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Grace Episcopal Church
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Latest Newsletter Spring 2012
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GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH NEWS
Martinez,
CA
Spring,
2012 |
FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK
The Rev. Jill Honodel
Let Us Adore Him!
Just before Jesus went to his death, he prepared
his friends by teaching them one of the most important lessons in life by saying, Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain
of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (Jn.12).
At a relatively young age, Jesus had the maturity in understanding and
acceptance of this law of nature. Jesus had walked the walk. His walk leading up to this point will be recounted over the
Sundays of Lent beginning with his glorious baptism in the waters of the Jordan River and
the aftermath when he was sent into a dark place of loneliness and perhaps despair to weigh out his own "demons"
so-to-speak.
Not only his words but his life challenges each of us to take up our own "cross," to do
the gritty soul searching required for us to step into the shoes of our future person, the mature one who powerfully challenges
us to "know thyself". This is the transcendent self that pulls down the power of God in total humility after being
completely emptied of personal identity. It is the future self who moves through time with the grace of God as our only beacon.
This is the time to call upon the Courageous One within that is willing to be stripped bare before God and to take the heat
of judgment.
On Ash Wednesday we take on the sign of this cross remembering our baptismal cross in which we were
sealed in the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own forever; and now in our maturing Christian state, we take up this
seal in a new and intentional way, allowing ourselves to be marked for the refining process in our walk toward holiness and
wholeness. In remembering that all things are but dust, we give them up. This physical representation of the ashes on our
foreheads leaves us vulnerable, raw, wide-open to God's mercy. It is our way of embracing the power of transformation.
Join us for the holy service of Ash Wednesday on February 22, 2012 at 10 a.m. and 7
p.m. Accept the privilege of being marked by ashes as your heart's pledge of commitment to trusting God in the building
and shaping of your life to come.
Rev. Jill
Ash Wednesday is February 22, 2012, services at 10
am and 7 pm. |
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Join us for Holy Week beginning
on April 1st
April 1 Palm Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
April 5
Maundy Thursday 7 p.m.
April 6
Good Friday 7 p.m.
April 7
Holy Saturday Noon
April 7
Easter Vigil
8 p.m.
April 8 Easter Sunday
8 a.m. &
10 a.m.
with Easter Egg Hunt We
are all busy this time of year, spring is around the corner and with the economy on all our minds, we may forget the true
meaning of Lent. It is a time of reflection and self-introspection. I hope you will
all take time out of your busy schedules to study, remember and think about God’s word and the work he has given each
of us to do. BIBLE STUDY CLASSES Everyone is invited to Bible Study every Wednesday in the Chapel after the 10 o'clock Eucharist. If anyone would like to be put on the
list to receive the passage in advance with a list of questions and thoughts via email, they are welcome to contact Rev. Jill
at RevJillHonodel@gmail.com. Thanks to all of you who participate regularly in Bible Study. It has been very enlightening for me and
fun as well! Rev. JillNew Members/Inquirer's ClassWould
you like to learn more about the Episcopal Church? Are you considering becoming a member of Grace Church?
New Members/Inquirer's Classes will be held by arrangement with the Rector. If you
are interested in joining in, please sign-up on the New Members Sign-up sheet on the bulletin in the Narthex or send a message
to the Rector at RevJillHonodel@gmail.com LENTEN BREAKFASTS: As a reminder, we will be serving breakfasts between the services each Sunday during
Lent, beginning on the First Sunday in Lent, Sunday, February 26th and continuing through the last service on Palm Sunday,
April 1st. We will have a Breakfast Sign-up Sheet in the kitchen. Please begin signing
up for the days you will be available to help. We convene in the kitchen at 7:00 AM. If you go to the 8:00 AM Service, no problem. We often have 8 o’clockers help until it is time to go to the service. The cost ---- a mere
$3.00 adult, $1.50 for children 5- 12, and under
5 free.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SENIOR WARDEN
Cindy Tottle
As we head into 2012, as the new Senior Warden, I would like to say hello to
all members of our wonderful parish. As you all know, Dave Eary, the outgoing Senior Warden, has left some big shoes to fill,
but he has promised to help and guide me throughout the year. As Dave outlined in his end of the year report
for 2011, much was accomplished. The kitchen was completely remodeled, new storage racks were installed in the parish hall
to increase our flexibility for events, new lighting was installed in the church parking lot, and the big task of repairing
and resurfacing the parking lot was begun. Two new committees were formed, the Publicity and Fund Raising Committees, which
are off and running. The Men's Group finished a full year of activities, and the Acolyte Program is going strong. Some
tasks remain, the most pressing being a more complete repair, and resurfacing of the church parking lot.
I would encourage everyone to continue their support of our church through stewardship and renewing of pledges,
and attendance at our wonderful social events. We have two major social events coming up. The annual
Crab Feed is February 18th, at 5:30. Please see Connie Jorgensen ASAP for tickets and information
(510) 799-1322. The cost is $40.00 per adult and $15.00 for kids under 12 years. Also,
the annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner is coming up Saturday, March 17th at 5:30. As you know, this event is the only fundraiser for our church school.
Please feel free to contact me with any updates for the church calendar, or any other ideas or concerns you
may have.
Cindy Tottle
tottle@comcast.net
(510)
703-0581 cell
Grace Church Men's Group News:
Dave EaryThe Grace Church Men's Group 2012 calendar of events is attached. If you have any questions about
the Grace Church Men's Group or any of our events, please call Dave Eary at (925) 370- 6024 or e-mail at gcsdke@comcast.net
From the Altar Guild - Dena Maniatis
As February ends we will be entering into Lent on Wednesday, February 22nd.
If anyone has Palm Crosses from last year, please bring them to church and they will be used for the ashes on Ash Wednesday.
There will be a basket in the Narthex to put them in. Palm Sunday is April 1st and Easter is April 8th.
If you would like to donate a
lily for Easter, please give us that information or sign the sign-up sheets, indicate in who's name, and your $10.00 donation
for each one - more details to follow in Sunday bulletins. This is a very busy season for the Altar Guild as there are many services. We have a great group of
ladies on the Altar Guild and they do a wonderful job. There are blank
spaces on the Flower and Candle Charts. If you would like to remember someone this is a nice way to do it. Candle
Chart is a $5 donation and Flower Chart is a $35 donation.
Blessings
to all, Dena ManiatisAltar Guild Director
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
Sunday School News: Parent/Teacher Meeting, St. Patrick's
Day Dinner
Sunday School parents and teachers should take note of three upcoming dates: on February 26 after the 10 am service there will be a meeting of parents and teachers; the St. Patrick's
Day Dinner will be on March 17, with set up for the dinner on the evening of March 16.
The meeting after church on February 26 will be
to discuss what we need to do to maintain and expand our programs as the needs of our children change. Some
things under discussion will be the need for nursery care and plans to accommodate our older children, as well as how to share
some of the duties involved, keep Godly Play as vital as it is today, and ensure that everyone who works with the children
is properly certified. Anyone interested in volunteering with the children is also invited to attend.
The children's traditional
sponsorship of the St. Patrick's Day Dinner begins with a fun evening of setting tables, peeling carrots, and decorating
on Friday, March 16, at 5:30
pm. The time
goes quickly due to a particularly hard-working group of kids and their parents. Pizza is, of course, involved.
The dinner itself will
begin at 5:30 pm on Saturday, March 17, for social hour,
with dinner being served at 6:30.
An oversight in the last newsletter was the sincere
thanks owed to the parishioners who helped clean the Sunday School wing inside and out in September, so we could begin the
school year sparkling. Many thanks to Mary Canale, Elaine Quigley,
Ron Quigley, Jennifer Sabro, Ann Anderson and Steve Schmidt.
Our next Intergenerational Service with Godly Play presentation will
be on April 22.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
The Irish Are Coming! The Irish Are Coming!
Come join the Sunday School children of Grace Church for the annual
St. Patrick's Day Dinner on Saturday, March 17th.
Social hour begins at 5:30 pm, with the world's most excellent corn beef and cabbage dinner served at 6:30.
Cost is $18 for adults and $10 for children 6 - 12yrs, under 5 free. The traditional, highly-competitive
raffle and non-competitive musical entertainment will help us celebrate the wearin' o' the green.
This is the church school's only fundraiser, so bring a
friend or two and join us! Donations
of raffle prizes are always welcomed. You can bring them with you to the dinner.
The
local band "Spinning Wheel" will once again be entertaining us.
Children and
parents will be decorating and doing food prep on Friday the 16th at 6 pm. Many hands make light work, carrot peeling speedy and leprechauns
appear magically on walls. Pizza, of course, will be served.
Any questions? Please contact Cindy
Tottle at 229-2685.
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St. Christopher’s Guild 2012 Events
All of our
events are open to all members of the parish, their family and friends. Our philosophy is - the more the merrier! The money
we raise from these events is used to support local service delivery organizations.
