The Torch November 2011

download The Torch November 2011

of 14

Transcript of The Torch November 2011

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    1/14

    St. Aidans TorchSt. Aidans Episcopal Church

    Gresham Oregon

    Newsletter:

    November 1, 2011

    St. Aidans Mission:

    Spread the promise of Jesus Christ in and beyond

    our community through worship, education, and

    outreach.

    Fr om The Rect or s Desk

    dovetail beautifully. It seemed to me that our gatheringpicked up steam as we made our way through the seriesof questions and discussion and reported back to thewhole room. Perhaps the most unexpected outcomewas the overwhelming wish to have these sorts of op-portunities more often. One person suggested once amonth after an abbreviated 10:00 am service. Perhaps,talking together and reaching consensus on so manyimportant aspects of our common life will help us to mar-shal our forces better toward a common goal; to be bet-

    ter stewards of our important resources: our Time, Tal-ent and Treasure.

    It was exciting to see people leave our Annual Giv-ing Campaign Kickoff Brunch energized as they were.We just wished everyone in the parish family could haveshared that time together, feeling they would have trulyenjoyed the experience and knowing it would be richerfor their contribution. Looking back, it was a time ofabundance, incarnate.

    Many pledge cards remain out. We will report back,as news comes of the Campaigns progress. I am on aspecial lookout to see how many parishioners have tak-en me up on my challenge to increase their pledge by

    some increment toward the biblical goal of a 10% tithe oftheir income. As I said at our brunch, we are not trying topledge to meet a budget, although that is eventually anecessary part of parish life. We will trust that we willhave enough and more than enough of what we need todo Gods work in this corner of the vineyard. That senseof plenty encompasses our time, talent and treasure.Measured by the yardstick of a budget it may not seemlike plenty. But viewed through the eye of faith, it is aspowerful as the widows mite, if it is given in that samespirit. Stewardship is really about our relationship withGod and with money, and during this Annual GivingCampaign, we will continue to share stories and insightsabout those two important parts of each of our lives.

    One of those insights is that in times such as these,it is so easy to focus on scarcity instead of abundance.As Terry Parsons, one of the leading commentators onStewardship says, Rebuke scarcity! Bishop Rickel, ofOlympia, reflected how often we have a scarcity frameof mind, even without realizing it. He tells of having justbecome rector of a church. He used the restroom andnoticed the stalls were outfitted with those toilet paperdispensers that only allow the user to pull one sheet ofpaper off at a time. It struck him that that feature argua-bly saved some paper, but it came from a scarcity frameof mind. That was not the message he wanted the

    Continued on page 2, column 1

    Feasting on Gratitude:Living into the Abundant Kingdom

    By the time you read this, St. Aidans will be well onits way to completing our Annual Giving Campaign. I amproud of Shirley Bush, Sharon Weese, Sharon Barney,Rebecca Wirkkala, Colleen Hatala, Patrick Hoye Char-lotte Dennett, Angie Groce, all who helped with clean-up,and all their helpers for the work they have done andcontinue to do. I am also proud of the Episcopal ChurchCenters series of meditations that you have grown toexpect inserted in each weeks Sunday bulletin. I hopeyou have read them and spent some time with the ques-tions they pose.

    We began our Campaign this year, not by asking formoney, but by remembering that we also give of our timeand talent. We began with a ministry fair which repre-sented many of our ministries here at St. Aidans. Theparish hall was arranged in a very different configurationfrom what we have grown used to; it was arranged soyour fellow parishioners could talk to you directly about aministry in which they, themselves, are engaged. Theday was a bit chaotic. It was festive. It was some addedwork. And we added at least five people to some of our

    important ministries. Donna Brady expressed interest injoining the Altar Guild, Bruce Richardson signed on withGloria Trunk to help in the garden, Andrew Agler andMarilyn Freeman want to begin serving as Greet-ers/Ambassadors on Sunday mornings, and DonovanSartwell is preparing for Confirmation to enable him to betrained and licensed to serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minis-ter. Because this was a first-ever event in our commonlife, and reports are slow to come in, I do not know whoelse signed on for a new ministry. I guess there aremore.

    We have not commissioned our Stewardship Com-mittee before, either. When we set those folks apart as

    leaders for this ministry in prayer and scripture, we setthe Annual Giving Campaign apart, as well. We hallowedit. Our gifts are sacred as we lay them on the altar, ask-ing God to transform them and us; asking God to makethem and us instruments to make the Kingdom known,on earth as in heaven.

    When Dan and Linda Martin met with our LongRange Planning Committee to discuss that work, I wasskeptical of the notion of rolling the Long Range Planningprocess into the Stewardship process. Their suggestionwas to engage in another round of Table Talk conversa-tions, sooner rather than later. As it turns out (and all ofyou who were there can attest), the two turned out to

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    2/14

    2

    Continued from page

    church to project. That was not a tangible lesson aboutabundance, but scarcity. He challenges each of us to ex-amine our lives to see where scarcity drives us and whereabundance drives us. He reminds us that the Kingdom ofGod is all about abundance in its many forms. If we, as achurch, wish to live into that Kingdom, then we must reflectabundance and rebuke scarcity.

    Please keep our parish in your prayers, that this time ofreflection on stewardship will be a time of transformation for

    us, that we may continue to live into and reflect that visionof Gods reign where there is life abundant, in this life andin the life to come.

    AThrillofHope;TheChristmasStoryinWordandArt

    ThisAdventandChristmas,weinviteyoutojoininapresentationoftheChristmasstoryinartanddiscovery

    entitledAThrillofHope.ThisprogramfeaturesDVDdiscussionsaboutthe

    themesofsixpieces

    ofartbypainterand

    printmakerJohnAu-

    gustSwanson.The

    artworksfeatured

    constituteaseries

    knownastheBirth

    Narrative.Youwillenjoytheinelydetailed,brilliantly

    coloredprintsandcommentaryfromBiblescholarsand

    professorsofpreachingfromtheCandlerSchoolofThe-

    ologyatEmoryUniversity.Thisclassisfrom9:10amto

    9:40amontheSundaysleadinguptoandfollowing

    ChristmasDay,asnotedbelow.

    Eachshortchapterfeaturesapassageofscripture,

    commentarybythescholarsandaworkofartbythe

    artist.Discussionfollowseachpresentation.Thechap-

    ters(orworksunderconsideration)are:1.AVisit,2.

    TheNativity,3.TheShepherds,4.Epiphany,5.

    PresentationintheTemple,and6.FlightintoEgypt.Schedule1.AVisit,December4,2011

    2.TheNativity,December11,2011

    3.TheShepherds,December18,2011

    Christmas/NewYearBreak

    4.Epiphany,January8,2012

    5.PresentationintheTemple,January15,2012

    6.FlightintoEgypt,January22,2012

    Help Support SnowCapSnowCap is a philanthropic organization cre-ated to provide food, clothes, advocacy, andother services for the poor.

