News from the Congregation September 21, 2018
From the Vicar
One of the guests who came to my ordination was an old high school friend of my mother's from Korea who now lives in California. He last saw me a couple years ago, when I had gone home to Marin County to be with my mother during her (successful) surgery for colon cancer, and this friend happened to visit the hospital at the same time I was there. When he learned I was in the process of becoming a priest in the Episcopal Church, he told me he wanted very much to come to the ordination, and two years later, he did.
Over dinner this past Sunday evening, as the weekend's festivities had started to wind down, he told me about a tradition that his Korean Baptist church has for their minister called "Pastor Appreciation Week."
With a slight adjustment to account for the difference in church polity, "Priest Appreciation Week" is what I've been feeling in the days leading up to, and then the days following, my ordination to the priesthood.
I am so grateful for the outpouring of love that you have shown me and my family in the past few days, with the generous gift of the two beautiful stoles, the lovely post-ordination reception, and especially all your prayers and good wishes and blessings following the service.
But my ordination to the priesthood, like your membership in the Congregation, is not an end in itself. Instead, we are both here to try to fulfill a higher purpose. And, like all things related to Jesus, it's a subtle and paradoxical and counterintuitive one.
I think it was Mohandas Gandhi, speaking of counterintuitive, who came close to expressing the true purpose of the Church and its ordained leadership, when he wrote that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
The Rev. Steven Lee
Vicar
From the Wardens
The Ordination of the Reverend Deacon Steven Y. Lee to the Priesthood, Saturday, September 15
“Let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
In the 46 years that she has worshipped at the Cathedral, Marsha has attended many ordinations. When she served as an acolyte there were two or three a year. In 1979 she was privileged to serve at the first ordination of women to the priesthood, including the ordination of Sister Mary Michael Simpson, who stayed on as a canon at the Cathedral. This was long before the Congregation of St. Saviour was born. Once the Congregation came into being we were pleased to lift up several excellent priests and one vocational deacon: Mothers Rhonda Rubinson, Bowie Snodgrass, Rachel Wildman, and Brother Luis Rivera Rivera. Yet their ordinations were bittersweet occasions. We rejoiced in their new ministries. We had supported them, we had loved them, they were ordained and off they went to serve other congregations. To be present at the ordination of our very own vicar felt quite different. It was pure joy. We are delighted that we will be spending, God willing, quite a few years under Father Lee’s leadership, growing together in ministry.
Special thanks to those who made our Reception such a success!
Not content to rest on their laurels after a wonderful Homecoming, the Events Committee planned and executed a warm and joy-filled reception for Steven and his family after the Ordination service. Special thanks to Congregation members Lisa Chin and her sister Cindy, Luz Betancourt, Phyllis Murray, Susan Baldwin, JoAnn Bell, Winston Nguyen, Kevin de l’Aigle, Michael Nixon, Susan Sobolewski, Sonia Omulepu, Chanmi Byun, and Chris Johnson. Also thanks to Jim Patterson and his facilities folks who got the stoves working so we didn’t have to send out for pizza! Thanks to Amanda Sidebottom of Cathedral Productions who set up the microphone for us and to Tony Dancy who provided two enormous, delicious cakes.
Upcoming events
September 26, 6:30 p.m. St. James Chapel—Jose Quinones “Immigrants, out of the Shadows”
A special discussion series on contemporary society, culture and spirituality sponsored by the Congregation and put together by Vestryman Fred Wherry will kick off with this timely presentation on economic issues related to immigration.
Congregation Fall Retreat, Holy Cross Monastery, November 2 – 4 Contemplative Ecology—Becoming Truly Human, led by Brother Aidan
Why go on retreat? It is a chance to get away and be still. It is a chance to listen to God’s voice in a quiet environment. Spending time with the monks whose lives are filled with prayer can inspire. Joining in the daily offices which take place five times each day can introduce us to a different rhythm of prayer.
Sign up for the Congregation fall retreat, which takes place the first weekend in November. Sign-up is required by October 2. Detailed information at this link.
Fill out the form and send with check to Congregation of Saint Saviour office. We have 15 spots reserved.
Remember Cathedral Community Cares
At our last Vestry meeting the decision was made to focus on men’s clothing for this program year. We will also do a toy drive in December and fill back-packs in the summer.
For the clothing drive several approaches will be taken. First, anyone may bring gently used men’s clothing to church on Sunday. A receipt for tax purposes will be available at the Welcome table. During the week clothes may also be brought in. Ask the Security guard at the booth for assistance if no one from CCC is present to accept your gift when you drop by. Cash donations will also be accepted at the Welcome Table after the 9 and 11 a.m. services. They will be used to purchase clothing. Finally, if anyone has contacts in the retail or wholesale clothing business, this can also prove helpful. Contact the wardens or Father Lee and you will be connected to the Development Office of the Cathedral. Thanks to all who have helped support Cathedral Community Cares.
Blessings to all,
Tim Dwyer and Marsha Ra
Wardens
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018