January 2008

The Episcopal Church in Almaden 6581 Camden Avenue, San José, California 95120 408•268•0243 www.eca-sj.org Opportunities at ECA The Episcopal Church In Almaden

December Sunday Services 7:30 am and 11:00 am Opportunities this month at ECA at a glance...... Rector Worship The Reverend Stephen Mills January 6 – Epiphany Sunday 408-802-5347 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist [email protected] 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist January 13 – Guest Celebrant: Father Stephen is on retreat with vestry Ministries 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist Acolytes Taylor Mills & Marc Bond 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist Altar Guild Margaret Halliwell, Anna Spanjaart January 20 – 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist Coffee Hour Pete Mayo 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist Folk Choir Andy Kerr January 27 – 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist Greeters Sharon Mills 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist – Folk Sunday God Squad Stephen Mills Good Sams Kelli Casale / Brenda McHenry Folk Sunday will be the fourth Sunday this month. Many of our Folk Handbell Choir Maryke Williams Kids’ Breakout Leslie Rousseau Sunday participants, including its leader, Andy Kerr, will be on the vestry Lay Readers Jenny Hoyt retreat the 2nd Sunday. We appreciate your willingness to be flexible with Montgomery Meals Amy Griffith this month’s scheduling. Nursery Pauline Gilligan Prayer Vine Dorothy Willard Adult Study (details within this Shape) Ushers Dave Byers Thursday Mornings at the church 10:30 AM on January 17, 24, & 31 Sr High Youth Group Katie Taplin Wednesday Evening, January 16 & 30, locations to be announced Stewardship George Romer Jr High Youth Group Katie Taplin Children and Youth Study Worship Sandie Mueller Webmaster Kim Petruzzelli Sunday School hour begins at 10:10 AM January 6, 13, 20, & 27 Youth Sunday Jim McPherson, Bryan Bond

Fellowship ECA Staff ECA & UCC Talent Show for all Ages (details within) – January 5 Christian Ed. Director Katie Taplin JHYG (Junior High Youth) Meeting – January 6 Music Director, Organist John Leslie SHYG (Senior High Youth) Meeting – January 6 Treasurer Maryke Williams Youth Groups Ski Weekend – January 18-21 Youth Director Katie Taplin Men’s Breakfast, Thursday mornings, 8 AM @ Denny’s Administrative Assistant Dennis Elliott Vestry Retreat at Presentation Retreat Center – January 11-13

Outreach Contacting Montgomery Meals – Friday, January 11 & 25 January 2007 Edition Issue Number 010108 Editor Alex Dykes Telephone Number 408 268-0243 Email Address [email protected]

