Have you ever planned things carefully, and then had them just fall apart? That’s kind of what’s been going on with my plans to retire from Epiphany. It’s actually become sort of amusing – to me. As you know, I first spoke with the bishop about it in January. She said she wanted to meet … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Richard Bridgford Fifth Sunday of Easter The Collect: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Julia Ashby Second Sunday of Easter The Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Richard Bridgford Easter Sunday First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43 34Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus … [Read more…]
“You have to get us back to where we were before the pandemic.” As many of you know, I live on the edge of a salt marsh that is part of the Elizabeth River flood plain. It’s not the prettiest salt marsh in the world, but it’s special to me. If I stand on my … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Julia Ashby Fifth Sunday in Lent The Collect: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Julia Ashby Third Sunday in Lent The Collect: Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil … [Read more…]
At this point, I’m sure everybody has heard something about ChatGPT and related AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools. Below is the audio of a short homily written by ChatGPT based on the following prompt: Write a homily for an Episcopal Church appropriate for the Fourth Sunday in Lent referencing John 9:1-41. The output of ChatGPT was … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Richard Bridgford Second Sunday in Lent The Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ … [Read more…]
“You have to get us back to where we were before the pandemic.” Almost every time we gather, whether for Sunday worship, vestry, a chat in my office – I am told that the pandemic is over. Now I need to get things right again. I need to get attendance back to where it was, … [Read more…]