Scripture Quote of the Week
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Scripture Quote of the Week: “On Prayer,” from The Rule of Benedict, Insights for the Ages,
Joan Chittister, O.S.B., pp. 88-90
Benedict, like Socrates, implies that “The unexamined life is not worth living.” “... Every part of our lives must be taken to prayer and the scrutiny of Scripture must be brought to every part of our lives ....”
Paraphrase: Prayer in the Benedictine tradition is not about quantity, penance or spiritual merit. It is not: more is better, nor is recitation more important than meaning.
Submitting to prayer allows a way for God to purify our minds and hearts and who and what we become and what we say so that our prayers change our lives and God’s presence becomes palpable to us. In this way, prayer burns off the “ick” that clings to our souls and sets us free to receive richer and truer lives in which we become what we seek.
And Benedict would say, “Submit everything to Prayer.”
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St Patrick's
Worship & Education
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Sunday, March 7, The Third Sunday in Lent, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 14, The Fourth Sunday in Lent, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 21, The Fifth Sunday in Lent, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 28, The Sunday of the Passion:
PALM SUNDAY 9:30a.m.
Thursday, April 1, Maundy Thursday, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 3, The Easter Vigil, Time TBA
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The Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 7, 2021at 9:30AM: The Second Sunday in Lent
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Regular Weekday & Education
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Compline Service, Every Tuesday at 4PM
See New Zoom Invitation and Service Leaflet Links for March 9, 2021.
Click here for the Zoom Invitation for March 9.
Click here for the service leaflet.
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The Parish Bible Study meet every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
March 10, 2021 readings will be
Mark 6:30 - 8:26.
Click here for your Zoom Invite. See you there!
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St Patrick's Episcopal Church
Annual St Patty's Dinner
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The traditional Dinner will be available for curbside pick-up on
Wednesday ~ March 17.
Pre-orders/Reservations are Required by Monday, March 15.
Your meal will be fully cooked and packaged but will need to be reheated.
Includes:
Corned beef (veg or poultry option), Braised Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes
A salad (no dressing), bread and dessert
Cost: $15 per dinner
To reserve please call the church office & leave a message for Bobbiejo or email her at parishadm9000@gmail.com
Deliveries are possible – please indicate need at time of reservation
More details to come, stay tuned!
We look forward to seeing you at the curb!
~Kate Aldrich, Leslie Clark, Margaret Merchat
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Thank you from Kenwood Elementary School
BBC-Schools Ministry
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We are honored to share this note from Sharon Watson who is the Librarian at Kenwood Elementary School.
"...The books you delivered to our school today from Becoming Beloved Community - Schools are gorgeous! They are wonderful additions to our library. Increasing the diversity of our book collection is a goal for our school library and classroom libraries. Your organization has certainly helped us in that endeavor. Thank you for your generous donation!...
Kind regards,
Sharon Watson
Kenwood Elementary School Librarian"
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Last week, deaths from Covid-19 exceeded 500,000 with 50,000 in California alone. This news is sobering and full of sorrow, a loss we never expected. We are full of lament, some known and much of it still hidden. Yet, we as Christians, as followers of the One who rose from the dead, can hear more than bald numbers in this news. We also remember their lives with gratitude, even as we look forward with the hope of the resurrection.
We remember the aunties and uncles, parents and friends, neighbors and strangers who have lost the lives this long long season of Covid-19. We remember the texture of their personalities, their favorite foods, their bad jokes, their joys and sorrows. We give thanks to God for their lives and the complex variety of them. Each one was a critical part of someone else’s life. Our whole society was blessed by their days and their gifts.
In these days the remembrance of the great cloud of witnesses, the saints who have gone before us is a very tangible way to recall that the arc of all our lives begins and ends in God, and in the middle we walk and run the race with others. I find meaning and power and purpose in that remembrance. It does not erase the cost we see, or the individuals, but places them in a strong and bright web of the love and purposes of our God. It is greater than I can comprehend, but Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, brings enough of that love and purpose to me and to us to sustain us and give us a solid hope.
For in the end, life is changed, not ended. And the forgiveness and healing we need are poured out before us.
So, we will read the mounting deaths with sorrow, but also a sober joy, for no life is outside of that strong, bright net of God’s loving purpose.
