13091 Galway Street

Garden Grove, CA. 92844

(714) 537-0604

10/26/02

Dear Parish Family:

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord! On behalf of your parish family, it brings me great pleasure to extend this greeting. As most of you know, we are heading for a busy time in the life of the parish. With the holidays looming over our heads, we once again prepare to come to the end of yet another liturgical year. With December rapidly approaching, the season of Advent will soon be upon us, and thereafter we will be celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. But let’s no get ahead of ourselves. We just celebrated Halloween last night with a Hobo Stew, games, and the carving of pumpkins; and Thanksgiving -- thankfully -- is still a whole month away.

Much has happened in the life of the parish since last Advent. Most notably is the presence of our small Latino congregation. Our new communicants are slowly embracing the Episcopal Church, and gaining a new identity as Episcopalians. Most of our Latino newcomers come from the Roman Catholic tradition, thus they are familiar with our style of liturgical worship. Attendance for the 8:00 AM Spanish service averages about 30, and has been as high as 62 on any given Sunday. The newcomers are enthusiastic, and are finding a new home at St. Anselm’s Church. Many of you have seen our newcomers as you arrive for the English service on Sunday morning, and the Spanish service is just ending. You may have also heard the wonderful and lively music we sing at that service, thanks to Leo Barrientos. Leo Barrientos has been leading the music for the Spanish Eucharist since the start of that ministry.

In the last few weeks Leo has become the Choir Director for the entire parish. Along with John Goodrich he will continue to lead our music program for the 10:00 AM Sunday Eucharist. This has been yet another blessing that has come to us as a result of our Latino ministry. Leo is a gifted musician, and his playing is very spirited. He can play spirituals, jazz up traditional hymns, or even improvise soothing melodies based on old hymns. He hopes to expand the choir. In his native Chile Leo once led a choir of over 100 voices. So if you would like to sing in our modest choir, this is your chance, it won’t be boring with Leo!!!

Along with new changes in the parish comes the recent hiring of Ms. Nieves Barrientos to work part time in the office as our parish secretary. Nieves is married to Leo, and will be here Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. She’s bilingual, very enthusiastic, and always happy to be of service. It will take her a while to learn the ropes, but she’s a fast study. I anticipate that she will be much loved by our parish family.

On another note, we have a significant event coming up before the holidays are upon us. The event is "Invite a Friend Sunday." Last Summer we had a couple of parish wide meetings on how to expand our membership, and after viewing the video titled "Invite a Friend Sunday" we all decided it would be a good idea to have an "Invite a Friend Sunday." The congregation in the video was much like ours, small, largely elderly, and after that Sunday, there membership went up about 30%. On "Invite a Friend Sunday" there were more invited guests present, than actual members in attendance. What this means is that you should invite many friends to come, but at the very least bring one friend. That day we will also have a catered brunch, so invite, invite, invite, and bring. The date for "Invite a Friend Sunday" is November 17^th. Mark your calendars, we want at least 100 people here that Sunday, start getting busy !!!!

Among other future activities is our upcoming Stewardship Sunday, on Sunday December 8^th. We need a few brave souls willing to share with the congregation in less than three minutes, why this parish is important to them, and why they pledge. If you are one of those brave souls, please contact me, or a member of our Vestry. This will be a wonderful opportunity to witness and help build-up our parish family.

Not all news is good news, and as you know we have had our shares of woes in the parish. Most recently we lost our much-loved brother: John Kloman. This was difficult for many of us; John was a pillar in our midst. He was selfless in his dedication to the work of our Lord. We were all hoping to see John ordained to the priesthood, but our Lord had other plans for him. Before he died he had visions of Christ, which does not surprise me. We all know how deeply spiritual John was. In honor of John, our Vestry has decided to name one of our children’s atriums, the "John Kloman Atrium." He loved working with the kids, and so it is a very fitting homage to John. Our prayers are with his family, as we thank our Lord for his witness in our midst. May his soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

On that note, I would also like to share with you that we will have a special "Dia de los Muertos" altar in the Mexican tradition in All Saints Chapel on "All Souls Day" and the following Sunday (November 2^nd and 3^rd). Folks are invited to bring photographs of their deceased loves ones to put on the altar, along with something their loved one’s liked to eat or drink during their pilgrimage through the earth. Typical items include sweet breads. It will be very colorful, and lively. This tradition helps the living to accept the eventuality of death, with some degree of humor, and it helps us to honor the gift of life, which comes and goes in a flash.

In closing, there is much going on at St. Anselm’s Church, and much to be done. We are currently in need of new Eucharistic Ministers to take communion out to the sick, and we also need new acolytes. If you are interested, and discern that God is calling you to serve in this or any other ministry, please contact me.

As we approach Thanksgiving, and Advent comes into the picture, I’d like to remind us all that it is a holy season. The drive to purchase consumer items, and over indulge in food and drink is strong. Let’s celebrate yes, but let us also keep in mind that it is foremost a holy season, a time to become centered, ponder the gift of Christ in our lives, and reflect on our journey toward full redemption.

In Grace,

The Rev. Wilfredo Benitez

Rector