“Group Process" & Reflections on the Rector Search Process

Sept.-Oct. 2015The Newsletter of St. Mark's Episcopal Church

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Group Process is manifested almost everywhere in the Episcopal Church. We see it when committee members “check-in,” or someone elicits ideas from someone who hasn’t spoken. It is the

primary structure of EFM (Education for Ministry). Simply put, it is a discipline and set of techniques for listening to each member of a group, developing trust, and actively pursuing ideas for the best course of action.

In group theory, a group develops a character of its own, and ‘the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.’ In group process, each member is enabled to “attend” – to be fully present. The trust that develops over time makes it possible for members to experience together new concepts taking root, to disagree and debate, and for each to achieve greater understanding of each other and the task at hand. The end product is generally better than could be produced by one person’s ideas, each member’s contribution becomes better than their best, and the process makes the group healthier. In the church, group process is the bedrock of “mutual ministry,” a shared leadership concept that the Episcopal Church has promoted for several decades. Theologically, it creates a place within which the Holy Spirit can go to work.

When the search for the next Rector of St. Mark’s began five years ago, the search committee spent a full day in training with Canon Barlowe, Executive Officer of the Diocese; the vestry participated in the first half of the day. Canon Barlowe’s opening words were that those who were businesspeople were at a disadvantage and should endeavor to leave their training outside the door; it would be an encumbrance to the discernment process. Put less bluntly, the discernment process for a Rector is about active listening to each voice in the parish, compared to a board of directors hiring the best person to develop

an efficient production team. Each stage of the Rector search

at St. Mark’s was about creating an environment in which open exchange of personal experiences and reflections could flourish. There were town

meetings, an online survey, and feedback sessions. The self-study and profile development took 75% of the search process and prepared the search committee for the final five months of candidate reviews, interviews and visits. By then, we could function as a body, questioning, arguing, and having a few A Ha! moments. After the Search Committee completed its work, the three finalists were presented to the Vestry. They in turn, entered an intensive, multi-layered discernment process with each finalist,

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“Group Process" & Reflections on the Rector Search Process

by Marilyn Belove

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including a three-day visit at St. Mark’s with the vestry – interviewing, worshipping, eating together – being open to each other and the Holy Spirit. The vestry discernment culminated in the vote for who would be the next Rector of St. Mark’s.

For St. Mark’s, the process continues with our new Rector, the Rev. Corrie Lassen, in a framework of mutual “attending,” enabling, and working together to develop the mission of St. Mark’s. “The vision of St. Mark’s is to be the Good News of Jesus Christ.” I would add, that we seek to be the Good News for each other, as well as the broader community and the world. X

Group Process - continued from page 1

St. Mark's day

St. Mark's parishioners enjoy a potluck on the church patio in honor of St. Mark on Sunday, Sept.

Vestry 2016 Elections: Nominations Period Open

As is the case each year, the congregation will elect new Vestry members at the Annual Meeting in January. Those members who will roll off the Vestry, after serving a full three-year term,

are:   Betsy Hada, Lisa Key, Patrick Mitten, and Jeff Pace. Wayne Ritchie will also roll off the Vestry a year early, as he and Scott Sullivan are retiring and moving out of state.   Please note that the Vestry will especially need people who have financials background, as both Jeff and Wayne have served for several additional years on the Finance Committee, as well as general organizational abilities to replace other departing members. If you are interested in standing for Vestry election, please contact Betsy Hada, either at church on most Sundays, or by email: betsy.hada@sbcglobal.net  She will gather names for the elections. If you're interested, please let Betsy know by Sunday, October 25. In particular, please let Betsy know whether you are interested in a full three-year term, or only in fulfilling the final year of Wayne Ritchie's term, as that knowledge will help when setting up the ballot. X  

top vestry actionsby Bruce Alexander

Inquirers' ClassWant to know more about the Episcopal Church? Or join St. Mark's? Or get to know some great people? Sign up for Inquirers' Class, October-June. Dates/times TBD. For more information or to sign up, contact Corrie at coryl@stmarksberkeley.org.  

