Cow Hollow Church News, Summer 2013
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Transcript of Cow Hollow Church News, Summer 2013
Cow
Hollow Church News
T h e E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h o f S a i n t M a r y t h e V i r g i n J u n e , J u l y & A u g u s t 2 0 1 3
On Parenting The Rev. Scott E. Richardson, Rector
I say the same thing every year, in May, during the announcements at Sunday worship: “Happy Mother’s Day, to
all mothers in attendance and to all those who exhibit motherly virtue in their life.” I repeat the same greeting in
June, this time featuring fathers. I do so for several reasons.
First, we want to lift up and celebrate all those who nurture children. Good parenting is, perhaps, the world’s most
important vocation. It is the cornerstone of society and the critical issue for those who hope to live in safe and
thriving communities. There is no one way to parent effectively, no fixed formula, but there are a few constants that
are observable in healthy families. Parents are not required to be perfect but it is necessary for them to be “good
enough” (sufficiently loving, clear, firm, and present). The “good enough” parent meets the
standard upon which children can healthfully grow; this does not guarantee future success
but does provide the basis for it.
On Mother’s and Father’s Day, we are also mindful of those individuals and couples who
yearn to be parents but are still waiting for that to happen. This issue emerges regularly in
pastoral counseling relationships. It can be a frustrating and frightening time for those who
ache to be parents and are, at least for the moment, thwarted in that desire – we might all be
reminded to say a special prayer for them as we rejoice with those currently raising families.
And we are also aware of the people who are quietly sitting in our pews but having a hard time celebrating the lives
of those who brought them into the world. Parents who suffer from an addiction or mental health challenge cannot
always be the stable presence their children need. Those children may later find other figures to fill that gap or,
perhaps through counseling, learn to re‐parent themselves. So we pray for them, as well.
Jesus had an interesting relationship with his parents. We don’t hear of Joseph after the scene in the temple, when
pre‐teen Jesus snuck away from the family caravan to stun the elders with his wisdom. But Mary is a regular
character in the gospel drama, as is Abba, the name that Jesus uses for God. Abba, you may know, is sometimes
translated as Daddy or Papa. Can you imagine being that close, that familiar, with the One who brought you and all
things into being?
We are blessed with a robust children’s and youth ministry at Saint Mary’s. I believe it is one of the most
outstanding characteristics of this parish. We intend, in the years to come, to offer even more program support for
those who are currently parenting, hoping to parent, or processing the impact their parents had on them. As we do
this work, we will always view these issues through the lens of the gospel, trusting Abba to show the way forward
in our varied circumstances.
Page 2 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
News of Note from the Sr. Warden
Betty Hood‐Gibson, Senior Warden
Happiness
Happiness—Everybody wants it. How do we get it?
One of the top ten most important steps to
achieving happiness is right here at St. Mary’s,
writes Dan Buettner, an expert on longevity, in an
AARP article titled, “Give Yourself a Happiness
Makeover.” Buettner has traveled around the
world researching what makes people happy.
One important step for happiness is the one
Buettner calls “Meet, Pray, Love.” Statistically,
churchgoers are happy people. He’s not sure if
churchgoing makes people happy or if happy
people go to church. In any case, research shows
that people who belong to a faith‐based community
and who go to services more than once a week live
up to seven years longer than people who don’t —
whether they’re happier or not. Here we are at St.
Mary’s, members of a faith‐based community,
already possessing a key component of happiness.
We have ample opportunities to meet and pray. We
have multiple services on Sundays as well as
Sunday School for our children and occasional
Adult Formation sessions. We also have Chapel
Prayer every second Tuesday morning of the
month at 9:00 am, Eucharist every week on
Wednesday morning at 7:00 am, and Evening
Prayer services on Thursday at 5:15 pm. Depending
on the Church season, other services or study
sessions are available. Please see the Highlights
section on page 24 for upcoming events.
With these thoughts in my mind, I focused on the
third part of Meet, Pray, Love — “love.” I found
myself discussing Buettner’s article with a friend at
St. Mary’s. She believes happiness is something
God wishes for us. With happiness comes peace.
She defines happiness as the secret of the joy of
living which Jesus summed up in three simple
words—“Love one another.” In John 13:34, Jesus
said, “I give you a new commandment, that you
love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also
should love one another.”
Sometimes it is easy to give and receive love, and
sometimes it is not so easy. In one of his recent
sermons, Father Scott reminded us that Jesus says
to love our enemies and pray for those who
persecute us. When you have a chance in a quiet
moment, read through a few of the many New
Testament verses on love. Those verses help to
remind us of the love God has for us and how God
sent that love through Jesus. Jesus encourages each
of us to pass it on to one another.
Choose a day or a week and see how many times
you give and receive a bit of love—maybe it is just
giving a kind word to someone who needs it, or
saying thank you, or lending an ear to someone, or
offering a shoulder to cry on, or just giving a smile
to someone who looks sad, grumpy or a bit down.
It could change their day from a sad one into one
filled with happiness. I know it has made a
difference for me. When the day hasn’t started out
very well, receiving a smile from someone has
changed the whole tone of my day. And when we
smile, a little of God’s love shows through.
A member of our parish family told me she learned
this truth as she was doing her volunteer work at
the front information desk at San Francisco General
Hospital. It was a particularly busy morning. A
man who needed medical attention and certainly
could have used a bath approached the desk. She
quickly directed him to the free clinic and sent him
on his way. A few hours later he appeared at the
desk again and quietly said, “I want to thank you
for the gift you gave me.” Puzzled, she asked,
“What gift did I give you?” His answer was, “You
gave me a smile. No one ever smiles at me. It made
me feel like a real person‐‐someone who matters.”
Our parishioner learned that morning the true
value of something as simple as a smile.
“Meet, Pray, Love.” Happiness is all around us at
St. Mary’s.
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 3
Sunday School News Nancy Clark, Sunday School Co‐Director
As we dash through spring and head to summer,
Sunday School, like so many other programs linked
to the academic year, is in wrap‐up mode. In April,
Easter was the theme and with it
the culmination of our Heifer
Project activities. The official
presentation of the children’s
Heifer collection boxes in the
balloon‐bedecked wagon took
place on April 28. Thirty‐two
boxes bearing $485 in pennies,
nickels, dimes, quarters, as well
as varieties of paper money and
the occasional extraneous bit of
foreign currency, were rolled to
the altar by second graders at the
Offertory. That money, together
with the proceeds from several spirited spring bake
sales, netted just over $1300 for Heifer
International. In Sunday School lessons during the
weeks of Lent, we focused on sheep and goats,
guiding the children to an understanding of what a
gift of those animals would mean to a needy
family. The goal was to fund at least one sheep or
goat—the Heifer donation price is $120—as our gift
to a family somewhere in the world. With the
money raised this year we could in fact provide ten
sheep or goats (imagine!!) to help ten needy
families, a very impressive and generous gift from
the children and families
of our parish.
Next in the line‐up of
spring activities was this
year’s Bible Times
Market on the first
Sunday in May, the
wrap‐up activity for a
series of lessons on daily
life in Bible Times. “Bible
Times” is, of course, a
highly imprecise term,
spanning as it does some
2000 years. Clearly we don’t put a fine point on
chronology, but instead present lessons and
activities designed to help young children visualize
the setting for the Old and New Testament stories
they hear in church and Sunday School lessons. At
the Bible Times Market—the culminating activity
for that unit of study—the littlest children
are the shoppers, buying flat bread, olives,
onions, rosemary, and other
geographically appropriate items, as well
as handcrafted items from wily older
students trying, generally unsuccessful
to engage in bartering and bargaining.
Meanwhile, the tax collector lurks and the
money changers provide extra shopping
money in exchange for answers to
questions about Biblical people and stories.
