May 09 Perspective - Our Saviour, Mill Valley May09... · 2020. 6. 5. · Zilpha Snyder May 11...

MAY 2009 CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR

VOLUME XLV, ISSUE 5 PAGE 1

PERSPECTIVEHelp Wanted

The Youth and Family Ministry Team is seeking a volunteer coordinator from the Church of Our Saviour community to help lead our short- and long-range planning for all the ministries that serve our young people at COS.

The coordinator will work with our already dynamic leadership of Godly Play, Cloud of Witnesses, Middle Saints, EPIC Youth ministries (including our new youth minister, when hired), and other staff through overseeing scheduling, planning and leading regular monthly meetings of the YFM team, and coordinating between the team and the Rector

and ministries of the greater parish.

Gifts vital for this ministry include solid organizational and communication skills and a passion for our work with children and youth of all ages. The volunteer time needed for this position would be 3-5 hours weekly. A new volunteer would receive support and any necessary training from the Rector and YFM team.

If you are interested in learning more about serving COS in this rewarding ministry, please contact the Rector at [email protected] or 388-1907 or Kathleen Piraino, our Senior Warden.

In This IssueThe Work of

.......................Eastertide 2Meet Our New Office

................Administrator 3The Senior Warden’s

........................Thoughts 5.......The Church Proper 6.......Who’s in the Pews? 8

..................Lay Schedule 9....................Calendar 10

All are welcome,especially those new to COS, to our

Spring Welcome Luncheon.When: Sunday, June 14th 11:30- 12:45

Where: on the labyrinthPlease join us at an informal gathering for casual conversation with

the clergy and parishioners of COS.RSVP or questions to Rose in our church office

([email protected] or 388.1907)

mailto:[email protected]






pring, as you might imagine, comes much later in Missouri than it does in California. That was all the more true this year, as late

winter storms kept the temperatures cool, drenching already saturated fields and yards in Chillicothe, where my parents live.

So it was when Daniel and I arrived for a spring break vacation immediately after Easter—the trees still bare, the ground soft and spongy, the birds still eating my parents out of home and hearth with their voracious appetite at the feeders. But then, Easter Tuesday, the weather began to dry out and warm up and everything started to move and pop, beginning with the redbuds and the daffodils. Dad had to break out the lawnmower, and my son, Daniel, and I joined him to cut down last year’s pampas grass, some of it several feet high. Three generations were starting the long process of making way for an Easter that was transforming the landscape.

Here in Mill Valley, we’ve already made way for Easter, but I find myself breathlessly trying to keep up with the all the demands Eastertide brings—preparing not only for late spring events and activities, but planning for next Fall before our leadership scatters for the summer holidays. Christ has returned in the Resurrection, and we are met with new and exciting challenges: from the hiring and training of new staff to planning for a late autumn parish retreat, to re-configuring our work in youth and family ministries, and seeking a new youth minister. The Episcopal Church is gearing up for its triennial General Convention in Anaheim in July, and I am preparing to attend this year as an alternate deputy from our Diocese. Our confirmands are about to go on retreat.

Some of our members are working hard seeking employment as the long cold winter of recession shows signs of thawing. Others are navigating the remarkably new landscape that is unfolding in a radically altered economic world. There is simply so much to do and pray for!

Easter was beautiful, but the transformation of resurrection demands as well as gives us the grace of tangible New Life. We have to uncover the new growth that is emerging, just as it is in the patches of pampas grass on the couple of acres my parents own in north central Missouri.

In our readings this time of year, the first followers of Jesus find themselves in Jerusalem, boldly proclaiming a startling message even in the face of threats and authorities that wish to silence them. They are also forging—with both great joy and great effort—the first Christian communities and a unique spiritual and community identity in a world that scarcely understands who they are or what they are about. We join them this year and reconsider our faith community, even twenty centuries later, being remade yet again by the Risen Christ.

Our recourse in the face of the work of Eastertide is to do what Christians have always done: gather for the prayers and sacraments and remember to shout in the face of resurrection, “Alleluia!” The promise of New Life brings hard work, but also extraordinary grace and renewed energy to meet the demands of the kingdom emerging in our midst—risen anew like the first fruits of springtime.

