cow hollow church news - summer 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 u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Going In and Coming Out The Rev. Scott E. Richardson, Rector

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe. The Lord shall watch over your going

out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore. (Psalm 121, v 7&8)

In July of 1955, my father experienced three significant life events within a matter of

a very few days. He and my mother, then 25 and 24 years old, moved into their new

home in El Cerrito. His father died the weekend of the move and I was born two

weeks later. In the years that followed he reflected on those impactful days, and

became philosophical about the changes and chances of life. They come in pairs, he

decided. We release and we receive, and we often do so in close proximity to one

another.

I’m recalling his conviction about this right now. We, as a parish, are in the process of doing both. We say

goodbye to Christine McSpadden and hello to Claire Dietrich Ranna. Expressing gratitude for gifts received is

one of the hallmarks of the mature Christian. In regard to Christine, that feeling arises immediately as we

reflect on her tenure with us. She is one of those few multi‐gifted priests who are so rare and so needed these

days. She offers a brilliant mind, a graceful liturgical presence, a willingness to go the extra mile, strong

pastoral and administrative skills, and a clear message of love that is directly and warmly shared from the

pulpit. I will miss her as a friend and colleague. We trust that our connection to her and her family will remain

strong in the years to come. We plan to honor Christine in the days prior to July 13th, her last Sunday with us.

And, in accord with my father’s wisdom, we turn to the new with hope and expectation. Claire Dietrich Ranna

comes to us as a recent graduate of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. She will be ordained to the diaconate

at Grace Cathedral on Saturday, June 14th. Claire has experience in outreach ministries, cross‐cultural

relationships, and both administrative and creative undertakings. She is well decorated for her

accomplishments, and you can read more about her on page 12 and on our website. We look forward to

welcoming Claire and Haamid, her husband, as she begins her ministry with this community on July 1st.

Also at this time, our beloved deacon, Everett Powell, has announced his intention to retire from active

ministry on June 1st. Everett has quietly prayed for and with hundreds of people in his time at St. Mary’s. He

has also visited the sick in home and hospital, assisted with outreach and administrative tasks, and proclaimed

the good news of God in Christ with charm, conviction and heart. It is a delight to know that Everett and

Gloria will continue as worshipping members of this congregation. (Read more on page 18).

May our protective and steadfast God be with these three, and those whom they love, now and forever. Amen.

Summer 2014 The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin

News of Note from the Sr. Warden

Betty Hood‐Gibson

Creatures of Habit – Yet Open to Change

We are creatures of habit, yet we often desire

change. The change could be giving up old habits

or starting new ones. In the Lenten season just past,

did you make resolutions to give up something, or

maybe add some new positive habit, for Lent? Did

you give up watching TV or eating chocolate?

Maybe you wanted to

add something for the

Lenten season, like

carving out a special

time for daily prayer or

taking time each day

for a walk with your

family? How well did

you do with these

resolutions?

My Lenten resolution

was to read an entry in

Forward Day by Day

(which you can find in

the shelves in the

Narthex) each day and

then reflect on the story

and what it could mean

to me. The plan was to

do this in the morning before I left for work. I

started off really well, but not too far down the

road one morning the phone rang and after I to

the call, my reading and reflecting time was g

started taking the booklet with me to work, but

often the day was so full, the book neve

ok

one. I

r left my

riefcase.

son is

accomplish on your own. The experts suggest

b

Why was making this change and creating this new

habit so difficult? I read some articles and found

that experts indicate that resolutions are not often

followed very well or for very long. One rea

because change is hard and even harder to

having a friend accompany you along the way can

make all the difference in the world.

The Rev. Scott Richardson in his sermon on Easter

Sunday explained that faith is needed to make

positive and desired changes in our own lives in

order to have a closer, more meaningful walk with

God. Scott talked about big changes, such as letting

the incarnate love and resurrecting power of God

come into every part of our life and committing to

absolute love for God and mutual respect for our

neighbor. Scott gave us the “faith formula” –

“I can’t; God can; I think I’ll let him.”

At that moment, I realized the “faith

formula” could also work for the small

things. God is there to help us in the small

things, like changing habits for the better, as

well as the big things. Even though the

Lenten season is over, my Lenten resolution

is one I would still like to be a permanent

change in my life, a part of my spiritual life.

I’m going to work on that change, and I’m

going to need a friend.

Why not let God be the friend that we take

with us as we work on making positive

changes in our lives? The changes may be

large or they may be small ‐‐ it doesn’t

matter. God can help us do it. Let’s

remember what Scott told us on Easter

Sunday, “I can’t; God can; I think I’ll let him.”

THE VESTRY

Betty Hood‐Gibson ‐ Senior Warden

Diana Sullivan – Junior Warden

Lisa Carey Stephen Koch

Jane A. Cook Belle McBride

Stephen Dini Annie Morse

Jim Griffith Liz Paxton

Kristin Glunt Creighton Reed

[email protected]

Cow Hollow Church News Summer 2014

Sunday School News Nancy Clark, Sunday School Co‐Director

We’ve wrapped up another Sunday School year, a

year with record attendance and energetic

participation from start to finish. The spring was

filled with Lent and Easter projects, most notably

the Sunday School’s full‐on participation in Heifer

Project activities. Courtyard Commerce on two

Sundays featured a 5th and 6th grade bake sale, the

second graders’ sale of flowering

plants in hand‐decorated pots and

healthful granola in polka‐dot

bags, and the creative first graders’

sale of special Easter treats with

chicks and bunnies (Heifer

animals, of course). The selling

was spirited and the courtyard

buyers were exceedingly

supportive and generous. Imagine,

$1,200 in sales. In addition, third

grader, Pip Koll set up a lemonade

stand in her

neighborhood

and raised

$102 for the

Heifer cause.

mail

Although the

counting of

nickels,

dimes,

quarters ‐‐ as

well as assorted foreign coins and the occasional

button ‐‐ from the Heifer arks has not yet been

completed, it seems that the Sunday School’s

outreach activities will have generated close to

$1,500 (that’s enough to provide three heifers, by

the way, or ten sheep or goats) for the needy

families whom Heifer International serves. All

these activities were rooted in the Lenten focus of

being ever mindful of the needs of others, and

linked to Gospel stories and the teachings of Jesus.

Deep thanks to all the parents who guided their

children at home and encouraged them in their

Lenten

spiritual and

service

endeavors.

We are

gratified

that our

youngest

parishioners

are learning

at very early ages the

pleasures and

importance of

philanthropy.

