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Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Members of St. Cyprian's,
Today the church is celebrating the Ascension. A few years ago, the great preacher the Reverend Peter Gomes, who died in February said this about the Ascension:
Often I have said to my congregation, "If you have had problems with Easter, I can't wait to tell you about the problems of the Ascension. People will sit around speculating as to the mechanics of it, the physics of it, and how it could be, when the real burden of the Ascension is how we now do Jesus's work." At Pentecost we will celebrate the empowering of the church to do that very work by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and I will not anticipate what the preachers of that day will say. I will say that we have a task to perform, we have an opportunity to perform it, and we are required to perform those tasks in the name of Jesus Christ, whose commission to us as he leaves us is to do the work his father has given him to do: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, wage peace and not war, love our enemy, take care of those who are on the margins and fringes, be salt in the world, be light in the darkness. Because we have heard it all before doesn't mean that it isn't true, and because we have heard it preached from this and thousands of other pulpits does not mean that it is not still good news. It means that these are our responsibilities, and that now that Jesus has left this world, all that remains of Jesus in this world is us. What an awesome responsibility, that we are meant to be the Christ-bearers in this world! (full sermon here)
St. Cyprian's is a community that takes the responsibility to be Christ-bearers in this world seriously. Last week, I visited one of our homebound elders, who talked with me about the hard work she and so many others of her generation engaged in to bring about a more just and compassionate society. She spoke with a glimmer in her eye of earnest conversations during coffee breaks in the Fillmore at an office shared by the Girl Scouts, the United Negro College Fund and the Urban League. The challenges and obstacles of Mrs. Smith's generation--surviving the Great Depression, World War II, overcoming bigotry, institutionalized racism and sexism--resonate with our contemporary struggles. The same faith that sustained Mrs. Smith also sustains us, and though there are many differences, new hurdles, and tools we, like her, strive to be Christ-bearers in our time and place.
As the disciples stood around watching Jesus's body vanish, we too are sometimes tempted to stand with our eyes heavenward, asking "Now what?" The Spirit however does come and give us the courage to get on with doing the work we've been called to do, to be Jesus's hands, heart, and body in this world. Like those disciples we will meet new friends, who will help us grow & deepen in our witness. One recent example of this kind of surprising friendship was when a gifted neighborhood architect, Rob Crum, showed up and started sharing his tremendous skills with the St. Cyprian's Building Committee. Rob is helping us confront our leaky Lyon Street wall & roof tower.
This Sunday afternoon as St. Cyprian's lay leadership, the Bishop's Committee, gathers for a half-day planning retreat please pray for us. We have some significant opportunities before us, and are learning how to trust each other. Our hope is to leave the retreat committed to a shared vision for the future, and to some concrete steps for the next few years of faith, action & community.
See you soon at Turk & Lyon.
Peace,
Will
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church
415-987-3029
turkandlyon@gmail.com
Image above was found at the following website:
http://theoldbill.typepad.com/photos/images_of_jesus/bagong1l.html
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Tonight!
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
visits Stanford
On the Feast of the Ascension, Stanford's Episcopal/Lutheran chaplaincy will host the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, and Bishops Marc Andrus (Diocese of California) and Mark Holmerud (Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA) in their 29th Annual Lutheran and Episcopal Ascension Day Service. Jefferts Schori will preach and Andrus and Holerud will make welcoming remarks.
The Presiding Bishop is the Chief Pastor and Primate of the Episcopal Church. Read all about Bishop Katharine here.
When: Thursday, June 2, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Stanford Memorial Church, Palo Alto
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Welcome our Beatitudes Society Fellow
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary student Kelsey Schleusener has been awarded a paid Summer Fellowship by The Beatitudes Society. Kelsey will serve at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in San Francsico, CA from June 6 - July 29, 2011. Kelsey's work will focus on helping develop our interfaith network within the North Panhandle neighborhood of the Western Addition, assisting with the creation of a community & congregation directory, and finding ways to share what St. Cyprian's is doing throughout the city.
Kelsey is part of the 2011 class of 20 Summer Fellows who will work with organizations at the intersection of faith and public life such as Bread for the World, Interfaith Worker Justice, Faith in Public Life, and Interfaith Power and Light. They will participate in weekly theological reflection sessions facilitated by a local mentor. Using a small group study specifically designed to help them learn to articulate a public faith, the Summer Fellows will explore links between social change advocacy and Christianity. The Summer Fellows will also receive media training from Auburn Media to hone their public speaking skills. The students will be awarded a cash stipend by The Beatitudes Society to help cover summer living expenses.
The Beatitudes Society develops and sustains emerging progressive Christian leaders at seminaries and divinity schools who will: Advocate for justice, compassion and peace; Reclaim a Christianity that welcomes all people, especially those at the margins; and Articulate a Christianity that dares to speak and act for our fragile planet and our most vulnerable citizens.
In addition to the Summer Fellowships, The Beatitudes Society provides students and emerging progressive faith leaders with resources that complement their graduate theological studies, and sustain these leaders in their first years of ministry. Prophetic Preaching Workshops provide emerging leaders with a unique interactive process to develop their skills as articulate advocates for social change. The Beatitudes Society recently created the Brave Preacher Award which honors the courage it takes for pastors to preach a compelling, prophetic sermon in response to tragic events such as the January 8, 2011 Tucson shootings.
For more information about The Beatitudes Society as well as a complete listing of campus Summer Fellowship sites, please visit www.BeatitudesSociety.org.
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The Village Project
Partnership expands for daily Summer Space Use
The Village Project's Executive Director Adrian Williams and the Bishops Committee of St. Cyprian's Church signed a new space use agreement late last week. The agreement grants the Village Project daily use of our community hall and kitchen at no cost from June 6- August 12th. Adrian's unique program provides nearly 30 children affordable, safe, fun, and educational summer experiences. Many thanks to the dedicated work of our Senior Warden, Bruno Peguese and our Space Use Coordinator, Michael Helquist for working through the details of this agreement, so we may accommodate the Village Project and the many others who use our space as well.
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Coming up...
Gentle Flow Yoga with Peter Wong
Thursdays 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
THIS 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.
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Next Week....
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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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Lift Every Voice!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/
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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.
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 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. |
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Weekly E-Mail Archives
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. |
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