This column was written for and ran on EpiscopalCafe.com on 21 April 2012. We have a new addition in our household, a giant-pawed Great Dane puppy named Julian. She came into our lives recently as a 10-week-old, gangly, runt-of-the-litter, Brindle-colored baby and immediately wriggled her way into our hearts and minds. Watching her adjust to her new surroundings, with three new people and two new dogs (who are, as they constantly remind us, Not. Amused.) reminds me of missionaries and the adjustments they go through when they arrive in a new land. Just as missionaries need to leave … [Read more...]
Listen! Listen! Listen!
March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Matthew 17:1-9 When Peter and James and John went up the mountain with Jesus that long-ago-but-memorable day, they literally had no idea what was about to happen. They thought they were going to pray. After all, that’s what Jesus regularly did, and so for them, this was just another day following their teacher and Lord. But, really: They had no idea what was in store. Up they go, and boom! Jesus is transfigured right in front of them! His face shines like the sun, his clothes are dazzling white, and right there stand Moses and Elijah, chatting with Jesus! You … [Read more...]
Bringing and receiving gifts in Sudan
March 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Earlier this week, we received a great report from South Sudan, soon to be the world's newest nation, about The Episcopal Church's missionaries who are serving there. Robin Denney, Larry Duffee, The Rev. Robert North and his wife, Karen, serve in South Sudan, teaching, training and witnessing to the South Sudanese, and in return, receiving the witness of the faithful people of Sudan. All of the missionaries say the same thing: When you give, you receive. The story, by Matthew Davies of Episcopal News Service and datelined, Juba, South Sudan, reads: Throughout several decades of civil … [Read more...]
Good news/bad news on missionaries
February 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Titus Presler has an excellent commentary on the good and bad news about Episcopal missionaries. The good news: We, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, have missionaries in the field (yeah!). The bad news: Not so many, and the ones we have and are not well-supported. As World Mission Sunday approaches (6 March), take a look at what Titus has to say, and think about what it means for The Episcopal Church to be a missionary society. The column can be found here. … [Read more...]
