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St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church

A Spiritual Oasis Where Lives are Transformed
Volume 21; Issue 08

September 2004

During my vacation this year, I had the privilege of experiencing two very different liturgies at other churches in the area. I attended a spirit-filled service at the Maranatha Church in San Jose, and the Jazz Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

The service at the Maranatha Church lasted two hours and forty-five minutes. It began with one hour of singing during which the congregation prepared itself to open up its heart to the power and presence of God. The music was a combination of Afro-American jazz and praise music. Some of the tunes were excellent and the musicians and choir gave it their all. The service continued with prayers of the people, scripture readings, Holy Communion, and an excellent forty-five minute sermon.

What stood out for me in this particular church service was the congregation’s friendly welcome, their practice of consciously opening up their hearts to God in preparation for worship, the upbeat and accessible music, and the length of the sermon. The sermon was both a teaching and inspirational message that was meant to have a significant impact on the lives of those who attended. The topic was about making and spending money. At the end of the sermon, any parishioners who were struggling with financial issues were invited to stand up and allow the congregation and ministers to pray for them. There was a definite expectation of healing and moving forward. I was deeply touched by the willingness of those who were struggling with money to publicly stand up and ask for prayer and help through their financial struggles. The church also offered a seminar to help people get out of debt.

In August, the city of San Jose was celebrating a Jazz-festival weekend. St. Joseph’s cathedral took advantage of this event by inviting visitors to a jazz mass. The musical instrumentation included sax, piano, percussion, and a few other instruments, along with a choir, two jazz soloists, and a jazz cantor. Most of the music was “typical church music” set to a jazz beat, although the choir and soloist sang some other jazz pieces. It was very interesting to hear regular hymns “jazzed up”. The liturgy itself was similar to an Episcopal liturgy. What stood out for me at this service was the effort to make the liturgy more accessible to visitors and to embrace the spirit of the Jazz-festival weekend.

As we move into the twenty-first century, I often reflect on how to make our liturgy more spirit-filled and more accessible to the un-churched and younger folks (who have no church background). A few ideas have come to my mind. One idea includes encouraging our parishioners to come into the church before the liturgy begins, to pray and to prepare their hearts for worshipping God. Other ideas include simplifying the liturgy, improving congregational singing, and lengthening the sermon so that it can have a greater impact on our lives. I often feel that many folks at St. Jude’s are not equipped with enough theology or biblical knowledge to get the full impact of the sermon. Perhaps more background information and instruction would be helpful.

This summer, we have had several newcomers experience our liturgy. Those people (who have stayed) have had very good experiences interacting with our congregation. Most have commented on the initial greeting and friendliness of the congregation. One visitor was deeply touched that someone remembered her name and addressed her personally on the following Sunday. Others appreciate the “family feel” of our community while others like the relevance of the sermons, the fabulous choir, and the felt presence of God during the service. Keep up the good work of hospitality! We are on the right track. Remember, most people just want to be loved and cared for. If you have any input on how we can improve Sunday mornings (including the liturgy), please email me with your comments. Our vision is: St. Jude’s is a spiritual oasis where lives are transformed.

 

Peace,

Did you Know?

We welcome with joy, several new families into the St. Jude’s community: Claudia and Gordon Mullin, Charlotte Pannell, and Steve, Sherly, Alexander, Sydney, and Ashley Guest.

David Sidle leaves August 24 for San Antonio, Texas, for basic training in the Air Force. He was honored at the Moffet Field Air Show in May.

St. Jude’s Sunday School is looking for people to help on Sunday mornings. Please call Pastor Mary at 252-4166.

Our Sunday School/Children's Chapel families and leaders will gather at the home of Bruce Horn and Kim Adams on Sunday, August 29, 12:30-2:30 for a "Homecoming" potluck, fellowship, and information sharing.

Youth Group starts up again Sunday, September 12. Stay tuned for details.

All Newcomers are invited to gather at the home of Jeffrey Pugh and Jennifer Stern on Sunday, September 26, 12:30-2:30 for brunch, fellowship, and to visit with Clergy and leaders of the parish. Save the date, details and map will be mailed.

Save the date for St. Jude’s' Annual Harvest Dinner: November 4 at 6:30 p.m. Libby Varty has graciously offered to host this wonderful event again this year.

Fellowship Concert Reveals Truth: In Christ, We Are One
Pastor Mary Blessing, Associate Rector

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith…. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ… Galatians 3: 26-28

As summer comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the joys of fellowship here at St. Jude's. Fellowship that has been filled with the presence of Christ's loving spirit, fellowship that resounds in the soft buzz of friends chatting about travel, fellowship as members get acquainted with neighbors, visitors and newcomers. Our Sunday worship, our "coffee hour" following, our Wednesday potlucks, and finally the Fellowship Choir Concert hosted by St. Jude's, were all filled with a warm, welcoming spirit, revealing the power of the Holy Spirit working among us.

