cow hollow church news spring 2014

Cow

Hollow Church News

T h e E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h o f S a i n t M a r y t h e V i r g i n S p r i n g 2 0 1 4

Lent and Easter

The Rev. Scott E. Richardson, Rector

A few words about the two Church seasons that lie immediately ahead. Lent is the forty‐day season of fasting

that precedes Easter. The custom we now observe is first evident in fourth century documents and most likely

originated as a period of preparation for baptismal candidates. The number of days set aside reflects the forty‐

day fasts of Moses, Elijah, and, Jesus. Sundays are not counted in the forty days of fasting – every Sunday is an

Easter celebration – so we have six weeks of six days, plus Ash Wednesday and the three days that follow.

The mood of Lent need not be somber but it should be serious, focused. We are invited

to do something that will make our faith more real to us and others on a daily basis.

This might involve letting go of something we especially love for the season so that

nothing stands between us and God, or it might include taking on a spiritual discipline

(reading, praying, giving, being of service) for the same period. We are not working

out our salvation by these efforts – we are saved by grace through faith – but we are

seeking to live with greater spiritual awareness and commitment.

The intensity of Lent picks up in Holy Week. On Palm Sunday we recall the

triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. On Maundy Thursday we sit at table with Jesus and the disciples and

then, following his example, wash our neighbor’s feet as a sign of our obedience and humility. On Good

Friday we feel the sting of the nails and experience his absence. All of that turns again at the Great Vigil when

salvation history is rehearsed prior to the shift into Easter. The Easter celebration then continues the next day

as we welcome hundreds into God’s story of victory and new life.

Easter, we here recall, is also a season and not just a day. The immensity of God’s gift cannot be fathomed in

just an hour or two. Seven weeks are set aside for us to be with the Risen Christ and his astonished friends.

Note that our season of feasting exceeds our season of fasting. With the friends of Jesus we attempt to

comprehend the miracle and, truth be told, only catch it in glimpses. We see dim reflections, as in a dark

mirror, but someday we shall see face‐to‐face. Nonetheless, our Easter spirit expresses the fullness of our hope

as we take his light, life, and love into our world.

So we invite you to be with us for both seasons and as often as possible. It is absolutely true that your

connection to the Risen Christ is strengthened as you walk with him to the cross and then from the tomb. If

meeting with your clergy to discuss your spiritual journey would be helpful to you at this time, please know

that we are here to provide support, direction, and encouragement.

Spring 2014 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin

News of Note from the Sr. Warden

Betty Hood‐Gibson

Walking with God

When I think of walking with God, I think of the

words from Micah 6:8: “And what does the LORD

require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and

to walk humbly with your God?” We are blessed at

St. Mary’s to have many lay leaders who walk

humbly with our God by volunteering for St.

Mary’s. One such group is the vestry.

Each year at the Annual Meeting, we say goodbye

to one class of vestry members and welcome a new

class. This year the vestry members of the Class of

2014 rotated off the vestry and we elected new

vestry members for the Class of 2017. Thanks are in

order to our outgoing vestry members: to John

Addeo for taking great care of our facilities, the

church buildings and the rectory; to Sandy Briggs

for her leadership in co‐chairing the Parish Profile

and Search Committee, which not only led us to

choose Scott Richardson as our new rector, but also

taught us so much about our parish; to Scott Elaine

Case for providing strong financial leadership both

as Chair of Finance and as Chair of the Legacy and

Endowment Board; and to Michael Stafford for his

outstanding leadership as our new Youth Minister.

We welcomed four new vestry members: Jane

Cook, Kristin Glunt, Liz Paxton, and Creighton

Reed. Each one brings special talents and insights:

read about them in the Annual Report at smvsf.org.

Now the Annual Meeting is over, and we move

forward into the Season of Lent which starts this

year on March 5. Lent can be a special time to walk

humbly with God.

What does it mean to “walk humbly with God”

during the Lenten season? This can be a time for

looking inward, for spiritual reflection, and for

coming to repentance. It is a time to examine our

lives and actions, and to ask who we want to be

and where we want to go. It is a time to

acknowledge our faults and weaknesses, and to

seek God’s help to change our hearts and our lives

for the better.

As we walk humbly with God through the Lenten

season, may we slow down our busy lives and find

quiet time for personal prayer, self‐examination,

and repentance.

God,

you call us to serve you with all the strength we have;

you are faithful to those you call;

may Jesus’ resurrection raise us if we stumble,

the Christ light beckon us if we lose our way,

and we shall have strength once more

to walk with you to the cross.

Amen.

‐‐ New Zealand Prayer Book

Vestry members including the new Class of 2017, left to right: Annie Morse, Jr. Warden Diana Sullivan, the Rev.

Christine McSpadden, Creighton Reed, Lisa Carey, Kristin Glunt, Belle McBride, Liz Paxton, Sr. Warden Betty

Hood‐Gibson, Jane Cook, Stephen Koch, Jim Griffith, and the Rev. Scott Richardson. Not shown: Steve Dini.

http://smvsf.org/

Cow Hollow Church News Spring 2014

Sunday School News Nancy Clark, Sunday School Co‐Director

In the calmer Epiphany season we focus on stories

that give “clues” to the special nature of Jesus.

We’ve found the young boy Jesus conversing with

temple elders, considered the special events at his

baptism by John, pondered the water into wine

miracle, and marveled at his ability to enlist

followers and make them fishers of men. With the

coming of Lent and the story of Jesus’ 40 days in

the wilderness, we launch our Lenten outreach

activity, the Heifer project. With its focus on

combating poverty and hunger by providing food

and income producing animals to impoverished

families around the world, Heifer International ‘s

work and goals are comprehensible even to very

young children. The idea that a relatively small

amount of money can buy a

flock of chickens, a trio of

rabbits, or a goat, and

thereby provide both hope

and income to a struggling

family, is appealing and

inspiring to children.

As we work on this outreach

activity, we will use Heifer’s

quality educational

materials—the calendar, the

“ark” collection box, the

Animal Crackers activity

book, and superb DVDs—all

upbeat and child‐friendly. Parents are encouraged

to engage in conversations at home—the Heifer

calendar makes that easy—and guide their children

on the path of philanthropy and concern for the

well being of others. During Lent and into the

Easter season, we also promote the learning and

saying of at least one new prayer. Using Anne

Lamott’s categories “Wow, Help, Thanks,” we will

provide examples of prayers of praise, guidance,

and gratitude.

Bottom line: with the coming of Spring, Lent, and

Easter, watch for courtyard commerce, ark (mite)

boxes, prayer rocks (!), and mini prayer books—

and do all that you can to support our thriving

community of children.

Youth Group Happenings Mike Stafford, Director of Youth Programs

Looking Back

It has been an eventful winter for the Youth Group.

We started 2014 with a movie night, a Super Bowl

party, and a pizza dinner, and have had great

conversations, dinners, and games. We are thankful

to Julie and Eric Legrand for hosting the Super

Bowl party, for the families who have provided

dinners, and especially for Victoria Sutton who

lovingly coordinates the volunteers.

Looking Forward

We have a phenomenal spring to look forward to.

The youth will be attending Candlelight Concerts, a

bonfire on the beach, and

our annual Bowl‐a‐thon,

to name just a few

activities. We will also be

continuing our weekly

discussions about

identity, and how God

fits into that identity. We

are very excited to bring

Phoebe Bean back to the

group, this time as an

adult leader. She brings a

lot of youth group

experience, plus a loving

heart and an easy‐going and approachable attitude.

