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St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church

A Spiritual Oasis Where Lives are Transformed
Volume 22; Issue 05
June 2005

Over the years, St. Jude’s has been blessed with many volunteer clergy who have helped out with the pastoral care and liturgical needs of the parish. Pastors Bob Mayer and Bob Hansen have freely given their time and talent to our community for many decades. As they have grown older (and wiser), they have encouraged me to add an additional person to our clergy team.

I am delighted to announce that the Rev. John Buenz will be joining us on a part-time basis, beginning in June. John was rector of St. Jude the Apostle from 1973-1986. He then became Dean of the Cathedral in Spokane Washington until he retired in 1996. During the past several years, he has filled various interim positions. For the past two years, he has been assisting at Trinity Cathedral and will split his time between St. Jude’s and Trinity. As you know, John has many, many gifts for ministry. He is a good preacher and teacher. He is insightful, articulate, and has skills in organizational development. He has agreed to be part of the preaching, teaching, and liturgical rota as well as consult on issues dealing with organizational development and newcomer incorporation.

We are delighted that he and his wife, Marilyn, will be returning to our community of faith. John will be offering an adult forum on the Theology of John Spong on June 5 th. Please come to the coffee hour on that day to greet and welcome them home!

 

Peace,

A Celebration!
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt

If you look around the St. Jude’s campus, you will notice that there is a lot to celebrate. Over the past years, the people of St. Jude’s have offered their time, talent, and treasure, to spruce up the grounds, address some serious delayed maintenance, and accomplish many necessary repairs and upgrades. Under the leadership of Tom Dyer (our property manager), repair and upgrades have been made to our electrical, water, sewer, heating, and irrigation systems. Roofs have been repaired or replaced, bathrooms overhauled, heaters upgraded, dry rot repaired, lighting installed, the watchperson’s quarters overhauled, floors replaced, and many fixtures upgraded. The grounds have been enhanced, beautified, and nurtured.

Many parishioners have taken ownership of a portion of the campus (such as the orchard, corner entry ways, memorial garden, the altar view, flower gardens, etc) to ensure continued maintenance and beauty. Some parishioners have come on “work days” to help out with much needed tasks. Others have volunteered to oversee a particular project. “Many hands make work light.” New “planting patrons” and other volunteers are always welcomed to the property ministry.
After six years of dedicated service, Tom Dyer is ready to hand over the baton to new leadership. If you feel called to this position of leadership or you would like to be part of a committee who is discerning the future of property management at St. Jude’s, please talk to our Sr. Warden, Peggy McNutt or a member of the vestry. They will connect you with key property personnel.

Our vision is: St. Jude’s is a spiritual oasis where life is transformed. Please pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and for the raising up of leadership and volunteers for this important ministry.

Moving On
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt

Did you know that our secretary, Candice Phillips, is an aesthetician? Last year, Candice received her training and license to do facials, waxing, makeup, etc. and has been working part time in a salon in Los Gatos. Her desire is to spend her primary time and energy in this field and will be leaving her position as secretary of St. Jude’s sometime in June.
We give thanks for her presence among us, her good spirit, and her professional discretion as our parish secretary. If you would like to have a fabulous facial, please contact Candice directly.

Strategic Update
Jennifer Stern and The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt

When St. Jude’s first opened its door in the early 1960’s, there was a steady stream of visitors seeking an Episcopal Church for their families. Forty years later, the vestry and clergy realized that this steady stream of church-seeking families had diminished to a trickle. Today, churches all over the United States (who are healthy and growing) realize that they must specifically reach out to the unchurched and invite them into their communities. Sometimes this invitation is direct yet personal. These folks tend to be looking for a church community to meet the needs of their children or their own spiritual yearnings. We say that these people enter the church “through the front door.” Other folks are more hesitant about joining a church community. In response to this hesitancy, churches offer programs, educational events, and other opportunities to attract these folks onto their campus. Eventually some of them join the church. We say that these people enter the church “through the side door.”

