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The Good News
December, 2023
The Season of Advent
Year B
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The monthly newsletter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church | |
+ To know Christ better and make him better known + | |
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Rector's Message
CHRISTMAS CELEBREATIONS
The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson
I recently saw a cartoon posted on Facebook of an office team trying to decide when they should celebrate Christmas. One person suggests the Monday after Thanksgiving through December 15. Another suggests December 10 to 24. Yet another suggests December 25 to January 5. The next scene is of the last individual flying through the air, after going through a now broken window, hurling towards the ground several floors below. Of course, it made me laugh.
For the full article click HERE
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Resources for the Bishop Electing Convention on Saturday!
Watch the live stream on Saturday Dec 2
All non-voting individuals are welcome to join and watch the special Electing Convention virtually. You may watch the live stream on the Convention website starting at 9:00 a.m. on December 2.
The Agenda is now posted
Agenda for the Bishop Electing Convention of the Diocese of California is now posted on the Convention website. While we expect an on-time start to the electing convention at 9:00 a.m., the agenda is designed to be flexible, allowing the Convention time to discern as necessary and ensuring everyone has cast their vote once the balloting process begins. Our flexibility allows the Spirit to work and for the Convention to complete its discernment faithfully.
Review the Slate
Review the slate and read all about each of the different Bishop nominees on the Bishop Search website.
More information
Looking for something else? Scroll down for more convention information, and check out the Electing Convention page on our convention website, which continues to be updated with the latest information.
Please keep our Deanery Delegates and Clergy in your prayers as they discern this important decision in the life of our Diocese.
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Senior Warden’s Message
Indira Balkissoon, Sr. Warden
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I can’t stop thinking about the Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem held at St. Paul’s on November 1st. The church was packed. The prayers of parishioners and many visitors were full and strong with so many voices. At the end of the service there was not a dry eye to be seen.
Why is a requiem so important? It is a way to grieve; to remember; and to heal. Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem is especially beloved for its beauty, serenity and lyrical melodies; hope and consolation; and its universality.
Our choir’s voices floated serenely above the accompanying
orchestra. With the solo soprano’s pleas for mercy with ethereal beauty in the Pie Jesu and the radiant and joyous hymn to the afterlife in the In Paradisum. The final movement the Agnus Dei, is a prayer for peace and forgiveness. The choir evoked a somber sense of serenity, all made tangible by Father Wilson’s sermon explaining the empty place left within our hearts by the loss of the physical presence of our loved ones and that we should endeavor to fill with the presence of their spirit. I hope a requiem becomes a regular thing and a priority in these times where we need hope and healing.
Indira Balkissoon, Sr. Warden
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Mirela Stanke joyfully working on the delicious rolls | |
Mike Ubell, Paula Hawthorn's wonderful husband helped with the pasta cooking | |
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Interested in hosting? Contact Mirela Stanke at:
Mirela.Stanke.2022@gmail.com
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Cottage Breakfast Fellowship Opportunity
The Dykzeuls are hosting a “Cottage Breakfast” on 12/9 at 10AM - this is a family friendly gathering.
1329 Ryder St
Vallejo, CA 94590
Please RSVP to Theo at 510-502-3470
theo.dykzeul@gmail.com
Other cottage dinners/meals are going to resume in January 2024.
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November 18 Guns to Gardens
By Paula Hawthorn
The November 18 Guns to Gardens was a success! There were 72 guns turned in, including some that were not scary (5 BB guns and some non-working antiques) and many more that were very scary (Glock fitted with a rapid fire mechanism & an extended magazine). The Oakland Police Department was impressed with the number & types of guns turned in, and are already talking about when & where the next one should be.
This was the third Guns to Gardens that St. Paul’s has sponsored, and just like the last two the organization that produced the most volunteers was St. Paul’s! Attached is a picture of all the participants, including both OPD and St. Paul’s, as well as people from Mom’s Demand Action, Brady
United, Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere and the church where this was held, Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
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In June we had the event at a church in West Oakland. We decided to have it at Mt. Zion because we wanted a West Oakland location this time. OPD is suggesting having it in Fruitvale next time, we will just need to find a church with a large parking lot with a separate entrance & exit. We are not sure when the next one will be because that depends on OPD’s and the church’s schedules.
