A postcard from the Fourth Sunday of Advent 12/19/21 Advent Wreath, the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Heflin, AL So why is Mary so favored? Our Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth and the Magnificat. [Lk. 1:39-55] The Visitation is the part-two of the Annunciation that happens … Continue reading Love

A postcard from the Third Sunday of Advent 12/12/21 Advent Wreath, the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Heflin, AL So what’s the deal with the pink candle? To be a bit more liturgically correct, we usually call it a “rose” candle. The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for … Continue reading Joy

A postcard from the Second Sunday of Advent 12/05/21 Advent Wreath, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Roanoke, AL Advent is a season that challenges us to walk in the way of peace. This week instead of a Psalm, we got to pray the Song of Zechariah (Benedictus). [Lk. 1:68-79] Zechariah and Elizabeth are the parents of … Continue reading Peace

A postcard from the First Sunday of Advent 11/28/21 Advent Wreath, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greensboro, AL Advent is a season that challenges us to hope. The readings from the First Sunday of Advent are difficult. Jesus predicts the end times and Jeremiah is writing to a people in despair. While there is not hint … Continue reading Hope

A postcard from the Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King 11/21/21 Grace by Eric Enstrom, depicting travelling salesman Charles Wilden in Bovey. Photograph was published in the United States in 1918. A colorized version of this photo hung over the breakfast table at my Granddaddy’s house. As I waited for my Granddaddy to say … Continue reading Giving thanks for truth