Hello –
This Sunday is my last Sunday before vacation. I leave the following Saturday, the 20th. Here are some things to know about this summer at St. Paul’s.
• A Hum of Activity. Although some things are on summer break, many other things continue. Sunday services will continue at 8am and 10am led by the Rev. Jim Ward with help from the the Rev. Stacey Grossman and the Rev. Daniel London. Our six Discipleship Groups will continue to meet as will St. Anne’s and six of our seven Outreach relationships. Even our Youth Group will meet occasionally. Child Care continues as well.
• Mark Your Calendar. On Sunday June 28th the parking lot across the street will be closed due to the Street Painting festival. On Saturday, July 11th at 7pm we host a Harpsichord Concert.
• Three Books for Summer Reading.
1. The Restoration Project. I recommend my book not just for self-promotion, but because in the book I do my best to present the core practices that are so essential to our shared life here at St. Paul’s.
2. Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton is a book I’ve recommended several times. It helps us stay clear and healthy in the way we follow Jesus’ teaching to serve the least.
3. Sticky Faith by Kara Powell and Chap Clark. This book is filled with practical and research based ideas for building lasting faith in our children. I recommend this book not just for parents but for all who want to do the best they can to hand down their Christian faith to the generations after them.
• Sabbatical. A standard part of the contract with a Rector in the Episcopal Church is that the Rector accrues a month of sabbatical for every year she or he serves. Five years ago, after I had been at St. Paul’s for six years I took two months sabbatical. That’s when I walked the Camino. This year, my eleventh, I’m taking one month to be with family, to travel and to write. I leave June 20th and return August 11th.
Next week, in my final email before I leave, I will share with you three dates in late August and early September that mark the beginning of what looks to be a very lively fall- Baseball game! Strengthen Your Spiritual Core! Open House!
Blessings,
Christopher
p: (415) 456-4842