|
Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include more from Job, with God "putting Job in his place" "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? etc. While these were a bit of a "reproach" Job's complaining, I am mostly filled in response by the feeling I get hearing a good rendition of the hymn "How Great Thou Art" as the one I heard at Moody Bible Church back in Chicago (went with a group from the Swedish Free Church). It is the same feeling of awe and wonder as when I look up at the Milky Way on a clear and moonless night at the Ranch, always ending up saying "Wow!"! Interestingly , the alternate OT lesson is an apt response from a quite different tack ("Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases" adding "Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain." So we can see that Job was likely included in the Christian Canon of the Bible at least in part as an allegory depicting what Jesus went thru (as it said in Job "like a lamb that is led to the slaughter" and similar to Jesus and "By a perversion of justice he was taken away.") The Epistle from Hebrews speaks of the too human haughty attitude of the "high priests" while noting that Jesus didn't "glorify himself as one. The gospel lesson from Mark tells of the brothers, James and John, wanting to be seated at either side of Jesus in his "glory".(presumably that heavenly place of which we can only know it is good) and being told that among Gentiles "their rulers lord it over them" with the interesting tidbit that the other 10 disciples "began to be angry with James and John." While the lessons are replete with human emotions, good and bad, the relationship of God to man in them is sometimes loving and sometimes stern, yet always recognising our humanity as our "place". As most of you know, I am fond of praising the human attitude of a "reasonable humility" in the face of the Almighty. By the same token, I also hope we can allow ourselves "a reasonable pride" for our "better natures" like those angels of Lincoln's. If humans are indeed "a little lower than the angels, then still a magnificent creation of God. May we always remember both a reasonable humility and a reasonable pride as we figure our "place" in life. 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 a service of Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am at the chapel in San Ardo. And we are still relishing the delicious memorial at St Luke Parish's Vespers/Supper Club for our friend Rev Dcn Rob Seifert (how he want to be remembered I think for instigating these delightful events) at fellow South County parish St Luke in Jolon which works closely with St Mark Parish in King City, including this Sunday when they will joint together with St Mark Parish at the beautiful chapel in King City, 3rd and Bassett streets. Other Events We see that the play Outsider by Paul Smith continues on the stage at St Peter Parish's parish hall thru Oct 27. For tickets go to: bytheseaproductions.org or call: 805-776-3287 Also note that St Pauls Parish in Cambria has a Book Club and they tell us the following: St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cambria will host a book study led by Canon Mark Hall. "Jesus' Alternative Plan-The Sermon on the Mount" by Richard Rohr. We will meet on Wednesdays on Zoom, beginning Oct 2, 10:00 AM. The book has much to say in only 190 pages, and divided into nine chapters. We plan on reading one chapter per week and discussing what we've gleaned from our weekly readings. Please contact Canon Mark Hall at [email protected] to be added to the Zoom Event mailing list. As we approach "All Hallows Eve" (Halloween) and All Saints Day itself, many parishes will be taking time to remember others who have "gone before". This is a good time tore remember those saints in our lives who have died. Look for special events in the various parish newsletters, websites, etc, including those for the parishes of our Deanery - see the calendar at https://http.sloepiscopalians.org/index.htmlhttp.sloepiscopalians.org From the Diocese We hear of the following event from the Diocese PRAYERS FOR A PEACEFUL ELECTION Please consider joining the El Camino Real Social Justice Committee in praying for a peaceful election. A short on-line prayer service will be held every Thursday at 1pm. Also note, via St Barnabas newsletter the following THE INVESTITURE OF PRESIDING BISHOP-ELECT SEAN ROWE The Most Reverend Michael Curry requests the honor of your presence at the Celebration of New Ministry and Investiture of the Right Reverend Sean Rowe as Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 2, 2024 Roll Call" of Diocese at 6:30 am (PT) Service of Holy Eucharist at 8:00 am (PT). For more information about this livestream www.iam.ec/investiture
0 Comments
Folks,