The final day of Sunday

School this year was

June 1. Of course, we

are already at work

planning the 2014‐15

calendar (opening day

will be September 7),

and considering special events for the year.

We are actively recruiting teachers for all

grades. Please consider taking part in this

very worthy parish activity. Interested? E

Nancy Clark ([email protected]) or Carissa

Hawthorn ([email protected]), or

speak with Scott Richardson or Christine

McSpadden for details and encouragement.

In the meantime, be thankful for the dedicated,

energetic, and creative work of this year’s Sunday

School team: Lisa Carey, assisted by her college‐

bound daughter, Helen; Carissa Hawthorn and

Alice Allick assisted by Sophie Reynolds; Donna

Davidson and Mary Albert; Todd and Lisa

Reynolds; Colleen Skewes‐Cox and Nancy Clark;

Kathleen Bean and Scott Case assisted by Corrine

Sigmund, Audrey Prescott, Scott Richardson, and

Christine McSpadden; and Phil Woodworth

guiding another large group to Confirmation.

mailto:[email protected]



Graduating from Youth Choir Ned Burnam

As an eighth grader, Ned graduates from Youth Choir

this year.

When I joined the choir in Kindergarten, my

brothers and sister had already been members for a

long time, so I knew exactly how it worked: cheese

cubes, apple slices, and chips in the Great Room

followed by a fast‐moving game of tag in the

courtyard. It

turned out there

was another part

of being in the

choir‐‐singing.

That was okay

because I like to

sing. I like to sing

so much that last

year I joined a

second choir, so

now I sing at St.

Mary’s and in the

Golden Gate Boys

Choir! Some of

my favorite

moments at St.

Mary’s are

singing the solo

verse of “Once in

Royal David’s

City” from the

balcony when I was in fifth grade, singing the solo

verse of “Once in Royal David’s City” from the

balcony when I was in sixth grade, singing the

treble solo of “Sleeps Judea Fair” from the balcony

at the midnight Christmas Eve service this year. I

am very proud that I just finished my Royal School

of Church Music (RSCM) yellow book, the last

book in the series. Here is what I am looking

forward to: singing at the RSCM camp for

advanced trebles in Washington DC this summer,

singing in the Parish Choir in the fall, and singing

at the Pope’s New Year’s Mass in Rome in 2016

with the Golden Gate Boys Choir.

e would serve

Youth Mission Trip: Love of Neighbor, Passion to Serve Mike Stafford, Director of Youth Programs

Big view of Mission Trip

The overall goal of Youth Mission Trips is to instill

in our youth a deep love of their neighbors, and,

springing from that, a desire to serve. Years ago we

established a three‐year rotation of service trips:

one year we would serve locally in

California, the next year we would serve

nationally, and the third year w

internationally. There is intentionality behind

that: our neighbors are all kinds of people,

and it is important for our youth to be

exposed to local needs, national needs, and

global needs. All three types of need exist,

and we are called as Christians to address all

three. I have discovered that the kids benefit

from that variety of service because it affects

each one differently. Some kids end up being

passionate about serving their local

community, while others find their passion

on a larger scale. It matters little where they

land, as long as that love of neighbor and

passion to serve endure. And our job as a

parish is to nurture and encourage that love

by providing each Mission Trip experience.

Plans in 2014

This year’s Youth Mission Trip is to the eastern end

of Puerto Rico, and the service will involve

environmental preservation and relational work

with children. Twelve St. Mary’s High Schoolers

and three adult chaperones will leave on June 22

for a full week of service. We are working with

Community Collaborations International, an

organization that facilitates service projects around

the world. For the environmental preservation part

of the work, we will be working at both El Yunque

National Park and Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature

Reserve doing much needed projects like trail

restoration, invasive species removal, and any

Youth Choir graduate Ned Burnam


other projects they need us to do. (Look up both

places: they are spectacularly beautiful, but both in

need of help!) We will also be spending a couple of

days working with kids at a local Boys and Girls

Club, teaching them about the environment and

playing with them. What is wonderful about our

service this year is how Puerto Rico embodies the

connection between poverty and environmental

degradation. Our discussions in the evenings will

largely be about just that: how our care of God’s

natural world is indelibly fused to our care of His

people.

Fundraising goals

We are in the thick of fundraising, and much more

needs to be raised. As of May 15, the group was

still $10,000 short of what we need. The goal was to

have all money raised by June 1, so if you still plan

to give, be sure to act quickly – we can still use it.

Donating is easy: you can give online via our

website at smvsf.org, or you can drop a check off at

church (with the memo line indicating the funds

are for the Mission Trip). Many thanks to all those

who have contributed thus far and many thanks to

those of you who will be contributing soon!

Acolyte Appreciation

In April, Acolyte Coordinators Sandy Briggs and Debbie Veatch thanked all 51 of St. Mary’s Acolytes for their

wonderful service. Special appreciation went to Associate Acolyte Coordinators: Izzy Paxton, Emma McBride, and

Frannie Sutton. Senior Acolytes/Crucifers: Deedee Anderson, Ainsley Ball, Claire Bivins, Ned Burnam, Helen

Carey, Holly Dahlem, Jessi Hagelshaw, Emma McBride, Caroline Parkinson, Izzy Paxton, Audrey Prescott, Sophie

Reynolds, Diana Silvestri, Frannie Sutton, James Sutton, Ginny Woodworth, and Mike Woodworth. Servers: Isabel

Albert, Peter Coholan, Johnny Dahlem, Jack McBride, Kelly Napolitana, Virginia Norris, Sam Parkinson, Sam

Reynolds, Camilla Sigmund, Catherine Silvestri, George Sutton, and Will Veatch. Torch Bearers: Sadie Akel, Gunnar

Bachmann, Kitt Bachmann, Ben Boyden, Ellie Boyden, Colby Case, Dillon Case, Philip de Castro, Rollie Giovagnoli,

Isabel Glen, Emma Hauswirth, Lizzy Hayashi, William Hibbard, Mac Hocking, Annabel Mack, Sophie Mack,

Charles Perkins, Johnny Perkins, Sadie Rae Smith, Margaret Veatch, Charlotte Winn, and Philip (Mack) Woodworth.

Aspiring Acolytes should contact Debbie Veatch ([email protected]) or Sandy Briggs ([email protected]).

http://smvsf.org/




Chalice Bearing at St. Mary’s Carl Zachrisson

Regular celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St.

