Was your trip to El Salvador fun? It was transformative!

On Sunday, July 15, Angela Smith gave a powerful presentation to more than 50 members of the LaSalle County Episcopal Ministry regarding her work and ongoing efforts in El Salvador.

You may know that Angie traveled to El Salvador in March as an international election observer -- while there, she did more than just watch an election. For more on her time in El Salvador check out her piece published by Waging Nonviolence at http://wagingnonviolence.org/2012/04/from-arms-to-occupation-in-el-salvador/.

In the months since returning, she has been working with Father Jesus Alvarenga and Bishop Martin Barahona to share the story of the church's work within the urban centers of El Salvador.

If you are interested in having Angie share this story with your church, civic club or social organization let us know.

 

Full Disclosure: Angie and I have been married "almost" 18 years. She inspires many with her devotion to peace and justice for the people of Latin America, where she has traveled and worked since 2005.

A change is gonna come...

This is the sermon I preached on Sunday, July 22 at Christ Church (Episcopal), Ottawa, Illinois.

Sometimes, even in northern Illinois, it gets so hot that we must leave the comfort of old stone sacred spaces to retreat to the comfort of the undercroft!   

The Episcopal Church is changing.  Some commentators claim it is dying.  I disagree.  Here I speak to the truth that the church is not to be liberal or conservative, but is to be about the work God gives us to do -- here and now. 

Let me know what you think.

Loving Our Neighbors

This sermon was preached at St. Paul's Church (LaSalle, Illinois) on July 8, 2012. While not perfect and a bit longer than intended, it does help frame the question of whether or not we really can, or want to, love our neighbors.

Why the Power and the Glory

When I was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons, my dear friend the Rev. Ken Guy preached the sermon in which he asked that I read and reflect on two books -- one of which is The Power and Glory by Graham Greene. This is a story of a priest, a very human, fallable priest, in Mexico during the 1930's when the Mexican government was attempting to supress the Catholic Church. The novel's main character is a nameless "whiskey priest", who is the last priest remaining in his region. Hunted by the state and hounded by his own self-destructive behaviors, he endeavors to bring the love and light of Christ to communities; at times just steps ahead of those that will, by the novel's end, take his life.

I first read the Power and the Glory in college and have reread it a number of times -- including finishing it again days prior to the ordination. I encourage you to read it; it is a powerful story with images, characters and messages that compel and have lasting impact.

I am now a priest in the Episcopal tradition of the Church and I hope this blog will do honor to the expectations set forth by Father Guy.