Blessing of Animals Sunday, October 4, 9:00 AM on the patio. All animals and people are welcome!

Contemplative Healing Service Honoring St. Luke, Sunday, October 18, at the 10:00 AM Eucharist. X

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Time has flown by and it hardly seems possible it’s already time to come home for a visit.  Actually, the whole concept of “home” has gotten a little blurry.   I’ll be flying in Thursday, October 15, and I'll be

off to Convention the next morning.  I’m excited to see everyone, but will no doubt miss everyone here. Things are moving along here.  The school year here runs from January to the end of October, so we’re kind of out of step for the preschool.  Instead, Padre Miguel Salanic and I visited the local elementary school and met with the Principal.  We asked her for the names of 25 children of one grade at risk of not passing to this next level.  Doña Andreana provided 35 names of first graders, but only 5 have shown up.  But what a crew they are!  All of them arrive every day despite torrential downpours.  We see improvement in their reading skills (and mine!), and they have sharpened their math skills as well.  I have been buying handheld fruit for them, no matter how many pieces there are, there are never any leftovers!  Many families here live primarily on tortillas (ground corn and lard) and black beans, so fruit is a tasty nutritional supplement.  Tomorrow is Santiago de Jerusalén’s annual visit with Bishop Armando Guerra Soria, who will bless our work space.  The plan is to

use the vacation months of November and December to plan for opening a preschool in January, and getting the word out.  At the same time we need to figure out funding so that we can sustain what we start.  I pray the Episcopal Churches of Berkeley will join together to support this project.  The Rev. Este Gartner Cantor was here for the month of July, learning Spanish, and celebrated her first Spanish language Eucharist at Santiago.  I hope she brings Good Shepherd on board with you good people.  Mary Louise Gotthold has asked me to bring some crafts to share at Convention.  I had already planned to bring enough to share with all of you at St. Mark’s.  One of the ladies from the Kateri Tekakwitha, the women’s development organization that originally recruited me, grows coffee, and will be donating several pounds from her family’s plantation.  There’s a group of women who support their church by refining cacao into approximately 8 ounce blocks - this is pure cacao, nothing added, no sugar, no milk products.  They’ll be sending some of their products.  I’ve bought some of those handwoven friendship bracelets and some small beaded Quetzal birds.  (The Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, bright green with a red breast.) I have told the women Kateri Tekakwitha serves, scholarship women and interns, that they can submit their handmade items to benefit KT so we’ll see what we receive.  Padre’s wife, Roselia, sells huipiles, the blouses the indigenous women wear, and will send some, but these are pricey, $50. They are handwoven on a lap strap loom, bright colors with intricate yokes of vibrant flowers and birds along the edge of the short sleeves.  They come as “blanks” with no side or underarm seams, so they are tailored to the wearer.  If there is something you know you want, either email me (phyllismanoogian@yahoo.com) or contact me through Facebook.  If you want an huipil give me your first and second color choices.  I don’t want to pressure anyone, nor do I want you to just get the leftovers. God is good - siempre - always! X

by The Rev. Deacon Phyllis Manoogian

Coming home!just in time for convention!

Above: The subject matter is always important, but these faces show their love of learning and their teacher, Angel.

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Nineteen parishioners gathered at the Bishop’s Ranch for a weekend’s reflection on “Theology for the Rest of Us.” Stephen Trever and Michael Aune offered a rich and engaging program

that balanced substance (a wonderful historical overview of the development of theological issues and practices) and engagement (Ray Oliver offered a marvelous workshop on his poems about God; Saturday night we reacted to a variety of provocative visual images of God and Jesus from  a range of periods and cultures).  The first evening, we each shared a favorite theologian or religious figure, and were delighted with the broad range of figures brought forward.  Building from our discussions, at our Sunday Eucharist we featured a group homily on the opening of the Gospel of John and intercessions written from images of God and concerns raised in our conversations.

