Notes from our Rector
Dear Friends, A lot has happened recently. As I write this, I am in quarantine due to covid. I am feeling a little better each day, and I hope to be back at St. Monica’s next week. As noted in an earlier email to the congregation, this will be [...]
Dear Friends, Early in my tenure here at St. Monica’s, the church received a message via Facebook in Spanish. A woman asked in Spanish, “Do you have services in Spanish.” I said, “No, but let’s talk.” So we met - Gustavo, Francis, Linda Flores, and myself. They told me [...]
Dear Friends, I want to recognize someone who has been a pillar of our church for a long, long time. Pat Kearns will be with us on Saturday night for the last time before she moves back to Maryland to be with her family. Pat has been an integral part [...]
Dear Friends, We often hear people talk about churches as something that they attend. The conversation often goes something like this: “What church do you go to?” “I go to _________ Church, they have a great ___ program.” What stands out to me in this brief dialogue are two [...]
Dear Friends, This Sunday in the Gospel we hear about who is who. Peter says to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “… And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Upon hearing [...]
Dear Friends, It is nice to be back! My family and I were able to get away for a few weeks before the school year began. Being away allows us to see things here in a new way and with renewed energy. But honestly, this year I did not feel [...]
Dear Friends, We need you this weekend! After each service this weekend, we will have a time of food and rich discussion in the Parish Hall. We will talk about where we see the Spirit working here at St. Monica’s, stewardship, and begin dreaming about our future together. On February 11th at [...]
Dear Friends, Any worthwhile nonprofit asks itself at some point: What would happen if our organization did not exist? I think churches should ask the same thing. Some churches may find that they function in more of a social role than anything else. In contrast, at St. Monica’s I am [...]
Dear Friends, As I look forward to the calendar year ahead, the theme for the stewardship campaign is “Let us build a house.” This comes from the hymn, “All are welcome” by Marty Haugen. The verse that stands out for the stewardship committee can inspire us: “Let us build a [...]
Dear Friends, I look forward to seeing so many of you this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. At the 5pm service, the liturgy has been simplified, using “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” (BCP 400-401) which is more accessible for younger people. It will have a familiar and [...]
