Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include an (alternate, but more interesting) lesson from Ecclesiastes, more from Colossians and a simple but direct parable in a lesson from Luke. The simple but direct parable from Luke is of the wealthy man who is his attempt to store his wealth is foolish, as he will die "this very night". The lesson is very much in accord with that from Ecclesiastes, though the latter makes a much more complete case in the short lesson. one would think from all that there is no point to our labours. But is that the case? Wiki tells us that Ecclesiastes concludes with the injunction to "Fear God keep his commandments, for that is the all of humankind. since every deed will God bring to judgment, for every hidden act, be it good or evil." To us it seems that the writer of Colossians makes sense of all this when he explains how to "Fear God and keep his commandments" by being "raised with Christ". When humans understand that they are so raised, all the work becomes a part of te building of God's kingdom on earth. From this high vantage point one ca, with a godly view, see how the toil fits into place in the communal kingdom of God's love. As the Colossians writers says "But now uou must get rid of all such things, anger wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator." This is how to realise the Ecclesiastes injunction to fear God. The characteristics the Colossians writer lists begin at home, in marriage and family relationships, but continue to one's neigbbours and communities right up to the nations of earth. Indeed marriage is recognised by the community because it builds up the community of God's kingdom of love. (Note that some still think of marriage, which is in fact a "contract" defined by the state as being instead a mystical union defined by the Deity, and as such it seems a better understanding is had when we recognise that a marriage, licensed by the state is worthy of being "blessed" by religious institutions when they recognise that in fact commitment to the marriage is a "blessing" to the broader community.) Many of us who are married (see note below from Bp Lucinda), including Tony(!) and myself, have learned that marriage is indeed a "labour of love" because it is a labour FOR love. This labour can and should extend to families, including biological ones, and those we construct, including even groups of friends, in our congregations, and other worthy groups. The work is one of constant patient communication and a willingness to do the things that will benefit each other and the marriage, group, community, nation, and world. So too, the building of the godly community is a labour for love, done with good will and good cheer, tempered by sound judgment. This labour is not a vanity but rather it is all a part of the realisation of God's kingdom. May we all labour FOR love, in our marriages envisaged in God's kingdom, where all are in effect "married" to all and so to God - in our communities and in the world, seeking to bring about the reality of the last line of the Colossians passage that Christ is all and in all." Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events Our own St Matts will be having Evening Prayer on Sunday at 4pm at the chapel in San Ardo and we hope you will join us. Our missions St Lukes in Jolon and St Marks in King City will be meeting for services at their chapels, both at 10am. Please also be sure to check the websites of parishes near you (and some not so near) for events of spiritual growth and fellowshipo, including especially the SLO Deanery's websites at www.sloepiscopalians.org Most of you know that LGBT Pride events have been occurring in recent months. One such place is the Santa Ynez Valley, where some of you may have hear that the "Gay Pride Flag" raised there by St Marks Episcopal Church was stolen. This helps bring into focus the major event we wanted to mention this week, the every tenth year or so gathering of the bishops of the Anglican Communion at the Lambeth Conference, which has begun at Canterbury Cathedral with "photo day" for the 800 or so bishops of the Anglican Communion at Canterbury Cathedral, and continues with sessions at the nearby University of Kent in England. The Episcopal Church is a member of this loose body of more local (many of the "national") churches, with the the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Communion's convener. The Archbishop, currently the Most Rev Justin Welby, has set an agenda which incldues the consideration of many resolutions as a series of "calls", of which our own Bishop, Rt Rev Lucinda Ashby, wrote this week " For the most part, these calls are ideal, hopeful and admirable. However, buried in the document (might I say carefully buried), under the “Call for Human Dignity,” is a paragraph that states: “It is the mind of the Anglican Communion as a whole that same gender marriage is not permissible” and cites Lambeth I.10, affirmed in 2008. We are told that we are to affirm this call with a “yes,” vote, or a “yes, but not yet” vote—which would leave no room for a “no” vote. I stand in full support of same-gender and mixed-gender marriages. I believe in the value of life-long relationships and the honesty of living into our true authentic selves in the fullness of these relationships. The quote you find on the end of all of my e-mails comes from Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd Century): “The glory of God is the human person wholly alive.” To be called to affirm human dignity without affirming the fullness of every human being is not, in my view, possible. I will not affirm a “Call” that I believe would cause harm to our people and those we love. I will be a part of a “mind of the Anglican Communion” on issues that truly respect the dignity of every human being—as stated in our baptismal covenant." You can learn about this year's Lambeth Conference event at https://www.lambethconference.org/ We will be reporting more on this event as it unfolds thru Aug 8, and our prayers go with Bp Lucinda as she and her fellow bishops work on their differences as they try to build God's kingdom on earth. I expect from the meditation above that you know our personal feelings on this question. B(&T!)
