As many of you know, Cristosal has been a part of our church’s story for many years. Grace has supported its mission, and I served for six years on its board. This is an organization that supported Vince and me as missioners in El Salvador, and one that I have watched...

Have you ever had one of those moments where many seemingly unrelated experiences, inclinations, and convictions have crystallized into one coherent thread?  Like puzzle pieces scattered across years of your life, which, without warning, come together into a...

Close to 100 people gathered in the Newton room on Sunday for a high tea in honor of Bishop Alan and Donna Scarfe.  Bishop Alan was touched by the gift of a canvas with the Grace acrostic and an image of the church from the vestry, a scrapbook with photographs and...

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...