From the Clergy

The 150 Psalms model prayer for God’s people – praise, adoration, supplication, intercession, thanksgiving, lament, even anger.  When we can’t find the right words, praying the Psalms can connect us to God. This week, I have been drawn to Psalm 137: 1 By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, when we remembered you, […]

I don’t know about you, but my soul is weary these days, feeling that there are no good answers. There are no happy solutions to anything related to the way our lives have changed because of Covid-19. We don’t have to imagine unintended outcomes to later take us by surprise, because no matter the outcome,

John Chapman (1774-1845) was a strange bird indeed.  Living on the unsettled plains of the countryside between Pennsylvania and Indiana, he traveled entirely by foot and had virtually no possessions.  He wore old clothes which became rags; loved the plants and animals of nature; befriended settlers and Native Americans; had no permanent home; often slept

As the numbers of hospitalizations and positive Covid-19 test percentages increase in our state, the Diocese of North Carolina will not be moving into phase 2 of the reopening plan at the beginning of July as had been expected. Phase 1 will continue as we have been. Our Bishops are making some slight changes to

Last week Marilyn and I watched this sunset over Bogue Sound and exulted in the glories of God’s creation. What a welcome respite from the agony of the news from the last two weeks! The continuing scourge of Covid-19, the murder of George Floyd, the protests and violence, the conflict between protecting our health and

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 A few years ago one of our brilliant Sunday School teachers gave her class stacks of colored construction paper and some shapes to trace and a

Remember some weeks ago when I asked for your forbearance as we tried to figure out how to do church online? I’m going to need to ask again, and I’m going to ask you to prepare your hearts. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of all my sermons and blog posts being

Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” John 14:14 Really, Jesus? Good, because I have a list. Ah, if only it was that easy, right? And yet, it

In the midst of all the unsettling circumstances that disrupt our lives today, we desperately need reassurance. The lessons for this coming Sunday, traditionally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday,” offer tremendous comfort. If we heard nothing else, Psalm 23 would do it.  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  I believe nearly all

Now on that same day two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.