The Episcopal Church of Saint Michael & All Angels Pacific View Drive at Marguerite ���Corona del Mar �� California 92625 � 949.644.0463 � www.stmikescdm.org

FOR THELOVE OF MIKEVolume 63 Number 9 OCTOBER 2013

BUILDING OUR FAITH: LOVING CHRIST AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

...From the Desk of the RectorBELOVEDS IN CHRIST, PARISH NEWS

AND NOTES

* * *

Gratitude and whole-hearted thanks to all who helped refurbish and renovateour sanctuary: Lynn Headley, Murry McClaren, Esther McNamee, Cathy

Dunlap, Myrna Ireland and all members of the committee that helped makeimportant and correct decisions, Anne Warmington, Fred Salter, ChuckVaughn and Doug Neff. To all who helped move out of the sanctuary onAugust 12 and back in on September 6: John Ireland, Jim Dunlap, Norm &Beth Bianchi, Dottie & Bob Cole, Paul & Lynn Multari, Don Alser, SharonFerguson, Elizabeth Henry, Sam Horton, Kristy Kiper, Bill Leasure,Karlene Miller, Verda Schroeder, Linda Sevier, Harry Stahl, CorinneStover, Louise Stover, Ann Watt , Susan Zevnik and our fine sexton, theWestroms (Susan and Erik who did labor requiring ladders) and others towhom I apologize for not mentioning. And, of course, gratitude and whole-hearted thanks to the more than eighty beloveds who contributed financially tothis endeavor. I deeply appreciate what we have and am truly grateful to allwho have made this possible.

There is still work to do: We will improve acoustics. We are still considering a rug forthe center aisle and another at the main entrance. We will continue to stay on budget.Our sanctuary has every resource to continue to be sacred space for us. Last monthfrom this “desk” I wrote about what makes space sacred. This month I want to remindus of the process which led to renewal of our worship space.

“Sanctuary remodeling/renovation/restoration/refurbishment/repair” has been on ouragenda since the late-1990s. Building Our Faith divided work on our Parish Center fromthat for our sanctuary. “Building Our Faith One” gave us classrooms, bathrooms, aproper nursery and kitchen, a great youth room, multi-purpose All Angels’ Court andbeautiful Michael’s Room.

Remember plans to knock down walls to the north wing and build a chapel with newstained glass and walls to the south wing for a family-friendly and sound-proof worshipspace? To splay the corners of those wings with the nave to improve sight lines? Toenlarge the skylight over our altar and improve the lights in our ceiling? To replace some,if not all pews, with chairs like those currently along our nave’s west wall. To build anarthex beyond the current west wall and install pipes for our organ above the doorwhich would then be between narthex and nave? To create a baptismal font inside themain door, or with a fountain immediately outside that door, which would allow us toadminister Holy Baptism by immersion and to remind us of our own Baptismal Covenant(BCP 304-305) when coming to and going from worship? “Building Our Faith Two”became the sanctuary refurbishment/renovation currently being completed.

What future remodeling/restoration/repair will there be? More change!

Let’s enjoy the sacred space with which we are currently blessed and, then, lookforward with gratitude to all who have given us what we have, by the grace of God.

Yours, in Christ -

THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALSwill be held on October 6. See Pagethree for thoughts about our animalfriends.

LOAVES AND FISHES: In Octoberwe will collect large cans of groundcoffee. Monetary donations are alwayswelcome, too, and checks should bemade payable to Saint Michael & AllAngels, with Loaves and Fishes on thememo line. (Tax ID #95-2123746)

* * *

JOURNEY will begin again in lateNovember and continue until the

Great Vigil of Easter. JOURNEY, aprogram of spiritual growth andthoughtful exploration, is for adults whosense the need for something else intheir lives of faith and who desire toengage their faith journey at a deeperlevel.

JOURNEY participants meet weeklyat the church one evening per week,from 7pm to 9pm. CompletingJOURNEY is a major commitment, butit’s an exciting journey which cantransform our lives as individualChristians and as a community.

Brochures explaining the JOURNEYprogram will be available in the back ofthe church and in Michael’s Room, anda complete JOURNEY schedule willbe posted on the bulletin board inMichael’s Room. You can also addressany questions you might have, orreceive either the brochure or schedulefrom Fr. Jeff: frjeffhulet@yahoo.com.

(MORE) PARISH NEWS AND NOTES

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE is a publication of

Saint Michael & All AngelsEpiscopal Church,

Corona del Mar, CA.Copy deadline is the secondWednesday of the month.

We welcome letters and articles. Editor: Susan Beechner

949.644.0463

Finance...........................................Jim Palda[paldajim@gmail.com] 626.533.8037Mission......................................Gail Haghjoo[gail.haghjoo@gmail.com] 714.553.7120Stewardship...................................Joan Short[joanshort@earthlink.net] 949.644.0719Worship.The Very Rev’d Canon Peter D. Haynes[phaynes@stmikescdm.org] 949.644.0463

VESTRY MEMBERS 2013Senior Warden...............................Lynn Headley[lynnheadley@earthlink.net] 714.963.5932Junior Warden................................Paul Multari[paul.multari@yahoo.com 949.500-8891Christian Education.......................Barbara Black[syblack@sbcglobal.net] 949.375.3048Clerk of the Vestry...................... ...Karlene Miller[karlenemiller@gmail.com] 949.336.6215Building and rounds.................... ..........[Open]

Communications...........................Clyde Dodge[clydedodge@cox.net 949.375.1530Evangelism.................................Melinda Rader[melinda.rader@roadrunner.com] 949.230.3644Fellowship......................................Teri Corbet[hbangel49@msn.com] 714.964.5505

OCTOBERAnniversaries

Birthdays

5th - Gail Haghjoo12th - Amanda Corbet

16th - Sandra Alser17th - Terry Lee

23rd - Norm Ewers24th - Joseph Benjamin

26th - Dwight Ryan29th - Maria Solomon

Baptism

9th - Keith Nelson

Weddings

4th - Chace & Anne Warmington17th - Pat & Esther McNamee

* * *

* * *

CONTRIBUTIONS WERE MADE TOTHE RECTOR’S DISCRETIONARYFUND most recently by Rusty Vail inthanksgiving for our ministries with music,by Gail Haghjoo in thanksgiving for herdad and uncle, and by Don & Terry Nelsonin gratitude for our “Prayers for Healing”resource. These funds extend our Parish’smission of outreach, providing for suchneeds as can be helped by financialassistance.

PRELIMINARY YTD INCOME IS$341,755. OUR YTD EXPENSE IS$367,745. The parish Net OrdinaryIncome is ($25,989), which is $18,462ahead of our plan. Our YTD PledgeIncome is $280,685 which is $2,647below our plan through the end of 2013.

Our total operating cash balance is$291,350 of which $191,043 isdesignated gifts; leaving a net balanceof $100,307. This also includes fundsraised for the church refurbishment.The Endowment Trust has a balanceof $ 167,142. Please make sure thatyou maintain your pledges.

* * *PLEASE CHECK THE DISPLAYRACK ON THE WALL INMICHAEL'S ROOM. Pick up apamphlet or two to share with familyand friends. A donation box is provided."Taste & See - Intentional Eating asChristian Practice" is a pamphlet thatreminds us that eating can be a spiritualpractice. "Food is one of the greatestgifts given to us by God the Creator.We often eat so mindlessly and quicklythat we forget this." An intentionalapproach to food includes eating slowly,turning off all devices while eating, evenwhen alone, giving thanks, and makingwise choices. "Eating bread anddrinking wine is the primary way thatwe remember Christ. But all food canbe sacramental."

St. Mike’sFacebook Page

facebook.com/SMAACDM

“Like” usRead us every day forlatest parish news,

diocesean, TEC and ACupdates, personal

devotions,sacred music.

