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St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church

A Spiritual Oasis Where Lives are Transformed
Volume 23; Issue 03
April 2006

       From the Rector

On Sunday, March 12, 2006, James Tramel was paroled from prison. Twenty years ago, he was convicted of 2 nd degree murder when he was only 17 years old. Last year, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Swing while still in prison. There have been mixed reviews of his early release. The Episcopal Church has received angry letters and calls from people who don’t believe a convicted killer should minister on the outside: “If he wants to do his preaching, there are plenty of people behind bars.” There are others who celebrate his release: “This isn’t about covering what happened. This is about how we can more forward from that day, doing the work of atonement and forgiveness.” So, where do you stand on the issue of forgiveness and new beginnings?

During this season of Lent, we particularly tune into the teachings and life of Jesus; teachings like forgiveness, compassion, self-sacrifice, resisting temptation, speaking the truth in the face of evil, etc. The purpose of these teachings is to show us a new way of relating to the world and others so that we can bring about a new world order based on grace rather than retribution.

During Holy Week, we will gather together as a community to participate in the various liturgies as a way of walking in the steps of Jesus during his final days. As Holy Week progresses, we become very aware of the consequences of Jesus’ decision to stand up to the domination system of his day. Because of this decision, Jesus is crucified on the cross. Yet, in the midst of his agony on the cross, before he breathes his last breath, he utters: “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34]

Please join me in prayer and worship during Holy Week. Your presence is important to the whole community. Remember, Christianity is a way of life, not an intellectual acceptance of a well-ordered set of rational beliefs. As we follow Jesus, we will realize his promise of abundant life .

Peace,

Did You Know?

Is the Kingdom of God Relevant?
The Rev. Mary Blessing

Easter is “late” this year. Lent seems to be dragging on, as I eagerly await Palm Sunday and the pageantry of Jesus’ triumphant march to Jerusalem. I relish in the joy of seeing Jesus proclaimed King, and all the children singing Hosannas, waving their palms. I wish all the world could join in this joyful cry, to have Jesus rule all hearts, the “peacemaker” becoming King of our world! Perhaps, then, we would see no more war, no more famine, no more exploitation of children, no more AIDS orphans, no more racism, no more greed, no more pain....But Jesus did not want to be King! He deliberately chose to STOP his disciples from declaring him King. To declare someone other than Caesar Augustus King was high treason—punishable by death. Jesus no doubt knew that he was “pushing the envelope” as he marched into Jerusalem on a donkey, crowds shouting their Hosannas to make him King. He knew he pushed the envelope to the breaking point against the domination system of ancient Rome, just as he pushed against the powers of the Jewish authorities, in his declaration that the temple in Jerusalem should be a house of prayer, not a marketplace of exploitation. Yet Jesus insisted it was worth losing one’s life for his “Kingdom”, because his Kingdom was grounded in God—the eternal creator, the One in whom we live and move and have our being. But what is the relevance of “the Kingdom of God” in the 21 st C?

2000 years ago to be King was to really be somebody, somebody with power—all power, power to feed the hungry, power to free captives, power to heal the sick, power to decide who lives and who dies. Today, to be King means very little. Only a handful of countries have a King (or a Queen), and they are little more than just a figure-head. People with real power are elected leaders—prime ministers, presidents, heads of parliament. Those who can persuade constituents to trust them with money and military power to protect nations--those are the ones who are elected to serve as “Commander in Chief”, they are the ones who hold the power—at least in the short term, at least that is what our secular world tells us. How does Jesus’ “Kingdom of God” stand against these secular powers of the 21 st C?

The Rev. Brian McClaren, says that Jesus’ “Kingdom of God” is “so last century”, filling us either with anxiety or boredom. If Jesus were here today, what metaphor would he use to describe God’s “Kingdom” which held such punch in yester-year? McClaren offers new, fresh, contemporary language to describe what he calls in his new book, The Secret Message of Jesus: the Truth that Could Change Everything, reviewed in the March 2006 issue of Sojourner’s magazine, and reported here.

McClaren has 6 new images to re-translate “the Kingdom of God”. I invite you to explore these metaphors as you complete your Lenten journey and await the coming of Holy Week and Easter:

  1. The Dream of God: In the Lord’s Prayer, when we say “Your will be done on earth as in heaven”, the Greek word used for “will” can also be translated, “wish”. And a wish is a kind of dream...perhaps we could read this phrase, “May all your dreams for creation become true.” We then could align our “dreams” with God’s, and live in the “Dream of God”.
  2. The Revolution of God: peacemakers such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., who laid down their lives to bring justice, pressed against the ruling government in the name of Truth. To follow Jesus, we need a modifier such as the peace revolution of God, or the love revolution of God, the reconciling revolution of God, or, perhaps the justice revolution of God.
  3. The Mission of God: the Latin root for “mission” means “sends”. God “sends” us into the world to be agents of Change, to offer positive change as we do something positive to relieve suffering persons in the name of Christ, not to force, but offer.
  4. The Party of God: perhaps just as Jesus enjoyed “table fellowship”-- wedding feasts and banquets--where people’s lives were transformed, we can today adopt the idea that we can “throw a party” to be in close fellowship with God, away from our workaholism, overscheduled lives and personal isolation.
  5. The Network of God: perhaps God wants us all to be “plugged in” with God and each other, a network of relationships that produce balance, harmony and health, gaining strength from one another as we mutually share our life in Christ. And finally my personal favorite:
  6. The Dance of God: that ancient image of God as the holy Trinity in a dance of mutual indwelling, Father, Son and Holy Spirit living in an eternal, joyful, vibrant dance of love and honor, grace and beauty.