The Shape is usually a Monthly Publication of The Episcopal Church in Almaden

2 From Stephen o you ever feel like you are on an accel- and a fitting tribute to a devoted member of the erating roller coaster. Life just keeps go- church and this congregation. ing faster and faster and you have little Dcontrol over the speed or pace. It has felt like that The next day we had our Christmas Pageant oth- for me for the past several months. First we had erwise known as “semi-organized chaos”. It was so the 40th Anniversary Celebration. Then, before hilarious to see the children dressed in animal cos- there was even time to catch my breath, came the tumes scurrying to rejoin their parents and then bishop’s ordination, and our Harvest Potluck. deciding to rejoin the pageant. Mary (Kele Lavery) and Joseph (Will Bond) were wonderful and it December seems to be continuing the trend. It was poignant to see Mary pick up a crying Jesus began with our annual meeting on December and have him stop crying. Byron Henderson did 2nd. Sharon Mills. Andy Kerr, Kimberly Axtell, a masterful job as Narrator, and Katie Taplin’s cos- and Hank DeVoss were elected to the vestry; Ron tumes (especially the donkey and the camel) were Howie and Melinda Jennings were elected to the the highlights of the show. The only problem is JV Board; and Todd and Kimberly Axtell, Melinda that the Federal Trade Commission has banned the Jennings and Betty Wood were elected as Conven- camel from future pageants because it advertises tion Delegates. At our subsequent vestry meeting, cigarettes to children. (just kidding). Mary Leal was elected by the vestry to fill the one vacancy as a Convention Delegate. Also, the An- On Monday evening Kevin’s father died surround- nual Report for 2007 was mailed out with the ed by family and friends. Kevin will not be with us Shape. for Christmas but he and Nancy (who has been in a lot of pain herself) will be in our thoughts and As most of you know one of our dearest parishio- prayers this Christmas season. ners, Frank May died on December 8th. He had a good death; a peaceful death, surrounded by December also featured our Christmas Party on Genevieve and his family. It was exactly thirteen December 8th. It was light and fun and generally years to the day after his wife Dori died. We had a suitable for all ages. Special thanks to the commit- wonderful send off for Frank at ECA on December tee for putting it on. 15th. Andy Kerr led the Cursillo Community in song and we remembered and celebrated Frank’s Finally I am looking forward to our Vestry Retreat life. There were a number of touching tributes to in January to catch my breath, pray and reflect on Frank by Genevieve, Craig Stephan, Pete Mayo, where we have been and where we are going. If you Ron Howie, Diane Conrad, Tim Miller, two of have any thoughts one these topics, please talk to Frank’s grandchildren and several others. I was me or one of our vestry members. touched by the heartfelt emotion and eloquence in those tributes. Afterwards we gathered in the May god bless us richly in the year of 2008. Youth Center at a reception put on by Ellen Lu- kanc, Helen Beacher, Anna Spanjaart, and Katie Salaam, Taplin with muscle provided by Todd and Doug Stephen Lukanc. All in all it was a magnificent celebration

3 From the Editor his is the first year in that were color coordinated and trimmed the some time that it has tray in a profusion of ribbons and white LED actually felt like Christ- lights. All would have been OK if we had just Tmas for me. This isn’t because stayed on the traditional path… But this is me I had some terrible experience we are talking about. one Christmas that just ruined it for me. No, instead it was be- Mythbuster’s fans know that bleach, Viagra cause everyone in our families were getting along, and hairspray were the best ways to keep the the Christmas goose turned out golden brown and leaves on the tree. Of course, we decided to absolutely perfect, Rob and I finally put up our forge our own way ahead and try glycerin first Christmas tree in 6 years and nothing really since the floral industry uses it daily to pre- went wrong except for the tree (I guess there is a serve plants. Let me say right now, never, nev- first time for everything). er, never use glycerin in your Christmas tree water. After the first week, the formerly fresh Our first step to Christmas bliss was to acquire the tree was still sucking up water at a good clip, perfect fresh-cut tree. As anyone who has engaged but the leaves were coming off with the slight- in this search can tell you, the process is not easy. est breeze. We visited no less than 6 Christmas tree farms from Soquel to Half Moon Bay and everywhere in-be- We prayed nightly that the tree would last tween in search of the perfect Noble Fir. Of course, until the 25th. On Christmas eve my mom the more experienced shoppers know that very few inspected an ornament and the slight touch of farms here grow Noble Firs, and those that grow the branch tip left a football sized bare spot on them seem to specialize in Charlie Brown style the tree. I contemplated the dead bush sitting trees which would be OK if the living room ceiling in the corner of our living room and thought was only 3 feet above the floor. to myself what an odd thing it is to have a bush in the living room, especially since it re- After several days, hundreds of miles on the car, ally has nothing to do with “Christmas” and and hopes that were sinking with every passing odder still scholars all point to Christ actually minute, we ended up at the Christmas tree lot at being born in Spring rather than December. Lowe’s . Either way, as I sat contemplating these mys- teries, I am fairly positive it was God who told We took our lovely Oregon fir home with care me “just put water in it next time.” and trimmed the tree to open up the branches until they were perfect. We selected only ornaments Alex Dykes

4 News From The Pews agittarians of the world unite! There are a lot Once again Betty Consorte did a beautiful job deco- of us here at ECA. Eight ladies (not all Sagit- rating the church with a little help from her friends. tarians) celebrated Betty Consorte’s birthday Pat McGarvin, Suzanne Mayo and I provided some Swith lunch at Cinnabar. A week later, thirteen of of the manual labor, but the creativity comes mostly us feted Susie Ferguson and Ellie Mills with lunch, from Betty. Thanks also to Dennis Elliott for his again at Cinnabar. We are definitely the ladies who help. Some things required a little extra height. lunch. In fact, their servings are so large we usually get two lunches each time. Jackie Whitlock did a great job getting everything set for the African Team Ministry goods at Alterna- Save the date: Amy Griffith has come up with yet tive Christmas (detail in another article). A lot of another great idea for ladies day out. On Thursday, people did some serious Christmas shopping there. Jan. 17th we will be going to see “Body Works” at the San Jose Tech. The show is at 2PM and the For the second year in a row our Rector Stephen pre- cost is $18.50 for seniors (62+) and $22 for adults. pared the angel tree for the children’s gifts. I think Does this mean seniors are not adults? Just asking. he really enjoys it. There will be a sign-up sheet available after Jan. 1st. And I’m reasonably sure that this will involve lunch Again a reminder to please let me know of happen- somewhere. ings in your lives that you are willing to share with your ECA family. Whether good news or not so Many ECA families are traveling this Christmas good, we care and want to share it with you. Be- season. The Romers are in Carlsbad awaiting the sides, I am incurably curious. Call Mary Leal at arrival of their newest grandchild. John and Mary (408) 268-0230 or email at [email protected]. McPherson and family will make several stops. Robin and Maryke Williams will also be taking a Mary Leal Christmas trip. We wish them, and all others on the road, safe and enjoyable travel.

5 December Alternative Reflections Christmas n the first Sunday in Advent, we sang the nce again Alternative Christmas pro- hymn, “Come thou long expected Jesus.” vided members of both congregations an It is a typical Advent song, full of longing opportunity to do some outreach in the Ofor God’s Kingdom and what life would be like if Ocomfort of Fellowship Hall. The InnVision giving Jesus truly reigned in our hearts alone. tree raised $190 thanks to Karen Haley. Phyllis Green led the way in raising $585 for Habitat for Now that Christmas is over, the grand meals are all Humanity. Mary Kingsley’s Heifer Project netted eaten and the packages unwrapped – now what? $720, Turning Wheels for Kids with Sue Hamil- We sang of Jesus coming, we celebrated Christmas ton raised $355 and Harriet Yamada helped Grace Eve service, and expected peace on earth. But the Community Center collect $135 for poetry and world we live in is on the threshold between the art booklets. Phyllis and HiDong Chai sold $75 now and not yet, between our current human con- worth of their wonderful CD’s benefiting Hope for dition and God’s Kingdom which is right at hand. Sudan and African Team Ministry. And sometimes that tension is the most apparent during the Christmas season. Jackie Whitlock spearheaded the African Team Ministry sales which brought in approximately I think I would like to change the words of that $1,100. The final numbers aren’t in yet. Jackie Advent hymn that we sang earlier to, “Come thou, also brought in Usborne Books. 43 books were unexpected Jesus.” We often look for Jesus in the sold, which meant that 14 books were donated to usual places: church, family, treasured relation- Santa Maria Urban Ministry. Additionally, their ships. But do we look for Christ in the unexpected: representative Serena on her own donated another a stressful situation at work, the homeless person 22 books to the mission. picking through the trash for recyclables, an unre- solved issue with a loved one? The youth groups were also involved in raising money through the bake sale and servant auction. Christ came unexpectedly, as a child, as an itiner- Their results are reported separately. ant preacher, on a donkey, as a criminal hung on a cross. His life was a study of contradictions be- Many thanks to all who worked to make this event tween people’s expectations and his call from God. a success in reaching out to help those in need. We who are called to be members of Christ’s body What a great reminder of the rue meaning of the are also called to serve in unexpected places, to season this is. minister to the world around us with the love of Christ. The call to serve is sometimes comfortable, Mary Leal and sometimes it is not. And we may never know the consequences of our actions. But all these things do not lessen the call to serve, even if the call is unexpected.