A community within ourcommunity

TIME AND TALENT If you arethinking about volunteering with oneof our commissions at St. Mike’s,please review the “Parish Life”booklet on the “back rail” of theSanctuary. which describes theseactivities. We need greeters, acolytes,coffee hosts, and ushers, and haveother interesting assignments as well.Volunteering is a wonderful way tomeet new people at St. Mike’s. Pleasecall Melinda Rader with questions at949.230.3644.

* * *

PHONE TREE MINISTRY: NEWMEMBERS NEEDED. Our goal is tocontact every parishioner by phoneonce a month.This is a greatopportunity to get to know others betterand to share information, needs andsuggestions about Saint Mike's. Pleasecontact Ruth Poole at 949.644.9263.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 2

SUNDAYS-AT-NINE: “When I havea terrible need of -dare I say, ‘religion’-then I go outside at night and paintthe stars.” (Vincent Van Gogh) Theseries Painting the Stars: Science,Religion, and an Evolving Faithcontinues through October, with “ARenaissance of Wonder,” “BecomingBetter Stewards,” “An EvolvingFaith,” “Imaging a Future,” and“An Evolving Spirituality-Mysticism.” Pick up a cup of coffeeand join together in Davis Library, nine-to-ten. Format will include readings,video and discussion. Copies ofreadings are available at the Library. Allare welcome! LEST WE FORGET: There have been

4,489 American military casualties inIraq and 2,138 in Afghanistan. "Lordhear our prayers for those who are deadand for those who mourn."

* * *

And, here are my favorite questions dogs might well ask God:

“Is it on purpose that our names are the same, only reversed?”“When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?”

“Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not one named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around in a convertible? We dogs love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the ‘Chrysler Eagle’ the Chrysler Beagle’?”

“If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?”“Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom , if ever, smell one another?”

“We dogs understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent IDs, electromagnetic energy finders and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?”

“Are there mailmen in heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?”“Will garbage collectors still steal our ‘stuff’ in heaven?”

“Is sticking my nose into places people don’t seem to like an acceptable way of saying ‘Hello!’ in heaven?”

“Are there cats in heaven? If so, I promise not to treat them like ‘squeaky toys’ or eat their food...”“When I get to heaven may I be un-‘fixed’?”

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 3

�PRAYERS�

THANKSGIVING

3233 Pacific View DriveCorona del Mar, CA 92625

949.644.0463949.644.9247 FAX

www.stmikescdm.org

Our mission is to seek and shareJesus Christ as spiritual food

for life’s journey.

HEALING

GUIDANCE

SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELSEPISCOPAL CHURCH

A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OFTHE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

The Very Rev’d CanonPeter D. Haynes, Rector

[phaynes@stmikescdm.org]Susan Caldwell

Director of Christian Education[scaldwell@stmikescdm.org]

Bob GrantInterim Minister of Music[stephenmblack@gmail.com]

The Rev’d Fennie Chang, Ph.D.,Canterbury Irvine

The Rev’d Canon Ray FlemmingAssisting Priest

The Rev’d Jefferson HuletAssisting Priest

The Rev’d Barbara Stewart, Ph.D.,Assisting Priest

Susan Beechner, Parish Secretary[sbeechner@stmikescdm.org]Donnie Lewis, Bookkeeper

[dlewis@stmikescdm.org]

WORSHIP SCHEDULESunday

Holy Eucharist 8amChoral Eucharist 10am

Adult Education 9amSunday School 10am

TuesdayHE, MP, alternating Tues. at 7:30am

Nursery Care provided from 9:30am Wednesday

Holy Eucharist with Prayersfor Peace and Healing-12 noon

ABOUT SAINT MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS

CORONA DEL MARWe are a Christian Community of

the Anglican Communion who cometo hear God’s word and receive and

share the Lord Jesus Christ.Our purpose is to have Christ live

in us in order that in Christ we maylive faithful and productive

Christian lives.Our commitment to the Gospel is

evangelical; our liturgical tradition,catholic; our theology orthodox but

open to thought, reflection, andspiritual endeavor.

We care about the worldand strive to serve Christ in it.

Call Esther McNameefor prayer requests 949.640.1749

.