The Fellowship Concert was a unique opportunity. It all began with a seed of a vision that St. Jude's could host an event that would bring people of different cultures and languages together in fellowship to appreciate one another as children of God. Ned Snow articulated a vision of hosting a "musical event"-because people of different languages could bridge the communication gap by appreciating the same music. Michael and Linda Morris picked up on the idea; Tom Dyer and Chihua Wei began looking for opportunities. When Lihuei Wei discovered the choir from her alma mater, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan, was coming for their United States tour, the Weis proposed we host an evening concert featuring them. Things began to fall into place: St. Jude's Choir was invited to perform as well, and the Morrises made a connection with the Monta Vista boys a cappella group, Luminares, who jumped at the chance for one more concert before heading off to college. The families of the Organization of Special Needs Families gathered to enjoy the concert with us, and to receive a special offering in support of their important work in our community.

The spirit of love and fellowship moved throughout the evening, as friends and neighbors came to hear the highest quality of Christian music in both Chinese and English. Spirits soared as the flautist from Chung Yuan Christian University played her flute flawlessly, as a master performer. After the concert, she told me she was the "grand-student" of Jean Pierre Rampal, a famous French flautist I idolized, and whom I met in Oakland in the 1970's. "Small world…."

The reception following the concert was its own delightful display of the Holy Spirit knitting us together in Christ's love. We hosted a simple reception under the leadership of Pat Coles, Juneann McDonald, Shirley Burg and Jean Chandler. Juneann observed that the mingling and sharing between the various groups was warm and friendly in a genuine way, as if there were no language or cultural barriers at all. One sign of the success of this was the way people stayed, and stayed and stayed, just to talk with one another-even long after our guest choir left on chartered buses.

A particularly touching scene was toward the end of the evening, when the boys from Luminaries set Jean Chandler in a chair in the middle of the Parish Hall, encircled her, and serenaded her with "Pretty Woman". Jean had been a wonderful encourager of some of these young men who also did their Eagle Scout projects at St. Jude's. They just couldn't pass up the opportunity to honor her this way.

Many people had a hand in helping to create this fabulous, Christ-centered fellowship event at St. Jude's for the people of Cupertino-from singing to babysitting, from publicity to hospitality, it was a success. For those who attended it was more than a musical concert, it was spiritually satisfying. For those who hear about it, I pray you hear praises to God for blessing us with this grace-filled opportunity to share Christ through music and fellowship.

Vestry News

The vestry was on vacation in August. The vestry retreat is scheduled for September 11. Goals for the year will be set. If anyone has input or questions, please contact a vestry member.

Forgiving the Past, Living into the Future: A Gathering of the Diocesan Family
Saturday, September 11, 2004
10-3:30 at All Saints, Carmel

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Responding to both the positive energy of the May Lay Conference and the many requests to set aside time for healing and reconciliation, the Standing Committee of the Diocese has asked a Design Team (including St. Jude's parishioners, Mary Souza and Jerry Witherspoon) to create an opportunity for the diocesan family to explore tools for healing the past and building the future.

Whether you are weary and heavy-laden, ready to sprint on, or listening for a still small voice, you are encouraged to join your brothers and sisters in the El Camino Real diocese on their journey toward the future. As in any family, which shares both joy and sorrow, we are called to be present as compassionate companions for one another and to live together in authenticity, trust and respect.

The day promises to be large in heart and deep in spirit:

Save Saturday Sept. 11 and look for details soon.

Holding A Grudge is Hazardous to Your Health
Jerry Witherspoon

On several occasions over the past few years, St. Jude’s Sunday Forum has been blessed by the presence of Dr. Fred Luskin, Director and Cofounder of The Stanford University Forgiveness Project. The title of this article is from the dust cover of his book, Forgive for Good, HarperCollins, 2002. I am writing to the people of El Camino Real to recommend Dr. Luskin’s concepts as part of the healing process that has been recommended by the Strategic Planning Commission and mentioned often at Convention and in “The Mission Bell.”

My personal witness to the efficacy of Dr. Luskin’s concepts is that I started using them the same day he introduced them to our parish, and they WORK! The practice of forgiving benefits the one doing the forgiving first and foremost. In its simplest practice, the next time someone does something stupid in traffic and nearly causes you to have an accident, instead of screaming an expletive, say out loud, “I forgive you.” It is very difficult to maintain the anger in the face of the act of forgiving.

Luskin defines forgiveness as “… the experience of peace and understanding that can be felt in the present moment”. He goes on to say, “You forgive by challenging the rigid rules you have for other people’s behavior and by focusing your attention on the good things in your life as opposed to the bad. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting or denying that painful things occurred. Forgiveness is the powerful assertion that bad things will not ruin your today even though they may have spoiled your past”.

