So here we are at last in Sunnyvale after our first day of travel. Already we know that the journey will hold many surprises because we booked the wrong hotel! Where we are is quite fine, but I thought I was booking what I used to call "The Duck Hotel" because it was built around these meandering duck ponds. This hotel has lovely rooms but no ducks. That is okay with me, just confusing.
To get here we drove north on the 101, stopping periodically to visit Episcopal churches.
First visit: St. Barnabas, Arroyo Grande
They are instituting their new rector tomorrow so we were really lucky that we caught Gene in time to have him open the church to us. He was leaving to go pick up a birthday present for his daughter who will turn 50. Turns out Gene and his wife just got back from a visit to Vancouver (amazing! That is where we are headed.) and he recommended these little boats that run between the mainland and Grandville. Anyway, we noticed how much the church looked like St. Mary's, Lompoc (has to be the same architect). Sang By the Mark and Be thou my vision. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for the new rector, Rob Keim and for Gene's daughter. So good of them to welcome us.
Next: St. Luke's, Atascadero
If we hadn't had Google maps, we never would have found this little gem (actually, the same is true of St. Barnabas). But once we found it, we were charmed. They have a Montessori preschool and the kids welcomed us. Their teacher kindly showed us to the office where we met the church secretary and the rector, Fr. Matt Conrad. He immediately dropped what he was doing to open the church for us. The doors were beautifully carved. Fr. Matt told a little about the history of the building and all about the variety of service the church offers. Sunday they will throw open their doors to welcome their four-legged friends. Sometimes they offer meals to the two-leggeds that come through the doors. They offer Taize service on Sunday evenings. The number of young ones (under 7 years old) has Fr. Matt dreaming of children's choir. We sang I'm Gonna Tell my Jesus Howdy. Say a prayer of thanks for Fr. Matt and the good work they are doing in caring for their community. Such warmth and such a gracious welcome to these travelers!
Last stop today: St. Mark's, King City
I love the tree beside this church. Felt right at home here because it is an urban church on a pretty busy street corner in a Latino neighborhood. Beautiful stained glass. Their stations of the cross are especially wonderful. We met Ray Ann in the kitchen of the Guild Hall preparing for dinner theater production (The Odd Couple with an all female cast!). Seems Ray Ann has just stepped down as Senior Warden (her husband has taken her place). One of their former priests carved the crucifix. This is the oldest church in town. We sang Come, O Thou Traveller and Wondrous Love and I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord. Say a prayer of thanks for churches that support the arts and for Ray Ann and her great love for her parish church. Thanks for letting us hang out and sing.
Tomorrow: San Francisco!
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