VOLUME 1, ISSUE 26 JULY 17, 2019

THE FEAST OF ST. JAMES (TRANSFERRED) SCRIPTURE READINGS Jeremiah 45:1-5 Psalm 7:1-10 Acts 11:27-12:3 Matthew 20:20-28  10:00AM SERVICE (Combined Service) Ushers: Richard Jennings & Janie Fisher Lector: Janie Fisher EM: Toni Alvarez Preacher: Bishop Rice Celebrant: Bishop Rice

FOOD BANK 2nd-4th Wednesdays @ 2:30PM THE COTTAGE SHOP [Closed Wednesday during Summer] 1st-3rd Sat. @ 9:00AM-1:00PM CHOIR REHEARSALS [On Summer Break from Rehearsals] THE DEAN'S FIRESIDE CHAT SUN. JULY 21 @ 9:00AM Fireside Room FEAST OF ST. JAMES COMBINED SERVICE SUN. JULY 21 @ 10:00AM Cathedral CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK PICNIC SUN. JULY 21 @ 11:30AM Zoe Eden Gym EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) SAT. JULY 27 @ 11:30AM Helen's Chinese Restaurant YOUTH GROUP POOL PARTY SAT. JULY 27 @ 12:30PM-2:30PM Jenning's Residence

Why the "Dean’s Descant," besides the alliteration of the “Ds”? When most of us think of a descant our minds take us to a musical descant—a beautiful melody or counterpoint sung along/over a harmony. So, yes, when I write this column ever-so-often, I hope my words serve as a melody to the already great harmonies of our Cathedral life. Yet, a descant, also can be a discourse or comment on a theme. There lies the majority of my reason for the title of this column, “Dean’s Descant.” However, I do love alliterations! Today’s theme: Looking toward the “program year.” As we begin to approach the end of summer, our attention returns to the start of the school year, the return of football, cooler temperatures, and preparing for the upcoming holidays. In the life of the Cathedral, we also look toward the kick-off of the church’s “program year”—typically the program year is from about Labor Day to Memorial Day. In the program portion of the church year, attendance increases, Sunday School, Youth Group, and other educational programs are in full-swing, ministries of the Cathedral are thriving, and there is a renewed sense of the Cathedral’s mission and vision. The program year is the catalyst that draws the life of the church out of the summer slow-down. I want to take a moment to highlight a few (not all) important things for us to keep on the radar. Church Database/Directory: I am often asked about an updated directory. One is coming . . . but what we need to do is create a true church database. We don’t have a database and the congregational data is very, very poor. The process to build a database is underway. In August and September, we will conduct a campaign to get individuals and families to fill out “member profiles.” We hope most people will fill them out online (saving time and money)—hard copies will also be available. This information is so vital, especially for our Cathedral Clergy and staff. I cannot be more direct: We need and want 100% participation. I personally will sit down with anyone to help fill out their profile—day or night—and I will even make house calls. Once we have the profiles, we will be able to produce a directory. There will be a real-time, secure, digital option for the directory—and we will print “static” hard copies for those requesting it. Nametags: Once we have a database, we will plan to do our first run of high-quality name tags. Gone will be those flimsy, paper nametags in plastic holders. We are going to give each member an elegant, embossed hard-plastic name tag that will be “pin-less”—they will be held on by a magnet. Why magnetic nametags: (1) So it does not damage clothing; and, (2) Before leaving the Cathedral on Sunday or an event, a member will simply place their name tag on the magnetic board. We will create four sections of the alphabet on the board making it easy to find your name tag every Sunday and at events. Acolyte, Eucharistic Minister, Lector (Readers), and Usher Training: These ministries are vital to our worship experiences. We know there are others interested in being trained for these ministries. Throughout the Fall, we will host a variety of training sessions to enhance these ministries. Sunday School: We hope to launch a Sunday School in the Fall—if we have the children (PK-5th Grade) and volunteers to support the ministry. We believe most of the children at the Cathedral are under the age of 5 or beyond 5th grade, which is an obstacle we must navigate. Again, this is another reason why we need member profiles and a database—we need to know our congregation. We might start slow and offer Sunday School once or twice a month. A group will be meeting soon to work out details of the Sunday School program. Ministry Fair: We are exploring the idea of a Ministry Fair Sunday to allow our congregation to learn more about the ministries of the Cathedral and to boast volunteerism and participation. If I can be honest again, we need more people to participate in many of our ministries. Social Activities: We are hoping to create more informal social gatherings within the congregation, both with small and large groups. The more we know one another, especially across the 8AM and 10AM services, the stronger our congregation will be. Also, we hope to utilize some of these gatherings to invite potential new members to get to know us. Growing the Cathedral Family: One of my personal projects is to launch a Newcomer and Evangelism Committee. We need people laboring every day to invite, welcome, and connect new individuals and families to the Cathedral. The work is for all of us to do, but we need a group to shepherd us, inspire us, and push us. Cathedral Family Retreat: We are looking to host a congregational retreat in 2020. More details to come. I will stop there for now on my descant. My prayer is that we use this upcoming “program year” to grow and connect as a Cathedral congregation. Our resurrection has just begun! Blessings, ryan+

