CLARION

‘Goodbye, my friend’‘The line [in the song] that I take issue with—that I know is untrue—is “I know I’ll never see you again.” ’ PAGE 2

The Presiding Bishop’s Easter message

‘This week called Holy, the season called Easter, the remembrance of death and the realization of resurrection, this is not a fairy tale, but the revelation of ultimate reality.’ PAGE 3

Easter 2016

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CLARION

CLARIONis a publication of

St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church18631 Chapel LaneHuntington Beach, ca 92646-1831www.stwilfridschurch.org

. EDITOR/DESIGN DIRECTORKent K. Steinbrenner

. COVER PHOTOKurt Weston

. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME

To submit articles for the Clarion, please submit either in Microsoft Word or Apple’s Pages word-processing formats, or else as text in the body of an e-mail. Please e-mail all articles to admin@stwilfridschurch.org.

. WORSHIP & EDUCATION AT ST. WILFRID’S

SUNDAYSHoly Eucharist 7, 8:30, and 10:30 a.m.Adult Formation9:30 a.m., Sacquety Hall

Nursery, 8:15 to 11:45 a.m. (Room 1)

Children’s Christian Formation: . Sunday School 10:30 a.m. . Youth Bible Study 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.

Healing Services, EvensongMonthly; Sundays at 5 p.m.; see Sunday Times for scheduled dates.

WEEKDAYS Wednesday Morning Eucharist, 7 a.m.;Morning Prayer, Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.

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There is a lyric to a Linda Ronstadt song that I have been musing on. I’ve always liked the song and, since Dave’s death, the song has been rolling through my mind. The chorus to “Goodbye, My Friend” speaks to the

heartbreak of mourning the death of a loved one:So goodbye, my friend:I know I’ll never see you again.But the time together through all the yearsWill take away these tears.It's okay now.Goodbye, my friend.The line that I take issue with—that I

know is untrue—is “I know I’ll never see you again.” As a Christian, the hope of resurrec-tion, the certain knowledge that our earthly death is just the beginning of our eternal life with God, has been made known to me in a very deep, profound way since Dave’s death on January 5th.

After his stroke, deemed a “catastrophic cerebral hemorrhage” by the attending physi-cian, we kept Dave on a ventilator until our daughter, Gretchen, arrived from Seattle. Over the course of his last day on this earth, many of our close friends and family gathered at his bedside to say goodbye, to laugh and cry, to join in the last-rites prayers and to share stories.

Sometime during that vigil, I found myself alone in the room with David. He was resting peacefully. Then, I noticed something. His face had changed. The Dave that was lying in that hospital bed was no longer the Alzheimer’s inflicted Dave. He was himself again, freed from the disease that had plagued him for the past five years. Knowing he was going to die, I had the absolute assurance that he was already transformed, already whole, already healed, already in the Presence of God. Those joining me at his bedside noticed it too. I know I will see him again. I know it with the depth of my being and I rest in the comfort of that promise of resurrection.

In this Easter season, I pray you have that same deep assurance of resurrection. Nothing can take away the joy in such knowledge. We mourn, but our mourn-ing doesn’t have the last word, thanks be to God! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

To my St. Wilfrid’s family: the gratitude I feel for you is boundless. Welcoming Dave and me into this parish family, loving us both, you have given an incred-ible gift. From helping keep an eye on Dave for me as his disease progressed to your expressions of care and concern and your prayers since his death…. I feel embraced by God’s love through each and every one of you. Dave knew he was in a safe place here as well. You embody this passage of scripture that I so love:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, nrsv)

Thank you for hosting David’s celebration of life. It was an incredible, joy-filled day, made so special by all of your contributions, care, hard work and love in action. As our community of friends, you made our wider community feel so welcomed, so much a part of this incredible parish family. Thank you for being YOU!

KERNELS FROM KAREN » THE REV. KAREN MAURER

‘Goodbye, my friend’

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FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP » THE MOST REV. MICHAEL CURRY

An Easter message from the Presiding Bishop

I actually love fairy tales and I used to enjoy read-ing them to our children when they were young and little. Now to be sure those were the more sanitized fairy tales but there was something good about them,

a way of confronting what was tough in life with genuine hope. But they were fairy tales.

This week called Holy Week, the remembrance of Jesus entering Jeru-salem and offering His life in the ultimate act of sacrificial love. Good Friday, the experience of betrayal, the experience of friends abandoning you, the experience of injustice and wrong, criminal self-centered conspiracies.  And then beyond that Holy Week, the resurrection from the dead. This is not a fairy tale.

The truth is even as we speak this Holy Week, we do so not only in the shadow of the cross but we do so in the shadow of those who have been killed in Brussels, of those who have been wounded and maimed, of those who weep and mourn. And of a world mourning, and not too sure how to move forward. And this world does not need another fairy tale. This week’s story of crucifixion and resur-rection is not a fairy tale.

Some years ago in the last century George McLeod, the founder of the Iona Community, had fought in the First World War, a war that he came to realize was fought for no good reason.  He eventually became ordained, and founded the Iona Community, and at one point he said this about this faith that we hold as followers of Jesus:

“I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the centre of the mar-ketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves, on the town garbage dump, at a crossroads so cosmopolitan that they had to write his title in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.  It was the kind of place where cynics talk smut, thieves curse, soldiers gamble.  That’s where he died. And

that’s where we as Christians ought to be and what we as Christians ought to be about.”

This week called Holy, the season called Easter, the remembrance of death and the realization of resurrec-tion, this is not a fairy tale, but the revelation of ultimate reality. Now the truth is it’s easy to dismiss or discount whether by conscious conviction or by unconscious resignation to dismiss this as naïve, nice, but naïve.  It’s easy to dismiss it whether consciously or unconsciously as a great hope, a wonderful ideal, but not realistic in a world like this. Maybe, parts of us I suspect wonder, maybe the strong do survive, maybe might does make right, maybe you better look out for number one. I suspect we all share those feelings once in a while.

But, I have to ask myself a question. It’s not my question, it’s Dr. Phil’s, “How’s that workin’ out for ya?” 

How’s that workin’ out for the world?  The truth is, the way the world very often operates is not working out.  It’s not sustainable.  It’s not the way to life.  Jesus has shown us the way.  He has shown us that unselfish, sac-rificial love, love of God, and love of the other, is the way to life. That, my friends, is the ultimate reality.  And

that’s not a fairy tale.

When Jesus was executed, He was t r i ed and con-victed of crimes He never committed. He willingly gave His life.  Not for Himself, but for others.  And in so doing, He showed us what love looks like.  That’s what we call the Way of the Cross.  And that Way is the way of life and hope. And when He died, His closest follow-ers feared that

maybe the strong do survive. Maybe might does make right. And maybe we better look out for number one.  ’Cause maybe the world has won.

But three days later, something happened.  Unexpected. Undreamed of.  Unheralded. Three days later their world turned upside-down, which is right-side up. God raised Him from the dead. And you could almost hear God thundering forth in that resur-rection. Love, in the end, love wins!  Love is the way! Trust me!  Follow me!  Believe in me! This resurrection is real!  This is not a fairy tale!

So go forth into this world. Don’t be afraid. And don’t be ashamed to be people of love. And go forth into this world and help us to change it from the nightmare it often is into the dream that God intends.

A blessed Holy Week, a blessed Easter, and go forth into the world.  Amen.

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As we join together in celebration this Easter season, the St. Wil-frid’s community also celebrates

the eighth month of the Song School ministry. Although you have likely seen the young choristers processing around the campus in their wonderful red vestments, you may still be wonder-ing: “What is a Song School?”

The Song School is a robust chorister training program for young boys and girls aged 7 to 13. The program was created in conjunction with the Royal School of Church Music in America organization, and features five gradu-ated levels of musical instruction. Our choristers learn basic and advanced musicianship skills, music theory and history, aural skills, and proper singing technique. While musical instruction is the main focus of this program, our choristers are also showing winning progress as respectable individuals, cherishing their developing under-standing of discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and spiritual purpose.

Substantial music education is seri-ously lacking in schools today, and

in some cases, parents are left to pay steep prices to instill their children with musical skills. The purpose of the St. Wilfrid’s Song School is to nur-ture and educate future generations of spiritually centered and musical people in the Anglican and Episcopal tradition. Some of our choristers were previously members of the St. Wilfrid’s community, but our program is open to all and not limited by criteria such as religious background or financial abil-ity. This year, the St. Wilfrid’s Music Guild has generously underwritten full-tuition scholarships for up to 28 young boys and girls—a $1,500 value for each chorister.

The regular Song School schedule involves two evening rehearsals per week, as well as many exciting liturgi-cal opportunities, dinners, and social activities. The choristers participate in Holy Eucharist once a month, and usually sing weekday services of choral Evensong once or twice per month.

As we begin planning for next season (September 2016–June 2017), it is time for me to arrange short, comfortable

auditions with interested participants. Extraordinary musical skill is not a prerequisite for the program; rather, I appreciate those who come to the pro-gram as a “blank slate.” In each can-didate, I look for the ability to match pitch, follow direction, and a willing-ness to work together in a team setting. Interested parents, grandparents, and other family members or friends should contact me directly in order to arrange an audition.

