Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BELOVEDS IN CHRIST,
ne summertime goal was to reconnect with the Supervisor of my Clinical Pastoral Education program in the summer of 1969 at the California Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles to thank him for all he taught me at that pivotal time in my life, wisdom I still tap daily. We met at a restaurant in San Francisco where he is enjoying retirement. He is an ordained Lutheran Pastor who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and asks probing questions. In the middle of dinner he said, Saint Michael & All Angels . . . so, do you really believe in angels? Without hesitation I responded, Of course! When he continued with the inevitable Why? I stifled my initial smart aleck response, Because I have been to their baseball games at the Big A in Anaheim, and said Because the Bible tells me so! And because every time we celebrate the Eucharist we pray, Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing/pray this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name. Ever since that evening Ive been asking myself, Really, why do you believe in angels? A contemporary human being faces at least three difficulties in moving beyond lip service to the existence of angels and archangels: (1) It is difficult to imagine an angel, or picture an archangel in ones minds eye, with pure reason, except through the language of visual art or poetry. (2) This age has debased the ideas of angels while elevating the notion of the devil and demonic forces, forgetting that the devil is a fallen angel and those forces once were angelic. (3) Modernity seems to consider angelic beings as mere unsubstantiated myth, sharing the same unreality with gnomes, hobbits, leprechauns, ghosts and things that go bump in the night and angelology as a lovely cosmetic. Against this incredulous, abrasive and analytical milieu, there is the position of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP). The Prayer Book Concordance published in 1988 lists 46 references to angel(s) and 4 to archangels. Our patronal feast day of Saint Michael & All Angels is a major feast day on the liturgical calendar, observed on September 29 (we celebrate on the closest Sunday, September 30 in 2012); the Collect in the traditional version is on page 193 and in contemporary language on page 244, while the lessons are on page 925 in the BCP 1979. And there is the Bible. My Nelsons Complete Concordance of the Revised Standard Version lists 292 uses of angel(s). Leaving aside the 113 references in Hebrew Scriptures, our Old Testament, it is easy to see esteem and reverence for angels in the New Testament. Authors of Christian Scriptures do not think to question their existence. We are told that the Archangel Gabriel brought the message of motherhood and the incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38 and the Feast of the Annunciation on pages 188 and 240 in our BCP), and that a choir of angels sang at Jesus birth (Luke 2:1-20 in cycles A, B and C in the Lectionary for Sundays). Angels ministered to Jesus and were witnessed to by Jesus in his preaching (see Luke 15:10 for example). Angels heralded his
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A PRAYER FOR SAINT MICHAELS DAY Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LOAVES AND FISHES: This September we are collecting large boxes of childrens favorite cereals. Monetary donations are always welcome, too, and checks should be made payable to Saint Michael & All Angels, with Loaves and Fishes on the memo line. (Tax ID #95-2123746)
FAITH: LO SERVING BUILDING OUR FAITH: LOVING CHRIST AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
SEPTEMBER 2012
Gonzalez family in thanksgiving for the life of Dave Stevson, by Chuck Vaughan and Kristin Dickson in thanksgiving for the life of Michele Hope Fletcher Vaughan, by Jack & Marilyn Towner, by Jay Launt and by Pat Zorn in gratitude. These funds extend our Parishs mission of outreach, providing for such needs as can be helped by financial assistance.
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PLEASE CHECK THE DISPLAY RACK ON THE WALL IN MICHAEL'S ROOM. Pick up a pamphlet or two to share with family and friends. A donation box is provided. Do Not Be Afraid is a pamphlet whose message clearly speaks to all of us. "The way out of fear lies in forgetting ourselves and centering our eyes and hearts on Jesus, on the One who quells all our storms. The human mind can concentrate on only one thing at a time. If we really concentrate on Jesus, who is our safety and our life, we cannot at the same time be worrying about our fears. We can be concerned, yes, but we will not experience worry and anxiety. Remember the words of scripture: 'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear' (I John 4:18).