Blessings to you this Eastertide,Richard ✞

DYING IN ORDER TO RISE AGAIN

S



MEET OUR NEW OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR!

ur new office administrator, Rose Scarff, started with the parish on Monday, April 20th. Rose, who resides in Fairfax, has

been a long-time member of St. James’ Episcopal Church, San Francisco, and recently served as a church administrator in a Methodist congregation in Maryland while she was caring for family members there. She has previous experience working as a legal secretary and holds a degree in English literature and brings a wide variety of interests, compassion, and steady presence with her into her ministry in the office at COS.

While she will be joining us from time-to-time on Sundays, Rose plans to maintain her membership and attend regular worship at St.

James’ in San Francisco. She will be keeping office hours with us from 9 to 3:30 on Mondays through Wednesdays, and 9 to 4:30 on Thursdays. Rose can be reached during the week at 388.1907 or [email protected].

Be sure to say hello to Rose the next time you stop by the church office during the week!

BaptismsCongratulations to Charlotte Collins, who

was baptized at the Easter Vigil on April 11th. Charlotte, we welcome you into the household of God!Upcoming Baptisms:

Ian Maxwell van Kriedt will be baptized at our Pentecost Celebration on Sunday, May 31st.

Tess Phleger will be baptized on Sunday June 21st.

Please pray for Tess and Ian, their sponsors, and families in this time of preparation.The Parish Retreat planning committee is meeting on May 10 after the 10 a.m. service.The Vestry holds its May meeting on the 13th at 7:00 p.m.St. Anne’s Circle will host a watercolor workshop led by Ann Fricker on May 17. Please RSVP to Diane Amses so that enough supplies can be purchased.

Happy May Birthdays!May 4 Betsy RosenMay 5 Justin WilkinsonMay 7 Madison MacLeodMay 8 Eleanor Barber Bill ThomasMay 10 Zilpha SnyderMay 11 Dylan LangMay 17 Kathleen Piraino Lucy GibbsMay 20 Lousie GaumondMay 22 John MacLeod Valerie RobinMay 27 Peggy RedfieldMay 28 Carlisle HusonMay 30 Jasmine Johnstone

COMMUNITY NEWS

O





any of you may be wondering about Rebuilding Together this year. COS has provided volunteers for this program

for many years. The last Saturday of April, we have been there. Rebuilding Together is another organization that has been hit hard by our economy, and this year they weren’t able to generate any of the financial donations that are necessary to run the program. As a result, Rebuilding Together definitely didn’t happen on the last Saturday in April.

But don’t give up hope just yet. COS is collaborating with St. Johns Ross and Christ Church Sausalito, and together we are trying to put together a total package (financial and volunteer labor). If this works, Rebuilding Together Marin will find a project for us, and as a group, we will fund the project and supply the volunteers. We can’t tell you to save a particular date yet, but once we know something more definite, we will let you know.

Thanks for your continued support!Steve Quarles and the COS Outreach Committee

REBUILDING TOGETHER: AN UPDATE FOR 2009

M

40,000 children with no visible means of support: they need to go to school, but first each one needs a uniform, a pair of shoes, school supplies and breakfast.It wi" cost $50 per year.

Getting HIV/AIDS orphans what they need for school is the aim of The Carpenter’s Kids program. Church of Our Saviour is participating linking with the Ibihwa parish in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika in the East African nation of Tanzania to provide a uniform, a pair of shoes, school supplies and breakfast on school days for 50 vulnerable children for five years.

COS invites you share in making education possible for one of these children by donating $50 per year for five years. We already have thirty commitments from COS signed up for this year, and our goal is to reach 50 by Pentecost on May 31st!

For more information, or to sign up, see the fliers and the sign-up sheet in the Fireside Room, or e-mail the office at [email protected].

SUPPORT THE CARPENTER’S KIDS





he vestry had a lively discussion at our retreat about why we don’t charge for such things as church school or

confirmation. These programs certainly tax our resources, both financial and volunteer, and the burden is not equally shared among all who benefit from them. But isn’t that what a church community is all about? We give in the annual stewardship campaign, knowing that some of our money will be used in ways that do not directly benefit us or our families. We volunteer our time teaching in Sunday school classes that our children have outgrown. We devote our time to singing in the choir for the benefit of all who worship at the 10 am service. We make the church beautiful for all its members when we serve on the altar guild. We certainly expect our own needs to be met, but we do not expect a quid pro quo.

