The Weekly View

Sunday July 22, 2018

This Sunday 

Dear St Luke Community,

Recently I came across an article in the Christian Century Magazine titled, Practicing for the Society We Want, by Stephanie Paulsell. In the article, she reminds us that beliefs don’t guarantee behavior. We are seeing that in our society more than ever. We hear about a lot of beliefs from all sides of any given argument, but in the process of expressing beliefs, it seems people have forgotten how to behave in ways that reflect the kind of society we wish to live in. Private practices help us to cultivate and shape our public life as we carry the fruits of those practices into community.

In the article Paulsell cites the author, Timothy Snyder when she writes;

During the purges in Eastern Europe or Nazi Germany, a greeting or a handshake meant a great deal. Such gestures made those who were vulnerable to the violence of the regime feel safer. But when their neighbors averted their eyes when they met or crossed the street to avoid them, those same people felt more fearful. And with good reason. People who are isolated in society are much easier for authoritarian regimes to harm than those who are held, seen, and remembered in community. Making eye contact and exchanging greetings are practices by which we recognize each other’s humanity and knit each other into a shared life.

Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book, An Altar in the World, dedicates an entire chapter to “Encountering Others.” And in the book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, “Radical Hospitality” is at the top of the list.

We are a warm group of people within our church walls and neighborhood, but to be radical while encountering strangers is what Jesus taught and can often feel counter-intuitive.

We will explore what it means to practice loving the Stranger, encountering others and extending radical hospitality within our private lives, in order to cultivate the kind of society we all hope for.

See You Sunday,
Nicole

 

Announcements & Upcoming Events

All are welcome to attend 

Summer Sermon Series ~ Practicing Faith-July 8th-29th
Over these four Sundays, Rev Trotter will explore spiritual practices that deepen our relationship with God. Worshipping God each Sunday is only one part of what we do as disciples of Jesus Christ. God has given us every moment and aspect of our lives to grow in deeper relationship with God.

Some practices have a long history in the religions of the world. Others are as ordinary as the things we do in daily life.

Pulling from the following books in conjunction with supporting scripture, we will explore a different individual and congregational practice each Sunday.

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith, Barbara Brown Taylor
The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Robert Schnase

No need to purchase the books.

St. Luke Men’s Group ~ 
Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 6 PM
Where: Home of John Bischoff, 1 Bracken Court, San Rafael, CA, 
415-456-7906                   

Please bring your thirst and appetite for drinks, dinner, and good discussion. Following dinner, John Bischoff will provide you with an update on progress relating to addressing CA Water Shortage Issues.  

Please RSVP directly to John at or to Joanne at the office at .

Future Men’s Group meetings: September 4^th at TBD, November 6^th at the Lenser’s. 

Grateful Gatherings ~ Saturday, October 6th, 8:00 AM to Noon
501 (c) 3 non-profit, that provides new or gently used furniture and household goods to people transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Visit https://gratefulgatherings.org/  for a list of needs.  Bring donations to St. Luke on Saturday, Oct. 6th between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Your donations are tax-deductible: we provide tax receipts. For questions email: 

Save The Date

St Luke Annual Fundraiser ~ Sunday, October 7th at 6:00 PM
This year, wear your beads and bangles to St. Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner celebrating New Orleans with Zydeco fillet mignon, shrimp jambalaya, and pecan pie. Not to be missed and invite your friends now!

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend

Bible Study Series ~ Will resume in September.

St. Luke Women’s Association ~ Will resume in September, then every other month on the second Thursday of that month at 1:00 PM.

Women's Spirituality Group ~ Will resume in September. 

Pizza and Theology ~ Taking July and August off
Will resume in September on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM, at Creekside Pizza, San Anselmo. Please email Nicole .