Fr. Peter’s Weekly Letter
Friendship
The Rev. Peter A. Lane“The Arabs used to say, ‘When a stranger appears at your door, feed him for three days before asking who he is, where he’s come from, where he’s headed. That way, he’ll have strength enough to answer. Or, by then you’ll be such good...
Empowered to Build: Answering the Call to God’s New World
The Rev. Peter A. LaneMade for spirituality, we wallow in introspection.Made for joy, we settle for pleasure.Made for justice, we clamor for vengeance.Made for relationship, we insist on our own way.Made for beauty, we are satisfied with sentiment.But a new...
Navigating Transition
The Rev. Peter A. LaneThis weekend we hear the story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, and his transition from his earthly life and ministry of ushering in the Kingdom of God to his heavenly role as King of kings and Lord of lords. This, of course, also marks a...
Loving Our Mother
The Rev. Peter A. Lane“To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes, to let it go, to let it go.” Mary Oliver, from her poem "In...
Cultivating a Culture of Connection
The Rev. Peter A. LaneOn Tuesday the Surgeon General of the United States released a report bringing attention to the widespread issue of loneliness in the country, along with six proposals or pillars on which to build a less lonely society. The report states...
Canticle of the Sun
The Rev. Peter A. LaneMost high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name. Be praised, my Lord, through all your...
The Gift of Many Voices
The Rev. Peter A. LaneLast week I spoke of the gift of generosity that St. Alfred’s possesses and the ways it blesses us and so many others. This week I’d like to raise up another gift that is a blessing to this community: our retired clergy - Agostino, Bill,...
Lent is not for the faint-hearted
The Rev. Peter A. Lane “From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded.”Exodus 17:1 We are halfway through our Lenten journey and so I thought I would check in with you and ask, How has your...
“There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night.”
The Rev. Peter A. LaneOne of the most famous lines in the Bible occurs a bit later in this chapter in John’s Gospel - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” We’ve...
Three Items for Your Consideration
The Rev. Peter A. LaneGreetings to you all, dear Saints of St. Alfred’s. There’s a lot going on around your parish, and I want to take this opportunity to highlight three opportunities for you to engage more fully in both your parish and the wider community....