Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include from Deuteronomy rules and a stern warning about prophets to speak just the words God has asked of them. And the gospel lesson from Mark has a fairly direct story of a "miracle" Jesus performed in the Synagogue upon encountering a man haunted by an "unclean spirit". But it is the writing of Paul to the Corinthians that especially caught my attention. This was because in the lesson Paul remarks on the eating of temple food. As most of you likely know such sacrifices of food to the gods (the Romans had many and were always ready to include another) were probably not eaten by the idols or statues of the gods, but in fact were consumed by others humans, including temple officials of course, but also some number of poor commoners - a custom that continued in Christian practice. (In the Russian Orthodox parish of my youth the folks old enough to have come from "the old country" told me that it had been commonplace to find food in the churchyard cemetery - and everybody knew that when the food was found consumed the next day, it was the poor gleaners who received sustenance.) So when Paul admonished the church in Corinth to not cause someone to fall, and even himself set the example by apparent vegetarianism, what he was really doing was showing "cultural sensitivity" - not wanting to trample on the customs of those who did, in good faith, worship at the temple, even though he had just said in the preceding that “no idol in the world really exists" (thus the disappearance of the food, especially choices meats, is by human actions). Paul goes on to discuss the "unity of God" in the face of the fact that "there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords", but then stating very matter-of-factly that “there is no God but one.” All the above reminds me of a "conversation" we recently watched at Harvard University between Professor Steven Pinker and a Hindu mystic of some renown call Sadhguru. You likely have seen similar discussions where, for all their cordiality, the folks are "talking past each other" rather than carefully listening for real meanings. As always, a part of me, appreciate the precise analytical thinking of Pinker, yet at the same time understand in a "spiritual" sense was the mystic is talking about - an understanding of the words used to unite people in common cause of love (see below, "A Case for Love"). It is a pleasure to understand with Paul that the idols did not eat the food in the temple, and yet appreciate that he would accept some customs in order to avoid causing others to stumble even though eating such food is neither good nor bad as such, since "It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge." May we recognise that words are often reflections of a spiritual intent, and choose those words that bring people together in the unity of spiritual truth. Bart and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matthew in San Ardo Past Events This past we gathered with a large group from many SLO area parishes, and even some from Santa Barbara area parishes for the movie we mentioned, "A Case for Love". The movie had many examples and some thought provoking situations of Unselfish Love in practice, including even from our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's own childhood. We can heartily recommend the movie which we expect soon will be shown again in more locations - stay tuned! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting tomorrow at 10am for Morning Prayer as is our cultural custom - but we hope you might join us, so we can share your cultural practices as well. as we strive to be more like St Paul was suggesting to the folks in Corinth! Our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will be meeting for Morning Prayer tomorrow as well and also at 10am. Leading the service will be St Luke's parishioner Rachel Denny, who is also handling sending out their news and has recently joined two other members of the congregation in that capacity - congrats Rachel! Other Events Our friend Sheryl Easterbrook of the Parkfield Community Association tells us that there will be an Ag Pass Class presented by Monterey County. The program gives training which result in a pass card to enter a restricted area under special emergency situations, such as fire, flood, earthquake, etc. om are order to feed animals, etc. For full info call 831-759-7384. As we mentioned before St James is also telling us of the Robert Burns Night, remembering the Scottish writer on Monday night, 1/29 at 5:30pm at St Stephen Church in SLO. The event is co-hosted by St Paul Church in Cambria and St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande. St James Church in Paso Robles tells us that San Luis Obispo County historian Dan Krieger will be giving a class for folks who may be interesting in serving as docents at Mission San Luis Obispo in downtown SLO. This will be on Sat Mar 19 from 9am-4pm at the Mission with lunch in the Parish Hall. St Barmabas Church in Arroyo Grande tells us to Contact John B. Ashbaugh, Training Coordinator to sign up jbashbaugh@gmail.com. ph. 805-550-7713 St Luke Church in Atascadero tells us of an interesting Epiphany exercise - picking a "star word" off a wall in the croft which will be a word to meditate on during the rest of the year. Also Cindy Castle of the St Luke parish tells us that the will be having the Taize music event via Zoom on Sunday at 7pm. The information for the Zoom events is as follows: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87454433792?pwd=M01rNThaRUpBVmJxVW9DcHJnY2FWdz09 Meeting ID: 874 5443 3792 Passcode: 783520 Gather Epiphany2024 YouTube playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69la8W1_FUEVr_unaJwk-hMqtDWkxiGs St Paul Cathedral in San Diego tells us they will have an Evensong event this Sunday afternoon at 