Last week I was describing to a friend the idea that there is a place where suffering and joy meet, and in that place we find a joy that endures, even in the presence of suffering. That place where suffering and joy meet is the place where heaven and earth overlap. It is the place…
Last week I really should have written something about the shooting that took place at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Spring in Texas. I started to write and then stopped. I have to admit that I am feeling a sense of exhaustion and numbness. There have been so many shootings and other acts of violence…
We already know the Rev. Pat Grodt because she has been with us as a deacon in training for the past two years. On October 28th, at our Diocesan Convention, Bishop Rickel ordained Pat to the permanent deaconate. At this same service he announced that Deacon Pat has been assigned to serve at St. Dunstan’s…
I am very pleased to announce that the Rev. Carola von Wrangel has accepted my invitation to join the staff of St. Dunstan’s Church as a non-stipendiary priest associate. Mother Carola began attending St. Dunstan’s Church early this year, attending our Wednesday worship services. She is rarely available on Sunday because she preaches and raises funds for the excellent relief organization, Food…
I learned a new acronym on Sunday: MEGO. That stands for, “My Eyes Glaze Over” and that is the experience many of us have when presented with financial reports and line item budgets. Tina Polf, our Assistant Treasurer, promised to tell us the story of how our money is being used rather than subject us to MEGO inducing financial reports. Instead of…
This week I would like to share a video of Bill Britton’s talk on tithing given at this Sunday’s worship. This brief, three minute talk speaks eloquently of the power of tithing to move us closer to God, to guide us in our spiritual journey, and to open our eyes to the sacred all around us. I first heard Bill speak of…
It is hard to know how to respond when terrible events happen, like the horrific shooting in Las Vegas this week. How are we even to comprehend this? This is not a terrorist attack, apparently, and the murderer gave no indication of motive. All we can say is that this is a clear expression of…
Each week I invite the congregation to Holy Eucharist by saying, “Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you are welcome here in this place and at this table. There is food enough for all. Come and be fed.” The assumption in this invitation, and the assertion, is that we are all on a spiritual…
Our mission as a congregation is to change lives. That is why we welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, give of ourselves, and invite others to participate in this journey of faith. These are the actions we are inspired to take in response to God. Every Tuesday night I work with our team to wash…
Inspired by our worship together we grow in Christ through welcoming the stranger, feeding hungry bodies and spirits, giving of ourselves, and inviting others to join us in this journey of faith. Our mission is a statement of purpose. Where our vision expresses our ultimate hope for the future, the mission is what we are…