Making Something Old Into Something New

I saw it as I entered the building. It is beautiful! The tabernacle sitting on top of this beautiful marble-topped stand. "How lovely that is, and how perfectly it fits that space!" I thought to myself.

Well, it is at St. Peter's in Santa Maria. This past Sunday morning I celebrated the re-dedication of the sanctuary post-renovation. It was, as reported in my last blog, a Spirit-filled, beautiful liturgy.

St. Peter's Church is a charming Old English style building with a wooden spire topped with a rooster weather vane (one of my favorite objects to collect -- roosters!). The building was erected in 1932.

The tabernacle is the original -- which, before the renovation, was located behind the altar. With the renovation the pulpit was removed and the old, closed off chancel was opened up for easy access and to make the space more conducive to different ways to set up the chancel and the nave.

Where to put the tabernacle?

Well, there was this nice wall, but what to put the tabernacle on? The answer came as a movement of the Spirit . You see, the pulpit was removed and laid on its side in the space where the tabernacle now resides. The Spirit moved as the people stood there -- Aha! Take the old pulpit (which was part of the building as it was opened in 1932) and cut it down. But wait -- there's more! As it turned out, a member of the parish had an old piece of marble her father had brought back (from Italy?) in the 1930's which was stored in her garage. An artisan measured it to fit, cut it to size and beveled the edges and -- voila! Re-tooling existing, era-appropriate pieces created something new and beautiful!

I think the Spirit was moving that day. It was when the pulpit was lying there, with the people standing there not not knowing what would happen to the pulpit or what to put the tabernacle on that a re-visioning took place.

Lord, grant us the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and a heart open to your work among us. Amen.

Radical Hospitality Times Two!

I wandered with my husband Steve up to St. Peter's in Santa Maria. I was at a formal visitation which included the celebration and rededication of their sanctuary. It was an incredible morning, full of love, great music, incredible sharing of the many ministries they are engaged in. I thought to myself, "nothing can top this."

We wandered down to St. Mark's in Los Olivos. I was invited to give a talk on stewardship at a dinner last evening. That's when I experienced radical hospitality in a new way.

From the moment I entered the parish grounds, the warmth of the grounds and people made both Steve and me feel very welcome!

I've included pictures here of just some of the welcoming touches -- drinks put out for us in the parlor so we could rest. The women's room was wonderful, and the invitation to join the church was there -- see the picture above. And then there was the doggie water sign -- so anyone coming through the courtyard would see this and be able to offer water to their dog.

At dinner, the members of the parish gathered were asked to write on a heart what they love about St. Mark's. I've included a picture of the hearts that were filled out and placed on a tree. One woman who is actually a member of a parish in Santa Barbara came because she received an invitation in the mail (she was a long time member at St. Mark's and now lives in Santa Barbara, but is still on St. Mark's mailing list). She told me, "it was so great to receive this pink invitation to come to a Valentine's dinner to meet you. I'm so glad I was here -- and so happy to have received this invitation."

Most importantly, setting the tone for the evening was a spiritual, moving service at 5:00 that began with the lighting of candles by each person who attended. Lighting the candles off the first and then subsequent candles was so moving. Bear offered music on guitar that was not only appropriate for the service, but moving spiritually. The service, put together by the Rector, was the icing on the cake. I was moved to tears on more than one occassion during the service -- it was amazing.

It was an amazing day yesterday, starting with St. Peter's and ending with St. Mark's. Hospitality was the order of the day -- it was radical and wonderful.

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

It started off as just a good idea -- a retreat for the women of St. Michael and All Angels in Corona del Mar. Then the seed of a good idea grew.

"How about a retreat for the women of deanery X?"

And it grew again --

"How about inviting the women of deanery IX as well?"

