Readings for November 3rd
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44
Notes on this week's Bible Readings
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
When the Church comes together to celebrate the Feast of All Saints, I often imagine us as a family gathered at the cemetery to honor a cherished relative. Just as on Memorial Day we visit grandpa’s final resting place, on this day we celebrate those whom the Church recognizes as particularly notable examples of life in Christ. If on this holy day we gather at the grave of the saints at rest, then this reading from the wisdom literature is the epitaph on the headstone that lies before us. Contained within it is our Christian hope. The hope of eternal life stretches back even to the forebears of our Christian tradition, and for centuries that promise has been inscribed in our most sacred texts. It is such a promise that beckons us to this holy occasion.
- What particular saints have influenced your Christian experience?
- How does this feast connect you with those saints and with the entire communion of saints?
Psalm 24
Today the psalmist’s prayer involves a holy wondering: “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? And who can stand in his holy place?” One answer is immediately given: “Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not pledged themselves to falsehood, nor sworn by what is a fraud.” It’s easy to see why we read this on All Saints’. These with clean hands and pure hearts are the very saints of our tradition. These are they who have been blessed by the Lord and received their reward at the saving hands of God. The saints remain our blessed models for life on earth, but they are also our advocates in heaven. The opening lines of this psalm remind us that God created the earth, but remember that Genesis tells us that God created the heavens as well. The saints remain examples for us on earth as they dwell in heaven with the God who is the source of both our existence and our final reward, our present reality and our salvation.
- How do the saints connect us not only to an earthy model of life in Christ, but also to a heavenly one?
- Do you know anyone who in thought, word, and deed points you toward a heavenly reality? How do they do that?
Revelation 21:1-6a
This passage encourages us, as the book of Revelation so often does, to use our imaginations in ways that might be foreign to us. After all, imagination is not just kids’ stuff! Amidst what can be the dullness of our daily lives, we often let practicalities rule our hearts, but for the writer of this text, imagination is a blessed escape. Belief in the New Jerusalem was widespread in biblical times. As one who was experiencing the atrocities of Roman rule, the writer likely had no another outlet to process the pains of an oppressed life. By entering the world of the writer’s imagination, we not only catch a glimpse of the writer’s imaginative escape—a heavenly city descending from above—but we are reminded of the importance of our own images for a better future. These images might consist of a renewed commitment to civil discourse in our country, a world without homelessness, or a society with affordable health care for all people. But our imaginations are not just limited to the things of this world; they can also explore the world to come. So linger in your imagination with this passage and with the communion of saints wondering about a promise that is, at least to us, yet to be revealed.
- Do you ever use your imagination? How does it increase your faith?
- Although we may not be oppressed in the same ways as our ancient counterparts, how can faithful imagination be a healthy escape for our daily struggles?
John 11:32-44
Jesus is moved to tears. In a display of his full humanity, Jesus grieves the loss of his friend, Lazarus. To make matters worse, in the middle of his grief, Jesus is flooded with questions, perhaps accusations, that he could have saved him. That has to hurt. Jesus proceeds, still deeply grieved, to resurrect Lazarus and in so doing renews the faith of Mary, Martha, and the other members of the crowd. The passage is especially pertinent at the celebration of All Saints’ not because it deals with death, but because it is a passage that epitomizes eternal life, the promise that God has made through Christ to each of us. Jesus says, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” The faith of Jesus’ followers was rewarded in this miraculous event. We may never have seen anyone raised from the dead, but there are other ways that we experience the glory of God: a child’s birth and baptism, the unconditional love of our families, friends, and neighbors, and most of all, through participation in the Eucharist.
- When has God’s glory been revealed to you? Was it a large “aha” moment or a still, small whisper in the night?
- How is God’s glory manifested in the remembrance of the lives of the saints? How do you know?
This Bible study was written by the Rev. Warren Thomas Swenson for All Saints’ Day (B) in 2018
Notes from your Deanery Representatives
Deanery Update
Last Friday evening and all day Saturday, Harry Lehmann, Pat Mei and Tony Mei attended the DioCal Annual Convention. Bishop Austin Rios presided, and the convention was a positive experience.
Key committees of the diocese reported on their accomplishments in the year since the last convention. This included a report from DIOCAL Deputation to the Episcopal General Convention that was held in Louisville last July. Of particular interest was the report from the Strategic Vision Committee regarding the results of the listening sessions conducted thus far. These sessions identified the areas of “consolation” (what is working across the diocese) and “desolation” (what is not working). The committee will be conducting further listening sessions into 2025 as they work with members of the diocese to develop a meaningful strategic vision. The five resolutions that we reported on last month all passed with a significant majority in favor. A sixth resolution was presented at the convention and it, too, passed handily. Resolution #5 called for “Standing with our Haitian Neighbors” and “a call for action and advocacy.” It was proposed as a response to the recent rise in violent threats and harassment toward members of the Haitian community. The content of this resolution can be seen at https://www.diocalconvention.org/175-convention/2024resolutions/standing-with-our-haitian-neigbors/ All reports and resolutions can be found in the Convention Booklet, which can be downloaded at https://www.diocalconvention.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/175th-Convention-Booklet-Final.pdf.
The election of nominees led to the undersigned being elected to a three-year term (beginning on January 1, 2025) on the Executive Council of DioCal. The Executive Council is essentially the Board of Directors for the diocese. An additional internal election also took place within the Standing Committee. Sean McConnell was elected to be the President of the Standing Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
-Tony Mei
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to our Deanery Rep and former Sr. Warden Tony Mei for his election to the Executive Council of the Diocese of California. He will bring a wealth of experience to that role. To find out more about what the Executive Council does click this link:
https://www.diocal.org/governance/executive-council/
Congratulations also to our friend of the Parish Sean McConnell for his election as President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of California. For more information on the Standing Committee click this link:
https://www.diocal.org/governance/standing-committee/
Block Hall Roof Repair
|
|
Stewardship
It’s that time of year again!
If you haven’t already you should be receiving shortly your pledge reports for 2024. Please review them for accuracy and contact Nova if there are any discrepancies. Please consider completing your pledges by year end and begin discerning what you can commit to St. Francis for 2025. We will have more on the subject of Stewardship later.
As a reminder, we will have our Annual Meeting in January of 2025. Only current pledging members can vote and we will have some exciting things to discuss this year.
First Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner
We have been given the opportunity to partner with Michelle Whiteside of Leveling Up with Michelle to host the first annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This free dinner will take place in Block Hall on Thanksgiving Day from 11am to 2pm. We are hoping to serve approximately 100 guests. To do so, we will need volunteers to help prepare and serve the food. We would also be so grateful for any food donations you can contribute to this wonderful event. Please contact Nova at Nova@StFrancisNovato if you would like to help! Thank you to those who have already contributed! We are grateful for your support.
Please use this link if you would like to donate towards this cause: https://givebutter.com/NDcHjN
Please use this link if you would like to sign up as a volunteer! https://signup.com/mobileweb/2.0/vspot.html?activitykey=882426350053#choose_jobs_page
|
|
News from the St. Francis Community Pantry
|
|
Donation from Preschooler
If you didn't already know, there is a Pantry donation basket in front of the Vicarage which is on the path to the St. Francis Preschool. Today Nova and I happened to witness a really precious kind gesture. As we were leaving the Vicarage, there stood a preschool age girl with her mother, and a big bag of clothing. The girl took the clothing out of the bag, one piece at a time, and placed them into the donation basket. She literally filled the basket with clothing that she had outgrown. What a cool act of kindness to witness! Thank you!
Church of the Nativity Post-Election Prayer Meeting
|
|
St. Francis Community Pantry - Donation Changes
|
Music Notes
Please consider singing with the choir to help St. Francis prepare for and have a wonderful Advent and Christmas season this year. Rehearsals are only one hour (6:00pm to 7:00pm) on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Please speak with Ray for more information!
So, come one, come all that would like to try the choir as a ministry that is a fun, learning experience and the chance to make beautiful music together.
- Ray
St. Francis Preschool Annual Food Drive
The Preschool has started its annual food drive, which will benefit the St. Francis Community Pantry and North Marin Community Services. The drive will run through November 6, 2024. We are grateful to be in partnership with the school and their amazing families!
Shop & Support for St. Francis Preschool!
|
Who Am I?
It's time to get to know another dear member of our church!
This parishioner has lived in Novato for 49 years, with her husband of 53 years. She was born in Arizona and grew up in Pasadena, CA. She loves to cultivate roses and orchids, play piano, and read books of a wide variety. She worked in education with elementary students for Marin County, but has been primarily a homemaker. She has two adult children who live in the Bay Area. Her favorite part of the service is the sermon. She loves St. Francis for the “community spirit, loyalty, and kindness that we show to one another.” The final clue is: her favorite ice cream is ‘any kind of chocolate.’ Who is she?!
See the answer in next week's Transitus!
Pantry Donations Needed
|
Transitus
Curious about why our weekly e-newsletter is called The Transitus? The name comes from the most important feast day in the life of St. Francis, his death on October 3 and his entrance into the joy of our God. This is known as the Transitus, or Journey. Just as Francis was sent into new life, we pray our community worship, events and education help send you into new life - a journey - as well!
Get the latest announcements below.
Click here to view the entire latest Transitus. Click Here
Click here to view past issues of the Transitus. Click Here
Click here to subscribe to our weekly e-news. Click Here