|
|
|
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Members of St. Cyprian's,
On Monday, St. Cyprian's Deacon Eric Metoyer, congregants, and members of the Union of Black Episcopalians participated in the "Renewing the Dream" Celebration hosted by the San Francisco Interfaith Council & The Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation. Episcopal Diocese of California youth marched as well, then headed out to various service projects around the city, including completing some painting projects at St. Cyprian's. Many thanks to everyone who helped with these projects (youth and adult leaders came from the following churches: St. John's, Clayton, St. Stephen's, Belvedere, St. Stephen's, Orinda, St. Francis, San Francisco, St. Cyprian's, San Francisco, Transfiguration, San Mateo).
 | |
St. Cyprian's Kira Smith prepares
the side gate for painting |
 | |
Episcopal youth from MLK Nightwatch 2012
paint exterior bench |
Earlier in the day I was asked by the Executive Director of the African American Arts & Culture Complex in the Fillmore to offer an opening prayer for the MLK Day of Service. Below is what I shared.
God, to whom the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. turned to daily in prayer which was a "source of courage and strength giving him & those with whom he worked the ability to carry on in even the darkest hours of the struggle"[1]. Help us find sources of strength & courage for the struggles we face today.
God, whose breath gave voice to a prophet that helped lead "a people who had the moral courage to stand up for their rights. And thereby they injected a new meaning into the veins of history and civilization."[2] May this day of service, give us courage to speak up for human rights wherever they are challenged or denied. Help us confront injustice in our world and city, the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth, and lead our country in what King called a "radical... and true revolution of values."[3]
God, who revealed to this minister the profound power of nonviolence from the teachings of Jesus and the techniques of Gandhi. Help us cultivate and choose creative alternatives to violence and war. Help us to acknowledge and confront the truth, which King so clearly named that a "nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."[4]
Source of all that is, who made us in all our diversity --- help us to see that we are "caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."[5]
Help us break loose "from the paralyzing chains of conformity"[6] as King called them, so that we might be active partners "in the struggle for freedom and justice."[7]
We have work to do today. God bless our hands & our hearts that our service today inspires within all of us greater commitment to the hope filled visions, dreams and values we share with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Amen.
A colleague of mine on Facebook shared the following quote from King, which I think is valuable to us at St. Cyprian's. You can actually listen to King's sermon by clicking here.
"We who must keep the church going and keep it alive have certain basic guidelines to follow--to preach good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted...to set at liberty them that are captives. You see, the church is not a social club. The church is not an entertainment center. The church has a purpose. The church is dealing with ultimate concern. Sunday after Sunday, week after week, people come to church with broken hearts. They need a word of hope.... The church heals the broken-hearted."
The work we are doing together at St. Cyprian's--with our neighbors, with our partnering organizations, with the Episcopal Diocese--when we are painting kitchen walls, singing, praying, visiting our sick and even when we are welcoming crowds for concerts (Friday's visitors will be especially large with all funds going to support those who lost their homes in a nearby fire)--is all about healing the broken-hearted. We give thanks for all the witnesses to that purpose who help us remain true to our highest calling.
 | | Hannah Cornthwaite & Ruby Dycus with friend paint bench |
See you soon at Turk & Lyon!
Peace,
Will
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church
415-987-3029
turkandlyon@gmail.com
[1] from "Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Celebration of Black Prayer." Coretta Scott King
[2] from "The Unexpected Emergence of Martin Luther King, Jr."
[3] From "Beyond Vietnam: Time to Break the Silence" http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkatimetobreaksilence.htm
[4] Ibid
[5] Letter from a Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid |
|
SAVE THE DATES
St. Cyprian's Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 29th 2012 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
All pledging members of St. Cyprian's are welcome to participate as we approve our 2012 budget, elect new leaders, celebrate our 2011 accomplishments & envision the year ahead.
