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The right road
It’s one of my go-to prayers. When I’m hella confused or fearful or lacking confidence, I go to this old favorite by Thomas Merton–which also works for transitions, the kind you and I are now embracing as we prepare our goodbyes over the coming weeks.
This prayer keeps my eye on the ball, focuses my heart on what is most important, and gives me hope. I hope it does the same for you and our beloved community.
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
See you in the church on Julian Avenue.
Peace,
Richard
This weekend: St. John’s retreat at the Bishop’s Ranch!
From Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, many of us will bask in the autumn beauty of the Bishops’ Ranch for a time of reflection, prayer, refreshment, and relaxation.
Timeframe: Friday, November 10 by dinner at 6pm to Sunday November 12 after lunch at 12:30. We’re welcome to arrive Friday afternoon anytime to take a hike. We will try to arrange carpools for those who’d like a ride. Click here to RSVP if you have not already done so.
For those not going on the retreat, we’ll have the Sunday Liturgy at the usual time, with Jack Eastwood at the helm.
11/19/17: Planning our El Porvenir work trip to Nicaragua
From expedition organizer Timm Dobbins:
We are only three months out from our work trip to Nicaragua! For those going, we will have a meeting after church on November 19 to talk about logistics, forms, plane tickets, etc. If you have been thinking about joining the group, this would be a good time to meet with us, and make your decision. A $100 deposit needs to get to the El Porvenir offices before the end of November to secure your space in our brigade February 17-25, 2018.
12/3/17: Bishop Gene Robinson visits St. John’s
On Sunday, December 3, Bishop Robinson helps us begin the Advent season. He will preach at our usual 10:15am Liturgy. His sermon topic: “Jesus Doesn’t Need Any More Admirers!”
After the Liturgy, he’ll lead us in an “Everything you’ve wanted to ask Bishop Robinson but never had the chance” forum.
Spread the word. Bring your friends.
RESCHEDULING: St. John’s celebrates 160 years!
Our 160th Anniversary Celebration will be rescheduled to coincide with the Grand Opening of our new garden, sometime this Spring, date TBD.
A truly festive evening with each other and our extended family to mark an amazing 160-year journey! Put it on your calendar. Spread the word!
Remembering our dead with help from the Danzantes Xitlali
This Sunday, as we commemorated the Feast of All Souls, we remembered our loved ones who have died. Our friends from the Danzantes Xitlali, fresh from their own celebrations of el Dia de los Muertos, joined us with their beautifully rich and powerful prayer dances.
Photo by Sarah Lawton
Tasers
This past Friday, some familiar faces from St. John’s and Mission Nightwalks attended a lively but ultimately disappointing meeting of the Police Commission. The commissioners considered, and then adopted, the use of Tasers, electronic weapons that, while less lethal than regular guns, have killed thousands of black and brown people over the last several years. Many in neighborhoods like ours fear that, given the history of police brutality in our City, SFPD is not yet sufficiently reformed for us to now equip officers with another lethal weapon.
5:45am – 1:00pm Sacred Rest
7:00pm – 9:00pm Mission Dharma (Nave)
Wednesday, November 8
5:45am – 1:00pm Sacred Rest
1:00pm – 3:30pm Custodial Service, Entire Building
4:00pm – 11:59pm Danzantes Xitali Annual Event
Thursday, November 9
12am-8am – Danzantes Xitali Annual Event
6pm-8pm – Bishop’s Committee
Friday, November 10
5:45am – 1:00pm Sacred Rest
2:00pm – 3:00pm Daniel Gonzalez/Organ
Saturday, November 11
5-11am Julian Pantry (food distribution at 10am)
10:00am – 1:00pm Custodial Service Entire Building
4:30pm – 10:00pm Loriel Starr Soundbath Meditation
Sunday, November 12
10:15am Choral Eucharist
12:30-6pm Indivisible
Monday, November 13
5:45am – 1:00pm Sacred Rest
6:00pm – 9:00pm Danzantes Xitlali (Nave)
7:00pm – 9:30pm Lone Rangers meeting (Library)See our entire calendar here.
Readings for next Sunday (Reading them in advance can make the Liturgy more powerful for you!)The Rev’d Dr. Jack Eastwood preaching and presiding