Christ Church

It is very good to be with you again – and to be here with you!  It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since we gathered at St. Michael and All Angels.  Your journey has been a long one, and in addition to grief and some despair at the beginning, it’s brought growth, […]

Proper 12A

If you were going to describe the kingdom of God, what sort of story would you tell?  Can you see that goal we’re aiming for?  What’s your image of that kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven? The hints Jesus offers in this morning’s gospel draw in all sorts of creatures and parts […]

Proper 11A

It is very good to be with you again – and to be here with you!  It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since we gathered at St. Michael and All Angels.  Your journey has been a long one, and in addition to grief and some despair at the beginning, it’s brought growth, […]

Presiding Bishop’s 2014 World Refugee Day message

Proper 8A – Niobrara Convocation

Last weekend I participated in a memorial pilgrimage for St. Alban.  He died about 1800 years ago, as the first martyr in England.  The Romans were hunting down Christians and had heard that Alban was sheltering a priest, who had taught him about Jesus but hadn’t yet baptized him.  When the guards came to his […]

Easter 2A Trinity

Alleluia, Christ is risen!  The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia! So what are we afraid of, even in the midst of this great rejoicing?  For most of the world, fear rarely takes a holiday.  The current threats in Eastern Europe are raising the fear of war in a world that is deeply weary of it.  […]

Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  The ability to do that begins with the heart.  There’s a traditional Irish prayer that goes something like this, “May those who love us love us.  And those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts.  And if he doesn’t turn their hearts, may […]

Western North Carolina – Evening Prayer

My grandfather died almost 50 years ago, but one of his sayings continues to be part of the family lore.  It may be apocryphal, but my mother insisted that when she or her siblings had done something wrong, he would confront them by saying, “we’re going to have words, and you’re not going to get […]

Moravian Southern Province

I greet you on behalf of The Episcopal Church in 17 nations, where we overlap with this Moravian province and others in the Unitas Fratrum.  Like you, we are part of a global fellowship of provinces, the Anglican Communion.  Episcopalians and Moravians are still only beginning to explore what it means to be in full […]

Bishops Executive Secretaries Together – Keynote Address

I need to begin by thanking you all for your ministry.  No bishop can long survive without the gifts you bring to an office or diocesan team.  The work you do, and the dedication and excellence you bring to the work, provide an essential kind of “brain” for the work of a larger body.  You […]