“You know Lent comes early this year” I heard someone say as the clergy were vesting for Fr. Green’s Requiem Mass. WHAT? “How early is early?” I wondered. As soon as I could get to a calendar I checked it out. Yee Gads! Three weeks! Maybe Epiphany would like to skip Lent this year. One … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Richard Bridgford Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany The Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy … [Read more…]
At 6 PM on Jan. 6, 2023, our belated Centennial Celebration began. The Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes was the celebrant for the Holy Eucharist Service. She gave the sermon as well. Thanks to the Fernandez family for the acolytes, John Greene Jr. for Lector, Kathy Moore for Usher, Music director Joe Richie, tuba player … [Read more…]
At a Christmas gathering, Marcia Cronin and I got into a discussion over popular Christmas carols. She told me the following story about “Joy to the World.” It has to be shared, so in Marcia’s words, here it is. Enjoy! “Joy to the World” always brings a smile to my face, both for the joy … [Read more…]
Homily: The Rev. Julia Ashby
Lighting a Candle in a World of Darkness(Advent Hope in Response to a Mass Shooting) Once again, our world has been plunged into darkness. Last night, as shoppers gathered supplies for upcoming Thanksgiving festivities in Chesapeake, VA, a person entered the store and shot six of his former fellow employees before turning the gun on … [Read more…]
I’m writing this on the evening of All Saints’ Day. We celebrated Halloween last night. It was a beautiful evening with perfect weather, and as I waited for trick-or-treaters, it brought back a humorous memory that I had long forgotten. I hope you’ll find it amusing. Back in the early 1970s, before the interstates were … [Read more…]
It’s not a good omen when a priest is heading into church to hold a service, and he hears a horrendous crash, braking glass, and a lot of voices yelling. Somehow, the priest knows that this is going to be a special day in his life and ministry. What in the world is going on? … [Read more…]
If you follow Facebook, you may have seen the item on Costco selling coffins and burial urns in their stores. It seems that they started selling them in Australia in 2015, and are now adding them to stateside stores. Costco would not be expanding a product line if it wasn’t selling. The display is well … [Read more…]
With advancing age, does not necessarily come advancing wisdom. I can attest to that! Having had a very mild early summer, and living in a big house that gets great natural ventilation and has limited A/C, I decided to go the summer without A/C. Just throw open all the windows, turn on the ceiling fans … [Read more…]