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Rector's Letter
Putting It Perfectly
Fr. Rob Droste
The other day, a parishioner was in my office. She's been around for a while, but she was feeling a new kind of excitement about what's going on around All Saints. She said "this place really is a lot of fun!"
Of course, I loved hearing that. But then, without pausing, she -- kind of emotionally -- said something even better: "You know, Father, I just want to bring as many people in here as I can."
That seems like a simple statement, doesn't it? It's not. It has a lot of depth. It's really a perfect statement of the Christian experience at its best. She has found a spirit, a way of being and a way of seeing the world, that feels really good. She's feeling like she's found something that she's been looking for, something she can trust, something that helps her. And having found that, she wants others to come and experience it with her.
It's such a natural response. When we see a great movie, or eat at a fabulous restaurant, or read an amazing book, we immediately want other people to experience it too. Sharing it makes the experience much stronger (and more fun) for us -- it's the way healthy human beings are wired.
We even sense deeply that if we don't involve others, it's even kind of sad -- a missed opportunity for greater happiness. "It would have been nice to share that with so-and-so," we might think. Or "So-and-so would have really liked this."
An exciting new discovery makes us generous, too. We just naturally want to give away the experience to others who we just know are going to have a something good come into their lives. Even the thought of sharing it makes us feel good.
There's something else in the statement that I think is fascinating. Without realizing it, the parishioner was stating an essential truth: to share what we have here involves going out. You can't bring someone in, after all, without going out there to get them.
I'm not going to get into any details about what that going out to get people might mean. There are so many ways to "go out" now, and some so easy (like emails or other social media). The how-to is too much to cover in a short newsletter article. Rather, what I'd like each of you to do is to simply connect with the feeling in yourself of wanting to share with others what you've found here.
Here's the question to make that connection: When do you wish most powerfully that you could bring people into your church and share it with them?
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Vestry Highlights
Maxine Sitts, Rector's Warden
At its monthly meeting Wednesday evening, June 22, vestry members:
- Favorably reviewed a new statement being developed on the use of compostables at All Saints. The statement will be revised slightly and presented for approval at the August vestry meeting.
- Celebrated a report from the Altar Guild that it has recruited new members. (Thanks to Connie Camp.)
- Gave a hearty cheer of thanks to the FCC (Facilities Care Committee), which is steadily moving ahead with building the ADA bathroom, improving lighting in the sanctuary, moving the organ to the altar space, automatically watering flowers out front, and accomplishing many others tasks that create a friendly, safe building. (Thanks to Jack Kincaid.)
- Accepted a mid-year report from the Social Ministries Team on parish feeding programs. This program relies on "blue bucket" and other donations to feed hundreds of people, increasingly families with children, at a cost of $1.00 per person. At mid-year, the program is about $700 behind in donations. These are being paid from accumulated donations to the Food Pantry. (Thanks to Tom Breckenridge.)
- Pondered ways to raise funds to repay the parish's loan from Union Bank for building renovations and to complete the ADA bathroom. Both needs have built-in deadlines. If parishioners are able to assist in working on a campaign to raise funds this summer, please contact any vestry member to volunteer to work with a small team. (Thanks to Connie Camp, Mary Kincaid, Donna Lack, Karen Taylor, and Fr. Rob.)
- Offered assistance for the parish's September 10 Talent Show Auction. Parishioners with items to donate, talents to show off, and other contributions, please contact chair Clyde Fralick. The first planning meeting for the auction was set for June 27. (Regular meetings will take place Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. starting July 11.)
- Agreed to hold an open discussion at the August vestry meeting of whether to offer bereavement pay to less-than-half-time employees.
No vestry meeting will be held in July. The next meeting will be August 17. |
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From Nancy Churchill
I would like to thank my All Saints family for all your love and support during the last two months. Your prayers, phone calls, cards, and hugs certainly helped me and my family to get through a very difficult time. The memorial service was beautiful, and the reception was lovely and welcoming. I am deeply grateful to all of you.
