Parents are in Crisis

Just this week, the surgeon general wrote an article in the New York Times claiming that parents are "at their wits' end." A recent study showed that "48% of parents say most days their stress is completely overwhelming, compared with 26% of other adults who report the same."

Parents are burned out, exhausted, and lonely.

As a parent, I have to agree.

For the parents reading this today - how are you? No really, how are you? Yes, I know you're tired, and I juggling too many responsibilities. But - is it all too much? Are you drowning? Do you feel all alone?

Honestly, I would put myself in that category of overwhelmingly stressed out. This summer has been tough in our house, as our oldest has dealt with four rounds of strep throat since June. When one of our kids is sick, or school is closed, or our toddler doesn't sleep through the night, it's hard to cope with the demands of the day. I try to stay grounded, to be a peaceful presence in the face of my kids' big emotions, but often, it's just too much.

I volley back and forth between the mom-guilt when I'm not the kind of parent I want to be, and resentment that I have these two little beings dependent on me for so much. Yes, parenting is a gift and a joy - and, it's really hard, often lonely work.

I share this in order to shine a light on the truth of the Surgeon General's warning: parents are struggling. Yes, with exhaustion and money stress and all the other normal parenting struggles - but also withnavigating the constant presence of screens and technology, a general sense of fear - especially of gun violence, continuing effects of a global pandemic, witnessing a genocide, what feels like an explosive political landscape, underpaid teachers doing their best for our kids who need more attention in school...the list goes on.

Does this resonate with you? If so, you're not alone. The loneliness of parenting is real, even though I have an incredible spouse to navigate all this with. Some days, it just feels like too much.

I appreciate in his article that Dr. Murthy acknowledged the need for policy changes to provide better support for parents. This is a culture-wide issue, not the failure of individual parents who are taking on too much.

As a church community, I wonder what our role is in this crisis.

And when I think of the people who make parenting a little bit more bearable for me, it's the people in our church. It's the people who offer to come babysit our kids so we can have a date night. It's the other moms I see on Wednesday mornings at Rebel Women Bible study, sharing the unsolvable concerns and pains and joys. I think of friends from church who watched another family's toddler while they were in the process of moving, so her mom could have a few hours to unpack boxes. I think of an 8th grader in our church who approached the many trusted adults in her life - adults she knows from church - to ask them about their career paths, and for advice on what to study in high school.

Church is far from perfect - even our own beloved congregation. And yet, what I keep coming back to is that church offers a kind of community life that is unlike any other. Here, you can show up just as you are, with crying kids or lonely hearts or barking dogs. No, church is not perfect - but it's a vehicle through which so many of us have found support, especially in parenting.

I wonder what support you have found through this church home. I wonder if there are parents you know who are searching for an imperfect - but joyful - community of parents and non-parents navigating this world together.

As Christians, community is what we do. Belonging is what we seek. Our church community is rooted in the love and witness of Christ who offered belonging to all who sought it.

And to the lonely, burned out, at-their-wits'-end parents reading this: I see you. God sees you. You are not alone.

peace,

Mother Mary Lynn

marylynn@standrewspb.org

This Sunday, September 1

Proper 17

(What's this? The scripture readings for each Sunday come from the Revised Common Lectionary, a schedule of Bible readings that most Catholic and mainline protestant churches follow. We're currently in the season after Pentecost, called "ordinary time."

Proper 17 is the name for the assigned readings for this Sunday.

You can click above to see what Bible passages we're reading this Sunday!)

10:30 am

Service of Holy Eucharist

Children and Youth

0-3 years old: nursery care available

age 3 - 5th grade: "Meet the Saints" Sunday School

Note: We make every effort to live stream the service each Sunday, but sometimes technical issues arise. If you would like to help make the live stream happen, please email Kari Robinson to join the tech team!

God, Gospel, & Gender: Starts Sunday

Sign up today for a new Bible study, using the book God, Gospel, and Gender: A Queer Bible Study for Teens by Margie Baker. [Yes, it says it's for teens - but this book is for ALL of us! The Bible study sessions and discussions will be geared toward adults. Middle- and high-schoolers are also welcome to participate!] This Bible study series will be an introduction to what scripture has to say about the dignity and worth of LGBTQ+ people - and is open to folks of all orientations.

