The sacristy is where reverence and delightful unpredictability meet. Vestments are adjusted, candles are checked, forgotten details are remembered at the last possible moment, and somehow worship unfolds with grace. With gentle humour and deep affection for parish life, this reflection discovers that God is wonderfully present not only in the beauty of the liturgy, but also in the faithful chaos that helps make it possible.
Tag Archives: Advent
Sanctuary for the Weary: What It Means to Be a Soft Place to Land (learning a thing or two about weary souls and the importance of a comfortable chair.)
In a world that often feels hurried and demanding, the Church is called to become a soft place to land. Through welcoming hearts, comfortable chairs, quiet prayers, and compassionate presence, weary souls discover they do not have to carry life’s burdens alone. This reflection explores the holy vocation of offering sanctuary, reminding us that one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is simply a place where they can rest in the grace of God.
The Gospel According to the Lost-and-Found Bin: Baptismal socks, reading glasses, and the parable of misplaced things
Every church’s lost-and-found bin tells a story. Reading glasses, mismatched mittens, children’s treasures, and the occasional mysterious item all bear witness to a community that gathers, lives, and sometimes forgets where it left things. With gentle humour, this reflection explores the Gospel hidden among misplaced belongings, reminding us that God’s grace has always been remarkably good at finding what we thought was lost.
The Holy Ordinariness of Tuesday Afternoon Where Christ meets us in the mundane
Most of life is not lived on feast days or mountaintops, but in the quiet rhythm of ordinary afternoons. It is there, amid familiar routines and unnoticed moments, that Christ so often chooses to meet us. This reflection explores the holiness of the everyday, discovering that the seemingly mundane places of our lives are often where God’s grace is most faithfully at work.
The Parish Office Phone: A Portal to Mystery and Ministry (A gentle theological reflection with a wink toward Stephen Leacock)
Every ring of the parish office phone carries a story waiting to unfold. It may bring joyful news, an unexpected request, a pastoral crisis, or a conversation that changes someone’s day. With warmth, gentle humour, and a nod to Stephen Leacock, this reflection explores how an ordinary telephone becomes an instrument of grace, reminding us that ministry so often begins with the simple willingness to answer the next call.
The Lost Art of the Name Tag: Comedic reflections on sticker tags, lanyards, and the Anglican fear of mingling
A simple name tag does far more than display a name—it quietly says, “You belong here.” With affectionate humour about sticker labels, lanyards, and the gentle Anglican hesitation to introduce ourselves to strangers, this reflection explores the sacred art of welcome, reminding us that hospitality often begins with the courage to learn, remember, and lovingly speak another person’s name.
Why Every Parish Has a Mysterious Drawer of Candles: An archaeological exploration of wax, wicks, and forgotten feast days
Every parish seems to possess a mysterious drawer filled with candles of every imaginable size, shape, and vintage—each with a story no one quite remembers. With gentle humour and affectionate curiosity, this reflection explores the hidden treasures of parish life, discovering that even forgotten candles bear witness to generations of faithful worship and the enduring light of Christ that continues to shine through the Church.
Confessions of a Rector’s To-Do List (Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Perpetual Post-It)
A rector’s to-do list has a remarkable way of growing faster than it shrinks, with fresh Post-it notes appearing almost as quickly as old ones disappear. With warmth and self-deprecating humour, this reflection explores the gentle tension between endless tasks and faithful ministry, discovering that God’s calling is measured not by a perfectly completed checklist, but by lives touched with grace along the way.
The Spirituality of Soup: A Theology of the Ladle (Because sometimes grace comes disguised as barley and root vegetables)
A pot of soup has a remarkable way of gathering people together. Ladle by ladle, it offers warmth, nourishment, conversation, and quiet reassurance that no one need leave the table hungry. With gentle humour and pastoral warmth, this reflection explores the spirituality of soup, discovering that God’s grace is often served in ordinary bowls, shared generously, and seasoned with love.
Advent Candles and the Theology of Waiting (Without Losing Your Mind
Advent teaches us that waiting is not wasted time but holy time. As the candles are lit one by one, they remind us that hope grows patiently, even when we would rather rush ahead. With warmth and gentle humour, this reflection explores the spiritual discipline of waiting, discovering that God often does God’s deepest work in us while we are learning to trust the light that is still on its way.