WE beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. There seems nothing very seasonal about this collect. It makes no clear reference to the main themes of Passiontide. Likewise, it…
Lent IV sermon
Lent IV. Florence, SC, 2024 Galatians iv, verse 22-23 - Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh: but he of the freewoman was by promise. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and…
Anglican ecumenical policy and the necessity of the episcopate
Theologians and churchmen often underestimate the importance of uncertainty and ignorance. This ‘uncertainty factor’ can be as important in practical as in theoretical matters, particularly in practical ecumenical relations. In sacramental matters people often distinguish ‘validity’ and ‘invalidity’. In practical terms in any given ecclesial body that distinction often reduces to a distinction between ‘recognizable’…
The Liturgical Use of the Psalms
(In this article I consider narrowly the place of the Psalter in the daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer. I do not consider here other important matters concerning the Psalter, including notably the translation thereof and its liturgical uses outside the Offices. All rights reserved by the author.) In the Anglican liturgical tradition, embodied…
Answering Unasked Questions
A recent conversation on a Continuing Anglican social media group concerned, among other things, the use of altar flowers during Pre-Lent (or the ‘Gesimas’ or Shrovetide, as you please). The question drew much interest with answers including judgements that such flower use is Bad or Good or Somewhere Between. ‘Between’ included the idea of greenery…
Collect for Trinity XXII
LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. The address is as simple as possible: ‘Lord’. The petition…
Anglican Catholic Polity & Continuing Church Polity
The way the Church works should follow from what the Church is. The government, hierarchy, and legislative and judicial structures of the Church should reflect the doctrine of the Church. Polity should follow ecclesiology. The Anglican Church historically had a problem regarding ecclesiology, and the development of the Anglican Communion over time did not resolve…
Trollope and Religion
In the context of Victorian England Anthony Trollope might be called a Victorian liberal of a bipartisan sort. He was indeed a member of the Liberal Party and even once ran for election to parliament as a candidate of that party. But throughout Trollope’s writings there is a consistent appreciation for politicians and attitudes of…
Elizabeth II
‘Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ have been my guide and in them I find hope.’ - Queen Elizabeth II. August 3, 2022. May she rest in peace. The death on September 8th of Elizabeth II removes a fact of being that, as many commentators have noted, was simply a given for…
Sermon, Transfiguration 2023
Transfiguration. August 6, 2023. Saint Barbara's, Jacksonville, North Carolina Saint Luke ix, verse 29 - And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Throughout the Old Testament the appearances…
Anglican Catholic Liturgy and Theology 