Homily for Fr. David Paul Shewmaker’s Celebration of Life

Readings for Fr. David Shewmaker’s Celebration of Life. This homily was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on February 25, 2023. One week after Fr. David Shewmaker died, he appeared to me in a dream looking especially spry, slim, dressed in a denim jacket, and nearly leaping with vivacity. When we embraced, I felt lifted […]

The Darkness of Taboric Light

Readings for the Last Sunday after Epiphany (Year A) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 19, 2023. Last Sunday, I concluded my sermon with the hope that our eyes may be open to see the uncreated light of God shining all around us. I recently learned a word for this uncreated light […]

Sermon on the Mount: Expressions of the Inexpressible Name

The Sermon on the Mount: Expressions of the Inexpressible Name Readings for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany (Year A) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 12, 2023. This last Thursday, our dear friend Fr. David Shewmaker passed on to his eternal reward while deep in prayer. In the letter I sent […]

The Way is the Foundation: Rector’s Report on 2022

The Way is the Foundation Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 5, 2023. During this season of the liturgical year, known as Epiphanytide, we hear the words of the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. Last Sunday and today we heard […]

Casting Wide the Net

Casting Wide the Net of God’s All-Inclusive Love Readings for the Third Sunday after Epiphany This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 22, 2023. In today’s Gospel, Peter and his brother Andrew are busy fishing when Jesus approaches them and says, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” […]

A New Song

A New Song Set Upon the Rock of God’s Self-Giving Love Readings for the Second Sunday after Epiphany This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 15, 2023. Today is the birthday of a close friend of mine named Isaac, who lives in Chicago with his wife Alison and their daughter Pauli, who […]

Metta Force Be With You

This article was written for the January 2024 Chronicle newsletter for Christ Church Eureka. 2023 is a significant year for me as I celebrate my 40th birthday, my 5-year anniversary at Christ Church Eureka, and begin my 10th year as an Episcopal priest. I was ordained to the priesthood in early January on the Eve of the […]

The Blessing of the Name

Readings for the Feast of the Holy Name This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on the Feast of the Holy Name on Sunday January 1, 2023. Happy New Year! And Happy Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ! It is not that often that the Feast of the Holy Name falls […]

A “Very Good” Gift

Readings for the Feast of the Christ Mass This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka for the Christmas Day service on Sunday December 25, 2022. Our Gospel reading today includes the most central and crucial phrase in all of Christianity, according to Archbishop William Temple: “The Word became flesh.” In Christ, God chose to use […]

the Messy Work of Christmas

Readings for the Feast of the Christ Mass This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka for the Christmas Eve service on Saturday December 24, 2022. Worship Bulletin Here. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Last Sunday I preached on the messiness of […]