Folks,
The lessons set out for this Sunday include from the gospel of Mark some of the suffering that has led to the great drama that the church has used to depict the ministry of Jesus as the focal point of organising people into church (the supportive community that Paul depicts so well). The other two lessons are more about God's blessing of a people by growth of community more generally. In Genesis Abram becomes Abraham because as God tells him, he will be the father of many nations, all via the one child that Sarai, who becomes Sarah shall bear - together their offspring will include many kings. The lesson from Paul's epistle to the Romans is a follow-up of course. But there is real genius in Paul's deeply thoughtful depiction of the Genesis story, beyond even the notion I have mentioned before that Abraham was NOT just the progenitor of the Jewish tribe but "the father of us all" (most of you will know by now that I am sort of an "internationalist", recognising people are indeed the same everywhere, all part of the same tribe finally.) The extra genius that Paul offers is that the uniting of the many tribes and divisions among humankind can only be accomplished by human faith and the "means of grace" (as is written in our prayerbook). For the big idea here I believe is this uniting of all into a loving community that can grow in power, finally not by human rulers (kings, - or even princesses! - "princess" being the meaning of Sarah's new name) and wars, etc. (Note that most of history sees the uniting of tribelets into nations by the means of a new rulers.) And so this most worthy effort by the church thru the ages, using the historic model of a king, but a spiritual "King of kings" rather than any earthly monarch, to unite all humanity. I guess I can forgive a little tear-jerking story of Jesus suffering and death precisely because He, despised and lowly, rises again to be the King of heaven, offering that heavenly outcome (in whatever form I know not) after death to all so that we might all work towards that heaven on earth. Our love to all - may we all join in building towards that heavenly outcome! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will have Morning Prayer at 10am, and our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon as well. The services will be led by Tony Saponate (my spouse!) and Rachel Denny respectively. (Note that Rachel, who also lives way out in a great natural setting signed the email "love in the Season of the Frog," and we know what she means since despite the relatively dry climate of Southern Monterey County we have had abundant rains and been joined by a family of frogs in our courtyard, and it seems more than most springs we can recall.) Other Events As we have mentioned, our mention of events around the Deanery, the Diocese and the broader Church is not meant to be exhaustive - please go to your local parish, deanery and diocesan websites for full lists of events locally, and complete details. For the news we are trying to "keep it shorter(er)" and so focusing on one or two events of special interest. Today, via St Luke Church, Atascadero and St James Church, Paso Robles, newsletters we are glad to hear of an event at St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo at which our friend Liz will present "Travel with Liz Frost" where she will share on the topic "What os on your UNESCO Heritage Site Bucket List". Given the thesis we presented in the meditation, the international approach of this discussion sounds just right. And another event they mention is the Eclectia Discussibles series being presented at St Peter Church in Morro Bay, the current series beginning on Wed Feb 28 and continuing thru Mar 27, at 1:30-3:30pm. The current discussion will revolve around situations poseds to "The Ethicist" in the New York Times Magazine. As mentioned previously the following two events: The first SLO Deanery Meeting for 2024 will be in person at St. Benedict's, Los Osos, on Sunday, March 3, at 2 pm. Contact David Ottesen for the Zoom link at <ottesen1@charter.net>. Our invited speaker for that meeting will be Molly Kern, the CEO for the SLO Food Bank. *** And the second in the series with Luke Grote presenting from Sargent / Mission House, in Salinas, this time on theologian Karl Rahner, et al. The event is in person or via Zoom - contact Luke by email at <wlgrote@gmail.com> for full details and link. *** We also note that following Sunday services (and coffee of course) at St Luke Church in Atascadero visiting clergy will lead "Lenten Study" events.
