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On
August 28, 2008, I wrote a blog entry called “Make Poverty History” about
“U2Charist” – the
U2 music and worship service
which will be at 7 pm tonight (20 September) at
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church (13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, CA).
The funds offered at the event will benefit
Peter Kithene’s
project Mama Maria Kenya, and
Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD).

For some, it is nothing special to go to a Christian church for a service
or event, but for others this is a strange and scary prospect. For them,
I have a book to recommend:

How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook 4th Edition, Editors: Stuart M. Matlins,
Arthur J. Magida (Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006), ISBN-10: 1594731403,
ISBN-13: 978-1594731402

I have the 1999 book by the same authors: How to Be a Perfect Stranger:
A Guide to Etiquette in Other People’s Religious Ceremonies. I have
found this book helpful when attending religious celebrations outside of my
experience.

The chapter on Episcopalian and Anglican includes “Guest Behavior
During the Service” such as:

“…a guest who is not Episcoplaian/Anglican
[is]…expected to stand and
kneel with the congregation, read prayers aloud and sing with the congregants,
if this does not compromise their personal beliefs. If one does not wish to
kneel, sit when the congregants do so…”

and “General Guidelines and Advice” such as:

“Episcopalians/Anglicans are quite diverse – socially,
racially, and ethnically. Generally, they rejoice in this diversity and
celebrate it. … What represents ‘good manners’ at home would be considered
‘good manners’ in church. Politeness is the key. Appearing overly reserved
or non-communicative – which can imply disapproval – is a typical mistake
that guests can avoid….”

The Barnes and Noble
Fundraiser for Santa Maria Urban Ministry
is coming soon! This fundraiser is to collect money to finish the SMUM playground.

Since 1983 SMUM has provided basic services in the inner city
of San Jose, CA: both short-term needs such as food, clothing and transportation,
and long-term transformation through education, counseling, and after-school
and seasonal programs. SMUM serves the needs of the community and promotes
self-sufficiency. My husband and I are volunteers for SMUM’s Studio 17
after school homework and computer lab club – this is a great program!

Shop at the five Barnes and Noble stores in the San Jose area (Almaden,
Gilroy, Westgate, Pruneyard, and Stevens Creek) on
Monday, October 6. Invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
If you are unable to shop on that day, you can place an order by phone at
any time from now until closing on October 6. (Be sure to mention that this
is part of the fundraiser for SMUM.) Present this voucher at Barnes and Noble
when making your purchase on 6 October:

Pictures from the 2007 ballet folklorico group dancing at last year’s
SMUM benefit sale:

Images Copyright 2007 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher