Naming the Hurt

Mark 5:21-43 For the past ten days, as many of you know, I have been in my hometown of Louisville Kentucky for the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church. It was a marathon of worship, parliamentary procedure, networking, reconnecting with old friends and mentors, and learning. I look forward to talking with you moreContinue reading “Naming the Hurt”

Praying with the Spirit

Romans 8:12-17 I did not truly learn how to pray until I was a young adult. I grew up in a Christian home, I went to my family’s Episcopal Church every Sunday, I attended youth group and Christian summer camp, I loved church and the prayerbook and I listened to the sermons as best IContinue reading “Praying with the Spirit”

The Story Continues

Mark 16:1-8 And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Can you imagine if the Bible had ended here? For some early listeners, it apparently did. The oldest authorities we have end the story here, with the first half of verse 8. Later versions extend the story by three more verses, and evenContinue reading “The Story Continues”

A Day in the Life

Mark 1:29-39 There are some days when I feel especially grateful to the hundreds and thousands of people who contributed to the composition and preservation of the Scriptures. Today, as we read this passage from Mark, is one of those days. A lot of people over two thousand years and many continents made it possibleContinue reading “A Day in the Life”

Expansive Love

This sermon was preached on the Occasion of the baptism of twin boys, and speaks more to that momentous occasion than to any specific lections. The Propers for the day were Epiphany 2, Year B. While I was on my pilgrimage this past fall, the last site we visited was also my favorite. It wasContinue reading “Expansive Love”

Living Jubilee

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Today’s Isaiah passage might be familiar to some of you. Jesus read from this part of Isaiah in the synagogue of his hometown, then told all who were listening that this scripture had been fulfilled in their hearing. This particular passage was important enough that Jesus was run out of his hometownContinue reading “Living Jubilee”

Honest Hope

Isaiah 64:1-9 In our first gathering for our Advent study this past Thursday (it’s not too late to join us!), I invited everyone to introduce themselves and share one thing about this time of year that they love, or that is special to them. People shared stories of childhood, of sacred time with their ownContinue reading “Honest Hope”