Kimberly Axtell

6 Automatic External Defibrillator

n AED is a device that can restart a heart and it will tell you what to do. Don’t stop perform- that has stopped beating effectively. It ana- ing CPR. Have another person put the patches on lyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, the chest. Once it’s attached, it will tell you when Atells the user to deliver a shock to a victim of sud- to stop the compressions and stand clear so that it den cardiac arrest. This shock may help the heart can assess the heart rhythm. to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own. To be most effective, AEDs need to be accessible for The good news is that the AED will not deliver immediate use. Consequently, an AED was pur- a shock if it is not needed, so there is no harm in chased for our churches. You will find them in hooking it up to a good heart. As I said it is a smart airports and malls and other public places as well. machine! Bonnie McPherson recently showed the Emergen- cy Preparedness teams how to use it. It is a very If the person has a pacemaker (you will realize this smart machine, so no formal training is necessary. because there will be a noticeable bulge under the Here is what she told us to do if someone collapses skin over the heart), do not put the patches over at our church. top of the pacemaker, put them beside it.

1. Shake and shout. Also, in the event you come upon an unconscious If the person isn’t arousing, tell someone to call person, and you have no idea how long they have 911. Tell someone else to go get the AED. It is been down, do CPR for a full 2 minutes before located in the hall between the bathrooms. connecting the AED.

2. Open the airway by tilting the head back. Mary McPherson Check breathing. Is the chest rising? If so, wait Education Committee for Disaster Preparedness for paramedics. If not,

3. Hold the nose closed and breathe twice into the person’s mouth. Check circulation. Is there a pulse? If so, continue to breathe for them until they breathe on their own, or until help arrives. If you don’t detect pulse, begin chest compressions. 30 compressions then 2 breaths.

4. Once the AED arrives on the scene turn it on

7 Turkey Drive 2007 Gifts of Gratitude e’ve just completed another record-set- Kim Petruzzelli, Lola Fahlen, Donna Miller, Sha- ting turkey drive over the Thanksgiving ron Mills, Inge Bond, & Susie Ferguson: Thank holiday. It is truly amazing how well you for stepping forward to plan and prepare for Wover 100 volunteers come together for this great the Christmas party for ECA. ECA outreach event each year. This year we cooked a record 85 turkeys resulting in 510 pounds of pre- Betty Consorte, Mary Leal, Hans Spanjaart & pared turkey meat in our freezers which will be Jerry Ferguson: Thank you for your spontaneous used to create Montgomery Meals every other Fri- help with the Christmas party preparation, execu- day throughout the coming year. Thanks go out tion, and clean up. once again to Stuft Pizza of Campbell for allowing us to use their giant pizza oven on Thanksgiving Linda Fahlen and Tim Miller: Thank you for help- morning. Special thanks for the super early morning us with the music at our Christmas party and ing labors of Craig Stephan, Andy Kerr, Roger the accompaniment for caroling. Hoyt, Ron Howie and especially Pete Mayo whose energy and dedication continue to amaze. And a All those wonderful angels on Pageant Sunday: big THANKS to ALL volunteers – we couldn’t do Thank you to all the parents who helped Katie this without every one of you! with the Instant Pageant on December 16. Every- one enjoyed the fruits of your labor. Steve Wing A special thanks to all of you who participated in the many Christmas services to make our worship experiences meaningful and filleid with love and joy.

