The Good News

OCTOBER, 2024

The Season of Pentecost

The Monthly Newsletter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

+ To know Christ better and make Him better known +

Liturgical Year B

Important Dates:

Recurring:

Every Wednesday at 12:10pm - Liturgy of the Word w/ Holy Communion

1st Sat. of each month - Acolyte Training in the Church

2nd & 4th Saturdays at 10am - Food Pantry Prep

2nd & 4th Sundays at 12m - Food Pantry

2nd Sunday of each month - Evensong, 4pm

4th Tuesday of each month - Vestry Mtg. 7pm

4th Sunday of each month - Compline, 8pm

Special:

Sunday, Oct. 6, 4pm CONCERT: AfterGlow Chorus "Con Amor: Music from Latin America"

Sunday, October 13 at 8am & 10am: Holy Eucharist, St. Francis of Assisi & Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 20, Choral Eucharist, followed by a Conversation with the Rector 11:30am

Tuesday, October 22, 7pm CONCERT: AfterGlow Chorus "Con Amor: Music from Latin America"

Sunday, October 27, YOUTH SUNDAY. 8am and 1oam services will be led by young people of the parish.

Friday, November 1, 6:30pm: REQUIEM FOR ALL SOULS’ DAY. We will present the beautiful Requiem, Op.9, by Maurice Duruflé, one of the 20th century's most outstanding compositions. With organ, orchestra and St. Paul’s Choir. All are invited to our Requiem Mass, at which we will remember and celebrate the lives of all the beloved departed.

Saturday, November 2, 2pm, MOVIE SCREENING “A CASE FOR LOVE." An inspiring documentary about the power of love, inspired by the writings and teachings of Bishop Michael Curry. With Q&A led by Father Mauricio and the film's director Brian Ide.

Sunday, November 3, CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS. A festive brunch will follow the 10am service.

Sunday November 10, CELEBRATING THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN! Today's services will be led by women (only)

Click HERE to see the website calendar.

PARISH NEWS

MY ST. PAUL’S QUINCEAÑERA

Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, Rector

On September 30 my family and I completed 15 years at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, with me serving as the rector. What does this mean, both for us as a family and for the St. Paul’s community?

In Latin American culture turning fifteen is a very big deal, at least for girls. In many places, including some communities here in the U.S., families save up for years to put together a grandiose celebration of a young lady turning fifteen, and from my experience, they are much bigger that sweet sixteen celebrations. There are a few reasons for the celebrations, including the idea that the individual has reached a turning point of higher maturity, but it is also a time when - in earlier generations - when a girl is expected to become a wife and begin having children, she has reached her childbearing age.

This said, the reality is that I must accept that I arrived at St. Paul’s a little more mature than a 15-year-old girl and past my childbearing years. I still do have something in common with those young women. What I would say I have in common with a person reaching that age is my always hopeful look into the future. For me turning page fifteen is not only about the past but even more about the future and its possibilities.

I am deeply grateful to God and all members of St. Paul’s for these years of grace and love, even on those days when we disagreed with each other. What’s most important to me at this moment is what the future has in store for us, what God is calling us into. I have often said to our vestry that regardless of whether we have a detailed plan for what our next steps in ministry will be, we continue forward with the certainty that we are called to be a God loving worshipping community that seeks to serve God by serving the needs of our neighbors and local community. St. Paul’s has been doing this since 1871 and our hopes for the future should be deterred in any way. The vestry has worked on a Ministry Action Plan for the next five years and as we commit ourselves to the next five years, I pray that, like the parents of a young lady turning fifteen (or in the case of St. Paul’s 153), we have high hopes and expectations for her future.

St. Paul’s, you are an amazing group of beloved children of God. As we move forward together and for as long as God calls and allows me to serve as your rector, I will seek to remind you of this, while also reminding you that we must build the courage to proclaim God’s love to all God’s children and creation. We move forth with deep love and hope. I thank God for my ministry among, and I thank you for your commitment to the Gospel and your embrace of the Wilson Morris 4 and our extended clan.

Message from the Senior Warden

Indira Balkissoon

Psalm 85:12: "The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest."

October is my favorite month and a time of harvest. St. Paul’s is in full swing. The Church is full of and It is so great seeing everyone. There is so much energy and enthusiasm. I love seeing the children and hearing their laughter. It is such a joy.

It was a special treat celebrating Father Wilson’s 15th Anniversary as Rector of St. Paul’s. I am so thankful for Father Wilson, his leadership, courageous faith, thoughtfulness, and patience teaching us God’s word. It is such an honor to be his Senior Warden.

The Ministry Action Plan (MAP) is in the final phase and is ready for Congregation review. Father Wilson will be sending it out to the Congregation soon. Please review and bring any questions or comments on the MAP to the Rector’s Town Hall Coffee Hour after church on October 20.

The MAP is meant to be a resource and has already proved helpful to the Stewardship committee. The information in the MAP helped Stewardship to develop the ministry flyers you saw at Homecoming and assisted with the development of the Narrative Budget. Our Stewardship Committee really is a blessing. We hope that the MAP will continue to be useful in providing information and documentation on our various ministries including ministry liaisons, ministry leaders, members of each ministry, job descriptions, goals and objectives and that it provides a framework for future planning.

