St. Francis of Assisi Day

8:00 am   The Traditional Eucharist
10:00 am   The Community Eucharist
                  with Blessing of Animals 

​

From the Rector

St. Francis

Miami Roman Catholic Archbishop Thomas Wenski was on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the new late night host asked him if the college of Catholic bishops was wanting to get some of the Pope’s ‘mojo’ on his recent visit. He went on to wonder whether Catholics were allowed to have mojo, or whether it was a sin.

Archbishop Wenski smiled and said that he had a more theological word for it and told the comedian that the bishops were interested in capturing some of the Pope’s ‘grace’.

I wonder how you catch someone’s grace? 

Our country had a visit from Francis, the Pope - not the Saint; although his reception might have left you thinking that a saint was walking amongst us. In fact, Pope Francis chose the name of the famous saint because he wanted to manifest some of his values.

It might be interesting to ponder, for a moment, just what that means. Our contemporary picture of the Saint, Francis, might be that he is really a modern day 

pro-environment, animal loving hippie who would fit in perfectly in the Haight-Ashbury; one of the ‘gentle people’ you find in San Francisco.

In truth he was a radical preacher who left behind his family riches in the most dramatic way - literally throwing his clothes off, because they represented the wealth of his father’s fabric empire, and walking away naked.

St. Francis is said to have preached to animals, because he believed that they were worthy of God’s grace and innocent of offenses against creation that humanity was capable of. He critiqued the wealth of the church and was determined to live in poverty. In his early life he had sought fame and success in the pursuit of military honor, but after an illness rejected this endeavor and sought a humble life imitating Christ. He was a challenge to those in authority and became phenomenally popular as a figure of authentic faith.

So he was beloved and also criticized at the time in which he was operating. 

The current Pope chose his name, and I think seeks to be inspired by his example. Pope Francis is a part of the institution of the Catholic Church, but he is also working hard on critiquing its power structures and the desire for comfort and luxury amongst some of his colleagues. He has a deeply thoughtful approach to the environment which could not be simply dismissed as the work of a hippie. And he is primarily a pastor, seeking to meet his people and share God’s love and grace with them.

It was interesting that the Pope reached out to John Kerry and shook his hand in the chamber last week, and similarly reached out to John Boehner, asking the Speaker to pray for him as he entered the Capitol. Both men are Catholic, each disagree with the other, but both seemed touched by the pastoral concern of the Pope. 

As I wrote in a blog post last week, I don’t agree with everything this Pope believes, but I do respect the way in which he is occupying his role.

Some are complaining that the Pope actually has too many conservative views that Episcopalians cannot agree with; but when they do that they are only thinking about where the Pope is. There is another dimension we should also consider, not just where he is, but in which direction he is going.

I love the direction of Pope Francis, just as I love the direction that Saint Francis took his followers centuries ago. I hope that I am able to live with the same kind of ‘mojo’ in my own public ministry.

Love,

Matthew+



​Blessing of Animals - today: Sunday, October 4th, St. Francis of Assisi Day
Today, animal companions or cuddly toy animals are welcomed to church for the 10am Community Eucharist.  We will meet in the courtyard so that animals can say hello to each other and calm down a bit.  We will begin the service outside and then move inside for the rest of the service.  Photographs of animals you have shared your life with, but who have passed on are also welcomed so we can remember them also.

Where the Wild Things Are: Transfig Teens Lock-in
Last night was the Transfig Teens kick-off event - an overnight in the church!  We watched a movie, played games, and explored the wonder of Creation including an art project and planning some of the elements of today’s eucharist and blessing of animals. 

So if you notice a few bleary-eyed teens (and the adult chaperones) among us, now you know why!

Wondering Together
Our Wondering Together dinners begin this week. Invitations were emailed (or mailed out) about two weeks ago.   If you have not yet rsvp’d, please do so via email or talk to Virginia Fox at church today.  Thanks!

New Web site - www.transfig-sm.org
If you go to www.transfig-sm.org you should see some changes!

Thanks to all who helped put this together! Please let us know if you have feedback. We are working ot make it a great way to communicate and need your help to do that.


News & Announcements

Assistant Rector in Korea
This past week, Monica gathered with over 185 other delegates, including 16 from the Diocese of California, for the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries (EAM) Consultation in Seoul to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Anglican Church in Korea.  EAM gathers every few years to share ideas about leadership, ministry, and liturgical resources, and to worship as a multicultural community of Asians, Asian-Americans, and non-Asians in The Episcopal Church and wider Anglican Communion. Delegates met in 2013 in Burlingame for the 40th anniversary of EAM. Please pray that our EAM delegates will have an enjoyable and productive gathering, and that all may have safe travels. Monica will be back at Transfiguration on Tuesday, October 6. For more information about EAM visit: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/asiamerica-ministries.

Leader Sign-Up for Kids’ Club & Chapel Time
There are several openings for Kids’ Club and Chapel Time leaders for October through December. A sign-up sheet will be available at coffee hour today if you would like to compare your calendar with open dates and sign up for leading. We will also offer the sign-up through SignUpGenius on Transfiguration’s new interim website within the next few weeks.

Transfiguration Preschool Openings
Our preschool is still registering new students for this year and would welcome anyone from the parish to enquire, particularly in the three year old class. Please pass along the information to friends and neighbors.  For details please look at the web site: 

www.transfig-sm.org/pre-school.html and contact our director Karen Indorante for more details at [email protected].

Transfig Fireflies
Fireflies, a preschooler play group (ages 0-5), meets in the parish hall every Thursday, 10am-noon. 

The group is free and everyone is invited, church member or not. We have a play time, story time with musical instruments, healthy snacks and finish with a craft project and/or game activity. We have fun, make new friends and share our joy, wisdom and sometimes frustrations of family life with other parents and caregivers. Stop by and check us out. Even if you do not have the children in this age group, please, let your friends, neighbors and family members of preschool age children know that we would love to welcome them at our playgroup.  Questions? Contact Dace Samta via the parish office.

Home & Hope Walk Run coming up in November
The 3rd Annual “The Journey Home” Walk/Run Fundraising Event is to be held on Sunday, November 8th at 1:00pm at Seal Point Park in San Mateo. This is a sponsored event to raise funds for Home & Hope.  Let Matthew or Dace Samta know if you want to participate. 

St. Olaf Orchestra performs at Transfiguration
Called “one of the best college orchestras in the nation” by Time magazine’s Richard Ostling, the St. Olaf Orchestra is known for its passionate music-making and professional-level performances. The orchestra’s tour of California, Oregon, and Washington this fall will feature repertoire that includes Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, the world premiere of Daniel Kallman’s Gaia: Desecration, Lamentation and Awakening, the second movement from Ginastera’s Pampeana No. 3, and Elgar’s complete Enigma Variations. Two students will also be performing solos with the orchestra, rotating throughout the tour.​ ​

Saturday, Oct. 10th, 8:00PM at Transfiguration Episcopal Church

Cost: General: $10 Students: Free        Tickets: https://events.stolaf.edu/Online/

Contact:  800-363-5487        More info: http://wp.stolaf.edu/stolaf-orch/