8 ECA Family January Christmas Party Anniversaries hank you to all who passed on your rave Dennis & Mary Moran 6 reviews of our Christmas party. It certainly Dennis & Gloria Skowronski 11 made all of us on the committee feel great Hank & Mariolein Ciappa 13 Tand know that our efforts to make the event a spe- Lola & Tom Fahlen 16 cial one were appreciated. Our goal was to provide Bill & Elaine LaVallee 19 an evening with a little bit of fun for all ages and Bill & Sandy Taylor 26 not totally exhaust ourselves in making it happen. Well, we didn’t exhaust ourselves and it seems you January all had fun. Mission Accomplished!! Birthdays The evening started off with those brave enough Matthew LaRochelle 1 to join in for the Polaroid Scavenger Hunt. The Amanda Pulling 1 groups had 1 ½ hours to take 10 photos, 8 of which Sharon Mills 4 could earn them points towards a prize. When Steve Wing 10 they returned to church each group made a clever Inge Bond 11 display of their photos to be judged for prizes at Patrick Ward 11 the end of the evening. Suzanne and Pete Mayo, Jacqueline Rousseau 12 Sharon Mills, and Will Bond took the honors and John Beacher 13 first prize. However all groups received honorable Kathy Dunham 15 mentions, ice cream certificates, and lots of smiles Kim Petruzzelli 21 and laughs. Karl Lueck 22 Henry Blankenheim 24 Our ECA family that evening ranged from 2 ½ to Jacob Fahlen 26 80 in years. Everyone enjoyed the Italian dinner Hans Spanjaart 27 followed by an activity time. The kids made orna- Lynda Fahlen 28 ments and the adults played a new arrangement of Payton Jaciow 28 Name that Tune. We closed with carols and more Doug Lukanc 28 prizes and still more smiles. William Bond 29

Thanks to all who helped make our clean up fast and easy. (Of course the paper and plastic theme was a plus there!) The committee also appreciated the extra hands getting the tables and chairs put back ready for Sunday morning. What a great family we have at ECA. Everyone pitches in when it’s needed. You are the best!!

Inge, Kim, Lola, Donna, Sharon, & Susie Your Christmas Party Committee

9 Meet Your 2008 Vestry Jim McPherson to ECA in 1992. He has 4 kids and 6 grandkids. Jim McPherson, married to Bonnie for 16 years, Ron is a Union Electrician, who has offered ECA came to ECA in 2004. They have two children, much of his expertise all the years he has been with Caitlin, 14, and Tyler, 11. Jim is a Senior Program us. This is the second time he has willingly served Manager with the County Public Health Depart- on our vestry. Ron loves to remodel and always ment’s Emergency Medical Services Agency. (Now has some project underway. He enjoys hiking and there’s a mouthful!) Jim enjoys working on his travel when he has the opportunity. Ron is a strong house or so he must, having worked on it for 13 Christian man who has great passions for our years! He’s always on the run keeping up with his youth, Cursillo, and Montgomery Meals at ECA. kid’s many recreational and other activities. We see him on the run, too, at church being the coordi- Sam Sarmecanic nator of our youth for Youth Sunday and serving Sam Sarmecanic was born in Iran to a minority as the vestry rep to the Christian Education and Christian family. His name is Shamshon, which is Youth Committee for the past two years. A man of Aramaic or Hebrew for Samson, and for short we many wonderful talents and high energy Jim finds call him Sam. For over 41 years he has been mar- ECA to be a welcoming, warm, embracing, and ried to Linda, who is one of ECA’s “Brits.” Sam supportive family. We are lucky to have him and and Linda immigrated to the USA in 1979 from his family part of ours. Iran because of the Islamic revolution of that year. In 1980 they joined ECA and during that decade Kelli Casale Sam participated in Bible study groups and served Kelli Casale, has been married to Matt Gunder- on the vestry while Linda headed up our Prayer son now for 2.5 years. They have three children Vine. They have two children, James and Leila, between them including our Anything Goes cho- who both were active at ECA in their youth. Sam reographer P.J. (21) and Alyce (17) Gallego, and believes that being a member of ECA is one of the Lauren Gunderson (7). Kelli, P.J., and Alyce start- most wonderful things in their lives. They have ed attending ECA in 1992. Kelli is one of ECA’s felt love and acceptance from the beautiful people Cursillistas. After making her own Cursillo she has around them who are ready to serve the Lord and worked several weekends giving much of her time not judge. Sam has grown in his Christian walk and energy to that endeavor. Kelli’s day job is for through worship, Bible Study Fellowship, and cur- the City of Mountain View as a Code Enforcement rently a small Bible study group he has attended Officer. She loves to cook and hike with her dog, for the last three years. This has been a very special Cody. Besides the vestry, Kelli is currently serving experience learning to love each other in the spirit ECA on our Altar Guild. She is most passionate of our Lord Jesus Christ. He wishes more groups about ECA because of the fellowship and the sup- like this would form in our church to make us an port within our community for one another. even closer community united in Christian spirit and Christ’s love. Sam retired a year ago from a Pat Fox, We’ll catch up with Pat next month long hard working life and now enjoys painting, music, poetry, and more time to serve his church. Ron Howie (He has two grandchildren he could easily be talk- Ron Howie, married to Melinda for 13 years, came ed into telling you all about sometime.)