The SPRING LUNCHEON will
be on Saturday, April 28th at 11:30 AM. more information will be announced
at church services ---- or contact Brownette Hopkins or Mary Canale.
The Summer Wine & Cheese event will be Saturday, June 16th, Susan
Bremer, Sally Applegate, Cindy Tottle and Connie Jorgensen to chair.
The Annual
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON & COUNTRY KITCHEN, December 4th, 11:30 a.m. Ken
& Cindy will do the Co. Kitchen, White Elephants handled by Betty Kean and Yvonne, Raffle by Connie Jorgensen and Wendy
will do check ins.
All of our events are open to all members of the parish, their family and friends. Our philosophy
is - the more the merrier! The money we raise from these events is used to support local service delivery organizations.
ST. CHRISTOPHER'S MEETING DATE: Feb. 26, March 25, April
29, May 27, June 24
Book Corner: Just a reminder that the books overflowing the shelves in
the south-west corner of the church hall are available to all for a small donation. Browse for a minute, find something
interesting to enrich and entertain your mind. You never know what will be there! Even
a few children’s books – encourage the kids to spend quality time with a new adventure. If
you know of an organization that would appreciate some new material, this is a great way to pass on the gift of reading.
We
like to keep the titles recycling, so take a few, maybe give a few, and drop a little into the basket on the shelf to help
support seminarians with their studies. Suggested donation is posted.
GRACE EPISCOPAL OUTREACH PROJECTS –
2012
This is an outline of what the Outreach Committee hopes to
achieve this year, with your help -
“It’s Still Winter”:
Help someone keep warm during these still unpredictable days / nights until spring comes -
Please donate new or gently used hats, socks, and scarves to be distributed to those that need them. Leave
in the basket in the narthex over the next couple of weeks until mid-March. Thanks for your generous support!
“The Holidays are Over”:
Thank you ALL for your wonderful response during the holidays in giving to those who had less than
enough. But now consider that many people are hungry even after the celebrations are over - we still encourage
your non-perishable food donations throughout the year. Think while you clean out your pantry, or do a
major shopping: A bag of rice here, and extra can of vegetables there make those empty tummies happy. Leave
in the collection basket in the narthex.
“And Now for Something Completely Different”:
Hillcrest Congregational Church asking for volunteers to help in their Clothing Room, providing clean, usable outfits
even for entire families. Rev. Jill’s has approved posting a list for sign-ups to assist, especially
on the first two Wednesdays of each month. Along with this project, we have been invited to join with other
churches in combined outreach projects that a single congregation may not be able to fulfill alone. More
info as we meet to discuss these efforts - This is an exciting opportunity to broaden our outreach by the power of many working
together!
“How
Many Popsicles?” Volunteer teams plan menus, buy food, and cook evening meals for clients
of Shelter, Inc. during a summer week in June so more volunteers can participate. Some of the rewards are trading recipes,
fun kitchen interaction, and knowing that you have really helped meet an important need. If you can’t
help during the Christmas holidays because of holiday commitments, this may be your option.
“Books
for the Barrio”: Books and various supplies are collected
for schools in the Philippines and elsewhere. There is a list of needs in a small basket in the
narthex with a purple bow on it. Year Round Project
See Mary Canale for details.
“Teacher, the Dog Ate My Homework”:
Martinez Junior High always appreciates the backpacks we give for needy students, filled with the materials necessary to do
their school work. Think of the things your children would need, and pick up a little extra during those great deals before
school starts. More details to follow in late August / early September.
“Souper Supper / Movie”:
Toss it out and see who is interested? A new outreach event proposed - to have a
congenial soup and/or salad supper, maybe watch a movie together, and raise funds for outreach programs. Does
this strike anyone as a fun idea?
“People Feeding People”: Sandy Taylor and other volunteers feed those who are
in need every Saturday night, rain or shine, in downtown Martinez. Anyone wanting to assist, please
review the sign-up sheet posted by the St. Christopher’s Guild, or contact Sandy.
“Adopt-a-Family”:
Last year, our church adopted 8 families, a total of 28 people, and gave them a wonderful variety of gifts to help make their
Christmas merry. Starting from lists that described the family members, we shop and wrap like little elves! We
hope to accomplish even more this year, with the thoughtful generosity of your donations.
“Cooking for Shelter, Inc II”:
Volunteer teams plan menus, buy food, and cook evening meals for clients of Shelter, Inc. during the week between Christmas
and New Year. This has been our traditional week for many years – always great response because we love to share during
the holidays. If you can’t make the summer week, this is an enjoyable time, too.