In what town was Jesus born? Who got
swallowed by a whale? What giant was
slain by a shepherd boy? Who was that
shepherd boy? How many disciples did Jesus
have? How many
ly,
years ago was Jesus born?
The last days of Sunday School will include special
activities on Mother’s Day to
celebrate St. Mary (as well as
mothers and good women in our
midst) the launching of Holy Spirit
gliders on Pentecost, Communion
bread making (be ready) by the
second graders, and celebratory
activities on the very last day of
Sunday School, June 2.
Are you tantalized by these
activities? Next year will be
just as exciting and the
search for new Sunday
School teachers is now
officially in progress. It’s
lively and rewarding work
–‐ no experience necessary,
all materials and mentoring
provided. Please consider
it; contact Nancy Clark at
Page 4 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Youth Group News Mike Stafford, Director of Youth Ministry & Julie
Legrand, Youth Group Leader
Godspeed Class of 2013
One of the most bittersweet aspects of being a
Youth Minister is the annual need to bid our high
school seniors a fond farewell as they venture off to
the next phase of their lives. We’ve watched these
amazing individuals grow from shy, awkward,
silly middle schoolers into mature, intelligent,
articulate young adults.
This year’s class is a particularly exceptional group
that has been extremely active in the broader St.
Mary’s community. Their friendly faces will be
truly missed not just at Youth Group, but also at all
the other St. Mary’s ministries they’ve participated
in, such as Acolytes, Parish Choir, Lectors,
Christian Community, Camp Counselors, and
much more. And we wish them the best of luck on
their next ventures:
Robby Metoyer
Graduating from Saint
Ignatius College Prep
Will attend Sonoma State
University in the Fall
Louise Prescott
Graduating from Lowell High
School
Will Attend Bryn Mawr
College this Fall
Lia Russell
Graduating from Sacred Heart
Cathedral Prep
Will attend Bard College in the
Fall
Allie Silvestri
Graduating from Saint Ignatius
College Prep
Will attend Villanova
University in the Fall
Amanda Woodworth
Graduating from Alameda High
School
Will attend George Washington
University this Fall
Youth Choir News
The FFAB Four
Graduating eighth graders officially end their days
in the Youth Choir with the school year, but they’re
always welcome to join the Summer Choir,
continue in the Youth Choir, and join the Parish
Choir. This year the “FFAB Four” graduating
choristers – Frances, Fiona, Ainsley and Becca ‐‐
take a fond look back at how the experience has
nurtured them in coming to know music,
fellowship, and faith.
Frances Sutton
Nine years ago, my mom
signed me up for our
church’s Children’s Choir.
And ever since, I have been
a part of the choir program
at St. Mary’s. I am so happy
I stayed throughout the
years, despite a lot of things,
for a couple of reasons. First of all, being in the
choir has really made me love and understand
music—not just popular stuff on the radio, but
more complicated, deep things. Also, I have so
many wonderful memories of this choir—being in
musicals directed by Mr. Secour, meeting and
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 5
singing with a boys’ choir from Haiti— and singing
Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving anthems,
descants, and hymns. I will always remember
being in countless Sankta Lucia and Three Kings
pageants, Mrs. Secour drilling Children’s Choir
anthems into our heads, snack time before
rehearsal with chips, salsa, cheese, and apples. I’ll
remember that first terrifying Wednesday of being
in the Youth Choir, and Steve Repasky arranging
yet another beautiful piece for us. And the last, but
definitely not the least reason I’m so grateful for
this choir program is the friends I’ve made. Those
girls are my absolute best friends in the entire
world. For years and years we’ve sung together,
and I will miss being with them most when I
graduate. I still plan to participate and sing
whenever I can at St. Mary’s—basically
indefinitely; there’s no reason not to and I would
miss it too much. I have had an amazing nine years,
despite some ups and downs, and for that I am
glad.
Becca George
I started choir in
kindergarten. I have a very
strong love for music and
singing. Some of my best
moments in the choir include
being Sankta Lucia and
singing with the Haitian
boys’ choir. I am very proud
of completing all nine years in the choir and am
looking forward to using the experiences and
training I have had to help me in the future. I thank
Saint Mary’s for everything they have given me
throughout the years.
Fiona Bean
My name is Fiona Bean, and
this is my ninth and last year in
the St. Maryʹs choir. I started
singing in the Childrenʹs Choir
in kindergarten because my
mom made me, but since then
itʹs become something I look
forward to every week. One of
my best choir memories was singing with the
Haitian boys’ choir this past year, and dancing in
the pews to Haitian folk songs. My favorite part of
choir is either the songs that we sing or seeing my
friends. The sense of community grows every year,
and Iʹm going to miss it a lot next year when I go to
boarding school in Southern California. Iʹm going
to The Thacher School, and I will definitely
continue singing, and Iʹm thinking of joining or
starting an a capella club. Being in the choir for so
long has taught me to persevere and do the things I
love!
Ainsley Ball
I have been in choir ever
since kindergarten and have
gained so much from the
experience. I began choir
under the direction of Mr.
and Mrs. Secour, whose
instruction was very
enriching. With them I
enjoyed doing church musicals, eating fudge at
Christmastime, and singing our regular anthems.
When the Secours left it was bittersweet. I was sad
to see them go, but excited for the new directors.
Since Chip and Steve began directing, I have
expanded my knowledge of music and learned to
be someone the Children’s Choir can look up to.
Because of choir, I have learned a great deal about
music, met some of my best friends, and come to
appreciate music even more.
Summer Schedule
Begins June 9
Service Times for Sunday Worship
8:00 am
10:00 am
5:30 pm
Page 6 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Planned & Major Gifts Jane A. Cook, Chair, Planned & Major Gifts Committee
Under Scott Richardson’s leadership, St. Mary’s has
created a new Planned & Major Gifts Committee.
Our goal is to increase the number and size of
planned and major gifts (separate from annual
stewardship pledges) to St. Mary’s. These special
contributions make possible significant
improvements to the parish facilities and help fund
new programs, all of which will
continue to support our mission
and work for years to come.
The current members of our
committee are Jane Cook (Chair),
Betty Hood‐Gibson, Marta
Johnson, Mike Lusse, Ellen
McLean, Scott Richardson, Tom
Robertson, and David Sullivan.
We are formulating a multi‐step
plan, which is being implemented
in stages.
The first step was to thank and
honor the people who have
remembered St. Mary’s in their
estate plans. Such people are
cherished members of the Legacy
Society. In April, the committee
hosted a tea and champagne reception for members
of this important group. Going forward, we will be
having Legacy Society events on an annual basis.
Each time, we look forward to an increasing
number of people participating.
In the coming months, the committee will be
organizing educational presentations which will
provide helpful ideas, information and resources
regarding ways one may make arrangements for
planned and major gifts to St. Mary’s. Specific
information regarding all such events will be
distributed in advance. If you would like more
information now, please contact Scott Richardson
at [email protected] or 415‐921‐3665.
Champagne Tea for Members
of the Legacy Society
On a warm and sunny Saturday in April, Senior
Warden Betty Hood‐Gibson and David Gibson
graciously opened their lovely home to welcome
members of the Legacy Society (formerly known as
the Lych Gate Society). Delectable hors d’oeuvres,
pastries, tea, and champagne were enjoyed by
generous parish members who have designated St.
Mary’s as a beneficiary of their
estate plans.
About 40 people attended the
event which was funded entirely
by private donations. Scott
Richardson thanked everyone for
coming and for being so generous.
David Gibson spoke about the
positive impact that planned gifts
have already made. He also
reminded us that we are all the
beneficiaries of such past gifts,
and our generosity will in turn
benefit countless unknown
parishioners in the future. Jane
Cook reported we will be having
additional gatherings,
encouraging new people to join
the group.