ST. JAMES' DAY PICNIC After the Combined Service Join Your Cathedral Family for a Picnic

In celebration of St. James' Day, on Sunday, July 21st, we will gather at 10:00AM as one congregation to worship. Bishop Rice will join us to preach and celebrate. Following the service, we will enjoy a picnic in Zoe Eden Gym. We are hoping the Cathedral Congregation will be bring items to share. Entrees to bring: Fried, Grilled, BBQ Chicken, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches, Sausage Links, Wraps and Pinwheels. Salads to bring: Pasta, 3 Bean, Potato, macaroni, coleslaw, fruit, Broccoli. Sides to bring: Baked Beans, Deviled Eggs, Veggie Trays, Chips and Dip. To assist with the planning process, we are asking those thinking of/planning on attending to RSVP. You can RSVP by clicking on the button below. A RSVP list also will be located at the entrance of the Chapel at 8:00AM and at the entrance of the Cathedral at 10:00AM. Please join us for both the service and the picnic on July 21st!

RSVP FOR PICNIC

FOOD BANK NEWS New Partnership with Trader Joe's Necessitates More Volunteers

Last month, Trader Joe's in Fresno selected St. James Food Bank to the recipient of weekly donations. This new partnership is a remarkable opportunity for the Food Bank. Patrons of the Food Bank will have more options each Wednesday. The donation relationship also means that St. James will be purchasing less items from the Central Food Bank--preserving vital financial resources for future needs in the ministry. The one challenge/opportunity with this relationship requires Food Bank volunteers to pickup food items three times a week; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sundays. Additionally, there are items picked-up on Sundays that must be distributed before the next Food Bank Wednesday. The St. James Food Bank is seeking volunteers: Drivers to pickup items from Trader Joe's (Off Friant) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday mornings around 9:15AM. On Sunday, the Food Banks needs volunteers to deliver food to the sick and those in need of sustenance. Following the 10AM service each Sunday in the Gym, food items will be available for bagging and delivery. The Food Bank would greatly appreciate your help to distribute these items to your neighbors in need. If you are interested in volunteering and/or getting more information, please email the Food Bank with the button below. Thank you.

Email the Food Bank

Continuing this Sunday through the end of August (except on July 28th), Dean Ryan will host “Fireside Chats” 9:00am -9:45am in the Cathedral’s Fireside Room. This Sunday's "Way of Love" topic is WORSHIP. Bishop Curry teaches about how regular worship can both help us to deny self-interest as the main aim of life and also re-center our lives on God. The assembled group are invited to bring/grab a cup of coffee or tea and will listen together to an episode of Presiding Bishop Curry’s new podcast The Way of Love. Each episode is about 20 minutes.  Following the podcast listening session, Dean will convene a conversation about the episode with the group. This is intended to be an informal, yet engaging gathering—participation is highly encouraged. Come for the coffee (or tea), stay for the conversation! All are welcome!

This week's Episcopal video looks at worship St. Lydia's in Brooklyn, New York.

IN HONOR OF ST. JAMES' 140TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE UPCOMING CELEBRATION THIS FALL, THE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE IS OFFERING ARTICLES IN THE "MIDWEEK MISSIVE" HIGHLIGHTING THE HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL.

ST. JAMES GOES TO WAR Part One: Highlighting Some of the Brave Heroes BY EMILY NIBLICK

Much of the world had been at war for over two years. Here in Fresno people had been awaiting what many thought to be the inevitable. Sooner or later, we also would be drawn into war, and death and hardship would be the path to an eventual victory.  And then, on December 7, 1941, a surprise attack on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor Naval base brought war to our own doorstep. By the following day Congress had met and war had been declared on the Axis powers. Immediately the nation began to mobilize. All men between the ages of 18 and 65 had to register with the Selective Service. Major industries changed manufacturing from their commercial products to items needed for the war effort. The draft continued in earnest, sending new young recruits to army bases, air corps fields, and naval bases being set up around the country. Citizens were being told that there were so many things they could do to help the war effort.  A nation in shock met in places of worship the following weekend. A brief notice appeared in the Fresno Bee on Saturday.