0 Comments
Friends,
The lessons for this Sunday include a lesson from Hosea, with an alternate from Genesis. To my mind, BOTH these lessons are somewhat obscure. By doing some research (as at the Working Preacher sites) one can learn about the allegorical meaning of the names of the characters, inclduing Hosea's wife (whoredom) and three children ("God sows", "not shown compassion", and most tellingly "not my people") - all these names being reversed (the full reversal begins in today's lesson and is reversed in the rest of the chapter). The alternate lesson from Genesis contains the familiar story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the bargaining with God to save innocents who happen to live in those places. Note that in subsequent passages in Genesis the two cities are indeed destroyed and we are not told if there were ANY innocents in them, once Lot and his family are safely out. The epistle lesson is from Colossians, with Paul warning the faithful of "philosophy and deceit" (despite his own philosophising in several places in his writing) and saying that we all been dead in our trespasses (the lesson goes on to note God's forgiveness, another turnaround). When first looking at the above lessons, I couldn't help but remark to Tony(!) that these lessons seemed obscure, and that the lectionary writers could have done better (I am not a fan of having to research suggested lessons for complete context, etc, though some references can help a Lot). Indeed the best I can say for these lessons is that there are hard truths including such as we witness today, where in wars and even in police actions innocent people may be killed in attempts to do justice for many. But the gospel lesson this sunday from Luke "saves the day", and in so doing reminds us to take all scripture in context. In the gospel's conclusion Jesus says plainly to "Ask, and it will be given you, search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you." So how does this "square" with God's actions of destroying cities where there might have been under 10 who were innocent, let alone the slaughter of many more innocents in wars throughout human history, and on a much more personal level that "sin" is a reality in the human community? To me it suggests that we need to have the "faith" in the progression of humanity as we struggle to feel our way to that "omega point" where the obviousness of God's love is clear to all - a point where humanity has come collectively to the conclusion that indeed love "conquers all". This positive view of history is indeed a matter of faith - nothing in the historical record proves (nor disproves) that it is so. Yet I sense the choice is mine, and with that choice once made, it seems easy. Choose God - choose love! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts Events While we are still travelling for work this week, we wanted to reiterate briefly that we at St Matts will be having Evening Prayer at 4pm this Sunday, and our fellow missions St Marks in King City will have services at 10am while St Lukes in Jolon will have services at 10am led by our friend SuRay. Please see the websites for events regular and special at parishes near you along with the SLO Deanery websites at www.sloepiscopalians.org We hope you all will remember that St Lukes has their Montly Vespers and Potluck pm July 28th at 6pm! (Special thanks to Daphne Denny for the reminder!) Folks, The lessons for this Sunday include another bit of history from the prophet Amos (recall he did not see himself as a prophet until he spoke with God, who showed him a plumb line to judge what is upright). But it sounds like Amos in this lesson has "thrown in the towel" and all is doom, destruction and despair - concluding of course with famine. But note that the lesson says "not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." It seems he thinks the people are not hearing the messages of the prophets to the people. The most curious lesson this Sunday is Paul writing to the Colossians and discussing sufferings he and the church will need to go thru (important to remember that he was indeed suffering at the hands of both Roman and Jewish authorities) and says he was "rejoicing in it. There is little doubt that he and the early church were persecuted. Seeking to learn more about the passage I found some suggestions at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/lacking-in-christs-afflictions/ and https://www.bibleref.com/Colossians/1/Colossians-1-24.html Note that the former talks about notions