2013 Legacy Society Members
(Italics and dates indicate deceased donors) Barbara & John Addeo
Kathleen & David Anderson
Rayna Anderson 1985
Anonymous
Roulhac & Thomas Austin
Katie & John Balestreri
Susan & Kent Barber
The Richard Bohannon Charitable Trust
Peggy Boyer 1996
Irene Boyle 2004
Marian Brischle
Erma Jane Cartier 1993
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 7
Elizabeth Charleston 1997
Nancy Clark
Dorothy Clark‐Jones 1992
Nancy & Thomas Clothier
Sheryl & Michael Coholan
Johanna & Colbert
Coldwell 1957
Jane A. Cook
Natalie Hala & David Crosson
Susan Crown
Elizabeth Rodriguez Cryer &
Benjamin Cryer
Martha Daetwyler
Michael Dols 1990
Alice Ladyen Ellison 1986
David Felch 2006
Louise Fried 1992
Russell Fudge
Beatrice Gay 1993
Betty Hood‐Gibson &
David Gibson
Elizabeth Gillespie 2000
Kristin & Dan Glunt
Alice Wiley Hall & Peter
Hall
Lydia Hammaker 1987
Verda Hawkins 2003
E. Dixon Heise 2006
Rachel Higgins 2005
Kim Regan & Dan Hoth
Ellen McLean & Anthony Imhof
Marta S. Johnson
Georgene & Hayes Keeler
Cathryn Koons 1992
Dorothy Longthorp 2012
Po Gek Low 2013
Patricia & Wolfgang Lusse
Robert Manette
Frank T. Maynard
Catherine (Belle) & Ryan
McBride
Gordon McWorkman 2001
Nancy Mead 1985
J. Sanford Miller
Peter J. Musto
Minnie Newell 1984
Charles R. Page 1963
Geoffrey Paul 2009
Julian L. Peabody
Kathleen Murray & Arthur
Perkins
Jose Polar 1992
Thomas Ramsey 1993
Irene Reif 1986
B. H. Reminton 1989
The Rev. Mary Moreno
Richardson &
The Rev. Scott E.
Richardson
Lily Reighley 2004
Jody Jahn & Thomas
Robertson
Janice Robison 1992
Dorothy Roller 1999
Elizabeth J. Rolph 1974
James Rolph 1968
Margaret Nichol
Rolph 1968
Thomas Bales Rolph 1979
Evelyn Seifert 2004
Lynda Spence
Diana & David Sullivan
Ada Thompson 1988
James Tishler 1990
Jeanne Tucker 2008
Lisa Vance &
Stephen Vance 2013
Sandra Gary & John
Walsham
Phyllis Wattis 2003
Lynn & Peter Wendell
Georgia & Philip
Westdahl 2011
Joyce Whitman 1997
Mary E. Wilkins 2011
Stephen P. White
Grace Wooden 1984
If we have missed anyone
who should be on this list,
please contact Scott
Richardson at [email protected]
or 415‐921‐3665.
Page 8 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Reflections on Holy Week Jay Russell
Easter has, for me, always meant a celebration of
Christ risen, a joyous outpouring of song and
gratitude for Jesus’ redemptive gift, complete with
a sanctuary filled with flowers and worshipers. The
weather is almost always glorious, and catching up
with friends and family is always a blessing.
But since I’ve joined our St. Mary’s choir and
participated in the full measure of Holy Week, the
Easter celebration has taken on a much deeper and
more meaningful place in my worship life. The
week starts with Christ’s triumphant return to
Jerusalem, a carpet of palm fronds guiding him.
Our choral work begins
in earnest well before
that Sunday, but even
amidst the preparation,
I now more closely feel
the hint of sadness and
foreboding that lingers
over the music, the
readings, and the day
as a whole. I never
before appreciated the
day’s ambiguity until
participating in the
remainder of Holy
Week.
On Thursday, we are
called to Maundy
Thursday, for me the
most significant
gathering of the week.
Gathering for a simple
supper, Father Scott
explains that the
evening is one of the
most meaningful services we can attend as
parishioners. It is the night that Christ describes the
loneliness of being abandoned by his disciples, and
even, seemingly God. Jesus then shows the most
intimate sign of pastoral care and empathy—he
washes his disciples’ feet.
During the service, with
the sanctuary and altar
shrouded, we are asked
to engage in the same
awkward and
meaningful ritual,
washing each other’s feet.
At this service, I see the
Eucharist is truly the last
supper, with Jesus knowing that it is his last meal
on earth, instructing his disciples (and us) to
remember and worship God each time we again
gather. We leave in silence, knowing that sin’s full
destructive power will be expressed the next day.
When I leave that night,
I’m overwhelmed with
emotion, it is difficult to
talk, and I slip out the
side door quickly,
hopefully unseen. I
imagine that some
disciples did the same
2,000 years ago.
Before joining the choir, I
occasionally attended
Good Friday services. I
understood that we were
acknowledging the
crucifixion’s gravity and
importance. But now,
putting the service
together with the
remainder of the week’s
reflections, I keenly feel
the day’s despair and
loss. Father Scott enters
the sanctuary bearing the
cross, and the Passion is
recited. Even so, I believe
that the focus of our service is not on guilt and
suffering. We write our deepest and most sincere
prayers and thoughts and take them to the cross.
Doing so is not an expression of despair and grief,
but rather the beginning of hope and renewal.
The Daughters of the King prepared a dinner offering both
a lamb stew and a vegetarian stew, with nuts and grapes
and homemade bread. Votives and wine were a backdrop
to the Maundy Thursday Liturgy.
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 9
Laying these notes at the cross is not expressing
despair, but rather acknowledging with certainty
that hope and redemption will follow. Apart from
the washing of the feet, laying these notes at the
cross on this night is now, for me, the most
emotional part of the week and greatest expression
of our faith together.
Which makes the Great Vigil such an exciting
night. Jesus has been laid in the tomb, the church is
completely shrouded, we enter in darkness, but a
fire—fueled by our written prayers—fills the
sanctuary with light. We pass that light between
ourselves with candles, knowing that soon we will
celebrate a risen Lord. We wait, but for me the
waiting is now the same as when waiting as a child
the night before Christmas, full of anticipation.
After the foreboding and despair that have
permeated the week, we attend a service knowing
that we will celebrate the living God. And then, at
the end, the lights turn on and we sing Handel’s
Haec est Dies, “This is the Day!” We sing this on the
night of the Great Vigil, the early morning when
Mary Magdalene ran ahead and found the tomb
empty! I’m struck that at the Great Vigil, we—like
Mary Magdalene—get to celebrate the living Christ
before everyone else the next morning. It’s almost
like being in a secret club.
So now, on Easter, I feel like we’re letting everyone
else in on the “secret” we learned the night before.
As joyous as Easter remains, I feel now that our
task is to proclaim to all what we learned earlier:
that Christ is risen; he is risen indeed! What a great
thing! In the past, I inwardly smiled at the folks
who are “Christmas” and “Easter” Christians,
including many of my friends. But now, I see it is
why—at least in part—we have an Easter
“celebration.” We know we serve a living Christ.
We “learned” it the night before, when we “ran
ahead” at the Great Vigil. And now I want to
proclaim it to everyone who comes Sunday
morning. So, if I sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” just a
bit too loudly that morning, I have my reasons.
St. Mary’s Surpasses Stewardship Goals Tom Robertson, Stewardship Chair
A collective thank you to all who pledged
for 2013. We now have 302 pledging
households who have promised to give a
total of $773,510.00 to keep St. Maryʹs
running well during 2013. Our goals for this
year were 300 pledges and $750,000, so our
generosity has been well rewarded. These
results also represent an increase from 265
pledges and $665,678 during 2012.
