Advent Reflections
AdventWord 2019: 12. Harmony
Bringing people and cultures together. Singing hymns in the Navajo language. Gathering together in hózhó, in beauty, balance, and the love of Christ. This is what harmony means in the Episcopal Church in Navajoland (ECN). The Episcopal Church in Navajoland (ECN) seeks to invite people in the region into loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God, with each other, and with […]
AdventWord 2019: 11. Confess
We humans get so many things wrong, but we also get a lot of things right; we are often cruel and make a mess of our world, but we also create glorious art and do amazingly kind things for others. I spent this past October traveling in Spain with 35 other UTO Pilgrims on the […]
AdventWord 2019: 10. Grace
In August 2017, a group of young people and their leaders gathered in Shrine Mont, Virginia… Shrine Mont is the spiritual heart of the Virginia Diocese – a “thin place”, a beautiful place of retreat, and the perfect location to conclude a two-year journey traveling as Triangle of Hope pilgrims. The Triangle of Hope is […]
AdventWord 2019: 9. Root
Sitting on my couch, broken foot in cast, holiday and life plans completely jacked up, I had my very own conversion experience. But instead of hearing God say, “Go,” I heard him say, very clearly, “Stay.” had counted on selling our house and moving to make me happy. To make my husband happy. To be […]
AdventWord 2019: 8. Worthy
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11, NRSV I can’t speak for everyone who works for The Episcopal Church, but I can speak for myself – […]
AdventWord 2019: 7. Unity
Advent confronts us with a comforting truth that in spite of seemingly insurmountable challenges we have at a personal, family, national, ecumenical, or interfaith level, or within the Anglican Communion, God’s unshakable promise that He will be with us does not depend on these decisions or challenges. God is waiting to be born again or […]
AdventWord 2019: 6. House
Scraping windows is one of those chores that can only be done slowly. Repeatedly. Diligently. Painstakingly. And it is awful, boring, sweat-producing, tedious work. I was scraping our windows so that we could repaint them a newer, shinier, more appealing hue of white, in an attempt to lure a buyer for our house. I was […]
AdventWord 2019: 5. Raise
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring … at Voorhees College and Saint Augustine’s University, two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) founded by The Episcopal Church, voices are raised this season in celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why support our Episcopal HBCUs? Voorhees College and Saint Augustine’s provide an excellent liberal […]
AdventWord 2019: 4. Humble
In the crypt of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem, a painting in an apse represents Mary, the mother of Jesus, surrounded by the disciples on Pentecost. A glittering golden mosaic depicts rays of light descending from a dove: the Holy Spirit is being poured out on every disciple and Mary. While all the disciples have […]
AdventWord 2019: 3. Time
More than six years of preparation. Hours and days spent in planes, trains, and automobiles to visit sites for General Convention and to attend meetings around the Church. Eight days to “move in” and one day to “move out” of a convention center for General Convention. Deputations are elected at least 365 days before General […]