March, 2005 Calendar In This Issue: A Valentine's Day Message from the Transition Committee The Weekend for Women Beatitudes Sermon for January 30, 2005, The Sunday of the Annual Parish Meeting Holy Cooking Pots? The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: Five Lenses Announcing the Men's Weekend The Paschal Meal The Church's New Foundation …Boxer Shorts?

by The Clergy of St. Augustine's

The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy I believe that it was Ignatius who said that the source of all sin is ingratitude. The obverse must then also be true - the source of righteousness is in being grateful. The beatitudes remind us to be thankful. In our church community this past year, there were abundant blessings. We, your clergy, would remind you of some of them.

Blessed is the bookstore, for they shall buy books and be less ignorant. The bookstore has been a place of blessing in this community. It was reborn as a place of hospitality and fellowship as well as a resource for learning and, as a resource for gifts, for your generosity. As a non-profit business, the goal is simply to be self-supporting, any proceeds being reinvested in the business. And yet, this past year, we saw gross sales of some $22,000, which is phenomenal in a Sunday only business. Thanks go to Christa Buswell and Marla Murphy for all their hard work for all of us.

Blessed is the New Kitchen, for they shall eat and be well satisfied. The old kitchen was a place of shame. Sometimes it was even scary. The recently completed renovation gives us a valuable resource for hospitality to ourselves and others. What was an embarrassment for us is now a place of pride and potential. Thanks go to Bill Amlotte who chaired the Kitchen Cabinet committee which consisted of Mary Lloyd, Christa Buswell, Marc Crocetti, Marla Murphy and Don Lloyd. Especially we thank Don who functioned as project coordinator for this great work. Blessed is the Columbarium, for the saints rest from their labors but are not forgotten. We've talked about a reverential home for the cremated remains of our loved ones, off and on now, for some 8 years. That dream has now become a reality. Of the 71 large and small niches, 18 are already committed. The Columbarium Chapel is a powerful reminder of the communion of the saints; for God is God of the living on both sides of human life. Thanks to Judith Lyons who kept this dream alive and especially to Ann Mohr who designed the Columbarium and has been project manager for this work among us.

The Rev. Pat Hendrickson

Blessed are those who serve at worship, for they lead us in "praising God in the beauty of holiness." Our Sunday worship would not be the profoundly beautiful time that it is if it weren't for all who have graciously stepped forward and said "I will." It begins with the work of the altar guild who see to it that we have the vessels and vestments of worship set up and ready to go for every service. Ushers and greeters that set the tone that says all are welcome here. Readers, chalice bearers, musicians and choir, each play an important role in creating a worshiping community. The most fun of all has been watching our terrific acolyte team take shape! These young people have been working hard and in doing so have greatly enriched our worshiping experience. They are a visual reminder to us all that we too are to carry the cross and the light of Christ out into the world. And a special thanks to those who have coordinated all that goes into our worship service.

Blessed are our servant leaders, who challenge us to follow Christ. And blessed are the followers who accept the challenge. This parish has a long and committed history of reaching out to communities in need. Through Corazon, we have helped to create a new world for the impoverished people of Tijuana. Adults and children alike have gained an understanding that with a little effort we can make a significant difference in the lives of others. Our parishioners help out every year with the Thanksgiving meal put on by the City of Santa Monica and with the Christmas meal served here in our Parish Hall. When there has been a void, new leaders have stepped forward as happened this year with the Susan Amlotte Christmas tree for the Neighborhood Youth Association. The outpouring of gifts was overwhelming. And our vestry gives selflessly to see that the needs of the parish are met.

Blessed are those who come in from the cold to join the community in worship for they remind us that we are all broken and in need of God's grace.

Praise for being a community in which brokenness is welcome. Praise for being a community willing to reach out and share our own brokenness. For it is in sharing our brokenness that we give each other the opportunity to serve Christ.

The Rev. Joyce Stickney

Blessed is Joe Paule, our sexton, for the parish buildings and grounds shall be tended and cared for. Not long ago, a crew of various people worked at St. A's making coffee, plugging in microphones, replenishing toilet paper, locking and unlocking doors, trimming bushes, washing floors, and taking care of this place. It became clear that we would benefit from one devoted, reliable individual who could truly be a part of the staff team and see this place, which we cherish, as their baby. And then we met Joe… or Joe found us, or I'm not sure how the romance started, but we are in the throes of the honeymoon, grateful for all that Joe does. He cheerfully responds to requests with, "Sure, I'll take care of that," and last Sunday as I opened the office doors at 6 AM he was carrying a carton of eggs, at which point I asked, "Are you making your breakfast?" to which he responded, "I'm going to make some brownies." And sure enough, in keeping with his culinary abilities, we had warm brownies for coffee hour.

Blessed is our Sunday School, for the children shall know Jesus and come to him. Each year our Sunday School is filled with children and teachers. In the classroom, relationships are developed and an awareness of God's love is nurtured with a great curriculum, but foremost, the gifted teachers, Sunday School shepherds. Thanks to Jennifer Pavia, Director of Children's Ministries, and all those committed to our children's formation: Tracey Clanton, Melissa Cook, Roni Crichton, Christine Danelski, Suzanne Edwards, Sarah Gardner, Jim Bowie, Dawn Jarocki and Robert Downs, Maribel Juarez Parry, Janet Lonsdale, Paul and Dorie Meek, Ann Mohr, Arthur Morey, Lisa O'Connell, Alex Riddell, Ken Phillips, Pam Schmidt, Mindy Staley, Melissa Thomas, Serafini Tiziana, Elissa Tognozzi, John Arthur, Martha Goode, and Velina Hasu Houston.

Blessed is our Healing Prayer Team and Intercessory Prayer Team, for prayer makes a community strong. Every Sunday a member of the healing prayer team stands over in the chapel available to pray with individuals during communion at the 11:00 service. They anoint with oil, lay on hands, and offer up prayers - prayers for any sort of healing - for relationships, family members, recovery from illness, psychological health, whatever is on the heart of the person before them. The following day, members of the Intercessory Prayer Team receive the prayers entered in the petition book, to offer up throughout the week. Thanks to all who are faithful to this ministry of prayer: Laurie Hutzler, Judith Lyons, Martha Leon, Tom Royer, Deborah Hudson, Gretchen Haight, Mariko Takahashi, Doug Stiles, Janet Lonsdale, Brandy Beirne, Mindy Staley, Sharon Arthur, Kit Bessenbacher, Heidi Williams, Janet Hope, Steve Harris, and your clergy.

The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy: For all these wonderful blessings and for those beyond our knowing and our naming, we give you thanks. But for the richest blessing of all: for each other in this community of faithful disciples; may God's holy Name be praised. Amen.

Copyright © 2005 St. Augustine by-the-Sea