St Edmund's Episcopal Church San Marino

STEDY, May 2, 2018

Acts 8:26-38

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

To answer your first question, yes, the term “eunuch” means exactly what you think it means. To answer your horrified follow-up question of “why?” in ancient times, male court officials were often involuntarily castrated at a young age in order to help them act appropriately around the king’s harem. In the case of this man, the goal was probably to act appropriately around the queen as the ancient kingdom of Kush (modern-day Ethiopia) was often ruled by warrior queens. Typically, eunuchs were seen as second-class citizens and not treated very well, however this man is quite different as he is second in command of a very wealthy and powerful kingdom. He travels by chariot, is able to read and has access to a very rare and costly scroll of the Hebrew scriptures. Because he is from Ethiopia its assumed that he was a Gentile who had converted to Judaism which is why he was willing to travel 1,593 miles to worship at the Temple. Unfortunately, his reception in Jerusalem may not have been very warm as Deuteronomy 23:1 says “No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD.” This man who travelled so far isn’t allowed to worship and he is turned away because of something over which he had no control. He has no choice but to return back home.
This man always breaks my heart because he is a seeker. He clearly wants to worship and he is longing for someone to explain these scriptures that don’t seem to add up. The prophets write endlessly about how we need care for the minority in our midst, but apparently that doesn’t include eunuchs? He had to wondered if he was too horrible, too grotesque even for God. I love that God guides Philip to chase him down. Philip joins him in his chariot and explains that Jesus is the fulfillment of the passage from Isaiah he is reading. We don’t know exactly what happened next, but we know the eunuch had a conversion experience. He asks Philip to baptize him right where they are. The chariot is stopped, the two men descend into a bit of water and this Ethiopian man becomes the first Gentile convert to Christianity.
Many people use this story to talk about how the man returns to Ethiopia, shares the Gospel and becomes one of the first Christian missionaries. I love this story because we see that the first Gentile convert and the first missionary is from a sexual minority. This is a man who knew what it was like to be tortured, isolated and turned away by infuriating people who think they understand love. This was a man God told Philip to find, to tell about Jesus who also knew what it was like to suffer tremendous physical pain at the hands of another, to be rejected and suffered so no one else would have to. This story reminds us that Christ is for everyone and demands that the Church to be radically inclusive and welcoming so that no one else is ever turned away.

~ Street Hockey Madness ~
Our Sunday school appears to have street hockey fever. It’s wonderful how excited students are to play yet their enthusiasm is rough on our sticks. We recently purchased four to replace the five that have been shattered, however we are working with a very tight budget. If you would like to donate more sticks, we would be tremendously appreciative. They can be purchased through Amazon: Franklin Sports 64018X NHL Youth Street Hockey Goalie/Player Stick Set
~ Sunday at the Beach and Paddleboard Yoga ~

The study of Acts will take us through the middle of July.
What better to complete a book full of islands and shipwrecks than
by spending a Sunday at the beach!
Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey is a beautiful spot with lots of parking, nice bathrooms, calm water, life guards, picnic areas and a playground. Families are welcome to join us at any point during the day and stay as long as they like.
The Sundays in July are being considered for this trip to the beach, if you have a preference or any questions please contact Heather.

If you want to come for some early morning sun and stretching, join us for Paddleboard Yoga! The first 30 minutes of the class is dedicated to learning how to properly use a paddleboard and enjoy a peaceful paddle around the harbor. The remaining hour is dedicated to yoga on the paddleboard. Each board has an individual anchor that is dropped down before the Yoga portion of class begins so that the student does not drift away while focusing on their practice. YOGAqua classes are open to “all levels”. Students are taken through a Vinyasa Yoga flow with customized and detailed instruction for the paddleboard so even if they have not been practicing yoga for years, or if they have never been on a paddleboard, they will be able to follow along with no problem.
A single class costs $44 which includes use of a paddleboard.

~ Scenes from Last Week ~
Last Sunday we said goodbye to Father George with a beautiful service and celebration. The Sunday school and youth presented this framed photo to thank him for all his love and ministry.

~ Upcoming Events ~
One Note:
On Sunday, May 20th Antonio is hoping to attend a funeral and will not be able to help with Sunday school. If anyone is willing to help teach that day we would be very appreciative. Thank you!

Sunday, May 6
Team 1 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

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

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Sunday, May 13
Mother’s Day
Team 2 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms

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Sunday, May 20
Team 3 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms

Youth Group
5 – 7 pm | Youth Room

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Sunday, May 27
Team 4 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms

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Sunday, June 3
Team 1 Acolyting

Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel

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

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Sunday, June 10
Team 2 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.