Don’t forget to return your Giving Form.

Grace and peace to you,

Indira

Our 2025 Campaign for St. Paul’s launched September 15 at Homecoming. We have heard, and will continue to hear, stories of how our community has impacted the lives of our members and the broader community. During this campaign, we invite you to consider how you invest yourself, through the resources God has given you in the work to which God has called us.

We had a great response to our ministry fair. In the event you missed it, information

about our various ministries can be found on a table in the narthex. Our volunteer

efforts, over 9,000 person hours per year, define and shape who we are as a faith

community.

Our financial resources are critical to sustain mission and ministry. They keep the lights

on, the doors open, and our staff paid. We prayerfully ask that you consider a generous

donation to St. Paul’s for 2025. Please complete both sides the giving form that you

received in the mail and return it as soon as you are able to the offering plate, by mail to the office or electronically by emailing the fillable form available on our web site to our bookkeeper Joan at finance@stpaulsoakland.org

To date we have heard from 23 households for a total of $102,000. Our target is to

receive commitments from 70 households no later than November 3.

We will wrap up first weekend in November with several special events:

A celebration of the Feast of All Soul’s, Friday November 1 at 6:30 pm, with the
Duruflé Requiem with choir, organ and orchestra
A screening of the documentary, “A Case for Love”, featuring the writings and
teachings of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, on Saturday, November 2 at 2 pm
A celebration of the Feast of All Saints on Sunday November 3 at 10 am with a
festive brunch to follow.

Please join us in supporting our faith community, and see you in church!

Sharon Pilmer, Chair

Doug Jensen, Vestry Liaison

Amyellyn Kessler

Vicki Larson

Sarah Smith

CALLS TO ACTION

Lay Led Pastoral Care Team

In years past, St. Paul’s had a group of trained and licensed Lay Eucharistic Visitors who could take and administer the sacraments to individuals who were ill or shut in. Like so many things in our lives, the pandemic put a stop to this practice. Nevertheless, the need for this ministry still exists, and our clergy are stretched thin.

The ancient practice of taking the sacraments to those unable to partake during communal worship is the essential practice of inclusion. It binds them to the community of love and prayer that had together blessed the bread and unites them with Christ in the remembrance of his life, teachings, passion and resurrection. Lay Eucharistic visitors are part of a pastoral care team who, by their presence, bring the love, hope and prayers of the church to those in need.

At the ministry fair in September, we identified a core group interested in learning more about a possible lay led pastoral care ministry. We would like to set up an organizational meeting as a first step during October or early November. If you are interested in being a part of this, please contact Irene Plunkett (irene.l.plunkett@gmail.com) or Sharon Pilmer (pilms@hotmail.com).

For more information about eucharistic ministers and visitors, please visit the diocesan website at https://www.diocal.org/formation/eucharistic-ministers-and-visitors/

Our discernment around Christian Nationalism is timely. The House of Bishops has just issued this report.

The Crisis of Christian Nationalism: Report from the House of Bishops Theology Committee

Allen K. Shin, Larry R. Benfield

Foreword by Michael B. Curry

"For those of us who dare to call ourselves followers of Jesus of Nazareth, the challenge is how to order our priorities so as to put God first."

—from the Foreword by The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, 27th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church

In 2022, Bishop Curry charged the House of Bishops Theology Committee to study Christian nationalism, an issue that has increasingly come to the forefront of conversations surrounding Christianity, democracy, and white supremacy.

The committee’s methodology in an Anglican framework of scripture, tradition, reason, and liturgy sheds light on the foundation of the movement and a path forward. They argue that it violates the first and second of the Ten Commandments. This study warns members of the church not to fall into the trap of Christian nationalism, but instead to be a light to the world.

Discussion guide and Spanish translation included. Can be purchased on-line.

A companion to this report is a virtual panel discussion is scheduled for Oct. 15:

Essential Conversations: The Sin of Christian Nationalism

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 35pm PDT

What is Christian nationalism, and why is it more important than ever for our communities of faith to engage in conversations about it? Join a distinguished panel of scholars and bishops for a webinar to discuss Christian nationalism and learn why the House of Bishops Theology Committee of The Episcopal Church has called it “the gravest and most dangerous sin of today.” The webinar will also mark the publication of the new book The Crisis of Christian Nationalism: Report from the House of Bishops Theology Committee by Church Publishing Incorporated. To learn more and register for this free virtual event, click HERE.

Film screening: “A Case for Love” at St. Paul’s Oakland on Saturday, November 2, at 2pm

Featuring Q&A led by director Brian Ide and the Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, St. Paul’s rector.

Please join us for a special viewing of “A Case for Love,” a heartfelt yet personally challenging movie inspired by the teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about “The Power of Love” at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

This documentary examines whether or not love–specifically unselfish love–is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the U.S. The film team travels across the country interviewing everyday people from various walks of life and ethnicities, who strive to live their lives selflessly.

