Update
Adding Prayer as a Discipline
With many of us having some extra time on our hands these days, we wanted to recommend a spiritual discipline that has the power to transform and enrich your relationship with our Risen Lord, and one we hope that you will continue as the world slowly reopens. We are referring to Morning and Evening Prayer.…
Read MoreWe Are The Church
While missing our much adored St. James Church building and the joy of seeing one another in person, the life and spirit of our church continues to burn brightly amidst the current ‘holy distancing.’ Through myriad zoom meetings, lessons, social gatherings and worship services, we continue to connect. Our soup kitchen, food pantry and showers…
Read MoreThe Conversation is Still Happening
Although we may miss gathering together at St. James on our beloved corner in the city for a service, hugging our friends at coffee hour, and even meeting one another for a conversation or sharing a meal, the idea of community is still happening. The 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨.Just these past weeks, we have seen each other…
Read MoreSafe Choices
I remember saying these words to my children, then young, as they headed out the door: “Make safe choices!” They always laughed. Hmm, should that have worried me? Now I feel the urge to say the same to you. “Make safe choices!” I want you to stay home, stay safe, and when you do venture…
Read MoreChanges This Weekend
Dear Friends, I am thinking of you in this strange and worrisome time. Within the last twenty-four hours, we have learned new information regarding the spread of COVID-19 within our country, and particularly within our diocese. Earlier today, both the governor and the mayor urged community leaders to limit large gatherings of people when possible, and on a…
Read MoreA Change of Heart
With the start of Lent, we stop using one word, “Alleluia” (we’ll tuck that one away until Easter), and start using another word, perhaps more than we should: “repent.” This word can conjure up many emotions, such as shame or guilt, or it may bring to mind images of a penitent soul kneeling, desperately begging…
Read MoreA Multitude of Ministry
Every week, St. James’ School holds chapel service here in the church. Canon Aidan Koh leads worship, and Jim Casey conducts the St. James’ Children’s Choir. Sixth graders in sharp, navy blazers set the elegant tone. Parents join their children in the pews. Sometimes I preach, and always offer a blessing at the end. And,…
Read MoreMuch to Celebrate
Dear Friends, There are two very special events coming up in our church life this month. The first is a joint Epiphany service with the congregation of St. John’s Cathedral, with its Dean, the Very Rev. Mark Kowalewski as the preacher, this Wednesday, January 8th at 7pm. We will have Holy Eucharist and members of…
Read MoreChristmas Pageant
Our church school students, led by amazing teacher Brynna Casanova Galloway, are hard at work on this year’s Christmas pageant. It seems we have budding playwrights in our midst, because the students have taken two scripts and combined them into something new and even better! Also they have carefully chosen hymns that fit the story.…
Read MoreThe Fruit of Gratitude
One day I heard this passage and it nagged at me. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Yes, I want to go to there! Who wouldn’t want to feel awesome? I just did not see the path forward. I had always thought emotions were…
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