I hope you will join me in spreading the word about the Song School at St. Wilfrid’s. Having been a chorister as a young child, I can guarantee that this unique musical experience has profound effects on our youth. As we continue to expand our program and welcome more members of the com-munity, I encourage you to share this article with every family member or friend who has a young child. Together we can build a team of confident, smart, and talented children. For all inquiries, contact Mr. Stephen Salts, Master of the Choristers, at stephens@stwilfrids church.org

St. Wilfrid’s Song School: a unique musical experience for children, with profound effects

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Stewardship of more than treasure

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

—1 Peter 4:10

When most people hear the word “steward-ship,” they immedi-ately think of the fall

pledge campaign. We hope that over the past few years we’ve been able to educate people that stewardship also involves time and talent. We speak of putting ourselves on a path to tithe our earnings. Do we also think about tithing our time? And what about our talents? God has blessed each of us with unique talents. Do we think about how we could put those to use to help our community at St. Wilfrid’s and the greater surrounding community?

The season of Lent is a wonder-ful opportunity, through prayerful discernment, to reflect on what we do with our time and talent and think about what we want to do in the future. St. Wilfrid’s has over 50 ministries that cover every aspect of church participation, including wor-ship (eucharistic ministers, lay readers, intercessors, music, ushers, greeters, altar guild, sound crew, flower guild, acolytes), service (office angels, Broth-erhood of St. Andrew, Daughters of the King, Wisdom) outreach (bcis, ship, Laundry Love, eflags), Christian formation, and pastoral care. These ministries provide you an opportunity to go deeper in your faith.

Maybe you’ve looked at some of these ministries and thought that

might be an area to which you could contribute. If you want to get more out of your worship experience, why not get involved with one of the worship ministries? If you want to feel more involved in the life of the parish, why not get involved in one of the service ministries? If you want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and serve those in need in our community, why not get involved in one of our outreach ministries?

On April 17th we will have our annual Ministry Fair on the patio following the 7:00, 8:30, and 10:30 a.m. services. Please plan on stopping by and chatting with members of the ministries. There’s sure to be a minis-try that you will find meaningful and fulfilling!

Find out how to use your time and talents for the good of God and St. Wilfrid’s at our annual Ministry Fair on April 17th.

At the Jan. 31st annual parish meeting, five new members were

appointed to the vestry of St. Wilfrid of York Episco-pal Church—Pam Dorff, Bruce Groth, Alex Hamlin, Stewart Lumb, and Joan Pashley-Baynes. Pam and Stewart have previously served on the vestry, while Bruce, Alex, and Joan are first-time members.

The vestry is a committee of lay members elected to administer the affairs of the parish, and it has three pri-mary responsibilities. The

first two are managerial: to take care of parish finances and the parish buildings. The third is to choose indi-viduals to fill various posi-tions of leadership and rep-resentation.

The vestry held its annual retreat Feb. 19–20 to dis-cuss plans and priorities for 2016. We have many important ministries, and a key area of focus for 2016 will be discipleship.

For 2016, Jeff Campana will serve as Senior Warden and Stewart Lumb will serve as Junior Warden.

New vestry members elected for 2016

ANNUAL MEETING NOTES OUTREACH MINISTRY NOTES

5 new people join the vestry this year; Campana and Lumb become wardens St. Wilfrid’s will host the

Self-Help Interfaith Pro-gram (known to its friends

as “ship”) from April 16th to April 30th. During that time, approximately four to six ship guests (formerly-homeless adults getting back on their feet, with the help of God working through this parish) will be staying in Sacquety Hall.

As St. Wilfrid’s has done for more than 15 years, we will welcome our guests with food and companionship. Please stop by the ship table (outside the church between the 9:30 and 10:30 services each Sunday beginning March 6th) for more information about ship’s visit and what St. Wilfrid’s does while the guests are here, and to sign up to help with dinners, night and weekend supervision and other needs.

For more information about ship and its ministry, con-tact Don Dorsett at 714.397.0947, or dwdorsett@aol.com.

SHIP returns to St. Wilfrid’s in April

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FIVEWISHES

My wish for:

The person I want to make care decisions for me when I can’t

The kind of medical treatment I want or don’t want

How comfortable I want to be

How I want people to treat me

What I want my loved ones to know

At the Celebration of Wisdom lunch, on Saturday, April 16th at 11:30

a.m., we will have a special guest speaker on “Five Wishes”—the first

living will that talks about your personal, emotional, and spiritual

needs, as well as your medical wishes. It lets you choose the person

you want to make health-care decision for you if you are not able to

make them for yourself, and it lets you say exactly how you wish to

be treated if you get seriously ill.

