Archive for Pastor’s Weekly Message – Page 3

Sharing

Beloved Community,

Today, Wednesday, I had the opportunity to share a brown bag lunch hour at the amphitheater in Leo J. Ryan Park with Rabbi Elana of Peninsula Sinai Congregation. She newly arrived just after the swastika incident, and now there is the Israel-Palestine War. Yes, there’s a lot going on.

Today, Wednesday, we sat sharing our stories facing the lagoon and enjoying the beautiful day, the beauty of the park by the serene waters. Our histories, our fears and sorrows, strengths and joys, hopes for that which is yet to come. The beginning of many more years of sharing.

This Sunday, we will reflect upon Matthew 25:1-13, aka “The Parable of the Ten Virgins” through the lens of sharing. Do we have enough? Yes, we do. Do we? We can share it, yet often we say this is mine, not yours. As social animals, our survival is dependent upon sharing – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 10 am on Balclutha or Zoom.

Share our joy with a friend,
Rev. Michael Cronin

The Thin Veil

Saints,

This past weekend, Island United participated in the Foster City Halloween Spooktacular. It was a beautiful day to be in Leo J. Ryan Park. We had a lot of fun meeting the little, and not so little, ghouls, goblins, princesses, and cows. 

Hallowe’en, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day are a time where the veil between the world of the living and the dead, God’s world and ours, is at its thinnest. The harvest has come, the leaves are returning to the earth, the trees are going dormant. Here, the days are warm and the nights are cold. It is actually my favorite time of year. I think about warm fires and hibernation. 

This Sunday, we observe All Saints Day with a reflection on Matthew 5:1:12 – The Sermon on the Mount/Beatitudes. “Blessed are you….” I invite you to bring a picture or a memento of a beloved, living or deceased, in human or other form. We will call it all blessed for we are one in the Spirit and by creation. Invite a friend to join us on 1130 Balclutha or Zoom at 10 am.

Blessings,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Getting Settled

Dear Ones,

I’m still reeling with joy that you unanimously elected me to serve as your settled pastor. I mean, after a two-year lease to own, it seems like we have a good thing going; I also think Brent is REALLY why you’ve decided to buy (wink wink). Twenty-five years ago I wouldn’t have seen myself being in a church much less pastoring one. Blame Jim Mitulski.

I look forward to our coming years together celebrating God, celebrating and building community, and doing the work of God’s grace, mercy, and justice in the world. Roll up your sleeves. Let your light shine!

I also look forward to seeing you on Balclutha or on Zoom at 10 am Sunday as we reflect upon Matthew 22:34-46, “The Greatest and First Commandment.”

Thank you for your confidence in me,
Rev. Michael Cronin 🧡

P.S. If you want to help pass out treats to 450 ghouls, goblins, princesses, and others on Saturday, costume or no costume, please join us at Leo Ryan Park. Set-up is 10 am; event is 11 am to 2:30 pm. 

Worldly Things

Companions on the Journey,

In the New Age world, it is often noted what a gift it is to be in the human body. It is highly prized. Souls are waiting to enter in and have the sensory experiences that the body can offer. And – of course – being in the world has the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly.

This week, we continue to hear about the atrocities in Israel, Gaza, and Palestine. Let us not forget the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, not to mention the conflicts that we don’t hear about. This week, I sent out the notice that IUC’s beloved Becky Guerrero passed (please see funeral details below). Yet, beauty and love do prevail. In the midst of human atrocity and loss, people reach out across differences to help and to remember. We re-member, re-connect toward the greater good.

This Sunday, we will look at Matthew 22:15-22, “Paying Taxes to Caesar”. Since I just filed taxes for 2022, it seems particularly close in the realm of worldly things. The good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. 

I look forward to seeing you on Balclutha or Zoom at 10 am Sunday.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. Don’t forget that there is a Congregational meeting on Sunday!

Peace?

Beloveds,

Since we gathered on Sunday after the announcement of the Hamas’ strike on Israel, there has been an Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip. As I write this, there is a body count of 2,300 children of God whose lives have been taken by children of God in the name of God. And God weeps.

In this seemingly intractable situation, it can be hard to find words, and we can be left paralytic with inaction. We sit in shock. In this week’s scripture from the Gospel of Matthew 22:1-14, there is a short sentence: “They were silent.” Rather than be silent, we are called to “clothe ourselves with love” (Col. 3:14) and to take action as each of us is able. To bring peace.

In these days, it is important to surround ourselves with the love community, to realize that community is broader than our walls and geographic location. I invite you to reach out to a friend and invite them to 1130 Balclutha or Zoom this Sunday at 10 am. Rather than being silent, we will pray, sing, and love toward peace.

Shalom,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Harvest

People of God,

It is that time of year! I just got off the phone with my aunt. She told me that at 6:30 Monday morning their Godello (white) grapes were harvested. They hope that, with this heat over the next couple of days, the sugar levels in the Cabernet and Merlot (reds) will come up so they can harvest by the end of the week before the next onslaught of cold weather and rain. Over the years, I have witnessed the detail of care it takes throughout the year toward a bountiful yield. 

The vineyard, the vine, and the branches are major metaphors for our relationship with God and God’s care for us. It seems appropriate that this week we are brought the parable of the landowner and the wicked tenants. With all the political theatre and other human folly over these past weeks, the admonition that the parable brings seems duly appropriate.

