Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 11/7/21

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, “Spring forward; Fall back!”  I am pleased to note that no one appeared to forget that jingle which alerts us semi-annually to change in times and change in seasons.  The major hurdle in “getting to the church on time,” inasmuch as we are an urban parish, remains still …

Sermon, 10/31/21: The Best Place to spot a Saint!

All Saints Sunday, 23 Pentecost Psalm 24; Wisdom of Solomon 3:1–9; Revelations 21:1–6a; John 11:32–44 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals.’  Revelation 21:3 Everyone knows—even fourth and fifth graders—who saints are and where they can best be seen.  In paintings in museums or …

Open letter from Rev. Clarence, 10/31/21

The Feast of All Saints and parish notes Dear Members and Friends of St. James, We observed today at Eucharist the Feast of All Saints, to celebrate the lives of those who contributed to the life of our parish. Our senior warden produced for me, the original Charter of Founding and Admission into the Diocese …

Sermon, 10/24/21: CONSIDERING OUR OPTIONS

22 Pentecost Psalm 34:1–8, [19–22]; Job 42:1–6, 10–17; Hebrews 7:23–28; Mark 10:46–52 Jesus said to Bartimaeus, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Mark 10:51 On the road where I live in Watertown, affixed to two light standards—one at the beginning of the road as it goes sharply uphill to Whitney Hill, and …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 10/24/21

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, I send you greetings as a beautiful fall day leans towards its close.  There is something comforting, at least for me, to be reminded that there remains a power over which we of humankind have no control, but that is shared by and with all.  That a seasonal …

Sermon, 10/17/21: A Case of Mistaken Identity

21 Pentecost Psalm 104:1–9, 25, 37b; Job 38.1–7, 34–41; Hebrews 5:1–10; Mk. 10:35–45 God answered [Moses], I am that I am.  Tell them that I AM has sent you to them. Exodus 3:14 In our desire—nay, I would go so far even to say, in our need to describe for ourselves and to others who …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 10/17/21

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, It is indeed ‘a good and joyful thing,’ as we settle into a new routine, to be able to report to you that a new normalcy brings relief to our lives that have been battered and altered by the COVID pandemic.  And to that end, please know and …

Sermon, 10/10/21. Is it really true: “In God we trust”?*

20 Pentecost Psalm 22:1–15 ; Job 23:1–9, 16–17; Hebrews 4:12–16; Mark 10:17–31 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”  Mark 10:27 Good people, I am very much aware that, on this 20th Sunday after Pentecost, I stand not in a classroom …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 10/10/21

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, My update this week is brief but brings three important items to your attention: THE VESTRY MEETS ON SUNDAY, 17 OCTOBER, immediately following Eucharist.  You are all invited to attend this meeting as we meet to take stock of the affairs of our parish. This year, we shall …

Sermon, 10/3/21: What form Stewardship: Is it worth it?

19 Pentecost Psalm 26; Job 1:1, 2:1–10; Hebrews 1:1–4, 2:5–12; Mark 9:30–37 As for me, I will live with integrity. Psalm 26:11a Even before we became limited in our in-person contacts due to the pandemic, people in our various parishes have often been curious about how their clergy spend their time.  Thinking, in a business …