ivinGiMeS

the St. Cyprian’s newsletter

March–April 2011

INSIDE

LAUGHING IN CHURCHOn Ash Wednesday, March 9, we begin Lent together. Ashes are placed on our foreheads with the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” With this, we acknowledge our dependence on a higher power. We also commit to turning around in ways that help us more fully embrace our humanity, and become agents of God’s liberating movement of love.

Part of me wants to revolt against Lent as it is often under-stood—as a time of confessing our sins and promising to do better. Many religious communities seem to use guilt to compel people to follow. Indeed, our San Francisco churches are shrinking. I believe this is partially because many people move here to escape institu-tions that inhibit the human spirit.

But what if Lent were about embracing the breadth of our hu-man condition: the good and the bad? What if Lent were about cultivating a deeper recognition of the sacred in every part of life?

Of course, there are numerous sins we could and should confess. We humans mistreat each other, the planet and ourselves. But the world needs more than another guilt trip—we need an invitation to new life and possibilities.

Recently as I was moving one of St. Cyprian’s large pews, I had a flashback to 25 years in the past. One Saturday, adults were outside managing our small Virginia church’s annual rummage sale. Inside, my friend and fellow acolyte Philip were left in the empty sanctuary with nothing to do. Somehow Philip and I decided that we would race across the sanctuary. But instead of running, we rolled across the length of the space underneath the pews. The kneelers made this race very tricky, and tickled us as we went—leading to lots of laughing.

While our parents wouldn’t have approved of our race across the sanctuary, I now think that our rolling under the pews was in some

ways an affirmation that God is always with us. Even when we misbehave, we confront the limits of our own human notions of morality—and discover our reliance on God’s grace and uncondi-tional love.

Would God really have loved Philip and me more if we had sat still? I don’t think so. God made Sarah laugh in her old age at the thought of getting pregnant and led David to dance naked into Jerusalem. So I like to think that 25 years ago, God was more likely thrilled by the sight of kids creatively repurposing their church.

The first step in a recovery program is often an acknowledgment of our dependence on a higher power—a recognition that we are not able to do very much on our own. And during the past few months, we have benefited mightily from the energy and treasure of innumerable volunteers. In many ways, St. Cyprian’s is in the midst of a time of creative repurposing. As we work and worship to-gether, we also share our faith stories with each other, and discern how we are called to be part of God’s unfold-ing adventure.

Some say Jesus led a liberation movement that is still unfolding. Of course, the movement begun by Jesus 2,000 years ago includes far more than rolling under pews. But I hope we continue to find new ways to ac-knowledge the source of all life and embrace our full humanity inside and outside of church.

Peace, Will

• Concerts off to a great start

• Kitchen plans, new signs and building improvements

• Bishop’s Committee elections

• The Village Project

• Neighborhood gallery

• Calendar

2

Cyprian’s at nightOverheard at St. Cyp’s on February 11 and 12: “We love this place!” “The sound is amazing.” Yes, the big news around here has definitely been the launch of the concert series in conjunction with SF Live Arts. It’s been a big undertaking, but we’ve been feeling the love from all the folks in the neighbor-hood and among our members who have stepped up to make it happen. For the shows on February 11, 12, and 18, we had attendance of 149, 109, and 110 (on a cold, wet night).

We received many positive comments about our church and several attendees and musicians mentioned the great com-munity spirit of the place. The pre-performance jamming downstairs provided a good sound track for the concessions folks to work by—and it was hard for anyone to keep their hands off the wonderful goods baked by Gigi Smith and Tif-fany Davis. Please see the photographs on page 3. Check out our blog at liveatcyprians.blogspot.com, where you’ll find videos of and details about performances, as well as information on parking and tickets. And, of course, become a fan of our pages on Facebook.

thE nEWs FrOM st. Cyprian’s...

Expanding Our villagEIn February, we welcomed Adrian Williams, director of the Village Project, into her own office, set up in a corner of our community room. The rest of the week, she can be found providing tutoring and cultural enrichment to the children she serves at several locations in the Western Addition.

Adrian is currently planning a massive, four-day Mardi Gras celebration with several parties, family events, food, food, food, and finally a procession and masquerade ball the night of Tuesday, March 8. It is going to be something else! This year’s event is co-sponsored by Fillmore Community Business District, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development.

Tickets to the culminating masquerade ball are $45 in advance, $55 at the door, and are available at the Marcus Bookstore at 1712 Fillmore, at the Jazz Heritage Center at 1330 Fillmore, and online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Cyprian’s nEighbOrhOOd gallEryNext, we will show photographs by the Rev. Ida Louise John-son (a familiar and welcome face around St. Cyp’s). Here is her artist’s statement: On a journey to find me and rediscover my soul, I found God in everything around me through the lens of my camera. In my creativity, I have discovered ways to show others the spirituality that we pass everyday in our rush to do rather than be. —Eyeljay

annual MEEting and bishOp’s COMMittEE ElECtiOnsOn January 30, St. Cyprian’s held its annual meeting, during which we shared food, heard the report on our finances from treasurer Kevin Johnson, and heard about the many new endeavors from our senior warden Bruno Peguese.