Mary the Virgin has been an essential part of our

community worship since the founding of the

parish in 1891. Holy Communion, or Mass, is

celebrated four times each Sunday, with additional

celebrations depending on the season. Chalice

Bearers are central to the celebration.

The roots of Holy Eucharist are found

in Christʹs offering of bread and wine

at the Last Supper. In his first letter to

the Corinthians (I.23), the Apostle

Paul witnesses, “I have received from

the Lord what I also delivered to you

that the Lord Jesus on the night when

he was betrayed took bread, and when

he had given thanks, he broke it, and

said, ‘This is my body which is for

you. Do this in remembrance of me’.

In the same way also the cup, saying,

‘This cup is the new covenant in my

blood. Do this as often as you drink it,

in remembrance of me’.” A version of

those words is spoken by the celebrant

at every Eucharist.

Eucharist is also called, variously, the

Lordʹs Supper, Holy Communion, the

Divine Liturgy, the Mass,

and the Great Offering. It has

been celebrated since the

Last Supper. Our Prayer

Book Catechism offers the

following observations: “The

outward and visible sign of the Eucharist is bread

and wine, given and received according to Christ’s

command; the inward and spiritual grace in the

Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ

given to his people, and received by faith.” (B.C.P.

p. 859)

In 1563, the Church of England sought to define its

doctrine as it related both to the Calvinist doctrine

and to Roman Catholic practice, by adopting the

Thirty‐nine Articles of Religion. These articles were

restated by the Episcopal Church in 1801. Article

XXVIII affirms that, “The Supper of the Lord is not

only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have

among themselves one to another; but rather it is a

Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ’s death:

insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and

with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we

break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and

likewise the Cup of Blessing is a

partaking of the Blood of Christ.”

Significantly, Article XXX stated,

“The Cup of the Lord is not to be

denied to the lay people: for both

parts of the Lordʹs Sacrament, by

Christʹs order and commandment,

administered to all…” Enter the

Chalice Bearers.

St. Mary’s first rector, the Rev.

William Bolton, a high church

Englishman, followed the Anglo‐

Catholic tradition of wearing a silk

chasuble with embroidered trim

when celebrating communion. Father

Bolton also appealed to the

congregation to bring gifts of gold

and silver and jewels to the church to

be fashioned into the chalice and

plate to be used at communion on

Sundays. Members of the

parish responded, and the

resulting plate and the

Jeweled Chalice remain in

the vault at St. Maryʹs for

use on special occasions.

One of the special opportunities for lay ministry at

St. Mary the Virgin is to be a Chalice Bearer at a

Sunday morning Eucharist. Currently, there are 32

of us who undertake that ministry every four to six

weeks, at the service we would normally attend.

The Chalice Bearer schedule is coordinated by Pam

Bledsoe, and training sessions for new Chalice

Bearers are conducted twice a year by Bob Bledsoe.

Father Bolton called upon members of the parish to

donate their jewels for a proper (Anglo‐Catholic)

high church chalice suitable for high Mass.

Parishioners obliged, donating jewels to create St.

Mary’s now rarely‐used jeweled chalice.


If you might be interested in joining the St. Maryʹs

Chalice Bearer group, please speak with any of the

Chalice Bearers. Those on duty for a given Sunday

are listed in the service leaflet and can be spotted

wearing a plain white alb. Or, contact Pam or Bob

Bledsoe ([email protected] or 707‐938‐8281).

Please consider the possibility that you may have a

call to join us in this very rewarding and special lay

ministry.

Our Eucharistic Visitors Russell Fudge, Chair

Several members of the St. Mary Eucharistic

Visitors team met with Deacon Nancy Bryan in the

health center of The Heritage on a Thursday

afternoon several weeks ago. We were there to

celebrate the life of Robert Von Thurn, among the

members of that community whom we serve. The

Rev. Scott Richardson, who also attended, noted

that the gathering, “Was a perfect example of the

church being the church, living into its call and

identity ‐‐ and thatʹs not something I take for

granted as it doesnʹt always happen (but in this

case it did, gloriously).”

And that is why we treasure our experience as

Eucharistic Visitors. For those of you who do not

know us, we are the people who come forward to

the altar immediately after the Eucharist to receive

a commission from the priest. We leave with our

small black boxes bearing wafers and wine as

emissaries to the folks, many elderly and infirm,

who are unable to attend services at church and

wish to receive visitors and communion.

We visit them wherever they are now living ‐‐ be it

at home, in a nursing home, or sometimes at the

hospital. Sometimes they are alone, sometimes a

caregiver joins us, and sometimes a group is

assembled. We offer a brief service of worship that

usually includes the Gospel and the Lord’s Prayer,

and features the sacramental bread and wine

directly from St Mary’s table.

The list of those whom we visit is first compiled by

the clergy at St. Mary’s, but others are often added

to the list by friends, or even the staff at an

institution. In addition to communion, we bring a

personal connection that is often lacking in the

weekly life of the people we visit. Some people we

visit served in positions of church leadership at St.

Mary’s when their physical condition allowed them

to travel easily. Others were regulars at other

parishes, but have joined us in this ministry. We

are continually inspired by their heartfelt thanks.

All Eucharistic Visitors take turns paying calls on

everyone on our list, and we each develop routines

for our visits. We always make a point of thanking

the caregivers who are, by and large, the salt of the

earth. We hope they get the message that if this

person is

important

enough

for us to

visit every

Sunday,

this

person

should be

important

to them,

too. We

also try to

spread the

ministry to

other patients we pass along the way, occasionally

with the Eucharist, but usually with a smile and a

kind word.

Eucharistic Visitors are licensed by the diocese after

attending diocesan training sessions and

accompanying St. Mary’s regulars on several visits.

The team at St. Maryʹs was originally called

together in the early 1990s. Peter Skewes‐Cox,

Karen McGuin, and Rod Dugliss were the first to

be commissioned. There are currently seven

regular active members of the EV team: Jan Bolles,

Sandy Briggs, David Crosson, Russell Fudge,

David Gibson, Natalie Hala, and Steve White. Tim

Smith and Lisa Vance are currently on leave. Rod

Dugliss and Nancy Bryan fill in once in a while and

provide support.

Eucharistic Visitors carry small black boxes

bearing wafers and wine to take directly

from the Eucharistic table to those unable to

attend services in church.



Champagne Tea for the Legacy Society Jane A. Cook, Chair of Planned and Major Gifts

Committee

The Planned and Major Gifts Committee had its

second annual Legacy Society event on Saturday,

May 10th. Approximately 30 people attended a

festive

champagne

and tea

reception to

thank those

individuals

who have

remembered

St. Mary’s in

their estate

plans.

Scott

Richardson

welcomed

the joyful

attendees and expressed our appreciation to Kim

Regan and Dan Hoth for opening their beautiful

home for this special gathering. Jane Cook

introduced our distinguished guest speaker, Lisa

Parker, who is a certified philanthropic expert and

a multi‐generational advisor to families. Lisa also

speaks nationally on raising charitable children,

youth philanthropy, new models of giving, and the

evolution of family philanthropy. Plus, Lisa

advises families through the Whittier Trust

Company, where she works with Jane. As head of

the Lawrence Welk Family Foundation, Lisa shared

several inspirational stories about the positive

impact generosity has on communities and

families, beginning with her own family. “I think of

giving as a way to build a legacy, live a legacy,

and leave a legacy,” she said. “And that those

are the strongest kinds of bonds.”

A granddaughter of bandleader Welk, whose show

was broadcast on television for 30 years and can

still be seen in reruns, Lisa described how her

granddad rose from a German immigrant farm

family in North Dakota to national prominence.

“He understood at an intuitive and visceral level

that music connects people. If thereʹs one thing to

sum up his life, his message, it is that weʹre only as

good as our connections to one another,” she told

the rapt group. She told us how he had a soft heart

for giving and established a family foundation to

respond sensibly to all the requests for

assistance that his visibility generated.

The Foundation he started in 1960 and

Lisa now runs, currently includes the

fourth generation of extended Welk

family members, joined in common

philanthropic causes. Their annual

“Camp Cuzapalooza” for the

youngest members involves them in

learning how to give wisely, while

they learn what’s important to one

another – and have fun. “There are

developmental windows for our kids

and grandkids where we can

nurture the giving instinct,” she related.

“There are appropriate ways to begin talking about

empathy and generosity, as precursors to giving

Later, Scott noted that we at St. Mary’s teach

Sunday Schoolers about giving and will look for

.”

Host Dan Hoth, left, chats with John Walsham.

Martha Daetwyler, left, enjoys the event with hostess Kim Regan.


ways to expand on the theme of family generos

He concluded the program by thanking everyo

present for their generosity and reminding them of

the importance of such gifts to our parish.

ity.

ne

St. Mary’s Legacy Society is strong and growing in

numbers, and we encourage even more people to

join us! A current list of self‐identified members is

displayed on a plaque located in the stairwell

leading up to the sanctuary balcony. If we have

missed anyone, please let Scott or Jane know so

we can add your name and include you in future

events. You can reach Jane at

[email protected] or 415‐609‐1379.

Our committee will also continue offering

educational presentations and printed materials to

provide ideas, technical information, and resources

regarding ways to make arrangements for planned

and major gifts to St. Mary’s. If you would like

more information now, please contact Scott

Richardson ([email protected] or 415‐921‐3665).

Philanthropy expert Lisa Parker, standing at left, speaks about her grandfather, her family foundation, and fostering

generosity in the younger generation. Jane Cook and Scott Richardson, standing at right, listen attentively along with

members of the Legacy Society.

Summer Schedule

Begins June 8

Service Times for Sunday Worship

8:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

5:30 p.m. Taizé last Sunday of the month only




Columbarium Reception Tim Smith, Columbarium Ministry

On Sunday, April 6, between the 9:00 a.m. and

11:00 a.m. services, members of the columbarium

ministry hosted a reception in the south courtyard

to introduce or reintroduce the columbarium to

interested parishioners. Sandy Stadtfeld, a

founding member of the columbarium ministry,

opened the reception by briefly describing why and

how the columbarium came into being at the parish

through the efforts of a small group of parishioners

with a vision.

In addition to Sandy, that group initially consisted

of Kent and Susan Barber, Cynthia McKay, Tom

Robertson, Tim Smith, and Bruce Prescott, the

columbarium’s architect. Their vision for the

columbarium

was that it

would be a

safe, serene,

and tasteful

resting place

for

parishioners

and deceased

loved ones in

the South

Courtyard

and that the

construction

and on‐going

maintenance

of the

columbarium

following

construction

would reflect

that vision. Sandy then presented charts showing

niche face configuration and availability. A brief

question and answer session ensued. A list of

Frequently Asked Questions and niche applications

were made available to parishioners who attended.

Any interested parishioner who was not able to

attend the reception but who is interested in

purchasing a niche should contact the church office

for a subscription application. Many thanks to the

current members of the Columbarium ministry

who attended or brought refreshments, or both,

including Kent and Susan Barber, Cynthia McKay,

David Sullivan, Deborah Franklin, Sandy Stadtfeld,

Joanne Squire, Bruce Prescott, and Tim Smith.

Thanks also to Fr. Scott for his presence and words

of wisdom.

Summer in the City Popular Adult Forum Series Resumes

On June 15

Kathleen Bean, Director of Adult Formation

Join us in the Great Room from

9:00 – 9:50 a.m. each Sunday

this summer for a variety

offerings focused on Faith in

Action.

of

June 15th ‐‐ Two Among a

Righteous Few: A Story of

Courage in the Holocaust

Engaging storyteller Marty

Brounstein will bring German‐

occupied Holland alive in this

story of interfaith courage and

compassion during World War

II. A timely offering as we

remember the 70th anniversary

of D‐Day in June.

June 22nd ‐‐ St. Cuthbert and

Celtic Spirituality

We are delighted to welcome

the Rev. Dr. William Stafford,

visiting professor of Church History at CDSP and

former Dean of the Sewanee School of Theology. A

noted church historian specializing in the medieval

and Reformation periods, Dr. Stafford will take us

back to 7th century England for a look at

Christianity in the Celtic tradition.

Presenting the Columbarium: left to right, Sandy Stadtfeld,

Manny Gabiana, Bruce Prescott, Joanne Squire, Fr. Scott

Richardson, David Sullivan, and Tim Smith.


June 29th ‐‐ Teach Us to Pray

Kathleen Bean will present a primer on prayer from

the practical to the mystical, with something for

everyone.

Summer in the City continues through July and

August, wrapping up with a presentation by the

Youth Mission Trip participants on August 28th.

Please watch the Sunday bulletins, weekly email

“Highlights,” and our website for more

information on topics and speakers throughout the

summer, or contact Kathleen Bean with questions

at [email protected].

David Sullivan, Event Chair

On the last Saturday in April,

six hearty souls from St.

