ON-GOING ACTIVITIES AT ST. BEN’S
ABUNDANCE SHOP– Thrift shop at 2025 9th St. (If you would like to volunteer, please contact them at (805) 528-1370)
COMMUNITY DINNER – Providing and serving food at SBCC, on 1st Thursday of odd-numbered months, in conjunction with Los Osos Cares.
EARTHCARE – ZOOM 3rd Wednesdays 3pm. Discussion/action group seeking spiritual and practical solutions to environmental concerns. MEN’S GROUP – Morning social gathering, 3rd Saturdays – 9am at Celia’s Garden Cafe.
HEALING SERVICE – FACEBOOK – A time for prayers for healing at the 10:30 service on 5th Sundays.
HOLLISTER INSTITUTE – Opportunities for stimulating discussion and thoughtful exploration on Tuesdays at 10:15am on ZOOM. “The Book of Joy” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama starts Nov 30.
LAUNDRY LOVE – Helping low-income families with funds, soap, and friendly assistance at Osos Clean Laundry. 4-6pm on last Wednesdays
PEOPLE’S KITCHEN – Providing and serving lunch at 40 Prado, 1st Saturday of even-numbered months
VESPERS AND CONVERSATION – ZOOM – 5:30 pm Tuesdays
VESTRY / PARISH COUNCIL – ZOOM – 3rd Sundays at 12:30pm.
- The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, Rector
- Stef Shuman, Sr. Warden
- Jane Wu, Jr. Warden
- Lisa Gonzalez, Treasurer,
- Lorienne Schwenk, Clerk
- Esta Kandarian,
- Alan Kiste,
- Benjamin Nucum
- Helen Schnieders
- Barbara Schippers
- Maureen Titus
Bidding Book Prayers – If you’d like to request prayers for someone and have their names read out during the online worship services on Sunday, please submit their names to stefshuman@sbcglobal.net during the week (by Friday).
We are grateful for God’s financial providence and blessing. Thank you for making your offerings by mail to our PO Box, or on-line.
Our 8am and 10:30 am services each Sunday are Eucharist services, held indoors at the church for anyone wishing to attend in person. Masks are required, and we will continue to ask people to maintain social distancing by having no more than three people per pew. Communion will be distributed in bread only. Wine will be received by sight.
The 8:00 am service will also be available on Zoom.
The 10:30 am service will also be live-streamed for those who watch remotely — either on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stbenslososos/ or through our website at http://www.stbenslososos.org/facebook-including-live-stream/
Service leaflets for both services are available under the Worship tab on our website: https://www.stbenslososos.org/category/service-bulletin/
Unless otherwise stated, our meetings happen on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7977776046?pwd=VUFZSXY3UVpNVitJaDl2VmhPS3E2UT09 Passcode is: 93402
This Week at St. Benedict’s
Saturday, Nov 20
9:00 am – Men’s Breakfast Group – Celia’s Garden Café
Sunday, Nov 21 REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Eucharist service – (also live-streamed on FB)
12:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting, in person at the church
Monday, Nov 22 RECTOR’S SABBATH
Tuesday, Nov 23
10:15 am – Spiritual Conversation: “Reconciling Love”-Bishop Tutu video (Zoom)
5:30 pm – Vespers service, in person at the church ( also on Zoom)
Wednesday, Nov 24
11am & 4pm – Laundry Love at Osos Clean Laundry
5:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, Nov 25
1:00 pm – Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, Nov 28 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8:00 am – Contemplative Eucharist service (also on Zoom)
9:20 am – Bible Study
10:30 am – Eucharist service – (also live-streamed on FB)
10:30 Ministers of the Service Nov 21
Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall
Eucharistic Minister: Lorienne Schwenk
Lector: Bryson McKelvey
Piano: David Alm
Ushers: Maureen Titus & Barbara Schippers
Altar Guild: Diana Hammerlund
Flowers: Sharon Porter
Intercessor: Louisa Beeler
Tellers: Jane Wu & Bryson McKelvey
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY – Nov 21
Also known as Christ the King Sunday, this observation celebrates Christ’s messianic kingship and sovereign rule over all creation. In celebrating the Reign of Christ, this Sunday also provides an appropriate bridge to the new Church Year that begins next week on the first Sunday of Advent with an emphasis on hope and expectation, the longing for the coming of the joyous Kin-dom of God.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE ON ZOOM – The San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association invites you to share in the annual Thanksgiving Service – “Growing Together” – An Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration Through Music, Spoken Word, and Reflection, Sunday, November 21 at 3pm Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89802283933?pwd=VFVsZXFOakxnaWtyMVIvbzFPcllsQT09
Meeting ID: 898 0228 3933 // Passcode: thankful
An offering will be received for 40 Prado, Restorative Partners, Lumina Alliance, and The Noor Clinic through the Ministerial Association of San Luis Obispo
Via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3ADrikY or please make a check out to SLOMA and mail to United Church of Christ (Congregational) of SLO, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Additional Information: Jason Sisk-Provencio – jason@sloucc.org
THANKSGIVING DINNER AT ST. BEN’S – For those wishing to celebrate Thanksgiving with their St. Benedict’s family, we are having a family style dinner on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, at 1pm. Sign up at the church to tell us if you are coming and what you are bringing. In keeping with Diocesan Safety Protocol social distancing will be observed when eating and conversing with others during the event, and masks must be worn except when eating and drinking, but must be replaced when people are engaged in conversation.