All those who pledged are urged to fulfill
one‐half of their 2013 pledge by the half
way point in the year: June 30, 2013. This
will keep us in good shape from a cash flow
standpoint during the summer months.
Planning for the 2014 campaign began in late May.
We already have three generous families who have
volunteered their homes for stewardship parties in
the fall. Those who attended any of these events
last fall know that they are a lot of fun and a great
way to launch the campaign. If you are new to St.
Maryʹs or have not yet pledged for 2013, there is, of
course, still time to do so. Contact Tom Robertson
at [email protected], or Marybeth Volk at 415‐
921‐3665, or online at smvsf.org .
Celebrating the gift of service on Maundy Thursday,
parishioners took turns washing each other’s feet.
Page 10 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
David Sullivan, Event Chair
Every year a nation‐wide event is held called
National Rebuilding Day on the last Saturday of
April when teams of volunteers get together at sites
throughout the city to provide free repairs for
seniors living at home and for non‐profit agencies.
St. Mary’s has participated every year since the
early 1990s.
This year volunteers from St. Mary’s helped repair
and renovate a home and garden in the city,
together with volunteers from St. James Church
and Treadwell &
Rollo Engineering.
Participants from St.
Maryʹs included
Marian Brischle,
Nancy Bryan,
Alexander Burnam,
Winston Chapin,
David Crosson,
Victor Lobo, Josie
McGann, Pat
McGuire, Ned
Mobley, Audrey
Prescott, David Ryan,
Pam Sauer, and
David Sullivan.
And this was repeated at 22 homes, schools, and
non‐profits in San Francisco. Throughout the USA,
on April 27 over 10,000 homes, schools, and non‐
profits received the services of a local Rebuilding
Together chapter. Now, it is amazing to know we
are a part of something so big and so positive in
communities all over the USA. We truly are the
hands and feet of Jesus Christ in our community.
Praying for Each Other The Rev. Dr. Everett Powell
Praying for each other is a cherished and powerful
spiritual reality we share at St. Mary’s. From time
to time in our services, an announcement is made
drawing attention to the prayer request cards and
the prayers for healing.
Individual requests may be indicated on the blue
prayer request cards, which are in the pews. And
then the cards may be placed in the offering plate.
Individual requests may also be shared verbally
with the healing minister at the chapel altar at the
end of the service.
At the 7:00 am Wednesday service, all present
gather at the chapel altar and share in prayers for
those who have requested them. There is also a
prayer group meeting on the second Tuesday of
each month whose members pray for the requests
on the printed cards that have been turned in
during Sunday services.
The present practice of having prayer request cards
in the pews began about 15 years ago as a
traditional ministry of the Daughters of the King.
Shortly after that, while St. Mary’s was holding
services at the Presidio temporarily, in re‐
structuring the details of our liturgy, we began
having prayers for healing available on request to
the side of the altar during the Eucharist. When we
returned to our church building, we continued the
prayers for healing during the Eucharist or after the
service.
Those attending St. Mary’s find comfort, solace,
community, and spiritual strength in knowing that
their fellow parishioners will be praying for their
specific requests. This is true whether the request is
shared by putting a written request card in the
offering plate or by coming forward to the healing
minister to share verbally, or even if the request is
not put into words.
Alexander Burnam and Audrey
Prescott rebuilding the garden
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 11
Garden Update John Addeo, Vestry Member for Buildings and Grounds
Some exciting changes have taken place in our
gardens, and I want to share the details with you.
The most significant change is the removal of the
large cedar tree from our Meditative – Mary Statue
garden. The tree trunk was about 18 inches in
diameter, and it stood at least 30 feet tall. Its trunk
and root system were growing right against the
building foundation wall at the chapel side of the
church. If you have noticed, the chapel shows
water damage on the wall at that location. Also,
over the years we have had to keep trimming the
tree to keep its needles from blocking the roof
drains, causing interference with proper drainage.
Additionally, our gardeners informed us that the
acidity of the tree and its falling needles were
adversely affecting many ground cover plants
under it. Our arborist, Mike Hyatt of Tree Works,
Inc., did an outstanding job in removing the tree
and grinding out the stump.
Before Mike’s work began, our gardeners,
Mandeville Gardens, removed all the plants in that
area and stored them until the tree was removed,
and then they not only replaced the plants from
storage, but also installed two beautiful new
camellias. The scale of the garden is much more
appropriate now that the huge cedar has been
removed. Please stop by and see how open the area
is now and how lovely the new plantings look.
In the Union Street Garden, just east of the
‘Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin’ sign, we
planted a new Royal Purple Smoke tree. For those
of us not familiar with this tree, it always adds
drama and is showiest during a six‐week period in
summer when it displays the pinkish puffs that
account for its common name.
This beautiful tree was donated to us by Parish
Administrator Carla Ocfemia and her husband,
Shawn and also planted by our outstanding
Mandeville gardeners. Thank you, Carla and
Shawn!
The sun shines brightly on our back courtyard, no lon
shaded by an overgrown, intrusive cedar.
I would also like to add that we were happy to
consult on thes
ger
e changes with someone whom I
ert,” Mrs.
changes. Thank
ou, Cynthia.
ay
t
it
together, we are
offering the prayers of all the people.
consider our “Resident Garden Exp
Cynthia MacKay. She approved the
y
Prayers of the People
Some have asked about a recent change in the way
we are offering the Prayers of the People at Sund
worship. We want to be clear about the process so
that all the prayer concerns of this community can
be held and heard. If you request prayers for a
person in any need or trouble, or if you are
requesting prayers of thanksgiving, we will hold
these petitions in our spoken common prayers for
two consecutive weeks; if the prayer need is urgen
and persists beyond that period simply ask that
be continued. Be assured that after two weeks
those names will continue to be read aloud at the
Wednesday morning Eucharist. For those who
have passed away, we offer Sunday and
Wednesday prayers for a period of one month. We
also leave room for additional petitions at every
service and invite the gathered community to lift
up those names that are in your heart, either
silently or aloud. As we do this
indeed
Page 12 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
From the Koi Pond to the Altar The Rev. Christopher Wendell
Chris grew up at St. Mary’s in the 80’s and 90’s and
or a
School classroom, or even the last pew of
ces
r
e
ionally trying to gently
slowly reach out and touch one ‐‐ the way you
p sory‐
te f St.
ld,
ard
in
pew
s my brother and I
to re‐enact Jesus’ instruction to “pluck it out”
i
to
to be
–
too many questions – and
hadn’t yet realized that all
st,
the
h. My
s
ip, the
and the wine, church began to engage my
a
I
,
e
.
was ordained in 2007. He serves as a priest in the
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
When you are a four‐year‐old at St. Mary’s, the
holiest space at the church isn’t the altar,
Sunday
the balcony where my family sat for at least a
decade. It’s the Koi Pond – hands down!
For more than a few years, church each Sunday
was all about waiting to feed the fish small pie
of Wonder Bread while the grown ups talked fo
what seemed like hours in the courtyard after th
service. I don’t think I ever actually saved my
communion wafer to feed to the fish in the Koi
Pond – but I thought about it many times. Also
contemplated frequently was whether I could
manage to push my brother into the pond without
getting wet myself. Mostly though I just enjoyed
watching the fish, and occas
and
would put your finger into a bowl of holy water
upon entering a sanctuary.
iritual formation is sen
llectual. My memories o
Mary’s as a kid are all
sensory: hearing Mrs.
Skewes‐Cox’s soothing
voice (I have no idea what
she was saying); ringing the
“chapel bell” that she he
striking it with a small
musical hammer that had a
red handle and padded
head. We could strike h
or soft, but only once. I
remember the aisle sconces lit at Christmastime;
incense; the “no room” song sung again and aga
during the Las Posadas procession; the bad taste of
the communion wine; the feeling of the sharp
pencil cutting into my arm a
So much of a child’s s
driven, rather than in
tried
if your eye causes you to sin; touching the tails on
[retired] Bishop William Swing’s funny hat.
ng up in the balcony, that I’d
the front in church. As a
child I had no desire to
become a priest. In fact,
honest, as I got a little older
into middle school ‐‐ I didn’t
really even like church
much. When confirmation
year came, I attended a few
of the classes, but decided
not to be confirmed. I had
I never imagined, sitt
ever sit much closer
my questions didn’t need to be answered – at lea
not right away.
My sabbatical from church lasted for all of high
school – it wasn’t until college, 2500 miles from
Koi Pond in the courtyard, that I found my own
desire and motivation to come back to churc
experiences of the Episcopal Church in college
were transformative – though I didn’t quite realize
it while it was happening. My intellect had
awoken, and combined with the familiar sensation
of the prayers’ images, the pattern of worsh
wafer
whole being. I tried confirmation class again, this
time as a freshman in college, and it took!
The exact ways in which the Holy Spirit helped
weave the years that followed into my calling as
priest would take many pages to share with you.
But suffice it to say that over a period of years,
came to believe that as frequently as faith is an
obstacle to creating a world of compassion, justice
and reconciliation, it is also the only sphere of
human inquiry with the power to solve those
problems: in our own souls, in our communities,
and in the life of the world. If you’d like to read
more about why I think that, you can check out th
book Claiming the Beatitudes by Anne Howard, to
which I contributed some reflections on this topic
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 13
After three years at Episcopal Divinity School (in
Cambridge, MA), I received my Masters of Div
degree and served for four years at St. Andrew’s
Church in Wellesley, MA (just across the street
from Wellesley College). I used to describe St.
Andrew’s as a kind of “East Coast” version of St.
Mary’s – large church, large staff, large budget,
always busy, family‐oriented and with faithful,
generous people. It was a wonderful place to beg
my ordained ministry, and I found myself drawin
on my memories of St. Mary’s as a child in my
inity
in
g
a
e
ty
of
tment that this parish
cultivated. You can check us out at
work with St. Andrew’s children’s ministry – so
much so, that I even bought them a bell for their
children’s chapel so each of them could ring it!
About two years ago, I left St. Andrew’s to accept
call as Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in
Bedford, MA. This is an informal, medium‐sized
parish, just large enough to support a full tim
rector and skeleton support staff. The parish is full
of laughter, goodwill, challenges, joys, and
children. We recently performed “St. Paul’s
Tonight IV: Ship of Fools,” a home‐written musical
comedy that has become a parish tradition to
present every few years. It’s a place of great activi
and also deep spiritual reflection, and we manage
to get the bills paid and keep the front grass
mowed most of the time, thanks to the culture
generosity and deep commi
has
www.stpaulsbedford.org.
I live about ten blocks from the church, with
Kristen, my wife of six years (we met in college ‐‐ at
church actually), and our son Nathan, who turne
two in January. Kristen is a professor at UMass in
Boston, where she teaches future Boston public
elementary school teachers how to teach science,
math and engineering. Nathan likes fire trucks,
Duplos, fire trucks, dogs, trains, fire trucks, gas
trucks. Though Nathan isn’t
ave him the middle name Muir
one of the newest Episcopal
“saints”) in the hopes that even
here in the frozen Northeast, he’ll
still develop a love of the
d
stations, and fire a
g
natural
and the beauty of God’s
ot, thank
community of faith for everyone
‐‐
Californian, we
(after John Muir,
world
creation.
I continue to think of St. Mary’s
off and on, as the years go by,
always with deep gratitude for
the seeds of faith that the parish
nourished in me during my early
years. Whether you were there
when I was young or n
you for helping to make and
keep St. Mary’s a nurturing
wherever we are on our
spiritual journeys.
Ringing the “Chapel Bell”
Sunday School Co‐Director Colleen Skewes‐Cox
remembers. “Oh my, that takes me back,” she says.
“I had a tradition when I taught preschool in those
days. After the children played for a bit, I would
call the class to altar time. We would gather in front
of the altar table in the classroom and dress the
table with candles and flowers and each child got a
turn to ring the bell that I would hold. It could be a
loud ring or a soft ring but you got only one ring!
My children remember it too. Makes me really miss
the wonderful time in my life when I was knee
deep in little ones.”
Chris, Kristen and Nathan Wendell
Page 14 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Welcome Committee News Tim and Ilia Smith, outgoing Chairs of the Welcome
r welcome
in
ter
so
at St. Mary’s, and member registration forms.
Committee
We are expanding our newcome
ministry in exciting new ways.
The most visible change is in the courtyard
following the 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 am Sunday
services. On Sunday, May 5, a table was set up
the courtyard inaugurating a new focus for
newcomers. It was and continues to be staffed af
each service by one or two greeters. During the
announcements at each service, newcomers are
invited to go to this table after the service. There,
they can hear about St. Mary the Virgin from the
greeters and ask questions which they might have
about our faith community. Newcomers can al
pick up written information about the church
including copies of the Cow Hollow Church News,
Life
Welcoming newcomers in the courtyard: left to right,
Beth Silvestri, Cynthia Harper, Belle McBride, and Liz
for a $10.00 donation in support of our
welcome ministry.
Parkinson.
Notably, newcomers will be given ceramic coffee
mugs featuring the insignia of the church. These
attractive coffee cups are also available to existing
parishioners
At the rectory, where Scott and Mary Moreno
Richardson opened their home for a newcomer
reception, Scott greets Susan and Walker Taylor.
The members of the welcome committee are
excited about these new ways to welcome
newcomers to the parish after the Sunday services
feel that this enhanced hospitality will help the
in serving as a
for the welcome ministry, please let Belle
know at [email protected]
and
parish to grow, going forward.
After six years as chairs of the Welcome
Committee, Ilia and Tim Smith are passing this
responsibility to Belle McBride, a member of the
vestry. They will continue as greeters for the 11:00
am service. If you are interested
greeter
.
Caroline McDermott and Marshall Worsham get to
know Belle McBride at the rectory.
To date, the expanding Welcome Committ
includes these parishioners: Barbara & John Addeo,
Shila Clement, Marta Johnson, and David
ee
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 15
Sandusky at 8:00 am; Daphne Ball, Evie Davis, Nel
Ellwein, Cynthia Harper, Liz Parkinson, Liz
Paxton, Beth Silvestri, Victoria Sutton, and Debb
Veatch at 9:00 am; Roulhac Austin, Ashley Clark,
Natalie Hala & David Crosson, Greer Hop
ie
kins,
Robert Smith,
and Laura
Adult Formation Offerings
orship
. We
office) in Pixley House, or in the Great
depending on numbers. Bring a cup of
is
h
appearances. Learn why
has been called “the most beautiful book in
logy of
of his
of women and the poor, and his
ht
entary
will also be
s
g schools.
t
e. Be with us to
arn more about the Sabbath tradition and its
ily life.
v.
d
s that
reated the Anglican Church and how it has
characteristics
f Anglicanism and discuss some of our guiding
shape our believing? This
eek we will explore the Book of Common Prayer, its
e
gs of each part
nd action of the service, which are rich in theology
el.
n
food in the scripture and its
portance as symbol and practical reality in our
ith journey.
Tom son, Grant Schettler, Ilia & Tim
& Jason Williams at 11:00 am.
