Spiritual Arborescence

Readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on February 13, 2022 Because I think we’re overdue for a cheesy joke, I have a question: What happens to maple trees on Valentine’s Day? They get sappy! During this weekend of fun distractions like the […]

Walking in the Way of the Apostles: Rector’s Report on 2021

Readings for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on February 6, 2022 A Methodist pastor spent decades searching for some artwork that had been spiritually formative for her as a child growing up in Tahlequah Oklahoma. Every couple years, she would do a Google […]

Before I Formed you in the womb…

“Before I Formed You in the Womb…” Readings for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (Year C) Jeremiah 1:4-101 Corinthians 13:1-13Luke 4:21-30Psalm 71:1-6 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 30, 2022. One of my friends and colleagues the Rev. Chris Yaw wrote a book titled “Jesus was an Episcopalian (and You Can Be […]

Feeling God’s Pleasure and Rebuilding the Ruins

Feeling God’s Pleasure and Rebuilding the Ruins Readings for the Third Sunday after Epiphany Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-101 Corinthians 12:12-31aLuke 4:14-21Psalm 19 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 23, 2022. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD. May we bring […]

Water Blushing INto Wine

Water Blushing into Wine Readings for the Second Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 62:1-51 Corinthians 12:1-11John 2:1-11Psalm 36:5-10 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 16, 2022. Once every three years, our lectionary reminds us of the three manifestations of God associated with the Feast of the Epiphany, which we celebrated ten days ago […]

I Dare You to Call Me “Doubting Thomas”

A reflection on St. Thomas the Apostle inspired by the oil painting of Fr. George Leonard Shultz (1896 – 1971). This same reflection was published in the Times-Standard on Saturday January 8, 2022 as “St. Thomas: the doubter or the believer?“ At first glance, Fr. George Shultz’s portrayal of St. Thomas seems to reinforce the popular understanding of […]

The Rainbow Bodies of the Rainbow People of God

The Rainbow Bodies of the Rainbow People of God: The Last Gospel, Desmond Tutu, and the Powerful Implications of the Incarnation Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Isaiah 61:10-62:3Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7Psalm 147:13-21John 1:1-18 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday December 26, 2021. Several years ago, when Ashley and I were visiting friends […]

The Christmas Gift of Sensuality

Readings for the Feast of the Christ Mass (Selection III) Isaiah 52:7-10 Hebrews 1:1-4,(5-12) John 1:1-14 Psalm 98 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Saturday December 25, 2021. “Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem” (Isaiah 52:9). Isn’t it wonderful to be able to break forth together into singing these beloved […]

Let It Be

Readings for the Feast of the Christ Mass This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka for the Christmas Eve service on Friday December 24, 2021. You can view the service here. Merry Christmas! I’m so delighted to be with you all tonight, especially since last year this church was mostly empty, except for the angels, of […]

“A PERFECT, FINISHED PLAN”

“A Perfect, Finished Plan”: End of Construction, Thank You for Your Patience Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) Malachi 3:1-4 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 Canticle 16 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on December 5, 2021. One day Billy Graham and his wife Ruth were driving through a long […]