It’s crucial for churches to embrace the thought of its members who come from all walks of life and occupations. Many are paycheck-to-paycheck and do what they can to contribute with a mix of service and giving what they can financially. Every person has a responsibility to add to the life of the congregation. I consider myself a blue-collar Episcopalian and that is a concept I feel would be best explored. No matter what is in one’s bank account, what is in their hearts and souls matters most.
Tag: church
A Sunday Reflection
This post might be narrow blogging to the team Jesus squad. I hope it doesn’t offend anyone. These are some thoughts and I don’t want to start a debate.
Church and Christianity for that matter should be places of comfort for those who have hearts and souls that need mending after being damaged by various things. Dealing with the reality of life and its ugly stuff is hard work and the church should be a place where you can do that. I want less praise and worship and more blues and gangster rap.
Life is hard enough and Christians should be about helping people on the journey. People of faith are human beings. God is god and when that is realized freedom can be found. It is my hope that my church can be a safe haven for imperfect people. I hope this makes sense.
A Little Christmas Thought
I have been thinking about my place in the story of Jesus and its one of wanting to share his love in a inclusive and open way. The tradition of Christ being a big tent guy is one that I fully embrace.
No one should be excluded from the opportunity to be loved and to love. There is too much gate keeping, wall building, exclusion of those who are not like us in this world today.
Yes, we live in very troubled times and we are all in need of comfort and grace so without doubt we need to keep God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit from being boxed in by our own fears and issues. It is my belief that without a God of inclusion, love, compassion and yes even occasional sternness I don’t know if this would want to be a part of his community. My fear is too many people are being shut out and told that because they are this or that there is no room at the Inn for them.
We need peace, freedom from conflict and freedom of being who we are and how God created us people of many colors and many orientations. I am thankful for The Episcopal Church and before that the United Methodist Church for informing me its good to be a believer who is open to new things and to question when needed. Thanks be to God.
First Sunday Of Advent At St. Peter’s Episcopal
Today is the first Sunday Of Advent in many places in the Christian Tradition. I am serving in worship at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church today. The road to Christmas has begun for real. Have a great Sunday everyone.
My Last Vestry Meeting
Tonight, I attended my last meeting as a member of the Vestry of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The Vestry is the leadership group in the Episcopal Church. For the last three years, I have served my parish during extraordinary times in our world and my own personal loss in 2019.
This experience has taught me a lot about how wonderful my church people are and how we come together to lead during the good and tough times. I will continue to serve in other ways but my time as a church leader has ended and I am grateful for the opportunity I had to do the good work of the church.
Wordless Wednesday
Sunday Reflection: Time to Rest and Time to Serve
Here’s a few thoughts inspired by the day.
Take Time to Rest – Everyone needs a day to chill out and renew. Everyone seems to be overscheduled and overworked and that isn’t good. We all need at least one day where we can reconnect with ourselves, others and, to reset ourselves. If rest is good for the divine its good enough for me. Rest and recreation are given a bad rap and that shouldn’t be the case for anyone. Don’t look for things to do because certainly you will find plenty of stuff to occupy your mind and time. Busy is not good for anyone.
Power In Service to Others – So many people look for power and status that they fail to realize that power can be found in serving others. Our world needs helpers more than it needs bosses these days. To me, service can impact the lives of many and that is a powerful thing. Everyone in service to others has the capability to make the world a much better place and you know that is a special place to be in. Not to say that people in power don’t serve but if one is just interested in a position and not the responsibility then there can be a problem.
I hope you all have had a restful Sunday and that you are ready to serve in the coming weeks ahead. Grace and peace and love to you all.
Reasons For Watching Church Online #episcopal
As a church-going type person, I have sat through many digital worship services in these days of COVID19. Currently, my parish is meeting outdoors in-person to keep people connected yet safe. YouTube and Zoom have been instrumental in keeping many churches going and offering their parishioners the Word and Sacraments.
This graphic is a humorous take on watching church online. I do like the no parking, coffee, and relaxing in my pajamas but I would never ever mute my priest. He’s pretty good at sermonizing and that sort of thing.
No matter how you practice your faith I hope you have found a way to stay connected and to receive blessings from your spiritual community.
The Tony Burgess Blog 