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e-Notes
05.04.22
the word: Saint David's Altar Guild
by Kim Felder 

Altar Guild makes me think of temple servants – people like Anna or Simeon who decided to spend time, not just serving God’s people by preparing God’s house of worship, but also by worshipping with all who sought God while visiting a Jewish temple. As a child, Jesus and his parents met Simeon and Anna “the Altar Guilders” one day, when they were visiting the temple. Simeon made a comment to them, which has been passed down to us centuries later: “… my eyes have seen God’s salvation, which God has prepared in the sight of all nations.” See Luke 2:25-36.

My eyes have seen …

Serving and seeing often go together. I remember the first Sunday that I followed Ginny Allen in the sacristy. She was teaching me what to do to clean up after the Eucharist. I really had no clue about any of it. No one in my childhood tradition treated the bread and grape juice, nor the tiny glass cups and round, tiered trays as truly sacred. We just washed them in some soapy water and put them away. But Ginny let me know, gently and with good humor, that neither the unused wine nor the bread can be poured down the drain or thrown away in the garbage. It is consecrated, holy, sacred. In our Episcopal tradition, I learned that the wine (Christ’s blood) is poured out and the bread (Christ’s body) is broken and tossed about in the side garden, thus returning the holy to the sacred earth to nourish ants and squirrels alike.

I didn’t expect it. When I took the chalice of wine and the bread outside, I first broke the bread into pieces. I tossed it here and there, wondering who would enjoy the feast. Then I poured the leftover wine out on the ground. It splashed, then disappeared into the soil. All of a sudden, tears welled up in my eyes, and I found myself weeping. I had seen Christ’s love in a new way that spoke deeply to my soul.

Serving and seeing often go together. Right now, as we restart so many aspects of our life together as Saint David’s parish, there are lots of announcements and calls for volunteers. To be honest, it can feel like too much to be bothered with in a world that feels like it is falling apart at its seams. But I would like to encourage you to find a way to serve – be it even a small thing that needs doing. Because it is in serving that we can begin to see God and others in new and surprising ways!

If anyone would like to join the service that is Altar Guild at Saint David’s, you are so welcome to serve, and see, in this way. Please just reach out to deacon Tracy or myself to let us know. If you would like to see a demonstration before committing, we have scheduled one after church on Sunday, May 15th.

Sincerely, Kim Felder

Altar Guild Demonstration
Sunday, May 15th
In-person, in the Sacristy, immediately after church

Did Kim Felder's writeup above inspire you to consider Altar Guild?
Deacon Tracy and Kim invite you to join an Altar Guild demonstration after church on Sunday, May 15. We'll gather in the sanctuary after church and head across the hall to the Sacristy. Hopefully our demonstration will inspire some of you to join us on the guild!
Questions? Contact Deacon Tracy at tracy.leblanc@comcast.net
Choir!

When: Wednesdays at 6:30pm
Where: Saint David’s Parish Hall
Who: Everybody!


Yes, everybody.
You just need to come, willing to make some joyful noise with us!

Please bring your proof of vaccination to the first choir night you attend, and of course, remain masked while you are in the building.

Questions?
Br. Finn can be reached by email at music@saintdavidpdx.org 

 
Call for Lay Eucharistic Ministers


 
Having grown up in the Episcopal church where men did all the ushering, vestry work and assisting at the altar, I jumped at the chance around 15 years ago to be trained as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. And today I still consider each time I do it as a spiritual gift. It is my deep desire that others experience that unique gift. You, too, can be part of this (altar) party! I guarantee that it will be a special experience for you. Our fabulous St. David’s clergy is a great group of people to work with, ever forgiving of the imperfect. ~Madeline Moore

If you have even a tiny inkling that you would like to explore this opportunity, please contact Madeline Moore at 503-502-0405 or speak to Deacon Tracy.
The hybrid worship team needs your help

If you are able to join the team that makes Sunday hybrid worship happen, please email Saint David's tech team:
techsaintdavids@gmail.com



We have need for folks helping from home and from church. No experience necessary.
June 5th is Pentecost! 
And there will be baptisms!
AJ will be holding some sort of baptism preparation leading up to Pentecost, still to be determined by those who are interested. 

