Folks,
As Tony(!) and I are travelling for work this weekend we will have to make this email fairly brief. The lessons for this Third Sunday of Lent include from Exodus a familiar rendition of the Ten Commandments, and from John's gospel the dramatic story of Jesus at the Temple, including this: "In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”. In I Corinthians Paul helps make sense of both those lessons, since he speaks of his own proclamation as "foolishness" if the "wise" think they have all they need from the commandments in the Exodus passage, while the gospel lesson of a special part of Jesus ministry is a rebuke to other "wise guys" who have setup shop in the Temple for their own businesses - perhaps foolishly ignoring the real if symbolic importance of God's Spirit in the idea of the temple, which in fact might have been an instance of idolatry. Jesus's own words following make clear that he was speaking symbolically when referring to "his body". (I looked up about the part of the passage speaking of 46 years and found that the original language appears to be in the aorist tense (meaning an unqualified past tense of a verb without reference to the duration or completion of the action", thus suggesting the writer knew that the Temple might never be completed - perhaps because it wasn't the important thing? There are several discussions online, most of which state that the Temple was probably completed in 64 AD. and destroyed leaving ruins plus the newer mosques we see today.) May we recognise the minor extent of our "wisdom" and see that in comparison with Holy Wisdom it just might be foolishness! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church Events Parishioners of St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am. While our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will not be having a service this Sunday, the congregation there will be joining St Mark Church for a Service of Holy Communion , also at 10 am in King City. Other Events A few brief announcements (mostly copied from other parish news): From St Benedict Church we hear of the following: Meet me in San Luis - You are cordially invited to join us for fellowship, conversation and delectable Chinese lunch on Thursday March 7 at 12 noon at Golden Gong, 390 El Mercado .at Madonna Road. Please call or text Bryson McKelvey at (805) 235-3045 by Wednesday to reserve or with questions. Gong hay fat choy! March Potluck - Potluck for March will be held on March 10th to coincide with the Bishops visit. In Anticipation of Bishop Lucinda's Official Visit March 10th - Please contact Rev Jen Crompton or Lisa Gonzalez as soon as possible if you would like to be Confirmed or Received in the Episcopal Church or wish to Reaffirm your vows in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation are concurrent rites where a mature commitment to Christ is welcomed by the Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. _Confirmation_ is for those wishing to affirm the commitments made for them at their baptism. _Reception_ is for those previously confirmed in another Church who now find their ministry in the Episcopal Church. _Reaffirmation_ is for those who desire to recommit themselves to the vows made at their baptism. All three require a period of guided preparation and self-examination, which St. Benedict's offers, in anticipation of a Bishop Lucinda's official visit on Sunday March 10th. The Tuesday Spiritual Discussion group - "Our Living Compass theme for the 2024 Lent season is _Practicing Forgiveness with All Your __Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind_. Designed for both individual reflection and group study, this daily devotional provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent -- one that prepares us for the coming of Easter." The Tuesday Spiritual Discussion group will be using an Lenten program sponsored by a group called Living Compass. The six-week program includes Sunday and weekday meditations for the Lenten season. We will begin the program on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 10.30 on Zoom. The program booklets are available as pdf electronic copies for free or a print copy available for $1.00 plus postage. A limited number of print copies have been received and will be available in the back of the church. If you are not planning on attending the Tuesday group, feel free to take one of the booklets for your personal use. Note as well that you might want to swing by St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande, where we hear that the new pergola is in place but awaits finishing touches (it was just begun when we last visited). From our friend Kathleen Pennington and St Stephen Church, San Luis Obispo we hear of a chocolate factory at the church - and you can order some of their chocolate Easter Eggs. Contact Kathleen at kapennington@netscape.net for full details. And from our friends at St Paul Cathedral in San Diego we received the following announcement - for full info go to the cathedral's website at https//stpaulcathedral.org Forum Series: Walking the Seven Stone Path--A Lenten Practice 9 am, The Guild Room Join author and philosophy professor Peter Bolland for a five-week study of his new book The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom. Using questions and prompts from The Seven Stone Path Workbook, we'll explore the insights from the world's wisdom traditions and root them deeply into our own spiritual practice during this sacred Lenten season. Workbooks are free, but get your copy of The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom online wherever you buy books, or buy it directly from the author at these sessions (cash, check, or Venmo). View entire schedule (Click Here). From The Deanery From our San Luis Obispo Deanery Convener David Ottesen of St Barnabas Church we received the following agenda for the Deanery Meeting (and contact David at <ottesen2@icloud.com> for any other info/questions on the Meeting): AGENDA San Luis Obispo Deanery Sunday, March 3, 2024, 2:00 pm In-Person at St. Benedict’s, Los Osos and via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83577412697?pwd=K2ZYUnhpcmtNTGs2L2p6eDh2NzJWUT09 Meeting ID: 835 7741 2697 Passcode: 980625 One tap mobile: +16694449171,,83577412697#,,,,*980625# US Opening Prayer and Welcome: The Rev. Jen Crompton Invited Presentation: Molly Kern (CEO, SLO Food Bank) Approval of Minutes: Laura Learned Treasurer: Lisa Gonzales “Ny Somangy Company”: The Rev. Dcn. Susan Arnold Deanery Support for Stephen Ministry: David Ottesen Future Meetings: May 5, 2024 – The Rev. Ian Delinger July 14, 2024 – Jeff Diehl Committee Reports: Standing Committee; Board of Trustees; Commission on Ministry; Missional Grants Commission; SLO Episcopal Campus Ministry; Social Justice Committee Announcements: Closing Prayer: The Rev. Dcn. Susan Arnold
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Folks,
The lessons set out for this Sunday include from the gospel of Mark some of the suffering that has led to the great drama that the church has used to depict the ministry of Jesus as the focal point of organising people into church (the supportive community that Paul depicts so well). The other two lessons are more about God's blessing of a people by growth of community more generally. In Genesis Abram becomes Abraham because as God tells him, he will be the father of many nations, all via the one child that Sarai, who becomes Sarah shall bear - together their offspring will include many kings. The lesson from Paul's epistle to the Romans is a follow-up of course. But there is real genius in Paul's deeply thoughtful depiction of the Genesis story, beyond even the notion I have mentioned before that Abraham was NOT just the progenitor of the Jewish tribe but "the father of us all" (most of you will know by now that I am sort of an "internationalist", recognising people are indeed the same everywhere, all part of the same tribe finally.) The extra genius that Paul offers is that the uniting of the many tribes and divisions among humankind can only be accomplished by human faith and the "means of grace" (as is written in our prayerbook). For the big idea here I believe is this uniting of all into a loving community that can grow in power, finally not by human rulers (kings, - or even princesses! - "princess" being the meaning of Sarah's new name) and wars, etc. (Note that most of history sees the uniting of tribelets into nations by the means of a new rulers.) And so this most worthy effort by the church thru the ages, using the historic model of a king, but a spiritual "King of kings" rather than any earthly monarch, to unite all humanity. I guess I can forgive a little tear-jerking story of Jesus suffering and death precisely because He, despised and lowly, rises again to be the King of heaven, offering that heavenly outcome (in whatever form I know not) after death to all so that we might all work towards that heaven on earth. Our love to all - may we all join in building towards that heavenly outcome! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will have Morning Prayer at 10am, and our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon as well. The services will be led by Tony Saponate (my spouse!) and Rachel Denny respectively. (Note that Rachel, who also lives way out in a great natural setting signed the email "love in the Season of the Frog," and we know what she means since despite the relatively dry climate of Southern Monterey County we have had abundant rains and been joined by a family of frogs in our courtyard, and it seems more than most springs we can recall.) Other Events As we have mentioned, our mention of events around the Deanery, the Diocese and the broader Church is not meant to be exhaustive - please go to your local parish, deanery and diocesan websites for full lists of events locally, and complete details. For the news we are trying to "keep it shorter(er)" and so focusing on one or two events of special interest. Today, via St Luke Church, Atascadero and St James Church, Paso Robles, newsletters we are glad to hear of an event at St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo at which our friend Liz will present "Travel with Liz Frost" where she will share on the topic "What os on your UNESCO Heritage Site Bucket List". Given the thesis we presented in the meditation, the international approach of this discussion sounds just right. And another event they mention is the Eclectia Discussibles series being presented at St Peter Church in Morro Bay, the current series beginning on Wed Feb 28 and continuing thru Mar 27, at 1:30-3:30pm. The current discussion will revolve around situations poseds to "The Ethicist" in the New York Times Magazine. As mentioned previously the following two events: The first SLO Deanery Meeting for 2024 will be in person at St. Benedict's, Los Osos, on Sunday, March 3, at 2 pm. Contact David Ottesen for the Zoom link at <ottesen1@charter.net>. Our invited speaker for that meeting will be Molly Kern, the CEO for the SLO Food Bank. *** And the second in the series with Luke Grote presenting from Sargent / Mission House, in Salinas, this time on theologian Karl Rahner, et al. The event is in person or via Zoom - contact Luke by email at <wlgrote@gmail.com> for full details and link. *** We also note that following Sunday services (and coffee of course) at St Luke Church in Atascadero visiting clergy will lead "Lenten Study" events. Folks,
The lessons appointed for this first Lenten Sunday include from Genesis, wherein God makes his "covenant" with all living creatures, but speaking directly to Noah and his sons, that "never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” The eventful Gospel lesson from Mark includes the story of Jesus's baptism by John and quickly thereafter being driven into the wilderness for 40 days, and finally the arrest of John. The lesson from Peter's first Epistle in which the writer recalls the covenant made to Noah. Our recent weather in California, whether due to "permanent climate change" or incidental variance, makes one wonder a bit about flooding on a global scale (though science suggest such flooding was unlikely). But the key to the story of that flood was the covenant made to Noah and the others saved in the Ark, and recounted (literally - since Peter cites exactly 8 persons who were saved in that event, but adding "through water", the medium of baptism. Thus it follows that the very next story, in allegorical timeline, should be that of John's bapitising Jesus with water, followed as it was by Jesus rising up out of the water and seeing the Spirit descending like a dove on him from torn heavens - a dramatic scene indeed, reminiscent of the paintings of Renaissance masters. There is indeed much art in all this imagery, including genesis' verbal allusion to the "bow in the clouds" God's promise might include clouds but those clouds, might make for a rainbow. A hymn from my youth at an evangelical church, "When There's a Rainbow in the Sky" concludes that "there's a promise written there of God's tender loving care" sorta schmaltzy, yet very sweet! When we face heavy weather, may we all seek that Rainbow in the Sky." Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish, San Ardo Events Members of St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer this Sunday at the chapel on the corner of Railroad St and Jolon Rd in San Ardo. From our friend Rachel Denny we hear the following: Dear friends, This coming Sunday, February 18th, at 10:00 A.M., Roy Morris will be leading a service of morning prayer at Saint Luke's Church in Jolon. On the same day, at the same time, the Reverend Carl Hansen will be doing the Imposition of Ashes at Saint Mark's Church in King City. Everyone is welcome to attend the service of their choice. Love among the ashes, Rachael Other Events The other St Luke parish in Atascadero will behaving Lenten videos from the (National but somewhat International) Episcopal Church on Sun Feb 18 and 25 and Mar 3 and 17 after services led by Rev Caro Hall, recently retired from St Benedict parish (see their events below). From our friends at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande we hear of the following Prayers for Peace: Please consider joining us on Saturday, February 24th at 3:00pm in the courtyard for something different - some prayer, some quiet time for the Holy Spirit to inspire us individually, and some discussion and sharing. We welcome your suggestions. Hope to see you there and maybe even to get to know you better. St Barnabas has also been doing some amazing landscaping on their beautiful campus and just now are constructing a pergola and completing