This Sunday's lessons include more of the allegory of Job's misery perpetrated by Satan, followed appropriately by a Psalm (#22) that emphasises the misery - and mostly to just the one individual who seems to be surrounded by those who scorn him for his trust in the Lord. This one person knows the history of how the Lord delivered in the past. Yet he feels spectacularly alone, finally declaring "you have laid me in the dust of the grave". (You can see how easy it is to compare the devil to a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour". The Epistle lesson from the letter to the Hebrews makes clear that God who sees us as we are, our true identities laid bare and also makes an interesting distinction between "soul" and "spirit". The second part of the lesson describes our Advocate and great "high priest", who is quite unlike some other priests most of us have run across "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses", closing with the suggestion that we approach God "with boldness" In the lesson from the Gospel of Mark Jesus tells a rich man who came to worship him "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone" but he perceives that this man has a "spiritual stumbling block" in his wealth, After telling him to give away all his possessions to be a follower, which caused the man to go away grieving. In the second part of the lesson Jesus uses this man as an "object lesson", warning of that stumbling block. While the other lessons are useful and thought-provoking, the reading from Job really hits home for all of us if we have ever felt alone and laughed for "being good". As mentioned, bad things happen to good people, and those who constructed the canons of both the Hebrew Bible in its "Writings" section and the Christian Bible as the first of the "poetic books" were being carefully to point out the importance of embracing reality "realistically". But a word about that distinction between soul and spirit: As most of you know I am keen on the idea of Spirit, and pray that the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, may indeed dwell in each and all of us. But it seems clear that soul needs to embrace Spirit in the ongoing work of life, making us one with God. Indeed if there is one truly useful addition to Old Testament theology, it is the notion of redemption as we choose to be lifted out of our ordinary lives towards that "omega point". Riches such as God freely offers make those possessions of the rich man pale in comparison. We pray that we may, in our reasonably comfortable earthly surroundings, willingly forego them in favour of the wealth of God! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Parish Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer at the usual hour of 10am this Sunday at the chapel, corner of Railroad and Jolon, in downtown San Ardo. Our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will be doing likewise at the historic chapel in downtown Jolon. In addition, Daphne Denny tells us that there will be a memorial event for our longtime friend Rev Dcn Robert Seitert - the Vicar of All Jolon. This event will be conducted as a "special" form of the congregation's frequent Vespers Supper Club series on Sat, Oct 12 at 5pm. In our friend SuRay's words: "All are invited to a special celebration of Vespers Supper Club, on Saturday, October 12, at 5pm, at St. Luke's Episcopal in Jolon. 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. Robert knew how to do memorials that honor and celebrate lives well lived, saying they were more for those who remain than the deceased. When covering the grave with shovelfuls of earth, he would say, "Here at St. Luke's, we bury our own." While that part of the ritual will belong to the diocese and be celebrated on November 16, we who knew him best will honor and celebrate Robert with this Vespers Service and pot luck he loved and gifted us as his legacy. 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. Please pass this on to others who knew Robert and plan to join us on October 12, transmuting our sadness at his passing into the joy of the eternal life that is now his." Other Events As we have mentioned before, this important event for our benefit will be taking place this Sun, Oct 13 at St Stephen Church in San Luis Obispo (and special thanks to Adam Loveridge, the editor of St Barnabas "Weekly E", for putting these out in a text format - makes it easy to copy and paste!): "St. Stephen's Episcopal Church - October 13th 11:15am St. Stephen's Social Outreach Committee invites you join us in welcoming Chanté Griffin, author of Loving your Black Neighbor as Yourself, to speak in SLO this October. A witty and engaging speaker, Chanté will offer her insights in to how "close the space" between us and our Black neighbors. Chanté will be speaking at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, October 13, at 11:15am (during coffee hour following the 10am service). Until age 10, Chanté lived in an "all-Black world" rooted in the traditions of the Black Pentecostal Church, but when her parents moved from South LA to the San Fernando Valley, she encountered racism. That bitter experience has heavily influenced her career choices. She has been a chaplain to Black college students and director of a non-profit serving Black and Latinx students. In her current role as a journalist, she writes "at the intersection of race, culture, faith." Expect to be both challenged and encouraged at this event, and most of all reminded of how we are called to live and grow together as the family of God. Mark your calendars! An RSVP is not required, but a quick response to Becky Moseley ([email protected]) letting us know of your intent to attend is appreciated." From the Diocese of El Camino Real and The Episcopal Church The Investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe The Most Reverend Michael Curry requests the honor of your presence at the Celebration of New Ministry and Investiture of the Right Reverend Sean Rowe as Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 2, 2024 "Roll Call" of Diocese at 6:30 am (PT) Service of Holy Eucharist at 8:00 am (PT). For more information about this livestream www.iam.ec/investiture" Musical Events via Internet We have been folks about the wonderful Taize musical events on Zoom led by Cindy Castle, a very satisfying end to the week of a Sunday Evening. Another such event is offered on SATURDAY evenings livestreamed by the Compline Choir of St Paul Cathedral in San Diego, on Saturday evenings at 9:30pm. Go to https://complinechoir.org/ and note that Tony(!) and I have a special love of this monastic service which as that website tells us has been at St Paul Cathedral tradition since 1956 (though perhaps not then via the internet). Where Things Aren't So Pleasant In addition to all the wonderful parish events and our individual meditations to leads us to seek them out we want to remind that there are several less pleasant spots in the world, including the ongoing wars in Palestine and Ukraine and more recently in our nation's southeast, where people have been hit with two fierce storms with lots of rain in short order, (our friends in St Petersburg, FL tell us that running water and sewage just starting working again this afternoon). We can help. We hope all who are able might consider a special donation to Episcopal Relief and Development, which sent out this message: "Episcopal Relief & Development has updated our Hurricane Relief resources to include Hurricane Milton. One thing that your congregation should know is that our disaster response is not only about places that have been impacted, it is about people, wherever they may find themselves after the storm. Hurricanes Helene and Milton have damaged thousands of homes and left people without the basics of life, like food and clean water. For this reason, many have left their homes and communities in search of safety and necessities. You can read more about our response on our website." To learn more about ER&D or to donate, you can call 1.855.312.4325 or go to https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/worship-resources/bulletin-inserts-2/support-hurricane-recovery-efforts/ We hope you will consider joining us as you are able to donate and help the work of ER&D in other ways (see the websites). Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include an interesting variety, with an Epistle which sound likes like a tirade about gossip and boasting ("a great forest is set ablaze by a small fire. And the tongue IS a fire!" The gospel lesson from Mark includes Jesus speaking with his closest disciples and rebuking even Peter speaking of the suffering He foreknew He must go thru. He ends by telling those disciples and the larger crowd that to be His follower one must deny themselves and take up their crosses - in essence be ready for a life of service to others, while being focused on God's mission on earth. The Old Testament lesson sounds very different from the above, with Wisdom personified as a woman, crying out to all that many "simple ones" seem to love being simple, and fools seem to hate knowledge. She then continues in a rebuke, laughing at the "calamity" and panic of the fools Note that while all these are "strong language" yet they seem spoken in a voice of calm as befits a speech of Wisdom. This lesson from Proverbs contains a key clause in calmly depicting these folks: "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord," The conclusion of the lesson suggest the "fruits" of the paths, either listening to Wisdom and living securely at ease OR being destroyed by complacency and even killed by waywardness". So it is with us to recognise the situation and make the Wise choice, to "fear" (respect) the Lord, recognising with reasonable humility our humanity. May we all study the human situation together and choose to heed Wisdom! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church in San Ardo Events St Matthew parish will meet for a service of Morning Prayer at 10am tomorrow, Sep 15. Our fellow mission St Luke parish in Jolon will be doing the same. Tony will lead at St Matt and SuRay at St Luke. Note as well that St Luke Church will be resuming their Vespers & Potluck events monthly beginning on Wed Sep 25 at 6pm with the Potluck followed by a Vespers service at 7pm. And on Sat Oct 12 at 6pm a special Vespers & Potluck will honour the life of Dcn Rev Robert Seifert, the "Vicar of all Jolon", as he styled himself. Rob was a longtime friend and we expect to be there with many from SO MO CO (southern Monterey County). Other Events As parishes in the San Luis Obispo Deanery become more active even as the weather cools, we just want to mention to events very special to us (we hope to attend both): This coming weekend from Friday at 3pm thru Sunday (though just one day for us as we will need to be back at St Matt Church to celebrate our patronal Feast of St Matthew on Sep 21) St Barnabas Parish in Arroyo Grande will enjoy a Weekend Campout event which includes commemorating St Barnabas on the Day the Church sets aside to commemorate him. For full info contact St Barnabas Church at ArroyogGrande St. Barnabas since 1901 Events at St James Paso Robles On the Sunday of that weekend we will meet up with a group St James Church in Paso Robles for a pleasant picnic and worship event up at the Wayside Cross - a beautiful stone cross at a spot with a beautiful view to the hills and valleys of SE Monterey County. People with gather at 2pm with a brief worship service to follow at an appropriate time. The event will conclude at 4pm. Note that all are welcome. Contact St James Church for full details by calling the parish office at 805.238.0819. We hear that a "car caravan" will gather at Mission San Miguel to leave for the cross at 1:45pm that Sunday. St James also tells us of our friend parishioner Gordon Fuglie will discuss at a Forum event the troubling rise of Christian Nationalism at the church next door, Plymouth Congregational Church, at 11:30am. Also on Sep 15, and just in time to take out to the Wayside Cross picnic (see above) the group preparing for First Commjunion will have a fundraiser selling tacos, rice and beans. And as we have been mentioning, St James is preparing for a big annual Oktoberfest fundraiser to be held on Sun Oct 5 from 4:30-7pm. Call St James Office at 805.238.0819 for full info and tickets. We encourage all to attend these and some of the many more events at the San Luis Obispo Deanery parishes. For parishe websites and more check out www.sloepiscopalians.org Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include from Proverbs (of King Solomon of course and part of the "Wisdom Literature" in Scripture) a warning about love of money and especially status, and somewhat echoed by the other two lessons. In the Epistle of James we hear the words that should reverberate in our minds: "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead," Echoing the value of "good works" Jesus encounters the Syrophoenician woman, a gentile, seeking a cure for her daughter. In his reply Jesus says that the "children should be fed" before the dogs. The woman, immediately understanding that he mean by "children" the Jews, comes back with the metaphor and says "even the dogs under the table (meaning non-Jews) eat the children's crumbs". Recognising her testimony of faith he tells her to go home as her daughter has been healed. All these lessons are beautiful reminders that "good works" often precede faith, and even when they don't, they ought to issue forth from faith. But my partner Tony(!) was a bit shocked by Jesus's harsh language with that Gentile woman. I'd like to think that being "fully human" Jesus was also learning that his ministry wasn't just to the Jews, but to all humankind. One of my favourite stories from my time in more "fundamentalist" churches was of a poor man begging on the streets. The passerby a devout "holy roller" stops to look at the poor man. The poor man tells that "He stopped by me. I thought he was going to speak. But instead he handed me a 'tract'." (Think of the tracts sometimes being handed out on sidewalks or at people's front doors.) May we all follow in the ways of the Old and New Testaments by remembering that there is no antagonism between faith and works, but as well learn, as I'd like to think Jesus was learning, that his (our) mission is to EVERBODY". Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish in San Ardo! Events Note that while St Matthew Church, along with fellow missions in South Monterey County. will continue with services as per their usual schedule we want to mention a couple special events at the top here: In addition, St Luke Parish in Jolon will host a special Vesper Supper Club on Oct 12 at 5pm in memory of our friend Rev Can Rob Seifert, who served St Luke folks so well for so long (the "Vicar of All Jolon"). Note as well, and also previously mentioned, St Luke Church in Atascadero (NOT in South Monterey County) is having a party where folks can meet their new priest, Rev Linzi Stahlecker, who will also serve the congregation of of St Benedict in Los Osos. The event begins Sat, Sep 7, at 4pm in Atascadero Lake Park, and will feature food (including potluck) and games. We hope all with come to this joyous event! (Special thanks to our friend Kathy Hansen for the extra invite! Regrettably, we cannot attend due to appointments) As well don't forget St Luke Atascadero offers Evening Prayer every Tues and Thurs at 5pm, and Taize on Sunday evenings at 7pm = for Taize contact Linda Castle for the Zoom link at [email protected]. (We hope the events at the two separate St Luke Parishes will not be confusing to readers!) Other Events The folks at St Benedict Parish in Los Osos tell us that "The Tuesday