Sermons

Homily Thanksgiving Day 2024 St. Alfred's Dale Hathaway Nov. 28 Introduction: Various approaches to this day Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless ... Oh, that's from a different liturgy. This is Thanksgiving Day. Another occasion. Another festive time. The focus here is Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Thank you. But I must say, there's a mixed up pile of subjects that come to mind, driving this theme of "Thanksgiving". The Collect of the day -- the prayer that opens our liturgy sets a certain theme. It's a "harvest festival". Such as religions have celebrated from time immemorial. It's at least a part of the decor of our Thanksgiving celebrations. But really, the Collect suggests that we should celebrate and lift up the immigrants who harvest our food -- documented and undocumented, I suppose. And in the world we now live that particular theme is fraught with "issues." For many this is th...

Sermon: Proper 27B St. Alfred's Episcopal church Nov. 9-10, 2024 After 42 years of ministry, this past Sunday's was among the most challenging sermons I ever had to prepare and deliver. It can be viewed at https://boxcast.tv/highlights/st-alfreds-episcopal-church-sunday-holy-eucharist-rite-2-syur7m0hxikht6lj1phm/pggokxirk3vhysidsow7/sp7txlsd8q19tvifjuyv . Opening We had an election this past week. You may have noticed. Wednesday brought a lot of intense emotions across our country – but, of course, the emotions varied a lot because it was win/lose situation. I felt it. But I did anticipate it. I have been thinking about this sermon for weeks now. I thought about previous occasions when I was called upon to preach after the nation had experienced something intense. I thought about the charge I accepted on the occasion of my ordination, that I preach the Gospel to all people, regardless of any distinction other than that they were children of God. The bishop's words to...