I look forward to sharing some thoughts on Matthew 21:33-46 this Sunday at 10 am on Balclutha or on Zoom. Tell a friend.

Share the bounty,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. In honor of our furry friends and family, and all creatures great and small, I offer this blessing: 

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, maker of all living creatures.
You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his siblings.
We ask you to bless our pets.
Cover them with of the power of your love
May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God, in all your creatures! Amen.

Who’s in?

Beloveds,

Last week, Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon reflected upon the who, what, where, why, and how we see things in the world. She talked about systems that create poverty and keep people in poverty. Religious institutions play a part in that.

This week, we commemorate World Communion Sunday – promoting Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. This is the 90th year, and there is still much work to be done, especially with the use of communion as a power play to determine who is in or out vs. a powerful experience that transcends space and time into a unity of all.

We will be looking at Matthew 21:23-32, a question of faith, authority, and who gets to decide. I look forward to seeing you at 10 am on Balclutha or on Zoom. As always, our call as a community is to invite, to welcome in. You are that call and welcome.

With love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. Please consider attending and inviting a friend to the Chinedu Okobi memorial at 2 pm on Sunday.

Until the killing of black men, black mother’s sons
Is as important as the killing of white men, white mother’s sons
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
– Ella’s Song, Bernice Johnson Reagon – Sweet Honey in the Rock

Binoculars, Lenses, and Mirrors

People of Vision,

As I write to you, the air quality index in San Francisco is down to 87 from a high of 197 today, Foster City is 156. Normally, I can see the Pacific and twenty-six miles out to the Farallon Islands Marine Reserve. Today I can’t see a mile in the distance. My heart goes out to all those who suffer the wildfires in Oregon, and I give thanks for the first responders in the midst of it all. Please stay inside as much as possible until the air clears.

This Sunday, we have the gift of hearing my former pastor, mentor, many years friend, and now colleague Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon in the pulpit sharing a word. The title of her sermon is “Binoculars, Lenses, and Mirrors”. She will be reflecting upon Mark 12:38-44. Given the title, I can only imagine the visionary wisdom that she will share with Island United.

I look forward to seeing you at 10 am on Balclutha or Zoom. Invite a friend to hear this fantastic prophetic voice.

Looking forward to seeing you,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. Please plan to stay after service for Penny’s presentation: “Affordable Housing on Faith Land: New opportunities for the Church to embrace justice!”

Rooted in Love

Beloveds,

Last Sunday, we celebrated Homecoming Sunday. The choir returned with their offering of “Home” from The Wiz, featuring Wendy Tobias. Rowe & Tim provided a truly delicious rainbow-themed vegan buffet. Thank you, Rowe & Tim! I continue to look forward as our loved ones return from their travels and share their stories.

We mentioned that we began our season of stewardship with the theme “Rooted in Love”. As the community garden begins to take shape and Challenge School prepares the space for school to begin in October, I’m excited to see what our roots of love will produce.

This weekend, the UCC is commemorating the annual Just Peace Sunday. The website post says, “Just Peace is not a destination, but a path requiring awareness and constant vigilance to resolve existing and developing conflict in ourselves, our families, our communities, our institutions, and our world. This path requires non-violence when possible and even when impossible to engage in love and restraint. Just Peace envisions a renewed, vibrant, diverse, and sustainable world free of violence.”

It seems as though our “I’ve been meaning to ask…” work this summer keeps fruiting with opportunity. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 10 am at 1130 Balclutha or on Zoom as we reflect upon Matthew 18:21-35 – “The Parable of Forgiveness”.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. Please set aside a moment tomorrow – September 15 – to hold 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and the memory of the four little girls – Addie May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Rosamond Robertson, as well as the surviving sister Sarah Collins Rudolph in prayer on this 60th year since the hateful event. May we pray for love to take root in the heart filled with hate.

Home 2023

Beloveds,

As a kid, summer seemed to fly by so quickly. The end of August came in a snap. At the same time, excitement began to build for a return to school and a new educational adventure. Now that I am older, it seems that all time flies by even more quickly. We just recognized Memorial Day and then Labor Day was upon us in an instant, and the season of white shoes is over. And it is time to return home.

This weekend we celebrate Homecoming Sunday. Some of us have returned from summer travels, and some of us are still traveling or beginning travel adventures. If you are like me, when I return to SFO after a time of travel, I get a warm feeling and thoughts of gratitude for being able to live where we do. It really is a gift. And so is Island United. What a gift to have this spiritual home and the collection of personalities that give it life.

Not only is this an opportunity to celebrate the spiritual home we share, it is also an opportunity to invite friends who – for whatever reason – have not been with us for some time as well as those who might be looking for a spiritual home. In these somewhat challenging and isolating days, I believe there are people seeking to find a safe space to be, to nurture and be nurtured. We can offer them Island United “Aloha!”.

In the spirit of creating home, we will be looking at Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7. It is his letter to the exiles in Babylon telling them to make their homes, grow food to eat, and create families. A church community can be just that place of home, spiritual sustenance, and created family.

I look forward to seeing you at 1130 Balclutha or on Zoom at 10 am Sunday.

Home awaits,
Rev. Michael Cronin