Summer in the City
Sunday Mornings at 9:00 am in the Study
Kathleen Bean, Director of Adult Formation
This summer, join us between the morning w
services for thought‐provoking conversations about
our Christian experience through the lens of
scripture, theology, and the Episcopal tradition
meet at 9:00 am in the new Study (formerly the
rector’s
Room,
coffee.
June 16 Introduction to the Gospel of Luke, with
Kathleen Bean
This year the lectionary focuses on the Gospel of
Luke. Come and hear what is distinctive about th
account of Jesus’ life, from the stories of Jesus’ birt
to his post‐resurrection
Luke
the Bible.”
June 23 Gospel of Luke, Part II, with Kathleen
Bean
This week we’ll focus on the distinctive theo
Luke’s Gospel, including the significance
treatment
emphasis on life in the “here and now.”
June 30 Christian Attitudes Toward War and
Peace, with the Rev. Scott Richardson
We will discuss the history of Christian thoug
regarding war and peace, including comm
on both pacifism and the Just War tradition.
Modern theological reflection
presented that challenges both traditions and seek
to bridge opposin
July 7 On the Good Use of Leisure, with the Rev.
Scott Richardson
The Book of Common Prayer includes a collect tha
reflects on the faithful role of leisur
le
practical application to da
July 14 To be announced.
July 21 The Anglican Spirit: History, with the Re
Christine McSpadden
We begin our look at the Anglican Spirit with a
return to the early days of the Reformation an
journey through history to explore the force
c
broadened into the Anglican Communion.
July 28 The Anglican Spirit: Ethos, with the Rev.
Christine McSpadden
This week we identify the distinctive
o
doctrines, practices, and emphases.
August 4 The Anglican Spirit: Worship, with the
Rev. Christine McSpadden
How does our praying
w
history and contents.
August 11 Instructed Eucharist, with the Rev.
Christine McSpadden
Following the outline of the eucharistic service, w
will look at what we are doing in worship and
why. We will explore the meanin
a
and history. Meet in the chap
August 18 To be announced.
August 25 Food and Faith with Kathleen Bea
What does one have to do with the other? An
introduction to
im
fa
Page 16 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
What is Adult Formation?
According to the official website of the Episcopal
Church: Christian formation is the lifelong process
of growing in our relationship with God, self,
others, and all creation. Every experience in our
lives can provide us with the opportunity to
express our faith; the challenge we face is
recognizing these opportunities and learning ways
to live a sometimes countercultural life in a secular
world.
nt Adult Formation During LeKathleen Bean, Director of Adult Formation
ication skills
the other on spiritual practices.
f
ants
t week was
advice about
t
orted
orted taking
of this option. The audio recordings are
other
ent
a.
er,
were encouraged to
rate these spiritual practices on our own
ed
e
.
rch
ews, our website,
mail updates, and
unday bulletins for
ore adult formation
opportunities.
This year St. Mary’s parishioners had two adult
formation series to help us on our Lenten journey
of reflection; one focused on commun
and
On Monday evenings, after a simple supper o
soup and bread, Father Scott led particip
through a four‐part series called “Holy
Communication.” The topic of the firs
listening – the foundation for all real
communication. We learned that sometimes “holy
grunts” are a m
helpful respon
than words and
opinions, howeve
well intentioned.
the second we
explored human
feelings, and
specifically six
primary feelings
(joy, peace,
confidence,
sadness, anger, and
fear). The next topic
was speaking the
truth in love, and
Father Scott
finished the series
ore
se
r
In
ek we
with
how to use positive “strokes.”
After the first week, each program began with an
invitation to celebrate our successes of the pas
week, reflecting on what we had learned and its
impact on our relationships. People rep
gaining insight into their interactions with loved
ones, work colleagues, even strangers.
Communications guru Sandra Gary recorded the
programs and posted excerpts on St. Mary’s
website; a number of parishioners who could not
be present on Monday nights rep
advantage
still posted under “audio files.”
We also had the opportunity to meet with M
Christine on Sunday afternoons to consider L
through the lens of pilgrimage, which was
especially engaging as Christine was freshly
returned from her own pilgrimage to North Afric
Using Ignatian spirituality as a frame of reference,
Christine introduced us to the traditional Lenten
practices of self‐examination, fasting, study, pray
and alms‐giving. Participants
incorpo
Lenten journeys.
By offering different programs on different days
and times, more
people were able to
participate – the two
programs combin
had attendance of 60
to 100 people each
week! Many thanks
to Scott and Christin
for sharing their
teaching gifts with us
Keep watching the
Cow Hollow Chu
N
e
S
m At Eastertide, Mother Christine christened many babies including
twins Kaia and Gunnar Berardi, above, with their parents Alyssa
Warnock and Todd Berardi.
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 17
Up until our Holy Communication class, I
held a certain set of beliefs. Basically, that life
be pretty rough, and at any moment, the bottom
could fall out of the day. I’d walk around m
to myself and sometimes in a particularly dark
moment say to my husband Tom, “we struggle and
then we die.” So, I stewed in three of our six
emotions, sadness, anger, and fear, and walked
around lopsided, in the shadows. But our native
state lies in the light, Scott taught, of joy, peace, and
power/confidence – our other three emotions
can
uttering
. This
ws to me. Time to take action, the others
we have within our power to take action, so
ap out more days of play
was ne
ignal;
s to get back to the light. Take action I did.
, I
o that I can
and joy, seek out Kay
Brannan,
.
s
a
Carry this light into your life, go play, Scott
encouraged. For some time, I’d been eyeing a
funny place that looked like a pirate cove, 826
Valencia Street. With Scott’s words in hand, I
walked into the store and saw that it is actually The
Writing Center, a writing lab that our local author
Dave Eggers co‐founded for students ages 6 to 18 –
only wishing it had a lab for the rest of us. There
bought a San Francisco Literary Map s
m
Boyle’s Frederick Street house, or 746
nebirthplace of Rolling Stone magazi
Altar Guild Commissioning
At the 11:00 am service on Sunday, April 21, the Altar Guild came forward for a covenant and commissioning.
“You have been called to a ministry in this congregation,” said the Rev. Scott Richardson. He continued, “Will
you, as long as you are engaged in this work, faithfully and reverently execute the duties of your ministry to the
honor of God, and the benefit of the members of this congregation?” The members present vowed, “I will.” They
were, left to right: back row, Nancy Clothier, Erika Coughlan, Valerie Mayer, and Landra Miles; middle row,
Wendy Moseley, Barbara Addeo, Deborah Franklin, Cynthia Soyster, and Alisa Quint Fisher; front row, Gloria
Powell, Gloria Galindo, Mary Roper, Darlene Sandusky, Lee Walsh, and Jan Bolles. Absent: Martha Dameron,
Mary Hill (Chair), Anna Kharbas, Travis Lester, Ann Roth, Jane Standing, and Joan Toney. New members are
welcome; if you are interested, contact Mary Hill at [email protected].
News to Bowles
Me Lathrop Demi
Page 18 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
What Should I Do If…?
, like
r
need, or being asked to
and
cisions
icies and Procedures at
w.smvsf.org/policiesandprocedures.pdf
Diana Sullivan, Junior Warden and
Lisa Carey, Vestry Member
Most of us know the regular words and flow of
worship at St. Mary’s. Most of us have become
accustomed to the weekly and Sunday rhythms of
church activities, what we do on a regular basis.
What would happen, however, if this natural ease
was disrupted by something unexpected, such as a
fire, or earthquake? Or something less threatening
but perhaps out of our comfort zone happened
being approached in the courtyard and asked fo
money by someone in
support a cause that is not part of the St. Mary
family of activities?
