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St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church

A Spiritual Oasis Where Lives are Transformed
Volume 21; Issue 09
October 2004

"To strengthen and deepen the faith commitment of a welcoming Christian community..." This has been my personal mission statement since being ordained to the sacred order of priests. It is the mission statement that was written on my CDO profile when the vestry of St. Jude's selected me to be rector in 1998. As I begin my 7th year as your spiritual leader, I am still committed to this mission statement. Why has this statement formed the core of my vision, focus, passion, and efforts here at St. Jude's? My call to the priesthood came out of a deep belief that true healing (i.e. transformation) can best take place in a committed Christian community of faith. I believe that it is possible to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. When we move in the direction of transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit, all things become possible. I do not believe that humanity is so fallen and sinful that it can never rise above its wounded, self-centered ego.

In the Anglican tradition, we learn to listen to God and be molded by God through the 12 spiritual disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration. The more these disciplines become part of our daily routine, the more open we become to the workings of the Holy Spirit. I use my gifts as preacher, teacher, and "spiritual cheerleader" to focus our attention on the spiritual disciplines; to the opening up of the heart to the power of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. What more would a Christian want to seek?

There are many aspects to church life, as is evident by our many programs. What differentiates a church community from a non-profit which does outreach, or a club/organization which focuses on socializing, or a community group which works to improve the social fabric of its city, is this: The Church points to and relies on God as the foundational source of wisdom, truth, power, and direction. It is God who ultimately transforms lives. Transformed lives can truly transform society. That is why it is so important to invite others to join us in this process of transformation!

And so it is with honor and delight, that I begin my 7th year with you. During the Service of the Institution of a new rector (1998), I prayed the following prayer while kneeling in the midst of the people of St. Jude's. I would like to remind you of this powerful prayer:

O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself; body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching, set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen." [BCP 562]

Please continue to hold me up in prayer that I might be faithful to this tremendous responsibility.

 

Peace,

Did You Know?

St. Jude's Day Celebration October 24 - Special Liturgy and Outreach Fair
Mary Souza

Be sure to mark your calendar for the celebration of our Patronal Feast Day on Sunday October 24. On that day we will focus on our calling to be bearers of hope and advocates for those in need. As you may know, Jude is the patron saint of "desperate causes." Here at St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church we also refer to St. Jude as an "icon of hope."

The worship team and the Social Justice/Outreach Committee are coordinating efforts to give the parish and the broader Cupertino community the opportunity to respond to God's call to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every human being. The liturgy will offer the basis for our actions - through scripture, song and preaching. After each service, The Outreach Fair will present concrete manifestations of the ways in which we serve one another in Christ's name.

Representatives of the agencies we support are eager to join us that day to share the work they do, show how our donations of time and treasure help, and give us a picture of new possibilities for service:

Plan to join us as we strive to demonstrate to the Cupertino Community how we are to love our neighbors and spread hope in the world.


For more about St. Jude, visit http://www.saintjudes.org/ and click on "Who We Are/Who is St. Jude?"

Love Languages
The Rev. Mary Blessing

Did you know that love is expressed in different languages? That is what authors Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell say in The Five Love Languages of Children. Chapman maintains that "Every child has a primary language of love, a way in which he or she understands a parent's love best." These five languages are: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. He bases all love in God's unconditional love that Jesus describes when he commands his followers to "love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34)

No matter what age your child is, it is not too late to start learning how to love him/her using the "language" he or she naturally understands. Even if your child's love language is different than yours, you can learn to convey love in a new way that really works. A child who feels unconditionally loved will mature into an adult who offers unconditional love, with respect and concern for others, rather than continuously seeking self-oriented behaviors while continually craving love.

Beginning Thursday, October 7, I will be offering a 6 week reflection course on this book. Thursday mornings during the
Covenant Group time, 10:00-11:30am, and on Thursday evenings, 7:15-9:00pm, I will lead Bible-based "LOOK BOOK TOOK" style discussions on this book, and its companion, The Five Love Languages of Teenagers. If you are interested in participating for these 6 weeks, please contact me at St. Jude's, 408-252-4166. There will be babysitting for both groups.

HALLOWEEN PARTY

All Hallow's Eve--the day before All Saints Day--can be a fun, joyful day getting ready to remember our loved ones, the "saints" who have gone before us. To this end, Youth Group (teens 6th-12th
grade) will host a Halloween Party for young children Sunday, October 31, following the 10:30 service. We will have a festive coffee hour with "goblin food", pinata, face painting, bobbing for apples, bean bag toss, costume parade and more!! Invite your friends and neighbors, kids and grandkids. Children (and adults who are up for it!) are invited to BRING THEIR COSTUMES to put on FOLLOWING church.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22a)
A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house
it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his
repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote
"Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid
for I was naked."

St Jude's Youth Activites
Pastor Mary Blessing, Associate Rector

(6th-12th Grade) Fall 2004 Sundays, Fireside Room, 11:45am -1:30 pm
Homework Club and Senior High Nights Out TBA (except where noted)


Vestry News
Syd Jacobsen

The month end August 31st financial information was reviewed by the Vestry. Pledge income and expenses are on target for this time of year.

The Vestry discussed the recruiting of candidates for the 2005 Vestry. Ken Foot, Brock Carpenter, and Don Disney make up the nominating committee. If you are interested in running for Vestry in 2005, please contact them.

St. Jude's diocesan assessment is based upon a formula that looks at operating income two years in the past. Pledge income can go up and down due to the local economy and membership numbers. To mitigate the impact on the parish during periods of volatility, the Vestry passed a policy to fund a diocesan assessment reserve fund based on current year financial conditions.

Proposed plans to rearrange the Choir area in the Sanctuary were discussed. No final decision was made.

