Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Summary: I celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day because my Christian faith calls me to honor the dignity of every human being, tell the truth about our history, and seek reconciliation where harm has been done. Dear Friends in Christ, Monday was Indigenous Peoples’ Day. And I have to tell you, I much prefer celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day to Columbus Day.

James 1:19 Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Summary: Sometimes the most loving thing we can offer another person is not advice, answers, or even our own story, but the gift of being truly heard. Dear Faithful Ones, I had a conversation recently with a young couple. One of them had the natural gift of gab. They were funny, engaging, and always had something to contribute to the conversation. There was just one little problem. They weren't very goo

Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back. Summary: Sunday’s Agape Meal reminded us that stewardship is not simply about maintaining the church we have. It is about becoming the church God is calling us to be. Dear St. Augustine’s friends, Sunday’s Agape Meal was a beautiful experience of what church can be when we gather around a table. Instead of sitting in rows, we worshiped around tables. We ate

Isaiah 58:7 “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house?” Summary: After years of discernment and work, the Rocklin City Council has approved Sierra Wilds, moving us one step closer to transforming a portion of St. Augustine’s property into 120 affordable homes for our neighbors. Dear Friends, Tuesday night marked an important moment in the life of St. Augustine’s. After a long process of meetings, public hearings, conversatio

Summary: During the Season of Creation, I invite us to notice that God’s love and salvation embrace not only humanity, but the whole beautiful, interconnected creation to which we belong. Dear Beloved, You may have noticed that our worship looks and sounds a little different this month. September is part of the Season of Creation, and this year we are using a special liturgy authorized by our Bishop to help us pray more intentionally with and for God’s creation. So, what exac

Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” Summary This weekend, the women of St. Augustine are invited to explore the many dimensions of who God created us to be through biblical archetypes, prayer, friendship, service, and reflection. Calling all women! I am looking forward to spending time with you at our Women’s Retreat this weekend. Our theme this year is “I Am Woman: Discovering Yourself Throu

Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. Summary God has given each of us a small part of this world to tend, shape, and love, and our everyday work can become part of God’s work in the world. Dear Faithful Ones, One of the things I love about the creation stories in Genesis is that God creates a world that has room for us. God creates the earth, and then God invites humanity to participate in what happens next. In Genes

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Summary God’s welcome is not something we keep inside our church walls. It is a gift we are called to carry into every place we go. Dear Beloved, Over the past few weeks, I have preached about becoming “A People Sent to Share God’s Welcome.” But what does that look like in our everyday lives? A safe place is not a place where everyone agrees or difficult conversations never hap

Romans 15:7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Summary In a world where many people are searching for a place to belong, the church is called to be a safe place where people are welcomed, known, and loved. Dear Beloved, I recently read something from sociologists that made me stop and think. They suggest that many people today are not simply looking for a place to hear a sermon. They are looking for what sociologist Ray Olde

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Summary In an uncertain world, our hope is not that history will always be stable, but that God's love and character never change. Dear Beloved, Lately, I have noticed something beneath many of the conversations I have with people. We talk about inflation, politics, artificial intelligence, immigration, world conflicts, or the economy. Those are important conversations, but I suspect they are not the deepe

2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us. Summary Gratitude is not simply a response to God's gifts. It is the soil from which generosity naturally grows. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As I have reflected on our life together this week, I have been thinking about gratitude. We often talk about giving as something we ought to do. We speak about generosity as a responsibility or a sp

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Summary Trusting God is not believing that everything happens for a reason. It is believing that God's love never leaves us, even when life doesn't make sense. Dear Friends in Christ, Yesterday, Ary gave me quite a day. Ary is my dog for those who have not met her. She had gotten into some chocolate. It wasn't enough to cause permanent harm, but it was

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Summary: God never asks us to choose between justice and love because God's justice has always been an expression of God's love. Dear Beloved, There are moments when I hear Christians speak with deep anger as they defend God. They believe they are standing for righteousness. I understand that desire. We all want

John 21:15-17 "Feed my lambs... Tend my sheep... Feed my sheep." Summary: This Saturday, we celebrate God's continuing work among us as Rosemary MacLaughlin is ordained to the priesthood and begins a new chapter of ministry at St. Augustine. Dear St. Augustine Family, This Saturday will be one of those days that reminds me how beautifully God continues to shape the life of the Church. Our Transitional Deacon, Rosemary MacLaughlin, will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturda

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Summary: As I celebrate six years at St. Augustine, I believe God is inviting us into a new chapter, not just being a safe place for people seeking God, but becoming a people who carry God's welcome throughout Placer County. Dear St. Augustine Family, July 1st is my sixth an

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Summary: As we celebrate Independence Day, I am reminded that our love for our country and our baptismal promises both call us to seek liberty, justice, peace, and the dignity of every person. Dear People of Faith, Every day in elementary school I stood with my classmates, placed my hand over my heart, and recited

Matthew 25:40 Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Summary: This week I give thanks for Deacon Joanie Cahill, whose ministry has taught us that following Jesus always leads us beyond our church walls and into the lives of those who need love most. Dear St. Augustine Family, There are people who quietly change the heart of a church. Deacon Joanie Cahill is one of those people. This Sunday we will say

John 20:17-18 Jesus said to her, “go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her. Summary: Throughout Scripture, God calls women and men alike to lead, teach, preach, and serve, and the Episcopal Church continues that biblical tradition today. Dear Faithful, This week, the Southern Bapti

Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Summary: This Pride Month, I reflect on the harm done when scripture is used to wound LGBTQIA+ people and why I believe the gospel calls us toward humility, truthfulness, and love. Dear People of God, June is Pride Month. I want to say something clearly. I am especially adamant about supporting our LGBTQIA+ siblings beca

John 16:13-15 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Summary: The Holy Trinity is not a math problem to solve, but a glimpse into the relati