Folks,
The lessons this Sunday include from the curious Book of Esther - why was it included in the Hebrew and Christian canons, with no mention of God and seemingly mostly about the history of the Jews? (Perhaps to show that just when things look darkest comes a dramatic reversal, in this case that Mordecai and the Jews in Persia were spared and Haman punished as he tried to get execute all the Jews in Ahasuerus akaXerxes Persian kingdom?) Perhaps. But we appreciate the contextual take on the passage at Working Preacher written by Rev Kathryn M Schifferdecker of Luther Seminary at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-26-2/commentary-on-esther-71-6-9-10-920-22-4 who among other useful points mentions that Esther had to bed to be coaxed by Mordecai to ask the king to spsare the Jews (and note that this event is still commemorated in the annual Purim celebration in Jewish homes). Thus God an unwilling person was used to save God's people, the Jews. The epistle lesson once again is from James, suggesting good churchly behaviour - we hope all will pay attention. But the gospel lesson from Mark intrigues me most, since the disciples told Jesus they were concerned that someone was "casting out demons in your name" who was not a part of their group. Jesus replies expansively (if somewhat obliquely)"Whoever is not against us is for us." and goes on to warn against misleading God's followers from the truth. This lesson causes me to ask, even as the lesson singles out " name of Christ" what exactly was meant by this name? To me, without an inquiry of the person who was casting as to his doctrinal purity. bit rather recognising the good deeds being done in casting out demons, that this "name" is indeed the name of the Spirit of God, inclusive of Jesus and all who help others on the spiritual path. The final sentence in the passage speaks of salt, but in fact seems to me to be talking about spirit saying "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” May we all find that spirit in ourselves and give good flavour to all we encounter! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matts will be having Morning Prayer tomorrow at the chapel at 10am and all are welcome! Also note that our big sibling parish, St James Church in Paso Robles, in addition to regular 10am services this Sunday will have an official visit from Bp Lucinda Ashby on Sun Oct 3, doing confirmations. St James i also having "Bible Beat" Bible study at 11am Thursdays, Zoom link , https://zoom.us/j/97608924151?pwd=SVJscVUzaEU4c25GcEtKZlQvN0V1dz09#success Meeting ID 976-0892-4151 and Passcode 516838 And note that a bit further south our friends at St Lukes in Atascadero are having Sunday Morning Worship at 9am and Taize song at 7pm led by our fried Cindy Castle via Zoom - Meeting ID 864 6411 2267 Passcode 346374 at link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86464112267?pwd=L0JXNk9MMW1jWWZ5dGNYQUc4L09GQT09 This past Thursday we attended via Zoom the third session of the webinar being offered by St Benedicts Earthcare group, this one focused on what we can do as individuals. Doing some of things suggested may seem daunting in the face of the gigantic challenge our earthly environment faces and lead to despair. But doing the bits we can helps in several ways: the longest journey they say begins with a single step. Perhaps as important it shows our spirit (see the meditation) as we strive to hold "this fragile earth our island home" in focus for all people to see. The fourth and fifth sessions of the Earthcare webinar will take place on Thurs, Sep 30 and Thurs Oct 7 at 6:30pm. These sessions will focus on what congregations can do (4) and public advocacy (5). For full info go to https://www.stbenslososos.org/a-beginners-guide-to-creation-care-and-the-climate-crisis/ The Zoom link for these two sessions is https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86790129694?pwd%3DRzJTVFhNSHdOb3Y3QVBBNG5oZW9mQT09&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1631482059180646&usg=AOvVaw0uho5d2dOuG42f7lDJE8cA Note that St Benedicts is a very active parish as you can see at www.https://www.stbenslososos.org/ and by going to the Events and Calendar subtabs. Many of ur friends at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande are off this weekend to their annual Parish Campout at Lopez Lake, though there will still be services at the church as well. As we have mentioned, St Barnabas will have their Creation Care series via Zoom beginning on Thurs Sep 30 at 7pm and hope to take in the later part of that event as well - it is a pleasure to have many parishes working on these efforts of Creation Care. The Zoom link for this event is https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=b6cfad6c0a&e=acee3ced34 and you can see the many other events at St Barnabas by going to pages at https://saintbarnabas-ag.org/ Good Shepherd Church in Salinas is observing St Francis Day this Sunday with the blessing of animals and pets at their 10am outdoor service. The parish is also preparing for Confirmations with a class series - A Journey in the Episcopal Way - set to begin Oct 10 at 11:15am register at