Mary’s joined forces with the

good folks of St. James to help

transform the home of a 92‐

year‐old widow in the Excelsior district, in the

service of Rebuilding Together San Francisco. It was a

sunny Saturday that started out with a chill early in

the day, where volunteers gathered to help repaint

walls, repair items, and install safety hand rails in

the home on Paris Street.

The owner, Izola, is a delightful person who belies

her age with a quick wit and an eager smile. She is

a World War II heroine who drove munitions

trucks in the San Francisco Presidio during the

Pacific conflict. The day was a great success,

highlighted by a visit from San Francisco Mayor Ed

Lee to honor Izola for her service and inspire the

volunteers. Join us next year, on the last Saturday

in April, 2015. Participants this year included:

the Rev. Christine McSpadden, Audrey Prescott,

Pam Sauer, Kathleen Bean, Jamie Brown, and

David Sullivan.

Summer Worship Continuing our commitment to offering a

breadth of worship experiences that represent

styles and services across the Episcopal Church,

we embark on the project of experimenting with

alternative and trial liturgies this summer. Over

the summer months, at the combined 10 a.m.

service, you will have the opportunity to try out

services of word and table that aim for inclusive

language, full participation, and fresh imagery and

means of expression.

The 5:30 Sunday Evening Service

The Sunday Evening service will be in an

intensive development stage this summer. The

Taizé Eucharist will continue on the last Sunday

of the month through June, July, and August.

However, the once‐a‐month Taizé will be the

only service offered at 5:30 on Sundays. Our

new Associate Rector, Claire Dietrich Ranna,

will be developing a service over the summer

with Associate Director of Music Steve Repasky

which will debut in the fall. Claire comes to us

with extensive experience in liturgy planning

and, as Sacristan of Berkeley Divinity School at

Yale, played a leading role in coordinating and

overseeing worship for the seminary

community.

Repair crew on site, left to right: Jamie Brown, Audrey Prescott,

David Sullivan, Kathleen Bean, and Christine McSpadden.

Pam Sauer hard at work



Meet Claire Dietrich Ranna, Our New Associate Rector

Sandra Gary

Quietly on Easter morning, Claire Dietrich Ranna

was present at St. Mary’s. Our impending

Associate Rector attended a service and slipped

unheralded into our bustling courtyard, bursting

with energy of her own. “I’m really thrilled by the

call, excited to join you, and looking forward to

July,” she said later, anticipating the start of her

ministry among us on July 1.

But, at age 29, she is marking a few other

milestones first. Graduation from Berkeley Divinity

School, the Episcopal seminary

at Yale University; travel to

Pakistan to meet for the first

time the family of the Muslim

man she married last fall; and

her ordination as a transitional

deacon at Grace Cathedral on

June 14. She will be ordained

as a priest in December.

How does it work for her as a

rising Episcopal priest to have

a cross‐cultural and

interreligious relationship? “To

be honest, it’s been a great gift

to us both and certainly to me

as someone in discernment for

the ministry,” Claire relates. “I

think a lot of people naturally

and understandably assume

that it could be a challenge,

where for us it’s really

beautiful. We have found ways

to pray together, and say

grace, and honor the divine in

our life and our relationship.”

Claire studied Islam as an undergraduate at Duke

and Haamid has been learning about Christianity

in the US since he first came here as an

undergraduate student 18 years ago, and stayed to

work in the Bay Area as an IT expert for Silicon

Valley firms. “For us, it’s important to know what

we agree on about the faith claims we make – and

then to name and be really honest about the places

where we diverge.”

Claire’s spiritual journey began when she was

baptized as an Episcopalian in her native Shaker

Heights, Ohio, at age seven, along with three other

family members at an Easter Vigil. “It was really

powerful for me,” she remembers. Claire comes

from an interreligious family, with a Jewish step‐

father, a Buddhist sister‐in‐law, and a Catholic

brother‐in‐law. When she first moved to San

Francisco five years ago, she learned to meditate at

the San Francisco Zen Center. She worshipped at

St. John the Evangelist

in the Mission, and that

parish became her

sponsor as she felt

called to ministry.

A profound experience

during her senior year

in college forced her to

take a leave, formed her

deep faith, and led to

her call to ministry.

Stricken with a life‐

threatening disease, she

required several

medical interventions,

long‐term

hospitalization, and

ongoing outpatient care

for several months. “I

was humbled by that

experience,” she says.

“I saw how much my

own life really

depended on God. M

whole life shif

spirituality had been very much about the faith of

her childhood until then. “I started to have a much

more personal sense of how God was working in

my life,” Claire explains.

y

ted.” Her

Claire Dietrich Ranna, our incoming Associate

Rector, visiting St. Mary’s on Easter Sunday.


Throughout the ordeal, members of the church

supported her, traveling an hour on Sundays to

bring her the Eucharist, then driving her to church

when she was strong enough to attend, and finally,

offering her a place to live off campus. She stayed

with the Rev. Anne Hodges‐Copple, a priest who

had been her college chaplain and has since

become the Suffragan Bishop of North Carolina.

Anne supported Claire when she started thinking

about what she would do after recovery and after

college. “I wasn’t ready yet for formal

discernment,” says Claire. “She helped me map out

what spiritual discernment might look like, and

how to enter the process, and who to talk to for

spiritual direction in San Francisco.”

Claire worked for four years in the business world

in San Francisco while pursuing discernment,

before going to divinity school. For Jennifer Siebel

Newsom, San Francisco’s former First Lady, Claire

co‐wrote and co‐produced the documentary

MissRepresentation, created to empower girls and

young women. Later she was Special Projects

Manager for the C.O.O. at the Academy of Art

University, and continued to do special projects

while at seminary.

At Yale, she has acted as a Chapel Minister,

developing a robust sense of liturgical possibilities

and creating experimental liturgies. For example, a

Thanksgiving service combining input from both

Episcopal and Lutheran ministry students

blossomed in many directions, including joint

translations from scripture in Hebrew and Greek,

an original music score composed by students, the

sharing of student‐baked bread, and an altar

festooned with produce from community gardens.

“It worked together beautifully,” she enthuses. “It

flowed together so well.” At St. Mary’s, Claire’s

experience with creative liturgical innovation will

get put to use. First of all, she and Associate

Director of Music Steve Repasky will

reimagine our 5:30 service.