Comments on this or any of the programs are most welcome,
please respond to Chandra Damele, chandradamele@yahoo.com
ä - ä - ä -
Sign ups always needed for Coffee Hour - please take a look at the
list in the Parish Hall
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CRAB
FEED WILL BE HERE VERY SOON. FEBRUARY 18th
The annual Crab Feed is February 18th, at 5:30. Please
see Connie Jorgensen ASAP for tickets and information (510) 799-1322. The cost is $40.00 per adult and $15.00 for kids under
12 years.
CHANGES
TO THE GRACE DIRECTORY:
PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED if there are any address or email changes
to be made to the directory. stefzichichi@yahoo.com or 372-3633 wk. Thanks, Stephanie Z.
WE ARE HOPING TO PRINT THE NEXT EDITION OF OUR GRACE DIRECTORY SOON - Please make sure to update any changes to your information, i.e., address,
phone, cell phone, email. THANKS
- - - - - - - - - - PLEASE NOTE: TO SEND GET WELL AND OTHER CARDS FROM
ST. CHRISTOPHERS. Please
either call or email Stephanie Zichichi or Ann Anderson if you think a card or note should be on its way to someone in the
parish family. Thank you.
Save the date, come one - come all !!!! Nearly Annual Square Dance at the Hodgson's Hill Top, Saturday September 29, 2012.As usual our same caller will make it easy and fun for dancers of all
skills or lack there of.Finger
foods and Happy Hour at 5:30 Dancing starts at 7:00 PM
Tom & Connie Hodgson
Fancy Ferriage by Horse & Carriage
Web: www.fancyferriage.com
email: horsecarriage@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 925-228-7766
____________________ Some
of you may be interested in this:
What if your job, your finances, and your community were all aligned with what you value? SOCAP has created a special event, SOCAP:Soul, to help answer that question. Social entrepreneurs
and investors, faith leaders and activists, cultural creatives and thought leaders are all seeking to align what they care
about with their jobs, and with the way they spend and invest their money. We're coming together as a movement of people who see the intersection of money and meaning as imperative not only
to business, but also for our families and neighbors, for ourselves, and for people around the world. Be inspired by speakers
who have made these decisions. Explore models and find others along the same path. Find a better way forward for this world
and yourself. Saturday, March 3rd, 2012The Hub, 925 Mission Street, San Francisco Registration Now Open! http://socialcapitalmarkets.net/socap-soul/ $95 dollar ticket includes: Full-day
of content, breakfast, lunch, & funky party at the end of the day.
Lonely Singing Women Seek Men ........................The ladies
of the Grace Church Choir are so very lonely. There are just not enough men in their lives, or more precisely
not enough Tenors and Basses. So if you enjoy singing come and join us for Choir practice on Thursday
evenings at 7:00. It is such
a joy to make a joyful noise!
Is This What You Are Called To Do?An editorial by Marj Leeds
Have you noticed the number of almost pre-teen aged folks at Church lately?
Just look around and you will quickly count almost ten that are growing up before our eyes and will be teenagers before
we know it. They will very soon be leaving Godly Play behind, and then what? Most parents
want their children to have a connection to their Church in a meaningful way that provides them an outlet during these critical
years at the same time that (hopefully) they are under a good influence. And having served as a Youth
Group Leader in the past I can tell you that for some reason young people of a certain age will listen to virtually anyone
except their parents, who have suddenly and inexplicably become rather unintelligent. I would suggest that
it is time for us all together as a Church Family to consider what we shall do. We have the opportunity
to make something truly wonderful happen. We have a chance to help our Church to continue to serve as a
safe place of love for those moving into young adulthood. We have time to think, pray and make plans.
I would urge you to personally consider whether you are called to be part of this ministry.
Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday – February
26th, 2012
Episcopal Relief and Development is the branch of the Episcopalian church that aids in
disasters (relief) and helps countries with their (development) and sustainment. To really comprehend the scope of what ERD
does, if you are lucky enough to have access to a computer, the best way is to go to Episcopal Relief and Development, or
to plug in the letters er-d.org and look over all the links to the home page website. The most striking thing about ERD is
that it does not seek to solve problems alone, but partners with many churches of the Anglican Communion, and charities that
are already established in different locations around the world, and so accomplishes much, much more. Most of all it partners
with you, your offerings and your prayers. Rather
than using the terrible statistics involved in global poverty, disease, hunger, thirst and disaster which we often can’t
really comprehend, I would ask you for a brief quiet moment. Maybe you could even close your eyes.Imagine sitting on a thin mat on hard packed clay, too hungry and tired to worry about
the wind whipping up the dust during the blazing hot day, or the odd scorpion which might skitter in during a cold cold night.