their "trail to town" down a path to the old Arroyo Grande Village. Spotlight on St Benedict Church, Los Osos Even while they are in the midst of a search for a new rector, the parish news email called The Benediction tells us of the following events: March Potluck - Potluck for March will be held on March 10th to coincide with the Bishops visit. In Anticipation of Bishop Lucinda's Official Visit March 10th - Please contact Rev Jen Crompton or Lisa Gonzalez as soon as possible if you would like to be Confirmed or Received in the Episcopal Church or wish to Reaffirm your vows in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation are concurrent rites where a mature commitment to Christ is welcomed by the Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation is for those wishing to affirm the commitments made for them at their baptism. Reception is for those previously confirmed in another Church who now find their ministry in the Episcopal Church. Reaffirmation is for those who desire to recommit themselves to the vows made at their baptism. All three require a period of guided preparation and self-examination, which St. Benedict's offers, in anticipation of a Bishop Lucinda's official visit on Sunday March 10th. The Tuesday Spiritual Discussion group - "Our Living Compass theme for the 2024 Lent season is Practicing Forgiveness with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. Designed for both individual reflection and group study, this daily devotional provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent — one that prepares us for the coming of Easter." The Tuesday Spiritual Discussion group will be using an Lenten program sponsored by a group called Living Compass. The six-week program includes Sunday and weekday meditations for the Lenten season. We will begin the program on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 10.30 on Zoom. The program booklets are available as pdf electronic copies for free or a print copy available for $1.00 plus postage. A limited number of print copies have been received and will be available in the back of the church. If you are not planning on attending the Tuesday group, feel free to take one of the booklets for your personal use. Order booklets at https://www.livingcompass.org/advent-lent. Tuesdays at 10:30 on Zoom. Docent Training at Mission San Luis Obispo! - On Saturday, March 16 the Mission San Luis Obispo Docents will provide their annual Spring Training Session. Dan Krieger will present the origins and special history of Mission San Luis Obispo in the morning. Docents will conduct demonstration visitor tours of the church and grounds. Lunch will be provided in the Parish Hall. To register, contact Mission San Luis Obispo Docents or visit the Parish website at missionsanluisobispo.org. For more information, please call 805-550-7713 or email jbashbaugh@gmail.com. Good Shepheard Church in Salinas (Corral de Tierra) will be having lunch at the Monterey County Food Bank while learning how the Bank operates, including the handling of donations. Contact the church office to make a reservation to join them for a delicious cassoullet lunch (this dish is a mainstay of the Food Bank). Meet at the Food Bank, 353 W Rossi St, Salinas at 11 AM, Wednesday, February 21st. Please advise Michael Ipson (831) 887-8082 or michaelipson@yahoo.com by February 20th that you will attend so the Food Bank has a headcount. From St Paul Cathedral in San Diego we hear of the following special events: Forum Series: Walking the Seven Stone Path—A Lenten Practice 9 am, The Guild Room Join author and philosophy professor Peter Bolland for a five-week study of his new book The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom. Using questions and prompts from The Seven Stone Path Workbook, we’ll explore the insights from the world’s wisdom traditions and root them deeply into our own spiritual practice during this sacred Lenten season. Workbooks are free, but get your copy of The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom online wherever you buy books, or buy it directly from the author at these sessions (cash, check, or Venmo). View entire schedule (Click Here). Forum Series: Walking the Seven Stone Path—A Lenten Practice 9 am, The Guild Room Join author and philosophy professor Peter Bolland for a five-week study of his new book The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom. Using questions and prompts from The Seven Stone Path Workbook, we’ll explore the insights from the world’s wisdom traditions and root them deeply into our own spiritual practice during this sacred Lenten season. Workbooks are free, but get your copy of The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom online wherever you buy books, or buy it directly from the author at these sessions (cash, check, or Venmo). View entire schedule (Click Here). Order of St. John Evensong 5 pm, In the Cathedral or Worship Online The Order of St. John, formally the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a British charitable Order of chivalry dating back to the Crusades and is renowned throughout the world for its apolitical health care and first responder services in over 40 nations, upholding the St John motto - 'For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity.' Join us for this special Evensong service which will be followed by an organ recital played by Cn. Martin Green featuring works by Bach, Howells, and others. Also at St Paul: St. Paul hosts a Soundbath experience on a monthly basis and the next events are February 26 and 27, produced by Sound Healing Symphony. A soundbath is an event where you lie on the floor and enter a meditative state aided by music and layers of sound. Attendees usually bring a yoga mat and blanket. Interested in attending this event? You can get your tickets on their event page (Click Here). And an Organ Recital Friday, February 16, 1 pm, In the Cathedral or Watch Online Canon Martin Green present a program including J.S. Bach’s variations on the Lenten Chorale O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767 and excerpts from Guilmant’s Organ Sonata No. 3 in C minor. From the San Luis Obispo Deanery via the Diocese Join the San Luis Obispo Deanery Meeting in March The first SLO Deanery Meeting for 2024 will be in person at St. Benedict's, Los Osos, on Sunday, March 3, at 2 pm. Contact David Ottesen for the Zoom link at <ottesen1@charter.net>. Our invited speaker for that meeting will be Molly Kern, the CEO for the SLO Food Bank. Fundamentals of Religious Diversity - Exclusion/Inclusion: Karl BarthFriday, February 23, 2024, 5:30 PM Luke Grote, PhD is presenting a Lenten Series on Exclusion/Inclusion. Each session will be based on a different theologian and is open to anyone interested in learning more from a theological or philosophical point of view. This session is about Karl Barth, who said that every human being is elected to Christ. Each session will take place both in person at Sargent House and on Zoom. We recommend bringing your own snacks or sandwiches if you attend in person. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96127372891 For more information contact: Luke Grote, PhD From the ( Inter)National Episcopal Church We hear that there will be a special Revival event to be held at the KY Yum Center in Louisville, KY, in the course of events centered around the Church's triennial General Convention in that city. The event will be on June 22 from 7-9pm and with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's ability to evoke "the old time religion" in a updated and modern context, it should be quite an event! Read about this and other events from the broader church via Episcopal Church News at https://mailchi.mp/episcopalchurch/the-episcopal-church-press-release-digest-294546?e=90edd54051 Folks,
We are indeed coming to the end of the Epiphany liturgical season and will soon begin Lent. The lessons appointed for this Sunday include two very familiar ones, from Kings, where Elijah and Elisha cross over the Jordan after which Elijah is miraculously taken up in the whirlwind. And the gospel lesson is Mark's telling of the Transfiguration. While it seems clear that Peter, James and John had to be there so the story could have witnesses for later on, it could also be that the three disciples were singled out to be key leaders of the emerging church. As for the OT lesson, one wonder why the father and son had to cross the River when Elijah could just as easily have been taken up before the crossing? Some may see in the story the thinly "veiled" attempt to be making a claim on yet more territory on what later became the nation we know as Jordan today. No doubt you have already noticed that I used the term "veiled" in describing the motivations behind at least the writing of the above stories because that word is key to the epistle lesson in a much more straightforward way. When Paul wrote "Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing," he was obviously not speaking of the motivations of those whom he said had minds "blinded" by the "gods of this world" further on it the passage. But what are those "gods" that act to "veil" the truth from us? And how can we recognise "true motivations"? Let me suggest that by their actions we can know better the motivations of those around us. To that end Jesus's actions, healing, speaking truth to power and even dying for all. This same is perhaps even more so of Paul, tirelessly travelling around much of the Roman Empire for the mission of the church, encouraging all and even dying as well.(we are told he was martyred though details are sketchy) for the sake of others. Paul knew he could have lived comfortably as a member of the "temple police" and continued hassling synagogue attendees who had chosen to follow The Way, yet in his words "For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake." (The "we" here includes Paul but also his fellow members of the emerging church.) So both Jesus and Paul accepted such "slavery" and finally death for the sake of God's message of love, and the reason behind all the preaching. May we all discard the veils that cover our eyes and see the true motivations of the "gods of this world" for if we can, we can see the light of God's love as embodied in those who follow The Way of Love. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish in San Ardo! PS Look to next week's News and meditation if you are "God-curious". Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having the service of Morning Prayer at the usual hour, 10am, at the chapel in San Ardo. Our fellow mission St Luke parish in Jolon will also be having Morning Prayer at 10am with our friend Roy Morris preaching. Other Events - Some Fun Before Lent We want to remind folks that Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday is this coming Tuesday bringing to a close the Epiphany season, and in olden days was seen as a day for a last bit of "fun" before the severe Lenten season. While we are believers in some fun every day of the year, this makes for the special events we have been mentioning including the Jazz Mass (followed by a Pancake Brunch - mixing the two traditions - at Good Shepherd Church this Sunday starting at 10am. Fr Rich there notes that it is not by accident that the scripture describing the Transfiguration comes just before Lent, since it also is a sort of Epiphany (after seeing the glory of God). St Paul Cathedral in San Diego is having a Zydeco Mass at 5:45pm on Fat Tuesday itself. As with most of our parishes, the next day Ash Wednesday will be observed by services at several times of the day. Closer to our ranch home and San Ardo, the parishes of St James church in Paso Robles and St Luke Church in Atascadero will be jointly having a Pancake Supper on Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday (the 13th - also the Eve before Valentine's Day) at St James Church parish hall where they tell us they will be selling "decadent items" at auction. We hope many will attend! And don't forget St Luke's Taize music this Sunday night at 7pm via Zoom (contact Cindy Castle at castlewood16@gmail.com for full info and the Zoom link). The next weekend St Paul Cathedral will have a very special event: Order of St. John Evensong Sunday, February 18, 5 pm, In the Cathedral or Watch Online The Order of St. John, formally the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a British charitable Order of chivalry dating back to the Crusades and is renowned throughout the world for its apolitical health care and first responder services in over 40 nations, upholding the St John motto - 'For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity.' Join us for this special Evensong service which will be followed by an organ recital played by Cn. Martin Green featuring works by Bach, Howells, and others. And the following Sat, Feb 24, St Paul will have a Piano & Trumpet Concert - go to www.stpaulcathedral.org for details. As at St Paul Cathedral, Confirmation Classes will be held in our own diocese on several dates, including at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande on two Thursdays, Feb 8 and 15, at 7pm. St Stphen Church in downtown San Luis Obispo will be having a historical harp concert further described as A Celebration of Harp Concert - Sunday, February 11th at 2 pm at St. Stephen's Church, 1344 Nipomo Ave. San Luis Obispo. There will be Medieval Songs, Spanish Dances, and European Salon Music! Harpists Jennifer Sayre, Nancy Thym, and Jan Walters. There is a free-will donation. Reception following. For more information contact: jsayre@historicalharpsociety.org SUBSCRIBE TO DAILY EMAIL MEDITATIONS Daily email meditations will be delivered to your inbox every day, except on Sundays, starting February 14. This will include a reflection on the day's Revised Common Lectionary reading as well as questions to ponder. SUBSCRIBE Folks,
