February 15: World Mission Sunday
Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, World Mission Sunday in 2015 is February 15 in The Episcopal Church. The purpose of World Mission Sunday is to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant’s call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305), and to raise […]
Bible Study: Epiphany 1 (B) – 2015
Genesis 1:1-5 It’s hard to imagine more familiar words than the opening of Genesis, isn’t it? “In the beginning” the famous first words ring. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the words of my Old Testament professor, Dr. Robert Wilson, as he led us through the Book of Genesis: “Don’t confuse familiarity with understanding.” So […]
Bible Study: Christmas 1 – 2014
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 The reading from the Hebrew Bible today comes from the final section of Isaiah, generally referred to as Third Isaiah (Chapters 56-66), and is marked by Israel’s return to Palestine after a long time in exile. Salvation, hope and transformation are key themes in this passage. The metaphors move from what more concretely […]
Bible Study: Advent 1 (B) – 2014
Isaiah 64:1-9 Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet, is the prophet of Advent, proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God, the Messiah, and the joy and hope of Zion. However, the use of Isaiah in the New Testament betrays an underlying truth of the book – as Paul D. Hanson points out in “Isaiah 40-66: Interpretation” (John […]
UNCSW 2011: L'Apanage et le privilège
by Gregory Stark, Dioceses of Idaho and Ohio Considérez, frères, qui vous êtes, vous que Dieu a appelés : il y a parmi vous, du point de vue humain, peu de sages, peu de puissants, peu de gens de noble origine. Au contraire, Dieu a choisi ce qui est folie aux yeux du monde pour couvrir […]
Episcopal Campus Ministry at Atlanta's HBCU's
The Campus Ministry As I sit in my office typing this blog, a group of food service providers from Morehouse College are working with local labor organizers in our large gathering space called the Koinonia Cafe. Across the hall, two men of Morehouse are studying in the computer lab, and next door to my office […]
A Lenten Journey of Restoration*
During the first Wednesday dinner in Lent, a freshmen reported his excitement about hosting his first “kickback” (defined as a laid back, relaxed party). The report sounded benign to most people present, but I curiously inquired with the student about the planned location for his event. When the young man didn’t have a clear answer, […]
Where Tomorrow Meets Today: Expanding the Future of Young Adults & the Church
Today we welcome guest blogger Teresa B. Pasquale. Teresa is a trauma therapist, yoga teacher, “crooked mystic,” and 18-30’s spirituality program leader within the Episcopal tradition. Teresa is involved with planning the “Where Tomorrow Meets Today” conference in Ft. Lauderdale next February. The Question Who are young adults? What do they like? What do they believe in? […]
Focus on the Work of YASC for World Mission Sunday
This upcoming Sunday, March 2, is World Mission Sunday in The Episcopal Church. Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, the purpose of World Mission Sunday is to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant’s call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305), and […]
Bible Study: Proper 27 (A) – 2014
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Memory is a powerful vehicle for us as intellectual creatures. Memory connects the past to the present state of things and helps us recall the stories told by our ancestors. Memory works its magic in the stories that we tell to each other as we recollect the years past, which helps us […]
Bridging the Gap series: How a simple phone call can change a life
Today I welcome as guest blogger the Rev. Canon John W. Newton, Canon For Lifelong Christian Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. This is the first of several blog posts focused on how the church can “Bridge the Gap” for graduating high school seniors to whatever is next in their lives: be it a gap year, an […]
Just in Time: A Few Ideas for Graduation and Confirmation Gifts
Today my guest blogger is the Rev. Shannon Kelly, Christian Formation Consultant and Writer. She is a Contributor to Faith Formation Learning Exchange and is on the Board of Directors of Forma. Shannon is an adult participant on the Episcopal Youth Event Mission Planning Team and was the Chaplain for the recent General Convention Official Youth […]
How do you parent after graduation?
This is the second of two posts written by guest blogger Jenifer Gamber. Jenifer is the mother of two young adults and author of Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People and My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church. She also leads retreats and workshops for Christian educators working with youth. Parenting Graduates […]
EYE'14 Mission Planning Team Meets, Chooses Theme
Click to view slideshow. The Mission Planning Team for the Episcopal Youth Event 2014 (EYE’14) gathered in San Diego last week for their second of four face-to-face meetings. In addition to meetings like this one, their preparations are accomplished through video conference calls, Facebook conversations, and a project organizing application called Basecamp. I couldn’t be more grateful […]
Embracing Our Baptismal Promises Through Mission Experiences and Pilgrimages
Today’s Mission Monday post is another excerpt from the forthcoming Episcopal Youth in Mission Manual. This article, from the introductory pages of the draft Manual, explores the understanding of mission we gather from the promises made at Baptism. Enjoy! Our Baptismal Promises: The Foundation of Christian Mission Experiences and Pilgrimages Celebrant: Will you continue in […]
A Worldwide Church in Mission
Easter Blessings! I hope that all of you enjoyed a meaningful Holy Week and a joyful Easter celebration. As we moved through the Paschal Triduum last weekend, one prayer at the Vigil stood out for me: O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; […]
Responding to Tragedy
Although I am in Geneva, the tragedy in Connecticut is making worldwide news and is weighing heavily on my heart. I am re-posting this from the EpiscoYouth blog that is kept by my colleague, Bronwyn Skov. My prayers go out to everyone impacted by this tragedy and I will do everything I can to offer the […]
What are you doing for World Mission Sunday?
This Sunday, February 10, is World Mission Sunday – a time when the church comes together to focus on the global impact of our call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” (Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer, p. 305). In 2013, World Mission Sunday will focus on the ministries of the missionaries of the […]
Praying Compline with Your Children
Today, I am re-posting (with permission, of course!) a recent article by the Rev. Jeff Jackson, that appeared on his blog on July 27. I thought the post was a great mixture of meaning and learning, with just the right dash of fun. Enjoy! 6 Reasons to Pray Compline with Kids For many years, we […]
Marking Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday, March 5, is the day that Lent begins. It is a day of reflection for us to stop, pause, and examine our lives. What is it we want to change? What is it we want to do? This is a day set aside to remember we are a part of God’s creation and […]