cow hollow church news, summer 2013

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 J u n e , J u l y & A u g u s t 2 0 1 3

On Parenting The Rev. Scott E. Richardson, Rector

I say the same thing every year, in May, during the announcements at Sunday worship: “Happy Mother’s Day, to

all mothers in attendance and to all those who exhibit motherly virtue in their life.” I repeat the same greeting in

June, this time featuring fathers. I do so for several reasons.

First, we want to lift up and celebrate all those who nurture children. Good parenting is, perhaps, the world’s most

important vocation. It is the cornerstone of society and the critical issue for those who hope to live in safe and

thriving communities. There is no one way to parent effectively, no fixed formula, but there are a few constants that

are observable in healthy families. Parents are not required to be perfect but it is necessary for them to be “good

enough” (sufficiently loving, clear, firm, and present). The “good enough” parent meets the

standard upon which children can healthfully grow; this does not guarantee future success

but does provide the basis for it.

On Mother’s and Father’s Day, we are also mindful of those individuals and couples who

yearn to be parents but are still waiting for that to happen. This issue emerges regularly in

pastoral counseling relationships. It can be a frustrating and frightening time for those who

ache to be parents and are, at least for the moment, thwarted in that desire – we might all be

reminded to say a special prayer for them as we rejoice with those currently raising families.

And we are also aware of the people who are quietly sitting in our pews but having a hard time celebrating the lives

of those who brought them into the world. Parents who suffer from an addiction or mental health challenge cannot

always be the stable presence their children need. Those children may later find other figures to fill that gap or,

perhaps through counseling, learn to re‐parent themselves. So we pray for them, as well.

Jesus had an interesting relationship with his parents. We don’t hear of Joseph after the scene in the temple, when

pre‐teen Jesus snuck away from the family caravan to stun the elders with his wisdom. But Mary is a regular

character in the gospel drama, as is Abba, the name that Jesus uses for God. Abba, you may know, is sometimes

translated as Daddy or Papa. Can you imagine being that close, that familiar, with the One who brought you and all

things into being?

We are blessed with a robust children’s and youth ministry at Saint Mary’s. I believe it is one of the most

outstanding characteristics of this parish. We intend, in the years to come, to offer even more program support for

those who are currently parenting, hoping to parent, or processing the impact their parents had on them. As we do

this work, we will always view these issues through the lens of the gospel, trusting Abba to show the way forward

in our varied circumstances.

June, July & August 2013 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin

News of Note from the Sr. Warden

Betty Hood‐Gibson, Senior Warden

Happiness

Happiness—Everybody wants it. How do we get it?

One of the top ten most important steps to

achieving happiness is right here at St. Mary’s,

writes Dan Buettner, an expert on longevity, in an

AARP article titled, “Give Yourself a Happiness

Makeover.” Buettner has traveled around the

world researching what makes people happy.

One important step for happiness is the one

Buettner calls “Meet, Pray, Love.” Statistically,

churchgoers are happy people. He’s not sure if

churchgoing makes people happy or if happy

people go to church. In any case, research shows

that people who belong to a faith‐based community

and who go to services more than once a week live

up to seven years longer than people who don’t —

whether they’re happier or not. Here we are at St.

Mary’s, members of a faith‐based community,

already possessing a key component of happiness.

We have ample opportunities to meet and pray. We

have multiple services on Sundays as well as

Sunday School for our children and occasional

Adult Formation sessions. We also have Chapel

Prayer every second Tuesday morning of the

month at 9:00 am, Eucharist every week on

Wednesday morning at 7:00 am, and Evening

Prayer services on Thursday at 5:15 pm. Depending

on the Church season, other services or study

sessions are available. Please see the Highlights

section on page 24 for upcoming events.

With these thoughts in my mind, I focused on the

third part of Meet, Pray, Love — “love.” I found

myself discussing Buettner’s article with a friend at

St. Mary’s. She believes happiness is something

God wishes for us. With happiness comes peace.

She defines happiness as the secret of the joy of

living which Jesus summed up in three simple

words—“Love one another.” In John 13:34, Jesus

said, “I give you a new commandment, that you

love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also

should love one another.”

Sometimes it is easy to give and receive love, and

sometimes it is not so easy. In one of his recent

sermons, Father Scott reminded us that Jesus says

to love our enemies and pray for those who

persecute us. When you have a chance in a quiet

moment, read through a few of the many New

Testament verses on love. Those verses help to

remind us of the love God has for us and how God

sent that love through Jesus. Jesus encourages each

of us to pass it on to one another.

Choose a day or a week and see how many times

you give and receive a bit of love—maybe it is just

giving a kind word to someone who needs it, or

saying thank you, or lending an ear to someone, or

offering a shoulder to cry on, or just giving a smile

to someone who looks sad, grumpy or a bit down.

It could change their day from a sad one into one

filled with happiness. I know it has made a

difference for me. When the day hasn’t started out

very well, receiving a smile from someone has

changed the whole tone of my day. And when we

smile, a little of God’s love shows through.

A member of our parish family told me she learned

this truth as she was doing her volunteer work at

the front information desk at San Francisco General

Hospital. It was a particularly busy morning. A

man who needed medical attention and certainly

could have used a bath approached the desk. She

quickly directed him to the free clinic and sent him

on his way. A few hours later he appeared at the

desk again and quietly said, “I want to thank you

for the gift you gave me.” Puzzled, she asked,

“What gift did I give you?” His answer was, “You

gave me a smile. No one ever smiles at me. It made

me feel like a real person‐‐someone who matters.”

Our parishioner learned that morning the true

value of something as simple as a smile.

“Meet, Pray, Love.” Happiness is all around us at

St. Mary’s.

Cow Hollow Church News June, July & August 2013

Sunday School News Nancy Clark, Sunday School Co‐Director

As we dash through spring and head to summer,

Sunday School, like so many other programs linked

to the academic year, is in wrap‐up mode. In April,

Easter was the theme and with it

the culmination of our Heifer

Project activities. The official

presentation of the children’s

Heifer collection boxes in the

balloon‐bedecked wagon took

place on April 28. Thirty‐two

boxes bearing $485 in pennies,

nickels, dimes, quarters, as well

as varieties of paper money and

the occasional extraneous bit of

foreign currency, were rolled to

the altar by second graders at the

Offertory. That money, together

with the proceeds from several spirited spring bake

sales, netted just over $1300 for Heifer

International. In Sunday School lessons during the

weeks of Lent, we focused on sheep and goats,

guiding the children to an understanding of what a

gift of those animals would mean to a needy

family. The goal was to fund at least one sheep or

goat—the Heifer donation price is $120—as our gift

to a family somewhere in the world. With the

money raised this year we could in fact provide ten

sheep or goats (imagine!!) to help ten needy

families, a very impressive and generous gift from

the children and families

of our parish.

Next in the line‐up of

spring activities was this

year’s Bible Times

Market on the first

Sunday in May, the

wrap‐up activity for a

series of lessons on daily

life in Bible Times. “Bible

Times” is, of course, a

highly imprecise term,

spanning as it does some

2000 years. Clearly we don’t put a fine point on

chronology, but instead present lessons and

activities designed to help young children visualize

the setting for the Old and New Testament stories

they hear in church and Sunday School lessons. At

the Bible Times Market—the culminating activity

for that unit of study—the littlest children

are the shoppers, buying flat bread, olives,

onions, rosemary, and other

geographically appropriate items, as well

as handcrafted items from wily older

students trying, generally unsuccessful

to engage in bartering and bargaining.

Meanwhile, the tax collector lurks and the

money changers provide extra shopping

money in exchange for answers to

questions about Biblical people and stories.

