3 October, 2006

Dear Parish Family:

Time it seems is always moving on. Once again we are leaving behind the bright hot days of summer and moving into the cooler cloudy days of autumn. Thankfully it won’t get too cold for us here in Southern California, and personally I welcome the cooler weather. Last summer was the hottest summer I’ve ever experienced since coming to California some 12 years ago and quite often it got me thinking about how the earth’s climate is changing. We had record-breaking heat throughout the nation, and in fact, around the world. Global warming is a topic of conversation on the lips of many people these days and it is a phenomenon that the scientific community is warning, has already had grave consequences. At the accelerated rate of global warming that we are experiencing, if we don’t take action soon, the effects may be irreversible and catastrophic.

Here at St. Anselm’s we have taken a definite turn in the direction of social justice ministries, peace, and the environment, among others. This is all part of our calling to be prophetic and faithful stewards of the earth. St. Francis whose feast day the church celebrates on October 4, is a great saint known for his connection to nature and the earth, he is one we can call upon to intercede on our behalf, as we struggle to reverse and detain the effects of global warming. It pleases me that through the efforts of the St. Anselm’s Arts and Awareness Café we will be one of a select number of churches in Orange County that will be screening the movie: "An Inconvenient Truth" on Thursday October 5th, at 6:30PM (a light supper will be served). I had the opportunity to see the film this past summer when it was playing in theatres, and it had a profound impact on me. It was a genuine wake-up call, and it is my hope that Americans across the nation will move beyond partisanship politics and wake-up to the reality of global warming and the fact that we are fast running out of time. Houses of worship everywhere need to spearhead the campaign to save our earth before it is too late.

Connected to the environment I am happy to share that my photography on environmental beach pollution, which I call "Poetic Debris" (www.BenitezRivera.com) will be on display at the: "Caring for Creation Conference," taking place on Saturday October 21st at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Tustin. The keynote speaker will be author and priest Matthew Fox who has written extensively on Creation Spirituality. Matthew Fox was formally a Dominican monk who had been silenced by the Vatican. He is now a priest in the Anglican/Episcopal Communion.

I am also pleased to share that our Interfaith Council will also have a program on the environment titled: "How to Start an Environmental Ministry in your House of Worship," which will take place on Thursday October 5^th at 12:00 PM at the Garden Grove Community Center. While I am at it, I should mention that I’ve been elected president of the Interfaith Council of Garden Grove, Westminster and Stanton, for the next term. Another event I should mention… is a lecture by Dr. Amir Hussain of the department of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on his new book: "Oil and Water, Two Faiths: One God" This talk and lecture will take place here at St. Anselm’s on Thursday October 26^th, 2006 at 7:00 PM.

Last summer we shared a wonderful time of coming together for a series of biblical reflections through our "Summer Sunset with Friends" program, organized by Mother Minh Hanh Nguyen. The fellowship and attendance was the best we’ve had in years and the meals and praise music we sang were truly uplifting. This is a formula we will continue to follow so even with our film events, be prepared for a devotional moment of prayer and singing

As you can see our programming at St. Anselm’s has increased significantly. We have ongoing planning for future events and at this time it is likely that we will be hosting the Annual Thanksgiving Observance for the Interfaith Council which takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 22^nd, at 7:00 PM. Also in the month of November I will be giving a talk at the Fullerton Museum connected to a photography exhibition at said location by photographer and writer Nick Nahmias titled: "Golden States of Grace, Prayers of the Disinherited". This will take place on November 2, 2006 at 6:30 PM. For more information on this extraordinary show, visit http://www.goldenstatesofgrace.com/preview.html, or better yet, visit the Fullerton Museum Center located at 301 N. Pomona, Fullerton, CA. 92832.

As all these events take place I am amazed at how God has been blessing us recently. It pleases me to share that we’ve been able to raise the funds needed for the new church doors and roof repairs. Soon the new doors will be installed. The Little Church used by our Vietnamese congregation has gotten a face-lift with fresh new paint, and the entire sprinkler system for the grounds around the entire church property has been replaced. This was made possible because of a building fund raised by our Vietnamese members. The property wall on the west side of the Blue House (the rectory) is also going to be rebuilt (it is about to fall over) thanks to a gift from Dr. John Kim, who is the developer building the new mall adjacent to our parking lot, who will also donate the repaving of our parking lot once that project is completed.

Well, I can go on and on, there is more to share but this letter is long enough. Suffice it to say that the Spirit of God is moving in our midst in new ways and leading us to a new place. All of these things are signs of hope. Before I end I’d like to thanks Sue Lansdon for taking on the task of leading our First Communion Class for the children of our Latino congregation, and Ann Yensen for once again leading us in Sunday Adult Forums on the book titled: "On the Love of God."

Wishing you God’s Peace, I remain,

In His Service,

Wilfredo Benitez +

The Rev. Wilfredo Benitez,

Rector

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