the discussion.
* * * ACOLYTES NEEDED: Do you have one hour to offer this parish each month? Would you like to participate in the worship service on Sundays by carrying the Cross or lighting the candles? Acolyting is a valuable ministry in the life of Saint Michael & All Angels. Please contact Susan Caldwell if you are interested in learning more about this ministry or to volunteer! 949.644.0463 x12.
* * * FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE - ADS WANTED: Our newsletter is printed by C & M Publications at no cost to St. Mike’s, thanks to the support of the local businesses whose ads are 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, 949.644.0463x10.
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS
EPISCOPAL CHURCH 3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625 949.644.0463 949.644.9247 FAX stmikescdm.ladiocese.org A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
Our mission is to seek and share Jesus Christ as spiritual food for life’s journey.
The Rev. Michael Seiler Interim Rector [mseiler@stmikescdm.org] The Rev. Dr. Barbara Stewart, Associate Rector [barbarastewart001@gmail.com] Susan Caldwell Director of Christian Education [scaldwell@stmikescdm.org] Ray Urwin, D.M.A. Director of Music [raywurwin@gmail.com] The Rev. Glenn Libby Canterbury Irvine The Rev. Canon Ray Fleming Assisting Priest The Rev. Norm Freeman Assisting Priest Susan Beechner, Parish Secretary [sbeechner@stmikescdm.org] Maile Jansen, Bookkeeper [MaileJansen@stmikescdm.org]
Sunday Sunday worship schedule Holy Eucharist 8am & 10am Sunday School 9:45am Adult Education 9am Nursery Care from 9:30am Wednesday Noon Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing-12 noon ABOUT SAINT MICHAEL AND 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.
NOVEMBER 2017
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Susan Caldwell
Five Loaves of Challah
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utumn is a season for ingathering and for harvest. I enjoy seeing the fall leaves and the pumpkins about the time when August becomes September. The large Harvest moon will rise and the days become cooler, with the crisp air coming in the morning and in the evening when the sun sets. Even here in California we will start marking the days as “sweater weather.” In the Jewish tradition during this autumn season, Rosh Hashanna, the New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement will be followed by Sukkot. Sukkot is the "Feast of Ingathering” and the end of the harvest season and agricultural year in Israel. In our Episcopal tradition, October makes its presence known with Blessing of the Animals. Next, we will see All Saints Day at the beginning of November. Scripture comes alongside us in our journey, this planet our Island home. We hear on the heels of Creation in Genesis 8 how once Noah has lodged his vessel on Mount Ararat and disembarks to build a smoking altar to the Lord, God, having enjoyed the smell, makes this pronouncement, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease.” Things go along, the earth continues to spin in its orbit. I was sitting at a Coffee Bean coffee house in Goleta with my daughter Jacqueline during her October season mid-terms at UCSB. After a fast and furious catch up with me on all past events and things significant, she was busy at work at her laptop. We sat in silence drinking our respective beverages, hers a coffee with nitro and mine an African Sunrise herbal tea with nonfat milk. All very telling of 2017. As I looked at my daughter across the small square table, I remember those days my time at college -long hours crafting term papers, a continual need to press forward to finishing the scheduled syllabus reading for the day. All that academic work that seemed to have no Continued on page 7
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PRAYERS HEALING Brad Nadine Suzie Teri Michele Joanne Polly Craig Norm Ron Herb Olive Mark Burton Jay Carolyn Keith Rebecca GUIDANCE Whitney Scott, Samantha, Shelby Cliff Dale Mari Lynn & Jim Diane Joan Sandra Sarah & Jeff Mary & Sandy and L.J. Warren THANKSGIVING - with The Rev. Michael Seiler for the many blessings of God in my life. - For the birthday of Carrie Paulson Greco - In loving memory of Julie Paulson Smallin; and Jim & Dottie Valentine
Call Esther McNamee for prayer requests 949.640.1749
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
THE PARISH NECROLOGY for 2017 will be read on November 5th at the 8am and 10am worship services and at the Praying Our Goodbyes service at 4pm that afternoon. Please submit names of departed loved ones you’d like remembered to: The Rev. Michael Seiler, mseiler@stmikescdm.org or 949.644-0463; or to Susan Beechner at the Parish Office (sbeechner@stmikescdm.org. AFTER THE RECENT HURRICANES, , EARTHQUAKES, AND FIRES: If you are thinking about making a donation to help with relief and recovery efforts in California, Texas, Mexico, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and beyond, consider visiting the following website: Episcopal Relief & Development.