Claire also looks forward to exploring the

possibility of developing Agape dinners where

participants all prepare food together and include a

Eucharist, along the lines of what we do on

Maundy Thursday. She is eager to join our version

of community outreach as Christmas carolers

strolling on Union Street, as well as initiating new

kinds of involvement with our neighbors. Her

community outreach, door‐to‐door canvassing in

New Haven, led her to organize new forms of

liturgy such as short, evening services only 20 to 30

minutes long. “I think this kind of person‐to‐person

work is very fruitful,” she says of getting out and

meeting people who are nearby.

Claire is filled with hope and promise and

enthusiasm and gratitude for her new ministry

among us. “There are advantages to being new,”

she points out. “Certainly I have a lot to learn. And

I think I have a lot to offer.”

Parishioners can join in welcoming Claire by being

present for her when she is ordained at Grace

Cathedral on June 14 at 3:00 p.m. To learn about the

accomplishments of our incoming Associate Rector,

go to the homepage of our website, smvsf.org/.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves About

Ourselves

Kathleen Bean, Associate for Adult Formation

During this year’s Lenten study series we had two

questions in the foreground:

“Who am I?” and, “What am I called to do?” We

explored these fundamental questions of identity

and mission through the lens of personal narrative

– the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.

Our stories and our sense of identity begin in

childhood, and we spent some time with our eight‐

year‐old selves, remembering what we loved to do,

how we saw ourselves then, and what aspects of

http://smvsf.org/


those younger selves are still with us in adulthood.

Christine drew on developmental psychology to

help us understand the dynamics of identity

forming. We discussed the phenomenon of

pathways that form in the brain and lead to a

tendency to think in a particular way, how these

pathways can become set, and how recognizing

them can assist us in learning to think in new ways.

Family narratives play an important role in

forming identity.

Researchers at

Emory University

found, “The more

children knew

about their family’s

history, the stronger

their sense of

control over their

lives, the higher

their self‐esteem,

and the more

successfully they

believed their

families

functioned.” Family

“myths” of

perfection and

family secrets can

challenge a healthy

family narrative; not

surprisingly, family

stories that

acknowledge life’s ups and downs proved to be the

healthiest approach. Parishioners shared a number

of family stories, some of which had taken on the

quality of legend over the years but nonetheless

helped define their family’s sense of identity. For

instance, a “tall tale” about a pioneer ancestor that

had been embellished over time offered a truth

about that family’s perseverance and love of

adventure.

In our fourth session we shifted from the topic of

identity, the “Who am I?” to that of vocation,

“What am I called to do?” As Christians we believe

that all baptized persons, whether clergy or lay

persons, are called to ministry. The 16th century

monk Brother Lawrence toiled in his monastery’s

kitchen for years, and discovered that all work is

holy if it is offered to God. Brother Lawrence

taught that it is not so much what we do, but how we

do it that matters. The Buddhists believe that “right

livelihood” is one of the necessary components to

achieve enlightenment, part of the “eight‐fold

path.” Teacher Thich Nhat Hahn says, “To practice

Right Livelihood you have to

find a way to earn your living

without transgressing your

ideals of love and compassion.

The way you support yourself

can be an expression of your

deepest self, or it can be a

source of suffering for you and

others.” Whatever our

profession, we are invited to

consider it part of our ministry

to the world. Even a busy

holiday job in a clothing store,

attested Christine, can be holy

work.

Sometimes, we may wonder

just exactly what it is that we

are called to do. Young

people starting out in life,

middle‐aged people in

transition, or people of any

age may face this question:

What is my true vocation? We read about biblical

heroes who received their call from angelic visitors

or fantastic visions – think of Moses and Mary.

Most of us don’t receive our call in such a dramatic

fashion. How can we recognize our call, we asked?

Some clues in scripture include a sense of

unworthiness or even anxiety about our abilities, or

by contrast a great sense of excitement or a feeling

of being compelled to follow a certain path. The

important thing, again, is to recognize that all work

is sacred if it is done for the glory of God. Martin

Luther proclaimed what he called the “priesthood

of all believers” saying, “…the works of monks and

Christine McSpadden, Scott Richardson and Kathleen

Bean helped us understand the stories we tell ourselves

about ourselves during this year’s Lenten Series.


priests, however holy and arduous they may be, do

not differ one whit in the sight of God from the

works of the rustic laborer in the field or the

woman going about her household tasks…” Paul

urges in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, do it

heartily, as unto the Lord.” We were left with two

questions: “How would you define your vocation

now, and how is it holy?” and, “Does your

personal narrative ever get in the way of following

your vocation?”

In our final session we opened the discussion to

encompass the larger societal and institutional

stories of our lives, the stories we tell ourselves

about our identity as parishioners at St. Mary’s, as

Episcopalians, as citizens of the United States. As

we journeyed together through Lent, we kept

asking a few questions: Are the stories I am telling

myself about myself generative? How is my work

or vocation building up the human family?

Whatever our stories, we keep coming back to the

fact that God is telling us a story about ourselves

that leads to new life. We are the light of the world,

the salt of the Earth; we are beloved. When we

connect with the Living Word we open ourselves to

transfiguration. Ultimately, we all share one

vocation: Serve God in Christ.

On Good Friday, Director of Music Chip Grant offered a solemn, moving and powerful service combining the Stations

of the Cross with Giovanni Pergolesi’s masterwork Stabat Mater. Treble voices from the Parish and Youth Choirs sang

the music conveying Jesus’ passion and death from the viewpoint of his mother. Steve Repasky played the organ. Four

lectors read, in turn, at each of the 14 station of the cross. Pictured above with Crucifer Natalie Hala in the middle, they

are, from left to right: John Patrick Moore, Catherine Secour, Hope Burnam, and Kristin Glunt.


Young Adults Group Laura and Jason Williams, Co‐Leaders

Young Adults at St. Mary the Virgin started up

again this year

thanks to the

combined

efforts of

Mother Christine

McSpadden

and Father

Scott

Richardson.

Here’s what

we’ve been up

to in our

efforts to

cultivate a

supportive

community

among peers:

In February,

Mother McSpadden opened her house to a group

of 16 young adults for wine, delicious Indian

food, and casual conversation. Many young

adults were introduced to each other for the first

time. The event was a success, and we came away

with renewed focus and energy on cultivating

intentional community among friends.

During Lent, in an effort to connect with the

greater St. Mary’s community, Young Adults

were encouraged to participate in the five‐week

Lenten program, “the stories we tell ourselves

about ourselves.” Six to ten young adults were

present at each Wednesday event.

