by St. Francis | Sep 10, 2026 | Rector's Reflections
The church was full on September 16, 2001. When the bell rang, everyone stood. There was no talking, whispering, or rustling of bulletins. The quiet weighed like a lead apron on the congregation. The crucifer was flanked by two torchbearers, who were followed by...
by St. Francis | Sep 4, 2026 | Rector's Reflections
How do we reconcile evil in the world? This is a question I’ve received several times, and one I’ve asked myself. The direct answer is that we can’t. While we can account for human evil, natural evil (disease, disaster, famine, and death) throws the ledger completely...
by St. Francis | Aug 28, 2026 | News, Rector's Reflections
I typically read the appointed readings for Sunday a week in advance of the service. The first read-through is just to familiarize myself with what is going on, to see if there’s any one place where I feel a lot of energy. It’s also a chance to let it simmer on the...
by St. Francis | Aug 7, 2026 | Rector's Reflections
I gave my first sermon in the spring of 2003. I started working on it in January of that year. At the time, I was a senior in college; I was also working on my senior thesis, a poetry chapbook, and getting ready to apply to graduate school (not seminary – I had...
by St. Francis | Jul 30, 2026 | Rector's Reflections
“As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?” Psalm 42:1-2 {1979 Book of Common Prayer) I firmly believe that our...
by St. Francis | Jul 23, 2026 | Rector's Reflections
Yesterday was the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene, the apostle to the apostles. Mary Magdalene is very often portrayed as a prostitute by the church at large; this is based on one account in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus drives seven demons out of her, and she is also...