Participants particularly relished the small size of the group, which fostered community. Over drinks before dinner, at meals and breaks, and – of course – during our sessions, we came to know one another in new ways.  Each of us – in different ways – had our sense of “St. Mark’s” broadened and enriched.

And we celebrated the setting.  A weekend at the Bishop's Ranch with a relaxed schedule (plenty of breaks in addition to formal sessions) gave us time to enjoy the beauty and calm of the Ranch.  One person commented, “It reminds me of Assisi.” 

While the Choir and the Vestry each go to the Ranch to work, the Parish Retreat offers a splendid combination of stimulation and renewal in a convivial spiritual community. X

Adult formation

by Judith Berling

Adult Forums may serve a number of purposes, one of which is to be a sort of town hall to solicit parish input on our common life. We will have two such forums in October.

The first, on October 4, will be an initial discussion on the tradition of the annual Parish Retreat. We have had an annual retreat at the Bishop's Ranch for decades, and over those years the topics and tone of the retreat have varied, and so has the pattern of attendance. In recent years, numbers have grown a bit smaller (from 30-35 a decade ago to 19 this year). Many participants welcome the smaller numbers, as it makes it easier to get to know everyone over the course of a weekend.

Adult Formation is planning a survey on the Parish Retreat later this year. This forum will help us to design the survey, identifying issues and options that should be included to reflect the full range or views of the parish.

The forum will be an hour of conversation in small groups and plenary, as well as some brainstorming about additional options for structure, location, venue, and tone, and purpose of such retreats. What sorts of programs would support our spiritual and personal renewal and growth?

On October 11, the Stewardship Committee will hold a forum to solicit input on priorities for parish ministries and resources. The forum will not be a financial review of the proposed budget, but a sense of what parishioners feel the parish should be doing, and how we should best allocate our resources. This information will help the Vestry to make decisions that reflect the views of the parish.

We will have a break from forums on October 18 while the Choir is on a working retreat at the Bishop's Ranch.

On October 25, the Vestry will host a Newcomers lunch to welcome and get to know newer members of the congregation. X

REFLECTING ON OUR PLANS AS A PARISH COMMUNITY

report on

the parish retreat8/28-30, bishop's ranch

Mary Anne Oliver, Anne Prescott and Jeff Armbruster engage with Stephen Trever's presentation at the Parish Retreat.

Paul Sporer, Albany

Occupation:Retired

Interests, hobbies: Used to be a long-distance runner

Most people don’t know that:I'm cute

What I like best about St. Mark’s is:Music and liturgy

Favorite book, movie, etc.:The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy by LaurenceSterne X

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He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower, Alike they're needful for the flower: And joys and tears alike are sent To give the soul fit nourishment. As comes to me or cloud or sun, Father! thy will, not mine, be done!

Can loving children e'er reprove With murmurs whom they trust and love? Creator! I would ever be A trusting, loving child to thee: As comes to me or cloud or sun, Father! thy will, not mine, be done!

Oh, ne'er will I at life repine: Enough that thou hast made it mine. When falls the shadow cold of death I yet will sing, with parting breath, As comes to me or shade or sun, Father! thy will, not mine, be done!

Sarah Flower Adams (1805-1848)

Note: Her other more noted hymn is Nearer My God to Thee—famous as allegedly the last song played by the band on the Titanic. This one seems somewhat more lyri-cal and equally devout. X

Hymn

POEISISFrom Lewis Brown

St. Mark's is very pleased to welcome our new nursery supervisor, Toni Clark! Toni has recently moved to Berkeley from Murray, Kentucky. She holds a BA in Integrated Studies with an emphasis on Human Services, along

with a minor in Music from Murray State University. She comes with several years of experience working with children, including four years working in the nursery at her former parish. She is passionate about serving people, and plans on pursuing a Master's in Social Work. She also has a natural gift for working with children and a real passion for the Gospel. She will be with us every Sunday from 9:00 through the 10:00 service, so please take the time to stop by and meet her. We are very glad to have her here! X

Introducing

Toni Clark, our new nursery supervisor

SPOTLIGHTIn the

Paul Sporer, Albany

Occupation:Retired

Interests, hobbies: Used to be a long-distance runner

Most people don’t know that:I'm cute

What I like best about St. Mark’s is:Music and liturgy

Favorite book, movie, etc.:The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy by LaurenceSterne X

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He also alternates his work as lecturer in music at schools in Vicenza, Rome, and Como area, and he is a member of Licon - Pescara for departments of organ and management of the music. Please visit his website at ugosforza.jimdo.com. His program will include: J. S. Bach: Praeludium et Fuga in E, BWV 566, Partite diverse sopra il Corale Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig, BWV 768, J. G. Walther : Concerto del Sig. Meck - appropriato all'organo, U. Sforza (b. 1982) : Fantasy on Veni Creator Spiritus, Op. 7 (2007). A reception follows the program in Lions Hall. Tax-deductible donations are welcome at the door, and/or you are also invited to help support the series at one of the following levels: $1-74 Supporter / $75-124 Friend / $125-249 Sponsor / $250-499 Patron / $500 - $999 Sustainer / $1000+ Benefactor. Please make your check payable to St. Mark’s Choir Association, 2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704. Thanks for your ongoing support. X

The 30th season of the Second Sunday Evensong/Organ Recital continues on Sunday, October 9. Evensong begins at 5:30 p.m., and will be sung by the St. Mark’s Schola Cantorum, followed by a recital by Ugo Sforza. Mr. Sforza was born in 1982, and graduated summa cum laude in Organ (2003), Organ Composition (2003), and Piano (2010), from the Academy of Music N. Piccinn in Bari, under the guidance of the teachers

G. Salvatori and F. Balducci. In 2011 he graduated from the University Aldo Moro in Bari, and in June 2013, graduated from the Anton Bruckner P r iv at univ e r s i t ät (Austria), under the guidance of Prof. Brett Leighton, where he obtained the prestigious Master of Arts in Organ. In 2004, he was awarded

the Goffredo Giarda prize in Rome. On the same occasion he also received a special prize from the public as the best organ performer. He has recorded sacred music of the Italian composer Ottavio de Lillo (Foundation San Nicola e Santi Medici – Bari, 2005) and works by J. S. Bach, F. Schubert, C. Franck, and M. E. Bossi for the Weinberg Records (CD Orgelmusik aus der Elisabethinenkirche - Linz, 2013). He currently performs recitals at important international concert series, organ festivals and organ tournée in Europe and U.S.A. Since 2003, he often performs in Concert-Duo with the great Italian soprano Annalisa Carbonara (b. 1973). He also composes orchestral and vocal scores for her voice, as well as works for symphonic organ, solo, and chamber music, including Organum Vox Dei, Op.3 (Papageno Edition, Bari - 2004) and Fantasy on Veni Creator Spiritus Op. 7 (Armelin Edition, Padova - 2007).

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Ugo sforzaorgan recital:

by George Emblom

Monday, Day III, began with a concert in beautiful St. Francis Xavier Church near the Cathedral entitled “Requiem for 500 years” offered by the male quartet The Orlando

Consort.   I was so looking forward to attending the concert because the repertoire is some of the most beautiful and intriguing, and some of it, I did not know.  Composers represented were De La Page, Brumel, Ockghem, Dufay, Jackson, and Bryars.  The plainsong propers of the Requiem Mass were also offered throughout the course of the concert.  Numerous readings were interspersed between the pieces, in a sort of  “Lessons and Carols” format.  While I found this idea intriguing, I did have a strong

Part II From the Director of Music, on attending The Three Choirs Festival in Hereford, England as part of his

Continuing Education:  Part I of III.   

Ugo Sforza

3 Choirs Festival

Music Ministry

reaction to the reading of Helen Thoms’   “World without End” and an anonymous text entitled “The Caputre of Jerusalem” during the chanting of the “Dies Irae.”  It was quite disconcerting because I experienced the texts fighting with each other and I was unable to enter the experience.  Ultimately,  I had to leave the concert because my experience had become painful. Fortunately, that experience was not repeated the rest of the week.  The afternoon concert featured the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir, conducted by Peter Nardone, the Director of Music of Worcester Cathedral. Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and the Bob Chilcott “Requiem” were offered with precision, vitality, and heart.  I so enjoy music making and theatre productions by the younger generation because the energy present is unsurpassed.        I especially enjoyed experiencing the Bernstein as the St. Mark’s Choir and Temple Sinai, Oakland has offered this piece in the past and will offer it again in January, 2016 both at Temple Sinai and St. Mark’s, Berkeley.      Choral Evensong on Monday was directed by Adrian Partington, director and Jonathan Hope, organist, both of Gloucester.  The music sung was Ayleward, Greene, and Purcell.   It was the first Evensong of the week offered by all three Cathedral Choirs (Hereford, Worchester, Gloucester).    Given rehearsal time constraints, I assumed that the musical choices were a direct result of that limitation.  It only made congregants hunger for evensongs yet to come!    The evening concert, “Morning Heroes” offered the Sibelius “Symphony No. 5” and the Arthur Bliss “Morning Heroes” with the Three Choirs Festival Orchestra superbly conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.   The Sibelius is usually considered one of the most approachable of the seven symphonies.   Having grandparents who immigrated to the United States from Finland, I have always found the music of Sibelius to be “in my blood.”  Unfortunately, I never was able to have a conversation with my grandparents about their of his music.  The Bliss work was the first time I ever heard this piece and will probably be the last, as I don’t believe the work is normally performed in the United States.  Arthur Bliss was deeply affected by World War I and this piece is a direct result of that experience.  After a decade, Bliss was commissioned to write a cantata for the Norwich Festival in 1930 and  “Morning Heroes” was the result.    The composition engages spoken texts of Homer, Whitman, Li-Tai-Po, Wilfred Owen, and Robert Nichols.  Samuel West,

narrator,  was superb in his rendering and by the end of the concert, those in attendance realized the power of the experience at hand.  Tuesday morning, Day IV, offered an extraordinary piano recital by Steven Osborne.  It’s not very often that I attend any recital at 11:00 a.m.  Two piano sonatas of Beethoven (No. 27 and 28) and the Schubert Sonata No. 21 in B-Flat were offered at Holy Trinity Church in natural light.  I loved it so much.  I also was brought back to my graduate school days in Kansas City as these two Beethoven Sonatas were included in my graduate recitals.  I had begun working on the Schubert before I was required by a doctor to stop my DMA program due to stress.  I am

happy to share this story with you if asked.  Needless to stay, being able to listen to these three piano works brought back so many memories and feelings.  It was a humble reminder of the power of the elements of music and how and in what context one engages with them.  The afternoon concert, offered by the choral group “Voces 8” was one of the choral highlights of the week.  Performed in St. Francis Xavier Church, music of Gibbons Gjeilo, Tavener, Morley/Purcell, Sullivan, and Stanford were some of the composers offered.  The magnificent “Hymn to St. Cecilia” (W.H. Auden) of Benjamin Britten was the major work on the program followed by a new commission by Alec Roth entitled “Stargazer.”    Roth states:  “One of the great things

about festivals is that they enable us to step outside the routine of our day-today lives, giving us time to ‘stand and stare.’    Texts of William Henry Davies,   Oliver W. Holmes,  Elsie Raspin, and James Thomson.  The group also offered the Walford Davies “God be in my head” which the St. Mark’s Choir sang for the first time in August.    Later in the afternoon, we attended the Wulstan Atkins Lecture on “Bach, Authenticities and the Three Choirs Festival” offered by Timothy Day, given annually in memory of Elgar’s godson and great friend.   The lecture was exactly one hour. Mr. Day had prepared a very informative and engaging presentation complete with numerous recordings, including Ralph Vaughan Williams conducting a Passion with piano serving as the continuo instrument.  Well, performance practice has come a long way! The evening concert offered the J.S. Bach “St. Matthew Passion” conducted by Gerian Bowen,