SAINT MICHAELS FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR JULY 2012: Preliminary YTD Income is $316,551. Our YTD Expense is $326,235. The parish Net Ordinary Income is ($9,684), which is $25,304 ahead of plan. Our YTD Pledge Income is $241,721 which is $4,533 below our plan through the end of July. Our total operating cash balance is $101,342 of which $87,744 is designated gifts, leaving a net balance of $13,598. The Endowment Trust has a balance of $ 149,121. As a parish we are doing a great job in meeting our pledge and expense goals for the year. Our God has been so gracious to us. Let us always remember to give back to God from whom all our blessings flow. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR the Sanctuary Light or Altar Flowers in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a birthday, anniversary, or other special event, please sign up on the board in the Parish Center and indicate the person or occasion to be remembered. The suggested donation for flowers is $30 and for the Sanctuary Light is $10. Please mark your donation for the Altar Guild.
Anniversaries in September
Birthdays 2nd - Peggy Jordan Dorothy Pierose 3rd - Sam McCulloch 4th - Libby Wallace 7th - Esther McNamee 8th - Beth Bianchi 9th - Ray Pentz 10th - Diana Brookes 11th - Michael Boor 13th - DJ Hulet 15th - Lynn Headley 21st - Shirley Anderson 22nd - Anne Conover 23rd - Marguerite Jackson 25th - Rebecca Welch 28th - Courtney Falde 30th - Susan Zevnik Baptisms 25th - Jeff Stone 29th - Anne Logie Weddings 8th - Bob & Julie Jenkins Craig & Leslie Kennedy 9th - Marshall & Maria Solomon 18th - Richard & Susan Zevnik 25th - Jim & Lynn Headley
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PHONE TREE MINISTRY: NEW MEMBERS NEEDED. Our goal is to contact every parishioner by phone once a month.This is a great opportunity to get to know others better and to share information, needs and suggestions about Saint Mike's. Please contact Ruth Poole at 949.644.9263.
nationally recognized speaker on positive approaches to mental health. From Bipolar Disorder to Bipolar In Order Cutting Edge Training for Bipolar and Depression Free and Open to the Public Free parking Thursday, September 27, 2012 7pm - 8:30pm Michaels Room
Tom Wootton
SEPTEMBER 2012
Continued from page 1 resurrection (Matthew 28:2 and Mark 16:5) and accompanied his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:10), and they will be present when he comes again to judge the world (Mark 8:38) if we believe the evangelists. I think it is incontrovertible that Jesus transmitted his own affection for the angels to his apostles and, through them, to the whole church. The Acts of the Apostles, Pauls letters, and the Book of Revelation all indicate an awareness not only that angels exist, but that they are our friends, helping and guarding us here on earth, and that we will be united with them enjoying the glories of life beyond these human bodies. Are there guardian angels? Jesus said, Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10) Saint Jerome wrote, Great is the dignity of souls, that each of them has an angel assigned for its protection. Who is our Patron, Michael the Archangel? In Daniel 10:21, Michael is identified as the chosen peoples special protector and prince. In the ancient Jewish religious work, Enoch, Michael is depicted as a mighty captain, acting with other angels to thrust earths evil rulers into the fiery furnace. In Christian Scriptures Revelation (12:7-9) Michael is portrayed as Gods mighty champion against forces of evil, and Jude (verse 9) refers to a Michaelite legend in which he exorcises Satan with a rebuke from Zechariah (chapter 3), The Lord rebuke you! by the nameless angel of the Lord. Christian tradition holds that Michael was the guardian angel of Paul (see Acts 27:23-24). Orthodox Christians pray, Gentle Michael of the white steed, who subdued the dragon of blood, for love of God and the Son of Mary, spread your wing over us, shield us all! On September 30, we will pray words from our Book of Common Prayer (page 244): Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Of course I believe in angels. Do you? Come celebrate Saint Michael & All Angels!
