I just looked up post-mortem on Merriam-Webster (I wanted to be sure my Latin was correct).  There are two definitions for it – 1 – done, occurring, or collected after death, and 2 – following the event.
This post is specifically aimed at definition number 2 – following the Missional Church Summit – but I think I need to change the title of this post now.  I don’t know what the Latin should be, but maybe something like “Post-Vita” because the reflections following our time with Bishop Monterroso, Frs. Brackett and …

As God as my witness, the title for this post is not to butter up any of our Right Reverend Fathers in God who wear purple.  But as I was driving in this morning thinking about the schedule for the day (which includes picking up Bishop Monterroso from the airport) I found myself getting excited.  A bishop is coming.
‘Twas not always the case for me.  I grew up and served in a church where the bishops were quite powerful, whose responsibilities made them essentially CEOs, and were in many cases …

I want to spend this morning’s post letting you know where we are in staffing our youth and children’s programs.  With the departure of Pam and Bobby earlier this summer we have some big holes to fill, but this also leads to new opportunities.  I have met with the youth and children’s commissions and we’ve tweaked some things here and there via email and we’re just about ready to publicize a job description – but for one, not two positions.  If you remember, last month I mentioned the working possibility …

King of glory, King of peace,
I will love thee;
and that love may never cease,
I will move thee.
Thou hast granted my request,
thou hast heard me;
thou didst note my working breast,
thou hast spared me.
Wherefore with my utmost art
I will sing thee,
and the cream of all my heart
I will bring thee.
Though my sins against me cried,
thou didst clear me;
and alone, when they replied,
thou didst hear me.
Seven whole days, not one in seven,
I will praise thee;
in my heart, though not in heaven,
I can raise thee.
Small it is, in this poor sort
to enroll thee:
e’en eternity’s …

Confirmation preparation for adults in many churches has long been reduced to a few sessions on Episcopal Church history, polity (organization), worship, and a bit of theology.  While this is all well and good, it really doesn’t speak to the purpose of confirmation – to ratify the baptismal covenant.
Bishop Marble will be visiting us this Fall and starting this Sunday at 3pm we are going to do confirmation a bit differently.  We’re not starting with the history of the Episcopal Church, we are starting at the beginning.  THE beginning.  This …