Recent "End of the World" proclamations have reminded me of something I remember my dad told me when I was a child. When we were on the way home from soccer practice, or maybe play rehearsal, he told me, "we become like what we worship." He said he'd heard this from his college chaplain. Thus, if we worship a God of mercy, we will be merciful. If we worship a God of vengeance, we'll be vengeful. If we worship a God of anger, we'll be angry. And if we worship a God of compassion, we'll be compassionate.

The concern I have about all the energy, time and resources directed towards religious fanaticism, whether in seriousness or jest, is that humanity neglects to build up an inspiring, creative, and loving alternative. Many depict the world as bitterly divided between religious nuts proclaiming God's coming judgment, and supposedly secular heathens. My guess is most of us humans live somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. The temptation on May 22 will likely be for some to simply say "ha! those nuts were wrong again!"-only to leave room for the next "end times" group to come along and distract us from reality and amuse us. But what about those of us in the middle-those who aren't anxious about the rapture, and aren't completely fed up with religion altogether? What would it be like for us to spend a bit more time, energy and resources building up an inspiring, creative and loving alternative? Could we create a space that is neither "End Times Central" nor a "meaning-free zone"?

Earlier this week, I attended a meeting of religious people from a variety of traditions who were called together to explore something called the New Priorities Campaign. The invitation was for us to consider the enormous amount of money spent on the instruments of war, and the tremendous challenges facing our economy, infrastructure, schools, and programs addressing the needs of the most vulnerable elderly, children, and veterans. In some ways, our nation is at a moment of great opportunity. As we will recognize on May 22, the world has not ended: now what?

We are at a moment when we can make different choices; we can redirect our priorities and resources towards a more abundant life for all. Let's transfer all that energy focused on finding and destroying some perceived enemy to investing in cultivating a culture of peace, solidarity and compassion.

At St. Cyprian's, we're seeking to create a space that is both a place of worship & for gathering our diverse neighborhood in meaningful ways. We're not throwing out one for the sake of the other, nor are we doing one for the benefit of the other or at the expense of the other. We're seeking to find balance, and to be a third space. Turk & Lyon is truly an intersection, a place of encounter and engagement. It's a place where we are invited to become like the God we worship, one who surprises us by showing up again and again in new & different ways.

See you on May 22, and soon at Turk & Lyon.

Peace,

Will

St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church

415-987-3029

turkandlyon@gmail.com

Celebrated African Guitarist

Vieux Farka Toure

Stops at Cyprian's during World Tour

Monday night Vieux Farka Toure, the sensational guitarist from Mali, filled the Cyprian's stage with students eager to learn from the man who thrilled more than a billion people with his performance at the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa. Vieux ensured that each student picked up the tune, and he gave the students close attention and encouragement no matter their skill level.

guitarclass2

read the full story here.

Pies for Parklets

Fundraiser to Green Our Corner at Turk and Lyon

streetscape

Which do you like best when it comes to pies? Sweet or savory? Peach blueberry or green chile apple? Perhaps an organic pinot noir, a chocolate stout, or ecco organic coffee? Take your pick and help St. Cyprian's make Turk and Lyon greener and more sustainable. Stop by our fundraiser May 25, pay at the door and get a coupon for a free treat at Chile Pies. Your donation will help transform the corner of Turk and Lyon into a mini-park with less concrete, more street trees, native plants, benches and bike racks. Pies, drinks, and a cheer for St. Cyprian's member Michael Helquist, who will be honored as District 5's Person of the Month by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. That's a lot of goodness in one celebration -- hope you'll be part of it.

Wednesday, May 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Chile Pies (& ice cream), 601 Baker @ Fulton

Free treat with each $15-$20 donation

All proceeds will fund Green Turk and Lyon project

http://greenturkandlyon.blogspot.com/

RSVP by emailing: greenturkandlyon@gmail.com

http://greenchilekitchen.com/chilepies/

Coming up...

Gentle Flow Yoga with Peter Wong

Thursdays starting, May 26th 5-6:15 p.m.

