Dear Friends,
As you know, we find etymologies to be of great interest, and the lessons appointed for this Sunday seem very much oriented to "sin". Note that by a curious coincidence, this word seems to have come down to English speakers by way of Latin "sons" or "sont-is" meaning "guilty". Curiously however, a word of similar pronunciation also was used to name a patch of desert that the first lesson (Exodus 17) tells us the Jews passed thru on their way to Canaan, a name perhaps related to that of Mt Sinai - hence the "Wilderness of Sin". In his letter to the young church in Philippi, possibly written in Ephesus (recall that the group there seemed filled with conflict), Paul urges "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus ..." Note that last night we had a conversation with family on friends via Zoom we discussed anger over unfairness in society in recent demonstrations can lead to violence at which we realised that transgressions against group norms such as non-violence can usefully be regarded as "sinful". One of our group reminded us of Jonah's attitude in what he saw as "unfair" in God's change of heart, not destroying the city of Nineveh. This lead to Jonah going out of the city to see what becomes of it. The Lord made a bush come to shade over Jonah, but the next day also caused a worm to attack the bush that it withered. Jonah was beaten down by the sun making Jonah really angry - "angry enough to die" (Jonah 4). Thus "righteous indignation" can spill over into self-destructive anger as it did for Jonah. Note again that none of this means we should not seek after justice and fairness - as mentioned last week the scriptures seem to depend on these "natural" human reactions to the various dislocations of living in communities. But Paul above suggests a better (if more challenging) way each of us can avoid such self-destructiveness which is sin- by regarding, in humility, others as better than ourselves. May we all find our way out of the wilderness of sin by such humility! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) Events Our friend Rev Linda McConnell of Good Shepherd Church in Salinas, in addition to ther many other activities (see https://www.goodshepherdcorral.org/ recommends a delightful podcast related to the meditiation above featuring children in a pre-school classroom using a "Tattle Phone" called "No Fair" which you can hear at https://www.thisamericanlife.org/672/no-fair?utm_source=Church+of+the+Good+Shepherd+e-News&utm_campaign=7c4134a0b0-ENEWS_4_21_2020_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bfa72973cb-7c4134a0b0-1243463&mc_cid=7c4134a0b0&mc_eid=cc1155f723 Good Shepherd will also celebrate and pray for the Health of Creation on Sun Oct 4 at 10am via Zoom (for link go to https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=4131f64d28&e=cc1155f723 Our own St Matthews Church in San Ardo continues offering a service of Morning Prayer at 9:30 Sunday in our courtyard arranged for proper social distance - bring your masks. For most regular worship events in our Deanery, we suggest going to the Deanery website at www.sloepiscopalians.org Note for our nearest neighbouring missions, St Marks in King City and St Lukes in Jolon, also founded in the 1880s by Rev J S McGowan, Fr Filemon Diaz tells us there will be a joint Zoom service tomorrow at 10am at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4777200535 [us02web.zoom.us] Meeting ID: 477 720 0535 One tap mobile +16699009128, Special Events While it is a regular event, St Pauls Church in Cambria will have Morning Prayer TOMORROW at 9:30am via Zoom and WE HOPE TO BE THERE (note that events at our mission parishes are very SPECIAL to us). To attend go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83280917163?pwd=akViRW82cnVMUU9HSjJPOVI3UFgxQT09 Meeting ID: 832 8091 7163 Passcode: 083556 St Benedicts Church in Los Osos tells us that the next Hollister Institute discussion series will begin on Tues Oct 6 at 10:15am via their Zoom link which can be found at http://www.stbenslososos.org (St Bens regular slate of services include 8am contemplative on Zoom, Short Service at 9:30am in person in their parking lot, 10:30am Worship at Facebook, 11:30am Zoom - all TOMORROW - and 9:45am Morning Prayer and 5:30 pm Vespers on Zoom on Tues 9/29 - 3pm Wed 9/30 Earthcare Meeting on Zoom - 11am Thurs 10/1 Hollister Institute discussion of the Book of Romans on Zoom - 4pm Silent Meditation in person on St Bens Veranda and People's Church in person on Palisades Avenue in Los Osos - and noon 10/4 People's Kitchen St Peters Church in Morro Bay was so pleased by their first outdoor in person that they decided they