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The Good News
May 2024
50 Days of Eastertide
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The monthly newsletter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church | |
+ To know Christ better and make Him better known + | |
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Message from the Rector
The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson
THE WORLD IS CHANGING
In conversation with persons who have reached the age of 60 and over, one of the things I frequently hear them say is that the world has changed, and that people are no longer the way they used to be in the old days. To these comments I have argued that the world really has not changed, but that what has changed is how much we know about the world. After all, those who have lived long enough, have seen the world, or at least the concept of an individual’s world, go from the small physical community in which the person lives and moves and has their being, to the large national and even international community that is instantly connected to through electronic and transportation mediums.
For the full article click HERE
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Help Wanted for Children and Youth Ministry
The Venerable Canon Carolyn Bolton
You may have noticed that on the cover of each week's 10 a.m. service bulletin there is a notice that reads:
To our Parents: We welcome your children to participate in our worship. During the 10 a.m. service, children ages 3 and older may participate in Faith Quest program in the Chapter Room. Adult supervision is provided. Younger children can enjoy Mustard Seeds, our professionally staffed nursery in the back of
the church.
St. Paul's has always been a place that welcomes the presence of children.. Over the years our programs for children have enjoyed different levels of success, and sometimes not so much. The main thing that has made a difference is not the number of children, but rather the number of volunteers. Like in almost every aspect of the life of our congregation, a strong successful ministry is highly dependent upon the offering of time made by our members.
One of the important things to mention about church ministries with children and youth is that we are required to have at least two adults present with any group that we have meeting separately.
Our current reality is that we DO NOT have enough volunteers to cover the full age range of children that attend St. Paul's. Ideally we would have Faith Quest classes for ages 4 to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 13. The current volunteer roster is only allowing one group ages 7 to 12.
In order to get to where we want to be we need your help. Whether you are a parent or not, you can make a difference by offering your time and talents to serve the young people of our parish family.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or desire to learn more about our programs: deacon@stpaulsoakand.org
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Message from the Senior Warden
By Indira Balkissoon
“…let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in work or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus; giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Gratitude
Gratitude has been on my mind lately. Mostly that I do not show or think about the many things that I am thankful for. Gratitude, the practice of acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of our lives requires practice.
For the full article click HERE
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Vestry
Are you interested in what happens at the Vestry Meetings? Anyone from the Parish is welcome to come and listen. We meet virtually on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Our next meeting in Tuesday May 28th.
Please reach out to Fr. Wilson or any Vestry member for the Zoom link.
March Financial Report
March Vestry Minutes
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Worm Composting Workshop on Sunday May 19th
Our own Amy Kessler will lead a worm composting workshop after the 10am service on Sunday, May 19th. Please meet Amy in the courtyard after church!
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Saturday, June 15, Juneteenth Feast Day Celebration. With Bishop Marc Andrus and Coadjutor Bishop Austin Rios.
Service time and more details to come!
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Sunday, June 16, Bishop Marc's final parish visits before retirement. Join us for a festive celebration to wish Bishop Marc well in his retirement! | |
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Concert
Sunday, May 19, 2024 3:00pm
Pre-concert talk at 2:45pm
Prometheus Symphony Orchestra
Eric Hansen, Music Director
Pyotr Tchaikovsky • Symphony in Eb Major
Edward Elgar • Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op.85
Cara Wang, Cello
Khuner Young Artist Concerto Competition Co-Winner
The final concert of our 2023-24 Season will feature Tchaikovsky's beautiful Symphony in Eb Major plus Edward Elgar's Cello concerto performed by one of this year's Khuner Young Artist Concerto Competition winners, the exceptionally accomplished Cara Wang.
This gorgeous piece will dazzle and astonish you at Cara's hand. You will be astonished at her artistry.
There is no admission fee for our concerts, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Tickets are REQUIRED for admission, available here.
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Environmental Stewardship
By Indira Balkissoon
And God said, “ Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3
St Paul’s Electricity Service Plan
St. Paul’s gets its electricity from AVA Community Energy (AVA) formerly known as East Bay Community Energy. AVA is not an acronym but it was inspired by the fact that the service area includes Alameda County and the Valley (San Joaquin Valley). AVA is a public power agency governed by a board of elected official from each member city.
The difference between a public power agency and a private power company is that public power agencies have local control and accountability; rate stability since they aim to reinvest profits back into the community and infrastructure; support local government and focus on renewable resources. Private companies have a profit motive, may have a benefit from economies of scale, may have a wider pool of resources and expertise.
St. Paul’s service plan is called Bright Choice which means there is a 5% discount on the electricity generation portion of the bill compared to the default rate from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). While not 100% renewable, Bright Choice’s power mix aims for increased use of renewable sources. In 2022, 50% of the power mix was derived from renewable sources. In 2023, it was forecasted to be 54%. The actual power mix number for Bright Choice is expected to be available this Summer.
St. Paul’s Bright Choice service plan is a step in the right direction of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030.
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Give to St. Paul's
To support parish planning, we are asking everyone to make a statement of intent for 2024
Join Us!
Thank you for your presence, and your gifts of time, talent and treasure to St. Paul’s.
Your participation is essential to us and we couldn’t do it without you! We welcome your financial gifts and involvement in our ministries, and ask that you prayerfully consider how you would like to be involved at St. Paul’s in 2024. Every gift and contribution, regardless of type or size, makes an impact on our parish and our community.
Ways to Give and more information is HERE.
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Cottage Dinners
In concert with Membership & Welcoming, we invite you to participate in a Cottage Dinner. What is a Cottage Dinner? It is a small group gathering hosted by a fellow parishioner. It's a great way to get to know people better in a casual setting over a shared meal. Fr. Mauricio will attend as many of the dinners as he can.
You can sign up to host or attend Cottage Dinners any time. Sign up sheets are in the Narthex and will be available at Coffee Hour on Sundays. Cottage Dinners will continue throughout the 2024 program year.
For more information contact Mirela Stanke at
Mirela.Stanke.2022@gmail.com
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Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that the CONFEDERATED VILLAGES OF LISJAN are the traditional stewards of the land on which our buildings stand and we pay our respect to their people and heritage. The Lisjan Ohlone people have lived in the territory of Huchiun since the beginning of time, and are still here fighting for their land, heritage, culture & spiritual traditions.
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St. Paul's is a member of Integrity USA, working for the full equality of LGBTQIA+ persons in every part of The Episcopal Church.
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CLERGY
The Rt. Rev. Marc H. Andrus, Bishop of California
Rev. Austin Rios, Bishop Coadjutor-Elect of California
The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, Rector
The Ven. Canon Carolyn Bolton, Archdeacon
The Rev. Christian Harding, Assisting Priest
The Rev. Gary England, Archdeacon
STAFF
Benjamin Bachmann, MMusic, FAGO, Music Director
Philip Saunders Assistant Music Director
Jackie Kamakate, Parish Administrator
Joan Clerk, Bookkeeper
Danislav Nedevski, Sexton
Elena Nedevska, Housekeeper
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VESTRY
Class of 2024
Indira Balkissoon-Sr. Warden
Irene Plunkett
Matthew Schooler
Class of 2025
Pamela Kruse-Buckingham— Treasurer
Richard Larson– Jr. Warden
Daniel (Digger) Lauter
Class of 2026
David Anderson - Clerk
Paula Hawthorn
Doug Jensen
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Pamela Kruse-Buckingham & Victoria Larson
Co-Editors
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