With righteousness, it’s a case of all or nothing

Fr Hawtin

There is something especially apt about the selection of this passage from the Epistles—The First Epistle General of St. John 4:7-21 — for the start of the Trinity Season. It is a neatly encapsulated course of study that in modern academic lingo would probably be called “Fellowship with God 101.”

St. John’s object is to . . . → Read More: With righteousness, it’s a case of all or nothing

The Trinity should present no problem for Sci-fi fans

Fr Hawtin

Trinity Sunday is always a bit of a challenge. It is not particularly easy to preach a sermon on the infinitely complicated nature of God’s domestic arrangements. And how else can you describe the concept of three divine persons sharing one divine nature other than “infinitely complicated.”

The notion is so complicated, in fact, that . . . → Read More: The Trinity should present no problem for Sci-fi fans

We’re open at 50% capacity; Sadly, no singing is allowed

Fr Hawtin

Governor Larry Hogan has implemented the beginning of the end of the “lockdown” in Maryland. This allows us to “re-open: at 50 percent of capacity, but, while music is permitted, we are not allowed to sing

Experts at the Centers for Disease Control believe that singing expels more air from our lungs than talking, and . . . → Read More: We’re open at 50% capacity; Sadly, no singing is allowed

Whitsun commemorates the Book of Common Prayer

Fr Hawtin

Whitsunday, the Feast of Pentecost, is the day upon which Anglicans celebrate the publication of the first Book of Common Prayer in the English language. Like that first Pentecost, the publication of the first English language Prayer Book—a work patently inspired by the Holy Spirit—is an event that changed the world.

To be sure, the . . . → Read More: Whitsun commemorates the Book of Common Prayer

We celebrated the Ascension with a ‘limited’ reopening

Fr Hawtin

Thanks to President Donald Trump, we were able to mark the Sunday After The Ascension by reopening the church and celebrating the Eucharist for the first time in more than a month.

The go-ahead to reopen came at the last minute. Until the president announced his challenge to there nations governors over mandatory church closures, . . . → Read More: We celebrated the Ascension with a ‘limited’ reopening

Limited resumption of Sunday services

Sunday video services have been a valuable spiritual resource in these difficult times. But, however earnestly one might try, they are not a truly satisfactory substitute for traditional corporate worship.

As the state gradually relaxes the “stay-at-home” restrictions,” we thought it time to begin celebrating Sunday Eucharists for 10 congregants at a . . . → Read More: Limited resumption of Sunday services

A P.O. Box for the treasurer and plans for a “reopening”—redux

Fr Hawtin

In an effort to prevent the theft of checks mailed to the church, we have opened a Post Office Box for the exclusive use of the treasurer. In future, please mail your offerings to: The Treasurer, St Stephen’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box 6161, Timonium, MD 21094. All other mail should be sent to the parish . . . → Read More: A P.O. Box for the treasurer and plans for a “reopening”—redux

Got the Stay at Home Blues? Try to view us on the Internet

Fr Hawtin

For many of us old enough to remember it, there are certain similarities between today’s Corina Virus epidemic and the Second World War—empty shelves in the stores, shortages of basic commodities like toilet paper, attempts at profiteering and, for many, an ever present level of anxiety.

But there is one very big difference. Government-imposed self-quarantining . . . → Read More: Got the Stay at Home Blues? Try to view us on the Internet

A P.O. Box for the treasurer and plans for a “reopening”

Fr Hawtin

In an effort to prevent the theft of checks mailed to the church, we have opened a Post Office Box for the exclusive use of the treasurer. In future, please mail your offerings to: The Treasurer, St Stephen’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box 6161, Timonium, MD 21094. All other mail should be sent to the parish . . . → Read More: A P.O. Box for the treasurer and plans for a “reopening”

Got the Stay at Home Blues? Try to view us on the Internet

For many of us old enough to remember it, there are certain similarities between today’s Corina Virus epidemic and the Second World War—empty shelves in the stores, shortages of basic commodities like toilet paper, attempts at profiteering and, for many, an ever present level of anxiety.

But there is one very big difference. Government-imposed . . . → Read More: Got the Stay at Home Blues? Try to view us on the Internet