Folks,
The lessons this Sunday include from Matthew even more instructions by Jesus to his disciples, with the warning that he came not to bring peace, but a sword. Also from Romans wherein Paul asks a tough question: "Should we continue living in sin order that grace may abound?" (ie the magnanimity of God's forgiveness would be made more obvious by God's salvation being handed out to yet worse sinners). And from Genesis the continuing story of Abraham as he, living in the city of Ur is told by God to move to a promised land, called Canaan (somewhere between Syria and Egypt). As we saw last week, he then moved to Haran. Britannica says of his name: "Abram (“The Father [or God] Is Exalted”), who is later named Abraham (“The Father of Many Nations”), and he will found a "new nation". The move is carried out by his descendants led by Moses. Much has been made of his other family via Hagar, and their son Ishmael who are supposed to have originate the line of Mohammed, and all of that is a useful reminder that we are all finally related in the human family. An interesting sidenote is his purchase of land upon his wife Sarah's death for a burial plot for his family. But beyond being a "righteous" man, willing to sacrifice his only son (legally speaking) Isaac as God requests, in an earlier episode he is reported to have been willing to have his very beautiful wife Sarai become a part of Pharoah's harem in order to save his own life since he was actually her husband - see the very interesting story, told from a doubter point of view, at https://outlawbiblestudent.org/abrams-sister-wife-how-sarai-become-part-of-pharaohs-harem/ The story of Hagar is fascinating as well, as Abraham dismissed her, giving her just a skin of water to survive on. She is saved from death miraculously after giving up and turning Ishmael's fate over to God, who indeed can be said to have founded many nations as well. To me these lessons taken together are a reminder of our humanity - we simply are not perfect people (all fall short of the glory of God). Thus if we are as Jesus suggested to be like the teacher, then let us forgive others, and when we hear of deeds less than noble to include mercy in our judgments, even while living as (ethically) well as we can understand (the "By no means!" admonition by Paul in answer to his own question) May we all avoid sin, and as well remember our own humanity, and that of others! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matt! Events As we have been mentioning in the News, St Matthew Church in San Ardo has been considering changing the hour of our services. Now we have settled on Sunday mornings at 11am, to begin this Sunday, June 25, 2023 - and we hope to see as many of you as possible there this Sunday! Please help us spread the word - even those on the list for the News might not see this emailing! Please also note that St Matt Church will continue meeting on Sunday mornings at 10am, and note that we hope to get a newsletter out next week, but it may be difficult as we will be travelling again for work and fun. Other Events St Benedict Church in Los Osos will be the site for the ordination of Deacon Rev Jen Crompton to the priesthood on next Wed, Jun 28 at 5:30pm. And as has been our custom, we wanted to single a special event for focus in most of News editions. For this edition, the special event in focus is at St James Church in Paso Robles. It has been wonderful to have support for a booth from Deanery parishes for LGBTQ Pride events, especially in San Luis Obispo, but the folks at St James are also willing to help celebrate other events of pride, in this case in our own nation. So St James will have a booth at the Templeton Fourth of July event in that plaza from 8am to 3pm. They will be greeting people and handing refreshments, etc, in a very traditional and homespun, small-town Fourth of July celebration! Note that they would be glad for help with this effort, so please call St James office to see how you can help at 805.238.0819 From the Deanery David Ottesen, our convenor, tell us the following: Our next regular meeting is scheduled for July 30 at 2 pm, and will be a hybrid Zoom and In-Person meeting at St. Barnabas, Arroyo Grande. Our special presentation will be given by the Rev. Jen Crompton on their experiences with the Trail Blazer program. Be sure not to miss this one! I will be sending out the agenda and Zoom link a few days before the meeting. Please let me know if you have an agenda item.
