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

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. Summary: Ordinary Time reminds us that God is present not only in the great holy moments, but also in the sacred rhythm of everyday life. Dear People of God, As we move beyond the joy and fire of Pentecost, we enter a new season in the Church Year called Ordinary Time. One of the most common questions people ask is why the Church celebrates different seasons throughout the year. You may not

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Summary: Pentecost reminds us that God’s Spirit is alive, m

Isaiah 66:13 “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” Summary: Mother’s Day reminds us that the love, nurture, sacrifice, and steady presence of mothers and mothering figures shape both our emotional lives and our understanding of God’s care. Dear Church Family, Mother’s Day always stirs something deep within us. For some, it is gratitude and joy. For others, it carries grief, longing, or complicated memories. Yet no matter our story, Scripture and human experi

Matthew 25:36 “I was sick and you took care of me.” Summary: This week, we honor nurses whose daily work reflects the healing heart of God. Dear People of Service, This week is Nurse Week, and at St. Augustine we are doing something simple and sacred. We are going to two senior living communities to bless the hands that bless others. We will stand before nurses, caregivers, and staff, and we will name what is already true. Their work is holy. When I think about nursing, I do

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances Summary: National Day of Prayer invites us to return to a shared practice that reshapes our hearts toward God and one another. Dear People of Prayer, Next week, on May 7, we observe the National Day of Prayer. I find myself reflecting not just on the act of praying, but on what happens to us when we pray together as a people. Prayer is not simply a private conversation with God. It

Mark 10:14 Let the little children come to me do not stop them for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Summary: Our life together is fuller and more faithful when we truly welcome children as whole members of the Body of Christ. Dear Faithful Ones, Each Sunday, I begin with a simple reminder. St Augustine Loves Kids. Please embrace how they worship with their wiggles and giggles. They are also members and belong here. I say it because it matters. I say it

Luke 23:34 Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. Summary: Jesus did not die to satisfy God’s anger, but to reveal a love that refuses to abandon us, even in our worst moments. Dear Friends in Christ, Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? It is one of the most important questions we can ask, and one that has been answered in many ways over the centuries. Some have been taught that Jesus died because God needed to be satisfied or appeased. But when

Luke 23:42–43 “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Summary: You don’t have to be ready for Holy Week because God meets you exactly where you are. Dear Friends, Holy Week begins tomorrow, and I want to say something clearly. You don’t have to be ready. Most people come into this week feeling behind. Life has been full. Prayer has been inconsistent. Maybe you gave up chocolate for Lent and

John 13:1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Summary: Holy Week invites us to walk closely with Jesus and witness how deeply God loves the world. Dear St. Augustine Family, Next week is the holiest week of our year. I hope you will join us for worship, prayer, and reflection as we walk with Jesus through each step of Ho

Psalm 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Summary: When life feels uncertain or heavy, I return to a simple prayer that reminds me I am surrounded by Christ on every side. Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am a day early in my pastor letter because today is St. Patrick’s Day, and I have found myself returning again and again to a prayer that has carried Christians for centuries. It is often called St. Patrick’s Breastplate, and a portion of it has b