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Today is Cornucopia Sunday! We've gathered donations for people served by our various outreach groups: The Living Room, St. Andrew's Food Program, and the Open Table Ministry. Although this Sunday has been the designated one on which to bring donations as a parish, they welcome donations at any time. Call the Church Office for more info if you're interested in donating throughout the year. Thank you!
Please return your pledge cards Sunday Nov 20th for blessing! We've been distributing pledge packets for all parish members on our mailing list. If your packet has not been handed to you on Sunday, it will be mailed to you. We hope you spend time contemplating the enclosed materials, and prayerfully consider your pledge as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. We pray that your pledge will honor the blessings of your life, and that it fully expresses your commitment to the important ministries of this church.
The November/December/January Newsletter is ready! It's been sent via email and US Mail (to those who specifically requested a hard copy be sent via US Mail). If you would like a hard copy, please pick one up in Farlander Hall. If you're still receiving a hard copy by mail and wish to switch to email, thank you, please let Claire in the Church Office know of your choice (claire@incarnation-sr.org)! We're saving hundreds of dollars a year in postage by emailing it instead.
Benedict's Way meets on Tuesday, November 15th, in the library, 6:30-8:00 pm. We are a community that gathers to practice the Rule of Benedict, to support one another as we strive to quiet our lives in the busyness that is life. Starting in December we will begin to use the book Monastery of the Heart by Joan Chittister. Consider joining us for a time of reflection, contemplation, and fellowship. If you have any questions you can contact Mitch Garcia at smallgroups@incarnation-sr.org or call 707-703-4162. Come and join us, all are welcome.
The Evening Women's Gathering will meet on Tuesday, November 15th at 7:00 pm at the home of Catherine Miller. All women are welcome to join us. We are a supportive group providing a place to share our lives and our spiritual journeys with each other, building friendships as we go. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Wiuff at 707-837-8768.
The Philosophy Group meets this Thursday, November 17th, at 7:00 pm in the library. Come check out the philosophy reading and discussion group. Philosophy is traditionally defined as the love of wisdom, but the most famous philosopher of antiquity (Socrates) claimed to know nothing at all. In the same spirit, Proverbs 3:5 warns that human understanding may not be so firm as we believe it to be. Philosophy studies matters that are elusive, yet there is something satisfying about the activity of exploring itself. Join a group where you can explore the limits of your understanding and look deeper into questions about knowledge, truth, justice, being and ethics. We are currently examining "Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion."
We are saddened to announce the death of Victoria "Honey" Saffelle Johnson Brown, who passed away on Oct 29th. Victoria was baptized in our church in 1924 and spent her childhood in our parish. For many years she lived in Geneva, Switzerland with her sister, Ruthalma, before they recently returned home to Santa Rosa. A service will be held for her here at the Church on November 19th at 3:00 pm.
Service of Thanksgiving and Praise
Saturday, November 19th, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
A harsh reality is confronting congregations today as they struggle to stay afloat on the rocky seas of the current economy, and seek ways to minister to the ever-secularizing population. This reality has never been as apparent to many of us as it has been recently made at Holy Family Episcopal, Rohnert Park, due to discontinue its ministry at its current location of 35 years, a church built by the efforts of its congregation. Extensive damage to the sanctuary's roof prompted the difficult decision that The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California and the church are no longer able to maintain the property, which is now on the market. In the face of adversity, the people of Holy Family are strengthened by and celebrate their faith-its diverse traditions and its new expressions. Saturday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. the church is sharing a special evening service of song and Eucharist titled "Thanksgiving & Praise." Modeled after Lessons and Carols, the service is built around song and the organ, light and dark, offering passages from scripture, quotes from philosophers, and excerpts from historical homilies to guide the attendees as they sing through some of the most beloved, standard hymns of the Church. Musical offerings by classical vocalists, Holy Family's own Angel Choir, a Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) children's choir, and Holy Family's St. Gabriel Choir (adults) will be featured through the night. It is not yet clear when Holy Family's grounds will have to change hands, whether the sanctuary will see another Christmas Vigil or lighting of the Paschal candle, another baptism, or another wedding. Music Director, Benjamin DeShazo-Couchot, explained the inspiration for the service by saying "we have decided to celebrate what we have now and look to God while strengthening our relationship with our Christian neighbors." The Rev. Gail Cafferata said that "When we open our hearts, minds and souls to God in prayer in the days and months to come, we will be surprised. God will call us to new purposes, ones that we have not followed here, but new paths, new journeys in God's service of peace and justice." Holy Family invites everyone in the diocese to attend the special service, to gather with their congregation, neighboring Christian congregations, partners in ministry, and community members for a service of "Thanksgiving & Praise" through song, psalter, scripture, and prose in darkness and in light. Holy Family Church is located at 1500 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, on Facebook and at www.holyfamilyepiscopalrp.org. For further information call 707-795-7500 or email holyfamilymission@sbcglobal.net.
Raffle Tickets! The Guild of the Incarnation is preparing the annual Holiday Bazaar for November 19th and 20th -- We are selling RAFFLE TICKETS at each coffee hour. This year our prizes are a hand-made Tree Skirt and Stocking or a week stay at the Olympic Village at Tahoe. Tickets are available from Guild members for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 after Sunday services.
