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Last Friday and Saturday night, St. Cyprian's church building on the corner of Turk & Lyon Street was packed with people for our first two concerts, part of a new partnership with SF Live Arts (formerly Noe Valley Music). Now, to many people this may seem like not a very big deal (many churches host concerts all the time) but for a little church like ours, taking on a new big project like this is a huge challenge.
"One thing, we at St. Cyprian's are learning is that as we seek to be a space and a people of faith, action, and community --- we can't do any of those things alone."
One thing, we at St. Cyprian's are learning is that as we seek to be a space and a people of faith, action, and community --- we can't do any of those things alone. Below is a list of volunteers who helped us pull things off each night without a hitch, everyone who enters our doors gets a copy of this list (and a bit of information about our little church). Thank you to everyone who helped out, thank you to all who showed up, and will show up, thank you to the Spirit of life that was alive last night and animates all our best efforts. Come for a concert at Cyprian's tomorrow night and in the weeks ahead, and help this "little church that could," do even more big things. Those things include a new kitchen, already used by numerous groups, we want to feed more people with greater confidence and safety. Supporting a neighborhood after-school and summer program serving youth of the Western Addition. Creating a space both inside and out of connectivity for the eclectic and vibrant neighborhood outside our doors. Some have wondered "how the heck did St. Cyprian's get chosen to host the SF Live Arts Concerts?" Well, I'm still trying to figure out how we got to be this lucky. On Friday night, Jennifer Wolfe, one of St. Cyprian's highly committed and engaged lay leaders, reminded me that she had encouraged me and our Bishops Committee over a year ago to go check out what Noe Valley Ministry was up to. Thank God we did! While visiting Noe Valley we met Marshall Cousins, who had been managing the building for many years and he showed us how that little church became such a well connected member of the local neighborhood. And, I think that when Larry Kassin of SF Live Arts was looking for a temporary venue while Noe Valley Ministry went through an extensive renovation, Marshall mentioned St. Cyprian's to him. Because as Marshall noted when he visited us at St. Cyprian's "that place has great acoustics." The other big question was whether St. Cyprian's wanted to take something like this on, but the Bishops Committee (our lay leadership team) almost unanimously from the very beginning was enthusiastic about the idea. And, with support from the neighborhood, and the hard work of new St. Cyprian's member and special events coordinator Michael Helquist, Cyprian's at Night was born.
We wish to thank the following for their important contributions as Saint Cyprian's prepared for the launch of this partnership with SF Live Arts... Michael Helquist - Special Events Coordinator Gigi Smith - Concessions Bruno Peguese & Kevin Johnson for advice and guidance on development and financial management Craig Anderson, Facilities Manager, and the Blood Centers of the Pacific, for generous permission to use their parking lot Lenore McDonald, director of alumni giving for Golden Gate University for strategy development Rick Helf of Rightside Imaging, design of Cyprian's new poster and cards promoting our performance space and music series Alex Senchak -- coordinating selection, purchase, and installation of new sanctuary lighting Rob Crum -- drafting up-to-date floor plan for Sanctuary and Community Room, required to determine church maximum occupancy permitted Dale Danley, Jennifer Wolfe -- Cyprian's website design Jennifer Wolfe, Michael Helquist -- concert series promotion with features in Chronicle and neighborhood newsletters and websites District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, for assistance with city permits & who honored our 50 years at Turk & Lyon, and SF Live Arts' 30 years of work on Saturday night with special certificates. Captain Denis O'Leary, SFPD Park Station for guidance on permits Will Valentine -- ongoing assistance with building repairs Alex Klestoff -- electrician, installation of fire safety upgrades Ushers -- Cynthia Sasaki, Suzanne Cowan, Paul Bennett, Susan Bernard Site Help -- Tom de Cook, Will Valentine, Kelly Johnson Bike Valets -- Nancy Botkin, Maggie Robbins, Ellen Campbell The Bishops Committee at St. Cyprian's: Robyn Amos, Willie Collie, Bruno Peguese, Norma Planiczka, Jennifer Wolfe, Jarie Bolander, Michael Helquist, Gigi Smith, and past committee members Yaromil Ralph, Christopher Ralph & Jim Cromwell
Blessings on your journey, see you soon at Turk and Lyon!
Peace,
The Reverend Will Scott
turkandlyon@gmail.com
The message above was adapted from this blog post.