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Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include from Genesis (with Sarah laughing as she is told she will bear a son at an advanced age), Romans (with an explication of Jesus' sacrifice for us), and Matthew - wherein the 12 "apostles" are named and sent out. History and legends tell us these apostles did indeed go there many separate ways. It is interesting to note in the optional section of the gospel lesson that details are included which might be considered much more "local", including the useful garments especially if you live in the Middle East (as we call it today), and even a warning that one might be flogged in their synagogues (note that while the Jews got around some before the Diaspora, the apostles likely went to many places where synagogues were not to be found). Scholars disagree on many points about these 12 (eg, was Simon the Cananaean called this because he came from the town of Cana as Jerome suggests, or was it because he was indeed "zealous"? Note in any case that Judas was already being referred to as "Iscariot", a term which meant traitor (see Wiktionary) even though his treachery is yet some time away in the story. To me there is an interesting lesson in Jesus, knowing full well this man would betry him, being able initially to work with him. This is not meant as a laudatory salute to Judas, but rather that in following Jesus, we need to persevere to the truth even as we must be able to work with those who might ultimately hurt us or betray our better causes. Thus while knowing full well the story in advance, we have a realistic model to work from in today's world: work to the good, keeping God's love foremost in our minds, even while working realistically within the situations that life presents to us. And indeed pray with yet more fervour for those are apt to betray you - not because they won't (though that would be thankfully accepted) but because of God's central message of love for all. It is for these reasons that Jesus goes on (in the optional passage) to say "be wise as serpents and innocents as doves" at the very same time! May we all be so innocent and yet so wise! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matt in San Ardo! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Evening Prayer at 3pm this Sunday - all are welcome! However, in the following Sundays we will be moving to Morning Prayer at either 10am or 11am - watch the News for the details! Other Events (for more on these other events go to the parish websites, available at www.sloepicopalians.org St Benedict Church in Los Osos tells us of the following two events: SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION: Starting June 13, the Tuesday morning Spiritual conversation will be based on ideas from Cyprian Consiglio of the New Camaldolese monastery in Big Sur. This will start with sharing a video and reading an article and then discussion based on his new book Rediscovering the Divine will start June 27. You do not have to read the book to participate. Tuesdays at 10:30 on Zoom. DEACON JEN CROMPTON'S ORDINATION to the priesthood will be here at St. Benedict's on June 28th. St Barnabas Church in Arroyo is having a book study, this time as follows Jesus: A Biography from a Believer An introduction to Bible study, using the life of Christ as our text, continues THIS Sunday, June 18, at 9:00am, at St. Barnabas. Book are available in the Church Office. We will meet at the church between services from 9:00 – 10:00 am for 6 more weeks. This in-person class will begin with a review of the rudiments of Biblical scholarship and will continue with the study of historian Paul Johnson's book, Jesus: A Biography from a Believer. Books will be available from the parish office at no charge. We still have 2 copies available if you would like to join. We hear via St Peter Church in Morro Bay that there is an ongoing event described as a "course" at St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo which sounds very interesting, especially as we try to better understand the lectionary lessons: Uncovering and Challenging a History We Thought We Knew: The Sources and Emergence of the Jesus Movement , 586 B.C.E. to 325 C.E. The event meets Tuesday evenings from June 13th to July 25th between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. St Stephens is also host Vacation Bible Camp from Jul 31 thru Aug 4 from 1-4pm for kids ages 5-12 - registration and info at https://www.my805tix.com/?org=628f1495-67bc-4cf6-858b-7d090ad12116 We also wanted to note that while we missed telling you about the Pride celebrations at Good Shepherd parish, Salinas (Corral de Tierra) along with those in our Deanery, this very active parish is having a series of summer barbecues to bring people together, one of which is their big annual Brusa Barbecue fundraiser. Go to the parish websites for full info: https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=ddfc6949a2&e=cc1155f723 From the Diocese The Diocese of El Camino Real, along with us at St Matt Church recommend the following event: Silent meditation retreat in July hosted by PCSF Silent prayer and meditation in the California Redwoods. ... If that fits your longing, Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation will be offering their annual silent 5-day Buddhist-Christian meditation retreat, July 2-9, 2023, at Ben Lomond Quaker Center and via Zoom. In-person and online participants will practice together. For more information and registration, go to this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qh9CbVRbFNGRxYXIIh5uzd942zXxCLJP/view?usp=sharing The diocesan Social Justice Committee will have a zoom event on July 11 at 7pm to discuss via Zoom the "Threat of Christian Nationalism" - for full info go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=13af5c641c&e=f136cc0442 The Diocesan Summer Camp St Andrews announces that "Final Spots" are available now. For details go to https://campsaintandrews.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f47a445ec3a76051753e25c4b&id=6deb3d1511&e=c59fdc55b8 Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include from Genesis, where we learn that while Moses led the Jews to Canaan, Abraham actually had to relocate there - remember that a sense of place and belonging was very important to the rather peripatetic nation of the Jews - and still seems to be. The epistle lesson from Romans on the other hand, restates that faith is what saves, rather than adherence to the law, as important at that is for living in community. (One might mildly chastise Paul though fpr saying that at about 100 years old Abraham was "was already as good as dead " it is amazing what he and Sarah and others can do to help many even when the body is weak! But my focus today is on the gospel lesson from our patron Matthew, the "publican". Publicans were tax collectors, and they were disliked because in "exchange" for their service to the (Roman) government they extract a bit of extra for themselves (this saved the Roman having to develop and staff an Internal Revenue Service!). To me the remarkable things about the story of Jesus calling Matthew is that Jesus had such "force of character" (a charismatic personality) that Matthew simply got up from his desk and became a disciple. It would be wonderful if all of us could find our spiritual center so directly! But there is another story I'd like to mention today from a movie we just saw for the first time, "Bruce Almighty", in which Jim Carrie meets God (in the form of one of my favourite actors, Morgan Freeman) who gives him all of God's powers - and headaches! After a bit of fun the prayers start to come in, finally so many that poor Jim needs help himself. Freeman reappears of course and asks Jim to pray. After Jim at first prays for world peace and food for all the hungry, etc, he stops and asks Freeman "How was that?" Freeman says "Fine, if you want to be Miss America". Finally, Jim realises what he really wants, for his estranged partner (Jennifer Anniston) to be happy, even if she doesn't choose him. This makes him very attractive, and a happy ending ensues. The point of that story of course is that we need to pray with our actions even more than words, eg, to help directly, to visit the shut-ins, to work at the community dinners, etc - those more local efforts that make our good intentions real. It is wonderful to pray for world peace and food for all, etc and to support those efforts, but even better to "brighten the corner where you are" as an old hymn goes. May we all help where we are and however we can! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish! Events We first want to mention that St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Evening Prayer at 3pm and all are welcome. St Luke Church in Jolon will be having Morning Prayer at 10am led by our friend SuRay (Susan Raycraft) The Subtitle of this week's News indicates that many local parishes will be hosting plays, some including actor friends such as our friend Tom who will be appearing in a play at St Benedict Church in Los Osos. As with the Scripture stories, and even good movies like the one mentioned above, we can learn a lot by living other lives thru such entertainments while enjoying ourselves! Thus on to Playtime (for all of these events, please visit the parish websites. all of which are in our Deanery websites at www.sloepiscopalians.org, for details and tickets, etc): On June 23 St James Church in Paso Robles and St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande commend a live event at the Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo called "Bridging the Gap", with artful presentation of stories about social justice. For details and tickets go to www.fremontslo.com St Benedict Church in Los Osos tells us the Central Coast Players will present The Importance of Being Earnest (a real favourite of mine since University) TODAY and TOMORROW at 2pm. St Peter Church in Morro Bay tells us their By the Sea Players will present a staged reading of "Visiting Mr Green" June 16-18 at the church. Our close friend Fr Rob Keim of St Barnabas Church, Arroyo Grande, tells us he will appear in The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan on Fathers Day Weekend - call 805.546.3198 for details and tickets. (G&S comic operas are a special treat!) And to conclude THIS weekend, we suggest joining our friends at St Luke Church in Atascadero for an online Zoom singing of Taize music tomorrow at 7pm. Email our friend Cindy Castle at castlewood16@gmail.com for details and Zoom link. Folks,