September 1st, 12-1:30 pm

Chapter 3: God Loves All Families: Diverse Family Relationships in Scripture

Please purchase the book (or indicate in the registration link that you need a copy, and we'll be happy to send you one!).

A light lunch will be provided, for a suggested donation of $10. You're also welcome to bring your own sack lunch. 

Questions? Email Mother Mary Lynn: marylynn@standrewspb.org.

Listen: Sermons by-the-Sea

Miss church? Catch up on sermons preached at St. Andrew's by listening to our podcast, Sermons by-the-Sea. Find it on any podcast app, or click the image above. Happy listening!

Coming Up at St. Andrew's:

Rebel Women Bible Study - Wednesday Mornings

The Bible is full of kick-ass women who bucked the status quo. Come meet the real women of the Bible. No experience reading the Bible? No problem! We approach these stories with curiosity and encourage doubt, questioning,

and wrestling with the text.

This season, we’re exploring the stories of the women in the New Testament - our spiritual great-grandmothers whose faith shaped the Christian community from the beginning. Come connect with other women seeking support on their spiritual journey.

Join us Wednesday mornings in the sanctuary, 9:30-10:30, and connect with other women asking big questions about faith and wrestling with scripture.

Email Mother Mary Lynn for more information.

September 8: Church in the Mountains or Here in PB

Next weekend, our clergy and many parishioners will be on retreat at our Episcopal camp in Julian, Camp Stevens. Even if you aren’t coming to the whole retreat, you are invited to drive up to beautiful Julian to join us for church at 10:30. The address is 1108 Banner Road, Julian, 92036. If you can’t make it to the mountains, we will still have a service of holy communion next Sunday at 10:30 here at St. Andrew’s, as usual. 

Pacific Beach Community Choir

1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, at 7pm

Want to sing with friends in a fun, non-pressure environment? Come meet new people and make music the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7pm at St. Andrew's. This choir is led by our parish musician, Katie Cavallo, and sings secular music just for the fun of it. Anyone in high school or older is welcome - no audition necessary! It's a great way to meet new friends and express your creativity - contact Katie with questions or to join.

Mark Your Calendar & Get Your Talent Ready!

It's almost that time for the THIRD annual St. Andrew's talent show! Friday, October 18, from 6-8pm on the lawn. Bring your own blanket, chairs and picnic dinner, and enjoy the show.

All ages and talent levels welcome! Music, poetry, spoken word, magic, movement - contact parish musician Katie Cavallo to sign up and share your talent. PLUS - enjoy hits from the 1970s played by Katie and the Killer Queens. The band is available to back you up if you’d like to sing - email Katie by September 8 if you’d like to do live karaoke!  

You don't want to miss this!

What's Happening in the Neighborhood:

New: Dances of Universal Peace at St. Andrew's

We are excited to announce that the San Diego Dances of Universal Peace group will be bringing their spiritual practice to the St. Andrew's sanctuary, beginning Sunday, September 8. Learn more about the Dances of Universal Peace here. What a blessing to share our sacred space with them. All are welcome to join and try out this spiritual practice of chant, live music, and movement.

Support Saturday Meal Service

Every Saturday morning, Jodie and her team of volunteers set up their folding tables in front of St. Andrew's and feed anyone who is hungry. This past Saturday, they fed 80 people a hearty breakfast.

Jodie and her team from small potatoes foundation have been serving meals on Saturdays at St. Andrew's since June 2024. Their organization is dedicated to offering nourishing and wholesome meals to those facing hardships.

Check out this note from Jodie:

"We deeply appreciate your generosity in allowing us to use your church lawn as a space to feed our guests. Your support truly helps us in our mission to serve those in need. We are dedicated to making a significant impact on the lives of our neighbors facing adversity and food insecurity. We believe a meal made with love is a tangible way to show compassion and understanding. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us continue feeding our neighbors in

need. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making a lasting impact.

From our bustling kitchen, Chef Jodie"

Scan the QR code to give directly to small potatoes foundation. We're so grateful for Jodie and her team, and for the difference they make in our neighborhood.

Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge Workshop:

Sign Up Today

LARK (Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge) began as a challenge from Bishop Susan Brown Snook. In February 2022 she asked the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force (RJRTF) to develop a localized anti-racism workshop. Since anti-racism trainings are usually designed in other regions of the country, they reflect their populations and histories. Our area has its own history, issues, and stories. LARK focuses on our local history and populations and deals with local issues and stories. The workshop includes practical tools and approaches for advancing racial reconciliation and justice within our diocese.

LARK is one part of a lifelong journey for racial reconciliation and racial justice. Whether you are a novice or veteran in the areas of racial justice and reconciliation, whether you are a Sacred Ground alum, current Sacred Ground participant, or have never even heard of Sacred Ground, this LARK workshop is for you! All are encouraged to attend, and all are welcome!

Mother Mary Lynn and two other St. Andrew's folks are already signed up - join us! Let's see how many from our congregation we can register!

Note: There is a $50 fee for the program. If this is a barrier for you, please email Mother Mary Lynn - we have church funds to cover the cost if needed!

When: Friday, Oct 11, 4-9 PM & Saturday, Oct 12, 9:30-4:30 PM

Where: Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

New Online Bible Course...for Smarties!

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online course-offering which will be the first in a two-year cycle of classes covering the whole Bible in four semester classes. This fall, there will be a 12-week class on Christian Scriptures 1 (focused on the Historical Jesus and his World as portrayed in the Four Gospels ), starting on Monday 9th September. For more information, click here and email Dr. Moseley. Video Recordings of all the classes from Hebrew Scriptures 1 and 2, Christian Scriptures 2, and a preliminary short course on Hermeneutics (Biblical Interpretation), are also available.

Scholarships available: please contact Mother Mary Lynn if you need financial assistance to participate in this great course!

Call Your Representatives and Ask for Ceasefire in Gaza

“People of faith and goodwill can organize and address our governments to call for humanitarian aid to flow freely to those in desperate need in Gaza; for the release of all hostages; for an end to all targeting of children and other civilians; and for a de-escalation of violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.” - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

As death, destruction, and violence continue in Gaza, we urge you to lift your voices and do everything possible to put pressure on all parties for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. 

We are not helpless in the face of the world's horrors. Takeon a new spiritual practice: every day, call your representatives and ask them to call for an immediate ceasefire, access to humanitarian assistance to end starvation and avert any further risk of famine, and urge the release of hostages.

You can click this link to go to the Episcopal Public Policy Network website, which has a script for contacting your representatives, as well as a form you can fill out right on the site.

Donations Needed for Border Ministry

Our diocese is continuing to respond to the needs of those seeking asylum at the US/Mexico border and being held in open-air detention sites and awaiting transport at the airport. The diocese prepares 200 sack lunches every Monday to be distributed, and are asking for the following:

• jelly
• packaged snacks like: potato chips, protein bars, fruit gummies
• brown paper bags
• sandwich bags

Please drop off donations at church on Sunday. Email Mother Mary Lynn if you are able to volunteer to assemble sack lunches every Monday at 3pm.

Volunteers Needed: 5th Tuesday Chefs

Did you know that St. Andrew's has hosted a weekly free community meal every Tuesday for over 10 years? We are looking for volunteers who are willing to cook the meal on the 5th Tuesdays of the months, which is only 4 times per year. Volunteers would be expected to take a food safety certification course, plan and shop for a meal, and cook for 50-60 guests. But you won't be doing it alone - our volunteer coordinator, Auburn, will be there to help you every step of the way, and our team of dedicated volunteers who show up weekly will help, too. Please email Auburn if you are interested in taking on this important (and fun!) work. We are so proud to be able to feed our neighbors, and this ministry depends on the dedicated service of so many. Join the fun!

Applications Open: Johnson-Wong Scholarship

If you are preparing to enter a full-time college or university this fall, you are eligible to apply for the Johnson Wong Scholarship! This fund is generously provided by St. Andrew's members who are committed to the education of our young people. It is awarded to St. Andrew's members or children of members who plan to attend a full-time accredited college in the next school year. Fill out this application to apply. Contact Becky for more information.