The Flame

Each week we send out an e-newsletter, the Flame. It includes a reflection by Cameron, brief articles by parish leaders, community announcements, and the parish prayer list. On Saturdays we also send out "The Spark" with links to the Sunday Worship booklets and brief announcements. Past issues of both the Flame and Spark can be found here. If you would like to add someone to the prayer list for the Flame and the Sunday bulletins, please reach out to our parish administrator. To ask for prayers from the Prayer Chain, please reach out to Lois Roach here.

The Risk of Love

The Flame for Friday, January 24, 2025

This has been a week. On Monday people from St. Aidan’s, the wider Diocese of California, and faith communities around the region gathered to walk in honor of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a beautiful, warm day, contrasting with East Coast where inauguration events were brought indoors due to frigid temperatures. Winds to our south had been more muted over the weekend, allowing for fire relief, thanks be to God. We met up by a Cal Train station and began to walk, drums beating, chanting and conversing as we went. Once arrived in Yerba Buena Gardens, we heard speakers including Mayor Lurie and various local religious leaders. They lifted up Dr. King’s vision of Beloved Community, of a just world in which systemic oppression is dismantled and human dignity is respected.

Across the country, in contrast to that vision, a flurry of executive orders soon unfolded, threatening particularly the immigrant and trans communities. I won’t rehearse them, as I don’t want to amplify their impact in our communities. I will say, speaking for myself as an openly trans person, that this isn’t the first time the President and others in political power have sought to define me and people I love out of existence. The concrete impacts of all of these orders are not yet clear, and many will be contested in court. But the anxiety, fear, and anger generated by them is very real. The license such orders further unleashes for people to treat marginalized communities with disrespect is frankly unconscionable.

Enter Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde.

Some of you may recall a book we read by Bishop Budde several years ago, Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love. In it, Bishop Budde builds on the Way of Love framework of former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. One quote from the book, describing the Way of Love journey, particularly struck me at the time:

“There is risk in going, a vulnerability in crossing boundaries that conspire to keep us separate from one another. Yet such risk is an expression of love. Our going activates love within and among us that would otherwise lie dormant." (Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love, p. 64)

Bishop Budde is especially moving on the topic of authenticity and courage in the face of separation and division. A year or so ago I saw that she had a new book out, How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith. I downloaded it as an audiobook and listened to it over a couple of weeks as I drove in the car. I was struck by her honesty and vulnerability in the book, as well as her courage and strength. It rang out with authenticity. I was inspired.

And so on Tuesday night and Wednesday when I watched her sermon (and I highly recommend you watch it in full), I saw a further expression of these themes, offered to all of us in service focused upon unity. Fifteen minutes grounded in the gospel, shared with grace, poise, humility and clarity. It radiated courage. I so appreciated Bishop Budde’s urgent challenge to recognize one another’s humanity. Her call for mercy especially struck me, as that concept has been on my mind and in my prayer of late (as I preached two Sundays ago).

And so as we come into this weekend, however the unfolding events of this week have impacted us, I am grateful for the example – truly an Epiphany-season revelation – of courage founded upon the Good News itself. I am mindful that there is inherent risk in such courage and also that, as Bishop Budde wrote, “such risk is an expression of love.”

Peace,

Cameron

PS: Two other things!

First: Please remember that this Sunday we will gather in a combined service at 9 AM followed immediately by the Annual Meeting (see the notice below). We will have a festive Welcome Café!

Second: Our former Seminarian, Weston Morris, is going to be ordained tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina at 8 AM pacific / 11 AM eastern. You can watch the event online at the Diocese of North Carolina’s Facebook Page here:
https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseNC/
If you would like to contribute toward a gift for Weston from St. Aidan’s, please feel free to send a check (or Zelle) with “Weston Morris gift” in the memo line. Congratulations, Weston!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fires in Los Angeles: From Deacon Margaret

Dear friends, My son Sam and daughter-in-law Jane live near the fires in Los Angeles. They are – thankfully - doing fine and they are very conscious of the dire needs in their surrounding community. They have been making Costco runs with donated items to the non-profits they know near them. I thought that our community might like to join them. It’s easy to feel helpless in situations such as these, but every bit of help matters.

Below are direct links to the organizations Sam and Jane are supporting:

Dream Center.org: A non-profit dedicated to transforming lives – with a mission of “empowering lives and communities through the transforming love of Christ; body, soul and spirit.”
https://donate.dreamcenter.org/donate?amount=50&optm=35%2C50%2C100%2C250%2C500&opto=35%2C50%2C100%2C250%2C500&term=one-time

Celebration-Nation.org: A non-profit focused on supporting the Indigenous/Latino community, particularly farmworkers. They have a special donation spot related to the wildfires:
https://donorbox.org/losangeles-wildfires

Pasadena Humane Society: Pasadena Humane has taken in over 300 animals so far – many which have been injured or surrendered due to evacuations – and their biggest need is for monetary contributions.
https://pasadenahumane.org/eaton-canyon-fire-update/

With many thanks for anything we can do to support the people of Los Angeles.
Deacon Margaret, mdyerc@stanford.edu, 650-619-0781

Additionally, here is a link to the story in Episcopal News Service about the Diocese of Los Angeles' experience of the fires: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/01/08/fast-moving-wildfires-threaten-communities-force-evacuations-in-southern-california/

Here is a link to Episcopal Relief and Development's "Wildfire Response Fund:"

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/

Here is a link to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles' own Annual Appeal fund:

https://diocesela.org/annual-appeal/

Remembering Angela Hunkler
As we shared in last week's Flame, we learned from Kate Murphy last Friday evening that Angela Hunkler had died the day before. Kate and Angela were longtime members of St. Aidan’s, married here in 2008 by previous rector Tommy Dillon. They moved to an East Bay senior co-housing community several years ago and had been attending church there. They also had returned to St. Aidan’s from time to time in recent years, whether for an Easter Vigil or a special community event. Kate wanted St. Aidanites to know that Angela’s service will be at Christ Church Alameda at a date to be determined, likely 4-6 weeks from now. We will share the details when we know them.

