I never thought when I entered college as a Religion major in 1979, that 30 some years later I would be an Old Catholic priest. I did not grow up Catholic. I was a member of the United Church of Christ. My plan was to finish college, go on to seminary and become a UCC pastor. …
All posts in The Prayerful Preacher
It’s A Revolving Door
As I think about the homelessness, I wrongly get the image of a smelly, grimy drunk bum on a park bench. I am not alone in getting this initial image in my mind. We all fall prey to implicit bias in many realms. Are there some that fit this stereotype? Yes, and I have seen…
A Journey to Resurrection Faith
We all struggle to understand the Mysteries of Faith. How they effect and affect our lives. The most difficult to understand is the mystery of the Resurrection. In my view this is the most important one. Without the Resurrection we would not be called Christians. We would not be the Body of Christ. This essay…
The laying on of hands
I was thinking about what I felt was something that needs improvement with in the ISM. My thoughts were coming up empty, as most of the ideas I had were already thought of by others, until just recently. I was invited to the ordination of a friend who is with another jurisdiction. I had attended…
Unquestioningly Accepting God’s Grace
Receiving from others can be difficult for us. We like to be the givers. To let others give to us is to acknowledge our need, our dependence, our limitations, and that does not always come easy. That reluctance to receive can carry over into our relationship with God. The heart of the good news is…
The Old Rugged Cross
Being the son and grandson of church organists, music plays a very important role in my faith and theological viewpoints. When it comes to the cross, I could fill an entire book with hymns that reflect my feelings about the Holy Cross. You could probably hum the tunes to many of them, yet some others…
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
The Rosary is simple, very simple. But it has the deep and wise simplicity for which we hunger, and in which we will find peace. The Rosary is something that we do, without thought, like breathing. Breathing is very important to us. We breathe all the time. Saying the Rosary, like breathing, is so simple.…
No, Society is NOT a S***hole, but God’s Kingdom
Recently I was challenged to not just write about prayer, but to live it. I have accepted that challenge. The fire that was lit under me has, for all intents and purposes, become a wildfire. My writing has become my clarion call to action in regard to social justice and commentary on the events of…
Reflections on a Pentecost Past
I was reading my Pentecost homily from 2012 today (Ironically Pentecost fell on the first anniversary of my ordination). I was amazed at how much has changed and how much has stayed the same in the intervening six years. As for changes, my writing and preaching style have, improved (I hope!). The message of hope…
A Small Parish Rejuvenated
On thinking about new beginnings, the historian in me came out and I was immediately drawn to the story of my own parish. In 2009, I began formation in the United Independent Catholic Church. I was appointed lay administrator for our ministry, SS Cyril and Methodius UICC was created. We began celebrating with simple prayer…