Blog

At the 2019 church staff Christmas gift swap, the Rector came away with the gift deemed ‘least cool.’ It was a dog-eared print showing an alternate Last Supper. (A certain Associate Priest now residing in Boston slipped the gift into the pile of mystery packages.) The print is a reproduction of a painting done byRead more

The Wednesday evening Bible Study has been making its way through the Book of Exodus. We seek to enter into the sacred stories with curiosity, desiring to learn more about the context of our faith, and how these stories shape our worldview, our understanding, our purpose, and the ways in which we live out ourRead more

Oh, wow, where to start? How does one encapsulate six years of ministry with a thoughtful and caring community? First, let me thank the many youth, parents, and parishioners of St. John’s for being a singularly great place to work. As I get ready for my last Sunday, I want to thank the many peopleRead more

This Sunday’s gospel brings us the story of Jesus teaching in the synagogue of his hometown. At first the people gathered that day are impressed and astounded by his wisdom. But quite quickly they turn on him, cutting him down and saying that he’s just a carpenter who’ve they’ve known forever – since he wasRead more

Last week I met with my clergy group for the first time since November of 2019. Prior to the pandemic we have met twice a year since 2002. We met at one of the members summer home in the 1000 Islands on the St. Lawrence River in New York and that is only accessible byRead more

This past year has been challenging. Perhaps that’s an understatement for some of us, and for others of us, perhaps we’ve already forgotten past difficulties as we seek to navigate the latest “normal,” or maybe we’re just worn out and ready for a break. Yesterday, my kids watched their school’s 8th grade graduation live-streamed on YouTube.Read more

Last Sunday, seven of St. John’s youth stepped into the pulpit during our 10am worship and offered thoughtful, authentic, and compelling reflections on faith and life. They were brave and honest and eloquent, and I know many hearts were full of awe as we listened and received their offering. These youth have spent the pastRead more

This Sunday, I want to invite you to listen to the dramatist, the artist, the ballerina, the coxswain, the helper at the family business, the bakers for a soup kitchen, the nature lovers, the soccer players, the golfers, the up and coming reporter, the newly baptized, who are all the future of our church. I’veRead more

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force – no one could tell where it was from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking inRead more

I have served alongside you for two years as a seminary student and, for these last few months, as your deacon. This coming Sunday is my last one with you, and so I want to say thank you. I am graduating from Church Divinity School of the Pacific next week. Soon after that, I amRead more