PDF
version of the April Newsletter
The St. Alban’s
Tidings
(Mostly Good!)
Saint Alban’s is a community
of disciples growing into the full maturity of Christ. Our mission
as a community
worshipping in the Episcopal tradition is to be devoted to God
through prayer, study and action; faithful in welcoming the
stranger and serving the needs of our parish and beyond.
March, 2013
Volume XIII, Issue 4
ARCATA, CA
Dear People of Saint Alban’s,
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners…
(From the Collect for the 5th Sunday of Lent)
Like many of you I try to keep abreast of the debates in Congress regarding gun control wondering whether anything will change legally or not and if so how those changes would be enforced. To respond to the shooting in Newtown, CT or Aurora, CO or of Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, AZ with legislation is what we might call a technical solution to these tragedies. Legislation is something concrete to do in response to a horrible tragedy. But it does not address the underlying rage in the culture or the celebration of violence that legitimates violence as a means to resolve grievances. It does not address the reality that the majority of homicides committed with firearms are not mass shootings but one on one killings in our communities. This is hard work—hard work we might rather avoid, hard work we don’t even know how to begin.
Legislation is part of the response, but only part. On its own it cannot help us regain a sense of the sanctity of life. It can foster restraint but cannot compel us to embrace Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies. It cannot compel us to recall that
whatever the circumstances of our enmity our enemy was once a child whose course in life had not been set, whose life held many possibilities, who is one who would be mourned by family and friends. If our Lord’s resurrection means anything it is that we have seen another way of life and strive against all odds to make a way forward to build on the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom, the new creation set in motion at the empty tomb.
.
Easter Blessings,
Sara+
Vestry Highlights
The Vestry meeting was held on Sunday, March 17, 2013. Mtr. Sara welcomed and introduced Cathy Larripa, new Parish Clerk for the Vestry. The first order of business was expressing thanks, in the form of a card, to Anne Pierson for her hospitality during the March 2nd Vestry Retreat.
Vestry Teaching Segment:
Mtr. Sara presented the second lesson on Vestry responsibilities as they relate to individuals in the diaconate program.
One information item was shared:
Connie Webb gave an update from the missio: Engage team. Plans are progressing toward a St. Alban’s neighborhood event focused on disaster planning. Saturday, April 27, 2013 has been set with presenter Judy Warren, for a morning class (no cost), Living on Shaky Ground, and following lunch, an Emergency Kit Class, at a cost of $15 to cover materials. This project is another way St. Alban’s will be welcoming and inviting to our immediate neighborhood.
There were three discussion items:
Following a nearly fifteen year run as Web-master, Robin Hodson is resigning her charge. Many thanks for all her work involved in creating and maintaining a web page for St. Alban’s Church. The Vestry will consider several recommendations for updating software and the continued maintenance of our web page. Robin will remain available for consultation as the project moves forward.
Cindy Woods asked the Vestry to consider the use of free, reusable night deposit bags in lieu of disposable plastic bags which cost fifteen dollars annually. The downside, due to the bank’s limited supply, reusable bags would need to be picked up once every three or four weeks.
Mtr. Sara Potter led a budget overview discussion to clarify questions about line items, balances or other fund information.
One report was submitted:
Dan Scofield presented the February 2013 Treasurer report.
The next scheduled Vestry meeting is Sunday, April 21, 2013
Health Ministry at St. Alban's
Emily Arents, RN, Parish Nurse
Even though the weatherman says we need more rain, I’ve been enjoying the sunnier, warmer weather. It certainly makes the almost-daily walks that my beloved dog Chili and I take much more fun and enjoyable. Recently, while we were taking in the beauties of the Arcata Marsh, I was remembering how even much more fun getting in some daily exercise is when done with another human! So I called Laura Miller and we’ve set up plans on our smart phone calendars to walk at least once weekly in the Arcata Forest. Another special walking companion is Nancy Dye, and she and I have been at this for 10 years anyway, taking in Clam Beach or the Hammond Trail or even trudging up Diamond Drive to the Arcata Forest. Yet another friend from my neighborhood and I take our dogs to the Ma-Le’l Dunes for bimonthly walks either down by the ocean or through the incredibly diverse dunes. All of our dogs love these outings – and our health, physically, mentally and spiritually benefits hugely too – as do our friendships. Do yourself a favor – schedule your-self a regular walk with a friend and see if you don’t feel better for it!
Thank you, Robin!
Robin Hodson recently notified the Vestry that she is resigning as the webmaster for St. Alban’s website. Robin has served faithfully in this capacity for 15 years, developing two different iteration of the site in that time. About a year and half ago Robin recruited Michele Olsen to help with web-site maintenance—posting the monthly calendar, schedule, newsletter, updating the announcements, etc. Michele travels about 3-4 months of the year and is unable during those times to do the necessary maintenance. The Vestry has taken this up and at Robin’s suggestion is considering a couple of possibilities that will allow more people to update the website. If you would like to be part of this effort please speak with any member of the Vestry. This is a vital communication link with newcomers, our new welcome mat, so we want to have this resolved as soon as possible. In the meantime, be patient as there may be months when the calendar and schedule are posted late. And please be sure to thank Robin when you see her.