    We at St. Aidans are proud oour long association with SnowCap. We collect money, fooand clothing to help SnowCaprovide for the neediest of oulocal citizens here in Rockwooand greater Gresham.

    SnowCap is now serving almost 10,000 people eacmonth and is running very close to empty each monthSnowCap needs all kinds of food, but especially wholesome foods that promote good growth and health. The people who come to food banks are often disabled, ill or othewise in a weakened condition. Their ability to bounce bacdepends on many things, but good health is an essentiafoundation for all of them. Lets all try to do the best we cafor our recession ravaged neighbors.

    SNOWCAP WISH LISTCanned meat and fish, Canned Fruit (peaches, pears,

    and applesauce are all good); gas cards to fill the SnowCaptruck; big bags of rice25 or even 50 lbs. is OK; baby for-mula; pull-top canned food (for the homeless); reusable,strong shopping bags with handles for clients to carry homtheir food; Zip-loc and paper bags of all sizes; dry beans oall shapes, sizes and colors; Clean Blankets; Peanut ButteCan openers and cooking equipment; Bath soap for theshower room; Laundry soap to launder donated clothes.Fresh milkwhen your grocer offers two gallons for theprice of one, bring the extra gallon to SnowCap Making usof promotions could feed lots of families at very little cost to

    you. Baby formula and baby food are especially needed!SnowCap cannot buy baby formula and food at a dis-countits not available. Buy Scrip for your Favorite Grocery Store!Clip coupons, watch the sales, and use a Scricard to buy nourishing food for SnowCap!

    To donate non-perishable food items at St. Aidansplace them in the Feed My Sheep basket in the Narthexand they will be delivered to SnowCapby faithful stewardRon and Mary Salter.

    Christmas Season Giving Tree.Each year, The Giving Tree is placed in Murdock Hall withcards hung with suggestions for Christmas Gifts for needychildren. The tree will appear in late November. The con-cept is to take a card, note the suggested gift, and eithertake it with you, or return it to the tree. Upon bringing theunwrapped gift and placing it under the tree, return thecard to the container also under the tree, and select anornament to replace that card on the tree. These gifts willbe taken to Snow Cap on December 19. (Last two years, fully loaded my cars sizable trunk and backseat.) Have amerry holiday time, everyone!!

    Ron Salter

    Childrens Christmas StoreWe are collecting new and gently used itemsfor the childrens store. Give donations or mon-ey to Sharon Barney.

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    3/14

    3

    Do you shop on-line?Check out the church's homepage at

    http://www.staidans-gresham.org/ to see how you can

    help raise funds for the church by shopping on-line with

    our business partners. Questions? Call Mark Jones at

    503.866.5572

    ARE WE THERE YET?As good Christians and parishioners, we come together

    during this special time of year known as stewardship. Butwhat does this mean? Our theme this year is, Feasting onGratitude. Part of the feasting means taking care of our

    parish. We know it means digging into our pockets to helptake care of the business side of our church. To pay ourbills. To pay our Rector and to help with inside church pro-grams as well as outreach.

    However there is a second part to this thing calledstewardship. The second part is not the tangible aspect. Itis the part that comes directly from the heart. Its kind of likethe parents taking the kids on a trip. Kids get bored andconstantly ask, Are we there yet? um are we there yetwith our stewardship?

    I want to relate some stories to you. They are true sto-ries. The first story happened around 1900 a century ago

    it happened to a little boy who started Kindergarten. On

    the way home from school one day, he was approached bysome boys older and who thought they were wiser. Thischild was beaten because he was a German. They wereItalian and Irish. The beatings continued until he no longerwent to school until First Grade. He went with his olderbrothers then and nobody bothered him again.

    The second story concerns a little girl. She played withher friends at school and at home. One day she came toschool looking different than anyone else in school. Shewas wearing glasses. At that time, glasses were not ac-ceptable. Her best friends mother told this child not to wor-ry that just because she is now ugly now she would prettywhen she grew up. Oh yeah. That was a big help.

    Just one more story and youll see when you ask, Arewe there yet! The third story is also about a child. Thischild was not beaten physically and did not wear glasses.However, he was deeply wounded as were many others.The wounds were from actions, stink-eye looks and told hewas not good enough and could never because his prob-lem, if you will, was because he was a boy and not a girl.His teacher did not like little boys. She made it clear to theboys they were not welcomed in her classroom. This par-ticular child was overcome with emotion inside. He beganto stutter. He became difficult to understand. Of course,he did not want to go to school. The teacher was removed.Damage was done to 26 little kids, boys and girls. Thegood news: the next year this child loved his teacher. Keptsaying how beautiful she was and he loved her. She lovedhim. She was not young, in fact, she was retirement age.She had grey hair, wrinkles in her face and a beautiful lightthat shined in her blue eyes. By the end of the school term,this particular little boy had almost stopped stuttering andthe change in him with that love and caring was dramatic.These three stories I related to you are true and left deepwounds that took years to heal. The first little boy is my fa-ther. The ugly little girl is me and the boy who stuttered ismy son.

    We are all Gods children. All of us have been woundedfrom time to time by the action, or reaction, or non-action of

    others towards us. But todays readings give us hope to letus know that even if we are not there yet, we are on ourway by doing our best to follow the laws of God.

    In todays Collect we pray concerning the gifts of faithhope and charity. In Leviticus God gives us direction as aparent speaking to a child of what you shall do and whatyou shall not do, and the last line says you shall love yourneighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

    The Psalm is all about doing the right thing and thosewho do not will be punished.

    In 1Thessalonians the Apostles talk about their loveand caring of their brothers and sisters in Christ like anurse tenderly caring for her own children. Wow. Are WEthere yet?

    Then we get to Matthew and he just lays it out to us.The first two Commandments leave no question in the minor the heart, You shall love the Lord your God with all youheart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

    God doesnt stop there. The second is like unto it andsays, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On thesetwo commandments hang all the law and the proph-ets.Are we there yet?

    Well, lets take a look at St. Aidans wonderful web site

    I really love what this says about who we are and what wewant to accomplish. We welcome and invite into St. Ai-dans parish all people who seek to love God in an openand supportive community based upon the example andteachings of Jesus Christ. We especially welcome peopleWHO FEEL THEY MAY NOT BE WELCOME IN ACHURCH. .Now thats really wonderful. Those who arenot welcome somewhere else can come here and whenthey ask, Are we there yet? We can answer with a bigYes. Welcome!.And when we continue on and it says,We confess that as a community we are not already per-fected in love. We seek to become more fully loving and wWELCOME ALL WHO WISH TO JOIN US IN THIS JOUR-

    NEY.St. Aidans Mission Statement certainly sends us into

    our surrounding community to love and cherish each andevery person since we are ALL Gods children. Listen tothis: Spread the Promise of Jesus Christ in and BEYONDour community through worship, education fellowship andoutreach.