will continue each Sunday meeting in this way at noon unless smoke or bad weather prevents. Padre Sid at St Peters recommends at this Covid time of reduced travel a tour of historic places in Italy at http://www.openculture.com/2020/09/high-resolution-walking-tours-of-italys-most-historic-places.html St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande will have "Drive-Thru Animal Blessings' in their parking lot on Oct 4 with priest or deacon delivering the blessing to your pet thru your open car window - email their office, SaintBarnabas.AG@gmail.com for a time slot. And photos of pets can be emailed to that address for a blessing that Sun at their 10am Facebook Live Streamed Service by the preceding Thurs. Note that they will have their 8am in person outdoor service (by reservation) that Sun but no in person service at 11:30am - but TOMORROW, Sun Sep 27, they will have those 8am and 11:30am in person services (no reservations required - just bring your chair, wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing). On BOTH Sundays they will have live-streamed worship at 10am at their Facebook page: https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=e8f63370ca&e=acee3ced34 During the week they will have: Morning Prayer Tues at 9:30am and Biblical Roundtable at 10am via Zoom at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=d1fa7a565d&e=acee3ced34 To dial in call 1-669-900-6833. When prompted put in the meeting id of 878 6513 4138# and when prompted for a password put in 365072#, and then hit # a second time. Wed Evening Prayer with St James at 6pm via Zoom at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=f15f3616b8&e=acee3ced34 To dial in call 1-669-900-6833. When prompted put in the meeting id of 976 1898 6631# and when prompted for a password put in 820301#, and then hit # a second time. Thurs Evening Prayer at 6pm live streamed at their Facebook page - go to https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=b9b5e79e8f&e=acee3ced34 ANd Fri afternoon Centering Prayer at 4pm via Zoom - go to https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=f7e1b7c544&e=acee3ced34 To dial in call 1-669-900-6833. When prompted put in the meeting id of 867 7756 1670# and when prompted for a password put in 034979#, and then hit # a second time. St Barnabas Thrift Shop is having a "Goodbye Ceremony" to their oldThrift Shop building (as it migrates to a new building) Thurs Oct 8 at 10am via Zoom at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=636d164659&e=acee3ced34 Also on that day St Barnabas will host a Zoom meeting to present the California Ballot Initiatives at 7pm, including questions and answers. to join the meeting go to https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=a97bd9c03b&e=acee3ced34 To join the Zoom call from your phone or landline call 1-669-900-6833. When prompted put in the meeting id of 880 6255 4066# and when prompted for a password put in 298941#, and then hit # a second time. And St Barnabas will have a five week Fall Book Study on Ibram Kendi's book “How to Be an Anti-Racist.” beginning Thur Oct 22 at 7pm. Note that the above events within the San Luis Opispo Deanery are just some of those available. See more including from St Stephens Church, SLO, St James Church, Paso Robles, and St Lukes Church Atascadero at www.sloepiscopalians.org Diocese and Beyond Our friend Diane Lovelace tells us that ECW (Episcopal Church Women) is offering a Virtual Retreat on Oct 24 to remember folks like suffragist Ida Ida B Wells and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. To receive the Zoom link email dsdonnaseelbach2@gmail.com The folks at The Bishops Ranch (Episcopal) near Healdsburg tell us that Fall Weekend Retreat spaces are available for individuals, families and "pods" (groups of individuals who have chosen to live closely) - see https://bishopsranch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7bb9b06539cb9bbffefafae15&id=e0eb012db1&e=7ea56651b4 St Pauls Cathedral in San Diego tells us they will have a full slate of online events including Morning Prayer at 8am, an Adult Forum by the Peace and Justice Committee at 9am, Choral Morning Prayer at 10:30am, a VIrtual Coffee Hour at 11:30am, the Kids Crew (Bible study for children) at noon, Spanish language liturgy at 1pm, Evensong at 5pm and the Parent Small Group at pm. For links to all these events and more see their calendar at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001y2721CnV5WCZgvnET8KnMn954Cr3iAyh_k1kn4tG9oyOR7KbJEoROafUsR4IWcLdqh434ZluaFfstBbU7Uwu3eZxbmOCmMqmnI0ojL9BMFHx8IicM4xTyvT7aNJRVcRO5YSm1TzfFvl4TMjCgjEkFEaMx68nlhVZJCKSyrqIn0uF11oesRHOhhtAoBv30Eoy&c=Cpiz_Pd_UTlTKTKyjniI_re-s9YlKg82LII3rr3TQn2CtvrUZ0KBYQ==&ch=8t5avvscii6bd0-gBoGh-LeXgQyvXaD9AUWOecG-X8-N-wWOuB7kYw==