Mission Trip

Lastly, the youth program will be sending more

than ten youth and two chaperones to Puerto Rico

for a week of service in June. Partnered with

service organization, Community Collaborations

International, the group will be doing a mix of

environmental service and relational service

(working with kids, home improvement). We are

looking forward to the whole parish getting

involved in the trip, from prayers for the group to

big and small contributions that will help the group

get there and back.


Stephen Ministry

Comes to St. Mary’s David Crosson

The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin is a

Christian family of loving people who care for each

other and for all of God’s people, wherever they

may be. This is not an abstraction to us, but a

simple act of living our baptismal covenant, as we

are all called to do.

This spring, St. Mary’s is implementing a powerful

new ministry of lay pastoral care. Stephen Ministry

is named for the first

person called by the

apostles to organize

care for the poor,

needy, and suffering

(Acts 6). A Stephen

Minister is a loving

person who is

equipped through 50

hours of training and

supportive

supervision to

provide uniquely

Christian spiritual

care to people in

need. Stephen

Ministers are provided the spiritual, counseling,

and referral tools and continuing support to share

God’s love and embrace during times of loss, grief,

recovery, and personal challenge. Stephen

Ministers extend, but do not replace, the pastoral

service of ordained clergy and other lay ministries.

Stephen Ministers simply bring God’s loving

embrace to those who need it most.

Do you believe that your baptismal covenant calls

you to care for the wounded, offer solace to the

suffering, and uplift those in time of upheaval? Do

you believe that God’s grace begins with you? Do

you feel called to witness to God’s love in the most

intimate, personal, and supportive way? Do you

have the skills of a dependable, non‐judgmental

listener? Can you care without trying to fix? Then

you may be called to be a Stephen Minister. If you

are interested in exploring this ministry further,

contact David Crosson at 415‐668‐6486 or

[email protected].

We will begin training the first class of Stephen

Ministers at St. Mary’s on April 26th and

commission them in September. In preparation for

the first course, Nan Slavin, Julia McCray‐

Goldsmith, and I have just returned from an

exhaustive and exhilarating week preparing to

bring Stephen Ministry to St. Mary’s.

Nan Slavin joined St. Mary the Virgin in summer

2013. Raised a

Mennonite, Nan

received a nursing

degree from Goshen

College in Indiana, and

holds an MS in Clinical

Psychology from

Millersville University

and an MA in Pastoral

Care and Counseling

from the University of

San Diego. She worked

with Scott Richardson

as Cathedral Nurse of

St. Paulʹs Cathedral in

San Diego and is a

former Pastoral Counselor at San Diego Pastoral

Counseling Center. She currently serves as a full‐

time Emergency Department RN in Oakland.

Julia McCray‐Goldsmith serves the Episcopal

Diocese of California as Ministry Development

Officer and Working Group Head for Discipleship

Ministries. In this role she is committed to

equipping Episcopalians for authentic and joyful

ministries in everything from Sunday School to

vestry leadership. Her particular passion is

teaching the biblical grounding and prayer

practices that nourish and sustain Christians for

meaningful action in the world. She was ordained a

transitional Deacon in December and anticipates

being ordained to the priesthood at Grace

Nan Slavin, David Crosson, and Julia McCray‐Goldsmith (l to r)

mailto:[email protected]


Cathedral in June. We are blessed that Julia is

sharing her exceptional spiritual gifts and joyous

smile with this ministry program at St. Maryʹs.

I was a non‐practicing Methodist when introduced

to the Episcopal Church in my first professional job

with the National Archives of the Episcopal Church

at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. I

joined the Episcopal Church in Laramie, WY, and

have experienced our faith in all of its varieties

throughout the country. Natalie and I joined St.

Maryʹs in 2006. I was blessed to serve for two years

as a Stephen Minister at St. Andrewʹs Church,

Saratoga, and I know personally what a powerful

ministry this can be for both the care‐receiver and

the care‐giver. At a Cursillo experience in 2012,

God called me (kicking and

screaming) to help form a

Stephen Ministry program. I am

deeply grateful that Scott has

accepted this lay ministry as an

integral component of pastoral

care in our church.

Newcomer’s Corner Jory Sandusky

Like many newcomers, my

partner Justin Marsh and I chose

St. Mary the Virgin as our church home for a

number of reasons. The amazing music program,

run by Chip Grant, spoke directly to Justin fro

the first time he “subbed” for the tenor soloist. I fel

right at home after hearing a number of Rev. Sco

sermons. Scottʹs clear message of Godʹs love, gr

and acceptance, no matter what path of life youʹre

on, spoke to my years of studying the Bible a

growing up in an evangelical church. As a gay

couple, we were also seeking a church home that

was inclusive and friendly. For us, St. Mary’s has

proven to be a church of thought, acceptance,

music, a place where hearts and minds are able to

be challenged, and a place of growth.

m

t

ttʹs

ace,

nd

on

as

y

possible.

When not performing in opera and musical theater

around the Bay Area, Justin works at UC San

Francisco as Senior Director of Development for the

Schools of Nursing and Dentistry. He has been in

the fundraising business since his years in New

York working with UNICEF. Justin has a Master of

Music degree from The Cleveland Institute of

Music and Case Western Reserve University. He

grew up in Western Pennsylvania, in a small town

called New Derry, near Latrobe, which is home to

golfer Arnold Palmer, TV host Mister Rogers, and

Rolling Rock beers.

I own a real estate investment company based here

in San Francisco and also work part time as

Communications and Program Manager at

Episcopal Charities for the Diocese of California.

My career path also included working at Morgan

Stanley helping with the

integration of Smith Barney,

as well as nine years at

United Airlines as a brand

manager. In that job I was

able to log over two million

miles doing laps around the

globe! A Bay Area native, I

grew up in Walnut Creek

and Clayton, and graduated

from California State

University, Long Beach. I

recently completed a term

St. Paulʹs Vestry, Walnut Creek, where I served

Stewardship Chair and a member of the

communications committee. We live in Noe Valle

and enjoy traveling to warmer climates whenever

Ash ay

7 a.m., 12 noon, and 7 p.m.

Wednesd

March 5

Holy Eucharist and

Imposition of ashes

Justin Marsh (left) and Jory Sandusky


A Joy and a Blessing By Timothy Smith, Night Ministry Intern

Tim and his wife Ilia have been parishioners at St. Mary

the Virgin for 35 years. After a 40‐year career as an

attorney, insurance company executive, and risk

management consultant, Tim retired in August 2012.

Two weeks later he began a three‐year program at the

Episcopal School for Deacons (SFD) in Berkeley in

preparation for ordination as a deacon. He is currently

in his second year there, and his internship at the San

Francisco Night Ministry fulfills the requirements of

SFDʹs field education program to intern at an

organization having a social ministry in the community.

The Night Ministry provides various services including

bringing the presence of the Holy Spirit and personal

presence through late‐night walks in neighborhoods

where homeless and other needy people congregate. It

also provides late‐night crisis counseling services over

the phone to those calling in for assistance, and through

its Open Cathedral program conducts Eucharist ʺin the

openʺ in public plazas; one is near City Hall. St. Mary’s

supports Open Cathedral quarterly with meals prepared

by our 5th and 6th graders. Everyone is welcome to attend

and help out at the next one on March 16. Contact the

Rev. Nancy Bryan for details at [email protected].