And on Sunday, Dean Malloch said from the pulpit: “The main question today is what can I do to help win the war? Above all, understand the seriousness of the situation. It will not be an easy war and probably not a short war. Keep sane, optimistic, and determined; follow the leadership of men in positions of authority and pray for victory and divine guidance that truth and right may be established upon the earth.” That very Sunday, the national anthem was sung by the congregation in place of the Gloria. The following years would see the dedication that Dean Malloch called for. Groups within the church worked to save items needed for the war effort—grease from the kitchen, paper, rubber, and other common items. Since gasoline was rationed, and new tires unavailable, the Sunday school hour was combined with worship so people would only have to make one trip. And, of course, the greatest sacrifice was made by many—joining the military and serving, risking their lives for the freedom of all. In the manuscript of Ruth Smead’s The History of St. James Episcopal Cathedral she writes that she was unable to find a complete list of those from St. James who served but did come up with a short list. Some names yielded no information. But others did and I will endeavor to tell some of their stories.

MAJOR CATHERINE GRACE BOLES was born on June 1, 1915 in Coalinga. After her parents divorced, she and her mother moved from Ventura to Fresno in 1930. She had an excellent academic record at Fresno High School, serving as vice president of her graduating class of 1933. After graduation, she enrolled in the nursing school at the General Hospital in Fresno, being there in 1936 and 1937. In 1938 she took a job as a nurse at the Burnett Sanitarium in Fresno and, because her focus in school had been nursing administration, rose to Supervisor of the nurses at Burnett in 1940. She joined the Army Nurses Corp on February 24, 1941, going in with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Perhaps she had no idea of what lay before her. In the next twenty years, going from Lieutenant to Major, her life was to be one of constant travel. Beginning at the Presidio in San Francisco, by 1942 she was in Brazil. In 1944 she served three hospitals; Fort Ord, Pasadena Regional Army Hospital and Palm Springs. In 1945 it was off to Fort Lewis, Washington, and in 1946 into 1948 she was in Japan, She came home briefly to Fort Dix, New Jersey, and then back to Japan. In 1950 she served in a Mobile Surgery Unit in Korea (the same as made famous by the tv show MASH). Back to Japan until 1952 and then home to Fort Polk, Louisiana, until 1954. In 1954 and 1955 she was at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.  Then it was off to Germany! She was there in 1956 and into 1957, then moving to France in 1958. Finally, she returned to the U.S. serving at Sandia Base Army Hospital, the principal nuclear weapons installation in the U.S. She retired from the Army Nurse Corps on February 8, 1961. Major Boles never married. How could she have had time?  After retirement, she returned to Fresno to make her home. She was very active as a member of the Womens Service Alliance and volunteering at the VA Hospital. She was also very active in the Womens Overseas Service League.  Major Boles passed away in Fresno on January 10, 1995.