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Folks,
The lessons appointed for this first Lenten Sunday include from Genesis, wherein God makes his "covenant" with all living creatures, but speaking directly to Noah and his sons, that "never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” The eventful Gospel lesson from Mark includes the story of Jesus's baptism by John and quickly thereafter being driven into the wilderness for 40 days, and finally the arrest of John. The lesson from Peter's first Epistle in which the writer recalls the covenant made to Noah. Our recent weather in California, whether due to "permanent climate change" or incidental variance, makes one wonder a bit about flooding on a global scale (though science suggest such flooding was unlikely). But the key to the story of that flood was the covenant made to Noah and the others saved in the Ark, and recounted (literally - since Peter cites exactly 8 persons who were saved in that event, but adding "through water", the medium of baptism. Thus it follows that the very next story, in allegorical timeline, should be that of John's bapitising Jesus with water, followed as it was by Jesus rising up out of the water and seeing the Spirit descending like a dove on him from torn heavens - a dramatic scene indeed, reminiscent of the paintings of Renaissance masters. There is indeed much art in all this imagery, including genesis' verbal allusion to the "bow in the clouds" God's promise might include clouds but those clouds, might make for a rainbow. A hymn from my youth at an evangelical church, "When There's a Rainbow in the Sky" concludes that "there's a promise written there of God's tender loving care" sorta schmaltzy, yet very sweet! When we face heavy weather, may we all seek that Rainbow in the Sky." Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish, San Ardo Events Members of St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer this Sunday at the chapel on the corner of Railroad St and Jolon Rd in San Ardo. From our friend Rachel Denny we hear the following: Dear friends, This coming Sunday, February 18th, at 10:00 A.M., Roy Morris will be leading a service of morning prayer at Saint Luke's Church in Jolon. On the same day, at the same time, the Reverend Carl Hansen will be doing the Imposition of Ashes at Saint Mark's Church in King City. Everyone is welcome to attend the service of their choice. Love among the ashes, Rachael Other Events The other St Luke parish in Atascadero will behaving Lenten videos from the (National but somewhat International) Episcopal Church on Sun Feb 18 and 25 and Mar 3 and 17 after services led by Rev Caro Hall, recently retired from St Benedict parish (see their events below). From our friends at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande we hear of the following Prayers for Peace: Please consider joining us on Saturday, February 24th at 3:00pm in the courtyard for something different - some prayer, some quiet time for the Holy Spirit to inspire us individually, and some discussion and sharing. We welcome your suggestions. Hope to see you there and maybe even to get to know you better. St Barnabas has also been doing some amazing landscaping on their beautiful campus and just now are constructing a pergola and completing their "trail to town" down a path to the old Arroyo Grande Village. Spotlight on St Benedict Church, Los Osos Even while they are in the midst of a search for a new rector, the parish news email called The Benediction tells us of the following events: March Potluck - Potluck for March will be held on March 10th to coincide with the Bishops visit. In Anticipation of Bishop Lucinda's Official Visit March 10th - Please contact Rev Jen Crompton or Lisa Gonzalez as soon as possible if you would like to be Confirmed or Received in the Episcopal Church or wish to Reaffirm your vows in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation are concurrent rites where a mature commitment to Christ is welcomed by the Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation is for those wishing to affirm the commitments made for them at their baptism. Reception is for those previously confirmed in another Church who now find their ministry in the Episcopal Church. Reaffirmation is for those who desire to recommit themselves to the vows made at their baptism. All three require a period of guided preparation and self-examination, which St. Benedict's offers, in anticipation of a Bishop Lucinda's official visit on Sunday March 10th. The Tuesday Spiritual Discussion group - "Our Living Compass theme for the 2024 Lent season is Practicing Forgiveness with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. Designed for both individual reflection and group study, this daily devotional provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent — one that prepares us for the coming of Easter." The Tuesday Spiritual Discussion group will be using an Lenten program sponsored by a group called Living Compass. The six-week program includes Sunday and weekday meditations for the Lenten season. We will begin the program on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 10.30 on Zoom. The program booklets are available as pdf electronic copies for free or a print copy available for $1.00 plus postage. A limited number of print copies have been received and will be available in the back of the church. If you are not planning on attending the Tuesday group, feel free to take one of the booklets for your personal use. Order booklets at https://www.livingcompass.org/advent-lent. Tuesdays at 10:30 on Zoom. Docent Training at Mission San Luis Obispo! - On Saturday, March 16 the Mission San Luis Obispo Docents will provide their annual Spring Training Session. Dan Krieger will present the origins and special history of Mission San Luis Obispo in the morning. Docents will conduct demonstration visitor tours of the church and grounds. Lunch will be provided in the Parish Hall. To register, contact Mission San Luis Obispo Docents or visit the Parish website at missionsanluisobispo.org. For more information, please call 805-550-7713 or email jbashbaugh@gmail.com. Good Shepheard Church in Salinas (Corral de Tierra) will be having lunch at the Monterey County Food Bank while learning how the Bank operates, including the handling of donations. Contact the church office to