“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” the chief priests and the elders ask Jesus. The fingers are pointing at Jesus as these questions are asked. Who are you to come here and to challenge us? We are the ones who decide who has authority – we do, not you. How dare you upset our nice, orderly life with your questions!
Every day we ask this question as well – although perhaps not in an overtly religious ...
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St. Andrew’s Adult Forum will begin a study of the “Abrahamic” faiths — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, who trace their spiritual roots back to Abraham and Sarah. We’ll begin with Judaism, using the Jewish holidays and holy days to highlight the history, liturgy, and culture of the Jewish people. The section on Judaism will be divided into 3 sessions: Early Judaism, Judaism at the time of Jesus, and Contemporary ...
Continue Reading → ShareI’m spiritual but not religious. I don’t need a church. I can find God on my own by being in nature or meditating. Being in nature or meditating or any of the other, myriad individual spiritual pursuits can feed our faith. And can be a necessary part of enabling us to be in relationship with God. But being in community is where that faith gets lived out. Where the rubber meets the road.
I’ve struggled for years with the last sentence ...
Continue Reading → ShareThe safety and well-being of all persons we come into contact with is a priority for St. Andrew’s and the Episcopal Church. “Safeguarding God’s People” (SGP) is offered to help all clergy, Lay Eucharistic Visitors and others who contact adults learn about appropriate behavior and boundaries so we can avoid allegations of harassment or other similar “bad acts.”
St. Andrew’s is hosting SGP training on Saturday, September 17 beginning at 9:30 (registration) and ending by 3 p.m. Please call the office at ...
Continue Reading → Share“Who do you say that I am?” This is the most fundamental question for one who professes him- or herself to be a Christian. There is, ultimately, no getting around the question. We can hem and haw. We can find ways to dodge the question. We can do that wonderful sleight of hand: “what do you think”? Putting the question back to the one who asked us. But at some point, the evasions end.
Each of us must answer the question for ourselves. Your answer, ...
Continue Reading → ShareThere’s nothing quite so disconcerting as to be dropped into a story midway through and find yourself wondering what happened before you got there. You are overwhelmed with catching up so you can make some sense of where you are and where the story is going and what it means.
The story of Joseph in our lectionary started last week at chapter 37 of Genesis and this week skips to chapter 45 and then we’re done with it. Wow! There is ...
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With the start of the school year, our children received their blessing for a safe and fruitful school year.
There is a lot of action in this part of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Ascend into heaven. Descend into the abyss. Word is on your lips and in your heart. Beautiful feet that bring good news. No standing still for Paul. The good news of God in Christ is something that must be acted upon. One confesses with the mouth a belief that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead. Paul continues to be concerned with “the ...
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