CHRISTIANEDUCATION

SusanCaldwell

Continued on page 5

REPOSE

Thinking about the Meta-Narrative and

Subsequent Generations

Dr. Marva J. Dawn, teachingfellow of spiritual theology at

Regent College, spoke to a classroomof seminary students, ministryworkers and community leadersduring a public lecture series. The titleof her seminar was, ‘Living in a LargeEnough Story: Why Personal Piety isnot Enough”. Dr. Dawn, during herlecture, addressed the aspects of themeta-narrative. “The term meta-narrative refers to an overarching storythat gives focus, cohesion,commonality, and meaning to life,”Dawn writes in her book, “Is it a LostCause?” Dawn goes on to explain howwe are part of a larger story, the largerstory written by God.

Our own individual story isimportant, but there is a greater contextin which we live- the Grand Story ofall time.

It is easy to become bogged downin the details of our own lives and missthe point of the bigger picture. Whyare we here? And what does God thinkabout us and what we are up to? Is itour business solely to live happy andadjusted lives? Or is there a greaterpurpose in the bigger sphere ofmeaning? Dr. Dawn reflects that theBiblical Meta-Narrative is God’s eternalgift, and having the mindset of thegreater good gives meaning andpurpose to living.

The practical application of this canmanifest itself in different ways,viewing and responding.

My husband, Steve, likes to visit oldgraveyards. Having studied history incollege, he finds that when he wandersthrough a cemetery, there is a greatersense of time. There is a greater senseof history than say driving on thefreeway or standing in a grocery storeline. Markers of history can be foundin a graveyard. On a weathered andbroken tombstone there are beginningand end dates, the ‘dash’ and perhapsa sentence or two that speak from thepast. In a cemetery it is easy to step

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 4

DanOlive

RosemarieClydeHildySallyJohn

JeanneJack

NancyPat

NoelleNormSueBob

RobertaMary Betty

VictorDebbie

Ann

George McCutchen Gardner Ken Fedder

- for the lives of Alison Dodge and Julie (Paulson) Smallin;

- with Esther & Pat McNamee for their wedding anniversary

IN THE ABSENCES OF A VESTRY/CHAIRPERSON for our Buildingsand Grounds Commission, if you havea concern about our campus pleaseput notes in cubbie/boxes in our ParishOffice for both “Buildings &Grounds” and “Sexton” (parishcustodian). Thank you

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Our Sanctuary Gets a Make Over!

On September 8th, we returned to the new and improved

sanctuary for worship.

(Left) On September 8th, Bishop Catherine Roskam visited.

(Below) She talks with our children about being a bishop.

(Right) She spoke about stewardship at the luncheon

following services.

(Left) During the renovation we

worshipped in the “round” in All Angels’

Court. (Below)

Receiving communion from Father Ray

Fleming.

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A MESSAGE FROM STEPHEN BLACK

I started at Saint Michael & All Angels Church February 6, 2011.Everywhere else I’ve lived, starting a job at that time of year would be, atthe least, a chilly beginning. But that day was sunny, warm and just plainbrilliant! Now that I look back on that day, it was a fitting beginning forhow the past two and a half years have proceeded--nothing short ofbrilliant. And you, the congregation of Saint Michael’s, are the reasonwhy.

I have told Peter this, but I really should share it with you all. I was withmy previous job in New York City for eleven years, a pretty considerableamount of time. Even though the time here has been short (too short!), Ihave become closer to you than I ever became with the congregation inManhattan. I know this is due in part to the extraordinary generosity ofmany people. Your giving spirit was made manifest to me in many ways,from the concern shown by parishioners for me and my family to individualgifts which helped me manage the logistical balance between my ministryat the church and the demands of the doctoral program at USC. There’sreally no way to adequately express the gratitude I feel.