My experience with the Night Ministry over the

past six months has

been transformative.

It has been a joy and a

blessing to be able to

work with caring and

compassionate clergy

and lay people at the

Night Ministry and to

experience first‐hand

how they bring their

own presence and the

presence of the Holy

Spirit to be with the

homeless and the

needy on the streets

of San Francisco.

Cardboard House to Chapel

Working under the thoughtful, discerning, and

compassionate tutelage of the Rev. Lyle Beckman,

the senior Night Minister and Director of SF Night

Ministry, I’ve joined night ministers on their late

nightly walks through such neighborhoods as the

Tenderloin, lower Polk, the Castro, City Hall,

North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf. It has been

deeply moving and personally fulfilling to bring

my presence to the streets and to be with the night

ministers as they pray with people on the streets

and bring comfort, love, and hope to them.

A profound experience for me occurred one chilly,

damp evening when I was accompanying a night

minister on a walk in the neighborhood near the

Castro Safeway where a large number of homeless

people often congregate. As we walked down the

street at about 1:30 a.m., we encountered a man

with long hair and a beard who was building

himself a house made out of cardboard for the

night. We caught his eye and began speaking with

him. We quickly learned that he had been a

substance abuser for a number of years. It also

appeared that his homelessness had resulted from

many years of substance abuse and that he had

little, if anything, in worldly possessions. However,

he was a very spiritual man and began talking with

us about God’s

love for all of

us (despite o

sins), the

Catholic

Church (to

which he

belonged as a

youth), the

Pope, and

religious

tolerance. The

discussion was

quite lively. He

then

announced tha

he would

change his

ur

t

Night Ministry intern and Episcopal School for Deacons student Tim

Smith offering care and compassion on the streets of San Francisco.



cardboard house into a cardboard chapel,

proceeded to make an altar inside the cardboard

box, and invited us to pray with him. For the next

40 minutes we prayed with him on our knees by

his makeshift altar inside the cardboard box. I

believe that all three of us felt the power of the

Holy Spirit while we prayed. As the man was

thanking us afterwards for bringing our presence

to him, I looked at him again and saw in him the

of Jesus.

a

ic

T

ent

rs

l, which now has regular attendees at its

f the

eat

by

as

ng to

be with others who are also struggling to

and

singing

d

ed the Holy

Cathedral!

g as

ors

on the

with troubled and lonely people.

art of the

and

eacons at the end of the

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

face

Singing for Open Cathedral

Often accompanied by my wife Ilia, I’ve also

engaged as a lector, a prayer leader, and even

song leader (quite a stretch for me) for Open

Cathedral. It is a church without walls or a roof,

where night ministers conduct uplifting Eucharist

services on Sundays and week‐day afternoons in

open plazas by City Hall and the Mission BAR

Station. Everyone is warmly welcomed to the

Lord’s Table, is treated with dignity, and after the

service receives a bag lunch prepared by a differ

church each week. Already, the night ministe

have successfully built community for Open

Cathedra

services.

A deeply moving experience for me occurred at

Open Cathedral near City Hall during one o

Sunday afternoon Eucharist services. Open

Cathedral clergy from Night Ministry invite

anyone on the streets to join in the service and tr

everyone with dignity just as Christ treated the

marginalized. The liturgy is normally conducted

Night Ministry clergy and volunteers led by the

charismatic Rev. Monique Ortiz. However, the

parishioners, many of whom are homeless, serve

ushers, lead singing, and actively engage in the

intercessory prayers. It is truly heartwarmi

hear the parishioners, many of whom are

struggling to sustain themselves, pray for God to

bless and

survive!

On this particular day, the neighborhood

participant who usually leads the singing during

the service was not there. The clergy attending the

service did not feel totally comfortable in leading

the singing, although they tried mightily.

Suddenly, an older bearded man in a faded hoodie

and trousers who had been sitting apart from the

others, buried in his own thoughts, stood up

volunteered to lead the singing. He took the

portable microphone and proceeded to lead the

singing with a magnificent voice as smooth as

velvet. Everyone joined in enthusiastically

the selected hymns and the alleluias. This

gentleman had helped to make the Eucharist even

more special that it already was! I stood there an

once again felt than I had experienc

Spirit in action at Open

Daily Thanksgiving

I’m also training to become a crisis line counselor

for Night Ministry, which uses phone counselin

a forum where, during the night, troubled and

lonely people can speak with someone who cares

for them and who has been trained as a counselor

to help them. I continue to be deeply touched by

the dedication and faith of the crisis line counsel

as they spend long hours into the night making

themselves available to pray and to speak

phone

I thank God daily for the gift of being a p

Night Ministry’s program of caring and

compassion for the homeless and others in need on

the streets of San Francisco. I also thank Lyle

his colleagues for providing me with an

opportunity to engage actively in a diverse

ministry outside the confines of church walls. I look

forward to continuing to engage in Night Ministry

programs even after I complete my field education

program for School for D

current spring semester. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Shrove

much‐lo before

the fasting.

Tuesday Supper

March 4

In the Great Room

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

All are welcome for this

ved feasting


Personal Preparedness Workshop

es

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erward.

ores,

t entir

s

h

s

tural

amaged

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prepare ourselves, our families,

wealth of personal ex lling

L

with

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, the

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,

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Sandy Stadtfeld

For residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area,

the question is not if a major earthquake will occur

here, but when. No one will accurately forecast its

date, time and severity. We canʹt plan ahead to be

out of town, nor can we stockpile food and suppli

at the last minute. Firefighting, law enforcement,

ambulance, animal control, and other professional

first responders will be unable to locate and reac

everyone who needs help ‐ for days aft

Utility, communication, banking, and

transportation systems may be disabled. St

businesses, schools, medical facilities, and

government, if no

themselves with

stringent prioritie

and constraints.

Our neighborhoods

may be sown wit

such dangers a

contaminated

water, downed

power lines, na

gas leaks, and

perilously d

homes and

ely closed, will find “what if” scenarios,

businesses.

Our best practica

response to the

absolute certainty of

“The Big One” is to

and our neighborhoods.

Personal preparedness was the focus of a two‐hour

workshop at St. Maryʹs the evening of Wednesday,

January 15. The San Francisco Fire Department

(SFFD) presented this session as an introduction to

their Neighborhood Emergency Response Team

(NERT) training program. NERT training provides

San Franciscans the basic skills to help themselves

and their neighbors in an emergency, and to foster

team capabilities and organization at the levels of

neighborhoods and individual blocks. Through

hands‐on training, participants learn situational

awareness, condition assessment, triage, hazard

reporting, and basic first‐response tactics.

Equipped with standard vocabulary and practices,

NERT members can respond ‐ safely, confidently,

and appropriately ‐ to personal and neighborhood

emergencies and as part of the City‐wide disaster

organization. The full 20‐hour training includes six

3‐hour class sessions and is free to the public.