In what town was Jesus born? Who got

swallowed by a whale? What giant was

slain by a shepherd boy? Who was that

shepherd boy? How many disciples did Jesus

have? How many

ly,

years ago was Jesus born?

The last days of Sunday School will include special

activities on Mother’s Day to

celebrate St. Mary (as well as

mothers and good women in our

midst) the launching of Holy Spirit

gliders on Pentecost, Communion

bread making (be ready) by the

second graders, and celebratory

activities on the very last day of

Sunday School, June 2.

Are you tantalized by these

activities? Next year will be

just as exciting and the

search for new Sunday

School teachers is now

officially in progress. It’s

lively and rewarding work

–‐ no experience necessary,

all materials and mentoring

provided. Please consider

it; contact Nancy Clark at

[email protected].


Youth Group News Mike Stafford, Director of Youth Ministry & Julie

Legrand, Youth Group Leader

Godspeed Class of 2013

One of the most bittersweet aspects of being a

Youth Minister is the annual need to bid our high

school seniors a fond farewell as they venture off to

the next phase of their lives. We’ve watched these

amazing individuals grow from shy, awkward,

silly middle schoolers into mature, intelligent,

articulate young adults.

This year’s class is a particularly exceptional group

that has been extremely active in the broader St.

Mary’s community. Their friendly faces will be

truly missed not just at Youth Group, but also at all

the other St. Mary’s ministries they’ve participated

in, such as Acolytes, Parish Choir, Lectors,

Christian Community, Camp Counselors, and

much more. And we wish them the best of luck on

their next ventures:

Robby Metoyer

Graduating from Saint

Ignatius College Prep

Will attend Sonoma State

University in the Fall

Louise Prescott

Graduating from Lowell High

School

Will Attend Bryn Mawr

College this Fall

Lia Russell

Graduating from Sacred Heart

Cathedral Prep

Will attend Bard College in the

Fall

Allie Silvestri

Graduating from Saint Ignatius

College Prep

Will attend Villanova

University in the Fall

Amanda Woodworth

Graduating from Alameda High

School

Will attend George Washington

University this Fall

Youth Choir News

The FFAB Four

Graduating eighth graders officially end their days

in the Youth Choir with the school year, but they’re

always welcome to join the Summer Choir,

continue in the Youth Choir, and join the Parish

Choir. This year the “FFAB Four” graduating

choristers – Frances, Fiona, Ainsley and Becca ‐‐

take a fond look back at how the experience has

nurtured them in coming to know music,

fellowship, and faith.

Frances Sutton

Nine years ago, my mom

signed me up for our

church’s Children’s Choir.

And ever since, I have been

a part of the choir program

at St. Mary’s. I am so happy

I stayed throughout the

years, despite a lot of things,

for a couple of reasons. First of all, being in the

choir has really made me love and understand

music—not just popular stuff on the radio, but

more complicated, deep things. Also, I have so

many wonderful memories of this choir—being in

musicals directed by Mr. Secour, meeting and


singing with a boys’ choir from Haiti— and singing

Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving anthems,

descants, and hymns. I will always remember

being in countless Sankta Lucia and Three Kings

pageants, Mrs. Secour drilling Children’s Choir

anthems into our heads, snack time before

rehearsal with chips, salsa, cheese, and apples. I’ll

remember that first terrifying Wednesday of being

in the Youth Choir, and Steve Repasky arranging

yet another beautiful piece for us. And the last, but

definitely not the least reason I’m so grateful for

this choir program is the friends I’ve made. Those

girls are my absolute best friends in the entire

world. For years and years we’ve sung together,

and I will miss being with them most when I

graduate. I still plan to participate and sing

whenever I can at St. Mary’s—basically

indefinitely; there’s no reason not to and I would

miss it too much. I have had an amazing nine years,

despite some ups and downs, and for that I am

glad.

Becca George

I started choir in

kindergarten. I have a very

strong love for music and

singing. Some of my best

moments in the choir include

being Sankta Lucia and

singing with the Haitian

boys’ choir. I am very proud

of completing all nine years in the choir and am

looking forward to using the experiences and

training I have had to help me in the future. I thank

Saint Mary’s for everything they have given me

throughout the years.

Fiona Bean

My name is Fiona Bean, and

this is my ninth and last year in

the St. Maryʹs choir. I started

singing in the Childrenʹs Choir

in kindergarten because my

mom made me, but since then

itʹs become something I look

forward to every week. One of

my best choir memories was singing with the

Haitian boys’ choir this past year, and dancing in

the pews to Haitian folk songs. My favorite part of

choir is either the songs that we sing or seeing my

friends. The sense of community grows every year,

and Iʹm going to miss it a lot next year when I go to

boarding school in Southern California. Iʹm going

to The Thacher School, and I will definitely

continue singing, and Iʹm thinking of joining or

starting an a capella club. Being in the choir for so

long has taught me to persevere and do the things I

love!

Ainsley Ball

I have been in choir ever

since kindergarten and have

gained so much from the

experience. I began choir

under the direction of Mr.

and Mrs. Secour, whose

instruction was very

enriching. With them I

enjoyed doing church musicals, eating fudge at

Christmastime, and singing our regular anthems.

When the Secours left it was bittersweet. I was sad

to see them go, but excited for the new directors.

Since Chip and Steve began directing, I have

expanded my knowledge of music and learned to

be someone the Children’s Choir can look up to.

Because of choir, I have learned a great deal about

music, met some of my best friends, and come to

appreciate music even more.

Summer Schedule

Begins June 9

Service Times for Sunday Worship

8:00 am

10:00 am

5:30 pm


Planned & Major Gifts Jane A. Cook, Chair, Planned & Major Gifts Committee

Under Scott Richardson’s leadership, St. Mary’s has

created a new Planned & Major Gifts Committee.

Our goal is to increase the number and size of

planned and major gifts (separate from annual

stewardship pledges) to St. Mary’s. These special

contributions make possible significant

improvements to the parish facilities and help fund

new programs, all of which will

continue to support our mission

and work for years to come.

The current members of our

committee are Jane Cook (Chair),

Betty Hood‐Gibson, Marta

Johnson, Mike Lusse, Ellen

McLean, Scott Richardson, Tom

Robertson, and David Sullivan.

We are formulating a multi‐step

plan, which is being implemented

in stages.

The first step was to thank and

honor the people who have

remembered St. Mary’s in their

estate plans. Such people are

cherished members of the Legacy

Society. In April, the committee

hosted a tea and champagne reception for members

of this important group. Going forward, we will be

having Legacy Society events on an annual basis.

Each time, we look forward to an increasing

number of people participating.

In the coming months, the committee will be

organizing educational presentations which will

provide helpful ideas, information and resources

regarding ways one may make arrangements for

planned and major gifts to St. Mary’s. Specific

information regarding all such events will be

distributed in advance. If you would like more

information now, please contact Scott Richardson

at [email protected] or 415‐921‐3665.

Champagne Tea for Members

of the Legacy Society

On a warm and sunny Saturday in April, Senior

Warden Betty Hood‐Gibson and David Gibson

graciously opened their lovely home to welcome

members of the Legacy Society (formerly known as

the Lych Gate Society). Delectable hors d’oeuvres,

pastries, tea, and champagne were enjoyed by

generous parish members who have designated St.

Mary’s as a beneficiary of their

estate plans.

About 40 people attended the

event which was funded entirely

by private donations. Scott

Richardson thanked everyone for

coming and for being so generous.

David Gibson spoke about the

positive impact that planned gifts

have already made. He also

reminded us that we are all the

beneficiaries of such past gifts,

and our generosity will in turn

benefit countless unknown

parishioners in the future. Jane

Cook reported we will be having

additional gatherings,

encouraging new people to join

the group.