MAJOR GENERAL JOHN WILLIAMS GUERARD was born on February 20, 1907, in Asheville, North Carolina. His father Albert, a lawyer, moved his family to the Bay Area in the late 20’s so that his son John could attend the University of California in Berkley. John had enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard in 1928, and then switched to the United States National Guard once he arrived in California. After graduation he moved to Fresno and began climbing the law ladder as an attorney. By 1938 he was Deputy District Attorney of Fresno County. He was commissioned Captain in the NGUS in 1939 and carried that rank with him upon entering the US Army in 1940. He saw action in the Pacific, in New Guinea and the Phillippines, and was promoted to Major in 1942, followed by being commissioned Lieutenant Colonel on October 19 th of that year. His importance to the war effort was fairly obvious. After these quick promotions he was sent home to attend Command & General Staff School in 1943. It was in the role of deputy chief of staff that he a left us documented evidence of his importance upon the US invasion of Okinawa in 1945. The invasion of Okinawa was designed to be the last step before Operation Downfall, which would be the invasion of Japan. Once secured, the island would serve as a base of operations and supplies once the final battle started. In preparation, for the first time in US history, an army was formed of US Marines, some Naval personnel, and soldiers of various divisions of the Army. And so the Tenth Army was formed for this opeeration, and Lt. Colonel Guerard was named to be the deputy chief of staff for operations and plans for the XXIV Corps. The first troops had landed on Okinawa’s western shore on April 1 st , 1945 (a day which that year was not only Easter, but also April Fool’s Day). They had encounted savage resistance from the Japanese troops, who were augmented by civilians who were forced by the Japanese to fight. The battle for the island raged for almost a month, finally getting bogged down at a line of Japanese troops anchored by the town of Naha. This came to be called the Naha Shuri Line. During the last week of April, Lt. Colonel Guerard noticed that the Japanese General had moved some new troops up to reenforce those which had been taking a beating on the Shuri Line. He theorized that the move was made because of Japanese casualties and, because the Japanese were vastly outnumbered, that must leave the southeast section with little protection. He went to his superior, Major General John Hodge, who agreed with him and in turn took the suggestion of a southeasten invasion to General Simon Bolivar Buckner (who, as with many in top ranks, could trace their family and military heritage back to the Civil War. One Confederate General serveed as Buckner’s namesake). Buckner was a conservative thinker and didn’t like taking chances. He vetoed the idea and instead threw more soldiers at the now reinforced Shuri line. After the war the Japanese generals admitted the situation had been just as Guerard had said, and agreed that if Buckner had followed Guerard’s suggestion, many lives would have been saved and the island won much faster. As it was, the battle of Okinawa lasted 81 days, and 40-50 days after the ignored suggestion. General Buckner did not live to see his mistake, however--he died on June 18 th , 1945, on Okinawa. He was killed by shrapnel from a Japanese artillery shell. There is some evidence he might have had second thoughts, though. At a conference in May, when the subject was brought up, he questioned if either choice was bad. Whether you win quickly, or slowly; when it’s over and you win, that’s what is important. At war’s end, John returned to Fresno and his law practice. He had offices in the Security Bank Building downtown and since he had been successful before the wat just picked up where he left off. Ever the soldier, he remained in the National Guard, and on May 17, 1955, he was honored with the rank of Brigadier General, and, later, given the title of Major General. Major General Guerard passed away suddenly on May 8, 1965, while visiting in Reno, Nevada. He was found in his motel room. He had moved to Sacramento three years prior, and his former wife Frances stated at the time that he had been in poor health.

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Other St. James members played their parts in victory. We’ll look at a couple more in the next article.

NEWCOMER LUNCHEON Sunday, August 25th - 11:30AM

Are you new to St. James? And by new . . . have you started attending worship this past spring or later (give or take)? If so, we invite you Sunday, August 25th @ 11:30AM in the White Room for next our Quarterly Newcomers’ Luncheon. Meet the clergy and leaders of St. James in an informal, family-friendly gathering. Mingle with others exploring the Cathedral Family and all that St. James has to offer. A sign-up list will be available at the entrance of the Chapel and Cathedral starting this Sunday or RSVP ONLINE .

YOUTH GROUP REMINDER Next Event: Saturday, July 27th, 12:30PM

Youth of St. James are invited to a Pool Party, Saturday, July 27th, 12:30PM - 2:30PM. Bring a towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, and your friends! The party will be at the Jenning's house. To RSVP and to get directions to the party, please email sjyouth@stjamesfresno.org.

NEW WEBSITE FOR ST. JAMES Don't forget to check out the new website for St. James . The new site is a major step forward for both our Cathedral community and for those outside St. James who are eager to learn more about the Cathedral. If you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to send Dean Ryan an email with your comments.

ECW GATHERING Next gathering of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will be on Saturday, July 27, 11:30AM at Helen’s Chinese Restaurant (7444 N Fresno St, Fresno, 93720). “A little bit of business,” but mostly a fun gathering of chatting and eating. A sign-up is available at the entrance of the Cathedral.

ALTAR GUILD Altar Guild needs new members (men and women) to serve in the ministry. Even if you have never served on an altar guild before, you are wanted and will be trained! If you are interested and/or want more information, please contact Carol Gavette or let one of the clergy know of you interest in Altar Guild. There will be an Altar Guild meeting August 3rd at 10:00AM for all members, and anyone interested in the ministry. A potluck lunch follows the meeting. The meeting will be in the Chapel due other meetings on campus that day.

MEN'S GROUP The next breakfast gathering is scheduled for Saturday, August 3rd, 7:30AM at Yosemite Falls Cafe (across from the Cathedral).

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE The next meeting will be Saturday, August 3rd at 9:00AM in the Fireside Room. Please note the location change due to a Commission on Ministry on campus.

PRESERVATION COMMITTEE The next meeting will be Sunday, August 4th at 11:30AM in the Conference Room.

FOOD BANK OPERATIONAL MEETING The next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, August 7th at 2:00PM in the White Room.

AUGUST CHAPTER MEETING The meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 18th at 11:30AM in the Conference Room. Janie is scheduled to provide lunch. Chapter Members please submit any reports and/or agenda items to Dean Ryan by August 15th.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK The Cathedral Clergy Join the #Faceappchallenge

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