Message from the Rector

Christian Pilgrims on a Journey of Stewardship

I just completed reading a book on Pilgrimage (A Handbook on Christian Growth). The author Richard Peace’s quest is to aid Christians in avoiding the numbing complacency of Christianity. He presents the image of a settler, one who doesn’t move and doesn’t break boundaries, and contrasts it with the image of a pilgrim who moves towards a goal and is willing to pay the price of the journey. Though the price can be costly, Peace states, “the larger part of the road to holiness consists in enormous satisfactions, good feelings, and a deep sense of well-being shared with friends, if not with the whole universe” (p. 24).More >

The Reformation of Saint Aidan’s Church

If you were out of town over the summer and have yet to make it to church, you will be astonished at the transformation of the Saint Aidan’s Church and Preschool in your absence. The kitchen and bathrooms are newly remodeled, the preschool and parish hall roofs have been replaced – with beautiful new skylights added – and all of the buildings are almost complete in getting a much needed paint job. On behalf of the parish, I wish to thank Jim and Kasey, John and Catherine, and Janet with Tholen Design for their most generous gift to our parish and preschool. In the Letter of James (2:18), he tells us "But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith". Thanks Jim and Kasey, and John and Catherine for showing us your faith.

This is an exciting time in the life of our parish. The transformation of our campus personifies the many positive things that are happening in our church and school. God has richly blessed us in the past, and I look forward with eager anticipation to the many ways that God will use our church and school in the decades ahead.

Chris Soper
Senior Warden

Many, Many Thanks!

Fundraiser a Huge Success!
by Premilla Arasasingham

I want to thank you individually, repeatedly and sincerely – for your support, for the belief and commitment that you have shown and continue to show towards St. Aidan’s church. We had a very successful “Wine Tasting, Art and Music Festival”, with over 200 people attending and it was fun, fun, fun! More >

Hello

Dear Parishioners,

While settling in to my new position as your Parish and School Administrator, it’s been a pleasure meeting those of you who have recently visited the office! I would like to thank James for his help during my training period and to Rev. Joyce, Kathy and the staff for their kindness and support.

When not in the office, I’m designing in my studio, spending time with family, friends and Audrey, my little Pomeranian, pursuing one of many hobbies and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

If we haven’t met, I look forward to in the coming days!

God bless,
Lisa Discola

Dorcas House News

Greetings Friend:

Summer at Dorcas House has ended, and our children are back in school. Five of our older girls have started a new private school to assure they obtain the best possible preparation for college. The public high school available to the children did not provide the education needed for children planning to enter college. This increases our costs by $500 per month; a really good deal by US standards, but a significant increase in expense.
Summer has been busy and really special. The children visited the camp operated by Genesis Diez, and had a wonderful time.

We have been looking hard for a new location so we can expand and provide increased services to the children and our neighborhood. The Mexican government has been good to us during this period by providing grants permitting the purchase of a new commercial refrigidator and freezer, a new commercial washer and dryer, and new dining room furniture. The grant was a little under the amount requested, and a $2000 match was required to complete this necessary purchase. We need to plan for a budget line item for contingencies like this. Another budget increase we can anticipate for next year.

Starting school has required the purchase of new uniforms. this was an additional cost of over $5000. While that might seem very modest by our standards, it is again an additional cost that must be met.

Your continued support and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Stephen H. Velez-Confer
President/Executive Director

School On Wheels - Update

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our congregation, $681 was raised for School On Wheels this year.

We were able to purchase 20 backpacks which were filled with school supplies. Graph paper was a specific request this year! These, along with three other fully stocked, donated backpacks were delivered to Agnes Stevens at the School On Wheels’ headquarters in Malibu just in time for the start of the school year.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Service Opportunities

Looking for an opportunity to be of service to St. Aidan’s and the community? Here are some areas that are always in need of assistance:

AIDS Luncheons:
Prepare sandwiches or donate a casserole for the AIDS luncheon, hosted by St. Aidan’s four times a year. Dates will be announced well in advance. If you can spare a half a day, help deliver and serve the food at the AIDS luncheons at USC Hospital.
Contact:  Fred Cornett

Malibu Labor Exchange:
Teach English to men and women at The Malibu Labor Exchange while they wait for employment.  Half an hour a week, one hour a week, or whatever time you can spare.
Contact:  Patricia Clifford

Party Planners:
Volunteers are always needed to help organize St. Aidan’s events.  We need volunteers to prepare food, arrange flowers or decorate venues.  Whatever time you can give is greatly appreciated.
Contact:  Lorraine Senna or Patricia Clifford

Coffee Hour:
Sign up to host a coffee hour after the 10:00AM service on Sunday

Back to School

The Rev. Joyce will be away for classes in Christian Spirituality, the third year of a Doctor of Ministry Program, at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, October 8-19. If there is a pastoral emergency, please call Lisa at the Church Office, and she will know how to contact Joyce.

St. Francis Day Celebration and Blessing of the Animals

October 7, 10AM

This year we will bless our scaly, furry, and feathered pets who provide us with comfort and joy at the 10 AM service in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis. Please bring your animal companions to church on this day! You may also bring stuffed animals, mementos or photos of deceased pets for a blessing. In our worship the Sunday School children will lead us in an animal orchestra, and our coffee hour may include treats for both the Feline and Canine variety of creatures. Francis left few writings; but, of these, his spirit of joyous faith comes through most truly in the “Canticle of the Sun,” which he composed at Clare’s convent of St. Damian’s. The Hymnal version begins:

Most High, omnipotent, good Lord,
To thee be ceaseless praise outpoured,
And blessing without measure.
Let creatures all give thanks to thee
And serve in great humility.

Methodist Guest Preacher in October

One of Reverend Joyce’s fellow students in the Christian Spirituality Doctoral Program, the Rev. John Page, will be our guest preacher at both services on Sunday, October 14th. He is the minister at Graysville United Methodist Church (Graysville, Georgia) and has written numerous articles and books. Here is John’s personal introduction:

“You’re probably reading this to find out about the guest preacher who will be with you on Oct 14th. I could give you a list of degrees I’ve earned to try and impress you. I could tell you all the places I’ve taught and preached to try and gain some credibility with you. But that’s not what I’m about.

“I want you to know that I’m married to my best friend, Stacey. Together we parent (as best we can!) two daughters, Kasana and Marissa. It is out of that context that I pastor, preach and teach. God lets me lead people in life transformation. I’m about people living the lives God has for them. As a result, I wrote a book called The Almighty in the Ordinary to help people discover God in their everyday lives.

“I am grateful to Joyce for allowing me to worship and share with you on Oct 14. I look forward to being with you and meeting face to face. One last thing you should probably know about me is that I’m a sucker for dark
chocolate!”

John’s book, The Almighty in the Ordinary, will be for sale at coffee hour on Sunday and he will donate a portion of the purchases to the church.

St. Aidan’s Personals

Truth Be Told
Michael Lansbury

Keats famously wrote that beauty is truth and vice-versa (“…that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”). I do not believe he was referring to everyday honesty like ‘I’ve always hated your mother’, but rather the fundamental truths of God’s universe that bring us rare, extraordinary moments of clarity and peace. Truth is a valued piece of real estate on the moral high ground and telling it is promoted in our culture as a godly virtue. We’re assured that we’ll sleep better, that it can set us free, and that it is good for us to hear, even when it hurts. More >

Preschool News

Dear Saint Aidan’s Church Families,

Our first month of school was joyful. Thank you for helping celebrate our year with the blessing on September 23! This is such a nice start to our year. This month’s activities include studies of pumpkins, working in the garden planting our winter crops and Halloween.

The children enjoy their costume parade and change of weather this month. We have welcomed our newest staff members -- Teri Sturges, teacher in A room; Amy Snead, teacher in D room; and Lisa Discola, Parish and School Administrator (see her letter of introduction within this newsletter). They each have settled into their new jobs and are most appreciated.

We are striving to become paperless and electronic in all communications with families enrolled. Our goal is to save some trees and keep parents well informed. All communications with the parents will be by e-mail. With great joy we have accepted a very generous donation of a new laptop for the teachers. This donation is from the Kamen Family.

This month we will have a Parent Social hosted by the Aragon Family at which parents will hear a bit about the up-coming year and have an opportunity to get to know one another.

If you would like to buy one of the beautiful pumpkins you see around the school and church campus, you may. The prices are as follows; Largest $20.00. Medium $ 10.00. Smallest $5.00. The gigantic ones will be $50.00. You may leave your checks made out to Saint Aidan’s School in the Church Office.