Hereford Cathedral

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The Lion Looks Back

by L. Retrospectans

One item in the treasure trove of duplicate documents from the Parsons archive in the Bancroft Library that are now in our possession, and that this column has been exploring over the last few months,

seems particularly worthy of attention at the present moment. Even your antiquarian (indeed, antique) scribe has been aware of the heated country-wide discussion in the media and in social, political, and religious circles—intensified no doubt by the recent Supreme Court decision—of the nature of marriage. So it is that a 4-1/2- by 6-inch leaflet of twelve unnumbered pages caught our eye, especially since its title is Christian Marriage, and its author is none other than the Reverend Edward L. Parsons, D. D., Rector of St. Mark’s parish. Although no date of publication is given, the author mentions at one point “this time of war,” so that one can suppose that the year is 1917 or thereabouts. One can also suppose that it may have been a pamphlet handed out to couples by the Rector in the course of marriage counseling. The text is divided into three parts: “The Ideal,” “The Problems of Marriage,” and “The Success of Marriage.” Despite the fact that Parsons was known in his day as a social liberal—remember his work on the prayers for social justice and social service in the ’28 Book of Common Prayer (reprinted in BCP ’79, pp. 209, 260), and his prominent pro-labor stance in the fierce San Francisco and West Coast longshoremen’s strike of 1934—we could hardly expect him to consider same-sex marriage, an idea hardly conceivable a hundred years ago. Nonetheless, the clear-sighted and realistic manner in which he presents marriage, and particularly Christian marriage, can perhaps give us food for thought in today’s somewhat fraught matrimonial climate. It is with that in mind that Looks Back presents some of his remarks; we know that our readers will take into account the very different climate in which they were first offered. Thus the opening sentence of “The Ideal” should not surprise us: “Christian marriage is a union continued on page 10

between a man and a woman entered upon by free choice and for life.” But it would be a mistake not to go on to the next sentence. “Because of those two characteristics—its permanence and its voluntary undertaking—it stands in marked contrast to many another familiar human relationship.” Thus it is entirely conceivable that Dr. Parsons, today, might consider those two characteristics compatible with ssm, as indeed they are. So let’s stay with him for the moment. “It is this element of free and glad choice, too” he adds a bit later, “which gives a deeper meaning to the use of the word sacrament in connection with

marriage.” So far, so good. And the note at the end of this section states, helpfully, that “No attempt is made in this paper to consider the doctrinal or legal questions connected with marriage.” The section entitled “The Problems of Marriage” seems especially pertinent today, presenting many perceptive remarks applicable to any of those in a marriage partnership. “The two young people who stand before the altar gazing into each other’s eyes are quite blind to all the rapids through which their boat must be guided if it will come safe to its landing far down the river of life. But the older

people who look on from the pews see them plainly enough.” And he goes on to mention such other “problems” as “the natural thoughtlessness of youth,” “the wilful [sic] desire for pleasure,” and “the problem of poverty,” quoting “the old rhyme”: “Will the love that you are rich in/ Build the fire in the kitchen?” He reminds couples that “during all these months and years it must not be forgotten that strange phases of character and temperament are coming to light … —streaks of selfishness, petty incompatibilities, bad tempers, irritating habits.” Surely most couples may wince with recognition here. But he goes intrepidly on: “And then the children! … The children are the joy and beauty, the very crown of the home. They are likewise, let us put it plainly, drains upon the purse,