MORE FOR ANGELS FANS n the Feast of Michael and all Angels, popularly called Michaelmas, we give thanks for the many ways in which God's loving care watches over us, both directly and indirectly, and we are reminded that the richness and variety of God's creation far exceeds our knowledge of it. The Holy Scriptures often speak of created intelligences other than humans who worship God in heaven and act as His messengers and agents on earth. We are not told much about them, and it is not clear how much of what we are told is figurative. Jesus speaks of them as rejoicing over penitent sinners (Lk 15:10). Elsewhere, in a statement that has been variously understood (Mt 18:10), He warns against misleading a child, because their angels behold the face of God. (Acts 12:15 may refer to a related idea.) In the Hebrew Scriptures, it is occasionally reported that someone saw a man who spoke to him with authority, and who he then realized was no mere man, but a messenger of God. Thus we have a belief in super-human rational created beings, either resembling men in appearance or taking human appearance when they are to communicate with us. They are referred to as "messengers of God," or simply as "messengers." The word for a messenger in Hebrew is malach, in Greek, angelos, from which we get our word "angel". By the time of Christ, Jewish popular belief included many specifics about angels, with names for many of them. There were thought to be four archangels, named Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. An alternative tradition has seven archangels (see Tobit 12:15 and 1 Enoch 20). Sometimes each archangel is associated with one of the seven planets of the Ptolemaic system (the moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). Michael is associated with Saturn and Uriel with the Sun. Michael (the name means "Who is like God?") is said to be the captain of the heavenly armies. He is mentioned in the Scriptures in Daniel 10:13,31; 12:1 (where he is said to be the prince of the people of Israel); in Jude 9 (where he is said to have disputed with the devil about the body of Moses); and in Revelation 12:7 (where he is said to have led the heavenly armies against those of the great dragon). He is generally pictured in full armor, carrying a lance, and with his foot on the neck of a dragon. (Pictures of the Martyr George are often similar, but only Michael has wings.) Gabriel (the name means "God is my champion") is thought of as the special bearer of messages from God to men. He appears in Daniel 8:16; 9:21 as an explainer of some of Daniel's visions. According to the first chapter of Luke, he announced the forthcoming births of John the Baptist and of our Lord to Zachariah and the Virgin Mary respectively. Raphael (the name means "God heals") is mentioned in the Apocrypha, in the book of Tobit, where, disguised as a man, he accompanies the young man Tobias on a quest, enables him to accomplish it, and gives him a remedy for the blindness of his aged father. Uriel (the name means "God is my light" -- compare with "Uriah", which means "the LORD is my light") is mentioned in 4 Esdras. It is thought by many scholars that the seven lamps of Revelation 4:5 are an image suggested by (among many other things) the idea of seven archangels. --Continued on page 6
Yours, in Christ -
SEPTEMBER 2012
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Susan Caldwell
PRAYERS
HEALING Jon Michele Leasa Olive John Jean Ayjay Nancy Philip Shirley Larry Roberta Lynne Linda Bill Kevin Sue La Juan Sally Sam Pat Mary Betty GUIDANCE Mary Elizabeth Alison DJ Jeff Patricia Bob Scott John, Jack Victor Rich Sam Ric Mari & Bradford, Marisa REPOSE Marcia Milner Dave Stevson George Schmidt Michele Vaughan THANKSGIVING - for Paul, with Frances Fukuda; - for Jill & Ric, with Lynne Ruedy; - with the Zevniks
Call Esther McNamee for prayer requests at 949.640.1749
Our mission is to seek and share Jesus Christ as spiritual food for lifes journey.
In His Steps
want to thank all of you for the wonderful support and outpouring of kindness for Vacation Bible School. From the beginning days of planning in June to the last child to skip out the All Angels Court door, there was a great display of parish devotion. In Romans 12:6, Scripture speaks of the various gifts in the Body of Christ. When the call went out, there were those who donated their time, for others, they donated their resources, and for others, their prayers. Each of these aspects contributed to the joy and success of a Saint Michael & All Angels program for children, namely Journey to the Holy Land 2012. On four consecutive Friday nights, beginning on July 13, twenty-four children from our parish as well as from the community walked up the sidewalk and into the sanctuary. They each carried a simple drawstring satchel with raisins and play passport inside. It was their time for pilgrimage. Once inside the sanctuary, the children were met by Barbara Blacks piano playing. The children sat on the carpet and participated in a music lesson. After about twenty minutes of music, the children were then taught a Bible lesson about a specific location in Jesus life. There were four locations, the hills of Bethlehem, the village of Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee and the city of Jerusalem. Actresses and actors, Peggy Strong, Steve Caldwell, Clyde Dodge, Myrna Ireland, Dottie Cole and Michael Strong brought the teaching time to life. Our parish children are still talking about the comedic as well as thoughtful dramatic portions of the VBS program. Anne Conover led the group of children around .the parish grounds for the pilgrimage. She asked them to reflect and think about the things they saw along the way. She also stamped their passports each week. Cal McLaughlin made Continued on page 6
3233 Pacific View Drive Corona del Mar, CA 92625 949.644.0463 949.644.9247 FAX www.stmikescdm.org The Very Revd Canon
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday Holy Eucharist 8am Choral Eucharist 10am Adult Education 9am Sunday School 10am Nursery Care provided from 9:30am Wednesday Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Peace and Healing - 10am
ABOUT SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CORONA DEL MAR
We are a Christian Community of the Anglican Communion who come to hear Gods word and receive and share the Lord Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to have Christ live in us in order that in Christ we may live faithful and productive Christian lives. Our commitment to the Gospel is evangelical; our liturgical tradition, catholic; our theology orthodox but open to thought, reflection, and spiritual endeavor. We care about the world and strive to serve Christ in it.
