I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 To be reminded that God is always doing a new thing that brings life out of death, that brings hope out of […]
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Living Fast
The Fast Life Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them. Fast from fear of illness; Feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies. Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; Feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; Feast on hope. Fast from […]
Highlights from the Annual Meeting
Highlights from the Annual Meeting St. John’s Episcopal Church January 24, 2021 Our treasurer Richard Bradford reported that overall financial health of the parish was quite favorable, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Parishioner giving proved to be strong and generous Richard present the 2021 budget which had been approved by the Vestry […]
A Light
Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the […]
Lessons & Carols
The services of worship we use are very few: Eucharist, Morning & Evening Prayer, Compline, Marriage, Burial, Ordination. These are ancient rites whose forms have stood the test of sanctity over long expanses of time because of the meaning they convey. Their meanings are only experienced by those who participate in them and are […]
Each man’s life touches so many others
During Advent, the Rector’s Forum is discussing holiday movies. Last week we shared our favorite lines from It’s a Wonderful Life. One of the participants emailed me and shared this as the most impactful line, “Each man’s life touches so many others.” Just as this line is important for others, I am mindful and moved […]
Advent and Our Liturgy
Advent and Our Liturgy As many of you know, I have been conducting a class during the Fall called “Liturgy: The Work of the People.” The choice of that topic was not arbitrary. I thought it was important to have an adult formation class focus on the service of Holy Eucharist Rite II for […]
Getting to Know You
Recently, I have been spending more and more time with individual church members and their families. Sarah has joined me for a few of these conversations. In any year other than 2020, we would have hosted larger gatherings as a way of getting to know one another. However, to be as safe as possible such […]
A New Word
As we have settled in our new home, we are learning all the nuances that come with such transition. We are discovering which light switches operate which lights, which keys go to which door and which rooms run hot and which rooms run cold. In other words, lots of everyday experiences still feel new with […]
God-Given Commission
“We have a God-given commission, but it is not a commission to be self-righteous know-it-alls- quite the contrary. Our work in God’s world begins with the acknowledgment that we are not God, and that our most bitter rivals are made in God’s image. “ Senator John C. Danforth John Danforth was a United States Senator […]