For The Love of Mike November 2012

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 62 Number 10

NOVEMBER 2012

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, Giving is essential!

In this world’s oldest organized religion, Hinduism, dana (giving) is part of one’s dharma (religious duty) and the wealth a person acquires is not for him/ herself but for the welfare of others. The Bhagavadgita speaks of three types of giving: A gift given without any expectation of appreciation or reward is beneficial to both giver and recipient. A gift given reluctantly and with expectation of some advantage is harmful to both giver and recipient. Giving motivated by selfish considerations, or given reluctantly, loses its value from the spiritual point of view.

In Buddhism, motivation for giving to others is as important as what is given.

Pure motivations include giving without expectation of reward, giving without attachment, and giving to release greed and self-clinging. Buddhist wisdom is that giving and receiving are equally good, but there are no givers and no receivers. Any merit that might come with giving is to be dedicated to the liberation of others.

The Torah legislated giving 10% of earnings to the poor every third year (Deuteronomy 26:12) and an additional percentage of income annually (Leviticus 19); the Torah allows giving up to 20%. Hundreds of years later, after the Temple was destroyed, the Talmud ordered that Jews were to give at least 10%, a tithe, of their annual net earnings to tzedaka. Tzedaka derives from the Hebrew word tzedek, which means justice. Performing deeds of justice is the most important obligation Judaism imposes and Jews have been assessed tzedaka just as everyone today is assessed taxes. Rabbi Mark Miller says, “Tzedaka may not save us, but it makes us worth saving.”

“Five Pillars of Worship,” the foundations of Islam, are: Shahada (Testifying), Salat (Praying), Zakat (Helping the Needy), Saum (Reflecting and Fasting), and Hajj (making the Pilgrimage to Mecca).

The zakat is an obligatory tax that every Muslim pays annually. Details get complicated, but the basic rate is 2.5% of all liquid assets and income-producing property. The Qur’an extols charitable acts; Sura 2:267 says, “O you who believe! Give in charity of the good things you earn and of what God has given you.”

Phyllis Tickle, author and teacher and an Episcopalian, calls Mormonism “the fourth great Abrahamic faith,” alongside Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Mormons take the meaning of tithe, a “tenth”, literally. The LDS Church expects its members to give the Church a full 10% of their “increase,” which most people understand to mean all the money they earn, after business expenses but before personal living expenses.

(Continued on page 3)

& All Angels 949.644.0463

www.stmikescdm.org

PARISH NEWS AND NOTES JOURNEY BEGINS NOVEMBER 19 th : JOURNEY is a program of spiritual growth and thoughtful exploration. It is for adults who sense the need for something else in their lives of faith and who desire to engage their faith journey at a deeper level.

JOURNEY arose in the realization that God’s call to each of us is unique and can come at any stage of our lives. It is dedicated to the historically Anglican recognition that growth in the spiritual life needs also to be grounded in a sound understanding of our faith. Participants meet weekly at the church on Monday evenings, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., and continue through April 15th. Completing JOURNEY is a major commitment, but it’s an exciting journey which can transform our lives as individual Christians and as a community.

Enrollment is limited and if you’re interested you must contact Fr. Peter Haynes, Susan Caldwell, or Fr. Jeff Hulet before November 1st. Brochures explaining the JOURNEY program are available in the back of the church and in Michael’s Room, and a complete JOURNEY schedule is posted on the bulletin board in Michael’s Room. You can also receive either the brochure or schedule, or address any questions you have, via e-mail from Fr. Jeff: frjeffhulet@yahoo.com.

* * *

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to spend an hour of serenity in guided contemplative prayer. Gather in the church north transept, to the left of the altar as you enter.

(More News and Notes on page 2)

BUILDING OUR F AITH: L OVING CHRIST AND SER VING OUR COMMUNITY FAITH: LO SERVING

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

NOVEMBER 2012

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(MORE) PARISH NEWS AND NOTES CONTRIBUTION WERE MADE to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund most recently by Dan Connelly and by Marilyn & Bob Whiton in thanksgiving; by Buzz & Julie Howting in thanksgiving for the baptism of their granddaughter Bridget Caroline Strom.These funds extend our Parish’s mission of outreach, providing for such needs as can be helped by financial assistance.

