Shining Stars,

It was so lovely to be back in your company again on Sunday. I pray this finds all well with you after these storms that have passed through. I read that San Francisco has had nearly five inches of rain over the past seven days; our normal is about one-and one-half. What was a barren brown has become verdant.

Just as the mountains and hillsides have transitioned from brown to green, we move from Epiphany into Lent. Our bridge is The Transfiguration, when Jesus goes to the mountaintop with Peter, James, and John, and they witness his transfiguration – his change to a more beautiful spiritual state. We are given a preview of the realm of God to come.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 10 am on Balclutha, Zoom, or livestream. Invite a friend to shine with you before we enter into Lent and our penitential preparation for Easter.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Dear Ones,

I am officially returned from the three weeks interim time off. I thank you for your generosity of spirit that allowed for this. I am grateful for the preachers who stepped up and joined you in my absence. I heard stories. And Brent had fun filling you in with visuals of what I might be doing while away.

February is Black History Month, and I invite you to check out the section dedicated to historic interfaith black leaders who shaped America. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14, with a joint bilingual service at CCSM. I hope you will consider attending as we enter into Lent together and follow Peter’s story and the Wandering Heart inspired by “Come Thou Fount”.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 10 am at 1130 Balclutha, in person, on Zoom, or livestream. Tell a friend!

With gratitude,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Awesome Ones,

Once again, I want to thank you for this transitional time off. This Sunday we welcome Rev. Carol Barriger, familiar friend and family, retired Minister of Island United Church. I know Carol will offer a spirited reflection and gift to the congregation. Whether on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or livestream, please make your way to hear this amazing speaker.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. If you have a pastoral need during my time away. please contact Rev. Jim Mitulski at (323) 578-4454 or [email protected].

Liberators,

Thank you, again, for this transitional time off. This Sunday we welcome our dear friend Rev. Jim Mitulski of the Congregational Church of the Peninsula. Many of you will remember him from his Interim Minister time here as IUCFC (you can blame him for me). Please read his bio below. Whether on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or livestream, please make your way to hear this amazing speaker. 

Keep marching in the Light of God,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. If you have a pastoral need during my time away (January 9-30), please contact Rev. Jim Mitulski at (323) 578-4454 or [email protected].

Followers,

I want to thank you for this transitional time off. This Sunday we welcome Rev. Álvaro Durán of the ICSM – the Latino Ministry of the Congregational Church of San Mateo. Originally from El Salvador, he is an amazing speaker and has an amazing story to share. Please read his bio below. Whether on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or livestream, please make your way to hear this amazing speaker. 

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. If you have a pastoral need during my time away (January 9-30), please contact Rev. Jim Mitulski at (323) 578-4454 or [email protected]

Beloveds,

I pray you had a Happy New Year celebration. As I mentioned Sunday morning, Brent & I went to dinner with Wendy & Andra, played table games until just before midnight, and watched the “live” recording from Times Square craziness. Surprisingly, the fireworks weren’t as crazy here as we thought, so there was no hiding under the bed.

This week we wrap up our “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” journey with Luke in a mash-up. We will be celebrating the Epiphany (Matthew) and the Baptism of Jesus (Luke): from baby to adult in an hour. I want to sing about the three wise guys and telling it on the mountain! Our series suggests that “we trust our belovedness.” This week’s Scripture – Luke 3:21-22 – focuses on the Baptism of Jesus and the declaration from Heaven: “You are my Own, my Beloved. On you my favor rests.”

As you go through the rest of the week, make your first thought after waking “I am God’s Beloved.” When you look in the mirror, think “I am God’s Beloved.” Make your last thought of the day “I am God’s Beloved” and see how you feel. Tell a friend or loved one “You are God’s Beloved” and see what happens.

I look forward to seeing you on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or livestream. Invite a friend!

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Theophilus (Lovers of God),

I pray that your Christmas brought you some joy. The holidaze can be overwhelming and triggering. The weariness we carry can be exacerbated. Ritual can bring comfort or alienation in these moments.