In just two hours, the Personal Readiness

Workshop encompassed a wide range of vital

information. SFFD Lt. Erica Arteseros, Coordinator

of the City‐wide NERT program, delivered the

entire session with humor, compassion, and a

perience. Via compe

t. Arteseros impressed the

more than 40 attendees

her resourcefulness,

ingenuity, and common

sense. Representing

neighborhoods across an

even beyond the City

prospective NERT member

were encouraged to learn

that they had fulfilled the

requirements for completi

of the first of the six NERT

training sessions.

St. Maryʹs has hosted the full

course of NERT tra

several times as a ministry

of community outreach.

The church is not assigned a specific emergency

response function. But after “The Big One,” we wil

offer our neighbors whatever a parish church can

if simply solace, warmth, and transcendence. In th

meantime, by continuing to open our doors for

NERT training, St. Maryʹs provides a vital and

unifying service to Cow Hollow and other

neighborhoods. Remember, weʹre all in this

together! Learn more and register for upcoming

training at About SF NERT.

The view, in 1906, looking east across Steiner Street after

the earthquake caused soil liquefaction.

http://www.sf-fire.org/index.aspx?page=875


Parish Convenes for St. Mary’s Annual Meeting Chris Ball, former Senior Warden

There was a full house for St. Mary’s Annual

Meeting on Sunday, January 26. Copies of the 2013

Annual Report, lovingly prepared and assembled

by Sandra Gary, were distributed as parishioners

convened for the 11:30 a.m. meeting. A quorum

was deemed established. After an opening prayer

and the singing of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,”

the congregation remembered the faithful

departed. We then got down to business.

Four new vestry members were nominated and

elected by unanimous consent: Jane Cook, Kristin

Glunt, Liz Paxton, and Creighton Reed. Seven new

deanery representatives also were elected: Roulhac

Austin, Steven Currier, Alisa Quint Fisher, Fran

Hegeler, Fred Martin, Tom Robertson, and Carl

Zachrisson. Profiles of the new vestry members

and Deanery Representatives are included in the

Annual Report.

Stewardship Chair Tom Robertson reported that

the original goal of $825,000 for pledges in 2014 had

been exceeded. Tom attributed the success of the

campaign to the involvement of dozens of

parishioners who participated in the stewardship

appeal. Father Richardson thanked Tom for his

time and commitment to stewardship. Roulhac

Austin will succeed Tom as stewardship chair. Jane

Cook followed with a report from the Endowment

and Major Gifts Committee, citing the Committee’s

hosting of a “thank you” reception for members of

the Legacy Society and an educational presentation

on estate planning.

Scott Elaine Case, outgoing Finance Chair (and

Treasurer beginning October 1, 2013), spoke next,

referring the congregation to a four‐page Financial

Report detailing the income and expenses for 2013

and the 2014 Budget Summary. Scott reported that

St. Mary’s financial condition has improved since

2012, with total income (pledge payments, plate

contributions, transfers from investments and

miscellaneous contributions) increasing to

$1,006,088. Total income was evenly matched by

total operating expenses, which had increased by

$30,000 from the prior year. A graphical

breakdown of income and expenses by category is

depicted in the written Financial Report. St. Mary’s

endowment also has benefitted from market

appreciation, increasing from $1.8 million to $2.055

million. The 2014 Budget Summary, approved by

the vestry early in 2014, provides for a balanced

budget based on projected operating revenue of

$1,064,560. Stephen Koch will succeed Scott Case as

Finance Chair. Scott thanked outgoing Treasurer

Ellen McLean for her countless hours and

meticulous detail in discharging her role. The

parish was then treated to a video, created by

DeeDee Anderson, displaying a montage of visual

highlights at St. Mary’s in 2013.

Outgoing vestry members (l to r): Sandy Briggs, Mike

Stafford, and Scott Elaine Case. Not shown: John Addeo.

Betty Hood‐Gibson provided the Senior Warden’s

report, referring parishioners to her written report,

and recognizing many special individuals and

ministries. Among the 2013 accomplishments, Betty

cited St. Mary’s sound financial condition, the

strength of the endowment fund, the Newcomers’

We Did It! Stewardship Campaign Surpasses Goal

The parish has surpassed its 2014 pledge goal of

$825,000. By press time for this edition of the Cow

Hollow Church News, the parish had received over

$843,708 and 301 pledges. Thanks to all those

parishioners who made it possible ‐‐ by throwing

parties last fall, by speaking at services, and by

making follow‐up calls – and by making pledges.

We did it!


Welcome Table, the Mission Trip, the successful

outreach fundraiser, our newsletter, and more.

Betty also thanked the outgoing vestry members

for their service: John Addeo, Sandy Briggs, Scott

Elaine Case, and Michael Stafford. Then, Fr.

Richardson announced that Betty has agreed to

serve a second one‐year term as Senior Warden.

Father Richardson took a few moments to offer a

“General Thanksgiving” to the hundreds of people

who come together to make possible St. Mary’s

many offerings, including the Altar Guild, the

Flower Guild, the choirs, acolytes, ushers, sextons,

confirmation class instructors, lectors, homilists,

deacons, donors, worshippers, and many others.

Then Father Richardson paid special tribute to St.

Mary’s Sunday School teachers, noting that St.

Mary’s has a long history of offering Sunday

School, and that Sunday School, “is at the core of

our DNA.” Nancy Clark offered a moving special

remembrance of the recently deceased Father

Richard Fowler (see page 21).

Father Richardson stated that Associate Rector,

Christine McSpadden, will be leaving St. Mary’s

this summer, as she and her family move to

London. Mother McSpadden stated that she has

been honored and privileged to be a part of St.

Mary’s, and asked for our prayers in her new

journey.

The meeting concluded with the Rector’s report.

He offered his thoughts on where St. Mary’s, as a

parish, is going. He observed that the church

sometimes does better when, “it moves against

culture,” adding that, “we are about lifting up the

centrality of Christ in our lives.” With its many

ministries, St. Mary’s, he suggested, should be a

center for Christian orthodoxy that is open to the

world, embracing to all people, and committed to

the principles of our faith.

2013 Annual Report

For those who did not attend the Annual Meeting,

copies of the 2013 Annual Report are available in

the narthex of the church; or, you can find it on the

homepage of our website, www.smvsf.org.

A Song for All Ages Tom Giovagnoli, Member of the Handbell Choir

On a cool, bright morning in November, after more

than a year of silence, the vibrant tones of English

handbells once again begin to rise among the old

redwood timbers of faith at the Episcopal Church

of St. Mary the Virgin.

But even as the sound of the bells catches the ears

of parishioners there, it is the sight of one young

ringer that catches their eye. There on middle C,

amidst choir members easily reaching into their

40’s, 50’s and beyond, is 10‐year‐old ringer Rollie

Giovagnoli.

Every instrument is unique, of course, but among

all of the musical apparatus you may hear,

handbells are different.

One of the few instruments truly born of the church

– they were created to give tower bell ringers a way

to practice without driving the whole town mad –

handbells offer an ethereal sound almost

completely associated with worship. Pieces written

for handbells are short. There are no solos. In fact,

no one player owns more than a few notes in any

given song.

At practice in the rehearsal room on a Tuesday night (left to right):

Susan Barber, Rollie Giovagnoli, and Mary Morganti.

http://www.smvsf.org/


So when you hear a bell choir play, you are

listening to a communal instrument, requiring the

hands of many players, and the spirit of many

individuals, to sound as one.

No one knows this more than Chip Grant, Director

of Music and Liturgy at St. Mary the Virgin. It was

his idea that Rollie might fit well into this much

older group.