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 22 6:30 p.m.
an ancient communal practice of opening up, reflecting on our choices, and committing ourselves to the way & wisdom of Jesus. Imposition of Ashes & Communion
Wednesday Lenten Series
February 29-April 4th
6:30 p.m. -8 p.m.
Each week we will share a meal, book, practices, & prayers.
Stay tuned for more information. |
|
Building News by Michael Helquist
St. Cyprian's Building Committee completed another deferred maintenance project last week. Our south wall -- one that only a few neighbors see -- is now repaired and re-painted. Several wood boards had split, the old paint was flaked and peeling, and the windows had several leaks. Now the wall sports new boards, new sealing, and our "Cyprian's Green" color. The building isn't water-tight yet, but we're catching up. And our next door neighbors are very pleased and thankful.
 | | BEFORE |
 | | AFTER |
|
|
COMING UP at Cyprian's...
Beyond the Blaze is a benefit for the 60 residents on Pierce Street who lost their homes in the Western Addition's five-alarm fire in December. Sponsored by the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association, Saint Cyprian's, North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association and Scoutmob, this event will take place on Friday, January 20th, 2011 at St. Cyprian's (Turk St and Lyon).
This is a collaborative effort between musicians, community members, neighborhood associations, local merchants and other community sponsors; it will run from 6:30PM-10PM and is poised to be one for the books. Highly acclaimed sister resturauants NOPA and Nopalito, and soon-to-be Western Addition neighbor Bi-rite, will donate food for the cause. Speakeasy Brewery & Rolling Rock have generously donated beer for the occasion and Green Barrel as well as Matching 1/2 will be present serving wine and coffee.
With a line-up of diverse local musicians including Gaucho Gypsy Jazz Band, Even Taylor, Conspiracy of Beards and The Sundance Kids (more to be announced), there's something for everyone.
About the Fire
"On December 22, 2011, firefighters battled a wind-fueled, five-alarm blaze that tore through two residential buildings in the Western Addition neighborhood and displaced about 60 people Two other buildings, including a school, were damaged in the conflagration, which at its height was fought by 150 firefighters and support personnel. Two people were treated at hospitals - a civilian with smoke inhalation and a firefighter with minor neck burns, authorities said"-Justin Berton,Will Kane, San Francisco Chronicle |
|
Music Legend & Three Time Grammy Winner Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Saturday, January 21, 8pm
"Ramblin' Jack Elliott has been a towering influence on a generation of folk and rock musicians, most notably Bob Dylan."
- The Boston Globe.
One of the last direct links to the great folk traditions of this country, Ramblin' Jack Elliott is one of the legendary foundations of American folk music. In the tradition of roving troubadours Jack has carried the seeds and pollens of story and song for decades from one place to another, from one generation to the next. In 1950, he met Woody Guthrie, moved in with the Guthrie family and traveled with Woody to California and Florida, from the redwood forests to the Gulf Stream waters. Along the way he learned the blues first-hand from Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, the Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, Jesse Fuller and Champion Jack Dupree. So it's fitting that earlier this year, he received his first Grammy Award in the Traditional Blues category for his album, A Stranger Here. (His two previous Grammys were in the folk category). He received the National Medal of Arts award and was honored with a special dinner at the White House. Recently the award-winning film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack introduced a new generation to his timeless music and yarns. We are honored to have this national treasure start our concert year.
Americana/Country/Rockabilly artist Vikki Lee opens the concert.
More on Live Arts at Cyprian's, click here.
|
|
February Concerts at St. Cyprian's
 Many thanks to volunteer Kevin Barnard for putting our February event flier together. |
|
Still time to pledge for 2012
Click here to read about St. Cyprian's accomplishments in 2011, our plans for 2012 and why folks give for the life and work of St. Cyprian's Church. Your support makes a difference.
To download a pledge card click here. |
|
Weekly E-Mail Archives
In January, 2011 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. |
St. Cyprian's is a congregation emboldened by the opportunity to engage with our energized urban neighborhood to create a community
where everyone matters.
|
|
