Longing for Communion
I’m wonderfully distracted today, looking out the window, marveling at the sheer lifeforce of all the wildflowers on display. I see California poppies and yellow pansies everywhere. Spring is here and I want to go outside! But more than that, honestly, I want to go inside, to someplace other than my own house and be together with friends I haven’t seen in over a year. I want to meet with all of you face to face, in some place other than on a screen. I’m like a child in the car, constantly asking from the back seat, “are we there yet?” while poor Dr. Fauci keeps looking over his shoulder saying in his beautiful New York accent, “weah not theah yet.”
Spiritually speaking, my deepest longing is for us to share the eucharist together. Included in this newsletter is a pastoral letter from Bishop Marc Andrus addressing issues of safe church reopening and eucharistic practices in the Diocese of California. What is not stated in the letter, but was explained directly by the bishop in a call to clergy, vestry and bishop’s committee leaders is that mission congregations, being directly under his oversight, will not be permitted to re-gather for indoor public worship until June at the earliest. The Bishop’s Committee will be discussing his directives and advice and will develop a plan for safe re-opening in the future. In short, we’re getting close, but we’re not there yet.
This means another Easter Triduum on zoom; however, this year for Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday we will be celebrating the eucharist virtually using an approved rite for Spiritual Communion.
What is Spiritual Communion? St. Thomas Aquinas described it as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament and lovingly embrace him” at a time or in circumstances when we cannot physically receive him. The Episcopal Church has a long-standing practice of providing a means for people to receive the eucharist spiritually when it cannot be received physically. Consider this rubric (liturgical instruction) from the Book of Common Prayer:
If a person desires to receive the Sacrament, but, by reason of extreme sickness or physical disability, is unable to eat and drink the Bread and Wine, the Celebrant is to assure that person that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth. (BCP, p, 457)
The pandemic has made it impossible for any of us to receive the eucharist physically, but when we celebrate next week, we can have this assurance: that “all the benefits of communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.”
For Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday, when we gather virtually, I will be celebrating mass from a home altar. We’ll pray the Great Thanksgiving prayer together, spend a few moments in eucharistic adoration, then offer a prayer for Spiritual Communion. As you anticipate this, consider the following prayer, which we will be using in our liturgy. I first prayed it at the altar of Grace Cathedral at my ordination mass last year. It was written by St. Alphonsus Liguori in the 18th Century:
“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart.
Remain with me and never permit me to be separated from you. Amen”
I look forward to praying this together.
Scot+
The Rev. Dr. Scot Sherman
Supply Priest
Image Credit: Photo by Monsignor Timothy P. Stein, “BREAD OF LIFE,” mosaic at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, PA.
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Sunday at 10:15am
Morning Worship
Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
https://zoom.us/j/370674815?pwd=U2hXNVFXRWhUSTRnUmVmNHJ2RGlzUT09
Meeting ID: 370 674 815
Password: 697565
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,370674815# then 697565
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 US then 370 674 815# and 697565
Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 Liturgy of the Palms: Mark 11:1-11
They can be found here
Officiant: Scot Sherman Deacon: Jac Cherry Homily: Scot Sherman
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Sunday at 8:30pm
Compline
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Tuesday thru Friday at 5:30pm
Evening Prayer
A time to reflect and pray together at the end of the day. (15 minutes)
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Wednesday at 7pm
Thinking Aloud
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Thursday 7pm
Maundy Thursday
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Saturday at 8pm
Easter Vigil
Meeting ID: 370 674 815
Password: 697565
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,370674815# then 697565
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 US then 370 674 815# and 697565
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Saturday at 10am
Julian Pantry
We provide groceries for our neighbors.
Julian Gate, Courtyard
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MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
The New Life in Christ
"I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2
Dear Relations in the Beloved Community,
I am writing you as we approach Holy Week and Easter to both thank you and encourage you. As I hope you have heard me say, I will always be grateful for the remarkable witness you have given in servant leadership, within your congregations, and within the wider community of the Bay Area during this time of pandemic. You have kept many safe, you have saved people from unnecessary deaths.
“This time of pandemic,” though, has not passed. Would that the graph of the pandemic’s course could be confidently expected to move smoothly down to a normal state. Two factors make such a smooth course to normalcy less than certain: human behavior and the biology of the virus. On the one hand, we all are experiencing a double pull in our hearts and minds. We see more and more people being vaccinated, we see the tiers moving into safer zones, and we see more and more people moving about in ways that we would have agreed even a few weeks ago were unsafe. We are also feeling the intense longing to be back in the presence of friends, co-workers, and those who simply move through the same social space as we do. And we may be feeling the ill effects of isolation – depression in its many manifestations.
With respect to the biology of the virus, the variants are presenting alarming dangers, even within a vaccinated population.
In light of the above, and while there is still a bit of time, I write to urge you to stay on the course which I must describe as holy. As I readily acknowledge, I cannot prohibit you, in most cases, from gathering in our beloved church buildings for worship, following the guidelines established by county authorities. Rather, I am simply asking you to hold back. If you have planned indoor worship for Holy Week and Easter, please reconsider. Worship outdoors, on your own church grounds, or in parks or other convenient gathering spaces is not only appropriate for Easter celebrations, it is about 20 times safer than indoor worship.
