Dear Friends, Neighbors & Members of St. Cyprian's,
A few weeks ago at our Wednesday Eucharist this inspiring passage from the Prophet Isaiah was read:
Isaiah 25:6-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
The gospel for the day was the story of Jesus's disciples feeding a huge crowd with just a few loaves and some fish. In both portions of scripture and throughout the Bible, we read about a God who is on the side of life, hope and abundance in the face of death, despair, and poverty. Our world needs more witnesses to the power of this God to "make ways out of no ways," "streams in the desert," and "sets tables in the presence of enemies."
For nearly 89 years, St. Cyprian's has been witnessing daily to the living power of this God. We reveal God's power not just by our hard work, but by opening our hearts to the experiences and gifts of new people, providing hospitality and welcome - and receiving gratefully the gifts the Spirit brings our way.
2011 has been a year of tremendous progress as we together welcomed new people into our space through our partnership with SF Live Arts. The space itself has changed: the Community Hall has been completely repainted, the offices have been upgraded, our sidewalk has become home to flowers, and we have addressed a long-deferred and significant maintenance issue. The congregation paid for the � time salary of their priest, and we benefited from the labor of numerous volunteers, including a Beatitudes Society Fellow, a seminarian, candidate for Holy Orders (now Deacon) and Deaconal Postulant. New people have joined our church, and stepped into leadership. We baptized two young people, confirmed 5 people, and together reaffirmed our faith in the presence of our Diocesan Bishop. We welcomed the San Francisco Deanery and nearly 70 people for dinner in collaboration with USF and Nopa Restaurant as we sought to build momentum for a new community kitchen space. We completed grant applications and continue to seek additional support for our shared vision of being both a vibrant growing urban church and a neighborhood center for the arts and sustainability.
We have honored our ancestors and buried our dead this year, sending home dedicated and hardworking members Ruth Maloof and Bert Alston. We launched an Oral History Project with the help of two skilled and compassionate volunteers. We shared our space with several groups, notably the Village Project. With the support and wisdom of Village Project Executive Director Adrian Williams, we have begun planning for "Cyprian's Scholars: The Vivian Hambrick Memorial Scholarship Program." We visited our sick and homebound, and greeted our neighbors at many neighborhood block parties, where we are making new friends who are helping us imagine our future in ways that include them and their families. There's a lot of work ahead and we need all the support we can get. Your choice to pledge to St. Cyprian's will make a huge difference on this journey.
Giving to St. Cyprian's is not like giving to just any church or nonprofit organization. Your pledge is a vote of confidence to all of us as we strive in the face of some challenging odds to be a people of faith, action and community truly present for this distinctive time and place. Your pledge will give witness to your faith, not just in the story of this unique church and our renewing life, but to your trust in a generous living God that does surprising things, like feeding a crowd with just a few fish and loaves of bread.
By clicking the links below you will find testimony of three active members about why they give financially to support St. Cyprian's Church. Please read their words, say a prayer about your own call to give and fill out the pledge card. On Sunday, December 18th, our 51st anniversary on the corner of Turk & Lyon, we will collect pledges in the midst of our Sunday worship service. If you are not able to join us, simply send the pledge card in the mail. Your timely response will help us plan for the new year. Also, consider inviting a friend, neighbor or relative to pledge as well (we're sending an extra card with this letter). Broad participation is as important to us as the amount committed.
Click here to download a 2012 pledge card.
We hope to see you during this holy season. Below is a list of key events where we together will celebrate the birth of Jesus and his message of liberating love.
Gathering Pledges for 2012
Sunday, December 18 10:10 a.m.
Neighborhood Christmas Pageant
Friday, December 23rd 5-6 p.m.
Open to all ages, costumes provided, no rehearsal required
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Saturday, December 24th 8 p.m.
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25th 10:10 a.m.
See you soon at Turk & Lyon!
Faithfully,
The Reverend Will Scott
Read about why these St. Cyprian's members give for our life & work.
"St. Cyprian's has become a place of hope and possibilities as we have opened our door to our community and responded. We have become not only cheerful givers but gracious receivers. Our doors open wide as the community flows in with paint, mushrooms, bluegrass music, plants and joy. Giving includes sharing all of your wealth including your time, talents, songs, and strengths."
Robyn Amos
read Robyn's full post here.
"St. Cyprian's is rooted in faith but built on community. We don't want to provide for the community - we want to partner with it. If you share our vision of a better world, one community at a time, then help us by sharing your talents, your time or your treasure. Every little bit helps and every little bit makes us all stronger."
Jarie Bolander
Read Jarie's full post here.
"That ultimately is why I give-because what I get out of coming to St. Cyprian's is a gift I could never live up to, a debt I could never repay. I want those doors to be open and this place to be available for every person who needs that gift."
Jennifer Wolfe
Read Jennifer's full post here.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Giving to St. Cyprian's...
Do I need to "sign a pledge card"?
Can't I just write you a check or give online?
St. Cyprian's appreciates your generous financial support however you choose and are able to give. Pledge cards are important as they allow us to plan our budget for the new year, and "#'s of pledging units (counted as signed pledge cards)" is one of the ways we show that our work has broad-based support. We are working on making online giving easier, but currently are not able to receive "pledges" online. You can download a pledge card by clicking here.
