Saint Faith's Episcopal Church

August- 2010

A Mother’s Musing

God’s artistry has a flair for the dramatic in Northern California, where we are enjoying a Sabbath week between my last summer movie night at St. Faith’s and Ben’s professional meeting in San Francisco. The coast is craggy, huge rocks rising up out of the sea, jagged cliffs punctuating the shoreline, and fog spreading its lace in the air. Cool temperatures in the 50’s continue eastward into the redwood forests, with trees whose canopies seem to brush heaven itself. Temperatures rise by 20-30 degrees in the valley beyond the woods, where vineyards cloak the hillsides where flocks once grazed and apple orchards thrived. God’s generosity feels palpable as we bask in the refreshment of this beauty.

Soon we St. Faithians will be back together again, sharing our stories of travels, new camp friends, and the hugging of relatives old and new-born. We’ll be sharing some trials, too, like illnesses that put a bump in the road, and some losses, such as Stephen and Christopher Branch’s move to Atlanta. But everywhere God’s gracious hand is touching our lives and we strive to see it!

August 29 we celebrate opportunities for ministry with Super Sundae, which is what you will enjoy eating at coffee hour if you add a topping to your ice cream by visiting every ministry display. As you munch, you can be figuring out where your talents may best contribute to our community life. The next week all Sunday School children and leaders will meet for introductions to this year’s program, which will begin at 10:00. Choir will be back in full swing. Youth group will gather one Saturday a month to learn, to serve and to grow, while supporting and enjoying each other. The Newcomer Greeters and Shepherds will help our visitors settle down with us, and our Eucharistic Visitors will care for our sheep with special needs. And the ECW is looking for your cherished recipes.

Meanwhile we will be focusing on fundraising, as we try to meet our budgetary requirements for the year. The severely diminished income from our school as it jumps through all the hoops with the city for permission to open fully has kept the church limping along financially. It is a lovely pre-school and daycare program, which we will be glad to host here, and the end of that process seems near, but we have serious catch-up to accomplish in regards to financial health. Our two projects are our Dinner and Auction on Friday, October 8, and our food booths at the Homestead Air Show on the weekend of November 6 and 7. Please do all you can to make these events successful.

I hope you are finding Sabbath rest at home or away. In either case, happy homecoming!

God bless you!
(Mother) Jennie Lou (Reid)+