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Dear friends, neighbors, and members of St. Cyprian's,
Last weekend Matt and I took a hike in Marin, midway through we stopped at a cafe for a bite to eat, after we sat down I noticed out of the corner of my eye a familiar face. After 5 minutes or so passed by as my mind raced through all the possibilities for where I might know that person from, I realized that she was a member of the parish I served as Associate Rector just out of seminary in McLean, Virginia. I specifically remembered jumping up and down with this woman, her daughter and about 20 other kids in what this large church called "Children's Chapel" singing a fun song about God's love "deep and wide." I jumped up from the table and the two of us took some time to catch up. Another woman at the table knew a close colleague of mine at the cathedral and suddenly the world felt even smaller.
At the root of religion (including the word religion itself) is connectivity. Our faith traditions, stories, rituals, pilgrimages, music and prayers all witness to humanity's longing for relationship with God and each another. As the planet struggles mightily with enormous challenges, communities of faith small and large can be fountains of wisdom, strength, inspiration and hope. Last night, long time church members and neighbors gathered to share a simple meal, to engage in real-time conversations about work, faith, and our shared longings to make a difference. The practice of hospitality, taking the risk of having vulnerable conversations with strangers, and sharing food are deeply part of all the world's faith traditions. While technology of all kinds can make communications over wide distances instantaneous, nothing can replace the important deep work of connecting with strangers and neighbors in face-to-face, real-time interactions.
Let us pray for all those affected by the devastating events in Japan (there's a moving litany available here), and give generously to those organizations seeking to respond compassionately like Episcopal Relief & Development. Let us also recognize the importance of being present, reaching out and opening ourselves up, locally, to one another and our neighbors. God's love is deep and wide, communities like St. Cyprian's give each of us the opportunity to experience, share and practice that love locally.
See you soon at Turk & Lyon.
Peace,
Will
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church
415-987-3029
turkandlyon@gmail.com
P.S. In addition to this weekly email newsletter, through the hard work and dedication of congregation volunteer Jennifer Wolfe, we also have a bi-monthly print newsletter, printed by our friends at the cathedral. This is particularly helpful to our older members who do not use the internet regularly. You can check out our March-April edition fresh off the press, here.
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Support Japan
Benefit concert for Japan earthquake and tsunami
Holy Child and St. Martin, Daly City, and Christ Church, Sei Ko Kai, San Francisco, in collaboration with the Asian Commission in the Diocese of California presents "We are all connected and together we shall rise," a benefit concert for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The event will feature Native Brew of San Francisco, Uncle Experience, and The HCSM Choir and Cultural Dance Troupe. Refreshments served.
When: Saturday, April 2, 7 p.m.
Where: Holy Child and St. Martin, 777 Southgate Avenue, Daly City
Cost: $10 and above donation
Contact and RSVP: the Rev. Leonard B. Oakes, RevnLeonardOakes@gmail.com, 650-534-5831
Link: HCSM event web page
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Every Friday Morning, Simply Sandwiches
Each week a diverse group of between 10 and 15 people gather at St. Cyprian's to make sandwiches for hungry people throughout San Francisco. To get involved simply come by the church on Friday from 10:30-noon.
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Lenten Book Study
This Lent members of the St. Cyprian's community are invited to read together,
Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith By Diana Butler Bass
We will spend time following Sunday services discussing a different chapter from this acclaimed book, the result of a three year study on thriving mainline churches.
About the author: Diana Butler Bass is the author of seven books, including Christianity for the Rest of Us and The Practicing Congregation. She earned her Ph.D. in church history from Duke University and has taught at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Rhodes College, and Virginia Theological Seminary. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Cyprian's at Night - Dinner & Conversation
During the ancient season of Lent, St. Cyprian's will welcome a variety of groups from our eclectic neighborhood as we learn more about what is happening around us. We'll share good food, great talk and stories. Following the program we'll gather upstairs in the sanctuary for meditation and reflection on our Lenten journey.
Our next guest, is Elizabeth Stampe, of WalkSF. In September 2010, Walk San Francisco's executive director Elizabeth Stampe took over what had been an all-volunteer operation for several years. Elizabeth came to the position with a background in conservation, sustainable transportation, and land-use policy. A 15-year San Francisco resident, Elizabeth was with Greenbelt Alliance for eight years, most recently as communications director. There, she helped launch "Grow Smart Bay Area," a major campaign to accommodate the region's growth sustainably over the next 20 years. Before starting at Walk SF, Elizabeth and her husband spent a year traveling in India, Southeast Asia, and South America. Elizabeth holds a bachelor's degree in biology with honors from UC Santa Cruz and a master's in botany from University of Hawai'i.
Weekly - Wednesday, March 16 through Wednesday, April 20
6:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. Simple dinner
7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Stories & comments
7:30 - 8 p.m. Lenten Meditation in Sanctuary
Interested in sharing what your NOPA group is doing? turkandlyon@gmail.com |
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Urban Cycling Workshop at Cyprian's
This four-hour in-classroom, introductory course is perfect for new cyclists and those want to feel more comfortable riding on city streets. Class will cover the basics for how to choose the right bike and properly fit a helmet. Learn tips for the safest ways to ride in traffic, techniques to avoid or deal with road hazards and emergency maneuvers along with other useful gems of knowledge, like the best way to lock up your bike and how to use a bike in combination with public transit, and cyclists' legal rights and responsibilities. Adults and anyone over 14 years of age are welcome, preregistration is required. Bring your lunch or dinner. No bicycle is needed for this class.
To sign up and for more information click here.
Read about the teacher of this course, here.
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Music at Cyprian's
A (belated) St.Patrick's Day concert w/ Colm O'Riain
This Saturday, March 19 8-11 p.m. at St. Cyprian's
The fiery violinist and his band explore the connection between Irish music and jazz, Brazilian,Cuban, Indian and other musical genres.
Find out more about LIVE at Cyprian's, our new performance space and all the great music hosted by SF Live Arts
St. Cyprian's member Gigi Smith and her team will provide concessions through Bodacious Eats & Sweets.
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Now in the Cyprian's Gallery
The photographs of the Reverend Ida Louise Johnson, a long time friend and connection of St. Cyprian's Church.
Here's her Artist Statement,
"On a journey to find me and rediscover my soul, I found God in everything around me through the lens of my camera. In my creativity, I have discovered ways to show others the spirituality that we pass everyday in our rush to do rather than be."
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 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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