ON-GOING ACTIVITIES AT ST. BEN’S
ABUNDANCE SHOP– Thrift shop at 2025 9th St. (If you would like to volunteer, please contact them at (805) 528-1370)
COMMUNITY DINNER – Providing and serving food at SBCC, on 1st Thursday of odd-numbered months, in conjunction with Los Osos Cares.
EARTHCARE – ZOOM 3rd Wednesdays 3pm. Discussion/action group seeking spiritual and practical solutions to environmental concerns. MEN’S GROUP – 3rd Saturday of the month, 9am at the Budget Cafe in SLO. Contact John Horsley.
HEALING SERVICE – FACEBOOK – A time for prayers for healing at the 10:30 service on 5th Sundays.
HOLLISTER INSTITUTE – Opportunities for stimulating discussion and thoughtful exploration on Tuesdays at 10:15am on ZOOM. “The Dream of God” by Verna Dozier begins Sep 7.
LAUNDRY LOVE – Helping low-income families with funds, soap, and friendly assistance at Osos Clean Laundry. 4-6pm on last Wednesdays
PEOPLE’S KITCHEN – Providing and serving lunch at 40 Prado, 1st Saturday of even-numbered months
VESPERS AND CONVERSATION – ZOOM – 5:30 pm Tuesdays
VESTRY / PARISH COUNCIL – ZOOM – 3rd Sundays at 12:30pm.
- The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, Rector
- Stef Shuman, Sr. Warden
- Jane Wu, Jr. Warden
- Lisa Gonzalez, Treasurer,
- Lorienne Schwenk, Clerk
- Esta Kandarian,
- Alan Kiste,
- Benjamin Nucum
- Helen Schnieders
- Barbara Schippers
- Maureen Titus
Bidding Book Prayers – If you’d like to request prayers for someone and have their names read out during the online worship services on Sunday, please submit their names to stefshuman@sbcglobal.net during the week (by Friday).
We are grateful for God’s financial providence and blessing. Thank you for making your offerings by mail to our PO Box, or on-line.
Our Sunday services are held indoors at the church for anyone wishing to attend in person. Masks are still required, and we will continue to ask people to maintain social distancing by having no more than three people per pew. Communion will be distributed in bread only. Wine will be received by sight.
The 8:00 am service will also be on Zoom.
The 10:30 am service will also be live-streamed for those who watch remotely — either on Facebook or through our Website
Service leaflets for both services are available under the Worship tab on our website: https://www.stbenslososos.org/category/service-bulletin/
Unless otherwise stated, our meetings happen on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7977776046?pwd=VUFZSXY3UVpNVitJaDl2VmhPS3E2UT09 Passcode is: 93402
This Week at St. Benedict’s
Sunday, Aug 29
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Eucharist service – (also live-streamed on FB)
11:30 am – Virtual Coffee Hour (Zoom)
Tuesday, Aug 31
5:30 pm – Vespers service – (Zoom)
Wednesday, Sep 1
5:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, Sep 5
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Eucharist service – (also live-streamed on FB)
11:30 am – Virtual Coffee Hour (Zoom)
2:00 pm – SLO Deanery Meeting (deanery Zoom)
10:30 Ministers of the Service Aug 22
Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Plucker
Eucharistic Minister: Michael Lucas
Lector: Alan Kiste
Piano: David Alm
Ushers: Maureen Titus & Connie Weldon
Altar Guild: Pat Stoneman
Flowers: Sarah Chesebro
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNITY DINNER – This Thursday, September 2, will be St. Benedict’s turn to provide food for the Los Osos Community Dinner. If you can help, please contact Maureen Titus at 805-441-7262 or naseema6@sbcglobal.net to advise what you will be bringing.
Menu: Chili Beans or Vegetarian Creole Beans, Corn Bread, and Coleslaw
We have been serving 100+ meals every Thursday night and the need is increasing. We need donations of:
- Corn Bread for 20 servings 5 people = 100 servings
- Coleslaw for 20 servings 5 people = 100 servings
SEASON OF CREATION – Each September we join with churches around the world in celebrating a Season of Creation. This is an opportunity to bring the celebration of Earth fully into the orbit of Christian worship as a natural and integral part of the church year. Beginning next Sunday, September 5, St. Benedict’s will be celebrating the Season of Creation with special themed liturgies and readings from “A Time for Creation” from the Church of England, which address the climate and environmental emergency directly within the context of an understanding of Creation as a gift. The readings reflect on the wonder and abundance of creation, the damage that is wreaked upon it and the desire and hope for healing.
This year’s themes are:
September 5 – Wonder
September 12 – Abundance
September 19 – Desolation
September 26 – Restoration
SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS – September and October selections
Starting September 7, the Tuesday Spiritual Conversation group will base its conversation on the book The Dream of God by Verna Dozier. “This modern classic has touched lives and transformed hearts since its publication in 1991. Again and again the Christian church as fallen away from the dream God has for it, a dream in which we are called to follow Jesus and not merely to worship him. Through adept storytelling and Bible study, Dozier reawakens our sense of calling and our desire for truth.” There are five chapters and each one will form the basis for one week’s conversation, focused by Carol Brubaker-Walton.
Then for four weeks starting October 12 our Spiritual Conversation will be based on the book Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg. “In this inspiring book, Sharon Salzberg, one of America’s leading spiritual teachers, shows us how the Buddhist path of lovingkindness can help us discover the radiant, joyful heart within each of us. This practice of lovingkindness is revolutionary because it has the power to radically change our lives, helping us cultivate true happiness in ourselves and genuine compassion for others. The author draws on simple Buddhist teachings, wisdom stories from various traditions, guided meditation practices, and her own experience from twenty-five years of practice and teaching to illustrate how each one of us can cultivate love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.” This conversation will be focused by Kathanne Lynch.
Everyone is welcome to participate in these thought-provoking conversations, even if you do not read the book. Conversations take place on Tuesdays at 10:15am on Zoom, following Prayers for the Morning at 9:45.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CREATION CARE & THE CLIMATE CRISIS – The Earthcare Team of St. Benedict’s encourages your participation in five live-facilitated sessions on the “Beginner’s Guide to Creation Care and the Climate Crisis,” beginning September 9. The sessions will take place on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom. Pre-register now on our website.
Explore what’s driving climate change, how we can think anew about God’s call to be good stewards, and concrete steps we can take at home, church, and in community to make a difference. Sessions include Bible reflections, short videos, and discussion. Come and share your questions, insights and ideas.
More information and advance registration for the free sessions appears at https://www.stbenslososos.org/a-beginners-guide-to-creation-care-and-the-climate-crisis/ If the dates and times for the live sessions aren’t convenient for you, you can use the materials on the website for individual or group study. We hope you enjoy these opportunities for people of faith to explore, reflect, and act as stewards of Creation and support a healthy planet in these trying times.
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK:
— Birthdays —
Aug 29 – Antonia Hussey
Sep 2 – Ann Edwards
— Anniversaries —
Sep 1 – Ann & Michael Lucas
Sep 2 – Jean & Jack Senter
RECTOR’S SABBATICAL – Caro+ is currently on sabbatical and will return on October 31. In her absence, Sunday services will be led by Susan Plucker+ and the Rev. Brian Stein-Webber. If you have a pastoral concern, please contact Senior Warden Stef Shuman who will put you in touch with help. Jay Matthew will be continuing in the office to answer questions and help with administrative details. The Parish Council will be responsible for the congregation in the Rector’s absence.
NEW PHONE DIRECTORIES – Jay has compiled a new phone directory for St. Ben’s, and copies are available behind the last pew near the usher’s station. If your information is inaccurate or missing, please let Jay know so he can update it for the next edition.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY – Sunday Morning Bible Study is held each week between the two morning services starting at 9:20 in the classroom. Lisa Gonzalez and Lorienne Schwenk will be leading the discussion.
COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS – Sign-up on the sheet posted in the kitchen if you would like to host coffee hour on a specific Sunday. If no one signs up there will not be coffee hour on that day.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR – for those watching at home, the Zoom room is available between 11:30-12:30 on Sundays for informal no-host conversations. Supply your own coffee!
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES – We are looking for more people to serve on Sundays as ushers, tellers, lectors, altar guild, flower guild, and Eucharistic ministers. If you have done this in the past and are now able to return to this ministry, please let Lorienne Schwenk know. If you haven’t done it here at St. Ben’s before but would like to start, please contact Stef Shuman.
ST BENEDICT’S OFFICE HOURS – Jay will be in the church office on:
- Tuesdays 3-6pm;
- Thursdays 10am-1pm;
- Saturdays 10am-1pm
NAME TAGS – We are asking everyone to wear a name tag. Please check the name tag board by the door for yours. If you don’t have one, or if an old one has become too shabby, please ask Stef to make one for you. (Or just tell the ushers). In the meantime, you can fill out an adhesive tag for the day.
DONATIONS – Collection plates are not passed during the service, but you may put your contributions in the plate by the usher’s station before the service, or contribute on-line at: https://www.StBensLosOsos.org/support-us/ or by mail to our PO Box. Thank you for your offerings! We are grateful for God’s financial providence and blessing.
BIDDING BOOK PRAYERS – If you’d like to request prayers for someone to have their names read out during the worship services on Sunday, please submit their names to stefshuman@sbcglobal.net during the week.
PERSONAL PRAYER – A member of the Healing Prayer Ministry team is available each week after the 10:30 service to pray with you for special concerns.
PRAYER CHAIN – Also, remember that you may send your prayer requests to the prayer chain at: prayers@stbenslososos.org This is a group of individuals dedicated to intercessory prayers, who upon receiving your email will pray for your concerns.
ST. BENEDICT’S CONNECTIONS – Please do not hesitate to reach out to each other to stay in contact, and feel free to call Stef at 805-534-3622 or stefshuman@sbcglobal.net
Be well, be safe, and stay in touch.