And this truth is for us as well my friends, even as we lament and rejoice in Covid-19. We walk this journey together, supported by God’s great faithfulness.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
In Christ,
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A Reflection on Black History Month
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From The Rev. Br. Simeon (Lewis) Powell, CG 
Black History was celebrated (tolerated) for one week when I was a younger person. It had to compete with Boy Scout’s Week, and the birthday celebrations of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Now it is remembered for a month, although during the shortest month of the year. I would like to see the histories of all peoples be more fully included in our daily lives.
I recall that Black (Negro) History was not in the curriculum of many schools in the South. It was tolerated in the curricula of schools that were segregated by the tone of one’s skin. I grew up in one of those schools. That was a blessing because I got to learn quite a bit about the events of history that were left out of the sanctioned textbooks of my time. I preached a sermon last year where I shared that “I had a brief and brilliant acting career” when I was casted as Crispus Attucks in the seventh grade. I say brief because I was killed early in the play just as Crispus Attucks was in real life during the Revolutionary War. My role in that play has served as a touch stone in my life. It taught me to be willing to give all for what is right.
There have been many strides forward since my brief “acting days”. More of the population is learning about the contributions to our collective cultures by Black, Red, and Brown people. These contributions are being recognized in science, religion, sports, economics, entertainment, and politics. I feel that this is good. Our Christian tradition reminds us that “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket”. Black History is that lamp that has been lit and now, is giving light to the entire world. Getting to know our neighbors better is a major step toward Becoming the Beloved Community of God.
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 Time: 4:00 PM
Date: Monday, March 8
Click Here for your Zoom Invite!!
March 8 is our last discussion of the parables. Those of us who have spent this time together have had lively discussions, discovered new interpretations for our favorite parables, have read parables with which we are less familiar, and above all have discovered that interpretations of the parables are different from generation to generation as well as from individual to individual. I am grateful to all those who have participated for their dedicated attendance and insightful approaches to the parables of Jesus.
If you have not joined our group, please do so for our last class. We will be discussing The Parable of the Widow and Unjust Judge, The Rich Fool, and possibly the Wicked Tenants.
Blessings to you all,
Karen+
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Richard Rohr
Daily Meditation
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Learning How to See
Overcoming Contact Bias
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Brian McLaren and Jacqui Lewis, my conversation partners in the recent podcast series, Learning How to See, understand that Jesus’ model of acceptance, inclusion, and love for “the other,” helps us overcome and heal our biases. Brian describes what he calls “contact bias,” when a lack of personal and ongoing contact with people who are different from us causes us to fail to see them for who they truly are:
When I don’t have intense and sustained personal contact with “the other,” my prejudices and false assumptions go unchallenged. Think of the child who is told by people he trusts that people of another race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, or class are dirty and dangerous.
You can immediately see the self-reinforcing cycle: those people are dirty or dangerous, so I will distrust and avoid them, which means I will never have sustained and respectful interactive contact with them, which means I will never discover that they are actually wonderful people to be around. . . .
In this way, the prejudice cycle spins on, unchallenged across generations. As prejudice persists, it becomes embedded in cultures and institutions, creating systems of racism and hatred, marginalizing groups who are stigmatized, dehumanized, scapegoated, exploited, oppressed, or even killed. . . .
But if we are willing to listen to [“the other”] and learn from them, we can break out of our contact bias, which opens us up to seeing in a new way. . . .
On page after page of the gospels, Jesus doesn’t dominate the other, avoid the other, colonize the other, intimidate the other, demonize the other, or marginalize the other. Instead, he incarnates into the other, joins the other in solidarity, protects the other, listens to the other, serves the other, and even lays down his life for the other. [1]
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, who leads what she describes as a “multi-everything” congregation in New York City, shares the gifts that embracing the other can bring. She views inclusion as central to the Gospel call to love:
The one we follow into mission and ministry—Jesus the Christ—was an avowed boundary crosser, a reformer of the religious and secular culture of his time. We are in good company when we lead the way on radical inclusion of those different from ourselves. In some contexts that might mean a black church reaching out to Korean neighbors, a Latino congregation starting a ministry to immigrant families from North Africa, or a Chinese church hosting an afterschool program for African American junior high students. . . . We believe the commitment to inclusion and diversity is a high calling, issued to all who count themselves as Christians, no matter what our ethnicity or culture. [2]
The more we bump into the folks who are so-called “other,” the more we are stretched, the more we are pulled out of that bias and have new truths because we have tangible evidence of the beautiful, powerful creativity of our God who made all of this diversity for us to enjoy. [3]
References:
[1] Brian McLaren, Why Don’t They Get It? Overcoming Bias in Others (and Yourself) (Self-published: 2019), [45–46, 90].