I do wish to thank everyone who has helped make the music program thesuccess it was. In particular, I want to thank the members of the parishchoir, who were eager to meet my expectations, and indeed surpassedthem on several occasions. As a musical ensemble they have grown inmany ways, and I’m really proud of what they have accomplished. Fromindividual successes like the Fauré Requiem to the general arc of vocaldevelopment, there is a lot that is remarkable about what they were able toachieve. I also want to thank the parents of youngsters who were in theyouth choir. It has been a challenge to keep that part of the ministrygoing, but the parents who helped me out were fantastic. And the singerswere great fun, too (and good singers!). And the handbell choir can’t beforgotten. They went on and on about how patient and good-natured Imust be to put up with them. But the truth of the matter is that I enjoyedsharing a little bit of their life with them on Saturday mornings. It wasalways a sweet time, and they improved as well!

Finally, I want to thank the office staff. I know it wasn’t always easy todeal with my USC schedule, but Susan Beechner, Donnie Lewis, andSusan Caldwell were all most accommodating and good-natured about it.And I must especially thank Peter, who gave me the freedom and space todo what I felt called to do. That is a tremendous blessing; one that manyministers of music do not enjoy.

And a BIG THANKS to all of you for the generous gifts presented to meSunday, August 11th. I will treasure the framed artwork given to me (aswell as the hefty bottle of bourbon!). It has been too short, but what atime we’ve had! I will have Saint Michael’s in my heart always. Stay intouch, and Godspeed.

Stephen

Christian Education continuedfrom page 4

out of today and to be reminded ofanother time and another life lived.Tombstones are like very short storiesthat leave out a lot and leave much tothe imagination. Never-the-less, historyspeaks on site.

And then there are places that offer aresponse. The places where the livingdwell, our homes, our neighborhoods,our extended families, our places ofwork and our places of leisure. Here ishistory in the making.

It is in these places we can askourselves if we are imparting all thatwe can to the next generation? Are wekeeping in mind the over-arching storyof the meta-narrative?

Around us are many opportunities toask questions, to invite, to sift the simpleday to day conversations for an opening.“Would you like to come to SaintMichael & All Angels on Sunday? Doyou have a need? Is this a season ofyour life where you are askingquestions?”

We can think about those around usand their apparent needs. Do you knowsomeone who needs a ride or a meal?Are you aware of a young person whoneeds a Christian upbringing andtraining? Do you know of a youth whoyou can assist with financial support toan Episcopal school? Do you know ofa young couple with an infant whosechild is in need of baptism? Maybe thethought never occurred to them and itwill be by your gentle nudging thatinspiration takes place. Or maybe thisyoung couple has thought aboutbaptism but they just don’t know whoto contact or how to enter into aliturgical community. This is where youcome in and can become a bridge. Youknow where to find the phone numbersto the church and who to contact.

There are many ways to ask ourfriends, neighbors, relatives,grandchildren to church. Are you agrandparent? Help your grandchild toget to church. Are you a parent?Communicate enthusiasm for learningabout the house of God.

If Saint Michael’s is a part of yourlife’s story and your Sunday tradition,please take time to share it with others.You never know what seed will beplanted. God can use your words tobring another into a wonderfulrelationship with Him and to share inthe meta-narrative and the Grand Storyof all time.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 5

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THE 2ND ANNUAL CANTERBURY CUP GOLF CLASSIC

This tournament, which benefits our Episcopal Church’s CanterburyCampus Ministry at U.C. Irvine, will be held the afternoon of Saturday,October 12, 2013, at Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course in Irvine. JackieDodd is coordinating Saint Michael & All Angels’ participation. You arevery welcome to participate!

By David Wolpe

September 8, 2013-- Los Angeles Times

We know that wealth does not alwaysmake people happy, but does it

make them kinder? Studies suggestexactly the opposite. Instead of beingmore magnanimous, the rich are morelikely to lie, cheat, steal and in generaldisplay less compassion than the poor.And this finding remains consistent evenafter controlling for gender, ethnicity andspiritual beliefs.

A large body of research points to acompassion deficit in the rich that plays outin big and small ways. As reported inScientific American, for example, drivers ofluxury cars cut others off at intersections ata much higher rate than those drivingeconomy cars. Other studies have found thatthe wealthy are more likely to lie innegotiations and less likely to agree withstatements such as "I often notice people whoneed help." And during simulations in whichparticipants could divide up candy, givingsome to children and keeping some forthemselves, wealthier participantsconsistently kept more for themselves andgave less to children.

Does all this mean, perhaps, that selfishnessis part of what enables some people toprosper? No. Rather, research suggests thatit is a result rather than a cause of financialsuccess. Simply creating the feeling of wealthin someone can result in self-justification. UCsociologist Paul Piff demonstrated this withrigged Monopoly games in a study involvinghundreds of students. One "wealthy" playerbegan the game with twice as much moneyand got to roll two dice instead of one. Butwhen the clearly advantaged player won, heor she was highly likely to attribute it to skillrather than to preset advantage.

At the University of Rotterdam, a series ofstudies found that people primed withreminders of money preferred to play andwork alone, put more physical distancebetween themselves and new acquaintances,and were less helpful when they saw someonein need of assistance.

The reasons for this compassion gapare complex. Part of the explanation, Piffand fellow UC sociologist Dacher Keltnertheorize, is that wealth allows people tobe more independent. Those withconsiderable resources are less reliant onothers and therefore feel less connected.

Most rich people rarely come into closecontact with those in need. I recentlyasked a child in our school in Westwoodif he knew anyone who ever went to bedhungry for lack of food. "No one," heanswered. I suspect that's typical.Increasingly in America, wealth insulatesus: Where once we sat on bleacherstogether, now the wealthy sit in box seats.They fly in private planes (or relax inexclusive clubs at the airport), live behindgates and in general maintain a buffer fromthose who are less fortunate. Studiessuggest that actual personal distance inconversation grows with wealth as well.

A second theory that Piff and Keltneroffer is that the wealthy are more likely tovalue greed as a social good — as a driverof the economy — and therefore to cutcorners to make money. Ethics slidebecause making money is viewed ashaving social benefits as well as a personalones.

As a rabbi, I see a spiritual explanationas well. We all know, deep down, thatmost of what we have is a product ofgood fortune. No matter how hard wework, we did not earn our functioningbrains or the families into which we wereborn. We didn't choose being born intoan era, or a nation, that allowed our talentsto develop. We ride in cars and live inhomes we did not build, are warmed byheating and cooled by air conditioning wedid not invent, live in cities others createdfor us organized by a government andprotected by a military shaped by ourpredecessors. Yet we still point to ouraccomplishments and proudly proclaim,"I did this!"

No one likes to feel that what they haveachieved stems more from luck thanmerit. So the well-off salve theirconsciences by assuring themselves thatit is hard work and merit that broughtthem success, which also leads them toconclude that it is a lack of merit thatkeeps others from succeeding.

No one denies that working hard islikelier to pay off than indolence and thatextraordinary efforts should be applauded.But we who are doing well financiallyshould also acknowledge our great goodfortune and work to nurture ourcompassion. One of the gloriousparadoxes of psychology is that once we

understand our natural tendencies, we cansuccessfully fight them. I am privileged toknow some very wealthy people who areparagons of generosity and empathy.

There are ways to increase compassion— volunteering at a soup kitchen, travelingto poorer countries, giving more moneythan you are comfortable with because youknow that in a year or two it will not matterto you but will to the person or organizationto which you donated.

Being lucky shouldn't be cause for guilt,but it should engender gratitude andresponsibility. Blessings are more powerfuland enduring when shared.

David Wolpe is the rabbi of SinaiTemple in Los Angeles.Twitter:@RabbiWolpe

THE WEALTHY'SCOMPASSION DEFICIT:RICH PEOPLE AREMORE LIKELY TO LIE,CHEAT AND STEALTHAN THE POOR,STUDIES SUGGEST.

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COMMUNITY SAFETYFORUMS CONTINUE IN

OCTOBER

Episcopalians in Orange County willbe the next group to share in the

diocesan Community Safety Forums,building on the success of similargatherings recently hosted by BishopJ. Jon Bruno in Los Angeles, SantaBarbara, and Ventura counties.