SEPTEMBER 2012
IN THE COMING WEEKS EACH WEEK
Sunday
Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Nursery care from 9:00 a.m. on Sundays-at-Nine, 9:00 a.m., DL Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.
Monday
House of Speed, 5:00-6:30 p.m., AAC St. Mikes basketball, 7:00-9:00 p.m., AAC
Tuesday
Whiz Kids, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., AAC (begins 9/25) Bible Study, 7:30-9:00 a.m., DL Basketball, 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., AAC
Wednesday
AA meeting, 7:00-8:00 a.m., SW Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Peace and Healing 10:00 a.m. Whiz Kids, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., AAC (begins 9/26) Basketball, 5:00-9:00 p.m., AAC Contemplative Prayer, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Sunday Morning Worship returns to 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Sheetz-Palazzola wedding, 5:00 p.m. Mon., Sept. 3rd Office closed for Labor Day Oasis Ukeleles to practice, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., AAC Wed., Sept. 5th Vestry Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., CR Contemplative Prayer begins, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary th Thurs., Sept. 6 Staff Meeting, 9:30 a.m., DL Sat., Sept. 8th Parking lot in use by AYSO, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. th Sun., Sept. 9 Sunday School begins, 10:00 a.m. Acolyte Training, 11:30 a.m., Sanctuary th Tues., Sept. 11 Hutchins Consort Board, 4:00 p.m., CR Wed., Sept. 12th Senior Ministry, 2:00 p.m., CR Deadline for October For the Love of Mike, 5:00 p.m. th Sun., Sept. 16 Worship Commission, 11:30, CR Tues., Sept. 18th St. Mikes History Group, 4-5:30 p.m., CR Sat., Sept. 22nd Handbell Choir Rehearsal, 10:00-11:00 a.m., NW Tues., Sept. 25th Spyglass Hill Homeowners Board, 6:00-9:00 p.m., CR Thurs., Sept. 27th Bipolar Advantage Speaker, 6:30-8:30 p.m., MR Sun., Sept. 30th Saint Michael & All Angels Day Celebration (& re-) Dedication of our Labyrinth, following 10:00 am worship
IN THE COMING MONTHS
Thursday
Events Michael Angels Calendar of Events At Saint Michael & All Angels
PC - Parish Center RR - Red Room, AAC
Mens Readers & Seekers, 7:30-9:00 a.m., DL Whiz Kids, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., AAC (begins 9/27) Wed., Oct. 3rd Childrens Choir Rehearsal, 5:00-6:00 p.m. (begins 9/13) Sun., Oct. 7th Basketball, 5:00-9:00 p.m., AAC (not 9/27) Parish Choir Rehearsal, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 20th Friday Sun., Oct. 28th Yoga class, 9:00-10:00 a.m., NW Whiz Kids, 9:00-11:30 a.m., AAC (begins 9/28) Sat., Nov. 3rd Basketball, 2:00-8:00 p.m., AAC Sun., Nov. 4th AA meeting, 7:00-10:00 p.m., SW Sun., Nov. 11th Meeting Rooms: AAC - All Angels Court DL - Davis Library SW - South Wing Sun., Nov. 25th
Vestry Meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., CR Blessing of Critters, honoring Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi Eggers-Goggin wedding, 2:30 p.m. Cavalcade of Saints Mission Commission, 11:30 a.m., CR Annual Deanery Assembly, Saint Andrews, Fullerton All Saints - All Souls celebrated Praying Our Goodbyes United Thank Offering Fall Ingathering Last Sunday after Pentecost
S T. M I C H A E L & A L L A N G E L S W O U L D L I K E T O T H A N K T H E S E B U S I N E S S E S F O R M A K I N G O U R N E W S L E T T E R P O S S I B L E
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SEPTEMBER 2012
and Canon Kathleen A. Cox, cathedrals executive director, said they are thrilled by the nomination, noting that Hall joins us at a pivotal moment in the life of the cathedral, and we are confident that the Holy Spirit has led the search process to this joyous conclusion. The letter said that Hall possesses the spiritual and personal strengths to guide the cathedral toward the fulfillment of its great purpose in service to Gods reconciling mission in Christ. In the letter, Hall called Washington National Cathedral an architectural treasure and a living symbol of worship and ministry in the nations capital I am eager to begin conversations with all the cathedrals friends about how we can strengthen our historic ministries and imagine and enact new ones. I look forward to working with Bishop Budde, Cathedral staff and volunteers, the entire Cathedral Close, the Diocese of Washington, and with the extended community of supporters across the nation both to advance