Sunday Worship Services:
Due to efforts to slow the spread of COVID19
in-person worship services are cancelled
until further notice.
Services will be live streamed on Sundays 9:00 a.m.
Due to efforts to slow the spread of COVID19
in-person worship services are cancelled
until further notice.
Services will be live streamed on Sundays 9:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY MEAL at St. Augustine's will be served using a drive-through format to ensure the safety of our guests and servers.
Please join us Thursday, May 28th -- meals will be available at 4:30 p.m. and we will serve until pau. Don't forget to wear your face masks when out in public for the safety of our neighbors.
Watch this site for updates on our next meal date and time.
Please join us Thursday, May 28th -- meals will be available at 4:30 p.m. and we will serve until pau. Don't forget to wear your face masks when out in public for the safety of our neighbors.
Watch this site for updates on our next meal date and time.
For further information, contact:
vicardiana@staugustineskohala.com
vicardiana@staugustineskohala.com
A message from Vicar Diana
May 22, 2020
May 22, 2020
Aloha St. Augustine's Ohana,
The other day I was out running an errand and halfway there I remembered that I’d left my face mask at home. I worried about this and almost turned around except that I was running late. I began to run through questions in my mind, “What would be the risks?” “What else can I use to cover my face?” “Will I make other people uncomfortable? Or will people even care?” Since I was not meeting anyone and I was not going into a crowded place, I decided I would be safe as long as I stayed at a safe distance from anyone I might run into.
The questions I asked myself were somewhat random but they became more focused as I thought about the purpose of wearing face masks during this pandemic. The risk was not about my exposure to others. The risk was exposing them to me and my exhalations — those aerosolized droplets that we’re learning are the vehicles for the virus. My concern about slowing the spread of the virus is best expressed by wearing a face mask when in public. This act reduces my possible role in spreading the virus — even though I may feel quite well.
I’ve been noticing the face mask wearing practices of folk in our communities and neighborhoods. While some are clearly diligent and committed, others are committed as long as it isn’t inconvenient or uncomfortable … as long as it doesn’t restrict them too much. And this is the challenge with face masks: we need to wear them despite the discomfort. We need to wear them as an act of care and concern for our neighbor. Wearing my mask is not about protecting me; it’s about protecting you. It’s about slowing the spread of a dangerous virus.
As I observe various forms of resistance to wearing face masks, I now see there is another kind of protective mask we will need to wear … one that protects others from the ways our anger, fear, short tempered remarks and impatience can spread and infect each other. What is the spiritual face mask we need to put on to ensure that we do not harm the other with unexamined and hurtful words?
Some of you know that part of my morning devotion is the recitation of a section from Psalm 51. In particular, I am thinking of these two verses: “Open my lips, O Lord, that my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” One might think the daily recitation of these verses would become rote and sort of like being on auto-pilot. But every time I say them I am reminded of the simple act of speaking … how what we say is of consequence to the one to whom we say it. What we say can cut down someone’s trust, openness, desire to be in relationship. Harsh words or uncaring comments may not send someone to the ICU, but they can harm human bonds and tear at the fabric of community.
What protective actions might we take to prevent the spread of fear, anger, anxiety to our neighbors? What spiritual face mask can we put on to help slow the way that unkindness floats into the spaces between us and infects others? We often talk about loving one another, but how does one begin to shift toward loving another? It’s easier said than done.
Protecting others from our unkindness, our harsh words requires a routine similar to putting on a cloth face mask when we go out into the world. It requires that we develop a routine — a daily discipline — that forms our hearts and minds through the love of God.
Establishing a daily discipline, a regular prayer practice, can feel uncomfortable the same way wearing a face mask is uncomfortable. Yet the reward is great, and this is why we need to get past the inconvenience and discomfort of developing a prayer practice. It doesn’t so much protect us from others as it protects others from us. If we truly seek to love our neighbor as ourself, then we are called to do those things — however inconvenient or uncomfortable — to protect our neighbor from those moments when our words can cut, wound or mutilate our common bonds of humanity. Indeed we were made for this through our baptism promise to protect others: “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?” (BCP p. 304)
As you prepare to run that errand by putting on your cloth face mask, why not also reflect on putting on your spiritual face mask? And here's some good news: no supplies needed.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 815)
In peace and with blessings,
Vicar Diana
The other day I was out running an errand and halfway there I remembered that I’d left my face mask at home. I worried about this and almost turned around except that I was running late. I began to run through questions in my mind, “What would be the risks?” “What else can I use to cover my face?” “Will I make other people uncomfortable? Or will people even care?” Since I was not meeting anyone and I was not going into a crowded place, I decided I would be safe as long as I stayed at a safe distance from anyone I might run into.
The questions I asked myself were somewhat random but they became more focused as I thought about the purpose of wearing face masks during this pandemic. The risk was not about my exposure to others. The risk was exposing them to me and my exhalations — those aerosolized droplets that we’re learning are the vehicles for the virus. My concern about slowing the spread of the virus is best expressed by wearing a face mask when in public. This act reduces my possible role in spreading the virus — even though I may feel quite well.
I’ve been noticing the face mask wearing practices of folk in our communities and neighborhoods. While some are clearly diligent and committed, others are committed as long as it isn’t inconvenient or uncomfortable … as long as it doesn’t restrict them too much. And this is the challenge with face masks: we need to wear them despite the discomfort. We need to wear them as an act of care and concern for our neighbor. Wearing my mask is not about protecting me; it’s about protecting you. It’s about slowing the spread of a dangerous virus.
As I observe various forms of resistance to wearing face masks, I now see there is another kind of protective mask we will need to wear … one that protects others from the ways our anger, fear, short tempered remarks and impatience can spread and infect each other. What is the spiritual face mask we need to put on to ensure that we do not harm the other with unexamined and hurtful words?
Some of you know that part of my morning devotion is the recitation of a section from Psalm 51. In particular, I am thinking of these two verses: “Open my lips, O Lord, that my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” One might think the daily recitation of these verses would become rote and sort of like being on auto-pilot. But every time I say them I am reminded of the simple act of speaking … how what we say is of consequence to the one to whom we say it. What we say can cut down someone’s trust, openness, desire to be in relationship. Harsh words or uncaring comments may not send someone to the ICU, but they can harm human bonds and tear at the fabric of community.
What protective actions might we take to prevent the spread of fear, anger, anxiety to our neighbors? What spiritual face mask can we put on to help slow the way that unkindness floats into the spaces between us and infects others? We often talk about loving one another, but how does one begin to shift toward loving another? It’s easier said than done.
Protecting others from our unkindness, our harsh words requires a routine similar to putting on a cloth face mask when we go out into the world. It requires that we develop a routine — a daily discipline — that forms our hearts and minds through the love of God.
Establishing a daily discipline, a regular prayer practice, can feel uncomfortable the same way wearing a face mask is uncomfortable. Yet the reward is great, and this is why we need to get past the inconvenience and discomfort of developing a prayer practice. It doesn’t so much protect us from others as it protects others from us. If we truly seek to love our neighbor as ourself, then we are called to do those things — however inconvenient or uncomfortable — to protect our neighbor from those moments when our words can cut, wound or mutilate our common bonds of humanity. Indeed we were made for this through our baptism promise to protect others: “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?” (BCP p. 304)
As you prepare to run that errand by putting on your cloth face mask, why not also reflect on putting on your spiritual face mask? And here's some good news: no supplies needed.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 815)
In peace and with blessings,
Vicar Diana
"...some musings... " is an occasional reflection by Vicar Diana.
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