5pm, both in person and online via https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016_dR17kSi9CGJEk5H78AEcZGLSWL5xgrAiQrWIfcTsDzdPLUsgxi_cmYYZ4_-1lSXIq_4iH93YQck6kDhKFfxlYOSZ59B-4JSgFjNkozABhJAdi1R4yqXY4rmHrsTVWsTNNJGAwvdfY6mxiD1WspmgBMJUmcp-U7BaYSjJS0pQz6dhBvQJGaK6oIGKnCvBTId5X6EpUmjFw=&c=9RZO7nBIYTR7B5zXsu_K-OxazFBqktPx4re0L1zFbOra-HLvoo3p_g==&ch=C5_ZIUPbLW1Mu77jDygEMFPymuhTgN6nx3UnGRC4TsNndXV6VK2lcw== St Paul Cathedral is also having a Newcomer Brunch this Sunday at 11:45am. As we approach Lent and Easter we are starting to hear of Lenten events, including Shrove or Mardi Gras Tuesday suppers, some with pancakes and some with jambalaya. Check with your local parishes for their full schedule of events. St Paul Cathedral will be having one such event on Mardi Gras with a Zydeco Mass Tues Feb 13 at 5:45pm. In the other direction, Good Shepherd Parish, Salinas (Corral de Tierra) tells us they will have a Jazz Mass Sun Feb 11 followed by a traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Brunch. And St Paul's Adult Confirmation Class will begin Feb 21 - contact parish staff for more info. Also from St Paul: Communications and Community (Climate Crisis) Brought to you by St. Paul’s Simpler Living Creation Care ministry: From The Anti-Dread Climate Podcast, on KCRW: The climate crisis is undeniable and overwhelming. It can be confusing to figure out how you can personally help the planet in your daily life. Listen here for the answers each week in less time than it takes to sort your recyclables.
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Folks,
The lessons this week include two very familiar if poignant lessons, the OT from OT wherein God has a change of mind about destroying Nineveh and a gospel lesson from Mark which depicts the calling of the fishermen who immediately dropped their nets (we trust not leaving them as litter) and followed Jesus. But it is the lesson from I Corinthians that grabs my attention, though unusually in a way contra what the writer seems to have intended. (Note however that the detachment from earthly things the writer calls for is wise, if a bit overstated - and of course seems in accord with the gospel lesson where the fishermen left those nets.) The reason the Corinthians lesson is so compelling is that after apparent certainty that the apocalyptic events were just about to happen ("the appointed time has grown short") the writer was able to then change his mind (rather like God did in the OT lesson) and make something good of the disappointment that the world (as we know it) had not ended and life continued more or less as before. And that good thing is indeed powerful - perhaps the greatest idea ever told: to build a church that in the face of the human condition of lack of knowledge. follows the Way of Love. It is not that such an idea had never occurred to anyone, but the fervency of these followers of the Way of Love who were united in the story of a loving God, willing to give all for the sake of all others, seems to have had an extra spark that resonated with and attracted the many who felt that "there must be more to life" than the humdrum daily existence, even the mundane (if important for those depending on the food supply) work of fishing. The result has been the creation of organisations, including the churches and other spiritual groups, who might make an "applied technology" of what our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called "The Way of Love" (and see below about the movie). May we all momentarily drop our mundane tasks, as good as they are for the social order of humanity, and together construct A Case for Love! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting at the usual hour, 10am, for a service of Morning Prayer. Our fellow mission parish n Jolon, St Luke Church will also meet at that same time for Morning Prayer led by our friend SuRay (Susan Raycraft). St Luke's Daphne Denney also tells us that "The St. Luke's Vespers Supper Club will have their monthly potluck the following Wednesday, January 24 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Again, everyone is welcome to join us. We start eating about 6, and we usually begin the Service of Vespers or Compline at 7 pm." Other Events We are pleased to see the "premiere" event of the week, the initial showings of the movie "A Case for Love", being widely publicised in parish newsletters including that of St Luke Church in Atascadero. We expect a large crowd from our San Luis Obispo Deanery and we ourselves will be there for the 4pm showing. Along with other parish groups planning to attend, we hear that Bishop Lucinda and the Diocesan Staff will be attending the 4 PM show at the Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center, Monterey. For full details go to We are pleased to see the "premiere" event of the week, the initial showings of the movie "A Case for Love", being widely publicised in parish newsletters with groups attending from the many parishes beyond Episcopal churches, including that of St Luke Church in Atascadero and Epiphany Episcopal/Lutheran in Marina. We expect a large crowd from our San Luis Obispo Deanery and we ourselves will be there for the 4pm showing. Folks from St Matt Church in San Ardo will be joining the group from St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande for that 4pm showing. “A Case for Love” is a heartfelt yet personally challenging movie inspired by the teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about “The Power of Love” at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In the San Luis Obispo Deanery area the movie will be shown at BOTH 4pm and 4pm at
Tickets are available on the Fathom Events website or directly from the movie theater. Prices will vary. The movie will be screened at the following theaters in our diocese: In other New from the Diocese: Prayers for Peace The Social Justice Committee cordially invites you to participate in a brief online prayer service during lunchtime. The service will take place at 12:30 pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month throughout Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. The last session will be held on February 7. We would be delighted to have you join us. --- Note also that St Luke Church's newsletter (Atascadero) tells us they are resuming Evening Prayers services at 5pm on both Tuesdays and Thursday (in person and by Zoom).and that Daughters of the King will have a new "orientation class" - for full info contact Mary Gruber for this ministry and other "caring" ministries at 805.538.9728. And our friends at Epiphany Lutheran & Episcopal, mentioned above, will be having a Spahgetti Dinner TONIGHT from4-7pm at the church's location in Marina. Folks,
This Sunday's include from John's gospel where we hear of an apparently miraculous recognition of Nathanael's calling of Nathanael, referred to as both from Bethsaida and Cana in that gospel (some have identified him as the same person as Bartholomew, though other doubt it: "he) "was not one of the twelve at all because he was so versed in the law" (see Wiki - perhaps this was the miracle of Jesus recognition of him "under the fig tree"? In the epistle from I Corinthians Paul tells us that he is no longer under the Law when he says pointedly that “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything." This statement broadly brings to mind Eli's sons (see below) who might have indeed come to be addicted to behaviours that were not beneficial - for them and thus for everyone else. In the Old Testament lesson most of us will remember how God called Samuel to follow Eli as high priest in Israel, but the OT lesson for this Sunday also tells us (not so often mentioned, and indeed that part of the lesson is shown as "optional" in Sunday's scripture inserts) that Eli received a very harsh sentence for having done something very bad - but I could not figure out what it was. Dr Google suggested the following: "Eli failed in his responsibilities as Father. He esteemed his sons above God. He did not want to offend his sons. The result was that he committed a far greater offense - He offended the living God." Also from Google: "Eli was a devoted high priest who served 40 years as judge of Israel, the first of priestly descent also to regulate the affairs of the people (see 1 Sam. 4:18; Bible Dictionary, “Eli,” 663). Eli was a good man who gave kind consideration to Hannah in her hour of great agony (see 1 Sam." and "First Samuel 2:12–21 contrasts Eli's sons with Hannah's son Samuel. Eli's sons are worthless men who don't know the Lord. They abuse their power as priests to take the best cuts of animals offered for themselves, treating the sacrifice to the Lord with contempt." and "Now Eli was very old; and he heard about everything that his sons were doing to all Israel, and that they slept with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting." (emphasis from quoted material - a hint they were probably prostitutes). We also learn that Hannah was originally childless with her husband Elkanah, so when she bore Samuel she wanted him to be a "nazirite" (one who dedicates his life to God) - thus asking Eli to take him in at the temple. To me this makes a more interesting human story, yet one where God was quite involved. To sum, Eli's sin was not raising his sons in the way that is right. I suspect that he received his punishment directly when hearing of the actions of his sons, whom he had hoped would become the priests of the temple. Yet when he heard what God had said to Samuel, he knew his failing and told young Samuel “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.” In today's world we might be less inclined to blame parents for their children's behaviour, but we have to accept the reality that children need good parenting to be set on a course that is right, whatever their vocation. Thus this seems an important lesson to all of us. Moreover these mea were demonstrating a negative form of "male energy" (In a recent chat with my sister Brandy, we noted that there are good forms of both female and male energy, but especially good when guided in paths that unite all in the Spirit). And we must not forget Hannah, Samuel's mother, who wanted to dedicate her son to God's work - such mothers need our praise as well and her hopes for her son Samuel seem to have come true. May we all help by being the "village" it takes to raise a child in the way that is right, and in so doing see yet better that we are all of the same family, joined by the Spirit. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting for Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am at the chapel, corner of Railroad and Jolon. We will especially be praying for our friend and long-time treasurer Fred Golin who is preparing for heart surgery and we ask you all to pray for him too. Our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will have Morning Prayer led by our friend Roy Morris, also at 10am. Other Events As so often, we need, for lack of time, to refer all to the web pages of your local parishes. One item though that caught our eye is that our friend Rev Ian Delinger of St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo has put out a call for planning to begin for Pride in the Plaza. In particular he is seeking someone to represent The Episcopal Church in the planning group for the event. If you can help, please contact Ian at 805-235-7242 or: rector@ststephensslo.org From the Deanery, the Diocese and The Episcopal Church: Our friend Judy Lewis reminds us of that "premier event", the movie "A Case for Love". She notes that in the area of the SLO Deanery there will be a showing on Jan 23 at 4pm and 7pm with the detailed info as follows: Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX Located in: Santa Maria Town Center Address 100 Town Center E, Santa Maria, CA 93454 Phone: (844) 462-7342 Calling this # wasn't helpful. Stadium seating It will be showing on Screen 12 Here's the website that will give you more information. You can order tickets and get directions to the theatre that is at the Santa Maria mall. https://www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-edwards-santa-maria-rpx-1681?date=01-23-2024 Dear friends,
Today's lessons seem to me to revolve around a common theme - the joy of meeting others who have discovered God's gift of faith - some without even directly realising it. The gospel lesson from Mark speaks of the baptising efforts of John - Whom I sort of think of as a "warm-up act" for Jesus. This lesson is followed up in the lesson from the Book of Acts of Paul's visit to the city of Ephesus and his discovery there of a spiritual group which resonated with his own understanding of that which he found in his own conversion on the way to Damascus - which resulted in his turnabout from making "murderous threats" (Acts 9) against the communities practicing "The Way". Paul's experience in Ephesus reminds us of the wonderful discoveries we've made with other spiritual groups - a common sense of God's presence in our lives - as when we have "ecumenical" events, events including apparently widely disparate groups and traditions (we have had many such discoveries, including recently our friends of the Sunburst community we have mentioned before, but also delightful understandings from what used to seem a very dogmatic group, the Roman Catholic Church, and a groups that rarely mention God at all, like the Zen Buddhist community and Kriya Yoga folks with breathing exercises - reminiscent of the old hymn, "Breathe on breath of God". Indeed for most my life I have been open to discovering yet more groups, as when stopping to visit formal spiritual communities in our travels around California and beyond - often receiving hearty welcome. The Old Testament lesson, a short rendition of the "Creation Story" from Genesis, tied it all together for me with the statement that "a wind from God swept over the face of the waters" before even the jump-starter of light. This wind still blows today, swirling around us and others in our search for the "Truth" (ultimate reality). We give thanks that so many times we get glimpses of it when encounter such communities of a loving spirit, whether formal or not! Our love to all in God's gently loving breezes! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church Events This Sunday, the first after the Feast of the Epiphany (which is why my subject line in this email includes "Wise men still seek him" (thanks to Rev Roger Wharton of Good Samaritan Church in San Jose) and it will begin the Epiphany Season celebrating the visit of the 3 Kings. It might also be a good season to go out and discover events with the many spiritual groups within our own San Luis Obispo Deanery. We note that our friends at St Benedict Church in Los Osos held a "Star Party" last night with the Kinds and the stars in mind. Our own St Matthew Church in San Ardo will NOT be meeting at our usual time at the chapel in San Ardo since virtually all of our members, including ourselves, will be travelling. But Morning Prayer at St Matt will resume on tne following Sunday, January 14, at the usual hour of 10am - please join us! Meanwhile our fellow missions St Luke Church in Jolon and St Mark Church in King City will be meeting for a service of Holy Eucharist at St Mark Church in King City, with Fr Carl officiating. Other Events St Barnabas Church Church, Arroyo Grande, tells us that TONIGHT Jan 6, and next Sat Jan 13, Cal Poly hosts Faith and Family night at their men's basketball games - for free tickets go to https://gopoly.com/sb_output.aspx?form=53 and https://gopoly.com/sb_output.aspx?form=54 From the Deanery - and Beyond We are told by several SLO Deanery parishes, including St James Church in Paso Robles that this Sunday at 2pm in Mitchell Park, San Luis Obispo, there will be a "Lamentation for the Holy Land" with public grieving for the trauma and loss of life in Israel and Gaza, with speakers from the Jewish and Islamic communities in the area. They suggest wearing black as a sign of lamentation. We are also told by our friends at Good Shepherd parish in Salinas (Corral de Tierra) that on Feb 11, Shrove Tuesday aka Mardi Gras, that parish will be having a Jazz Sunday with Jazz music at the 10am service and a pancake breakfast at 11am. This of course is in the run-up to Lent which begins the next day, Ash Wednesday. More about Lenten activities in the next several News editions. The Premier Event (from the Deanery, the Diocese and Beyond) "A Case for Love" is a heartfelt yet personally challenging movie inspired by the teachings and writings of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about "The Power of Love" at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This documentary examines whether or not love–specifically unselfish love–is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the U.S. Tickets for screenings on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, are available on the Fathom Events website. The movie will be shown at the following theaters in our diocese: • Century 20 at Oakridge and XD, San Jose • AMC Eastridge 15, San Jose • Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center, Monterey • Regal Edwards Santa Maria and RPX, Santa Maria Go to https://stbenslososos.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=56003b92c20a0cad0f96f87b4&id=497c60a96b&e=c7a1548f0f to read about how the film came to be in an article by Episcopal News Service. |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
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