The Seventy-Second General Convention of the Episcopal Church has come and gone. When we meet again we will be in the next century and on the threshold of the new millennium. At the Convention there were an astronomical number of meals served: breakfasts for special interest and focus groups and legislative committees; lunches with former…

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church is ready to open in Philadelphia. Thousands of people will be traveling, taking with them thousands of pieces of luggage. If delegates, they will be there just short of two weeks. How much would you take if it were you? How many changes of clothes? For what occasions?…

In a few days the Seventy-second General Convention of the Episcopal Church will convene. This will be the last General Convention of this century even as it stands perched on the beginning of the new millennium. For our consideration, I have selected a passage from the sixth Chapter of the Book of Amos: “Woe to…

Here it is Fourth of July weekend and our texts have us reflecting on what it is like to be God’s prophetic voice in the midst of our community and our culture. And the word to Ezekiel, from Paul and the experience of Jesus, all assert that it “ain’t easy.” Being God’s own spokesperson does…

Have you ever thought about holy temples? A temple is usually understood to be a place where religious services are held. The Bible is full of references to the temple in Jerusalem. Most of us know of synagogues today that are called temples. Some Protestant churches are occasionally called temples. The Mormons use the term…

Today’s lessons are wonderful — Job, Psalm 107, 2 Corinthians and Mark. They are all about relationship with God — listening to God and responding to God — experiencing God, experiencing the wholeness and fulfillment and gladness that comes from that relationship. Let’s look at Job first. God finally speaks. For page after page, conversation…

Have you ever had someone thank you for something you’ve completely forgotten? You know the kind of experience I mean. A friend of yours, or even more likely, an acquaintance, tells you about a chance remark of yours that made a real difference to her. Perhaps it was when her Dad was in the hospital,…

Two weeks ago, a six year old girl who lives a few doors away was outside, swinging in her backyard. She was playing a popular children’s game of swinging until she gained sufficient momentum, and then jumped off the swing as it swing forward, sending her up and out, higher and farther than the swing…