Ebb and Flow

In April we complete our annual Lenten journey that began on Ash Wednesday.  With Jesus we have gone down into the River Jordan.  We have endured the heat and chill of the desert of temptation.  We have walked the way to Jerusalem and will shout ‘hosannas’ with the crowds greeting him on Palm Sunday morning.  With the twelve we will share his last supper on Maundy Thursday evening and watch and wait as he prays in the Garden.  We will weep at the foot of the cross with his mother and the beloved disciple on Good Friday afternoon and go with the women to find the tomb empty early on the first day of the week.  But, let us never forget that we too, not some convenient ‘others’, will be the bystanders, soldiers, Pilate, and priests at his passion who call for his conviction and crucifixion.  Like them, we too are the recipients of his forgiving and self-giving love. 

Holy Week – from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to Easter Sunday – is the first and greatest story of the Christian faith.  It is a seamless drama from beginning to end or, better, from end to beginning!  It is tempting avoid the hard parts and go straight to the happy ending – to skip from the triumphal entry on one Sunday to the resurrection on the next, but to do so is to miss the point of the week – that Jesus did not skip from the palms straight to the lilies but instead suffered in order to overcome evil and died so that life might triumph over death.  I urge you to participate in the full drama of Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday and by making time in your life for those days – Maundy Thursday and Good Friday – that complete the story, make the glory of Easter Sunday even more glorious!       Paul      

BAC Meeting Highlights

March 8^th Special Meeting

• Approved building memorial garden wall for displaying engraved memorial tiles.  An amount not to exceed $2000 was approved with the money coming from the non-designated gift fund.   A generous donation by Nikos Maragos of his labor and decorative facing stone is a big help in minimizing the cost.

March 11th Regular Meeting

• Three Diocese Convention delegates and one alternate were elected.  Marlene Schmid, Byron Melton and Hugh Hendrickson, delegates and Joel Sacks, alternate.  Note:  Joel Sacks will attend the convention as a Diocesan Council Member.

• David Schmid reported the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper results.  Two hundred twenty one attended and net income was over $1000.  Another great community event, thanks to David’s leadership and a very able and dedicated crew.
• A St. Catherine building use agreement was presented which will be slightly modified and finalized at the next BAC meeting.
• Information from the Diocese on liability insurance requirements was presented relating to outside groups at St. Catherine facilities, especially where payment of money is involved.  Details are attached to the 3/11/06 BAC minutes.
• An increase in our Music Director, Doreen Dunlap’s compensation to $350 per month, starting March 1^st was approved.  This increased the 2006 operating budget by slightly less than $490.  The adjustment was in keeping with Diocesan guidelines as well as for outstanding service.
• Finances

January/February Operating Budget

Expenses $16,552 (lower than budget)

Income    $25,581 (higher than budget)

January/February Building Fund

Expenses $7923 (Final payment to contractor)

Income    $8060

Credit Line Balance 2/28/06                $152,215

Outstanding Pledges 2/28/06              -  23,000

                                                          $129,215

Closing Grant if close by July 2008      -  25,000

          Left to Raise                             $104,215

• Complete BAC minutes and financial report will be posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.

Hugh Hendrickson, Senior Warden

Women of St. Catherine

Our Lenten meeting this year began with a scripture reading and prayer by Mae Hendrickson, as suggested by Jan Tarr. We were reminded Jesus said that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also, and it was better to store up our treasures in heaven.
This led perfectly into the presentation by Jane Spencer on the upcoming Church Mouse Attic Sale. Jane told us about her experience in cleaning and valuating having grown up with her mother's antique collection. She later enjoyed working with other women at St. James in Milton-Freewater in preparation for their rummage sales. Her talk was a great kick-off for personal decluttering of excess belongings.
The women at St. Catherine have thus been motivated and "trained" by Jane for our annual sale. We hope you all have brought in your contributions by now. If not, there will be one day left to bring in your spiffy items: Wednesday, March 29th, from 10 to 12 a.m. at storage space C123 in Bayside Self Storage near the church.
The Church Mouse Sale itself will be Friday March 30th and Saturday April 1st. Saturday at noon the Silent Auction portion of the sale will close. Here we hope the most valuable items that have been donated will have attracted some serious bidders.
We seem to have many people signed up to work on the set-up day on Thursday. There is always room for more help on the sale days proper. Please check the sign-up sheets in the narthex for a slot that works for you.
After Jane's "pep talk" we viewed "Shall We Gather," a video presentation on the 2005 gathering of worldwide Anglican women who address issues of concern to women around the globe. We got to see how Phoebe Griswold has been involved. In the film, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan covered eight ways to strengthen women's goals. The film brought us to consider ways of implementing these goals in a Christian manner in our area. Suggestions included Sunday School/Child Care, serving as mentors, and helping more with hunger issues.
The April "meeting" will be the Church Mouse Sale. Our May 5th meeting will involve us with plants of the Bible. Marlene Schmid has already done extensive
research, site planning and preparation, and plant amassment. Mary Barthelemy will be there to speak and help us get our hands dirty planting, so wear work clothes! Anyone interested in learning about this topic and helping is encouraged to attend. Please invite all your gardening friends. Terri Maragos

Update: Graham Lease

I want to let everyone know that Graham will be home from Iraq around April
 2^nd. Thanks to everyone who sent him cards and letters and most of all kept
 him in your prayers.  He will be home on leave in the middle of April.  I
 will be attending the homecoming ceremony when the buses arrive from Iraq
 hopefully, on time, April 2nd.
 
 While in Iraq, Graham re-enlisted until at least July 4, 2010.  When he gets
 stateside, he will be stationed at the Marine Corps base at 29 Palms, CA for
 about a year.  His next duty station is unknown at this time.

 Please continue your prayers for all the troops who continue to be in harm’s
 way and especially for the 3/8, which took the place of Grahams unit, the
 3/7.  Janet Lease

 

Holy Week Day of Prayer

On Wednesday, April 12, of Holy Week, St. Catherine's will be open all day for prayer and reflection. The day will begin with Morning Prayer at 9:30. At noon, Paul+ will lead us in the Stations of the Cross. Evening Prayer will take place at 5 p.m., and the day will end with Compline at 8 p.m. May you have a Holy Lent.

The Phil’s Corner

Usually a philosophical St. Catherine member, who wishes to be anonymous, sends this food for thought from an anonymous author, however, this time Nora Skinner offers this…

Don’t let the past hold you back…you’re missing the good stuff.

St. Catherine’s Center for Contemplative Arts: An Update

Very recently we found out from the insurance company for the diocese that the physical activities such as yoga and t’ai chi that are offered at our Center are not covered under their policy as previously thought. After exploring every idea and option available to us to rectify this problem, it became obvious that the only immediate solution that would allow the programs in progress to continue is for the Center to seek to obtain its own non-profit status and purchase its own insurance for activities held there. Unfortunately, once we have our own non-profit status and insurance, we will no longer be permitted by the diocese insurance company to include "St. Catherine" in our Center’s name. While that is the action we are now pursuing, removing the name "St. Catherine" is for the purpose of being in a position to obtain insurance only and in no way reflects a lack of support of St. Catherine Episcopal Church for the purpose and vision for the Center. The programming will continue to be as it has been, and the participation of St. Catherine’s congregation as teachers, participants, and supporters will continue. The Center is being used regularly, classes sometimes being held seven days a week. Feedback from participants and teachers is very positive. Our purpose continues to be that of offering to all people activities of inner reflection for deepening spiritual awareness and nurturing the human spirit for the good of all creation. Thank you for your physical and financial support of this outreach program. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Lola Sacks 368-6227.

What’s Going On In the Garden

The landscape committee, otherwise known as St. Catherine's Dirty Dozen, under the leadership of Joe Balden, planted a million trees on the property during a work day, March 11^th.  Well, it seemed like a million - it was really l30 trees.  Ten five foot Leland Cypress were planted on the back berm, and the other l20 bare root seedling trees (Cedar, Pine, Fir, Spruce), donated by Glen and Betty Powers, were
planted throughout the property.