of a mystical union with Christ. While I have great appreciation for the notions of the "mystical" (it fits well with my Russian Orthodox upbringing) I have often said that "holy mysteries" only get you "so far". Indeed, I tend to think that if all one can say is "it is a mystery" (which is indeed the fundamental truth of all creation) one might as well not speak at all. The latter reference usefully points out that whatever else Paul had in his mind, his suffering differed from Christ's in that the Crucifixion was a "sacrifice" to "atone" (make AT ONE) for the people's sins (separation from God) while Paul was suffering for the newly born church thus making his suffering a "service" to the church, not a sacrifice. This seems to explain a lot, including why Paul is rather matter-of-fact about his persecutions and those of the young, rapidly growing church. For the above reason among others it seems this part of the lectionary is rather more about the history of the Christian Church (despite my great fondness for Paul's content, if not his wordiness) - useful but not especially spiritually "edifying" - and somewhat like much OT history. The gospel lesson is indeed "hot" - that is, important for us today. And while in the past you may recall I have spoken of the need for balance in the approaches of Mary and Martha (where would be be without the Marthas in our world?) today it seems important to remember "the better part". (Indeed in noting the spiritual is a "part" of what He is all about, Jesus is commending attention to both - and it can be added that you can't have one (for long) without the other. Thus the life of the Spirit, however ill-defined, is as critical for human life as "bread and water", and vice versa. We hope we can all take some time to reflect on spiritual truth, even as we go about our daily lives. Our love to all in God's loving Spirit, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events This Sunday St Matts will meet for Evening Prayer at a slightly different time, 4pm. This is to enable us to enjoy the regular summer Salinas Valley breeze (the "onshore flow" that comes most afternoons). As mentioned, there is something spiritual about the chapel in San Ardo, and especially as the breeze comes thru the open windows (after all, "spirit" means wind) Our fellow missions in South Montery County, St Lukes in Jolon and St Marks in King City will be meeting together for a Eucharist service at St Lukes beautiful Carpenters Gothic chapel - the only remaining building still in use in the historic village of Jolon. (Note that Fr Filemon of St Marks will be leading the service, and he can tell you that St Marks is also a beautiful Carpenters Gothic chapel, but with perhaps an even greater calling to quiet meditation with its darker wood intereior and stained glass. BOTH are truly sites worht visiting for a spiritual lift! Our "big sibling" parish, St James Church in Paso Robles, tells that this Sunday Rev Dcn Jim Arnold will lead 8am and 10am services, both in person and online, with coffee hour after the 10am service. Rector Rev Barbara Miller will be back on the following Sunday. St James also tells us that on St James Day, Sunday July 24, the parish will celebrate with the Annual Parish Picnic at the Railsback House. For full info call the parish office at 805.238.0819. As above at St Marks and St Lukes, as well as our own St Matts, we are blessed to have many capable lay worship leaders (Tony! usually leads the services at St Matts, including this Sunday.) From Rev Cannon Martha Korienek we hear of training of such lay leaders: In June I emailed you about a Lay Worship Leader training, intended to train your laity to lead Morning Prayer so they could be licensed by the Bishop to do so. I wasn’t able to give you very much advance notice, because there seemed to be an immediate need and so the training was scheduled very quickly. Now that the first group of trainees is well underway, I can schedule another training, and give you more notice. The next Lay Worship Leader training will be Sunday, August 21, 1-4pm, on Zoom. If you have any parishioners whom you would like to have trained to officiate Morning Prayer, and eligible to be licensed by Bishop Lucinda, please have them sign up for this training by clicking HERE. Please let them know that this training session is “Part One” of the overall training. After they finish the session on August 21st, they will then be asked to plan a Morning Prayer service, and, at a later time, lead their planned Morning Prayer