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Social Ministries
Food Pantry
The food pantry continues its robust ministry, serving all who attend - guests and volunteers alike. On average, about 40 volunteers pitch in each month, including 15 kids! Some pertinent data so far this year:
- We've served 2,646 people in our 3 feeding programs.
- More than $2,000 has been donated to Social Ministries. However, we've spent $637.43 more than we've taken in.
- Cost of the programs is $1.0024 per person.
- Average household size has grown from 2.75 to 3.13. We've had a few fewer guests this year than last, but have fed 174 more people.
April Showers
Many, many thanks to Dorothy and Conway Pendleton for 9 years(!) leading the crew of April Showers lunch makers. And much appreciation to Dorothy and Ken Wright for picking up this wonderful ministry.
Bethel Presbyterian Community Church, a dedicated Interfaith Homelessness Network partner, held a poignant memorial service for a regular April Showers guest who had died. Family members and friends were able to see that Bruce was embraced by a caring community.
AIDS Walk
The AIDS Walk will be held on Sunday, July 17. At this time, there is no coordinated effort for deanery involvement. Individuals are certainly encouraged to participate and/or contribute.
National Night Out
NNO will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Once again the event will feature a display of art by artists from Artful Steps, a Stepping Stones program. There will also be the usual bbq and drinks with potluck side dishes and desserts and visits from police and fire departments.
Volunteers needed! to bring food, set up, and clean up. This is a major community-building event. Hope to see you there!
Social Ministries Calendar
Sunday, 7/3 April Showers 11:00-2:00, San Leandro Boys and Girls Club
Sunday, 7/17 April Showers 11:00-2:00, San Leandro Boys and Girls Club (Note there is no bag lunch preparation this month)
Tuesday, 8/2 National Night Out 6:00-8:00 pm, All Saints
Saturday, 8/6 Food Pantry 11:00-3:00, All Saints
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Farewell
John Trubina
Greetings and Blessings!
On June 15th, I received word from the diocese letting me know that I have been placed at one of our parishes in the Southern Alameda Deanery. I will be going to St. Clare's in Pleasanton, where I will work together in ministry with Fr. Ron Culmer. I start July 3rd.
I am very excited about this placement as it is still within our deanery and I will get to work with a wonderful congregation and rector very similar to All Saints.
 This is not really a goodbye because I will see you every now and then at fundraisers and other events between our parishes. I am privileged to have been able to serve as your deacon at All Saints over the past month since ordination and I'm grateful for all the wonderful support and love that has been given to me throughout my formation. Most importantly, I want to thank Fr. Rob for all his support, friendship and prayers during seminary training and through to my ordination and beyond.
Please visit us at St. Clare's and say hello and most definitely, I will continue to correspond with Fr. Rob and you in continuing our ministry of the church.
May God bless each of you with many blessings.
In Christ's Service,
John +
Email: jtrubina@comcast.net
Phone: 415-517-5646
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July 20: Feast of Liberators and Prophets
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Neighborhood Block Party August 2
(Salad/Dessert Potluck)
National Night Out: America's Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 2, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
The Neighborhood Center at All Saints
Barbecue, table tennis, games for all ages, safety information, art from the Artful Steps program at Stepping Stones.
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Altar Guild
Thank you for the wonderful responses to helping out with Altar Guild duties. It's not too late to put your name in! It takes one to two hours a month (or every other month if we get enough signups). If there is something that you do not want to do either because of physical limitations or desire, that's fine. We'll find a way to make it work.
Also there is a need to sign up for sanctuary flowers. It is a lovely way to recognize a grandchild or parent or other special celebration and it makes our worship space even more beautiful come Sunday morning. There is a chart in the narthex where you can sign up. The cost is $40 and you can write a check to All Saints with flowers in the notation.