the cathedrals interfaith and national mission and to expand its ministry in Washington. As dean, Hall will serve as the ecclesiastical leader of the cathedral and be its public voice, the letter noted. He will preach regularly and lead the cathedral in convening people of all faiths and perspectives to examine and respond to important issues in the world. Gary will also lead the significant fundraising effort to restore and preserve the cathedral following $20 million of damage incurred from the August 2011 East Coast earthquake, in addition to responsibility for an annual operating budget of $12 million and approximately $30 million of pre-existing preservation needs. Gary has been married to his wife Kathy for 34 years. She has more than 30 years of experience as an elementary school librarian and teacher. They have one adult son. St. Mikes Facebook Page facebook.com/SMAACDM Like us Read us every day WEVE GOT 37 40 42 CAN WE REACH 50?
nited Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world. 2011 UTO GRANTS (List continued monthly as space permits.) $17,200 to the Diocese of Maryland for the Samaritan Women Faith Markets: Bringing Healthy Food to the Urban Desert, in Baltimore (wheelbarrows, fencing & irrigation, composting & food retail permits, used box truck w/chiller, walk-in refrigerator, lumber & supplies for produce stands.) $6,130 to the Diocese of Massachusetts for appliance purchases for Centre Street Food Pantry, Inc., housed in Trinity Episcopal Church in Newton Centre. $49,916 to the Church of the Province of Melanesia for Staff House Project, Luova Mission Station in Diocese of Temotu. $11,576 to the Diocese of Milwaukee for medical equipment for the Maternity Ward at St. Michael's Health Centre in the Diocese of Milwaukee's Companion Diocese of Newala, Tanzania. $9,717 to the Diocese of Milwaukee for the purchase and installation of a commercial dishwasher for Sunshine Supper, a project of Sunshine Place and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Sun Prairie . $15,725 to the Diocese of Minnesota for First Nations' Kitchen Renovation & Community Garden Project, a ministry of All Saints' Episcopal Indian Mission in Minneapolis (for water heater, chairs & tables, lamps, space heaters, raised bed garden equipment.)
SEPTEMBER 2012
In His Steps, continued from page 4 sure the stragglers at the end of the line didnt wander off. Once the weary travelers (if you can imagine a child ever being tired!) entered All Angels Court and stood in wonder at the sets, they were directed to dinner. Melinda Rader cooked and fed the group each week with the help of Corinne Stover. The bill of fair was macaroni and cheese, an all time favorite. Other foods were donated. There were Middle Eastern foods for the children to try. Clyde Dodge took pictures and kept the SMAA website up-to-date on VBS. During the last twenty minutes of the VBS time, the children participated in craft time which they loved. Murry McClaren and Julie Kirsch did a beautiful job at helping with crafts. Murry also helped with registration. Francis Fukuda made tissue paper stained-glass windows. During the month of July, Norm Ewers passed out VBS flyers in the surrounding neighborhoods. Rector Peter Haynes patiently kept the many doors unlocked and supervised the whole event each week. And Mike Ortt did a very sacrificial act of his time, driving his truck to Santa Ana to pick up the voting booths/sets as well as hauling out the wooden childrens church from Irvine Presbyterian Churchs basement. As the beginning of the school year is in sight, and summer will soon be behind us, I have found reflecting on The Blessing each week in worship to be a happy memory. May the babe of Bethlehem bring you peace, the child of Nazareth bring you joy, may the man of Galilee bring you strength, and Jesus of Calvary bring you courage. Thank you everyone for all your time, donations and prayers. Sincerely, Susan Caldwell
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TIME AND TALENT: If you are thinking about volunteering with one of our commissions at St. Mikes, please review the Parish Life booklet on the back rail of the Sanctuary, which describes these activities. We need greeters, acolytes, coffee hosts, and ushers, and have other interesting assignments as well. Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people at St. Mikes. Please call Murry McClaren with questions at 714.979.6978.