In 2003, the vestry (with input from the St. Jude’s community), came up with a strategic plan. The purpose of the plan was to find opportunities to invite the surrounding community, onto our campus, for the purpose of spreading the gospel of love that was taught to us by Christ. The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Christ. With that in mind, the idea of starting a St. Jude’s pre-school was suggested. We are now exploring the feasibility of starting a pre-school at St. Jude’s and will be reporting the results to the vestry at its June meeting.
A St. Jude’s pre-school will provide us with the following opportunities:

  1. An opportunity to spread the gospel to youngsters who might never step into a church.
  2. An opportunity to invite families (who attend the pre-school) to become part of our faith community.
  3. An opportunity to reach out to the surrounding demographics who value good education and children.
  4. An opportunity to become a “conspicuous force in the community” by becoming known for an excellent pre-school and responding to the early educational needs of the community.
  5. An opportunity to renovate our school building so that it meets the needs of our Sunday School program that has recently been blessed with many new children.

While there is still much to investigate, our initial findings are positive. If you would like to learn more about these findings or would like to be part of the feasibility team, please call Jennifer Stern.

Did You Know?

Church School Help Needed
The Rev. Mary Blessing

Church School summer program and our Godly Play Chapel need helpers, teachers, leaders--people who love children, and who love to see children grow in the spirit of God. Will you give some of your time and talent in the spiritual transformation of the children of St. Jude’s? We will train you in the "Godly Play" curriculum that we use in Church School from Pre K-5th grades. In addition to our need for more storytellers and doorpersons, we need to apprentice someone to be the overall coordinator of Godly Play chapel.

This summer, we will be doing a more relaxed curriculum with an emphasis on special group projects, designed to encourage the children to get to know each other better and to build stronger spiritual relationships with their "church family." Do you have a talent or skill that would like to share this summer with the children? Some talents may be used as a support to our program without taking you away from Sunday morning worship. Other talents needed include working with the children during the beginning portion of our 10:30 Sunday worship. Types of talents we seek include gardeners, artists, musicians, sewers (sewing banners), and storytellers. If you have another talent you think might interest us, let us know! If you have a talent we think we would like added to our program, we may give you a call, too. Please listen with an open heart, to see if the Holy Spirit may be calling you to offer that talent to our young members.
Interested? Have questions? Please contact Linda Morris.

End of School Year Blues…
The Rev. Mary Blessing

Being a parish priest overseeing youth ministries is a lot like being a high school teacher. We invest in the formation of teens from the awkward middle school years up to the time they are young adults. Just as they begin to relate more as an adult peer than a child, they take off, ready to spread their wings and go out in to the world. I begin to miss them long before the end of June, because long before school is over they are looking beyond this place into an unknown future.
This year a batch of 7 young people are completing their high school studies, ready to move on: Jon Landis, Allison Nau, Jon Pannell, Briana Small, Jay Troop, Scott Wagner and Anne-Marie Wilcox. Some will remain in our community as they pursue work and local college options, some will move out to colleges and universities away from home, but all will begin the process of discovering who they are as independent adults, with identities that go beyond family, church, high school and community.

As these young people move forward, I wonder, “Where is God in their lives?” Have we as a faith community given these teens a solid faith foundation that will support them in a world filled with distraction, competition and “one-upmanship”? Will they know to seek Christ’s presence in the world around them, and to be able to discern which groups of people will encourage them in their faith-walk? Will they remember to go forth in the world, “respecting the dignity of all persons?” Will they come home to us, eager to share what they have discovered? Will St. Jude’s be a spiritual anchor, a place they will always call “home?”

For some of these teens, I can predict “Yes”, God will be close to their hearts, and they will know it. They will be back to celebrate Christ’s presence in their lives as they grow. Others may be more challenged to find God beyond their experience here in this community of faith, partly because they leave here with doubt, partly because they will turn their attention elsewhere, and not even ask the question. And I wonder, what more can we do to encourage them in the few weeks we may have left with them, to bring them closer to God, to fill the gap of doubt?