Christ Church ECW
Potluck and Program
Wednesday, April 10th
11:30 am—Lewis Hall
Gisela Rohde will present, Wildflowers and Native Plants for Everyone.
Holy Humor, Batman
There is a tradition in the ancient Orthodox Church that designates the Sunday after Easter as Holy Humor Sunday (or Bright Sunday or Hilarity Sunday)—the notion being that Resurrection was God’s great practical joke on death. "Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh," the early theologians called it. So this year we are resurrecting this custom (no pun intended). Come to worship on April 7 ready to share your best jokes (clean ones only thank you!) and discover that Jesus is the LIFE of the party!
Disaster Preparedness—missio:Engage! II
On Saturday, April 27, St. Alban's will be sponsoring two disaster preparedness classes, Living on Shaky Ground and Disasters Don't Wait – Have Your Supply Kits Ready. These classes are part of a larger program of
missio:Engage to involve our congregation in disaster preparedness. There is no charge for Living on Shaky Ground. St. Alban's is able to offer the disaster kit class, normally a $25 fee, for a discounted rate of $15. The missio:Engage team is asking members of the congregation to invite their friends and neighbors to these classes.
We often ask ourselves how we can put into action Christ's call for us to be a blessing in our lives. As simple as it may sound, inviting your friends and neighbors to attend these disaster preparedness classes does that. Making sure that those we care about are ready when disaster strikes, whether a major earthquake or a ferocious winter storm, provides them with greater safety. In early April, the missio:Engage team will have available registration forms and information that you can share as part of the registration process.
The workshops are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. A spaghetti lunch will be served between the classes.
The Humboldt State University Extended Education catalog describes the classes as follows:
Living on Shaky Ground: Get an introduction to our area's most destructive hazards and learn ways you can save lives, reduce injuries and recover more quickly. The class is a basic introduction to disaster preparedness for the region.
Disasters Don't Wait-Have Your Supply Kits Ready: Getting ready for the next emergency means get-ting supplies ready for response to an earthquake, tsunami, winter weather and flooding. Preparing a supply kit can make a substantial difference in disaster recovery. Learn to construct well-stocked, sensible kits based on extensive check-lists. These include individual kits for each member of the family, including pets, as well as general kits for the household, office and vehicle.
Earthquake experts advise us that it is not a matter of if a major earthquake will strike but when. If you are interested in working with the missio:Engage team on this disaster preparedness project, call Diana.
Spiritual Forum
All are invited to participate in St. Alban's Spiritual Forum,
which meets most Sundays from 9:15 till 10:15 in the church
library. The format allows for lively discussion on a variety
of topics of wide interest. Child care is provided.
April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th A Study of the Gospel of Mark
The study is a continuing discussion of the Gospel of Mark using N.T. Wright’s and Lin Johnson’s Bible study guide, Mark. Copies of this discus-sion guide are available at the Forum.
Save the Date!
Our Annual Parish Workday will be on Saturday, May 4th. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. and we’ll break for lunch at around one o’clock. A list of projects will soon be posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Feel free to sign up for something that appeals to you. Hoping to see you there!
Santa and Friends Need a Home
A plastic Santa, Bear, and Ent mysteriously appeared at St. Alban’s during Advent. North Pole Protective Services (N.P.P.S) have been notified and the items have been taken into protective custody. Please claim these items before the Parish Work Day on May 4th. After that the items will be shipped back to the North Pole or taken to the Hospice Shop. Thank you.
April Birthdays,
4th Ian Curtis
5th Lilyan Haigh
16th Ann Wood
18th Winfield Shoemaker
22nd Owen Scofield
24th Jonah Hohl
28th Heather Hobson Lewis
29th Fannie Erickson
Tina Rousselot
30th Stephen DeMarino
Meetings, Clubs, and Other Regularly Scheduled Events
Group
Day
Time
Contact
WEEKLY
Choir Rehearsal Sunday, Sanctuary
12:15 p.m.
Nan Voss-Herlihy
Evening Healing Prayer/Eucharist Tuesday, Sanctuary
5:00 p.m. Silent prayer
5:30 p.m.
Prayer service Emily Arents, Evaonne
Hendricks/ Mtr. Sara
Spiritual Forum
Sunday, Library
9:15 a.m.
Bob Webb
MONTHLY
Bible Study 4th Monday, Library
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Mtr. Susan Armstrong
Book Group 1st Monday, Parish Hall
6:00 p.m. Potluck
Betty Price
Craft Group 3rd Monday, Parish Hall
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Betty Price
Vestry 4th Wednesday Library 6:30 p.m.Connie Webb
Worship Committee
1st Saturday, Library
9:00 a.m.
Mtr. Sara Potter