10 Meet Your 2008 Vestry Steve Wing be growing a strong, spiritual community with a Steve Wing, happily married to Joyce for 27 years generous heart for giving & serving others. and better known as Taylor and Evelyn’s parents, has been coming to ECA since 1990. Both children Tim Miller have been very involved at ECA over the years, es- Tim Miller, married to Donna for almost 29 years, pecially as Acolyte Masters. Taylor is now 23 and a came to ECA after they moved into their house senior at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Or- in the Greystone area in September of 1996. They egon. Evelyn is now 20 and a junior at Texas A&M have two daughters, Jennifer, 26, and Danielle, 25. University. Steve keeps busy at his job as a Systems They now are legal guardians of their two grand- Analyst at the Santa Clara Valley Water District. sons, Mason, 7, and Tyler, 6. Tim keeps pretty The Wing’s home is not really an empty nest since busy with his job at a start up company called Inta- Joyce’s Dad, Col. Ben Heckemeyer, lives with them cet, working on websites, video production, play- and has now for 14 years. He’s 96 and still going ing his music (guitar), and being a Cub Scout Den strong. This is Steve’s second turn on the Vestry. Leader. His great passion for ECA revolves around He served in the late 90’s for three years, two being our music ministry in which he hopes to contrib- the Junior Warden. Steve enjoys coordinating the ute in new ways. Turkey Drive for Montgomery Meals each year. He prefers working with his hands and acting on his Sharon Mills faith through action versus being vocal. He serves Sharon Mills grew up in Denver, Colorado. She our community as the strong, silent type. He hopes married Jon in 1983 and since then they have to contribute and build his faith through construc- lived in Toole, Utah, outside Washington, D.C., tive and productive actions. Fort Collins, Colorado and San Diego, California. When they joined ECA in 2002 they were moving Susie Ferguson here from Pennsylvania. Sharon is a pediatric nurse Susie Ferguson, married to Jerry for 32 years, came practitioner and currently works providing home to ECA in 1981. They have two sons, Jason, 28, and hospice care for kids with life threatening ill- and Josh, 26. Susie is very seldom at a loss of some- nesses. It is amazing work that has both tested and thing to do. She has been known to even walk and strengthened her faith. She loves to knit, sew, and talk in her sleep. Currently she works with Jerry cook. She and Jon attended Cursillo in 2003 and and Josh in their family real estate business serving she worked on the team the following year. ECA both residential and commercial real estate clients. has been a wonderful “home” for her family. Susie also works in an outside sales capacity for her brothers’ and sister’s marketing and printing Hank De Voss business. If that isn’t enough, she is also serving as Hank De Voss begins his fourth year of ECA affili- president of the Phi Mu Fraternity alumnae group ation and this opportunity to serve on vestry. He in this area. In her free time she studies piano and credits Debbie Bishop for getting him and Colleen, voice under John Leslie and participates faithfully his wife of 59 years, into our church family. Hank in a small group Bible study. Susie loves reading, and Colleen were blessed with three children, now writing notes and articles, cooking, and party plan- all grown adults, Mark, Scott and Suzette. They also ning. Her greatest passion for ECA continues to have one very special super granddaughter. Before

