Pastoral Reflections Believe it or not, several years ago at Lent, I searched myself and decided the most sensible thing to give up for Lent was worry. And I tried. It may give you some context if I mentioned that this was the year following my college graduation; and I thought there was so much
Read MorePastoral Reflections We continue the Lenten journey, a season in which the Christian church is called to intentional spiritual disciplines. Characteristic practices of the season include self-examination, penitence, self-denial through pleasures given up, positive actions taken up such as alms-giving and regular times of prayer, and more. Lenten observances are beneficial for the Christian life.
Read MorePastoral Reflections As it approached time for our abridged service last night, I had mixed feelings. There was a sense of sadness that this Ash Wednesday service, my first at TLC, would be so stripped down. The Ash Wednesday service is a powerful liturgy with handles that usher us into a humble and penitent Lent.
Read MorePastoral Reflections We have been journeying through Epiphany the last eight weeks. The season concludes next Sunday – well, technically, on Tuesday. We kicked off the journey with the Magi on Epiphany Day. The First Sunday after Epiphany Day had us at Christ’s baptism with the Father revealing Jesus’ identity as His Son. The last
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As Lent approaches I find myself preparing my heart. Which in a way is funny, because Lent itself is a season of preparation for Easter, but it feels good and right to be ready for this. I have always felt like Lent is one of the most important seasons of the church. One of the
Read MorePastoral Reflections When we think of the Reformation, quite often we immediately recall big names like Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin. These were people who saw Reformation’s maturity in the 1500’s. This week marks the anniversary of John Wycliffe’s trial, akin to Luther’s, in which he stood firm against the unbiblical practices of
Read MorePastoral Reflections “Why the name, Eucharist?” someone asked, recently, in our conversation. At the Lord’s Table, what we do is appropriately known by various names – Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Last Supper, etc. We also call it the Eucharist, especially in more Sacramental traditions. Is there a significance that name? Eucharist derives from a
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If you’re a mother, than you may be familiar with the experience I am going to share–if you’re not, bear with me–you may be amused non-the-less, and in the end you’ll understand the connection I am making. As an expectant mother, this physical transformation comes to you in the extreme and leaves many changes in
Read MorePastoral Reflections A news item caught my eye last week. It was a story from Cuba. People gathered to see the first church building to be officially opened in Cuba in about sixty years. A Roman Catholic Church in the city of Sandino. There were tears. There were cheers. Apparently, a couple of dogs even
Read MorePastoral Reflections Our clergy from TLC are getting ready for the Diocesan Gathering beginning Monday. As we prepare, I am reminded again of the nature of our (Anglican) Communion and what it means to belong to the Anglican clan. The diocesan gathering is an annual occasion where clergy and lay representatives from parishes within a
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