The Bible Garden area is a work in progress.  Paths are being designed,
rocks (donated by Nikos Maragos) are telling us where they wish to be placed.  We are all becoming aware of the sacred that inhabits St. Catherine's property.   It is landscape where the Spirit can play, and a special place of contemplation and rest in which to honor God's presence.

Please join us in the planting of the Bible Garden on May 5th, l0 a.m.,
led by Mary Barthelemy.  Marlene Schmid

Sing Praises……

As the family of St. Catherine we know and appreciate our new sanctuary as a beautiful place for worship.  Now we are learning it is also a place that nurtures the soul in music. On March 10, 2006, the Manzanita Creative Arts Council sponsored a concert by the Portland Boychoir, featuring a selection of songs from Hymnody of Earth, by Malcolm Daglish.  Conductor David York expressed his delight at the opportunity to perform in such an acoustically alive space.  On March 18, the Hoffman Center – newly created to support art, culture and education in our local community – sponsored an evening of “Glorious Opera Arias” featuring regional opera singers and musicians.  Performers and audiences alike are thrilled to experience the sound of a little concert hall right here in the sanctuary of St. Catherine Church.

Coming up on April 2, 2006, the Cannon Beach Chorus will perform “Requiem” by John Rutter.  St. Catherine’s own Dorene Dunlap conducts the chorus and David Carlson of Gearhart is the piano accompanist.  This special spring concert includes performances by soprano Anne Corning of Seattle, cellist Collin Heade and oboist Paul Wallace of Portland, and timpanist Nicholas McPhatter of Astoria.  Mark your calendar now for this special performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2006.

 Sandra Christhilf   

Memorial Garden

A Memorial Garden for St. Catherine was researched by a committee in 2000. Policies and procedures were written.  Plans for the garden needed to fit into the overall development of the property so the project was taken over by the building committee.  A lovely spot under established trees with a nurse log was chosen.  A reflection pool was built for meditation.  Plans to install tile with names of the interred in the pool presented some problems, namely (1) the tremendous amount of maintenance to keep the pool clean enough to read the names and (2) engraving the tile would be difficult and very expensive if even possible.

A revised Memorial Garden committee (most of the original members have since moved) consisting of Paul Barthelemy, Nikos and Terri Maragos, Carol Jones, Marlene Schmid, Kathy Park, Roy Andriesse, Louise Spence and Betty Powers, have been meeting to complete plans for the Memorial Garden, hopefully by Easter.  After considering a number of options, Nikos suggested a 10’ x 6’ memorial wall faced with rock, with an inset area for the tiles. It would also serve as a boundary on the north side of the garden, providing some privacy to the area.  Plans for the wall were presented to the BAC and approved.

Nikos is not only donating his expertise and time to supervise building the wall and facing it with rock; he is also donating the rock.  Nikos Rock Construction is the premier rock builder in the northwest.  It will be a very classic wall with rock from Eastern Oregon.

Astoria Granite Works, who has been in business for generations, has given us a bid for plaques of granite tile engraved with the name and date of birth and death, of approximately $130.00 ($10 tile, - $50 set-up fee + $3 a letter) which will be included in the fee paid for interment.

Copies of the Memorial Garden Policies and Procedures will be available at the church office as soon as they are reviewed and approved by the BAC.  If you have questions concerning the garden, see members of the committee.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 28, 2006

Thanks Be To God for yet another successful and delightful Shrove
Tuesday Pancake Supper. The crew of 38 faithful, energetic workers served 22l guests.  To quote Ali, they "floated like butterflies, worked like bees."    A sincere thanks to all who participated. The treasurer deposited $1836.50 in the bank.  After expenses ($183 rent, $180 signs, $363 food), we will give approximately $1110 to community outreach.

And a fun time was had by all!
David Schmid, Pancake Supper Chairman

Remembering:  Parish Snapshot

            Shrove Tuesday in 1987, as some of us headed up to Seaside for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, we encountered several feet of high water at the junction.  Not wanting to cross, Glen and Byron decided we better forget that one.  It didn’t take the ladies long to decide we would have our own pancake supper in Nehalem.  Eight of us ranging in age from 4 to 92 enjoyed pancakes, eggs, and sausage and ended the evening with a game of dominoes.  So began the St. Catherine Shrove Tuesday pancake supper tradition.

