This is the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 The Collect of the Day: Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. You can read Father Manny's Sermon for today here.

This Sunday, Adult Forum returns at Christ Episcopal Church. Our autumn program begins with a special two-week series taking place over two Sunday mornings - September 22nd and 29th - and is presented by Lesley Difransico, Professor of Theology at Loyola University. The Bible reminds us that we are created in the image of God. Wherever we are and whoever we are, we bear this unique character. Over time, however, we lose that true self that is in God’s image. Professor DiFransico will help us to unravel how we can rediscover that core identity we share as being God’s creation and the true identity in Christ. Join us on Sunday in Old Brick from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.

This past Sunday, several events took place at Christ Church. We had a children's worship, and during the 10:30 service had the occasion to commission our Sunday School teachers. After the commissioning, I made a remark to the effect that there’s always a vacancy on the Sunday School teacher roster, and our doors are always open to accept those who may feel called to share in the ministry of Children Formation. I am sure many of you have heard the often-quoted African aphorism “It takes a village to raise a child.” The beauty of this adage is the shift in responsibility of raising children towards a communal task. As parents, it often helps to remind ourselves that it isn’t only parents who shape the life of a young person but also the people around them - teachers, mentors, coaches, friends, Sunday school teachers, and other role models. Like myself, you may not have literally grown up in a village or a small town, but it is likely that you grew up within the contours of an environment where many others felt obligated to mentor, nurture, and support your growth. That is not to say that all who came your way or felt obligated to shape your life were angels. Some of us have suffered terrible abuse from people we thought loved us and sought our welfare. These were adults in whom we thought we could entrust our lives, but in the end felt betrayed by the most fundamental relationship that a child has with an adult. For some, it has taken a lifetime to rebuild their lives. I remember a story of three brothers in their late 60’s to early 70’s who couldn’t forgive their mother for the abuse they suffered from their father. ‘The Village’ isn’t always a perfect place. As imperfect as it may be, however, there are also responsible elders in ‘The Village’ who more than owe it to themselves and children to help them grow to be responsible adults. In a very powerful way, faith communities like Christ Church continue to do this kind of work - of creating villages for every child, providing people places of sanctuary, and giving them the tools and confidence to grow. I cannot say enough about how blessed I am to know that I grew up in a church which was also a sanctuary for me. One of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed was the importance of keeping good company - what we may now refer to as people who have our back, people who can be a mirror of what good means, those who make us better people for having them around us. There’s no gainsaying of the tremendous effect that the values of such an environment has on a child and, in my case, I have no idea where I would have ended up had it not been for 'The Village’. September 17th is always a difficult day for me because that is the anniversary of my father’s passing. I remember that day like no other. A few days ago, I had to take myself back to 1985. It wasn’t particularly pleasant, but it is always freeing because every time I engage myself in that exercise - of going back to that day - I simultaneously open myself up to being grateful for the many people from 'The Village’ who shaped my life and provided an anchor for me. Did I often go wayward? Well, you bet I did. But I never forgot the wise words of those elders and supporters. As lost as I could be at times, finding myself over and over again became synonymous with being repeatedly reborn. If I had thought that life was an adventure, it would become all too apparent that it wasn’t, because it too can be an end in itself. Life became, and has been, for me, a process of self-discovery. If I could dare to do anything, it is because of the drive to rediscover myself, the person that God created me to be. The process of rediscovering ourselves can often be pretty tough because it is about rediscovering who we are beneath the clutter of everyday life, and whether the pain in our lives or the promise of a better one is enough to galvanize us into action. Self-discovery surely takes us away from our comfort zones, but it nonetheless leads us towards a life of love. Ever since my youthful days, and throughout my life of ministry, I have always favored ‘The Village’ where responsible adults open up a world of possibilities for a child by blessing him or her with direction, a sense of purpose, good counsel, and an environment that pushes us towards self-discovery. In my mind, ‘The Village’ is one of many places where people can make lasting contributions to this world. It is my hope that you will also see yourself as being a part of 'The Village,’ for you might be an example for another- young or old, who is deprived of godly influence. ~Manny

This is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 The Collect of the Day: O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon for today can be read here.

This is the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: Hosea 1:2-10 Psalm 85 Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19) Luke 11:1-13 The Collect of the Day: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon can be read here.

This is the Second Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: 1 Kings 19:1-15a Psalm 42 and 43 Galatians 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39 The Collect of the Day: O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon for the day is available to read here.

This is the Third Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1,13-25 Luke 9:51-62 The Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. If you were unable to attend, or just wish to hear it again, Father Manny's sermon for today is available for streaming or downloading below. You can also read the text here.

This is the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 The Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon can be read by clicking here.

This is the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37 The Collect of the Day: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon text can be read here, or the audio can be streamed or downloaded below: If you prefer to read his Sermon, you can do that by clicking here.

This is the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 The Collect of the Day: Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon can be read here.

This is the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for today: Hosea 11:1-11 Psalm 107:1-9, 43 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21 The Collect of the Day: Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Father Manny's Sermon for this Sunday is available for reading here.