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 – Morning social gathering, 3rd Saturdays – 9am at Celia’s Garden Cafe.
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 at www.facebook.com/stbenslososos/ or through our website at http://www.stbenslososos.org/facebook-including-live-stream/
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, Sep 19 “Desolation” Sunday
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)
12:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting (Zoom)
Tuesday, Sep 21
10:15 am – Spiritual Conversation: The Dream of God (Zoom)
5:30 pm – Vespers service – (Zoom)
6:30 pm – SLO Deanery Mtg on ECR Budget (deanery Zoom)
Wednesday, Sep 22
5:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, Sep 23
6:30 pm – “Creation Care & the Climate Crisis” (Zoom, by registration)
Sunday, Sep 26 “Restoration” Sunday
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Eucharist service – (also live-streamed on FB)
12:00 pm – Membership Committee Meeting at the church
10:30 Ministers of the Service Sep 19
Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Plucker
Eucharistic Minister: Carol Brubaker-Walton
Lector: Jerry Walton
Piano: David Alm
Ushers: Barbara Hirahara & Esta Kandarian
Altar Guild: Lorienne Schwenk
Flowers: Sharon Porter
Prayer Team: Louisa Beeler
Online Hosts: Don & Liz Maruska
Teller: Diana Hammerlund
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DESOLATION SUNDAY – On Sep 19 we are observing “Desolation Sunday” in our September Season of Creation celebration. Having marveled at the wonder and abundance of God’s creation, we now look at our own part in contributing to its abuse and neglecting its care. This year we are using 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. Next week’s theme: Restoration.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – There will be a Zoom meeting of the Parish Council at 12:30 pm on Sunday, Sep 19. Parishioners are welcome to attend.
REVISED DIOCESAN FELLOWSHIP PROTOCOLS [9/15/2021]
Protocols for the sharing of food in an institution of The Diocese of El Camino Real are revised this date due to the seriousness of the Delta and Mu variants of COVID-19.
- The sharing of food is only permitted outside. When people are eating their masks are off and they are engaged in conversation. These are the conditions under which the virus is most likely to be transmitted.
- The sharing of cooked food and common snacks is permitted if properly handled and served by a food handler, with all protocols in place. Pre-packaged and wrapped food is preferred.
- If coffee or other beverage is offered, a food handler must pour the beverage for each person to avoid contamination.
- Food handlers must wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, wear masks, wear gloves, and distribute food using tongs or other TOUCH FREE method to avoid passing along the virus.
- Each person participating in a food sharing event should wash their hands and use hand sanitizer.
- Social distancing must be observed when conversing with others during the event.
The CDC offers further information and recommendations for gatherings at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html#anchor_1619540981216
The CDC’s General Information page on COVID 19 is at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
DIOCESAN POSITION NOMINATIONS – Nominations are being accepted for elected and appointed leadership roles that will help guide the Diocese of El Camino Real into the future, serving our communities. This is a great opportunity to share your leadership skills, gifts, and experience for a variety of diocesan positions — Standing Committee, Board of Trustees, or Commission on Ministry — which will be decided at our annual convention on November 6. We strive to engage and develop leaders from across the diocese: we encourage diversity of cultures and ages, and we’re committed to include historically underrepresented voices. Please prayerfully discern where you can best serve. The Call for Nominations is available here with full descriptions of what roles are available. It includes links to online nomination forms Deadline is September 30.
HMMM, I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT LIKE THAT – Growing out of our Hollister Institute series of book discussions, we have for the past year or so been hosting what we call Spiritual Conversations in our weekly Zoom sessions. While usually focused around the ideas presented in books on various spiritual topics, our conversations explore quite a range of thought-provoking concepts. Through reflection and sharing we embrace new ideas and stretch our understanding of what it means to be living into the Realm of God. The books we are currently reading as starting points for conversation are: The Dream of God by Verna Dozier (now through Oct 5) and then Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg, (Oct 12-Nov 2.) But you don’t need to have read the book to join the conversation. Conversations take place on Tuesdays at 10:15am on Zoom, It’s never too late to have a new idea!
CREATION CARE & THE CLIMATE CRISIS – We are continuing our live-facilitated sessions on the “Beginner’s Guide to Creation Care and the Climate Crisis,” on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom. Sessions include Bible reflections, short videos, and discussion. The topic for Sep. 23 is: “What’s a Christian to Do about Climate Change?” led by John Horsley. And coming up on Sep. 30 “What Can We Do as a Congregation?” led by Don Maruska; and on Oct. 7th “How Are We Called to Be Public Advocates for Climate Health?” led by Mike Eggleston. Come and share your questions, insights and ideas. More information and registration at https://www.stbenslososos.org/a-beginners-guide-to-creation-care-and-the-climate-crisis/
EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT in HAITI – In the days since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Aug. 14, and the subsequent drenching rains of Tropical Storm Grace, Episcopalians there and ministry partners across The Episcopal Church continue to help devastated communities. Episcopal Relief & Development responded within days with an initial grant to provide direct assistance to 400 families in hard-to-reach areas, and on Aug. 24, it announced a partnership with Church World Service to enable the local health care center provide primary medical care to more than 10,000 people.
If you would like to help, please consider donating to Episcopal Relief and Development
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK:
— Birthdays —
Sep 19 – Larry Swafford
Sep 24 – Julie Bailey
Sep 25 – Liz Maruska
COMING SOON:
- Laundry Love – Wednesday, Sept 29th 11am & 4pm
- People’s Kitchen – Saturday, Oct 2nd 12noon
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.
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. If you’d like this prayer support this week, contact Louisa Beeler at (805) 543-2898. If no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned.
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.
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.