On 3 Advent, 12/15/2019: A Reality Check

from The Rev. Clarence E. Butler 15 December 2019A A Reality Check Over the years of my ordained ministry, I have resisted for the most part giving my homilies and sermons a title that could be placed in an announcement kiosk outside the entrance to the church. I have done so because titles do not …

From The Rev. Clarence, 23 Pentecost, 2019

Thoughts on Isaiah 65. 17-25 the new Jerusalem, and Luke 21.5f: the destruction of the Temple While driving to the parish on Thursday morning for a meeting, I happened at an electric traffic signal to come along side an SUV which sported a sticker that read: “Do not believe everything that you think.” And I chuckled …

Return of the Soup! 11/20/2019

It’s baaaaack! The folks at St. James Episcopal Church, Teele Square, Somerville invite you to our FREE! SOUP OF THE MONTH CLUB What: A monthly, light dinner of homemade soups Where: 1170 Broadway (enter through the courtyard door on Clarendon) When: 6:00 PM, Wednesday, NOVEMBER 20, 2019 How much: Nothing! This is a community service …

21 Pentecost , All Saints Sunday, 11/3/2019

Thoughts on 21 Pentecost , All Saints Sunday The Rev. Clarence E. Butler It is too sad, that we are forced almost, to use our automobiles for every task that takes us beyond a hundred yards of our homes.  This observation may lead you to believe that I long for the good old days, or …

Fall Fair! Saturday, 10/5/2019, 10am-3pm

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, the St. James Fall Fair is back! Are you furnishing a new apartment or dorm room this fall? Looking for a “new” outfit for an interview or outing? Need a prop or a stage outfit? Want to treat yourself or a friend to a kicky piece of jewelry? Then come check out …

10 Pentecost: Luke 12.49–56 Truth or Dare?

From The Rev. Clarence E. Butler 18 August 2019 St. James Church, Somerville, MA Luke 12.49 -56 Truth or Dare? From stories told us by grandparents, parents, relatives, teachers, clergy, you and I have a different image of Jesus of Nazareth, from the one which intrudes this morning into our thoughts. Both prior to his …

Thoughts on 3 Pentecost, 6/30/2019

3 Pentecost 30 June 2019 St. James, Somerville Luke 9. 58  Foxes have their holes and birds their roosts, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. In approximately four weeks hence, we will observe the Sacrament of Baptism, the first time since you have privileged me to serve among you and, …

Rev. Clarence on Pentecost

Rev. Clarence on Pentecost from 26 May 2007, Trinity Church, Geneva, New York Last week, as I drove over to the office, I listened to WCRB, a radio station which tags itself as “Classical Music Boston. One of its announcers, in a game of trivia, posed the question: X County in California has a population …