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Dear Friends, Neighbors and Members of St. Cyprian's,
Last week in a conversation with one of St. Cyprian's enthusiastic neighborhood allies I was asked if I had seen this recent comment in Leah Garchik's San Francisco Chronicle column,
The latest Vanity Fair includes Sheila Weller's story marking the 45th anniversary of the Summer of Love, in which Grace Slick remarks about Janis Joplin (described as "co-queen" of the 1967 summer), "I was so Episcopalian that when I saw a certain sadness in Janis' eyes I felt it was none of my business."
I was crushed to be reminded that for some people the Christian tradition that I am part of is synonymous with indifference to the suffering of others. I would like to think that the Episcopal Church as a whole has been changing since the 1960s and largely for the better. Not just by ordaining women to the priesthood or the episcopate (though this alone has made a tremendous difference), or by welcoming out gay and lesbians fully into the life of the church. Those significant changes were only possible by the dynamic engagement of generations before who were not indifferent to injustice or suffering or changes in the culture, but moved to action. The Episcopal Church has changed because of faithful congregations like this one being willing to open themselves to their local communities (religious and not-so-religious) inviting participation and collaboration in the work of the church. We have changed by opening ourselves to other people's "business" and getting real about what's going on with us, inviting others into our business. Last week, in a packed Castro Theater, Rt. Reverend Gene Robinson spoke about how we Episcopalians work out our differences in public. As flawed, frustrating and bureaucratic a structure as we are --- we are a church that elects our lay and ordained leadership at the local, diocesan and international levels. Next week, the Episcopal Church will be gathering in Indianapolis for 8 days for the every three years, General Convention, please pray for our sisters and brothers as they make important decisions that will have ramifications for many years to come. Hopefully, whatever is decided, indifference to sadness and suffering isn't on the agenda.
Yesterday, Adrian Williams, Executive Director of The Village Project and member of St. Cyprian's, invited me to spend some time with the youth in her program --- we talked together about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I can only pray that as we looked into each others' eyes sitting on the floor of the Cyprian's Community Hall, talking about Jesus, that indifference was not what we communicated to one another. Later, a community elder who supports Adrian with her work spoke up at an advisory meeting about the significant trauma many of these youth have already experienced in their young lives. "None of my business" was not what the lay and ordained Episcopalians from different parts of the Bay Area communicated by showing up, listening and offering to help.
For many people, St. Cyprian's is not a "typical" Episcopal Church. When I hear that I'm not always sure what to think. My former Bishop, Peter James Lee said to me once something like this, "St. Cyprian's is a lot more like most other churches in the global Anglican Communion than the two other churches you have worked." Typical or not, we are a community seeking to follow Jesus, to really love our neighbors, and strive for justice and peace. I hope our neighbors whether veterans (or wish they were) of the Summer of Love, young people who are seeking a refuge from a Summer of Trauma, folks just trying to pay the rent, stay sober, make a difference, get invited to Burning Man or find love, indifference is not the message we're sending at Turk & Lyon. Grace Slick, where ever you are, I hope St. Cyprian's might be an Episcopal Church for you to love, "Don't you want somebody to love?" At least this Vicar remembers, "We built this city on rock and roll."
See you soon at Turk & Lyon!
Peace,
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St. Cyprian's & Cyprian's arc have active Facebook pages where you can read more about what's happening at Turk & Lyon. Please "Like" our pages and share with your network.
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FLOWER DONATIONS
For more information email Dustin Cole dustindc@gmail.com
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USF Graduates Coordinate
Summer Programs
USF Graduates Coordinate Summer Programs We're very pleased to announce that three recent University of San Francisco graduates will join us at Turk and Lyon this summer to develop and coordinate events. From boosting our promotion, helping with community outreach, designing new kids programs and continuing the always-packed community dinners, Allison Schaub, Grace Rahn and Kristina Marie Lacayo are making our corner of the neighborhood buzz.
We hope you will get to know each of them. Here's an introduction of Allison, in her own words. We profiled Kristina in our last issue, and we'll profile Grace in the next issue.
 "My name is Allison Schaub and I am one of the new Program Associates that will be working at cyprian's arc this summer. I'm a recent graduate from the University of San Francisco and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with cyprian's this past semester through USF's Environmental Studies Capstone class. Previously I interned at The Pachamama Alliance in San Francisco, worked with a water restoration project in Jhadol, India, and served as a head tutor for the Saint Anthony-Immaculate Conception School in San Francisco. I am very excited to continue being part of this growing community here at the arc!"
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SUMMER SCHOOL @ St. Cyprian's
"Why we do what we do"...an introduction to liturgical worship in the Episcopal Church
  Sundays
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Facilitated by CDSP seminarian Hannah Elyse Cornthwaite
June 10th: History of the Christian
Church and Anglican Church We will be looking at the history of the early Christian Church and creeds. Then we will look at the early beginnings of the Anglican/Episcopal church.
June 17th: Vestments & The Book of Common Prayer
We will discuss the history and theologies behind vestments and the liturgical seasons. Also, we will familiarize ourselves with the Revised Common Lectionary and the structure of Morning and Evening Prayer.
June 24th: Liturgy of the Word
We will be walking through the liturgy of the word (from the beginning of the service through the passing of the peace), discussing the various symbols and various history and theology in this part of worship.
This week, July 1st: Eucharist
We will walk through the Eucharist considering the history and theologies found in this part of worship, as well as the various actions and symbols within the Eucharist.
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July & August @ cyprian's arts. resilience. community
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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.
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