The Episcopal The Episcopal The Episcopal The Episcopal Church Welcomes Church Welcomes Church Welcomes Church Welcomes

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St. Paul’s at Midweek Grace Episcopal Church is now

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Where GWhere GWhere GWhere Graceraceracerace happens & All are welcomehappens & All are welcomehappens & All are welcomehappens & All are welcome

Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on your journey of

Faith, we welcome you to our inclusive faith community. Come, join

us at our Sunday Celebration of prayer, liturgy, Eucharist,

music and friendship.

http://www.graceepiscopalbakersfield.com/

2216 17th Street, Bakersfield CA 93301

Wednesday - July 3, 2013

Saint Paul’s Saint Paul’s Saint Paul’s Saint Paul’s

Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal ChurchEpiscopal ChurchEpiscopal Church,,,, a part of the Anglican a part of the Anglican a part of the Anglican a part of the Anglican

CommunionCommunionCommunionCommunion

Tonight at 7pm - A

Liturgy & Eucharist

for the Sanctifying

of a New Ministry,

our first Eucharist as Saint

Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2216

17th Street. Dee Whitley will be our homilist. Note: The Summer Book Club will not meet this evening, but

will resume on July 10.

On moving day, “Grace Movers” are pictured in the courtyard

with the Episcopal Flag which was found stored at St. Paul’s.

The “People of the

Table” will

continue at Saint

Paul’s thanks to

the generous loan

of the altar table

from FCC.

Pictures by Michael

Fagans

Office Hours at Saint Paul’s - The office will be

open Monday through Friday from 8am until 1pm.

Stephanie Antongiovanni will be there to help you

with your needs or questions. Temporarily, she can

be reached at Saint Paul’s by her cell phone at 661-

809-7467.

The Season of Pentecost The Season of Pentecost The Season of Pentecost The Season of Pentecost Pentecost Seven July 7, 2013 Proper IX Independence Sunday

8 a.m. Taizé Holy Eucharist

10 a.m.

Holy

Eucharist & Renewal of Priestly Vows

Childcare

Celebrant: Bishop Chester Talton

Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Tim Vivian

Assisting: The Rev. Deb DeBoer and the Rev. Kevin

Higgins

Eucharistic Ministers: Dee Whitley & Marilyn Metzgar

Lectors: Cathy Henry & Curt Asher

Pianist: Jason Sliger

Guest Organist: Helen Smoot

Choir Director: Christopher Borges

Verger: Philip Holt

Altar Guild: Martin Brown, Sara Chan & Jerry Pettiford

Greeter: Barb Fleming

In the Communion of Saints and all holy men and women, we remember the week of July 7: • Thu, July 11 - Saint Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte

Cassino, c. 540

• Fri, July 12 - Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala

and Ecumenist, 1931

• Sat, July 13 - Conrad Weiser, Witness to Peace and

Reconciliation, 1760

Diocesan Prayer Cycle - We pray for the work and

ministry of the Diocese of Haiti and the congregation of

Saint Paul’s Visalia.

The Readings for Sunday

Isaiah 66:10-14 Psalm 66:1-8

Galatians 6: 7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Directions to Saint Paul’s From the southwest, from the northwest, from

Hwy 99 or 58 - Come to Oak and Truxtun. Travel east on Truxtun

to the next traffic light (“A” Street, just before Mercy Hospital). Turn left at the light and take the next right onto 17th Street. Go one block; the Church is at the northeast corner of 17th and B Streets.

From the east - Travel west on Hwy 178. Turn left on “F” Street. Go

south on “F” and turn right on 17th Street. Continue west to 17th and B Streets. The Church is on the northeast corner.

We welcome on Sunday

Helen Smoot as our guest

organist for July. She began

studying piano at age 8 and

eventually received her Masters

Degree in Piano Performance from

the University of California, Santa Barbara. Helen has

played piano concerts in Europe, California and

Oregon. She is active in Sierra Performing Arts- a

nonprofit group in the Kern River Valley that puts on

concerts, musicals, drama and children’s theater. She

taught at Cerro Coso College for 18 years and has

held many teaching positions in universities, colleges

and conservatories. She regularly plays the organ for

Kernville United Methodist Church and St. Sherrian’s

Episcopal Church. We appreciate having her on

“loan.”

This Week at This Week at This Week at This Week at Saint Paul’sSaint Paul’sSaint Paul’sSaint Paul’s Wednesday, July 3 – A Liturgy & Eucharist for the

Sanctifying of a New Ministry, our first Eucharist as

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Sunday, July 7

8am Taizé Holy Eucharist

10am Holy Eucharist with Nursery care

11:30am

Tuesdays in July and August beginning July 9 – 7-

8:30pm “Those Episkopols!” Location: TBA. A

class led by Tim and others for those wishing to be

baptized or who would like to have a child/children

baptized, and for those wishing to be confirmed or

received in (that is, join) the Episcopal Church. And

everyone else!

