View this email in your browser
The New Normal:
The Flame for Friday, November 11, 2022
A few months ago, I attended an indoor lunch at City Church San Francisco, the congregation where I used to serve before becoming an Episcopalian. It was a celebratory lunch to honor the retirement of their longtime Senior Pastor. I was seated at the same table as my friend, Dr. Susan Phillip, the Health Officer for the City and County of San Francisco. I got to know her years ago as a member of the congregation, but of late I had mainly seen her in public health briefings for the San Francisco Interfaith Council.
 
As we sat down to lunch, I asked her about the wisdom of unmasking for a meal. Her comments made an impression on me: “We’re vaccinated, we’re not immunocompromised, and frankly, I’m making this decision because this is the new normal.” I had seen similar statements from Dr. Bob Wachter at UCSF. Essentially, COVID-19 is with us to stay, but when the caseloads are very low, this is the best case scenario of the new normal. There is not a rosier “back to normal” beyond this state of things.
 
I find this both sobering and encouraging. Sobering, because this virus is going to be with us and that’s that. Encouraging, because we can get back to some semblance of normality when the case numbers are low.

In light of this I want to share this updated mask guidance from the St. Aidan's Regathering Committee: After carefully considering survey input from parish members, as well as City and diocesan guidance and the current practices of other churches and public venues, the Regathering Committee has concluded that it is time to revise our mask policy.  Beginning Sunday, November 20, if you are fully vaccinated and are comfortable removing your mask, you may do so during church services.  We will respect the preference of anyone who feels safer by remaining masked.  In accordance with diocesan guidance, the celebrant will still be masked while consecrating and distributing the elements for the Eucharist.  We will also maintain a well-ventilated sanctuary by opening doors and windows, so remember to dress warmly as winter approaches.  We acknowledge that COVID is likely to be with us in some form for the foreseeable future, and we will be monitoring public health advisories.  Our mask policy will be modified again as is appropriate. 
 
This coming Sunday, the regathering team will present the policy to the congregation at both services, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions of the team members after the services. Thank you for your input on this decision.

Our committee is mindful that COVID has serious life implications for those of you who are immunocompromised. We realize that it can be difficult to see these kinds of changes implemented, perhaps even leading to feelings of being left behind. We want to emphasize that St. Aidan’s is fully committed to offering hybrid worship for those who are unable to attend in person. You matter, your presence matters, and your church will continue to work hard to keep up this essential connection, and we hope to improve the experience.

Please pray for the health and safety of all our members and friends as we continue to navigate this challenging time. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Scot
Stewardship Reflection:  Betty Carmack

“Present to people in multiple ways.”  As part of the Vital and Thriving listening team, I’ve had the privilege of conducting interviews.  “Present to people in multiple ways” was one response I heard.

To one question, “Tell me how you sense God’s presence in this congregation” respondents talked about the inclusiveness, relationships and openness, love and support shown, and the giving of time to ministries and each other. Respondents spoke of the many varied ministries by lay and clergy reaching out to other communities.  They specifically spoke of our support to Night Ministry and Safe House, as well as our ministries of the Blessing of Pets and the Food Pantry. Other ministries we have are Diamond Diners, Diamond Diapers, and the harvesting of vegetables that Deacon Margaret shares with the Diamond Diners.  “Present to people in multiple ways.”

A couple of more examples --- last Sunday Susan thanked those of us who had contributed cookies for the Friday Food Pantry saying the recipients were delighted to get them. And I remember at this year’s Dog Park Blessing of the Animals that Scot, Margaret and Mark, in addition to blessing many dogs and a bird, also comforted a gentleman whose dog had died this past year.  “Being present to people in multiple ways.” 

The amount we do in outreach was emphasized.  One person said St. Aidan’s is a model of what it’s like to be Christian in the way we are present to people and that participation is part of the lives of congregants who carry out those ministries. It’s part of their identity.  It’s part of St. Aidan’s identity.

I consider myself truly blessed that St. Aidan’s has ministries that call to my heart and give me the privilege of being involved in them. ELM, or End of Life Ministry, in which we worked together on numerous projects, one being to compile a resource binder for those going through the end of life of self or someone else. We were recently present at the bedside of a dying parishioner.  We also worked together on getting the banner up outside, the one that says “We grieve and remember, we struggle and rise.”   And we offered a Covid Remembrance service last November in which we honored the lives lost and the ways in which lives had been changed by COVID. As part of that Remembrance we planted a lemon tree just outside the front door along with a plaque.