If you are interested or just have questions please email AJ at aj@saintdavidpdx.org
Say Their Names
Friday from 12noon to 12:08.46
Weather Permitting
We will gather as a community committed to racial justice and hear their names and ring the bell to honor each beloved person who was killed. 
Please gather near the church steps by 11:55am.
We continue to practice compassionate distancing so please be prepared to wear a mask and stay at least 6ft from your neighbor.
Ways to Keep Up with Saint David's :

Youtube
Facebook Page
Facebook Group
Saint David's website

office@saintdavidpdx.org - Reaches Erin in the office who can direct you to the information you need. Erin is also available via text at 503-473-4167 or voicemail at the church office 503-232-8461.

aj@saintdavidpdx.org - Reaches the Rev. AJ Buckley, our Associate Rector, for your spiritual needs and anything else you might want to speak to them about.


If you have an emergency or an urgent need, please reach out to the Vestry at
stdavidpdx-vestry@googlegroups.com or to each other via the Facebook Group or individually.

Minutes from our monthly vestry meetings are available on our website.
Every Monday- Saturday at 9am we hold Morning Prayer on Zoom, straight out of the prayer book. We read scripture, pray, and are done by 9:30. Please join us. 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/793652410?pwd=aUdxSE05NTRUQjFJSW1MTTR1bmFmUT09
Meeting ID: 793 652 410
Passcode: 188410
Calling All Gardeners
Are you a visionary gardener?
Are you just getting started growing things?
The Building and Grounds Committee wants to hear from you! We would love gardeners of all levels to join us for regular gardening parties to take care of Saint David's grounds.
Questions? Contact Junior Warden, Rachel Klein, at juniorwarden@saintdavidpdx.org
Zoom church help needed


We need a few people who are willing to share the job of being the driver/bulletin share-er for Zoom church, now that Erin is back to her pre-COVID schedule and no longer working on Sundays. This is a fun, easy, low-pressure job. Email techsaintdavids@gmail.com if you can help.
Speaker Series sponsored by Diocesan Working Group on Racial Justice
Wednesday, May 11th at 7pm

Please join a discussion between Dr. Luhui Whitebear, Center Director, Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws, at Oregon State University and Dr. Melissa Bird, Good Samaritan congregant and member of the Diocesan Working Group on Racial Justice.
The speakers will discuss what calls them to do racial justice work.
There is no cost, but you need to register ahead of time, using this link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rf-CspjkoHNR9gy9lnalVI1ShGX8ZMenE
Questions? Contact Madeline Moore at madmoore47@gmail.com
St. David's mask mandate lifted
The Saint David's vestry voted to lift our mask mandate. While we strongly encourage you to keep your mask on while at services and other church events, masking is now optional at St. David's.

This was not an easy discussion or decision, but ultimately: We trust the CDC, we trust our governor, we trust Bishop Akiyama, and we trust you. Should COVID-19 numbers (or other factors affecting community health) change, we will revisit this decision.
This Sunday, we continue hybrid worship.
Please join us in-person or on Zoom
at 10am each Sunday
We appreciate your kindness, your patience, and your humor as we grow into this new way and find our path.


Our return to in-person worship can only continue with your help.

May Sunday Server Sign Up
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DABAD22A7F4CE9-mayvolunteer

June Sunday Server Sign Up
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DABAD22A7F4CE9-june
Have an announcement for the eNotes or the bulletin?
Submit your announcement here!
Sunday Hybrid Church at 10am

Join us in-person or on Zoom!
All are welcome!


https://us02web.zoom.us/j/851443254?pwd=dkVDYmFtQytUbkxLaXY2RlQvaDltQT09
Meeting ID: 851 443 254
Passcode: 137843


Computer troubles stopping you from participating in Sunday's zervice?
Contact office@saintdavidpdx.org for the full invitation so you can call in on your phone to participate!

The sermon will eventually be available on the Saint David's YouTube page . Previous sermons are available as well.

Here is this week's virtual bulletin.
In-Person Godly Play
Days: Every Sunday
Time: During 10:00 am service
Where: Godly Play Classroom
Kids ages 3-11 years old are invited to gather for a Godly Play lesson every Sunday at the church during the 10:00 am service.   
Our Red Wagon Ministry Needs You!
If your heart is moved and you would like to help us serve our unhoused neighbors in ways that they find loving and support, please email office@saintdavidpdx.org . Please also consider an item donation through Amazon or a monetary donation through the church. (Please remember to include a note indicating the reason for your donation.)
Email Cass at cassandracole90@gmail.com to arrange drop off.
Join us in conversation on Facebook
For further important and upcoming events, visit
the calendar page on the Saint David's website!
Copyright © 2022 Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church, All rights reserved.


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