Pride....
It’s the end of June, and I’ve still not said anything about Pride month. It’s not that I didn’t want to; the first week of June I started something about Pride month, but wanted to give it more time and thought before I sent it to the congregation. I’ve had 28 days or so of time and thought, and I’m no closer to something profound now than I was then. The truth is I feel wholly unqualified to say much of anything about Pride month. But I think something needs to be said, so here goes: we need Pride month, and will continue to need it, until we realize as a society that love is not bound by gender. We need Pride month, because for too long people in the LGBTQ were meant to feel ashamed for the way they were made. How can anyone believe that they were beautifully and wonderfully made when so many in the world are screaming at them that they are deviants and going to hell? We have miles to go before we reach Paul’s idyllic words in Galatians 3:28, “There is no longer Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.” Because we live in a culture slowly (sometimes glacially) moving towards equality, these words don’t have quite the impact now that they did then, but Paul, as a student of Greek Philosophy, definitely believed in categories, hierarchies, and an ordained order of life. To make no distinction between any of those categories would have at best made Paul a laughing stock, and at worst people would have questioned his sanity and allegiance to God (that is, only a demon would say such nonsense).
One of the things I love about the Episcopal Church is that we openly embrace our sisters and brothers in the LGBTQ community; not perfectly, but we do our best to adhere to Paul’s words of living as one in Christ, and to Christ’s words to love one another as we are loved. As long as people are marginalized and treated as less then, the Episcopal Church will champion their cause, doing our best to live into Christ’s words, “Whatever you have done to the least of these you have done to me.” We need Pride month, because for too long people in the LGBTQ were meant to feel ashamed for the way they were made.
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Rector, St. Francis Episcopal Church
310-594-7984
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Week in Review
June 15: Pastoral visits from 9:00 - 1:45; admin tasks.
June 16: Day off; sermon prep.
June 17: Doors Open Peninsula - spent the day greeting people; I had some great conversations with people who otherwise wouldn’t have come to the church.
June 18: Sunday services; Father’s Day - delicious pie and coffee after church.
June 19: Prepared for Tom’s visit; flew to Memphis to pick up Tom; spent the night in Memphis.
June 20: Flew from Memphis to Denver - realized there was an old Mississippi friend on the plane, we briefly caught up before he had to go on his way; flew from Denver to LAX, then to daycare to pick up Rachel and Archie - Tom received a hero’s welcome.
June 21: Stayed home with Tom for most of the day; finance meeting; vestry meeting.
June 22: Went to tide pools with parishioners and Tom; saw a menagerie of wildlife.
June 23: Day off.
June 24: Day off; sermon prep.
June 25: Sunday services; Tom loved playing with all the kids (!).
June 26: In early to work on customaries, protocols, and art camp.
June 27: Worked from home; spent time with Tom.
June 28: Staff meeting; admin work; lunch with Jennifer and Tom.
June 29: Pastoral phone calls; pastoral meeting - while there a crowned tooth broke and I went to the dentist, who recommended extraction and an implant; tooth extracted, then went to bed, then to San Diego to visit family.
June 30 - Wrote for e-news; pastoral phone calls.
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Farewell to our beloved Communications Specialist Susan Marshall!
As most of you know, Susan and Peter Marshall relocated to the East Coast several months ago. They said a tearful farewell on St. Francis' Day last October. See photo for Susan hiding behind Peter - she's not a fan of goodbyes!)
At Rev. Jerry's suggestion, Susan continued working for St. Francis remotely to ensure a smooth and seamless transition between his departure and Rev. Jason's arrival, which she graciously agreed to do.
Susan gave notice several weeks ago, as she and Peter are ready to more fully settle into their lives back East; her last day with us will be next Thursday July 6th. We are deeply grateful for her many years of service, dating back to the leadership of Rev. Sarah Phelps, for successfully adapting St. Francis to the live-streaming landscape when Covid hit, and continuing to keep us on track and supporting our mission every week through the midst of so many changes.
We will miss you!
(And Susan looks forward very much to keeping in touch with all her friends and this amazing community of faith.)
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Amens Corner
Once again we welcome all the guys of the Parish to meet at the Corner Bakery on PCH for conversation and fellowship.
Next meeting: Wednesday July 12, 6:00pm
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The Rummage Sale is Coming Soon
Friday July 21 and Saturday July 22 8am till 2pm.
Clear out those closets! The dates to bring items - July 5th. thru July 18th. 10am till 2pm in the parish hall.
Workers needed every day, please help as you are able.
Proceeds go to our Buildings and Grounds maintenance.
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Watch this space for Summer Art Camp!
Read our upcoming bulletins, or in our enews for details of Art Camp this August - 7—11th.
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Nursery & Sunday School families!
Summer Sunday School
While parents and guardians worship, our kids will be thriving, with supervised fun in the fantastic Town and Country playground this summer. Come straight down to the playground at the bottom of the steps. Or ask an Usher to direct you.
The nursery is still available for our tiniest church members. Up to you to decide where your little one(s) would be happiest.
And as ever we always welcome kids in church. No one will shush you. We love to see families and children in our pews!
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Watch and Listen!
Our full Worship services can all be found on our YouTube channel. Just scan through the video for the sermon.
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Weekly Worship
Sundays - Holy Communion
8:00 a.m. - Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with hymns. This service is not live-streamed.
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10:00 a.m. - Rite II in-person worship in the main church with music. L ive-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and available for watching later. Followed by coffee hour for fellowship and community. We have an active Welcoming team so if you're a new visitor we promise we won't leave you alone, staring at your shoes!
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Please contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.
Yoga with Jill!
A spiritual mind and body practice!
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Mondays 11:30am - 1:00pm - Level 1/2 Hatha for Strength and Mobility
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Wednesdays 9:00-10:30am Level 1 Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance
Parish Hall . No set fees - classes are free-will offering. Questions? Jill Fenske
Meditation
Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in our church sanctuary. Please join us for meditation, followed by a time of conversation.
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Coffee Hour Ministry
To volunteer to help one week after the 10am worship service, see the sign-up sheet at Sunday coffee hour.
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Sunday School
Godly Play makes meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. You and your children will be blessed by these teachings.
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Remember - the Parish Directory is Online
Need someone's email, or even map directions to their home?
Bookmark the link on your phone or computer and let your browser save the password and you will always be up to date with information!
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Enews Submission Deadline: 3:00 pm Wednesdays
Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.
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Staff Directory
Office main line - 310 375 4617
You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!
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