Beginning in 1926, the month of February has been dedicated to the celebration of the achievements by people of African descent to the common life of all of humanity. These celebrations aren’t limited to the United States, but extend to several other countries. In my research, I was surprised to learn that the month of February was specifically chosen because of Abraham Lincoln's and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays. I said to myself, "How imaginative was that decision, that both men would be honored for their role in African-American life." During the month of February, all who are of African ancestry and those who have contributed significantly towards the life, the uplift, and the well-being of Africans in the diaspora are honored. The celebrations do not center on one particular person, but on a broad swath of people without whose contributions African-American life wouldn’t be what it is today. One of the many heroes and heroines that I (and many others) have been influenced by is Booker T. Washington. I initially got to know about Booker T. Washington through my mother. She didn’t graduate high school, but is such an avid reader. One day, she showed up with Booker T. Washington’s book Up From Slavery. After reading the book, she invited my younger brother and myself to read it, and so we did. Upon reading, I do not recall getting any visceral reaction over the atrocities that many people of color did endure. It was a very distant from my reality and, at the time, probably did not understand. I think the point my mother sought to make was more about how Booker overcame significant challenges, beating the odds and embracing his identity as he worked his way getting into college, and collaborating with others to establish a school of higher education for people of African ancestry. The good news is that this university, Tuskegee University, still continues to serve both people who are of African descent, and people who are not. I have a friend, one whom I grew up with in Ghana, who is presently a professor at Tuskegee University. For me, the intriguing part was the rationale for the choice of February. Although Abraham Lincoln was not of African descent, his indelible contribution was duly recognized and, in fact, his immeasurable contribution is the reason why the dream of Columbia, Maryland by Jim Rouse was even possible. The question that I want all of us to ponder over is, how can we keep the vision of people like Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington and Jim Rouse alive, while still building a culture that is capable of inspiring and creating new leaders whom we can celebrate? I am reminded of a quote by Neale Donald Walsch: “There’s no ‘right way’ to do anything, there’s only the way you are doing it. Never be afraid to ‘try your hand’ because you don’t want to make a mistake or not do something ‘right.’ Success in life comes from being willing to move into uncharted territory. Always remember: life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” How appropriate! Maybe we are all primed for life because we find ourselves at the end of our comfort zones. We are a week away from the end of this month that celebrates the enormous contributions of all the people of African descent. But I am also reminded of those who are not of African descent, those who have found within themselves the ultimate desire to uplift all of those at the bottom of human dignity. It is Black History Month, and I celebrate Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington and many, many others, because each one is worth depth of our gratitude. Manny.

My first experience with Valentine’s Day was in boarding school. I knew just enough about Valentine’s Day during my first four years of boarding school (about form four, which may be equivalent to ninth grade). The reason why I knew just about enough of it was simply because it didn’t matter to me and I didn’t have a reason to amped up about it. In the summer before form four, however, I had gotten myself a girlfriend. This was a girl I met during my first vacation classes. Vacation classes in Ghana are similar to summer enrichment camps. During the three-month break from school, from June to September, some secondary schools organize vacation classes for students. These classes were enrichment classes, designed to prepare students for the new school year. For the most part, however, these vacation classes were avenues where students got to hang out with friends, meet other students from other schools, made new friends, and/or simply acted as teenagers do. Some of the friends you make at these classes last a life time, and I would add that most of the friends I still keep are friends I made at these vacation classes. Why do I tell this story? Well, this girlfriend was also in boarding school - in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Her school was about one hundred and twenty miles east of Cape Coast, where I was in boarding school. The last time I saw her was sometime that January 1989, the day before she returned back to school after the Christmas break. Bear in mind, I still knew next to nothing about Valentine’s Day at this time. In my boarding school, boys slept in bunk beds in a dormitory and during the afternoons, a fellow student will walk by our beds holding a bunch of letters, and then hand them out to those of who had received letters. On this particular Valentine’s Day, I received three different Valentine’s Day cards... all from the same person. I was over the moon. Word percolated throughout the entire campus about my Valentine cards. I had people come ask me about this particular girl who felt it necessary to send three cards instead of one. The unfortunate part of this story is that I didn’t send her any card. This was probably because I didn’t have the presence of mind to send any, as I had never received one before. Hers was the first I had ever received, and so here I was with three beautiful cards with thoughtful words about me being special! "Why three, and not one?" I asked myself. Others may have asked themselves similar questions "Why two and not one?" or "Why none at all?" These are questions which may not necessarily be easy to answer, however, they point us to that place in our lives where although we may not necessarily understand what we profess to another, the genuineness of our thoughts arises from the core of our human motivation. William Blake, an English poet, wrote this about bearing love: “And we are put on earth a little space, that we might learn to bear the beams of love.” To bear love means to endure it; that is, to grow in your capacity in order to endure love’s beauty and its pain. To bear love means to carry love, and to spread it around in just the same way as children carry laughter with them. Lastly, to bear love means to birth love, to bring forth into life a new kind of love which soothes and heals the hurting lives of others. I don’t think I ever felt the same about Valentine’s Day after receiving those three cards. You may also have a story about your first experience of Valentine’s Day. It may have been beautiful and life transforming, or perhaps a sad anecdote to a storied life. Whichever it is, I think part of bearing the beams of love is to find life in both new and existing relationships, and to reach back to thank those who made you feel special, even if for a moment. On this Valentine’s Day, I implore you to look at your own life with honest and gentle eyes. If you are able to do that, you will find that deep within you is a person seeking for connectedness, healing, creation, and joy. I think that is your true identity, and what you exist for. Our reality is one where each has his or her own unique experience of desiring love. Beyond that, there’s something universal about desiring love; it connects you with all other human beings and with all of creation. Valentine is about bearing the beams of love, and you all have a lot of that within you. Let your story be one of making someone feel very special. Manny. You can read the entire poem by William Blake here.

This is the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. The Collect of the Day: Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Readings for this Sunday are: Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13] Psalm 138 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 The sermon text for last Sunday is available here.

Upon reading the Acts of the Apostles for our Wednesday Bible Study, lots of questions popped out of nowhere. "Have you ever felt like being in a basket?" "Ever felt like you were a rope?" "Have you ever looked through an opened window and pondered on the many different possibilities that may be available to you?" "Do you remember when you felt being in danger?" I wonder. It must have been a scary night for the great evangelist of the early Church. How can he get out of the city gates being closely and wildly watched by people who felt threatened by the redeeming message of Jesus the Christ? He is helpless. How does he make his way out of Damascus? As I read the story again, I knew I wouldn’t know what to do with myself being in Paul’s shoes, nor do I think anyone of us would want to be within a city, any area or any point in our lives where we cannot freely walk any where in safety. This story is about Paul, the recent convert but a different convert. He exuded enthusiasm, passion, and vigor. But is also noted to be arguing about his conversion both to skeptical apostles and other converts to the faith. This same Damascus where Paul finds himself in danger for preaching the gospel that Jesus is the Messiah, was the very destination where he was traveling to arrest Christians when he encountered the Lord. Such irony!! Well, you must accept that life is full of irony, and for that reason you must entertain some sense of humor - just so you wouldn’t drive yourself crazy, nor take yourself all too seriously. Paul’s preaching in Damascus was so incendiary to the Jews that they decided to kill him. And so they laid in wait for him at the city gates. After all, that was the only way by which he could leave the city. That was the situation - a life and death situation - in which Paul found himself. Recognizing the awaiting danger at the city gates, Paul’s friends knew they had to find another way of getting Paul safely out of the city. His friends hatched a plan, in the middle of the night, when most people were asleep, they opened a window and with ropes tied to a basket, and lowered Paul in that basket outside the city walls into safety, into life. I am sure the Jews, who were keeping watch at the city gates, wondered what was going on with Paul. "Is he coming out or not? How long is he going to hide?" they wondered. For them, if Paul was to leave Damascus, he only had one choice, and that was to use the city gates. But our reality is one that when you serve the living God, you don’t have only one choice. Like Paul’s friends who opened the window, when you also gather the courage to open a window and look out, what you should see isn’t a world or a life covered in darkness, anxiety, retribution, and fear (although it often is), rather you should see a sea of opportunities for mission and for life, even in the midst of that darkness and fear. If only we could see the basket as the support system which holds and offers us the protection, safety, and the means by which we can be dropped below the walls of the city gates. If only we could see ourselves as the rope that holds the basket to the ground below the city walls. If only we could see ourselves as the friends of Paul who hatched the plan, and held the rope that held the basket, and slowly lowered Paul. If only we could see ourselves as Paul, to trust our friends to help us into safety. Opening any window expands your horizon and vision. And guess what? You may either be a rope, a basket, a friend or Paul. All you need to remember is that the basket holds you, and the rope holds the basket which holds you. Your friends and loved ones lower you in the basket to safety - to the many places where you can find the life that abounds. Like Paul, your life has been spared because others found it necessary to lower you in a basket to safety. Now, go and tell the story of redemption and life. Go and tell the story of how you were lowered in a basket to safety by those who are enamored by the gift of you. Manny.

This is the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. The Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Readings for this Sunday are: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 This Sunday's sermon was given by our own Senior Warden, Steve Alpern. You can read the text here.

On Sunday, most Americans will gather with family and friends, and watch the Super Bowl. It should be an interesting football match between the Rams and the Patriots, and I am looking forward to Sunday. I remember being in Ghana last year for a dear cousin’s memorial on Super Bowl Sunday. I said to myself that I was simply too far away to be worried about Super Bowl. But as I sat at home reflecting on all that I was missing, fun, food, company, and entertainment, I decided to look for a place to watch the game. I remember saying to myself, "I am, after all, an American, and there’s nothing so American than football." I drove off with a friend to an expatriate pub. Thankfully, they were showing the match and, much to my surprise, there were patrons wearing both Eagles and Patriots shirts. It was simply electric. My friend, who lives in London and didn’t understand American football, didn’t quite get what all the hoopla was about. Well, I made an effort to explain to him what the sport was about - offense, defense, quarterback, touchdown, field goal... you name it. He still didn’t understand it, but was glad we could come out and have a great time with other Americans on Super Bowl Sunday. Well as many of you may already know, Sunday game isn’t without controversy. In both the AFC Championship game between Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, and in the NFC Championship game between the Saints and the Rams, the referees didn’t make critical calls, and made some other calls that shifted the momentum of the game, leading to the Rams and Patriots both winning their respective matches. Both the Saints and Chiefs coaches complained about this, and in the case of the Saints' game there was a suggestion that the NFL Commissioner could invoke a particular rule which could possibly lead to a replay... but guess what? The games were over. Truth is, on the field of play, referees, like all of us, make all kinds of calls - some are accurate, and others are not so accurate. However, whether accurate or not, I think the ingenuity about refereeing is to affirm the notion that nothing human is, and can ever be, without errors or mistakes, because referees, like all of us, often make wrong calls. For me, it is more than the beauty of being human; it is the essence of our redemption story. Because of no calls - or bad calls - from two different referees on the same day at two different places, we now have to watch the Rams and Patriots do battle as opposed to the Chiefs and Saints. The reality is, in whichever way you look at our lives, someone ultimately benefits from another person’s call - whether accurate or not. I have never been a referee in a football game or any other sport, and thus it would be counterproductive on my part to speculate, but I am certain that referees at such pivotal games come under enormous pressure to get it right, because there’s really no do-over at the conclusion of a game. That being said, I would add that, like you, I am a different kind of referee - but also one who makes no calls, and calls both accurate and inaccurate. But my deepest consolation has always been my unyielding belief in the fact that with God, there’s always a do-over if I do not make the right call... although it is my prayer to always make the right call. I don’t know which of the two teams - Patriots or Rams - you will be supporting this Sunday. But I hope you will have a wonderful time with family and friends. I will be rooting for the Rams, and I hope it is the right call. Manny.

This is the Third Sunday after the Epiphany. The Collect of the Day: Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Readings for this Sunday are: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-101 Psalm 19 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Father Manny's Sermon for today, "God's Divine Future", is available below for streaming or downloading.

This is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany. Stay warm and safe during this wet winter weekend! Collect of the Day: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Readings for this Sunday are: Isaiah 62:1-51 Psalm 36:5-10 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 Father Manny's Sermon for this Sunday is below. Feel free to stream or download.

A few days ago, we opened the office door to a visitor. The visitor, who isn’t a parishioner, walked up the stairs and when we both set eyes on the other, I did sense some distress. Looking at me with tears in their eyes, they simply said, “I need someone to pray with. I need somewhere to pray.” I said, "Sure. I will pray with you and offer you a place to pray." We walked to Old Brick. For whatever reason, there was no answer to my inquiries as to what was going on or how I may be of help. All this visitor wanted to do was to pray. The moment we walked into Old Brick, the visitor knelt down on one of the kneelers, and in uncontrollable tears offered their prayer. After a time of praying together, I excused myself and offered space for a more private prayer. You could tell there was a lot on their mind, that there was so much to deal with, so much going on. There was so much to tell God, to pour out. Someone, at least, had to be the receptacle for all that the prayer gave voice to. In the midst of all the prayer, I was reminded of the comforting words of the Psalmist - “In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” With these words, the Psalmist doesn’t dismiss the turmoil of betrayal, doubt, helplessness and hopeless that we may sometimes experience in our lives, rather that when we ever do reach that point, when we get to the point of giving up on ourselves and on God, we should always remember that we have a God who does hear our supplication and is very much in touch with our anguish. God is that loyal companion who never leaves us, even when events in our lives simply don’t make sense or add up. I like to think of God as the loyal companion, and that thought reminds me of Tahereh Mafi’s words about the moon: “It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” With these beautiful words, Mafi speaks about the moon in a way that reflects both the loyalty of God as being present, as well as the constantly ever-changing circumstances of our lives. For us, each new day brings with it something new, something different, or some challenging task. In many instances, we have to respond to one thing or another.There’s never a dull moment. In all these different and varying circumstances our imperfections are not only self-evident, but it is through these imperfections that we unleash pain, disappointment, betrayal, suffering, and hurt to others. We create the anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness that others feel and live with. God doesn’t create those conditions for us, or for anyone. But God is there to fix it. Like the moon which never leaves but knows our light and dark moments, God is there to wipe away our tears and to assure us of his abiding presence, even when we feel He’s nowhere to be found in the midst of our crises. What brought me great joy about the visitor was their willingness to believe that the house of God will be open to welcome anyone who desires to be in the presence of God. I would like to end with the words of the song Someone to Care: When the world seems cold and your friends seem few There is someone who cares for you When you've tears in your eyes your heart bleeds inside There is someone who cares for you. Someone to care, someone to share All your troubles like no other can do He'll come down from the skies And brush the tears from your eyes You're His child and He cares for you. You are always welcome to drop by for a prayer in Old Brick. There’s nothing like a heartfelt prayer in the house of a loyal companion. Manny.

I am always fascinated by the story of Joseph and his brothers. It is like looking at an old beautiful picture once again. I feel the tension within the story whenever I read it, but I can also feel the sense of disgust the brothers had for the Dreamer - Joseph. He dreamt a lot, and in one of his dreams Joseph narrates an episode where he and his brothers were out in the field binding sheaves of grain. Suddenly, his sheave rose and stood upright while the other eleven sheaves bowed down to it. The sharp reaction was to question the meaning of the dream, and whether Joseph will reign over them. This, and others, generated strong hatred among his brothers who felt so threatened that they actually acted on their fear and sold into slavery thinking that taking care of the Dreamer in that manner will guarantee the death of the Dreamer's dream. They were wrong! It is in that same vein that I interpret the life and legacy of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King - the Dreamer, if you will. Reverend King also had lots of dreams and, like Joseph, he dreamt big. And his dreams were big although they weren't about power; they were, instead, about healing, restoration, and reconciliation. He dreamt about a social harmony based upon mutual respect, and a genuine affection for what we all hold to be true and good for us...our children and the community at large - the inherent dignity of all people. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King is one of the historically motivating people of our time. His story is well captured by those who lived through and witnessed the Civil Rights struggle he waged in the South, as well as across the nation. I am exceptionally thankful for his towering strength, perseverance, vivaciousness, oratory, humility, and deep gentle spirit. His commitment to a nonviolent pursuit of justice finds great comfort in me because a great many people with as much following as he had could have instead resorted to violence. His accurate reading of history showed that the oppressor doesn’t offer freedom willingly, and he understood that employing violence to pursue legitimate goals only creates more violence. That was a tack he wouldn’t take, an act for which I greatly admire him. As we approach the annual celebration of this Civil Rights icon, let us not lose sight of the dream that he cherished so much - that his four, Black children could simply be able to PLAY with White boys and girls - that wasn’t, to him, too much to ask, but was a big dream to have. Unfortunately, like Joseph, those who did not believe in his overarching dream of a society devoid of racial segregation thought that taking care of the Dreamer would effectively kill his dream. Like Joseph’s brothers, they were wrong; his dream lives on, even in death. My beautiful children remind me of the life of the dream. All of the wonderful children of our parish remind me of the dream. In fact, the very fabric of our parish family affirm that very dream. You only have to stand at our lectern on Sunday morning to read, stand on the platform in our sanctuary, or just cast wide your eyes as you return to your seat after receiving communion to behold the beauty of our diversity, and the glory and joy of celebrating all of God’s creation in one place, in this one church building, in this piece of God’s kingdom. As we celebrate the Dreamer’s life, I’d also like to bring to your attention all those who, for one reason or another, may not share the life of the dream with us. Although they are free, they are not really free because of the daunting circumstances of poverty, violence, income inequality, crime, and other ills too many to list here. They and their children not only desire to enjoy the blessings of the dream, they simply want to dream, too. "How can we help make that happen for them?" I ask myself daily. What would have happened if Martin Luther King had not dreamt? What would have happened if his prophetic language had not resonated with both the powerful and the powerless? What would have happened if he had not touched the conscience of so many well-meaning people of all colors? I do not know the absolute answers to these questions. But one thing I know, and can do, is celebrate the life of the Dreamer who lives with a quote from an old Negro Spiritual: “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty we are free at last”. Yes, free at last to dream big - to behold the glory and majesty of God in each other. Manny.

Today is the First Sunday after the Epiphany. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Readings for this Sunday are: Isaiah 62:1-51 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 Psalm 36:5-10 This Sunday, we had to close the parish and cancel services, due to the inclement winter weather.