Other ministries that call to me are our Companion Animal Ministry, Blue Christmas Service, Vocations Committee, Women’s Spirituality Group and Wrestling with Scripture discussions.   Those ministries give me the opportunity to work with others to experience connections and relationships, to give love and receive love in return, to keep growing and learning, and to offer compassion and have compassion offered back to me. 

For all of this to happen and for us to be able to carry out our multiple ministries and model what it’s like to be Christian and present for people in multiple ways, we need to be stewardship minded. These ministries are not going to happen on their own.   Some of us have more time than others; others of us have more energy; some have more financial resources.  Others are able to pray more often than others. We need all four of those for our outreach and ministries to continue.  They aren’t going to happen on their own. 

So, during this stewardship time, I invite us all to reflect and pray about what we each can do, give and be for St. Aidan’s to continue to manifest God’s love and presence in our world as we continue to be present to people in multiple ways.                                        
Betty Carmack
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Regathering Update
This Sunday during both services the regathering committee will report on our recent congregational survey and bring an update on St. Aidan's COVID19 guideline for church activities.

Locking Up Reminder
Please check that both front doors are locked when leaving the church.  The red door and the outside black door closest to the Wajnert Room use the same key now and both are being used.  It's important to always make sure that both are locked when leaving.

Martin de Porres 2022
This year Martin de Porres House of Hospitality is requesting socks and blankets as an alternative to turkeys St Aidan’s donated in years past.
JoEllen Brothers will collect monetary and in kind donations (new, unused socks and twin size blankets) through November 20th.
Please let her know if you plan to participate. 415-613-5679 or joellen.brothers@yahoo.com.

MORE THAN ENOUGH - Stewardship Reflection for November 13, 2022

Link:  On the Promise of Abundance
•    When was a time when you were expecting the worst but were surprised by a pleasant outcome instead?
•    How might the words of Jesus in the Gospel reading give reassurance to us today when we face grim circumstances?

Cameron is on Sabbatical
Cameron is on a long-planned sabbatical (August 1st – November 27th). While he is away, the Reverend Scot Sherman is serving in his stead, on a half-time basis.

This is a time of growth and opportunity for all of us-- for Cameron in this time of sabbatical, for St. Aidan’s as we make our way into to Vital + Thriving program, and for Scot as he walks more closely with St. Aidan’s on this journey.

Hybrid In-Person/Zoom Worship Continues This Week
This week our worship will continue to be hybrid, with both in person and Zoom platforms available. We encourage you to connect to with worship in whatever way is comfortable and feels safest for you.

As mask mandates increasingly lift in the Bay Area, and as COVID-19 moves in an endemic direction, we look forward to making masks optional for gatherings here at St. Aidan’s. While we are not yet ready to take this step for everyone, we are moving in that direction by inviting worship leaders who are fully vaccinated and boosted, and who feel comfortable doing so, to remove their masks when exercising that leadership in order to be more clearly heard. One exception to this shift is that worship leaders will remain masked while consecrating the elements at the altar. This modest step beyond our practice of the last several months is in accordance with diocesan guidance, the latest version of which can be found at: COVID-19 Health Guideline

Rejoicing in God's Saints: A Daily Prayer Calendar for November
All Saints' Day falls on November 1 of each year.  On that date or on the first Sunday in November, many churches memorialize members and loved ones who have died the year prior.  In keeping with the spirit of All Saints' Day and of Thanksgiving, below you will find daily prompts to express gratitude to God for a now-departed saint who has influenced your life.
Calendar

Diocesan Convention:  The convention was held via Zoom webinar on October 28 & 29.  Your delegates Peter Fairfield & Dave Frangquist were in attendance, as were our clergy:  Cameron, Scot, Don & Margaret.  New members of Standing Committee and Executive Council were elected, along with deputies for the next General Convention in 2024, including Cameron, who was elected as first alternate deputy.  A budget of nearly $4.5 million was adopted for 2023, along with pay increases of 6.8% for clergy and lay employees.  Resolutions were adopted to (1) require disability sensitivity training for all clergy and hiring managers throughout the diocese; (2) create an advisory group to plan and coordinate with other dioceses in celebrating the 80th anniversary of the ordination of Florence Li Tim-Oi, the first woman ordained a priest in the Anglican Communion; (3) create a task force on Truth Telling, Reckoning and Healing as part of the diocese’s work on racial reconciliation; (4) create a task force on Young Adult Ministries; (5) call on congregations to study the work of the 2022 Lambeth Conference under the direction of the Bishop; and (6) direct the Executive Council of the diocese to establish as an urgent priority addressing the lack of housing for clergy in this diocese, especially as it relates to hiring new rectors, vicars and associates.  Information about the convention can be found on the convention web site:  diocalconvention.org.