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Folks,
The lessons for this week include from Exodus more of the history of the Jewish tribes following Moses to the promised land and being fed by god with what is often called "manna" from heaven, a word from the ancient Hebrew via Greek referring to a substance exuded by tamarisk trees (a species that does well in arid and desert regions, including Palm Springs here in California. The word has however most generally come to mean something like a generous gift. As you know, the Jews grumbled about being led thru the desert yet were "miraculously" fed by this substance. The "alternative" Track 2 Old Testament lesson is from Jonah who pointedly was upset that God did not destroy Nineveh (he "changed his mind" when he saw they had turned from their evil ways). Jonah went out of the city to see what would become of the place, and God grew a huge bush to afford him shade for the day, but as Jonah continued to be upset God chose to cause the bush to wither as quickly. God asked If it was right for Jonah to be angry about the bush, "And (Jonah) said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” Paul's lesson includes his readiness to die (and receive his reward) and yet willingness to hang on for the sake of the emerging church (see about RBG below). And Matthew's gospel is a telling of the parable of the vineyard workers, some coming early, some at noon and some at the end of the day, and all receiving the same day's wage. (Thanks to Padre Sid of St Peters in Morro Bay for noting that the word parable comes from words meaning to throw - ballo - and para - alongside, ie to offer a guideline. Sid also notes that "diablo" comes from the same ballo - to throw - and dia - a line across ones path.) Note also that this weekend includes the period of Roch Hashanah - the celebration of the Jewish New year. This year Rabbi Stephen Nathan, the chaplain at Lehigh Uniersity, reminds of the saying that "Mercy precedes (is to be taken first) justice". Taken together these lessons suggest a good deal about our relationship to God and the communities around us. Note that this parable was NOT touting equal incomes - indeed Jesus was using the very human concept of fairness to make his real point, that God's mercy (which we are all called to emulate) will be given as God chooses. So too with Jonah's grumbling (and the Jews migrating towards Canaan). And Paul's willingness to labour on in the "vineyard" of souls a testimony of faith in being assured his reward. To us, they strongly suggest we seek fairness (justice) in our dealings on community matters even whle we pray for God's mercy for ourselves and for all - and offer such mercy to all, for such mercy is the bit of God we can offer while labouring in the vineyard. May our mercy precede our justice, evan as we labour on for justice, and while we are sheltered by God's foliage secure in the faith of our reward! Our love to all, and Happy New Year! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events We note that passing of RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) this day. She reminds us all, no matter our political choices, that she was willing to "hang on" despite cancer for the sake of what she saw as justice for the people, and we ask all to pray for her and all the faithful departed. We also want to encourage all who are able to join us at St Matts in San Ardo at 9:30am this Sunday for Morning Prayer, and especially as we glory in the beauty of creation with much clearer skies and cleaner air! We will be meeting in our courtyard garden (with masks and appropriate social distancing). Other events St Peters Church will be having in-person worship at NOON tomorrow, as with us at St Matts following rules for health maintenance. Note that there is a chance they will cancel is the air quality is not at least "Moderate" or better. For those who do not or cannot attend in person remember that they will have their recorded service available on their facebook page, www.facebook.com/StPetersMorroBay along with past services. Meanwhile St Barnabas Church, Arroyo Grande, already meeting for in-person worship again this Sunday, has extended their in-person ministry with a meeting to assemble Homeless Hygeine Bags yseterday. Because of the in-person service 8:30am and 10am virtual service at St Barnabas they will be having "St Francis Pet Blessings as part of the virtual 10am Eucharist online using pictures of pets folks have sent to them. However, at 11:30am they will have their "Drive-thru