Many of us are conditioned to think of ritual as only related to church – a solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. If we stop to think about it, our daily lives are filled with ritual. Many events in the secular world are rituals. Oh, how we like to live in the binary world of “sacred and profane”.

On this First Sunday after Christmas, New Year’s Eve, I invite us to look at our rituals and the comfort they can bring us when the world wears us down, as well as those that might not work for us anymore; reimagining. We will be looking at Luke 2:21-38, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

I look forward to seeing you on 1130 Balclutha. Zoom, or livestream at 10 am Sunday morning. Invite a friend!

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

People of Love,

I trust you have been staying warm and dry during the recent rains. The stories coming out of Gaza about people sleeping amidst rubble, on the streets, without blankets, as winter besets the land is heartbreaking. As the numbers rise, with no sense of an end to any of the wars in sight, we look to hope, peace, joy, and love more than ever. We sing and open up to make room in our hearts for what is already here. LOVE

This Sunday morning at 10 am, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we will revisit Mary’s Magnificat along with the rarely heard Zechariah’s Song. Songs of promise, change, and praise. At 6 pm, Christmas Eve, we will reconvene to make room for, and invite in, the good news with lessons and carols. I look forward to seeing you on Balclutha, Zoom, or on livestream. Invite a friend, send some good cheer!

Love is the answer,
Rev. Michael Cronin

People of Joy,

Last week, we experienced a moving reflection by Rev. Deborah Lee, Executive Director of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, on Luke 1:24-56 (Mary and Elizabeth’s sharing and The Magnificat), which included testimonies from Eladio and Guillermo, two people impacted by the ICE Detention Center prisons. We were also given time for Q&A after the service to learn more about the inhumane policies of said prisons and their amazing stories of perseverance. All setting the tone for God’s favor and liberation, finding joy in community amidst the struggle.

When we allow ourselves to be amazed, we can find joy. It can be found in the mundane as well as the extraordinary. When we stop and take in that which we might take for granted – the sky, the stars, a tree, a friend – and really think about them, how can we not be amazed? I mentioned in a tangential way the RadioLab podcast on pregnancy, placenta, and the miracle of how we’re even here. I invite you to listen to it: https://radiolab.org/podcast/everybodys-got-one.

In the Advent of new birth, our awakening to the light that shines, let us pay attention to the amazement that surrounds us. I look forward to seeing you at 10 am Sunday on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or our livestreams as I reflect on Luke 1:57-66, the birth of John the Baptist.

Be joy!
Rev. Michael Cronin

People of Peace,

How is your waiting going? As we enter into the Second Sunday of Advent, aka Peace Sunday, there is so much conflict going on. There were seven days of truce during the Israel-Hamas conflict for which there was hope of continuation and further releasing of hostages. Failed. The GOP has rejected aid to Ukraine in order to push forward border policies. The US declared that the warring factions in Sudan – the war the world forgot – have committed war crimes.

And a Happy Holiday to you, Michael…

What brings you peace in times of trouble? This week our subtheme is “We find joy in connection.” I believe that is true. In my most trying of times, moments where I have or have wanted to isolate, it has been the accountability through community that has kept despair at bay – moving me back into hope and joy. Isolation builds insulation that prevents accountability. Isolation creates loneliness and intensifies the burdens of life. Isolation breaks the spirit. It is a tactic used by an abuser to maintain power.

Connection. I believe that is the primary reason we come together. We maintain our connection to God through our connection to each other, our seeing God in each other.

This Sunday, we have Rev. Deborah Lee – Executive Director of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity – and two people directly impacted by CA detention prisons joining us as we look at Luke 1:24-56 – Mary’s Announcement to Elizabeth and the Magnificat. I hope you will join us on Balclutha, Zoom, or livestream at 10 am. Share with a friend.

Keep connecting!
Rev. Michael Cronin