LAUNDRY LOVE – One day a month St. Benedict’s helps low-income and no-income families with funds, soap, and friendly assistance at the Osos Clean Laundry. Please consider stopping by on Wednesday, November 24, at 11am or 4pm to help out, or you may wish to make a contribution to cover expenses. Maureen has details.
NEW TUESDAY SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION Starting on November 30, our spiritual conversation will be based on The Book of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. It is based on their conversation over a week of being together to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. We get to listen as they explore the Nature of True Joy and confront each of the Obstacles of Joy—from fear, stress, and anger to grief, illness, and death. They then offer us the Eight Pillars of Joy, which provide the foundation for lasting happiness. Throughout, they include stories, wisdom, and science. Finally, they share their daily Joy Practices that anchor their own emotional and spiritual lives. This conversation is open to anyone and everyone whether or not you read the book. Tuesdays at 10:15 starting on November 30, on-line via Zoom.
Book available from: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Joy-Lasting-Happiness-Changing/dp/0399185046/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+book+of+joy&qid=16362
ADVENT STUDY GROUP Advent is a special time of preparation; preparing our inner selves for the coming of the Christ. To help us do that, we will have an online Advent study group on Thursdays at 3pm, starting December 2 and finishing on Epiphany – January 6. There will not be a group meeting on December 30. The meetings will include time for prayer and silence as well as conversation based on All Earth is Waiting – Good News for God’s Creation at Advent by Katie Z. Dawson. You can get the book for just $6 at https://www.cokesbury.com/All-Earth-Is-Waiting and we will have a few available in church. You are welcome to participate without reading the book, or to read the book without participating in the group! Following on from COP26, together we will explore the familiar Advent themes of hope, preparation, joy, and peace with the heavens and earth in mind and consider how all creation longs for the coming of Christ, taking seriously the notion that the good news of Christ is good news for all the world. Topics are: The Source of Hope; Clear the Way; Discovering Joy; The Peace of the World; and The Reconciliation of Heaven and Earth. Sessions will last no more than 90 minutes and will be on-line. If you have a strong preference to meet in-person please let Caro+ know as it can become a hybrid event (In-person and on-line).
DIOCESAN ADVENT RETREAT – You are invited to join friends from around the Diocese of El Camino Real for a one-day Advent retreat on Saturday, December 4 at 10 a.m. in Salinas. We will gather for Morning Prayer at 10 a.m., and then have Bible study and reflection in small groups, plus quiet time for personal reflection and journaling. We will finish by 2 p.m. Please join us either in person at Saint Paul’s/San Pablo in Salinas, or online (a Zoom link will be sent to you after registration). If you are coming in person, we are asking for a $20 contribution to cover the cost of lunch (scholarships are available). If you have any questions, please contact Canon Martha Korienek at canonmartha@realepiscopal.org.
To attend the Retreat please pre-register at https://forms.gle/i3U9T9wrJ4wyRKBX6
2022 PLEDGE CARDS – Please turn in your pledge card, if you have not already done so. It is important for us to get an estimate of income for 2022 so we can budget for the fullest ministry possible. Extra blank cards are available at the ushers’ station.
EPISCOPAL LITURGICAL CALENDARS – for 2022 are now available at the usher’s station. These indicate the observances and commemorations throughout the church year along with the appropriate liturgical colors and lectionary readings. There is no charge.
