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Marilyn Slater spreads the Good Word at Balboa Park’s EarthFair. Simpler Living demonstrated the impact of sea level rise on the San Diego Coastline. Dozens of children and their adults enjoyed interacting with the relief map and measuring cups of water which represented melting of icebergs as a result of excessive CO2. Visitors also added their prayers and wishes for a healthy ocean on the fishing net behind Marilyn. |
What’s been going on with Outreach and Mission? Paula Peeling shares the latest update from the recent meeting.
To celebrate 1 year of Showers of Blessings and the inauguration of being a Fair Trade Congregation, our team munched cookies and enjoyed sparkling apple juice before our meeting began. Jen Jow was also applauded for her 12 months of sorting and cleaning the furniture in the subterranean warren at the Cathedral.
Welcome to Sierra Gore, a new parishioner leading the children and youth in a Creation Care curriculum at St. Paul’s. Rev. Alan M. McKillop, recently from the East Coast and an active leader in the NAACP, also attended.
* SHOWERS
Colin opened the discussion about the transition to new leadership with the retirement of Lynne and Bill. There will be a meeting of the active Showers volunteers the week of April 25 to plan for a smooth transition, and the continuance of the Interfaith Shelter will also be considered. Colin is the point of contact and is available for conversation for all Homeless programs at St. Paul’s. Appreciative kudos to Bill and Lynne Fish were offered. We will send a letter of thanks to Bill and Lynne from the Outreach Team. The letter, in fact, was mailed April 19.
* ST. LUKE’S
St. Luke’s and St. Paul’s established a partnering relationship 1 year ago. Currently Donna Purdue and Calvin Johnson attend St. Luke’s monthly to offer a presence. Our vision is to have parishioners from both congregations take part in joint projects and worship opportunities. Donna and Calvin will attend our May 10 meeting to give a glimpse of what is happening at St. Luke’s.
* RETREAT- SAVE THE DATE!
Our 2nd annual Outreach Team retreat will be Saturday, August 27, 9AM – 2PM +/-. Rev. Jeff Martinhauk will lead us through scriptures that challenge us to be servants and friends with those who are marginalized. Episcopal Church Center (ECC) in Ocean Beach will be the site.
* MAY MEETING on May 10, Bring Treats!!
Our last meeting before the retreat in August will be our May 10 meeting. Regular meetings will resume in September. To toast our team’s hard work this year, please bring a savory or a sweetie treat to the meeting. Also, we will complete as we are able, the tentative programming for the rest of 2016! (Really, the year is coming to a close, but it is only MAY!!!)
* Giving Thanks
Several ministry leaders spoke up about giving thanks to the dozens of volunteers who make the body of St. Paul’s Cathedral alive in San Diego. In particular, there are many volunteers who perform weekly tasks that give us a strong community program, but they may not be raised up for recognition by the entire St. Paul’s family. This issue will be taken to the clergy as a concern.
* RECEIPTS FOR IN-KIND ITEMS
When we collect in-kind items for our partners, those donating the shoes or food or what-ever-the-item-may be are acknowledged by our partner. However, when we collect items for our St. Paul’s programs, such as Showers or Interfaith Shelter, the church is asked to keep track of those items, probably not unlike Goodwill or Salvation Army. We now have In-Kind Donation Receipts. These are available from Judy or Kathleen in the Office, or Erin/Molly in Accounting.
The yellow copy goes to the donor of the item, and white copy should be dropped into the slot-in-the-wall next to the children’s nursery (This is actually the cathedral Safe, and when the contents are removed- including these receipts- the contents will go to Accounting
NEWS and Updates
1. Simpler Living- Dr. Ramanathan, the Pope’s Climate Scientist from Scripps Institute of Oceanography, gave a lecture at St. Paul’s, sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light on April 15. Phil Petrie also called out the St. Paul’s booth at Balboa Park’s EarthFair on April 17th highlighting rising sea level, staffed by St. Paul’s volunteers (see picture above!). Simpler Living will also honor Creation Care Sunday, May 1, with Veronica Tamsitt speaking to the health of the ocean at the 9AM Forum. June 18 will be a Saturday night film and “organic” potluck in the Guild Room. The film is “The Cove” about a singular dolphin crisis in Japan. Everyone welcome to the potluck and film.
