Cherishing God’s Earth
by Recycling at Church

             You care for the land and water it;
             you enrich it abundantly.
             The streams of God are filled with water
             for so you have ordained it
                          Psalm 65:9

Great news about keeping our church and community rooms clean, while helping us to be better stewards of Planet Earth: We have new recycling containers in both the Parish Hall and outside the Community Room. Also, Waste Management has brought us more blue recycling carts, so that the cleaning people can empty the contents into the blue containers for pickup.

In Scotts Valley we can recycle glass, cans, plastic, and all kinds of paper and cardboard (except tissue paper). These items may be mixed, regardless of what it says on the containers. They are sorted at the recycle facility. We will also have a paper bin in the office, which we can use for old church bulletins.

So please use our new recycling bins, and encourage all those using the church to do so as well.

Yours in Service,
             Susan Seaburg,, Bishop’s Warden

Honoring the Women
of the Diocese

Serving with a grateful
and joyful heart

During the Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 28, the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women will honor women from across the diocese. ECW President Jane Pomeroy has invited Rectors and Vicars in El Camino Real to nominate for 2007:

“A woman who proclaims her faith through her life and actions, who shows her faith through her works, and works to glorify God, not for her own benefit.”

The meeting will take place at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Gilroy, with registration, refreshments and fellowship at 9:30 am and Holy Eucharist at 10. During the luncheon, the ECW will recognize each honored woman with commentary regarding her nomination and will present a certificate of recognition from ECW. We hope that you and others from your parish/mission will be able to join her to celebrate with us. All women of the diocese are members of the Episcopal Church Women. Parish priests and other parish members of the honorees are encouraged to attend and join the celebration.

Questions? Call: Jane Pomeroy

New Sanctuary Arrangement

Chairs in the Sanctuary have been moved to create a more accessible flow of space. This will allow more people access to seating in the middle and more room to accommodate our ever-growing youth band ministry near the piano. Nyna Dolby, experienced sanctuary designer of St. Timothy’s, Mountain View, consulted with Pastor Mary, Barbara Lyon and Jane Ellis in reconfiguring our sacred space for the benefit of all.

ECW To Honor Barbara Lyon

Pastor Mary has nominated Barbara Lyon to be honored at the annual meeting of the Episcopal Church Women with the following letter:

Dear Jane Pomeroy,

Barbara is an outstanding leader at St. Philip’s, serving as Altar Guild Director, Lector, Liturgical Arts Team, Stewardship Team, Junior Warden, Facilities Coordinator, and service with a smile on the Bishop’s Committee for 3 years. Barbara is one of those people who offers “warm fuzzies” by her mere presence in a room, allowing the warmth of her heart to glow brightly with the love of God.

Her hospitality, creativity, dedication, insight and intelligence are offered in gracious loving service in multiple ways. Barbara is also willing to try new things as invited to do so. We give thanks for her generous spirit, as we honor her as “Woman of the year” at St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church, Scotts Valley.

             Pastor Mary Blessing

Welcome Pastor Lauran Pifke

The Rev. Lauran Pifke will be a frequent visiting preacher so that Pastor Mary can take some time to be with the Senior High students. (Right now St. Philip’s does not have a Senior High Youth Mentor.) Pastor Lauran is the former Stewardship Director for the Diocese of California, and more recently Interim Rector at Calvary Episcopal Church in Santa Cruz. She continues to live in the area until she receives a new call. We are delighted to have her and her husband Fred as often as they are able to be with us.