morning Spiritual Conversation group will discussing ideas from the book The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why by Phyllis Tickle." This will continue for the next several Tues mornings at 10:30am via Zoom. The folks at St Stephen Church in SLO are getting ready for the annual Visitation by Bp Lucinda this Sunday, Sep 7. Also note that the Earthcare / Creation Care team from St Benedict parish in Los Osos will be visiting St Stephen parish on Sun Sep 29. In their words: "At the special coffee hour following each service, meet with Don (Maruska) and knowledgeable Cal Poly Climate Fellows." St James Parish in Paso Robles reminds us that the Wayside Cross events will be on Sunday 22 from 2-4pm in the afternoon at the beautiful cross location high on a ridge above Parkfield om Southern Monterey County. For details call St James Office ay 805.238.0819. The stone cross is smaller version of the one in Golden Gate Park, SF, erected to commemorate the first use of our Anglican (now Episcopal) Book of Common Prayer by the party of English explorer Sir Francis Drake near Pt Reyes in Marin County. Also a reminder that the Parish Campout, a celebration for St Barnabas' Parish in Arroyo Grander, will run from Sep 20 at 3pm until Sep 22 at 11am. Make a reservation by emailing the office at [email protected]/ St Barnabas folk will continue their study of the Gospel of Mark on thru Tuesdays Sep 24 at 10am in person at the church or via Zoom: Zoom where the link is: bit.ly/stbarnabasmorningprayer To dial in call 1-669-900-6833. Meeting ID: 878 6513 4138# Password: 365072## More will be had on the "Season of Creation" at St Paul Cathedral in San Diego on Sep 15. including a walk across the street to Balboa Park for a peripatetic discussion led by Phil Petrie, former convenor of their Simple Living Ministry. The walk will be followed by further discussion with snacks in the "Queen's Courtyard" of the Cathedral. Also that day, after services, the Cathedral will be host to a "Newcomer's Brunch". And on Sep 22 at10:30am at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre on the Jacobs Family Campus the Cathedral parish will be studying "Why the Jews? …History of Antisemitism" (Part 1). Part 2 will occur at the Cathedral on Mon Sep 23 at 6:30pm. For full details on all Cathedral events go to www.stpaulcathedral.org And the annual Art Show held as a fundraiser at Good Shepherd Church in Salinas, "Art in the Pastures of Heaven" will commence with a Silent Auction, Reception and Raffle on Fri, Sep 13. For more info go to https://goodshepherdcorral.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7cbc9cee2ea785c71ef0cbb3c&id=d9a7290437&e=cc1155f723 From the Diocese We hear of a lecture on "The Psychology of Christian Nationalism" being presented on Sep 17 at 5:30pm via Zoom. For more info go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=2f6c114800&e=f136cc0442 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 Folks,
In the Old Testament for this Sunday we see Solomon calling an assembly of all the leaders (and an alternate lesson with Joshua doing something similar) and prays quite a prayer, after first admitting that the Temple he built was too small for God. And in the Gospel lesson we hear of Jesus again speaking of devouring his flesh and blood, which resulted in his losing many followers ("This teaching is difficult"). Finally in the Epistle Paul gives yet more good advice to the disciples when teaching in a passage including the remarkably adept metaphor of military gear - "Take on the whole armour of God" including the breastplate, and "Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit". Above all, he says "Pray in the Spirit". Just a few notes here: It is not without reason that when in effect dedicating his new temple Solomon adds the thoughtful words about foreigners. In these days with so much talk of immigrant problems Solomon's advice seems very well thought-out. And in this gospel we see a frank admission that the way Jesus is commending is difficult. Finally though and of paramount import in the Epistle we hear "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication." Those of you who know me have heard me go on about the important of the intangible, the power of the Spirit, when we communicate with ourselves in our inner most being. This brings to mind a prayer called "The Merton Prayer" sent to me recently by a friend, which goes as follows: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and from all of us at St Matts! Events St Matthew parish in San Ardo will gather for Morning Prayer at the usual time of 10am for a service of Morning Prayer led by my partner, Tony(!) And our fellow mission parish, St Luke Church in Jolon will be do the same at the same time, with the service to be led by our friend Roy Morris. Other Events St Benedict Church in Los Osos is participating in the Community Dinner Wed Sep 4. The folks at St Luke Church in Atascadero are excitedly welcoming Rev Linzi Stahlecker at adinner and games event on Sat, Sep 7 in Atascadero Lake Park at 4pm. Potluck ote,s are welcome. St Luke folks want all to know they have a Crafting group that meets weekly - contact the church office for info. And don't forget that besides Sunday morning service and Sunday Evening Taize, St Luke is having Evening Prayer every Tues and Thurs at 5pm. St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande calls all artists to painting and potting parties including Anam Cre on Sep 6 = for info go to https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=148cebd805&e=acee3ced34 St Barnabas Parish Campout runs from Fri Sep 20 at 3pm to Sun Sep 23 at 11am at Lopez Lake Park. For more info email [email protected] Folks,
