A reflection for the feast day of George Herbert, 17th century Anglican priest and poet. Almighty God, you called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honors to be a pastor of souls and a poet: Give us grace, we pray, joyfully to dedicate all our powers to your service; through Jesus Christ … Continue reading The paths we choose: Finding divinity in drudgery
Church of England
Religious liberty: A lesson hard-won through oppression
In my previous post I wrote briefly on the new Justice Department religious liberty task force, announced Monday by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The AG's words in making that announcement, I wrote, revealed an intent steeped in fear and intolerance, and having little to do with true religious liberty: Sessions spoke Monday of a “dangerous … Continue reading Religious liberty: A lesson hard-won through oppression
Diwali, Light and Christian Love
Today marks the last day of Diwali, the five-day Hindu festival of light also celebrated by followers of the Jain and Sikh faith traditions. I must admit, my knowledge of Diwali is limited to a high school religion class a quarter century back and some online searches to refresh my memory. What I remember and … Continue reading Diwali, Light and Christian Love
Anglican becomes American
I've been posting pictures and synopses of the meaning behind stained glass windows at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla. These two panels depict the roots of the Episcopal Church in the United States, both in its historic and continuing connection to the Church of England and the development of its own Constitution and … Continue reading Anglican becomes American
The Church beyond England
This is the second installment in a series of synopses of the meaning behind stained glass windows at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Oklahoma. While these windows are closely associated with and loved by the parish of St. Matthew's, their symbolism reaches far beyond any parish - or in this case, any diocese or … Continue reading The Church beyond England
James R. Neal 