Neighbors
He lived alone a few doors down … kept to himself and seldom went out … except Saturdays … he’d start up that 1970 Corvette and not return until sundown. People talked and said he must be a drug dealer or in witness protection. One Saturday, entirely by chance, I saw that Corvette parked at…
Divorce
My wife’s friend was recently divorced and needed help moving so we offered our time. I was not enthusiastic, but an hour wouldn’t kill me. Arriving at her old home, I saw stuff scattered about, piles of clothes, unboxed books and knick-knacks on the floor, dishes stacked on the dining room table … a vision…
Hey
My waving “Hey!” started with neighborhood kids riding bikes up and down the street and sidewalk. When I pull into my driveway, I watch them closely to be sure we were all safe. They would look back at me but seemed wary. Now, I make sure that I wave to each kid. Not an effusive…
Confirmation
Baptized with a sprinkle of water, I once received communion at a church basement potluck. Other than that, I had steered clear of church, believing that church would cramp my style. Just to test my theory, I committed myself to attend an Episcopal church during Lent and sit in on every activity for the duration:…
Stories
My father was a storyteller. He was born before radio, much less TV. He grew up when many homes had pianos and parlors, when there was time after the evening meal to listen to stories. I recollect my father’s stories, told at our table after the dishes were cleared, with a little vino in each…
Orchestra
On NPR, a story of doctors who play together as the National Virtual Medical Orchestra. Dr. Erica Hardy, an infectious disease specialist, is an accomplished violinist, having played since she was four. Of playing in that orchestra she said, “It gives us an outlet. We use a different part of our brain; it’s a time…
Questions
I saw him most Sundays in church, though he made no claim to the Christian faith. He called himself an agnostic, having neither belief nor disbelief in God. I asked him, “Why church?” He said, “Because it’s the one place where all manner of questions can be asked. And, in this church at least, there…
Language
Pandemic notwithstanding, I go twice a month to greet people who come the Food Pantry. People remain in their cars until a bag of fresh produce can be loaded into the trunk. As they wait, I walk along the line of cars. With mask and social distancing, my words are muffled and my expression unseen….
Trash
I park in the same lot every day. There’s a trash can handy for candy wrappers, but someone stuffed it with a bag of household trash. Most of it was on the ground. I sighed. I tried not to notice but, alas, there it was. Not everyone travels with the tools to pick up chicken…
Doing good
It happens to every Christian … on some occasion we are called upon to offer a succinct explanation of who Jesus was and what he did. This happened to Peter, at the home of Cornelius the Centurion, himself a Christian. Asked to address the assembled people, Peter said these words: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth…
Did You Know? – Deacon Josh
The Rev. Josh Butler is a Vocational Deacon in the Diocese of Ohio.
It is the deacon who ends the service, dismissing the congregation to go out in the community to serve. In his Deacon’s Dismissal, Josh offers reflections to strengthen and inspire us in our call to service.
