Newport Beach Anglican
The Rev. Richard Crocker, serving the Lord at St. James Anglican Church, Newport Beach, CA, in the Diocese of Western Anglicans.
QR stands for quick response. Smart phone users who have a bar code scanner app can quickly access images, websites and text.
The QR code above is the code for St. James’s website. When it’s scanned by a smart phone equipped with a bar code scanner app, the phone’s browser navigates immediately to the church website which is set up for smart phone viewing.
QR codes were developed by a Japanese company called Denso-Wave to keep inventory. Because QR codes allow for more data than the standard 10-digit bar code — and because scanning requires less effort than typing a URL, the QR code is now being used by lots of people, from realtors and clothing stores to websites and St. James Church to help consumers shop. More info on QR codes.
At St. James we’re actively pursuing new media (also called social media) opportunities at St. James. If you’re not following us on Twitter and Facebook, now’s the time to do it! We tweet and post to Facebook pics and videos of stuff that’s happening at St. James. Every week we post to Facebook a non-church-related video that’s fun for the whole family to watch. Be part of the fun!
If you’re still not sure how or why new media can help you connect with others and build relationships, contact our communications director, Karen Bro, and she’ll be happy to come to your house and help you set up accounts on your computer. Or if you have a laptop, make an appointment with Karen and meet in her office.
Karen Bro, communications director
kbro@stjamesnb.org
Twitter: @stjamesnb
Facebook: on.fb.me/stjamesnb
Smart phone: 949 235-4568
From the April 2011 Newsletter
We were incredibly blessed in mid-March with the outstanding success of the Kingdom Conference and on Sunday, March 20 when we were graced by the presence of preacher extraordinary, the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Green (pic below). He is well-known worldwide as a church leader and teacher and showed us why during his time with us.
The Kingdom Conference theme was “You Will Be My Witnesses” and Canon Michael inspired us to be witnesses, not just in our personal lives, but also in how the church reaches out to the world. And he reminded us that we are witnesses to Jesus — especially at the Cross where we see the extent of the cost of God’s rescue mission to the world — and in Christ’s Resurrection — where we see God’s victory demonstrated over all that is against His purposes.
On Sunday, March 20, the Gospel appointed for the day was John 3, which includes the story of Nicodemus — “You must be born again!” ‑— and the famous Bible verse: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that all who believe in Him may not perish but have everlasting life!”
At Canon Michael’s request we rearranged the services at 9 and 11 am so the sermon came last. This enabled him to preach and invite the congregation to respond — which they did! More than 20 people received Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord and many more made a recommitment to Jesus! Each new Christian then received a free gift of one of Canon Michael’s books explaining more fully their commitment to Jesus Christ plus a copy of the Gospel of John.
Canon Michael also spoke to these new Christians in Trane Hall after each service and used John 1 to talk about Christian assurance and the promise they — and we — have in the Father’s Word, the Son’s work, and the Holy Spirit’s witness. The passage concludes with, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know you have eternal life.”
Canon Michael was especially appreciative of the method for responding to his sermon which a team from St. James had put together which included the free gifts, prayer teams in the church, the “after meeting” in Trane Hall and a follow-up class. “It’s brilliant,” Canon Michael said about the response method, “best I’ve seen – well done!”
These newly-minted Christians will attend four Sunday morning sessions of “Christian Foundations,” a class to learn more about the basics of being a new Christian. In these sessions, they will be nurtured and encouraged in their blossoming understanding of what it means to be a follower Christ. Please do keep this group in your daily prayers as they step into new life in Jesus.
In various settings — in large groups, small groups and with individuals — Michael Green was able to demonstrate in our midst the way of the Christan witness. We have learned a tremendous amount from his example. Our first staff meeting following Canon Michael’s visit fairly bubbled with excitement as many staff members recounted with delight all they witnessed. May the lessons he imparted stick, and may many find Jesus through our witness.
Jesus is Alive! So how then should we live? With our eyes on Jesus, with the Holy Spirit living in us, with our purpose being to bring others into the Light of Christ, that we will know with assurance whose we are, and so we can look forward with surety to hearing those longed for words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Kingdom Conference 2011 pics (thanks to parishioner/photographer Joe Konieczny)
That’s me at the podium in plenary hall on opening night.
My associate at St. James, the Rev. Cathie P. Young, assisting priest.
The Chad and Lillian Sutton family.
Outdoor dining and talking about God at KC2011.
Fr. Joe Rees prays with a woman.
St. James parishioner Ron Speers with Michael Green.
David Charter, a parishioner and advocate for Dwelling Places, a ministry that cares for poor and orphan children in Uganda.
From the March 2011 newsletter
The introductory paragraph in the Prayer Book (BCP p 264) tells us a great deal about the intention and proposed practice of Lent. We learn that it has been the practice of the Church from the earliest days to mark the Lord’s passion and resurrection “with great devotion” for which the season of Lent developed as a preparation.