“He’s 10, you know,” I reminded him, a bit

surprised by the suggestion that I bring my son to

our next practice. “I know,” Chip said. “But he’s

got the mind for it. I think it would work.”

As it turns out, it wasn’t such a crazy suggestion.

English handbell ringing first arrived on American

shores in Boston around 1925 and quickly spread

along the East Coast and into the Midwest. Many

of the choral programs, like San Franciscoʹs Golden

Gate Boys Choir, began to use handbells as a way

to keep boys in music while their voices were

changing.

Math and science majors do well with handbells,

and many people in the computer industry are also

ringers. So it’s no surprise that the Bay Area is

home to one of the countryʹs top handbell choirs,

Sonos Handbell Ensemble, now over 20 years old.

At practice in the church’s rehearsal room on a

Tuesday night, Rollie is there, as well as Wendy,

Mary, Susan, Gloria, myself, and Chip. We struggle

and lurch our way through a piece, sounding less

like musicians and more like angels in commute,

elbowing for space on a crowded sidewalk in

heaven.

But then,

slowly, a fragile

melody begins

to rise out of the

confusion, and

the many

individual

sounds of the

many different

players become

one. Every

it is a

.

a cool

manuel”

to play.

ent

lebration as one. Every time, it’s a

time,

revelation.

And now,

consider St

Mary’s on

December

morning. Advent

is in full swing, “O Come, O Come, Em

begins

The Children’s Choir leads, and then the women

and then the men of the adult choir join in. Soon,

the whole congregation is in song. The bells play

along, too, including young Rollie. Many differ

people, in ce

revelation.

If handbell music is a revelation waiting to happen

for you, listen to a recording titled, Peal for 12 Bells,

on www.smvsf.org, using this link: Listen to Music.

d, please contact

Chip Grant at [email protected]

Members of the Handbell Choir of St. Mary the

Virgin remind you that we are always in need of

good ringers. If you’re intereste

.

Ringers warming up in the chapel, (l to r): Mary Morganti, Gloria Galindo, Rollie Giovagnoli,

Tom Giovagnoli, Susan Barber, and Wendy Moseley.

http://www.smvsf.org/

http://www.smvsf.org/index.php/listen-to-music





Wedding Bells Ring With Joy Fran Hegeler

Saturday, December 28, 2013. Though three days

before the “official” New Year, the day marked

exhilarating beginnings. The sun was shining and

the church was filled to the brim –

standing room only—as more than

425 people gathered for the

afternoon wedding of Chip Grant,

our music and liturgy director,

and John Patrick Moore. Volti, San

Francisco’s acclaimed

contemporary chorale, anchored

the choir stalls, among them many

singers who are members or

alumni of our Parish Choir.

Friends and parishioners, young

and old, sat shoulder‐to‐shoulder

in the pews. A brass ensemble,

perched in the loft, trumpeted as

the clergy and more than fifty

family members and special guests

processed Chip and John into the

church.

It was a joyful wedding whose time had finally

come. For Chip and John, who had been engaged

for five years—it was “hurry up and wait” as the

law fluctuated. And for St. Mary’s, the wedding

culminated in a thoughtful process that followed

decisions by the Supreme Court and by our own

bishop, who in light of those decisions, authorized

the clergy of this diocese to perform same‐gender

marriages. Thoughtful conversations were held

with the vestry, an open conversation with the

parish in the Great Room of Fowler Hall that

involved the Chancellor of the Diocese and the

Canon to the Ordinary, and a letter to parishioners

from the rector declaring our intention to practice

this new liturgy at the parish.

The service itself was beautiful, and the homily

from the Rev. Scott Richardson to Chip and John

was particularly moving. He told them that God

wants them to be happy—and that they are better,

happier together, and that they should stand by

one another in adversity. He offered that their

wedding was a gift to all of us, and particularly to

the church. This wedding – this acknowledgement

of their love – is an opportunity for the church to

repent, to come clean of its institutional history of

ignorance and judgment. It was a healing moment,

he said, a glimpse into the New Jerusalem. “Look

around you,” he said, gesturing to the diversity of

enthusiastic guests in the fully‐packed pews, “This

is what it looks like.”

This sentiment was expressed in the Anthem, “A

City of Friends,” composed by Eric Tuan for the

wedding and in honor of the City of San Francisco.

The text, selected by Chip and John, was drawn

from Walt Whitman’s Blades of Grass.

The Rev. Scott Richardson gestures to the enthusiastic guests during the wedding

of Chip Grant and John Moore. Photos by Dinno Kovic.

Children pay rapt attention to the happy event.


I dreamʹd in a dream I saw a city invincible to the

attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth,

I dreamʹd that was the new city of Friends,

Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust

love, it led the rest,

It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that

city,

And in all their looks and words.

‐‐ from Blades of Grass, Walt Whitman, 1819‐1892

As parishioners, one and all, made their way to the

altar rail for communion, the music soared. Bob

Geary, Volti’s music director, conducted as tears

streamed down his face. Singers, also visibly

choir and community of professional musicians,

and the supportive setting of St. Mary’s, where he

has sung in the past.

When it was time for the traditional exchange of

vows, and the community was asked if they would

support Chip and John in their marriage, there was

a resounding: “We will!”

After the service, guests spilled out of the crowded

church into the sunny courtyard for a celebration of

champagne and wedding cake. It was a veritable

of chatter, laught

emotional, maintained composure enough to make

beautiful music. “There are few things that are

driven by love, unabashedly fired by love,” Bob

said after the service. “That’s Chip. And when you

sing something that was written for someone you

know, it’s different. It’s personal.” The composer,

Eric Tuan, who was singing with Volti, said that he

couldn’t imagine a more beautiful occasion to write

for, citing his friendship with Chip and John, the

er, happy tears, handshakes,

e

d

ctor

pressed

the

roar

hugs, and camera flashes. “It’s prettier than the

royal wedding,” one parishioner said to me in

passing.

Others,

perhaps

unfamiliar

with St.

Mary’s, wer

astonishe

that the re

had

acknowledged

the church’s

need to repent,

and ex

their surprise

and relief to

hear that

acknowledged

so clearly. But

when Chip

and John

addressed

crowd from

the windows above the courtyard’s natural spring,

thanking everyone for being present, it was clear

that the wedding was fundamentally about them.

The church – the community present that day –

embodied Whitman’s ideals about a City of

Friends, indeed Christian values, in its celebration

of love: robust, inclusive, irrepressible, invincible

love. Amen.

Chip and John cut the cake as well‐wishers pack the courtyard.


The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Ourselves

Wednesday evenings in the Great Room. Simple

supper at 6:00

p.m. Program until 7:30 p.m.

In this five‐week Lenten program, come explore how

the different personal narratives we weave in family,

work, community, and relationships shape our full

selves psychologically, professionally, civi and

ly. Discerning our narratives can us to

ired

Week Three, March 26

Family and Relationship Narratives

cally,

helpspiritual

better understand our motivations, emotions, and

reactions, effecting change in our lives where des

or needed.

Week One, March 12

Introduction to personal narratives

Week Two, March 19

Origins of Narratives in Childhood

and How They Evolve

Week Four, April 2

Vocational Narratives

Week Five, April 9

Institutional and Civic Narratives

Holy Baptism, initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the Church, is appropriate for a person of

any age. St. Mary’s was blessed to welcome nine candidates for Baptism on the sixth Sunday after Epiphany.