A big thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who have given time and energy to preparing the Open Table breakfast every Sunday morning. It's amazing that we have such a great bunch of people, getting up in the early dawn hours to work in the kitchen, visit with the Open Table community and help with the clean-up. Also heart-felt gratitude for those who have donated money so that we can continue this ministry. We are able to shop at the Food Bank and other places for eggs, milk, coffee and socks. If anyone has a warm jacket or sweater in the closet that isn't being used, we would love to give it away to a person who needs it. Sleeping outside in cold weather is no fun, and warm clothing is a must. So check those closets! If you would like to see our ministry in action you are welcome to come in to Farlander Hall anytime after 6 a.m. on Sundays. You'll be amazed! Call me if you have any questions.
-Barbara Avery, Open Table Ministry
(577-8718)
Join the Animal Ministry team of Incarnation and animal lovers from around the Bay Area for the first Animal Ministry Forum, Sunday November 20th at Incarnation! Featured speakers include Rev. Leslie Hackathorn, Animal Minister at Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, and all the way from Texas -- Dr. Laura Hobgood-Oster, church historian and ecological and animal theologian, author of "The Friends We Keep: Unleashing Christianity's Compassion for Animals" and all the way from Maryland, Christine Gutleben, Director of Faith Outreach of the Humane Society of the United States, creator of St. Francis Day packets for churches and outreach to all the faith leaders in the United States for animal protection, as well as the producer of the film "Eating Mercifully." Topics will include the various ministries within animal ministry including grief work, memorials, pastoral, blessing liturgies, animal advocacy, and increasing conscious eating. Reception in Farlander Hall at 5:30 p.m. Reception speakers begin at 6:15 p.m. Keynote speakers in the Sanctuary at 7:15 p.m. Reception and event is FREE and donations are accepted. For further information, contact Lauren Read (one of your vestry leaders), or Eileen Harrington at animalm@incarnation-sr.org. You can pick up a flyer on the Small Group table in Farlander Hall.
Animal Ministry Forum speaker Dr. Laura Hobgood-Oster's book The Friends We Keep: Unleashing Christianity's Compassion for Animals will be available for sale after the 9:15 a.m. service for the next three Sundays for $21.50 with a $5 donation for Animal Ministry. See Eileen after the service or e-mail her (animal@incarnation-sr.org) if you want her to save you a copy of the book to purchase the night of the event.
Come to the All-Parish Advent Party! Light your inner candle: come join us Saturday, November 26th from 4:00-7:00 pm. We'll share the light of hope and renewal together, amidst fun and fellowship. Make an Advent wreath (roll your own beeswax candles!), make Christingles, and enjoy yummy goodies. This year we offer some new surprises! Fun for all ages - come see for yourself! We do ask that you RSVP to Daphne (youthmin@incarnation-sr.org or 707-579-2604 ext. 106) by Sunday, November 20th if you're coming, so we know how many Advent wreath kits to buy. Please find Advent wreath kit sign up flyers in Farlander Hall, on the square table. Come join the fun, for a beautiful kickoff for the season of Advent.
Want to lend a hand building a playground at Roseland Elementary School? They have the equipment now, but what's needed is a 'good dose of free labor.'
December 1st, 8:00-5:00, 30-35 volunteers
December 2nd. 8:00-4:00, 15 volunteers
December 3rd, 8:00-4:00, 200 volunteers
Contact Vince Harper, vharper@capsonoma.org, and let him know you are coming.
Like us on Facebook! Are you on Facebook? Incarnation is now officially on Facebook. We will keep our page up-to-date with events, news, and discussions. "Like" the church's page to get all of the updates. To find our page, type "Church of the Incarnation Episcopal" in the search field at the top, center of your home page. The Church's new page is discoverable by the outside public, so it will be a great way to let potential newcomers know how active and alive this parish is! The more followers, the more discussions, the better! Thanks!
Office Volunteers Needed for morning shifts from 9 am to 12:30 pm (noon on Fridays). Duties include welcoming visitors to the Church Office (aka Welcome Center), answering the phone, and occasional other office duties. If you'd like to know more, or if you can't make a weekly commitment but would like to fill in sometime, please call Claire in the Church Office (707-579-2604 ext. 104 or email Claire@incarnation-sr.org.
Sharing the Wisdom of the Enneagram
Saturday February 4th, 2012
The Bishop's Ranch, Healdsburg, CA
Fee: $105 per person, including lunch
The Enneagram Workshop led by Bill Glenn, MA, MDiv, will focus on explicating the wisdom of this spiritual and psychological system to those interested in further developing their awareness of the graced complexity of human nature and human relationship. Bill will provide an overview of the Enneagram, a thorough explanation of the nine strategies, or types, each strategy's relationship to its complements (the wings), and the interwoven relationship of all nine types into a whole. Using anecdotes, illustrations from contemporary culture, both sacred and profane, with a generous dollop of humor, and some interactive work to boot, beginners will find the workshop both accessible and informative, and those already steeped in the Enneagram will find it an opportunity to deepen insight into its ongoing wisdom. Hopefully all will find it an aide in the development of a psychologically astute spiritual life. Leader: William D. Glenn MA, MDiv is a licensed psychotherapist and spiritual director practicing in Sonoma County. He was introduced to the Enneagram in 1978, and has worked with its intuitive principles both in his clinical and spiritual practice and as a workshop leader for over thirty years. A former Jesuit, Bill has worked extensively in schools, in health care, and in prisons. He has lectured extensively, and has been published in several magazines and anthologies.
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