Saturday, February 2, 2019 | Reflections
Few ethnic divisions have been more palpable than between first-century Jews and Gentiles. In many ways, this division represents the ultimate “us vs. them” mentality. The early church faced this controversy head-on, as we see in letters like Ephesians and Galatians,...
Friday, February 1, 2019 | Reflections
The words of Psalm 51 are the words of a person who realizes the wrong he or she has committed and desires to change but believes that change can only happen with God’s help. These are also the words spoken by God’s people every Ash Wednesday when we are confronted...
Thursday, January 31, 2019 | Reflections
Ministry is hard work. Most pastors and many lay church employees reserve one day a week as their day of rest. We call, text, or email anyway: Sorry to bother you on your day off…In today’s gospel reading, the apostles gather around Jesus, full of stories to share and...
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 | Reflections
I joined the Episcopal Church in 1978. Two years before, General Convention narrowly approved the ordination of women. The newly revised Book of Common Prayer was still in its trial period. I did not understand what all the fuss was about…..(View this reading...
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 | Reflections
Partway through his ministry, Jesus sends his disciples out on their own—in pairs—to spread the good news. How surprised they must be when Jesus hands authority over to them—shepherds and middle managers and fishermen without formal education or credentials. Instead...
Monday, January 28, 2019 | Reflections
Don’t let the bleak winter blues demotivate you. This is the season of Epiphany! God’s love is here for all of us. Look at Jesus with the eyes of your heart and proclaim, “I believe! Alleluia!”The post-Christmas sales are long gone, and….(View this reading and...
Sunday, January 27, 2019 | Reflections
Faith communities, from home Bible studies to cathedrals, are made up of uniquely gifted individuals. Beyond celebrating each person’s gifts, here’s a good question to ask: Since God has intentionally assembled us and our diverse gifts together in this place, what...
Saturday, January 26, 2019 | Reflections
This demon-possessed man comes out from the tombs to confront Jesus. Jesus heals him and clothes him. A crowd starts to gather, and soon folks are freaking out over the healing and subsequent mass pig-suicide.They plead with Jesus to leave thei….(View this...
Friday, January 25, 2019 | General Convention
The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, the Executive Officer of the General Convention, announces that the 2018 edition of the Constitution and Canons together with the Rules of Order, containing all updates from the 79th General Convention, is now available in English and...
Friday, January 25, 2019 | Reflections
Reading today’s lesson from Acts, I wonder if maybe we are more like Saul than we realize. Even with our own limited view, each day we have the opportunity to empty ourselves in order to let God fill us with holy peace, love, and direction for our...
Thursday, January 24, 2019 | General Convention
Central New York Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe, left; Central Pennsylvania Bishop Audrey Scanlon, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Olympia Bishop Greg Rickel and House of Bishops Vice President and El Camino Real Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves pray July 4 during the House of...
Thursday, January 24, 2019 | Reflections
The Mustard Seed Furniture Bank takes donations of new or gently used furniture and other household items and distributes them to those in need.Several years ago, Mustard Seed delivery workers discovered many children slept on floors or doubled and tripled...
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | Reflections
I set out one morning determined to sow some wildflower seeds at the edge of a wooded area in our backyard. Years of untamed roots and vines prevented easy access to my preferred spot. I hacked away, making a small bed and amending it with store-bought soil. Surely...
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 | General Convention
Some of the 15 couples renewing their vows and having their marriages blessed Jan. 19 at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in north Dallas sing during the evening service. Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg/Episcopal News Service [Episcopal News Service –...
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 | Reflections
Today, we hear Isaiah ridiculing the irrational beliefs of those who bow down to idols. And here we are, millennia later, with churches closing for lack of attendance while crowds keep all night vigil for the newest smart phone. Ancient and modern idol worshipers...
