Last Sunday of Epiphany - St Matthew News

Friends,
 
The lessons for this Sunday include two lessons about veiled and unveiled truth with the curious outcome of Moses trek up Mt Sinai (in
Exodus) to talk to God, and coming down with a serious case of shiny face (he took to the veil after that). Paul in an analogy refers to that story 2 Corinthians, suggesting  the people hearing the lessons of the Old Covenant (Testament) when read in the Temple had a similar problem with the veil over their understanding of the lessons. and that "when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed" - ie, they can understand, which leads to a transformation of the people in the same image "as though reflected in a mirror".
 
Those lessons are echoed in Luke's gospel which includes a form of the story of The Transfiguration. My partner Tony(!) tells me from his time with practitioners of Eastern religions people used the Japanese word "satori" which refers to a sudden realisation of one's true nature. My guess is that this is what happened when Peter, James and John went up the mountain with Jesus, whose face had changed when praying there and whose clothes became dazzling white - not a good idea to wear white on a mountain hike, I can tell you!
 
And even though the guys were a bit sleep deprived (which probably made the white even more dazzling) they seemed to recall, as a tiny tiptoe into the drama of the Easter Season, that Jesus had been discussing his "departure" (the Hebrew word exodos meaning leaving or death) with Elijah and Moses (we aren't told whether Moses was still wearing that veil). After this a cloud overshadowed them all and God spoke directly:
"This is my ... chosen, listen to him!"
 
Interestingly, in the times I had a "mountain top experience" it was followed first by silence, as happened to this mountain top group coming down.
 
But to me the story wouldn't be complete without the extra (and optional
- ie, enclosed in brackets by the Lectionary composers) passage in which Jesus heals a boy from demons. This seems to tell me that a satori experience is even better followed by "good works".
 
As we come to Eastertide may we all experience that satori glimpse into the divine!
 
Our love to all,
 
Bart (and Tony!)
 
And for all of us at St Matt
 
Events
 
St Matthew Parish in San Ardo will meet for Morning Prayer at 10am at the chapel there. St Luke Parish in Jolon will be doing likewise. Both events are set for 10am. Donna Lews leas at St Luke Church and Tony
Saponate(!) at St Matthew Church.
 
Next Sunday St Luke's folks will join St Mark's folks at the chapel in King City for a service of Holy Eucharist at 10am.
 
Note that Fr Carl Hansen will hold an Ash Wednesday Mar 5 at St Mark Church at noon.
 
Other Events
 
St James Parish in Paso Robles will kick off the Easter Season with a brief service attending the burning of the Palms for the ashes to be used on As Wednesday, followed by a Mardi Gras Pancake Supper. The events begin at 5pm Tuesday Evening, March 4. Note that several other parishes will be doing a similar event such as St Luke Parish in Atascadero - check with your local parishes for specific details as to time and place (eg, St Peter Parish in Morro Bay will start at 4pm and St Luke Parish in Atascadero at 5:30pm).
 
St James (and several other parishes) will be enjoying the "Lent Madness" event, a tongue in cheek contest of sorts where folks will chose a favourite saint from a list of 32. An entry fee will be collected and donate to Episcopal Relief and Development, and organisation we have frequently commended in the News. For more info go to
 
http://lentmadness.org/
 
As mentioned St James will be hosting a Piano Concert by Josh Tarica at 3pm on Mar 30.
 
 
St Luke Parish in Atascadero tells us that in addition to the Shrove
Tuesday Mardi Gras Pancake Supper event there will be an Ash Wednesday
service at noon at the chapel. Note that St James Parish in Paso Robles
will also have an Ash Wednesday service, in their case at 7pm.
 
And St Luke Parish is collecting items to be sold at a benefit Plant and
Bake Yard Sale to be held on April 30.
 
 
At St Benedict Parish Ash Wednesday service, with Imposition of Ashes
and Holy Eucharist will be 7pm on Wednesday, March 5. St. Ben's
_Discovery Team_ will be offering _Ashes to GO!_ at the Abundance Shop
from 7am on Ash Wednesday.
 
