A Message from our Rector

I'm going to borrow from Jay Sidebotham, the director of RenewalWorks, in this message to you this week, as we plan for our annual meeting this Sunday.  Jay begins with a quote from Methodist Bishop Will Willimon regarding baptism:  
In baptism, the church is not saying that someone is not a child of God until he or she is baptized... The coronation of Queen Elizabeth did not "make" Elizabeth a queen. A coronation can only make someone a queen if that person is already royalty. The nation said publicly at the coronation, "This woman is royalty; put a crown on her head." At baptism the church says publicly, "This person is royalty; baptize her."
I'm wondering what your take might be on Willimon's take on baptism. I'm wondering how you think of baptism as related to coronation, regardless of what Harry or Meghan are up to... 
The story of Jesus's baptism, told in each of the four gospels, always includes a voice from heaven that speaks of Jesus's belovedness. That belovedness, that grace preceded Jesus's visit to John the Baptist at the muddy River Jordan. That belovedness was a statement of Jesus's timeless royalty. And as Henri Nouwen points out in his really awesome book, Life of the Beloved, that heavenly voice affirming belovedness comes not only to Jesus. It comes to us...
We live in a world where way too many people walk around feeling like they are not enough. Too many people cannot buy the fact that they are beloved. The gospel says that we are each and all royalty, because we are each and all embraced by God. Scripture tells us that, in a variety of ways. Dare we believe it? 
-Jay Sidebotham
Continued Epiphany blessings,
Giovan+​

Announcements

The Annual Report is now available!  Click here to view.

We had a wonderful potluck and great discussions at our Annual Meeting last Sunday.  It was a warm welcome for our new vestry members!  We considered our beliefs and practices as Episcopalians and thought about which beliefs/practices are most important to us, and which ones describe areas where we would like to grow.  If you did not participate in the exercise on Sunday, don't worry!  The posters will be up in the back of the sanctuary this coming Sunday.  Place 5 orange dots on statements that describe where you place your heart.  Place 5 green dots where you'd like to grow.  Step back and take a look; what does this say about us as a church?
2019 GIVING STATEMENTS
You should be receiving your 2019 Giving Statements in the next week.  Please check over them and let Chelsea know if there are any discrepancies.  Also if you have not completed your 2019 pledge, there’s still time! 
BAPTISM
Congratulations to Gideon Kempe, who was baptized at Hale Koa beach  by his great uncle Rev. Ron Kempe, whom we met last Sunday, along with many other family members who traveled here to share in this blessing!
Start 2020 off right by making a commitment to read God's Word every day.  We will be reading through the Book of John during Epiphany.  Visit The Good Book Club to download resources or find out more!
January 26-February 2 - Family Promise hosting
February 2 - Sermon by Rev. Canon James Newman 
February 23 @ 5-8pm - All-church party
PARTY TIME!
All-Church Party welcoming recent comers: Sunday, February 23 – 5 to 8:  At Tom and Giovan’s house.  Long-timers, please bring a dish to share.  Recent comers, please just bring yourselves and family members.  Everyone feel free to bring friends who may not be members … yet.  See you there!
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