To help all of us better understand our safety
security options, and to be our very best as leaders
and thriving parishioners to our friends and
community, the vestry has approved a short set of
guidelines for practices in the areas of benevolence,
public communications, building use, emergency
procedures, and child safety protocols. A document
describing the guidelines is posted on our website
and will serve to clarify and support our de
in serving our children, our community, and our
church family. Our goals are to be safe, be
prepared, and be of service in ways that show our
love of Christ. Find our Pol
http://ww .
Here are some highlights:
“Safe Child” Policy We intend to
implement “Safe Child” policies that re
best practices used by parishes and
dioceses. We are currently evaluating
curricula
flect
for “Safe Child Policy” and will
ar
ets in the courtyard for any of us
ills We will have our first
implement on‐line training in the ne
future.
Benevolence Policy We want to be
responsive to those in need. We will now
have leafl
to provide resources to those in need, day
or night.
Earthquake Dr
earthquake‐fire drill this fall to ensure all
are prepared.
Acolyte Appreciation Day
Acolyte Appreciation day, on May 21, celebrated the service of 15 Senior Acolytes‐Crucifers; 11 Servers, and 23 Torch
Bearers. Pictured above are, left to right: back row; James Sutton, Frannie Sutton, Ainsley Ball, and Peter Coholan;
front row; Isabella Albert, Virginia Norris, William Hibbard, Mack Woodworth, Rollie Giovagnoli, Blake Case,
Rebecca George, Allie Silvestri, Diana Silvestri, Amanda Woodworth, and Coordinator of Acolytes Sandy Briggs.
Photographer and Co‐Coordinators: Debbie Veatch. All fourth graders and older are welcome to join; if you are
interested, contact Sandy Briggs at [email protected] or Debbie Veatch at [email protected].
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 19
San Francisco Court Appointed
ve
es
ed funds to help support the salary of
ed
es
l
h
e
r
t
months to communicate
lf of
om
e.
,
ho
d
services, and by providing one‐on‐one
,
le
t
e
ect,
unities
information about the organization, log onto
Special Advocates Susan Crown and Joanne Squire
This article is one of a series on
organizations that receive funds
from St. Mary’s Outreach Grant
Program. Parishioners Susan
Crown and Joanne Squire ha
served on the Board of Directors of
SFCASA for over a decade.
San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates
(SFCASA) is a community‐based organization
which recruits, screens, trains, and supervises
culturally diverse volunteers to serve as advocat
and mentors for abused and neglected children and
youth under the jurisdiction of San Francisco’s
juvenile dependency court. The Grant Program
designatteam
CASA’s Volunteer Recruitment and Training
Coordinator.
Annually, SFCASA has an average of 300 dedicat
community members serving as personal advocat
for 320 foster children. Since CASAs have the
distinction of being appointed by the court, they
have the power within the court system to make
significant recommendations for a child that might
not always be in accord with family members or
other constituencies in the childʹs life. A CASA wil
form a trusting relationship with a child, evaluate
his or her health and educational needs, researc
and advocate for necessary services, build a mor
collaborative team of providers who can bette
serve the child, and report directly to the cour
sixevery
recommendations that are in the childʹs best
interest.
Why are CASAs needed? Because more than ha
San Francisco’s foster youth are in long‐term
placement and will not return to their parents.
They will be moved frequently to different
placements and schools, and reassigned to new
social workers, teachers, counselors, and attorneys
along the way. They are likely to be separated fr
their siblings and placed outside of San Francisco
County. They may attend up to nine different
schools by the time they reach 18 years of ag
Foster youth typically grow up alone in a massive
impersonal government system. For children w
have suffered abuse and neglect, the CASA
volunteer may be the most consistent, intereste
presence in their lives. By assessing individual
needs, by advocating for necessary and often
critical
mentor support
these vulnerab
vital
assistance tha
can break the
cycle of abus
and negl
develop self‐
esteem, and
expand
opport
for a positive
future. For
CASA volunteers ensure that
children and youth gain access to
more
www.sfcasa.org.
Joanne Squire co‐chaired SFCASA’s annual spring
fundraising luncheon this year, marking her fo
year on the board since being recruited by Susan
Crown who served on the board for 12 years,
retiring in June of 2012. Joanne deployed both her
leadership skills in organizing the event and her
flower arranging skills as cultivated on St. Mary’s
Flower Committee, by arranging flowers for the
urth
with the assistance of parishioners Joan
the
nnually increasing
are in
luncheon
Toney, Mary Von Zomeran, and Jerry Lehman.
CASA has received funds from St. Mary’s Grant
Program since 2006. Linda Logemann, Chair at
time of the initial grant, describes why the team
originally chose to support the organization.
“Children are St. Maryʹs precious blessing,” she
says. “SFCASA serves an a
number of court‐dependent children who
need of many blessings.”
Page 20 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Praying Shapes Believing The Rev. Christine McSpadden
The Episcopal Church, more than any othe
denomination, is regarded as the church which
grounds its identity in terms of the way it
worships. How a church prays together shapes its
community, and the faith claims of that
community. Likewise, the community shapes
r
its
ts
ple
is sense of best works offered
hip
dth
our worship to reflect both the best
,
ll
ayers,
l
ng in July; a Yappy Mass with
t. Mary’s. This Fall, we will have
surveys and discuss what
ere we want to go with our
Mus
the
Common Prayer only
the Sanctus be used in the Eucharist. For
ll sing the familiar Canticle 13,
es, Domine (Glory to you) by John Rutter
ian of All Saints Company, San Francisco
learn a new Sanctus sung to the American
the
ant
worship, so that its expression before God reflec
its values, ethos, character, and constituency.
The word “liturgy” finds its roots in the Greek
word “leitourgia,” which means works of the peo
or public service. In ancient Greek culture, people
performed works of civic duty for the state and
religious duties for the pantheon of gods. As the
word has come down to us as a term of Christian
worship, it still has th
up to God out of who we are, and who we aspire to
be, as a community.
Therefore, our liturgy represents a living, evolving,
authentic expression of our intention and belief. As
part of a larger Anglican Communion, our wors
reflects our unity within that body and the brea
of that body’s expression. At St. Mary’s, we are
designing
practice of this unity as well as the richness of this
diversity.
In order to keep our worship together enlivened
intentional, authentic to who we are, and
representative of where we want to go, we wi
continue to experiment with new forms of pr
styles of language and music, more inclusive
imagery, and ways of using our space. This
summer, for example, we will try new forms of
prayers of the people and Eucharistic prayers at al
services—the 8:00 am, the 10 am, and the 5:30 pm.
We will reach out to different constituencies with
activities around liturgy, e.g. a Spaghetti Mass on
first Sundays starti
the blessing of pets in July; youth‐planned and ‐led
worship services.
Come, pray, sing, chant, and be part of this living
work going on at S
the opportunity to take
worked well and wh
worship together.
ic News Chip Grant, Director of Music
New Service Music this Summer!
In an effort to expand our service music repertoire
at St. Mary the Virgin, we will be exploring some
new service music each month. Service music is
music sung each week in our liturgy. Historically,
there were five major components: the Kyrie Eleison
(which has Greek roots) and the Gloria, Credo,
Sanctus / Benedictus, and Agnus Dei (which have
Roman roots). The 1979 Book of
specifies
varietyʹs sake, the current rubrics allow for a Song
of Praise in place of the Gloria.
In June, we wi
Benedictus
as well as reviving a Sanctus and Agnus Dei by
David Hurd.
In July, we will switch to Canticle 16, Benedictus
Dominus Deus (Blessed are you O Lord) by The Rev.
Rick Fab
and
hymn tune, “Land of Rest,” a setting by Marcia
Pruner.
In August, we will sing a Kyrie and Sanctus from
“Freedom Mass” which draws melodies from
South African Freedom movement. We will also
sing metrical versions of the Psalms each week.
Metrical psalms are settings from the Book of
Psalms set in poetic form in the vernacular meant
to be sung as hymns in church. The composition of
metrical psalms has its roots in the Protest
Reformation, most notably Calvinism. The hymn
tune used for the traditional Doxology, called “Old
100th” is an example of a metrical psalm.
this haunting piece at the following link:
http://www.nimbitmusic.com/amyblack .
After the concert, Amy and her band stayed for a
festive reception of conversation, snacks, and
beverages, including tasty wine from our own
David and Diana Sullivan’s label Promenade. Long
Throug fferent
joining us from time to time. Our
g will be very rich indeed.
erts came
uitar
ay Area, delighted us
“Meet Me on the
Floor” at St. Mary’s, click this link or enter
4
hout the summer we will also have di
guest musicians
musical offerin
Amy Black Rocks Final Concert
Jessica Metoyer
The 2012‐2013 Season of Candlelight Conc
all the CDs were sold, Amy and her band‐
n
all.
t
t he is
lining up another amazing
this fall. See
it
e
the
and
Parish Choirs. If you are interested, or would like
more information, please contact Chip Grant,
Director of Music, at [email protected]
after
mates were still chatti
beautiful courtyard. A
Director of Music Chip
g with concert goers in our
great time was had by
Grant put together a
remarkable set of concerts
this season. In addition to
Amy Black, we heard from
the rousing and danceable
Pacific Mambo Orchestra,
the innovative Chiara
String Quartet, and the
arresting vocal ensemble
Solstice. The Candlelight
Concerts never disappoin
and are a great venue to
bring friends to St. Mary’s.
Chip has hinted tha
to a boot‐stomping end on April 21 with a concert
by country music artist Amy Black of Boston.
Between songs Amy made friends of us all through
her engaging personal stories of life and
season starting
you there!
Summer Choir Begins
songwriting. The sanctuary provided a perfect
acoustic setting for this intimate concert, where
Amy and three other musicians, including Amy’s
husband Ryan Black on percussion, fantastic g
player from Boston Jim Scopa, and bass player
Mark Petrella from our own B
with Amy’s country‐rock compositions. To see a
video of Amy Black playing
Amy Black delighting concertgoers with her country rock compositions.
Sunday, June 9
9:00 am Rehearsal in the Choir Room
Did you sing in high school or college and find you
sometimes miss singing in a choir? The Summer
Choir is an opportunity for singers in the parish
who enjoy singing, but might not be able to comm
to a separate rehearsal each week during the year,
to participate more fully in leading worship. Th
Summer Choir rehearses only on Sundays before
the 10:00 am Eucharist, learning a simple anthem,
and reviewing hymns and other music for the
liturgy. Summer choir is open to all members of
parish, in addition to members of the Youth
Dance
this address in your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36bt3OVCDA
&feature=youtu.be .
Amy told us she grew up a “pk” (preache
Missouri and sang in church in her youth.
r’s kid) in
At the
of the concert, Amy treated us to an a capella
version of “Shadow of a Doubt.” You can listen to
end
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 21
.
Page 22 June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Parish Retreat Retreat! St. Mary’s annual parish retreat joined together more than sixty parishioners for a weekend of relaxation,
renewal, reverie, and fellowship in the glorious setting of the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. After a taxing Friday
afternoon drive from San Francisco, arrival at this pastoral place—the soft golden light of evening, the fragrance of
spring, the company of friends—was sustenance for the spiritually weary. And a delicious and healthy pot‐luck
dinner fulfilled our earthly needs. To get the group in the right frame of mind, The Rev. Christine McSpadden
joined us in a circle and asked each of us to share a little‐known fact about ourselves. (Who knew there were so
many movie‐star connections, Canadians and lapsed athletes among us?) Saturday was chock full of activities.
Organized programs anchored the morning, including one for adults about spiritual gifts led by the Rev. Scott
Richardson. The afternoon was more free‐form—with some opting to hike, some read, some nap, and still others
zipping in to the town of Healdsburg for adventure. The re‐opened pool was a source of joy for many—the sounds
of splashing, shouts of “Marco Polo” and laughter reverberating through the property.
Feeling the verdant spirit of springtime, in front of the original ranch house
Enjoying a morning climb Frolicking in the newly rebuilt pool
2013 In the evening, St. Mary’s youth dominated the Variety Show with an array of music performances and
presentations, including a video of their own making entitled “A Day in the Life of Bishops Ranch.” To watch it,
click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W‐GNLMkmgQI&feature=youtu.be or copy it into your
browser Afterwards, most made their way to the campfire, where the youth led story‐telling and songs.
Marshmallows were roasted and many a s’more was served up. It was a long day of good old‐fashioned family fun.
Sunday morning Christine McSpadden celebrated an intimate and lively Pentecost Eucharist, with Chip Grant and
Laura Ruppert conducting a specially‐composed retreat choir, and more than six parishioners participating in a
multi‐lingual reading from the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit was definitely among us. Maybe next year you will be
among us, too? ‐‐ Fran Hegeler
Raising voices and ringing bells in the chapel, as Chip directs
Considering spiritual gifts in the capacious and soaring Swing pavilion, as Father Scott leads the discussion
Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013 Page 23
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2325 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123‐3905
(415) 921‐3665 • www.smvsf.org
INSIDE… From the Rector ................ Cover Story Sr. Warden’s Letter ............................ 2 Sunday School News ........................ 3 Youth Group & Youth Choir News ... 4 Planned and Major Gifts.................... 6 Reflections on Holy Week ................. 8 Stewardship Goals ............................ 9 Rebuilding Together ........................ 10
Praying for Each Other.................... 10 Garden Update ................................. 11 From the Koi Pond to the Altar....... 12 Welcome Committee News ............. 14 Summer in the City .......................... 15 Adult Formation During Lent .......... 16 What Should I Do If…? .................... 18
SFCASA ............................................ 19 Praying Shapes Believing ............... 20 Music News ...................................... 20 Parish Retreat .................................. 22
HIGHLIGHTS—JUNE, JULY & AUGUST 2013 Also visit www.smvsf.org
SPIRITUALITY & PASTORAL CARE Summer Schedule for Sunday Worship begins June 9.
Service times are 8 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm
Spiritual Support Group – 2nd & 4th Sundays, 4 pm, in the Vestry Room
Chapel Prayer Group – 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9 am, in the chapel
Wednesday Prayer – Every Wednesday,7 am, in the chapel Praying the Rosary – Wednesdays, 12:10 pm in the Study in
Pixley House Thursday Night Evening Prayer – Every Thursday, 5:15 pm, in
the chapel Nursing Home Ministry –
Golden Gate Healthcare Center – Every 4th Sunday, 1:30 pm at 2707 Pine Street Presidio Gate – 2nd & 4th Mondays, 10 am at 2770 Lombard Street
OUTREACH Raphael House Ministry – First Monday of each month.
Contact Alisa Quint Fisher at 415-755-4156 or [email protected]
MEETINGS & MISCELLANY Deadline for the September, October & November 2013 Cow
Hollow Church News August 1. Please email articles and photos to [email protected]
Women’s Group – Saturdays, 11 am – on hiatus
SAVE THESE DATES Summer Schedule for Sunday Worship begins June 9.
Service times are 8 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm Summer in the City Adult Formation Series – Sundays, 9 am
in the Study (formerly the rector’s office) in Pixley House Confirmation of St. Mary’s Confirmands Saturday, June 8 at
11 am at Grace Cathedral Lacuna Arts Ensemble Concert – Sunday, June 9, 3 pm, in
the church