When I was 12 years old, MTV started a program called "The Real World," perhaps the first reality series & the longest running show on that network. As a latchkey kid, and older brother with a basement bedroom near the den, despite my parents best wishes, I watched a lot of MTV growing up. Last week, I discovered a new favorite reality show "Cupcake Wars." Whatever one thinks of reality shows, there's something profound about our human longing for "authenticity" and desire to really get to know other people. On Sunday, after church a friendly visitor commented to me at the door "this is a real church." I couldn't think of a more apt description of what we together seek to be for one another & our neighborhood. Many people have different understandings of what being "a real church" may mean of course, but most important of all, I think, is that we strive to be a community that loves others as they are, sharing our true selves as we struggle together to make the world (or at least this corner of it) better for everyone. The opening lines of "The Real World" are typically something like this:

"This is the true story... of eight strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World."

 

Over the years the program has dealt with a wide range of challenging topics, from racism, addiction, romance to religion. So too do and have we at St. Cyprian's --- and anyone who has spent much time with us knows we aren't always "polite." The following William Stringfellow quote, holds up this sometimes rough and gritty authenticity, "getting real" as an essential part of a faithful life:

 

"Being holy, becoming and being a saint, does not mean being perfect but being whole; it does not mean being exceptionally religious, or being religious at all. It means being liberated from religiosity and religious pietism of any sort. It does not mean being godly, but rather being truly human." from A Keeper of the Word   

 

So for those strangers who may find themselves curious about what St. Cyprian's is about, I propose the following:

"This is the true story...of strangers, friends, neighbors, long time congregants, students, people of faith and no faith...coming together regularly...to work together and share their lives...to find out what happens...when people stop being polite...and start getting real...a Real Church, St. Cyprian's."

 

See you soon at Turk & Lyon!

Take Our Survey  

In an effort to gather valuable information for our developing faith programs at St. Cyprian's, our Jr. Warden, Jarie Bolander created a survey. Please take a few minutes and fill this out for us. Begin by clicking here.  

 

September Concerts
with SF LIVE ARTS
 

Back to Bali: Traditional Balinese Shadow Theatre for the Family at Cyprian's    

Saturday, September 10 

Doors Open 7pm, performance begins 7:30pm, ends at 9pm

Cyprian's, 2097 Turk St. at Lyon

$13 adv/$15 door; $11 for kids, seniors, and students with ID

  

You are cordially invited to an experience of a lifetime- a Balinese shadow theatre performance. ShadowLight Productions presents The Marriage of Adimbi, performed by Artistic Director and founder Larry Reed. This is a wonderful event for children and adults alike and has a special early starting time, 7:30pm, to accommodate families. Production includes gamelan accompaniment (a treat in itself).

  

The ancient art of Indonesian shadow play, known as wayang kulit, is a unique form of theater in which light, shadows, and intricate handmade puppets are used to tell stories of folklore and myth. The performances are important in ritual, lesson, and entertainment. Each performance is a unique, improvised experience that depends upon the shadow master and his rendition of the tale as well as his connection with the audience.

  

  

Artistic Director and puppet master Larry Reed is one of the few Americans who has been trained in Balinese shadow theater. During his young adulthood he completed a decade of intense study with an Indonesian shadow master. Reed is known for his expansion of the art form, which includes a new shadow casting method that allows for integration of traditional theatre techniques as well as cinematic effects and modern theatre and dance styles.

  

  

"Afterward their whole dreamscape changes and they start dreaming differently or remembering things differently," says Reed of his audiences in a KQED Spark segment. "It makes it worth doing these projects, even though they are so much work."

  

Note: Back to Bali is a series of six performances. One of the six will be presented at Cyprian's.

  

-- Constance Cavallas 
More details @ http://liveatcyprians.blogspot.com/ 

Multi Grammy winner JIM LAUDERDALE

Maurice Tani & Jenn Courtney Saturday,  

Sep. 24, 8PM $18 advance / $20 door

  

$16 for kids, seniors & students with I.D.

With success in both bluegrass and country music, international recording artist Jim Lauderdale won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year at the Honors and Awards Show held by the Americana Music Association. A Grand Ole Opry star and one of Nashville's premier songwriters, his songs have been recorded by The Dixie Chicks, Solomon Burke, Mark Chesnutt, Vince Gill, George Strait, John Mayall, Kathy Mattea, Lee Ann Womack and many others.

One of our favorite singer/songwriters, Maurice Tani performs his smart, neo-noir, honky-tonk songs with Jenn Courtney and her luxurious, full-sized, strong, vulnerable, sexy, June Carter-like voice.