As we prepare to rejoice in the midst of fancies and fads of this world, under it all, behind it all, through it all is the revelation of God with us, of God’s kingdom...Happy are those servants, who no matter what time the master returns, finds them faithful. --Robert Crouse ⚓

Once you see an icon of John the Baptist, you can't unsee it.

especially in times of war, or of national anxiety, or of disaster

Today some Anglicans celebrate the Conception of the BVM. I think the biblical narrative about the Mother of Our Lord is quite radiant as is. We do not need to make up additional teachings about Mary. But if you want to believe extra stuff, I’m not here to steal your joy! ⚓️

Even as the season outside gets more exuberantly festive, those who observe Advent...are convicted more and more each year by the truth of what is going on inside—inside the church as she refuses cheap comfort and sentimental good cheer. Advent begins in the dark. --Fleming Rutledge

Wow.

You brood of vipers! Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees! How would you like to get that on a Christmas card! But there it is, and this is John the Baptist’s day. --Fleming Rutledge The John the Baptist window, Messiah, St. Paul ⚓

Just when you thought you'd seen more than enough St. Nicholas slapping Arius memes.

At the Rectory in this season of Advent, a Moravian star is shining in the darkness as we wait for the glory of the Lord to be revealed. 🕯️ Morning Star, my soul’s true light, tarry not, dispel my night. . . . Jesus mine, in me shine . . . fill my heart with light divine.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death

Lobster Trap Christmas trees have sprung up along the Nova Scotia coast. I'll be posting one per week through Epiphany. Pic: The Wedgeport lobster trap/buoy Christmas tree, from the Atlantic Fisherman.

Minnesotans getting ready for winter driving season.

Advent is a strangely thrilling season. As nature prepares herself for the long and frozen sleep of winter, the Church calls the spirit to awake. As the days grow darker, and light fails, the Church calls us to open our eyes to the rising of a new, glorious sun ⚓ --Robert Crouse

I had no idea that Washington Irving, the author of ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and other tales, was an Episcopalian. 📕 laudablepractice.blogspot.com/2025/11/than...

O Lord, that lends me life, Lend me a heart, replete with thankfulness. Amen. --William Shakespeare

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Please read! A Messiah, St. Paul, member shared this, From the (Burmese) Karen Organization of Minnesota. Messiah first welcomed then Karen Burmese Refugees in 2007. They have become integral members of the Church. Link in the comments. ⚓

Say a prayer for those who go down to the sea in ships. Its the start of the Lobster season back in my native Nova Scotia: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep".

Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdæorvm ישו הנוצרי, מלך יהודיים Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος ὁ βασιλεύς τῶν Ἰουδαίων (The Crucifixion window, Messiah, St. Paul)

Grace. When he was praying as he hung on the cross, he could see all his enemies, he could foresee that many of them would become his friends. That's why he was interceding for them all. They were saying to Pilate "Crucify!"; he was crying out, "Father, forgive". --Augustine

Rather large weekend for us at Messiah, St. Paul. Covet your prayers for us, and for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our midst ⚓

All the Tennessee bishops calling for a moratorium on the death penalty: dioet.org/blog/joint-s... ⚓

Found this quote from Origen in an old sermon file: "Whence will you burn? Whence will ‘the coals of fire’ be found in you who are never set on fire by the declaration of the Lord, never inflamed by the words of the Holy Spirit?" 🔥🔥🔥

Double Baptism today, for two little cousins. Always nice to remind folks this is how we preach salvation in the Episcopal Church ⚓

Charles Simeon on the Book of Common Prayer: "Only let any person be in a devout frame, and he will be far more likely to have his soul elevated to heaven by the Liturgy of the Established Church, than he will by the generality of prayers which he would hear in other places". ⚓

Messiah, St. Paul is well on its way with Renewal Works. So good! ⚓️

From the Prayer Book Society of Canada ⚓

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

It’s been a powerful and moving day, praying with and listening to our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Thank you Father Fadi for hosting us on day two of our pilgrimage of prayer and solidarity.

Lest we forget. Delighted to see these painted sidewalks and crosswalks popping up on my timeline. This, from Stellarton, in my home province of Nova Scotia.

When I pray, coincidences happen. When I don't, they don't. -- Archbishop William Temple

🕯😊😇 Feast of William Temple 1881-1944

Our task with this world is to convert it. Its need can be met only by the shattering impact upon its self-sufficiency and arrogance by the Son of God, crucified, risen and ascended, pouring forth that explosive and disruptive energy which is the Holy Ghost! --William Temple

A local urban school Messiah partners with is asking for an emergency food drive to help student families as a result of the government shutdown, and loss of SNAP food support. We're on it, while praying the shutdown ends ⚓

Always such a chore convincing the election canvassers of my International Man of Mystery / Resident Alien status. Of course they haven't seen my secret Canadian lair.

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From the Prayer Book Society of Canada: Today is All Souls’ Day (transferred from November 2). Image: “Place of Meeting,” Thomas Noyes-Lewis, 1862-1946). A fitting image indeed for this last day of Allhallowtide with Remembrance Day next week ⚓

Just a reminder Allhallowtide is not a dark time, but rather the great hope of unspeakable joy ⚓

Halloween Costume Idea!

Happy Visitation of the Great Pumpkin, to all who celebrate.

Peak Autumnal American Anglicanism at Nashotah House. The first residence and Chapel, the Blue House built in 1840 and the Red Chapel built in 1842 ⚓

How was my day, you ask? Very, very, Lutheran, thanks.

The next Archbishop of Canterbury clearly needs to be from Chicago. All the cool churches are doing it. ⚓️

Latest #News: "Global Anglican Communion" drafters all hail from dioceses and churches that have never been part of the #AnglicanCommunion or have been largely disengaged from it for the last two decades. #Anglican #GAFCON #ACNA

Behold the Man upon the Cross. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore his sacred name. The Christus Rex, Nashotah House Seminary where I'll be visiting for a few days ⚓

St. John's Anglican Church, Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, in its Autumnal glory ⚓ (Photo: Gary Murphy).

Jesus did not come to teach the teachable; He did not come to improve the improvable; He did not come to reform the reformable. None of those things works. Jesus came to raise the dead. --Robert Capon

Remembering the Oxford Martyrs, Thomas Cranmer in particular. The hand that offended, is the same hand that prepared the Great Litany, the first English language rite for the Book of Common Prayer. I invite you to join me, in good Anglican fashion, to pray the Litany on Friday ⚓

I wouldn't take on the mantle of the Anglican Communion lightly. Seems rather costly. ⚓

Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like thy servants Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer we may live in thy fear, die in thy favor, and rest in thy peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord...⚓ Image: Nathan Swann