FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE Volume 66 Number 9
OCTOBER 2016
The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael & All Angels Pacific View Drive at Marguerite
<Corona del Mar <
California 92625
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949.644.0463
...From the Desk of the Rector
Matt Shaw Stewardship Commissioner
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” - Roger Caras (photographer and writer) “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” - Gilda Radner (comedienne) “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.” - Dean Koontz (author, Whispers) These are quotes from my “Rector’s Report” to our 49th Annual Parish Meeting last February as I answered the question, “Why do you so love blessing dogs and cats and other critters as we honor Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi on the first Sunday of October?” When I wrote that report last January I was mourning Luke, our Haynes family’s golden retriever for more than ten years. Luke was born into the Keating family in Big Bear. When I was asked which puppy in the liter I would like, I asked for the smallest male, having had two similar pups who were almost as sweet-tempered as Luke. The Keatings identified their smallest male by a white mark on his forehead and called him “Diamond.” When Luke died a parishioner (and I wish I could remember who...) told me, “Don’t worry. Luke will bring you another dog.” After looking at retriever rescue web sites daily, on May 30 “Retrievers and Friends” had a photo of a dripping wet eight year-old female named ... “Diamond.” My first thought was “Thank you, Luke!” Don and I went to Murrieta the following Saturday and she became a Haynes. She had forgotten her name was “Diamond” so Frances & I and Don renamed her “Callie” after my maternal grandmother. Callie is on the wonderful flyers created by Clyde Dodge bidding you bring your animals to be blessed during Sunday morning worship on October 2nd. Continued on page 5
stmikescdm.ladiocese.org
“LIVING GENEROUSLY” STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF BEGINS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND!
BELOVEDS IN CHRIST -
- Will Rogers (wise writer, performer, humorist, cowboy)
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’m honored to serve as the Stewardship Chair for this year’s pledge drive at Saint Michael & All Angels. On Sunday, October 2, we will kick off our annual giving campaign: “Living Generously.” In the weeks following, we will explore together how we can live more generously as individuals and as a community of faith. Living Generously is more than what we do with our financial resources — though that is important. To live generously, we are also called to be open to new ideas, to welcome the stranger, to volunteer often, and to forgive those who have offended us. Your generosity, in response to the abundance in your life, will fund the mission and ministry of Saint Michael & All Angels and transform lives. Here is our roadmap for this year’s pledge drive • Beginning on Sunday, October 2, and continuing throughout the pledge drive, our Sunday bulletin will include reflections written by Episcopal leaders from across the country. These reflections will cover stewardship and faithful giving in connection with the Gospel reading of the day, and we will use them for prayer and study throughout the week. • Each Sunday, we will hear stories of personal transformation through the practice of intentional giving from your fellow parishioners. • On November 6, we will celebrate Commitment Sunday, the culmination of our exploration, when pledges will be completed and offered as an act of worship and in response to all that God has provided.
BUILDING OUR F AITH: L OVING CHRIST AND SER VING OUR COMMUNITY FAITH: LO SERVING