And moving beyond Easter, my request to you is equally simple, though not easy, I realize — please refrain from indoor worship until the beginning of June. If Covid-19 cases continue to decline, and the rollout of vaccinations continues at its current pace or even better, then I will be among the first to say, “Blessings on you as you regather.” In the meantime, if you chose to celebrate the Eucharist with your congregations outdoors, please refrain from using a common cup. Consecration in real-time is acceptable; however, please follow the face-covering guidelines and other social distancing protocols outlined on Page 21 of the following document from Ministry Matters: Click here for the English version, Click here for Spanish. Please also keep all gatherings that include singing, chanting, or use of wind instruments outdoors-only.
I chose the passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans for the epigram for this Pastoral Letter in order to say that I feel that Paul has described the actual life of the Diocese of California during the pandemic thus far – you have lived in accord with the mind of Christ, sacrificing for the safety of all. As Paul would also say, “Let us run with patience the race.”
With my blessings,
+MHA
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Spring Cleaning
It is that time of year when we traditionally spruce up the church for the Easter Season. We especially want to get things ready for individual visits to the Mary Chapel. If you are interested in helping out, in a safe and covid-19 cautious way, then email the parish administrator and arrange a time to come by and get to work.
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Vicar Search is Open
Our Saint John's Vicar Search is open. As part of our discernment, we're encouraging all of us to spend a few moments to consider and explore how our relationships and communities outside of Saint John might help us find our new Vicar. Yes, I'm talking about good old fashion networking. I am constantly amazed at how well connected members of St. John's are to the Christian community. There is a chance you know someone or someone you know might know someone who is interested in exploring being our Vicar. Please take a few minutes to consider who these individuals might be and send them information about Saint John and how to apply.
If you have questions, please reach out to any of the search team members, Allan at allan.manzanares@gmail.com, Beth at erorbison@gmail.com, Birgit at b_eschmann@yahoo.com, Jan at jan@janadams.com, or Nathan at nathan_hobbs@yahoo.com.
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Saint John's Book Club
Our next Book Club we’ll discuss West With Giraffes, by Lynda Rutledge Stephenson. We will meet via Zoom on Monday, April 12, at 7:30. Reviews of the book say, it "gripped me at the center of my being," it’s "about so much more than just giraffes, " it’s "about life before and during the Dust Bowl in 1938 USA," and last but not least it’s "one of the best books I've ever read."
From Goodreads: An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. “Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…” Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. For more continue reading here.
Shop locally at:  ,  or get it at 
Happy reading! |
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Saint John's Courtyard Opens for the Neighborhood
As an outgrowth of conversations with neighbors and neighborhood organizations this past fall, and with monetary support from The Gubbio Project, Saint John will staff and open its courtyard for the neighborhood between 11am-1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays on an exploratory basis. The times were selected to coincide with the hours that Centro Latino de SF, across the street from the church on 15th, daily serves a bagged meal to go. Though due to Covid advisories we will not open bathrooms or serve coffee at this time, once restrictions are eased we may do so. Socially distanced seating will be made available on the stone benches and on chairs. We also welcome church members to this outdoor oasis during these hours for physically distant social respite, though only 12 visitors at any given time will be received due to city and diocese advisories. The church building and bathrooms, unfortunately, must remain closed. We will continue to receive direction from the city and diocese as Covid developments are monitored.
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COVID-19 vaccination:
Find out if it’s your turn |
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Everyone in California will have an opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at no cost. But our vaccination supply is limited right now. So we’re starting with the groups who are at highest risk, like people with a high chance of exposure and people 65 and older.
Are you eligible?
Find out if it’s your turn by answering a few questions. It only takes a few minutes. If you’re eligible and vaccine appointments are available through My Turn, you can schedule one. If it’s not your turn yet or appointments are not available, you can register to be notified when you’re eligible or when appointments open up.
If you’re near San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego, you may be able to schedule your appointment today. We are adding appointments to My Turn daily, and expanding statewide.
Check Eligibility Here |
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Please share this email - or any part of it - with a friend, family, or neighbor with a gentle invitation to come along to a service (they can lurk and won't get called upon!). With their permission, you can add them to the distribution list; just send me their name and email address.
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Under the current restrictions larger gatherings have to be postponed until after the shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted and sick "visits" and last rites are performed on-line or by telephone.
We are available if you are ill, need pastoral care, or any kind of practical help such as food or rides, please contact the parish administrator and someone from the pastoral care team will be in touch.
We are fortunate enough to have funds available for our parishioners in need. This money is for use in providing direct services to people. If you need help with food, rent, or medical expenses, please do not be shy! Let us know. Your request and the assistance you receive will be confidential.
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Resources for Spiritual Well-Being from the
Click here for some resources from a range of sources for the coming weeks.
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