Musings on Faith

Today’s guest, Dr. Lelia Mullis, tells us about Centering Prayer - a method of meditation used by Christians placing a strong emphasis on interior silence. Advocates of Centering Prayer say it does not replace other prayer but encourages silence and a deeper connection to God.  If you are interested in learning more about Centering Prayer visit: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering...

In this homily on the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Marnie Silk Wright, a Pastoral Care Associate at St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the underlying theme in the lessons and psalm for the day – how to live and love. She reminds us that in this context “love” is a verb. Love is to be actively pursued using all of our senses not just what we see.  Through God’s grace and the...

In this homily on the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Beth Hall, Assistant to the Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses how followers of Jesus “switched him off” because they questioned the voracity of his teachings. Similarly, today with the current turmoil we are experiencing, many also may feel ready to “switch off Jesus”. However, she encourages us to hold on. When we th...

In this homily on the Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the relevance of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to current events. Paul told the Ephesians that they were living in evil times and that they should live as wise people, as imitators of God. Despite the current turmoil we are experiencing amidst the pandemic, as peopl...

In this homily on the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Janet Richardson, Assistant to the Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, explores the Gospel reading for the day and the ways God draws us to Jesus and the ways Jesus draws us to Him. She says that we often are drawn to Jesus by ordinary things – like a song. The ways we are drawn to Jesus are many and differ for each of us. However,...

In this homily on the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses Jesus’ pronouncement that He is the bread of life. Fr. Ed suggests that when we feel the church is not “feeding” us, it may be that we are eating the wrong bread; we are eating the worldly bread that satisfies temporarily instead of what God would have us eat that lead...

On this Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Janet Richardson, Assistant to the Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the only miracle of Jesus included in all four gospels - the feeding of the multitude. She poses the question - how does God feed us?  She states that Jesus feeds us through our relationships with others. That when we share our lives with others, our hearts are ch...

In this homily on the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church discusses how today’s readings point out the need for all of us to get rest. Our busy lives often lead us to become irritable when we do not get a respite and can affect our ability to show compassion to others. We should keep our eyes on Jesus; this may mean reordering our prio...

In this homily on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Marnie Silk Wright, a Pastoral Care Associate at St. George Episcopal Church, looks at the readings for the day and their interconnectedness. She tells how the scriptures overwhelmingly point to the joy we as God’s chosen and beloved should feel because Jesus was sent here for us. We often forget to give God our praise and thanksgiving...

In the conclusion of our conversation with Bishop Brewer, he discusses his plans for the remaining 2 years of his tenure, what he perceives as future challenges for Episcopal churches in the diocese and the Anglican Communion, and his plans once he retires. Send comments to musingsonfaith@gmail.com or leave a voice message at: https://anchor.fm/st-george-episcopal-ch/message .

In this homily on the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost and Independence Day, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, expounds on the gospel for the day. Like Jesus, we too can find a less than enthusiastic reception when we go home but we should not let that deter us. We should stay the course, follow our hearts, and listen to the call of God. Fr. Ed also comments on the c...

Because of length, the conversation with Bishop Brewer is divided into 2 parts. In Part I, Bishop Brewer discusses the responsibilities of an Episcopal bishop, assignments that he has within the wider Episcopal Church, and his major accomplishments to date. Send comments to musingsonfaith@gmail.com or leave a voice message at: https://anchor.fm/st-george-episcopal-ch/message .

In this homily on the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the aspects of  healing cited in the day’s gospel reading. He states that “wholeness” healing is more than physical healing but healing that comes from within because of faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Healing is not complete until we recognize the power of...

In this homily on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (and also Father’s Day), The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector at St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the worry and fear that the disciples experienced when Jesus slept in the boat while a storm tossed them about. Their experience was not unlike the ups and downs we experience in life. He states that worry is the chief enemy of peace whether we...

In this homily on the Third Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Nancy Bryson, Deacon at St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the two parables on growth in the day’s Gospel. She states that when planted, the Kingdom of God grows. When we, the church, pray for each other, sing together,  learn together, and  listen to the Word of God together - the seed is growing. Like an eccentric planter...

 In this homily on the Second Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Beth Hall, Assistant to the Rector at St. George Episcopal Church, expounds on the Gospel reading – Mark 3:20-35. She points out how the religious leaders in Jesus’ day did not recognize his powers as God given and instead thought they came from Satan. They did not understand how God’s saving love overpowers Satan nor did they und...

On this special day – Trinity Sunday and the recognition of Memorial Day, The Rev. Ed Bartle pays homage to those who gave their lives and sacrificed for us to enjoy the freedoms we have. He then goes on to discuss the difficulty of explaining our triune God. God is a mystery that may be best described as Creator (Father), Redeemer (Son), and Sustainer (Holy Ghost). The three personages of God are...

Healing was one of Jesus' most important ministries. He also commanded his followers to heal the sick in Luke 9:2. Not everyone is given the power to heal but the prayers and the laying on of hands can be a powerful tool for bringing peace to those who are in need both physically and spiritually. In this latest podcast in our “Getting to Know the Episcopal Church” series, Father Ed Bartle and Deac...

In this homily on the Seventh Sunday of Easter, The Rev. Nancy Bryon, Deacon at St. George Episcopal Church, discusses the importance of intercessory prayer. Deacon Nancy points out that on the night before he was taken prisoner, Jesus prayed what some refer to as the “high priestly prayer”. Of note, is that  in this prayer Jesus prays for others - his disciples. She states that we are the ap...

Why do we wear red on Pentecost? Why is this day considered the birthday of the Christian church? The Rev. Marnie Wright, a Pastoral Care Associate at St. George Episcopal Church, answers these questions and more in this latest Musings on Faith podcast. The Day of Pentecost is Sunday, May 23, and will be a day of joy as we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit onto Christ's apostles. Send...

In this homily on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, also Mother’s Day, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church compares God’s love to the love of mothers both in the Bible and today. Like God’s unconditional love, a mother’s love similarly can go beyond understanding. Send comments to musingsonfaith@gmail.com or leave a voice message at: https://anchor.fm/st-george-episcopal-...

Later this week, Christians around the world will observe the Feast of the Ascension, the day that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven before his apostles' eyes. In this Musings on Faith podcast, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us why Ascension Day is considered one of the most important ecumenical observances in Christian churches. He also describes the jo...

In this homily on the Fifth Sunday after Easter, The Rev. Janet Richardson, Assistant to the Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, unpacks the meaning of Jesus’ message to his disciples by looking at various definitions of the words he uses. She notes that Jesus provides these parting words to his disciples to comfort them and to support their work once he has departed. The analogy between grapev...

In this homily on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses Jesus’ characterization as the “good shepherd”. Fr. Bartle says that Jesus is ready to help us and lead us and that without Him we are lost and just wander around. Jesus is the “good shepherd” because he possesses more than efficiency, strength, fidelity, and power. Jesus a...

In this homily on the Third Sunday of Easter, The Rev. Beth Hall, Assistant to the Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, discusses Jesus’ pronouncement of “peace be with you (shalom)” to his disciples at his appearance following his resurrection. She says that the peace to which Jesus is referring is not just the absence of war but a sense of reconciliation with our neighbor. This peace brings us...