MARRIAGE COUNSELINGA HUNDRED YEARS AGO

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by Charlotte Blackmer

Hot MealsReport

Top: Cal Bears Athletes in action, including members of the men's basketball team, after setup at Hot Meals on Sept. 19Middle: Cal Habitat for Humanity volunteersBottom: Volunteers from Cal Circle K service club with Charlotte Blackmer after Hot Meals, Sept. 19

There is more to the York Wagon Pageants than the play texts, the costumes, and pretending to be Jesus, God, grieving mothers, angels, and demons. As a procession moving through streets,

parks, and gardens, the wagons share a measuring of time and overlaying of context with other kinds of processionals (civic, liturgical, military, etc.). The elements, wind, sun, ambient noises, plants/trees, and stone streets, enhance the you-are-there quality. However, the there-s we are asked to relate to are multiple. Jerusalem, York, and one’s personal space coalesce.

The plays focus the meaning of God ‘s allowing Himself to be known within time. With emotional richness they present the human lives of divine figures, such as Mary and Jesus, and a multitude of Biblical characters. Theologically, they teach the meaning behind the sacraments, the consequences of human behavior, and the suffering and love of Christ for us.

By the time we arrive at The Death of Christ, the open accessibility of the Wagon pageants precludes defense against the excruciating reality of the Crucifixion. The words that Jesus speaks, from the point he is marched in by mocking solders to the Death on the Cross, bring forth the human agony of Jesus and its relationship to Salvation. “Jew King” is scrawled on his chest. He can hardly walk, and says to the Father “They, by Me, will saved be.” His Mother, John, and Joseph of Arimathea stand near watching. As He lies horizontally on the Cross, we witness the soldiers hammering the nails. He wails and shivers. Red streamers depict blood. When the Cross is pulled upright, He beseeches the Father “Forgive these Men.” The Authority says to Him “If you are God’s son, come down from that tree. I call thee a coward. You are disgraced.” Jesus answers “This pain for thy trespasses I take.” Grief-stricken, His Mother tries to approach the Cross, but the soldiers stop her. Jesus calls to her “Woman, away. My Father’s will is working for mankind. Look to John.” This is when the Minster bell chanced to toll. Longinus says “Save yourself. Remember me when you come to bliss.” Jesus answers “You will dwell with me in paradise….Eli, Eli, lama

by Meg Gentes

2014 York MysterypageantsPart 2

continued on page 10

Thanks to all the Hot Meals volunteers who came and braved the occasionally sauna-like conditions in the Parish Hall to prepare and serve our meal.   We were delighted to see Scott Sinclair return to

do his door magic.   Special kudos to the St. Mark's All Stars: Bryan Garcia, Jane Tong, Elaine Parker, Phil Caruthers, Jan Robitscher, Tad Dellinger, and Charlotte Blackmer. X

anxieties in sickness, source of constant care, and as their education goes on, each a problem which, old as the world, seems always to have baffled the world.” Ouch. But Parsons’s pastoral and spiritual nature comes to the fore in the last section, “The Success of Marriage;” in it he begins by averring that “You can avoid these problems and burdens and this chance of the wreckage of hopes by avoiding marriage. Only then you lose that which makes life complete.” —So much for the singles among us! “The problems can be measurably solved; the rapids can be traversed; the desired landing place can be reached.” He orients clearly what he considers the most successful marriages around the Christian life. If both partners have a “common outlook on life,” and especially a common Christian outlook, he maintains that their traversal of the inevitable matrimonial rapids will be more easily accomplished and reach sooner the calmer waters. “Thrice fortunate are those [couples] who win still deeper unity of spirit as the years go by. That diversity of temperament, that supplementing and complementing of one another which make married life so full of rich and sparkling variety find fullest play and acquire richest meanings, when they spring from hearts which hold the deep things of life in common.” Does Parsons’s voice in this pamphlet still resonate in The Episcopal Church of today?

