A Positively Poetic Priest

  The Holy Spirit acts in diverse community. If you were here last Sunday, you'll know that I was not. Last November, I, in my infinite wisdom, decided that last Sunday I was going to attempt to swim, bike, and run across almost seventy one miles in southern Tennessee and Georgia. Because it seemed like a fun idea. And it was. I completed the Chattanooga Ironman 70.3, a half Ironman triathlon in 7 hours, 30 minutes, and 37 secs. It was quite an achievement. But you know what made it actually fun? All of the family, friends, and strangers who volunteered, raced, cheered before, during, and after the event. The diverse community. I met people from all over. Connected with people so very different than I. I was cheered on and supported by complete strangers I will never see again in my life. I cheered on complete strangers. Its in all the news about how divided the United States is And it is divided in many ways but when I go out and about and last week Jimmy and I were in eight diffe

  There once was a man who was so interesting and good that people came from all over to hear him teach He became such a good teacher and leader that some other leaders started to be afraid they didn't know if Jesus wanted to take their jobs One night Jesus was in an upper room with his friends they were celebrating the festival which remembers the day the Israelites left Egypt and crossed the reed sea Jesus and his friends were eating flat bread, lamb, grilled vegetables, and drinking wine Jesus started to teach his friends He offered them encouragement and reminders a summary of all that he had taught them Jesus reminded them that the Greatest Commandments are based in Love Love of God Love for ourselves Love for others Love. Love, love, love, love, love. What a four letter word. Its a complicated thing love. I say this as someone who grew up in a loving family with multiple people having mental health struggles I say this as someone who has broken off relationships and been brok

St. Peter's  Easter 4A April 30, 2023 Our choir did a lovely job of singing the 23rd Psalm this morning. I have a hard time hearing the 23rd Psalm sung without thinking about the Vicar of Dibley. Which started me thinking about the special relationship that show had with sheep... including the groundbreaking interrupting sheep joke at the end of the episode titled the Christmas Lunch Incident in 1996. You remember that one, Geraldine, the Vicar, played by Dawn French, and Alice, her verger, played by Emma Chambers are having tea in the sacristy when Geraldine says, Knock, knock. Who's there? The interrupting sheep. The interrupting she... Baaaaa! You get it? No, sorry, 'cause I hadn't finished my bit. Do it again, and... No, that's the joke, you see. The interrupting sheep always interrupts people. See? And that's funny? Yes. It's hilarious. Well, depending on your preferred level of comedy. Today is commonly known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Every year in the