Easter 5: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
(You can view the full service here. The sermon begins at 22:40)
We have a sign outside the front of our church. No doubt you’ve seen it. It says, “Welcome home. You Belong.” Before I even accepted the call to serve here it was clear that this message was more than just a slogan for this parish. It is a core aspect of this community’s identity. Good. I am proud we have this sign. But it also makes me a little sad. Because the need to proclaim this message means somewhere along the line Christians forgot one of the first and most important lessons they ever learned.
Easter III: Acts 9:1-6; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
(You can view the full service here. The sermon begins at 23:30)
Salisbury Cathedral, John Constable c. 1825
At my ordination to the priesthood, the preacher, Br. Geoffrey Tristram from the Society of St. John the Evangelist, a friend and mentor of mine, told a story about John Constable, one of England’s most famous painters. Constable was active in the 19th century and is known for painting gorgeous landscapes of the English countryside, particularly along the eastern coast in the county of Suffolk (which happens to border the county of Norfolk). Constable was a consummate artist but also a family man. He married late but he had seven children and adored them all, even becoming their primary caregiver after his wife died shortly after giving birth to their seventh.
(The full service can be viewed below. The sermon begins at 32:30)
Well, shucks. Y’all really know how to roll out the red carpet! The flowers, the brass…this is what it’s like every Sunday around here, right? But in all seriousness: thank you all for the warm ways in which you have already been so welcoming to me and my family—Melinda, Vincent, and Arthur. Though this is my first Sunday with you as your new Priest-in-Charge, it feels like home already. I do also want to thank your vestry and search committee, particularly Heidi Anderson your Senior Warden who chaired both during this interim time. They went about their work faithfully and diligently and represented your parish extremely well. Thank you also to your wonderful staff, whose work continues to be disrupted due to construction, but who have maintained the excellence in worship, liturgy, and programming that is the hallmark of this parish, and all with smiles on their faces. And finally, my appreciation to Fr. Win, who has offered kind and generous guidance as I have made this transition, which I imagine is no surprise to you all who knew him to be that kind of man and priest. And special thanks to Fr. Joe, Fr. Jess, and Fr. Vince, who have had their hands on the pastoral tiller and made sure the spiritual needs of the parish were taken care of in the interim. My sincerest thanks to all of them, and to all of you for your prayers and your patience. And now, here we are!