with either you or I as their congregation (in person or on Zoom). Officiating Morning Prayer and receiving feedback is “Part Two.” Once they have completed Part One and Part Two, they are eligible to be licensed. St Pauls Cathedral in San Diego will again present its in-person and live-streamed Choral Evensong (you can watch it on their website at https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001himKzHeZ7kukvuo2sYVbDZAuhfaFyROKU-VmkUNK3bCsmFCjYICCTKMH9PNppU-qyv95a5UzaH2X0cpkiyh774l_58nazxgr3p7QqORBLPnm_k7K9pMg_AL4TgcwQK5gRlH5qYqMeaJ1jKxbhGne_sCXTST6wEh6&c=y-A0gS9ifO7Wg_YpzIHTzLa1MVV092wUWva0ZmhEDCMST6DMldRB6w==&ch=x-5TeoaKBiWW-f7QVP8d5Mul_g_RDqz1XJUwQZrPA49dxiwV0MvSnQ== and to quote from their online newletter "This week's in-person Evensong will be a departure from the norm. Due the intransigencies of life (some enumerated in The Great Litany, q.v., BCP, p. 148), the number of Schola members available to sing Sunday is somewhat reduced. I see it as an opportunity. This (non-cradle) Episcopalian can't be the only one who sometimes feels nostalgic for the daily office chants, canticles, etc. sung both by choir and congregation. If this is something you remember enjoying, this is the week to attend! If you are only familiar with the true Cathedral-style choral evensong (as we do here), and if you are unfamiliar this parish-church-Sunday-evensong style of service, think about attending this week to experience it. It has its own distinct personality and feel that is quite nice. The canticles will be the old familiar chant canticles, and the congregation is welcome to sing with the choir, and on the plainsong Preces & Responses as well. I plan on using handbells with the canticles as was done at St Paul's a few decades ago." From the Diocese Bp Lucinda Ashby visited the parish of St Pauls in Cambria recently on the occasion of their 60th Anniversary. In the new diocesan magazine, Real Episcopal, we read of more preparation for the General (national) Convention (with a website you can sign-on to for direct Convention news), the ordination of Jen Crompton, and especially the efforts of ERD helping Ukrainian refugees - see https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=3a71dfdd2c&e=f136cc0442 for more info and ways you can help. Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday provide a useful "progress" from Old Testament times with a gospel lesson from Luke, an Epistle lesson from Paul writing to the Colossians, and a choice of two, from Amos or Deuteronomy. Note that it is unusual to have such a choice since the two OT lessons seem diametrically opposite each other, with Amos prophesying dire warnings to Israel's Kin Amaziah, while in Deuteronomy, Moses predicts great things for the people of Israel, and especially that "the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe." I say this two opposites are both part of the building of God's people in the form of the nation of Israel. And they carry right on thru to that reformed temple policeman Paul in his Colossians letter, as he continues his work diligently building a church filled with God's spirit of faith and love. (Note that in his writing, Paul is one of the writers who most uses the word and notion of Grace, even beginning his letter to the church in Colossae with it - this from one actively persecuted and sometimes imprisoned for spreading the Good News of God's Love.) Paul goes on saying "as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God." He has faith that such good works and knowledge will ensue. The Gospel lesson of the Good Samaritan then completes the picture with a concrete example of such "good work" as the enquiring lawyer hears the parable and immediately recognises who was the hypothetical "neighbour". Let us all "Go and do likewise." Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events Note that we hear from our good friend Daphne Denny that Roy Morris, one of several great lay leaders at fellow mission St Lukes in Jolon, will be leading services this Sunday at 10am, while Fr Filemon will be leading the Eucharist service at St Marks in King City. As is our (newly established) custom St Matts in San Ardo will have Evening Prayer at 3:30pm. Note that despite the (afternoon) heat, San Ardo tends to be the early beneficiary of the Salinas Valley pm breeze, making the chapel an especially welcome place for meditation and prayer! Tony(!) will be leading the service while I will be offering a meditation on the lessons, hopefully sparking some discussion afterwards. While