Face to Shine:
Weekly Flame for Thursday, January 2, 2020
From Our Rector
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make [the divine] face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up [the divine] countenance upon you, and give you peace.
– Numbers 6:24-26
Blessings and peace to you in this New Year!
The words of the above quotation are known as the “the Aaronic blessing,” named after the phrase God asked Moses to teach to his brother Aaron and his sons. By offering this blessing, God explained, “so shall they put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27). This blessing not only pronounced its various qualities—peace, belonging, gracious reception. The blessing also pronounced the people as a community who belong to God, people who bear God’s own holy name. That name connection explains why this passage is one of those assigned as a reading for the Feast of the Holy Name which many Christians around the world observed yesterday, January 1 st.
The Feast of the Holy Name celebrates the naming of Jesus in the Temple, a ritual accompanied by circumcision on the eighth day after his birth, as the Gospel of Luke conveys (Luke 2:21). Luke notes that the name Jesus had been “given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb,” circling back to the story of the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel had announced to Mary that she would bear a son called Jesus, who would “be great,” “son of the Most High,” and of whose kingdom there would be no end (Luke 1: 31-33). That kingdom would be characterized by the qualities Mary pronounced in the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is [God’s] name” (Lk 1:48-49). Under the blessing of that name, through a life seemingly impossible from its very origins, the mighty would be cast down from their thrones, the lowly would be uplifted, the hungry would be filled with good things, and the rich sent away empty (Lk 1:52-53). Holy is the name that embodied this dream. Holy are all who seek to carry out such vision, even as so much in the world seeks to squelch it.
As we step into the third decade of the twenty-first century, I am mindful of so much systemic evil, so much that is broken, unjust, crying out in this world. In these days I am particularly aware that Anti-Semitism has been rearing its horrific head with renewed vigor. A shooting at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, NJ earlier in December was followed last Saturday evening by a stabbing of five people celebrating Hanukkah at a rabbi’s house in Monsey, New York. These events not only followed the horrific shootings at the Poway synagogue in San Diego during Passover and at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, but they also occurred as New York officials had already tracked at least eight anti-Semitic incidents since December 13th. This is a larger pattern even as various, interlocking forms of hatred have also been on the rise. In this moment, particularly given how Christian theology has been used to justify anti-Judaism, it is so important for Christians to refuse that pattern and to stand together with our Jewish siblings with whom we share so much, indeed including the Hebrew Bible itself.
And indeed to return to the passage from Numbers, this day may God’s blessing be shared across our traditions. May God make the divine face to shine upon all who are struggling, all who are being persecuted and scorned, all who have been harmed.
May this New Year and new decade be one in which we come together across faith traditions, across all manner of difference, to create anew with God’s help a world that is characterized by justice, peace, respect and relationship, a world of possibility and hope. Upon this dream, upon us all, may God’s face shine.
Peace,
Cameron
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Men's Group
Saturday, January 4, 8:15-10:15am, Wajnert Room. We gather for prayer, study, breakfast, and fellowship. All men are cordially invited.
-Dave Frangquist
frangquist@acm.org
Convention News: The Diocesan Convention this fall adopted three resolutions that commit the diocese to study various issues and report back with recommended actions. In each case, the bishop is to appoint a commission or task force to carry out the study. They are:
- Diocesan Liturgical Commission “to develop and implement a process for laity and clergy throughout the diocese to be informed of and provide input about proposed liturgical revisions.”
- Sabbatical Leave Task Force “to research and prepare a proposal for a paid sabbatical leave policy for clergy who serve as associates, interim rectors, interim vicars, or priests-in-charge.” Interims and many part-time clergy do not currently have any provision for sabbaticals.
- Task Force on Disability and Deaf Access “which is charged with creating a best practices guide for voluntary disability and deaf access for all Diocesan institutions and congregations.”
If you are interested in being appointed to any of these bodies, or if you know someone you think would be a good candidate, please contact Dave Frangquist, frangquist@acm.org.
From DioBytes and the Bishop's Office: "Ministry for the Common Good"
Jan 15-16 @ Grace Cathedral
What does Christian service for the common good look like? How can Christians love the world as God loved the world? What do we need to know and do in order to seek peace in our contexts? Join us and other ministry leaders as we consider these important questions together.
Speakers include Willie James Jennings, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Africana Studies at Yale Divinity School and the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Presiding Bishop’s Canon for Evangelism, Reconciliation, and Creation.
This gathering is for anyone engaged in Christian ministry, including lay leaders, as well as those who are looking for new ways to serve in their church and other ministry contexts. The Episcopal Diocese of California is pleased to co-sponsor this gathering with Newbigin House of Studies.
Cost: $95 — Special DioCal Discount code: "diocal" for 20% off!
Contact: Newbigin House of Studies, info@newbiginhouse.org
More information, visit: newbiginhouse.org/ministry-for-the-common-good/
Registration: eventbrite.com/e/ministry-for-the-common-good-tickets-71296637161
Wrestling with Scripture: A Combined Online-Offline Discussion Group starting this Tuesday!
Have you ever had scriptural passages that you just wanted to discuss with someone? Here is your opportunity. We will be wrestling with scripture on the first Tuesday of the month starting January 7th, from 10:30-noon in the Wajnert Room. All are invited to come and discuss designated passages in the Bible.This month's topic will be the Baptism of Jesus, and will be led by Cameron. What if you can't get to church? You will be able to join the discussions by conference call or video conference. Stay tuned for the details on the phone/video conference. Let Don Casella, Susan Spencer, or Cameron Partridge know if you have any questions. See you there or be square.
Healing Touch
Healing Touch San Francisco invites all Healing Touch students and practitioners in the Bay Area to a convenient Sunday afternoon monthly support group to meditate and share HT treatments. For those coming by BART please let Kathleen know if you would like to be picked-up at the Glen Park Bart Station. A $5-10 donation is requested to cover costs. Please bring a massage table if you can. RSVP to Kathleen Wyckoff at kathleenwyckoff@yahoo.com or 415.577.8359.
Further future dates include Sundays, 2pm- 4pm: January 19, February 9, March 15
Contemplative Prayer: Tues/Thurs 9-10am
All are welcome to participate in a space of quiet, contemplative prayer. You may come either or both days at any time between 9-10am!
Sacred Cup 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10am
Through Bread & Pastry 248 Church St, San Francisco
Join our Sacred Space Minister for a conversation about 'letting go' and other topics over a cup of coffee or tea and perhaps a tasty treat! Click here for information.
Gentle Movements for Body, Mind, and Spirit, Tues, 6-7 PM, St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church St, co-led by Jim Oerther
A relaxed gathering in the beautiful sanctuary of St. Francis Lutheran Church, open to anyone who wishes to unwind and reconnect with their whole self, body-mind-spirit. Through simple stretches and gentle movements, we will make time to listen to the needs of our bodies and make room for silence and contemplation. No prior experience is necessary. All levels of ability are welcome. (All exercises can be adjusted so they can be done while sitting on a chair.) You are invited to wear comfortable clothes, to bring a yoga mat or towel, or to use mats provided by St. Francis. Of greatest importance, bring an open mind. This is a weekly drop-in program. Come as you are! For more information contact stfrancis@sflcsf.org or call 415-621-2635. Note: please enter through the North Gate and come up the metal stairs - this is the most direct way to the gathering. An elevator is also available as needed .
St. Aidan's Gourmet Book Group - note change in schedule!
The St. A idan's Gourmet Book Group does not always adhere to its usual last Monday of the month meeting time so please note the dates carefully! Bring your favorite sweet and savory finger food and book suggestions for future meetings.
Home of Elaine Mannon 295 Urbano Drive,
7:00-9:00pm
RSVP: 415- 469-9832 elaine@mannon.com
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
Monday, January 27, 2020: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. A coming-of-age crime drama about a girl growing up alone in the marshes of North Carolina. As Owens said, “I wanted to write about the effect isolation and loneliness can have on a person.”
Monday, February 24, 2020: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Why would an eleven-year-old black girl want blue eyes? That question is at the center of Toni Morrison’s first novel. In it, Morrison explores how we form our ideas of beauty, how we develop particular aesthetics, and how those preferences affect the choices we make and how we treat others.
Monday, March 30, 2020: First: Sandra Day O'Connor by Evan Thomas. An intimate, inspiring and authoritative biography of America's first woman Supreme Court Justice.
ECS Shelter Dinners
Join us in helping the kitchen staff to serve dinner at the Episcopal Community Services shelter at 8th & Howard every 4th Saturday. Tasks include serving food cafeteria-style, & cleaning the dining room after. You are needed! It's purposeful time with good friends & conversation - a great way to spend the evening! You can sign up here: http://doodle.com/poll/zti2775bth37fwrs - Lee
To add an announcement to the weekly bulletin of the Flame,
please send your edited text no later than 11:00 am Tuesday to office@staidansf.org
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St. Aidan's Vestry
J. Scott Evans, Senior Warden
David Mealy, Junior Warden
Dave Frangquist, Clerk & Treasurer
Peter Fairfield, Charlie Mader, Elaine Mannon,
Martha Olmstead, Grace King,
Will Crockett, Alison Wood
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 5, 2020
8 a.m
The Rev. Cameron Partridge, Preaching & Presiding
The Rev. Margaret Dyer-Chamberlain, Deacon
The Rev. Susan Stanton, Deacon
Kate Fritz, Sacristan
JoEllen Brothers, Bread Baker
10 a.m
The Rev. Cameron Partridge, Preaching & Presiding
The Rev. Margaret Dyer-Chamberlain, Deacon
The Rev. Susan Stanton, Deacon
Barry Koron, Music Minister
Betsy Eddy, Greeter
Kateri Paul & Jen Dizio, Lectors
Dave Frangquist, Intercessor
Patricia Busk, Eucharistic Ministers
Pam Wong, Anointing for Healing
Janice Leonard, Sacristan(s)
Alison Wood & Susan Spencer, Offering Stewards
JoEllen Brothers, Bread Baker
CoCo Lin, Child Care
Will Crockett, Sound
Ray & Pam Wong, Sunday School
J Scott Evans & Will Crockett, Welcome Cafe
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