Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include from Acts (as we've mentioned before, the Communism lesson), John's first epistle (scholars are uncertain of its authorship, but a very personal-sounding letter of Jesus's witness on earth, the reality of "sin", and God's atonement for such sin), and from the Gospel of John the wonderful Doubting Thomas. As I may have discussed before, my sense of "sin" is that it is a general condition of humanity, and there is no special value to recounting one's own personal sins. Rather, I like the term "original sin" in the sense that all human beings are born and grow up as imperfect individuals, subject to sin. For this reason a general cure is needed - the Atonement - the origin of that word being "at-ONE-ment, ie being at one with God and to my mind one of the better inventions of the English language (some use the term remission of sin but I prefer this term which I think better depicts where in our deepest selves really want to locate). The word was used in all the early English Bibles including the King James Version in 1611, yet its origin is unclear. Whoever first used it must have realised the power of faith, which precedes "good works" and allows them to appear naturally (we might say "GRACEfully") The Doubting Thomas lesson depicts the humanity of both Thomas and all of us - and is a wonderful thing, since doubt is an essential part of faith (without it, faith would have no meaning). When confronted with "true believers" who might insist that Communism (or Capitalism) is the ONLY good economic system, it's important to remember Thomas's doubt. May we all test things that seem too obviously true for others, and still find ourselves locating in that place where we are "at One" with the Creator and the Creation! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting for Morning Prayer at 10am on Sunday. Our fellow missions in South Monterey County, St Luke Church, Jolon and St Mark Church in King City, will be meeting together at 10am at St Mark Church, 301 Bassett in King City where Fr Carl will lead a communion service. Note that while the Bishop's Visitation was originally scheduled for this Sunday, we have had to postpone due especially to rain and localised flooding in our area. Look to the News for the new date and the Diocesan Calendar at https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=0d9dab577b&e=f136cc0442 Other Events We'd like to note some of the little things that in sum build strong church communities. We have often spoken of the liturgy as practised in various parishes and St Benedict Church in Los Osos has a Liturgy Committee that will be meeting this coming Monday at 3:30pm. We are glad to have received a tradition, but this events reminds that the communities practise is "a work of the people" as is the words origin. Such community work to refine the practice can make the parts of the Mass more meaningful! The diocesan "Honoured Woman" event is on and St Matthew Parish has had several through the years who have been thus honoured. We hear from St Barnabas Parish in Arroyo Grande that this year our friend Sigrid Long is Honoured Woman of the Year from the parish and the parish is having a luncheon to honour to her directly on May 4 at noon The parish online newsletter has a beautiful article telling of her work in community building- thanks Adam! Note that the "main event", the ECW Honoured Women's Day Luncheon will be at St Stephen Church in Gilroy starting at 9:30am thru 2pm. From farther afield we hear that this weeks Forum at St Paul Cathedral in San Diego will be "Spring Abundance in Cooking" with chef and restaurateur Katie Farina of Katie Healing Kitchen. The event, as usual is between services at 9am and all are welcome. This should be a welcome respite from their often heavy theological programs. And their Choral Evensong, which takes place online as well as in person, will be at 5pm at https://webmail8.userservices.net/?_task=mail&_mbox=INBOX# From the Diocese We get a reminder of this years Spring Renewal Event on May 17 and 18 with a Banquet and Awards on Friday evening and the main program on Saturday. For full info and to register go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=6c7eea14e1&e=f136cc0442 We also hear that Bp Lucinda will be ordaining Joel Micah Martinez to the priesthood at 11am at St Andrews Church in Saratoga, with reception to follow. The church is located at 13601 Saratoga Ave, in Saratoga.
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WILLIAM BARTOSH
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