Last week was the third season finale of the series Grantchester. Having watched an enjoyed all three seasons to date, I wanted to share my critique of the show. A few preliminary comments are relevant. First, I deeply enjoy this genre, the British period mystery. Now, I have been a fan of Dorothy L. Sayers and […]
In the human life a lot can happen in nine months. This past year I was the interim rector of St. Bartholomew’s in Nashville for exactly nine months and preached almost every Sunday. I have posted few of those sermons here, but I have compiled them all into one PDF for any who might be […]
In the southeast Episcopalians call Sewanee, TN the “holy mountain.” Home of the University of the South it is a beautiful mountain top with gorgeous views, woods, and trails. I was able to take the last three days on a retreat, mostly just a chance to recharge and prepare for a couple of retreats I […]
“CofE” is the term often used to describe the “Church of England.” “CandE” refers to those folks who come to church only on “Christmas and Easter.” Most of us are very religious; the question is, what are we worshiping. GoComics.com recently began running these one-panel comics from 1974. I certainly don’t remember them from way […]
An essay for St. B’s quarterly bulletin, The Branch. Growing up in an evangelical Presbyterian church I had never understood Lent until I was in college. I do not mean to suggest that my parents or the pastors did not know about Lent, but it was not something observed in our church and is largely […]
From the St. B’s quarterly bulletin The Branch. Growing up in an evangelical Presbyterian church I had never understood Lent until I was in college. I do not mean to suggest that my parents or the pastors did not know about Lent, but it was not something observed in our church and is largely ignored in […]
A Prayer for Sound Government, from The Book of Common Prayer, pp. 821-2. O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care. To the President and members of the Cabinet, […]
This was my reflection for Eucharist Wednesday morning (14 December 2016) at St. B’s. The Gospel reading for morning prayer was Mark 1:1-7. They are familiar words to anyone who has ever been to a Christmas service, citing Mal. 3:1 and Isa. 40:3. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of […]
This morning I will be celebrating at a nearby parish and was going over my sermon notes. Today is Proper 8, the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. The thrust of my sermon is the cost of following Christ, of taking up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). As I was reviewing my notes a thought occurred to […]
Compline has always been to me the most gentle and consoling of the offices. I can never, however, escape the knowledge that as they prepared to take him on the helicopter I prayed with Mack our simple nightly prayer. “Now we lay you down to sleep and pray the Lord your soul to keep. His […]
