Dear friends,  This Sunday we celebrate Christ the King.  This day marks the end of the liturgical year, and Advent begins a new year on Nov. 30.  This prayer, written by Karl Barth (one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century) seems a fitting way to pray for the Church and for the world, remembering that our trust is in God alone.  Please pray with me! Your sister in Christ,  Nancy+ A Prayer for the Church, the Poor, and Justice  “Lord our God, we praise you

Dear friends, Just home from the wonderful “Grateful Bread” luncheon hosted by Trinity’s Parish Care team in the Parish Hall. Special thanks to Molly Stone, Jace Tilton, and everyone who brought food to share and prayers for one another.   Delicious soups and breads were prepared and enjoyed by all those in attendance. Tables were decorated with fall flowers and leaves, pumpkins and lovely statements about Gratitude. Here are two traditional American Grace prayers that were o

Dear Friends, Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received… so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 4:10–11 A friend once preached that joy should be a practice of the Episcopal Church. Joy is rewarding. Joy is motivating. Joy is the light that draws us to the manger Joy also brings us to each others’ sides when we are in darkness. Joy, a manifestation of God’s love, finds us w

Dear saints,  This week we celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The Church rejoices in all the faithful people throughout time who have followed Jesus in big and small ways. There are the well known Saints like St. Francis who gave up a life of wealth and privilege to care for the poor and connect with all God's creatures. Francis is a "Saint" with a capital "S" because he is recognized by a formal process in the Church for sainthood. Every generation lifts up people f

This Sunday’s gospel concerns a parable that Jesus tells about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying in the temple. The Pharisee is proud of himself, the tax collector is bereft with contrition, and utters, “God, have mercy on me a sinner.”, which became the Jesus prayer, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me a sinner.”   This has become, in some parts of Christianity, the basis for a prayer discipline, where this phrase is repeated, often using knots in a prayer rope