The evenings were occasionally followed by further

discussion over drinks and snacks on Union Street.

In March, St. Maryʹs welcomed the Rev. Michael

Angell, Missioner to Young Adults and Campus

Ministries, as a guest preacher during the evening

service. Young Adults hosted a wine and cheese

reception afterward in the Study. We had a lively

discussion about our hopes for the Young Adults

group, as well as for St. Mary’s more broadly.

In April, Young Adults enjoyed a night on the town

to watch our very own Grace Shibley in the San

Francisco Ballet’s performance of Shostakovich’s

Trilogy. The show was a hit, as was our after party

in Hayes Valley.

Later in April, celebrating more of the wealth of

talent of Young Adults at St. Maryʹs, a group went

to see John Patrick Moore light up the stage in the

witty, raucous good time of a show, Sleeping Cutie:

A Fractured Fairy Tale Musical.

In the courtyard, left to right: Jason Williams, Laura

Williams, Grace Shibley, and Paul Andrews.

John Patrick Moore, right, on stage with fellow hoofers.

At the ballet, left to right: Mary Gamber, Marshall Worsham, Caroline

McDermott, Jason Williams, and Laura Williams.

And the fun has only just begun. Moving forward,

we are planning a series of events, including an

upcoming hike and picnic in the Presidio on

Saturday, June 21. We also look forward to

attending the ordination of Claire Dietrich Ranna,

our new Associate Rector, on June 14 and to

collaborating with her on monthly programming to

promote community‐building and spiritual

formation. Stay tuned for more details to come.

If you are interested in getting involved, email

Jason Williams at [email protected].

We welcome any and all ideas.

Newcomer’s Corner


Lauren MacDonald

As the daughter and

granddaughter of Episcopal

priests, and grandniece of an

Episcopal nun, I can safely claim

to be a cradle Episcopalian. As a

child acolyte and the priest’s

daughter, the church was a central

part of my early childhood, with

liturgical and school calendars

shaping my day‐to‐day existence

in equal measure. While the

Episcopal Church continues to

play a unique role in my life,

living a church‐centered childhood

was both a blessing and a

challenge. Family

dynamics ultimately tested

my relationship with the church. Yet, it is due to

my fundamental faith, cultivated as a youth, and

my spiritual strength, discovered as an adult, that

has drawn me back into the church community.

During the last ten years I have not been a member

of a congregation and I rarely attended Episcopal

Church services. This was due in large measure to

life circumstances and a period of spiritual

exploration. It was not until my recent return to

San Francisco that I felt a renewed desire to

reconnect with a church body, and the Episcopal

communion that was an integral part of my youth.

A short walk from my home, St. Mary the Virgin

seemed a logical choice in my pursuit of a place to

worship. The very first Sunday service I attended, I

was sincerely and warmly welcomed by the Rev.

Christine McSpadden, and I was hopeful that this

could be my new church community. The

exceptional music program, meaningful sermons of

both the Rev. Scott Richardson and the Rev.

McSpadden, and the privilege of seeing a woman

serve at the altar, have all contributed to the

moving and joyful experience I look forward to

each Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. service. In addition, I

have attended the Taizé service, and some of the

Young Adults group events.

I am the Architecture and

Design Librarian for

California College of the Arts

and adjunct faculty in Art

History at the San Francisco

Art Institute. I am also an

Architectural Historian, and

have practiced this career in

California for the last nine

years. I was born in

Germany, began school in

Chicago, and returned to our

home state of California

during my grade school

years. My Bachelor degrees

are in Art History and

History, from

Dominican

University of

California. I have a Master of Arts degree from the

University of Virginia in Architectural History and

a Master of Science in Library and Information

Science from Drexel University. My weekends are

often spent conducting research on Post World War

II architecture and design and preparing lectures

for the coming week.

Newcomer and cradle Episcopalian Lauren MacDonald

Sunday services at St. Mary the Virgin are a

highlight of my week and I look forward to

participating in this welcoming church community.



The Rev. Everett Powell

Our much loved Deacon Everett retires from active ministry on June 1, after 15 years of devoted service to the parish.

A vocal advocate for the power of prayer, Everett regularly called us into conversation with God by reminding us during

services that individual prayer requests could be indicated on the blue prayer cards found in the pews, then placed in the

offering plate. He also invited us to share individual requests with “the healing minister” at the chapel altar. That’s where

we would find Everett himself. “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,” he once wrote. We are blessed that we

have had Everett to show us the way. At the close of services, he created a Dismissal gracefully highlighting words of the

homily. He made it easy for us to respond, “Thanks be to God.”

‐‐ Sandra Gary

In the Spirit of Loving and Caring

The Rev. Dr. Everett Powell

In January 1996, in Corpus Christi, as I approached

retirement as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Del Mar

College, Gloria and I looked in our parish’s copy of

the Episcopal Church directory to see what church

in San Francisco we might move to. We found St.

Mary the Virgin listed there, and as we read about

it, we felt we should visit it first on arriving in the

city. We got here, and our first visit to St. Mary’s

showed us that it was the church home for us.

Father Fowler welcomed us and met with me about

ordination to the diaconate, with St. Mary’s as my

sponsoring parish.

Father Fowler directed me right away to the

Wednesday morning service as a way of

establishing our home base. But I soon learned that

in the ordination process, St. Mary’s was sending

me out into the diocese and into the community to

serve. St. Mary’s, under Father Fowler, had helped

establish nursing‐home ministries across several

parishes; I became involved in the monthly service

at Golden Gate Healthcare Center and have

continued there to the present. St. Mary’s had a

significant part in establishing the Sojourn

Chaplaincy program at San Francisco General

Hospital; I served there for four years. St. Mary’s


Retires as Deacon

has had connections with St. Cyprian’s over the years; I was

church administrative assistant there for a time.

I began my 17 years working at Grace Cathedral in the gift shop.

I attended the School for Deacons at first in the Excelsior district,

then in Berkeley. And I was assigned for two years as diaconal

seminarian to Church of the Incarnation. I found that I was

participating in St. Mary’s extensive presence in the diocese.

Meanwhile, at St. Mary’s, the parish over the years had been

providing space for 12‐step meetings; for about eight years then,

I conducted what we called a spiritual support group for

persons in 12‐step programs on two Sunday afternoons each

month.

I was ordained deacon in December 2001 and served with

Father Parkin as my rector. When he moved away, the vestry

asked me to be at every morning service and to extend my

involvement in pastoral care visits; I also agreed to be chaplain

to the reconstituted chapter of the Daughters of the King.

