All Saints Parish Homilies and News

A statement from the clergy Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach Florida By The Rev. James R. Harlan | June 2, 2020 | Posted in Maine Writer blog In 1889, four communicants gathered on the shores of Lake Worth, Florida to establish an Episcopal mission, which today is known as the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. Yesterday evening (June 1, 2020), police in Washington, DC used tear gas, flash grenades, and batons to clear peaceful protesters, including clergy, seminarians, medical personnel, and members of St. John’s Episcopal Church, out of Lafayette Square for the sole purpose of creating a political and partisan photo-op of Mr. Trump holding a Bible in front of our fellow Episcopal Church. The Bible he held has much to say about how we ought to live our common life. It teaches us to care for the stranger, to love God, and to love our neighbors. It teaches us to love even our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us. The problem is not that Trump stood outside a church wi

Prayer to prevent the evils of racism: Opening Prayer God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in your image , without exception. Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being. Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech which demean others. Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination, and their passionate appeals for change. Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices and to right the wrongs of history. And fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 130: 1-8   "My soul waits for the Lord" R. We cry to you, O Lord, from the depths of the earth. Out of the depths I call to you, LOR