          For the next six years, Glen and Betty Powers hosted St. Catherine’s pancake suppers.  When we became a parochial mission, St. Margaret’s Guild [of Calvary, Seaside] gave us $300 from their treasury to start a Guild.  We were still deciding how to organize the group when Shrove Tuesday rolled around.  That year it fell on the third Tuesday of the month -- which for sixty-five years has been Pine Grove potluck evening.  We couldn’t change that, so decided to invite the group as guests to our first community Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.  With St. Catherine chef hats and aprons, we put on quite an evening and everyone loved it.

For the last twelve years, St. Catherine Shrove Tuesday Suppers at Pine Grove have been a community event. Since all profits are used for outreach, times like the flood of l996, the community has added generous donations.  As St. Catherine grew and new members added their unique skills, the Shrove Tuesday Supper has gotten better and better with the entire parish working together.  As our community grows, our next challenge will be to find ways to serve more and more folks.   Betty Powers

The Tractor Mower Crew

When St Catherine’s purchased the property we now occupy, it was determined right away that the grounds needed to be kept mowed. Ron Conger volunteered to take care of our property.  For the next three years he spent many hours keeping the grounds trimmed using our new John Deere tractor mower.

When Ron died, we were left without a mower operator. I volunteered to be the tractor mower mechanic and to set up a schedule of volunteer mower operators. Eight people responded to be operators. The first crew, to take two-week turns each at mowing, included Byron Melton, Don Yenello, Roy Andriesse, Bob Wakehouse, Sam Murphy, Des Kahrs, Susan Rathbun and Merle Spencer.

After a one-hour safety and operator class at the property, we began our system of taking our turns at mowing the grass. The crew has been very good at taking their turns or trading times when necessary. The tractor is now eight years old and has been well cared for. My duties as mechanic have consisted only of yearly maintenance, i.e. oil and filter changing, blade sharpening etc. Sparkplugs and belts need to be replaced occasionally. 

Over time the crew has kept five of the first members, but new ones have been added occasionally. Jon Willie and Joe Balden came on several years ago, last year we added Tom Jones and this year Dick Jones is a member of our tractor mowing crew.

Our Tractor Mower Schedule for 2006, as posted on the bulletin board, includes Roy Andriesse, Joe Balden, Dick Jones, Tom Jones, Byron Melton, Merle Spencer, Jon Willie, Don Yenello, and Des Kahrs as the Shindawa string trimmer operator.                                      Merle Spencer

v Holy Week Services v

April 9, Palm Sunday:  Holy Eucharist 8 and 9:30 am

April 12, Holy Wednesday:  Morning Prayer 9:30 am;

Stations of the Cross noon: Evening Prayer 5pm; Compline 8 pm

April 13, Maundy Thursday: Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing 7pm

April 14, Good Friday: noon

April 15, Holy Saturday:  9am

April 16, Easter: Sunrise 6am; Holy Eucharist 8 and 9:30 am

MLK Walk April 4th

This issue of Tidings is made possible by: Contributors: Paul, Terri Maragos, David Schmid, Marlene Schmid, Lola Sacks, Hugh Hendrickson, Janet Lease, Betty Powers, Melinda LeRoy,Merle Spencer Layout:  Jane Spencer Proofreader: Merle Spencer Production:  Nancy Pruess, Deanne Falby

The Commission to End Racism is sponsoring a walk in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on Tuesday, April 4th, the anniversary of his death. People will walk in his memory to honor his views of non-violence and peace.  People will gather about11:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, NE 16th and Weidler, in Portland. They will walk to the statue of Dr. King on Martin Luther King Blvd. and The Convention Center to hear four speakers at noon.  One of the speakers will be the Rev. Alcena Boozer, rector of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church in North East Portland.  Come to Portland and join in the walk! Melinda LeRoy