Remembering the Rev. Robert Cromey
As we also shared in last week's Flame, the Reverend Robert Cromey, whom some will remember from when he was the Vicar of St. Aidan's over fifty years ago, passed away on January 14th.

As his chapter, "Ministering to the Outcast," in the 2001 book Modern Profiles of an Ancient Faith - the Episcopal Diocese of California notes, "Father Cromey began his career of urban ministry and social advocacy in New York City during the 1950s. He joined the Diocese of California as Canon to the Ordinary, 1962-65, and served as Vicar, St. Aidan's, San Francisco, 1965-1970. He practiced as a marriage and family therapist from 1970 until 1981 when he accepted a call to be Rector of Trinity Church, San Francisco."

His service will take place at Trinity-St. Peter's on Saturday, February 1 at 11 AM.

The Altar Guild is in need of new members for the 10 o’clock service. Members set up the Altar for the service and put away items after the service. Twice a year members gather to clean, polish and shine items used in the services. If you are interested in this mission, please phone or text me. Jackie Buckley, Altar Guild Chair 650-534-7875

Next Meeting of the New Jim Crow Anti-Racist Book Group
The group's next meeting will be Sunday, January 5 at 4 pm via Zoom. We’re reading The Ohlone Way by Malcolm Margolin. Please feel free to reach out to Deacon Margaret with any questions at mdyerc@stanford.edu.

St. Aidan's Gourmet Book Club
We will continue to meet via zoom with LeeAnn DeSalles serving as our zoom master. If you need the link or would like help with zoom, please contact LeeAnn at leeanndesalles@comcast.net. If you would like to be on the Book Group’s mailing list, please contact elaine@mannon.com.

Monday, January 27, 2025 7:00 p.m.
The Soul of the Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery – A journey into the emotional, intellectual, and physical world of the octopus and its remarkable connections with humans.
Monday, February 24, 2025 7:00 p.m. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Set in prosperous Long Island in 1922, Fitzgerald’s novel provides a critical social history of Prohibition during the Jazz Age, which the author depicts as a morally permissive era when Americans became disillusioned with social norms and were obsessed with seeking pleasure.

Men's Group: Saturday, February 1, 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 January 30, contact Dave Frangquist (frangquist@acm.org).

Good News Gardens
Our next gardening date is: Saturday, March 8. Timing – 12:30-2 pm. Here are our dates through June 2025 – they vary a little between first and second Saturday due to some commitments I have – I hope they work for most of us…… March 8, April 12, May 3, June 14. Please feel free to reach out to Deacon Margaret with any questions at mdyerc@stanford.edu.

The next Diamond Diners will be Wednesday, February 5th at the usual time and place: 12 PM in the St. Aidan's sanctuary. We look forward to enjoying lunch with you then!

Wrestling with the Scriptures now meets every fourth Tuesday at 10:30 am (via Zoom). The next meeting will be February 25th. Please feel free to reach out to the office for the Zoom access information: office@staidansf.org.

Next Meeting of the New Jim Crow Anti-Racist Book Group
The group's next meeting will be Sunday, March 2 at 4 pm via Zoom. We’re reading Just Us by Claudia Rankine. Please feel free to reach out to Deacon Margaret with any questions at mdyerc@stanford.edu.

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:

READ
Resources on talking to young kids about race and racism
The 1619 Project (all the articles) | The New York Times Magazine
“Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)

LISTEN (Podcasts to subscribe to)
1619 (New York Times)
Code Switch (NPR)
Seeing White Series on Scene On Radio

WATCH
13th Film (2 hours)
When They See Us (Four episodes)

DONATE
Color of Change
Southern Poverty Law Center

FOLLOW
Groups and people doing anti-racist work, such as @colorofchange @weinspirejustice @showingupforracialjustice

Contemplative Prayer: Tuesday & Thursday from 9-10 AM via Zoom
We offer Contemplative prayer 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 anchoring this practice. Please feel free to reach out to the office for the Zoom access information: office@staidansf.org.

Morning Prayer: Mon, Wed, Fri at 7:30 AM - M/W Hybrid, Fri via Zoom
We offer Morning Prayer in hybrid mode (at church and via Zoom) on Mondays and Wednesday, and on Fridays via Zoom only. Please feel free to reach out to the office for the Zoom access information: office@staidansf.org.

Evening Prayer: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM via Zoom

We offer Evening Prayer via Zoom. Readings for the day are from the Episcopal Church's daily lectionary or 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

Hybrid In-Person/Zoom Sunday Worship

Sunday worship is hybrid, with both in person and Zoom platforms available. We encourage you to connect with worship in whatever way is most accessible for you.

Mask Policy: We respect the preference of anyone who feels safer by masking. We continue to monitor public health advisories and may modify our mask policy, as appropriate. Please pray for the health and safety of all our members and friends as we continue to navigate this challenging time.

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