The lessons for this coming Sunday include from John's gospel more about the "eating of the living bread" trying to show the crowd, with this symbolism, how much he cared about people, along with admonishments from Ephesians commending sobriety and from the OT Kings 1 more about Solomon's wisdom. Of these lesson, it seems clearly wise to value and follow Paul's advice to the church in Ephesus. To me the gospel lesson is a bit difficult, especially because it sounds like cannibalism and (of course) it is not recorded to have happened (though one might enjoy reading The Passover Plot by Hugh Schonfield, who amusingly suggests what really might have happened, concluding "Whether Jesus rose from the dead, he certainly rose in the theology of the church)." Of the many centuries of church debates on these points (eg transubstantiation) - in ecclesial history and as result, I favour seeing the entire matter as words in which Jesus demonstrates his love for humankind, which I think is their only real import. The "regal" lesson from Solomon makes clear that he will end up being most ways the most respected and greatest OT "King of the Jews" ruling well and fairly and building the first temple in Jerusalem., and with his enormously sensible request in his conversation with God for wisdom rather wealth or long life, God sees fit not only to grant this request but also adding long life and prosperity as well. We note that in addition to the passage from I Kings Thus an excellent complementary reading is an alternate lesson from Proverbs (of Solomon) which Wiki describes as "an example of biblical wisdom literature and raises questions about values, moral behavior, the meaning of human life, and right conduct" with the "fear of (respect for) God "as wisdom's beginning and adding and adding "Wisdom is praised for her role in creation; God acquired her before all else, and through her, He gave order to chaos. Since humans have life and prosperity by conforming to the order of creation, seeking wisdom is the essence and goal of life." All I can say about Solomon's request is "go and do likewise" - may we all seek God's wisdom even as we proceed in the spirit of God's love! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew parish in San Ardo! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be having Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am. and our fellow mission St Luke Church in Jolon will be doing the same, led by Tony(!) and our friend SuRay! Also at St Luke our friend Daphne Denny, who is q89te the traveler and recently visited Indonesia, tells of this event: "The Weeds with Adam Henry will present a concert this coming Saturday, August 17, at 7 pm, at St. Luke's Episcopal in Jolon. A $20.00 donation is requested." Out here in the "sticks" we can laugh a little about going somewhere to see "The Weeds" since they most everywhere on the beautiful ranch landscape! Other Events The folks at St Luke Church in Atascadero tell us that there will be a picnic on Sep 7 at Atascadero Lake Park to welcome their new Priest-in-Charge, Rev Linzi Stahlecker! Rev Linzi will also be serving St Benedict Church, Los Osos. Congrats to all! St Paul Cathedral in San Diego tells us that this Sunday's Forum at 9am will feature Prof John Koenig of General Seminary, NYC to speak about "Our Calling" The Cathedral also tell sus that Sunday's Choral Even will be in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 6pm. Note that most of the Cathedral events can be attended via Zoom - for details go to www.stpaulcathedral.org The Cathedral's Young Adult Bible Study will take place on We Aug 21 at 7pm and a Young Adults Brunch Sunday after 10:30am services. Folks at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande tell us they will be participating in a Free Repair Cafe - This Saturday, August 17th, 1pm-4:30pm. Get free help fixing: household appliances, outdoor gear and apparel, phones, laptops, game consoles, bikes, tools, clothing and more! Bring items to Oak Park Christian Church: 386 N Oak Park Blvd, Grover Beach And they remind us of their Annual Parish Campout at Lopez Lake beginning on Sep 20 at 3pm and going thru Sep 22 at 11am. They also remind that the Free Repair Cafe is this Saturday, August 17th, 1pm-4:30pm. Get free help fixing: household appliances, outdoor gear and apparel, phones, laptops, game consoles, bikes, tools, clothing and more! Bring items to Oak Park Christian Church: 386 N Oak Park Blvd, Grover Beach Our friends at the Metropolitan Community Church's Council of Elders tell us about some