On Sunday mornings throughout the summer, I have been gathering with a group of folks on the ‘potato dock’. It is a small secluded beach on a bay near Orient. I share a variety of readings from Christian and other religious traditions as well as secular readings. Between each reading we simply sit in silence

Sermon for June 14th based on Romans 5:1-5 We’ve all heard it. History repeats itself. This maxim applies to the universal church, as well. The Right Reverend Mark Dyer, an Anglican bishop known for his wit as well as his wisdom, famously observes from time to time that the only way to understand what is

      A sermon based on Hosea 5:15 and Matthew 9:9-13 Do you remember those WWJD bracelets? They were all the rage when I was serving a church in Peoria, Illinois. What would Jesus Do bracelets inundated the middle schools and high schools in Peoria. At an ecumenical clergy meeting one of Peoria’s rabbis

Sermon for May 31st based on Psalm 8 Next month we’ll begin hosting our contemplative community gatherings on Sunday mornings at the ‘potato dock’ throughout the summer. I find these half-hour gatherings a way to connect with folks that may define themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious.’ Surrounded by the beauty of creation and periods

A sermon on Pentecost Sunday/Memorial Day weekend based on Acts 2:1-18 As Christians, on this national holiday weekend, let’s take a moment to reflect on the balance between our faith and our citizenship. The First Amendment to the constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise

On Monday, I had lunch with Bhante Nanda from the Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in Aquebogue. Bhante had heard about Christian meditation and wanted for me to share not only its history but my personal experience. However, much of our time together was just sitting in silence. Bhante was a monk comfortable with silence.

I just finished my morning ritual of filling the bird feeders in my garden. With the arrival of Spring the grackles have returned and make quick work of what I provide. They also make it difficult for the sparrows, nuthatches and finches to get access to the feeders. But they patiently wait in the bushes

“The wonderful thing about meditation, the spiritual journey into the cave of the heart, is that once we have taken each successive step of faith and the light has shone in that dark place, we are enlightened.” Laurence Freeman OSB When I met with Father Laurence in London in 2001, I was a bit skeptical

I had my sermon prepared before the tragic events in Minneapolis. I decided that if I ignored Renee Good’s death and remained silent I would fail in my duties as a pastor. Yes, silence is complicity. I still used the lectionary text for this Sunday – Matthew’s account of the baptism of Jesus. I spoke

“You were planted in my heart on the first day of creation.” Twelfth-century Christian mystic, Hildegard of Bingen, Book of Divine Works In the past few days we have explored the Celtic theologians Pelagius and Eriugena and their contributions to an understanding of body, soul, and spirit. In later centuries other mystics and theologians have