The Good News


March 2024

The monthly newsletter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

+ To know Christ better and make him better known +

Liturgical Year B

Message from the Rector

The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson


BREAD OF LIFE


In the Gospel of John (6:35), Jesus proclaims that he is the bread of life, and that anyone who eats this bread will never hunger. 


During this season of Lent, I have invited a group of communion bread bakers from our congregation to join me in providing the bread we use for our Eucharist. Many thanks to Melanie, Sharon and Alice for your generosity. Like many of you, since the pandemic started, I have dabbled into bread baking. Over the past three years I have tried my hand at different kinds of bread, from sourdough, to whole wheat, organic, and now I have settled on trying to perfect Jamaican hard dough bread. This one is well known among people of Caribbean descent.


For the full article click HERE

St. Paul's 2024 Annual Meeting

Click HERE to read the 2023 Annual Report

Senior Warden’s Message

Indira Balkissoon, Sr. Warden


First, on behalf of the Classes 2024 and 2025, I want to welcome the Class of 2026 to the Vestry (Paula Hawthorn, Doug Jensen, and David Anderson).


As we move forward in convening the Vestry on March 23 for our Annual Vestry Retreat, I want to describe the role of the Vestry per the Parish Bylaws (Article IV, 4.1) The role of the Vestry is the “conduct and management of the business and temporal affairs of this Parish and will be vested in, and controlled by, a board of directors known as the Vestry.”


In other words the Vestry is responsible in providing oversight and setting policies for the business and non-worship activities of the parish, fiduciary and all other than those relating to worship, which is the purview and responsibility of the Rector.


Vestry Retreats generally consist of 3 sessions: 1) Parish Functions and Vestry Role; 2) Goals and Activities; and 3) Business Meeting. 


Over the course of the year Vestry meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month. This day sometimes changes based on church activities. To hold a Vestry meeting there must be a quorum. These are open meetings, and anyone who is interested may sit in. Visitors are welcome!


Vestry members are asked to act as a liaison to improve communications between the Vestry and that committee. Obtaining alignment on the liaison roles is a top priority. Some liaison roles are already set, for example, the Junior Warden’s role is to typically act as a liaison to buildings and grounds. Other liaison roles include Stewardship, Altar Guild, Social Justice, Outreach, Children and Family Ministry and Deanery Representatives. 


One final important note. Thank you to all the members of the Vestry Class of 2023. Your hard work, dedication, and prayers mean so much to us all. Thank you Frances Dibble, Maura Lane, and Brian Stanke. 

Give to St. Paul's

To support parish planning, we are asking everyone to make a statement of intent for 2024


Join Us!

Thank you for your presence, and your gifts of time, talent and treasure to St. Paul’s.


Your participation is essential to us and we couldn’t do it without you! We welcome your financial gifts and involvement in our ministries, and ask that you prayerfully consider how you would like to be involved at St. Paul’s in 2024. Every gift and contribution, regardless of type or size, makes an impact on our parish and our community.


Ways to Give and more information is HERE.

Cottage Dinners

In concert with Membership & Welcoming, we invite you to participate in a Cottage Dinner. What is a Cottage Dinner? It is a small group gathering hosted by a fellow parishioner. It's a great way to get to know people better in a casual setting over a shared meal. Fr. Mauricio will attend as many of the dinners as he can.


You can sign up to host or attend Cottage Dinners any time. Sign up sheets are in the Narthex and will be available at Coffee Hour on Sundays. Cottage Dinners will continue throughout the 2024 program year.


For more information contact Mirela Stanke at 


Mirela.Stanke.2022@gmail.com 

The Ordination and Consecration of The Reverend Austin Keith Rios as Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of California Saturday, May @ 11am


At Grace Cathedral

1100 California Street, San Francisco


Everyone is welcome! To secure your spot, register HERE


Celebrate with joy as we ordain and consecrate the Rev. Austin K. Rios as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of California. Rios will serve concurrently with the Right Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus as Coadjutor until Andrus’ retirement in July 2024, when Rios will become the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of California.

ROTAS & SCHEDULES


Altar Guild 2024


Prayers of the People 2024


Worship Volunteers Jan-June 2024

The schedule for this series is as follows:


• March 3: Session 3: Part II: Chapter 8-11

• March 10: Session 4: Part II: Chapter 12-14

• March 17: Session 5: Part III: Chapter 15-18

• March 24: Session 6: Part III: Chapter 19-21


The book is available through Amazon in printed, kindle and audiobook formats.

Please feel free to contact Paula Hawthorn or Father Wilson if you have any questions.




Additional Lenten Offerings


Holy Eucharist - Weekdays at 12pm

In the Chapel of the Pacific


Stations of the Cross - Fridays at 6:30pm in the Church


We have new artwork for our Stations of the Cross this year which are really wonderful and thought provoking. Thank you Fr. Mauricio for changing it up!



LENTEN FORMATION SERIES: The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory

American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism


This year, our Sunday morning book discussion is going to use Tim Alberta’s take on our ‘religious politics’ as the basis for a conversation on how our faith might inform our political views, and vice versa, how our politics inform our practice of faith. Our very own Paula Hawthorn will serve as host for these book discussions.


This series is primarily intended for those whose minds are open to continued conversation and discernment hoping to broaden and deepen their faith in action.


All are welcome to attend regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey and your views of politics. Sessions will be held on Sundays during Lent after the 10am service. Reading the designated chapters beforehand is encouraged, but not required.

Music Director Ben Bachmann gave a lecture about St. Paul's magnificent and historic pipe organ on Feb. 18, after the 10am service.


Stay up to date at www.stpaulsoakland.org/concerts


Holy Week & Easter Liturgical Music


March Concerts

AfterGlow Chorus: Harmony with Meaning - What’s Love Got to Do With it?


Sunday, March 10, 2024 4:00pm


"What's Love Got to Do with It?" is a uplifting, exciting concert inspired by the life journey of the late, great Tina Turner. AfterGlow Chorus will be singing a wide range of music on the powerful, emotional themes of love and healing.


Here are just a few of the exciting pieces that we will be singing across many musical genres (classical, jazz, R&B, pop):

  • "Healing Heart" by Jacob Naverud
  • "Let's Stay Together" opb Al Green
  • "A Quiet Place" opb Take 6


Tickets $20-$35, are available HERE

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra, Eric Hansen, Music Director - Fourth Concert


Saturday, March 23, 2024 3:00pm

Pre-concert talk at 2:45pm


The Prometheus Symphony Orchestra welcome you to our concert series for the 2023–2024 season, featuring well-established favorites as well as innovative, modern works.


There is no admission fee for our concerts, but donations are gratefully accepted.


Tickets are REQUIRED for admission, will be available on their website in early March.


Sunday, March 24

8am Palm/Passion Sunday Spoken Eucharist

10am Palm/Passion Sunday Choral Eucharist

 8pm Compline

 

Wednesday, March 27

7pm A service of Tenebrae

 

Thursday, March 28

7pm Maundy Thursday

 

Friday, March 29

12-3pm Good Friday Liturgy

 

March 30 2024

8pm The Great Vigil of Easter w/Baptisms

 

March 31 2024

8am Easter Day Eucharist

10am Easter Day Choral Eucharist



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.


St. Paul's is a member of Integrity USA, working for the full equality of LGBTQIA+ persons ​in every part of The Episcopal Church.


CLERGY

The Rt. Rev. Marc H. Andrus, Bishop of California

Rev. Austin Rios, Bishop Coadjutor-Elect of California

The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, Rector

The Ven. Canon Carolyn Bolton, Archdeacon

The Rev. Christian Harding, Assisting Priest

The Rev. Gary England, Archdeacon


STAFF

Benjamin Bachmann, MMusic, FAGO, Music Director

Philip Saunders Assistant Music Director

Jackie Kamakate, Parish Administrator

Joan Clerk, Bookkeeper

Danislav Nedevski, Sexton

Elena Nedevska, Housekeeper


VESTRY

Class of 2024

Indira Balkissoon-Sr. Warden

Irene Plunkett

Matthew Schooler


Class of 2025

Pamela Kruse-Buckingham— Treasurer

Richard Larson– Jr. Warden

Daniel (Digger) Lauter



Class of 2026

David Anderson - Clerk

Paula Hawthorn

Doug Jensen

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Pamela Kruse-Buckingham & Victoria Larson

Co-Editors