|
Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include from James' epistle sound advice: "let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger" but beyond this James asks that we "be doers of the word, and not merely hearers". He goes on to say pure religion cares for those in need. The gospel lesson from mark goes on to discuss the "purity" notions of the Temple Jews of the time, which involve ritual hand washing before eating/ Jesus comments that the important "defilement" comes not from what is put into the body, but from what come out: "... fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." But of particular interest to me is the OT lesson from The Song of Solomon which commenter Lutheran seminary prof Kathryn M. Schifferdecker says is the only use of this "book" in the Revised Common Lectionary. which seems to be both about loving ardour and even erotic love between a couple, yet clearly, by going to better translation: "In what is perhaps the most famous passage of the Song, the woman says, "love is strong as death, / passion fierce as the grave. / Its flashes are flashes of fire, / a raging flame" (8:6). The phrase, "a raging flame," is more literally translated from the Hebrew, "a flame of the LORD." The divine name is linked with love at this key point in the text." - see https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-22-2/commentary-on-song-of-solomon-28-13-2 OTOH, Tony's immediate take just now was that the passage sounds simply like a celebration that Spring is coming - a worthwhile thing to celebrate at the end of a long (and rather hot) ranch summer. It seems fitting to me to have Book that is artful, poetry really, and subject to many interpretations, as is much great art. May we all ponder these lessons, and share them abroad, even while being "quick to listen" to the interpretations of others! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Parish in San Ardo Events St Matthew parish in San Ardo, will be having Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am. Fellow mission parishes St Luke, Jolon and St Mark, King City, will be having their customary services at that same time. Note also that our correspondeng Daphne Denny of St Luke parish tells us that there will a celebration of the life of Rev Dcn Robert Seifert on 12 Oct of this year at 5pm. In Daphne's word " We will honor and bid farewell to the beloved Vicar of All Jolon, Robert Seifert, who started our regular observance of Vespers following a potluck in the Guild Hall when he first came to serve here 15 years ago. His specialty pork roast will be served and we all know to bring favorite dishes for the pot luck. Bring photos and memories to share during and after the church service." We at St Matt Church have many fond memories of Robert, going back to before the El Camino Real Diocese was hived off the "Diocese of California" (SF area). He was especially keen on church history but could never explain how St John Church, now merged with St James in Paso Robles, and shown in an 1878 edition of the San Miguel Inland Messenger, well before the 1885 date of the founding and construction of St Luks Church, wasn't the first of Rev J S McGowan's mission parishes. Nevertheless, Rob breathed life and spirit into St Luke parish, and started the idea of Vesper Potlucks, and was devoted to the parish, often sleeping over in the church office on a cot. As Daphne said, "Let's come together October 12th to celebrate the many wonderful and challenging times we shared with our beloved Vicar of All Jolon, and the love that never dies." Note that it also appears the Diocese will have another celebration of Rob's life on Nov 16. Look for details later. Other Events From St Peter Parish in Morro Bay we hear of the following: Quick to listen? Lenny Erickson will host another Eclectia Discussibles in small groups on situations posed in the NY Times "The Ethicist" Wednesdays at 1:30pm Sep 4 and on. A performance of the play, "A Rock Sails By", starting TODAY thru Sep 15 - see ByTheSeaProductions.org for full details. A Search Committee will be forming for the future rector - where is Padre Sid off to? New Autumn Flu and Covid vaccines are becoming available - check with your MD / Rx. St James Parish in Paso Robles tells of these events: On Sep 15 A First Communion Fundraiser On Sep 22 The Wayside Cross Service Also on Sep 22 First communion Event On Oct 5 the "Obktoberfest" fundraiser St Barnabas Parish in Arroyo Grande tells us of these events: Series on Civil Discourse: September 12th 6:30 pm, as follows: "Join us for a three-week series starting Thursday, September 12th at 6:30 pm. The Episcopal Office of Government Affairs has published a curriculum that we will use for this class. This interactive, three-part curriculum, called "Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse," focuses on "inward growth and outward application." Its goal is to help Episcopalians understand how to use civil discourse to bridge partisan divides and learn from one another ahead of the Nov. 5 general election and beyond. Please join us at 6:30 pm for a light supper, immediately followed by the programming from 7:00 to 8:00 pm." As we have mentioned, the Parish Campout at Lopez Lake will be from Sep 20 at 3pm thru Sep 22 at 11am. A new Bible Study Series begins on Sep 24 at 10am following Morning Prayer at 9:30amand following Tuesdays via Zoom or in the parish library. Zoom link is https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=5587a96efa&e=acee3ced34
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|