11 Meet Your 2008 Vestry retiring in 1991 he worked in many facets of the Andy Kerr nuclear business with General Electric (34 years) Andy Kerr and his wife, Francie, have been mem- and also Lockheed in Sunnyvale with their facility bers of ECA since 1975. They have two daugh- construction group. Colleen and Hank have done ters, Heather and Laurie. They moved into the Al- extensive travel around the globe and he loves to maden Valley from Southern California. The Vicar share those stories. From the beginning Hank was of the church in Granada Hills where Andy had immediately enthralled by the exuberant, loving been Music Director and Youth Leader for 10 years fellowship and high level of multi-tasking partici- had gone to Episcopal Theological Seminary at the pation, which are so much a part same time as Father Mike, who was the Rector of ECA in 1975. Andy had left Lockheed in Burbank Kimberly Axtell to join a US Army aeronautics research lab at Ames My family (Todd and I) have been members of Research Center where he worked in helicopter and ECA for over 12 years. When we began dating, we vertical takeoff research until he retired in January also began looking for a church home for the two 2007. Music has been an important part of his life. of us. A mutual friend suggested ECA. We were He started working as a church organist when he impressed by the people, and by the fact that it was 15, minored in music at college, and spent over was the only Episcopal church at the time which 37 years working most Sundays to lead music for offered weekly Bible Study. We settled into church worship, which included becoming the first paid life here. I began teaching high school Sunday Director of Music at ECA in 1977. In the mid School, serving on vestry, as lay chalice bearer and 90’s, Andy’s Army job required so much travel that lay reader, and both of us joined choir. he took a sabbatical from his ECA job, which has lasted ever since. During the 32 years that he has About eight years ago, I felt the call of God to serve been at ECA, he has been active in many aspects of the church in a larger capacity. But I was aware that church life, including serving on the vestry during my small treasure of Bible knowledge was inade- the 80’s, having experience serving on the vestry at quate to the task – I needed a new set of tools and a previous parish. Retirement from a day job that a larger toolbox. So I enrolled at the local Episcopal involved traveling almost every week has provided seminary, the Church Divinity School of the Pa- an opportunity for Andy to become more involved cific, while still working full time. There I studied in the broader life of ECA. church history, the Bible, church structure, ethics, spirituality, and so on. And along the way I became interested in the interface between science and re- ligion, and continue to ask the question, “what makes us human?”

After graduation, I have been looking for ways to serve ECA. Serving on vestry is just one way of giving back to the community that supported me through seminary, and heeding the call of God.

12 Raking With God

t was only taken two weeks for the leaves on longer valid, assumptions about the Divine that no the Ginko tree to change. At the beginning of longer fit my life or my observations, experiences November, they were still a bright green – a that need sorting and contemplation, all of these Ireminder of summer sun on green grass. But as the things need to be dealt with as well. The physical nighttime temperatures have dropped, the changes labor provides time and space to consider my life from late summer to early fall have become appar- and my place in the Divine plan. ent as the handprint of the Divine traces chill fin- gertips over the trees and their colors change from The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, green to brilliant yellow, and they sift slowly to the waiting for the changes of Christmas that will ground. make our lives seem new again. But in order to receive the Christ, we need to make room, in our There is a part of me that would like to leave the homes, in our families, and in ourselves as well. fallen leaves where they land. They form an inter- My annual sorting of my thoughts, opinions and esting mosaic of color on the lawn, the sidewalk experiences are a way of preparation, of clearing and the street. In California, we usually don’t get a the yard and my life for the changes that the new light dusting of snow that seems to make the world year will bring. clean again. But the fall leaves can hide the rough edges of sidewalk and lawn, and wrap the neigh- Kimberly Axtell borhood in a swirl of color that is as beautiful as it is temporary.

The industrious side of me complains, though. The leaves need to be swept and raked and ordered into tidy piles in the street, waiting to be hauled away. There are others to be thought of: people who use the sidewalk who might trip and fall, the neighbors who have already tidied their lawns.

