I read of a Sunday School class that was studying the Apostles Creed in order to more fully understand God and the Trinity. Each member of the class was given a section of the creed to learn by heart, then Sunday by Sunday they would take turns reciting the creed, each student repeating his or … Continue reading Is There a Place for Me?
Author: The Rev. Janie Koch
Episcopal Priest. "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?" ~John Lewis
What?! Those People Too?!!
One of my favorites movies, probably in my top 5 favorites, is a movie called High Fidelity. It’s about a man, John Cusack, who owns a record store and measures the activities and reactions of his life to the lyrics of music. And everything is measured on a “top 5” scale. He has a conversation with … Continue reading What?! Those People Too?!!
Are You a Liar?
It’s Spring, and many of you are outside working in your gardens, gathering up the few piles of dried leaves, pulling weeds, and planting new flowers and bushes. The process of planting and nurturing and growing can be challenging and incredibly rewarding. Click here for a link to the lectionary reading for the day. When … Continue reading Are You a Liar?
Who, or What, Is the ”Hired Man”?
As I worked through the lectionary readings for Sunday’s sermon, the most significant image that reverberated throughout the passages (click here for a link to the Lectionary Readings for the day) was that of the Shepherd. The Shepherd who was the chief cornerstone that the builders rejected. The Shepherd who leads us beside still waters … Continue reading Who, or What, Is the ”Hired Man”?
Who Is the Bummer Sheep
Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor babe away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind. These little lambs will hang their heads so … Continue reading Who Is the Bummer Sheep
Advent 3
To say that 2020 has been tension-filled is an understatement! But, as we continue in our Advent Season, we are reminded even more acutely the push/pull dynamic that exists both within and without us! Our passage from the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) encourages, “He has cast down the mighty…, and haslifted up the lowly…He has filled the hungry…and the rich … Continue reading Advent 3
Saint Clement of Alexandria
In the age of Gnosticism, Clement’s diligence to his studies and his passion for writing powerful texts covering philosophy and theology help to pave the way for another Great of the Church: Origen. It is understood that Saint Mark traveled to Egypt’s Alexandria and established the Christian Church in that region. In the 2nd and … Continue reading Saint Clement of Alexandria
My Shadow…again
The Daemon never sleeps. Rests, perhaps. I should be so lucky for it to actually fall into deep slumber. Or even better, a coma. Alas, not this gnarled Beast with its fingers clutched around my brain, my heart, my stomach. Days roll, soundless, effortless. Good ones. Strong ones. Thoughts, clear and crisp and full of … Continue reading My Shadow…again
Saint John of Damascus
“John was know as chrysorrhoas or gold-pourer for the elegance of his writing.” One of the last Greek Fathers of the Church, John aligned with much of Aristotle for his theological foundation. Born in Damascus when it was under Muslim rule, he grew to be a leader and chief representative of the local Christians to the Caliph. … Continue reading Saint John of Damascus
Saint Francis Xavier
More than ten weeks after his death, the body of Francis Xavier was found uncorrupted, flesh colored, and had no odor of death. To this day, his body remains without blemish or sign of decay. Xavier was born in Spain’s Basque country in 1506, and before he was 24, he was a Master of Arts … Continue reading Saint Francis Xavier