Included are stories of racial justice, the military, foster care, sexual trafficking, love and loss and others. Well-known figures, including Pete Buttigieg, Al Roker, Sam Waterston, Becca Stevens, Russell Moore, John Danforth, John Clyburn, Kelly Brown Douglas, and Jon Meacham, weigh in on the issue. Ultimately, Bishop Michael Curry puts what we’ve seen into context.

What’s the verdict on “A Case for Love?” Come watch and decide for yourself.

For a preview, see the film's trailer HERE

Links:

Facebook Event

Eventbrite

Photo credit: Grace-Based films

Back-to-School Supply Drive

Helping Deserving Students Start School on the Right Foot

Started in 2021 as we emerged from the pandemic and children were starting back to school in person, St. Paul’s began its Back-to-School Supply Drive ministry. We recognized that many Oakland families were struggling to provide the basic necessities and providing basic school supplies for their school aged children posed another challenge.

Recognizing this need, a small group of St. Paul members came together and mobilized to identify schools with students in need, secured a list of needed supplies, and engaged our congregation to purchase the school supplies and also helped bag and delivered the back-to-school supplies.

Each year through the generosity of our St. Paul’s community, the program has grown in the number of Oakland students we support with back-to-school supplies. This year was our largest effort yet; as we provided back-to-school supplies to over 120 elementary students at three Oakland schools and to 50 Oakland middle school students.

For information about this fun summertime ministry, contact Jeanette Dinwiddie-Moore at dinwidd@gmail.com

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

CLICK HERE TO CONNECT WITH THE DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA

175th Annual Diocesan Convention

Diocesan Resolution from St. Paul's Oakland

During Lent, a group read, met & discussed The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta. As a result, the Social Justice Ministry decided to submit a resolution to the 175th Annual Convention, with the goal of creating a tool kit for the people, parishes, and organizations of the church to use to Stand Up For Jesus and countermand Christian Nationalist messages. Over the summer, we've worked with the Diocesan Committee on Resolutions to clarify and strengthen Resolution #!: Addressing Christian Nationalism. We sincerely hope that you will read the resolution, and make any comments or suggestions on the DioCal website and if you feel moved, write message of support. Please continue to hold us in your prayers as we wend our way with the Resolution, through the democratic process.

The Social Justice Ministry

The

Liturgical & Service Music for October

AfterGlow Chorus

Harmony with Meaning

AfterGlow Chorus is a premier, auditioned chamber choir of over 40 highly-skilled, experienced singers based in Oakland, CA in the San Francisco East Bay. AfterGlow's mission is to perform powerful choral works of all genres with the highest level of musicianship and emotional impact.

Our upcoming concerts in October "Con Amor: Music from Latin America" are special programs where we will be singing a wide variety of beautiful music from around Latin America across many musical genres (i.e., classical, jazz, pop, etc.)

Experience the beauty and richness of Latin American music with us. Get your tickets now!

Here are just a few of the beautiful, fun pieces we will be performing:

"Cuando Te Beso" by Juan Luis Guerra
"Agnus Dei" by Ernesto Herrera
"Se equivocó la paloma" by Carlos Guastavino
"Dos Palabras" by Josh Rodriguez
"Modinha" by Antonio Carlos Jobim "All My Trials" arranged by Norman Luboff
"Recuérdame" (Remember Me) from "Coco"
"Despacito" by Luis Fonsi
"Vivir Mi Vida" by Marc Anthony

Our special Guest Artist is Edu González. Edu was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to the Bay Area in 2010. He discovered his love for singing at Martuni's, the beloved San Francisco piano bar, where he's still a regular. After the pandemic, Edu decided to pursue a career as a singer and began auditioning for shows around the Bay. He made his debut in 42nd Street Moon's 2022 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING.

sMore recently, he played the role of The Pirate King in Lamplighters Music Theater's 2024 production of Gilbert and Sullivan's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. In 2023, together with a few friends, Edu created CANTOS DE MI TIERRA, the first all-Spanish language cabaret show at Martuni's. CANTOS DE MI TIERRA has continued to grow, with a recent performance at Feinstein's in San Francisco.

Tickets - Oct. 6th Concert

Tickets - Oct. 20th Concert

Requiem Mass for All Souls’ Day, Friday, November 1, 6:30pm

Requiem, Op. 9, by Maurice Duruflé

With Organ, Orchestra and St. Paul's Choir

The Rev. Dr. Mauricio J. Wilson, rector

Benjamin Bachmann, FAGO, MMusic, Director of Music

Everyone is invited to our Requiem Mass for All Souls’ Day, at which we will remember

and celebrate the lives of all the beloved departed.

We will present the beautiful Requiem, Op.9, by Maurice Duruflé, one of the 20th

century's most outstanding compositions, and his most acclaimed work. Based on the chant of the Latin Requiem Mass, a compositional practice which Duruflé helped to

revive in modern times, Music Director Benjamin Bachmann will direct this version for

organ, orchestra, and choir.

The church will be illuminated with candles, and votive candles will be available for

individuals to light. You are invited to submit the names of loved ones to be held in

remembrance and listed in the service sheet.

Please submit names in the offering plate, via email to admin@stpaulsoakland.org, or by phone to the church office by October 25.