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It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
"We tell ourselves stories in order to live." - Joan Didion
All we are is stories: the stories of our families, the roles we play in our lives, the ways we locate ourselves in the universe. We tell our children stories before we tuck them in at night, and we become devoted to the stories of fictional people on television. A good story can communicate a universal truth in a way that nothing else can.
Our faith is made up of stories, too: stories we read about in scripture, the stories of the lives of the faithful who have gone before us, the stories of our own lives, and how all of these stories make up God's Big Story of love for the world.
I believe that the more stories we read, watch, hear, and tell, the more whole we become.
The central act we do together on Sunday mornings in worship is to tell a story: the story of Jesus, God incarnate, as we stand around a table and remember who he was. Every Sunday, we participate in that story, and it propels us out into the stories that make up our individual lives.
"It was a dark and stormy night." So begins the classic young adult fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time. Over the past four weeks, a diverse group of folks have gathered to read parts of this story aloud, to share what it has made us feel, to talk about the characters.
We have seen ourselves in Meg, the one who feels different from everyone else, who struggles with self confidence and gets disappointed in her parents, the one who learns to find strength within her fear.
We have wondered about good and evil, about "the evil powers which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God," which we talk about in our own baptismal covenant. We have named aloud the people who fight the darkness by creating love and beauty.
We have tried liverwurst sandwiches and decided, surprisingly, they weren't that bad.
We have encountered a parable, much like the parables Jesus told, that helps us understand what it means to live as if the kingdom of God were right here, right now.
We have written our own stories, and let our imaginations be inspired by a universe Madeleine L'Engle created.
What's the last great story you heard? I encourage you to share it with someone today.
We are people of faith, which means we are people of The Story. We are people of many stories. The more we listen to the stories of others - both factual and mythical - the more whole we become. The more we tell our own stories - both factual and mythical - the more whole we become.
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If you missed the sermon last week, never fear! You can listen here. | |
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Church This Weekend
February 5, 10:30 a.m.
Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany
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Children and Youth
This Sunday, February 5
10:30 a.m. Sunday School during church
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Deacon Ordination: Volunteer and Contribute
Bishop Susan will ordain our seminarian, Heather Lawrence, on Saturday, February 18 at St. Paul's Cathedral. If you plan to attend, let us know if you can help with the reception, either with your time, or monetarily. If you're able, you can send a check made out to "St. Andrew's" with "Ordination Reception" in the memo line. Thank you for making this exciting event happen! Congratulations, Heather!
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We Must Stop Forgetting:
A Statement by Canon Stephanie Spellers
I have not watched the film of five Black Memphis police officers beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols to a pulp. I have not seen the EMTs who did so little while a beloved child made in God’s image lay dying at their feet.
I have not looked, yet it is all I can see. Just reading the account is enough to conjure the most horrific, tortured images—worse than anything Hollywood could script. I have not seen the video, but I cannot unsee it, and I honestly don’t want to unsee it. We have become too good at forgetting.
Even if brutality like this has happened before and will happen again, we need to sit with this particular incident. We need to sit and wonder why traffic stops so quickly escalate into police brutalization and then to tragic loss of life. Sit and acknowledge the depravity human beings are capable of when mob mentality kicks in. Sit and feel our own broken, haggard spirits, still raw from deaths too numerous to count. Read the whole statement.
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Baby Shower for Baby Ellis
The Ruibals have adopted a beautiful baby girl named Ellis! Join us for a baby shower after church on Sunday, February 12 to celebrate. Questions? Contact Family Minister Kari Robinson.
Sign Up for the Meal Train
To support the Rubials in the newborn stage, please sign up to bring them a meal. Their family is vegan; contact Family Minister Kari Robinson if you need meal ideas or restaurant suggestions.
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A Wrinkle in Time Movie Night - Date Change
Saturday, February 11, 5:30pm -- If you read A Wrinkle in Time during our intergenerational book club, and even if you didn't, you are welcome to attend the movie watch party in the parish hall. We're having a potluck and we will provide pizza and popcorn. Bring something to share! We sent out an evite--please RSVP. Questions? Contact Family Minister Kari Robinson.
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Contemplative Service
Tuesday, February 14, join us for our next contemplative service. You may enter the church quietly at 5:45pm. The service takes place from 6-6:30pm. You're invited to join us for the weekly community meal, Hunger Supper, following the service. This is an opportunity to quietly worship together.
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Sunday, February 21 at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited to join in our weekly community meal where we will dish up piles of pancakes and sides! Email Kari Robinson if you would like to help cook or serve.
