tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646492165105919542024-02-18T20:48:47.360-06:00The Strange LandOccasionally, sermons and other writings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-43698056645440461042023-08-12T10:02:00.005-05:002023-08-13T19:47:52.343-05:00For Maui, 14A, 2023, written while the fires still burnA sermon written for love of this fragile earth, our island home. August 13th, 2023 Propers 14A, https://lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp14_RCL.html +++Thousands of miles away, at Trinity by the Sea in Kihei, on Maui, a friend is proclaiming the same Gospel we heard proclaimed at St. Clement’s today--the small boat, the rough sea, the fear...and I can only began to grasp&Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-11939160812090887662021-08-20T09:25:00.003-05:002021-08-20T09:25:17.475-05:00Feast of Mary the Virgin, August 15th, 2021 The readings for this Feast Day can be found here+++Hail MaryIn preparation for today, I thought about self sacrifice and what we’ve given up these many months. I thought about our building and what it means to return to the more familiar rhythm of our 10:30 service in person and indoors. I thought about pelicans, really, pelicans because there is one on our font, exemplifying the sacrificeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-7324515242836083142021-07-27T15:39:00.007-05:002021-07-27T15:39:44.926-05:00Link to sermon playlist on YouTube and Sermon Manuscript from July 25th https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4mWoiYK9M0uL0okuHquLGcZKmw-J48X2I know, it’s not the same as having manuscripts to review. But, I have been neglectful in posting full manuscripts. As I, slowly, catch up please note that this sermon playlist on youtube is updated weekly. In the meanwhile, here’s the sermon from July 25th, proper 12B…with the appointed readings available here Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-63475633241533390342021-02-23T13:20:00.003-06:002021-02-23T13:20:33.504-06:00Lent 1B, And Now You Protest? Lent 1B, the appointed readings can be found here+++ On Ash Wednesday, I told y’all about how we, as children, were assigned the task of watering down the driveway in order to tamp down the dust. The incessant, insistent, dust that would get everywhere—and the water that would drip, run, and puddle. The dust contained, for a moment. A moment, that in my mother’s opinion was not Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-26884022412574047172021-02-18T09:10:00.003-06:002021-02-18T09:10:14.265-06:00Ash Wednesday Sermon—Dust EverywhereThis year, an inadvertent ashes everywhere snafu was just what the Holy Spirit ordered!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-79005555650949812052021-02-17T11:45:00.000-06:002021-02-17T11:45:02.555-06:00Last Sunday after the Epiphany The appointed readings can be found hereThat Tabor LightLong ago and far away, at the beginning of the pandemic, we distributed lawn signs to the families with children in our community. “Cling to what is good.” A reference to Romans 12:9, meant as an encouragement to remember. To remember what is good in this world. To remember, that it is worth pursuing the good. To remember Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-15415176486041103062021-02-06T08:31:00.003-06:002021-02-06T08:32:26.860-06:00After the Epiphany, 3BTrying Again—Within the LeviathonThe scriptures appointed for today can be found at https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Epiphany/BEpi3_RCL.html +++This is a story of second chances. Of turning around, not before it’s too late, but after the deed is done. It’s a story about us. It’s a story about God’s call to us. Not to perfect people in no need of redemption, but Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-40600059343690564082021-02-06T08:30:00.000-06:002021-02-06T08:30:05.706-06:001st Sunday after the Epiphany For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.-Thérèse of Lisieux 1873-1897 +++ I have been a priest, now, for almost 15 years. Tempered, by death, by life, by hope, by joy, by grief. Striving, through it all, to create a space where others can feel safe. Navigating,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-83682335638114084142021-02-06T08:28:00.005-06:002021-02-06T08:28:55.941-06:00Christmas, the Pandemic YearChristmas At My Tutu’s HouseI cannot separate out my memories of childhood Christmases from my memories of Tutu, my grandmother. And, to this day, I can easily recall the taste of the papaya that took center stage on the Christmas fruit plate. I can remember how the potato spuds poured from the box as we helped make the mashed potatoes. I can feel the cool air coming through the open lanai doors Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-67012973554344867242021-02-06T08:26:00.002-06:002021-02-06T08:26:55.589-06:00Advent 4B Obedience, courage, and defiance. One of my favorite games to play in the car is one in which I offer a word, and one of my kids responds with the first word that comes to mind. In fact, we played last night. “Mary”, I offered; “Christmas”, Peter replied; “presents”, I shot back; “Christmas tree” came next; then woods, wolves, wild, animals…so on and so forth. It is always Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-85497062990488973082021-02-06T08:25:00.000-06:002021-02-06T08:25:01.248-06:00Reflection for Advent: PeaceFaith at home reflections for the second Sunday of Advent: making a way for peace (Option 1) Read: Mark 1:1-8, “bear fruit worthy for repentance” Listen: “O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” (Herbert Howells), a piece was composed during the blitz, just after Howells’ own home was bombed. You can find this piece, recorded by our own choir, on our YouTube channel https://Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-40888472139503873042021-02-06T08:23:00.003-06:002021-02-06T08:23:25.763-06:00Advent 1B Advent 1B, 2020 I remember scrubbing so hard at the paper with my eraser that I would tear a hole. Smudged, dirty,ripped. And, then crumpled. A new paper needed. The old discarded. Imperfect. Marred by my own heavy handedness and insistence upon perfection. I’d messed up. I’d done it wrong. And, in my frustration. Tears and tears. My own Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-90737074935970874112020-11-22T07:51:00.004-06:002020-11-22T07:51:32.742-06:00Christ the King, standing on the edgeThe readings can be found here+++Today is complicated. It’s the last Sunday of our annual pledge campaign—the campaign we rely on to equip us with what we need to sustain our faith community. It’s also the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It’s also the Feast Day of St. Clement and Christ the King Sunday. Oh and, lest we forget, all of the above is happening during a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-42147787898902844132020-11-22T07:21:00.003-06:002020-11-22T07:21:29.782-06:0028A, Good luck with thatThe readings can be found hereBlessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.&Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-41443101171655792582020-11-22T07:19:00.000-06:002020-11-22T07:19:02.887-06:0025A, If you can’t love yourself...The readings can be found here Last March, at the beginning of the pandemic, at the behest of Lona’s confirmation mentee, Lona and I decided to catch up on ten-years’ worth of a show that for some, has been culturally formative. RuPaul’s Drag Race. Yes. I have watched 10 years worth of RuPaul’s Drag Race over the past 8 months, immersing myself in the fantastical world of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-55585497689408349282020-11-22T07:15:00.004-06:002020-11-22T07:15:43.823-06:0023A, the parable of the vineyard, a horror story. 23A, the texts can be found here The Gospel last week was the parable of the vineyard where the workers kill the owner’s son. A violent text, the parable we heard last week served the purpose of foretelling Jesus’ own murder. Because I was not the preacher and had no formation responsibilities that day, I was off the hook and instead got to watch Bryan and George squirm! But, the Holy Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-43780631200714234772020-09-20T07:44:00.005-05:002020-09-20T09:35:43.088-05:00NotoriousThis week’s readings can be found here, we are using track 2. +++This week, news broke, that in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facility, detainees were sterilized without informed consent. While these allegations have yet to be proven, I’m finding them easy to believe. Given our countries history of abuses aimed at black and brown bodies, given the history of eugenics and forced Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-41046498800520671272020-09-18T09:13:00.001-05:002020-09-18T09:13:15.472-05:00Per your request, sermon texts! One of our care connectors at St. Clement’s reported that some of her contacts in the congregation would like to have access to sermon texts in addition to the sermon videos we have posted on youtube. So, beginning with the first Sunday of our program year (Sept 13th, 2020) I’m going to be resuming this practice. The first sermon of this program year centers on forgiveness. The following texts Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-85176741511099211832020-06-19T08:36:00.001-05:002020-06-19T08:43:57.441-05:00Where Have I Been? With links and a video. Friends, since the last sermon I shared I’ve preached often—and shared those sermons via our church’s YouTube page. I’ve not updated here because, honestly, it was one more thing.But, it’s time. The sermon that defines the last three months, for me, is titled “Breathe”. It was recorded on May 31st at St. Clement’s, https://youtu.be/nTRExiaPPsoIt begins a series of sermons that focus onUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-39903787856048887092020-03-16T12:06:00.003-05:002020-03-16T12:07:39.609-05:00Lent 3A
Sermon in the time of Covid-19
Tyler Bold, MD PhD, infectious disease and the Reverend Joy Caires
Tyler’s words are Bold (pun intended).
Lectionary page with Lent 3 scripture is here
Since the beginning of this year, we in America and in Minnesota, have been fortunate to only observe from a distance what is happening with Covid-19, praying for the health of those affected Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-54168821670134360842020-03-07T08:33:00.003-06:002020-03-07T08:33:38.934-06:00Lent 1A
Lectionary readings can be found here
+++
It was never about the milk...
Milk.
I clearly remember, the milk.
Two glasses, lined up on the counter, the blue and white carton fresh from the fridge,
My mother ready to pour.
And my sister and I, keenly watching.
Slowly, she’d begin with one glass. Pouring about half-way, then alternating to the other.
Back and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-80883409250744919212020-03-07T08:32:00.000-06:002020-03-07T08:32:06.454-06:00Ash Wednesday 2020
A Sacrifice for our God
Ash Wednesday, 2020
The first time I tried to run a mile, I was in 6th grade gym.
3 laps into the assignment, I wheezed to a walk.
The task beyond my asthmatic lungs, I remember the shame I felt as I watched classmates trot past.
I was lapped, more than once.
I didn’t run again until I was 22. Anonymous in a new city, I laced up my Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-45245782720349683262020-03-07T08:31:00.000-06:002020-03-07T08:31:03.538-06:00Christmas 2
Christmas 2A, 2019
On a Sunday that brings us wise men in search, it seems appropriate to begin with a lost poem found, “Noel,” one of two previously unseen poems by J. R. R. Tolkien, discovered in a 1936 school annual in England.
Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.
The wind in Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-35822103621905255802020-03-07T08:29:00.000-06:002020-03-07T08:29:32.231-06:00Epiphany 5AI got WAY behind in posting sermons, so I’m dropping a few now...my apologies!
Scripture can be found here
Jesus Light of the World, Shine Upon Us,
Set us free with the truth you now bring us.
When I was a child, my sister and I fought tooth and claw.
And, the fight’s outcome ALWAYS hinged on whose story was believed.
Whose panted defense and justification was more plausible. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264649216510591954.post-31974798145357504072019-12-24T20:53:00.004-06:002019-12-24T20:53:25.417-06:00Christmas
Lectionary readings can be found here
+++
Imagining Hope
It
began innocently enough, it was Sunday School of course…
And
the children, the children, were asked to consider what they imagined angels to
look like.
Anticipating
talk of halos and wings…the grown-ups waited for the predictable answers.
But,
children are anything but predictable.
You
can imagine.
Wings
of fire. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0