Wednesday, July 10 – 7am Breakfast Group at Coco’s

on Oak Street

July at Saint July at Saint July at Saint July at Saint Paul’sPaul’sPaul’sPaul’s In addition to those things

announced above for the coming week, please plan to

take part in these events.

Wednesdays in July beginning July 10 - 7-8:30pm

Continuing of the Summer Book Club, site TBA. We

are sharing ideas from The Holy Householder, Living

a Joyful, Abundant ,and Spiritually Satisfying Life in

the Midst of the World. The author, Debby Spaine,

will facilitate our discussions. The theme for this

book study is about growing in our ability to listen

to God’s voice within and to take what we hear

back into the living of our daily lives. You do not

need a copy of the book to join the discussion.

Second and Fourth Thursdays continuing July 11 – 7 to

8:30pm The Thomas Merton Reflection Group.

This group uses the writings of Thomas Merton as a

springboard to share personal reflections about our

own journeys. Location TBA. If childcare is needed,

contact Tim.

Sunday, July 14 –

8am Taizé Holy Eucharist

10am Holy Eucharist, Childcare

11:30am Welcome Sunday Share a sandwich and

welcome newcomers in the courtyard.

Second and Fourth Sundays beginning July 14 –

Episcopal Youth meets at 10am.

Saturday, July 20 –. Sophia's Circus celebrates our one

year anniversary! Join us for lunch on July 20, 2013

at 11:00 am at Moo Creamery. Sophia's Circus is a

group of women who gather monthly to discuss

spiritual issues, share our lives, and break bread.

Women of all ages are welcome to join us. Please

RSVP to Cathy Ellenwood-Bader at

cathyeb2011@icloud.com

Sunday, July 21 –

8am Taizé Holy Eucharist

10am Holy Eucharist, Childcare

Saturday, July 27 – Parish Potluck at Mal Schleh and

Debby Spaine's in Tehachapi

Sunday, July 28 –

8am Taizé Holy Eucharist

10am Holy Eucharist, Episcopal Youth & Childcare

4pm Festival Welcoming Eucharist Our special

guest will be Bishop Chet Talton who will preach

and celebrate.

Fireworks and

Thanksgiving I like intersections. Not the

automotive type with issues

of right-of-way, but ones

filled with serendipity. I

think we have one of those

moments this coming

Sunday. Not that

Independence Sunday is

unusual, nor the fact that this will be our first Sunday as

“Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church” which is exceptional.

What makes this intersection an event of mystic and

prophetic proportions comes from our national stage

and the two major findings of the Supreme Court this

past week. The first finding that most of us are

celebrating is the ruling allowing for equal access to

marriage by all people. The second finding that

probably troubles most of us is the stepping back from

protecting equal access to a citizen’s right to vote by

setting aside the enforcement portion of the Voting

Rights Act. While these things may seem to be secular,

political issues, I would urge you to reflect on these

questions from our Baptismal Covenant as they

intersect these two findings.

• Will you persevere in resisting evil?

• Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving

your neighbor as yourself?

• Will you strive for justice and peace among all

people, and respect the dignity of every human

being?

The singular purpose in those who formed “Grace

Church” and those who have enriched our fellowship

since is the idea of equity – all are invited to Jesus’

Table. We are a community of equity. As I have often

reminded, look at those who broke bread with Jesus on

so many occasions – the tax collector, the Pharisee, the

prostitute, the pious. They were all there, sharing the

same status as beloved by God. They were all there on

that journey of faith toward what we have been created

to be in divine image, ever growing in grace. On this

Sunday from nearly 1000 miles away Melinda and I will

celebrate with you the grace of Jesus’ Table, its power

to gather and to effect change in lives and in nations.

We will also give thanks for our national heritage which

is still struggling to understand the belief in “equal

protection under the law.” This will be an exceptional

Sunday even for Melinda and me one thousand miles

away. – Vern+

St. Paul's St. Paul's St. Paul's St. Paul's

MemosMemosMemosMemos

MEETINGS AT ST. PAUL'S

Group meetings such as the Inquirers Class

(Tuesdays beginning July 9), Book Group

(Wednesdays), and Merton Group (2nd and

4th Thursdays) as well as BC meetings, will

take place in "The Forum." Enter through

the double doors (east end of the courtyard

loggia).

Same-sex marriage and religion: a range of views in Bakersfield A column in Saturday’s Californian. Lori and Tim

were interviewed.

http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x7620

7861/Same-sex-marriage-and-religion-a-range-of-

views-in-Bakersfield

From Devon Chambers, a beautiful From Devon Chambers, a beautiful From Devon Chambers, a beautiful From Devon Chambers, a beautiful expression of our journey to St. Paul's expression of our journey to St. Paul's expression of our journey to St. Paul's expression of our journey to St. Paul's ----

Thank you, Grace Church. Tomorrow (7/1/13),

Grace Church will become part of the history of St.

Paul's Episcopal Church in Bakersfield...A warm,

wonderful congregation grew and became...Thank

you to First Congregational Church of Bakersfield,

for providing a refuge in the beginning, with that

refuge becoming a home from which a unique

congregation grew and developed. May those who

belonged to Grace carry that spirit into our new

home...

So ends an era �

A new one begins ☺

May the spirit of Grace Church follow us into our new location.

Guest ColumnGuest ColumnGuest ColumnGuest Column

Presiding bishop on DOMA, Prop 8 rulings

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following on today’s United States Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Proposition 8.

The Episcopal Church is presently engaged in a period of study and dialogue about the nature of Christian marriage. This work is moving forward, with faithful people of many different perspectives seeking together to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit. However, our Church has taken the position that neither federal nor state governments should create constitutional prohibitions that deny full civil rights and protections to gay and lesbian persons, including those available to different-sex couples through the civic institution of marriage.

Accordingly, I welcome today’s decision of the United States Supreme Court that strikes down the 17-year-old law prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex civil marriages granted by the states. The unmistakable movement toward civil marriage equality in the states over the past decade reflects the will of the people in those states to grant equal rights and dignity under the law to all married couples and families, and today’s decision will appropriately allow those families to be recognized under federal law as well.

At the same time, the Court’s withholding of judgment on the ultimate constitutional question of whether a state may ban same-sex marriage reflects the fact that this conversation will continue to evolve in coming years. I trust that Episcopalians will contribute actively and faithfully to this conversation, particularly as our nation begins to discern the many practical implications of today’s decisions for areas of our shared life, ranging from immigration law to family rights.

I am deeply aware that faithful Americans find themselves on all sides of these issues, including those who have not yet clearly discerned an effective or appropriate response. It is possible to disagree AND work together for the good of the larger community. That is the bedrock of our democratic political system. It is also the foundation of life in the Body of Christ.

Together we can help to build up the whole community, particularly if we have the courage to listen deeply to those who hold a different view. The Episcopal Church has an ancient tradition of attempting to hold divergent views together for the sake of deeper truth. All are beloved of God, and the flourishing of each is what we believe God intended from the beginning of creation. May we help to build a beloved community in which each and every person is treated with dignity, knowing that each and every one reflects the image of God. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church

Renewal of Priestly Vows

This Sunday Bishop Chet Talton will officially welcome The

Rev. Kevin Higgins to the Diocese of San Joaquin. Kevin's

preaching and the mission work of Kevin and his wife Sue

have enriched the life of the Grace congregation and will

continue now at St. Paul's.

Renewal of Vows

The Rev. Kevin Higgins

July 7, 2013

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

The Declaration

The priest stands, and the Bishop says

Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline

and worship of Christ as this Church has

received them? And will you, in accordance

with the canons of this Church, obey your

bishop and other ministers who may have

authority over you and your work?

Answer

I am willing and ready to do so; and I

solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy

Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments

to be the Word of God, and to contain all

things necessary to salvation; and I do

solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine,

discipline, and worship of the Episcopal

Church.

The Renewal of Vows

The priest stands, and the Bishop says

God the Father, has given us his only Son

Jesus Christ to be the Apostle and High

priest of our faith, and the Shepherd of our

souls. By his death he as overcome death;

and having ascended into heaven, he has

given his gifts abundantly, making some

apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,

some pastors and teachers, to equip God’s

people for the work of ministry and to build

up the body of Christ.

A priest is called to share this ministry entrusted

to the Church.

In the presence of God and of you my

brothers and sisters, I pledge myself afresh

to this ministry. Will you, Kevin, in the

strength of the Holy Spirit, continually stir

up the gift of God that is in you by the

laying-on of hands, and in your office of

priest will you strive to make Christ known

to all?

The priest replies

By the help of God, I will.