Pictured above at the 9:00 a.m. service, are Jett Tyson Burger, Robert Scott Ferguson, Sean Spencer Ferguson, Paige

Elizabeth Ferguson, Elle Marie Boyden, and Jake Henry Boyden. Not shown are Oliver Colin Clark and Phoebe

Mattlage Hatcher, who joined those being baptized during the 11:00 a.m. service. Photo by David Sullivan.


Lenten M.O.M.S. Group

Wednesday mornings in Lent, join Kathleen Bean

for a seasonal M. 00 a.m. to

10:00 a.m. in the , April 2

and 9. Mothers of h school age

are welcom e

M.O.M.S. co of

Mothers ated

help w

econnect with their spiritual selves in the midst of

O.M.S. group, from 9:

Chapel, March 12, 19, 26

children through hig

e, whether you have completed th

urse or not. M.O.M.S. (“Ministry

Sharing”) is a nationwide program cre

omen reclaim their own dreams and to

r

the busyness of raising a family. Contact Kathleen

if you need child care or with any questions at

[email protected].

Candlelight Concerts in Lent

Sunday,

March 9,

at 7:00 p.m.

St. Mary’s

and the

P

C

rinceton

lu

o

to

the

arc

.

vited

g

l

se

es

children of

Compass Family Services

Hotel. Everyone joined in

g

seir

r eek

continuing ed.

k refresh leadership, make

ncourag e the

church.

ay, in

.

r

i

in

by

b of

rthern N

California

invite you

a concert by

string ensemb

electrifying, new, conductor‐less

le, the Salomé Chamber Orchestra.

h 16,

to the

Trio Jazz

ight

Sunday, M

at 7:00 p.m

You are in

Mads Tollin

Violin Candle

Concert in the church.

A Danish‐American

iolinist, violist, and v

composer, Tolling won

Grammy® Awards for

“Best classical crossover

of, and arranger/compo

String Quartet, Tolling explores

intensity he brings to classical

Compass Family Valentin

On February 14, St. Mary

the Virgin’s Children’s

Choir hosted a Valentine’s

Day party for

album.” A former member

r for, the Turtle Island

jazz with the same

works.

who live at the Mayfair

making Valentines, eatin

cupcakes, making

friendships, and singing

“love songs.”

Christine? and written into th

equired to do at least a w

each year. The

Where iAs part of their ministry

contracts, all clergy are

of continuing education

is intended to deepen s

new connections, and e

ills,

e clergy to serv

wider

Mid‐M

fulfillment of

her

continuing ed

credit, the

Rev. Christine

McSpadden

will travel to

Israel as part

king in The

shape, and

and practice

ng the

e. Two years

n which then

the last

General Convention.

Following this trip, she plans to travel for a learning

vacation in Jordan, a visit that has been at the top of

her bucket list for years.

of a delegation of religious leaders wo

Episcopal Church (TEC) to teach about,

draft policies concerning TEC’s witness

in the Middle East, particularly regard

relationship between Israel and Palest

ago, she was part of a similar delegatio

crafted legislation which was passed



Easter Flower Donations

donation to appear in the printed

Fo

Ea

r your

ster programs, we must hear from you

no

lease help contribute towards decorating the

hurch with spring flowers to the glory of Christ’s

cost

r or

u. Please return this

rm with your check payable to “Altar Guild of St.

n

_________________________

ade…

honor of_________________________________

aster Flowers

St. Mary the Virgin

uestions: 415‐921‐3665, ext. 302

riety of Offerings

Committ

from The Boo

tradition, St. erent

kinds of Sunday periences

uring the season of Lent.

are considered

.

way, they can be very participatory,

e

d

Typically these Word liturgies,

, we

e

A Va

Sundays in Lent

at 5:30 p.m.

ed to worshiping with a variety of services

k of Common Prayer and the Anglican

Maryʹs will offer several diff

evening worship ex

d

You will have the chance to experience Evensong,

Vespers, Compline, and our monthly Taizé

Eucharist.

vensong, Vespers, and ComplineE later than Friday, April 11. Word liturgies—they do not include the sacrament

of the Holy Eucharist. The advantage of Word

liturgies is that they can be led by laity or clergy

nd in this

P

c AResurrection. Your donation made towards the including the leadership of more people in the

congregation. And because they do not involve the

sacrament of the Eucharist, they can more easily

include those who may not be ready to participate

in the more decidedly Christian rite of sharing th

Body and Blood of Christ in the consecrated brea

and wine.

As in many other faith traditions, the church has

always consecrated certain hours throughout the

day to remind itself that all time is Godʹs and it is

important to stop what we are doing to worship

nd remember.

of our Easter flowers may be made in hono

memory of someone dear to yo

fo

Mary the Virgin,” either in the Sunday collectio

basket, or by delivering it to the church office by

Friday, April 11.

Thank you.

Donor Name: _____________________________

Address: _________________________________

City, State, ZIP:___ a which come out of the service of hours (or the

breviary) of the monastic tradition, include

readings, psalms, prayers, and a variety of music

from chant to jazz.

In an effort to experiment with worship

experiences that are inclusive and participatory

hope you will join us on Sunday evenings for thes

rich offerings.

My gift is m

in

in memory of ______________________________

Please send to:

E

Episcopal Church of

2325 Union Street, San Francisco, 94123

Q


Remembering Richard Fowler

October 6, 1932 ‐ January 13, 2014

As Rector of The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin from 1966 to 1999, the Rev. Richard Fowler served

an extraordinarily long tenure, grew the parish in every aspect from membership, to programs, to buildings,

and was abundantly beloved for his insightful and proactive pastoral gifts. No less skilled at empowering and

guiding lay leaders, he founded and grew dozens of projects of the diocese, and the greater community,

including the San Francisco Ministry to Nursing Homes, the Episcopal Sanctuary for the Homeless, and the

Art With Elders program which our Outreach Grants funded again this year. Fowler Hall was dedicated to

him after the successful completion of the Millennium Campaign and redesign of our church buildings in 1999.

“Dear people,” he called us, again and again, in sermon after sermon, talk after talk. We listened and

responded when he called us to action, to involvement in diverse efforts from ministering to one another, to

lending a hand ‐‐ or giving a handout ‐‐ to deserving projects. In lighter moments, we called him, “God’s gift,”

or murmured that he must have been ordered from Central Casting, he was so handsome. His gifts and spirit

endure, etched into the spirit of St. Mary’s. Starting his ministry with us at age 33, he expressed his ultimate

attachment to the parish he served for 33 years, by choosing to rest with us, in our Columbarium.

In February, a funeral was held for Richard at Grace Cathedral attended by 300 people, largely current and

former parishioners of St. Mary’s. Later, our rector Scott Richardson helped us offer our own memorial

Evensong and reception for Richard. Audio recordings of Bishop Marc Andrus’s moving homily, fond

remembrances by the Rev. Janet Griffin and Dr. Rod Dugliss, and heartfelt stories told by current and former

parishioners are posted on our website, www.smvsf.org. Tributes and photos appear on the following pages.

‐‐Sandra Gary


The Rev. Jan Griffin,

who served as a pries parish for seminary, she

served as Associate Rector from 1987 to 1999 and then as Interim Rector, says this about Father Fowler:

I first met Richard Fowler in the courtyard of St. Mary’s on Transfiguration Sunday, 1977. His face was

glowing with a summer tan and illuminated by a big smile. His alb was so white in the sunlight that I could

hardly look at him. I knew nothing about the face of Moses, or Jesusʹ robe, in the Biblical stories of mountain

top transfigurations. I just knew that I was being welcomed into this place; that I was spiritually home.

Transfiguration is the best way I can describe what Richard was about and what many St. Maryʹs parishioners

experienced under his leadership. That first Sunday I heard, from 2nd Peter: “we were with him on the

mountain” and that phrase, nearly 40 years later, still rings true.

Peter was one of only three disciples who went up the mountain with Jesus. All the rest of us have caught

transfiguration from someone who caught it from someone else, down the ages. Richard was one of those

transmitters, a lightening rod for the Holy Spirit. When Spirit lightening strikes, everyone in the vicinity is at

risk to be changed.

He was a study in contrasts. You hear one story about how deeply serious he was and another about what a

clown he could be. He once told me that it was a struggle to give the bread of the Eucharist to the long rows of

people because when you knew their stories, itʹs so moving how courageous people are. Then youʹd find him

walking around the office

with a red pillow on his

head, pretending to be a

cardinal (not the bird!).

d get

e

word and action of a

r

let. And

Michael Secour recalls,

rson

ll

following the program ‐‐ that at the conclusion of the Agnus Dei he asked the congregation to sta

t at St. Mary’s from 1986 to 2000. Raised and sponsored from the

Here’s a story about his

attention to detail and

another about how he’

lost in the moment and

forget where he was in th

service. Heʹd plan every

service, Cath Secou

remembers, long before

software would do this, he

would want her to shape a

prayer into a perfect circle

for a service leaf

“Richard was such a

deeply spiritual pe

that he would get lost in the moment, perhaps causing some unplanned changes in a liturgy, and yet sti

managed to recover. Richard liked to ask the congregation to stand for a minute of silence at the conclusion of

profound music. During the Duruflé ‘Requiem’ on Good Friday, he was so deeply involved ‐‐ and not

nd. I got Bill

Richard Fowler and Jan Griffin at the Centennial Celebration at Grace Cathedral in 1990

of the founding of our parish in 1891.


Barcus’ (the Associate Rector) attention and mouthed the words ‘weʹre not through.’ He whispered to Richard

who gr

ited another

n seconds, and asked the congregation to be seated. Call it the 7th inning stretch in a Liturgy, but it worked.”

y fund

the $100,000 Centennial fund, he looked for ways to share St. Maryʹs abundance.

how that he brought energy

plan.

possibilities, not just to

assign tasks but to bring

forth whatever God was

working in us. He was

committed to lay ministry in

worship as much as in

outreach or education or

serving on the vestry, and the

outstanding ministries of people such as Rod Dugliss, Leighton Reid, Ayliffe Mum

were nurtured at the Wednesday morning service. (Iʹve picked them from a host o

Richard was hilariously funny, especially if the joke was on him, and deeply sensi

easily. He had a great capacity for gathering people, though not as great a capacit ht!

Richard embodied transfiguration every time he celebrated the Eucharist. At the a

and resurrection as if it was New News as well as Good News, fresh and powerfu him

like lightening, to all of us who held out our hands for the bread of new life.

We ca

u es

remind transformed into disciples is to come down from

imaced slightly and then asked Bill to communicate with me ‘how much more?’ ‘Three movements,’ I

replied in silence. He shared that with Richard, who responded with a typical sheepish grin, wa

te

A story about his financial acumen: financial director Paul DeMarco said he learned more about fundraising

from him than any other CEO heʹs known. Another about his unstinting generosity ‐ he knew that keeping

money and building up too much endowment was a form of death for a church, so from his discretionar

to

These stories are not

contradictions. They just

s

and passion to whatever he

did, trusted his intuition,

and followed the Spirit more

than a pre‐arranged

He could single you out and

give you his full attention.

He discerned our ministry

ford, and Jane Schubert

f folks!).

tive; laughter and tears came

y for keeping names straig

ltar he told the story of death

l. The Spirit ran through

lled “the energy,

. Then Richard would

the mountain, into the

city, and be transformers of our community.

He was a big man, with a big heart, a big voice, big hugs, and a generous spirit. We found here, under his care

and leadership, that which continues to feed our souls.

were with him on the mountain of transfiguration, receiving what Rod Dugliss

npredictability and possible collateral singeing” of those spiritual lightening strik

us that the next step in being

Richard tending his flock in the courtyard in 1993.


The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing,

who served as the Bishop of the Diocese of California from 1980 to 2006, says this:

When I became a student at Virginia Theological Seminary, in Alexandria, Virginia, I met a senior from

hiladelphia named Richard Fowler. He was cordial to me and very involved in life in Washington, D.C.

n

e for Bishop of California,

members of the dioceseʹs Standing Committee was the Rev. Richard Fowler.

e and went on to become a close ally on mutual tasks. When I was elected bishop,

dence and promise into me. He told me that this diocese and especially his

ond my imaginings and would support me every step along the way. How

P

across the river. Seniors led a much more sophisticated life than we beginners. When he graduated, I figured

that I would never see him again because in a couple of years I would head in a different direction and begi

parish ministry in West Virginia.

It was a complete and a pleasant surprise to discover in 1979, when I was a candidat

that one of the most prominent

Again he was cordial to m

Richard breathed a lot of confi

parish would be generous bey

prophetic he was.

Joining Richard at St. Mary’s in 1991, Bishop Swing dedicates St. Mary’s inner courtyard and marks the parish’s

centennial. Standing, from left to right, after Bp. Swing with mitre and crook, are: the Rev. John Sheppard, Carl

achrisson, Christopher Zachrisson, the Rev. Richard Fowler, and parishioners Elizabeth Gillespie and Pat Lusse.

omeless at Grace Cathedral, it was mostly the parishioners of St. Mary the Virgin who stepped forward as

erything worked well. But so much, so very much that he

uched, flourished. I was blessed to have Richard as an upper‐classman, a colleague, and a dear friend. May

Z

When I told Mayor Dianne Feinstein that I would respond to her call to action and would begin to house

h

volunteers. When I was expanding the Bishopʹs Ranch by 200 extra acres in a deal that required quick action, it

was the vestry of St. Mary the Virgin that stepped forward and contributed the last one hundred thousand

dollars.

He had the heart of a pastor and the energy of an Olympian. And the parish reflected his affectionate attention.

If you were a bishop and if you visited a parish, it wouldnʹt be very long before you could tell whether these

folks were well loved or not. At St. Maryʹs there was no doubt. Richard cared and it showed.

Not all things were easy in his life and not ev

to

his soul rest in the arms of his Saviour Jesus Christ.


A banner proclaims the gratitude of our parish at Richard’s retirement ceremony in 1999.

ler

official role as Sunday School director. Because I was a full time teacher and couldn’t

attend staff meetings, Richard left me to my own devices, fully empowered and trusted, and with his apparent

full confidence that I knew what I was doing. Light touch management to be sure. That said, out of the blue,

would come a random phone call, a hand‐written note of encouragement, or a brief courtyard interaction in

which Richard indicated that he knew and approved of Sunday School activities, even a specific project or

lesson. Light touch management, yes, but watchful, too.

My real and long‐lasting connection with Richard Fowler began late on a Friday afternoon in February, 23

years ago when, as a result of convoluted and rather miraculous connections across two time zones and two

states, Richard on his day off and in Marin County received the word that my husband had died on the ski

slopes in Utah. Richard raced across the bridge to be at my house in San Francisco, just as I was returning from

an after school dog walk, to be there when I came home. He did not want me to be alone when I received this

news or to hear it from a stranger. From that day forward, for days, weeks, months, even years to come,

Richard made certain that my sons and I were not alone. Mind you, he was not a constant presence, often he

was not acting in direct or overt ways, but rather indirectly, guiding others to look after us. That was the M.O.

of Richard—he served as a guiding hand, encouraging and putting others in place to comfort, tend, and

of the

Richard was such a cheerleader for goodness, for “random acts of kindness” ‐‐ long before that phrase became

ivered to the ailing, and on, and on, and on. He even turned up at my son’s graduation from high

‐‐ imagine, a high school graduation ceremony, one of those interminable events only a family member

to this parish he loved so much.

Nancy Clark,

who is our Sunday School Director, told this to the parish at our Annual Meeting in January:

When Scott introduced me to speak at the Annual Meeting, he noted that I had been hired by Richard Fow

and served for almost 22 years with him as a staff member. Though true, in fact I had very few connections

with Richard in my

serve,

celebrate one another. He built community; he forged this community of caring, of being ever mindful

needs of others that has become a hallmark of St. Mary’s.

a cliché. He was a cheerleader, the promoter of doing good deeds, but also a coach and a team player. This

room is full of stories waiting to be shared about Richard and his personal acts of kindness and sensitivity.

These came in all forms: short notes, always handwritten, balloons on birthdays, ice cream for new families,

hospital visits at all hours, a whispered word of welcome to a newcomer at the communion rail, homemade

soup del

school

can endure. But there was Richard, watching over us, celebrating with us, marking the occasion, championing

the moving on. Richard was ever and always emotionally present, fine‐tuned to bear witness to the needs,

concerns, joys, and sorrows of others.

In the space of this church, where millions of words have been spoken or read, it is Richard’s deeds that

triumph, shine through, continue to guide and inspire. “Love and serve one another.” He showed us how to

do that. That is Richard Fowler’s great legacy to us, and


Pat McGuire,

who is a fellow parishioner, says this:

Being at Richard’s funeral service at Grace Cathedral brought back lots of memories of the nice, outgoing,

caring man Richard was. He always wanted to make a person feel comfortable. I vividly remember one

Sunday morning when my son, Chris, who was only three years old at the time, was just learning how to sit

still in church. There was a baptism that Sunday and lots of folks and babies were gathered at the altar. Chris

was sitting on waiting for

the baptism. All tried to make

t he would scoot away. Suddenly, she stood up in the midst of everything, picked him up like a

footbal this wondering,

. I

t

e

worry about it, on future Sundays he would always

of

the floor at the altar with the other children, listening to the children’s homily and

at once, he started moving around the nt, curious. The Sunday School teacher fo

him sit still, bu

l, tucked him under her arm, and walked down the center aisle with him. Iʹm watching

what in the world did he do? Later on after we all got home, Father Fowler called me and talked to me. He was upset that a teacher would

pick up a child and carry him out of church. He told me he could not recall anyone ever doing that before

tried to tell him not to worry, it was okay, that the teacher was new and didnʹt understand. But Fr. Fowler

interrupted me and said, “No, it was NOT okay because the sermon that morning was about Jesus saying, ‘Le

the little children come unto me,’ and it was not acceptable to have a three‐year‐old carried out of church if w

were to be in keeping with the meaning of the Gospel.” I recalled thinking, whoa, this is a very nice guy,

worried about my son. Even though I assured him not to

ask me how Chris was doing. He really cared about one little boy. Richard truly exemplified the teachings

Jesus, which is why I go to church in the first place. I am glad that his suffering is over and he is in a good

resting place.

Flowers commemorate Richard’s 25th anniversary in 1991.

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SUNDAY SCHDULE


First Class Mail

.

HIGHLIGHTS—SPRING - 2014 Also visit www.smvsf.org

SPIRITUALITY & PASTORAL CARE Praying the Rosary – Wednesdays, in the Study, at noon

Holy Eucharist, Rite II – Wednesdays , in the chapel, at 7 am

Nursing Home Ministry – every 4th Sunday, Golden Gate Healthcare Center, 2707 Pine Street, at 1:30 pm

Presidio Gate Ministry –2nd & 4th Mondays, 2770 Lombard Street, at 10 am

OUTREACH Raphael House Ministry – First Monday of each month.

Contact Alisa Quint Fisher at [email protected]

MEETINGS & MISCELLANY Easter Flower tions - due Friday, April 11

Deadline for the Summer 2014 Cow Hollow Church News – May 1. Please email articles to [email protected]

Dona

SAVE THESE DATES Shrove Tuesday Supper – Tuesday, March 4, in the Great

Room, at 6 pm

Ash Wednesday Eucharist and imposition of ashes – March 5, in the church, at 7 am, noon, and 7pm

Candlelight Concert – Salomé Chamber Orchestra – Sunday, March 9, in the church, at 7 pm

Open Cathedral – Sunday, March 16, at Civic Center Plaza at Leavenworth and McAllister streets at 2 pm. For information, contact the Rev. Nancy Bryan at 415-608-8777.

Candlelight Concert – Mads Tolling Trio Jazz Violin – Sunday, March 16, in the church, at 7 pm

“Spring Song” – Concert and chocolate & champagne reception benefitting Night Ministry, Sunday, March 23, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell Street, at 4 pm. For details, contact Marian Brischle at [email protected].

Columbarium Information Sharing – Sunday, April 8, in the courtyard, between the 9 am and 11 am services

Rebuilding Together – Saturda y. For details on volunteering or to sign up, co ct David Sullivan at [email protected]

y, April 26, all danta

.

Legacy Society Get Together – Saturday, May 10, at the home of Kim Regan and Dan Hoth, at 4 pm. For details, contact Jane Cook at [email protected].

Lenten M.O.M.S. Group – Wednesdays March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 & 9, in the chapel, at 9 am

Your Story, Lenten Series – Wednesdays March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 & 9, in the Great Room, at 6 pm

Annual Parish Retreat at the Bishop’s Ranch – Friday –Sunday, May 16 – 18. For details, contact the Rev. Christine McSpadden at [email protected],

2325 Union Street

San Francisco, CA 94123‐3905

(415) 921‐3665 • www.smvsf.org

INSIDE… From the Rector ................ Cover Story

Sr. Warden’s Letter ............................ 2

Sunday School & Youth .................... 3

Stephen Ministry ............................... 4

Newcomers’ Corner ........................... 5

A Joy and a Blessing......................... 6

Personal Preparedness Workshop .. 8

Parish Annual Meeting ...................... 9

A Song for All Ages ......................... 10

Wedding Bells Ring With Joy ......... 12

Baptisms........................................... 14

Your Story - Lenten Series.............. 14

Lenten Offerings ........................ 15, 16

Remembering Richard Fowler ........ 17

Schedule of Holy Week &

Easter Sunday Services.......... 23

cow hollow church news spring 2014

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