The Monthly Newsletter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

+ To know Christ better and make Him better known +

Liturgical Year C

Message from the Rector

The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson

REST IN PEACE 

Lately I have felt that the words ‘Rest in Peace’ have been coming from my lips a few times too many. From the deaths of people I knew to our prayers for saints in times past, the prayer for the repose of the souls of the dead brings me pause.

I have come to realize that our concept of peace has been significantly distorted by the dilution, or the hope for, a lack of war. There have been so many situations of war and discord in the world near and far that peace, God’s brand of peace, may seem to be unattainable or may require the direct intervention of God, a miracle we might say. We may be happy with the apparently simpler human form of peace. The problem then is that we risk falling into the mindset that caused Peter to be rebuked by Jesus when said in Matthew 16:23 ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’  

Jesus did not hate Peter. He was disappointed that Peter, as well as the other disciples, were not understanding what he was about and what they were being invited into. Jesus was inviting his followers to a beatitudes way of thinking and living, even in the midst of troubling circumstances one could recognize the blessedness of life.

Is God’s peace only attainable at death? In one of his exhortations to his disciples in John 14:27, Jesus tells them: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 

I believe that God’s true peace has been attained by many in human flesh. It is a way of being that comes from the place of an untroubled and fearless heart. It comes from recognizing that the human body as such is finite and the time, place and circumstance of its end is known to God alone, such a time will arrive. We have many examples from the saints of old and some of our own time who live fearlessly with God, in service and walking alongside so many of God’s children who seek justice, food or hope.

The traditional blessing (as well as some of the contemporary ones) at the end of our communion service is an invitation to live in God's peace now, in life. The Peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love God. Then a deacon has the option of using the following words to dismiss us for the day: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Our Scriptures, theology and liturgical practices are constantly flashing lights of peace in our hearts and minds.

Beloved people of God, do not let your hearts be troubled or fearful in a way that leads to complacently believing that the human physical forms of peace are the only things we can seek and hope for. This will lead to consistent disappointment. Instead, allow the power of the Holy Spirit that abides in you to seek your soul's peace now.

LIVE IN PEACE.

Message from the Senior Warden

A Tribute to Alice Brilmayer

Nov. 1948 - Sept. 2025

Senior Warden Emerita

2014-2018



Our St. Paul’s family gives thanks for the life of Alice Brilmayer, known in the wider world as the romance writer Alice Gaines. Alice was a longtime and beloved member of St. Paul’s, a faithful friend, and a former Senior Warden who helped shepherd this community with wisdom, steadiness, and humor.

Alice had a sharp intellect and a wonderfully wry sense of humor. She approached everything, whether a vestry meeting or a tricky bit of parish business, with a clear head and a kind heart. She listened deeply, spoke thoughtfully, and led with quiet confidence. Those of us who served alongside her knew we could always count on her calm presence and her genuine care for the people of this church.

Outside of St. Paul’s, Alice lived another life as Alice Gaines, a prolific and successful author of erotic romance novels, a fact that brought endless amusement to those of us who knew her as that nice white-haired lady who was in leadership at the church. She found great joy in her writing, especially when she wrote hymn lyrics and Prayers of the People. There was something beautifully consistent between the two sides of her life: in both, Alice celebrated love, humanity, and connection in all their complex and surprising forms. Alice embraced each day through her life-long interest in music, (she got to kiss Luciano Pavarotti!) and especially through her deep love of Tower of Power.

We will miss Alice’s laughter, her friendship, her clear-eyed counsel, and her generous spirit. We give thanks that her journey continues in God’s eternal love.

Dear Lord,

Make her a bed in our hearts;

Sew her a pair of wings.

Tell her that our love still soars,

far above these earthly things.

Please join us at St. Paul's on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11am for a Celebration of Alice's life and inurnment in the St. Paul's Columbarium, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

Pamela Kruse-Buckingham

Senior Warden

Giving to St. Paul’s

by Allison Sass

One of the highlights of last few weeks’ services has been hearing personal stories from our fellow parishioners.

Thank you to Digger and Katie Lauter, Carol Paxson, Joseph Hughes, George Strait, Nathan Hobbs, Pam Buckingham and Vicki Larson, for letting their light shine by sharing their testimonies of why they give to St. Paul’s. They spoke of gratitude for the past, joy in the present, and hope for the future.

As of November 2nd, we have received 62 pledges for a total of $212.100! 

In an exciting twist, an anonymous donor matched pledges received on Sunday, October 26. Please help us reach our goal of 70 or more households pledging by sending in your completed Giving Form, bringing it with you, or filling one out in church on Sunday.

FAQ about Giving

Q: Do I need to turn in a Giving Form if I already set up payments with my bank?

A: Yes, please. Turning in a Giving Form allows the church to plan for next year.

Q: Do I need to turn in a Giving Form if I will be giving the same amount as this year?

A: Yes, please complete a new Giving Form each year.

Q: Things are uncertain, what happens if I cannot give as much as I pledge?

A: It is OK, please pledge what you can; you can always adjust your amount down or up by reaching out to our bookkeeper Joan finance@stpaulsoakland.org.

Q: Who knows how much I give to the church?

A: The amount of your gift is confidential, only our bookkeeper knows.

Q: Did I get a prize?

A: Maybe! Everyone who submitted their giving form by Sunday, November 2 was entered to win the prizes given out at the All Saint’s Day brunch. If your name was called and you weren’t present at the brunch, Sharon will reach out to you.

Congratulations, everyone!

On Sunday Nov. 2, a joyful Choral Evensong filled Grace Cathedral with music and thanksgiving. Bishop Austin Rios officiated, the Choir of Girls and Adults led the singing, and the Very Rev. Julia McCray Goldsmith offered a moving homily celebrating women’s ministries in the Diocese of California and the ministry of several women in the Diocese, including The Venerable Canon Carolyn Bolton, Archdeacon. Afterward, a loving group from St. Paul's gathered as a portraits of the honorees were unveiled.

‘People of Faith’

A project by award-winning photographers

Nicolò Sertorio & J Michael Tucker

Exploring their stories, transformative potential, and role in the community

Saturday, November 22, 4-5:30pm

SHOW OPENING and RECEPTION

Join us for a special viewing and meet the artists.

‘People of Faith’ is a collection of beautiful photographs of Oakland faith leaders that will be displayed at St. Paul’s from November 16, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

The exhibit explores the stories, transformative potential, and roles in the community of Oakland faith leaders, who stand as both anchors and mirrors of their communities, reflecting the struggles, hopes, and transformations taking place around them. ‘People of Faith’ is a photographic exploration of these individuals, capturing them in the spaces where they serve.

The portraits invite viewers to consider the evolving nature of faith in an urban

landscape marked by gentrification, inequality, and cultural flux. They also serve as a testament to the enduring power of belief—not just in the divine, but in the possibility of healing, justice, and collective renewal. By centering those who guide others, ‘People of Faith’ aims to question what it means to be a spiritual leader today, and spark conversations about the intersections of faith, identity, and belonging in contemporary Oakland.

‘People of Faith’ is part of the project, ‘Oakland Faith,’ which is a long-term visual study. The ‘People of Faith’ exhibit will run simultaneously with ‘House of Worship’ at Oakland City Hall. ‘House of Worship,’ explores visually the coalescence of faiths and cultures within the diverse landscape of Oakland.

Go to https://www.oakland-faith.com/people-of-faith for more information.

Become a Member of the Leadership Team for St. Paul’s Christmas Giving Tree

St. Paul’s has been working with the Center for the Vulnerable Child (CVC) for several years to provide Christmas gifts to families in need. The CVC first sends an enquiry, usually in late September, asking whether we want to participate and, if we do, how many families we would like to help.

The Leadership Team decides how many families we will commit to help. Then

around mid-October the CVC social workers assigned to the families send us the lists of the family members, their gift wishes, and some personal information such as their clothing sizes and favorite colors. Each member of the Leadership Team takes the family’s information that the CVC provides, eg “clothing” and makes specific gift cards to hang on the tree, eg “Shirt, size 5”. Around the weekend after Thanksgiving the Leadership Team gathers at the church to put up the tree.

The Leadership Team makes announcements asking people to take the tags, and to bring the gifts to church by the CVC deadline, which is usually the week before Christmas. Then the Leadership Team checks to make sure we have all the gifts for their family, and we work together to deliver the gift to the CVC.

Join the Giving Tree Leadership Team for the fun of giving! Please

email Paula Hawthorn, paula.hawthorn@gmail.com if you can help.

Gun To Gardens is Nov 15!

Guns to Gardens St. Paul’s innovative faith-based project to reduce the number of guns in Oakland, will be at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1203 Willow St., Oakland from noon until 4PM Saturday November 15.

Guns to Gardens is centered in Isaiah 2:4 "and they shall forge their swords into plowshares" so the guns that are turned in are forged into garden tools. Each person turning in a gun will receive a gift card (up to $300) and a garden tool forged from a gun that was turned in at last year's Guns to Gardens event. 

This year Guns to Gardens is not asking for contributions from St. Paul’s, because we had funds left over from last year. Instead we are asking:

Please help us get the word out! Having a gun in the home increases the risk of death from homicide, suicide, and unintentional shootings, affecting all members of the household, including children. Studies show a significantly higher rate of violent deaths, particularly suicides and homicides, for people living in homes with firearms compared to those in gun-free homes. Additionally, guns in the home are prime targets for thieves, who can then use them for crimes.

Please help us encourage all to get any guns out of their homes and the homes of their neighbors and friends, and bring them to the Mt. Zion parking lot on Nov. 15 knowing that they will be forged into garden tools, and get a gift card and a garden tool that was forged from a gun.