Month: December 2019

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Advent Word 2019, Day 16 ‘Learn’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Learn Isaiah encourages: Say to those of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!” In these polarized times it is often fear that keeps us from knowing neighbors who are “not like us”. God’s Way of Love encourages us to learn from those whose culture, religion, race, way of life is different from our own, there to exchange rich gifts of God’s whole creation. Margaret Rose is the Ecumenical Officer for The Episcopal Church. Creation Window at Chester Cathedral Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 16 ‘Learn’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 15 ‘Turn’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Turn I watched some children play hide-and-seek at a party recently. The little girl turned away, squeezed her eyes closed, and counted. Then, with a loud giggle, she spun back around. The look on her face when she turned was one of pure joy and excitement as she anticipated finding her friends. We are invited this day to turn our hearts towards God. May we do so with great anticipation and find joy in discovering that God is ready to be found. The Rev. Kim Jackson (VTS ’10) is an Episcopal priest based out of Atlanta, Georgia and sits … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 15 ‘Turn’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 14 ‘Gather’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Gather The spirit of gathering is in the air-gathering with friends and family, gathering gifts to share, gathering prayers and songs for the new dawn of Jesus in our midst. Drawn together by the light of the newborn Christ, we gather at the crèche to see Jesus, and glimpse in one another his saving love. The Rev. Taylor Devine (VTS ’17) is the associate rector at St. Philip’s in the Hills, Tucson, Arizona and director of the Episcopal Service Corps site, Beloved in the Desert. Knitted Nativity at Chester Cathedral Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 14 ‘Gather’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 13 ‘Water’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Water Our living world is powerful, yet even the strongest organism needs water to live. The words of the prophet Isaiah offer images of a shoot rising from a stump and showers watering the earth. These images point us to the sustaining power of water and remind us of the cleansing power of God. In this Advent season, may we prepare to receive the water that quenches every thirst and cleanses all, may we be ready to do good. The Rev. Chris Girata (VTS ’08) is the rector of St. Michael and All Angels in Dallas, Texas and sits … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 13 ‘Water’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 12 ‘Harmony’

Catherine Lee

Advent is a season that calls us to learn how to live in harmony with one another as we wait together for the promised coming. In Romans, Paul speaks of the oneness of like-minded believers as a means to accomplish God’s will. But this does not mean that we abandon our individuality. We are like the single notes on a musical scale and, when we are played together in Christ, we form a musical chord. But our harmony is impossible apart from Christ who calls us to act with one accord, to speak with one voice, to be in accord … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 12 ‘Harmony’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 11 ‘Confess’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Confess Confess: a beautiful two-sided coin. To confess is first to disclose. The work of Advent includes examining our consciences by taking a fearless look at ourselves and naming before God those actions not in order with our Creator’s call on our lives. To confess is equally to profess our deepest beliefs. This too is Advent work, for a people who live in hope, secure in the knowledge that we are forgiven and free in Christ Jesus. The Right Rev. Scott Barker is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska and is a member of the VTS Board … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 11 ‘Confess’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 10 ‘Grace’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Grace God’s grace is tolerant and patient. God’s grace gives solace and comfort to all believers and bears them up in the midst of distress. God’s grace does not mark what we do amiss. If we seek to share this grace, we must be ready to comfort those who are cast down and to support those who are oppressed. Nedine Manyemba is the Ecumenical Assistant at the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. Celebrating the 900th anniversary of Peterborough Cathedral Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 10 ‘Grace’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 9 ‘Root’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Root A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots, we read in Isaiah. Just as the branch is rooted in Jesse, God’s living judgment is rooted in righteousness and equity, and the fruit of that righteousness and equity is full knowledge of God in God’s glorious dwelling place. The Rev. Della Wager Wells is the priest-in-charge of Emmanuel Church in Newport, Rhode Island. The South Rose Window at Lincoln Cathedral, known as the Bishop’s Eye. Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 9 ‘Root’