Published by and for The Members and Friends of
St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

February, 2009 - Vol. 40, No. 02 - Archive - Search

A Christmas Sermon: December 24, 2008
by The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy
The people of whom Jesus is born, under the power of Rome and its puppet King Herod the Great and the Jewish aristocracy who benefitted by cooperation with Rome are like this: 90-95% of the people are peasants living a subsistence existence. Ancient lands are being lost through high taxes and former landowners are being reduced to being sharecroppers on their own land. As a result of cynicism and despair, the vast majority of the people are non-observant, exercising a sort of folk religion of charms and superstition. They are despised by the religious elite and dismissed as too ignorant to follow the laws of Moses. Increasingly, religion is obsessed with purity laws which define who is and who can be included and who excluded as sinners unworthy of God's love. The most vulnerable in society are being neglected. Insurrection and revolutionary violence will lead to swift and harsh punishment by Roman troops. The main road into Jerusalem is studded with permanent upright wooden stakes that await the cross beams of crucified bodies of Jewish rebels and freedom fighters. … MORE

An Epiphany Sermon: Jan. 4, 2009
by The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy
I have suggested in the past that reflecting on scripture is like going on an archeological dig, as these ancient texts have rich layers of meaning. Today, we'll use another image: it's like going on an ocean cruise with various ports of call. Each island paradise is lush and rich but one may be more to one's liking than another. If so, feel free to stay there and visit for awhile or if it doesn't interest you, feel free to stay on the ship and enjoy the sundeck!… MORE

Excerpt from The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
by A. J. Jacobs
(Note: The author, a secular Jew, seeks to live for a year following biblical law as literally as possible. In that, he makes a pilgrimage to Israel and discovers something crucial. I highly recommend this book to you. It is a great read)
This afternoon, as I am walking along some twisty cobblestone streets of the Old City, I turn a corner and witness what has to be the highest density of spiritual devoutness on planet earth. The scene is this: Dozens of brown-robed, Franciscan Friars are slowly, solemnly walking the Stations of the Cross, their hands clasped in front of them. They are singing "Ave Maria," accompanied by a single-speaker boom box strapped over the right shoulder of one friar. Another friar is swinging a miniature umbrella in the exact same way that altar boys swing incense lamps.… MORE

"Women Together"
St. A's 2009 Women's Retreat
by Pam Schmidt
This year our retreat will be on April 17-19, 2009 at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. Our retreat will be led by Virginia LeDare Cox (known as Dare). Dare is the Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader at the Dayspring Spirituality Center in Stanton Michigan. Dare has served on Hartshorn's Credo facility team for a number of years and is a nationally recognized Spiritual Advisor to bishops and priests as well as lay persons in the church. Hartshorn writes: "Dare has, for years now, gently called God's people back to a life of prayer and spiritual practice. She is a true gift. You will treasure your time with her at a weekend away."… MORE

Tending the Holy …
by Virginia LeDare Cox
The focus of this retreat is to discover that we are each an icon of God, created to be a unique expression of God. Our time together will include: prayer with body movement, chanting, silence and journaling; presentation, experiential exercises, the arts and ritual; free time for personal options, and a women's wisdom circle… MORE

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