Which brings me to the discussion Father Richard and I have been having lately about special fundraising and why we have discouraged it. I’m not talking here about targeted gifts for capital improvements that we as a community have identified as necessary and which are always very welcome. Or about a fundraiser such as the Musical Feast, where the proceeds will be allocated for the benefit of the

church as a whole. No, I’m talking about the occasional desire of a group within the church to pass the hat to support a particular goal that the budget doesn’t provide for. This impulse is admirable, of course and springs from a genuine love of a particular facet of our community. And it does sometimes seem foolish to turn away any effort to raise money on behalf of our church. But I think the dangers outweigh the potential benefits. The danger of supporting only a portion of our mission, the danger of taking away from our stewardship campaign and the danger of subverting the democratic budgeting process that the vestry engages in each year.

For all these reasons, our response to those who want to do special purposes fundraising is simple. Please consider increasing your pledge instead and encouraging others to do so as well instead. Then communicate your desire to the vestry or rector that the support for a particular aspect of our program be increased. And if the vestry chooses otherwise, well you know the old saying, “If you can’t beat em, join em.” Perhaps you are being called to join the vestry yourself.

Kathleen PirainoSenior Warden

THE SENIOR WARDEN’S THOUGHTS

T



ane, her staunch ally and friend Elizabeth, Sister David, and Lady Nugent all stood huddled in a tropical downpour. A very thin, very wet nun clothed in dripping blue

and white cotton smiled calmly, nodded at the miserable ladies, and gestured to them. She pointed wordlessly to a small doorway that led into a simple concrete building.

Their saintly escort had met them at the bus stop in Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania, the Africa nation where they now found themselves, dubious winners of a church lottery grand prize. Jane recalled privately the reference in the guide book in regards to Dodoma, “…there is little to do and less to see, so really there is no reason other than necessity to go there.” And she was certainly finding that to be true. In fact, the travelers wouldn’t be there at all, but that it was the starting point for their safari in the Seious Game Reserve. Jane quailed privately recalling the guide book’s advice to heed attacks by African wild dogs, their numbers apparently quite plentiful in the vast reserve. She was uncertain as to whether the elderly Lady Nugent would be able to outrun a wild dog. Jane intended to sacrifice herself, should it come to that.

‘After all, being torn about by wild African dogs might be a very noble way to die at that,’ Jane thought as she observed the glow of peaceful contentment that seemed to emanate from the tiny holy woman who now showed them into a simple chapel.

The women, encouraged by their home place of worship, Church of Our Saviour in Mill Valley, had stopped at the Ibihwa parish in the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika in order to represent their church to the

orphanage there. Having undertaken a partnership to help fund the education and care of children in the region who were affected by the devastation of HIV/AIDS in their homeland, the church in California had endorsed the stopover for the foursome in order to deliver money and good wishes on the “Carpenter’s Kids,” who received services at the East African refuge.

The nun, now streaming rainwater onto the concrete floor offered the ladies warm Coca Cola, and seats on plastic patio chairs that ringed the small room. Jane seated Lady Nugent and sat, fanning herself ineffectually with her purse.

“Gracious,” she puffed. “How can it rain AND be stifling hot at the same time?”

“Oh, it’s always like this,” Lady Nugent assured her with confidence. “When Mr. Nugent and I lived here, we found it more comfortable to wear cotton garments.” The older British woman was currently outfitted in Madras plaid Bermuda shorts, linen safari-style shirt, white pith helmet fringed with mosquito netting, and hiking boots the approximate configuration of sea worthy vessels. Jane hid a smile, and turned to pat Elizabeth’s arm reassuringly. Her tiny friend had been seized by what the English called, “Collywobbles,” and still appeared quite green, although she had bravely insisted on traveling to see the orphanage.

Just then Sister David placed a warning hand on Jane’s sweaty arm and cautioned her with a choked voice, “Oh look.”

Standing before the ladies, all of whom sat clutching their bottles of soda, came a small parade of children, each grinning a wide smile

THE CHURCH PROPERChapter 19

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continued on page 7



of pleasure. Every youngster, who ranged in size from tiny to tall, was dressed in a stiff, obviously new purple garment. New shoes gleamed on the feet of each child. And the pride evident in these new outfits was thick enough to smell.

Lady Nugent turned a satisfied smile to the three other women.

“Now you see, dears,” she smugly commented, “THAT is a deed well done!”