The planning team putting this event together checked with my calendar and the date was set. Then the real planning happened: "What if we look at ways in which we can express our spirituality?" An iconographer was invited to talk about how icons are made. A person versed in journalling was invited. Then there was the person who brought beads and taught the women gathered how to make Anglican Rosaries. For those who needed to stretch their legs there was a walk planned. There was a room set aside and a person invited to lead the women in a yoga practice. There was a labyrinth drawn onto the patio surface. A wonderful, peace-filled chapel built in the sacristy. Lastly, there was quiet room for reading or resting. I don't think I left anything out -- there were plenty of opportunities, in two sessions, for the women gathered to express themselves spiritually.

And it grew yet again --

"Well, if women from other deaneries want to come,they are welcome!"

It was built, and they came -- 180 women attended this event.

I had the privilege of giving a talk (half an hour) on expressive spirituality, and then I spent another half an hour fielding questions. The Eucharist was celebrated at noon, and lunch was served at 1:00. The organizers had the blessing of having to run to Costco to purchase additional food! There were 130 who were expected to attend, 180 showed up!

It showed that there is a deep hunger for days of respite, especially for women. Those gathered wanted to make sure we would do this again next year -- we will, at Trinity in Orange sometime in January.

There were also women there from Deanery I -- a date has been set for them in June (June 4th) at Prince of Peace in Woodland Hills. A Deanery VIII attendee has taken on the task of planning something there as well.

How the Spirit moved this past Saturday -- I wonder, as we "roll this out" around the diocese, how the Spirit will move in the different groups? As I wander around attending these opportunities to express ourselves spiritually, I'll let you know.

It's the little things

It started out as a typical appointment. I went to see Bro. Antony Miller at St. Barnabas in Pasadena. I came into the very neat and organized church office to find two volunteers stuffing Christmas letters to go out that day. Bro. Antony gave me a tour of this beautiful church, and then we hopped in his car to go to lunch.

That's when it happened.

You know when you see homeless people standing on the side of the road with a sign saying, "please help" -- so many people pass them by. I know I do when I'm driving. If I'm walking, I'll give them the change in my pocket. If I'm driving, I never stop.

Antony stopped.

He knew the homeless person by name. He rolled down his window and gave him a dollar. The man said that someone stole his sleeping bag. I could see the wheels in Antony's brain moving -- that man was going to get a new sleeping bag pronto.

Antony is very involved in homeless ministry in Pasadena. Everything from a new feeding program once per week at the parish to helping out at another church's bible study and feeding program (pizza) in the park every week -- rain or shine. He shared stories with me over lunch about the people he has met. The more he spoke, the more his face shone with God-love. This is a powerful ministry this young man is doing to the glory of God in Pasadena. He is opening the parish one day per week to feed the homeless -- Thursdays. The parish is getting behind this ministry and, I believe, will be energized by it. You can't help but feel energized as Antony talks about this ministry.

I wonder what the Spirit will do next at St. Barnabas. I may have to wander over there one of these Thursdays to see.

Going "Home"

Yesterday was NOT going to be your run-of-the-mill-Bishop-visitations. Maybe I'll find as I continue to wander around the Diocese that there is no such thing as a typical visitation. However, yesterday I KNEW would be different. Why? Because I went "home" for the first time.

"Home" is the Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana. It was there that I was assigned as a Ministry Study Year student back in the early 1990's before I began seminary. The Rector, Brad Karelius, was a wonderful mentor for me. When I finished seminary, Brad hired me to be the Associate Rector. Two years later, I was called to be Rector at St. Clement's in San Clemente.

Going "home" felt WONDERFUL! There were so many people that are still there -- and so many new faces. I had the opportunity to speak with the vestry. As always, there is a LOT going on at Messiah. The parish is growing, even with the announcement of the Rector's retirement later in 2011. The parish is also involved in a great amount of outreach into the community, and is looking to do more. Mission and ministry is important there -- it has been for many years.

There were 44 confirmations/receptions -- including one of my favorite people from my time there. We looked at each other and started to cry -- all the years she had attended Messiah, she had never been received into this part of the Body of Christ. She decided it was time, and I laid my hands on her head.

As I stood behind the altar and started to pray the Eucharist, I was taken back in time to the FIRST Eucharist I ever said -- which was behind the same altar. I started to tear up as I thought about the privilege of serving there so many years ago, and of going back now as their Area Bishop. Wow.

Last but not least, the Mariachi were there, playing their hearts out. After the service, when I was finally done with picture taking (there were all those confirmands who wanted their picture taken with the bishop!), I went down to the parish hall where the Mariachi were playing. I asked Freddie Espinoza (the head Mariachi) if they had played Guadalajara yet. They were waiting for me. They started, and I got some of the women who knew me from years gone by to get up and dance -- we did, and it was great, great fun.

I wonder what it will be like for me the next time I go there -- well, after all, there's no place like home!

Date Night

Last Friday, my husband Steve and I had a "date day" -- going to see Harry Potter in the morning followed by lunch at True Food and a trip to Costco. I know, you may not consider Costco as a date destination, but I personally enjoy shopping there. It was a wonderful way to spend time together.

Yesterday I had the great privilege of meeting 4 young people who are interns at the Episcopal Urban Intern Program in Long Beach. You can see them in this picture with the Rev. Gary Commins.

What is the Episcopal Urban Intern Program? I'm glad you asked! I found this on the JUBILEE CONSORTIUM WEBSITE:

"The Episcopal Urban Internship Program (EUIP) is a year-long service learning project of the Jubilee Consortium. Each fall, EUIP gathers a new class of young adults from across the United States to live in Christian community and to work for change in some of Los Angeles County's most innovative and effective social service agencies. The mission of the EUIP is to raise up a new generation of change leaders for the church and the world who will spend their whole lives working to expand God's reign of peace and justice for all people. EUIP prepares young adults to become such leaders. EUIP is part of the Episcopal Service Corps (ESC), a network of young adult programs within the Episcopal Church that work for social change and personal transformation through service to others."

You may be wondering to yourself, "what does this have to do with date night?" I'm getting there, don't worry.

These four young people -- Sarah, Wesley, Andrew and Katie live in a house near St. Luke's in Long Beach. Each have their specific focus and work in different social service agencies. They are articulate, witty, and on fire about what they are doing. They have different work schedules and lead busy lives. As they live in community, they have a "date night" once per week, where they take turns preparing dinner and they talk about issues of faith. It's a "date night with Jesus!" How wonderful! Not only are these young people, and more like them in other locations in the diocese, on fire to give back to the world, but also selected to become part of a group that is intentionally religious.

I wonder what it would be like if within our own families we took time once per week to have a "date night with Jesus" -- hmmmm.

PS -- If you would like more information about the Jubilee Consortium of which the Episcopal Urban Intern Program is a part, or to make a donation -- please go to www.jubileeconsortium.org.

The Other St. Clement's

I have heard about it for a long time, but never managed to get over there. I know the priest, Fr. Santos, having met him when I was the Associate Rector at the Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana and he was working at St. Michael's in Anaheim.

Having spent 10 years as Rector at St. Clement's by-the-Sea in San Clemente, I was pleased to now be the Area Bishop for the OTHER St. Clement's -- St. Clement's in Huntington Park. I met Fr. Santos there, and he showed me around the grounds.

Fr. Santos shared with me that St. Clement's in Huntington Park is in a neighborhood that is plagued by drugs and violence. As we walked on the street, people in cars honked, called his name and waved to him -- he is known and loved in this neighborhood. Each Sunday about 150 people gather to worship in Spanish. There are many images of the Virgin of Guadalupe both inside and outside the church.

While the attendance at the church is wonderful, financial problems abound. This is a poor neighborhood, and sacrificial giving for the group that gathers is not enough to cover the expenses, even with a bare-bones budget. I noticed that the flowers at the altar were from the rose bushes in front of the church sign. They are making use of all the resources they can muster.

I wonder what it would be like if parishes around St. Clement's saw the needs here as part of their own outreach program? What if we could "expand the tent" and share out of the bounty we have received to those immediately around us? What if resources could be shared -- hmmm.