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St. Paul's, Monroe, NC 

In 2021 and 2022 I was an interim at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Monroe, NC. For that ministry I wrote some regular essays intended to be general formation pieces for the congregation. These can be found at:

General Religion - Church essays

Some earlier writings

Here are a few miscellaneous pieces, including a couple of personal items. I'm at an age now where I am not looking to keep very many things private; so if any are interested, you're welcome to read.

Earlier writings and sermons

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advent-1-2017

Homily Advent 1: St. Paul’s Opening I have used the prayer Song of Zechariah for a very long time as a part of my daily prayer. I had it memorized by the time I was 30. Maybe I was drawn to it because it was a song by a father. I recognize I have a special place in my heart for fathers. It was sung by John the Baptist’s father, a priest, at the time his parents took John to be circumcised. He had been struck dumb, you may remember, when he scoffed at the notion that they would have a child at their advanced age. When next he opened his mouth to speak, he named the child “John” and praised God in song. Towards the end of the song we hear: Benedictus Dominus ( Song of Zechariah ) You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way , To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwel...
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proper-19-st-christophers.md

Homily: September 16, 2018. Proper 19 St. Christopher’s, Spartanburg, SC Opening Thank you for the invitation to celebrate the Eucharist with you this morning. The weather’s a little bit dicey – but on the whole … Spartanburg has been for us generally a place we pass through on our way to somewhere else, Asheville, Atlanta, even Ohio. But now I’ve been here twice to supply. It’s good to get to know the people who call Spartanburg home . I learned just this past week that one of the clergy I meet regularly with spent some formative time here back in the 1980’s, Sally Franklin. Scripture I’m preparing a talk to be given in October where I’m supposed to say something about what is distinctive about the Anglican communion – particularly with regard to Scripture, Tradition, and Sacraments. In my ministry it has been common place to hear from teachers of various kinds that the Episcopal Church takes Scripture very seriously. Our liturgy comes with a very heavy dose of Scripture re...
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proper12-july-29.md

Homily: St. Paul’s July 29 Welcome & Thank you It’s certainly been a while since I was last here and it’s good to be back. Thank you to your rector for inviting me to be with you during her vacation time this summer. Mary Pat is unable to be here today because of surgery she had on her foot at the beginning of the summer. The surgery was relatively straightforward but the recovery is a slow-going process. Telling the story (Narrative) Have you been following the magnificent story we’ve been hearing in the first reading this summer? It’s the Great David, introduced by the steady hand of – well sometimes the not so stay or accurate hand of – Samuel . And, of course, God who provides the winning hand. I’m so grateful to the adjusted readings we get because of the Common Lectionary . We get to listen to continuous readings from the Old Testament in a way we weren’t before the last 15 years or so. We’re in the midst of the narrative about David. It turns out David is really imp...
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