    My brothers and sisters in Christ, I love what you say.May we increase our outreach stewardship this year and bthis time next year we will be much closer to God in loveand charity.

    When we hear, Are we there yet? We will have theright answer and we can add that we are feasting on grati

    tude. Amen

    Coleen HowardLiturgy Class SermonOctober 21, 2011

    Our Deacon-in-training, Coleen Howard delivered the Sermon

    on 23 November. Several parishioners asked for a copy. Coleen

    asked that it be printed in this months edition ofTHE TORCH

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    4/14

    The Book CornerNoaember 2A17St. Aidan's Bookstore is open most Sundays between services from 8:45 to 9:15 am & after the 10 am service until noon.========All Things Bright and Beautiful- Armed only withgloriously hued colored paper and his mother'sembroidery scissors, renowned artist Ashley Bryancaptures the mightiest whales and the most delicateblossoms, pearls of grapes and grins of children in thehomage to Cecil F. Alexander's beloved hymn, which isperformed by choirs around the world.1n::',=-: = = =Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy - Adefinitive, deeply moving narrative, Bonhoeffer is a storyof moral courage in the face of the monstrous evil thatwas Nazism. After discovering the fire of true faith in aHarlem church, Bonhoeffer returned to Germany andbecame one of the first to speak out against Hitler. As adouble-agent, he joined the plot to assassinate theFuhrer, and was hanged in Flossenberg concentrationcamp at age 39. Since his death, Bonhoeffer has grownto be one of the most fascinating, complex figures of the3tj^=":TTu: =A Dangerous Dozen: 12 Christians who threatenedthe status quo but taught us to live like Jesus- Change is never easy, and it is most threatening tothose in institutional power, whether in society or theChurch. Yet there are times when transformation issorely needed, and it usually takes "troublemakers" tohelp bring it about. This book explores twelve of thesefascinating-at times, intimidating--men and women.These Christian change agents were not afraid tochallenge structures that would divide and repress,showing the world a different way of living.Paul of TarsusMary Magdalene Sojourner TruthDorothy DayOrigen of Alexandria Dietrich BonhoefferFrancis of Assisi Janani LuwumHildegard of Bingen Oscar Romero= = = = ]l"r3r Cranmer K'H' TingGenesis People - This is a middle school reader forbook-lovers of all ages telling stories for all time aboutthe everyday folk in the everyday world of the first bookof the Bible"The Little Prince - An aviator whose plane is forceddown in the Sahara Desert encounters a little princefrom a small planet who relates his adventures inseeking the secret of what is important in life. RichardHoward's new translation of the beloved classic-published to commemorate the 100th anniversary ofAntoine de Saint-Exup6ry's birthday - beautifully reflectsSaint-Exupery's unique and gifted style.

    il;;; ;;gt": 10 tessons for inner strength inchallenging times -Don't slay your dragons, learn toride theml Drawing on Easter and Western traditions,psychologist and best-selling author Robert Wicks offersencouragement to engage your problems and growthrough them, to ride those dragons rather than slaythem or drive them back into the cave.========Stars - Mary Lyn Ray celebrates allthe differentaspects of stars, from stars that sparkle in the night skyto the ones that shine within each and every one of us.And Marla Frazee brings the joy of stars to life with hersignature breathtaking art.. The Star Book is sure to be aI"j:"j_l. j":d

    by stars of all asesThis Will be Remembered of Her: stories of womenreshaping the world - Megan McKenna juxtaposesbiblicalwomen and contemporary women, exploring thereasons why each has been remembered throughouttime. ln the end, her most important question is asked o:"lT::n=": willyou be remembered?We Plan, God Laughs: What to do when life hits youover the head - The old Yiddish proverb, "We plan, Golaughs," expresses a truth everyone can relate to. Atevery stage of life we make plans, setting out where wewant to go and imagining what we will be like when wehave "arrived." But things have a way of turning out notquite as we hoped or expected. ln this book, Ms. Hirschargues that too often our plans are limited to ones wethink up at bedtime, or are devised by our parents, or bywhat looks good on a r6sum6. Addressing seriousspiritual issues, Hirsch takes readers through ten basicsteps for formulating a plan that reflects who we are nowand who we want to be-a plan that is alive, organic,::ol1'lrlith GodWisdom from the Middle Ages for Middle-AgedWomen - This book is particularly relevant because itlooks at the issues that directly affect most middle-agedwomen: empty nest, career changes, relationships, aswell as physical and spiritualquestions. Using famousspiritualwomen (Julian of Norwich, Hildegard of Bingen,Mechthild of Magdeburg, Claire of Assisi, and more)from the Middle Ages, it looks at what they said and howthis relates to middle age. All have something to offer thTsl?ln:iwomen of today(NOTE: I do my besf fo select books that cost $20 or less.Also, if you are interested in a previously listed title, I can ordeit for you. I have copies of all the "Book Comef' pages)Lin[aC aro t toIck(1n ta1 @

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    5/14

    4

    November 6 8:00 am Server, Byron McKinlay, Usher, Tim Keady; Lector, Tim Keady

    10:00 am Service Server, Donovan Sartwell; LEM 1,Chuck Kyer; LEM 2, Coleen Howard; Lector 1, Youth/LymanHouk, Lector 2, Youth/Sharon Barney; Usher 1, Youth/Cathy Hoye; Usher 2, Youth; Ambassador, Cathy Hoye; CoffeeHour, Leslie Hirsch, Triss Pfeiffer, Gloria Trunk;Pacific Gardens: All Saints Day No Service Altar Guild, B.J.Pietzold, Colleen Hatala, Sharon Weese and Noriko Sutton; Counters, Charlotte Dennett and Linda Hammond; BuildingClosers, Sharon Weese and Byron McKinlay.

    November 13 8:00 am Service Server, Paul Koksha; Usher, Bill Pratt.

    10:00 am Service Server, Tammie Sartwell; LEM 1, Byron McKinlay; LEM 2, Chuck Kyer; Lector 1, Cynthia Rausch-er; Lector 2, Dan Hatala; Usher 1, Barry Anderson; Usher 2, Cathy Hoye; Ambassador, June Day; Coffee Hour Hosts,Hatalas, Pat Rose; Altar Guild, Shirley Pratt, Charlotte Dennett, Marlene Lucas and Mary Hamilton; Counters, ShirleyBush and Tammie Sartwell; Building Closers, Rebecca Wirkkala and Sharon Barney.

    November 20 8:00 am Service Server, Byron McKinlay; Usher, Lloyd Johnston; Lector, Lloyd Johnston.

    10:00 am Service Server, Chuck Kyer; LEM 1, Chuck Kyer; LEM 2, Coleen Howard; Lector 1, Mark Pinkerton Lec-tor 2, Chuck Howard; Usher 1, Mark Pinkerton ; Usher 2, Cathy Hoye; Ambassador, B.J. Pietzold; Coffee Hour Hosts,WINTERGARDEN (Food for Sale, Support St. Aidans); ; Altar Guild, Linda Hammond, Jan Iseli, Mary Anderson andDoris Fisher; Counters, Leslie Hirsch and Barbara Lambert; Building Closers, Patrick Hoye and Byron McKinlay.

    November 27 8:00 am Server, Paul Koksha, Usher, George DeWitz; Lector, George DeWitz.

    10:00 am Service Server, Byron McKinlay; LEM 1, Byron McKinlay; LEM 2, Marilyn Pierik; Lector 1, Sharon Barney;Lector 2, Leslie Hirsch; Usher 1, Cathy Hoye; Usher 2, Barry Anderson; Ambassador, Cathy Hoye; Coffee HourHosts, Lloyd Johnston, Mary Hamilton and Angie Groce Altar Guild, Diane Dempsey, Julie Kyer, Betsy Berninghausenand Doris Fisher; Counters, Barry and Claire Anderson ; Building Closers, Mike Vidito and Shirley Bush.

    December 4 8:00 am Server, Byron McKinlay; Usher, Tim Keady; Lector; Tim Keady.

    10:00 am Service Server, Chuck Kyer; LEM 1, Chuck Kyer; LEM 2, Coleen Howard; Lector 1, Shirley Bush; Lector2, LindaCarol McKinlay; Usher 1, Youth/Barry Anderson; Usher 2,Youth; Ambassador, June Day; Coffee Hour Hosts,Gurneys and Rebecca Wirkkala; Pacific Gardens, McKinlays; Altar Guild, B.J. Pietzold, Colleen Hatala, SharonWeese and Noriko Sutton; Counters, Greenaways; Building Closers, John Gurney and Sharon Weese.

    Servants Serving the Servants of God November

    If you are unable to serve on a particular occasion:1. Please make arrangements for a substitute, and

    2. Please Notify Rob Stoltz, Parish Administrator, in the church office:by email, [email protected] or phone(503) 2526128.

    Dont forget to change your clocks!

    Pacific Standard Time beginsSunday, November 6

    UpstARTpdx

    The Episcopal Diocese of Oregon is support-ing UpstARTpdx (a ministry of St. David ofWales in SE Portland) in a huge collectiondrive at the Diocesan Convention, November10-12 in Salem. We ask that you clean outyour jewelry box and your craft stash and bringwhat you dont need to the church on Novem-ber 6. Rebecca Wirkkala will get it to the rightplace.

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    6/14

    5

    THE CHURCH MOUSE November 2011

    The leaves are beautiful this time ofyear. Despite the clean up work, I relishthe days when the sun comes out andbrightens the colorful world with its spe-cial autumn light. GloriaTrunk is stillfinding a few autumn-ish plants in ourgarden for cooking. Its with great pridethat we can also report that she took over170 pounds of produce to SnowCap,

    along with sharing some of our bountiful produce withparishioners during the past summer. The weather wasmostly something to sneeze at, but not so good for to-matoes. Back to SnowCap, I talked with Ron Salter,who gathers up our food offerings from the narthex eachweek. I hope youve noticed the basket near the doorthat says feed my sheep. He gets about 15 pounds perweek of items to share with the hungry. He said that itwas better in the past closer to 20 pounds per week. Idont often remember to bring things to put in that bas-ket; people need all kinds of things to eat (and brushtheir teeth, and wash their clothes, etc.) A big thank youto Ron for his faithful service here, and WE CAN DO

    BETTER! Its good for a church of our size to contributeto the work of an established agency or two than for usto reinvent the wheel. I am so grateful to the administra-tive services of the SnowCap administrator, workers andboard for the work they do in this community.

    Another ministry that our church supports is farthereast at the Zarephath ministries, Zarephath Kitchen andZarephath Pantry. You remember the story in the OldTestament about the Widow from Zarephath who fedElijah with a bit of oil and flour for a long period of time,and neither the flour nor the oil was ever used up. Thisministry was founded over twenty years ago by Gresh-am churches, and housed at Trinity Lutheran because

    they had a house available [for using it]. They were alsothe site for SnowCap for many years until the currentfacility on Stark Street was built. When SnowCap left,they continued using the space for Z Pantry instead(Valerie Greenaway often helps them). There are fourlarger congregations who each serve in the kitchen oneday per week. I know that St. Henrys Catholic and Trini-ty Lutheran are two of the churches. Fridays are servedby a rotating group of smaller congregations. The Epis-copalians get the third Friday. In October we had awonderful team of people from our congregation alongwith their friends and relatives. We welcomed Ken andKathy Olsen, and Kathys sister, Linda, along with

    Marlene Haldors, Donna Brady, Joyce Burley, JudieCox, Elaine Carolin, Marilyn DeWitz, Marilyn Pierik,Bill and Shirley Pratt, and Dick Dowsett, along with afew people that just came in to work. Some weeks itsmore of a struggle, but it was good we had such a goodcrew because we served over 200 meals (counting afew seconds). We were busy!

    We live in a hungry world. In our neighborhoodabout 80% of the children at H.B. Lee School are on thelunch program, and do not look forward to school vaca-tions, because their food is limited. Its a problem.

    Our next MOVIE NIGHT, on November 4; is spon-sored by our YOUTH GROUP. Bring a can of food, get

    Work WantedGresham Handyman and Gardener

    I could use extra work. I currently take careof John Malcom Estateproperties in Gresh-

    am. I have my own pickup and trailer forhauling,/ riding mower and assorted tools,and I work fast. Also, very good at paintingand repairs of all kinds.

    $15.00 per hour or quote by the job.Excellent references.

    (Call the parish for a reference, if you like).Kurt: 503-290-97488:a.m. 6:00 p.m.

    This is a corrected phone number

    free popcorn. I recommend two or three cans, who knowshow much popcorn you might get??? Thanks to JuniorWarden John Gurney and Sr. Warden, Patrick Hoye forleading the charge on this effort.

    Here and there about the parish, I hear that MarleneHaldors recently got back from a splendid trip to theGrand Canyon, where she traveled with her brother. Don-na Brady has joined the Altar Guild. Sandy Cumminshas moved to an apartment in Fairview she needsmore space after giving up her big house, but has to wait

    for the right place to be available.We enjoy seeing our Deacon-in-Training, Coleen

    Howard back at OUR altar, instead of somewhere else. Ireally enjoyed and was challenged by her sermon in lateOctober. Im so proud of her. Leslie Hirsch played in aconcert by the Portland Chamber Orchestra. Were luckyto have such a talented person in our midst. Theres alsothe Mt. Hood Pops Orchestra, which plays in East Countyat MHCC. Marilyn Pierik still labors as manager of thatgroup as well as playing viola there. Betty Jo Pietzold isalso playing with that group, and Pat Rose is on the Boardof Directors. Speaking of Pat, she is recovering from kneesurgery. When we last talked she was at Marquis Care

    Center on 202

    nd

    . Shes hoping to be home soon, and look-ing forward to getting well enough to have surgery on theother knee.

