Opening Scripture: First General Epistle of St. John, Chapter One. Summary of Scripture: The invitation to Orthodoxy is an invitation to fellowship with Christians so that your joy may be full. Today’s Lesson: How did we get here? Questions for consideration: What(or who) brought you to Orthodoxy? What brought you to St. Michael’s? What is […]
Homily Outline – Sunday after the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 22, 2013 By
Yesterday we celebrated a birthday! 1. Miracle. Joachim and Anna. We forget how great a miracle all conceptions and births are. 2. Her life (segue – her age!) We rejoice with the angels at the life of Mary. Chaste. Pure. Devoted. 3. Through her salvation has come into the world. Miracle. Chastity. Life given to […]
RIOCF: Statement on Same-Sex Marriage
September 21, 2013 By
Rhode Island Orthodox Clergy FellowshipStatement on Same-Sex Marriage We, the clergy of the Orthodox Churches of Rhode Island, express our disappointment over recent developments concerning the status of marriage in our country and in our state. Specifically, we disapprove our state legislature’s vote in favor of and signing into law the practice of same-sex marriage. […]
Class. The ABC’s of Salvation through Christ and His Orthodox Church (why do we have all this stuff?)
September 19, 2013 By
Our Faith: Orthodox Christianity at St. Michael’sWoonsocket, Rhode Island Opening Prayer: O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who is everywhere present and fills all things; come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.. Opening Scripture: Psalm 8; Ephesians 2: 1-10 Summary of Scripture: The Glory, […]
Homily: Threading the Needle
September 15, 2013 By
Homily on St. Matthew 19:16-2615 September 2013 And that thou mightest learn, that not by addition but by taking away this evil is stayed; if thou hadst ever had an absurd desire to fly and to be borne through the air, how wouldest thou extinguish this unreasonable desire? By fashioning wings, and preparing other instruments, […]
20130910 Fr. John Peck on Vocations and Preparedness
September 12, 2013 By
In this episode, Fr. John and Fr. Anthony share their friendship and love of Christ and His Church with you. They talk about vocations (Fr. John is the manager of the popular “Good Guys Wear Black” website and Fr. Anthony is the Director of Vocations for the UOC-USA), self-care and parish-care for priests and their […]
Some thoughts on the priestly vocation (impediments and advice)
September 10, 2013 By
The following represents my own personal reflections and are not necessarily representative of anyone else’s opinions. I focus on the UOC-USA because it is the Church I serve and the example I know best. With some minor modifications, these probably work for other Churches and dioceses, as well. I look forward to your comments. Requirements […]
Homily: On (not) Giving Clergy their Due
September 8, 2013 By
Homily on 1 Corinthians 9:2-12 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? (Excerpt) Pani and I went on vacation this past weekend. I spent part of that […]
My notes for the talk on Moral Psychology
August 8, 2013 By
I had hoped to find time to write these up properly – but two moths later I haven’t! So here it is, mis-spellings, poor grammar, and all! Notes for a talk on Orthodoxy, Ritual and Moral Psychology Warning: I use the words “conservative” and “liberal” throughout this talk. I am not talking about Republicans and […]
Podcast: 20130807 Being a Hero and Moral Psychology
August 8, 2013 By
This podcasts begins with advice for young people to become heroes. The rest is devoted to introducing listeners to some findings in moral psychology and their relevance to Orthodoxy (hint- it’s about ritual/Orthopraxis). Lord willing, I’ll be devoting more podcasts to devloping these themes. Here are the notes for the moral psychology talk (alas it […]
