When Jesus Comes to Dinner

This Sunday you’re going to hear Jesus give some very specific dinner party instructions (Luke 14).  Yeah, you read that right: dinner party instructions.  “But I thought Jesus only talked about heaven and praying and stuff like that.”  Uh, well, apparently he cares about dinner parties, too.

At a party given by a group of religious leaders, Jesus notices the scramble for the places of honor at the table.  In response he says, “When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place … If you

"That Jesus Is a Nice Boy"

On a recent Sunday you heard Jesus ask a question with an obvious answer: "Do you think I have come to bring peace?" Duh.  Of course you did, Jesus.  You're the Prince of Peace.  The angels sang at your birth, "Glory to God in heaven and peace to his people on earth."

But as you might have guessed based on earlier encounters with Jesus' surprising ways (especially in Luke's gospel), it's a trick question.   "No, I tell you, but rather division...they will be divided: father against son, and

Children's Ministries

The next two weeks St. Peter's is going to be all about its children and youth.  Beginning Monday, we'll host our first ever Vacation Bible School.  The theme is Galactic Blast, and though it may not seem obvious at first, there is a connection between outer space fun and Christianity.  Our Children and Youth Ministry Council has been hard at work planning and preparing for this event, and I know it will be fantastic.  It's not too late to register, if you know any kids between 3-12.

Then next

Visiting Preacher/Presider

This Sunday you're in for a treat. Jennifer Phillips, Rector of St. Augustine's in Kingston will be here to preach and preside, while I head there.  Jennifer is a gifted preacher, and someone with a deep faith practiced over many years, so I know she will share the gospel with insight and skill.    I hope you'll come and make her feel at home.

This "pulpit swap", as we've taken to calling it, is part of a larger effort to get our two churches to collaborate more intentionally.  We're separated by

Navajoland Trip

Just in case you missed me, for the past week I've been in Navajoland. Along with a group from Christ Church in Westerly, and St. Peter's parishioners Susan Jameson and her son Rick, we hosted a Vacation Bible School at the local Navajo Episcopal Church, St. Mary's of-the-Moonlight (isn't that a great name!).   St. Mary's is located about ten miles from Monument Valley, right along the Utah/Arizona border.   Folks from Christ Church have been going to St. Mary's for over a decade, which means they have

Lifelong Learning

I’ve been in Sewanee, Tennessee for the past several weeks, at the School of Theology, taking some classes as part of an advanced degree program.  This year I’ve been studying the Hebrew prophets and the Christian churches of the first three centuries. My professors are “wicked smart,” and we’ve been completely immersed in reading and study.  It’s been fabulous.

I think the study of Scripture, the church, theology and spiritual practice is vitally important to helping us mature as Christians.  None of

Lincoln's 2nd Inauguration Speech

Fellow-Countrymen:

At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first.  Then a statement in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper.  Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new

Reading the Bible

People often tell me that they want to start reading the Bible, but are incapacitated by not knowing where to begin.  They often get through Genesis and Exodus, only to bog down in Leviticus.  Then, inevitably, they stop reading altogether.

Well, if you're looking to open up the Bible, and are a little too intimidated by the prophets or law books, and aren't feeling in the mood to read a gospel or one of the New Testament letters, I encourage you to try out the books of Samuel and Kings.  There is

Celebration = Worship

On Sunday (June 13) at 5 o’clock, cloudy, rain or shine, we’re going to have a great celebration down at Veteran’s Memorial Park, along with friends from other Episcopal churches in South County.   We’ll celebrate over 140 years of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ in southern Rhode Island.  We’ll celebrate the wonderful ways God has blessed us: love, health, family, a beautiful coastline, a wonderful church filled with fellow disciples, four brand new Christians, and whatever else you want to