Today's News will be brief as we are travelling for work. As it happen this day a friend has emailed us a cute cartoon with the devil being interviewed on a talk show, and being noted as the great "SINfluencer". But what is sin in its clearest conception if not the the meagre estate of humanity, even if just "a little lower than the angels", yet infinitely far from the overwhelming Divine Love and Holy Wisdom? Tomorrow's gospel lesson has Jesus with some of the recently gathered disciples setting about a ministry of evangelism while doing many "healings" and casting out demons, yet taking time to pray in "a deserted place". And Paul in the epistle carries out that ministry of "telling the good news".in a remarkable way with contradistinction to the lesson from Isaiah rather losing his sense of "self" to carry out his Great Commission "To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some." May we come to see our identity as a part of the almighty love of God as Paul did, following God's law by following Christ's law - the law of Love. Our love to you all, Bart (and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matts! Events Tomorrow congregants of St Matthew Church will be having Morning Prayer at the customary hour, but we will not be able to be there. Still, we encourage all to join them! Our fellow South Monterey County missions, St Mark Church in King City and St Luke Church in Jolon will be meeting together in King City for the service of Eucharist led by our friend Fr Carl Hansen. For other events, please see parish websites of your local parish, and prior News issues - especially as we plan for Lenten activities (there is just one more Sunday in the Epiphany season). And we encourage all to "find your identity in God's love' and in the love of fellow members of your community! Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include from Deuteronomy rules and a stern warning about prophets to speak just the words God has asked of them. And the gospel lesson from Mark has a fairly direct story of a "miracle" Jesus performed in the Synagogue upon encountering a man haunted by an "unclean spirit". But it is the writing of Paul to the Corinthians that especially caught my attention. This was because in the lesson Paul remarks on the eating of temple food. As most of you likely know such sacrifices of food to the gods (the Romans had many and were always ready to include another) were probably not eaten by the idols or statues of the gods, but in fact were consumed by others humans, including temple officials of course, but also some number of poor commoners - a custom that continued in Christian practice. (In the Russian Orthodox parish of my youth the folks old enough to have come from "the old country" told me that it had been commonplace to find food in the churchyard cemetery - and everybody knew that when the food was found consumed the next day, it was the poor gleaners who received sustenance.) So when Paul admonished the church in Corinth to not cause someone to fall, and even himself set the example by apparent vegetarianism, what he was really doing was showing "cultural sensitivity" - not wanting to trample on the customs of those who did, in good faith, worship at the temple, even though he had just said in the preceding that “no idol in the world really exists" (thus the disappearance of the food, especially choices meats, is by human actions). Paul goes on to discuss the "unity of God" in the face of the fact that "there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords", but then stating very matter-of-factly that “there is no God but one.” All the above reminds me of a "conversation" we recently watched at Harvard University between Professor Steven Pinker and a Hindu mystic of some renown call Sadhguru. You likely have seen similar discussions where, for all their cordiality, the folks are "talking past each other" rather than carefully listening for real meanings. As always, a part of me, appreciate the precise analytical thinking of Pinker, yet at the same time understand in a "spiritual" sense was the mystic is talking about - an understanding of the words used to unite people in common cause of love (see below, "A Case for Love"). It is a pleasure to understand with Paul that the idols did not eat the food in the temple, and yet appreciate that he would accept some customs in order to avoid causing others to stumble even though eating such food is neither good nor bad as such, since "It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge." May we recognise that words are often reflections of a spiritual intent, and choose those words that bring people together in the unity of spiritual truth. Bart and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matthew in San Ardo Past Events This past we gathered with a large group from many SLO area parishes, and even some from Santa Barbara area parishes for the movie we mentioned, "A Case for Love". The movie had many examples and some thought provoking situations of Unselfish Love in practice, including even from our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's own childhood. We can heartily recommend the movie which we expect soon will be shown again in more locations - stay tuned! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting tomorrow at 10am for Morning Prayer as is our cultural custom - but we hope you might join us, so we can share your cultural practices as well. as we strive to be more like St Paul was suggesting to the folks in Corinth! Our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will be meeting for Morning Prayer tomorrow as well and also at 10am. Leading the service will be St Luke's parishioner Rachel Denny, who is also handling sending out their news and has recently joined two other members of the congregation in that capacity - congrats Rachel! Other Events Our friend Sheryl Easterbrook of the Parkfield Community Association tells us that there will be an Ag Pass Class presented by Monterey County. The program gives training which result in a pass card to enter a restricted area under special emergency situations, such as fire, flood, earthquake, etc. om are order to feed animals, etc. For full info call 831-759-7384. As we mentioned before St James is also telling us of the Robert Burns Night, remembering the Scottish writer on Monday night, 1/29 at 5:30pm at St Stephen Church in SLO. The event is co-hosted by St Paul Church in Cambria and St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande. St James Church in Paso Robles tells us that San Luis Obispo County historian Dan Krieger will be giving a class for folks who may be interesting in serving as docents at Mission San Luis Obispo in downtown SLO. This will be on Sat Mar 19 from 9am-4pm at the Mission with lunch in the Parish Hall. St Barmabas Church in Arroyo Grande tells us to Contact John B. Ashbaugh, Training Coordinator to sign up jbashbaugh@gmail.com. ph. 805-550-7713 St Luke Church in Atascadero tells us of an interesting Epiphany exercise - picking a "star word" off a wall in the croft which will be a word to meditate on during the rest of the year. Also Cindy Castle of the St Luke parish tells us that the will be having the Taize music event via Zoom on Sunday at 7pm. The information for the Zoom events is as follows: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87454433792?pwd=M01rNThaRUpBVmJxVW9DcHJnY2FWdz09 Meeting ID: 874 5443 3792 Passcode: 783520 Gather Epiphany2024 YouTube playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69la8W1_FUEVr_unaJwk-hMqtDWkxiGs St Paul Cathedral in San Diego tells us they will have an Evensong event this Sunday afternoon at 5pm, both in person and online via https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016_dR17kSi9CGJEk5H78AEcZGLSWL5xgrAiQrWIfcTsDzdPLUsgxi_cmYYZ4_-1lSXIq_4iH93YQck6kDhKFfxlYOSZ59B-4JSgFjNkozABhJAdi1R4yqXY4rmHrsTVWsTNNJGAwvdfY6mxiD1WspmgBMJUmcp-U7BaYSjJS0pQz6dhBvQJGaK6oIGKnCvBTId5X6EpUmjFw=&c=9RZO7nBIYTR7B5zXsu_K-OxazFBqktPx4re0L1zFbOra-HLvoo3p_g==&ch=C5_ZIUPbLW1Mu77jDygEMFPymuhTgN6nx3UnGRC4TsNndXV6VK2lcw== St Paul Cathedral is also having a Newcomer Brunch this Sunday at 11:45am. As we approach Lent and Easter we are starting to hear of Lenten events, including Shrove or Mardi Gras Tuesday suppers, some with pancakes and some with jambalaya. Check with your local parishes for their full schedule of events. St Paul Cathedral will be having one such event on Mardi Gras with a Zydeco Mass Tues Feb 13 at 5:45pm. In the other direction, Good Shepherd Parish, Salinas (Corral de Tierra) tells us they will have a Jazz Mass Sun Feb 11 followed by a traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Brunch. And St Paul's Adult Confirmation Class will begin Feb 21 - contact parish staff for more info. Also from St Paul: Communications and Community (Climate Crisis) Brought to you by St. Paul’s Simpler Living Creation Care ministry: From The Anti-Dread Climate Podcast, on KCRW: The climate crisis is undeniable and overwhelming. It can be confusing to figure out how you can personally help the planet in your daily life. Listen here for the answers each week in less time than it takes to sort your recyclables. Folks,
The lessons this week include two very familiar if poignant lessons, the OT from OT wherein God has a change of mind about destroying Nineveh and a gospel lesson from Mark which depicts the calling of the fishermen who immediately dropped their nets (we trust not leaving them as litter) and followed Jesus. But it is the lesson from I Corinthians that grabs my attention, though unusually in a way contra what the writer seems to have intended. (Note however that the detachment from earthly things the writer calls for is wise, if a bit overstated - and of course seems in accord with the gospel lesson where the fishermen left those nets.) The reason the Corinthians lesson is so compelling is that after apparent certainty that the apocalyptic events were just about to happen ("the appointed time has grown short") the writer was able to then change his mind (rather like God did in the OT lesson) and make something good of the disappointment that the world (as we know it) had not ended and life continued more or less as before. And that good thing is indeed powerful - perhaps the greatest idea ever told: to build a church that in the face of the human condition of lack of knowledge. follows the Way of Love. It is not that such an idea had never occurred to anyone, but the fervency of these followers of the Way of Love who were united in the story of a loving God, willing to give all for the sake of all others, seems to have had an extra spark that resonated with and attracted the many who felt that "there must be more to life" than the humdrum daily existence, even the mundane (if important for those depending on the food supply) work of fishing. The result has been the creation of organisations, including the churches and other spiritual groups, who might make an "applied technology" of what our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called "The Way of Love" (and see below about the movie). May we all momentarily drop our mundane tasks, as good as they are for the social order of humanity, and together construct A Case for Love! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting at the usual hour, 10am, for a service of Morning Prayer. Our fellow mission parish n Jolon, St Luke Church will also meet at that same time for Morning Prayer led by our friend SuRay (Susan Raycraft). St Luke's Daphne Denney also tells us that "The St. Luke's Vespers Supper Club will have their monthly potluck the following Wednesday, January 24 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Again, everyone is welcome to join us. We start eating about 6, and we usually begin the Service of Vespers or Compline at 7 pm." Other Events We are pleased to see the "premiere" event of the week, the initial showings of the movie "A Case for Love", being widely publicised in parish newsletters including that of St Luke Church in Atascadero. We expect a large crowd from our San Luis Obispo Deanery and we ourselves will be there for the 4pm showing. Along with other parish groups planning to attend, we hear that Bishop Lucinda and the Diocesan Staff will be attending the 4 PM show at the Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center, Monterey. For full details go to We are pleased to see the "premiere" event of the week, the initial showings of the movie "A Case for Love", being widely publicised in parish newsletters with groups attending from the many parishes beyond Episcopal churches, including that of St Luke Church in Atascadero and Epiphany Episcopal/Lutheran in Marina. We expect a large crowd from our San Luis Obispo Deanery and we ourselves will be there for the 4pm showing. Folks from St Matt Church in San Ardo will be joining the group from St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande for that 4pm showing. “A Case for Love” is a heartfelt yet personally challenging movie inspired by the teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about “The Power of Love” at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In the San Luis Obispo Deanery area the movie will be shown at BOTH 4pm and 4pm at
Tickets are available on the Fathom Events website or directly from the movie theater. Prices will vary. The movie will be screened at the following theaters in our diocese: In other New from the Diocese: Prayers for Peace The Social Justice Committee cordially invites you to participate in a brief online prayer service during lunchtime. The service will take place at 12:30 pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month throughout Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. The last session will be held on February 7. We would be delighted to have you join us. --- Note also that St Luke Church's newsletter (Atascadero) tells us they are resuming Evening Prayers services at 5pm on both Tuesdays and Thursday (in person and by Zoom).and that Daughters of the King will have a new "orientation class" - for full info contact Mary Gruber for this ministry and other "caring" ministries at 805.538.9728. And our friends at Epiphany Lutheran & Episcopal, mentioned above, will be having a Spahgetti Dinner TONIGHT from4-7pm at the church's location in Marina. Folks,
This Sunday's include from John's gospel where we hear of an apparently miraculous recognition of Nathanael's calling of Nathanael, referred to as both from Bethsaida and Cana in that gospel (some have identified him as the same person as Bartholomew, though other doubt it: "he) "was not one of the twelve at all because he was so versed in the law" (see Wiki - perhaps this was the miracle of Jesus recognition of him "under the fig tree"? In the epistle from I Corinthians Paul tells us that he is no longer under the Law when he says pointedly that “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything." This statement broadly brings to mind Eli's sons (see below) who might have indeed come to be addicted to behaviours that were not beneficial - for them and thus for everyone else. In the Old Testament lesson most of us will remember how God called Samuel to follow Eli as high priest in Israel, but the OT lesson for this Sunday also tells us (not so often mentioned, and indeed that part of the lesson is shown as "optional" in Sunday's scripture inserts) that Eli received a very harsh sentence for having done something very bad - but I could