[2] Jacqueline J. Lewis and John Janka, The Pentecost Paradigm: Ten Strategies for Becoming a Multiracial Congregation (Westminster John Knox Press: 2018), 8.
[3] Adapted from Brian McLaren, Jacqui Lewis, with Richard Rohr, “Why Can’t We See?,” October 5, 2020, in Learning How to See, episode 1 (Center for Action and Contemplation: 2020), podcast, MP3 audio.
Story from Our Community:
I am so grateful for the Daily Meditations and the podcasts on bias [Learning How to See]. They help keep me grounded and hopeful. Surprisingly, for me, I have a sense of peace and awareness of the presence of grace in the midst of this mess. —Angela A.
Image credit: U.S. Information Agency. Press and Publications Service. ca. 1953–ca. 1978, Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. Two long lines of some of the buses used to transport marchers to Washington (detail), photograph, public domain.
Image inspiration: Much of the work of dismantling systems of oppression involves a continued willingness to learn new ways of seeing. The March on Washington in 1963, where this image was taken, became a major tipping point in the United States’ collective story of learning how to see. May we continue the work of our ever-unfolding ability to see, understand, and act.
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Below is a thankful note and a recap of Tuesday's evening at St Patrick's Church.
Thank you to our Pop-Food Ministry for all your hard work in serving those who are in need!
Thank you to Denise P, Susan S, Erin G, Ned B, Karin M, driver Jesus, and REFB rep Arturo. We began before 4:40, and packed vehicles with food for 47 households/154 individuals until 6:00. Whereas this is fewer than the last distribution, we hope this means there is a lesser need. But, there's just no way to know. The good news is that those families who came were well fed tonight and beyond (especially if they LOVE a LOT of broccoli!)
One of the hallmarks of REFB is that the food is as plenteous as it is nutritious (not counting the diapers and wipes!) It feeds the mind, body and spirit.
This is such a blessing for us volunteers to see the smiles and to hear the expressions of thanks. It's a win-win - both the clients and volunteers are "fed."
We all left riding on a "high!"
Eleanor
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Brethren, We Have Met To Worship
Fernando Ortega
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Summary of
Becoming A Beloved Community - Schools
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Becoming A Beloved Community - Schools
The mission of Becoming a Beloved Community – Schools (BBC-Schools) is to establish a long-term commitment of advocacy for social justice rooted in “Love Your Neighbor”. This ministry supports the education and well-being of our most vulnerable children in our two neighborhood elementary schools, Dunbar School in Glen Ellen and Kenwood School in Kenwood.
St. Patrick’s Church established this ministry to live out our baptismal vows and make a difference in the lives of the children in our neighborhood schools. It is a project based and practical ministry working with the administrations of both Dunbar and Kenwood schools to identify the needs of all the children but certainly the most vulnerable. In Dunbar School, 82% of the children fall below the poverty line and 60% are learning English. Many of the families who provide the workforce in our world- renowned wine making industry as well as essential services have suffered disproportionately with Covid-19. The children, trying to learn through distance learning with little home instruction, are suffering educationally and with the results of family pressure of food and home insecurities. There are fewer children below the poverty line at the Kenwood school but still with about 25% of the children learning English and experiencing family insecurities as well as the impact of Covid-19.
BBC-Schools has responded to the following needs listed below and is currently building a new section of books of diversity, equity and inclusion in the Dunbar School’s library followed by a major upgrading of the general collection. In addition, all 155 children are receiving books of their own thus establishing their own individual home libraries using colorful bins full of books, celebrating “Read Across America”.
Through the initial generosity of St. Patrick’s Church, individual parishioners and a Rapid Response grant from the National Episcopal Church, BBC-Schools gave technical Hot Spots to Kenwood School to support distance learning for all children and Safeway gift cards for a number of needy Dunbar families. Next, we created “Take a Break Kits” for all children in both schools so that they could have some relief from sitting in front of a computer screen during their distance learning. The kits were filled with games, physically inspired activities and puzzles. In December, we provided 72 children who had signed up to participate in the Secret Santa project at the Dunbar School with gifts on their wish lists. Clothing and games and books were popular. We had wonderful support from parishioners, and individuals from the Interfaith Council of Sonoma County and United in Kindness as well.
Currently we are responding to the great need to upgrade the library first by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion books and then on the general collection. Every day the librarian reads over zoom to the different age levels from these books we have given, giving greater meaning to “Read Across America” and focusing on social justice! As we look to the next project, it will involve supporting increased arts education focusing on meaningful choral and instrumental opportunities, performing arts as well as fine arts. All this with a strong interest is celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion.