Adult Education for October
Bruce La Fetra

Sunday Morning Adult Education Forums

Oct 3 - No Forum - Blessing of the Animals

Oct 10 - Lessons from St. Martin`s in the Field
St. Martin`s in the Field has developed a unique urban ministry that stands out in a sea of secular attractions. The ministry is the result of a particular, self-conscious strategy. Our speaker is the Reverand Art Domingue, recent Interim Pastor, Union Church of Cupertino.

Oct 17 - The Centrality of the Cross in Christianity
Why is the cross the main symbol in our tradition? Isn't there a better symbol to focus on (e.g. incarnation, resurrection, gifts of spirit, servant-hood)? Could Jesus have `saved us` if he simply died of old age or is there something about his sacrifice/the cross that is necessary for salvation? The old atonement theories (i.e. sacrificial lamb, paying a debt,) do not seem appropriate for the 21st century Episcopal mind.
Can we explain these questions in a way that is compelling for the 21st century or do we need to rethink about the meaning of Jesus' death and the salvific act in a different way? What does it really mean that Jesus died for our sins?
Should the cross remain at the core of the Christian tradition?
Our speaker, Dr. Lois Malcolm, is an Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at the Luther Seminary in Minnesota.

Oct 24 - No Forum - Ministry Fair

Oct 31 - The Gothic Enterprise: Understanding the Medevil Cathedral
The Gothic cathedrals of Europe are among the most astonishing achievements of Western culture, and they have fired the historical imagination for centuries. Cathedrals are magnificent feats of engineering, artistry and transcendent expression - how did ordinary people manage to build them, overcoming poverty, illiteracy, famine, plague, war and the incessant violence of their societies? Why would communities invest so much of their wealth in such buildings? And what did a cathedral mean to them? These are some of the questions that sociologist Robert A. Scott explores in his book The Gothic Enterprise.

Robert A. Scott is a former Professor of Sociology at Princeton University. The Gothic Enterprise grew out of his fascination with medieval cathedrals, and is the first book on this subject written by a sociologist.
Child care is available during the Adult Forums in Room 5. Audio recordings of past Forums are available online at www.saintjudes.org.

Check It Out
Valerie Walley

Over the last few months, the library has processed over 100 new acquisitions, many from the library of Ward McCabe and other parishioners. Please check the library cart to see what's new. In the New Year, the library will host an open house where we will point out other changes that have been in the making and seek parishioner feedback.

In the meantime, most of our committee members have selected some new books that they'd like to recommend:

Choir Rehearsal Changes & Pet Blessing Musicians
Linda Morris
For those who may be interested in joining the choir--new members are always welcome to join us! As a reminder to new and current members, there will be some changes to the usual Thursday night 7:15 pm choir rehearsal schedule. There will be no choir rehearsal on 9/30, but there will be a rehearsal on Sunday morning 10/3 at 9 a.m. for anyone who would like to play an instrument at the10:30 Pet Blessing Service on 10/3. (Contact Michael Morris at or music@saintjudes.org if you are interested in playing.) The choir will rehearse on Wednesday, 10/6 at 7:15 pm, instead of 10/7. (See article on "The Gondoliers" .) Because the Harvest Dinner is on 11/4, the choir will rehearse, instead, on Friday, 11/5 with a 6 pm Pizza Dinner beforehand. Contact Michael if you plan on being there for pizza. Hope to see to you there!

Discount Tickets for "The Gondoliers"
Linda Morris

Lyric Theatre of San Jose will be presenting Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Gondoliers" at Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University October 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, & 10 and St. Jude's Choir members are involved. Michael Morris is the Music Director/Conductor, Matt Matthews is in the chorus, and Diane Johnston is the Asst. Stage Manager. If you are interested in going to this comic operetta, you can get a discount on regular adult tickets by giving the code word "Duke" when ordering tickets. With the discount, regular adult tickets will be $22.00; student tickets are less. Call 408-986-1455 or order on-line at www.lyrictheatre.org. If you would like to go with Choir members on Thursday, October 7th, please let Linda Morris know ASAP.

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.

Men's Mountain Get-Away
Don Disney

* What: A relaxing get-away for men
* Where: Arnold, CA
* When: Friday - Sunday, October 15-17, 2004

Accommodations: Disney, Stolarik, and Varty cabins.
Planned activities: fishing, hiking, golf, and Sat. Eve. 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 more information / questions: call Don Disney

Please join us for a fun, relaxing weekend in the mountains. Arnold is about a three-hour drive East from Cupertino. (http://www.city-data.com/city/Arnold-California.html) 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
Tom Dyer
As the season changes take a few minutes to walk the grounds and enjoy the sites and smells of our many gardens throughout the campus. As you do so, remember also to seek out and extend your thanks to the many who adopted and nurtured the spaces into gifts for all to enjoy.

Monthly Statistics
Ned Snow

Attendance:
Attendance in August was up NINE PERCENT over the same period last year. Congratulations, St. Jude's! Attendance is on the rise, and the electricity in the air is palpable. Speaking as a choir member, I can say that it's a lot more gratifying to sing an anthem to the glory of God when there are more people in church to share the experience. Let's keep the attendance ball rolling!

Pledge
Pledge income:

Actual year to date $280,278
Budget year to date $298,315
Actual receipts are six percent behind the budget. If you are current on your pledge, THANK YOU! If you must be out of town on business or pleasure, please consider bringing your pledge up to date prior to your departure.

TIME CHANGE:
REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31.

The editors would like to thank Sharon Lee for her assistance proofreading and Grace Schwartzfager, Jean Chandler, Janice McShurley, Ann Shephard, and Kilcee Wood for their assistance with copying, folding and mailing The View.

Updated 9/29/2004
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