Will you please take a few moments and pray for these young adults? Even better, why not give them a phone call? Ask them how they are doing, offer a listening ear, reflect the love of Christ you hold in your own heart, then send them forth encouraged to seek and find Christ in the world beyond. Let us remind them of Paul’s encouraging words in his letter to the Phillipians: “… beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Diocesan Communications
Linda Morris

· For more diocesan and deanery news, see the kiosk in the church entry (Narthex). To carpool to any events or for more information, please contact Linda Morris.

Property Highlights
Tom Dyer

Farmhouse Entry Handrails—finally! Stop by and tryout the new handrails that adorn the Farmhouse entry steps. Many have commented that they are worth waiting for.

Calling All Space Sponsors--- give Tom and Syd a call for a spring checkup on your irrigation coverage and timetable.
New Farmhouse Roof--- even though delayed multiple times for unseasonable weather, the long awaited roof replacement is finally happening. Stop by and watch the show.

Attendance - Easter Attendance Buoys a Slight Decline
Ned Snow

Since Easter was in March this year and April last year, I compared attendance over the two months of March and April. We had a small decrease of 2.7% compared with last year, but even in that, I see a silver lining. The Holy Spirit is active at St. Jude's!

Vestry – May
Juneann McDonald

The Vestry met on May 17, 2005 at 7pm for the Healing Service followed by the monthly meeting. Peggy McNutt requested a volunteer for distributing St. Jude shirts, and Kay Knapp agreed to lead the distribution and sale of them to newcomers and existing members. Kay Knapp informed the Vestry that Live Oak is celebrating their 25th anniversary in May 2005. Festivities are planned – stay tuned. Live Oak will complete a garden project in honor of this milestone. Nancy Symons presented the Planned Giving group's plan to create a Legacy Society at St. Jude’s in 2005. Nancy explained that a legacy society is motivational, allows us to share information with parishioners, and gives us a symbolic way of expressing our beliefs. She shared samples of a brochure and membership sheet that will be distributed when the Legacy Society is introduced to the congregation on Legacy Sunday in June. Pastor Karen then lead a discussion on volunteer leadership with all meeting attendees sharing what enhances their ministry and excites them as leaders at St. Jude, and what distresses or burns them out as leaders.

Tom Dyer reviewed his activities as Property Manager and motivator for many volunteers as the property and facilities at St. Jude have grown to "repair state" over the past six years. Since Tom is stepping out of this role at the end of 2005, the Vestry discussed how to fill this role in future, and decided to have a smaller group investigate how the property should be managed in future. The group will present several options with pros and cons to the Vestry for a decision in two to three months. Seven members volunteered to participate in the group and provide progress reports to the Vestry at monthly meetings over the next three months. Nancy Symons volunteered to handle contracts and risk management, if needed. Brock Carpenter and several Vestry members recognized Tom's dedication, contribution of personal time and inspiration to the volunteers and contractors he has worked with at St. Jude.

The Demographics Group has agreed to extend it's focus to include being a "Conspicuous Force in the Community" with some reservations about possibly diluting the efforts in both areas. They will invite the Conspicuous Force group members to the next Demographics meeting.

An Invitation to Join St. Jude’s Legacy Society
Nancy Symons, Chair, Planned Giving Committee

June 19 is the founding date for St. Jude’s Legacy Society. Pastor Karen will preach on the topic and information will be handed out between services. You will be invited to join the Legacy Society.
What is the Legacy Society? St. Jude’s Legacy Society is intended to be a fellowship of parishioners who have made a lasting contribution to the future of St. Jude’s. You may join the Society in two ways: (1) by leaving a gift in your estate plan; or (2) by giving a gift during lifetime beyond your yearly pledge.
What the Legacy Society is Not! We do not foresee that the Society will be a social group with activities. While many legacy societies have dinners and other functions to celebrate gifts, at the present time the Planned Giving Committee does not plan such events. Also, the Legacy Society is not intended to be a forum for self-congratulation.
Why Have a Legacy Society? Initially the Planned Giving Committee felt some resistance to founding a society that recognizes giving. We feared that parishioners might shun an open expression of their generosity. After prayer and discussion, however, we have come to the conclusion that we are called by God to form this society for a variety of reasons:

An Invitation to a Commissioning
Dianne Snow

On Sunday June 5th at the 8 am and the 10:30am services. our congregation will commission a new Stephen Minister. Throughout history, when God has called people to special ministry, members of their community have commissioned them for important new work they are taking on. Now we invite you to help carry on that biblical tradition by being a part of commissioning Gordon Mullin who has responded to God's call to be part of our congregations' Stephen Ministry. This commissioning service offers an opportunity to show our support. How else can we help? We can pray for our Stephen Leaders, our Stephen Ministers, and their care receivers. This ministry calls for both time and effort. Some of us may apply to become a Stephen Minister or Leader. Others may accept the care of a Stephen Minster. We can be ministers of referral. watching for people in need and suggesting a Stephen Minister's care.

It’s a Blessing to be a Eucharistic Visitor
Gordon Mullin

Since coming to St. Jude's last August, I have been a Eucharistic visitor, taking communion to parishioners who aren't able to attend church. Each person says how much they appreciate my visit which makes me feel so blessed. When you do God's work, he blesses you. Why don't you experience God's blessing in this way? Contact Diane Snow and ask to be trained as a Eucharistic visitor. Take it from me, you won't be sorry.

1st Annual Cupertino Special Festival - June 4
Mary Souza

Plan to join our friends from The Organization of Special Needs Families (OSF) at the 1st Annual Cupertino Special Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2005, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Cali Mill Plaza and Cupertino Library. Sponsored by OSF in collaboration with the San Andreas Regional Center, Parents Helping Parents, and UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, this Special Festival will provide families of special needs and typical individuals a chance to play, learn, and relax together along with the broader Cupertino community.
Activities include an opening ceremony with community leaders, a parade, a conference on autism, ten international food booths, festival stands, live music, games, percussion instruments to play with, singing and dancing contests and sports activities which will allow interaction and inclusion between people of all ages and needs.
Inclusion and community participation for all individuals in our society is one of the primary missions of OSF. Executive Director of OSF Chihua Wei, a St. Jude’s parishioner, states, “Our mission for this festival is to ‘bring families and communities together’, to bridge mutual understanding through friendship building, and to celebrate people’s greatest natural virtue of loving each other. Only by doing that can we be assured that this community is a better place for ourselves and future generations.”
On the St. Jude’s campus, OSF operates a needs-integrated learning center. The goal of this after-school and weekend program is to provide balanced and year-round educational and therapeutic programs and community services and support to individuals (children, adults, seniors) with Special Needs and their families with no race, culture, or age boundary. About 70 local high school students volunteer as one-on-one mentors for Special Needs children.
To learn more visit the Social Justice Page at www.saintjudes.org and follow the links from Agencies and Concerns Supported by St. Jude’s. Or visit OSF directly at www.osfamilies.org

Altar Flowers

Are you interested in arranging flowers for the Sunday services? The flower ministry needs someone to do flowers on the second Saturday each month, or maybe just to fill in when necessary. Sue Knight, Betty Harrah, Becky Davis and Susan Lanser make up the current ministry. Each one is responsible for choosing and buying the flowers each week and usually arranging them on Saturday morning in the Fireplace Room. Vases and supplies are available. The cost of the flowers is reimbursed. We also decorate the church together at Christmas and Easter and other special occasions. We are all flexible and willing to swap and cover for each other if someone is unable to be available for their week. It is a very enjoyable ministry and we hope you will consider being part of it. Please call Susan Lanser if you would like to become a part of this ministry.

Adult Education in June
Bruce La Fetra

June 5 - Spong Says The Church Must Change?
The Rev. John Buenz takes a look at the theology of The Right Reverend John Shelby Spong, author of `Why Christianity Must Change or Die,` `Resurrection, Myth or Reality?` and `Rescuing The Bible from Fundamentalism.` Bishop Spong, Retired Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, has taken a very unique, provocative position regarding religious faith. He challenges followers to question current biblical interpretations. Some have called him a revolutionary, rational anti-religionist.

June 12 - The Immigrant Experience: Intergenerational Issues
All of us are or are descended from immigrants, but our stories are not all the same. This is especially true in Cupertino. Two sets of parent-child presenters share their experience emigrating to the US, and the impact that joining a new community has had on intergenerational issues. We also explore the role that values and spirituality played in shaping life in their new community.

June 19 - Personality Type & Spirituality
Have you ever wondered why some people approach Christian spirituality and life in general from a perspective that you find totally foreign? Personality type can have a strong influence on how we approach the religious dimensions of life. Dr. Terry Shoup discusses how personality type impacts our understanding of Christian spirituality. Citing specific examples of the different personality modalities of real characters from the New Testament, he shows how each of us has an important role in the work of God’s kingdom. This presentation will provide you with useful information so that you can work more effectively with those you encounter on life’s journey.

June 26 - The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel is often considered the most 'Jewish' of the four canonical gospels. It is as if Matthew was intent on proving that Jesus was the fulfillment of the tradition's expectation of the 'Messiah.' There are five distinct sections, or 'books' which some say correspond to the five books of The Torah. But Matthew's gospel does more than set out to prove to the Hebrew people that they have found their Messiah--Matthew's gospel calls the reader to 'radical discipleship'--to follow Jesus, the Messiah, no matter what the personal cost. It is this 'call to radical discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew' which Pastor Mary Blessing will explore during this forum.
Forums are recorded and can be listened to on CD (contact Bruce La Fetra) or on the Web. You can now also download the audio file to make your own CD, if you are so inclined.

Big Plans for July 4th Celebration
Matt and Audrey Matthews

Monday, July 4, is a day for us at St. Jude’s to celebrate with some all-American activities, starting with the St. Jude’s Chili Show! Judging kicks off at 4:00, and a few minutes later the curtain rises on the St. Jude’s Talent Cook-off! It is not too late for you to enter either (or both) of these events by simply signing up on the Kiosk. If you are entering a pot of chili, be sure to pick up a copy of the Chili Show Rules from the Kiosk.

You say you aren’t ready to enter your chili or perform in front of a crowd? NOT A PROBLEM! Just show up and share food and fellowship with the rest of us. Bring your own beverages and grillable entrée, and a salads, cornbread, or desserts to share. The parish is providing the charcoal grills, tablecloths, plates, utensils, and ice cream.

Don’t forget to bring the kids! We have not one, but two piñatas for the kids. Other games and activities are planned as well.

Bring your friends and neighbors. This holiday event is a great opportunity to introduce new people to the community of St. Jude’s, our spiritual oasis.

If you have questions, contact Audrey Matthews.

A Message from Belize, Especially for Tensie Henry’s Friends
Jan and Howard Hill

Greetings come from Barbara & Gerald Henry, son and daughter-in-law of Hortense (“Tensie”) Henry. They remember, with thanks, everyone at St. Jude’s who were friends of Tensie, and who were so kind to them when they came for her funeral in 1999.
We were fortunate to be able to visit Barbara and Gerald a few weeks ago at their lovely home in northwest Belize. They were most gracious, and we spent many hours with them visiting Tensie’s tomb, the church of St. Andrew to which St. Jude’s had sent some funds, and seeing the organ inside given by the family in honor of their mother. Barbara took us to St. Andrew’s Anglican school where she used to teach and where people remember Tensie with affection. We have photos of all these places, as well as their new home. This is a large and lovely house set in many acres outside the city of San Ignacio. They have built a pool, large patio and reception area, and rent it out for wedding parties and other celebrations. In addition they have several acres set aside for crops, and with our meal we ate delicious red beans grown at home.
Barbara admits she can’t remember everyone’s names, but does remember with thanks the faces and hospitality of St. Jude’s people.

 

The editors, Nancy and Allan Chapman, would like to thank the faithful production crew that copies, folds, labels, and mails The View each month.

Updated 6/2/2005
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