Perhaps you can re-image the transformative power of God’s presence in your life as you “try on” these various retranslations of Jesus’ “Kingdom of God”. Or feel free to create your own new image of Jesus and his “Kingdom”--an image that brings the Christ’s healing power of hope to a lost, confused world. Then may your Holy Week and Easter Resurrection be truly blessed.

Diocesan Communications
Linda Morris

Vestry Report
Allan Chapman

Your Vestry met on Tuesday, March 21, with the primary topic being Property Plans. The major project is repairing, resealing and repainting the parking lot at a budgeted cost of $8,000. This is scheduled for the first week in May. Other projects are a new church school nursery heater, new windows and lighting in the church school, and painting the Parish Hall trim.

We also discussed our 2006 Parish Goals, including an ongoing Bible Study Program, Evangelism, and Site Safety.

The Demographics committee presented the details of the upcoming Spring-Fest on April 29 from 1-5 p.m. See their article later in The View.

Plans have been established for a Rotary-sponsored garage sale on the St. Jude’s Campus September 18, the date of the Cupertino-wide garage sale activities.

The major topics for next month’s meeting will be Evangelism and Demographics. If you have any questions or input on these subjects, please share them with a Vestry Member (we’re the ones with the blue name tags).

Attendance Down In February
Ned Snow

We lost a bit of momentum in February, as attendance declined 5% when compared with February 2005. I'm usually able to explain away decreased attendance because of issues with the calendar or special events that throw off the trend, but I'm afraid that this month I cannot do that. There were no issues with the calendar in February in either year, so it's an "apples-to-apples" comparison. Darn!

I look forward to seeing resumed attendance increases beginning in March. Invite your friends and neighbors to church. You can do it, St. Jude's!

Heart and Soul –Tuesday, April 4- 7:30pm, Fireside Room
Mary Souza

Social Justice Committee to hear about new program for young incarcerated women .

Everyone is welcome to join us as CIC* jail and juvenile hall chaplains, Rev Louann Roberts and Rev. Peggy Bingham, share the vision of Heart and Soul: Discovering Our True Identity, a program to address the rise in arrests and incarceration of women ages 15-24 due to increased levels of drug use, and trafficking, gang affiliation and violence.

Through classes, discussion and reflection, each woman will have the opportunity to investigate the relationships with her immediate family, her significant others and partners. She will also gain tools to help her evaluate and shape her self-image, her image of God and how she views her family and community. This will enable her to make stronger and healthier decisions about her life. She will be able to see more clearly her opportunities for positive relationships, treatment options and how she wants to shape her family and immediate community.

NOTE: The Social Justice Committee will meet at 7pm for committee business before the presentation at 7:30pm.

*Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy, one of our Outreach funding recipients.

Parish Life
Pat Coles

Much thanks to the Lenten Soup makers: Susan Stanley, Opal Hebson, Terri Hoornstra, Margot Jacobsen, Joellen Stolarik, Nancy Symons, Jack Anspach, Will and Connie Lawrence, Don and Darlene Nash.

Maundy Thursday, April 13, 6:30pm: Please sign-up if you plan to attend the Maundy Thursday dinner. If you are able to help with any of the following: set-up at 10 am, soup preparation during the day, hosting a table for 8 starting at 6:00pm, or clean up - please sign-up for any of these tasks also.

Easter Sunday, April 16: There will be a potluck brunch after both the 8:00am and 10:30am services on Easter Sunday. If you wish to participate please bring food to share.

Spring Fest -- Multicultural Potluck and Entertainment
Demographics/Force in the Community Group

Bring a dish from your culture to share,and greeting our community, and enjoy multicutural

Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 1-5 pm at St. Jude's.

A potluck lunch will be shared from 1-2 pm. local groups--some with audience--includes Indian dancers, Chinese, Filipino stick dancers, Korean singers,(Organization of Special Needs Families) children, St. Jude's Adult and Children's Choirs, and Music of the Spirit band.Invite your neighbors and friends and join in the fun!

Think Stephen Ministry — Care Receiver Testimonials
Diane Snow

“I thank God every day for my Stephen Minister. I don’t know how I could have made it through the last year without her!”

“The best thing about Stephen Ministry was it was so confidential. Nobody even knew I had a Stephen Minister”

“As a man, it was difficult and awkward reaching out for help. But I’m glad I did. I probably could have made it alone, but it sure was a lot easier having a Stephen Minister to talk to.”

“I felt guilty about being angry at God. But my Stephen Minister didn’t think I was terrible. She was very patient and just listened and cared. She demonstrated Jesus’ unconditional love and helped me to trust God again.”

On Sunday May 7th, St. Jude’s will commission three new Stephen Ministers at both services. Please join us in welcoming them to this vital, quiet ministry. They will join our current Stephen Ministers, Kim Adams, Kim Bennett, Gordon Mullin, Susan Stanley, Celia Watson, Cheryl Lawrence, Bert McMahon, Jani Wild and Jan Martin.

For more information call Stephen Leaders Diane Snow, Betsy Fox Fisher or Jerry Witherspoon. Or talk with Pastor Mary or Pastor Karen. Betsy is the referral coordinator.

Adult Education for April
Bruce La Fetra

The editors, Nancy and Allan Chapman, thank all of this month’s contributors and the always reliable and excellent production staff.

Updated 4/7/2006
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