we often mention items directly from Good Shepherd Church in Salinas, we are delighted today that Fr Filemon in King City in his weekly email news mentioned the following: In celebration of summer and in response to requests, Church of the Good Shepherd is hosting its annual, scrumptious take-out BBQ chicken dinner on Saturday, July 16. Chicken dinner includes ½ chicken, homemade beans, salad and garlic bread. Pick up is available between 11:00am and 2:00pm on July 16th at 301 Corral De Tierra Road, off Hwy 68 between Monterey and Salinas. Each dinner is $20 and tickets are available in advance at www.goodshepherdcorrall.org/BBQ It's great to see the parishes working cooperatively! Other Events As a reminder that Zoom enables though of us who are more remote (one cannot be in the California Central Coast area and be much more remote than at the Ranch!) to participate in events at parishes everywhere. This Sunday at their Forum at 9am, St Pauls Cathedral in San Diego tells us this Sunday's title is "Breaking Through" and goes on to say "In this forum, Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas guides us to explore the barriers we put up, often unconsciously, that hinder our relationship with God and sense of the sacred. Or, as author Marjorie Thompson says, how we wiggle out of our mutual relationship with God. Specifically, we will look at traps we can fall into that hinder the health and vibrancy of spiritual practices which usually goes hand and hand with the health and vibrancy of our spiritual life." Go to www.stpaulcathedral.org for full details. Also at St Pauls This Sunday at 5pm they will have an in-person Evensong service which will also be available on their own websites and at youtube and they tell us "Choral Evensong, sung by the Cathedral Schola will include works by Barry Rose, John Bertot, Sir George Dyson, and the anthem "O how amiable are thy dwellings" by Ralph Vaughan Williams" see the above url for full details. And as this week's feature under events, we want to mention the great work that St Lukes Church in Atascadero, a primarily lay-led congregation, have been doing. While saying farewell to interim priest Rev Susan Plucker at a reception following 9am services on Sun July 17, they will begin their Annual Community Engagement (ACE) program, a program recommended by Bp Lucinda to stimulate things like pastoral care or prayer requests with other members or friends of the congregation as well as service to individual and organisations like feeding folks at ECHO (El Camino Homeless Organisation). Statistics will be compiled in the church Register of Services of such outreaching events and then included in the annual Parochial Report. St Lukes is one of the most active parishes, especially relative to its size, in the Diocese. Also remember that folks at St Lukes, including especially leader Cindy Castle, have weekly Taize Music events on Sundays at 7pm via Zoom - contact Cindy at castlewood16@gmail.com for full info. For full info on St Lukes to to stukesatascadero.org We also want to mention one other very special event set for Fri, Jul 22 at 4pm at St Benedicts Church in Los Osos where the rector, Rev Dr Caroline Hall will be presented the "Congressional Woman of the Year Award" by local congressman Salud Carbajal. Congrats, Caro! Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include from 2 Kings wherein there was a "near-miss" when Naaman was offended that Elisha wouldn't come out to see him as he arrived as a great warrior (fortunately his servants got him to consider doing the simple thing Elisha suggested, and his leprosy was cured); from Luke's gospel, a lesson replete with instructions for "missionary work" and another jewel from Paul's letter to the Galatians: "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith." Paul again emphasises the life of the Spirit here (and goes on with more about the circumcision arguments in LARGE LETTERS!) As most of you know, I love Paul's emphasis on the spiritual life, but in these lessons I noticed in the 2 Kings lesson that it was the advice of Naaman's servants that saved him from his disease. In all our wonder about gosple healing miracles as Jesus mention, and even the spiritual life Paul talks about, to me the lesson this week is again the wisdom of a "reasonable humility" (it took Naaman's servants to get him to humble himself and so be cured). So often in life the best advice comes from humbler folks who have been willing to observe the situation without preconception, and Naaman was lucky to have such helpful servants! May we all listen to wisdom from all who earnestly desire our good, including the "meek and lowly"! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events Evening Prayer commences this Sunday at St Matts in "Downtown San Ardo) at 3:30pm - we hope you can join us! Note that our fellow missions in Southern Monterey County, St Marks in King City and St Lukes in Jolon, will be meeting together for Holy Eucharist at St Marks chapel in Downtown King City. We note that Summer Camp for kids will be taking place, including Camp St Andrews (sponsored by St Andrews Church in Saratoga), and now we read in the newsletter from St Stephens Church in San Luis Obispo of Encanto SLO - a vacation bible camp program, Aug 1-5 for kids 5-13. Also note they add that HELP WANTED for ENCANTO SLO!!! There are many ways you can help make ENCANTO SLO Vacation Bible Camp a fun faith building experience for the kids who attend. Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters, help prepare and serve snacks, help set up the space and prepare materials, read stories, help with crafts, music, games, activities and more. Whatever your gift is there’s sure to be a way to use it in ENCANTO SLO. Help all week or just a few hours one day, whatever fits your schedule. Meanwhile our friends at Pauls Cathedral in San Diego tell us of many summer special events, including Summer Evening Socials. their young adult ministry, Millennial and Gen-Z adults are invited joining at Pure Project to get to know one another. Also at St Pauls, on Saturday, July 16, 10 am, a large group will be participating in San Diego Pride. From their newsletter: "The Pride parade is back in 2022 and St. Paul’s is ready to join in! We need lots of parade walkers this year to show our support for all things PRIDE. We have a Trolley with limited seating for those unable to walk. The clergy will be offering a Pride Eucharist service at the staging site, where we will also decorate the trolley. Parade walkers should be prepared for hot weather, wear comfy shoes and bring your sunscreen. Plan to meet us at the Cathedral at 9 am if you want to walk up to the staging area as a group. The staging site will be provided if you wish to meet us there but remember there is NO parking in Hillcrest or near the staging area. Register to walk with St. Paul's contingent here!" for full info on these and other summer events at St Pauls go to www.stpaulcathedral.org From the Diocese We hear of the upcoming General Convention: "THIS WILL BE A VERY DIFFERENT GENERAL CONVENTION - BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!" -- Katy Dickinson, Deputy to the Convention The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will meet in Baltimore on July 8-11. Check back on our webpage by clicking here: https://www.realepiscopal.org/calendar-event/80th-general-convention/ And we hear of a rather special retreat event described thus: Silent prayer and meditation in the California Redwoods. … If that fits your longing, Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation (see https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=e33f03ac4c&e=f136cc0442 will be offering their annual silent 5-day Buddhist-Christian meditation retreat, July 17-22, 2022, at Ben Lomond Quaker Center and via Zoom. In-person and on-line participants will practice together Also note that THE SUMMER ISSUE OF REAL EPISCOPAL MAGAZINE IS COMING OUT! Keep an eye on your mailbox for it to arrive soon if you are on the mailing list. If you are not, your church will be getting some extra copies and you can pick one up there. Also for Summer, our friends at the Bishops ranch near Healdsburg tell us "Rediscover the magic of BREAD camps at TOAST (Telling Our Abundant Stories Together). We will visit old friends, reconnect with the sacred space of The Ranch, and participate in some of the same activities that made us fall in love with camp. Registration will close on July 9, 2022, so register now! REGISTER at https://bishopsranch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7bb9b06539cb9bbffefafae15&id=a8bf10743e&e=7ea56651b4 There is still time to register your child for BREAD Discoverers July 17-22, 2022 (entering grades 4-6). Click here for more information! https://bishopsranch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7bb9b06539cb9bbffefafae15&id=13dcbdf688&e=7ea56651b4 |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
st. matthews newsWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2024
Categories |