Men's Group - Saturday, November 12, 9-10:30 am, via Zoom.  We will connect for prayer, study and fellowship.  All men are cordially invited.  If you haven’t received connection information by November 10, contact Dave Frangquist (frangquist@acm.org).  Please note that the Men’s Group has switched to the second Saturday of the month this year.

St. Aidan's Women's Spirituality Group will meet via zoom Saturday, November 12th, at 10:30. As before, we will have time for both checking in and personal sharing as well as time for spiritual growth.  We are certainly open to  formats and approaches such as reflections on a poem, scripture,  narrative passage or another focus for our growth. We want our group to meet the needs and desires of those who participate.   If you want to join us, and we hope you will, please contact Elaine Mannon at elaine@mannon. com to get the information for signing into our meeting.

Queer Chorus of San Francisco
A Night in Hollywood, Saturday, November 12 at 8 PM, 44 Page Street, SF

Our first full live-and-in-person concert since before the pandemic features choral arrangements of hit tunes and rare gems from the silver screen from the 1930s to the 2010s.

Soloists and chorus of QCSF are joined by Barry Lloyd (piano), Daniel Fabricant (bass), Jason Slota (drums) with artistic director Sven Edward Olbash. Tickets $25/$30.

Bishop Search Listening Sessions:  The Search and Transition Committee invites all members of the Diocese of California to share in a conversation about our hopes for the next bishop.  We want to hear what you believe the skills, qualities, and gifts our next bishop will have that will lead us forward in the next ten to fifteen years.  All the data will be compiled and compared to discern more clearly where the Holy Spirit is leading us in this critical work.  You can participate by attending the San Francisco Listening Session scheduled for St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, 550 De Haro Street, on Wednesday, November 16, 6:00 – 8:00 (In Person and Zoom).  Can’t make it then?  You can attend any of the other Listening Sessions scheduled around the diocese.  For more information, go to Diocesan Listening Sessions Announced | The Episcopal Diocese of California Bishop Search (diocalbishopsearch.org).

A Peacemaker Roundtable on Dual Belonging – With The Rev. Amy Newell-Large – Thursday, November 17, 2022 10:30 AM PST
From Amy:  I wanted to be sure to pass along the link for the panel I'm speaking with next Thursday on Episcopal/Zen belonging: https://hive.zenpeacemakers.org/networks/events/96824 in case you or anyone else at St. Aidan's might be interested! I have been so grateful for the ways I can bring my Zen practice into Episcopal spaces. St. Aidan's was an incredible place of support and commitment to curiosity in faith, I continue to admire that.

Altar Guild - Spit & Shine for Advent (w/ Lunch): Saturday, November 19, 11 AM
 
St. Aidan’s Gourmet Book Group - Next Date:  Monday, November 28, 7pm
We will continue to meet via zoom with LeeAnn DeSalles serving as our zoom master. She has set up a zoom link that will serve for all our meetings. If you would like help with zoom, please contact LeeAnn at leeanndesalles@comcast.net. If you would like to join the Book Group, please contact elaine@mannon.com.
  • Monday, November 28, 2022 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
    • Fierce Attachments – Vivian Gormick (181 pages) An unsparing,  deeply courageous memoir about the author’s lifelong battle with her widowed mother for independence.
Marjorie Wilkins Jones passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022. Her memorial service will be on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 11 am.

Natalie Lloyd
A memorial/celebration of life service will take place on December 4 at 2:30 pm at St. Aidan's.

Good News Gardens – next date: December 3 at 12:30 PM
Please join us! Question?  Contact Deacon Margaret (Mdyerc@stanford.edu)

Music on the Hill: Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 7:30 PM: Town Quartet with guest composer/ violinist Alisa Rose
Details to follow.