    Our Stewardship Campaign needs to be successful. Ibelieve that our cup is half full rather than half empty, butALL need to do our part. Long before I knew about Daugh-ters of the King, I was taught part of their slogan: [I amonly one but I AM One. I cannot do everything, but Ican do SOMETHING, and what I can do, by the grace ofGod, I will do.]. We can all do better!

    Look forward to WINTERGARDEN. NOVEMBER 19and 20. See the information elsewhere in The Torch.Gotta Run. More next month CM

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    7/14

    6

    Intercessions Lectionary Reading

    November 6, 2011 The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Proper 27 All Saints

    In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, pray for work of the Church in Ughelli - (Province of

    Bendel, Nigeria) In the Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, pray for the work of the church in

    Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tom and Principe. In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer,

    pray for the congregations of St. Barnabas, Portland; St. David of Wales, Portland; St.

    Gabriel the Archangel, Portland; St. Matthew, Portland. In our Parish Cycle of Prayer,

    pray for Operations Team especially the Building maintenance crew.

    Revelation 7:91

    Psalm 34:110, 2

    Benedicam Dominum

    1 John 3:1

    Matthew 5:11

    November 13, 2011 The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Proper 28

    In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, pray for work of the Church in Uyo - (Province of the

    Niger Delta, Nigeria). In the Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, pray for the work of the

    church in Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. In our Dioce-

    san Cycle of Prayer, pray for the congregations of St. David of Wales, Portland; St. Ga-

    briel the Archangel, Portland; St. John the Baptist, Portland; St. Matthew, Portland. In

    our Parish Cycle of Prayer, pray for Operations Team especially the Grounds mainte-

    nance crew.

    Zephaniah 1:7, 121

    Psalm 90:18, (911), 1

    Domine, refugium

    1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Matthew 25:143

    November 20, 2011 The Last Sunday after Pentecost Proper 29 Christ the King

    In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, pray for work of the Church in the State of Virginia -

    (Province III, USA). In the Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, pray for the work of the

    church in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. In our Diocesan Cycle of

    Prayer, pray for the congregations of St. Michael & All Angels, Portland; St. Philip the

    Deacon, Portland; St. Stephen, Portland; Trinity Cathedral, Portland. In our Parish

    Cycle of Prayer, pray for the operation of our Bookstore.

    Ezekiel 34:1116, 202

    Psalm 95:17

    Venite, exultemu

    Ephesians 1:152

    Matthew 25:314

    November 27, 2011 ** The First Sunday of Advent

    In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, pray for work of the Church in Wellington, New Zea-

    land. In the Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, pray for the work of the church in Liberia,

    Sierra Leone. In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, pray for the work of William Temple

    House, Portland; and the congregations of St. Paul, Powers; Good Shepherd, Prospect;

    Ascension, Riddle. In our Parish Cycle of Prayer, pray for the Daughters of the King.

    Isaiah 64:1

    Psalm 80:17, 161Qui regis Israe

    1 Corinthians 1:3

    Mark 13:243

    Eucharistic Lectionary - Year A Daily Office Lectionary Year

    **The Lectionary Year changes to Year B on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27

    and the Daily office Lectionary changes to Year 2 on that same date.

    The Lectionary readings are those of the Revised Common Lectionary [RCL], as adapted for The Use of The Episcopal Church

    We are in Year A (the year of Matthew). St. Aidans uses Track Two (the Gospel-related/correlated) First Reading and Psalm)

    Because there are two tracks for the first readings, there will be occasional variances from what purports to be official. Trac

    two is similar to the previous Lectionary that was formerly printed in The Book of Common Prayer.

    In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, pray for work of the Church Western Izon a Province

    of Bendel, Nigeria. In the Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, pray for the work of the church

    in Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal. In our Diocesan Cycle of

    Prayer, pray for the work of the congregations of St. George, Roseburg; Prince of Peace,

    Salem; St. Paul, Salem; St. Timothy, Salem. In our Parish Cycle of Prayer, pray for the

    Education team, especially the Church School.

    December 4, 2011 The Second Sunday of Advent

    Isaiah 40:11

    Psalm 85:12, 81

    Benedixisti, Domin

    2 Peter 3:815

    Mark 1:1-

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    8/14

    7

    Commission for the Poor & Homeless Fund:Congregations supporting congregations

    The Fund for the Poor and Homeless was estab-lished by the Diocese of Oregon decades ago to helpfund congregation-based ministry designed to alleviatethe suffering of our underserved populations and to ad-dress the systemic causes of poverty. By pooling re-sources, not only are necessary operating funds provid-

    ed, churches throughout west-ern Oregon are shown thattheir efforts are supported bythe diocese.

    The fund is dependent oncongregations for support. Themajor source of funding is theThanksgiving Offering, Sun-day, November 20. Offering

    Envelopes will be included in the bulletin.This year, the Commission for the Poor and Home-

    less (CPH), which administers the Fund, received grantapplications from 23 projects. As the Commission re-viewed the requests, they were inspired by all the workbeing done. Throughout the Diocese of Oregon, Episco-

    palians are feeding children who are hungry, housingfamilies without homes, clothing people who have little,providing medical and dental care to adults who have nohealth benefits, and offering hospitality to women whoseoptions are limited. People are doing what they can to beChrists hands and feet in the world.

    Unlike in years past, this year there were onlyenough resources to fund 55 percent of the amount re-quested. Choosing among so many wonderful programswas truly difficult. The commission decided it was im-portant to support as many projects as possible, even ata reduced level.