Trust and teamwork have been the most important aspects of our work with these two schools and their administrators and teachers. We remain true to our mission of supporting the education and well-being of our most vulnerable children. We continue to address food and housing insecurities of some of the families by coordinating our concerns with other agencies such as the Redwood Empire Food Bank and La Luz. We have found it most rewarding that so many individuals from the Interfaith Council of Sonoma County and United in Kindness have joined the efforts of parishioners of St. Patrick’s. BBC-Schools is a long-term commitment of supporting the education and well-being of the children in these two schools which requires the long-term engagement of individual donors and other like-minded educational and social justice organizations. A special note of joy is the book drive an Episcopal school in Carmel had in support of the children of Dunbar School that kicked-off the children’s individual book bins mentioned above. And from time to time, we do a little something to thank the teachers and administrators for their dedication to the education of the children.
We are most grateful to all those who have joined BBC-Schools in making a significant difference in the lives of our neighborhood children as a tangible expression of “Love Your Neighbor”! We continue to encourage additional generosity of BBC-Schools through contacting Lauriehogen@gmail.com or St. Patrick’s Church at P.O. Box 247, Kenwood, California, 95452.
LBH:2/22/21
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Honoring Father Ed Howell
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BEFORE HE WAS Fr. ED HOWELL
by Stephanie Chapralis McCaffrey
We know and love him as Fr. Ed, but long before he came to St. Patrick's, nee, long before he was Fr. Ed, he was Ed Howell, man of adventure.
"Rumbling Drunk and other Stupid Moves" is the name of his new book that chronicles many of these adventures. Not a title you would necessarily associate with our own
Fr. Ed Howell who has lived many lives.
These lives are chronicled in his first book by the same name published in 2020. Part autobiography, part selected short stories, and another part poetry tome, there is a lot of good reading within the covers of this volume.
Follow along as Ed recounts his adventurous life as a outdoorsman, camper, actor, mine worker, Harley motorcycle rider; served in Vietnam, career Air Force  administrator, worked on the Minute Man Missile, all before his 40 years as an Episcopal priest. Not to mention his long-term marriage to Terry, and now he is a published author.
A rippin' good read, indeed! I give it a big thumbs up! His full life needs more than one volume to capture so watch out for a book or two more.
You can find his book as a paperback in addition to being an ebook on Amazon. You can also find in by app or go to Amazon.com - books- by title.
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9000 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA ~ February 2021
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A display of 160 wooden hearts, together entitled “Pray Their Names,” has arrived at Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church. This exhibit originated at the Congregational Church of Sonoma, seen above. The people of the Kenwood Community Church with Pastor Larry Hallett and the people of the Emmaus Community in Sonoma County with Tim Dorman all worked together to set up the display. Thank you All for your help and your partnership in this ministry.
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"Pray Their Names" was envisioned and brought into reality by Katie Morrison, Children’s Minister for the First Congregational Church of Sonoma who researched the persons being honored and with volunteers, painted and lettered the signs.
The exhibit is intended to draw observers into a deeper awareness and discernment of attitudes on racism, a priority concern for ministry by our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. It is the subject within our National Church's Sacred Ground, Building Beloved Communities curriculum. Sacred Ground link.
The “Pray Their Names” is a traveling exhibition and will be displayed at St Patrick’s, at 9000 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood CA 95452, through April 5, 2021. Stop by and walk through the heart shaped wooden memorials and read the biographies of black Americans killed. Black Lives Matter.
You will be expected to keep social distance and wear masks. Thank you for keeping each other safe.
Come and See!
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California is now in Phase 1b,
Tier 1 of Vaccination
Phase 1b, Tier 1
most recently eligible
- Adults 65+
- Education and Childcare
- Emergency Services
- Food and Agriculture
Click below to what this means to you!
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In Christ Alone - Celtic Worship
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Let us pray.
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which my happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Please Support Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church Ministry
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Please remember that if you choose to mail your gift, our mailing address is P.O. Box 247, Kenwood CA 95452.
Thank you!!!
If you choose to mail in your gift, please consider to send checks only. This is for your security.
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Priest Doyle Dietz Allen Contact Information
Email: stpatricksrector@gmail.com
Parish Office Phone: 707-833-4228
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9000 Sonoma Highway
PO Box 247
Kenwood, CA 95452
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