Pet Blessings" as in prior years in the parish parking lot with 10 minutes time-slots for each. Because of this event there will be no formal in-person service at 11:30am. Note that the 10am online services can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/StBarnabasAG/ both live and available after for re-watching. St Barnabas will also have Tuesday Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Biblical Roundtable at 10:00 am using the Zoom video conferencing service - click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87865134138?pwd=VnV3YnVuWEFsU21vczYxRWVnUmFzU T09 [saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com] To dial in call 1-669-900-6833. When prompted put in the meeting id of 878 6513 4138# and when prompted for a password put in 365072#, and then hit # a second time. And St Barnabas again teams up with St James Church in Paso Robles for Evening Prayer at 6pm Wed. They will also have Evening Prayer Thurs at 6pm and Centering Prayer Fri at 4pm. Note that these will all be Zoom events. For the above and most other events in the Deanery we encourage all to visit the Deanery website, www.sloepiscopalians.org St Benedicts Church. Los Osos, along with their many Zoom events (again see the Deanery websites) will be having a Zoom meeting of the "Hollister Institute" book discussion of the book "Eternal Echoes" on Tues Sep 22 at 11am. The Institute will meet again on Thurs Sep 24 at 11am to discuss Paul's Epistle to the Romans. On Fri Sep 25 St Bens will meet for Silent Meditation on their beautiful veranda led by Celeste Pennington and Carol McPhee Norton. Note that as they have done in the past, St Bens will participate in "People's Worship" on Palisades Avenue with the Catholic church and others. The service will last no more than 30 minutes and all are welcome! On Sundays St Ben's worship services can be viewed via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/StBensLosOsos/ at 10:30am and followed by a lively Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:30am. And St Bens joins in celebrating the Season of Creation we have been mentioning (with special reference to Rev Roger Wharton's videos - see below) including a special themed liturgy on Sun Oct 4 at 10:30am. St Bens themes for tomorrow and the next Sunday are September 20 – The Justice of God and the Dignity of All Creation September 27 – The Kinship and Unity of All Creation in Christ and of course Oct 4 they will observe St Francis Day. and will have the following related events: St Stephens Church in SLO will have Facebook Live worship tomorrow at 10am with Rev Roger Wharton, Eco-Chaplain (see more below) as gues preacher - go to http://www.facebook.com/ststephensslo/live/ and follow it up with a Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:15am at https://zoom.us/j/3271528720?pwd=M1hJQlhXNGJORlNBb3NXVHpZY0Yrdz09 Meeting ID: 327 152 8720 Password: 0908 St Stephens also will have a quiet contemplative Eucharist at 8am as well as Centering Prayer on Tues at 5pm and Eucharist with Healing or Morning Prayer on Wed at 12:15pm. On Wed Sep 23 St Stephens will have a Zoom Morning Prayer at 12;15am for which the Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/496602267 and noate that this event will ALSO be at the Facebook Live website mentioned above. St James Church in Paso Robles is announcing the resumption of in-person services, st to begin Sun Sep 27 at 8:30am (reservations required - call or email the parish office to do so). At 10am will have their regular online services - go to www.stjamespasorobles.org and of course it will be followed by their lively Zoom Coffee Hour at 10:45am (sometimes we can make it home in time to participate!) On Sun Oct 4 St James will have a Drive-By Pet Blessing as well, in their case in the alley alongside the church in Paso Robles. On that day they will also have an online blessing with pets at their Zoom coffee hour, ensuring coffee hour will be LIVELY (will cats and dogs spy each others virtual images, and if so, which will run or which get along well?) Tomorrow morning St Lukes Church in Atascadero will have Morning Prayer at 9am - contact Fr Merritt at <merrittgreenwood@gmail.com> for an invitation to this Zoom event and note that we very much enjoyed it last week when travelling! St Lukes will also be studying the book White Fragility as they educate themsleves on the problem of racism on Tues morning - again contact Fr Merritt for an invitation to this Zoom event. Also on Zoom, the parish will be discussing "Me and White Supremacy", a book by Layla Saad following Tues Evening Prayer at at 5:30pm - again contact Fr Merritt for the Zoom invitations. St Lukes is preparing for in-person events by including instructions for cleaning, etc on entry INSIDE the buildings. For full info contact the praish office of Fr Merritt. Note that St Lukes received income of nearly $1,000 from their Farmer's Market series (see last week's News) - all to be donated to Loaves and Fishes, a service for the hungry in San Luis Obispo County. And St Lukes Quilters have been working to create quilts in conjunction with the Mennonite Church for distribution to worldwide disaster spots. From the Deanery The Deanery will meet TOMORROW via Zoom at 2pm - contact David Ottesen for more info at David Ottesen <ottesen2@icloud.com> - he is copied on this email. Also note that all are welcome to the Deanery's Monday night Compline service, a particular beautiful and peace-inducing set of prayers long observed in many monastic traditions. From the Diocese Once again our friend and Eco-chaplain Rev Roger Wharton has offered an online "sermon" for the Season of Creation and will have a Diocesan Care of Creation Noon Prayer meeting on Sep 22. The Zoom meeting will be at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8339051321 Creation Care Webinar Each of us can make a difference by being good stewards of creation through easy-to-do actions. St. Benedict’s Earthcare Committee recommends your participation in the upcoming Zoom meetings offered by St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (Mountain View) Creation Care Task Force. We hope you will join us in taking advantage of the invitation to join these free sessions at 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the designated dates: Wednesday Sept 23 Reducing Your Carbon “Foodprint” What is the real cost of food on the environment? Did you know that bringing food to your table accounts for as much as 25% of human carbon emissions. Learn how simple things, like reducing food waste and eating vegetarian once a week, can have a big impact on global warming. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/CC-Foodprint Wednesday, October 7 Environmental Justice An intergenerational, multi-racial movement promoting environmental, economic, and social justice for where we all live, work, play, learn and pray. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/CC-EnvJustice Also note that the Diocesan Convention will be online this year and to prepare for it, all, but especially delegates and alternates are encouraged to attend a Zoom event TOMORROW at 2pm = go to https://www.realepiscopal-virtualevents.org/ for full information. Weekly Diocesan Conversations About Race every Thursday at 4:30pm, via Zoom The Revs. Karen Cuffie and Jani Wild are leading weekly pastoral conversations on racism every Thursday at 4:30 pm. There will be a brief introduction to the focus of the session followed by discussion and prayers. Please join us; there is no better way to learn, process, and share together than in a faith community. To join the Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022; Password: 748467 One tap mobile: +16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose) Folks,
As we mentioned a couple weeks ago, there are multiple "tracks" especially for the Old Testament lessons set out with an eye to relationship to the New Testament and Gospel lessons. For this Sunday there are in fact three options for the Old Testament, including two from Exodus, both of which cover the miraculous parting of the Red Sea as Moses leading the Jews were hotly pursued by Pharaoh's army. But indeed the third option from Genesis, a continuation of the stoy of Joseph and his brothers, seems all about forgiveness, and beautifully depicts Joseph's willingness to forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery, etc - as Fr Filemon of St Marks King City and St Lukes of Jolon says "an opportunity to see the hand of God". That lesson is amplified by the lessons from Paul's letter to the Romans and Matthew's gospel. But why so many lessons on forgiveness? I'd like to offer one more quote, cute and yet pithy: “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” (said by Nelson Mandela in a 2013 interview in the LA Times) These lessons collectively make clear that forgiveness is especially good for the forgiver - and the community. Without it where would Joseph and the Jews be? Or the young church in Rome or Jerusalem? Where would South Africa be if people abused by apartheid chose to take revenge? It is both a wondrous miracle and a fact of humans in community and nicely summed in that old proverb, "To err is human, TO FORGIVE DIVINE" (ie to demonstrate that grace of God which can be present in humanity). May we all seek to offer forgiveness to others (and include ourselves)! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events Close to Home Folks, we are still travelling for work but have enough time today between projects to give some picture of events in the SLO Deanery and beyond, and note that we will be attending one or more of the online events tomorrow. St Matthews Church in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer outdoors in our courtyard, and while we cannot be there, we encourage all to contact us by phone (805.467.3042) or email if you are interested in attending, so we can have proper "social distancing" at the service. Note that some parishes are holding off on projected in-person outdoor events due to the poor air quality - and again we give thanks for the many Zoom and other online options. Also note that our closest neighbouring missions, St Marks in King City and St Lukes in Jolon, are having a joint Zoom worship tomorrow at 10am: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4777200535 [us02web.zoom.us] Meeting ID: 477 720 0535 Also outside our Deanery but very special to us, Good Shepherd Church in Salinas is winding up their huge Art in the Pastures of Heaven benefit for the parish with the final bidding on artworks for which go to https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=948fa7c949&e=cc1155f723 and full info at www.goodshepherdcorral.org/artshow and remember their Sunday worship is available all week long at https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=b1a2ee132e&e=cc1155f723 Good Shepherd will also on Sep 16 at noon be hearing at their monthly Forum from Jon Wizard of Monterey Bay Habitat for Humanity on the topic Building Accessory Dwelling Units https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=0dde77c565&e=cc1155f723 And Good Shepherd also recommends the "Bible Project: Church at Home" bible study - for info go to https://bibleproject.com/church-at-home and register for the group at https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=41438a1f19&e=cc1155f723 Events As always we recommend going to www.sloepiscopalians.org and especially https://74061144.view-events.com/calendar/74061144/ for the calendar of upcoming events. St Benedicts Church in Los Osos will be restarting outdoor services on Thur Sep 17, in conjunction with Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church at the latter's parking lot at the end of Palisades Street at 4pm. For those who might prefer it, St Bens is havig social-distanced Silent Meditation on their veranda at that same day and time. See more of their events (a very active parish) at the above mentioned Deanery calendar. We are delighted to hear that St James parish in Paso Robles will again be having in person worship events outdoors beginning Sun Sept 27 at 8:30am, but note that Reservations are REQUIRED so call or email the office (see the Deanery website for those details, along with other Deanery parishes). Meanwhile St James will be having Zoom coffee hour tomorrow at 10:45am at https://zoom.us/j/95857513409?pwd=U1JYaVloblQxSVBGT1IrU3dTRzVVZz09#success preceded by worship at 10am - that link see www.stjamespasorobles.org As mentioned below, St James jointly with St Barnabas is having online Evening Prayer via Zoom (see the Zoom link below). St James will have their "Bible Beat" weekly Bible Study next Thurs at 11am - for the Zoom link go to www.stjamespasorobles.org St James also invites all to listen to our friend Rev Roger Wharton's meditation for the "Season of Creation 2nd week" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNDiOiYxSQ0&feature=youtu.be St James members continue to make up sack lunches for Paso Cares to distribute to folks in need along with masks, cooling towels, etc as well as in working conjuntion with CAPSLO/40 Prado to help the homeless. Another active parish, St Barnabas in Arroyo Grande, is participating in the Ninth Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Five Cities Homeless Coalition with area restaurants while avoiding close contact - tickets and info at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=779712dbb5&e=acee3ced34 St Barnabas is also again having two in-person worship services 8am and 11:30am tomorrow in their courtyard, with online Eucharist at 10am. The Bishop has allowed St Barnabas to have these services with a high enough limit that reservations are not required and we hope many will attend! And St Barnabas is again joining St James at 6pm next Wed for online Evening Prayer via Zoom - go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4824802340?pwd=eGd4S2pGcW1CbHpxcGg1c05MUHdsdz 09 [saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com] To dial in call 1-669-900-6833. When prompted put in the meeting id of 482 480 2340# and when prompted for a password put in 662315#, and then hit # a second time. Fr Merritt Greenwood of St Lukes in Atascadero has been emailing invitations to St Lukes online events to all who may be interested - but you have to ask to be on the list, so contact him at Merritt Greenwood <merrittgreenwood@gmail.com> St Lukes reminds us as well that we can donate to help relief for victims of hurricane and fire via Episcopal Relief and Development at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ Other Events s Padre Sid of St Peters Church in Morro Bay commends many musical offerings including in this week's "Pebble" (St Pete's news source) a program of trio sonatas by our friend James Welch of many years, performed at All Saint Church in Palo Alto, where he is the organist, as well as the news sources of St Benedicts Church, Los Osos and St Barnabas, Arroyo Grande. Padre Sid will be having an online worship service tomorrow at www.facebook.com/stpetersmorrobay Please go to the Deanery website for links to all the deanery parish websites and their news sources at www.sloepiscopalians.org From the Deanery We are also delighted to see SLO Deanery Events (ie, regular events that have been occurring at Deanery parishes and which now are being offered as "deanery events") such as Mon Compline at 8pm, Tues Morning Prayer Thurs Evening Prayer and Fri afternoon Centering Prayer Also note that the Deanery is preparing to review the documents for our upcoming Diocesan Convention. The SLO Deanery's "Orientation" event will be a Zoom meeting on Sep 17 at 5:30pm - go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=2842f3163d&e=f136cc0442 and use Meeting ID: 816 3096 5025 Passcode: 717386 To call into meetings: +16699006833, 81630965025# and use ID: 816 3096 5025 From the Diocese In Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County Santa Mara Urban Mission is asking for donations of goods to help people displaced by fire as well as 600 people who have lost jobs due to Covid and 100 homeless folks - info at https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=d3b5cb24a4&e=f136cc0442 In addition to other avenues to donate for relief for fire victims to the Bishop's COVID-19 and Disaster Relief Fund" go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=ec5d9f6ae3&e=f136cc0442 And from the Diocese we hear our friends Revs Karen Cuffie and Jani Wild are leading weekly pastoral conversations on racism every Thursday at 4:30 pm. There will be a brief introduction to the focus of the session followed by discussion and prayers. Please join us; there is no better way to learn, process, and share together than in a faith community. Join the meeting at https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=4f0253f04e&e=f136cc0442 Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022; Password: 748467 One tap mobile: +16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose) From the Broader Church Our Episcopal House of Bishops had a Zoom conference with Dr Anthony Fauci of the CDC and came out with the clear recommendations to follow the science, wear face-coverings, avoid large crowds, and maintain proper social distancing. When a vaccine is available, get vaccinated. We will get thru this best with consideration for self and neighbour. And our Presiding Bp, Most Rev Michael B Curry, is set to be the featured preacher tomorrow on the "Day 1" radio program, which is also available at www.Day1.org Folks,
This Sunday the lessons include Paul writing to the church in Rome in which he recounts some of the Commandments and summed by quoting Jesus: "Love your neighbor as yourself.” But Paul goes on to add (to the Jews): "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." In Matthew's gospel, Jesus goes on to consider the nature of sin therefore with an emphasis on the impacts of words and actions on one's "neighbour" and ends with the comforting words: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” The old testament lesson however recounts the story of the first Passover - very much still a Jewish tradition today, but for me the real import of that lesson is amplified in the others. This is because Jesus, Paul and the Old Testament writer had a common understanding of the importance of a (rather familial) community foremost in their thinking - thus Jesus can speak of two or three and Paul can reiterate the common sense rules of the commandments (the "law"). But above all it is the close action of the people of Israel is getting free of the oppressive rule of the Egyptians