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The Rev’d. N.J.A. Humphrey 24 January 2016 I Corinthians 12:12-31a   I’m sorry to disappoint you, but given the weather forecast and the planned annual meeting, I decided this past week to keep this short. So this morning I’m going to offer you more of a brief meditation on... Read More →

The Baptism of our Lord – Year C Deacon Buck Close January 10, 2016 I wonder how many of you have ever been to a Billy Graham crusade. When I was growing up in SC in the 50’s and early 60’s it was something people did – lots of people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. When I... Read More →

The Gift that Keeps on Giving                                                 The Rev’d. N.J.A. Humphrey St. John’s Day 27 December 2015 I John 1:1-9 It’s still Christmas! What now? Thankfully, in this morning’s epistle lesson, the saint after whom this church is named and whom... Read More →

Matter Matters The Rev’d N.J.A. Humphrey 24 December 2015 Luke 2:1-20 Does it matter that you are here tonight? This is one of those deceptively simple questions. At first, it invites merely a “yes” or “no” answer. Either yes, it matters, or no, it really doesn’t—and if the... Read More →

Advent 4C – 2015 Deacon Buck Close Meeting Mary The gospels of Advent are presented in reverse chronological order. We start on Advent 1 with the apocalyptic vision of the end times. Then on Advent 2 and 3 we go back to around the years 27-28 AD to consider the ministry of that... Read More →

Year C, Advent 3 Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance…Have no anxiety about anything…” Anyone hearing these words out of context might assume that their author did nothing but lounge around all day nibbling on... Read More →

Advent 1C Deacon Buck Close 29 November 2015 This morning I am going to treat you to three mini homilies. I didn’t do this intentionally. It just happened. The first is my rather negative take on apocalyptic literature. The second is an advertisement for the church calendar, and... Read More →

Year B, Christ the King John 18:33-37 The feast of Christ the King speaks directly to the problem of violence and political power, a problem that has plagued society from its beginnings to the age of terrorism we are living through today. In the Gospel lesson appointed for this... Read More →

On Saturday last weekend at diocesan convention, I joined with the bishop, clergy, and lay leaders in celebrating the 225th anniversary of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. The bishop chose as the readings for that convention Eucharist the same readings we just heard, which... Read More →

The Widow’s Mite Deacon Buck Close November 8, 2015 Mark 12: 38-44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. Today’s gospel is the nearly ideal text for a stewardship sermon. But this... Read More →