MORE ABOUT ANGELS (continued from page 3) What is the value to us of remembering the Holy Angels? Well, since they appear to excel us in both knowledge and power, they remind us that, even among created things, we humans are not the top of the heap. Since it is the common belief that demons are angels who have chosen to disobey God and to be His enemies rather than His willing servants, they remind us that the higher we are the lower we can fall. The greater our natural gifts and talents, the greater the damage if we turn them to bad ends. The more we have been given, the more will be expected of us. And, in the picture of God sending His angels to help and defend us, we are reminded that apparently God, instead of doing good things directly, often prefers to do them through His willing servants, enabling those.
Commentary from The Lectionary website http://satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm, Charles Wohlers, Webmaster.
The Anglican Studies Series (Morehouse Publishing) What Is Anglicanism? by Urban (Terry) Holmes The Spirit of Anglicanism: Hooker, Maurice, Temple by William J. Wolf Anglican Spirituality by William J. Wolf Anglican Moral Choice by Paul Elmen Anglicanism and the Bible by Frederick Houk Borsch Theology in Anglicanism by Arthur A.Vogel Anglican Theology and Pastoral Care by James E. Griffiss Other Anglican Background Reading Anglican Spirit by Michael Ramsey Anglicanism by Stephen Neill Study of Anglicanism by Stephen Sykes The Protestant Face of Anglicanism by Paul F. M. Zahl The Anglican Spiritual Tradition by John Richard Humpidge Moorman Commentary on the American Prayer Book by Marion J. Hatchett Glorious Companions: Five Centuries of Anglican Spirituality by Richard H. Schmidt Anglicanism and the Christian Church: Theological Resources in Historical Perspective by Paul Avis Reconciliation by Martin L. Smith Gospel Conspiracy in the Episcopal Church by Michael Marshall Anglican Identities by Rowan Williams The Anglican Tradition: A Handbook of Sources by G. R. Evans
SEPTEMBER 2012
Norm Ewers
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER WEDNESDAYS, 7:00 PM eginning Wednesday evening, September 5, at 7pm, all are welcome to gather for an hour of contemplative prayer. No contemplative experience is necessary. The text for prayer will be taken from the Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday Eucharist. We will follow the ancient Christian tradition known as lectio divina, which has been practised since the time of the Desert Mothers and Fathers in the 6th and 7th centuries. The sessions provide a safe and serene space as the group learns to experience what Scripture says to each of us in personal, emotional ways. The sessions are guided by a facilitator. Everyone is welcome to attend as regularly or irregularly as you like. Gather in the church to the left of the altar as you enter. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact Fr. Jeff Hulet or any of the facilitators: Sara Hyatt, Ann and Steve Morris, Michael Strong, Alex Slonicki. A WELLNESS PROGRAM HERE We are looking into having a wellness program here at Saint Michaels. With the blessing and guidance of Hoag Hospital, there is an abundance of information available to us. They are willing to supply us with an AED and blood pressure equipment. To get this off the ground, we are looking for nurses, active or retired, who would be willing to work after Sunday worship to take blood pressure and answer minor health questions. For more information or if you can volunteer, please call Mike Ortt, 714.323.8189.