This class will incorporate slow sun salutations, soft movements and openings while concentrating on awareness of mind, body and breath. This calm and gentle yoga practice will culminate in restorative poses to bring students into a meditative state. The sessions are perfect for seniors and beginners of yoga. Peter Wong is a certified yoga teacher who fell in love with the practice of yoga as his spiritual awakening began. For more information: http://peterwongyoga.com/ The classes are donation-based; the rate is $10-$15 per class. Students can pay more or less depending on what they can afford. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

An Evening of Song

Saturday June 4, 7:30pm

$13 advance / $15 door

Joshua Raoul Brody and Merle (Ian Shoales) Kessler host 25 different singers, each performing their favorite song; which may (or may not) have a "spring into summer" theme. They will be backed by the amazingly versatile Experimental Love Orchestra. Our version of American Idol won't involve any judging, but will be tons more fun.

SAVE THE DATE

Their Own

Cyprian's Talks

a conversation about faith, race & sexuality

Dean Emeritus of Grace Cathedral Alan Jones interviews the Reverend Dr. Horace Griffin author of

Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians And Gays in Black Churches

Wednesday, June 8

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Cyprian's Talks is the first in a series of public conversations about topics that matter held in the sanctuary of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, a unique church rooted in the African American & Caribbean history of San Francisco Our inaugural discussion focuses on a sensitive subject one that gets far too little attention in the mainstream media, even as many politicians and religious leaders continue to use our differences to divide us rather than draw us together. These civil discussions are free and open to the public.

Horace Griffin

The Reverend Dr. Horace L. Griffin, a native Floridian and School of Theology graduate of Boston University, he served most recently as Associate Priest for Youth and Family Ministries at All Saints Episcopal Church, Glen Rock, NJ. While on the faculty at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in the Diocese of Chicago, he was ordained a priest in 2005. A professor of Pastoral Theology and Leadership at Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, he teaches courses in Congregational Leadership and Gender and Sexuality. His work at All Souls includes adult formation and pastoral care. As an openly gay priest and author of Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians and Gays in Black Churches (2006 Lambda Literary Award Winner), he is involved in progressive Christian conversations on race and homosexuality currently taking place in the Episcopal Church USA and Anglican Communion.

Alan Jones

The Very Reverend Alan W. Jones was the Dean of the Episcopalian Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from 1985 until January, 2009. Previously, he served as the Stephen F. Bayne Professor of Ascetical Theology at the General Theological Seminary in New York City from 1972 - 1985. During his tenure, he founded and was the first director of the Center Christian Spirituality at General. Now a U.S. citizen, he was born in England and received his Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham. He is a prominent lecturer in Episcopalian and academic circles both nationally and internationally. He is a prolific writer as well of books, articles, and editorial opinions. Jones was also the moderator of The Forum at Grace Cathedral.

View Freedom Riders online

Freedom Riders

The story behind a courageous band of civil rights activists called the Freedom Riders who in 1961 creatively challenged segregation in the American South. One can view the whole film online.

Help a neighbor
One of St. Cyprian's neighborhood artists, Kelly Malone is battling cancer without health insurance. People in the panhandle are sharing this website which explains her situation and how to help. Please donate if you can and share with your network.

Volunteers Wanted

Music-loving, stay-up-late types who will help strike the set and lock up the building after performances at Cyprian's. Get two free tickets to any concert you cover. Hours: 10:30 to midnight, sometimes earlier.

Contact: michael.helquist@gmail.com.

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.

Sandwiches

Help St. Cyprian's Sing!

Recently the Bishops Committee of St. Cyprian's Church approved a job description for a new position we're calling the "Worship Music Coordinator." Please share the link below with those you know who may be interested in helping us build community through song. This is an ideal job for someone looking for a part-time job, a student or a retired person.

http://www.saintcyprianssf.org/jobs/

Bi-Monthly Newsletter Available Online
MAY & JUNE Issue Uploaded

Stay connected to all that is happening at St. Cyprian's by reading our bi-monthly print newsletters online.

Weekly E-Mail Archives

Sign

In January St. Cyprian's began sending weekly e-newsletters. You can find an archive of all these messages here. Forward messages and invite friends, neighbors, and distant congregants to join our list.

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.