* * * THE MEN’S GROUP started many years ago and apart from the usual male camaraderie actively participates in SMAA activities such as the Lenten Series. Each week we discuss a chapter or two of a book, typically on theology, philosophy and science. Our only rule is to talk respectfully to each other - no politics! We meet 7.309.00am each Thursday in Davis Library. All men are welcome, regardless of faith or lack of it.

* * * LOAVES AND FISHES: This November we are collecting large cans of regular grind coffee. 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)

* * * UPDATED PARISH DIRECTORIES are

available in Michael’s Room.

St. Mike’s Facebook Page facebook.com/SMAACDM “Like” us Read us every day WE’VE GOT 40 42 43 44 CAN WE REACH 50?

Senior Warden................................Lynn Headley [pirrung@earthlink.net] 714.963.5932 Junior Warden.................................Paul Multari [paul.multari@sce.com 949.760-1454 Christian Education...................... Anne Conover [anabananacaddie@aol.com] 949.721.1050 Clerk of the Vestry...........................Gail Haghjoo [gail@hallresearch.com] 714.966.0314 Building and Grounds.........................Mike Ortt seagate@socal.rr.com 714.323.8189

VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR CELEBRATION of All Saints/Souls on November 4, 2012, at both 8 and 10am and “Praying Our Goodbyes” at 4pm will be reading the names of beloveds who have died since All Saints/Souls 2011. Please… get names of your beloveds who have died during this past year to Peter before November 4 and invite their families and friends to join you for worship in both morning and afternoon that Sunday.

* * * LEST WE FORGET: There have been 4,488 American military casualties in Iraq and 2,005 in Afghanistan. "Lord hear our prayers for those who are dead and for those who mourn."

* * * 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.

We rejoice at the dedication of our labyrinth. It is a great opportunity to read "Walking the Labyrinth." This pamphlet gives a brief description and history of the meaning and use of the labyrinth. Contained are suggestions for you. "There is no one way to walk the labyrinth. This is your journey and your experience. Take your time and walk in your own way." Have you taken your first walk? Do so today!Other new pamphlets in the rack are: “Lectio Divina,”“Book of Common Prayer,” “Five Foundation Stones of Prayer” and “Episcopal Church.”

And there are lots more resources on the publisher’s website www.forward movement.com.

VESTRY MEMBERS 2012 Communications............................Clyde Dodge [clydedodge@cox.net 949.375.1530 Evangelism.............................Deborah Newquist [debnewquist@gmnail.com] 949.854.2675 Fellowship.......................................Teri Corbet [hbangel49@msn.com] 714.964.5505

Anniversaries in November Birthdays 3rd - Cam Wallis 7th - Jim Headley 11th - Constance Davidson 13th - Linda Sevier 19th - Marcia Commins Danielle Shaw 5th - Harry Stahl Jeff Stone 26th - Robin Hardt Baptisms 1st - Lynne Ruedy 8th - Susan Zevnik 16th - Stacy Stone 9th - Keith Nelson Weddings 21st - Keith & Paddy Nelson 23rd - Tony & Mary Caldarone 28th - Harry & Susan Stahl

* * *

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 and for the Sanctuary Light is $10.

Please mark your donation for the Altar Guild.

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@yahoo.com] 626.533.8037 Mission.......................................................

(Open) 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

NOVEMBER 2 012 3

Rector’s Desk from page 1

Court Grants Two Los Angeles Properties To Diocese, Episcopal Church

In Christianity, giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing, not an obligation or a struggle. The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some Christian leaders have taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians. The New Testament has much to share about the importance and benefits of giving: We are to give as we are able. Every Christian is to diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give, and “how much to give” depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Above all, I believe, tithes and offerings must be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the Body of Christ. I think the key verse for guidance is 2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” About this, I practice what I teach and preach: that 5% of annual income “off the top”, leaving it to each giver to define “off the top” somewhere between “gross” and “net,” should be given to one’s parish church and another 5% to all else each giver sees as God’s work being done in this world.

This month we will be asked to pledge to our Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Parish Church. I trust you know our needs as a Christian faith community; if you do not, please ask me or any other member of our staff or Vestry. Please pledge! Please let us know that you are a member of this Parish Church.

As you prayerfully determine what percentage of your income circumstances allow you to pledge, please remember that you are “surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses” (BCP 380) who understand that giving is essential!

[The Episcopal News, Los Angeles] Final Judgments in favor of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the Episcopal Church in cases regarding Long Beach and North Hollywood property disputes have been entered by the Orange County Superior Court.

“The judgments conclude the trial court portion of the cases and declare that the diocese holds the properties in trust for the current and future mission of the Episcopal Church,” said diocesan attorney John R. Shiner.

“It is ordered, adjudged and decreed that final judgment is entered in favor of plaintiffs [including] the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles… and Plaintiff-InIntervention The Episcopal Church and against defendants,” each judgment reads. The judgment for St. David’s, North Hollywood is here and the judgment for All Saints’, Long Beach is here.

“We will move forward with an orderly transition,” said the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, who was present in the courtroom August 24 for the recent proceedings. “Being people of compassion and understanding, we have been in touch with the attorneys for both congregations, and we will make every effort to respect the dignity of all involved.”

The court will take up another case, involving the congregation of St. James’, Newport Beach, next April.

The litigation began eight years ago when a majority of members of All Saints’ Church in Long Beach, St. David’s Church in North Hollywood, and St. James’ Church in Newport Beach voted to disaffiliate from the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles. A court returned a fourth property — St. Luke’s of the Mountains Church in La Crescenta — to the diocese in 2009.

Advent Calendar

Yours, in Christ -

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 Junior Warden, Paul Multari, 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!

* * * 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 if you would like to be part of this ministry.

He will come like last fall's leaf fall.

One night when the November wind has flayed the trees to the bone, and earth wakes choking on the mould, the soft shroud's folding.

He will come like frost.

One morning when the shrinking earth opens on mist, to find itself arrested in the net of alien, sword-set beauty.

He will come like dark.

One evening when the bursting red December sun draws up the sheet and penny-masks its eye to yield the star-snowed fields of sky.

He will come, will come, will come like crying in the night, like blood, like breaking, as the earth writhes to toss him free.

He will come like child. © Rowan Williams

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 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 Chrisatian Education [scaldwell@stmikescdm.org] Stephen M Black, Minister of Music [stephenmblack@gmail.com] The Ven. Canon Terry Lynberg Assisting Priest The Rev’d Canon Ray Flemming Assisting Priest The Rev’d Jefferson Hulet Assisting Priest The Rev’d Fennie Chang, Ph.D., Canterbury Irvine Susan Beechner, Parish Secretary [sbeechner@stmikescdm.org] Donnie Lewis, Bookkeeper [dlewis@stmikescdm.org]

WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday Holy Eucharist 8am Choral Eucharist 10am Adult Education 9am Sunday School 10am Nursery Care provided from 9:30am Wednesday Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Peace and Healing-10am 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.

NOVEMBER 2012

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Susan Caldwell

The Wonderful Yellow Room The Sunday school year is off to a good start. Anne Conover has worked diligently to arrange the Godly Play schedule of lessons and teachers/helpers. Saint Michael and All Angels has a wonderful team this year. Anne Conover, Marjie Blevins, Melinda Rader, Elizabeth Henry, Kristy Kiper, Anne Warmington, Maria Solomon, and Corrine Stover have made the commitment to educating and supporting our parish children this 2012-2013 school year.

Thank you, ladies!

The Godly Play Episcopal curriculum, which arrived this summer in ten large boxes from Kansas, has been unpacked and is now neatly displayed on the shelves in the Yellow Room, located in the gymnasium area. Have you been by to see it? Please take time on a Sunday morning to venture into the Sunday school classroom and see for yourself what Godly Play is all about.

It will be worth your while and you will take a trip back to childhood, where all the wonder and amazement about learning begins.

Godly Play theory stands on the premise that children are naturally inquisitive and like to ask questions.

If you sent your child to, or know children that have attended Montessori or Waldorf schools, you may have a bit more formal knowledge of what Godly Play is about. Children love hearing stories.

And the Godly Play curriculum helps the teacher to tell the story in such a way that each child builds his/her individual understanding. Godly Play speaks to a child’s heart. At the end of each story, four questions are always asked. “I wonder what was the most important part of the story?” “I wonder what was your favorite part of the story?” “I . story?” wonder where are you in the “I wonder what could be left out of the story and still have what we need to tell this story?” These questions are typically responded to with a wide range of answers. Children feel safe Continued on page 7

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PRAYERS HEALING

John Ray Jean Michele Lisa Olive Roberta Linda Phil La Juan Sally Sam Pat Kevin Patricia Mary Betty GUIDANCE Monty Scott Alison Peggy Elizabeth, Bryant, Evans Victor Rick Steve, Ann Sam REPOSE Jean Brennan Evans Sandy Gnadt Belfatti Freda Winnefeld THANKSGIVING - for Ken with Lynne Ruedy; - for John Peyton Blevins; - for Mary Ellen Bowman’s birthday

Call Esther McNamee for prayer requests at 949.640.1749

WE NEED Greeters, Ushers and Altar Guilders. Please contact Canon Haynes if interested.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

HOLY WOMEN HOLY MEN

Norm Ewers

RICHARD HOOKER (1554-1600)

Priest, Influential Theologian

H

ooker was an Anglican Priest and an influential theologian. His emphasis on reason, tolerance and the value of tradition came to exert a lasting influence of the development of the Church of England.

Hooker was born in March, 1554, at Heavitree near Exeter, England, of a good family, but one that was neither noble nor wealthy. His uncle, John Hooker, was a successful man who served as Chamberlain of Exeter.

John Hooker, through the Bishop of Salisbury, was able in 1568, to obtain for Richard admission to Christ College, Oxford, where ten years later he became a Fellow.

After ordination in 1579, he tutored the children of distinguished families, including the grand nephew of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. In 1580, Richard was deprived (later restored) of his Fellowship for “contentiousness” because he campaigned for the losing candidate in the election of a new president of Christ College.

In 1581, Hooker was appointed to preach at Paul’s Cross becoming thereby part of a long-standing controversy then engulfing the Church of England: His sermon offended the Puritans’ theories of predestination.

In 1586, the Queen appointed him Master (rector) of Temple Church, London, where he soon came into public conflict with Walter Travers, a leading Puritan who happened to be his Reader (Lecturer) at Temple Church. Hooker further offended the Puritans by declaring that salvation was possible for some Catholics.

The conflict with Travers abruptly ended in March, 1586, when the Archbishop, with the assent of the Privy Council, silenced Travers.

While at Temple, Richard met John Churchman, a distinguished London merchant. Churchman and his wife considerably assisted him and he later married their daughter, Jean.

NOVEMBER 2012

The silencing of Travers did not, however, end the Puritan movement within the Church of England. In response to the Puritan attack on the Church of England and the Book of Common Prayer, Hooker began to write his major work, “Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.”

In 1591, he left Temple Church and was provided a living to support him while he wrote. In 1593, the first four volumes of his defense were published; the fifth, and final volume, was published in 1597. It was longer than the first four volumes combined.

Structurally, “Of the Laws…” is a carefully worked out reply to the general principles of Puritanism that scripture is the rule of all things done by men; the English Church is corrupted by popish orders and rites; the law is corrupt in not allowing lay elders; and, there ought not be bishops in the church.

“Of the Laws…” is more than just a negative rebuttal of the Puritan claims: It is a continuous and coherent whole presenting a philosophy and theology congenial to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer and the traditional aspects of the Elizabethan settlement.

Richard Hooker, in his major work, made Anglicanism a coherent theology. He died November 3, 1600, at his Rectory in Bishopbourne and was buried in the chancel of the church.

He was survived by his wife and three daughters. In his will he bequeathed three pounds “of lawful English money” toward the building of a newer and sufficient pulpit in his parish church. It may still be seen.

November 3 is Richard Hooker’s Feast Day within the Anglican Communion.

DO WE HAVE YOUR MOST RECENT EMAIL ADDRESS? Please contact Susan Beechner at sbeechner@stmikescdm.org with changes or additions.

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U

nited 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.

2011 UTO GRANTS (List continued monthly as space permits.) $7,547 to the Diocese of Newark for Learning Through Literacy: St. Paul's literacy skill development in After School program and summer camps in Paterson (art teacher, Achieve 3000 Computer Programs, KidzLit Books, and Phonics Program.) $6,590 to the Diocese of North Carolina toward the budget of Reading and Writing Outreach Program for Underserved Children at St. Cyprian's in Oxford. $50,000.00 to the Diocese of North Dakota for Rising Sun's Hope-building construction at St. Sylvan's in Dunseith. $10,638 to the Diocese of Northern California for purchase of range, dishwasher and microwave for Outreach Community Meals kitchen upgrade at Church of St. Martin, Davis. $3,000 to the Diocese of Northwest Texas for a part-time driver for Family Promise of Odessa 2011 Family Assistance Program. $14,943 to the Diocese of Ohio toward the purchase of a Pastoral Mission Vehicle for the Diocesan Bishop's use in the Companion Diocese of El Salvador. $50,000.00 to the Episcopal Church in the Philippines toward construction of a two-story Multipurpose Center for Women at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity compound in Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga -The Diocese of Northern Luzon.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

NOVEMBER 2012 6

Washington National Cathedral We Are Half Way to our Goal with the Metric Ton of Food! embraces “Creation Care Year” We have collected about half the food and money needed to reach our goal with the Metric Ton of Food project - this food will feed over 300 children breakfast and lunch for a month. If we are to reach our goal of 2300+ lbs. of food we will need the participation of everyone at Saint Michael’s. Please consider how you can help and donate generously to this most worthy project.

Due to an unexpected delivery next week from Trinity Church in Santa Barbara, we will push back our delivery date a couple of weeks and go around Thanksgiving time, depending on when Olivia can get us the needed permits.

We will keep you posted on the date as soon as we get the go-ahead from Children of the Americas. Of course, anyone who is interested in coming with us is most welcome to join our group!

If you have questions, please contact Frances Haynes, 949.721.5857 or fbhincdm@aol.com. We know that Saint Michael’s is a deeply caring community and we thank you for your continued support.

* * * 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.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people at St. Mike’s. Please call Deborah Newquist with questions at 949.854.2675.

* * * SAINT MICHAEL’S FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2012: Preliminary YTD Income is $368,088.

Our YTD Expense is $410,396. The parish Net Ordinary Income is ($42,308), which is $5,383 behind our plan. Our YTD Pledge Income is $284,867 which is $31,745 below our plan through the end of September. Our total operating cash balance is $71,187 of which $90,212 is designated gifts, leaving a net balance of ($19,025) The Endowment Trust has a balance of $153,332. We really need everyone to meet their 2012 pledges in order for us to have a break-even financial report for 2012.

[Episcopal News Service, Washington, D.C.] Blessed Earth founder Dr. Matthew Sleeth kicked off a Creation Care series at Washington National Cathedral on Oct. 7 with a St. Francis’ Day sermon on caring for animals, reminding participants that not one sparrow falls from the sky without God’s noticing.

Describing the manger scene of Christ’s nativity, Sleeth said this “pretty much depicted the way humans interacted with agriculture for 2,000 years,” yet has little relation to the way we raise animals today.

“This has nothing to do with animals held in cages, not able to turn around, not seeing the light of day, and fed other animals, even if they’re vegetarian,” he said, noting that unethical practices “can be hidden from you and me but not from the Lord God. He started life with cows and sheep.”

“Our food has no life,” said Joel Salatin, farmer and author of “Folks, This Ain’t Normal”, decrying the use of harmful chemicals in agriculture at a forum preceding the service. “If it can’t die it has no life, and it can’t give us life.”

In an effort to shed light on these and other environmental issues, Creation Care Year – a partnership between Washington National Cathedral and Blessed Earth, an educational nonprofit that inspires and equips people of faith to become better stewards of the earth – was launched in April with an Earth Day call to action from Sleeth, who left his position as an Emergency Room director to lecture, write and preach about creation care.

It will include sermons, forums, small group studies, lectures and classes on a wide range of topics, from food to farming and sustainable energy.

“The focus is on raising up awareness as well as highlighting established efforts,” said the Rev. Lyndon Shakespeare, the cathedral’s director of program and ministry, adding that a thematic program of this breadth is a new approach for the cathedral.

“It allows us the space and time to settle into one topic,” he said, noting that it also enables the cathedral to serve as a resource for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

“You can come here, take a class and then take this back to your parish.”

But in many congregations, she said, the environment has been seen as a political and divisive issue, making it easy for many to dismiss. By reminding Christians of the

biblical mandate to care for creation, and by coming at it from many different angles, Blessed Earth hopes that more people will tune back in.

“Christians will listen to scripture,” she said. “They respect the Bible.”

In his sermon, Sleeth offered three key points on what the Bible say about animals: Man is called to name the animals (Adam and Eve), rescue the animals (Noah) and be kind to the animals (Rebecca), he said.

It was Rebecca’s kindness to animals – she offered Abraham’s servant Eliezer a drink and then watered his camels – that spoke to her good character and led to her betrothal to Isaac, Abraham’s son, in Genesis 24.

“To know these themes, and to decry their trespass, is the job of the church,” Sleeth said.

Animals are with Jesus at his birth, following his temptation, and on his final journey into Jerusalem, when he rides a horse that has never been ridden, he added.

“Regardless of whether it’s Rebecca watering camels, St. Francis preaching to birds, William Wilberforce rescuing horses or C.S. Lewis refusing to set a mousetrap … saints are kind to animals,” he said.

Referencing what the Bible says of those who are cruel to animals, Sleeth quoted Genesis 49:5 and the harsh words meted out to the violent brothers, Simeon and Levi: “Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.”

Sleeth said the Bible also includes an important caveat about animals: Do not worship them.

“In ancient times, one could easily value a horse more than God,” he said. Animals were worshiped as deities in some cultures or lionized like Bucephalus, Alexander the Great’s legendary horse.

“Is getting a kidney transplant for your cat or dog wrong when people in the world are going hungry? I can’t say where the line between idol and pet is drawn,” he said.

“But if you seek the Bible’s wisdom on such matters, consider this: In all the thousands of pages of the Bible and all the thousands of years they represent, not one horse is named and not one horse race occurs.”

“You picture Christ as a baby,” he said.

“If the feeding operation doesn’t add up to some place that you would put him, don’t eat the food.”

-Lucy Chumbley is a freelance journalist based in Washington, D.C

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

Saturday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

Thurs., Nov. 1st Sat., Nov. 3rd Sun., Nov. 4th

IN THE COMING WEEKS

NJB Basketball, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., AAC (begin 11/4) Handbell Rehearsal, 10-11:00 a.m., NW (11/3 & 11/17) Hand

Yoga class, 9:00-10:00 a.m., NW Whiz Kids, 9:15-10:15 a.m., AAC (not 11/23) Basketball, 3:30-8:00 p.m., AAC

EACH WEEK

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

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

First Sunday of Advent, Year C Alternative Gift Fair & Luncheon, AAC Advent Lessons and Carols, 4:00 p.m.

Diocesan Convention in San Bernardino Last Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve (11(11/ Christmas Day Worship, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary Meeting Rooms: AAC - All Angels’ Court MR - Michael’s Room CR - Conference Room

Sat., Dec. 8th Sun., Dec. 23rd Mon, Dec. 24th Tues., Dec. 25th 4)

Sun., Dec. 2nd

Staff Meeting, 9:30-11:00 a.m., DL Annual Deanery Assembly, Saint Andrew’s, Fullerton Daylight Saving Ends - Fall Back!

All Saints - All Souls celebrated Praying Our Goodbyes Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. and Faure’s Requiem, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary Nursery care from 9:30 a.m. on th Tues., Nov. 6 Polling Place here at St. Mike’s AAC -Vote!

Sundays-at-Nine, 9:00 a.m., DL th Wed., Nov. 7 Vestry Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., CR Children’s Choir, 9:00-9:40 a.m., NW Sat., Nov. 10th Harbor Day using parking lot, 1:00-2:00, 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.

Sun., Nov. 11th United Thank Offering Fall Ingathering Adult Christian Education Committee, 11:00 a.m., CR Basketball, 3:00-3:45 p.m., AAC th Mon., Nov. 12 Office closed for Veteran’s Day House of Speed, 5:00-6:30 p.m., AAC th Tues., Oct. 13 Hutchins Consort Board, 4:00 p.m., CR JOURNEY, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary (begins 11/19) th Wed., Nov. 14 Senior Ministry, 2:00 p.m., CR St. Mike’s Basketball, 7:00-9:00 p.m., AAC Deadline for December For the Love of Mike, 5:00 p.m. th Worship Commission, 11:30, CR Whiz Kids, 9:15-11:30 a.m., 1:45-5:00 p.m., AAC (not 11/20) Sun., Nov. 18 Mon., Nov. 19th UCI Town & Gown Univ. Relations Com., 10:00-noon, CR Basketball, 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., AAC JOURNEY begins - 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary th Tues., Nov. 20 Harbor Day Turkey Bowl-in our parking lot 9:00 a.m. on AA meeting, 7:00-8:00 a.m., SW St. Mike’s History Group, 4-5:30 p.m., CR Holy Eucharist nd Thurs., Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Day: 10:00 a.m. worship with Prayers for Peace and Healing 10:00 a.m.

Office closed today and Nov. 23rd Whiz Kids, 1:45-5:00 p.m., AAC (not 11/21) Sun., Nov. 25th Last Sunday after Pentecost Basketball, 5:00-9:00 p.m., AAC Mon., Nov. 26th UCI Canterbury Board, 1:00-2:30 p.m., CR Contemplative Prayer, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary Tues., Nov. 27th Spyglass Hill Homeowners Board, 6:00-9:00 p.m., CR Fri., Nov. 30th Jeffrey Derus, Recital & Reception, 7:30 p.m.,Sanctuary, MR The Men’s Group, 7:30-9:00 a.m., DL Whiz Kids, 1:45-5:00 p.m., AAC (not 11/22) Basketball, 5:00-9:00 p.m., AAC IN THE COMING MONTH Parish Choir Rehearsal, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER 2012

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FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

Highlights of the Compass Rose Society Annual Meeting

I

attended the Annual Meeting of the Compass Rose Society in Canterbury, England, on Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6. Saint Mike’s has been a member of the CRS since 2002, and I am a member of the board of directors. The purpose of the Society is to support the Archbishop of Canterbury in his work through the worldwide Anglican Communion. Some of the highlights of the Annual Meeting are below.

The current archbishop is The Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams. This Annual Meeting was his last meeting with the Society, as he will retire at the end of this year. To commemorate his ten years of service, the Society commissioned an anthem in which one of his poems–“Advent Calendar”– was put to music by the well known composer Peter Hallock (the poem is on page 3 of this issue.) This piece was performed for the first time at Evensong on Friday evening in the Canterbury Cathedral. The archbishop was seated for this performance close to the choir, and he was visibly moved by it.

Following Evensong, the archbishop and his wife, Dr. Jane Williams, gave a reception and dinner for the members of the Society at the Canterbury visitors’ center, which is within a few yards of the cathedral.

Twelve new members received membership certificates from the hands of the archbishop. About 120 members attended the dinner, coming from the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and other parts of the world, notably Uruguay.

On Saturday morning, The Reverend Canon Nicholas Wheeler, a missionary Anglican priest in charge of a small parish in the City of God neighborhood in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, addressed the Society. This is a very poor area dominated by drugs, drug wars and extreme poverty. The Society visited the City of God on its mission trip to Brazil in 2010. It was inspiring to hear of the work of the Church in a dire situation.

The meeting concluded on Saturday night with a candlelight tour – a pilgrimage, really – of the cathedral led by the Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Reverend Robert Willis. It was

NOVEMBER 2012

spectacular to go from location to location within the darkened cathedral with the only light being provided by the candles we held. A prayer was offered at each stop. At the end, we were gathered around a large candle placed in the floor behind the Throne of Saint Augustine, itself situated above the high altar. The candle commemorates the martyrdom of Saint Thomas à Becket, who was murdered in the Cathedral by knights of Henry II in 1170. It was a powerful moment.

Saint Mike’s supports the mission of the Compass Rose Society through an annual donation, usually from the offering of the Praying Our Goodbyes service (held this year on November 4 at 4pm.).

If you would like to discuss the Compass Rose Society – or even consider joining the Society as an individual member! – please email me at nbattin@gmail.com. .

Norris Battin

BUILDING & GROUNDS

W

MIKE ORTT

ell, I think fall is just about here.

The landscapers have cut the grass low and have applied rye grass for the winter. In a couple of weeks it should really be green.

I received a notice from our insurance adjuster regarding the leak that we have in the sanctuary. The geologist has submitted his diagnosis to the adjuster who will turn over his findings to our insurance company.

Hopefully we will have some results soon.

We are having some problems with a couple of the thermostats in AAC and the nursery. I have contacted our heating and air conditioning rep and he will be looking at them today.

Other then that things seem to be going well. I want to give a big hand to Sue Ahearn. Sue was kind enough to bring in her carpet cleaning service and clean the carpet in the North Wing.

