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Truth to Tell

Dear Friends and Colleagues, I first started to study the psychological phenomenon of DENIAL when I entered more fully into the dynamics of addiction and related human behavior. Confronting the fears related to painful realities and their consequences creates for many...

O God, Defender of My Cause

“Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed;have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4) It would be redundant for me to say ‘in these times ….’ We are all experiencing varying levels of pain,grief, anger and outrage....

A Grief Observed

Dear Friends and Colleagues, During this time of enforced distancing I want to increase my communication with you on matters that are of pastoral concern to all of us – either in our own lives or in the lives of those we serve. I am aware that a large part of our...

Since You Were Precious in My Sight

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…” (Isaiah 43 : 4) Dear Friends and Colleagues: I believe that over the weeks we have been distanced from one another and from the people of God we have undergone changes in how we view...

A Season of Rediscovery

‘ A season of rediscovery….. “O God of Peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength…… lift us we pray you to your presence where we may be still and know that you are God…..” BCP 832’ Dear...

Such Fasting as You Do Today

“Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high” (Isaiah 58 : 1 – 12) Dear Friends and Colleagues: This passage from Isaiah hit me like a hammer on Ash Wednesday. I said to one of my colleagues afterwards that we should have stopped the service...

Going Towards the Light

Dear Friends and Colleagues, In early January, I traveled to Charlotte where my grandchildren wanted to celebrate my 80th birthday with me. We had a wonderful time together including very creative birthday cards and an enormous chocolate cake with a gigantic 80 on it...

Looking Into 2020

Dear Friends and Colleagues, As we enter a new year I want to outline afresh my responsibilities and ministry within the Diocese as Canon Chaplain/Pastor. Overall I continue to assist the Bishop with the pastoral care of ACTIVE clergy and their families. While I have...

Authority and Accountability

Dear Colleagues, When I was instituted as Priest in Charge of St. Barnabas Church in Gilmerton, Edinburgh in 1967 the Bishop, using the form prescribed in the Scottish Prayer of the time, said: “Receive this cure of souls which is both mine and thine.” It occurs to me...

To Scotland I Go

Dear Friends and Colleagues, During the month of October and until November 6th I shall be in Scotland serving as a Locum Tenens in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney where Bishop Anne Dyer has asked me to provide services at St Congan’s Church in Turriff,...