I arrived at #SLECBuffalo on Nov. 1, 2023.
On Jan. 3, 2024 I found a letter on my desk from our organist saying, “I quit.” (It was a little longer, but that was the essence). Ever since then we’ve been using a digital hymnal thing attached to the organ. It’s difficult to use, time consuming, and doesn’t produce the best music.
I convinced the Vestry to purchase another digital hymnal that I used 15-20 years ago. We got some funds to help, and it arrived last week. This one is so much better in all ways; so much so that I spent yesterday afternoon loading in all our music from Lent 3 to Easter 7.
Now we need a better speaker.
#Episcopal #PriestLife #GettingBetter

#Sermon on Luke’s Beatitudes today: “Blessed are the poor, hungry, weeping … Woe to you who are rich, satisfied, and laughing.”
Talked about God’s reversals and how if we worked for leveling in God’s name, those reversals would help usher in God’s kingdom.
Following service, one parishioner was terribly upset I brought politics into church.
#GospelJustice #PriestLife #Episcopal

Not me sitting here all nervous, because this is the first time for my seminarian intern to preach…
#priestlife

#SLECBuffalo held our #AnnualMeeting today. We blitzed through the reports (You all can read, any questions? — Next)
I led a “sacred story” exercise where people shared stories of the parish with each other, then put up key words on newsprint. Using that to work on vision and mission.
Wrapped everything up in about 45 minutes.
#Episcopal #AllGood #PriestLife

I never thought, in all my born days, that I would have to worry about ICE showing up at a Spanish language Mass (or Polish for that matter). For the record, I don't speak either language; I was sent here because it's the biggest parish in the state. Bishop said, "You don't have to speak their language to love them." And I do, with all my heart, and that heart is breaking for those of them who are scared right now. #priestlife

#MerryChristmas
It’s the #TwelfthDayOfChristmas and the #SecondSundayAfterChristmasDay.
Sermon in a nutshell: 1) Actively look for miracles; 2) Welcome the stranger who shows up to worship; 3) Don’t be Herod and fight to maintain the status quo.
#Episcopal #Sermon #SLECBuffalo #PriestLife

Calling parishioners whom you haven’t seen for awhile be like: “Wait …. Don’t cancel now. What if we reduced your annual subscription price? And threw in a gift? And upgraded you to premium service at no charge?”
#Desperate #Episcopal #PriestLife

One of the hardest things for me to deal with as a priest is this: you put the Christmas service schedule (including only one service today) on the website, in every bulletin for the past month, in every church email that goes out, on the answering machine, and on the doors to the building, and still someone shows up an hour late because they didn’t know it was at 9:00 instead of 10:00.
#Dammit #Episcopal #Failure2Communicate #PriestLife

We’re coming to the end of Ordinary Time, which means another sermon on End Time prophecies, people claiming to be the messiah, and a general “beware who you are following.”

Know this: the end times aren’t what some people scream and scam about.

#HomeVisit with elderly parishioners today and the wife was talking about needing to downsize.
Husband: I am downsizing—I keep downsizing everything you put in the refrigerator!
#PriestLife #GottaLaugh

It’s #BarWeek in #BuffaloWY. That means I spend one night at a different bar in town just hanging out. Sometimes it’s just me and I go home early. Sometimes I have a really good conversation with a patron and go home late. And sometimes, like last night, I listen to a very drunk individual tell me how often he’s been to my church when I know darn well he hasn’t. But I’ve also learned to not argue with a drunk.
#PriestLife #Episcopal #AlwaysInteresting

Of all the sermons I write, I dislike #GoodFriday the most.
#Episcopal #Liturgy #PriestLife

Got a call from the priest in the neighboring town: “Just checking to see how you’re settling in. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Can I get you to do my parochial report?”
“Anything but that.”
#EpiscopalChurch #Paperwork #PriestLife #SLECBuffalo

Embracing today's whirlwind! #HomeOfficeCleanup this morning, followed by long-overdue #MemorialService at a care home this afternoon. This evening will be time for honoring lives at the #Cemetery #FlowerService.
Workday challenges fade as dear #Friends visit, bringing joy to my soul. #PriestLife #BusyBlessings #AlmostOnVacation

Today was a rough one. Long-time parishioner died, funeral Friday … a day after I leave town. Needed to find a sub and get them connected.
Angry VM from po’d neighbor re:homeless couple on our property causing problems. Actual call from concerned neighbor re:same couple.
Confrontation and eviction off property of same couple.
And a lot of emails from angry vestry members about how I’m bad for the parish.
#WelcomeToMinistry
#PriestLife

It has been a week. I have not had the time I normally have to work on a sermon. I hurt. I can’t think right when I hurt. So today I scrolled through past sermons until I found one I could reuse. It needs editing because it’s from 10-11 years ago, and from a different place. But it’ll work for this Sunday.
#Episcopal #PriestLife #Recycle #DontTell

Monday of #HolyWeek. Local clergy gathering and a home Communion this morning, #StationsOfTheCross at noon followed by some low level thurible maintenance, and now mulling over sermon ideas for #GoodFriday and #EasterDay.
#Episcopal
#PriestLife
#SJPHagerstown

Some Sundays are longer than others. #Advent2 included the usual two services, confirmation/inquirers class, a visit from #SaintNicolas, post-service activities and luncheon, #SacredGround class, then a hospice visit to a parishioner in memory care.
#PriestLife
#PastoralCare
#Faith