November 3, 2024 - The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Readings

Grant us to be scandalized by your subversive grace, O God. Amen.

            “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.” Perhaps you’ve heard that phrase used in a conversation before. It’s often used to end a debate by appealing to the sovereignty of God. Sure, we might be tempted to dismiss such brazen logic as lazy or closed-minded; but in actuality, there’s something beautifully simplistic about putting our trust in God more than anything else. Goodness knows, I wish faith was that easy; that I always knew how to follow Jesus.

November 2, 2024 - All Souls

Lectionary Readings

In the name of the God who makes all things new ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

            A week ago, I attended a week-long clergy wellness retreat hosted by the Church Pension Fund. It was a rich and deep time for both spiritual renewal and forming relationships with clergy from around the country. In a few conversations, the question of All Saints and All Souls came up and I realized that if the group of 25 clergy is representative of the wider Church, we are in the very slim minority of congregations that mark All Soul’s Day. In fact, only one other priest said that their congregation marks this holy day.

November 1, 2024 - All Saints

Lectionary Readings

In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Perhaps more than any other message, the Church needs to celebrate and proclaim All Saints. Many of us have already voted in the upcoming election and if you haven’t, please plan to do so on Tuesday. In this election season, not only is our nation divided, but the Church has been ripped apart by partisanship. If we speak about “red churches and blue churches” we all know what that means. And that is a travesty – that the Church can so easily and neatly fit into partisan labels.