“We need to be mindful of what we put into the universe.”
It’s sometimes hard for me not to roll my eyes when I hear a phrase like this; but then I remember that we believe that Jesus is somehow present in the bread and the wine, is one with the Father and Holy Spirit, and was also fully human and fully divine, and I stop judging. Or rather, I stop my negative judgment of the idea; well aware of my pedanticness, I think we need to make the distinction between positive and negative judgments. We are always judging; it’s telling that when we talk about it we automatically think of negative judgments. But that’s not where I’m going with this today…
So we should be mindful of what we put into the universe. I believe that is a true statement. But we also need to be mindful of what the universe is putting in front of us. I believe that God is always working to get our attention, in myriad different ways. This morning Jennifer and I were grumbling about the kids as we got them ready for daycare; Rachel was doing her best to avoid getting dressed, and Archie was being Archie…something on the bookshelf caught my eye, and I felt it - the universe/God got my attention.
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At first I thought, “Oh, it’s a Roman numeral number 9.” Sometimes the universe/God has to prod me along, and when I flipped the X so it was right side up, it clicked: Iota Chi, Iisoús Christós…Jesus Christ.
Stop complaining about your children. Breathe. Let them find their way; teach them, guide and instruct them. Enjoy them. Yes, it’s hard, but it’s good. You wouldn’t appreciate being parents if it were easy. I felt more than heard all of this, and pointed it out to Jennifer, finishing a conversation we’d started yesterday. “Do you remember when you told me your friend talked about being mindful of what we put into the universe? Before we were interrupted I was going to tell you, that sometimes the universe/God puts things in front of us.”
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Rector, St. Francis Episcopal Church
310-594-7984
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Rev. Jason's Week in Review...
May 18: Worked on newsletter; pastoral visit; lunch with Jennifer; we went to San Diego to visit Jennifer’s family for Mother’s Day (delayed five days).
May 19: In San Diego with Jennifer’s family.
May 20: Came back from San Diego; prepared sermon for Sunday.
May 21: Sunday services; coffee hour continues to be a wonderful time of fellowship.
May 22: Admin tasks; met with church leaders.
May 23: Spent the bulk of the day working to get California license plates for our vehicles (we have one set to date); Taizé service.
May 24: Service planning for Sunday; admin tasks; lunch with Jennifer; went to Malaga Cove to support parishioners who are also teachers, and to do some soft evangelism (I wore my uniform).
It's easy to schedule a meeting with Rev. Jason!
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Take Part - The Breakfast and Showers Program for the Unhoused at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
Our parish provides breakfast for 120 people on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months. To fulfill this obligation, we need at least 10 people at the St. Francis kitchen from 4-6 on the Friday night before to prepare the food. We also need at least eight people at St. Luke's on Saturday morning from 7:15 to about 9:30.
Please consider helping out! If you can help, keep these dates in mind:
July 14, 15
September 16, 17
November 17, 18
Email Gayle Taylor, Minister for Outreach with your interest and availability. This is a wonderful ministry and a great chance to serve others as Christ served. |
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Watch and Listen!
Last Sunday's Sermon:
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Next Week! The 52nd Annual Palos Verdes Antiques Show & Sale!
Opening Night
Wednesday, May 31: 6 to 9 p.m.
Pre-sale $40 donation. At-the-Door $50 donation.
Thursday & Friday, June 1 & June 2: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 3: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Antiques Booths, Harvest Cupboard, Garden Gazebo, Patio Luncheon, English Afternoon Tea – featuring Chichi’s Table Talk on Friday at 3 p.m.
Donation $10.
After a 4 year hiatus the Antiques Show is back! The Show is the fundraiser of the ECW and funds raised from the Show benefit ALL aspects of the parish from a large pledge of between $10,000 & $15,000 to the parish itself and then donations made to outreach, child care, kitchen supplies, Camp Stevens, St. Luke's Homeless Program and so much more!
The Opening Night party celebrating our "Homecoming" will be Wednesday May 31 from 6 - 9pm! Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Always a very fun evening! If you did not receive an invitation in the mail, please RSVP to Blair Hinz and drop off your check in the church office.
Buy an Ad! for our beautiful Show Program. A 1/4 page is $35.00, 1/2 page is $60.00 and a full page is $100.00. Advertise your business, congratulatory wishes or honor a loved one! Please contact Karin Petersen or Wendy Pratt.
Volunteer!
There are many opportunities (sitting or standing) to give your time during the week of May 30-June 3. Call Anna Eakins (310 297-0701) and she will offer you options. No prior experience necessary. YOU can be a part of this parish fundraiser that helps contribute to so many worthy projects for the parish and outside organizations.
Donations for the Opening Night Curated Gala Silent Auction — Have you got theater or concert tickets, gift certificates to good restaurants, or access to a vacation cabin? Have you got some fine collectibles that you might wish to part with? Be creative and think of something wonderful you could donate! Contact Gayle Taylor with questions.
The Harvest Cupboard
Hugely popular - homemade baked goods, candies and preserves for sale
Make a batch of your family’s favorite recipe!
Label it with its name and any ingredient information (nuts, gluten-free etc). We will do the final packaging. Items can be delivered to the end room on the patio level, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 3, before noon if possible.
If you are able to help with packaging or cashiering, please contact Gloria Jones, 310 375-8916 and leave your name and phone number.
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Calling All High School Grads!
Are you, or a member of your family, graduating from High School this year? If so, let us know so that we can honor and pray for you in a Baccalaureate Service.
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Doors Open Peninsula
Saturday, June 17th "Doors Open Peninsula", 9am - 4:30pm (Sponsored by the Palos Verdes Library district).
St. Francis Chapel will be one of the historical sites open for the public to visit. We were hoping to have at least 2 people on site to greet the visitors, and because serving food is an important part of our life at St Francis, we would like there to be a small offering of snacks and water.
If you can be a greeter and/or help provide snacks, please contact the church office or speak to Kristina Pelá or Anna Eakins.
And remember—we are far more than our buildings (beautiful though they are). If it seems appropriate, feel free to speak to people about our Ministries and our community of faith! Thank you so much.
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Weekly Worship
Sundays - Holy Communion
8:00 a.m. - Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with hymns. This service is not live-streamed.
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10:00 a.m. - Rite II in-person worship in the main church with music. L ive-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and available for watching later. Followed by coffee hour for fellowship and community. We have an active Welcoming team so if you're a new visitor we promise we won't leave you alone, staring at your shoes!
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Please contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.
Yoga with Jill!
A spiritual mind and body practice!
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Mondays 11:30am - 1:00pm - Level 1/2 Hatha for Strength and Mobility
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Wednesdays 9:00-10:30am Level 1 Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance
Parish Hall . No set fees - classes are free-will offering. Questions? Jill Fenske
Meditation
Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in our church sanctuary. Please join us for meditation, followed by a time of conversation.
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Coffee Hour Ministry
To volunteer to help one week after the 10am worship service, see the sign-up sheet at Sunday coffee hour.
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Sunday School
Godly Play makes meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. You and your children will be blessed by these teachings.
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Remember - the Parish Directory is Online
Need someone's email, or even map directions to their home?
Bookmark the link on your phone or computer and let your browser save the password and you will always be up to date with information!
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Enews Submission Deadline: 3:00 pm Wednesdays
Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.
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Staff Directory
Office main line - 310 375 4617
You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!
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