“You brood of vipers!” Just imagine if you arrived each Sunday to church with some thundering indictment like that. No one wants to be called out as a terrifying looking venomous snake, with deadly fangs, and according to dictionary.com – a word used to describe a malignant, spiteful and treacherous person. Even my dog Willow […]Read more “What Should We Do?”
Author: the Rev. Courtney Reid
Come, Believe, Eat
We are what we eat —- it’s true isn’t it…every cell in our body is created by the food we eat, water we drink, the air we breathe. We can be a little preoccupied/sometimes obsessed with food in our culture. What to eat. When to eat. Where to eat. We have millions of books about […]Read more “Come, Believe, Eat”
Come Away and Rest a While
I come to you in the name of the One on whom all our hope is founded, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. AMEN A recent NPR story headline, “if your brain feels foggy and you’re tired all the time, you’re not alone,” pretty much sums it up for me. So when I read today’s gospel […]Read more “Come Away and Rest a While”
June 20, 2021
Dear Friends, Sometimes it is hard to believe that 15 months have passed since our former Bishop, Jeff Lee, suspended in-person worship and other gatherings in our churches. During this time, we have discovered new ways to maintain community virtually. We have prayed, laughed, cried, and sung together on Facebook. And we gradually gathered in-person […]Read more “June 20, 2021”
The Holy Trinity and Flash Mobs
Last week I was talking to one of my colleagues about yet another of the delightful posts he had written describing the theological musings/pronouncements of his four year old son, Isaac. Something to do with the Holy Spirit, I believe. It made sense given that Pentecost had just happened. I jokingly asked Eric what Isaac […]Read more “The Holy Trinity and Flash Mobs”
What’s Love Got to do with It?
At the risk of you getting your own ear worm, I quote from the iconic Tina Tuner. What’s love got to do with it. What’s love but a second hand emotion. Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken? Every time I’ve read the gospel appointed today over the past few weeks, this […]Read more “What’s Love Got to do with It?”
Look at it and Live
Look at it and live I come to you in the name of the One in whom all our hope is founded, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. Amen From the book of Numbers: “Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people died…. So Moses prayed […]Read more “Look at it and Live”
Who Are We Called to Be?
I come to you in the Name of the One on whom all our hope is founded, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. AMEN So often this week, when we have been horrified, angered, ashamed, heartbroken at the images of rioters storming the nation’s Capitol – leaving devastation, death, and chaos in their wake – we […]Read more “Who Are We Called to Be?”
November 29, 2020
Dear Friends, I write this on Thanksgiving Eve, a damp dreary day, but one filled with the expectation of tomorrow’s Thanksgiving meal, even one that will look different from the one we might have imagined for ourselves at the start of this year. On Tuesday, I stopped by a colleague’s house to sign checks. We […]Read more “November 29, 2020”
Why Wait?
I come to you in the name of the One on whom all our hope is founded, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN BREATHE. What a week it’s been. What a year it’s been since we last began this season of Advent. Waking up early Wednesday morning, after a long day working the polls, and […]Read more “Why Wait?”
October 25, 2020
Dear Friends, From a young age, my mom taught and showed me the importance of living out my faith through civic engagement. Whether writing letters to elected officials, visiting legislators when they were in session, testifying at committee hearings, or showing up to march in support of a particular issue, she taught me that my […]Read more “October 25, 2020”
Pet Blessing Sermon
“Do not worry about your life,” says Jesus in today’s reading from Matthew. Clearly Jesus did not know about 2020 – the number that while still meaning visual acuity is now more frequently used with a sigh – #2020 – yet another disappointment, tragedy, natural disaster, or other unexpected event. “Don’t worry” – are you […]Read more “Pet Blessing Sermon”
September 13, 2020
Dear Friends, As I write this on the morning of the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I am struck by how the memory of that terrible day has shifted and evolved. For some, especially those who lost loved ones, who were living in New York or Washington, or whose health has been permanently impacted […]Read more “September 13, 2020”
Sourdough Starter, John Lewis and the Reign of God
I come to you in the name of the God who creates, redeems, and sustains us. AMEN Good morning! We’ve spent the last few weeks hearing parables from the Gospel of Matthew – parables about ordinary things – seeds, mustard seeds, pearls, and yeast. Today’s verses include five parables – all worthy of a sermon in […]Read more “Sourdough Starter, John Lewis and the Reign of God”
Road to Emmaus
I speak to you in the name of one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. + Amen. I am a walker (and sometimes a runner) Early mornings will find me walking, and until recently, I could be found on the shores of Lake Michigan at the Montrose Park Dog Beach where dogs can run and […]Read more “Road to Emmaus”
Ash Wednesday
On the Saturday of my ordination, I found myself in the midst of all the excitement, the nervousness, and general bedlam that highlights the start of any big day at All Saints saying to myself, “I cannot wait for Lent to start.” What on earth – here was this glorious day about to start, I […]Read more “Ash Wednesday”
Baptism of Jesus
I spent all of my high school and college summers working at our local pool in Richmond, VA as a life guard and swim instructor. I love water and swimming and teaching others to swim is one of my great joys. My favorite class to teach was “Ducks,” a water introduction class for three and […]Read more “Baptism of Jesus”
Our Testimony Gives Voice to What Jesus Sees
Last year, in one of those car conversations that never fail to surprise and sometimes amuse me, Susan (one of my 14 year olds) informed me that in the event of a zombie apocalypse, she knew what to do to keep us safe. I learned a lot about what weapons, what food, what clothes we […]Read more “Our Testimony Gives Voice to What Jesus Sees”