The Celtic Courier February 2019 - Saint Columba's Episcopal Church
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The Celtic Courier
February 2019
A Gregorian Rant
Do you ever say thank you? When someone does something for you, do you ever say
“thank you” or send them a note? At Christmastime, we provided gifts to a family at RAIN
and to some of our Project Hope families. It was just a little something for the children in
the families, but we received thank-you notes from two of the families. I include them
here:
One of the families wrote: “Thank you for being you. Thank you for all your blessings and
love.” And one of the children who received gifts from us wrote: “Thank you for my
Christmas presents. You blessed me and my family. God bless you.”
We also received this note from the International Mariners Center, to which many of you
gave items before Christmas: “Thank you for your donations, please tell the members of
St. Columba’s how much we appreciate their generosity. Five hundred gift bags were
distributed to the very grateful seafarers that came to the Port of Hueneme during the
Holidays.” It was signed by a member of the Board of Directors.
So often, when we look at all the problems and issues in our world, we wonder if what we
are doing even makes a difference. As these letters show, we do make a difference—even
if it is just doing our little part. But if you begin to add up a little from here and a little
from there, soon you start to gain some momentum, and then you never know what can
happen.
One of the reasons we are here is to make a difference in our world and in the lives of
those around us. We might never know how what we do affects the life of another. A
cheerful smile and a warm greeting might help a seeker draw closer to God. A bag of food
might help make ends meet when the month has more days than money. A knowing nod
and loving embrace may make all the difference in the life of a child or a senior, to help
them know that they are a valued member of the St. Columba’s community.
All of this is to say, “Thank you.” Thank you for the work you do to help us to be the
loving community that St. Columba’s is. And thank you again for your many gifts and
offerings, during the year and at the end of the year, that make it possible for us to even
be here so that we can be a place to do the ministry we do.
Faithfully yours,
ST. COLUMBA’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Rev. Canon Gregory B. Larkin, Rector
Wendie Roberts, Director of Family Ministry Brett Hanley, Director of MusicDates to Remember February Birthdays
Al Bianco 6
Presentation of the Lord/Groundhog Day, Brett Kraft 9
Saturday, February 2
Ron O’Haver 17
Epiphany 4C/Scout Sunday, Sunday, February 3
o Pancake Breakfast in Parish Hall, after both Joanne Davidson 17
8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Eucharists
Lectio Divina, 7:00 p.m., Mondays, February 4, 11, 18,
25
St. Columba’s Reads Book Study
o Tuesdays, February 5, 12, 19, & 26, 7:00-8:00 p.m.;
o Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21, & 28, 10:30-11:30
a.m.;
o Sunday, February 24, 12:15 p.m. Sundays, 9:15-10:00 a.m.
Celtic Contemplative Prayer, 7:00 p.m., Friday, in the Parish Hall
February 8
Presidents’ Day Holiday/Parish Office and CLC The Forum topics for this month are:
Closed, Monday, February 18 February 3: NO Forum (Scout Sunday)
Scholarship Slide Show, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 10: NO Forum (Fr. Greg away)
February 20 February 17: TBD
Scouting for Food, 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24: TBD
February 23
Eucharist in the Style of Taizé, 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Grab some coffee and a treat from Coffee Hour
February 24 and join us for some interesting discussions.
Lunch Bunch, noon, Wednesday, February 27
Scout Sunday – February 3
Presidents’ Day Holiday
The Parish Office and the Children’s
Learning Center will be closed on
Our Scout Troop will take part in the 10:15 service
Monday, February 18. on Sunday, February 3, as we work to support the
noble qualities of scouting. A special treat will be a
Pancake Breakfast with all the trimmings after
Fr. Greg Larkin will each service to support our troop in equipping the
be out of town boys for their camping trips. Join us for this
February 10-13. celebration.
The Rev. Kate Lewis and
the Rev. Pat Hendrickson Amazon Smile – Support
will lead us in worship on St. Columba’s As You Shop
February 10. Do you order items through Amazon.com? By
ordering the same items through Amazon’s charitable
The deadline for articles website — smile.amazon.com — and designating St.
for the March Columba’s Episcopal Church Camarillo as your
Celtic Courier is charity of choice, Amazon will donate a portion of
February 15th. your purchase back to St. Columba’s.THE CELTIC COURIER
PUBLISHED MONTHLY
“Love is like a tennis match; ST. COLUMBA’S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
you’ll never win consistently 1251 Las Posas Road
until you learn to serve well.” Camarillo, CA 93010
ISSUE 2
—Dan P. Herod
(from the Newsletter Newsletter)
Celtic Contemplative Prayer
Friday, February 8, 7:00 p.m.