During this time, I worked closely with the Rev. Jennifer

Hornbeck and continued through the interim period with Father

Lin Knight. I feel that Father Scott is leading St. Mary’s into a

wonderful era of growth and spiritual deepening.

I love each of our worship services—the 9:00 a.m. on Sunday

morning fills me with joy as the children sing and come forward

into the chancel; I have seen many of the children grow from

toddler to college age. At each service I am surrounded by

love—from the children to friends whom I can now call long‐

time friends.

As in 1996, the word “retirement” has come back into my

vocabulary. This time it has a different meaning. St. Mary’s has

taught me that one doesn’t “retire” from relationships among

friends in a community such as ours. So the most obvious

change for me will be just where I sit during services. There is

much to learn in the process of becoming a deacon; the greatest

lesson for me is living in the spirit of love and caring that is

among us here at St. Mary’s.

God blesses us all far beyond our imaginings.

Broken Light

Godʹs promise,

soft pastel light,

arched across the sky.

He cares for us.

Whitest of light,

Godʹs love burns through.

The prisms of a billion raindrops

break the white light into colors.

Colors out of brokenness‐‐

thereʹs the magic.

God is love‐‐

the light that shines

through our brokenness.

Rainbow colors cast all about,

different colors of how we care,

different colors of how we live,

different colors of how we think,

all so different‐‐all alike‐‐

all so broken‐‐all so loved.

Godʹs light shines

through broken parts

through us all,

one great rainbow

of His love.

Take us, Lord.

Break us, Lord.

Shine through us, Lord.

Use us, Lord.

All love, all beauty, all grace

are Thine, O Lord. Amen.

‐‐ Everett Powell


Appreciating the Ministry of

Christine and Scott leaning into their warm working relationship

A Letter of Thanksgiving The Rev. Christine McSpadden

It is with many mixed emotions that I write this love letter of a sort. I look forward to the move to London—

the adventure and opportunity that being in a completely new place offers, but I will miss you! You have

received me and my family with open arms. And although I have only been with you a short while, in what

has been a very transitional chapter in my life, I am grateful for the depth of relationships that I have been able

to form here. It has been an honor to celebrate at your altar, to preach in your pulpit, and to preside at

sacramental moments in your lives. Thank you for the support, guidance, and encouragement you have

offered during my time at St. Mary’s. As I get settled, I will send news of what I am doing, along with

updated contact information. When you are next in London, I hope we can connect!

Mayor Ed Lee appreciating Christine’s hands‐on presence

at Rebuilding Together


the Rev. Christine McSpadden

Christine (second from left) attends the ballet with the Retreat organizer Christine (second from left) plays Bingo

Young Adults group. at the Bishop’s Ranch.

Christine ministered to canine congregants at a Our Episcopal ethos was Christine’s topic at the Summer in

“Yappy Mass” for people and their pets. the City Series last year.

Save these Dates

Sunday, July 6 Christineʹs last Sunday preaching

Sunday, July 13 Christineʹs last Sunday and

Good‐bye celebration brunch in the Great

Hall following the 10:00 a.m. service


Parish Retreat Over 70 people, new families, singles, and long–time members alike, gathered for the Parish Retreat at the

Bishopʹs Ranch in Healdsburg. With glorious sunshine and starry nights, days were filled with conversation,

prayer, play, and refreshment. Friday night opened with a fiesta Mexican dinner and a viewing of the Disney

movie “Frozen.” Saturday morning hosted a multitude of activities for all ages from workshops on prayer to

candle making, from scavenger hunts and musical games to video production.

Magnificent!

Yum! Whee! Wow!

2014 An early evening wine tasting introduced many to the host of vineyards in the area. Saturday night dinner was

followed by a lively round of bingo, emceed by Bingo Meister Dan Glunt. And the evening was capped off

with singing and s’mores around the campfire. Sunday morning worship brought everyone into the chapel

together for Word and chant, holy bread and wine. Thank you to all those who helped pull the weekend

together: Kat Anderson, Kathleen Bean, Bob and Pam Bledsoe, Susan Crown, Dan and Kristin Glunt, Fran

Hegeler, Jessica Metoyer, Carla Ocfemia, Laura Ruppert, Mike Stafford, and the Revs. Scott Richardson and

Christine McSpadden. ‐‐ The Rev. Christine McSpadden

Kat Anderson at the Christo

Cynthia Harper and Fran Hegeler at the Peace Pole

Bob and Pam Bledsoe at ease

Dan Glunt at Bingo


. 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 & Youth ................. 3-5

Chalice Bearing at St. Mary’s .......... 6

Eucharistic Visitors ........................... 7

Legacy Society................................... 8

Columbarium.................................... 10

Rebuilding Together ........................ 11

Meet Claire Dietrich Ranna ............. 12

Your Story -- Lenten Series ............ 13

Young Adults Group........................ 16

Newcomer’s Corner ......................... 17

Deacon Everett Powell Retires ....... 18

Appreciating Christine’s Ministry . 20

Parish Retreat .................................. 22

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

SPECIAL EVENT Ordination of Claire Dietrich Ranna – to the Transitional

Diaconate – Saturday, June 14, at 3 pm, at Grace Cathedral

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 Community Safety Meeting of the Cow Hollow Assoc. –

Thursday, June 12, 6:30 pm, at St. Mary’s

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

SAVE THESE DATES Confirmation of St. Mary’s Confirmands – Saturday, June 7,

at 11 am at Grace Cathedral

Summer Schedule for Sunday Worship begins June 8 Service times are 8 am, 10 am, and on the last Sunday of the month only, Taizé at 5:30 pm

Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue – Sunday, June 8, following the 10:00 am service, in the courtyard

Ordination of Claire Dietrich Ranna – to the Transitional Diaconate – Saturday, June 14, at 3 pm, at Grace Cathedral

Summer Choir Starts – June 15–August 31

Summer in the City Adult Forum Series – Sundays beginning June 15, 9-9:50 am in the Great Hall

Young Adults Hike and Picnic – Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 am. Meet at the lych gate and bring food and water

Open Cathedral – Sunday, June 22. For details on attending or making donations, Contact Nancy Bryan at [email protected].

Celebration of Christine’s Ministry – Brunch, Sunday, June 13, following the 10:00 am service, in the Great Room

Youth Choir Camp – August 11 – 15. For information, contact Steve Repasky [email protected]



cow hollow church news - summer 2014

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