not figure out what it was. Dr Google suggested the following: "Eli failed in his responsibilities as Father. He esteemed his sons above God. He did not want to offend his sons. The result was that he committed a far greater offense - He offended the living God." Also from Google: "Eli was a devoted high priest who served 40 years as judge of Israel, the first of priestly descent also to regulate the affairs of the people (see 1 Sam. 4:18; Bible Dictionary, “Eli,” 663). Eli was a good man who gave kind consideration to Hannah in her hour of great agony (see 1 Sam." and "First Samuel 2:12–21 contrasts Eli's sons with Hannah's son Samuel. Eli's sons are worthless men who don't know the Lord. They abuse their power as priests to take the best cuts of animals offered for themselves, treating the sacrifice to the Lord with contempt." and "Now Eli was very old; and he heard about everything that his sons were doing to all Israel, and that they slept with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting." (emphasis from quoted material - a hint they were probably prostitutes). We also learn that Hannah was originally childless with her husband Elkanah, so when she bore Samuel she wanted him to be a "nazirite" (one who dedicates his life to God) - thus asking Eli to take him in at the temple. To me this makes a more interesting human story, yet one where God was quite involved. To sum, Eli's sin was not raising his sons in the way that is right. I suspect that he received his punishment directly when hearing of the actions of his sons, whom he had hoped would become the priests of the temple. Yet when he heard what God had said to Samuel, he knew his failing and told young Samuel “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.” In today's world we might be less inclined to blame parents for their children's behaviour, but we have to accept the reality that children need good parenting to be set on a course that is right, whatever their vocation. Thus this seems an important lesson to all of us. Moreover these mea were demonstrating a negative form of "male energy" (In a recent chat with my sister Brandy, we noted that there are good forms of both female and male energy, but especially good when guided in paths that unite all in the Spirit). And we must not forget Hannah, Samuel's mother, who wanted to dedicate her son to God's work - such mothers need our praise as well and her hopes for her son Samuel seem to have come true. May we all help by being the "village" it takes to raise a child in the way that is right, and in so doing see yet better that we are all of the same family, joined by the Spirit. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting for Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am at the chapel, corner of Railroad and Jolon. We will especially be praying for our friend and long-time treasurer Fred Golin who is preparing for heart surgery and we ask you all to pray for him too. Our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will have Morning Prayer led by our friend Roy Morris, also at 10am. Other Events As so often, we need, for lack of time, to refer all to the web pages of your local parishes. One item though that caught our eye is that our friend Rev Ian Delinger of St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo has put out a call for planning to begin for Pride in the Plaza. In particular he is seeking someone to represent The Episcopal Church in the planning group for the event. If you can help, please contact Ian at 805-235-7242 or: rector@ststephensslo.org From the Deanery, the Diocese and The Episcopal Church: Our friend Judy Lewis reminds us of that "premier event", the movie "A Case for Love". She notes that in the area of the SLO Deanery there will be a showing on Jan 23 at 4pm and 7pm with the detailed info as follows: Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX Located in: Santa Maria Town Center Address 100 Town Center E, Santa Maria, CA 93454 Phone: (844) 462-7342 Calling this # wasn't helpful. Stadium seating It will be showing on Screen 12 Here's the website that will give you more information. You can order tickets and get directions to the theatre that is at the Santa Maria mall. https://www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-edwards-santa-maria-rpx-1681?date=01-23-2024 Dear friends,
Today's lessons seem to me to revolve around a common theme - the joy of meeting others who have discovered God's gift of faith - some without even directly realising it. The gospel lesson from Mark speaks of the baptising efforts of John - Whom I sort of think of as a "warm-up act" for Jesus. This lesson is followed up in the lesson from the Book of Acts of Paul's visit to the city of Ephesus and his discovery there of a spiritual group which resonated with his own understanding of that which he found in his own conversion on the way to Damascus - which resulted in his turnabout from making "murderous threats" (Acts 9) against the communities practicing "The Way". Paul's experience in Ephesus reminds us of the wonderful discoveries we've made with other spiritual groups - a common sense of God's presence in our lives - as when we have "ecumenical" events, events including apparently widely disparate groups and traditions (we have had many such discoveries, including recently our friends of the Sunburst community we have mentioned before, but also delightful understandings from what used to seem a very dogmatic group, the Roman Catholic Church, and a groups that rarely mention God at all, like the Zen Buddhist community and Kriya Yoga folks with breathing exercises - reminiscent of the old hymn, "Breathe on breath of God". Indeed for most my life I have been open to discovering yet more groups, as when stopping to visit formal spiritual communities in our travels around California and beyond - often receiving hearty welcome. The Old Testament lesson, a short rendition of the "Creation Story" from Genesis, tied it all together for me with the statement that "a wind from God swept over the face of the waters" before even the jump-starter of light. This wind still blows today, swirling around us and others in our search for the "Truth" (ultimate reality). We give thanks that so many times we get glimpses of it when encounter such communities of a loving spirit, whether formal or not! Our love to all in God's gently loving breezes! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church Events This Sunday, the first after the Feast of the Epiphany (which is why my subject line in this email includes "Wise men still seek him" (thanks to Rev Roger Wharton of Good Samaritan Church in San Jose) and it will begin the Epiphany Season celebrating the visit of the 3 Kings. It might also be a good season to go out and discover events with the many spiritual groups within our own San Luis Obispo Deanery. We note that our friends at St Benedict Church in Los Osos held a "Star Party" last night with the Kinds and the stars in mind. Our own St Matthew Church in San Ardo will NOT be meeting at our usual time at the chapel in San Ardo since virtually all of our members, including ourselves, will be travelling. But Morning Prayer at St Matt will resume on tne following Sunday, January 14, at the usual hour of 10am - please join us! Meanwhile our fellow missions St Luke Church in Jolon and St Mark Church in King City will be meeting for a service of Holy Eucharist at St Mark Church in King City, with Fr Carl officiating. Other Events St Barnabas Church Church, Arroyo Grande, tells us that TONIGHT Jan 6, and next Sat Jan 13, Cal Poly hosts Faith and Family night at their men's basketball games - for free tickets go to https://gopoly.com/sb_output.aspx?form=53 and https://gopoly.com/sb_output.aspx?form=54 From the Deanery - and Beyond We are told by several SLO Deanery parishes, including St James Church in Paso Robles that this Sunday at 2pm in Mitchell Park, San Luis Obispo, there will be a "Lamentation for the Holy Land" with public grieving for the trauma and loss of life in Israel and Gaza, with speakers from the Jewish and Islamic communities in the area. They suggest wearing black as a sign of lamentation. We are also told by our friends at Good Shepherd parish in Salinas (Corral de Tierra) that on Feb 11, Shrove Tuesday aka Mardi Gras, that parish will be having a Jazz Sunday with Jazz music at the 10am service and a pancake breakfast at 11am. This of course is in the run-up to Lent which begins the next day, Ash Wednesday. More about Lenten activities in the next several News editions. The Premier Event (from the Deanery, the Diocese and Beyond) "A Case for Love" is a heartfelt yet personally challenging movie inspired by the teachings and writings of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about "The Power of Love" at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This documentary examines whether or not love–specifically unselfish love–is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the U.S. Tickets for screenings on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, are available on the Fathom Events website. The movie will be shown at the following theaters in our diocese: • Century 20 at Oakridge and XD, San Jose • AMC Eastridge 15, San Jose • Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center, Monterey • Regal Edwards Santa Maria and RPX, Santa Maria Go to https://stbenslososos.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=56003b92c20a0cad0f96f87b4&id=497c60a96b&e=c7a1548f0f to read about how the film came to be in an article by Episcopal News Service. Folks,
On this First Sunday after Christmas the lessons seem to point to lots of NEW things, including from the Gospel of John taking it back to the beginning which was the mysterious Word ... "And the Word became flesh and lived among us". But the point of the story was the "New Covenant" as depicted in the epistle (letter) to the Galatians, which says by analogy that "before faith came we were imprisoned and guarded under the law". The writer of the OT lesson from Isaiah also speaks of change coming "until her vindication shines out like the dawn" and that "The nations shall see your vindication and all the kings your glory". Taken together these three lessons aptly described what happened in the "Jesus movement" we have been speaking of from the earliest days of the "church" as such (the word "church" was meant to refer to the "body of believers" - ie, people gathered in faith and love. This model, especially at the temples present in those days, in Jerusalem and really throughout the world, upended the existing model of a form of externally imposed rules by a god or gods (and perhaps enforced by parents as well as things like the "temple police" and by Roman governors in that empire. Instead of being obliged by "law" and force to support the temples (and indirectly the governments) the new paradigm offered by Jesus was one of a willingness to come together in love and faith. While many of us moderns take this as a commonplace, the idea was really fairly new in the Middle East and the Roman Empire of 2000 years ago, and we are still talking about its newness today, as aptly summarised by the Collect appointed for this Sunday: "Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen." May we all bask in this new light and live in a community of loving faith in this New Year! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matt in San Ardo Events St Matthew Church will meet for Morning Prayer at usual hour of 10am at the chapel in San Ardo. And our friends of St Luke Church in Jolon will meet for Morning Prayer at that chapel at 10am with our friend Rachel Denny leading the service - we wish we could be there! We also want to mention the warm and wonderful Christmas Eve Eucharist gathered with our friends from St Luke Church and St Mark Church at St Mark's beautiful "Carpenter's Gothic" church building in King City - many thanks to all, and especially our longtime friend Fr Carl Hansen who put together a beautiful service and touched a bit on St Mark's history. We look forward to many more such events! Other Events We recommend all see the webpages of local parishes including those at www.sloepiscopalians.org for the many other events. As we are travelling again this weekend, we only have time to mention a couple of events of special interest, including The Robert Burns Fellowship Hour which will take place on Monday, January 29th at Ramsden Hall, St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo. This even will be co-hosted by St Stephen Church along with St Benedict Church in Los Osos and St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande. Sounds like fun! Other Events St Paul Cathedral in San Diego, on the Feast of the Epiphany (soon to come on Jan 6) will have a staged reading of the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy perfect for Epiphany (commemorating the visit of the Three Kings to Jesus birth site (Fr Ian Dellinger tells us that this Feast is a more major event in many of the eastern orthodox churches and completely replaces Christmas in the Armenian Church. This event will be on The Day of The Epiphany, Saturday, Jan 6 at 1pm at the Cathedral and on Zoom. See www.StPaulCathedral.org for all there events and Zoom details. From The Episcopal Church (including the Diocese of El Camino Real): A Case for Love This is a movie put out as a joint project by many groups and will be shown at select public movie theatres in several locations in the Diocese, and in particular at the Regal Edwards Cinema in Santa Maria (see below), probably the closest venue for the SLO Deanery parishes. The movie project was instigated by our tireless Presiding Bishop Michael Curry who delivered the sermon, "The Power of Love", at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle, and examines whether unselfish love is the solution to extreme divides in the world today. The movie will be screened on one day only, Jan 23, 2024. Some parishes, including St Stephens' Fr Ian Delinger, are gathering groups to attend. Rev Rob Keim tells us you can order tickets at https://www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-edwards-santa-maria-rpx/1681#/buy-tickets-by-cinema?in-cinema=1681&at=2023-12-29&view-mode=list For more info about the project, including a "trailer", go to http://www.fathomevents.com/events/a-case-for-love/ We hope to see many of you there, and hope many others not local to SLO will go to the website and its subpages to see where the nearest showing will be and attend the event - the world needs such love! |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
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