at that time that emphasises the community, even while their God could be viewed as extremely cruel to punish the sin of their parents (or even their governors) by saying "I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt". The familial drama goes on to a hurried but ritual infused Passover meal and a hasty departure from Egypt The point that really hits me, despite the presumed misery that struck the Egyptians, is that of the community acting in concert. So too Paul lists again the commandments for the harmony of the community - both of Israel, and the broader church, and the key is LOVE - love for neighbour (and self) which love begets love for the community, which love begets love for God. And in the gospel, Jesus is still speaking to the Jews when saying that in judging offenses in a sort of trial, first with the offending party, then with two or three witnesses for evidence, and finally before the church. it is at that point that he adds "let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector" for at this point Jesus seems to be thinking of "the church" as comprised only of Jews. (It is an irony that the presumed gospel writer had himself been a tax collector, though he was also very much a Jew.) Most of you know that there is something I really treasure in the customs and understandings of the Jewish faith and ethnic group, and in many ways feel a part of that group. For beyond all the fine points and arcane or ethereal doctrinal matters (which mostly serve to divide people) I know the valley of a community understanding of religious matters and indeed of the Godhead itself. My sense is that being able to live and work "in community" by following "the law" will be both "a foretaste of glory divine" (as an old evangelical hymn goes) and as well "heaven on earth". May all come to trust community understanding and have thus have faith! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts Events For yet another week we are having to travel for work, but we want to emphasise so we would like to urge all to worship, either with Morning Prayer at home (as as all of us at St Matts are continuing to do) or at one of the online events such as can be found at the SLO Deanery website, www.sloepiscopalians.org or both! (Tony! and I have managed to this sometimes.) Because of our work, and because the one event we especially want to mention happens tomorrow (Sat, Sep 4), we only have time to mention that event (it is both an in-person, albeit outdoors): TOMORROW St Lukes Church in Atascadero will have a Farmers Market - the last Market Day of the year. They describe the event beautifully: "THE ST. LUKE'S FARMERS MARKET SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 9:00am-'TIL THE PRODUCE IS SOLD THIS IS THE LAST MARKET DAY OF THE YEAR COME EARLY TO SHOP FOR THE FRESHEST PRODUCE OF ATASCADERO! CONSIDER THE GLORIES OF FRESH, RIPE TOMATO PONDER THE WONDER FRESH BAKED SQUASH MEDITATE OF THE PLEASURES OF A FRESH PEACH COME AND REVEL IN THE DELIGHTS OF SUMMER THE PROCEEDS OF THE MARKET ARE GIVEN TO ECHO THE SALE TAKES PLACE ON THE PATIO OF THE CHURCH MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT" and while the forecast calls for some climate warmth tomorrow, the event will reward attenders with great interpersonal warmth - and great produce! (Note that while you are at it, you might enjoy some of St Lukes many and wonderful online worship events, most via Zoom - see the Deanery website - as we have mentioned before we have done so a couple of times, along with most of the other parishes in the Deanery at their online events. Event Past In the spirit of mentioning great online worship opportunities, since we were already outside the Deanery are last Sunday we decided to worship with Good Shepherd Church in Salinas, starting with a Zoom coffee hour, a live-streamed video of the church service with great music by two singers, one of them a keyboard artist, the reading of the gospel by our friend Rev Deacon Cynthia Montague (with her partner Lynn nearby, both at their home) and the sermon by Pastor Linda McConnell. While the subject was suffering - and most of you who know me know I am not a fan of suffering, perhaps the best part was the Zoom sermon discussion afterwards, helping Pastor Linda to guide us a a community understanding of last week's lessons. From the Diocese Please go to www.realepiscopal.org for diocesan news, but note that Bp Lucinda said simply, in response to Fr Merritt Greenwood's invitation to St Lukes farmer's market event (see above): "Love this. Be careful!" |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
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