|
Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday seem to be replete with lessons about the continuity of the Jewish people from last week's Second Creation Story to their formation in Canaan of a new "nation". The Exodus lesson for this Sunday reminds us of the effort of the Jews to leave Egypt. God, in the form of a burning bush, speaks to Moses at Mt Horeb - a rocky peak in an arid area to see Canaan - the "promised land". Yet it was populated, as even the Bush tells Moses, by no less than five other tribes (would-be nations). God then gives that eerie name for himself "I am who I am", recounting Moses' lineage thru Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is little wonder that the Exodus story, echoed thru time even unto the 1960 movie of that title and the modern nation of Israel. But the story of Jewish nationhood continues in the Gospel of Luke with reference to the collapse of the Siloam Tower, killing 18 people. for reason of their "sins". The writer asks himself if they were worse sinners than all the others living in Jerusalem and concludes with a loud "No!" and reminding them of their fates unless they repent. In that lesson the need to repent is reiterated in the story of the fig tree, wherein a gardener asks a second chance for the barren tree, a story that suggests we are just now living in our second chance time. We ALL need to repent (re-think) our lives. More history comes with Paul, writing to the young church in Corinth, wherein he recounts more of the story, including the crossing of the sea as a sort of "baptism" (the practice of baptism Wiki tells us is related to ancient Jewish and other nearby groups purification rites especially at the time of the Babylonian Captivity, 586-539) was a part of Jewish custom. John the Baptist seized it as his cousin Jesus came along as his "thing". Paul makes it clear that such things, including the terrible fate of the people in a plague event that resulted in the death of thousands due to immorality (perhaps sexually transmitted diseases?) amid drunken revels. He sums his lesson up in these lines: "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." But for all us in this common period of testing in our earthly lives, has a great help in our Rock (my subtitle for this Sunday) as Paul eloquently refers to the Rock at Horeb, saying "For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ." So it is that we have a common history with our forebears in that Rock (eschewing excessive "nationalism" and recognising our commonality with all those other tribes), who was with them thru all those ancient times and even today. May we all continue drinking spiritual sustenance from that Rock! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church Events St Matthew Parish will be meeting for Morning Prayer at 10am at the chapel in San Ardo. Our fellow mission St Luke Parish in Lockwood area will be doing likewise at the chapel in Jolon St Luke correspondent Rachel Denny tells us that on the following Sun, Mar 30, Bp Lucinda Ashby will visiting with both St Luke and St Mark Parishes at St Marks architectural stunning facility in King City with Fr Carl Hansen. They ask that you tell Carl so had an idea of how many people to expect. Other Events Beyond the "advent" of Spring (yesterday was the first day!) we note that even while Lent is a more pensive season (again "repent" or re-think, as in the lessons), the parishes of the SLO Deanery are busy nonetheless: Other Events Our sister Brandy tells us that she will be off to service near her home at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, followed by their Forum (their events are usually available at least to audit - see the links and other info at www.gracecathedral.org and note that tomorrow's Forum features our friend Tom Steyer, Venture Capitalist especially with an eye to "green investing" (which will become important whatever one's political leanings"). We once participated in an "Adult Sunday School" with Tom and thoroughly enjoyed it - many interested concepts in this world, yet bolstered by a drinking from our spiritual Rock. Camp St Andrews, run by St Andrew's Parish in Saratoga, tells us that there are still limited spot available for this year summer camping program especially for young people, ages 8-15. For full info go to https://campsaintandrews.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f47a445ec3a76051753e25c4b&id=6793a114b7&e=c59fdc55b8 Our friends at St Peter Parish in Morro Bay tell us that Bp Lucinda will be visiting there as well, in this case on Sunday April 13. And while they search for a new priest, our friend Rev Caro Hall will be in charger there. St Peters will also have a concert, "The Voice of Spring", by the Voice Studio of Mary Sue Gee, on Mar 30 at 2pm. St James Parish in Paso Robles tells us they will be continuing reading together Entering the Passion of Christ: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by A J Levine. Contact the Parish Office for details at 805.238.0819. St Paul Cathedral in San Diego will have a Forum as well - in this case "A Guide to Civil Discourse". See their websites for info on this and many other events at www.stpaulcathedral.org Which include a Silent Day Retreat on Apr 5 and A Forum on Mar 27 from 9am to 2:15pm with the National Faith + Climate Forum, a Day of Jewish Community and Learning on Mar 30, and an even of Women Together described as The Crucifixion of the King of Glory: How Christ Confounded the World While Fulfilling Perplexing Prophecies Thursday, April 3, 5:45 - 7:15 pm, The Guild Room Speaker: Dr. Eugenia Constantinou And of course the Cathedral Parish will be offering Lenten Soup Suppers including on Maundy Thursday, April 17. Besides all of the above, we encourage all to visit websites fore events at your local parishes, such as St Barnabas in Arroyo Grande, St Benedict in Los Osos, St Paul in Cambria, St Luke in Atascadero and St Stephen in San Luis Obispo. From the Diocese You saw above that Bp Lucinda will be visiting in many places, including April 6 at Good Shepherd Parish in Salinas (Corral de Tierra). If you want to track all of her "moves" you might want to sign on to receive the diocesan newsletter - see details at www.realepiscopal.org (you will see an excellent graphic of a chessboard with one of the "bishop" pieces moving about). At those websites you will see this item as well: March 28 – The Sickness unto Death Kierkegaard defines despair not as mere sadness but as a failure to be truly oneself, rooted in God. This session will explore how despair can coexist with happiness and what it means for the spiritual life. April 4 – Philosophical Fragments How does Christian faith differ from Platonic recollection? We will contrast these perspectives while considering Kierkegaard's concept of offense—the stumbling block of the gospel that is inextricably linked to faith. About our presenter - Luke Grote, PhD, has previously led an engaging Lenten series on theology and philosophy. This online series is open to all who seek a deeper understanding of faith and the risk it entails. For full info on this series go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=1b1c16b777&e=f136cc0442 Each year, we combine worship, ministry tables, presenters, and food (YUM!) to center around a particular theme. This year, our theme is "Believing, Belonging, Beloved." Registration will be opening soon with early bird pricing through April 18th. On the evening of Friday, May 16th, it will be the Bishop's pleasure to gather us at a banquet to honor Joanna Shreve, who is the recipient of the 2025 Pilgrim's Path award. We will also honor two of our long-time leaders, Jerry Drino and George Lockwood, who are recipients of this year's Bishop's Award. The banquet will end with a brief talk by our presenters and a service of Compline. Our presenters for the 2025 Spring Renewal are the Rt. Rev. Barry Beisner, Bishop Provisional of the Missionary Diocese of Navajoland, and Canon Cornelia Eaton, a Navajo priest who serves as Canon to the Ordinary for that diocese. On Saturday May 17th, they will share presentations about their ministry together in Navajoland, the challenges and joys of the work they share, and the unique experience of meeting Navajo spirituality and the spiritual tradition of The Episcopal Church, which they both embody in their respective roles. Our presenters are candid, thoughtful, and deeply committed to the calling they will share with us.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|