the way liturgy works

If roteness is a danger, it is also the way liturgy works. When you don’t have to think all the time about what words you are going to say next, you are free to fully enter into the act of praying; you are free to participate in the life of God.

afghanistan prayer

Prince of Peace, we lift up our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. We pray that you would bring an end to the wars that have ravaged this country for over two decades, and that you would restore the nation to peace and stability.  (Verse and Voice)

Five Christian Considerations for Health-Care Reform

I approach the discussion about health-care reform from the perspective of an urban minister. I’ve worked with urban core neighbors, neighborhoods, congregations, and community groups for more than 20 years. I’ve watched people struggle to access basic health services in the shadow of world-class hospitals. I know hardworking people caught in the “catch-22” level of income: They make too much to access Medicaid but too little to afford health insurance premiums. They work for companies that either don’t offer health insurance or offer it partially at a level these employees can’t afford. Workers are forced to use a patchwork of health fairs, free clinics, and doctors who will see them occasionally without cost (God bless these). They put off illness or pain until it becomes chronic or unbearable and then make a dash to an emergency room. The health costs they incur are a greater portion of their household income than most Americans. The cost to their dignity is inestimable. But the cost to America’s integrity is even higher.

through the night

Through the night your angels kept Watch be-side us while we slept; Now the dark- has passed away, Thank you, God, for this- new day.   North and south and east and west May your ho-ly Name be blessed; Everywhere- beneath the sun, As in heav’n, your will- be done.   Give us food that [...]

Pastoral Letter 7/15/09

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the 76th Convention of the Episcopal Church is drawing to a close. It has been a benchmark in our common life, the beginning of an exciting new stage in our mission. So many things were accomplished.

Among the most important were: The adoption of the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation. This charter gives structure and encouragement for our efforts in the Frensdorff School. It marks the Christian life as one of ongoing learning and commits the church to being a learning community.

enjoy life

Sometimes I work too hard and take life too hard. Last week I noticed flowers in my backyard in bloom, and I had missed the process of blooming, Life is too short. Sometimes we need to sit back and enjoy God’s gift to us.

Independence Day

Daily Reading for July 4 • Independence Day O God, mightily we pray for wisdom, courage, and strength to serve thee and this nation faithfully in the days that lie ahead. Remind us of our duty to promote the general welfare, to secure the blessings of liberty for all, to see to it that justice [...]

Evelyn Underhill

EVELYN UNDERHILL

THEOLOGIAN AND MYSTIC (15 JUNE 1941)

To go up alone into the mountains
and come back as an ambassador to the world,
has ever been the method of humanity’s best friends.

The windows of Christ’s Mysteries split the [Light] up into many-coloured loveliness, disclose all of its hidden richness…make its beauty more accessible to us…And within this place we too are bathed in the light transmitted by the windows, a light which is yet the very radiance of Eternity.

Pentecost Collect

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives [...]

Collect of the week

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding.