September–October 2011
i in G iMeS
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the St. Cyprian’s newsletter
THE REAL CHURCH When I was 12 years old, MTV started a program called “The Real World,” perhaps the first reality series & the longest running show on that network. As a latchkey kid, and older brother with a basement bedroom near the den, despite my parents best wishes, I watched a lot of MTV growing up. Last week, I discovered a new favorite reality show “Cupcake Wars.” Whatever one thinks of reality shows, there’s something profound about our human longing for “authenticity” and desire to really get to know other people. On Sunday, after church a friendly visitor commented to me at the door “this is a real church.” I couldn’t think of a more apt description of what we together seek to be for one another & our neighborhood. Many people have different understandings of what being “a real church” may mean of course, but most important of all, I think, is that we strive to be a community that loves others as they are, sharing our true selves as we struggle together to make the world (or at least this corner of it) better for everyone. The opening lines of “The Real World” are typically something like this:
“This is the true story... of eight strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World.” Over the years the program has dealt with a wide range of challenging topics, from racism, addiction, romance to reli-
gion. So too do and have we at St. Cyprian’s --- and anyone who has spent much time with us knows we aren’t always “polite.” The following William Stringfellow quote, holds up this sometimes rough and gritty authenticity, “getting real” as an essential part of a faithful life: “Being holy, becoming and being a saint, does not mean being perfect but being whole; it does not mean being exceptionally religious, or being religious at all. It means being liberated from religiosity and religious pietism of any sort. It does not mean being godly, but rather being truly human.” from A Keeper of the Word So for those strangers who may find themselves curious about what St. Cyprian’s is about, I propose the following: “This is the true story...of strangers, friends, neighbors, long time congregants, students, people of faith and no faith... coming together regularly...to work together and share their lives...to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... • Warm welcomes and start getting real...a Real Church, St. Cyprian’s.” • Green sidewalks
INSIDE
See you soon at Turk & Lyon! Peace, Rev. Will Scott
• Thoughtful conversations • Good eats • New events
THE NEWS FROM ST. CYPRIAN’S... W
Welcome, eric metoyer and doe Yates St. Cyprian’s is grateful and excited to welcome Eric Metoyer who will be working with us this fall in several capacities. Eric serves as Chair of the Diocese of California’s Afro-Anglican Commission and recently received his master’s of divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. From September through December, Eric will teach and preach occasionally and assist St. Cyprian’s in a variety of parish-life areas, as we continue to connect with our vibrant neighborhood. Eric feels a strong call to parish ministry and says, “The parish is the cornerstone of Christian life in our community. We are called to worship together and to be active members of the community around us. I look forward to participating in the life and work of the St. Cyprian’s community.” Doe Yates comes to us from the Episcopal Diocese’s School for Deacons and will work this fall and winter on realizing a longheld dream of St. Cyprian’s, an oral history project that gathers together the stories of our elders and longtime congregants. Although she is joining us in the capacity of historian, she could just as easily be our sustainable-living consultant. An avid gardener, she says, “I grow a garden on my patio, and all my vegetables and dwarf fruit trees are grown in containers. Vegetables are mustard, turnip, collard, cabbage, broccoli, green beans, artichokes, carrots, and tomatoes. Fruit trees include lemon, orange, and tangerine. I have enough to eat, some to freeze, and some to share.” Great work is to come from both of these talented people. Eat, share, pray Every Wednesday, beginning September 21, friends, neighbors, and members of St. Cyprian’s will gather over a simple meal, share a conversation about topics that matter, and close the evening with meditation and night prayer. All are welcome. The gatherings will begin at 6:30 p.m. The series begins with the theme “Knowing Our Roots.” Conversation on September 21 will focus on tradition, scripture, and reason. On September 29, we will go into a people’s history of Christianity. In October, Eric Metoyer will facilitate discussions on the Episcopal/Anglican story. If you are interested in helping with this series or want further information, please e-mail turkandlyon@gmail.com.
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neighborhood community dinner On Saturday, November 12, at 6 p.m. a host of us will host a dinner for those interested in being a part of creating a community kitchen here at the corner of Turk and Lyon. We invite you to come together with food lovers, culinary entrepreneurs, the USF students using our kitchen this semester, and gardeners, for a multigenerational evening of dinner and dreaming. This event is being organized by the St. Cyprian’s Kitchen Team and our neighborhood allies, including neighbors and friends at USF, NOPA Restaurant, and Slide Ranch. Please join us! RSVP by October 30 to turkandlyon@gmail.com. a successful L(a)unch On Saturday, July 23, volunteers from the church and neighborhood came together to plant the beautiful sidewalk garden now adorning our stretch of Turk and Lyon streets. Member Michael Helquist had a vision, raised some funds, wrangled the necessary city permits, and got James Munden, of Marta Fry Landscape Architects, to donate his time to draw up plans. Then it was time for a work party. Our summer intern from the Beatitudes Society, Kelsey Schleusner, cooked up a storm for the 30-odd volunteers who came with gloves, trowels, and willing hands. At the end of the day, we had less concrete and more trees and plants. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way, whether with elbow grease, financial support, or both. We appreciate your efforts!
tower society
Our building committee has been hard at work this summer making plans and getting bids. We are moving ahead with the repairs to our steeple and southern wall. We are also actively seeking support from our friends and neighbors. We have raised $25,000 so far—about half of our goal. A number of people have asked whether they may give a gift of a $1,000 through a monthly installment plan, and the answer is YES! Please fill out the form below and let us know you intend to be part of the Tower Society. Stay connected to our progress on this and other projects at www.saintcyprianssf.org. My pledge toward the St. Cyprian’s Tower Society is $ Please accept my pledge donation as follows: In full Monthly Quarterly Weekly Other
Mail pledge form and checks or money orders to: St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church 2097 Turk Street San Francisco, California 94115
Start Date: Estimated Completion Date Name (please print) Address Phone number
E-mail address
Signature
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On the Calendar MONDAYS Al-Anon, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
more “Good” news
We are pleased to announce that St. Cyprian’s has been selected by local nonprofit Gay for Good as a work site on September 17. G4G will be sending us a group of volunteers to paint our community room and other areas of our building. The community room is used by many groups for meetings, volunteer work, and kids’ activities. We look forward to providing all of our guests with a warm and hospitable environment.
Keep in Touch We have a weekly e-mail newsletter in addition to the printed version. If you would like to get the weekly updates, e-mail turkandlyon@gmail.com so we can add you to the list. If you would like to receive a printed copy, please e-mail us with your address.
WEDNESDAYS, FROM SEPTEMBER 21 Eat, Share, Pray, from 6:30 p.m. Dinner and conversation about topics that matter FRIDAYS Simply Sandwiches works downstairs, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. SATURDAYS Alcoholics Anonymous, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 SF Live Arts presents country recording artist Jim Lauderdale $18 advance/$20 door/ $16 for seniors, students and children under 18 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Community dinner! 6 p.m.
RSVP by October 30: turkandlyon@gmail.com Designer and editor: Jennifer Wolfe • jpaigewolfe@gmail.com Contributing writer: Michael Helquist
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worship
St Cyprian’s is a congregation emboldened by the opportunity to engage with our revitalized urban neighborhood to create a community where everyone matters. SUNDAYS, 10:10 A.M. • LITURGY AND MUSIC WEDNESDAYS, 9 A.M. • MORNING COMMUNION
WWW.SAINTCYPRIANSSF.ORG LIVEATCYPRIANS.BLOGSPOT.COM
St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church 2097 Turk St. San Francisco, CA 94115
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415.567.1855