Next New Jim Crow Anti-Racist book group meeting - January 8, 4 pm
We’re reading Her Honor by LaDoris Cordell.  All are welcome – please contact Deacon Margaret for the Zoom link.  (mdyerc@stanford.edu)
 
Financial Summary:  For the period January thru September 2022, total operating income was $199,667 and total expenses were $213,994, for a budget deficit of $14,327.  Pledge payments totaled $133,272 compared to a budget of $142,139, for a shortfall of $8,867.  There was a net operating loss for the period of $135,484 after including year-to-date declines in market value of investments.  The endowment fund had lost $68,715 in value for the year.  Although investment losses are significant, they are mainly paper losses so far, and do not become real until we need to sell investments.  Keeping pledge payments up to date helps us avoid selling investments at a loss.  Dave Frangquist  treasurer@staidansf.org

Resources for Engaging in Anti-Racism, from Elena Wong
Thank you to Elena Wong for sharing this list of resources that were in turn shared with her through her membership in the Western Association for College Counseling:

Please send in your recipes for the COVID Connect Cookbook!
As shared in previous weeks, Peter Fairfield and Linnea Sweet are putting together the COVID Connect Cookbook. He's received several recipes thus far but would very much like more. He writes:

We are living through a time that will change our world in ways that we cannot yet begin to understand. We can hope that our shared vulnerability to this virus worldwide will help us see that all humanity is connected and that we must all work together. As we shelter in place, many of us are concerned with food. If we are not working, how will we afford it? If we cannot go out, how will we get it?

In our community of Saint Aidan’s, many are able to feed themselves and to help others get fed. More than that, we appreciate the food that we get and are finding new ways of making the sharing of food as enjoyable as possible.

The soup recipes that Cameron has been sharing have made our diet much more enjoyable and have given Linnea and I the inspiration to collect recipes from all the congregation and share them. We ask that everyone with a favorite recipe email it to us at peterlinnea@earthlink.net. We will collect and edit them into a cookbook which will be a lasting reminder of this strange and special time in all our lives.

We hope to be able to publish this cookbook in printed form and sell it to raise funds in support of Saint Aidan’s food ministries. We know you have been sharing food. Now please share your recipes!
 
Contemplative Prayer continues: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday from 9-10 AM via Zoom
Contemplative prayer continues during this time of sheltering in place, via Zoom. Contemplative Prayer is silent with the beginning and ending marked by a bell. You can practice meditation, silent prayer, journal, or otherwise enjoy the collective quiet. Thank you to Susan Spencer for offering to anchor this practice once again, especially the Saturday, during this time. Please feel free to reach out to the office for the Zoom access information: office@staidansf.org.

Morning Prayer continues: Mon, Wed, Fri at 7:30 AM via Zoom
We also continue to have Morning Prayer to help sustain and ground us, online/over the phone!  Please feel free to reach out to the office for the Zoom access information: office@staidansf.org.

Evening Prayer resumes: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM via Zoom
Our in-coming CDSP Seminarian Weston Morris has resumed the service. Evening Prayer usually lasts a half hour. Readings for the day often feature commemorations from the Episcopal Church’s calendar of saints, and the service includes a brief reflection time on the readings. Please feel free to reach out to the office for the Zoom access information: office@staidansf.org

To add an announcement to the weekly bulletin of the Flame, please send your edited text no later than 11:00 am Wednesday to office@staidansf.org
St. Aidan's Vestry
Elena Wong, Senior Warden
Nicole Miller, Junior Warden
Dave Frangquist, Clerk & Treasurer 
Christine Powell, Anne Edwards,
Michael Jennings, Jim Oerther  
           Anne Benninger, Kate Fritz, Elaina LeGault          
 
Advent II
November 13, 2022

8AM Communion (Hybrid)
The Rev. Scot Sherman, Presider
The Rev. Margaret Dyer-Chamberlain, Deacon
Weston Morris, Preacher
Doris Weyl Feyling, Altar Guild

10 AM Communion (Hybrid)
The Rev. Scot Sherman, Presider
The Rev. Margaret Dyer-Chamberlain, Deacon
Weston Morris, Preacher
David Austin, Guest Music Minister
Anne Benninger, Lee Hammack, Michael Jennings, Jackie Lewey, Janet Lohr, Jim Oerther, Kateri Paul, George Slaiman, Barbara Stevenson, Jill Tollefson, & Rolf Tollefson, and perhaps you!, Choir
Patricia Busk, In-Person Greeter
Peter Fairfield, Zoom Greeter
Elaine Mannon / Lee Hammack, Lectors
Dave Frangquist, Intercessor
Patricia Busk, Altar Guild
Robert Geesey, Sound/Liturgical DJ
Barbara Stevenson, Bread Baker
CoCo Lin, Child Care