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Now in the Cyprian's Gallery To kick off our 51st year at Turk & Lyon, the hallway at the foot of the stairs has been transformed into a gallery. Different artists will be featured throughout the year. This month St. Cyprian's neighbor Pat Preble shares with us two series that reflect the breadth of her work: Biblical Themes in Modern Dress and the Paths of Golden Gate Park. You can check out Pat's work online at http://patpreble.com/ 
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Collaboration with USF Students & Faculty For the past year St. Cyprian's has benefited from the hard work of USF students as part of the university's Service Learning Program. One student, Madelene Parks even after graduation is continuing to support the efforts of our Kitchen Team, now joined by PSIP interm Andy Sakhrani, whom you read about last week. The following USF students are also now working with St. Cyprian's by researching ways to improve our exterior including possible sidewalk removal and landscaping. At the end of April they will present their findings to congregation members and their class at USF. - Alexander Ettlin
- Aris Noerhadi
- Christopher Harjo
- Linda Tran
- Sugeily Benitez
Many thanks to Professor Monika Hudson for connecting us with these gifted students. |
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Concert Friday Night
SF Live Arts Music at Cyprian's
There's one more night of top bluegrass and old-time music bands this Friday at Cyprian's, the new performance space at Turk & Lyon Streets (St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church). Just $16 at the door for students with ID and seniors for 3 full hours with two hot bands from Portland - Jackstraw and the Water Tower Bucket Boys - and a favorite from last year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival: The Brothers Comatose. Easy to walk or grab the #31 bus on Turk to Lyon, or even get a free parking space at the Blood Centers of the Pacific lot at Masonic and Turk. All the info you need: liveatcyprians.blogspot.com
Tickets may also be purchased here.
St. Cyprian's special events coordinator Michael Helquist writes,
Does bluegrass picking and old-time wailing work in a church sanctuary like Cyprian's? With no prompting, really, performers and members of the audience gave the thumbs-up: "We love this place!" "The sound is amazing," "This is sweet." One neighbor summed it up, "This is a great space. It has everything good about a church -- the acoustics, the warmth, the community feel -- but nothing too religious for a general audience."
If you missed the story about SF Live Arts move to St. Cyprian's in the Chronicle a few weeks ago, click here.
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 This Saturday... Absalom Jones Celebration
May Our Story Long be Told
The Afro-Anglican Commission of the Diocese of California and The Northern California/Vivian Traylor Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians cordially invite you, your family, and friends to attend the 2011 Absalom Jones Celebration. Please join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of this African-American Christian leader. There will be a fellowship afterward in the parish hall. When: Saturday, February 19, 11 a.m. Where: St. Paul's, 114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland Contact: Eric Metoyer, eric_metoyer@yahoo.com, 415.595.1533 |
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SAVE THE DATE
Village Project Celebrates Mardi Gras
Tuesday, March 8
In February, we welcomed Adrian Williams, director of the Village Project, into her own office, set up in a corner of our community room. The rest of the week, she can be found providing tutoring and cultural enrichment to the children she serves at several locations in the Western Addition.
Adrian is currently planning a massive, four-day Mardi Gras celebration with several parties, family events, food, food, food, and finally a procession and masquerade ball the night of Tuesday, March 8. It is going to be something else! This year's event is co-sponsored by Fillmore Community Business District, Supervisor Ross Mirkirami, and the Mayor's Office of Economic & Workforce Development.
Tickets to the culminating masquerade ball are $45 in advance, $55 at the door, and are available at the Marcus Bookstore at 1712 Fillmore, at the Jazz Heritage Center at 1330 Fillmore, and online at www.brownpapertickets.com. |
Black History Month Activities in San Francisco
There are numerous events happening throughout the Bay Area this month to celebrate, reflect upon, and engage black history. Click here for a listing.
Our neighbors at the University of San Francisco Thacher Gallery have on display a powerful and moving exhibit entitled, Textimonies: Early Etchings and Stencils by Glenn Ligon. AfroSolo Concerts will proudly present Harmony & Melody: a Celebration of Black History on February 25th and 26th. The concert is being headlined by the popular bass baritone vocalist Lawrence Beamen, most recently featured on the NBC hit show "America's Got Talent." Beamen will be joined by the Golden Coast Chamber Players, who together wrote contemporary arrangements of beloved African American Spirituals. The concert will also include music from William Grant Still, the first African American composer to garner international acclaim.
Harmony and Melody, however, may prove to be a landmark concert event by pairing Still's compositions with the popular Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak traveled to the United States during the late 19th century on a quest to discover "American Music." Dvorak quickly became a vocal advocate for Native American and African American music as supplying the necessary foundation for the growth of American music.
"Harmony & Melody" intends to use music as a bridge towards racial and cultural unity, peace, and understanding. The concert celebration in honor of Black History Month will be held at the African American Art & Culture Complex. If you wish to attend the incredibly exciting event, tickets may be purchased by telephone (1-800 838-3006) or online at: http://brownpapertickets.com/event/143247.
WHERE: African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street
WHEN: Friday, February 25th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at 3:00pm |
Staying Connected through the
Episcopal Diocese of California
As we discussed at our Annual Meeting, there are conversations happening now throughout the Diocese of California about our common life and how the work of the wider church is funded. You can read the theological statement on the work of the Assessments Taskforce by the Reverend Paul Fromberg and additional material related to the conversation by Jim Forsyth here. To stay connected to the work of the Diocese visit www.diocal.org |
 Bi-Monthly Newsletter Available Online
Stay connected to all that is happening at St. Cyprian's by reading our bi-monthly print newsletters online. |
| Saint Cyprian's Episcopal Church has been a member of the San Francisco community for over 87 years. We are a passionate group of seekers, thinkers, dreamers, doubters and believers from many walks of life. We hope you can come join us on Sundays and throughout the week as we together seek to be a people of faith, action & community. |
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