We decided that for this event we needed to do more publicity, so Social Justice member Scott Buckingham asked St. Paul’s members go together to make $500 donation to our local PBS stations fundraiser & to staff their phone bank one day exchange for a mention of the event on the radio broadcast. That went very well! Between that, and volunteer Connie Harden’s tireless efforts to get stories about Guns to Gardens into the newspapers & on TV, and the help of the Mt. Zion Youth Group in putting up posters & flyers, we more than doubled the number of guns we collected over last June.
In spite of the rain! Well yes, November, rain. You can see how dreary the sky was. You can also see how happy the participants were, knowing we are getting these guns off the streets!
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St. Paul’s Giving Tree
As is our custom, St. Paul's will provide gifts for several families being served by The Center for the Vulnerable Child.
If you'd like to help with putting the tree up and decorating it, please join Paula Hawthorn in the Narthex on Friday, Dec. 1 @ 10:30am.
The Tree will be in the Narthex and decorated with gift tags for you to choose on Sunday Dec. 3 & Dec. 10.
All gifts must be wrapped and returned by Sunday, Dec. 18, with the gift tags attached.
- Please be sure to log your gift tags on the sign out sheet, so we know who has what gift tags.
- If you'd like to get a jump on things, $25 gift cards for Target will be especially needed.
(In the drop down select "Seasonal Giving" & put "Giving Tree" in the memo section.)
Let's make a wonderful Christmas together for the families of the CVC!
Advent is here! Emmanuel!
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Spiritual Formation at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Beyond the Word Book Discussion Group
Children of All Ages! Let’s read a book together during Advent!
Please join us to read Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. (The link provided leads to a .PDF version of the entire book, which is a short 138 pages.)
In the words of C.S. Lewis himself, Voyage of the Dawn Treader is about “the spiritual life”, or living the Christ-like life. You are invited to journey along with Caspian, Lucy, Edmund, Eustice and the others through the Narnian seas. Along the way, we will experience not only the outward adventures our voyagers encounter, but – more importantly – the internal trials and temptations they must overcome if they are to finish well the task they have been given; keeping their faith in Aslan, and living out their identity as Aslan’s loyal subjects (2 Timothy 4:7).
We will meet twice during Advent: Ch. 1-8 Monday, Dec. 4 and Ch. 9-16 Monday Dec. 11 at 7pm, on Zoom.
Topic: Beyond the Word Book Discussion Group: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Time 07:00 PM Pacific Time
Every week on Mon, 2 occurrence(s)
Dec 4, 2023 07:00 PM
Dec 11, 2023 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85799879683?pwd=V1cxL1FkNWt4QXNpdkFCVzVDYkp6Zz09
Meeting ID: 857 9987 9683
Passcode: Eustace
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If our Loaves & Fishes Ministry will help you, please ask! Send your requests to: loavesandfishes@stpaulsoakland.org and you will be directed to Katie Lauter, who will set up an on-line sign up. | |
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Volunteers Needed!
We are seeking more people for this important ministry of care.
If you are interested, here are the ways you can help:
1. Cook a meal at home and deliver it to the parishioner requesting meals.
2. Buy a pre-made meal and have it delivered—or deliver it yourself.
3. Be a delivery person between the two homes.
Please Go to this web page for information on the program and how to volunteer. Many hands make light work!
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An Invitation: Join the Altar Guild
Altar Guild is always open to anyone who is interested in the inner-workings of the Sacristy and the handling of the holy vessels, linens and elements.
- Serving on an Altar Guild team is a once a month commitment.
- We meet on Saturday for about an hour to set up for Sunday.
- We arrive early on Sunday to help set up for the services.