2013 Legacy Society Members

(Italics and dates indicate deceased donors) Barbara & John Addeo

Kathleen & David Anderson

Rayna Anderson 1985

Anonymous

Roulhac & Thomas Austin

Katie & John Balestreri

Susan & Kent Barber

The Richard Bohannon Charitable Trust

Peggy Boyer 1996

Irene Boyle 2004

Marian Brischle

Erma Jane Cartier 1993

mailto:[email protected]


Elizabeth Charleston 1997

Nancy Clark

Dorothy Clark‐Jones 1992

Nancy & Thomas Clothier

Sheryl & Michael Coholan

Johanna & Colbert

Coldwell 1957

Jane A. Cook

Natalie Hala & David Crosson

Susan Crown

Elizabeth Rodriguez Cryer &

Benjamin Cryer

Martha Daetwyler

Michael Dols 1990

Alice Ladyen Ellison 1986

David Felch 2006

Louise Fried 1992

Russell Fudge

Beatrice Gay 1993

Betty Hood‐Gibson &

David Gibson

Elizabeth Gillespie 2000

Kristin & Dan Glunt

Alice Wiley Hall & Peter

Hall

Lydia Hammaker 1987

Verda Hawkins 2003

E. Dixon Heise 2006

Rachel Higgins 2005

Kim Regan & Dan Hoth

Ellen McLean & Anthony Imhof

Marta S. Johnson

Georgene & Hayes Keeler

Cathryn Koons 1992

Dorothy Longthorp 2012

Po Gek Low 2013

Patricia & Wolfgang Lusse

Robert Manette

Frank T. Maynard

Catherine (Belle) & Ryan

McBride

Gordon McWorkman 2001

Nancy Mead 1985

J. Sanford Miller

Peter J. Musto

Minnie Newell 1984

Charles R. Page 1963

Geoffrey Paul 2009

Julian L. Peabody

Kathleen Murray & Arthur

Perkins

Jose Polar 1992

Thomas Ramsey 1993

Irene Reif 1986

B. H. Reminton 1989

The Rev. Mary Moreno

Richardson &

The Rev. Scott E.

Richardson

Lily Reighley 2004

Jody Jahn & Thomas

Robertson

Janice Robison 1992

Dorothy Roller 1999

Elizabeth J. Rolph 1974

James Rolph 1968

Margaret Nichol

Rolph 1968

Thomas Bales Rolph 1979

Evelyn Seifert 2004

Lynda Spence

Diana & David Sullivan

Ada Thompson 1988

James Tishler 1990

Jeanne Tucker 2008

Lisa Vance &

Stephen Vance 2013

Sandra Gary & John

Walsham

Phyllis Wattis 2003

Lynn & Peter Wendell

Georgia & Philip

Westdahl 2011

Joyce Whitman 1997

Mary E. Wilkins 2011

Stephen P. White

Grace Wooden 1984

If we have missed anyone

who should be on this list,

please contact Scott

Richardson at [email protected]

or 415‐921‐3665.



Reflections on Holy Week Jay Russell

Easter has, for me, always meant a celebration of

Christ risen, a joyous outpouring of song and

gratitude for Jesus’ redemptive gift, complete with

a sanctuary filled with flowers and worshipers. The

weather is almost always glorious, and catching up

with friends and family is always a blessing.

But since I’ve joined our St. Mary’s choir and

participated in the full measure of Holy Week, the

Easter celebration has taken on a much deeper and

more meaningful place in my worship life. The

week starts with Christ’s triumphant return to

Jerusalem, a carpet of palm fronds guiding him.

Our choral work begins

in earnest well before

that Sunday, but even

amidst the preparation,

I now more closely feel

the hint of sadness and

foreboding that lingers

over the music, the

readings, and the day

as a whole. I never

before appreciated the

day’s ambiguity until

participating in the

remainder of Holy

Week.

On Thursday, we are

called to Maundy

Thursday, for me the

most significant

gathering of the week.

Gathering for a simple

supper, Father Scott

explains that the

evening is one of the

most meaningful services we can attend as

parishioners. It is the night that Christ describes the

loneliness of being abandoned by his disciples, and

even, seemingly God. Jesus then shows the most

intimate sign of pastoral care and empathy—he

washes his disciples’ feet.

During the service, with

the sanctuary and altar

shrouded, we are asked

to engage in the same

awkward and

meaningful ritual,

washing each other’s feet.

At this service, I see the

Eucharist is truly the last

supper, with Jesus knowing that it is his last meal

on earth, instructing his disciples (and us) to

remember and worship God each time we again

gather. We leave in silence, knowing that sin’s full

destructive power will be expressed the next day.

When I leave that night,

I’m overwhelmed with

emotion, it is difficult to

talk, and I slip out the

side door quickly,

hopefully unseen. I

imagine that some

disciples did the same

2,000 years ago.

Before joining the choir, I

occasionally attended

Good Friday services. I

understood that we were

acknowledging the

crucifixion’s gravity and

importance. But now,

putting the service

together with the

remainder of the week’s

reflections, I keenly feel

the day’s despair and

loss. Father Scott enters

the sanctuary bearing the

cross, and the Passion is

recited. Even so, I believe

that the focus of our service is not on guilt and

suffering. We write our deepest and most sincere

prayers and thoughts and take them to the cross.

Doing so is not an expression of despair and grief,

but rather the beginning of hope and renewal.

The Daughters of the King prepared a dinner offering both

a lamb stew and a vegetarian stew, with nuts and grapes

and homemade bread. Votives and wine were a backdrop

to the Maundy Thursday Liturgy.


Laying these notes at the cross is not expressing

despair, but rather acknowledging with certainty

that hope and redemption will follow. Apart from

the washing of the feet, laying these notes at the

cross on this night is now, for me, the most

emotional part of the week and greatest expression

of our faith together.

Which makes the Great Vigil such an exciting

night. Jesus has been laid in the tomb, the church is

completely shrouded, we enter in darkness, but a

fire—fueled by our written prayers—fills the

sanctuary with light. We pass that light between

ourselves with candles, knowing that soon we will

celebrate a risen Lord. We wait, but for me the

waiting is now the same as when waiting as a child

the night before Christmas, full of anticipation.

After the foreboding and despair that have

permeated the week, we attend a service knowing

that we will celebrate the living God. And then, at

the end, the lights turn on and we sing Handel’s

Haec est Dies, “This is the Day!” We sing this on the

night of the Great Vigil, the early morning when

Mary Magdalene ran ahead and found the tomb

empty! I’m struck that at the Great Vigil, we—like

Mary Magdalene—get to celebrate the living Christ

before everyone else the next morning. It’s almost

like being in a secret club.

So now, on Easter, I feel like we’re letting everyone

else in on the “secret” we learned the night before.

As joyous as Easter remains, I feel now that our

task is to proclaim to all what we learned earlier:

that Christ is risen; he is risen indeed! What a great

thing! In the past, I inwardly smiled at the folks

who are “Christmas” and “Easter” Christians,

including many of my friends. But now, I see it is

why—at least in part—we have an Easter

“celebration.” We know we serve a living Christ.

We “learned” it the night before, when we “ran

ahead” at the Great Vigil. And now I want to

proclaim it to everyone who comes Sunday

morning. So, if I sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” just a

bit too loudly that morning, I have my reasons.

St. Mary’s Surpasses Stewardship Goals Tom Robertson, Stewardship Chair

A collective thank you to all who pledged

for 2013. We now have 302 pledging

households who have promised to give a

total of $773,510.00 to keep St. Maryʹs

running well during 2013. Our goals for this

year were 300 pledges and $750,000, so our

generosity has been well rewarded. These

results also represent an increase from 265

pledges and $665,678 during 2012.

All those who pledged are urged to fulfill

one‐half of their 2013 pledge by the half

way point in the year: June 30, 2013. This

will keep us in good shape from a cash flow

standpoint during the summer months.

Planning for the 2014 campaign began in late May.

We already have three generous families who have

volunteered their homes for stewardship parties in

the fall. Those who attended any of these events

last fall know that they are a lot of fun and a great

way to launch the campaign. If you are new to St.

Maryʹs or have not yet pledged for 2013, there is, of

course, still time to do so. Contact Tom Robertson

at [email protected], or Marybeth Volk at 415‐

921‐3665, or online at smvsf.org .

Celebrating the gift of service on Maundy Thursday,

parishioners took turns washing each other’s feet.



David Sullivan, Event Chair

Every year a nation‐wide event is held called

National Rebuilding Day on the last Saturday of

April when teams of volunteers get together at sites

throughout the city to provide free repairs for

seniors living at home and for non‐profit agencies.

St. Mary’s has participated every year since the

early 1990s.

This year volunteers from St. Mary’s helped repair

and renovate a home and garden in the city,

together with volunteers from St. James Church

and Treadwell &

Rollo Engineering.

Participants from St.

Maryʹs included

Marian Brischle,

Nancy Bryan,

Alexander Burnam,

Winston Chapin,

David Crosson,

Victor Lobo, Josie

McGann, Pat

McGuire, Ned

Mobley, Audrey

Prescott, David Ryan,

Pam Sauer, and

David Sullivan.

And this was repeated at 22 homes, schools, and

non‐profits in San Francisco. Throughout the USA,

on April 27 over 10,000 homes, schools, and non‐

profits received the services of a local Rebuilding

Together chapter. Now, it is amazing to know we

are a part of something so big and so positive in

communities all over the USA. We truly are the

hands and feet of Jesus Christ in our community.

Praying for Each Other The Rev. Dr. Everett Powell

Praying for each other is a cherished and powerful

spiritual reality we share at St. Mary’s. From time

to time in our services, an announcement is made

drawing attention to the prayer request cards and

the prayers for healing.

Individual requests may be indicated on the blue

prayer request cards, which are in the pews. And

then the cards may be placed in the offering plate.

Individual requests may also be shared verbally

with the healing minister at the chapel altar at the

end of the service.

At the 7:00 am Wednesday service, all present

gather at the chapel altar and share in prayers for

those who have requested them. There is also a

prayer group meeting on the second Tuesday of

each month whose members pray for the requests

on the printed cards that have been turned in

during Sunday services.

The present practice of having prayer request cards

in the pews began about 15 years ago as a

traditional ministry of the Daughters of the King.

Shortly after that, while St. Mary’s was holding

services at the Presidio temporarily, in re‐

structuring the details of our liturgy, we began

having prayers for healing available on request to

the side of the altar during the Eucharist. When we

returned to our church building, we continued the

prayers for healing during the Eucharist or after the

service.

Those attending St. Mary’s find comfort, solace,

community, and spiritual strength in knowing that

their fellow parishioners will be praying for their

specific requests. This is true whether the request is

shared by putting a written request card in the

offering plate or by coming forward to the healing

minister to share verbally, or even if the request is

not put into words.

Alexander Burnam and Audrey

Prescott rebuilding the garden


Garden Update John Addeo, Vestry Member for Buildings and Grounds

Some exciting changes have taken place in our

gardens, and I want to share the details with you.

The most significant change is the removal of the

large cedar tree from our Meditative – Mary Statue

garden. The tree trunk was about 18 inches in

diameter, and it stood at least 30 feet tall. Its trunk

and root system were growing right against the

building foundation wall at the chapel side of the

church. If you have noticed, the chapel shows

water damage on the wall at that location. Also,

over the years we have had to keep trimming the

tree to keep its needles from blocking the roof

drains, causing interference with proper drainage.

Additionally, our gardeners informed us that the

acidity of the tree and its falling needles were

adversely affecting many ground cover plants

under it. Our arborist, Mike Hyatt of Tree Works,

Inc., did an outstanding job in removing the tree

and grinding out the stump.

Before Mike’s work began, our gardeners,

Mandeville Gardens, removed all the plants in that

area and stored them until the tree was removed,

and then they not only replaced the plants from

storage, but also installed two beautiful new

camellias. The scale of the garden is much more

appropriate now that the huge cedar has been

removed. Please stop by and see how open the area

is now and how lovely the new plantings look.

In the Union Street Garden, just east of the

‘Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin’ sign, we

planted a new Royal Purple Smoke tree. For those

of us not familiar with this tree, it always adds

drama and is showiest during a six‐week period in

summer when it displays the pinkish puffs that

account for its common name.

This beautiful tree was donated to us by Parish

Administrator Carla Ocfemia and her husband,

Shawn and also planted by our outstanding

Mandeville gardeners. Thank you, Carla and

Shawn!

The sun shines brightly on our back courtyard, no lon

shaded by an overgrown, intrusive cedar.

I would also like to add that we were happy to

consult on thes

ger

e changes with someone whom I

ert,” Mrs.

changes. Thank

ou, Cynthia.

ay

t

it

together, we are

offering the prayers of all the people.

consider our “Resident Garden Exp

Cynthia MacKay. She approved the

y

Prayers of the People

Some have asked about a recent change in the way

we are offering the Prayers of the People at Sund

worship. We want to be clear about the process so

that all the prayer concerns of this community can

be held and heard. If you request prayers for a

person in any need or trouble, or if you are

requesting prayers of thanksgiving, we will hold

these petitions in our spoken common prayers for

two consecutive weeks; if the prayer need is urgen

and persists beyond that period simply ask that

be continued. Be assured that after two weeks

those names will continue to be read aloud at the

Wednesday morning Eucharist. For those who

have passed away, we offer Sunday and

Wednesday prayers for a period of one month. We

also leave room for additional petitions at every

service and invite the gathered community to lift

up those names that are in your heart, either

silently or aloud. As we do this

indeed


From the Koi Pond to the Altar The Rev. Christopher Wendell

Chris grew up at St. Mary’s in the 80’s and 90’s and

or a

School classroom, or even the last pew of

ces

r

e

ionally trying to gently

slowly reach out and touch one ‐‐ the way you

p sory‐

te f St.

ld,

ard

in

pew

s my brother and I

to re‐enact Jesus’ instruction to “pluck it out”

i

to

to be

–

too many questions – and

hadn’t yet realized that all

st,

the

h. My

s

ip, the

and the wine, church began to engage my

a

I

,

e

.

was ordained in 2007. He serves as a priest in the

Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

When you are a four‐year‐old at St. Mary’s, the

holiest space at the church isn’t the altar,

Sunday

the balcony where my family sat for at least a

decade. It’s the Koi Pond – hands down!

For more than a few years, church each Sunday

was all about waiting to feed the fish small pie

of Wonder Bread while the grown ups talked fo

what seemed like hours in the courtyard after th

service. I don’t think I ever actually saved my

communion wafer to feed to the fish in the Koi

Pond – but I thought about it many times. Also

contemplated frequently was whether I could

manage to push my brother into the pond without

getting wet myself. Mostly though I just enjoyed

watching the fish, and occas

and

would put your finger into a bowl of holy water

upon entering a sanctuary.

iritual formation is sen

llectual. My memories o

Mary’s as a kid are all

sensory: hearing Mrs.

Skewes‐Cox’s soothing

voice (I have no idea what

she was saying); ringing the

“chapel bell” that she he

striking it with a small

musical hammer that had a

red handle and padded

head. We could strike h

or soft, but only once. I

remember the aisle sconces lit at Christmastime;

incense; the “no room” song sung again and aga

during the Las Posadas procession; the bad taste of

the communion wine; the feeling of the sharp

pencil cutting into my arm a

So much of a child’s s

driven, rather than in

tried

if your eye causes you to sin; touching the tails on

[retired] Bishop William Swing’s funny hat.

ng up in the balcony, that I’d

the front in church. As a

child I had no desire to

become a priest. In fact,

honest, as I got a little older

into middle school ‐‐ I didn’t

really even like church

much. When confirmation

year came, I attended a few

of the classes, but decided

not to be confirmed. I had

I never imagined, sitt

ever sit much closer

my questions didn’t need to be answered – at lea

not right away.

My sabbatical from church lasted for all of high

school – it wasn’t until college, 2500 miles from

Koi Pond in the courtyard, that I found my own

desire and motivation to come back to churc

experiences of the Episcopal Church in college

were transformative – though I didn’t quite realize

it while it was happening. My intellect had

awoken, and combined with the familiar sensation

of the prayers’ images, the pattern of worsh

wafer

whole being. I tried confirmation class again, this

time as a freshman in college, and it took!

The exact ways in which the Holy Spirit helped

weave the years that followed into my calling as

priest would take many pages to share with you.

But suffice it to say that over a period of years,

came to believe that as frequently as faith is an

obstacle to creating a world of compassion, justice

and reconciliation, it is also the only sphere of

human inquiry with the power to solve those

problems: in our own souls, in our communities,

and in the life of the world. If you’d like to read

more about why I think that, you can check out th

book Claiming the Beatitudes by Anne Howard, to

which I contributed some reflections on this topic


After three years at Episcopal Divinity School (in

Cambridge, MA), I received my Masters of Div

degree and served for four years at St. Andrew’s

Church in Wellesley, MA (just across the street

from Wellesley College). I used to describe St.

Andrew’s as a kind of “East Coast” version of St.

Mary’s – large church, large staff, large budget,

always busy, family‐oriented and with faithful,

generous people. It was a wonderful place to beg

my ordained ministry, and I found myself drawin

on my memories of St. Mary’s as a child in my

inity

in

g

a

e

ty

of

tment that this parish

cultivated. You can check us out at

work with St. Andrew’s children’s ministry – so

much so, that I even bought them a bell for their

children’s chapel so each of them could ring it!

About two years ago, I left St. Andrew’s to accept

call as Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in

Bedford, MA. This is an informal, medium‐sized

parish, just large enough to support a full tim

rector and skeleton support staff. The parish is full

of laughter, goodwill, challenges, joys, and

children. We recently performed “St. Paul’s

Tonight IV: Ship of Fools,” a home‐written musical

comedy that has become a parish tradition to

present every few years. It’s a place of great activi

and also deep spiritual reflection, and we manage

to get the bills paid and keep the front grass

mowed most of the time, thanks to the culture

generosity and deep commi

has

www.stpaulsbedford.org.

I live about ten blocks from the church, with

Kristen, my wife of six years (we met in college ‐‐ at

church actually), and our son Nathan, who turne

two in January. Kristen is a professor at UMass in

Boston, where she teaches future Boston public

elementary school teachers how to teach science,

math and engineering. Nathan likes fire trucks,

Duplos, fire trucks, dogs, trains, fire trucks, gas

trucks. Though Nathan isn’t

ave him the middle name Muir

one of the newest Episcopal

“saints”) in the hopes that even

here in the frozen Northeast, he’ll

still develop a love of the

d

stations, and fire a

g

natural

and the beauty of God’s

ot, thank

community of faith for everyone

‐‐

Californian, we

(after John Muir,

world

creation.

I continue to think of St. Mary’s

off and on, as the years go by,

always with deep gratitude for

the seeds of faith that the parish

nourished in me during my early

years. Whether you were there

when I was young or n

you for helping to make and

keep St. Mary’s a nurturing

wherever we are on our

spiritual journeys.

Ringing the “Chapel Bell”

Sunday School Co‐Director Colleen Skewes‐Cox

remembers. “Oh my, that takes me back,” she says.

“I had a tradition when I taught preschool in those

days. After the children played for a bit, I would

call the class to altar time. We would gather in front

of the altar table in the classroom and dress the

table with candles and flowers and each child got a

turn to ring the bell that I would hold. It could be a

loud ring or a soft ring but you got only one ring!

My children remember it too. Makes me really miss

the wonderful time in my life when I was knee

deep in little ones.”

Chris, Kristen and Nathan Wendell


Welcome Committee News Tim and Ilia Smith, outgoing Chairs of the Welcome

r welcome

in

ter

so

at St. Mary’s, and member registration forms.

Committee

We are expanding our newcome

ministry in exciting new ways.

The most visible change is in the courtyard

following the 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 am Sunday

services. On Sunday, May 5, a table was set up

the courtyard inaugurating a new focus for

newcomers. It was and continues to be staffed af

each service by one or two greeters. During the

announcements at each service, newcomers are

invited to go to this table after the service. There,

they can hear about St. Mary the Virgin from the

greeters and ask questions which they might have

about our faith community. Newcomers can al

pick up written information about the church

including copies of the Cow Hollow Church News,

Life

Welcoming newcomers in the courtyard: left to right,

Beth Silvestri, Cynthia Harper, Belle McBride, and Liz

for a $10.00 donation in support of our

welcome ministry.

Parkinson.

Notably, newcomers will be given ceramic coffee

mugs featuring the insignia of the church. These

attractive coffee cups are also available to existing

parishioners

At the rectory, where Scott and Mary Moreno

Richardson opened their home for a newcomer

reception, Scott greets Susan and Walker Taylor.

The members of the welcome committee are

excited about these new ways to welcome

newcomers to the parish after the Sunday services

feel that this enhanced hospitality will help the

in serving as a

for the welcome ministry, please let Belle

know at [email protected]

and

parish to grow, going forward.

After six years as chairs of the Welcome

Committee, Ilia and Tim Smith are passing this

responsibility to Belle McBride, a member of the

vestry. They will continue as greeters for the 11:00

am service. If you are interested

greeter

.

Caroline McDermott and Marshall Worsham get to

know Belle McBride at the rectory.

To date, the expanding Welcome Committ

includes these parishioners: Barbara & John Addeo,

Shila Clement, Marta Johnson, and David

ee


Sandusky at 8:00 am; Daphne Ball, Evie Davis, Nel

Ellwein, Cynthia Harper, Liz Parkinson, Liz

Paxton, Beth Silvestri, Victoria Sutton, and Debb

Veatch at 9:00 am; Roulhac Austin, Ashley Clark,

Natalie Hala & David Crosson, Greer Hop

ie

kins,

Robert Smith,

and Laura

Adult Formation Offerings

orship

. We

office) in Pixley House, or in the Great

depending on numbers. Bring a cup of

is

h

appearances. Learn why

has been called “the most beautiful book in

logy of

of his

of women and the poor, and his

ht

entary

will also be

s

g schools.

t

e. Be with us to

arn more about the Sabbath tradition and its

ily life.

v.

d

s that

reated the Anglican Church and how it has

characteristics

f Anglicanism and discuss some of our guiding

shape our believing? This

eek we will explore the Book of Common Prayer, its

e

gs of each part

nd action of the service, which are rich in theology

el.

n

food in the scripture and its

portance as symbol and practical reality in our

ith journey.

Tom son, Grant Schettler, Ilia & Tim

& Jason Williams at 11:00 am.

Summer in the City

Sunday Mornings at 9:00 am in the Study

Kathleen Bean, Director of Adult Formation

This summer, join us between the morning w

services for thought‐provoking conversations about

our Christian experience through the lens of

scripture, theology, and the Episcopal tradition

meet at 9:00 am in the new Study (formerly the

rector’s

Room,

coffee.

June 16 Introduction to the Gospel of Luke, with

Kathleen Bean

This year the lectionary focuses on the Gospel of

Luke. Come and hear what is distinctive about th

account of Jesus’ life, from the stories of Jesus’ birt

to his post‐resurrection

Luke

the Bible.”

June 23 Gospel of Luke, Part II, with Kathleen

Bean

This week we’ll focus on the distinctive theo

Luke’s Gospel, including the significance

treatment

emphasis on life in the “here and now.”

June 30 Christian Attitudes Toward War and

Peace, with the Rev. Scott Richardson

We will discuss the history of Christian thoug

regarding war and peace, including comm

on both pacifism and the Just War tradition.

Modern theological reflection

presented that challenges both traditions and seek

to bridge opposin

July 7 On the Good Use of Leisure, with the Rev.

Scott Richardson

The Book of Common Prayer includes a collect tha

reflects on the faithful role of leisur

le

practical application to da

July 14 To be announced.

July 21 The Anglican Spirit: History, with the Re

Christine McSpadden

We begin our look at the Anglican Spirit with a

return to the early days of the Reformation an

journey through history to explore the force

c

broadened into the Anglican Communion.

July 28 The Anglican Spirit: Ethos, with the Rev.

Christine McSpadden

This week we identify the distinctive

o

doctrines, practices, and emphases.

August 4 The Anglican Spirit: Worship, with the

Rev. Christine McSpadden

How does our praying

w

history and contents.

August 11 Instructed Eucharist, with the Rev.

Christine McSpadden

Following the outline of the eucharistic service, w

will look at what we are doing in worship and

why. We will explore the meanin

a

and history. Meet in the chap

August 18 To be announced.

August 25 Food and Faith with Kathleen Bea

What does one have to do with the other? An

introduction to

im

fa


What is Adult Formation?

According to the official website of the Episcopal

Church: Christian formation is the lifelong process

of growing in our relationship with God, self,

others, and all creation. Every experience in our

lives can provide us with the opportunity to

express our faith; the challenge we face is

recognizing these opportunities and learning ways

to live a sometimes countercultural life in a secular

world.

nt Adult Formation During LeKathleen Bean, Director of Adult Formation

ication skills

the other on spiritual practices.

f

ants

t week was

advice about

t

orted

orted taking

of this option. The audio recordings are

other

ent

a.

er,

were encouraged to

rate these spiritual practices on our own

ed

e

.

rch

ews, our website,

mail updates, and

unday bulletins for

ore adult formation

opportunities.

This year St. Mary’s parishioners had two adult

formation series to help us on our Lenten journey

of reflection; one focused on commun

and

On Monday evenings, after a simple supper o

soup and bread, Father Scott led particip

through a four‐part series called “Holy

Communication.” The topic of the firs

listening – the foundation for all real

communication. We learned that sometimes “holy

grunts” are a m

helpful respon

than words and

opinions, howeve

well intentioned.

the second we

explored human

feelings, and

specifically six

primary feelings

(joy, peace,

confidence,

sadness, anger, and

fear). The next topic

was speaking the

truth in love, and

Father Scott

finished the series

ore

se

r

In

ek we

with

how to use positive “strokes.”

After the first week, each program began with an

invitation to celebrate our successes of the pas

week, reflecting on what we had learned and its

impact on our relationships. People rep

gaining insight into their interactions with loved

ones, work colleagues, even strangers.

Communications guru Sandra Gary recorded the

programs and posted excerpts on St. Mary’s

website; a number of parishioners who could not

be present on Monday nights rep

advantage

still posted under “audio files.”

We also had the opportunity to meet with M

Christine on Sunday afternoons to consider L

through the lens of pilgrimage, which was

especially engaging as Christine was freshly

returned from her own pilgrimage to North Afric

Using Ignatian spirituality as a frame of reference,

Christine introduced us to the traditional Lenten

practices of self‐examination, fasting, study, pray

and alms‐giving. Participants

incorpo

Lenten journeys.

By offering different programs on different days

and times, more

people were able to

participate – the two

programs combin

had attendance of 60

to 100 people each

week! Many thanks

to Scott and Christin

for sharing their

teaching gifts with us

Keep watching the

Cow Hollow Chu

N

e

S

m At Eastertide, Mother Christine christened many babies including

twins Kaia and Gunnar Berardi, above, with their parents Alyssa

Warnock and Todd Berardi.


Up until our Holy Communication class, I

held a certain set of beliefs. Basically, that life

be pretty rough, and at any moment, the bottom

could fall out of the day. I’d walk around m

to myself and sometimes in a particularly dark

moment say to my husband Tom, “we struggle and

then we die.” So, I stewed in three of our six

emotions, sadness, anger, and fear, and walked

around lopsided, in the shadows. But our native

state lies in the light, Scott taught, of joy, peace, and

power/confidence – our other three emotions

can

uttering

. This

ws to me. Time to take action, the others

we have within our power to take action, so

ap out more days of play

was ne

ignal;

s to get back to the light. Take action I did.

, I

o that I can

and joy, seek out Kay

Brannan,

.

s

a

Carry this light into your life, go play, Scott

encouraged. For some time, I’d been eyeing a

funny place that looked like a pirate cove, 826

Valencia Street. With Scott’s words in hand, I

walked into the store and saw that it is actually The

Writing Center, a writing lab that our local author

Dave Eggers co‐founded for students ages 6 to 18 –

only wishing it had a lab for the rest of us. There

bought a San Francisco Literary Map s

m

Boyle’s Frederick Street house, or 746

nebirthplace of Rolling Stone magazi

Altar Guild Commissioning

At the 11:00 am service on Sunday, April 21, the Altar Guild came forward for a covenant and commissioning.

“You have been called to a ministry in this congregation,” said the Rev. Scott Richardson. He continued, “Will

you, as long as you are engaged in this work, faithfully and reverently execute the duties of your ministry to the

honor of God, and the benefit of the members of this congregation?” The members present vowed, “I will.” They

were, left to right: back row, Nancy Clothier, Erika Coughlan, Valerie Mayer, and Landra Miles; middle row,

Wendy Moseley, Barbara Addeo, Deborah Franklin, Cynthia Soyster, and Alisa Quint Fisher; front row, Gloria

Powell, Gloria Galindo, Mary Roper, Darlene Sandusky, Lee Walsh, and Jan Bolles. Absent: Martha Dameron,

Mary Hill (Chair), Anna Kharbas, Travis Lester, Ann Roth, Jane Standing, and Joan Toney. New members are

welcome; if you are interested, contact Mary Hill at [email protected].

News to Bowles

Me Lathrop Demi



What Should I Do If…?

, like

r

need, or being asked to

and

cisions

icies and Procedures at

w.smvsf.org/policiesandprocedures.pdf

Diana Sullivan, Junior Warden and

Lisa Carey, Vestry Member

Most of us know the regular words and flow of

worship at St. Mary’s. Most of us have become

accustomed to the weekly and Sunday rhythms of

church activities, what we do on a regular basis.

What would happen, however, if this natural ease

was disrupted by something unexpected, such as a

fire, or earthquake? Or something less threatening

but perhaps out of our comfort zone happened

being approached in the courtyard and asked fo

money by someone in

support a cause that is not part of the St. Mary

family of activities?