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK:
— Birthdays —
Nov 23 – Pat Stoneman
Nov 23 – Maria Kelly
Coming Up…
People’s Kitchen – Dec 4
DECEMBER HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
A Celebration of Carols with the St Benedict Singers
Sunday December 19 at 3pm
Blue Christmas Service
Tuesday December 21 at 5:30pm, instead of Vespers
Christmas Eve Services – Friday December 24
Carols and Communion around the Crèche at 4:30pm
Sung Festival Eucharist – at 8pm, preceded by Carols at 7:45pm
Christmas Day – Saturday December 25
Quiet Communion Service with a cappella carols – 10am
Followed by a light brunch
First Sunday after Christmas – Sunday December 26
Contemplative Communion Service – 8am
Christmas Lessons and Carols Service – 10:30am
CALLED TO LEADERSHIP? Is God calling you to take a more active role in the leadership of the church? Every January we hold our Annual Parish Meeting when we review the year together, agree a budget for the coming year, and elect new members of the Parish Council and delegates to Deanery and Diocesan Convention. Most Parish Council members and all delegates must have been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church (or pledge to do so on the Bishop’s next visit). If you think that you would like to serve in one of these positions please talk with a Parish Council member.
VESPERS Consider coming on Tuesdays at 5:30 for some mid-week fellowship. This short service includes time for bible reflection and sharing together. It is a good way to build relationships and deepen community. If you come in person, please consider staying afterwards for a glass of wine or other beverage. You can also participate in Vespers via Zoom. You will be able to see and hear the participants in the church as well as others joining via Zoom and those in the church will be able to see and hear you as well. Everyone is welcome.
FORWARD DAY BY DAY – The Nov/Dec/Jan issue of Forward Day by Day, a booklet of daily meditations, has arrived. You may pick one up from the usher’s table at church, or else email Jay at office@stbenslososos.org and ask him to mail one to you. The meditations are also available on-line at www.prayer.forwardmovement.org
PERSONAL PRAYER – A member of the Healing Prayer Ministry team is available each week after the 10:30 service to pray with you for special concerns. If you’d like this prayer support during the week, contact Louisa Beeler at (805) 543-2898 If no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned.
BIDDING BOOK PRAYERS – If you’d like to request prayers for someone to have their names read out during the worship services on Sunday, please submit their names to stefshuman@sbcglobal.net during the week.
PRAYER CHAIN – Also, remember that you may send your prayer requests to the prayer chain at: prayers@stbenslososos.org This is a group of individuals dedicated to intercessory prayers, who upon receiving your email will pray for your concerns.
IN-PERSON SERVICE AT ST. BENEDICT’S – To help lessen the chance of spreading Covid – or Flu or colds – please observe the following behaviors when worshipping at St. Ben’s. Thank you.
- Masks are required at all times inside the church, except when putting the communion bread into your mouth, or when reading the lessons or making announcements from the lectern.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Maintain safe social distancing – spread out in the pew to maximize space both from side to side and before/behind.
- When coming forward for communion, spread out the circle to keep from standing too closely together.
- During communion the consecrated bread will be dropped into your palm for you to consume. The consecrated wine will be held before you to receive by sight alone.
- No physical contact with people outside of your family unit.
- We will only have coffee hour if someone signs up in the kitchen in advance and agrees to follow the diocesan food service guidelines posted there.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY – Sunday Morning Bible Study is held each week between the two morning services starting at 9:20 in the classroom. Lisa Gonzalez and Lorienne Schwenk will be leading the discussion.
COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS – Sign-up on the sheet posted in the kitchen if you would like to host coffee hour on a specific Sunday. If no one signs up there will not be coffee hour on that day.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – Jay will be in the church office on:
Tuesdays 3-6pm; Thursdays 10am-1pm; Saturdays 10am-1pm
NAME TAGS – We are asking everyone to wear a name tag. Please check the name tag board by the door for yours. If you don’t have one, or if an old one has become too shabby, please ask Stef to make one for you. (Or just tell the ushers). In the meantime, you can fill out an adhesive tag for the day.
DONATIONS – Collection plates are not passed during the service, but you may put your contributions in the plate by the usher’s station before the service, or contribute on-line at: https://www.StBensLosOsos.org/support-us/ or by mail to our PO Box. Thank you for your offerings! We are grateful for God’s financial providence and blessing.
ST. BENEDICT’S CONNECTIONS – Please do not hesitate to reach out to each other to stay in contact, and feel free to contact Caro+ at 805-704-5826 or caro@stbenslososos.org She loves to hear from you. In an emergency, texts are best.