1. Fair Trade- Carolyn Lief pointed out that St. Paul’s has now been a Fair Trade Congregation for one year! May 8 the Sunday Forum will highlight the differences Fair Trade are making in people’s lives. Catholic Relief Services’ Maria Arroyo will speak.
2. Vida Joven’s, the foster home in Tijuana, fund raiser was moved from an outdoor venue in Bonita to Christ Church in Coronado due to the sudden rainy weather. Vida Joven netted about $10,000 from the event! Vida Joven Day and art show will be at the Cathedral on October 16. This is also the 20th year anniversary of Sylvia Laborin’s tenure, the much-loved Director of Vida Joven. Vida Joven now has a legal Mexican Board of Directors. Janet Collins also reported that Carli, the little girl who lost her arm in a car accident, will be receiving a prosthesis! Twice monthly Beth Beall runs van tours down to Vida Joven from St. John’s in Chula Vista.
3. Gladys King’s June luncheon for the 22-25 Cathedral docents is scheduled for June 26 in the Fireside Room. Anyone interested in being a docent should contact Gladys King at gladysking127@cox.net<mailto:gladysking127@cox.net>
4. Cathedral for the City Commission has just completed a 2 minute download video about St. Paul’s starring Margret Hernandez! There will be a candidate forum at St. Paul’s on May 23 highlighting the 3rd district Council and the district attorney race.
5. Vicki Kelley reported that the previous Saturday’ Showers of Blessings went very well. The volunteers have been well trained and easily slipped into the routine that has been established. There were 31 showers taken on Saturday.
6. The ECS (Episcopal Community Services) Day of Play fundraiser had to be moved from the original date due to rain to April 24, which conflicted with the St. George’s Day at SPC. However, the Outreach Team and several parishioners did support the event by buying tables at the outdoor barbecue and activities, reports Jen Jow.
7. FOMOS (Friends of Military Outreach and Support) is having a May 1 Steering Committee meeting in the Fireside Room. Please contact Rev. Susan Astarita (sastarita@roadrunner.com) -or- Kim Sorrell (kesorrell@hotmail.com<) for more detail. FOMOS is supporting WAVE therapy with a $500 donation. Veterans with PTSD are finding this Johns Hopkins program successful. The therapy is now being opened up to those diagnosed with PTSD prior to 9/11. The organization Amikas provides housing for homeless women and children with focus on veterans. Board Members include women veterans from our own Cathedral members.
8. Jerry Motto will be running the RefugeeNet Shoe Drive each Sunday in May from May 8 – 29. Stop by the Queen’s Courtyard table, pick up a child’s name and shoe size, and return the following week with a bright new pair of school shoes. These will be distributed from St. Mark’s in August to refugee children in the City Heights area. Please consider attending RefugeeNet’s annual fundraising Gala on May 7, 6-9. Tickets are $95. Contact Jerry Motto at jerrber104@yahoo.com . Vicki Kelley will staff the Queen’s Patio table for Jerry on Sunday May 22.
9. RefugeeNet is also in need of a $750 donation to pay for the rental space allowing tutoring for school children on Friday during the school year. The Outreach Team will match any donation(s) up to $750 made to RefugeeNet. Please make the check out to St. Paul’s with “RefugeeNet Tutoring” in the memo.
10. Downtown Fellowship of Churches, Gary Arps represents St. Paul’s monthly at the meetings, reports that May 14 is the next East Village Cleanup. This is a quarterly 2 hour cleanup organized by Think Dignity (formerly the Girls’ Think Tank) and the Rescue Mission. Consider this for your small group as a service project, or putting together a small group to clean up the streets. Contact Gary Arps glarps@cox.net<mailto:glarps@cox.net>
Next Meeting, May 10, Guild Room 4pm – 5:30pm
Do YOU feel called to get involved?