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READ BISHOP TAYLOR’S POSTS to the diocese at our Facebook page, and check it every day. The Daily Mike h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / SMAAdailymike/timeline. #bishopcoadj.
* * * A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM The Living Church is published on the Daily Mike Facebook page. https:// www.facebook.com/SMAAdailymike/ timeline. You can also read the day’s morning and evening prayer there.
* * * UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.
NOVEMBER 2017 5
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.
* * * 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. If you are able to contribute to this fund, all gifts are welcome!
* * * WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP: Happy Thanksgiving! We will meet on Tuesday, November 28th, with a focus on gratitude. We meet at 7pm in the home of Beth Bianchi. For questions and directions, please call Beth, 949.636.3418. And please join us. All are welcome!
* * * REMINDER: Please wear your name badge on Sundays.
* * * ONLINE LEARNING - TRY CHURCHNEXT: We continue to explore the resources for online learning available to us through "The Well," which is our parish's module within the ChurchNext website. ChurchNext has a number of offerings and is constantly being updated and expanded. A number of our parishioners have participated. Please take a moment to obtain a user name and become familiar with the offerings. The website offers a wealth of opportunities for reflection and learning both in a group and individually. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please contact Susan Caldwell, 949.644.0463 ext. 12, or scaldwell@stmikescdm.org.
MISSION COMMISSION NEWS & ACTIVITIES Coming up: Homeless CarKit Drive; Adopt a Family (or 5) for Christmas; and Saint Mike’s Gift Fair. Organizations St. Mike’s currently sponsors: Canterbury Irvine (UCI), HomeAid Orange County, Compass Rose Society, Share Ourselves (SOS), United Thank Offering, Camp Stevens, and Theological Education. Fundraising opportunities: Amazon Smile (.5% of qualifying purchases donated to SMAA), Youth Table at Gift Fair, Youth Car Wash, Paint Night Out, and Kids Learn to Knit. To volunteer, contact Kati Mowat, 949.300.3164, or kmowat22@gmail.com..Kati Nicholson
* * * AFTER MANY YEARS OF SERVICE, LOAVES AND FISHES HAS SADLY CLOSED. Maria Dzida, who was the heart of Loaves and Fishes, has retired. The organization, under her direction, played an important role in the community and in the lives of those whom they served and will surely be missed. Thank you all for the wonderful support you have given to this project for many years!
* * * HELP FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE: We are always in need of donations for replenishing our food cupboard. Please call the parish office with any questions or to learn what types of food are currently needed. THANK YOU ALL for your help with this project. Amazon donates to Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church when you shop @AmazonSmile. http://smile.amazon.com/ch/330512534 #YouShopAmazonGives MEN’S GROUP: Meets on Thursdays at 7:30am in the Davis Library to discuss questions relating to theology, science, and philosophy. All men are welcome.
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THERE IS a lost and found box in Michael’s Room.--Look for it there!
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
L.A. MAYOR, COUNCIL HONOR BISHOP BRUNO By Bob Williams [Episcopal News Update] Praising Bishop Jon Bruno for his pastoral and prophetic leadership, LosAngeles Mayor Eric Garcetti opened the Oct. 18 City Council session with remarks thanking the bishop and Mary Bruno for their numerous contributions to the city and to his own formation as a civic leader. Bishop Bruno "taught me... to listen to the people who are in greatest need in this city," Garcetti said, describing Bruno as "a man with the biggest heart I know, who pastors unlike anybody I've met. But he's also been a prophet: in uncomfortable ways and uncomfortable moments, at difficult moments, and at crises we've faced, he's always steered our faces and our feet toward justice: Hands in Healing, Seeds of Hope, the Diocesan Reconciliation Project... working to end violence... love has always been the guiding principle." Citing Bruno's "work in the Episcopal Diocese to address our homeless brothers and sisters, LGBTQ Angelenos, folks in our immigrant communities," Garcetti said the bishop "not only stood up for those voices; he has brought us all together to do the same. Speaking "on behalf of millions of Angelenos, 10 million who live in this county, and 18 million" in the region, Garcetti thanked Bruno "for unyielding dedication you've given this city of angels. We've said it in this chambers, and maybe it is an overstatement: this truly is an angel in this City of Angels." Bruno responded, saying "I'm overwhelmingly thankful for the city of Los Angeles. I was born here in 1946, and I was able to work here in all sorts of capacities - law enforcement, as a clergy member, as a chaplain to the Los Angeles Police Department for 25 years." Bruno praised his spouse as "the reason that I have love in my heart," the person who "has taught me to be in relationship with anyone and everyone, even if they were saying terrible things about me." Thanking the mayor for his friendship, the bishop addressed the council: "Hope is given by leaders. Every single one of you people around this horseshoe should be praised for bringing hope to this city, for bringing abundance of life to its citizens, and, yes, for having a loving and gentle, caring concern for those who are less fortunate." The mayor's remarks came in advance of Bruno's retirement on Nov. 30, 18 years after his election as bishop in 1999.