We also held the election for new members of the Bishop’s Committee. The committee is the group of lay people elected from and by the congregation to serve as the governing body of the church, working with our priest, Will Scott. Three members stepped down—Jim Hoffman, Chris Ralph, and Yaromil Ralph—and we acknowledged their important contri-butions to our church over the past year. Three new members were elected: Jarie Bolander, Michael Helquist, and Jennifer Wolfe. Continuing members for 2011 are: Robyn Amos, Willie Collie, Kevin Johnson (treasurer), Bruno Peguese, Norma Planiczka, and Gigi Smith.

COMMunity kitChEn Planning continues for the redesign of the kitchen. We have gratefully accepted the services of Joe Yick, a well respected commercial kitchen designer who has offered to create a de-sign for us pro bono. The “kitchen team” of Norma Planiczka, Gigi Smith, and Jennifer Wolfe has settled on two initial uses for the kitchen: healthy cooking classes taught by Gigi and a food-ministry program in which hot meals are prepared on site and delivered to those in need. In addition, the kitchen will continue to be a home for Simply Sandwiches; this group started out doing hot meals for the homeless, and it will be a great partner in future food ministry. We have a new intern from USF, Andy Sakhrani, who will be helping us figure out the permitting requirements, a crucial part of the process. Our thanks to Andy and to Joe Yick for their support of our mission to rehab the kitchen.

MOrE spruCing and upgradEsWe have beautiful new signboards out front, designed and executed by New Bohemia Signs. See pictures at right. Also, in advance of the concerts in February, member Michael Helquist spent countless hours discussing the permitting and building needs with both the SFPD and fire depart-ment. As a result, St. Cyp’s has installed several fire safety upgrades throughout the building, including 10 new exit signs with emergency lighting. The fire sprinkler system has been inspected throughout the lower level, and fire extinguishers have been recharged. Thanks, Michael!

lEntEn bOOk study This Lent members of the St. Cyprian’s community are invited to read together Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighbor-hood Church Is Transforming the Faith, by Diana Butler Bass. We will spend time following Sunday services discussing a differ-ent chapter from this acclaimed book, the result of a three year study on thriving mainline churches.

Diana Butler Bass is the author of seven books, including The Practicing Congregation. She earned her Ph.D. in church his-tory from Duke University and has taught at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Rhodes College, and Virginia Theological Seminary.

Designer and editor: Jennifer Wolfe • jpaigewolfe@gmail.com Contributing writer: Michael Helquist

3

keep in touchDoes St. Cyprian’s have your e-mail address and correct mailing address? We have launched a weekly e-mail newsletter in addi-tion to the printed version. If you know of anyone who might want to receive the weekly updates, send their e-mail address to turkandlyon@gmail.com so we can add them to the list. If you want to hear from us, we want to hear from you!

MOndays al-anon, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Fridays simply sandwiches works

downstairs, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

saturdaysalcoholics anonymous,

10 a.m.–12 p.m.

saturday, MarCh 5 the george Cole Quintet and glass house Music, 8 p.m.

WEdnEsday, MarCh 9 ash Wednesday service, 7 p.m.

saturday, MarCh 19 Colm O’riain: the fiery violinist and his

band explore the connection between irish music and jazz, brazilian, Cuban, indian

and other musical genres. 8 p.m.

saturday, april 16 Culann’s hounds and lucia Comnes, 8 p.m.

APRIL 24 EastEr sunday

plEasE jOin us FOr sErviCE at 10:10 a.M.

On the CalendarCommunity ConversationsDuring the ancient season of Lent, St. Cyprian’s will welcome groups from our eclectic neighborhood as we learn more about what is happening around us. We’ll share good food, great talk, and stories. Following the program we’ll gather upstairs in the sanctuary for medita-tion and reflection on our Lenten journey.

Every Wednesday, March 16 through April 20

6:30–7 p.m.: Simple dinner

7–7:30 p.m. Stories and comments

Confirmed presenters include NOPA Plus, Biking for Community (NOPA VELO and BIKE NOPA), Pan-handle Park Stewards & WalkSF

7:30–8 p.m.: Lenten meditation in Sanctuary

A view of the sanctuary from the choir loft during our first show with SF Live Arts

Pre-concert jamming downstairs during the February 18 show

dOing nEW things, insidE and Out...

Our new sign, installed with the help of neighbors, friends, St. Cyp’s members, and even the Executive Director of the SF Interfaith Council, Michael Pappas

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church has been a member of the San Francisco community for over 80 years. We are a passionate group of seekers, thinkers,

dreamers, doubters, and believers from many walks of life.

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church2097 Turk St.San Francisco, CA 94115

wor

ship

find

sundays, 10:10 a.M. • liturgy and MusiCWEdnEsdays, 9 a.M. • MOrning COMMuniOn

415.567.1855WWW.saintCyprianssF.Org

livEatCyprians.blOgspOt.COM