Perhaps it is the day that your first, or last, child has died and you are alone – really alone for the first time.
Maybe you have been driven out of your country by cruel circumstances or even worse, by cruel people. You are not actually
in a camp where you could be fed, because it is so overcrowded. You are just sitting on the outskirts, with no protection
from the elements, hoping for whatever slight safety or provisions you might get. Like the dog waiting for the crumbs that
fall from the masters table. It seems like a never-ending wait. Your mind is foggy from lack of food and you may not even
remember how you got there. You can’t cry because you are dehydrated just trying to breathe is wearing you out, and
your sleep is fitful at best.You can open your eyes
now, and take a deep breath! It’s not true – for you. But for tens of thousands of people it
has been true or is true, right now! And if you can grasp the “right now”
the “ this is happening to thousands”, perhaps you can be the hands of Jesus that bring the water, or the
food, or the shelter. Maybe you can even bring some of the simple medicine that saves the child. If you would like to help, please donate to ERD by placing a box of coins, or a check in
a red lettered envelope, in the offering plate on February 26th. You can make it out to ERD, or to Grace with ERD
on the memo line. God bless your Lenten Season. Wendy Heyse
Men’s
Group 2012 Event Schedule(Rev
2/6/12) | | | | | | | | January | 21st | Saturday | 8:30
AM | Breakfast | Grace Church Parrish Hall | | | | | | | | | February | 24th | Friday | 5:00
PM | Annual Pool Tournament | Cue &
Brew Pub, Martinez | | | | | | | | | March | 24th | Saturday | 8:30 AM | Breakfast | Grace Church Parrish Hall | | | | | | | | | April | 21st | Saturday | 10:00
AM | Annual Men's Bocce Ball Tournament & BBQ | Rogers Smith Park, Pleasant Hill | | | | | | | | | | May | 26th | Saturday | 8:30
AM | Breakfast followed by our 18-Hole Golf Tournament | Grace
Church Parrish Hall & Delta View Golf Club, Pittsburg | | | | | | | | | June | 16th | Saturday | 10:00
AM | Golf Putting Tournament & BBQ | Grayson Woods Putting
Course Pleasant Hill | | | | | | | | | July | 22nd | Sunday | 12:00
– 4:00 PM | 2nd Annual Grace Church Men vs. Women Bocce
Ball Tournament & BBQ | Rogers Smith ParkPleasant Hill | | | | | | | | | August | 18th | Saturday | 8:30
AM | Breakfast followed by our Par-3 Golf Tournament | Grace
Church Parrish Hall & Grayson Woods Golf Course | | | | | | | | | September | 22nd | Saturday | 10:00
AM | USS Potomac History Cruise | 540 Water StreetOakland, CA | | | | | | | | | October | TBD | Monday | 5:30
PM | Monday Night Football & BBQ | Dave Eary's HomePleasant Hill | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Grace Church
Activity - Planning Calendar
FEBRUARY - 2012 18 Grace Crab Feed
22 Ash Wednesday
24 Men's pool tourney
26 Lenten Breakfasts
begin
MARCH - 2012
4 Lenten Breakfast
11 Lenten Breakfast
17 St. Patrick's
Day Dinner
18 Lenten Breakfast
24 Men's Breakfast
25 Lenten Breakfast
APRIL - 2012
1 Palm
Sunday
8 Easter
21 Men's Bocce Tourney
28 St. Christopher's
Spg Lunch
May,
2012
26 Men's
breakfast - 18 hole golf
June, 2012 10 Church
School Awards and BBQ
16 Men's golf putting
and BBQ lunch
16 Wine & Cheese
Auction
26 Bocce tourney - Men vs. Women
JULY - 2012
15 Summer BBQ
28 Pasta Dinner
AUGUST - 2012 12 Summer BBQ
18 Men's golf
SEPTEMBER - 2012 9 Rally Day & BBQ
16 Sunday School Begins
22 Men's tour of
USS Potomac
29 Hodgson's Square
Dance
OCTOBER - 2012
14 Diocesan
Convention
21 Oktoberfest
28 All Hallows Eve Party
NOVEMBER - 2012 22 Thanksgiving Day
DECEMBER - 2012 4 St.
Christopher's Luncheon
15 Shopping Relief /
Pasta Dinner
25 Christmas
JANUARY 20, 2013 - Annual Parish Meeting
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