56 pancake dinners were served at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 21st. Father Joel initiated the talent show with a slightly improved rendition of the same repertoire that he has performed on his guitar for the past five years. This broke the ice for jokes from Barry Phillips and John Vesecky. John Martin regaled us with songs by John Denver and Bob Dylan. Orville Canter was the newly discovered talent of the evening with his complex chord progression and arpeggio on the guitar. John Vesecky threatened to bring his ukulele next year.

Lots of fun, fellowship and food at Bingo Night on February 16th. A record number of gamers were present. Calvary parishioners were winners of some of the bigger games: Lucky Seven, Texas T and, Black Out. 

Prayers for The Great Litany were offered twice at Holy Eucharist on February 26th, once during Sunday School and once at the Monday Night Coffeehouse. The young people wrote their own supplications and prayers which included: “Help us to share our stuff with others:” “End war;” and “Help the poor” the response to each prayer was “Savior hear us!” About 25 people from the Monday Night Coffeehouse precessed around the church and city parking lot using the Elizabethan form of the Great Litany with an enthusiastic response to each petition: “Lord we beseech thee to hear us!” 

The Reverend Cathy Crow spoke at ECW on February 24th to a well attended luncheon. Cathy spoke on women of the early Church and was well received. Her talk complemented nicely a presentation made by Sarah Peterson last year at which she reflected on the lives of women in the Bible.

The Pilot Shelter Program at Calvary Church officially began on February13th. Monitors were trained and mattresses were procured. However, there were no guests forthcoming, due to a delay in the vetting process at the Homeless Service Center. We do have guests slated for March 5th with the Vestry also acknowledging the vetting of persons at the Monday Night Coffeehouse as also qualifying to stay at the shelter. 

ECW Diocesan Luncheon: Sally Green was honored as Woman of the Year from Calvary Episcopal Church, and all enjoyed a luncheon menu prepared by the ECW ladies.  Proceeds went toward supporting the UTO Thanksgiving offerings.   This year some of the money raised went to purchase a four-wheel vehicle for the Diocese of Western Tanganika, our sister diocese to the Diocese of El Camino Real.

The Jesus Seminar March 4-5 was attended by over 125 people.  Those in attendance joined the in the scholarly quest for the historical Jesus at First Congregational Church on High Street. Twelve from Calvary Church were in attendance at the two day seminar.  Both Dr. Thomas Sheehan form Stanford University and Dr. Brandon Scott from Phillip’s University in Tulsa presented evidence of an historical Jesus with a passion for social justice.

Shrove Tuesday:  March 8^th was Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, for those who want the literal translation of the French.  At Calvary Church we enjoyed buttery pancakes and sausage, and were entertained by several Calvary musicians before we began our Lenten observance on Ash Wednesday, the next day.  Thanks to Tom and Cathy Watson’s generous donation of food and talent.  We raised $330 from the proceeds of the Shrove Tuesday dinner. 66 dinners were served.

Ash Wednesday we commenced the observance of Lent with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.  Interestingly of the 66 who ate pancakes the night before only 58 came for the imposition of ashes.  Who are those Mardi Gras celebrants that aren’t observing Lent?

First Sunday of Lent, March 13, Bishop Ernest Shalita from Uganda preached at both services of Holy Eucharist.  Bishop Shalita is the retired bishop of Mahubura, Uganda and was the dean of the Cathedral in Kampala during the reign of Idi Amin.  He shared about the persecution of the church in Uganda during his ministry and particularly of the assassination of Archbishop Luwum by Idi Amin.  His autobiography is available in the church office for $15.

The Te Deum Concert was well attended on March 27.  The choir preformed an   arrangement of the Te Deum by Edward Elgar and by Henry Purcell.  Joel P. Rogers preformed a selection by William Matthias on the organ.  A reception followed.

Ski Trip March 18-20. Lots of driving -- over 20 hours. Lots of Junior High humor – a van load of eight Jr. High boys.  Molly Hanson was spared the boys comradeship and humor, as she along with her parents traveled in another car. Christina and  Rebecca Miller also journeyed in another car along with Robert Heinvetter. Unfortunately there was no skiing or snow boarding this weekend.  Highway 80 was closed from an accident on Friday night and blocked by bad weather on Saturday morning. We made a valiant effort to drive to Homewood, but were forced to turn back.  However, we did have Evening Prayer on the top of Highway 17 before coming back to church on Saturday night.

Shadowbrook Restaurant fundraising endeavor was supported by 31 Lenten diners.  Yes, we are allowed to eat during the Lenten fast. Our Shadowbrook dining did not violate the canons for Lent.  We are anticipating more than $500 in revenues from the event.

Mark, Erin and Samantha Duncan were displaced by the huge rock and mudslide near their house. Unable to drive on the road leading to their home, they have taken refuge at Mark’s sister’s home in Santa Barbara until repairs are made to the road.

Luis Moro, Caryn Machado’s husband and Julian’s stepdad was recognized for his gourmet chocolate in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

The Reverend Donald Schell, March 20 preached and celebrated at both services of Holy Eucharist.  Father Schell is one of the founding rectors at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in San Francisco.  Father Schell engaged the Adult Forum in a lively and profitable discussion of church growth in a changing world.

Stats from the Pews

Includes Saturday evening and Sunday services of Holy Eucharists and Offices of Prayer

*Average Sunday Attendance and Revenues for February 2010 and 2011

Average Sunday Attendance, February 2011 –  92

Average Sunday Attendance, February 2010 –  97

Revenues, February 2011   – $ 22,148.00

Revenues, February 2010 – $ 19,214.00

Expenses, February 2011 – $ 24,935.00

Expenses, February 2010 – $ 24,148.00

Budgeted Revenues February 2011 -  $ 23,771.00

Budgeted Revenues, February 2010 – $ 24,151.00

Budgeted Expenses, February 2011 – $ 25,111.00

Budgeted Expenses, February 2010 – $ 24,191.00

Year to Date Revenues 2011 – $ 42,247.00

Year to Date Revenues 2010 – $ 43,840.00

Year to Date Expenses 2011 – $ 48,745.00

Year to Date Expenses 2010 – $  49,279.00

**Actual Year-to-Date Income/Expense Balance 2011 – $  - (6,4.98.00)

Actual Year-to-Date Income/Expense Balance 2010 –

$  -  (5,439.00)

**Projected Year-to-Date Income/Expense Balance 2011 – $  - (6,228.00)

Projected Year-to-Date Income/Expense Balance 2010 – $  -  (7,451.00)

*Attendance and revenue numbers are given for the month preceding the previous month in the Crossroads because balance sheets for the previous month are not available until after the Crossroads is published.