Recently, we have been hearing about Jesus and his ministry teaching his disciples. In Luke, Chapter 10, we see the picture of Mary and the disciples “sitting at the feet of Jesus.” In Chapter 11, Luke recounts Jesus’ response to the request, “Lord, teach us to pray…” We, like the first disciples, have been reminded [...]
Notes from the Rector
Jesus Leads Us
August 2, 2010
Physics of Ministry
January 3, 2010
As the old year passes and the New Year moves in, I am considering something about the connection between physics and ministry. It was Sir Isaac Newton who discovered with an apple the principle that “what goes up must gome down…” I must acknowledge that I never made it very far past the rudimentary parts [...]
Advent Anticipation
December 1, 2009
Advent is about preparation — preparing for the coming of Jesus now and again. Advent is about waiting — waiting for salvation which comes not from us or on our own but by means of a savior. Advent is all about anticipation. Yet, Christmas moves further backwards every year. The retailers must think it is [...]
Pillars Of The Church
September 1, 2009
When someone refers to the “pillars” of the Church, usually one thinks about specific people, their gifts and talents and strengths. I do. However, pillars can also refer to essential areas of church life through which people exercise their ministries.
Recently, our staff gathered to plan together for the balance of the 2009-2010 year. In preparation [...]
Disciples: Which Kind Of Fruit
June 2, 2009
Mark Greene, Executive Director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, says that the Christian life is “…a peach and not an orange.” He goes on to explain that most people see their lives as segmented, like an orange, divided into various often unrelated and disconnected sections. However, the life of a Christian — a [...]
The Church
May 1, 2009
On Sunday, May 31st the church celebrates the Day of Pentecost - the birthday of the Church. On the Day of Pentecost, we recall the mighty acts of God, the entrance of the Holy Spirit to the faithful followers of Jesus Christ our Lord, and mark the beginning of the “formal” or “forming” church. We [...]
An Easter Word
April 4, 2009
The central question to be asked about Easter is: “Did Jesus rise from the grave?” The women were terrified, at first, and the disciples could not believe it. Yet dozens, then hundreds, saw the Risen Lord — they recognized him!
The testimony and veracity are believable because of the external evidence as well as the counsel [...]
Listening To God
March 1, 2009
“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’” — Mark 9:7 (NIV)
Whether it is a voice from out of the clouds or the “still, small voice” much like Elijah heard, listening to God is hard work. For the disciples, [...]
Ash Wednesday & Lent
February 1, 2009
In the month of February, Ash Wednesday does not arrive until February 25th. We will mark the beginning of Lent with services of Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes at 7 a. m. and 6 p.m. (Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper info is on page 3). The challenge is for us to shift from celebration [...]
Catch and Release
On the Third Sunday after Epiphany in two of the three years of our Eucharistic Lectionary, the Gospel reading is the story of Jesus calling Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee. (Luke’s account is read every third year on the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany). In this call Jesus says [...]