Keynote speaker for the Orange Countyforum on Oct. 5 will be Sandra Hutchens,sheriff of Orange County. Hutchens wasappointed to the position on June 10, 2008.Prior to her appointment, she was retiredfrom the position of division chief withinthe Los Angeles County Sheriff'sDepartment. In the June 2010 Californiaprimary election, she won a majority of thevotes and is currently serving her first fullterm as sheriff.

Bishop Bruno has requested that eachcongregation send a team of at least tworepresentatives - clergy and lay - to join himat one of the local forums. Please let ourrector know if you will join him at St.George's in Laguna Hills on Saturdaymorning, October 5. For information, callthe diocesan Office of CommunityRelations at 213.482.2040, ext. 240.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 6

Upcoming forum date and location:Orange County

Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. - 12 noonSt. George's Church

23802 Avenida de la CarlotaLaguna Hills

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 7

EmergencyPreparedness UpdateThe draft Emergency Preparedness

Plan for St. Michael and All Angels wasrevised and sent to the EmergencyPreparedness committee and the Vestryfor review in September. Commentsare being received and a final draft willbe completed in the next few weeks.Once the final Plan is issued, followup implementation activities, such astraining for the staff, will begin.

Thanks to the EmergencyPreparedness committee for theirparticipation and input.

Paul Multari, Junior Warden

New diocesanprogram to helpchurch members

get insurance underAffordable Care Act

By EN staffEpiscopal News, Los AngelesThe national Affordable Care Act will

take effect in January 2014, and manypreviously uninsured Californians willbe able to obtain health coverage in therevised system.

The Diocese of Los Angeles, underthe leadership of Archdeacon JoanneLeslie and newly named DiocesanHealth Outreach Coordinator ShelleyWeitzel, is launching a program to helpchurch members and others determinetheir eligibility and options forinsurance.

The program will work with CoveredCalifornia, the state governmentprogram formed to develop anorganized marketplace where legalresidents of California can buy healthcoverage as required under ACA.

The diocesan project is coordinatedunder the nonprofit Community HealthCouncil (of which Leslie is a boardmember) and its partners from acrossthe Southland, to conduct outreach andeducation activities that will raiseawareness about opportunities foraffordable healthcare coverage.

Weitzel, a member of St. Mark’sChurch, Glendale, will be available tovisit any congregation, school,institution or church organization in thediocese to provide information aboutthe new insurance marketplace,answer questions and help people applyonline. She is available for Sunday,Saturday or weeknight forums. Helpwill not be limited to Episcopalians;church members will be invited to bringfriends, neighbors or relatives who needto find insurance under the new laws.

For information or to set up a forum,contact Shelley Weitzel, 818.398.3670or sweitzel@ladiocese.org.�

Gail HaghjooMissionMinistryMinute

Did you see the new Mission bulletin board in the Parish Center? It hasbeen refreshed with information about many of the various mission

projects that Saint Michael & All Angels’ supports through independent donationsand a small budget. There is a question in the middle of the board as well thathas to do with you and what projects “speak” to you individually. Whilesupporting the church is part of our tithe, many of us also support variouscharitable organizations that have personal meaning. Here at Saint Michaels’ itis easy to do both within our church community. You will find many of theprojects that various dedicated parishioneers have taken the lead on displayedthere. Maybe you would like to lead one?

Here is the list to date:

America’s Children (Metric Ton of Food Project) - Frances HaynesLoaves and Fishes - Jennifer Pulford

The Rev’d Orma’s Mission in Swaziland - Mary Ellen BowmanUnited Thank Offering - Mary Ellen Bowman

Episcopal Relief and Development - Lynne RuedyCompass Rose Society - Norris BattinTheological Education - Peter HaynesHeifer International - Murry McClarenFree Wheelchair Mission - Ray Pentz

Canterbury Irvine - Keith Nelson

In any case, you are welcome to contact me or the lead listed on the board ifyou wish to make a contribution or need more information about a project. InDecember our annual Alternative Gift Fair will give you the opportunity todonate to many of these projects. Gail Haghjoo, Mission Vestry Person,gail.haghjoo@gmail.com or 714.553.7120.

