At a recent staff meeting, we pondered the potential impact of a new banner to sit where the “He is Risen” banner goes during Eastertide. This one would read “God is Fun”.  As people of my age can appreciate, I cannot now recall exactly what the context of...

Over the next two weeks, it is a joy to write the “newsletter headliner”, which is the name for what in other circles might be called the Op-ed piece. Please think along the lines of the opening sentences to the apostle Paul’s letters.  His initial greetings...

I was sitting in my first clergy conference with a group of Deacons gathering to meet with Bishop Megan, when someone walking in called us a Disturbance of Deacons! What???  I had never heard of such a term.  Just like a Flock of Sheep, or a Herd...

“The gifts of God for the people of God”. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we hear these words. At Grace, on Sundays, when sharing the liturgy with Amy, I love to step back and receive her extended invitation. “This is Christ’s table, no matter who you are, (and...

Last week I had the opportunity to spend three days at The Bishop's Ranch, a beautiful Episcopal camp and retreat center outside of Healdsburg, at the clergy conference for the Diocese of Northern California.  I shared about the life and work of our...

Eric Law, in his Kaleidoscope project, says that the offering of time and place is one of six currencies that are essential to develop for our vitality as Church. The others are wellness, leadership, truth, money, and relationships.  Members of Grace Church,...

Grace Episcopal Church is a “Work well begun”. —That is the name of a movie which Brian Capener produced on the occasion of the expansion and renovation of the Church and the creation of Bourne Hall. There are those of us who were present and made possible the events...

I was surprised a couple of years ago at one of our Advent labyrinth walks to hear a long-time, very involved parishioner say that was his first time walking the labyrinth.  I have known and loved labyrinths since my early 20's, when I first experienced the...

“His spirit and his life he breathes in all, Now on this cross his body breathes no more. Here at the center everything is still, Spent, and emptied, opened to the core. A quiet taking down, a prising loose. A cross beam lowered like a weighing scale, Unmaking of each...