 
 
Calendar for the week starting Friday, November 11, 2022
Friday,
November 11
Saturday,
November 12
 
Sunday,
November 13
Monday,
November 14
Tuesday,
November 15
Wednesday,
November 16
 
Thursday,
November 17
 
Morning Prayer (via Zoom), 7:30 AM
Food Pantry (at church), 1-2 PM
Contemplative Prayer (via Zoom), 9 AM
Men's Group (via Zoom), 9 AM
Women's Spirituality Group (via Zoom), 10:30 AM
Holy Eucharist (Hybrid), 8 & 10 AM
 
Morning Prayer (via Zoom), 7:30 AM
 
Contemplative Prayer (via Zoom), 9 AM
 
Morning Prayer (via Zoom), 7:30 AM
Marjorie Jones Memorial, 11 AM
Evening Prayer (via Zoom), 6:30 PM
Contemplative Prayer (via Zoom), 9 AM
Kaffeeklatsch (via Zoom), 3 PM
Our Prayers 
In Your Prayers, Please Remember:

In deep acknowledgment that St. Aidan’s is located within the unceded, ancestral land of the Yelamu tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone people who have lived in vital relationship with this holy place for thousands of years.
 
In the Episcopal Church: Pray for Michael our Presiding Bishop; Marc our Bishop; the clergy of the Diocese; our Rector Cameron; our sabbatical priest, Scot, our assisting priests Don and Gary; our Deacons Margaret, and Mark; our Music Minister Barry; our Guest Music Minister David; our seminarian Weston; our postulant Lisa; our Childcare Provider CoCo.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui.

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Pray for Holy Child and St. Martin's, Daly City.

In our Parish Cycle of Prayer: Pray for The Men's Group.
 
For those with birthdays this coming week:  Joel, Parker, George, Olivia, Malcolm.

For all striving for mental and emotional balance and wholeness, and for their families and friends.
 
For those who have asked for our prayers: Barry K., Dawn, Elaina L., George J., Margaret T., Michael & Elaine J., Patrick M.,
 
For the ongoing work against intersecting forms of oppression, particularly racism; and in affirmation of human dignity;

For our work in the world: Habitat for Humanity on Amber Drive, the Friday Food Pantry, Diamond Diners.
 
For Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain, Walter Wallace, Adam Toledo, Daunte Wright, and all whose lives have borne deep witness that Black Lives Matter, and that systemic racism, white supremacy, and police brutality must be eradicated.
                                                   
For our congregation as we embrace our call to be a sanctuary people, may we commit ourselves to prayer, education, and practices of sanctuary to support immigrants to this country and all people who are estranged, excluded, or threatened in 21st century America.
 
For all who are struggling in this time of pandemic, vulnerability, intensified injustice and division; for strength, support, and community across physical distances and for deepened engagement and commitment to our common life;

 For those who have recently died: Jean Amos, Marjorie Wilkins Jones, John Morrow, Natalie Lloyd, Sabra Sones, Eleanor Elliott, Joseph Potenti, Ellie McCarthy, Christine Ortiz.

Names of the living are printed by first name only unless otherwise requested. 
Living prayer request names will be kept on the prayer list for four weeks;
to keep someone on the list for longer, please notify the office.
To place a name on our prayer list, please contact the church office
 415-285-9540, ext. 3 or office@staidansf.org 


Advent II
Isaiah 65:17-25
Canticle 9
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19

Website and Staff Email Addresses
Our website address is staidansf.org
The email address to reach Cameron, the Rector, is rector@staidansf.org
The email to reach Cary, the Parish Administrator, is office@staidansf.org
The  email to reach Barry, the Music Minister, is music@staidansf.org
The email to reach Dave, the Treasurer, is treasurer@staidansf.org
Facebook
Instagram
Our mailing address is:
101 Gold Mine Drive 
San Francisco, CA 94131

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
St. Aidan's Episcopal Church · 101 Gold Mine Dr · San Francisco, CA 94131-2538 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp