Volume 20 Issue 1 January 2016

Youth Collect

non-perishable foods for

Souper Bowl of Caring

Again this year, our youth will be

joining people in churches all

across the country to collect

money and non-perishable foods

for those who are hungry and

hurting. It all started with a single

prayer in a church in South Caro-

lina in 1990 “Lord, even as we

enjoy the Super Bowl football

game, help us to be mindful of

those who are without a bowl of

soup to eat.” Since then over $90

million has been generated

through Souper Bowl of Caring

events.

Foods and funds collected by our

youth will be given to Grass

Roots II, a local agency that helps

feed the needy in San Luis

Obispo. Last year we collected

143lbs of non-perishable foods

and $35, and we’re sure we can

collect more this year. Please

search your pantry for non-

perishable foods to donate and

bring them to church on January

30th or February 7th.

Report from the Search

Committee

It is in the hands of the Vestry! Join us in offering your

support and prayers as they move through their discern-

ment during the month of January.

Peace,

Bud Zeuschner

Communications Officer

Stuffed animals, night-lights, coloring books,

toys and games for chil-dren at the Prado Day

Center and Maxine Lewis Shelter, and

Treat bags for children who attend our

Christmas Breakfast.

Wrapped gifts shown are for the family our

Sunday School adopted through the

Salvation Army: leggos, minecraft and clothes for two boys and a $50 Target gift card for their parents.

Thank you for helping the children of St. Stephen’s bring Christmas joy to local children in need!

The Witness Page 2

Dear SLO Deanery,

Much has happened in the time since

I last wrote to you in November. As I

am sure most of you know, a signifi-cant event occurred on the campus at

Cal Poly this past fall when a student

organization got approval from the university to erect a "free-speech"

wall on Dexter Lawn. The wall

quickly turned into an opportunity for students publicly and anonymously to

post hate speech directed at the

school's under-represented minority

communities. Regardless of the free speech rights of the dominant white,

heterosexual, Christian majority at

Cal Poly, it revealed the lack of toler-ance and understanding of diversity

that plagues the campus and the chill-

ing and often hostile atmosphere that minorities encounter there on a daily

basis.

When students began to organize and demonstrate against this hate speech,

they were met initially with derision

by many students who argued that they were simply exercising their 1st

Amendment right to freedom of

speech, and that if minorities can't

"handle" the free expression of ideas on a college campus, how are they

going to be prepared for the "real

world.?" Terms like "cry-bullies" appeared, seeking to cast the students

who were being marginalized as the intolerant ones.

The university responded by hold-

ing a forum, where students of color

and other under-represented groups courageously got up and spoke

about the daily instances of dis-

crimination they encounter and, sadly, of their regret over having

chosen to come to Cal Poly.

Clearly, the time and need for insti-tutional action had arrived, and to

his credit, university president Jef-

frey Armstrong saw this and spoke

of his own lack of awareness of privilege based on his upbringing

and his recognition of the issues

and challenges facing the univer-sity, as well as the need to imple-

ment reforms to make Cal Poly a

more open and welcoming environ-ment for all students.

From the outset, I recognized this as

an opportunity to minister to and support the students who had organ-

ized into the SLO Solidarity group.

I was careful not to intervene or attempt to guide the group in any

way; but rather, I showed up at their

meetings and offered myself as a

pastoral resource and support to them. Also, because of the nature of

online communication (I trust we've

all experienced the "Comments" sections) I was able gently to re-

direct students who were criticizing

the group's existence or methodol-ogy back to the university faculty

and staff who teach and have train-

ing in anti-oppression work.

As I write to you, the students are

now on their winter break, but they

plan to resume with this work when they return in January. The SLO

Solidarity group has gone from a

marginalized group to one with strong support now from many cor-

ners. In my time here, I have never

before seen the Cal Poly faculty and

staff publicly support an initiative

like this, and the larger SLO activist community has come out in support

as well. Reforms such as diversity

training and awareness, which are

present on other campuses around the country, are being discussed, and it

appears that Cal Poly is now finally

headed in that direction.

Most of all, my ability to serve pub-

licly in this capacity as a chaplain gives the students a vision of spiritual

and pastoral leadership that most of

them have never encountered before.

For this, I am thankful beyond meas-ure for my formation and training in

the Episcopal Church, and for your

support of this Canterbury Ministry over the years. I have offered our

space at The Shire to the students for

organizing as well as respite from their work and studies, and I hope to

continue to develop this relationship

as 2016 progresses. Thank you for all

you do to support our campus minis-try here in SLO.

