Many of us struggle with determining how to apply our faith to the secular world. In the Episcopal Church, behind our red doors, we are very comfortable with the creeds, the liturgy and our beautiful expressions of love for God. But, outside those doors, how do we apply our love for God to the fractured … Continue reading It’s all in there… Our Baptismal Covenant calls us to action
Episcopal Church
OPENING A DOOR: Episcopal and Orthodox congregations sharing space in new collaboration
ENID, Okla. — East meets West in a new collaboration between faith traditions, with members of a local mission parish of the Russian Orthodox Church meeting for worship services in a chapel at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. An expanding service The Russian Orthodox congregation held its first service and fellowship dinner at St. Matthew’s, 518 … Continue reading OPENING A DOOR: Episcopal and Orthodox congregations sharing space in new collaboration
Love and hate in the mirror
This is the second of three devotionals submitted for consideration to "Forward Day by Day," a daily devotional publication of The Episcopal Church. The full month of daily devotionals will be published next January. Psalm 139:21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? The greatest enemy to … Continue reading Love and hate in the mirror
The call to ordination, and to the grace of the Eucharist
I am always fascinated by the story of how clergy came to discern and surrender to the call to ministry. Some are more inspiring than others, and this one, written after the ordination of Rev. Janie Koch in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, was particularly so to me, especially in her explanation of the meaning … Continue reading The call to ordination, and to the grace of the Eucharist
God’s will above all
If you're familiar with the Episcopal Church, or certainly if you are an Episcopalian, you probably have heard that we're the church that reads to God. From collects and psalms to Scripture and the prayers of the saints, our services are dominated by reading aloud our devotion to God. Naturally, we all find favorite prayers, … Continue reading God’s will above all
Co-opting Christ
The role of religion in American politics is nothing new, nor is its history confined to one party. Clergy have played active roles in numerous political movements of the “left,” perhaps most famously in the Civil Rights movement championed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And, there have been no shortage of outlets … Continue reading Co-opting Christ
The life and ministry of Christ
The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ These synopses were written for an ongoing project at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla. to recall the Biblical messages and symbolism behind the church's stained glass and art work. These are works of art, but the messages behind the glass are far more precious than any … Continue reading The life and ministry of Christ
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
James R. Neal 