Adult Forum Series: Getting Clear About Your Life
Greetings!

This Sunday at 9:30, the Adult Forum begins a new series on getting clear about our lives. We looked at the question of God's call several years ago, and it seems like a good time to revisit the question.

Vocation is a word that may call to mind ordained ministry however everyone is called by God to take up some part in God's mission in the world. If we look deeply at our lives, we will find new ways to take up our place in God's work.

The four sessions focus on God's call to us:

  • Session 1: God calls you to be yourself.
  • Session 2: God calls you to embrace your passion.
  • Session 3: God calls you gifted.
  • Session 4: What is God's call to you right now?

We invite everyone to join us either in person or on Zoom and take a deeper look at our lives and where we may find God at work, calling us to share in the divine plan of reconciliation and transformation.

Peace,
Paul
Calendar & Links for Events
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Click the event name for the link. All times in PST.

Every Sunday:
  • The Early Liturgy (8:30 am, in person). This 45-minute service features creative storytelling using Godly Play, gospel enactment, congregational singing, embodied prayer, and Eucharist; it promises a special experience for children—and all are welcome.
  • The Adult Forum (9:30 am, hybrid) This 30-minute discussion meets in the conference room and on Zoom.
  • Contemplative Prayer (9:15 am, in person). Meet in the chapel for an hour of silence in companionship with members of the community. All are welcome to enjoy the silence.
  • The Late Liturgy (10:30 am, hybrid). This 75-minute liturgy highlights song, prayer, reflection, and personal sharing. Zoom coffee hour convenes online immediately following in the same Zoom room, so stay on to connect with others after the service.

Every Week:
  • Zoom Morning Prayer (Tues-Fri 7:30 am, on Zoom). This 45-minute intimate gathering for prayer and reflection on the day's scripture follows the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.
  • In-Person Morning Prayer is taking a break for the next month or so.
  • The Bible Study (Wednesdays 12:00 pm, on Zoom). This hour-long free-ranging bible study is making its way through the Gospel of John, led by Rick Cornelius.
  • Story of a Saint (Wednesdays 5:00 pm, on Zoom) is back! This evening, Ebba Johnson will share with us the story of Margaret Mead. Join us each week as we sing, pray, and contemplate the life of one of our dancing saints. You can find the music for the service here.
  • The Book Study (Fridays 12:00 pm, on Zoom) is reading Paul Fromberg's recent book The Art of Disruption. Led by the author.

Other Upcoming Events:
  • The Elder Women's Group (Today - Wed. Jan. 12, 10:30 am). This group is for St. Gregory's women over 65 and meets on Zoom. For more information contact Tonia or Ebba.
  • East Bay Evensong (Thurs. Jan. 13, 6:30-8:00 pm, on Zoom). This group meets on the second Thursday of each month for Gregorians in the East Bay to share prayer, fellowship, song, and a meal together. For more information about East Bay Evensong or to attend, contact Leesy.
  • The Vestry (Sun. Jan. 16, 12:30-2:00 pm, in person and on Zoom). The vestry meets in the downstairs conference room and on Zoom. Contact Tim for more information.
  • The Icon Painters Group (Sun. Jan. 23, 12:30-5:00 pm, in person). This group is for icon writers who would like to develop their craft with others. Contact Betsy for more information.
  • The North Bay Group (Sat. Feb. 12, 2:00 pm, in person). This group was recently formed for Gregorians living in the North Bay to connect spiritually with each other and meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Contact Laurie for details.
  • St. Gregory's at Anchor Taps (Sun. Jan. 13, 12:15 pm). Join friends from St. Gregory's for beer and barbeque this Sunday after the late service. Everyone is welcome; non-alcoholic options are available at the food truck.
Our Shared Life
  • This week we pray for Randy Bowman, Clark Cole, and everyone who is experiencing chronic pain.
  • If you would like to participate in our Sunday Liturgy as a reader in person or on Zoom, you can sign up by contacting Peter who will share the new sign-up information with you.
  • We are actively recruiting more zoom hosts and camera deacons for our hybrid service. If you'd like to help out, contact Peter.
  • Feeling stressed? Trying a little creative work. Click on the image on the right to download a doodle prayer sheet.

Pastoral Care - Giving and Receiving
Our community seeks to respond to the pastoral needs of members and friends by reaching out directly to those in need. Sometimes, that's the easy part. It can be much more challenging to ask for help when we need it. As we live through another season of challenge in the pandemic, remember that we can care for each other to the extent that we know the needs in our community.

Additionally, we strive to increase our compassion in spiritual and practical ways. For example, we can pray for each other. We can offer help. We can also equip ourselves to take on the vital work of pastoral care.

Beginning in February, we will have an opportunity to do this important work of equipping for pastoral care. The dates for this gathering need to be a bit fluid because of the current surge in COVID in the Bay Area—we want to gather both in-person and online and obviously we want to do so safely. We will announce dates soon. Areas to be covered will include:

  • Pastoral Care as Spiritual Practice
  • Theological Assumptions of Pastoral Care
  • The Practice of Lay Pastoral Care
  • Pastoral Care at the End of Life

Stay tuned for more information—and if you need help, please don't hesitate to ask!
Announcements from Friends and Partners

  • The Calling All Choir meets Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 9:15 pm.
  • AA Big Book Meeting takes place at 10:00 am every Saturday at St. Gregory's. Enter by the ground floor admin building entrance.
  • The Food Pantry meets every Saturday, with food distribution starting at noon—all are welcome to volunteer with setting up beginning at 9:00 am.
One Last Thing

Story of a Saint is back! Beginning tonight, we will gather each Wednesday at 5pm for a quick 30-minute devotional service, in which we learn about, reflect and meditate on the life and witness of one of our dancing saints. This week Ebba Johnson will be leading us as we focus on Margaret Mead. Check the calendar (above) for the links to join us on zoom at 5pm!

Stay Connected: