Series

Following Jesus

Feb 20, 2022   ·     •   Luke 6:27-38

“The Church missed its high calling to be the new thing in the world when it decided to worship Jesus instead of following him.”
Verna Dozier in The Dream of God More

Dr. James Cone and the Urgency of the Call

Feb 13, 2022   ·     •   Luke 6:17-26

James Cone, in the Cross and the Lynching Tree, and Luke in his Gospel, each drive home two key messages. Each is as provocative today as in past generations. Chris Phillips’ sermon doesn’t mince words or images in drawing parallels and getting us to think deeply about our own attitudes and beliefs in these times of grief and hope. More

Reconciliation Margin-ward: How do we become?

May 09, 2021   ·  

Reconciliation Creation-ward, reconnecting the vines to the branches to bear the fruit of creation.

May 02, 2021   ·  

My friends, if we are responsible for all of creation, representing to the world the nature of the Creator, then the “cost of doing business” gets much more expensive.  It costs far more than just a pack of Boudin sausage, or even a steak dinner at a fancy restaurant.  It may even cost more than 84 million pounds of toxic chemicals leeched into our waterways.  The cost of doing business, the cost of our consumption, the cost of our comfort and convenience, may threaten more than just ourselves or even our neighbors.  It may threaten the entire interconnected web of relationship held together in the source of all life and flourishing More

Reconciliation Otherward – bringing the flock together.

Apr 25, 2021   ·  

… “WE are all a part of George Floyd’s legacy” – 

This is important…In witnessing his hate-filled murder by societal authorities… we must all respond with action, working towards systemic change.  It is not ok to be a bystander!, says the VP.   We are called to work towards justice.’  We are called to loving actions. 

The St Marks community is filled with ministries for social change. 

Yesterday, I attended the WIN meeting regarding the use of land in ward 6 and 7… and I was so impressed.   I think there were 200 people – many from St Marks – in person or on zoom – who joined in  – with determination and resolve – to ensure that this property be available for those without.  More

Reconciliation Self-ward – the starting point

Apr 18, 2021   ·  

A video of the sermon may be seen here The Easter sermon series aims to explore different ways in which God reconciles with us and with the world through the … More

The Many Directions of Reconciliation  What it means to become God’s reconciliation in the world. 

Apr 11, 2021   ·  

So for reconciliation, there is a component of timing, being Thomas and Mary more than Jesus I can say that not much is instantaneous but a slow working of showing up and doing the day to day work of moving toward those I am out of reconciliation with.   The other component the other ‘ward’ the other movement towards reconciliation is the rooting out of bad information or a bad piece of the story we tell ourselves.   More

Good Friday 2021

Apr 07, 2021   ·  

There is so much suffering in our world today.  As Christians, we are called to spread love, justice, compassion in our world today.  How deep is our faith?  How steadfast and courageous can we be so that does not betray, deny, or abandon those in need? More

Maundy Thursday 2021

Apr 07, 2021   ·  

Many of you have heard me tell of my family’s experience of this kind of Eucharistic vision on Navajoland, where we were assisting with COVID relief and building community gardens.  You’ve heard me tell of how, when my sister, Cornelia, risks her own health and safety to deliver fresh produce, eggs, and milk to sheltering families, she is quite literally handing over the bread of heaven.  Or how, when my brother, Leon, hauls barrels of water to remote communities with no access to running water, he is literally offering up the cup of salvation.  Or as my shimá, Paula, and her husband Hank chop and deliver loads of firewood to sheltering elders, they are literally sharing the light of Christ that keeps the frigid night winds at bay and preserves life.  Theirs is a vision of Eucharist that shapes us to live life in radical relationship, as a sacrifice for others.  This is, I think, what Augustine meant when he wrote that, if we receive the Eucharist as it has been given to us, we “become what we receive,” the bread of heaven broken for the life of the world.  More

Conquering Fear: Palm Sunday 2021

Apr 07, 2021   ·  

Evidently, the crowd knows who Jesus is, but the difference now is that Jesus doesn’t silence them. He is ready to fully assume his messianic identity and confront the authorities in the capital city. Matthew and John in their respective versions quote a passage from the prophet Zechariah, which talks about a king that will come riding on a donkey not a warhorse, one who will be peaceful and meek. This king was David coming back to Jerusalem, peaceful and humble. He had been saved and vindicated by God. And Jesus is seen as the new David who will save his people from oppression. More