This preparation took the form of “penitence and fasting” and was also a major time in which converts were prepared and presented for the Sacrament of Baptism. Similarly, those who had been under discipline in the church for various reasons were reconciled through penitence and forgiveness and readmitted to the body.
The invitation thus is presented “to a holy Lent,” which is described as including the following seven disciplines: self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, reading God’s holy Word, and meditating on it. How can you be involved in each one?
The traditional enquiry, “What are you giving up for Lent?” seems to apply to one or two of these, but I hope you can see that the overall exercise is intended to be much more positive and beneficial than the mere avoidance of some aspect of your surroundings! One way to be involved in a number of these disciplines is to attend the midweek teaching on the Lord’s Prayer — “Praying the Jesus Way” — which we will offer on Wednesday evenings, including programs for children and youth, through Lent! Details at the end of this post.
So often this season is presented as a time of negativity and endurance. While it is true that our Sundays take on a somewhat subdued atmosphere, and the season is designed as a short term of spiritual renewal and re-emphasis, the common experience of those who engage fully with Lent is renewed strength for their Christian walk with God, greater joy at Easter as a celebration of the resurrection, and renewed vitality for our Christian mission. Have a holy Lent!
‘PRAY THE JESUS WAY’ SCHEDULE
This five-week program has it all: family potluck, fellowship, and teaching for adults, youth and kids! Join us each Wednesday for a teaching on the Lord’s Prayer that we’re calling “Pray the Jesus Way,” from March 16 through April 13.
6 pm ~ Potluck in Trane Hall
7-8 pm ~ Teachings:
•Adults, church, with Pastor Richard
•Youth, Trane Hall
•Kids, Room 100, 2nd-5th grade
Room 102, preschool-1st grade
Nursery, infant through age 2
Motivation
“If you want to build a ship, do not drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
~ Antoine de Saint Exupéry
From the February 2011 newsletter:
by the Rev. Richard Crocker
We’re gearing up for the annual pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, March 8, and we typically enjoy a great turnout and a happy celebration. But why do we do this, and what does that name mean? As always with our church customs, a little history helps!
The period leading up to Good Friday and Easter — the season called Lent — is marked by fasting, acts of penitence and renewed discipline, and is intended as a spiritual preparation for Easter as well as an opportunity to develop our own discipleship and obedience. As part of this period — and to emphasize the aspect of fasting — the diet changed to a simple one, free of foods containing fats like butter, which emphasized the austerity of the season.
The day before the season began, in religious houses and communities around Christendom, the remaining “celebratory foods” were consumed in what became a party atmosphere ahead of the marking of Ash Wednesday. That explains the “Tuesday” part. The “Shrove” part comes from the practice, immediately before embarking on the disciplines of Lent, of being “shriven.” Before Lent, everyone was expected to make their confession before a priest, acknowledge their sin and make the penance prescribed — the process known as “shriving.”
It is easy to forget reasons for celebrations. Because the mind seems to naturally gravitate towards the celebration meal rather than the penitence, the meal has become prominent. Indeed, the modern spectacle of Mardi Gras — Fat Tuesday — seems to confirm this, as parades and all kinds of amusement, many of which seem to be developing areas which need penitence rather than a sober reflection on our human fallibility, are more prominent than displays of religious piety!
So let me remind us all that celebration is usually tied to a deeper meaning, which it is good to remember. And let us recapture the serious purpose of Lent, as we prepare our hearts and minds to deepen our appreciation of, and engagement with, discipleship in the light of the Cross and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
From the November 2010 newsletter:
by the Rev. Richard Crocker, rector
The recent announcement that Rev. Jack and Cathie Bunting will be leaving St James has taken us all by surprise. Though we are saddened by the news, we can appreciate their desire to be nearer Cathie’s mother at this particular time, and for their desire to take sabbatical time to seek the Lord for new direction. It is only within the last month that Jack had to preside at his own mother’s funeral, so this has been a turbulent couple of months for them, but we know that careful prayer and thought will have gone into this faithful decision.
Jack and Cathie joined the church at a time when their gifts and personality were greatly needed. Amid a turnover in leadership, they have modeled a stable lifestyle and good humor that have been widely appreciated. At the staff level, Jack has managed with a competence and humor that brought their own healing to a needy situation. And I will always be grateful for Jack’s support and encouragement as we moved in to the church and rectory.
