Safety “The only people who change, who are transformed, are people who feel safe, who feel their dignity, and who feel loved.” – Richard Rohr I’ve heard it said that priests are change agents. We are here to help people grow and growth always involves change. My two observations about this are: 1) […]
Leisure, Work, and Prayer “The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure….” (Ecclesiasticus 38.24) The apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus contains various suggestions about the importance of wisdom, how to obtain it, and how it is evidence of God’s spirit permeating all of creation. In the 38th chapter the author helps us […]
Untimely Deaths When I was interviewing at the first church where I would serve as Rector, I was told of a physician in the congregation who wanted to meet me. “You’ll be the person who buries me,” he told me when I called on him, “so I want to get to know you fast.” […]
On the Fringes “She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.” (Luke 8:44) Luke and Matthew both tell the story of Jesus healing a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years. She was a woman who had herself lived […]
Holy Impatience In the fifth chapter of Luke’s gospel we read about a huge crowd gathering around Jesus for healing. They have heard of his healing dreadful things like leprosy and have flocked to the house where he is staying to receive that healing for their own various ailments. It’s a scene of desperate […]
Even When We’re Sleeping “There’s no such thing as a bad, short sermon,” I’ve heard it said over the years. In the 20th chapter of Acts, we hear of St. Paul preaching so long that a young man named Eutychus falls asleep and topples out of a third story window. The crowd fears Eutychus […]
Outreach Grants of $122,500 On September 17, the Vestry approved the recommendations made by the Outreach Grants Committee, chaired by Charlie Harris. Grants of $122,500 were made and distributed last week to the following ministries in our area which involve many volunteer opportunities as well. Applications this year totaled $268,708. These groups are carefully researched […]
Transitions Once again one of our talented Associate Rectors is moving on to become Rector of a highly respected parish. Candice Frazer will become Rector of the Church of the Ascension here in Montgomery on October 15. Her last Sunday with us is this Sunday, September 30, and we will say goodbye to her and […]
It’s Week to Week Recently at a meeting of rectors of old downtown churches, a newer colleague was sharing some of the challenges of his new position. Referring to my longer tenure, he said, “I can’t wait to get to that nice, secure place with my parish like Robert has.” I replied, “Hey, it’s […]
Giving Changes Your Heart “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there […]