Our parish nurses will all be in attendance. Please join us for the impor-

tant presentation. Free copies of “Five Wishes” will be distributed.

All are welcome. Lunch is $7.00. Please RSVP by Monday, April 11th by

calling the parish office at (714) 962-7512.

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APRIL 20163rd E-FLAGS Meeting & Potluck, 12 noon,

Sacquety Hall Choral Evensong for Eastertide, 5 p.m.,

Church9th Brotherhood of St. Andrew Breakfast &

Meeting: 8 a.m., Sacquety Hall10th Parish Nurses, 8:30 to 10 a.m.,

Sacquety Hall12th Transition & Grief Ministry Meeting: 10

a.m., Sacquety Hall16th Celebration of Wisdom Lunch: 11:30 a.m.,

Sacquety Hall SHIP arrives through April 30, Sacquety Hall17th Walking Together, 1:30 p.m., Sacquety Hall18th Stewardship Meeting: 6:30 p.m., Church

Office23rd Prayer Shawl Meeting: 10 a.m., Sacquety

Hall24th BCIS 5K Run Healing Service, 5 p.m., Church

26th Transition & Grief Ministry Meeting: 10 a.m., Sacquety Hall

Vestry Meeting: 6:30 p.m., Youth Center29th Preschool’s “Muffins with Mom”: 9 a.m.,

Sacquety Hall30th SHIP departs

MAY 20161st The Second Choral Evensong for Eastertide,

5 p.m., Church7th Volunteer Appreciation Dinner: 5 p.m.,

Sacquety Hall8th Happy Mother’s Day! Parish Nurses, 8:30 to 10 a.m.,

Sacquety Hall 10th Transition & Grief Ministry Meeting: 10

a.m., Sacquety Hall14th Brotherhood of St. Andrew Breakfast &

Meeting: 8 a.m., Sacquety Hall Orange County AIDS Walk: 10 a.m., William

R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine15th Pentecost Sunday

St. Wilfrid’s Easter Season Calendar

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St. Wilfrid’s StaffBishop Diocesan: The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno

RectorThe Rev. Michael D. Archermichael@stwilfridschurch.org

AssociatesThe Revs. Karen Maurerkaren@stwilfridschurch.org

The Rev. Gina Goregina@stwilfridschurch.org

Parish Aministrator Terry Robertsterry@stwilfridschurch.org

Minister of Music & ArtsChristopher Gravischris@stwilfridschurch.org

Preschool Deborah Pratt, Directorpreschool@stwilfridschurch.org

Rector EmeritusThe Rev. Canon Charles W. Sacquetyemeritus@stwilfridschurch.org

Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven KarrSong School Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven SaltsSenior Warden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chip DanielsJunior Warden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff CampanaTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane PapeBuildings & Grounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim O’Connell Sexton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Wilkerson

18631 Chapel Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92646-1831

www.stwilfridschurch.org Phone: (714) 962-7512Fax: (714) 962-4538Preschool : (714) 968-3100 Emergency Pager: (714) 359-9441

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner set for May 7thP

lease join us on Friday, May 6th for our Annual Preschool Spring Fling Carnival Night. This is our largest preschool

fundraising event of the year, and we hope you will join us and invite your families, friends and neigh-bors. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and will include face painting, games, animals, magic acts, circus acts, photos,

classroom musical performances, food trucks, bounce houses, tasty goodies, popcorn, and so much more. Various ministries from St. Wilfrid’s will be participating with booths and activities. The cost for children for presale tickets is $25 for unlimited use of activities; on the day of, the cost will be $28. If your group is interested in join-ing the festivities, please contact Debbie Pratt at 714.968.3100.

Get set for the preschool’s annual Spring Fling Carnival on May 6th!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: JULY 11–15

Surf Shack: Catch the wave of God’s amazing love

At the Vacation Bible School Surf Shack, kids encounter God’s awesomeness through

Bible stories and learn how we’re meant to experience an epic adven-ture each day. Surfers and lifeguards will glide through beach-themed music, crafts science activities, recreation, Bible stories, and more,

a n d w i l l get stoked about God’s mission in their lives. St. Wilfrid’s VBS this summer will take place from July 11–15 from 9:30–11:30 a.m.; the cost is $10. Watch this space for further details!

Join us for our second-annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, May 7th at 5 p.m. in Sacquety Hall. We will

honor everyone who volunteers their time and talent in all the various ministries at St. Wilfrid’s.