UPDATED PARISH DIRECTORIESwill be available in Michael’s Room inearly October.

* * * DO YOU HAVE A NEW EMAILADDRESS? Please contactsbeechner@stmikescdm.org withchanges or additions.

* * *

“Rabbi and Priest”On Wednesday Evening, October 23,

after a simple kosher supper at 6:00 p.m.served in Michael’s Room by BethBianchi, Barbara Black and SusanCaldwell, Rabbi Mark S. Miller, RabbiEmeritus and Senior Scholar of TempleBat Yahm and our rector will offerreflections on their long-standingrelationship, both personal andprofessional. They will respond toquestions which they hope will include:God, Jesus, Messiah, human nature,Law, sin, grace, boundaries of interfaithdialogue and more. Please come! We will adjourn by 8pm.

Return Service Requested

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal ChurchA Christian Community of the Anglican Communion3233 Pacific View DriveCorona del Mar, CA 92625

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE OCTOBER 2013 8

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE

Inside the October Issue:

Page 1: Thanks!

Page 3: Blessing the Critters

Page 7: “Rabbi and Priest”

SHARPSANDFLATS

BOB GRANT

Pray for and Remember our Parish Emergency Fund

Christian documents provide threedistinguishing and guiding

characteristics of sacred music: itmust possess holiness and beauty ofform; from these two qualities a thirdwill spontaneously arise—universality.

Concerning holiness, for music tobe sacred means it is not the ordinary,not the every-day. It is set aside forthe purpose of glorifying God andedifying and sanctifying the Faithful.

It must therefore exclude all that isnot suitable for the temple—all that isordinary, every-day or profane, notonly in itself, but also in the manner inwhich it is performed. The sacredwords of the Liturgy call for a musicalvesture that is equally sacred.

Sacredness, then, is more thanindividual piety; it is an objectivereality. Concerning beauty, the Latinspeaks more precisely of bonitateformarum or “excellence of forms.”This refers to the tendency of sacredmusic to synthesize diverse ritual

elements into a unity, to draw togethera succession of liturgical actions intoa coherent whole, and to serve a rangeof sacred expressions. Excellence offorms also serves to differentiate thoseelements, to distinguish the variousfunctions of liturgical chants byrevealing their unique character. Eachchant of the various plainsong genrespresents a masterly adaptation of thetext to its specific liturgical purpose.

No wonder the Church hasconsistently proposed chant as theparadigm of sacred music. Sacredmusic must be true art; otherwise, itwill be impossible for it to exercise onthe minds of those who listen to it thatefficacy which the Church aims atobtaining in admitting into her liturgythe art of musical sounds. Beauty iswhat holds truth and goodness to theirtask. To paraphrase Hans Urs vonBalthasar, “Without beauty, the truthdoes not persuade, goodness does notcompel.” (The Glory of the Lord: ATheological Aesthetics, I:19). Beauty,as expressed in the Church’s liturgy,synthesizes diverse elements into aunified whole: truth, goodness, and thehuman impulse to worship.

other-worldliness, sacred music is supranational, equally accessible to people ofdiverse cultures. The Church does admitlocal indigenous forms into her worship,but these must be subordinated to thegeneral characteristics of the receivedtradition. By insisting on the continuoususe of her musical treasures, the Churchensures her members grow up hearingthis sacred musical language and receiveit naturally as a part of the liturgy.

So then, why should we care?Celebrating the liturgy involves thewhole person: intellect and will, emotionsand senses, imagination, aestheticsensibilities, memory, physical gestures,and powers of expression. Appropriatefeeling is necessary for thecommunication and assimilation ofreligious truth. The Church’s insistenceon music of a unique sort is intendednot merely to stimulate feelings in ageneral way, but to exemplify Christiantruth and convey transcendent mysteriesusing an appropriate form of expression.

Sacred music elevates the spiritprecisely by wedding it to the senses,and it elevates the senses by uniting themwith the spirit.�

Concerning universality, its sense ofNext month: Part 3: Is It Really a Matter of Taste?