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Folks,
As always, the lesson in our lectionary at https://lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BProp9_RCL.html have many interesting substories in addition to the more familiar parts of scripture and this Sunday's lessons are no exception. For example, the OT lesson for this week includes much reference to the "City of David" as he was about to be crowned king - but exactly which city is this? (I always thought it would be Bethlehem where his father Jesse lived and to which Samuel traveled to "interview" Jesse's sons and finally select David, and even Hebron, where King Saul was already ensconced and where David made a covenant with the elders of Israel, might be a reasonable guess. But a Google search reveals the most likely was Jerusalem where recent excavations by archaeologists have located at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem ruins of the easter section of the city wall his is thought to have had built along with David's original small fortress, called the "millo". Also of interest is that David's process of building "his" kingdom was gradual, eventually uniting "all Israel and Judah" The gospel lesson from Mark appointed for this Sunday has Jesus proceeding to his "hometown" - Nazareth (another candidate for "the City of David"?) where He says in surprisingly convoluted language that “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” Was this said to help his disciples "feel better" about the possibility of rejection of their "telling the Good News"? However, to me the most interesting side story was from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, which commenters say contains his reference to his own experience of "the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat." Apart from speaking of himself in the third person, this passage suggests he was well aware that many, including probably Paul himself, were aware of potential "out of body" experiences. This leads me to share the personal story of a friend who was having significant problems with his real estate enterprise at the same time his partner was dying. The deep depression of all that caused him to consider suicide and indeed he took steps to prepare for it, going out to a country place to do it. Fortunately for those of us who know and love him, at the remote house he was at he got a phone call from a friend which caused him to decide to waiting to do the deed until morning. But in the middle of the night he heard a voice telling him he must "leave now!" For some reason he complied and went down the mountain and into his condo in town, where once again he heard a voice telling him he must "leave this place now!" which caused him to return to his main home. I appreciate his telling me this story of course because he is a good friend and still in his own body, but also because it points out that "paranormal" or "miraculous" things can happen even to people who don't have much use for organised religion and are generally considered "doubters" (as even I consider myself). It is also perhaps a bit of a reproach to those "true believers" in a negative sense, who insist no such miracles can occur and that Bible stories are simply false or made up to support the powers of leaders religious and secular (they can of course be used in that way). One other thing I appreciate about this friend's "take" on his experience is that the important thing to him wasn't the paranormal experience but rather that it set him on a better path and today he very much a loved community leader. May we all find that "mustard seed" of faith which can help us become the better persons we need to be, and not spend too much time worrying about the details of the paranormal! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Church in San Ardo! Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting for Morning Prayer at the customary hour of 10am this Sunday. Our friend Rachael Denny tells us that fellow missions St Luke Church in Jolon and St Mark Church in King City will be meeting together for a communion service at St Mark Church also at 10am, with coffee and conversation in the parish hall afterwards. Rachael also offers some good advice for us all in these days where the climate is changing: "Pursue happiness, but stay safe in the heat!" Other Events We were happy to read in the Newsletter from St James Church in Paso Robles of an interesting spiritual event scheduled for the "Gladdening Light Symposium" set for Nov 10-13 online and in person on the beach in Santa Barbara. In this event two spiritual leaders will draw upon Christian and non-Christian mystical sources to offer practical guidelines in the gentle art of contemplative living. Learn more and / or register at www.GladdeningLight.org We note that among other presenters at the Symposium will be Richard Rohr, famed Roman Catholic monk and author. Perhaps the most "fun" item in Deanery area events was the recent hosting by the Cal Poly Swing Dance Club of the Fellowship Hour at St Stephen Church in downtown SLO one recent Sunday - good going folks! The Newsletter from St Luke Church in Atascadero tells us of a Bible Study that will continue into the future with members of both St Luke and and St James Church in Paso Robles. The group will be reading a book called "The Amen Effect" by Rabbi Brous in Septermber. Contact our friend Holley Cooper via either parish. From the Deanery We get a reminder of the upcoming meeting of deanery reps online and in person at St James Church in Paso Robles.at 2pm Sunday, July 14. Note that the in person meeting will be preceded by a potluck lunch at 1:15pm. From the Diocese We have received the email below from our Bp Lucinda Ashby summarising her thoughts on the recently concluded Episcopal General Convention in Louisville, KY. Dear Beloved of El Camino Real, Our El Camino Real Deputation, volunteers, and friends, and I have just returned from our time at the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church held in Louisville, Kentucky. We were there for eight days, representing you and participating in this great event, which is held every three years. Your deputies and alternates, lay and clergy, are elected by you at our Diocesan Convention, and they prepare diligently for this event, reading and studying the reports and resolutions that come before General Convention. Our ECR friends and volunteers supported the event in amazing ways; they were tireless in their endeavors on behalf of the organizations they represented and the hours they spent on their feet greeting people and guiding them through the maze of General Convention. I have said to our deputation that I couldn't be prouder of our diocese and how we participated in the 81st General Convention. Out of a crowd of 110 (ish) dioceses, ours was notable for its involvement in worship (choir and liturgical duties), presentations on the floor of the House of Deputies (Tim Gee and Nancy Cohen), and volunteers and support at General Convention and the Episcopal Church Women event. We served on Legislative Committees in various capacities; I chaired the Legislative Committee on World Mission and brought resolutions to the floor of the House of Bishops. If you calculate the per capita participation in the various areas by a diocese, we must have been near the top. Even more notable, though, beyond legislation, was the promise of a bright future. At General Convention, we elected the Officers of both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. Our new Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, is the youngest PB ever elected, and also a smart, adaptable leader. Bishop Sean was our guest presenter at the 2022 Spring Renewal in El Camino Real (we were virtual that year), and his message is highly consistent with ours—although ours is pithier: Travel Light, Stay in Balance, Have the Courage to be Lost. The 81st General Convention embodied both the hopes and struggles of our church. Subtlety and nuance often shape the realities of discrimination due to race, gender, age, education, language, geography, etc. Persons of color continue to strive to have the church hear the voices of their experience. The Official Youth Presence challenges the church to look beyond its present fears. Women leaders bring their voices to a historically male-dominated leadership and still are at times not heard or understood. LGBTQ+ members still battle with acceptance despite being a part of an inclusive church. But we keep going, striving, moving toward the Kingdom of God, seeking God's dream for our world. We are and will always be grateful for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's leadership and the "If it isn't about Love, it isn't about God" message. He has grounded us well in the gospel and articulated our desire to follow Jesus as "The Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement." His words and loving presence enable us to step forth courageously with our Presiding Bishop-elect, Sean Rowe. For his part, Bishop Sean has already begun to challenge us to be our better selves, stepping away from squabbles and pettiness and into a time of maturing. I believe that he and President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris, will be a good team for our church, guiding us and shaping the church into the future that is our calling. I have come away from the 81st General Convention hopeful, encouraged and energized. It was my eighth General Convention, and the best I have been part of. From what I experienced there, I believe that The Episcopal Church will only grow in courage, moving from strength to strength. Thank you for electing our deputies, for supporting them and me, and for keeping us in prayer. We all look forward to sharing our experiences with you. Faithfully, +Lucinda
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