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Apologia? For those of you careful readers, I note that I misstated an aspect of the gospel lesson in last week's News: It was the servants, not the steward, who were told by Mary to "Do whatever he tells you."
This error was occasioned by a power and my haste to get the News out in advance (I usually like to wait until Friday at least so I can get a more inclusive Events section). Those of you wordsmiths out there might say this should simply be an "apology" vs an "apologia" (a formal defense of a position) thus the question mark. But it gives me a chance to recommend that all (in the words of the hymn) will "Taste and see", the goodness of faith, On to this week's lessons include from Nehemiah, at prophet Ezra's time "governor" seemingly predicting coming good times for Israel and from the Gospel of Luke a lesson describing Jesus's amazing ability to teach in the synagogues, including in his hometown of Nazareth, especially when "filled with the power of the Spirit". But I'd like to focus on the Epistle lesson from Paul in I Corinthians. a familiar but important reminder that all the members of the "body" need to work together. Note that when President Trump was recently inaugurated, Bp Mariann Budde of Diocese of Washington DC offered the meditation which can be read at https://edow.org/2025/01/22/a-service-of-prayer-for-the-nation-homily/ as well as our diocesan websites (www.realepiscopal.org et al). Our friend Rev Dcn Susan Arnold commented that "The request Bishop Budde made to President Trump at the end of her sermon was not a political one. It was a request made directly from the Holy Bible in which God charges, first the leaders of the Jewish people and then also Christians, to Love God and in so doing, care for the alien resident, widows, children, the homeless, the hungry, to clothe the naked, and, yes, visit the prisoner." And note that the Inauguration took place on the day we commemorate Martin Luther King, a leader for justice for all (see the prayer further below). A Reminder Before this recitation of Events we'd like to remind all of the need to help LA Fire Victims: The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has asked that anyone looking to make a direct donation to relief efforts in LA give to their annual appeal: https://shorturl.at/QV8eN Episcopal Relief & Development, who is working in partnership with the Diocese of Los Angeles, is accepting donations to their Wildfire Fund: https://shorturl.at/Hv5Yb Events St Matthew Parish will be meeting for Morning Prayer at 10am at the chapel in San Ardo and our fellow mission St Luke Parish, Lockwood-Jolon will be doing the same. Our correspondent and parish leader Rachael Denny tells us that there is some interest in resuming the monthly Vespers Potlucks in Feb or Mar. Contact Rachael if you might be interested at [email protected] Other Events The women of St James Parish in Paso Robles meet for prayer and breakfast the second Wednesday of each month at 9am and they invite all to join them. And St Luke Parish in Atascadero tells us that their Daughters of the King chapter will be meeting together with the St James Parish chapter at 4pm on Feb 22, 2025 in the Cummings Room at St Luke Church building in Atascadero. St Benedict Parish tells us that during the season after The Epiphany, the Spiritual Conversation group will be focusing on spiritual practices that help us be present in the world as God's light. We will be loosely guided by Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times. You do not have to read the book to participate, all are welcome. Join on Zoom at https://stbenslososos.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=56003b92c20a0cad0f96f87b4&id=0a55875782&e=c7a1548f0f St Barnabas Parish in Arroyo Grande's Book Study Series will have their final meeting on Thurs Jan 30 at 7pm. St Barnabas also tells us of this event at All Saints Church in Carmel: "All Saints' in Carmel, CA will be hosting a Wisdom Work Group and a Circles of Trust Group called "Building Beloved Community" this Spring. The Wisdom Group will be open to ZOOM participants but not Circles of Trust." The meetings will all be on Saturdays (February 22nd, March 29th, April 26th, and May 10th). For more information for the Circles of Trust Group: please see flier