The Logo of The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta - Purple Crest with Bishop's Mitre

Haste Ye Back

On September 15th, – God and Delta willing – I shall be leaving for my own long delayed return visit to the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

How to Be a Happy Minister Without Really Trying

Dear Friends and Colleagues, Last month I used this letter to pay tribute to one of the people who had a major influence on my formation and eventual decision to become a priest – my High School English teacher. This time I want to do the same for my first Rector –...

Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

Dear Friends and Colleagues, Recently I re-read a book I had obtained a year ago. Pilgrim Souls by Mary MacIver, the widow of my high school English Teacher, Hector MacIver. The book was published in 1990 as an autobiographical tribute to her late husband who had died...

Make Me an Instrument of Your Salvation

“…make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word.” BCP page 563 Dear Friends and Colleagues, As most of you...

The Beauty That Brings Us to Peace

“The beauty that brings us to peace and whispers that there’s something more – And every square inch claimed by God” Joy Davidman, 1952 Dear Friends and Colleagues, Despite the seemingly endless time of pandemic and its profound consequences I am beginning to notice...

The Hope That We Are Traveling Towards a Destiny

“The hope that we are traveling towards a destiny, rather than a mere collapse, is linked with the faith that our origins were already purposeful.” The Coming of God by Maria Boulding Dear Friends and Colleagues, I have to thank my friend John Hamilton at St...

Blessings for Advent

“….the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:23 Dear Friends and Colleagues, Last week I had a lengthy conversation with one of our colleagues who wanted to discuss the question of how, during lockdown and distancing, we...

Timor Mortis Conturbat Me

Timor Mortis Conturbat Me – The fear of death disturbs me. From a Mediaeval Office of the Dead used by William Dunbar ‘Lament for the Makars’ late 15th Century. Dear Friends and Colleagues, On September 12th we learned of the tragic death of our beloved sister...

Let a Man Not Trouble Himself with Worthless Opinion

‘Let a man do right, not trouble himself with worthless opinion; the less he heeds tongues, the less difficult will he find it to love men’ George MacDonald Dear Friends and Colleagues, ‘Let a man do right, not trouble himself with worthless opinion; the less he heeds...