sad events in various parts of Europe with instances of hate speech followed by violence. We are sorry to have to report such things. For more about MCC worldwide go to https://www.mccchurch.org/landing.html From the Diocese The annual Mary Lou Thompson ECW (Episcopal Church Women) Retreat will be Sep 13-16 at St Francis Retreat near San Juan Bautista - this year with the theme "Leading with the Heart". For full info go to https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=639238ac37&e=f136cc0442 Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include (as they usually do) some real jewels. In the OT we hear of the rebellion of Absalom's rebellion against his father King David and how he died, first with his head in the "crotch" of an oak limb (sounds grisly) - the entire story making one wonder about David's tears for his son (one can recall the problems of royal "succession"). The story says that Absalom was even better-looking than David - could this have been a case of OT jealousy? Did the King actually want to be rid of his rival and son? Families area starting place for the expression of God's love of course, but are also have their own problems - a good reminder to seek as well the broader family in Community. In the gospel lesson Jesus tell the crowd that he is "the bread of life", reminiscent of the manna that fed the Jews in the dessert. But the lesson includes this: "And they shall be taught by God", an apparent quote from some scripture. I love this line, yet authorities are not sure from where it came - perhaps from Isaiah 54:13 "“And they will all be taught by God.” And in the lesson from the letter to the church in Ephesus Paul says "so that your words may give grace to those who hear" - what a wonderful realisation that we can all be instruments of God's message of love, thus participating in God's primary way of working with us mortals on earth: the "means of grace", May we all embody God's love and take up his work by the means of grace! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matthew Parish in San Ardo! Events This Sunday we will have Morning Prayer at 10am at St Matthew Parish at 10am led by my partner Tony(!), as will our fellow mission St Luke Parish in Jolon, led by our friend Roy Morris. Other Events Our neighbouring parish, St James Church in Paso RObles, will be having theri Mid-Year Meeting along with potluck on Sun Aug 18 after the 10am service. And don't forget St James has weekly Bible Studies via Zoom, this Sunday looking at the lessons we discussed above. The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/97608924151?pwd=SVJscVUzaEU4c25GcEtKZlQvN0V1dz09#success as well as Wed evening services at 7pm. St James is also announcing their coming Oktoberfest, this year to take place on Oct 5 starting at 4:30pm at the church. The event is a benefit for St James, with live music, German Food and beer and wine. St James hosts an Adult Day Care Center in the old rectory run by CAPSLO and that organisation is sponsoring a Retreat for Caregivers - for full info go to bit.lv.slo.retreat or call 805.239.5679. And St James tells us that the Wine Country Players will present Cinderella, a musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein Aug 16-Sep 1 at the Park Ballroom, 1232 Park St, in Paso Robles. As mentioned previously, St Barnabas Parish in Arroyo Grande reminds us that Fr Rob Keim will be singing with the Resonance group at concert TODAY (Aug 10) at Mission Sam :ios Obispo and Tomorrow at Trinity Lutheran in Paso Robles - for full info go to https://www.my805tix.com/e/resonance-presents-life-and-breath-1 aEnter the Promo Code: LIFEANDBREATH to get $10 off General ($20) and $5 off Student ($10) tickets, select "singer" on the "how did you hear about this event?" question, and type "Craig Updegrove" (or someone else you know who is in Resonance) into the box. And don't forget St Barbabas has Centering Prayer on Fridays at 4pm. Zoom link is https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=d35b04fedf&e=acee3ced34 The Community of Divine Love monastic group also has Centering Prayer on TUesdays and TODAY a "Silent Saturday 9-11am with Sister Greta. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6796564255 Folks,
Again this Sunday the lessons appointed are alive with the deeper reality that we sense when we can something is "real". The lesson from John's gospel set just after the feeding of the 5,000 has Jesus telling the crowd that the previous meal, as with every good thing, was the gift of God and the crowd asking after "the works of God" that they might perform. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul supplies much of the answer in his directions to the community saying "I ... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love...". And we can all enjoy the OT lesson from Samuel, "speaking truth to power" in telling King David "like it is". That OT lesson set me to wondering why such "truth to power" talk feels so good to hear the prophet telling David after his sin sending Uriah to his death "“You are that man!" Such righteous feelings of indignation occur to many of us. Yet Paul has the better way by patiently building a loving community. In that regard we might see a progression from Old Testament thinking thru the gospel era with Jesus showing signs of the godly path and to the New Testament of building that "heaven on earth". Below in the events section there is mention of a several events which one might attend with a sense of righteous indignation, but the better path is to attend with a strong and loving desire to do "the work of God". May we all together do that work with great strength, great patience and great love! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) And for all of us at St Matthew Church in San Ardo! Events In the Spirit of truth to power, or even righteous indignation our sister Brandy tells us that folks at the GALA (LGBTQ) Center in San Luis Obispo will be gathering TOMORROW (Sat, Aug 3) from 1-4pm as a witness and testimony of loving inclusion of all. You may not know that the GALA Center was recently (July 24 of this year) vandalised with burned rainbow flags, along with several other businesses in San Luis Obispo that had displayed rainbow flags during the SLO Pride Celebrations. These incidents serve as a reminder that hatred remains in San Luis Obispo. Being on the GALA Center's Pride list ourselves, we thought to quote from their email about their work (God's work) as follows: "Our work to further inclusion and understanding for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions is more vital than ever. Our resource groups provide community support for vulnerable populations, and our community partnerships and educational programs, which build better support for marginalized people, make a difference." So please join in tomorrow from 1-4pm, and bring a potluck dish - it will be a showing of loving strength for all! Folks,
The lessons for this Sunday include the ongoing story of King David from Samuel 2 along with an alternative from Kings 2 very simply telling the story of Elisha receiving a gift of food and telling his servant to set the smallish amount "before the people" to eat. The servant worried it wasn't enough so Elisha again said to put it before the people and that there would be some leftover. The epistle lesson from Ephesians has tge writer, likely Paul, praying and encouraging his disciples in Ephesus to be "rooted and grounded in love" and "filled with all the fullness of God." The gospel lesson from John includes the familiar story of the feeding of the five thousand with just five loaves of bread and two fish, again with some leftover which were gathered and filled twelve baskets. As so often, the alternative lessons can point us to things we didn't know - in this case the feeding of a crowed even with leftovers, with what at the start seemed an amount to small. The gospel of love is that way, filling many yet always with plenty left over for yet others! May we all be "filled with all the fullness of God." Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) And from all of us at St Matthew parish! Events This Sunday St Matthew parish will be meeting at the customary 10am time with Tony Saponate leading the service. Fellow mission St Luke parish in Jolon will be doing likewise with our friend Roy Morris leading the service. Other Events Don't forget about the showing tonight of the movie The Philadelphia Eleven about the first ordinations of women in The Episcopal Church at 7pm at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande (light supper provided at 6:15). Note that recently a member of our parish asked me "How does The Episcopal Church differ from the Roman Catholic Church. While I joked that TEC is sort of "Catholic Lite" with all the liturgy and much less guilt, the real differences lie in what this film depicts, ie that we are responsive to the desire for a less hierarchical and more "democratic" rule. We pray that all Christians will see the value of democratic rule, however imperfect, and with respect for tradition along with scripture and reason - the Three-Legged Stool of Anglicanism and Episcopalianism. Note that Fr Rob of St Barnabas tells us he will be performing with the acapella group Resonance in a concert called Life and Breath on August 10th (Mission SLO) & 11th (Trinity Lutheran Church, Paso Robles). Our friends at St Peter parish in Morro Bay tell us that they will be hosting a staged reading of "Escaping the Labyrinth" from July 26-28, put on by their By-the-Sea Productions. Event time is 7pm Fri & Sat and 3pm Sun. We're always glad to hear of members of our parishes taking part in community events and we hear that Good Shepherd Parish in Salinas will be participating in the Great Highway 68 Annual Yard Sale Sat, July 27 from 9am-noon, including the parish parking lot. Setup begins at 8am. The parish is also having a "Men's Planning Breakfast" Sat Aug 17 8am-10am. And as mentioned their weekly Summer Barbecues continue with the next being Wed Jul 31 from 6-7:30pm. Note that St Paul Cathedral in San Diego participates in the local Community Dinners, just as many of our Deanery parishes do - another way to participate in community, and open to parishes no matter how large! |
|