Yes it did.

And when the church is born again and renewed in the Spirit, it will be through lay people.

I’ll take it for one plenary…

Proud to be part of the #BSDistrict.

…then we can find salvation in a remembered love, a love that is not simply a wistful recollection of a bygone past, but a living force that sustain us in the present. Through memory, love transcend the limits of time and offers hope at any moment of our lives.”

Henri Nouwen

Yes. You.

May the road rise to meet you…

As you raise your glasses to celebrate the little Irish that may or may not make up part of your DNA, consider also the greatness of God, the impact God’s great love had on the life of Patrick, and that perhaps all of that very same love is given in precisely the same measure to you.

3. Finally, and most importantly, remember that Patrick of Ireland was first and foremost a child of God who experienced a powerful and life shaping call to join in on God’s mission.

She did so without judgement of her work colleague, and the colleague was glad to be informed and indicated she would not order one again in the future.)

(I sometimes think this post is redundant each year, but just a little while ago my daughter texted to say that a work colleague mentioned taking her for an “Irish Car Bomb” drink when she is old enough. My daughter spoke up straight away and told her why the drink name is thoroughly inappropriate.

Selling a drink called an “Irish Car Bomb” is akin to a bar in Ireland selling drinks named in reference to the 9/11 attacks and it’s victims - it’s obscene and ought to be offensive to any decent minded individual.

You can make a difference by refusing to order this abhorrently named drink.

2. For those who will find their way to bars tonight or tomorrow, the “Irish Car Bomb” is not an acceptable drink name in any sense. Actual car bombs were used as tools of terror during the Northern Irish Troubles - people lost their lives and whole communities were traumatized when they exploded.

Rev. Gulama gave us a lesson in preaching today. She was outstanding!

Also…note that myself and my clergy brothers are out-numbered by my female clergy sisters. As always, I am proud to work in partnerships that affirm the ministries and callings of my female colleagues, and I am thankful for the gifts and graces they each bring to our community through their work.

It was good to be together because we’re stronger together. Always.