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Save the Date: August 13
Altar Server and Altar Guild Training
If you are currently a lector, usher or cupbearer (or would like to know more), or . . .
If you are currently on the altar guild (or would like to know more) . . . Be sure to mark Saturday, August 13, on your calendars.
Here's the agenda:
9:00 Lectors
10:00 Ushers
11:00 Cupbearers
12:00 Salad Bar Lunch
1:00 Altar Guild Training It's important for all servers and altar guild members to attend this training. Even experienced folks can always brush up on the fundamentals and learn some new things too.
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Parish Directories Now Available Electronically
If you'd like the information that's in the new parish directory electronically, please email your request to Dana in the church office.
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Looking for Work?
We'd like to help parishioners looking for work to get the word out. Starting this month, we now offer three channels of communication:
- Bulletin Board. Mary Kincaid is now setting up a space on the bulletin board for 8-1/2 x 11 flyers for each person. These should contain your contact information, services and skills you offer, and amount of time you'd be available.
- Newsletter. Starting in August, we will gather and publish short items on each person. Please limit these to 75 words and provide them to Mary Nelson by the 25th of the previous month.
- Bulletin Highlights. We will now begin publishing, space permitting, short items in the weekly Bulletin Highlights. These need to be no more than 25 words -- Twitter users, think the length of a tweet.
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Blessing of the Backpacks August 21
At the 10:00 service on August 21, we will have our First Annual Blessing of the Backpacks. All students are cordially invited to come and get their school year off to a good start with a special blessing from their priest and community.
Our special guest homilist will be none other than Victoria Forrester, principal of Roosevelt Elementary.
In honor of the day, we will, of course, have pizza at coffee hour! For more information or to get involved, contact Fr. Rob.
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Kitchen Needs
Mary Kincaid, Kitchen Director
If you can donate the following items, just put them on the counter in the kitchen. Many thanks!
- Paper grocery bags (for the small garbage containers)
- Dish towels (do not need to be new)
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The All Saints Clean-Up
As explained in last month's Facilities Care Committee report, we now have lovely, clean rooms for our own use, as well as for partners of The Neighborhood Center. This means that we have no storage room for things that "might be useful in the future." Also, we are not able to accept clothing or other items that you wish to donate to charities.
Fortunately, our community has several agencies that are set up to take your donations. They include:
Davis Street Family Resource Center
3081 Teagarden Street, San Leandro
510-347-4620
510-483-4486 fax
www.davisstreet.org
St. Vincent de Paul
9235 San Leandro Street, Oakland
510-636-4252
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-5:00 pm; Sunday closed
Donation Drop Off Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-4:30 pm, Sunday closed
Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Dropbox
1027 A Street, Hayward
510-538-2759 |
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Your Favorite Hymns
We are creating a database of individuals' favorite hymns. An optional electronic survey will be sent to parishioners, asking you to specify up to three hymns from our current hymnals and (as applicable) other songs of faith or spirituality that you love. The information you provide will not go outside the parish.
If you do not have email and would like your hymns entered in the database, please send specific information (hymn titles and, if possible, hymn numbers) to: Mary Nelson, 2003 D Street, Hayward, CA 94541-4438.
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| CONTACTS
Church office: allsaintsepiscopal@att.net, 510-569-7020
Neighborhood Center: Maxine Sitts,
neighborhood.center.at.all.saints@gmail.com Please check the calendar for scheduled meetings and to see what spaces and times are available for a meeting you are planning. To add your meeting time and space to the calendar, contact Maxine Sitts, sittsbreck@att.net.
Rector: Fr. Rob Droste, robdroste@sbcglobal.net Rector's warden: Maxine Sitts, sittsbreck@att.net People's warden: Anne Phillips, aphillips@chcnetwork.org Musician: Dylan Snodgrass, dvsnodgrass@yahoo.com Newsletter editor: Mary Nelson, marypat56@gmail.com |
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