Sue, thank you!

If you should see something that needs to be repaired or have any questions please let me know.

Yours in Christ, Mike Ortt

7

Contiuned from page 4 in the Godly Play environment because their opinions and reflections are respected.

Because the same questions are asked, they can wonder about their answers even during the story telling. Children are allowed to be children and their spirituality is encouraged through wonder and awe.

On the yellow wall of the Yellow Room, hangs a large, felt liturgical calendar. Each Sunday a child moves the arrow to point to the colored block representing the current week of the liturgical year. Each week the children attending Sunday school can see how close it is getting to Advent, to Christmas, and to Easter. The children become accustomed to thinking of the church year in colors: Pentecost red, then green; Advent blue; Christmas and Easter white.

The children are greeted each Sunday by the doorkeeper, who sits in her chair at the door of the Yellow Room, calling the children by name and helping them find their place in the circle. She helps them to slow down and prepare to enter the sacred space. The children are gathered in a circle in front of the storyteller on the carpet, facing the focal shelf of the room, which always displays the Holy Family. All eyes are on the Bible figures, beautiful fabrics, gold and wooden pieces-expectantly waiting the day’s story. In a very special and connecting way, the ancient drama of God’s actions with his people is told. Once the story telling and wondering is complete, the tangible pieces used are returned to their specific location in the room. The children are then asked what their “work” will be today. Their “work” is the continuing of their wondering and reflecting on the lesson with hands instead of words. They may color, read a Bible story/picture book, work with clay or other art materials, or build with architectural blocks.

Godly Play was founded by Jerome Berryman. Jerome is Senior Fellow of the Center of the Theology of Childhood.

Godly Play can be found in many Episcopal churches across the United States. The curriculum is also taught in other countries around the world.

It is with all sincerity that I recommend to you that you take time to explore what great things are being taught in the Yellow Room at Saint Michael & All Angels. And if you see a child run past you on the SMAA campus, be sure to ask “I wonder what your work was today?” I am sure you will get a clever and curious response.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

SHARPS AND FLATS

NOVEMBER 2012

STEPHEN BLACK

R

ecently I was asked about why the choir occasionally sings anthems that are not in English. More specifically, the question concerned singing an anthem that had an English translation available. In this case the editor provided the translation printed alongside the music, giving the conductor a choice as to whether or not to sing the work in the original language.

The starting point for a conductor in making this decision is to do a little homework and see if the translation provided is literally accurate. If it is, then the choice is simply an aesthetic one. But the majority of the time the English translation of a piece differs in actual meaning from the original text, sometimes substantially so. Why is this? The answer is simple, and it has to do with syllabic stress. Good composers who write music for voice try to match the music with the natural syllabic stress of the text, so

that the strong beats of the music line up with the strong syllables of the words. Just for fun, sing the first line of ‘Amazing Grace.’ (“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound”) Now try singing the first phrase of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy to the Amazing Grace tune. (“Joyful, joyful, we adore thee”) You might be able to discern that the syllables sing very awkwardly!

If a literal translation were sung to the music, chances are that some of the strong syllables would fall in awkward places, just as in our fun little example above. Let’s look at another famous piece of music, Bach’s ‘Jesu, joy of man’s desiring.’

In the original German, the text is “Wohl mir, dass ich Jesum habe,” which literally translates ‘what joy for me that I have Jesus.’ These words, however, do not fit the music. The strong syllables fall in different places than the original German, not to mention that there are nine syllables – one syllable too many! The translator, recognizing this problem, came up with a rough translation that is similar in meaning. Even so, one can see that the meaning between the literal

translation and the rough translation is significantly different. Generally, the best solution to this problem is to avoid it altogether and perform the music in the language in which it was originally intended to be sung, and provide a translation for the audience to follow.

However, if the composer or editor has provided a translation that sings well with the music and keeps the literal meaning of the original language intact, then singing the translation is a viable option.

This issue (a rather technical one!) is related to a broader issue, and that is performing religious music in languages other than the vernacular. I’ll address that in my next article!

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

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Inside the November Issue: Page 1: Giving Page 4: The W onderful Y ellow R oom Wonderful Yellow Room Page: 8: W atch Y our Syllables, Please Watch Your

Pray for and Remember our Parish Emergency Fund