Skip to main content

A new beginning...

At the conclusion of yesterday’s service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, I promised more that one person that I would make my sermon available in written form, since it had not been recorded.


I typed everything up and realized that there wasn’t a good place to post it.


It’s been almost 5 years since I posted on my blog (https://osc-religionandpopculture.blogspot.com/) and what feels like a lifetime since I regularly posted.


It’s time for something new.


The old blog was “One Step Closer: Religion & Popular Culture” named after a U2 song.


“There is no them” are the key lyrics from another U2 song, and feel especially appropriate for this moment in time when so many would make things “us vs. them.”


There is no them. There’s only us.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Kingdom of God has come near: announcing transition

Preached at St. Paul's SLC on Sunday July 6th at both services. The kingdom of God has come near to us. It has been over 10 years for our journey together as Rector and congregation of St. Paul’s Salt Lake City.   After much faithful discernment and prayer, I believe it is time for us to move to our next chapters of faithful ministry.   It is very important to me that Sienna be in the same place for middle and high school, which means my being Priest in the same community for at least the next 8 years.   If I answer honestly, I believe this would be too long for us to grow into what we are called next to be, and I want what is right for all of us.   With that in my heart and mind, I have accepted a call to be the next Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Marble Falls TX, and to share in their mission to be a major Christian Presence in the Hill Country of Texas, proclaiming the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. This will be a return to the Diocese of my seminary edu...

First Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church, Marble Falls TX

It is so wonderful to finally be here!   This has been a long journey to this moment for us all.   Ever since The Rev. David Sugeno announced plans to retire, Trinity Marble Falls has had the dual purpose of celebrating where you are and preparing for where you are going. It was January when I first saw the posting for Trinity Marble Falls, read the profile, and viewed the website.   I quickly felt a draw to explore the possibility of what we could do together:   in large part to your clear articulation of core values and narrative on what you hoped for in a Rector.   I now know that these statements were developed in your Holy Cow Survey work, and were intentionally crafted for use by Trinity.   And you should know that I was struck by the word cacophony!!!   (Well done Jenny Waldo!!!) My first task, required of any priest seeking a position in The Diocese of Texas, was to list three reasons why I would be a good fit for this particular call.   I...

Getting Ready for Lent: 2025 version

The reaction to the reality that Lent begins this week, among family, friends, and even parishioners, has been “Really?   Already?” I feel that way too, even thought Lent is pretty close to as late on the calendar as it can be.   WIth all that is going on in the world:   people losing jobs, research being slashed, aid being withheld, and support for an aggressor over an invaded country…it seems like time is both standing still and marching out of control.   I think it is important that we consider how we might enter Lent at this time and place. Lent has always been meant to be a healthy and holistic part of our Christian calendar cycle.   More so than New Year resolutions, Lent involves an intentionality to hear, see, and act differently in the midst of individual and communal lifespan.   Diana Butler Bass writes that Lent is not about self-doubt or about self-blame for the current state of affairs. Instead, Lent can be a time to spiritually, mentally, and ...