Rev. Valerie's Reveille

Jim Wallis, a great American evangelical preacher, teacher and founder of Sojourners in Washington D.C., published a new book today entitled, America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America . I look forward to reading this book as it holds a mirror up to American society and (hopefully) invites us into a better way of having meaningful and helpful conversations about the divisive nature of the man-made concept of race.  Unfortunately this man-made concept has become a definitive sin, as it separates us from one another and God. It is an excellent time for this book to be published as we celebrated the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.  While we have a national holiday to honor the work and legacy of Dr. King, too often our reflection stops at sentimental observations of what he and many others did in the 1960s.  It is painfully obvious that “race relations” in the 2010s are tenuous at best, not advancing much in the past 48 ye...

This week, the Primates (a term for a bishop ranking first among the bishops of a province or country) from 38 countries who claim origin to the Anglican Church have gathered in Canterbury, England at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Right Honourable Justin Welby.  Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, is attending on behalf of The Episcopal Church.  Part of the agenda for this meeting is to discuss and discern the future of the Anglican Communion, which has been in flux over the past decade or so over the disagreement about the ordination of women and homosexuals, as well as a doctrine about homosexuality. There was deep concern that, as the meetings began on Monday, those who disagree with ordaining women and homosexuals would offer their opinion and then leave the meeting. Responding to the press about the desire for reconciliation among the member churches, ABC Welby said, "Certainly I want reconciliation, but reconciliati...

I am a bit befuddled by the consumeristic ploy to rush the Christmas season, only to see Christmas trees litter the sidewalks on December 26 th .  There are 12 DAYS of Christmas!  Do something counter-cultural and savory the days – enjoy them, rather than rush to the next marketable holiday (Valentine’s Day). Christmas ends on January 5 th , as we celebrate the arrival of the Magi to the Christ child on the Epiphany, which the Church remembers on January 6 th .  In 2016, this auspicious occasion is on a Wednesday, the middle of the week when many are busy with work or school concerns and probably not thinking much about the theological importance of the day. So I offer a short reflection to help you savor this day as well, because it is deserves of our time and attention. The story of the Magi [Matthew 2:1-12] is one of incredible faith and worthy of celebration in and of itself.  In it we are witness to Christ as “a light to enlighten the nations” [Luke 2:32] a...