make a reservation to join them for a delicious cassoullet lunch (this dish is a mainstay of the Food Bank). Meet at the Food Bank, 353 W Rossi St, Salinas at 11 AM, Wednesday, February 21st. Please advise Michael Ipson (831) 887-8082 or michaelipson@yahoo.com by February 20th that you will attend so the Food Bank has a headcount. From St Paul Cathedral in San Diego we hear of the following special events: Forum Series: Walking the Seven Stone Path—A Lenten Practice 9 am, The Guild Room Join author and philosophy professor Peter Bolland for a five-week study of his new book The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom. Using questions and prompts from The Seven Stone Path Workbook, we’ll explore the insights from the world’s wisdom traditions and root them deeply into our own spiritual practice during this sacred Lenten season. Workbooks are free, but get your copy of The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom online wherever you buy books, or buy it directly from the author at these sessions (cash, check, or Venmo). View entire schedule (Click Here). Forum Series: Walking the Seven Stone Path—A Lenten Practice 9 am, The Guild Room Join author and philosophy professor Peter Bolland for a five-week study of his new book The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom. Using questions and prompts from The Seven Stone Path Workbook, we’ll explore the insights from the world’s wisdom traditions and root them deeply into our own spiritual practice during this sacred Lenten season. Workbooks are free, but get your copy of The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom online wherever you buy books, or buy it directly from the author at these sessions (cash, check, or Venmo). View entire schedule (Click Here). Order of St. John Evensong 5 pm, In the Cathedral or Worship Online The Order of St. John, formally the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a British charitable Order of chivalry dating back to the Crusades and is renowned throughout the world for its apolitical health care and first responder services in over 40 nations, upholding the St John motto - 'For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity.' Join us for this special Evensong service which will be followed by an organ recital played by Cn. Martin Green featuring works by Bach, Howells, and others. Also at St Paul: St. Paul hosts a Soundbath experience on a monthly basis and the next events are February 26 and 27, produced by Sound Healing Symphony. A soundbath is an event where you lie on the floor and enter a meditative state aided by music and layers of sound. Attendees usually bring a yoga mat and blanket. Interested in attending this event? You can get your tickets on their event page (Click Here). And an Organ Recital Friday, February 16, 1 pm, In the Cathedral or Watch Online Canon Martin Green present a program including J.S. Bach’s variations on the Lenten Chorale O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767 and excerpts from Guilmant’s Organ Sonata No. 3 in C minor. From the San Luis Obispo Deanery via the Diocese Join the San Luis Obispo Deanery Meeting in March The first SLO Deanery Meeting for 2024 will be in person at St. Benedict's, Los Osos, on Sunday, March 3, at 2 pm. Contact David Ottesen for the Zoom link at <ottesen1@charter.net>. Our invited speaker for that meeting will be Molly Kern, the CEO for the SLO Food Bank. Fundamentals of Religious Diversity - Exclusion/Inclusion: Karl BarthFriday, February 23, 2024, 5:30 PM Luke Grote, PhD is presenting a Lenten Series on Exclusion/Inclusion. Each session will be based on a different theologian and is open to anyone interested in learning more from a theological or philosophical point of view. This session is about Karl Barth, who said that every human being is elected to Christ. Each session will take place both in person at Sargent House and on Zoom. We recommend bringing your own snacks or sandwiches if you attend in person. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96127372891 For more information contact: Luke Grote, PhD From the ( Inter)National Episcopal Church We hear that there will be a special Revival event to be held at the KY Yum Center in Louisville, KY, in the course of events centered around the Church's triennial General Convention in that city. The event will be on June 22 from 7-9pm and with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's ability to evoke "the old time religion" in a updated and modern context, it should be quite an event! Read about this and other events from the broader church via Episcopal Church News at https://mailchi.mp/episcopalchurch/the-episcopal-church-press-release-digest-294546?e=90edd54051 Folks,
We are indeed coming to the end of the Epiphany liturgical season and will soon begin Lent. The lessons appointed for this Sunday include two very familiar ones, from Kings, where Elijah and Elisha cross over the Jordan after which Elijah is miraculously taken up in the whirlwind. And the gospel lesson is Mark's telling of the Transfiguration. While it seems clear that Peter, James and John had to be there so the story could have witnesses for later on, it could also be that the three disciples were singled out to be key leaders of the emerging church. As for the OT lesson, one wonder why the father and son had to cross the River when Elijah could just as easily have been taken up before the crossing? Some may see in the story the thinly "veiled" attempt to be making a claim on yet more territory on what later became the nation we know as Jordan today. No doubt you have already noticed that I used the term "veiled" in describing the motivations behind at least the writing of the above stories because that word is key to the epistle lesson in a much more straightforward way. When Paul wrote "Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing," he was obviously not speaking of the motivations of those whom he said had minds "blinded" by the "gods of this world" further on it the passage. But what are those "gods" that act to "veil" the truth from us? And how can we recognise "true motivations"? Let me suggest that by their actions we can know better the motivations of those around us. To that end Jesus's actions, healing, speaking truth to power and even dying for all. This same is perhaps even more so of Paul, tirelessly travelling around much of the Roman Empire for the mission of the church, encouraging all and even dying as well.(we are told he was martyred though details are sketchy) for the sake of others. Paul knew he could have lived comfortably as a member of the "temple police" and continued hassling synagogue attendees who had chosen to follow The Way, yet in his words "For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake." (The "we" here includes Paul but also his fellow members of the emerging church.) So both Jesus and Paul accepted such "slavery" and finally death for the sake of God's message of love, and the reason behind all the preaching. May we all discard the veils that cover our eyes and see the true motivations of the "gods of this world" for if we can, we can see the light of God's love as embodied in those who follow The Way of Love. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish in San Ardo! PS Look to next week's News and meditation if you are "God-curious". Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having the service of Morning Prayer at the usual hour, 10am, at the chapel in San Ardo. Our fellow mission St Luke parish in Jolon will also be having Morning Prayer at 10am with our friend Roy Morris preaching. Other Events - Some Fun Before Lent We want to remind folks that Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday is this coming Tuesday bringing to a close the Epiphany season, and in olden days was seen as a day for a last bit of "fun" before the severe Lenten season. While we are believers in some fun every day of the year, this makes for the special events we have been mentioning including the Jazz Mass (followed by a Pancake Brunch - mixing the two traditions - at Good Shepherd Church this Sunday starting at 10am. Fr Rich there notes that it is not by accident that the scripture describing the Transfiguration comes just before Lent, since it also is a sort of Epiphany (after seeing the glory of God). St Paul Cathedral in San Diego is having a Zydeco Mass at 5:45pm on Fat Tuesday itself. As with most of our parishes, the next day Ash Wednesday will be observed by services at several times of the day. Closer to our ranch home and San Ardo, the parishes of St James church in Paso Robles and St Luke Church in Atascadero will be jointly having a Pancake Supper on Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday (the 13th - also the Eve before Valentine's Day) at St James Church parish hall where they tell us they will be selling "decadent items" at auction. We hope many will attend! And don't forget St Luke's Taize music this Sunday night at 7pm via Zoom (contact Cindy Castle at castlewood16@gmail.com for full info and the Zoom link). The next weekend St Paul Cathedral will have a very special event: Order of St. John Evensong Sunday, February 18, 5 pm, In the Cathedral or Watch Online The Order of St. John, formally the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a British charitable Order of chivalry dating back to the Crusades and is renowned throughout the world for its apolitical health care and first responder services in over 40 nations, upholding the St John motto - 'For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity.' Join us for this special Evensong service which will be followed by an organ recital played by Cn. Martin Green featuring works by Bach, Howells, and others. And the following Sat, Feb 24, St Paul will have a Piano & Trumpet Concert - go to www.stpaulcathedral.org for details. As at St Paul Cathedral, Confirmation Classes will be held in our own diocese on several dates, including at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande on two Thursdays, Feb 8 and 15, at 7pm. St Stphen Church in downtown San Luis Obispo will be having a historical harp concert further described as A Celebration of Harp Concert - Sunday, February 11th at 2 pm at St. Stephen's Church, 1344 Nipomo Ave. San Luis Obispo. There will be Medieval Songs, Spanish Dances, and European Salon Music! Harpists Jennifer Sayre, Nancy Thym, and Jan Walters. There is a free-will donation. Reception following. For more information contact: jsayre@historicalharpsociety.org SUBSCRIBE TO DAILY EMAIL MEDITATIONS Daily email meditations will be delivered to your inbox every day, except on Sundays, starting February 14. This will include a reflection on the day's Revised Common Lectionary reading as well as questions to ponder. SUBSCRIBE Folks,
Today's News will be brief as we are travelling for work. As it happen this day a friend has emailed us a cute cartoon with the devil being interviewed on a talk show, and being noted as the great "SINfluencer". But what is sin in its clearest conception if not the the meagre estate of humanity, even if just "a little lower than the angels", yet infinitely far from the overwhelming Divine Love and Holy Wisdom? Tomorrow's gospel lesson has Jesus with some of the recently gathered disciples setting about a ministry of evangelism while doing many "healings" and casting out demons, yet taking time to pray in "a deserted place". And Paul in the epistle carries out that ministry of "telling the good news".in a remarkable way with contradistinction to the lesson from Isaiah rather losing his sense of "self" to carry out his Great Commission "To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some." May we come to see our identity as a part of the almighty love of God as Paul did, following God's law by following Christ's law - the law of Love. Our love to you all, Bart (and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matts! Events Tomorrow congregants of St Matthew Church will be having Morning Prayer at the customary hour, but we will not be able to be there. Still, we encourage all to join them! Our fellow South Monterey County missions, St Mark Church in King City and St Luke Church in Jolon will be meeting together in King City for the service of Eucharist led by our friend Fr Carl Hansen. For other events, please see parish websites of your local parish, and prior News issues - especially as we plan for Lenten activities (there is just one more Sunday in the Epiphany season). And we encourage all to "find your identity in God's love' and in the love of fellow members of your community! |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
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