Happy Halloween!
Kathy Cook

Sunday School News

Dearest Parents and Parish Friends,

I am so thrilled to be able to work with these marvelous young people as we embark on a new Christian Education adventure this fall! For the next 4 weeks, we will be focusing on “Getting to Know You”, which is very much a way for me to get to know your child(ren), but also a way for us to collectively “know” and explore God’s presence and Christ’s love in a playful and meaningful way. We will be discussing our favorite things, what makes us unique, and focusing on the meaning of family. Please have your child bring along a picture of him/herself as well as a picture of your family, if possible. They can be small and informal, but will greatly contribute to a beautiful project we’ll be working on. I will also send out an email this week as a reminder (thank you for sharing your contact information at registration -- if you haven't yet registered, just stop by and pick up a form when you drop your child off at Sunday School).

As we move through the year, we will divide the curriculum into sessions that are created around a specific theme (“Getting to Know You” is this session’s theme). That theme will guide and shape the lessons from the curriculum and the creative projects we explore each week. I will be sharing each session’s theme and vision with you so that you know what your kids are up to each Sunday, and I am hoping that this organized and FUN vision will inspire MANY of you to volunteer to teach Sunday School for all or part of at least one of this year’s sessions. All of the planning is pretty much done for you; all we need is your passion, willingness and the generosity of your time each Sunday for a month or so. If you are interested, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

I am truly blessed by this opportunity and am so grateful for the warmth of your welcome and for your partnership in making Christian Education a joyful and fulfilling endeavor for your children.

Peace, love and many thanks,

Lisa Devine

 

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October 2007

Worship & Education

Come join us, building up the Spirit that reconciles, loves, guides, & empowers us in Jesus Christ.

Sunday Schedule:

8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist - Contemplative service.

10:00 AM
Holy Eucharist - Traditional & contemporary music.

10:00 AM
Sunday School - For children of all ages.
Lisa Devine, Coordinator
call (310) 457-7966

11:15 AM
Coffee Hospitality – A time of community – to connect, to talk, to share. To volunteer refreshments call (310) 457-7966 or email: office@staidanschurch.org

 

For All Who Suffer In Body & In Spirit…

Jack Roe, Allie Mei Stevenson, Don Burchett, Leo Najar, Maurine Ford, David Baker, Buckley, Patty Henning, Don McCrea, Randy Holland, Alix Evens, Dale & Rindy Eichs, Robert Leach, Jon Carlos, Holly Boggess, Herman Gold, Merle Hogren, Patty Monahand& Family, Shirly Babcock, Maryala Burkhead, The Landi and Daniel families, Peg, Robert Wagner, Linda Riddle, Joan Fontaine, Max Toberoff, April, Tina Bettinam, Ron, Hylda, Virginia Johnson, Joe Lopez, Connie Davidson, Jane King, K Purdy, Jamie Sheridan, Judi Kaufman, Patsy Dickey, Warren Kramer, The Forgie Family, The Milter Family, The DeVine Family, Sandra, Peggy, Dave, Janet, Frank, & Ed Milkovich Sr. (Ed’s dad).

For All Who Have Died...

Bonar Lockrem, Casey Landi, Don Henry, Gail Mayo, The Rev. Patrica Bennett, Nancy Parks, Milton Sarpy, Olga Bakay, Susie Forgie, Lucille Milter, Erine DeVine, Jason Burchett & Ben Satterfield.

 

Church Staff & Officers

The Reverend Joyce Stickney, Rector

Chris Soper:
Sr. Warden, Vestry

Joe Lopez:
Jr. Warden, Vestry

Joe Pickard:
Treasurer, Bookkeeper

Jim McGee:
Clerk

Lisa Discola:
Office Administrator

Lisa Devine:
Sunday School

Sara Banta:
Music Minister & Organist

Kathy Cook:
Preschool Director

Ministries

Altar Guild:
Barbara Bacon, Julie Johnson

Centering Prayer:
Paul Elder

Education, Adult:
Chris Soper

Education, Youth:
Michael Lansbury

Hospitality/PR:
Lorraine Senna

Fundraising:
Premilla Arasasingham

SAHS (High School):
Jim McGee, Ceci Najar

Lectors & Acolytes:
Fred Cornett

Long Range Planning:
Jeff Kramer, Lon Porter

Newmembers/Alumns:
Patricia Clifford

Newsletter Editor:
Mike Lansbury

Outreach:
Patricia Clifford

Planned Giving:
Mark Glattly

Physical Plant:
Joe Lopez, Don McCrea

Preschool Liaison:
Michael Lansbury, Cindy McConnell

SABEL:
Dona Bigelow

Stewardship:
Vestry

Worship:
Margaret Bowles, Rebecca Sprigg