October 15, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Connections

Our keynote speaker and preacher at Diocesan Convention was the Rt. Rev. Michael Hunn, Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, an area consisting of all New Mexico and southwest Texas.  During his convention talks he told stories about an old Episcopal priest who rode the trains and walked throughout the diocese meeting people, collecting funds for mission work, and establishing churches. 

Bishop Hunn told us about his own shift in understanding episcopal ministry from one of administration to one of connectivity.  He now travels the diocese, camper in tow, visiting with various people of the parishes for several days while parked in the church parking lot.  He’s making connections with his people beyond the standard official visitation.

The day before convention I had heard that Nancy had taken a fall so I paid her a visit.  She told me about the accident, how she’s doing, and what she needed at that point.  I came back later that day with several meals from the church freezer.

While at convention I saw many people greet and spend time with friends they may only see once a year.  I talked with several clergy who I’m slowly getting to know.  Joelene made some connections about a topic she’s interested in.  And on our way home, we stopped to visit Allison in Casper.  We had a nice visit and, even though she’s settling into her new home and making connections there, she misses her people in Buffalo.

We are a people of many things, but we should always remember we are a people of connections.  There is a connection in God through the Holy Trinity.  Jesus sent out the apostles connected in pairs.  He told them to stay in one place, making connections with those who lived there.  Our parish is connected to every other parish in the diocese.  The people of Saint Luke’s are connected to each other in a variety of ways, not the least of which is our baptismal promise to “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship.”

May we always remember our connections and work to ensure that no one is left alone.

Blessings,

October 8, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . There Are No Coincidences

A friend of mine often uses that phrase when a coincidence, usually good, pops up.  Maybe it’s a phone call from an old friend at a particular time, or maybe it’s an unexpected flower delivery, or whatever.  There are times when we need something in our lives and what we need just happens to appear.  My friend will tell you there are no coincidences and that God is doing something remarkable.

This past week was Bar Week – that time of the month when I spend the first weekdays in a different bar in town.  And because the first was on a Wednesday this month, Bar Week started at The Cowboy.  I’ve come to know a few of the regulars there and we generally have a good conversation.  One of them keeps telling me he’s going to invite me to the shooting range, but that hasn’t yet happened and that’s another story.

So last Wednesday I showed up at The Cowboy, sat down at the bar, ordered my usual, and had a conversation with one of the regulars.  I finished up, paid my bill, headed out, and just as I got to the door a guy sitting a few chairs to my left suddenly says, “Are you a pastor?”

Making a U-turn I said, “Yep.  I’m the priest at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church here.  What’s up?”  Then I sat down next to him.

It turns out that he was up here from Arizona overseeing a job for his company and would be going home on Friday.  He was silent for a minute, then told me that he had just found out a close friend of his died suddenly and very unexpectedly from a blood clot.

We talked.  I prayed.  He cried.  Then he said, “Thanks for stopping.”  Sometimes Bar Week is exactly what it needs to be.

There are no coincidences.

October 1, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Michaelmas

This past Monday was the feast day of Saint Michael and All Angels.  Angels play an important part of our Christian faith, even though we may not recognize that in today’s world.

Angels appear in several places in Scripture, but only four are ever named:  Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel.  Michael is often depicted carrying a sword and is seen as the commanding general of God’s army.  Michael is considered the greatest of the angels as being the one who defeated Satan in the war in heaven.  This role of God’s warrior is attested to in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

We might be most familiar with Gabriel.  Often depicted with a trumpet, signifying the role of God’s herald, Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus to Zechariah and Mary respectively.  Gabriel also appears to Daniel to explain his visions.  Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all reference Gabriel by name.

Raphael only appears by name in the Book of Tobit (found in the Apocrypha).  Raphael is derived from the Hebrew word meaning “to heal.”  This is shown in Tobit when Raphael heals Tobit’s eyes.  Because of this, Raphael is also seen as the angel who stirs the waters of the pool in Bethsaida allowing people who stepped in the pool to be healed. 

The fourth archangel is Uriel who appears in the Second Book of Esdras (also in the Apocrypha).  Uriel’s name means, “God is my flame.”  Religious traditions being what they are, Uriel is seen as the angel who guards the entrance to Eden, checked the doors for lamb’s blood during the last plague in Egypt, the one who holds the key to the pit during the end times, and symbolizes the divine presence.

We may not see angels all around us, but we do recognize their presence.  During Communion we say, “Holy, holy, holy Lord . . .” as we join our voices with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven. 

May God’s holy angels help and defend us here on earth with the same dedication with which they serve and worship God in heaven.

Blessings,