We are off for a brief holiday and will return to be at church this Sunday so a very brief meditation: This Sunday marks one of the more recent feast days of the church calendar, Trinity Sunday. The lessons appointed include the beginning of the Book of Genesis, the creation story. The allegorical story is wonderful for including so many aspects of creation as well as human spirit. It also contains that curious phrase “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness" which some interpret as a reference to the notion of the Trinity. Whether this is so or not, the inclusion of the multiple personalities of the godhead in the notion of the Trinity can be interpreted in several useful ways. Given that, the lessons seem naturally to continue with Paul writing to the Corinthians wherein he discusses how humankind can live better in community. And in the gospel lesson from our patron Matthew a lesson which again delivers the charge to the disciples to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations", a very inclusive view of humanity. May we learn to live well in community, with peaceful harmony and loving care. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matts! Events Apart from Evening Prayer at St Matt in San Ardo at 3pm (but watch for a likely change of service time soon), please see the events of the prior St Matthew News - most of which are set for this weekend and many of which are centered on LGBTQ Pride celebrations. We expect to be at Evening Prayer this Sunday, and hope to see some of you there! One Other Event Our friend Caro Hall, who just retired as rector of St Benedict Church in Los Osos mentions the following event: Can Nuclear Energy Help Meet US Climate Goals? June 2, 2023, 1:30pm EST (10:30am PST) From the Inflation Reduction Act to Oliver Stone's new film, there's a renewed discussion about the role nuclear energy could play in the climate fight. Join us for an expert briefing drilling down on the issue, with highly qualified presenters including the former chair of the NRC. WHAT? You're invited to a June 2 Zoom briefing designed for members of Congress, their staffs, relevant federal agencies, and the media. It features leading independent experts who have critically analyzed nuclear power's potential role in fighting climate change. These experts will present evidence showing the evolution of nuclear power's costs and risks, and discuss how to meet America's low-carbon energy needs. Whatever your current positions on nuclear power or climate change, you'll gain new insights by hearing and questioning these highly credible expert sources. WHO? The following distinguished experts on nuclear energy will present at the briefing: · Cindy Folkers M.S., Radiation and Health Hazard Specialist, Beyond Nuclear, Moderator · The Hon. Gregory Jaczko, former chair, U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission · Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, Stanford University Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Director of Stanford's Atmosphere/Energy Program, and author of No Miracles Needed: How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air. · Dr. M. V. Ramana, Professor and Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, and Graduate Program Director of its Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program. WHEN & WHERE? The Zoom webinar will take place June 2, 2023 1:30pm Eastern time. You can register with just a few keystrokes here. Feel free to share this invite and the registration link with colleagues who might be interested. The Zoom webinar is secure, and there will be plenty of opportunity for questions and dialog with the presenters. WHY? The Biden administration and Congress both favor increased reliance on and federal funding for nuclear energy and advanced reactors. Nuclear is increasingly billed as a way to decarbonize power generation and help meet US climate goals, including the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Inflation Reduction Act includes hundreds of billions of dollars for existing and new nuclear plants, and to develop and deploy "advanced" nuclear reactors. Several other bills, for example the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2023 recently introduced in the Senate, provide additional funding for conventional and "advanced" nuclear power. The briefing will offer expert assessment and an evidence basis for analyzing whether increasing US investment in and reliance on nuclear energy can help meet US climate goals as promised. REGISTER HERE This briefing is sponsored by the Samuel Lawrence Foundation, with support from members of the National Decommissioning Working Group, and the Sierra Club Lower Hudson and Atlantic Chapters. For more information, contact Stephen Kent at skent@kentcom.com or (914) 589-5988 |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
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