But how will those church BBQs ever be the same? The cowboy, Arizona, song and joke repertoire that Jack introduced will be hard to maintain or follow! But we will try. But more than that, we have appreciated their faithful prayer ministry, Jack’s preaching and teaching, and the encouragement he brought to small groups. For someone whose responsibilities were administrative, Jack has blessed us in a great many other directions. His letter to me announcing his resignation was very typically Jack:
“This decision has come as a result of Cathie and me entering into an extended period of prayer and seeking the Lord for his direction for us. We sense it is necessary for us in this season of our ministry to take a sabbatical in order to devote more time to hearing the clear direction that the Lord has for our future. We also feel that it’s important to make a commitment to providing further direct oversight for the care of my mother-in-law who is in continuing failing health.
“We want to extend our gratitude to the leaders and parishioners of Saint James Church who have continued to pray and support us in the ministry we have participated in as a community of Christ. Please be assured that our reason for leaving is not related to any personal conflicts but it is a response to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to step into a new season of seeking and serving in the kingdom.
“We would humbly ask that you would continue to keep us in your prayers as we look to the Lord for his provision and guidance.”
A missionary statesman once said, “The church must always be sending and giving its best.” Jack and Cathie are taking time to rest, invest in family, but also to seek the next step in the Lord’s plan for their lives. As they leave us, we are those who feel the loss of sending our best.
Jack’s last day in the office will be Monday, November 15. We will take time to bless them and celebrate their time with us on Sunday November 7 between services in Trane Hall. Please be with us to celebrate the Bunting’s ministry.
From the October 2010 newsletter:
by the Rev. Richard Crocker, pastor
This year’s Annual Meeting is Thursday, October 28, and we’ll gather at the regular site — The American Legion Hall — for our meal, fellowship and business meeting.
I have remarked before how wonderful it is that St James Church has developed a a great evening around the occasion of our annual meeting. We’ve combined elements of a family banquet, business meeting, reporting on our activities, vestry elections, “thank yous” and a “State of the Church” address into an atmosphere that is a sell-out fun event! Long may that continue!
The vestry election midway through the evening is quite important. We as a church benefit from the sacrifice of time and effort that our vestry members put in to sharing the leadership of this church, and, as some rotate off at the completion of their term, I invite you to be prayerful about who is elected to join the group. Take note of the candidates who have agreed to be nominated, and get to know them if you don’t already. Candidate bios will be available beginnning October 17 at the Annual Meeting sign up table.
The reports we’ll hear will not just be in the form of the published annual report and budget. There will be published ministry reports to be sure, and remarks by the senior warden, but watch for the church family slide show, as well as input from individuals in whom God has been working. God is doing a lot in and among us as a congregation and we’ll hear more about this.
In my address I will let you know where we are as a church, as well as to chart a course for our future. Our vision and goals as they arise from review and planning will be a central focus of our leadership and the wider church in the coming months, and I urge you to come and be part of our annual celebration of being a church family. Ticket sales begin Sunday, October 3 on the patio. Vestry candidate bios can be picked up at the same table beginning October 10.
From the September 2010 newsletter:
by the Rev. Richard Crocker, rector
The transition from summer to fall is less pronounced in Newport Beach than anywhere I have ever lived! I suppose I could also add that the transition from winter through spring to summer is also less pronounced, happens earlier and with less warning than elsewhere. Our weather is, let’s face it, more “summery” than you can find in a lot of places, which is why the vacation season starts earlier, lasts longer, and is more intense than we often are aware. And this has a spiritual implication for us, because, try as we might to avoid it, the fall season does come. Colleges reopen, children go back to school, workplaces pick up a new rhythm, and churches unveil their fall programs.
If the experience around the country is accepted, summer brings with it that laid-back, easy-living, beach day feel, that says everything is on hold until — Labor Day! For some that includes their regular discipleship habits. Worship services may be lighter, small groups take a break with vacations in mind, and we can be tempted to do the same with our personal prayer and Bible reading, witness and service which is part of becoming a new person in Christ. We have all heard of the church “summer slump” in giving, and we wait, as with all these other areas, for things to pick up come September. But what if September never comes, as far as reconnection with Christ is concerned? We, who live in a longer “summer” than most, need to be particularly careful that the summer bug did not bite us, or if so, that we have taken the fall antidote for our malady.
Peter writes, “…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8) To follow this biblical advice, may I encourage you in reconnecting, if that is necessary, with your small group (or join one which will be starting soon), be encouraged to pray and read your Bible for yourself, and find those ways of active service that are the main way to grow. We have new ways to help you at St James - I encourage you to develop those qualities Peter writes about, and know the fruitful effectiveness which is the great reward.
Let me finish by paying tribute to the many for whom summer at St James has not been a vacation but mission business as usual! From youth activities and Vacation Bible School to Alpha, marriage renewal, mission trips, and service with our interns, we have been involved in activities that have built up Christians in the body. For these and others, summer means the summer sprint, not the summer slump. May their number increase!
From the July 2010 newsletter:
by the Rev. Richard Crocker, pastor
We’re enjoying so much the presence and input of our summer interns, Andy Bowden from Oxford University, UK, and David Westfall from Calvin College in Grand Rapids (pic at left). Both are at St. James as part of their pursuit of ordination to become Anglican priests. Andy is near the end of his ordination track and David is testing a call to ordination.
They’re gaining parish experience and we are employing their many gifts as they participate in leading worship, working with children and youth, and partaking of pastoral visits. I’ve also asked them to use their fresh eyes as they visit the church and community to imagine what else we might be able to do in outreach. Andy, David and I conduct a service of Morning Prayer every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays mornings at 8:30 in the chapel — please do join us.
They’re staying in a parishioner’s apartment near the church. David and Andy are open to invitations for lunch and dinner, so don’t hesitate to invite them for a home-cooked meal or dinner out! You will bless them. Call the church office, [949] 675-0210, to reach them.
Andy joined us in late June and will be with us for five weeks, departing in late July. David arrived in mid-June and will be with us for 10 weeks, departing in mid-August. He has just finished his junior year. We met Andy in our June newsletter. Now it’s time to fill in David’s details!
by David Westfall, summer intern
I was born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and grew up in the public schools. During my freshman year of high school, I got involved in Young Life, a non-denominational youth ministry. Through this ministry and my involvement in my church youth group I was led to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Since then I’ve always been passionate about Young Life, and am now a leader for Junior High kids at a school in Grand Rapids, MI. I took piano lessons for nine years, was in Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I’ve always loved music (of almost any kind) as well as reading and the outdoors — backpacking is one of my favorite things to do.
I was baptized as an infant at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, IL, where my parents were married and where we attended church regularly throughout my childhood. After the 2003 Episcopal General Convention, our church was deeply divided by controversy over the changes in the Episcopal church, and a large group of us left to form All Souls’ Anglican Church in Wheaton, now a member of the ACNA. I would say the transition deeply affected me in that it compelled me to really understand my beliefs in an environment full of controversy.
For the past three years I’ve been studying at Calvin College in Grand Rapids as a double major in Classical Studies and Greek. The ancient world has always fascinated me. My major combines my deep love of history, literature, philosophy, religion, and language. My ultimate interests, however, lie in New Testament studies as well as in pastoral ministry which is why I’m so excited about this internship at St. James!
I’m enjoying the worship and the opportunity to serve in a vibrant, God-loving community, and to understanding more clearly the future to which God is calling me as a laborer in the Gospel.
From the June 2010 newsletter:
by the Rev. Richard Crocker, pastor
I have wonderful news to share! This summer we’ll be blessed with two interns who will join us at St. James as part of their pursuit of ordination to become Anglican priests!
Their goal is to gain parish experience and we will employ their many gifts as they participate in leading worship, working with children and youth, and partaking of pastoral visits. I’ve also asked them to use their fresh eyes as they visit the church and community to imagine what else we might be able to do in outreach.
Andy Bowden is from Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and David Westfall will join us from Calvin College in Grand Rapids. Andy is near the end of his ordination track and David is testing a call to ordination.
David arrives June 12 and will be with us for 10 weeks, departing in mid-August. He has just finished his junior year. Andy will join us June 19 and will be with us for five weeks, departing in late July. As of press time we have Andy’s story in hand and you’ll find it after the jump. When David checks in we’ll make his story available to you as well. For now, let’s meet Andy Bowden from Wycliffe Hall, Oxford!
~ ~ ~
Hello to everyone at St James Church Newport Beach, my name is Andy Bowden. I’m currently studying at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford for ordination into the Church of England. I am very excited about heading out to Newport Beach for my summer placement and to all that awaits me there, including of course the opportunity to get to know as many of you as possible. I’m on the left in this photo.
I was born and raised in Plymouth, a lovely coastal city in the South West of England, the city where the pilgrim fathers set sail for the new world in 1620! I grew up as one of eight children (I have three brothers and four sisters) and had the privilege of being part of a church going family, spending each Sunday at our local church of St Andrews. It was in my early teens, whilst attending a Billy Graham conference, that I came to understand the reality of God’s grace, and committed my life to Christ as Lord and saviour.
Since that point I have been involved in youth groups, school and university Christian Unions and have been blessed with some great Christian friends who have been a real encouragement over the years. After graduating I took on the role of Youth Worker at St Andrew’s church where I grew up, and nine years later I find myself here in Oxford.
My family and sports take up most of my spare time. I have 12 nieces and nephews at the last count, ranging from 14 years to 6 months old. I also enjoy all sports, at the moment waterpolo takes up lots of time as I play for the university team here in Oxford, but I am happy to try out any other sport I can get involved with!
I am sure there is more I could tell you, but not wanting to bore you with more, I will leave it there for now and let you ask anything else when I meet you.
In the meantime – God bless – and I look forward to meeting you at the end of June.