- We stay after to clean up after services have ended.
- We have two work parties to clean the Altar area and decorate the church for high holy days.
Reach out to me at pamela.kruse.buckingham@gmail.com for more information.
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CLARE COLLEGE HOMESTAY & VOLUNTEERS
Thanks to all who have graciously offered their homes December 2-4 to our visiting choir! We are all set with housing, but are still in need of a few drivers to help transport the singers to and from the church and various times, and can use help with preparing dinner for them before the concert and concert ushering. Please contact Sharon Pilmer pilms@hotmail.com or Vicki Larson designoffices74@gmail.com
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San Francisco Choral Artists Present: Sun, Moon & Stars a Heavenly Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 17 @ 4pm
A musical exploration of the celestial wonders of Christmas and the Winter Solstice
We look to the heavens for a celebration of the Christmas story in the glorious lights of our winter sky. With seasonal music of introspection and jubilation we offer voices from around the globe, including Poulenc, Nixon, Guerrero, Brahms, Lassus, Hogan, and Composer-in-Residence Eric Tuan, and Composer-Not-in-Residence Balázs Kecskés D.
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Advent & Christmas Services at St. Paul's
Sunday, December 3, 4pm, Advent Lessons and Carols
(replaces Evensong)
Sunday, December 17, 11:30am, Cookies & Carols, Parish Hall
Sunday, December 24, 5pm, Family Service
Sunday, December 24, 10:30-11pm, St. Paul's Choir, Christmas Eve Concert: A Carol Prelude
11pm, Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve
Monday, December 25, 10am, Christmas Day
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Environmentally Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas
Both of our pollinator gardens have been establishing themselves. This Summer we saw a number of butterflies who appreciated our pollinator plants. Also, did you know that there is a Robin’s nest in one of the trees?
As we move into the Christmas season it is time for a reminder to wrap presents in an eco-friendly way. The idea of using wrapping paper seems like a good idea but not so from a sustainability perspective. Most wrapping paper is designed for a single use since it is not easily recycled, especially glossy/shiny/metallic wrapping paper.
Ribbons and bows are also not eco-friendly because they are made with a mix of both synthetic and natural materials and sometimes even metal. Instead of throwing ribbons away consider reusing them or incorporating them into arts and craft projects. Another option instead of using a ribbon is to add foliage which makes a great decoration on a gift.
In some ways gift bags that are reusable can be a better option than wrapping paper. Amazon acknowledges that their gift bags are currently not recyclable. These bags, though a bit more expensive, save so much time and can be dressed up with pine cones and other sundries.
There is also the technique of Furoshiki, which is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that is square-shaped and eco-friendly. It is often used for wrapping gifts, carrying goods, or as decoration. Furoshiki can be made from many different types of fabrics. This method is inexpensive and there is little need for bubble wrap or tape. For more information on this wrapping method check out “Etsuko Yamada’s Wrapping with Fabric: Your Complete Guide to Furoshiki the Japanese Art of Wrapping”.
When my kids were little, we used to love using butcher paper which we decorated with tempera paint drawings and handprints. We reused and enjoyed this wrapping art for years.
Merry Christmas!!
Indira Balkissoon, Environmental Stewardship Chair
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Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that the CONFEDERATED VILLAGES OF LISJAN are the traditional stewards of the land on which our buildings stand and we pay our respect to their people and heritage. The Lisjan people have lived in the territory of Huchiun since the beginning of time, and are still here fighting for their land, heritage, culture & spiritual traditions.
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Oasis Ministry at St. Paul's
St. Paul's is an Oasis Congregation, signifying that we have completed an intentional process of reflection and education, signed a public affirmation of commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and questioning (LGBTQIA+) people, and are committed to participating in programs and actions that advance and fulfill the mission of Oasis/California.
St. Paul's is also a member of Integrity USA, working for the full equality of LGBTQIA+ persons in every part of The Episcopal Church.
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Pamela Kruse-Buckingham & Victoria Larson
Co-Editors
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