St Edmund's Episcopal Church San Marino

STEDY, March 14, 2018

Matthew 17:1-5

Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face.
His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain-one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?” While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”

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“It’s screaming ‘make me pretty again'”, is an opening line from one of my many favorite make-over shows. I could easily spend all day watching someone or something be transformed as their potential is manifested. Whether it is a person or a house, there is always this element of having given up and having been given up on. No one has been willing or able to give the attention needed, that is until the experts arrive. As superficial as these shows can be its always sad to hear why someone stopped caring about how they look or else cares very much about presenting them self in a less than flattering way. I’m sure the crumbling houses have similar stories of having once been very manicured sources of pride for someone who changed or went away and following owners were less able or willing to provide the care needed. Both sit neglected, ignored or mocked, both needing expert eyes to see the possibilities as well as the beautiful bones that lie underneath.
Jesus, Peter, James and John were four men who probably looked like they could use a little shopping, scrub and shave. As much as I revere each of these men, they had been living as nomads for almost three years in rather harsh conditions and probably looked a little rough. Beards were probably shaggy, dirt lingered under fingernails and their clothes worn and dingy, particularly following a hike such as the one they took in this story. The men arrive at the top of the mountain searching for a quiet place to pray when they see that Jesus is glowing like the sun and his clothes are as white as light. In his gospel Mark writes, “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” (Mark 9:3) They then see him talking to the long dead Elijah and Moses, whom Jesus introduces to them and then a voice from heaven is heard saying, “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” For Jesus this must have been a really powerful moment. Having God, his father say in from of people Jesus deeply respects how much he loves him and that Jesus has made him proud. While this moment was intended to set Jesus apart as the Messiah, I think the words God says are words we need to say to others. Every one of us needs to hear that we are loved, we have something worth hearing and that we have made God and others proud. It would be interesting to see the transformation those words could make.
While the homes renovation shows cover a longer period, most of the personal makeovers are done in about a week. Typically during that time the nominee gets new clothes, a new haircut and in Queer Eye 2, my newest obsession, their house redone. While all of that is taking place there is a lot of conversation about why things look they way they do, why has a woman chosen to dress provocatively or perhaps as though she is hiding her body? Why has a man decided to stop shaving and wear the same thing every day whether its to the gym, work or a date? More often than not, it’s because the person feels unworthy and undeserving. During the course of the week, the experts intentionally get to know them, they show them that they are loved, there are many people who are proud of them and they have something worth saying. The result, the person is transformed in appearance as well as attitude. In many cases, they glow.
Whenever I watch these shows I always pray that my eyes would be opened to the people who are in need of this, people who look like they need someone else to care about them so that they have permission to care for themselves. May all of us have eyes and hearts that are able to see beyond crusty personalities and grungy exteriors to what lies beneath, knowing that each of us are loved and have made God proud.

~ New Email Address ~
We are working to update and streamline the email addresses for everyone in the office. Please note that as of April 1, my email will be youth@stedmunds.org.

~ Youth Group ~
We have been finding that the first Sunday of the month isn’t the best day for Youth Group and therefore we are going to try the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, April 8th.
If anyone would like to host, please contact me, otherwise we will meet at the church.

~ Upcoming Events ~

Today
17 Minute National Student Walk-Out
10 am – 10:17 am
Many schools, including San Marino High School are participating in a
17 minute walk-out to honor the 17 lives taken last month at Stoneman Douglas High School.
SMHS student leaders have created a moving tribute to the 17 lives lost, while creating a meaningful expression of the right to freedom of speech. This extremely positive and peaceful presentation in support of ending gun violence in schools will take place on campus and has the full support of SMHS administration and staff.

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Sunday, March 18
Team 3 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms

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Sunday, March 25
Palm Sunday
Team 4 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
Teaching: Darcy, Jaden, Antonio & Heather

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Spring Break Activities
Don’t be bored this spring, join us for fun!

Monday, March 26
Natural History Museum

Critter Club
10-10:45
Critter Club is a family friendly program that introduces 3- to 5-year-olds and a participating adult to the Museum’s live animals.
Junior Scientists
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Junior Scientist is specially designed for 6- to 9-year-olds and their families. Packed with activities, demonstrations, and an up-close look at some cool (and sometimes creepy crawly) highlights from our collection, each month is a crash course in one of the many fields of science explored at the Museum.

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Tuesday, March 27
California Science Center
King Tut Exhibit and Imax

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Wednesday, March 28
Kidspace Museum for Caterpillar Adoption Days

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Thursday, March 29
Passover Seder
Parish Hall | 6 pm

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Friday, March 30
Ice Skating
1 pm | Pasadena Skate Center
$15 per person

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Sunday, April 1
Easter Sunday

Please join us for a massive Easter Egg hunt, dove release
and pinatas on the Close following the 10 am service.

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Sunday, April 8
Team 2 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
Teaching: Vicki, Antonio & Heather

Youth Group
5 – 7 pm | Youth Room

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Sunday, April 15
Team 3 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
Teaching: Antonio & Heather

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Sunday, April 22
Team 4 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
Teaching: Rebecca, Antonio & Heather

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Sunday, April 29
Celebration of Father George
Team 5 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms

Please feel free to contact Heather if you have questions.