Bishop and Martyr of Carthage yprian was born of pagan parents in North Africa around 200 AD. As an adult, he was a rich, aristocratic, trial lawyer and a renowned rhetorician. Around 246, a respected Christian priest converted him to Christianity, a conversion that caused him to renounce much of his wealth. In 248, he was elected Bishop of Carthage. A year later, in the persecution under the Emperor Decius, Cyprian went into hiding; for this he was severely criticized. Nonetheless, he kept in touch with his church by letter, and directed it with wisdom and compassion. After the persecution died down, the problem of what to do with those lapsed Christians who had denied their faith under duress became a serious issue. Cyprian held that they should be received back into the church after a suitable period of probation and penance. Other bishops disagreed. Novatus would receive them back with no probation at all. Novation would not receive them back at all and broke communion with the rest of the church over this issue, forming a dissident group that was especially strong in Rome. The Bishop of Rome held the same view as Cyprian, who wrote a letter urging the Christians of Rome to stand with their bishop. Later, the question of whether or not baptisms performed by heretical groups ought to be recognized as valid by the church arose. Cyprian held that converts from such groups should be re-baptized. Bishop Steven of Rome did not. The controversy was not resolved during Cyprians lifetime. During the reign of the Emperor Valerian, Carthage suffered a severe plague epidemic. Cyprian organized a program of medical relief and nursing that was available to all people. His benevolence did not, however, persuade the pagan population that the plague was not caused by the spread of Christianity. Another persecution followed. This time Cyprian did not flee; he was arrested, tried and finally beheaded on September 14, 258.
Many of Cyprians writings have been preserved. His letter on the Eucharist affirms that the priest acts in the place of Christ, imitating his actions. In his treatise On the Lords Prayer he maintained that We seek from the Lord that his Name may be made Holy in us. Although there is some question as to whether his book, On the Unity of the Catholic Church, affirms papal primacy, there is no question about the clarity of his statements concerning the unity of the college of bishops. The episcopate is a single wholein which each bishops share gives him the right to, and a responsibility for, the whole. So is the Church a single whole, though She spreads far and wide into a multitude of Churches Cyprians Feast Day is September 14.
PLEASE REMEMBER . . . Saint Michael & All Angels has a Parish Emergency Fund funded by parishioners and available to parishioners facing financial emergencies and needing economic assistance. Requests should be directed to our rector or Junior Warden, Paul Multari, or any member of our Vestry. Currently there is $5000 in this Fund. At one time there was more than $20,000 in the Parish Emergency Fund; so, if you are able to contribute, all gifts are welcome!
SEPTEMBER 2012
STEPHEN BLACK
s many of you know, I spent nearly a month overseas in July and the first part of August. I toured with the USC Chamber Singers in New Zealand and Australia, and then I struck out on my own and went to Singapore and Malaysia. In Singapore I was able to see my dear friend Chin Kai Lim, who was a student colleague of mine at the University of Louisville when I was an undergraduate organ major. He is now the Minister of Music at St. Andrews Anglican Cathedral in Singapore. He reminded me of the trouble I used to cause at the school because of my forgetfulness and absentmindedness. He told stories of incidents I had forgotten! (Im sure I put them out of my mind on purpose..). While there, I was able to attend a Buddhist wedding celebration, a wonderful event with amazing music and an even more amazing profusion of flowers. It reminded me of the
gripes of some of my organist friends here in the US, who complain that much more money is spent on flowers than on the music for the ceremony! From Singapore I went to Kuala Lumpur, where I was able to share Ramadan breakfast twice with newly made Muslim friends. I think most of us who have any familiarity with this tradition know that the meal is customarily shared with family in the home. However, Kuala Lumpur (or KL, as the locals call it) is a typically busy Asian city, with terrible rush hour traffic. Many people cannot make it from their office job to their home before sundown. What has happened over the years is that huge food bazaars have sprung up along many streets, with tent after tent of fantastic Malaysian food. Instead of going home, people gather with family and friends and walk up and down the streets, purchasing food until the time when the customary chant is broadcast over the mosque loudspeaker. On two different evenings I walked up and down the city streets with my interesting new friends and gathered food, all the while absorbing the sounds of motorbikes and laughter and
smelling the delicious aromas. When it was time, we all pigged out! I hope that you all have enjoyed the summer and are re-charged and ready to dive into September and the following months. I know that I am! Im going to close this column with the words from a hymn I heard at St. Andrews Cathedral (which we will sing at some point): Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around; He burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned. How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light! Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around. David J. Evans b. 1957
Our Parish Choir will return for worship on Sunday, September 9th at 10am.
Remember Parish Fund Pray for and Remember our Parish Emergency Fund