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Ash Wednesday Services
We will hold Ash Wednesday services on February 22 at 12pm and 5:30pm. The later service will cater to all-ages and we will share a community meal afterward. Come as you are, and remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
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Lenten Soup Suppers
Beginning on Wednesday, March 1, at 6pm, we're kicking off our Lenten soup suppers. We'll meet in small groups over the course of five weeks and share our spiritual journeys with one another. We're requiring sign ups so please take time to commit to this important small group experience. Please sign up here.
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The 2022 Parish Report
At our annual parish meeting we handed out copies of our 2022 report. You can grab a copy on the welcome table this Sunday! You can also email Mother Mary Lynn to request a digital copy. It's full of stories about how St. Andrew's lived into our core values last year: joyful authenticity, radical inclusion, loving justice, and grounded curiosity. Thanks to all who contributed!
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Meal Train for Jenn Wanis
A member of our community, Jenn Wanis, had surgery recently. Sign up to bring a meal to support her and her family. Thank you!
Prayer for Recovery
O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: We give you thanks for giving our sister Jenn both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in her, we pray, the good work you have begun; that she, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order her life and conduct that she may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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NEW Little Free Library at St. Andrew's!
Thank you to the Pacific Beach Women's Club for installing a brand new little free library outside our preschool! We look forward to sharing books with our neighborhood. Kids and adult books are welcome. Happy reading!
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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 is 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 teach this online course about the writings of the Christian scriptures beyond the gospels, with a particular focus on the life and letters of Paul and the development of early Christianity. For more information, view the flyer or email David Moseley.
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Give Back: Help a Neighbor File Taxes
St. Andrew's partners with Shoreline Community Services to provide services to those experiencing homelessness in Pacific Beach at the Compass Station. It's tax season, and we are looking for volunteers to work one on one with guests at the Compass Station to file their personal taxes. It's a great way to give back! Contact Caryn Blanton for more information or to sign up.
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Love Your Wetlands Day
Join this community climate action day THIS Saturday, February 4, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Kendall Frost Marsh, 2055 Pacific Beach Dr., San Diego. Learn more and register.
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Interfaith Evening of Music
You're invited to our Interfaith Evening of Music on Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Baha'i Faith Center. If you have questions, please contact Christopher Beesley.
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Sacred Earth Sacred Soul: Retreat with JP Newell
Sacred Earth Sacred Soul is a two hour conversation with renowned author John Philip Newell on Sunday, February 19, 2-4pm at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Diego. Newell will present information about and from his award-winning book, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, in which he draws upon Celtic wisdom to offer vision and hope for today. Learn more and register.
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NightWatch
Overnight annual lent youth retreat at St. Paul’s Cathedral on March 4 at 4pm - March 5 at 9am. Connect with youth from around the diocese, share the joy of worshiping and playing together, dive deeply into our Baptismal Covenant, and consider what you mean when you say, “I will, with God’s help.” The evening includes games, food, small group work, worship, laughter, love, friendship, and overnight in the cathedral! $20 per kid. Scholarships available. View the flyer. View the event online. Register.
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We Believe
We Believe is a diocesan-wide, hybrid confirmation program for youth in grades 9-12 using the My Faith, My Life curriculum. This program will last 6 weeks, and Bishop Susan will confirm participants at their home congregation or during the Great Vigil of Easter at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. In person and Zoom.
Dates:
February 26 – 3:30-6pm Kick-Off Meeting – St. Andrew’s By the Sea
March 4 & 5 – Nightwatch – overnight @ St. Paul’s Cathedral
March 12 – 5-6pm – Zoom
March 19 – 5-6pm – Zoom
March 25 – Field Trip
March 26 – 5-6pm – Zoom
April 2 – 5-6pm – Zoom
Additional Requirements & Details:
1. $25 registration fee (scholarships available)
2. Two at-home activities to complete with home congregation
3. Attend one or more Holy Week services
4. Wrap-up party in late April at a park TBD
Register Here
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Register for RefugeeNet's Annual Fundraising Gala
Saturday, March 18 is RefugeeNet's once-a-year opportunity to share stories of their life-changing work and invite you and your friends into the crucial partnership needed to sustain these efforts. Enjoy the delicious east African meal prepared by their very own Mama Africa catering company, joyful music by the St Luke's Choir, and live and silent auctions. Click here to register today: tickets are $95, and 10-seat tables can be sponsored for $950 (contact Joseph Jok at [email protected] for sponsorship benefits). Join Bishop Susan for this fun and memorable night at St. Paul's Cathedral with friends new and old while providing crucial support for San Diego's refugee families!
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Update Your Contact Info
Have you moved in the past year? Changed your email address? Joined the church? Email Kari Robinson with updates for our parish directory. Please send her your name, phone number, address, email and a photo.
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