"Three core components underlie the creation of any long-standing hurt and grievance:

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

When someone has hurt you, and you do not forgive them, the hurt and the grievance grow and fester and you spend an inordinate amount of time and emotional energy on keeping the hurt and grievance alive. After listening to Dr. Luskin, I have decided that anyone who hurts me will not be allowed to rob me of my well being by filling up my time and sapping my energy with the effort it takes to carry a grudge. I urge each of you consider the benefits of forgiveness, so that we can get on with carrying out Jesus’ command to love each other as he loves us.

Adult Education for September
Bruce La Fetra

Sunday Morning Adult Education Forums

9/5 - No Forum - Family Camp Weekend

9/12 - Evangelicals in Modern America - Evangelical churches have experienced dramatic growth during the past 20 years. What is driving this growth, and what are the implications for American society and the historically dominant mainline churches? Are there implications for the coming election? Locally, what cultural elements feed the growth of Asian evangelical churches in Silicon Valley?

9/19 - Christ in Culture - What does it mean to follow Christ? Does it mean that we close ourselves off from the world or do we meld together our religion and culture? Jerry Witherspoon discusses five possible Christian responses to the relationship between Christ and the situation in which Christians must live. This forum is based on the famous 20th century theologian Richard Niebuhr`s outstanding work.

9/26 - The Ethics of Genetic Modifications: Playing God or Doing God`s Work - At least five ballot initiatives this November in California deal with genetics. Statewide there is Prop 71, The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act that will sell bonds to finance stem cell research. At the local level four counties have measures seeking to ban genetically modified crops. These are issues that touch all of us, so join Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of the Markkula Center of Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University as we discuss the ethical implications of the issues behind these ballot measures.

Dr. McLean did an excellent Forum in 2002 covering a framework for ethical discussion. If you missed it, or want to hear it again, visit the St. Jude's Web site and listen online.

As always, childcare is available in Room 5 from 9:00.

Investment Forum for Episcopal Women Ages 20 to 80+
Nancy Symons, Chairperson of Planned Giving

Sign up early for "Women-to-Women, an Investment Forum for Women in the Episcopal Church." Space is limited. The forum will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Saratoga. The fee is $30, which covers coffee, lunch and materials.

The presenter is Sue Ramar, a certified financial analyst. The Episcopal Church Foundation is putting on the forum. Dale Simison of the Episcopal Church Foundation, who spoke at our Adult Forum earlier this year, says she is an outstanding speaker and resource person. This is what Sue says about the forum:

"The content of this forum is not meant to promote giving to the church. Rather, it is meant to give specific information on financial planning matters as they pertain to women. Women ages 20 to 80 can benefit from this teaching."

The forum is limited to the first 60 women who send in the fee. Contact: Dale Simison at 1-888-552-4483 or at dales@pacifier.com or Sue Ramar at 1-650-493-1000 or sue@nelsoncapital.com.

Harvest Moon International fundraiser for Holy Light
Irene Kwok

On Saturday, September 25th from 3-8 p.m. you are invited to join the Holy Light congregation for their "Harvest Moon International” fundraiser, which will include good food, fellowship, and festivities for all ages, and will raise funds for the mission. The day’s events will include a program of live music, featuring a Contemporary Christian and folk music group, a soprano, Chinese Er-hu, classical piano, and a sing-a-long in English and Chinese. Several arts and craft demonstrations, including Tai Chi, sword and fan dances, paper crafts, a Filipino bamboo dance, and a Chinese Lion Dance presentation are planned.

Many door prizes will also be raffled. A dinner will be served toward the end of the day. Everyone will be invited to try his or her hand at Karaoke after dinner. The ticket price of $10.00 includes dinner, so come and bring your friends. Holy Light is located at 65 West Rincon Ave., just off Winchester Ave. in San Jose. For more

information and tickets, please contact Tim Cheung at Holy Light; tim@holylight.org; or Irene Kwok.

 

All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel

10:00 AM 3:30 PM

Please RSVP to Susan Altig at Mission House, 831-394-4465.

EPISCOPAL MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
October 8-10, 2004

Want to deepen the love you experience in your marriage? Want to get away and focus on the one you chose to live your life with? Then Marriage Encounter Weekend is for you. The weekend begins on Friday at 8:00 pm and ends Sunday about 4:30 pm. If you have young children and need help caring for them, arrangements can be made.

The weekend is located at Hilton Garden Inn, 840 East El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA. The contact couple is Curt and Arlene McClelland, 408-371-5581. Cost is only $45, which includes lodging Friday and Saturday nights, and all food from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. For registration forms and additional information go to www.episcopalme.com or call 1-800-851-3779.