NOVEMBER 2017
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EPISCOPALIANS’ ‘WIDOW’S MITE’ IS DOING MIGHTY WORK IN RECENT DISASTER RELIEF By Mary Frances Schjonberg [Episcopal News Service]The Episcopal Church’s roadmap of the Jesus Movement has been guiding Episcopalians in their response to the chain of disasters that have struck the world in the last two months. “You can see it in that we have various departments of the presiding bishop’s staff, the companion dioceses, Church Insurance, diaspora Episcopalians, ourselves [at Episcopal Relief & Development], friends and good people of faith all working together,” Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development senior vice president of programs, told the Executive Council Oct. 19. Nelson gave council members an overview of the kinds of work Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting by way of what she called “this great chain of strength and assets” that is enabling Episcopalians to “do much more than we can do alone.” That work includes such efforts as setting up online tools for effected Episcopalians to communicate with each other and keep track of work done and help needed. The organization is also supporting such efforts as helping to supply water, tarps, solar batteries, pastoral care and connecting with other relief and government agencies. “You can see glimmers of the Jesus Movement when clergy are speaking up at government meetings,” she said, explaining that those clergy members were advocating for their communities. “You can see it in how homeless people are living on church property in the Florida Keys. You can see it in the pastoral care that is being given to the thousands who have lost everything. You can see it in how we are texting and talking and trying to figure out how best to be of support.” Since early August, Episcopal Relief & Development has been responding, in partnership with local Episcopalians and Anglicans and other relief agencies, to the effects of:severe flooding in the Indian state of West Bengal after heavy rains in July and August. They have also responded to Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm near Rockport, Texas, on the barrier islands beyond Corpus Christi on
Aug. 25, and then moved northwest to flood the greater Houston area. And on Hurricane Irma, which pulverized parts of the Leeward Islands as a Category 5 on Sept. 5-6 and then moved north to hit Florida and Georgia; and a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that caused major damage Sept. 19 in central Mexico, including in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Morelos and Puebla. Also there was Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 hurricane that tore through the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Sept. 20; and wildfires in Northern California that erupted the night of Oct. 8 and are still raging. “I have been here 18 years and I have never seen anything like this,” Nelson said of her work with Episcopal Relief & Development. “We’re here living in extraordinary times and I think they require extraordinary response from us.” “We are a widow’s mite,” Nelson acknowledged. “The money we have – and it’s still coming in and everyone’s doing their best – will be nowhere near what is needed. We are the widow’s mite, so we really need to think carefully about where that mite goes and how to leverage our relations, how we network into other resources and not think ourselves as the only resource to our churches.” Nelson urged patience as more and more Episcopalians want to come to hard-hit areas and lend a hand. Those areas will be ready to receive volunteers at various times, based on the situation on the ground. “No one is quite up to it yet,” she said. Right now, there is a major need for pilots and planes able to fly into areas where air-traffic control systems are not functioning. “We’re looking for clear, leverage-able ways to get supplies into islands that we can trust,” she said. Nelson also urged Episcopalians to keep their wicks trimmed and their gobags ready. “I’m really serious,” she said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen next year or tomorrow or with winter storms or whatever. So, think of yourselves and your family, your church, your diocese – how you will stay in touch with each other, how you [could] be [living] by yourself for at least two weeks. (Edited for length.) “There is no cavalry. We need to be really mindful of each other.”