    This years grant recipients are:Ascension, Riddle: South Douglas Food BankChrist Church, Lake Oswego: Potluck in the ParkEmmanuel, Coos Bay: Ecumenical Emergency FoodEpiscopal Church Ministry, University of Oregon:

    Students Helping StudentsGrace, Astoria: Grace Episcopal Church Hunger

    MinistriesHoly Spirit, Sutherlin: Sutherlin/Oakland Emergency

    PantrySt. Andrew, Portland: St. Andrew Episcopal PantrySt. Catherine of Alexandria, Manzanita: Grub ClubSt. David of Wales, Portland: New City Initiative and

    UpstARTpdx (formerly Sweet Notions)

    St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukie: Feed the HungrySt. Martin, Lebanon: Personal Care KitsSt. Martin, Shady Cove: St. Martins Food PantrySt. Mary, Eugene: Saturday BreakfastSt. Matthew, Eugene: Home Starter KitsSt. Matthew, Portland: Rahabs Sisters Monthly MealSt. Matthias, Cave Junction: Harvest KitchenSt. Michael & All Angels, Portland:

    Adopt-a-Family ProjectSt. Paul, Salem: Helping Hands ResourcesTrinity, Ashland: The Listening Post

    St. Stephen, Portland: St. Stephens TableSt. Timothy, Brookings: Dental Van Ministry

    The commission thanks you for your support!Maureen Hagen, St. Luke, Gresham, convener,

    [email protected] (971-219-8219)Sydney Brewster, St. Paul, Salem,

    [email protected] Hockley, St. Mary, Eugene,

    [email protected] Hockley, St. Mary, Eugene,

    [email protected] Kaliszewski, St. David of Wales, Portland, [email protected] McKinley, St. Lukes by the Sea, Waldport,

    [email protected] Sabin, St. Michael & All Angels, Portland,

    [email protected] Wood, St. Matthew, Gold Beach,

    [email protected]

    The Reign of ChristThe Feast of Christ the King, Sunday, November

    20, is a celebration of endings. It marks the conclu-sion of the church calendar, which is denoted not bysecular marks like months or holidays, but by eventsin the life of Jesus Christ.

    The calendar gives us an opportunity to travelChrists journey on a cyclical basis; each year we re-

    peat the feast days that mark significant events inChrists life, occasions like Christmas, Epiphany, PalmSunday, and Easter. We discover, from year to year,how our understanding of these events deepen, bringing us closer to God.

    As we conclude this holy calendar, so we also fin-ish the season after Pentecost. This will be the lastSunday in which we will see the vibrant green vest-ments of growth.We inaugurate a new church year with the purplevestments of Advent, the season in which we preparefor Christs birth.

    Just as the Feast of the Reign of Christ marks theconclusion of our calendar year, this feast day alsoasks us to reflect on the final goal of our own spiritual

    journeys, to ask what it means to see Jesus in glory,to participate in the Messiahs reign, to learn whatChrist asks of us. Therefore the readings offer usglimpses of Jesus glory in conjunction with the roleset for us as followers and members of this dominionAs we follow the lessons of Christs life throughout theyear, we learn that his sovereignty, true sovereignty,is not an exercise of power, but a life of service.

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    9/14

    8

    TEAtime: A Cup of FriendshipDear Ladies,

    Novembers TEAtime will be held onWednesday, November 9, 2011, from 6:30-8:30p.m., in the kitchen of Murdock Hall. This is atime to just get together and chat, drink teaand enjoy each others company. Ill bringsome treats and the tea; feel free to bring atreat to share. WE ESPECIALLY WOULD LIKE TOINVITE ANY NEWCOMERS TO ST. AIDANS TOJOIN US.

    Six people attended Octobers TEAtime.Once again, thanks to all who have made thipart of Parish Life a success! Any questions,please call Angie Groce at 503-665-8242.

    Never trust a man who, when left alone in aroom with a tea cozy, doesnt try it on.

    ~Billy ConnollyBritish comedian

    WINTERGARDEN BAZAAR will be

    NOVEMBER 19 and 20

    Wintergarden hours are from 9 am to 3 pm on Friday,November 19 and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, November 20.

    Lunch will be provide by Sharon Barney and her crew,featuring homemade soup, bread and grilled cheese sand-wiches.

    Emphasis is on food products, including strawberry jam,fruit cake, preserves, soup mixes and emergency meals(depending on volunteers available to prepare them). ColleenHatala is planning to bring her wonderful cinnamon rolls(individually wrapped) and it is hoped there will lots of cook-ies and other tidbits presented. There will be hand-madeitems, wonderful for Christmas gifts. We have made a bunchof strawberry jam hope for more food more food more food!

    Planning/Craft workshops are on Wednesday eve-nings in Murdock kitchen from 7 to 9 p.m.

    We need great thoughts for one great DOOR PRIZE,(and some other smaller ones).

    Watch for more information to be posted.

    Happy Birthday Because time itself is like a

    spiral, something special happens on your birthdayeach year: The same energy that God invested inyou at birth is present once again.

    02 Carolyn Litzenberger

    06 Sharon Barney

    09 Bill Berninghausen

    11 LindaCarol McKinlay

    12 Marilyn Pierik

    15 Leslie Hirsch

    16 Mark Jones

    Ana Inmon Phillips

    18 Peggy Brewer

    22 Samantha Hoye

    23 Noriko Sutton

    28 Jamie Groce

    Providence Hospice Community Care Pro-gram: GET ME THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS!

    Ten Strategies for Coping withLoss on Days that hold SpecialMeaning

    Friday, November 18 at 1:00p.m. at St. Matthews EpiscopalChurch in the Parkrose District

    Are you or someone you love finding the thought of

    Thanksgiving, Christmas and other formerly joyfulholidays difficult this year? For many who have losta loved one, the holiday season can intensify feel-ings of sadness and isolation.This one hour seminar helps people who are griev-ing discover practical and meaningful ways to copeduring the holidays and other special occasions. Allare welcome; especially those who wish to come insupport of a friend or loved one. Please register inadvance by calling Deacon Marla at St. Matthewschurch office, 503-252-5720.

    Feasting on GratitudeStewardship 2011Our annual stewardship campaign will

    culminate with IngatheringSunday, November 6.

    Please deposit your pledge card in the boxprovided in the Narthex by that time

    If it is more convenient you may also mailit in to the church in the envelope provided

    with your pledge card.Shirley Bush

    Stewardship Chair

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    10/14

    9

    Advent Begins, Sunday November 27

    Advent is the season of watching and waiting. Thisyear, Advent Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent, isNovember 27 (the earliest date it can occur). Adventalways marks the beginning of a new Liturgical Year.

    In Advent, we watch and wait for the annual celebra-tion of the Incarnation of Our Lord at Christmas. Wealso watch and wait for that time when, in the future,God will bring to fulfillment his Kingdom. It is a sea-son of preparation and we are constantly remindedto be ready for we neither know the day or the hourwhen Our Lord will come again.While Advent is, in some respects, a penitential sea-sonas any season of preparation is penitential, andpared down partially to allow for the full impact of cel-ebration when we finally attain to the feast for whichwe are waitingit is not, however, a mini-Lent.Advent was the last season to be officially added tothe church calendar, in about 600 AD. It was madethe first season of the year because it begins the sto-ry of the events of Christs life, death, and resurrec-tion. Advent refers to the approach or arrival ofsomeone or something and is the season in whichwe anticipate Gods birth into our world. Advent is atime to examine ourselves and our lives and do aninner housecleaning as we make ourselves ready toreceive the wonder of Jesus. It is quiet, contempla-tive time as we await the majesty of God. The colorwe use for Advent is purple, symbolic of penitence

    and expectation.The liturgies of Advent are characterized by a senseof the majesty of the God for whom we wait. TheGreat Litany is sung in procession on the First Sundaof Advent. We use an Advent Wreath of three purplecandles and one pink candle, lighting an additionalpurple candle each Sunday, to mark the time of wait-ing. Many families observe this custom at home. St.Nicholas will make an appearance during Advent, as

    well.Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, andNobody

    This is a little story about four people named Eve-rybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.There was an important job to be done and Every-body was sure that Somebody would do it.Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybodys job.

    Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, butNobody realized that Everybody wouldnt do it.It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when

    Ten Little Christians

    Ten Little Christians came to church all the time;One fell out with the preacher, then there were nine.

    Nine Little Christians stayed up late;One overslept on Sunday, then there were eight.

    Eight Little Christians on their way to Heaven;One took the low road, then there were seven.

    Seven Little Christians, chirping like chicks;

    One didn't like the singing, then there were six.Six Little Christians seemed very much alive;One took a vacation, then there were five.

    Five Little Christians pulling for Heavens shore;One stopped to take a rest, then there were four.

    Four Little Christians each as busy as a bee;One had his feelings hurt, then there were three.

    Three Little Christians couldn't decide what to do;One couldn't have his way, then there were two.

    Two Little Christians each won one more;Now don't you see, two plus two equals four.

    Four Little Christians worked early and late;Each brought one, now there were eight.

    Eight Little Christians if they double as before;In just seven Sundays, we have one thousand twenty four.

    In this jingle there is a lesson true;You belong either to the building, or to the wrecking crew.

    Author Unknown

    Source: http://www.inspirationalarchive.com/texts/topics/evangelization/tenlittle.shtml

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    11/14

    November 701 1VA@o Epi; ro\ aL Ch* & Kal*da,li S""at -=Msad"y 19'30 AM - 11 :00AM lectionary

    Study Group(Guild Room)

    i8ig,loAvt - tt,ooAM l-ectionaryStudy Group(Guild Room)

    :30AM-11:00AM LectionaryStr.rdy Group(Guild Room)

    :30AM-11:00AM LectionaryStudy Group(Guild Room)

    10:00 AMCuaff forSund.ay Bullztin

    210:00 AM Cutnff forSundal Bulbtia7:00 PM'Vintergar-

    den Crafts

    I I 0;00 AM Brlletio FoldiagRm.):00 PM - 8'30 PMChoir Rehearsal

    inceaflera: MariaJuaquin lopez

    Irz

    :30 PM MovieNight

    if::,g.*tE"h"7 00

    IIl9ir o,t. AMCutoff forht Bulhtin

    10:00AM Holy IEucharist Rite 2 iAll Saints'Sundq iSavingTine

    1'.3 i14'00 AM Holy Eucha-113rist Rite 1 i10:00AM Holy iEuchadst Rite 2 I

    30 PM Cup ofFriendship Murdock

    AM Blllettu FoldiilgRm)PM - 8:30Choir Rehearsal(Chu

    :0O PM Iong RangePlanning

    tol0:00 AM Cumff forJ SundatBvlbrtt

    l

    AMB*lbn*Fold;ine(Gdld Roon)

    AM Bdkrin Foldirg:00 PM - 8:30 PMChoir Rehearsal

    124lThanksgiving Day:Parish Offrcei clored

    21@-,ru-*ooAM Vestry Meeo,, ing (Murd,ockKitrhen)

    orch Deadline(Shirley Bush)

    !)79116 1232

    56lz 1319 2026 T',t3

    10172431

    lo2330

    OctoberT'W T FS17814 1521 2228 29

    +5tl 1218 1925 261236 7 8 9101.3 t4 t5 16 t72A 2t 22 23 24z7 28 29 30 3l

    1,19iFooo AM -i.oo-liPM Vintzrgorden yi', (MurdockHall) li

    1

    278;00 AM Holy Euchanst Rite 110:00 AM HolyI Errcharist Rite 2

    :00AM-11'00AMTorch Printing and

    ihinted fu lrant Cabxdar on 10/26/2011

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    12/14

    $w

    ga,rr.rt ltOaru's prgeoprl- CDuncllN.E. Glison St. ot l74h / P.O.Box I 319

    Greshom, OR 97030-0277

    22*'ANNunr - Att You Cnn Enr! Frsnunnv I 5 - I B, 2A12Tickets: $21.00 per Adult. $2+.00 per Senior (65 ond over)DeoCline for Ordering Tickets is Februory /, 2012.Tickets moy be ordered by moil only, using this ticket order form.Pleose, no phone orders, ond no cosh. Poy by check anly. All Soles Finol. NO REFUNDS.Your order is processed in the order in which it is received. Your tickets will be moiled to the oddress ofthe primory ticket holder opproximctely three weeks ofter we receive your ticket order {orm ond check.Note: for group seoting, send oll checks together with oneticket order form ond check.

    St. Aidon's Crob ond Shrimp Feost is o non-olcoholic eveni.Seofood prices hove increosed, ond we hove mode o smoll price increose.For Queslions ond Toke-Cut orders, coll Tim, 503-477-5575.Session 1 .........Wednesdoy....... Februory 15, 2O12 6:30 p.m.

    Session 2 ..........Thursdoy ........... Februory 16,2012 .......5:30 p.m.Session 3 ..........Thursdoy........... Februory 16,2012 7:00 p.m.Session 4 .......... Fridoy ....... Februory 17,2012 4:00 p.m.Session 5 .......... Fridoy ....... February 17,2012 6:30 p.m.Session 6 .......... Soturdoy ........... Februory I B, 2012 4:00 p.m.Session 7 ..........Soturdoy........... Februory I B, 2012 5:30 p.m.Session B .......... Soturdoy ........... Februory I B, 2012 /:00 p.m.

    Pleose moke check poyoble t'o: St. Aidon's Crob & Shrimp FeostPleose noil this lickel order forn to: St. Aidon's Episcopol ChurchP.O. Box "l3.l9, Greshom, OR 92030-A277

    Cul here and mail bolfom porfion of this lickel order form wilh your check.St. Aidon's Crob & Shrimp Feost . St. Aidon's Episcopol Church . P.O. Box l3l9 . Greshom, OR 970304277Nome (s)AddressZIP + four

    CityE-moil Address

    Are there wheelr/power choirs in your group? lf so, how mony?ls this o tokeoui order?

    I " Choice: Session #-

    Doy of Week2'd Choice: Session #

    -Doy of Week

    Adult Tickers $27.00 xSenior Tickets $24.00 x

    201 2 PNCITIC NONTHWEST CRAB AND SHilMP FrNSr!

    Stote

    TimeTime

    DoteDote

    :tr Check enclosed ond mode poyoble to: St. Aidon's Crob & Shrimp Feost.

