bethlehem newsletter for june 1014

8/12/2019 Bethlehem Newsletter For June 1014

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THE BETHLEHEM

Hebrew for House of Bread

June 2014

E-Mail: [email protected] site: http:/www.bsacramentchurch.org/

A Monthly Message from our interim priest, Rev. Christopher Potter.

This Spring, I am confronted with a difficult task one that before

has never been so hard to face

In every home or apartment I have ever occupied I have planted a

garden. Small or large I always had fresh herbs, tomatoes and

flowers to eat and to enjoy. In my last house in Riverside I dedicated

a plot of land about 10 x 30 every year to a salsa garden, vegetables,

different varieties of basil, tons of herbs and fragrant flowers. It

required a lot of work to prepare the soil and to build up some of thebeds. Tilling, amending and organizing took sometimes three months

each January in order to be prepared for the Spring planting. Even while in rented homes I

made provision for plantings; whether in smaller plots of lands or in large terracotta pots I

enjoyed the fruit of the land.

As I say, this year I have had a more difficult time in reaching this goal. The condo I

bought last year has a few small strips of land for planting though various ground covers

and bushes had occupied them for years before my arrival. It has taken most of the last

year to yank these plants out (some of them were WELL established). Since I am relegated

to using only typical garden tools and not the gasoline-powered tillers and choppers I had

used before, the work has frequently left me exhausted. Sifting out rock and construction

debris has been as entertaining as an archaeological dig. There seems to be an endless

source of nails, fragments of roof tile, and chunks of concrete.

The largest plot (of course) has the biggest barrier to planting. For, in that plot there was

a sort of bush-tree-thing that had both shallow roots and deep, but roots that seem to go(Continued on page 2)


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on forever! They are intertwined and woven like a straw basket and they retain their

greenness and flexibility even though the plant above the soil was taken away over a year ago.

When I pull, I get a few inches or a foot of root, but not much more. If I could make use of

a tiller, I could mulch these roots in a few minutes. Ive tried to dig them out but the shovels

just bounce off the matting of roots, cutting only the top two or three layers. So, everycouple of days, I don my jeans, my hat and my gloves and go out to pull on the roots of this

long-forgotten bush. I havent made much progress, but progress has been made

nonetheless.

My dream of planting tomatoes and gardenia bushes in this plot has not dimmed. The

magnitude of the root problem discourages me sometimes, but my commitment to get it done

remains undeterred. (I recently discovered a gardenia bush outside the Blessed Sacrament

office door whose flowers taunt me with their smell egging me on to plant some for myself.)

This experience of preparation, hard work, tilling, planting and harvesting reminds me of thework that we are doing at Blessed Sacrament in preparation of calling the next rector. At

our recent meeting with Bishop Bruno and Canon Satorious, the question about our readiness

came up several times. One metaphor was about a patient who lay in need of a doctor. How

long, it was asked, can the sick patient endure while waiting for the doctor to show up? In

other words, why dont we call a rector now and seek from him the healing work that needs to

be done?

Another perspective offered was what sounds like a loss of direction. It says, We wont

know where we are going until we call our next rector.

The answer to the first question (about the doctor/patient) is that your new rector willassume much of the preparation of the community has been completed. If a call goes out

before administrative, policy and pastoral issues have been addressed, resolved and the

healing begun, we are likely to attract only those candidates who are only looking for

employment and not responding to a genuine call by the Holy Spirit to be your next pastor.

In answer to the second position (where we are going), your identity remains intact. At the

core, Blessed Sacrament is a worshipping community of the Episcopal Church with strong

allegiance to scripture, tradition and traditional values. This has not changed. The

leadership of the parish does not alone determine identity nor does it set direction apart

from the community. The values you hold dear not only endure but they are specifically

praised and encouraged by your Bishop.

While in conversation with us, the Bishop mentioned one area that would indicate our

readiness to make a call for a new rector. Though the financial viability of the parish is

critical, it is not the only area that needs tilling.

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It is the bounden duty and service of the people of this parish,being part of the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church,

to worship God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, to become saints,and to make disciples of all people.

At a recent Vestry meeting when we were discussing vision and mission of the parish, a good

question came up. How will we know when we are ready?

I believe our readiness to call a rector will be as obvious to us as the soil in my back yard will

be when it is ready to be planted. Primarily, we must be a community who trusts; trusting

each other, trusting your priest, trusting the Bishop and trusting in the Holy Spirit. Markersof a community who trusts are: a general reduction in anxiety, a joyfulness that permeates all

our gatherings and an environment of welcome and warmth. This kind of trust sometimes

requires a difficult tilling of the soil: healing what remains as injuries are discovered,

opening our hearts to each other despite our vulnerabilities and foibles, making clear

boundaries with each other of what is acceptable and what is not, and calling each other into

healthy relationships with healthy communication. As trust becomes more available to us and

we live joyfully with each other, there will be no doubt when we are ready to make a call for a

rector. In the mean time, be assured of the Bishops acknowledgement that we are making

progress.

Work hard in the garden. Till, weed, clear out, nurture and feed the garden that is our

hearts and that is our parish. It is tough work and not for the fainthearted. It will require

deliberate effort on our part and even changes in the way we have done things in the past.

Be ardent in your prayer. Invoke the Holy Spirit daily asking that healing and trust become

the tools of our further growth and readiness. For the Holy Spirit is the assurance of the

Fathers unconditional love and the Sons promise to be with us in all seasons.

I can hardly contain my excitement over the impending smell of Gardenias and the colors offresh vegetables coming from my backyard!

Peace to you.

