Last night’s Interfaith service went well.  Highland Presbyterian was essentially packed.  Lots of food items were delivered for Crisis Control and there were many faith communities represented.  On almost every level, it was a success.
There were some humorous moments – at least to me – that speak to a larger issue about interfaith worship services and whether or not is is possible or even a good idea to have an interfaith worship service.  I’m not saying at all that interfaith gatherings are bad and shouldn’t happen – but from a …

Tonight I’m preaching at the annual ecumenical and interfaith Thanksgiving Service.  I participated last year by reading from the Gospel of Matthew, easy enough, but this year it’s a little more complicated.
I’ve always preached to a Christian audience or an audience with no real religious affiliation.  At best I’ve only had visitors from other traditions who knew they were going to a Christian worship service.  There was full disclosure from the beginning.  And typically I only find out I had someone from the Jewish or Muslim faith after the fact.
But …

This week, on at least three nights, members of St Timothy’s spent the night at Samaritan Ministries downtown.  On Thursday night, the group included four of your ministry staff.  We arrived at 6pm, received our instructions, served beef stew and rice, chatted with the men, cleaned up, had a devotion at 10pm, and then we all took turns watching the security monitors for two hours during the night.  For all the nuts and bolts and more, go to Samaritan’s website.
This was the second time I’ve been to Samaritan this year …

Last night as my wife and I exchanged cars, we smugly notified each other that both cars were running on empty and needed gas.  On my way home from our Wednesday night extravaganza I pulled into the Quality Mart and filled the tank.
Here’s what I noticed. To fill up our suburban sleigh cost $53.98 for just over 21 gallons.  That’s a lot more than we’re used to paying, but those days are long gone I’m afraid.
This is what we expect when we go to the pump.  And with two cars …

Have you heard that in the year 2012 the world’s gonna end?  As we have been told, the Mayan calendar ends in the year 2012.  Should we panic?  Oh, no.  I’ve got good news from the Prayer Book.  The world is not going to end in 2012.  But it might in 2013.  The 1928 Book of Common Prayer has a table with the date of Easter.  But alas, it ends in 2013!!!!

His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.  (Psalm 97)
“See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21)
Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of your mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of you, may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer… (Collect for Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln)
take away the arrogance and hatred …

A final thought about my time in New Haven that connects with life at St Timothy’s.  To be a member of the Society I have joined, one must be sponsored by an existing member and one must be interviewed.  On the surface it might seem a bit exclusionary.  It might also seem to go against the grain of what we imagine the Christian call is – all are welcome.
The Rector General of the Society talked about this.  It’s not that we want to keep anyone out, he said (and of …

I’m pooped.  That’s all there is to it.  I want all my parishioners to know that if you think the 10:30 service is long – y’all ain’t seen nothin’!  8am was Morning Prayer.  11:00am was a Solemn High Eucharist.  5:30pm was Evening Prayer.  If your knees hurt while kneeling at St Tim’s, I’ve spent quite a long time on much less comfortable kneelers.  Truth be told, they don’t have kneelers, they have vinyl pads that hang on a hook on the back of the cathedral chairs.  But it’s wonderful.  It’s …

Early this morning, and I mean early, 4:30am early I rose before the alarm clock and assembled as quickly and quietly as I could, ran to the church looking for my hotel confirmation number (didn’t find it), and then drove to Greensboro for the 7:14am flight. The first let was to Philly and I was surprised that the flight was full. No drama to speak of during trip. Just the usual angst as to whether or not my bags would make it to my final destination. …