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    13/14

    10

    Saints Sunday is Nov. 6Saint Bernard of Clairvaux expressed the significance

    of the churchs All Saints observance when he declared:What does our commendation mean to them?The saints have no need of honor from us; nei-ther does our devotion add the slightest thing towhat is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate theirmemory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you,

    when I think of them, I feel myself enflamed by a tremen-dous yearning. [Quoted in J. Robert Wright, ed., Read-

    ings for the Daily Office from the Early Church (ChurchPublishing, 1991), p. 496.]

    Jesus announces this work of grace in his Sermon onthe Mount, when he addresses the Beatitudes to his dis-ciples. He tells them they are beautiful and real already,and their reality and beauty will be visible in that weddingphotograph yet to come. He speaks to those ordinarydisciples and to all the ordinary people who are to followthem, including us.

    Eugene Petersons paraphrase of the Beatitudeshelps make their message clear. Jesus says:

    Youre blessed when youre at the end of your rope.With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

    Youre blessed when you feel youve lost what ismost dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by theOne most dear to you.

    Youre blessed when youre content with just who youare -- no more, no less. Thats the moment you find your-selves proud owners of everything that cant be bought.

    Youre blessed when youve worked up a good appe-tite for God. Hes food and drink in the best meal youllever eat.

    Youre blessed when you care. At the moment of be-ing full of cares [Petersons paraphrase reads, At themoment of being care-full], you find yourself cared for.

    Youre blessed when you get your inside world --your mind and your heart -- put right. Then you can see

    God in the outside world.Youre blessed when you can show people how to

    cooperate instead of compete or fight. Thats when youdiscover who you really are, and your place in Gods fam-ily.

    Youre blessed when your commitment to God pro-vokes persecution. The persecution drives you deeperinto Gods kingdom.

    Not only thatcount yourself blessed every time peo-ple put you down or throw you out or speak lies aboutyou to discredit you. What it means is that the truth is tooclose for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can beglad when that happensgive a cheer, even!for

    though they dont like it, I do! And all heaven applauds.And know that you are in good company. My prophetsand witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trou-ble. [Matthew 5:3-12 in Eugene H. Peterson, The Mes-sage: The Bible in Contemporary Language (NavPress,2002.]

    It is in these ways that grace does its work and gloryappears.

    --Extracted from a sermon by The Very Rev. CharlesHoffacker, rector of St. Pauls Episcopal Church in PortHuron, Michigan, and author of A Matter of Life andDeath: Preaching at Funerals, published by Cowley.

    UTO Ingathering is Nov. 27The Fall Ingathering for UTO is timed to coincidewith Thanksgiving Day.

    The UTO has helped the Episcopal Church expand itsmission for the last 120 years by making grants to minis-tries that address human needs.UTO suggests that people should daily pray and give in

    recognition of their daily thanks for whatGod has given them. Oftentimes, thepeople whom the UTO calls thankful

    givers supplement their daily contribu-tions before sending the money to UTOeither individually or through a process

    known as the diocesan in-gathering. The UTO believesthat thankful giving spiritually unites the givers with thepeople who benefit from their gifts.Mark Harris has been involved with a study group that hasbeen meeting the past three years, to strengthen the tiesof the UTO Board with The Episcopal Church. Mark grewup watching his grandmother put coins into the UTO bluebox she kept on her dining room table while she said herdaily prayers. UTO has never been just a matter of donorparticipation, but really prayer participation. UTO says that

    it is essentially a prayerful organization and out of thatprayer grows funding for mission. So the question then is:how do we engage more people in that prayerful activityand, hopefully, in more mission giving?

    Its that legacy of thankful giving that Harris wants tohelp UTO build on as the organization that has helped theEpiscopal Church expand its mission for the last 120 yearby making grants to ministries that address human needsfaces the 21st century.

    One of the things that everybody agrees with is theUTO has had an extraordinary impact on the church overthe years and that impact is not something we want to seedisappear or dissipate, but as the church itself changesand finds new ways of working, its relationship to UTO andUTOs understanding of its own role need to be looked atand examined, Harris told Episcopal News Service recenly.

    In 2009, UTO received 123 grant applications askingfor just more than $5.9 million. The organization grantedclose to $2.1 million in 63 grants. There were 28 grants todomestic Episcopal Church-related groups amounting to$528,222 and 35 international grants that totaled$1,537,520. In addition, UTO granted $621,105 in 17 companion diocese grants.

    Use Forward Day By Day!Forward Day by Dayis a booklet of daily inspirationalmeditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage chosen

    from the daily lectionary readings, as listed in theRevised Common Lectionary, or the Daily OfficeLectionaryfrom the Episcopal Churchs Book ofCommon Prayer. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and

    experience. Decembers author is a young lay womanwho is a former overseas missionary and first-time con-tributor to Forward Day by Day. The November and Janu-ary mediations are from priests who have written for thepublication before. The November/December/Januaryedition is now available in the Narthex in two editions:Regular Print and Large Print. Pick up a copy!

  • 8/3/2019 The Torch November 2011

    14/14

    St. Aidans Episcopal ChurchPO Box 1319 (mailing)

    NE Glisan Street at 174th AvenueGresham OR 97030

    Phone: (503) 252-6128Fax: (503) 252-9121WEB: www.staidans-gresham.orge-mail: [email protected]://www.facebook.com/saintaidansgresham

    Office Hours:Tuesday Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

    or by appointment

    Treasurers Office Hours: By Appointment Only

    This newsletter is published monthly bySt. Aidans Episcopal Church at this address.

    Return Service Requested

    The Leadership of St. Aidans

    ClergyThe Right Reverend Michael J. Hanley, Bishop of OregonThe Reverend Scott M. Dolph, RectorThe Reverend Jackson Hazelett, Associate Priest, (retired)The Reverend Tom Murdock, Associate Priest, (retired)

    VestrySenior Warden, Patrick Hoye, (2012)Junior Warden, John Gurney, (2014)Sharon Barney, (2014)Gloria Trunk, (2012)Sharon Weese, (2014)Shirley Bush, Clerk of the Vestry (2013)Mike Vidito, (2013)Rebecca Wirkkala, (2013)Byron McKinlay, (2012)

    Convention Delegates: Mike Vidito, Chris Greenwayand Shirley Bush.

    Convention Alternates: LindaCarol McKinlay, ByronMcKinlay and Pat Rose.

    Other Lay Leaders and StaffParish Administrator: Rob StoltzTreasurer: Lorraine CrawfordOrganist and Choirmaster: Mark JonesSexton: Stan RickerdAltar Guild Chair: Julie KyerChurch School Director: Patrick Hoye & John GurneyChildcare Provider: VacantMedia Coordinator: VacantMaster Gardener, Grounds: Gloria TrunkOffering Counter Coordinator: Shirley BushWeb-master: Marilyn GrendeleNewsletter Co-Editors: Shirley Bush & Marilyn

    GrendeleProofreader: Pat Rose