NOVEMBER 2017
IN THE COMING WEEKS
Calendar of Ev ents At Saint Mic hael & All Ang els Events Michael Angels
EACH WEEK
Sunday
Tuesday
The Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Sundays-at-Nine, 9:00 a.m., DL Nursery Care from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Godly Play, children 4-11, Yellow Room Formation, 5th-8th grade, Green Room J2A, high school, 1st & 4th Sundays, Blue Room Senior Fit, 1:30-2:30 p.m., SW AA Meeting, 7:00 p.m., SW
Wednesday AA meeting, 7:00-8:00 a.m., SW Staff Meeting, 10:00 a.m., DL The Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing, Noon SAA meeting, 7:30-9:00 p.m., SW Thursday
Men’s Group, 7:30-9:00 a.m., DL Choir Rehearsal, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday
AA meeting, 7:00-10:00 p.m., SW
Saturday
Coptic Christian Church, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Sanctuary (-
Sun., Nov. 5th
Daylight Saving ends - Fall Back! All Saints’ Sunday The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Praying Our Goodbyes, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Wed., Nov. 8th
Senior Ministry, 2:00 p.m., CR Vestry Meeting, 5:30 p.m., CR
Fri., Nov. 10th
Parish Office closed for Veterans’ Day
Sun., Nov. 12th
The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Youth Choir, 9:00 a.m., NW Adult Christian Ed. Com., 11:20 a.m., CR
Wed., Nov. 15th
Deadline for December For the Love of Mike, 5:00 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 16th Inklings, 9:30-11:00 a.m., DL Sun., Nov. 19th
The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. St. Mike’s Annual Gift Fair, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., MR Worship Commission, 11:30 a.m., CR
Thurs., Nov. 23rd Thanksgiving Day - Office closed Fri., Nov. 24th
Office closed for day after Thanksgiving
Sun., Nov. 26th
Last Sunday after Pentecost The Bible Challenge, 7:30 p.m., DL The Holy Eucharist, 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Gift Fair II Friends of Music Board Meeting, 11:20 a.m., DL Women’s Fellowship, 7:00 p.m., Bianchi’s Home
IN THE COMING MONTH MEETING ROOMS:
AAC - All Angels’ Court DL - Davis Library RR - Red Room, AAC CRR - Corner Room SW - South Wing MR - Michael’s Room YR - Yellow Room, AAC NW - North Wing GR - Green Room, AAC CR - Conference Room BR - Blue Room
Diocesan Convention, Fri., & Sat., 12/1 & 12/2, Ontario First Sunday of Advent - Begin Year B - 12/13 CdM Christmas Walk, Sun., 12/13, 12:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 17th Children’s Christmas Pageant, 4:00 p.m. Last Sunday of Advent, Sun., 12/ 24 - no 8 am service, no Sundays at 9 Sun., Dec. 24th Christmas Eve, Music at 5pm , services at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 25th Christmas Day, 10:00 a.m.
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ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISC / 68
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FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
NOVEMBER 2017
7
Continued from page 4
St. Mike’s Social Media For parish events and activities: www. facebook.com/ SMAACDM For daily worship and meditations plus news from our diocese, the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and global religion news: The Daily Mike www.facebook.com/ SMAAdailymike/timeline http://bit.ly/DailyMike (free daily newsletter) And also: SMAA Friends of Music www.facebook.com/ SMAAFriendsofMusic St. Mike’s website: www.stmikescdm.ladiocese.org Parish email: smaa@stmikescdm.org For the Love of Mike online (color edition with live links and back issues): Use the Issuu app on either Facebook page
Instagram: Stmikessocal
end in sight. -College days. Jackie was glad that I came to visit, perhaps for only a brief time as far as the clock was concerned, but for familial support, a joy transfusion into the arm. As parents know, young adults can lean into and appreciate Mom or Dad’s taking on the mantle of responsibility, even if it is only for a good minute. As I respected the invisible sign “do not disturb” as she clicked away on her laptop, I went over my own to do lists on a notebook. As I cast my gaze across the coffee shop, I watched as one of the workers with a large trash bag went past the display table and nonchalantly moved each round and well-packaged loaf of challah bread into the trash bag. Once all five loaves were in the bag, the worker made her way to the back of the kitchen. I careened myself to the side of the table to see if I could see if she was going to do what I really thought she was going to do, namely throw those beautiful loaves into a trash bin. I knew they were beautiful loaves because just fifteen minutes prior, when I had arrived at the café, I saw the loaves on their display table. I had admired them and had meant to make mention of them to Jacqueline. I Contemplated even buying one. While my girls were growing up, I often made challah bread, the Jewish festival yeast bread. Though I may not thoroughly observe Rosh Hoshanna and Yom Kippur in my faith tradition, I always try to be mindful of those of our community who are celebrating their high holy days. So I knew that the challah bread that was being sold in Coffee Bean, a kosher establishment, to have been made available for those Jewish costumers wanting to bring home a loaf. I had just read The Rev. Marek Zabriskie’s latest Bible Challenge book, “The Social Justice Bible Challenge,” and the passage from Leviticus 19 “You shall reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.” I thought about perfectly good food being given to the poor, homeless and the hungry.