To help all of us better understand our safety

security options, and to be our very best as leaders

and thriving parishioners to our friends and

community, the vestry has approved a short set of

guidelines for practices in the areas of benevolence,

public communications, building use, emergency

procedures, and child safety protocols. A document

describing the guidelines is posted on our website

and will serve to clarify and support our de

in serving our children, our community, and our

church family. Our goals are to be safe, be

prepared, and be of service in ways that show our

love of Christ. Find our Pol

http://ww .

Here are some highlights:

“Safe Child” Policy We intend to

implement “Safe Child” policies that re

best practices used by parishes and

dioceses. We are currently evaluating

curricula

flect

for “Safe Child Policy” and will

ar

ets in the courtyard for any of us

ills We will have our first

implement on‐line training in the ne

future.

Benevolence Policy We want to be

responsive to those in need. We will now

have leafl

to provide resources to those in need, day

or night.

Earthquake Dr

earthquake‐fire drill this fall to ensure all

are prepared.

Acolyte Appreciation Day

Acolyte Appreciation day, on May 21, celebrated the service of 15 Senior Acolytes‐Crucifers; 11 Servers, and 23 Torch

Bearers. Pictured above are, left to right: back row; James Sutton, Frannie Sutton, Ainsley Ball, and Peter Coholan;

front row; Isabella Albert, Virginia Norris, William Hibbard, Mack Woodworth, Rollie Giovagnoli, Blake Case,

Rebecca George, Allie Silvestri, Diana Silvestri, Amanda Woodworth, and Coordinator of Acolytes Sandy Briggs.

Photographer and Co‐Coordinators: Debbie Veatch. All fourth graders and older are welcome to join; if you are

interested, contact Sandy Briggs at [email protected] or Debbie Veatch at [email protected].



San Francisco Court Appointed

ve

es

ed funds to help support the salary of

ed

es

l

h

e

r

t

months to communicate

lf of

om

e.

,

ho

d

services, and by providing one‐on‐one

,

le

t

e

ect,

unities

information about the organization, log onto

Special Advocates Susan Crown and Joanne Squire

This article is one of a series on

organizations that receive funds

from St. Mary’s Outreach Grant

Program. Parishioners Susan

Crown and Joanne Squire ha

served on the Board of Directors of

SFCASA for over a decade.

San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates

(SFCASA) is a community‐based organization

which recruits, screens, trains, and supervises

culturally diverse volunteers to serve as advocat

and mentors for abused and neglected children and

youth under the jurisdiction of San Francisco’s

juvenile dependency court. The Grant Program

designatteam

CASA’s Volunteer Recruitment and Training

Coordinator.

Annually, SFCASA has an average of 300 dedicat

community members serving as personal advocat

for 320 foster children. Since CASAs have the

distinction of being appointed by the court, they

have the power within the court system to make

significant recommendations for a child that might

not always be in accord with family members or

other constituencies in the childʹs life. A CASA wil

form a trusting relationship with a child, evaluate

his or her health and educational needs, researc

and advocate for necessary services, build a mor

collaborative team of providers who can bette

serve the child, and report directly to the cour

sixevery

recommendations that are in the childʹs best

interest.

Why are CASAs needed? Because more than ha

San Francisco’s foster youth are in long‐term

placement and will not return to their parents.

They will be moved frequently to different

placements and schools, and reassigned to new

social workers, teachers, counselors, and attorneys

along the way. They are likely to be separated fr

their siblings and placed outside of San Francisco

County. They may attend up to nine different

schools by the time they reach 18 years of ag

Foster youth typically grow up alone in a massive

impersonal government system. For children w

have suffered abuse and neglect, the CASA

volunteer may be the most consistent, intereste

presence in their lives. By assessing individual

needs, by advocating for necessary and often

critical

mentor support

these vulnerab

vital

assistance tha

can break the

cycle of abus

and negl

develop self‐

esteem, and

expand

opport

for a positive

future. For

CASA volunteers ensure that

children and youth gain access to

more

www.sfcasa.org.

Joanne Squire co‐chaired SFCASA’s annual spring

fundraising luncheon this year, marking her fo

year on the board since being recruited by Susan

Crown who served on the board for 12 years,

retiring in June of 2012. Joanne deployed both her

leadership skills in organizing the event and her

flower arranging skills as cultivated on St. Mary’s

Flower Committee, by arranging flowers for the

urth

with the assistance of parishioners Joan

the

nnually increasing

are in

luncheon

Toney, Mary Von Zomeran, and Jerry Lehman.

CASA has received funds from St. Mary’s Grant

Program since 2006. Linda Logemann, Chair at

time of the initial grant, describes why the team

originally chose to support the organization.

“Children are St. Maryʹs precious blessing,” she

says. “SFCASA serves an a

number of court‐dependent children who

need of many blessings.”


Praying Shapes Believing The Rev. Christine McSpadden

The Episcopal Church, more than any othe

denomination, is regarded as the church which

grounds its identity in terms of the way it

worships. How a church prays together shapes its

community, and the faith claims of that

community. Likewise, the community shapes

r

its

ts

ple

is sense of best works offered

hip

dth

our worship to reflect both the best

,

ll

ayers,

l

ng in July; a Yappy Mass with

t. Mary’s. This Fall, we will have

surveys and discuss what

ere we want to go with our

Mus

the

Common Prayer only

the Sanctus be used in the Eucharist. For

ll sing the familiar Canticle 13,

es, Domine (Glory to you) by John Rutter

ian of All Saints Company, San Francisco

learn a new Sanctus sung to the American

the

ant

worship, so that its expression before God reflec

its values, ethos, character, and constituency.

The word “liturgy” finds its roots in the Greek

word “leitourgia,” which means works of the peo

or public service. In ancient Greek culture, people

performed works of civic duty for the state and

religious duties for the pantheon of gods. As the

word has come down to us as a term of Christian

worship, it still has th

up to God out of who we are, and who we aspire to

be, as a community.

Therefore, our liturgy represents a living, evolving,

authentic expression of our intention and belief. As

part of a larger Anglican Communion, our wors

reflects our unity within that body and the brea

of that body’s expression. At St. Mary’s, we are

designing

practice of this unity as well as the richness of this

diversity.

In order to keep our worship together enlivened

intentional, authentic to who we are, and

representative of where we want to go, we wi

continue to experiment with new forms of pr

styles of language and music, more inclusive

imagery, and ways of using our space. This

summer, for example, we will try new forms of

prayers of the people and Eucharistic prayers at al

services—the 8:00 am, the 10 am, and the 5:30 pm.

We will reach out to different constituencies with

activities around liturgy, e.g. a Spaghetti Mass on

first Sundays starti

the blessing of pets in July; youth‐planned and ‐led

worship services.

Come, pray, sing, chant, and be part of this living

work going on at S

the opportunity to take

worked well and wh

worship together.

ic News Chip Grant, Director of Music

New Service Music this Summer!

In an effort to expand our service music repertoire

at St. Mary the Virgin, we will be exploring some

new service music each month. Service music is

music sung each week in our liturgy. Historically,

there were five major components: the Kyrie Eleison

(which has Greek roots) and the Gloria, Credo,

Sanctus / Benedictus, and Agnus Dei (which have

Roman roots). The 1979 Book of

specifies

varietyʹs sake, the current rubrics allow for a Song

of Praise in place of the Gloria.

In June, we wi

Benedictus

as well as reviving a Sanctus and Agnus Dei by

David Hurd.

In July, we will switch to Canticle 16, Benedictus

Dominus Deus (Blessed are you O Lord) by The Rev.

Rick Fab

and

hymn tune, “Land of Rest,” a setting by Marcia

Pruner.

In August, we will sing a Kyrie and Sanctus from

“Freedom Mass” which draws melodies from

South African Freedom movement. We will also

sing metrical versions of the Psalms each week.

Metrical psalms are settings from the Book of

Psalms set in poetic form in the vernacular meant

to be sung as hymns in church. The composition of

metrical psalms has its roots in the Protest

Reformation, most notably Calvinism. The hymn

tune used for the traditional Doxology, called “Old

100th” is an example of a metrical psalm.

this haunting piece at the following link:

http://www.nimbitmusic.com/amyblack .

After the concert, Amy and her band stayed for a

festive reception of conversation, snacks, and

beverages, including tasty wine from our own

David and Diana Sullivan’s label Promenade. Long

Throug fferent

joining us from time to time. Our

g will be very rich indeed.

erts came

uitar

ay Area, delighted us

“Meet Me on the

Floor” at St. Mary’s, click this link or enter

4

hout the summer we will also have di

guest musicians

musical offerin

Amy Black Rocks Final Concert

Jessica Metoyer

The 2012‐2013 Season of Candlelight Conc

all the CDs were sold, Amy and her band‐

n

all.

t

t he is

lining up another amazing

this fall. See

it

e

the

and

Parish Choirs. If you are interested, or would like

more information, please contact Chip Grant,

Director of Music, at [email protected]

after

mates were still chatti

beautiful courtyard. A

Director of Music Chip

g with concert goers in our

great time was had by

Grant put together a

remarkable set of concerts

this season. In addition to

Amy Black, we heard from

the rousing and danceable

Pacific Mambo Orchestra,

the innovative Chiara

String Quartet, and the

arresting vocal ensemble

Solstice. The Candlelight

Concerts never disappoin

and are a great venue to

bring friends to St. Mary’s.

Chip has hinted tha

to a boot‐stomping end on April 21 with a concert

by country music artist Amy Black of Boston.

Between songs Amy made friends of us all through

her engaging personal stories of life and

season starting

you there!

Summer Choir Begins

songwriting. The sanctuary provided a perfect

acoustic setting for this intimate concert, where

Amy and three other musicians, including Amy’s

husband Ryan Black on percussion, fantastic g

player from Boston Jim Scopa, and bass player

Mark Petrella from our own B

with Amy’s country‐rock compositions. To see a

video of Amy Black playing

Amy Black delighting concertgoers with her country rock compositions.

Sunday, June 9

9:00 am Rehearsal in the Choir Room

Did you sing in high school or college and find you

sometimes miss singing in a choir? The Summer

Choir is an opportunity for singers in the parish

who enjoy singing, but might not be able to comm

to a separate rehearsal each week during the year,

to participate more fully in leading worship. Th

Summer Choir rehearses only on Sundays before

the 10:00 am Eucharist, learning a simple anthem,

and reviewing hymns and other music for the

liturgy. Summer choir is open to all members of

parish, in addition to members of the Youth

Dance

this address in your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36bt3OVCDA

&feature=youtu.be .

Amy told us she grew up a “pk” (preache

Missouri and sang in church in her youth.

r’s kid) in

At the

of the concert, Amy treated us to an a capella

version of “Shadow of a Doubt.” You can listen to

end


.

http://www.nimbitmusic.com/amyblack

http://www.nimbitmusic.com/amyblack


Parish Retreat Retreat! St. Mary’s annual parish retreat joined together more than sixty parishioners for a weekend of relaxation,

renewal, reverie, and fellowship in the glorious setting of the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. After a taxing Friday

afternoon drive from San Francisco, arrival at this pastoral place—the soft golden light of evening, the fragrance of

spring, the company of friends—was sustenance for the spiritually weary. And a delicious and healthy pot‐luck

dinner fulfilled our earthly needs. To get the group in the right frame of mind, The Rev. Christine McSpadden

joined us in a circle and asked each of us to share a little‐known fact about ourselves. (Who knew there were so

many movie‐star connections, Canadians and lapsed athletes among us?) Saturday was chock full of activities.

Organized programs anchored the morning, including one for adults about spiritual gifts led by the Rev. Scott

Richardson. The afternoon was more free‐form—with some opting to hike, some read, some nap, and still others

zipping in to the town of Healdsburg for adventure. The re‐opened pool was a source of joy for many—the sounds

of splashing, shouts of “Marco Polo” and laughter reverberating through the property.

Feeling the verdant spirit of springtime, in front of the original ranch house

Enjoying a morning climb Frolicking in the newly rebuilt pool

2013 In the evening, St. Mary’s youth dominated the Variety Show with an array of music performances and

presentations, including a video of their own making entitled “A Day in the Life of Bishops Ranch.” To watch it,

click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W‐GNLMkmgQI&feature=youtu.be or copy it into your

browser Afterwards, most made their way to the campfire, where the youth led story‐telling and songs.

Marshmallows were roasted and many a s’more was served up. It was a long day of good old‐fashioned family fun.

Sunday morning Christine McSpadden celebrated an intimate and lively Pentecost Eucharist, with Chip Grant and

Laura Ruppert conducting a specially‐composed retreat choir, and more than six parishioners participating in a

multi‐lingual reading from the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit was definitely among us. Maybe next year you will be

among us, too? ‐‐ Fran Hegeler

Raising voices and ringing bells in the chapel, as Chip directs

Considering spiritual gifts in the capacious and soaring Swing pavilion, as Father Scott leads the discussion


http://www.facebook.com/l/9AQF3UOBi/www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-GNLMkmgQI&feature=youtu.be

. First Class Mail

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 News ........................ 3 Youth Group & Youth Choir News ... 4 Planned and Major Gifts.................... 6 Reflections on Holy Week ................. 8 Stewardship Goals ............................ 9 Rebuilding Together ........................ 10

Praying for Each Other.................... 10 Garden Update ................................. 11 From the Koi Pond to the Altar....... 12 Welcome Committee News ............. 14 Summer in the City .......................... 15 Adult Formation During Lent .......... 16 What Should I Do If…? .................... 18

SFCASA ............................................ 19 Praying Shapes Believing ............... 20 Music News ...................................... 20 Parish Retreat .................................. 22

HIGHLIGHTS—JUNE, JULY & AUGUST 2013 Also visit www.smvsf.org

SPIRITUALITY & PASTORAL CARE Summer Schedule for Sunday Worship begins June 9.

Service times are 8 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm

Spiritual Support Group – 2nd & 4th Sundays, 4 pm, in the Vestry Room

Chapel Prayer Group – 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9 am, in the chapel

Wednesday Prayer – Every Wednesday,7 am, in the chapel Praying the Rosary – Wednesdays, 12:10 pm in the Study in

Pixley House Thursday Night Evening Prayer – Every Thursday, 5:15 pm, in

the chapel Nursing Home Ministry –

Golden Gate Healthcare Center – Every 4th Sunday, 1:30 pm at 2707 Pine Street Presidio Gate – 2nd & 4th Mondays, 10 am at 2770 Lombard Street

OUTREACH Raphael House Ministry – First Monday of each month.

Contact Alisa Quint Fisher at 415-755-4156 or [email protected]

MEETINGS & MISCELLANY Deadline for the September, October & November 2013 Cow

Hollow Church News August 1. Please email articles and photos to [email protected]

Women’s Group – Saturdays, 11 am – on hiatus

SAVE THESE DATES Summer Schedule for Sunday Worship begins June 9.

Service times are 8 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm Summer in the City Adult Formation Series – Sundays, 9 am

in the Study (formerly the rector’s office) in Pixley House Confirmation of St. Mary’s Confirmands Saturday, June 8 at

11 am at Grace Cathedral Lacuna Arts Ensemble Concert – Sunday, June 9, 3 pm, in

the church



cow hollow church news, summer 2013

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