Jane laughed in agreement and beamed a radiant smile on the school children, who then retreated to a small classroom where they settled themselves in obvious excitement at the presence of the ladies. The tiny nun once again pointed for the ladies’ attention, and they all looked with interest at the modest service area where a daily breakfast had been served. A

large, kindly mannered woman was cleaning up from the morning’s meal of porridge and milk.

After the students had performed a song, recited lessons, and relayed halted welcome greetings to the ladies in English, the women hugged the tiny nun with emotion, and vowed to communicate the good will and thanks offered to those at their home church in Mill Valley.

“Well then!” Sister David huffed, trying to cover the evident emotion that rendered her temporarily husky-voiced. “Well, then! Next stop – wild dogs and massed migrations of wildebeest!”

Share in the joy of providing school uniforms and supplies for the Carpenter’s Kids. Learn how on page 4.

THE CHURCH PROPER

continued from page 6

From the Godly Play Rooms

We are now in our last month of worship with Godly Play and rejoice in our time together. Adults interested in learning more about helping next year either on Sunday mornings or in a supportive, outside the room way, are encouraged to attend our Godly Play Year End Wrap Up Meeting, Sunday, May 31st, from 11:30-1pm. Lunch will be provided (as well as childcare with advance notice!)

Call/email with questions or thoughts, Sally Thomas and Ann Fricker ([email protected] and [email protected]), Godly Play Co-Chairs.Godly Play Teacher Meeting

Godly Play teachers will meet after the 10:00 a.m. service on May 31st.

Summer Sunday School: "Stories for Summer and Sharing"

COS Summer Sunday School hopes for your help! We are looking for teams of parishioners to lead Summer Story Circle (our Summer Sunday School program). Please consider teaming with someone and sign up for a Sunday (confirmands and mentors (current or former), friends, couples, you get the idea...

Materials provided and preparation is minimal. It is all fun for leaders and children alike! We need two people each Sunday (teenagers are most welcome to be part of a team!) Please sign up in the Fireside Room.

Questions or to sign up by email. Please contact Sally Thomas [email protected] or by phone 415-706-3890.

FAMILY MINISTRIES ANNOUNCEMENTS









Hark! What’s that Sound?

n Palm Sunday, the good people of this parish were treated to a choral rendition of “Wave, Children, Wave” by our newly-

organized Children’s Choir. The choir, says its founder, Kaaren Ray, is a “loaves and fishes” kind of phenomenon. It started with four, expanded to eleven, and by Palm Sunday, had added two more little ones who hadn’t rehearsed before, but wanted to be part of the music. “All are welcome!” says Ms. Ray, who also recruited the young ukulele player to be part of the group.

“Wave, Children, Wave” was Kaaren Ray’s original song, and she’d like to write more in a similar style, simple and easy to learn. The object, she says, is not to be competitive with other fine choirs in the Bay Area, but to “make a joyful noise.” Simple songs and short rehearsals after church would not complicate family scheduling and would allow more participation.

This composer/choir director/soloist knows something about singing and scheduling. From the age of fourteen, she was part of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, joining the group to sing “The Messiah” with the National Symphony from Westminster. As part of the choir during her early years, Kaaren was privileged to experience direction from all the major conductors of the time: Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Bernstein, a young Michael Tilson Thomas, Eugene Ormandy, and even jazz great, Dave Brubeck. Her choir performed at Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center.

Karen went on to finish her education at the University of Virginia, where she was part of the first graduating class for women. At the time, she intended to follow music education, but later found, to her disappointment, that the instructional settings in public schools tended to be overcrowded and unenthusiastic.

Though Kaaren Ray didn’t follow her first inclination to become a music teacher, she never really gave it up. Her thesis, called “Voice Incarnate,” stated that “fueled by breath, the heart of a person can be conveyed; communion can occur.”

And five years ago, she was ordained at CDSP by the Old Catholics in the Heritage Celtic tradition. She now attends the Inclusive Celtic Church in San Francisco, where she practices their “strong social justice ministry.” This includes a street ministry to the homeless, but no children to work with. Bishop Swing had told her that the church couldn’t pay her for the street ministry, but that he would help her find support for herself. Fortunately, during her stay at CDSP, she’d met another spiritual musician, Richard Helmer. After relocating to Mill Valley, Kaaren Ray was drawn to Richard’s parish and, happily, ours.