The Bishop prays

Father, you have appointed your Son to be

our great High Priest for ever. Fulfill now

your purpose in us whom you have chosen

to be ministers and stewards of your word

and sacraments; and grant that we may be

found faithful in the ministry we have

received; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

The Holiness of a Reenchanted World

As we move forward in our new ministries at St. Paul’s, over

the next few months I’d like to share with you thoughts from

Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass, an

Episcopalian. In the book Bass takes us on a journey through

a number of “reemergent” or “pilgrim” churches—Episcopal,

Methodist, Presbyterian, UCC—that are growing and living

transformational lives in faith. Much of what she shows and

says describes Grace-St. Paul’s, both who we are now, and

who we aspire to be.

—Tim

A New Kind of Neighborhood Church

The journey begins with a question: “What

happened to the neighborhood church? . . . . the old way

of organizing American religion has vanished. In the

wake of the loss, however, some Christians are

rebuilding spiritual community, and a new kind of

mainline church is being born.

The people I met are building upon tradition,

faithfulness, and wisdom to offer a distinct alternative to

a Christianity based on personal salvation and moral

certainty. They are creating a new kind of neighborhood

church.

How do we get there? As with any worthwhile

spiritual journey, there are many possible paths.

Although no single way exists, there are, however,

signposts to let us know that we are heading toward

beauty, goodness, and truthfulness. Christians call these

signposts “practices,” the things they do together in

community that form them in God’s love for the world.

Are we there yet? Every pilgrimage has a

destination, and this one is no exception. Emerging

Christianity is about change—about changing from

spiritual tourists to pilgrim—about transforming our

selves, our congregations, and our communities. We are

going there, to a change of heart that revolutionizes

one’s whole life. . . .

Christianity is a sacred pathway to someplace

better, a journey of transforming our selves, our faith

communities, and our world.

Communion of SaintsCommunion of SaintsCommunion of SaintsCommunion of Saints

Saint Benedict of Nursia (c.480–543) founded twelve

communities for monks at Subiaco, about 40 miles (64

km) to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte

Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. The Order of

St Benedict is of later origin and is a

confederation of autonomous

congregations.

Benedict's main achievement is his

"Rule," containing precepts for his

monks. It is heavily influenced by

the writings of John Cassian, and

shows strong affinity with the Rule

of the Master. But it also has a

unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness,

and this persuaded most religious communities founded

throughout the Middle Ages to adopt it. As a result, the

Rule of Benedict became one of the most influential

religious rules in Western Christendom. For this reason,

Benedict is often called the founder of western Christian

monasticism.

Jesus of Coffee Shops

Jack Hernandez is a local poet and Professor Emeritus of

Philosophy and English at Bakersfield College and Director

of the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities, Bakersfield

College. He has published poems in Midweek before and has

published poetry in a variety of journals and books, including

the Anglican Theological Review.

His head, the standard one, pale, slightly sorrowful, distanced from our pleasurable ways, is taped to the bland wall behind the cash register (Visa and Master cards accepted, no out-of-town checks, please) in the downtown coffee shop, hard by the Central Bus Exchange. No one is praying, though this is a congregation of sorts—the early risen crowd roll back the morning’s stone with coffee, sugar, more coffee, working souls break their fast on short stacks. Here small kindnesses and courtesies are commonplace. Old men, straw legged and irrelevant given respect with their eggs, children wriggling, waiting for waffles, mothers watching them, dreaming. Voices mix business with passion

for chili verde omelettes. Martha bustles, buttering toast, Mary smiles into life a wan young man, two women in jogging shorts savor hash browns and talk of selecting wine for their summer, canopied weddings. Days are fortified and saved here. The frail, the solitary, frivolous and earnest find what they need here. For in the sharing of food and simple truths and hope God abounds in coffee shops.

The Office of the BishopThe Office of the BishopThe Office of the BishopThe Office of the Bishop The Rt. Rev. Chester l. Talton

the episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin June 21, 2013

The Rev. Dr. Tim Vivian

10105 Montaingate Lane

Bakersfield, CA 93311

Dear Tim,

I share with you your excitement at the wonderful

news that we are anticipating the return of St. Paul’s

Episcopal Church in Bakersfield to the Episcopal

Diocese of San Joaquin. With the return of this

property I will be making some changes in your

status with the Diocese. As of June 30, 2013 you

will no longer be at Grace.

I am delighted to be able to appoint you as the

Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s, Bakersfield effective

July 1, 2013. As Episcopalians move back into that

building, I rejoice with all of you at the beginning

of this new phase of ministry in Bakersfield and I

look forward to being with you your first Sunday on

July 7 and for your homecoming celebration on July

28.

This has been a long journey for many

Episcopalians in Bakersfield. I look forward to a

time when we can all celebrate together this next

chapter in the life of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Chester L. Talton

Bishop of San Joaquin