Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 8/7/22

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, In addition to the attached homily which I shared today with those who braved the unrelenting heatwave to attend in presence Holy Eucharist, I send this week only a brief notice of happenings on the corner of Broadway and Clarendon Ave., in Teele Square. Thanks to diocesan support, …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 7/31/22

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Traditionally, summer is a time of reduced activities in parishes.  While that is true also of St. James, it is nevertheless rewarding to report that despite sweltering temperatures, our doors remain open and new faces are joining us in the celebration of the Eucharist.  We continue to observe …

Sermon, 7/24/22: Is Prayer Overrated?

7 Pentecost Psalm 85, Hosea 1:2–10, Colossians 2:6–19, Luke 11:1–13 Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. Luke 11:1 When I began my career as a young assistant professor, I thought that I need mention only once an idea, a fact, an event to my students, and I could be assured that …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 7/24/22

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Advice from weather centrals informed us in advance of a spike in heat and humidity on this Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. This prompted messages to members of the congregation whose health would be compromised, should they have attempted to worship in person today. Unofficially, I have come in …

Sermon, 7/17/22: Living with Ambiguity

6 Pentecost Psalm 52:1- 9; Amos 8:1 – 12; Colossians 1:15 – 28; Luke 10:38 – 42 Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.  Luke10:41 This morning I draw your attention to an absolutely wonderful prayer in our Book of Common Prayer (p. 832, #59).  Unless you happen to be, as am …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 7/17/22

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, As we move to mid-summer and as I look to the weather forecast for our region, I offer my usual word of caution. Whereas I am always immensely pleased to see familiar faces at Eucharist, as we issue health warnings for severe winter weather, so do I for …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 7/10/22

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, It is with joy and relief that I am able to report to you this week that we continue to make progress in addressing many of the issues which arose when, due to Covid-19, we were not on campus with any regularity. These are, of course, primarily building …