Weekly Reflections

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As I sit in my cozy office at church, on a silvery gray day, watching a few snow flurries drift gently down, I’m thinking about Advent—my favorite liturgical season. I love the music, love the confusion between the past/present/future in our Scripture readings, love the joyful anticipation, love the church dressed

Dear Brothers and Sisters, When I retired in 2017, Bishop Sean Rowe asked me to help out at St. Margaret’s Church as an assisting priest. Then, when Mo. Jane Bender retired at the beginning of October, you graciously called me to be your priest in charge. So we have had at least a little chance

Dear Brothers and Sisters, On Monday, November 1, the church celebrated All Saints, when we rejoiced with all the holy men and women down the ages who have loved and served God in extraordinary ways. Although we have long lists of saints on the various church calendars, we recognize that there are many “quiet” saints,

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have been saying that the month of November has many exciting things going on.  In the last couple of days, even MORE has happened! So instead of reflecting on lectionary themes today, I thought it might be helpful to give you a schedule so you can plan. You’ll also find

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This week, we come to the end of the book of Job. What a bumpy ride it’s been—for Job particularly, but for us, too, as we empathize with him in his sorrows.  You’ll remember that last week, God had some pretty stern words to share with Job. He had demanded that

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Poor Job. Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard that he has had quite a time of it.  If you only read what the lectionary serves up to us on Sundays, you might not be aware of how REALLY bad a time he has had!  It’s not enough that

Dear Brothers and Sisters, WooHoo! Here we go! Diving into the busy and exciting time of the year. Those of us with school connections are bustling about, keeping kids on track (both as parents and teachers). And as students ourselves, if we are studying. We are pretending that Thanksgiving isn’t just around the corner. And

From Rev. Jane Dearest Family and Friends of St. Margaret’s, What a wonderful celebration it was for my final Sunday with you at St. Margaret’s last week.  My heart is truly overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving for each of you. Thank you that so many of you were able to be present for worship that

Dearest Family and Friends of St. Margaret’s, Greetings in Christ!  It is bittersweet, to say the very least, for me, that this coming Sunday is my last Sunday serving at St. Margaret’s.  My time serving with you at St. Margaret’s has been one of the great blessings of my life.  Since beginning in July of

Dear Brothers and Sisters, A few years ago, one of my non-Episcopalian friends asked, “What is this COLLECT you keep talking about?” I hemmed and hawed and finally said, “It’s a very brief, formal  prayer, that brings together a number of thoughts addressed to God.” It wasn’t the time for a lesson on types of