Lion Looks Back - continued from page 8

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the director of Music at Hereford Cathedral.   While the performance offered many wonderful moments, as one might expect, in such contexts, many of the musicians remarked that additional rehearsal time was needed.  I was very moved by tenor James Oxley, who sang the role of the Evangelist, from memory.  Yes, from memory!   I will never forget his incredible performance.  During intermission, I happened to run into him and Kathryn Montoya.  Not only is Kathryn from Minnesota, but she is friends with Patrick Mitten and Melissa Coco-Mitten.  Indeed, a small world!  X

3 Choirs Festival - continued from page 7

Above: Soldier hammering the nails, York Death of Christ (Photo by Meg Gentes)

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

2300 Bancroft WayBerkeley, CA 94704

Office: 510-848-5107Fax: 510-848-2269Music Office: 510-845-0888

Email: office@stmarksberkeley.orgOn the Web: www.stmarksberkeley.org

SUNDAY EUCHARIST

8 AM: Spoken - Chapel10 AM: Choral - Nave (Main Church)

Mystery Pageants - continued from page 9

sabachthani. Forgive them. Now, Father, my spirit I commend to you.” He dies, is taken down before us, anointed with myrrh and aloe, and wrapped in white linen. The play ends with all the characters, except Jesus, coming forward to bow. After cursory applause, the other characters unwrapped the Body and the actor arose and walked off. We were in another reality. X

Come and join the Lion Mailing Team. Volunteers are always welcome. We spend a few hours once a month, September through June, to prepare the newsletter for

mailing. We could use at least one or two more volunteers to help, and there's always great conversation among the group.

Our next mailing party will be on Wednesday, September 30, in the library at 9:30 AM. For more information, please feel free to contact the Parish Office or see Marjorie Pettyjohn at coffee hour.  X

Many hands make light work!

Oct

201

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27

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29

30

12

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67

89

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

6:30

pm

- In

terc

esso

ry P

raye

r G

rp-N

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15p

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8:45

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ade

10

am

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hora

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-NV

5:30

pm

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hip-

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30p

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0pm

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5:30

pm

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7:30

pm

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6:30

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- In

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r G

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rary

7:15

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8a

m -

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H @

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8:45

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"C

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10

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- C

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l E

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6:45

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- A

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@

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0pm

- H

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5:30

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6:30

pm

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m -

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6:30

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ry P

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- H

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H1:

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Hal

l4

pm

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ir R

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at

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m)

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St.

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7:30

am -

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athe

dral

8a

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Euc

hari

st-C

H @

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8:45

am -

"C

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10

am

- C

hora

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12:1

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- H

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5:30

pm

- B

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7:30

pm

- C

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3:30

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6:30

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- In

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raye

r G

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8p

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8a

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8:45

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10

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6p

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Com

mun

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7p

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Pas

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9:30

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5:30

pm

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7:30

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6:30

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6p

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11

Editor/Designer: Diana Blackwell

Copy editor/proofreader: Nigel Renton

Poetry Editor:Lewis Brown

Office Support/Production: Vanessa Rusca

Reporters: Leonard Johnson

Meg Gentes

Photogerapher: Bruce Alexander

Distribution: Marjorie Pettyjohn & team

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2300 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704

Return Service Requested

Non-ProfitOrganization

U.S. Postage GaidBerkeley, CA 94704

Permit #325

IN THIS ISSUE

ionLThe

Staff

1 Mystery and Praxis 2 Top Vestry Actions 3 Coming Home! 4 Adult Formation 5 In the Spotlight 5 Poeisis 5 Introducing Toni Clark 6 Music Ministry 8 The Lion Looks Back 9 Hot Meals Report 9 Mystery Pageants Part 211 October Calendar MORE!

Editor/Designer:Diana Blackwell

Copy Editor/Proofreader:Nigel Renton

Poetry Editor:Lewis Brown

Office Support/Production:Vanessa Rusca

Reporters:Leonard Johnson

Meg Gentes

Photographer:Bruce Alexander

Distribution:Marjorie Pettyjohn & Team

Non-Pro�tOrganization

U.S. Postage PaidBerkeley, CA 94704

Permit #325