Berkeley

-- Berkeley Johnson

The Shire @ Canterbury

1344 Nipomo Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 543 7212 ext. 13

canterburyslo@gmail.com

http://sloepiscopalians.org/canterbury/

Prayer-->Study-->Action-->Grace

The Witness Page 3

Ask the Treasurer

First, let me say, Happy New Year to you all. It's really been an amaz-

ing year for us all, with a new Rector on the horizon. It's been an honor

to work with Amber as she has brought a lot of compliance, ideas and

laughter to our church. We will miss her, won't we?

So here is the question of the month.

What is involved in the budget process?

It is that time of year to prepare the budget for next year (2016). I've

become quite familiar with this process (especially after doing it for a

few years) and know it needs to have special attention. My first job is

to review where our numbers are for this year (year to date) compared

to the budgeted figures. Thank goodness we have a wonderful program

(Quickbooks) that makes tracking and planning easy. I can pull up each

line item and look at a snapshot of what was paid out over the year.

We then have a budget meeting with the Senior Wardens, the Rector

and the Sexton to look at each line item and anticipate what our ex-

penses will be for next year. I then enter this in the computer and we

have new budget figures to work with. The bottom line is, we've had a

very successful year financially. As I continue my Treasurer duties, I

am constantly amazed at the generosity of our parishioners.

If anyone wants to meet with me to go over more details about the

budget process, just give me a call.

Here are the Rabobank bank account figures as of November 30, 2015:

Operating $76,113.38

Money Market $35,533.13

Endowment Checking $7,227.08

Respectfully Submitted,

Katie Arndt, Treasurer

BOOK DISCUSSION DINNER

Monday, January 18 at 6:00 pm

We will finish discussing The Secret Chord, a novel by Gerald-ine Brooks, described as "A rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of King David, from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author." When we finish with The Secret Chord, we will read The Barbarian Nurseries, by Hector Tobar. This is San Luis Obispo's "Book of the Year;" and its au-thor is scheduled to visit Cuesta College on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, between 5 and 7 p.m. for a free reception, lecture, and book signing. One reviewer wrote of this book: It "is a dark, poignant and hilarious tale of a family maid in Southern California who tries to hold things together as a marriage falls apart . . That Tobar is so evenhanded, so compassion-ate, so downright smart, should place his new novel on everyone's must-read list.” Both books promise to provide engaging reading and discussion, and all of those who currently attend the Book Club meetings are looking forward to sharing our enjoyment with others in our Parish family who are able to come for a good meal, fellowship, and friendship at our monthly get-togethers on the third Monday of each month. For additional information con-tact Diane Levison at 544-6486.

The Witness Page 4

General Information

The Witness is a monthly newsletter published by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, San Luis Obispo,

CA to provide information about the parish to the congregation. Subscriptions are free to anyone. Send

request along with your name and mailing address to the church office. Donations to help offset

distribution costs are appreciated. Make checks payable to St. Stephen’s.

The Church’s e-mail address is: office@ststephensslo.org

The Witness Editor is Chris Kellett. Contribution of articles is encouraged. Please e-mail

submissions to the editor at witness@ststephensslo.org

The deadline for emailed submission of articles is Friday following the Vestry meeting. Call or email

editor with any questions. © Copyright 2016 by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.

POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections to: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1344

Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3935

VESTRY MEMBERS

Kathryn Bumpass Co-Sr. Warden

Bob Levison Co-Sr. Warden Liz Frost Fellowship

Lynn Hollister Outreach

Dianne Long Stewardship

Robert Misson Pastoral Care/

Membership

Gail Taylor Youth

Chris Arndt Sexton

Katie Arndt Treasurer

Linda Zeuschner Clerk

Grandmother’s House

The New Year is approaching

quickly, so I’d like to pause and

reflect on the journey we’ve

traveled as a school family.

We’ve nurtured and prepared

students for kindergarten and

transitional kindergarten and

for the transition from class to

class. We’ve welcomed new

families and a new staff mem-

ber to our Program and

watched younger siblings

‘grow up’. Many parents have

volunteered their time and

talent at our Work Day and

attended our Field Trip and

Park Days. A number of

parents also serve on our

Board of Directors, as well as a

representative from St.

Stephen’s, Carol Misson. We

are a community! I welcome

the opportunity to continue

this journey into the New Year.

Respectfully,

Dottie Ryan

Director, GHCC

Sierra Service Project Weekend of Service for Youth February 12 –14

The Diocese is participating in a Junior and Senior High service project the weekend of February 12-14. This is a wonderful first-time mission experience for kids unsure about devoting a week or more to summer mission projects or a good mid-year event for experienced Summer Service participants. For anyone inter-ested in being a counselor, here's an opportunity to work closely with experienced Diocesan youth leaders on a weekend service trip.

The cost is $130 and scholarships are avail-able. For more information contact Kathleen at 805-546-0880 or kapenning-ton@netscape.net

(See page 8 for a personal report!)

Diocesan Youth Leader Summit V Enjoy a day of sharing and brainstorming with youth leaders from the diocese at the Fifth Diocesan Youth Leader Summit, to be held Saturday, January 30th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sar-

gent House (Diocesan Office) in Salinas. Whether you're a parent, staff or volunteer, clergy or lay person, this one-day summit will connect us with the community who is doing this important work throughout El Camino Real. We’ll gain practical how-to tips for engaging and ministering to youth of all ages in this rewarding day of sharing and growth. If you’d like to carpool with others from our Deanery, contact Kathleen, kapennington@netscape.net, 805-566-0880.

The Witness Page 5

JANUARY

BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

4th Carol Misson

6th Jane Alderman

7th Elisabeth Abrahams

Linda Zeuschner

13th Fr. Dennis Odekirk

15th Eleanor Coverdale

21st Fred Astaire, Jr.

22nd Mary McCorkle

25th Liz Frost

27th Mary Stuart

Pat Brown

30th Kate Riggins

1st Marshall Granger &

Mary Lud Baldwin

29th Hugh & Carolyn Platt

Hands-On Stewardship

at St. Stephen’s!

THANK YOU TO Doris Highland, Kathleen Pennington, Lynn Hollis-

ter, Alison Preston and Gail Taylor for teaching Sunday School classes

in December.

THANK YOU TO Ed and Kathy Garner for organizing the

Christmas Morning Breakfast program and to the many volunteers who

donated time, talent and funding for this important outreach project.

THANK YOU TO Nancy Foran, Robert & Carol Misson, Pam

Myers and the Sunday School for hosting a coffee hour in December.

THANK YOU TO Jumi Kim, Jennifer Sayre, Anastasia Preston, Isa-

belle Preston, Eric Fisher and St. Stephen’s Choir and Handbells for

their beautiful music during Advent and Christmas Eve.

THANK YOU TO Dianne Long, Alison Preston, Gail Taylor, Lynn

Hollister, Doris Highland, Kathleen Pennington, the Acolytes and other

children and adults for their participation in the Family Christmas Eve

service.

THANK YOU TO Alison, Anastasia and Isabelle Preston for organiz-

ing the Christmas Toy Drive and to the many parishioners who donated

toys for the children at the homeless shelter and the family we adopted

through the Salvation Army.

THANK YOU TO Jeff Wheelwright, Pam Myers, Tom Tarwater, Ogo

Agbo, Doris Highland, Kathleen Pennington and other Christmas Car-

olers who brought the joy of Christmas to residents at Mission View,

Bella Vista and Garden Creek.

THANK YOU TO Chris Kellett who continues to organize and edit

The Witness each month and to Kathleen Pennington who converts it

for the website.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

St. Stephen's pledges for 2016 now total $209,288 including a $20,000 match. Fifty pledges were received to date with 32 pledges indicating an increase in giving. The increase repre-sents $33,951.50. The vestry thanks all generous givers. Dianne N. Long

The Witness Page 6

Sexton’S RepoRt

The Ramsden Hall sewer line has been cleaned prior to the holiday rush and February overflow.

RSVP’s sewer backed up again and was cleaned. I have the glass quotes for the big office/classroom hallway win-

dows. However, I am rethinking the need for the double green out-side doors by the offices, and whether we should remodel that whole wall, install one single new door, and create a nicer vesti-bule/waiting area.

I met with a trusted contractor friend for an informal review and in-

spection of the RSVP building. It is a frame building, not concrete block. The most pressing things he saw were that the mulch and soil should be dug away and down from the front and playground side to expose the stucco weep screed, allow ventilation, and re-move a pathway for insects and rodents into the building.

Another recommendation was that we could pos-

sibly get another 10 years or so out of the struc-ture with a decent reroofing or, better, adding on a truss roof over the existing flat roof, and replac-ing the windows.

Look for a website update soon. Our host has introduced a mobile

friendly design which we will be changing to. I believe mobile friendly is important to attracting younger web viewers.

Respectfully submitted, Chris Arndt

Scriptures for

January

January 3, 2016

Second Sunday after Christmas Day Jeremiah 13:7-14

Psalm 84

Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

January 10, 2016

First Sunday after the Epiphany

Baptism of Our Lord

Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm 29

Acts 8:14-17

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 17, 2016

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10

I Corinthians 12: 1-11

John 2:1-11

January 24, 2016

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19

I Corinthians 12:12-31a

Luke 4:14-21

January 31, 2016

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6

I Corinthians 13:1-13

Luke 4:21-30

“Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.” Author Rachel Naomi Remen

“Faith does not come

from striving; it comes from surrender.” Author Bill Johnson

“No prayer is too big.

No prayer is too small.

Otherwise, we might

not pray at all.” Guideposts reader Karen Strand

“When I was at the

end of my rope, God

was holding the

other end.” Guideposts reader Patricia Balcom

On a Positive Note

The Witness Page 7 JANUARY 2016

Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church 1344 Nipomo Street San Luis Obispo CA 93401-3935

Office: 805 543.7212 Ramsden Hall: 805 543.7215 Fax: 805 543.0744

office@ststephensslo.org http://ststephensslo.org

Office hours: Monday — Thursday 9:00 a.m.— 1:00 p.m.

Key: Ramsden Hall – RH; Boydston Room – BR; Library – L

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 New Year’s Day Parish Office Closed

2

3 2ND Sunday after Christmas

8am Holy Eucharist I 9am Bible Study BR 10am Holy Eucharist Sunday School

4

5

10:00 Yoga - RH

5:30 Centering Prayer

6 Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ

10:30 Women’s Prayer - L 11:30 Healing Service

5:15 Choir Rehearsal

7 8

9

10 Epiphany I 8am Holy Eucharist II 9am Bible Study -L 10am Holy Eucharist &

Sunday School 12:00 History Project

11

.

12

10:00 Yoga - RH 5:30 Centering Prayer

13

8:00 St. Andrew’s B-fast RH

10:30 Women’s Prayer - L 11:30 Healing Service 5:15 Choir Rehearsal

14

12:00 Altar Guild RH

15

16

17 Epiphany II 8am M.P. & HEI 9am Bible Study BR 10am Holy Eucharist Sunday School

18

6pm Book Club RH Witness Deadline

19

10:00 Yoga - RH

5:30 Centering Prayer 7:00 Vestry BR

20 10:30 Women’s Prayer - L 11:30 Healing Service

5:15 Choir Rehearsal

21

22

23

24 Epiphany III 8am Holy Eucharist II 9am Bible Study BR 10am Holy Eucharist &

Sunday School

25

26

5:30 Centering Prayer

27

10:30 Women’s Prayer - L 11:30 Healing Service 5:15 Choir Rehearsal

28 29

30

10-3 in Salinas Youth

Leaders Summit V

31 Epiphany IV

8am HEII 9am Bible Study 10am HEII & Sunday School

11:30 Annual Meet-

ing & Potluck Souper Bowl Food

Drive

The Witness Page 8

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Permit No. 57

ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1344 NIPOMO ST

SAN LUIS OBISPO CA 93401-3935

Address Service Requested

The Witness

St. Stephen’s Services

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist without music 9:00 a.m. Bible Forum in Boydston Room 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with music Sunday School for K-12 (during school year) Child care available during 10:00 am service

Wednesday 11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer

Office Hours Monday—Thursday 9:00 – 1:00 1344 Nipomo Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3935 Office: 805-543-7212 Fax: 805-543-0744 Email: office@ststephensslo.org Website: http://ststephensslo.org

To: The Vestry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal

Re: Sierra Service Project – Chiloquin, OR July 18 – 25 2015

This year I went to Chiloquin again. I was able to go last

year too. It was just as fun, with different staff and different

work sites. Some of the same youth from the other trips were

there as well. We slept downstairs on bunk beds that were

built by past campers. We ate healthy food that tasted great.

My work team built a fence for a homeowner named Sheila.

I had lots of fun this year, thanks to you guys. Thank you for

paying for me to go every year. I really appreciate it, and

I’m sure people like Sheila do too. I’ve decided that when

I’m old enough, I want to be a counselor or even a staff

member of SSP. Again, thank you for giving me such a great

trip every year. I can’t wait until next time.

Grace Ava Jennings

P.S. Thank you, for again, helping Grace go to SSP. You assistance has helped her

during these teen years to want to help others who are in need. Judy Lewis

PPS I apologize for not getting this in the Witness earlier, I wasn’t aware it was in my

box. Chris Kellett