I walked up to the counter in the café and asked the barista, “Did those loaves just get thrown out?” And the young man said, “Yes, the date of expiration has just passed.” Not wanting to get in a wrangle right then and there about feeding the poor and having to acknowledge the standard rebuttal about food handling laws, I sat down wondering if there couldn’t be a better way of handling the throwing out of packaged food? I thought about all the homeless in Santa Barbara and Goleta. And then I thought about the homeless in Costa Mesa who might have liked to have had a slice of challah bread, which is rich in egg and milk and butter. When I lived in a missionary dorm in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, they would ring the main house bell when the donations came in from Brumbys, the local bakery. The day old bread would be spread out on a counter top for the missionaries and seminary students to have their fill. Like manna from heaven we enjoyed this gracious gift from the local vendor. We really didn’t care that it was a bit dry or not packaged. It was just there and it was free. And it helped to supplement our tight budgets. Sometimes even a fancy cupcake, or scone, or jelly roll made it into the bread heap and then was given to an on-looking missionary child who considered this a delight. I will be having more conversations in the future about five beautiful challah loaves. It is reminiscent to me of the story of five loaves and two fishes. How far can a small amount of food go? Several years ago, when I was in Trader Joes during this same season of Autumn, I bought a loaf of challah bread. A woman passed by me with her shopping cart. She too had a loaf of challah bread. She looked at me with a smile and said, “Shana Tova” and I replied, smiling, “Shana Tova.” L’shana tova tikateyvu, “May you be written in the Book of Life for a good year.”
NOVEMBER 2017 8
FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE
ST. MIKES IS ESTABLISHING A GIRLS FRIENDLY SOCIETY CHAPTER . Look for more information as we lay the groundwork. We (girls and parents) have an opportunity to join other local branches on Saturday, November 4th, from 10am-2:00pm at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church for a day of information, fun, and friendship. Questions? Contact Beth Bianchi 949-636-3418. GFS is an old fashioned name for tomorrow's leaders. The organization is 140 years old, but is always looking to the future. Activities and programs teach the Bible, Christian service, and current issues at appropriate age levels to girls age 5-18. Some interesting history of GFS is here: .http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2017/10/19/the-girlsfriendly-society/
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE ST. MICHAEL'S CHOIR FOR LAST SUNDAYAFTERNOON - THE BEGINNING OF A NEW TRADITION OF CHORAL EVENSONGS AT ST. MIKE'S! And how about the attendance?? Wow! By Fr. Michael’s count, 31! How nice that this time there were more people in the nave than the chancel! And thanks to Fr. Michael for his bulletin wizardry! The program: Prelude: Psalm-Prelude Set 1 No. 2 Herbert Howells Preces and Responses: Richard Ayleward Phos hilaron: Richard Proulx Psalm 116: Anglican chant by Ray Urwin Canticles: Stanford in C Anthem: O Lord, support us Proulx Postlude: Festival Voluntary (Op. posth.) Howells
* * * SOCIAL MEDIA SCOREBOARD: During the past month, “The Blessing of the Animals” announcement drew the most views on our two Facebook pages. followed by “Making Guacamole” (boosted). The Thanksgiving Food Drive in support of Families Forward Thanksgiving and the parish stewardship campaign announcement (boosted) also had strong scores. Globally, The Episcopal Church had 168 thousand “likes” last month. Join us on Facebook …it’s not just for kids anymore! Some great new pics on Instagram, too: https:// www.instagram.com/stmikessocal/. And don’t forget our website http://stmikescdm.ladiocese.org/.
Onward!
--Ray Urwin, director of music
* * * ST. MIKE’S COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION is looking for volunteers to help in the parish’s marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts. If interested, please contact Norris Battin at 949.500.2442, or nbattin+SMAA@gmail.com.
FOR THE LLO OVE OF MIKE Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church A Christian Community of the Anglican Communion 3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Inside the November Issue: Page Page Page
1: 4: 8:
All Saints Day Five Loaves of Challah New Girls FFriendly riendly Society Chapter
STAY CONNECTED: website: stmikescdm.ladiocese.org email: smaa@stmikescdm.org www.facebook.com/SMAAdailymike www. facebook.com/SMAACDM Instagram: stmikessocal
Pray for and R emember our P arish Emergency FFund und Remember Parish