Now she teaches voice students “who they are, via sound” and keeps in close touch with her beloved daughter Lauren, who is a working actress in New York. Kaaren is presently sharing a house in Mill Valley, but would love to find a small cottage of her own. She’s hopeful that this can happen because, she says, “Where there’s a will, there’s a Ray.”

So we include her cell phone number, which has, for reasons we can all figure out, a New York area code: 917.572.0702.

Sing on, Ms. Ray!Rosine Reynolds

WHO’S IN THE PEWS?

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SUNDAY MINISTRIES AT CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR MAY 2009

Ministry May 3 4 Easter

May 10 5 Easter

May 17 6 Easter

May 24 7 Easter

May 31 Pentecost

8:00 am Presider/ Preacher

Father Richard Father Richard Father Richard Father Richard Father Richard

Deacon Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey

EM Ros Patterson Peter Menkin Rosalind Patterson Toni Van Kriedt Sally Thomas

Lector Peggy Redfield Letty Erringer Orville Erringer Joan Martin Gayle Partmann

9:15 am Redwoods Peggy Redfield Peter Menkin Rosalind Patterson Toni Van Kriedt Clergy

Rector’s Forum 9:15! 9:45 am


10:00 am Presider/ Preacher


Deacon Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey Deacon Betsey

Altar Guild Flowers

Peggy Redfield Gay Johnson Nance Wrisley

Peggy Redfield Gay Johnson Nance Wrisley

Letty Erringer Joan Peck Silvana Wong



EM Michelle Walker Sally Thomas Elizabeth Mooney Bill Cullen

Server Crucifer Elijah Goldberg Cate Wilmoth Peter Brophy Brooke Thomas Frederick

Paulenich

Torch Eliza Mantz Cate Wilmoth

Lector 1 Bill Cullen Caroline Gibbs Michelle Walker John Nicholson Bill Cullen

Lector 2 Charlaine Shackelford Terry Peck Joan Dedo Tiana Wimmer Courtney

Phleger

LEV Michelle Walker Sally Thomas Michelle Walker Peter Menkin

Ushers Tom Dugan Philip Norris

Mike Mooney Charles Coleman

Mark Gaumond Steve Quarles

Graeme MacDonald Cliff Mishalko

Charles Redfield Cliff Mishalko

Coffee Host The Lowery Family

The Peterson Family

The Quarles Family

The Nicholson Family

Jennifer MacCready

Godly Play Near Room

Community Sunday

Charlotte Thomoas Rosalie Gearhart Marsha Dugan Sally Thomas

Charlie Wilmoth Bill Thomas Eleanor Coleman

Godly Play Far Room

Community Sunday

Mary Washburn Bill Thomas

Mary Stervinou Ann Fricker

Ann Fricker Cliff Mishalko

Sally Thomas Rosalie Gearhart

Middle Saints Community Sunday

The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour10 Old MillMill Valley, CA 94941

StaffThe Rev. Richard Helmer, Rector 415.244.1860The Rev. Betsy Payne Rosen, DeaconRose Scarff, Office AdministratorDr. Daniel Hoggatt, Organist and ChoirmasterJeff Johnson & Gay Johnson, Co-TreasurersTerry Peck, SextonMichelle Walker, Editor, Perspective

Worship at COSSundays 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:45 a.m. Children & Youth Program 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite IIMondays 5:00 p.m. Evening PrayerWednesdays 10:30 a.m. Eucharist & Bible DialogueTuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m. Morning PrayerThursdays 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer

2009 VestryKathleen Piraino Senior WardenJill Mantz Clerk

Diane Amses Tom BrophyBen Curtis Tom DuganBob McCue Randy Tarpey-SchwedMichelle Walker Susan Zimmer

Godly Play Coordinators Sally Thomas Ann Fricker SandbergMiddle Saints Amy Paulenich Paige MacLeodConfirmation Coordinator Kathleen PirainoOutreach Coordinator Deacon Betsy RosenCare of Creation Ministry Mark Tarpey-SchwedAltar Guild Joan PeckEucharistic Ministers Rosalind PattersonCoffee Hour Elaine CrepeauAdult Christian Education,Blessings, Baptisms, & Pastoral Counseling Richard Helmer

Return Service Requested

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOURPhone: 415.388.1907

Fax: 415.388.6584Email:[email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.



May 09 Perspective - Our Saviour, Mill Valley May09... · 2020. 6. 5. · Zilpha Snyder May 11...

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