Christopher+


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Outreach Committee News

In Maywe welcomed Barbara Nelson from Marys Shelter in Santa Ana

who talked to us about the teen mothers they serve and how we, as acongregation, can help. We had an ingathering and thanks to those who

were able to donate items.

In Junewe are following the theme of Father and are hosting a BBQ for Fathers and all

residents at the H.I.S. House Shelter on Saturday, June 14. Sign up at Sunday coffee and

fellowship time to bring food and/or help out at the event.

In July we will be accepting donations for Seeds of Hope through Episcopal Relief &

Development. More details will be published in the next Bethlehem and Sunday bulletins.

Please, also remember, Every Sunday A Can a Week to Feed Gods Sheep.

(Please use the green bags provided by Outreach for transporting your donations.)

Ongoing MinistriesThanks also to those who faithfully bring in cancelled postage stamps for the Sisters of the

Community of St. Marys in Greenwich, NY and the greeting cards and Campbells Soup labels

for St. Judes Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada.As usual anyone having any questions on these ministries, or even have other suggestions or

ideas regarding any of our Outreach Projects may contact us at:

Ned Bergert at 714-501-3858--- [email protected],

or Marion Hetherington at 714-528-9907--- [email protected].

Month Theme Thought for the Month

June FatherHonor your father and your mother, that your days may be

prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Exodus 20:12

July Freedom

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn

your freedom into opportunity for the flesh, but through love

serve one another.

Galatians 5:13


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What a wonderful retreat in beautiful Julian. About 28 adults and children participated in our

third annual Youth (and Family) camp. The weather was beautiful and we were housed in newly

built cabins. Everyone participated in hiking, star gazing, fun and competitive games, prayerand devotions, studying Gods Word and enjoying meals together. The leadership team of

Ashley Nick and Steve Classen was excellent and we thank them for their hard work and

dedication. The love they show to our children reveals itself in the depth of the love and

relationships our children show each other, it was beautiful to behold. Thank you to all those

who created such an enjoyable retreat. God is certainly good to us!

CAMP STEVENS FAMILY RETREAT


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A Special Thanks to Bill and Coren Kittredge for their warm and caring hospitality

when, once again, they opened their home for the annual parish picnic. A wonderful relaxingtime was had by all who attended with plenty of food, fun and fellowship which is evident in

the photographs shown on the following pages.

Their ranch is the perfect place for a picnic and the weather was perfect too!

What a treat!!

Also, thanks to those who helped set up before and clean up after the event.

ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC

Chow TimePardners


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Another big thank you

goes out to Bill and Corens daughter, Harriet, who saddled up

Skippy and led the children around the ring.

Just horsing around at the Kittredge Ranch!


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MUSIC, GAMES AND LAUGHTER

Guess who is in the tree!


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Parish Monthly Bon Fires

Parish Life

Our first bonfire on May 17th was a wonderful success. There was

a "Name that Tune" game where we all hummed or sang tunes from

old TV shows. Nancy Doman and Kirk MacArthur were quite good

competition for each other. The children also got into it by

performing the songs, "Let it Go" from Frozen and "Radioactive" by

Imagine Dragons. We roasted GIANT marshmallows for our

S'mores and enjoyed watching the smoldering fire.

We are planning on having parish bonfires on the 3rd Saturday of

every month.

Please join us at 8PM on June 21st for the next one!

Tabatha Bell and her

Smore Flamb

The Ukulele Club gathers at the

Rectory on Sundays at 12:30 p.m.All ages are

invited to join.

For more

information

talk with

Ashley

Romero.

On Sunday, June 22, we will celebrate

Corpus Christi with a combined servicebeginning at 9:00 a.m. The children of the

parish will process into Church and provide

special music.

Father Michael has requested we save white

rose petals for this

celebration. Your petals

can be preserved in a zip

log baggie placed in your

fridge before bringingwith you to the service.

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in Junethe

Vestry meeting will be held on the third

Wednesday of the month beginning at

7:00 p.m.

A CALL FOR USHERS

Please consider being a Sunday Usher. It is a

wonderful way to greet newcomers and also

meet each of your church family individually.

Training is provided. Please contact Coren

Kittredge if you are interested.


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NEXT BETHLEHEM DEADLINE

Friday, June 20, 2014

FR. CHRISTOPHER POTTER,INTERIM PRIEST

JEFF GREEN, SENIOR WARDEN

BRIAN NICK, JUNIOR WARDEN

PATTY BELL, OFFICE MANAGER

MARION & THEO HETHERINGTON, EDITORS

[email protected]

SUPPORT GROUP:

Healing Broken Hearts is a 9 week bereavement/grief support group for those who haveexperienced the loss of a loved one. Each week, topics will be introduced to help along the

healing process. The bereavement group meets every Tuesday, beginning on May 27 from

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at their Placentia location.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY:

If you have a desire to be a friend and add quality of life to a person who is terminally ill,

consider volunteering for Hospice Care of California. Volunteer training will be held on June

6, 13, and 20th from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at their Placentia location.

Hospice Care of California Contact information for the above topics:

Barbara Amavisca at 714-577-9656.

Placentia Address is 377 E. Chapman Avenue, Suite 280, Placentia,

Hospice Care of California

A timely reminder that you can now conveniently donate electronically to The Episcopal

Church of the Blessed Sacrament and/or The Childrens Learning Center.

As you contemplate future contributions, please consider electronic giving. Additional

information is available from the church office.

Electronic Giving


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THE BETHLEHEMPhone: (714) 528-2995

Fax (714) 528-2997E-Mail: [email protected]

Web-site http://www.bsacramentchurch.org/

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE

BLESSED SACRAMENT

1314 North Angelina DrivePlacentia, California 92870-3442

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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