Peace in the Midst of Life: Advent Meditation, 12/4/2012
Luke 10:21-24 By: Rachel Jones Peace: it does not mean to be in a place where there isno noise, trouble, or hard work.It means to be in the midst of those things andstill be calm in your heart.— anonymous Jesus gets kind of weird in Luke 10. He goes from sending the 70 out into the […]
Doctrine of Discovery Lament Offering 1: Acknowledge & Lament the Past and Present
By: Kathryn Rickert This presentation was given as the third of six offerings in a lament over the Doctrine of Discovery held on Tuesday, July 10, at the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, in Indianapolis. As far as I know, the Episcopal Church is the first in history to publicly repudiate the Doctrine of […]
Holy Cross, Pittsburgh, PA Diocese of Pittsburgh
Every year the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York celebrates St. Francis Day with an amazing service. In many churches animals are blessed on that day, remembering Francis’ remarkable care for all parts of God’s creation – animals, plants, human beings poor and rich, even brother sun and sister moon. I was […]
Holy Cross, Pittsburgh, PA Diocese of Pittsburgh
Every year the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York celebrates St. Francis Day with an amazing service. In many churches animals are blessed on that day, remembering Francis’ remarkable care for all parts of God’s creation – animals, plants, human beings poor and rich, even brother sun and sister moon. I was […]
House of Deputies President: “Let’s be bold and visionary disciples of Jesus.”
“Let’s be bold and visionary disciples of Jesus,” the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies, said in her sermon at the noon Chapel service at the Episcopal Church Center during the meeting of the Executive Council. The Executive Council, meeting in New Brunswick, NJ, visited the Church Center in New York […]
Immigration and Border Issues, NACO border procession: Crossing Over
I’ve been to Korea twice, most recently a few weeks ago. The first visit included a border procession somewhat like what we’re going to do later today. Anglicans from around the world, who had gathered to study peace-making, went into North Korea to bring aid to a North Korean village. We traveled by tourist bus […]
Obedience, Not Ritual, Proper 17 (B) – 2012
Ritual is essential in life. National, religious or familial, rituals offer us the comfort of repetition and familiarity as they lend beauty to occurrences that otherwise might be considered mundane. Observe a little child who asks for the same story night after night – this is her ritual – or your own delight in keeping […]
Wisdom and Grace, Proper 15 (B) – 2012
Two old friends recently met at a school reunion. They had not seen each other for 35 years. During that time they had each married, raised children, worked to support their families and, they discovered, been active members of their churches. As they walked into dinner, one looked at the other and said, “We’ve aged […]
Food That Endures, Proper 13 (B) – 2012
A deep spiritual hunger is implanted in every human heart. Different people will seek to fill this need in different ways, but the hunger is not unique. People yearn for a deeper connection, an eternal spiritual connection, and when that is lacking will seek any means to be fulfilled. Jesus said he came that we […]
Bible Study: Proper 11 (B) – 2012
Jeremiah 23:1-6 The prophet Jeremiah may have witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians in the early sixth century B.C.E. Likely his words were preserved, edited and expanded upon during the exile as a testament to the pain sustained by the people of Judah, an exploration of the reasons behind the […]
General Convention July 10 Sermon: The Rev. Albert Cutié
The following sermon was presented today at the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting in Indianapolis IN through July 12. SERMON – JULY 10, 2012 – Remembering Bartolomé de las Casas: Tireless Advocate for Justice (MT 10:26-31) – The Rev. Albert Cutié, Diocese of Southeast Florida In the name of God: Father, […]
Discernment Is a Word…, Lent 1 (B) – 2009
“Discernment” is a word we throw around a lot in the church, most often in regard to ordained ministry. As in “She is in the discernment process” or “I have agreed to be on his discernment committee.” But it is also an essential part of each of our spiritual journeys and our lives as human […]
Perhaps Many of Us Will Think…, Lent 1 (B) – 2009
Father Abraham had many children. Many children had Father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you. So letâs just praise the Lord! Perhaps many of us will think of this old-fashioned summer camp song when we hear these lessons about the promise made to Abraham in his old age. God had made […]
Have You Noticed…, Easter 3 (B) – 2009
Have you noticed that many of the post-Easter stories about the resurrected Jesus are centered on meals? The disciples knew the Lord in the breaking of the bread at Emmaus, as we recall in todayâs collect; and Jesus comes among the disciples and shows his risen humanity by eating a piece of broiled fish in […]
Recipe for Success, Proper 25 (B) – 2009
Recipe for success: one part awareness, one part knowledge, one part motivation, one part action. Slowly add one ingredient at a time, gradually and with care. Then begin again. Note: you may be inspired to start over at any point in the process. One might place knowledge before awareness, but without awareness how does knowledge […]
Speaking With Strangers, Day of Pentecost (B) – 2012
As a child, were you ever warned not to speak to strangers? This warning can be very helpful, and keeping our children safe is so important. Today, though, we hear that Pentecost is about when it is really good to speak with strangers. That first Pentecost happened in the city of Jerusalem, but today’s story […]
Trial Use
The process of Prayer Book revision has been ongoing since the sixteenth century. The first Episcopal Prayer Book began with a process of trial use. The 1786 Proposed Prayer Book was the basis for the 1789 BCP, which was the first official Prayer Book in the Episcopal Church. During the twentieth century in the Episcopal […]
Brownell, Thomas Church
(Oct. 19, 1779-Jan. 13, 1865). Seventh Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He was born in Westport, Massachusetts. Brownell began his education at the College of Rhode Island, but transferred to Union College where he graduated in 1804. From 1805 until 1817, he taught at Union College, and during his last years there he studied […]