https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=17ff9cd890&e=cc1155f723 The Adult Forum at St Pauls Cathedral in San Diego this Sunday will be at 9am, a hybrid event (Zoom and in-person)on the topic Creation Justice in a Time of Climate Emergency and note that they offer "Advocacy Alerts" - stt https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MCmHywIrz3jTT7MQgNiISc9tzDXca0bCSqdAHtQC0GzmHCR7XVYSymIrxWUAAXgZsSNXHR0HzJHZWJ1CeuQpSbq77AhXXNVzxJitzB3cFlmpjH7Imwmo4ReQbZTCJN9zP_VgAF4XbrhvcYWbn9xT_Y9pOpM46GHf4gbm7n9IqOmSe-gH3oImuksq_VNJpFEI5Lv6zrNCw8Y=&c=KUTmLhay16pzrhDEj8wT6W93IY_tFTtEatKMNez7ud7rELUOv69ahw==&ch=P1_ZtENYL4s2CT-pNDGLj9ewbmOSuSQEGbL3m-Yn1_yhWy1IS219Hg== St Pauls will also be having "Finding our Way Again" (Book study led by The Rev. Dr. Carol Worthing) Wed, Oct 6 and Dec 15, 6 - 7:30 pm, Via Zoom. Finding our Way Again - The book's full title is The Return of the Ancient Practices by Brian McLaren. Many us suffer from spiritual disorientation of some sort: how to live our lives in faith as we face Corona virus variants and other, multiple world crises. And so, a growing number of Christians are looking back, to move forward; looking inward, to move outward: seeking to be surprised by grace in the midst. For full info email email Rev. Dr. Worthing (carol.worthing@gmail.com) and St Pauls is having another book study, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Simpler Living Book Study) Wednesdays, Oct 13 - Nov 10, 7 - 8 pm, Via Zoom Simpler Living invites you to join us for a virtual exploration of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which will take place on five consecutive Wednesday evenings in October and November. They will discuss how celebrating our interdependence with all living things can help inspire us as we work to address the climate crisis. Register at https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MCmHywIrz3jTT7MQgNiISc9tzDXca0bCSqdAHtQC0GzmHCR7XVYSylQvfi-xEQJ2d2ChDPj7F8YGAUZ5iL7C_Q0OBFwE0akwlhkzGZ0h10jbtQ33gLVmRyw9Zd7kX6Pq-4lo3N8Q7WSDFIwob67nZtg9dSK3rjUGPatzvGhdBZeMCALujr2OQZB61MjcWYDvkXI5ZnwLHaMmqH6IS00E08_t4MY5V0NE6wmKN3pSl3Y=&c=KUTmLhay16pzrhDEj8wT6W93IY_tFTtEatKMNez7ud7rELUOv69ahw==&ch=P1_ZtENYL4s2CT-pNDGLj9ewbmOSuSQEGbL3m-Yn1_yhWy1IS219Hg== Grace Cathedral in San Francisco will have their Forum Wed Sep 29 at 6pm - with Dean Malcolm Young in conversation with Roxane Dunbar-Ortiz titled "Not a Nation of Immigrants - embracing the more honest history of the US" https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001C9oqF_b8qQRKykWHMn61gjdpSJCw7Rv_e0i6gSfM9MxsRfVTk7M6uXNPaG7hIrpAVwrM6wXh8Ap30XgmmO60FNg4YQPSYRyAGjZKiHOwsz-9ixiMPLyDIiak4wpbhF2OXN5pZWN0saGlCkhAe6srruFA36EoLgV6kgFi9pzkq4AhNPQ-gDrF6GkrQnpFdBeeoGUlnkb8Nf6SFmpe7v6U7QqtDOkABirZNYGC-MalCRVT3eKfVQV7kUvsWUppC9lINnSOEXdJ70kii9DM8S7H1Q==&c=AxqA4xCvWOUWvkbnM-UfHjJI7WAidmy28gcLMN2kQuMKU8--OT_WRw==&ch=umQtt3naDiB3I7wmXMVZ6g7CjSDkmKfFvvHHhM8SKyWfbWTL80mmmw== And note that TOMORROW their Projecting Grace series will continue at 730pm in person, this time in honor of Hispanic American Heritage Month. They will also have "Ambient Grace" on Sat Oct 2 at 7pm, hearing amazing sounds while exploring their outdoor Labyrinth. And note that The Bishops Ranch (Episcopal) in Sonoma County has a program of autumn events and retreat, individual and group - on offer - see https://mailchi.mp/bishopsranch/fall-programs-at-the-bishops-ranch?e=7ea56651b4
0 Comments
Friends,
The lessons for this coming Sunday include more from James epistle, suggesting two kinds of "wisdom", one being selfish and envious and yielding disorder and wickedness, and the other "from above" pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits. A correct choice seems obvious. In Mark's gospel Jesus his disciples again what he will endure, and then warning them about ambition (for he knew they had been arguing about who would be "greatest", and telling them “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” But the lesson from Proverbs is surprising. Given the notions we have of the "modern woman" it seems pretty retro (though it concedes that a wise woman might buy a field and plant a vineyard). Yet is among the most popular sections in the scriptures. Of its opening verse, "A capable wife who can find?" Working Preacher says in jest, "it’s no wonder why: she’s working hard!" I like that the writer, Brent Strown, admits frankly that the passage reveals the truth of the patriarchy of the ancient world. In addition to being a capable businesswoman, the passage notes that she is generous to those in need, speaks with wisdom and teaches kindness - not unlike the "greatest" of Jesus' own disciples. The WP concludes that "Woman Wisdom's" great strength comes from the moral rather physical, especially in teaching all to seek wisdom. Whether or not WP is correct in concluding that the real gist of the passage is as an example to all of wisdom, it certainly would benefit all of us to read it that way! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matts will be having worship using Rite 2 of Morning Prayer at 10am TOMORROW and we hope to see you there. Our fellow mission parishes in South Monterey County, St Lukes in Jolon and St Marks in King City, will be worshipping together this Sunday at 10am, this time at St Lukes beautiful carpenters gothic building. This past Thursday we attended the second of the five sessions of the Earthcare webinar via Zoom. The third session will be this coming Thursday at 6:30pm and we expect to be there as well. The dialogue with so many fellow people of faith who are concerned about climate change was truly heartening. Note that information on these sessions can be seen at https://www.stbenslososos.org/a-beginners-guide-to-creation-care-and-the-climate-crisis/ and includes links for each session, the next one on Sep 23 at 6:30pm. We hope to see many of you there! Over at St James Church in Paso Robles Pastor Rev Barbara Miller is back from Sabbatical and the congregation is involved in obtaining bottled water for Feeding the Hungry as well as supporting the ECHO Homeless organisation's march and fundraiser which is to occur at Atascadero's Sunken Garden on Sat Sep 25 (registration opens at 9:30am). St James Sunday services are "Live" on their Facebook site at 10am as well as in person at the church where masks are required. St Lukes Church in Atascadero will have Sunday morning worship at 9am via Zoom - for the Zoom link go to www.stlukesatascadero.org and note that our friend Holly Cooper tells us facemasks and social-distancing are required. And though our friend Cindy Castle will not be there, we repeat for her Topic: Gather with Taize Time: Sep 19, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86464112267?pwd=L0JXNk9MMW1jWWZ5dGNYQUc4L09GQT 09 [us02web.zoom.us] Meeting ID: 864 6411 2267 Passcode: 346374 From the Diocese Hurricane Ida relief efforts are being handled by Episcopal Relief and Development - see info (and donate!) at https://episcopalrelief.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b78ff0ad1edb317537153e4c9&id=d67c776645&e=5b00c39350 Also from the Diocese we hear of the death of our friend Rev Connie White who led a retreat for the vestry of St Georges Parish in Salinas where she served as rector here at the ranch. Connie was deeply involved in Restorative Justice Partners in Monterey, and she and her husband Marvin attended Good Shepherd Church, also in Salinas. Folks,
The lessons this Sunday include from Proverbs a personification of Wisdom, this time calling out those who are foolish in ignoring Her, along with not one but two alternatives, from Isaish wherein God is portrayed as male and the other also from Provers, rather poetically saying "For wisdom is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness." and concluding "She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well." The Epistle lesson is from James' letter, with warnings to spiritual leaders, and from Mark's gospel this assertion of self-denial: "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." There seems to be dramatic difference from the striving for order in the Proverbs to the up-ending of any such order in Mark's lesson, yet the two taken together speak to me of a deeper order, which we humans might fail to see, the underlying orderliness that I choose to believe is there in our universe. Note that some in the scientific community, making ever more curious theories (look sub-atomic physics) have concluded sadly that there is no underlying purpose to this universe. But on this day, 9/11/2021, the anniversary of one of the most dis-orderly events most of us will ever witness, the televised coverage of memorial events brings to me further feeling I sympathise with scientists fears of ultimate purposelessness, yet to me the sense of faith continues to illuminate my life, bringing great joy. May we learn from science all that we can, yet be guided to a real sense of life by our faith! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events As most of you know, we have been working with the Earthcare group at St Benedicts Church in Los Osos and the first of its five-part series was presented last Thursday night, with an emphasis on the scientific findings. We were cheered to see so many present on the grass-roots Zoom effort and want to remind everybody that session two will be presented this coming Thursday, September 16 at 6:30pm. To register, go to https://www.stbenslososos.org/events/facilitated-sessions-creation-care-the-climate-crisis/ and to learn more, go to https://www.stbenslososos.org/events/facilitated-sessions-creation-care-the-climate-crisis/ and to see the flyer for the event series, go to https://www.stbenslososos.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A-Beginners-Guide-Flyer.pdf Other Events As we mentioned there is another Season of Creation event of the Green Bible Study series continuing on Sept 16 at 7pm at Holy Child Episcopal Church in the northerly end of our diocese (note both CreationCare events are accessible by all), including preaching by EcoChaplian Roger at 10am this Sunday at Good Samaritan Church in San Jose, live at http://www.facebook.com/GoodSamaritianSJ St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande will have their annual Parish Campout at Lopez Lake on Set 24-26. For full details contact Rev Rob Keim via StBarnabas.AG@gmail.com and note that the parish is in need of Sunday School teachers. The parish is TODAY having their Empty Bowls benefit - for details go to https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=e17630d920&e=acee3ced34 Note as well that St Barnabas will have an Adult Ed 5 week series on "Creation Care" beginning on Thurs Sep 30 at 7pm also via Zoom. For full details and other parish events see the parish websites at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=dfb208fa6a&e=acee3ced34 Our own St Matthews Church in San Ardo will have a service of Morning Prayer at 10am in the chapel on the corner of Railroad and Jolon in San Ardo, and we hope you all will join us! As we have been mentioning the fundraiser for Good Shepherd Church in Salinas is going on NOW - go to www.goodshepherdcorral.org/artshow and note that during the Season of Creation (Pentecost) the parish will be worshipping outdoors at their beautiful campus in Corral de Tierra area. St Pauls Cathedral in San Diego is having a Service of Remembrance TODAY - join via Zoom at https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001siRHbyTc5mTVLGPB0vYdGa09naDch0M11Bc47aiBFV0J7GYhhlxvgaB_XTVwOBtStRx1OfsOjyelkSzBbhTI0FBHbq4XAsFJQgLpRKO6ZECMoPz5sRV9-0e3dXMR39Ovf3UdsGugD5YwTfZpl1eCdA==&c=-o2oEhJ8LsGlF2PU8MIvzK9cexBuv1VDR_NR3txz_BAKcBU6Hft0MQ==&ch=yVwphxGRnFOzmAa3W-uDKfFDuX2CVKqvz7glqyTArXc6nlUqZxwQUA== and see all their events at www.stpaulcathedral.org From the Deanery Our San Luis Obispo Deanery pre-convention meeting will take place Tues Sep 14 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm - contact David Ottesen for Zoom details at David Ottesen <ottesen2@icloud.com> Don't forget you can find most events in the Deanery at the Deanery calendar: https://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/74061144 From the Diocese Hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry suggest ways to help Afghan refugees: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/presiding-bishop-michael-curry-highlights-ways-to-help-afghan-refugees-through-episcopal-migration-ministries/?wvideo=3ls00p0yml&wkey=T0ZGSUNFQFNUTFVLRVNBVEFTQ0FERVJPLk9SRw==&foreign_data=mailchimp_campaign_id:dd6ad3d39b From the Worldwide Anglican Communion See resources the Anglican Communion offers especially for CreationCare at https://acen.anglicancommunion.org/resources/season-of-creation.aspx Friends,
This Sunday's lessons include from Mark's gospel wherein Jesus heals a demon-possessed girl and a deaf man, an excellent lesson from the epistle of James ("So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.") But the brief lesson from Proverbs speaks fully for itself: "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them." We encourage to consider these lessons - our love to all! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events Folks, because of our travelling for Tony's follow-up examination by his surgeon (he seems to be healing nicely!) and because of the importance of the topic, we will only mention again this event: A Beginners Guide to Creation Care and the Climate Crisis JOIN US FOR FIVE, LIVE FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS OF THE “BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CREATION CARE AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS” It's very important that we get pre-registration for this event because the Zoom link will be different than the one we normally use. Please register if you would like to attend this event. We invite all persons of faith to join in the series via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. PDT, on Thursdays from September 9 to October 7. Sessions include bible reflections, short videos, and discussion. Explore: * What’s driving climate change, * How we can think anew about God’s call to be good stewards, * Concrete steps we can take at home, church, and in the community to make a difference Session Topics: * Session 1: Sept. 9th What Is Climate Change and What Are Its Consequences? * Session 2: Sept. 16th How do Christians See Creation? * Session 3: Sept. 23rd What’s a Christian to Do about Climate Change? * Session 4: Sept. 30 What Can We Do as a Congregation? * Session 5: Oct. 7th How Are We Called to Be Public Advocates for Climate Health? Please click here to register (and note that we are registered and expect to be there!); https://forms.gle/LdReAAVdfBTwE8Xq7 From the Deanery and Diocese ... comes a timely reminder of the import of the above Earthcare event: "Season of Creation" starts September 5 and runs through St Francis Day. This is a great time for us to join in prayer and study prior to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November. Read full details and get the registration link at https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=89b32f0a28&e=f136cc0442 From Us - Bart (and Tony!) Tony(!) and I want to thank you all for prayers and caring for Tony, whose healing seems to be proceeding as it should. We both hope you will consider the EarthCare and CreationCare work of caring for our planet |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
st. matthews newsWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2024
Categories |