And as I perform this annual rite of clearing the leaves, I also tidy up the other parts of the yard. The agapanthus which has some dead leaves, the rose bush that always needs trimming before we can put up the holiday lights, the fallen yucca leaves that have been caught in the juniper bush. As I sort and rake and trim and haul, I wonder about the parts of my life that have also withered over the summer. Forgotten opinions that are no

13 Adult Study at ECA hursday mornings...Are you a morning Look here next month and hear what some of the person? If so, you may want to try our participants are saying about this study. weekday Bible Study. Whether you are an Told pro, or a novice who’s never done it before, you are invited to study the Bible with an informal, lay- The Rector’s Bible Study on Wednesday evenings is led group. The only requirement is a willingness to offered the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesday evenings engage in reflection on the Bible’s meaning for our of the month. The evening begins with a potluck lives today. This group meets each Thursday morn- supper at 6:30 PM for those who want to start ing beginning at 10:30 am at the church. Everyone with dinner. The Bible Study begins at 7:30 PM is welcome. Come when you can. and goes until 9 PM. Every one is welcome and en- couraged to join the group whenever and as often You will find more information regarding this class as they are able. We are currently studying the lec- on the ECA website. The class is studying the Book tionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. Come of John this year. You can print out a syllabus for and grow with us in fellowship and spirit. We will each class to use for your study. Go to eca-sj.org begin our 2008 series on January 16. Check your and choose the link education and then adult. Sunday bulletin for location.

January 17 – John 8:31 thru 8:59 January 24 – John 9 January 31 – John 10

14 From the Senior Warden

nce again we find ourselves ready to em- I am looking forward to the year ahead. I am look- bark on another year. For your vestry we ing forward to the Lord helping me to communi- begin with the excitement of bonding as cate, lead, and understand the different voices on Oa new group at our vestry retreat, which will be the our vestry and within our church. I am looking second weekend in January. We look forward to forward to His guidance in helping the vestry set getting to know each other better, understanding paths for our congregation to grow spiritually, in one another’s gifts and talents, and finding each of love and compassion towards one another, and in our unique places of service for ECA in the year service and outreach to the community beyond. I ahead. The vestry is very lucky to have the chance know the Lord has great desires for ECA in the to go away for a weekend to call upon the Holy coming year, and He will need all of our hands and Spirit and discern what the Lord is calling each of hearts to make it happen. Hope you will join us. us to do in the coming year. Susie Ferguson Maybe you don’t have the luxury of a weekend Senior Warden away for discernment, but you could take time this month to pray and actively listen to the Lord’s call on your life. Whether young or old; in school, working, or retired; the Lord does have something only you can do for Him this next year. Pray with expectation and excitement and be prepared to be surprised.

Maybe you will be called to do something in preparation for something in the future, yes, maybe He will call you to study and grow more through His word. That could mean Bible Study, small group activities, Christian Education participation, re- treats, or worship on Sunday. Maybe you will be called to build a stronger community within ECA. That could mean fellowship, men’s or women’s activities, worship and inviting others to church, youth group advisors, offering to provide meals or services through Good Sams, dinner groups, or JV workdays. Maybe you are being called to serve our extended community. That could mean Montgom- ery Meals, Habitat, Santa Maria Urban Ministries, or something new for us all to encounter.

15 Joseph’s Epiphany

Sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream. I am just a simple man, a carpenter And Mary, my wife, is still so young Twelve days ago we came to Bethlehem Mary so heavy with our unborn son And there was no place for us to stay Until a kind soul offered us his stable. And there on a bed of straw Mary’s time came And the baby was born surrounded by animals. We called him Jesus as the angel had said we should Imagine me, a simple fellow, hearing from angels. And I am only His earthly father, his guardian For Mary conceived through the power of God. This boy is the Son of God, come down as a baby To grow under our guidance and carry out His mission Set for Him, for all of us, by the Father in Heaven. And there were angels singing and shepherds worshiping, And I was amazed at this tiny creature entrusted to our care. And now there are three Kings from the East Who have brought Him kingly gifts, and kneel before Him. I cannot comprehend all of this yet, it is so new. So I will do as I have been told by the angel. I will be husband to Mary and father to Jesus. I will do the very best I can while He is mine. And I know He will do His best for me when the time comes For Him to fulfill His heavenly destiny. But right now He is crying, and Mary is sleeping, So I will hold Him and rock Him to sleep, and I will pray.

Mary Leal