Cupertino Community Services BBQ and Auction

Saturday, September 11, 2004
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Blackberry Farm
21975 San Fernando, Cupertino

In respect to this date, we are dedicating this event in honor of our fire fighters. To show our appreciation, we have also changed this years BBQ logo. We have switched the traditional cowboy hat for a fire fighter’s helmet. As usual, local fire fighters will be serving up delicious BBQ fare at the event. So, come out and help honor them while raising funds for CCS programs and services.

Join us for a day of family fun. Try the wine toss. Visit the kid’s area. Great deals on live and silent auction items.

Throughout the years, St. Jude’s has continued to support CCS in several ways – with a donation from the parish Outreach budget, donation of food and clothing, participation in the Rotating Shelter Program, and by individual volunteer service in the Food Pantry and on the Board of Directors.

Let’s offer conspicuous support for this excellent organization with a large St. Jude’s presence at this event!

Tickets: $30.00 per adult and $10.00 per child 12 & under. See Shirley Burg or Mary Souza or contact CCS at 408-255-8033 or http://www.cupertinocommunityservices.org/news.html

Small Dinner Groups Forming
Patti Wilt

Looking for a way to get to know some of your fellow church members in a small group setting? Want to share good food, fun and laughter?

Small dinner groups are forming. Small dinner groups are groups of approximately 10 people who rotate having potluck dinners at each other's homes. This year there will be adult-focused groups and family-focused groups, for people who would like to include their children in these events or be around families with children.

There will be an introductory potluck dinner at the parish hall on Sat, Sept 18th at 6:30pm. At this event, we will draw names for each group and the groups will meet to set up the logistics for their first dinner. This is a great way for newcomers to meet other parishioners and a safe environment for singles.

Signup at the kiosk to participate in the small group dinners and indicate whether you will be joining us for the initial potluck. You don't need to attend the dinner to participate in the program.

For more information, contact Patti Wilt.

Note-ables
Michael Morris, SJ’s Director of Music

If you have a musical talent and would like to share it with the St. Jude's Music Program, please call Michael Morris or email him at music@saintjudes.org. All talents and skills are encouraged to participate whether you are a singer or an instrumentalist; whether you enjoy more traditional music, folk music, or more modern fare, you are welcome to help us in our worship at Saint Jude's. Saint Jude's is blessed with both an active Adult and Children's Choirs, instrumental music that includes brass, guitar, piano, flute, violin, and even hand bells! All musicians, including beginners are encouraged to contact Michael and see how and where they fit into our Music Program!

Men’s Mountain Get-Away
Don Disney

Accommodations: Disney, Stolarik, and Varty cabins
Planned activities: fishing, hiking, golf, and BBQ dinner
Other activities: wine tasting, kayaking, cave tours, Big Trees
Cost: about $50 per person

Sign-up: on the kiosk in the narthex for information: call Don Disney.

Please join us for a fun, relaxing weekend in the mountains. Arnold is about a three-hour drive from Cupertino. Three members of our parish own cabins in the area and are offering their use for this event. We will arrange for carpools to head up in the morning and/or after work on Friday, returning Sunday evening. The cabins will be stocked with breakfast and lunch foods for individuals to dine in or take along on adventures. We will plan group meals for Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch. All activities will be entirely optional, so you can have your weekend as structured or unstructured as you like. Sign up in the narthex if you plan to attend, or call the above number if you have questions.

Property Highlights- August
Tom Dyer

Eagle Triple Play- Eric Liaw and his team from Troop 476 completed installation of irrigation, plants, and a garden wall around the walnut tree on the northern classroom entry. The project is a major improvement to the St Jude’s campus that required almost 250 hours to complete. It included renovation of irrigation water lines and control cables. Special thanks to Jean Chandler and Howard Hill for their mentoring assistance.

Classroom AC- thanks to the generosity of Live Oak we now have air conditioning in rooms 6 and 7 for those extra hot summer days.

Patron Happenings- we welcome Charlotte and Don Pannell who have adopted the Stelling entry planting area. Watch Scott Wagner’s renovation progress minimize maintenance on the McClellan Parkway planter. Thanks also to the Carpenter Family for their recent renovation of the Serenity Corner (between Priest sacristy and North transept)

Hearing the Spirit during Critical Life Events
Tuesday September 14, 2004
7-8 pm Parish Hall (Refreshments begin at 6:45pm)

The critical events of our lives usually involve transitions such as birth, loss, marriage, divorce, illness and death. We encounter these events with expectations based on our life experiences, our faith, our hopes and our fears. Sometimes those expectations stand in the way of our being open to the surprises the Spirit has in store for us. This presentation/training will focus on strategies to help Stephen Ministers, their care-receivers and others in the congregation be fully present to the gifts of the Spirit during times of great change.

Please let us know if you can attend by calling the church office and leaving your name and number 408-252-4166.

Updated 9/02/2004
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