Also at St Ben's, Lenten Morning Prayer begins on Monday, March 10, at
8:30am. Rev. Linzi will offer Morning Prayer each weekday morning
(Monday - Friday), you will need a Book of Common Prayer and a Bible if
you'd like to participate fully .
 
And St. Benedict's own exquisite Stations of the Cross will be installed
in the sanctuary during Lent. Beginning on March 11, the church will be
open every Tuesday in the Lenten season from 2-5pm for personal prayer
and devotions. [Please know that the church won't be heated, so please
do dress for comfort while in the space.]
 
During the rest of the season after The Epiphany, St Ben's Spiritual
Conversation group will be focusing on The Book of Acts. We'll read
several chapters a week and then discuss together. You do not have to do
the reading to participate, all are welcome. Join on Zoom. See St Ben's
websites for details, including Zoom links.
 
 
At St Barnabas Parish in Arroyo Grande on Saturday, March 8th at 3pm,
their own Choral Scholar, Alexander Miller, will be performing his Vocal
Minor Recital at Cal Poly in the Davidson Music Center (Building 45 Room
218). The event is free. Come support and enjoy Alexander and his
wonderful singing! For more information, call 805-756-2406
 
And the parish will hold a St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser Dinner on March
15th from 5-6:30pm, come enjoy a wonderful dinner to raise funds for the
youth to attend the Episcopal Church Camp. Contact the Parish Office for
tickets.
 
St Barnabas will host a Quilters, Needleworkers, Crafters! Retreat
You are invited to a retreat at St. Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande.
May 29th – 31st, (Thursday & Friday 9 am - 4 pm, Saturday 9am - 1 pm)
There is no charge for the retreat. There is an optional $20 donation to
cover costs (snacks, raffle, etc) Please let me know if you wish to
attend the retreat.
 
Contact Melissa Biel, 562-400-4704 (call or text),
[email protected].
 
She will respond to your RSVP. If you do not hear back from me, it means
I did not receive your response. She will follow-up with you when we get
closer to the retreat to make sure the dates still fit with your
schedule and give you more retreat information.
 
They have 28 spaces available at the retreat. If they receive more than
28 responses, they will start a waiting list. Let me know if you have
any questions.
 
St Barnabas Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will also be on Mar 4 at 5pm.
 
 
Besides that Shove Tuesday Pancake Supper (see above) St Peter Parish
will be hosting the play Fireflies This weekend and next. the parish
Knitting Group will gather at 2:30pm on Tues Mar 4 (Shrove Tuesday).
 
And on Ash Wed, at the Parish on March 5 and every alternate Wednesday
St Peter's  Writer’s Group meets, 4:45-7:00. Have your own project but
would like camaraderie or pointers? Here’s the place – Scout Coffee 390
Morro Bay Blvd.
 
Also at St Peter Parish, from noon to 1:30pm my friend Lenny Erickson
will lead "Bible 101" - a discussion and Q&A session, at the church.
 
 
At Epiphany Episcopal/Lutheran Parish in Marina and St Phillips Lutheran
Parish in Carmel our friend Rev Jon Perez tells us that they will have
an Epiphany & St Phillips Joint Service on Mar 5 at 7pm at the Marina
Church, after which they will journey thru Lent together with Holden
Prayer Services on Tuesday alternating between the two locations, with
the first on Mar 12 at St Philips Church, 8065 Carmel Valley Rd in
Carmel Valley. the Services go from 6:30 to 8pm including a Simple
Supper. Epiphany is receiving items for a Rummage Sale to be held on Mar
29 8am until noon. Contact the Church Office to be sure someon is there
to drop off donations to be sold.
 
 
Our friend Don Maruska of St Benedict Parish tells us of the coming
WFaith Climate Action Week 2025, the week around Earth Day 2025, an
inspiring time for faith communities to come together, raise awareness,
and take meaningful action for the climate. This year's theme, Grounded
& Growing: Planting the Seeds of Change, emphasizes the importance of
trees in building resilient communities and reducing global warming.
 
