Dear friends,

What’s next?

As I write this Wednesday afternoon, the presidential election remains unresolved. A few things are clear. We are divided—bitterly, enduringly divided. It’s clear this election will not be a cure-all for our societal issues. Our troubled society will go forward in ways we cannot predict.

I don’t have a quick solution for racial injustice, economic stratification, the decline of civil society, or extreme partisanship. What I can say is that God’s love never ceases. Last Sunday, at All Saints’ Day, we celebrated Jesus’ friends who have been following him down through the centuries, in good times, bad times, and in between. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). As we wonder “what’s next,” we can turn to some of the basic practices of our faith:

Pray. God hears our prayers. Pray for this country. Pray for peace and justice. Pray for your enemies. Pray for those who are afraid. If you don’t know what to pray, try turning to the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families on p. 139 of the Prayer Book, or pray some of the Prayers for National Life on p. 820 (if you don’t have a Prayer Book at home, go to bcponline.org). And come pray with your faith community this Sunday at 9:30 on Zoom.

Serve. Who has God put in your life who is in need? Jesus is very clear about feeding those who are hungry, sheltering those who are homeless, and proclaiming good news to those who are poor. One of the best ways to feel less anxious is to do something to serve someone else. How can you do a tangible act of kindness to another person today?

Give. Each of us, no matter how rich or poor, has some amount of financial resources that God has put into our care. How can you be generous today? What’s a charity, nonprofit, or cause (and yes, your church is also a good choice) that can use your support? How can you use your money, whether it’s a little or a lot, to move the world closer to the kingdom of God?

Do justice. Jesus is clear that those who are vulnerable have a special claim on the church’s attention (Matthew 25). As Christians I believe Jesus challenges us not just to fill people’s bellies once but also to ask why people are hungry; not just to try to help people get shelter for a night but to ask why people don’t have homes. In this time in our country’s story, many people are afraid. Right now many immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, people with uncertain healthcare, and many others are rightly concerned about their safety. Our work on behalf of those at the margins is not a partisan issue, but a moral issue. How can you find others who care, and partner with them, to make your collective voice heard?

Learn. Each of us is called to grow in knowledge and understanding. That means learning our faith: studying scripture, participating in classes and study groups. (Our book study of Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as Guide to a Spiritual Life concludes this week—you’re invited even if you haven’t read the book.) But it also means learning about the wider world. Read something that challenges you. Learn about the history of race and racism in this country. Learn about how our political system has changed over the years. Learn about economic theories and how different people believe we might best create a just society. Learn.

Rest. I’m not talking about complacency, or putting our heads in the sand, or “taking a break” from working to create a better world. I’m not talking about the mind- and body-numbing distractions that are so easy to find in our society today. But we cannot do God’s work if we are disconnected from our Source. We are called to find our rest in God. That can mean spending time outdoors, or moving our bodies, or making art or music (even if you don’t think you’re a musician or an artist). It can mean a good meal with loved ones. It can mean taking a moment to breathe deep. It can mean figuring out what kind of sleep your body needs, and prioritizing it. We rest because in God, we matter not because of our busyness, but because of who we are as God’s children. And we rest because resting allows us to follow God more closely.

Pray. Serve. Give. Do justice. Learn. Rest. Those are things we do as Christians. Before this election, and after, and into the ages of ages. Let’s do them this week. And then let’s recommit ourselves to them, not just for ourselves, but for the life of the world.

In Christ’s love,

Stephen

Our friends at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation invite you to A Candlelight Vigil for Peace and Democracy, co-sponsored with the Clergy Caucus of the North Bay Organizing Project. This is not a rally or a protest, nor is it a partisan event. It is an embodied prayer for the peaceful preservation of the Republic. Bring a candle, and your family. Please, do not bring a sign. A brief program of speakers and music will feature representatives from the diverse faith communities of Sonoma County. Masks will be worn, and safety guidelines will be followed.

 Prayer for America Monday, November 9, 3 pm

If you would like to add your voice to a group of parishioners in praying for America and for the healing of divisions in America, please feel free to join on Monday, November 9th at 3:00 pm in a Zoom meeting using the attached link. The meeting will be short (about 10-15 minutes) and will center on prayers from the Book of Common Prayer (in particular, prayers 3 and 18 through 22 in the section on prayers starting on page 814). Hope to see you Monday!

Zoom: LINK

Carol Jean Martino, a former Incarnation parishioner, passed away last month. A vigil service for Carol on Zoom will be held on Sunday, November 15, at 2:00 p.m. To participate, use this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81907083443 (or dial in at 669-900-9128 and enter meeting ID 819 0708 3443 #).

There are 64 pledgers so far! Thank you and keep them coming. If you need a paper packet, reach out to Alison in the church office, or go online to the Church website to pledge digitally.The pledge drive ends November 15. There’s a week to go! Remember, next year’s budget will be based on the total pledges received. Now that we’ve voted in the presidential election, we can “Plan our Pledge”!

Judy Velasquez, Co-chair of the Stewardship Campaign

Geoffrey Wright, son of Elizabeth and Gene, died on Saturday, October 24. Elizabeth and Gene have asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Geoff's memory to National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), 284 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY 82520.

Please note: Contact Linda Sevier to pick up a copy from the Incarnation Bookstore. We still have a couple of hardcover copies available.

The New Incarnation Book Group...

...continues to meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Please join us in reading HELP, THANKS, WOW, by Anne Lamott.

“Readers of all ages have followed and cherished Anne Lamott’s funny and perceptive writing about her own faith through decades of trial and error. And in her book, Help, Thanks, Wow, she has coalesced everything she knows about prayer to these fundamentals.

It is these three prayers – asking for assistance from a higher power, appreciating what we have that is good, and feeling awe at the world around us – that can get us through the day and can show us the way forward. In Help, Thanks, Wow, Lamott recounts how she came to these insights, explains what they mean to her and how they have helped, and explores how others have embraced these same ideas.”

See you Wednesday, November 11, at 6:30 pm PST

For more information please contact Paul Mallatt at 707-312-3870 / paulyfa@me.com

Contact Linda Sevier to order your copy through Incarnation’s Bookstore sevierlinda@gmail.com

Help, Thanks, Wow is available on Audible here.

..Marjorie T, Chris, Richard & Patty, Darrell, Francoise, Brandon, Lance, Leanne, Gene & Elizabeth, Kristin, Doug & Karin, Rob M., Hugh & Angela, Mary, Robyn, Bruce, Nancy, Lauren W., Amy C., Monique & Kirk, Amanda, and Nancy H.

...for those who have died: Geoff, Carole M., Susan, Jerry, Alphonsine, Raimundo Castro, Wallace Look, Marilyn Payne, Gary Lindsey, David Ratner, Frank, John, Hollie, Dan.

...for the victims of the fires: specials prayers for the first responders, and all those who have suffered injury or loss.

...for the victims of COVID-19:  especially we pray for those affected by the COVID-19 virus, and for all who are in danger.

...for our city, county, and community; the city council, the board of supervisors, for those who serve the common good in law enforcement and the courts.

click here for the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.

click here for the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

Could you use a prayer or a listening ear? Do you have ideas you'd like to share? Although our offices are closed, Pastor Stephen is available to talk by phone or via Zoom. If you'd like to find a time to talk with Stephen, you can call Alison at 707-579-2604 or email Stephen directly at sshaver@incarnationsantarosa.org.

If you know of anyone, including yourself, who could use a communion visit or a prayer, please call the church office (707-579-2604) or email alison@incarnationsantarosa.org