at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=b6fbcadc2d&e=acee3ced34 For more information for the Wisdom Work Group: please see flier at https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=be1e04161b&e=acee3ced34 The meetings will all be on Saturdays (January 25th, February 15th, March 22nd, April 11-12 [two day retreat], May 17th, June 7th). From St Paul Cathedral in San Diego we hear of the following event: "World Premiere from Bruce Neswick 10:30 am, In the Cathedral As we celebrate Cathedral Day, our Cathedral Choir will offer the first performance of a new mass setting, a Missa Brevis by the celebrated composer and organist Bruce Neswick. The Mass was commissioned from Bruce as part of the cathedral’s 150th anniversary in 2019." St Paul Parish also tells us of a "New Online Bible Course … for Smarties!" "Starting Monday, January 27th, 6 - 8 pm, on Zoom You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this online Course about the writings of the New Testament beyond the Gospels, with a particular focus on the development of the Early Church; the life and literature of the Cathedral's patron, St. Paul; the General Epistles; and the Book of Revelation. For more information, go to https://k7cbcacab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001KgKtLA7sArkX_RvTWy6w51BJ_D-UDeOH3QrxA56VZwFo0tvrgmbeIYd7JH9UFGlQWHAByUqXoBl00zaqLNPAoFllqOpJUnGVoWliyIqEdwXURnh3ujljO2_vJN9luPIWXJsWCEH8XEQhwU6uDFuBYAKVKso6SVuvFw5-NQbYbOT-vcZ1cZc6JYzU2z1X5FShYwa7SVM05zNJ4uvc3udl7Xdd4RRFNKGOlVohtiva5IECEu-iwlt78Eo39I0eal41&c=l155mAMrJ5unOCWRrskTHKJAJItekLxTv7nV4XlQFEeaqV9ejl7ADA==&ch=PK-6fAp0mC7doiEfDj3oXX7sqAKS8CnO4pvozM4YroLtDr7Bof3LXg== for the syllabus and email Dr. Moseley ([email protected])." We wish to remind all of the Robert Burns Fellowship Hour event set to take place at the Church of St Stephen (Episcopal) in downtown San Luis Obispo. Gather at 3pm this Sun Jan 26 at 3pm in Ramsden Hall for Burns' songs and poetry, Celtic Ceilidh (music and dance) and Scottish appetisers. And of course a bagpiper. If a different musical approach is "your thing" you might instead want to take in the Taize Music with the group from St Luke Parish in Atascadero and other locations at 7pm on Sunday. For full info and the Zoom link contact at 7pm on Sunday. Also online (and in person) is the wonderful traditional Anglican service of Evensong at from the Cathedral of St Paul in San Diego on Sunday at 5pm. For full info and link go to www.stpualcathedral.org From Good Shepherd Church in Salinas (Corral de Tierra) we hear for Lent they are ogranising Small Groups and Hiking. For full info go to https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=40cff5f03d&e=cc1155f723 We also thought to mention this news and poem from Good Shepherd Church in Salinas (Corral de Tierra): Scout Sunday February 2nd @ 10 AM Join us for Scout Sunday, February 2nd @ 10 AM, where we recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. Rev. Shelley read the following poem at church on Jan 19th. It is from Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes, a retired United Methodist pastor, who has a website: https://unfoldinglight.net/ from which you can receive free daily emailed poems. The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Between a president who recently died and one about to begin we remember a man who was never president. (We notice the harmonies, and the dissonances.) See how our choices matter-- not our position, nor our power, but our character. We remember Martin, who was famous, and in his name thousands more who were not, but just as brave and merciful and mighty. We remember all those who were peacemakers, the nonviolent seekers of justice who have gone before, and those who are now among us, without office. We give thanks for those who stood against injustice, who faced violence, hatred and anger with gentle courage, and we pray for that spirit as well: that we will not walk with the haughty and the cruel, that we will be truthful and kind, that we confront the power to exclude with the power to love. With blessed leaders showing us the way, we pray that we will choose love over fear, generosity over selfishness, service over supremacy. We give thanks for the saints who have gone before, link arms with the saints who risk even now, and with their song in our throats, we carry on."00
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