What is an Advent wreath? Advent wreaths are generally made up of a circular garland of greens and four candles of either purple or blue, or three candles of either purple or blue and one pink candle. There may also be a white candle in the center. The purpose of an Advent wreath is to mark the passage…
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Love One Another: In Response to Tree of Life Shooting
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. –John 13:34 It is with good reason that Christ gives us the commandment to love one another, for from hatred a multitude of evils can spring. It was hatred that led the…
WWW- What is the Kids First service?
Children are important members of our church community in their own right. And we always strive to listen and learn what our members need in order to nurture their faith and grow into closer relationship with God. Our Kids First service is specifically geared towards families with young children. Kid-friendly props and prayers help kids…
WWW-St. Thomas Mugs!
What’s all this I’m hearing about new mugs? Liz and I have been working on making our welcome bags at church more welcoming, and we want to include something that people can actually keep and get many uses out of. We’ve landed on these stylish, customized mugs with our new St. Thomas logo (one that…
What Why Wednesday-Chasubles
What is a chasuble? A chasuble is a Eucharistic vestment worn by priests. Essentially it is a special piece of clothing worn by a priest during a service at which s/he is celebrating Holy Communion. What does a chasuble look like? Basically, it looks like a fancy poncho. The color of the day (which depends on the liturgical season or the service…
What Why Wednesday-Incense
Why do some churches use incense? At a previous church, I once had a parishioner joke that he would be offended if we were to use incense during a service because the only reason churches ever used incense in the first place was to cover up the smell of the unwashed masses that gathered together for Sunday services, before modern conveniences made…
What Why Wednesday-General Convention
What happened at General Convention? I will also be available after the service on July 29 to give more in-depth information and answer questions. General Convention was very eye-opening. I learned that much of the work of General Convention is done in committee. Each piece of legislation that will go before the House of…
Introducing-What Why Wednesdays
Your weekly source for answers to all things Episcopal What is the difference between a sacrament and a sacramental rite The Episcopal Church makes a distinction between the two great sacraments (baptism and Eucharist) and other sacramental rites (confirmation, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, ordination, and unction). This is because we believe…
And God Created Humankind in His Image
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. –Galatians 3:28 In today’s day and age we might add “black or white” or “gay or straight” to Paul’s profound theological statement because the…
The Exile of Rebekah and Isaac
Years ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to Israel for a pilgrimage through the Holy Land. And this upcoming Sunday’s readings reminded me of one of the more interesting experiences I had while I was there. This Sunday’s readings recount Abraham’s servant identifying Rebekah as the woman whom God chose to be Isaac’s wife…