 From April 18th to 27th, including the weekends just prior to and after
Earth Day (April 22nd), we will join together in a variety of activities
including worship services, educational events, tree planting, and
advocacy efforts focused on protecting Creation and advancing climate
justice in the Golden State.
 
Register for your Action Kit at
 
https://click.everyaction.com/k/102894575/530594740/1150051766?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAxNy8xLzExNDM0MyIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICI5NzBhYzNjNi0zNmY1LWVmMTEtOTBjYi0wMDIyNDgyYTk0ZjQiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogImRvbkBkb25tYXJ1c2thLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Qwv8vDseUztEdNJCG3Av03vu3PBqdfCpW3aGdcT8S30=&emci=9282af13-a3f4-ef11-90cb-0022482a94f4&emdi=970ac3c6-36f5-ef11-90cb-0022482a94f4&ceid=5496925
 
Note that The 2025 FCAW kit includes:
 
Welcome from your CIPL team
Organizer's Guide
Reflection on the Sacred Duty of Protecting Trees
Book Recommendations
Movie Recommendations with Discussion Questions
Activities for Children and Youth Groups
Interfaith Prayers and Poems
Inspiration for Reflections, Sermons, Homilies from different traditions
Postcards for Action
Tree Planting Ceremony Script
By joining us, you will be part of a movement of people of faith across
the Golden State, united in the mission to create a more just,
sustainable, and compassionate world for all.
 
 
 From the Deanery
 
The Deanery Meeting will be this Sunday at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo
Grande starting at 2pm. It will be preceded by a potluck lunch at
1:15pm. All are invited and the programs are interesting!
 
The Agenda is as follows (thanks to David Ottesen!):
 
Opening Prayer and Welcome:  The Rev. Rob Keim
 
Special Presentation: The Immigration Crisis: “Helping our Neighbors”
Rita Casaverde – Executive Director, SLO Diversity Coalition
 
Approval of Minutes:  Laura Learned
Treasurer:  Lisa Gonzalez
Deanery Elections:  David Ottesen
Committee Reports:  Standing Committee; Board of Trustees; Commission on
Ministry; Missional Grants Commission; SLO Episcopal Campus Ministry;
Social Justice Committee
Announcements:
Future Meetings:  May 4, 2025 – St. Luke’s, Atascadero
July 20, 2025 – St. Paul’s, Cambria
September ?? (Diocesan Budget Review via Zoom)
 
Closing Prayer:  The Rev. Dcn. Susan Arnold
 
 
 
 From the Diocese we hear the following:
 
Below is a letter from the Rev. Martha Korienek, Canon to the Ordinary. 
In it, she announces her departure from our diocese, effective April 30,
2025. Canon Martha has been with us since the Summer of 2021, when she
began working intensively in the areas of Transition Ministry and
liturgical trainings.  Many of you have experienced her pastoral style
and her personal one-on-one engagement with leaders of congregations in
transition. I hope that you will reach out to her and express your
gratitude for her work with us. We wish her the very best as she
continues to explore this ever-evolving call in ordained ministry.
 
Faithfully,
+Lucinda
Dear Beloveds of El Camino Real,
 
It has been the joy of a lifetime to serve as your Canon to the Ordinary
these past few years, and to work alongside you in ministry. I have
enjoyed every minute of working with vestries, search committees,
transition teams, and clergy, and remain eternally grateful for the
opportunity to journey with you as we discerned the call of the Holy
Spirit and equipped the saints for ministry. And so, it is with an
abiding love that I share with you that I will be leaving the position
of Canon to the Ordinary, and my last day will be April 30, 2025.
 
One thing that has inspired me time and time again is the wisdom within
each of our communities. And when we bring together our gifts, talents,
and skills, I have been impressed by what we can accomplish. I hope you
will continue to work together, sharing wisdom and gifts, both within
your congregations and with each other across the diocese. It has been
beautiful and holy to see you support each other in being God's people
in the world.
 
Please know that you remain in my prayers, and in my heart.
 
God bless,
 
 
 
The Rev. Canon Martha Korienek