Message from the Rector

For God So Loved the Cosmos

Jesus tells Nicodemus, “For God so loved the cosmos that he gave his only begotten son…” (John 3:16). Cosmos is a Greek word that can have as many as eight different meanings or applications. Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, and the Jews thought that they alone were God’s beloved. Jesus ushers in a new day, one in which God’s love and the gospel are opened to all groups of people and all of creation. More >

Why Pilgrim

The anonymous nineteenth-century author of The Way of a Pilgrim, a spiritual classic, opens his book with “by the grace of God I am a Christian, by my deeds a great sinner, and by my calling a homeless wanderer of humblest origin, roaming from place to place. My possessions consist of a knapsack with dry crusts of bread on my back and in my bosom the Holy Bible. This is all!”

His words strike a chord with those of us who are restless seekers, wayfarers in search of answers to compelling questions or holy experiences. Pilgrimage is an important part of spiritual life for many Christians who see life itself as a sacred journey, coming from God and returning to God. More >

News & Events

Baptism at the Easter Vigil

The sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated at the Easter Vigil on March 22. In the early church this was the only time of the year that baptisms were celebrated. Students spent all of Lent preparing for this sacrament with study, prayer, and the observance of spiritual disciplines. Finally at the late night vigil service they were submerged in the living waters and the faith community celebrated with them with feasting, thanksgiving, and a service that went on for hours… Our Easter Vigil has been condensed time-wise yet still captures the drama and meaning of this great feast of the church where the light of Christ comes into the world, the tomb is left empty, and we celebrate that Jesus lives! Folded into this news of salvation, is our proclamation of faith, and the renewal of our baptismal vows. If you or a family member may be interested in being baptized at the Easter Vigil, please contact the Rev. Joyce Stickney.

Maundy Thursday

The Altar Guild invites St. Aidan's and friends to our Maundy Thursday Agape Supper at 6:30 on Thursday, March 25. It is based on the Last Supper and very simple. We provide Cheese, Bread, Fruit and Wine/Apple juice/Water. We begin with communion that is very meaningful. It is really something to experience. Then the meal follows, and it ends with a meditation service in the church for those who want to attend. The Altar is stripped during this service.

Please join us. There will be a sign-up sheet after the service before Palm Sunday and on Palm Sunday so we can have an approximate head count. This supper is provided by the Altar Guild, so any donations will be put into St. Aidan’s general fund.

Will you Sing that Tune for my Birthday?

In lieu of a traditional birthday celebration, I am hosting a karaoke extravaganza this year and you are invited! Save the date, Saturday, April 19th, 6:30pm at the Parish Hall. It’s not too early to start thinking about your “theme” song and practicing your number. I’m asking Calvin to sing, “Is this love” and Grace to sing “The lion sleeps tonight” and I may be inspired to sing “Help”. On a more serious note, the world famous karaoke king and queen will also be joining us. And what better occasion to inaugurate the pilgrimage scholarship fund to help those who hope to travel to the holy lands this year… so come along with a song on your tongue and an appetite for a good time. Friends and all ages are welcome!

Holy Week Easter Schedule

Sunday, March 16 Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday. Worship at 8 AM and 10 AM beginning outside.

Wednesday, March 19 Centering Prayer in the Sanctuary 7:30 pm.

Thursday, March 20 Agape Meal at 6:30 PM followed by the stripping of the altar and a watch and vigil – please sign up if you would like to keep an hour of vigil (please bring cut flowers for the “altar of repose”).

Friday, March 21 Good Friday
Liturgy at Noon and 7 pm.
Private confessions will be heard following both services using the rite from the BCP, pg.447.

Saturday, March 22 The Great Vigil of Easter at 7:30 PM. Please bring a hand bell to ring in Easter joy.

Sunday, March 23 Easter Sunday Festive Eucharist with brass at 8 AM and 10 AM with Choir and brass. An Easter Egg hunt for children will follow the service at 11:15 AM.

Lenten Series

There is still time to join the Lenten series on Wednesday evenings in Lent (Feb. 27, and March 5, 12) we are having a Lenten Program on “Visits with Saints”. We begin the evening with a pot-luck supper at 6:30 pm, and conclude by 8 pm. Childcare (help with homework, game playing, and reading) is provided from 7-8 pm. Come learn about James the Greater, Henri Nouwen, and others, brought to you by a dynamic team of lecturers (Paul Elder, Chris Soper, Laura Borda, and Ed Milkovich). We hope you can join us!

Intercessory Prayer

The centering prayer group that meets on Wednesday evenings offers intercessory prayers for those listed on our prayer list. Please include any details that may assist the group in praying for our concerns with your name.

For example:
Brian – healing from leukemia (Joyce)

On Sunday mornings we will continue to pray for those listed by name.

Lenton Thoughts of Forgiveness

solicited by Annie Gomba

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
These are words of Jesus in his last hour. This time they apply to me. If I knew that my last hour were upon me, what baggage would I like to set down? What heaviness of heart would I wish to let go of, so that my spirit might rise? Might I be relieved to put down that heavy weight now, if only I knew how to pry loose my fingers? Jesus let go of the need to blame, to have pain befall those who had hurt him. Finally, he could say,
“Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” More >

I Don't Know

solicited by May Weidemann

When I was eight or nine years old, I sometimes walked to school with a little girl of about four or five who was at the stage in life where everything is a “Why… Why?” To many of her ‘why’s’ I would say “I don’t know.”

I feel I am still that “I don’t know” girl! I tell God I am His “Don’t Know Girl”! I don’t know the answers to so many queries in life! It has always been hard for me to make decisions or to be really decisive.

What would I do without my prayers and without my church?

Even though we don’t know, we can “press on”, as St. Paul tells us (See “Forward Movement” booklet for February 7th). We can ask God to guide us. We can ask the Spirit to show us the way. We can ask Jesus to stay by our side, whatever the way is for us. Courage to press on is hope!

Our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier has blessed us with memory and reason, eyes to see and ears to hear His voice in the stillness of our hearts.

Blessings abound where'er he reigns,
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains,
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest. (Watts)

To close, I have selected the following, which perhaps is
an answer:

We touch the rays we cannot see,
We feel the light that seems to sing.
So, in the cages of our consciousness
The Dover of God is prisoner yet.
Emerging at our conscious doors
We find our souls all soaked in grace like Gideon’s fleece.

-- Thomas Merton Reader, After the Night Office, Gethsemani Abbey

St. Aidan's Personals

I used to pal around with a Franciscan monk named Jonathan who occasionally entertained some very bad habits health-wise, safety-wise and otherwise. This was a beautiful, gifted and spiritually enlightened man, but (like most of us) he harbored a dark side that he once described to me as a very nasty dog named Brutus. Feeding Brutus made the dog stronger and brought on bouts of doubt, fear, discontent, depression and anxiety. Running with him inevitably ended in a world of trouble and despair -- for Jonathan mostly, but also for anyone with the stomach to join him. Happily, the majority of Jonathan’s days were spent in the company of his other, good dog Brandy. I often wondered, given Jonathan’s self-knowledge and the historical evidence, why he ever consciously fed Brutus, much less let him off the leash. More >

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. Our first one for this year is on February 29. 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

Pre-School News

The Children this month are going on their Whale watching trip as well as a visit to the Marine Science Lab at Point Dume Elementary. The Armadillo and Dolphin Classes (our seniors) are going to
“Frog and Toad” at Pepperdine. They loved the Flat Stanley exhibit last month and are old pros at field trips now.

News about the fundraiser for our School, Saturday May 31st @ 6 pm:

• Jeffrey Tambor actor and father to one of our students, will be our Master of Ceremonies for this evening!
• The Dinner, Show and Silent Auction will be held in a private home (TBA). You are invited, your families, and neighbors!
• Our committee will start to collect items for the Silent Auction Monday, March 10th . If you have some kind of item you would like to donate please call the school office 310)457-8899. Funds support the Financial Aid program for your school!

I hope to see you all there!

School will be closed for Easter Break from Monday, March 17th –Friday March 28th.

Staff will be in Long Beach this year for a conference Thursday April 3rd – Saturday April 5th.

Kathy Cook, Director

Sunday School News

Youth & Family Ministry has some exciting events on the horizon!

1.) Lent is here, which means Easter is near. The youth will certainly be involved in the Holy Week services1to add a wonderful dynamic to this meaningful time.

2.) Vacation Church School is in the works and will be happening early in the summer. Dates will be released soon so that you can mark your calendars!

3.) Our performing arts workshop will also be making its debut this spring, culminating in a Spring Pageant. Beginning in April, the workshop will be on Sundays after the 10am service. Fun for all ages and details to come!

4.) In May, we will hold our first family-oriented worship service! This is a new and exciting venture for our congregation, and your support and enthusiasm are much appreciated!

As you can see, we are up to amazing things! Thank you all for your support in bringing these visions to life!

Peace and blessings,
Lisa Devine
Director of Youth & Family Ministry

 

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March 2008

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…

Almari Eloff, Aaron Bond, April, Basil & Dorothy Lombardo & family, Betty Jones, Bill Bank, Bill McIntyre, Billy Graham, Bobby Becker, Brian Egan, Connie Cornett Connie Davidson, Dale & Rindy Eichs, Dave, David McCullough, Dominick Senna, Don Burchett, Don, Donna D’Angio, Frank, Gary Ford, Grace & Bill West, Grace Jones Watson & family, Gracie, Gretchen & Dylan Becker, Gy Waldron, Helen Russell, Herman Gold, Howard Morgen, Hylda, Jack Damon, Jack Roe, Jane Parriot, Janet, Joan Fontaine, Jody, Frank Ohm & John Heron, Jon Carlos, Joseph Glattly, Kristin Ristaino, Leo Najar, Linda Riddle, Lisa Hoteling, Max Toberoff, Merle Hogren, Michael & Ivee, Mimi, Morgan, Patty Monahand & Family, Peg, Peggy, Polly & Ben Holmes, Robert Leach, Robert Wagner, Ron, Ruth White, Scotty Brown, Serena Hobson, Shirly Babcock, Sidney P., Thelma Foster, Tiffany, Tom J., Vangie Clark, & Victoria Montes

For All Who Have Died...

Barbara Judy, BJo Farley, Chris Byk, David Baker, Emily Paul,Eunice Pickard, Floyd Foster, Ian Ferns, Jana Meron, Milo Muslin, Jr., , Norm, Paul Siano, Rex Pompelli, Steve Mansur, Susie AntlesTheo McIntyre, Vera Becker, William Turner Levy, & Zonetta Sarpy

 

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

Annie Gomba:
Parish & School Administrator

Lisa Devine:
Sunday School

Sara Banta:
Music Minister & Organist

Kathy Cook:
Preschool Director

Barb Dijker:
Bookkeeper

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