On the second Friday of each month, September through June,
we gather in the Chapel for an evening of Celtic Contemplative
Prayer, in the traditions of the Iona and Taizé Communities. This
service includes prayer, scripture, dialogues, songs and meditative
chants. There is also a time of silence so we might listen more
closely for God. We enjoy some refreshments and fellowship
afterwards. Come and be still for a little while.
Join us on Friday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m., to reflect on our
theme of “What We Do with Our Silence.” Spend some quiet time
with God.
Eucharist in the Style of Taizé Lectio Divina
Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
All are welcome for our Monday evening practice
of looking at the Gospel for the upcoming
Sunday with the ancient practice of Lectio
Divina, or “divine reading,” a method of praying
the Scriptures.
Our monthly Sunday Evening service is on the 4th
Join us in the Chapel at 7:00 with gathering
Sunday, February 24, 5:30 p.m., using the music of music and quiet; we end by 8:00 p.m.
Taizé and quiet reflection to set the mood of
worship. These services have Eucharist but also
include simple chants sung repetitively, to let the
words of scripture settle into our hearts and minds.
There is a time of silence (5-7 minutes) and an
opportunity for prayer around the cross.
We meet in the Chapel at 5:30 p.m. for worship,
followed by a simple potluck supper in our Parish
Hall. All are welcome. SAVE THE DATE: March 10 is
Camarillo’s CROP Walk Sunday. We will
Come and see if this contemplative practice speaks to need your help again so watch for
your heart. information about sign-ups!Save the Date
Ash Wednesday Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
March 6 March 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
In the Parish Hall
7:00 a.m. St. Columba’s Chapel This month, we’re enjoying pancakes for
12:00 noon St. Columba’s Chapel breakfast, courtesy of the Scouts. In March,
we’ll celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a
7:30 p.m. Joint Service with Mount Cross pancake supper before we begin
Lutheran Church – hosted by St. Columba’s our Lenten fast on Ash Wednesday.
Watch for information on ticket sales.
Other in March
Sunday, March 10 – Daylight Saving Time Begins / CROP Walk
Saturday, March 16, 2:00 p.m. – Gold Coast Chorus Concert
Saturday, March 23, 9:00 a.m.-Noon – Parish Work Party
Sunday, March 24, 5:30 p.m. – Eucharist in the Style of Taizé
Wednesday, March 27, Noon – Lunch Bunch
Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31, 6:00 p.m. – CLC Dances
A Financial Note from the Rector and Vestry
As we turn our attention to 2019, we all need to be aware of St. Columba’s
precarious financial situation. As you heard at the Annual Meeting, we were able
to end 2018 “in the black,” but only by relying on some of our carryover from
previous years. The good news is that, thanks to the very generous gifts of many
of you at the end of the year, we did not require as much as it looked like we might.
Our 2019 Budget will also require the support of carryover funds unless we are
able to generate enough income through pledges and fundraisers. This coming
year, some significant energy is going to have to go into fundraisers to help us to
move forward in mission and ministry to do the things we are called to do. This
will be a major focus of the Vestry’s upcoming retreat. All of us will need to come
together to support the work of St. Columba’s and to “work, pray, and give for the
spread of the kingdom of God” (BCP, p. 856).For 2019, the Labyrinth Guild is changing the schedule of Guided Labyrinth Walks from
monthly to periodic. The labyrinth is always open for individuals to walk it on their own. The
Labyrinth Guild is meeting this month to set a schedule of dates for 2019.
Recently, Margaret Johnson, who was devoted to our labyrinth and led many walks, passed away. To
remember her contributions here, we are creating the Margaret Johnson Healing Garden
adjacent to the labyrinth, if you wish to make a donation to the St. Columba’s Labyrinth Fund in
Margaret’s name.
Coffee Hour
Sign Up to Host!
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will be
Wednesday, February 27,
at Noon in the Parish Hall.
Sign up in the narthex to
enjoy delicious food,
prepared by Michele Hauser,
There are still opportunities to host Coffee for a nominal fee of $4, and
Hour/Fellowship Time, following the 8:00 or
fun and fellowship with
10:15 a.m. service. Sign up in the Parish
Hall. The hospitality doesn’t have to be
other St. Columba’s
elaborate. Thanks for volunteering! parishioners!
Travel Opportunities Presentation
Like to travel or learn about other places? Our County Retired Teachers Association is co-sponsoring
with Collette Tours an informational slide presentation in the parish hall on Wednesday, February 20,
at 1:00 p.m. Featured tours will be “Explore Tuscany” and “America's Music Cities.” The Western
Business Manager of Collette Tours will be here to answer any questions. All money generated by people
taking these tours will be used to fund scholarships for Ventura County students who intend to become
teachers. Everyone is welcome. Call Bev or John Pearson (805-482-6758) with questions.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for our children, with three atriums, Level 1,
children 3-5, Level 2, ages 6-9, and Level 2-3, ages 8-12, is on Sunday mornings,
beginning at 10:00 a.m. Questions or concerns, please contact: Wendie Roberts, 310-
710-8762 or Wencatekst@aol.com.Dear church family,
So many wonderful things are happening at the school right now. We started our
enrollment process just a few days ago and all of our hard work has paid off. We are full
another year! Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
This year, we started remodeling our classrooms and the upgrades are just beautiful.
The Ladybug room, which is off of the playground, received a full makeover. The ceiling was
retextured, the lights and fans were replaced along with the floor. We also revamped the
bathroom in that classroom with new floors and a new sink. The classroom was painted a very
soft blue. If you have a chance, please stop by and see it.
We also replaced the floors in the Caterpillar class, which is the old chapel, along with
the fans in that room. The classroom was repainted a few months ago so we only touched up
the paint after replacing the floors.
Our goal is to continue fundraising to save money for the additional two classrooms.
We were able to raise enough money at our Silent Auction to not only continue the Arts
Program, but also help cover some of the costs for the remodel. We may not be growing in size
but we are growing and developing as a program.
It was so nice to see so many of you at the Annual Meeting and I cannot wait to see you
all again soon. I hope that you all feel loved this Valentine’s Day and are surrounded by people
you love. Happy Valentine’s Day!
In His Grip,
Rebecca
HEALTH MINISTRY — ??? “FOOD FAKES” ???
Manufacturers often use terms that make products sound healthier that they are. Kathy McManus, a registered dietitian
affiliated at Harvard Brigham and Women’s Hospital, discusses some things to look for.
• Baked goods advertised as “whole grain” may be made with white flour. Enriched flour and enriched wheat flour
are not whole grains.
• Some fruit drinks may contain water as the chief ingredient, with fruit further down the list of ingredients.
• Low-fat and fat-free are not necessarily healthier than full-fat foods. They often contain added sugar and salt. Peanut
butter is a perfect example: the main type of fat in peanuts is healthy, unsaturated fat.
• A product with “reduced sodium” labeling must contain 25% less sodium than the regular version. If the product is
800 mg. of sodium per serving, maybe reduced sodium is still too high for you.
• The product isn’t necessarily low in salt if you notice the label reads “no salt added.”
• Research has shown that diets high in trans fat and saturated fat, more than diets high in dietary cholesterol, are
linked with LDL cholesterol or the “bad” type of your cholesterol blood value. Cholesterol-free is no longer a
primary concern for healthy food, according to health experts.
• The numbers that provide the most information about whether or not a food is healthy are in the
Nutrition Facts label on the food product. Check the serving size, calories, saturated fat (not total
fat), sodium, fiber, and sugar.
Harvard Health Letter, January 2019 www.health.harvard.eduWe are on the web! Non-Profit Org.
www. stcolumbaca.com U. S. Postage Paid
Permit 49
Oxnard, CA 93030
ST. COLUMBA’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1251 Las Posas Road RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone: (805) 482-8831
Fax: (805) 482-1288
E-mail: office.manager@stcolumbaca.com
The Church as Mosaic
A mosaic consists of thousands of little stones. Some are blue, some are green, some are yellow, some
are gold. When we bring our faces close to the mosaic, we can admire the beauty of each stone. But as
we step back from it, we can see that all these little stones reveal to us a beautiful picture, telling a story
none of these stones can tell by itself.
That is what our life in [the church] is about. Each of us is like a little stone, but together we reveal the
face of God to the world. Nobody can say: “I make God visible.” But others who see us together can
say: “They make God visible.” [Christian] community is where humility and glory touch.
—Henri J.M. Nouwen (from the Newsletter Newsletter)You can also read
