This Sunday is Palm Sunday, a day of mixed emotions, and quite frankly mixed messages. The service starts with a parade, the waving of palms, and a joyful march into the church. Then, as we enter into the church, there is a transition that takes place from a joyous parade into a funeral procession. We the people of God, who shout "Hosanna!" transform from laughter and happiness into an angry mob that shouts "crucify him!" as we play our part in the Passion of Christ.

There is a rhythm to church life that comes out this time of year. My parents are both Episcopalian, so this rhythm is something I, like some of you, have known all my life. Church on Sunday, Sunday school, and Wednesday night church soup/church suppers, become part of a routine of faith, family, and friendship. I am grateful for this routine.

I hope and pray that you are well. I am writing this from a hotel coffee shop in Houston. Our church has once again gathered with churches from across the country for the annual Episcopal Parish Network Conference, or EPN. EPN is a unique conference in that a huge piece of it focuses on money—how to raise it, how to spend it, how to talk about it, and how to ask for it.

Not many people have a 5-story tall monument that reminds them of their fears. I do. It's a cell phone tower. It stands in the back of Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo, IA. In my heart it stands as a testament to my inexperience as a priest, the grip of corporate anxiety, and a reminder of the short-sighted thinking that often goes along with a fear of money.

Lent is in full swing. Traditionally, Lent is a time in which we both give things up and take things on. In terms of giving up, the church asks for us to fast from things that pull us away from our relationships with God and neighbor. In terms of taking things on, the church invites us to take on practices that draw us into a better relationship with God and neighbor. Give up that which pushes us away, take on that which draws us near.

I usually write my e-messengers from home on Thursday mornings. Denise has gone to work, and the kids have gone to school. I have a cup of hot coffee beside me. As I look around at the remains of the breakfast that needs to be tidied, the bike on the trainer for Noah to ride after school, and Lydia's various track and field accessories, I find myself feeling overwhelmingly grateful. I also find myself thinking and reflecting on the things in my life that all too often distract me from what I know to be important.

Happy Muses Thursday! Muses is a women's only Mardi Gras krewe. Their parade is known for political satire, beautiful designs, and great marching bands. They are also known for the decorated shoes they hand out as special throws. I was thinking about today's parades, about some friends who are currently getting ready to participate, and about the beads and shoes that will be thrown.

I am pleased to say that this Sunday at all three services we will have a guest preacher. Our seminarian Jeremy Mount, recently ordained in the Episcopal Church, will get to proclaim the message on his heart. Fun fact, while Jeremy is currently a chaplain stationed at Fort Jackson, he once started a church inside of the Flora Bama, one of my favorite bars in the whole world...

Our next few weeks as a church are full ones!

We will retreat together to the mountains at Kanuga, baptize new members into the family of faith, celebrate a wonderfully fun Mardi Gras Potluck on Shrove Tuesday, and then after all that enter into the season of Lent. It will be a time of busyness and fun, highs and lows. In many ways, the life of the church very much resembles the life of a family.

Not all ministries look the same. Not all definitions of ministry fit into a box. Recently someone asked me about pastoral care and the church. "Well," I responded, "Pastoral care can look like many different things."

In the Episcopal Church, we believe that through Baptism we all take our place in the "priesthood of all believers," and that through our baptism we each are called to live as ministers of the Gospel. In fact, during our baptism, we make promises to participate in the teaching, fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers of the church.

After Tuesday's storms, I hope and pray that you all are well! I also want you to know that your church community is here for you if you need us. If you have storm damage or downed trees and aren't sure what to do, email me. With the long weekend, I am sure we can get some folks to help.

This Sunday we begin to follow Jesus's journey away from the river Jordan as he starts his ministry. In this week's Gospel, Jesus calls out to the disciples, "Follow me." and the crazy thing that happens is that they do!

Just two more days and then my Christmas tree can come down. In truth, I can not bring myself to take down the tree until the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate the coming of the wise men to visit the newborn Jesus.

I know my house looks silly as the neighbor's decorations come down and mine remain, but I just can't do it. I really love the idea of the 12 days of Christmas. To me, the 12 days of Christmas are more than a song. They represent a period of time in which we can choose to celebrate the Christ Child, to pray for peace, to look for hope, and to celebrate grace.

I hope and pray that you are well and that your Christmas celebrations continue for days to come. I am a firm believer in the 12 days of Christmas; some celebrations simply deserve a little extra time.
I also want to thank the many folks who helped make this Advent and Christmas season a special success. Thank you to our choir, lay Eucharistic visitors, flower guild, readers, acolytes, altar guild, office volunteers, ushers, our deacon Dianna, and everyone else who helped to make our worship beautiful. You have each helped make this season one to remember. Thank you.

In the story of scripture, an angel of the Lord appeared and said "Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

For me, one of the most important parts of celebrating Christmas Eve is the fact that on this day all the worldwide Church gathers and gives thanks for the Christ Child. Not a child born into a life of privilege or wealth, but a child born and laid in the poverty of a manger. On Christmas Eve we gather in solidarity with a young mother, a desperate father, and a swaddled child lying in a bed of straw. In doing so we proclaim our hopes for a better tomorrow. For a moment on Christmas Eve, each year, the Church is one.

I had a great conversation with a newer visitor to the church today. We were both at our children's school, waiting for a traditional Christmas/end-of-the-semester program. "Do you feel ready for Christmas?" he asked. To which, I had to answer, "No." Advent is hard.

Personally, this is a time of year during which I wear many hats. At our finance committee meeting on Tuesday, I was the CEO of a not-for-profit organization. That means asking for year-end gifts, wrapping up stewardship, and beginning to budget for next year. As a parent, this is a time of final exams, school performances, report cards, finding the perfect gift, and trying to make the season special. As a minister, it is a time of worship planning and leadership, which this year has included an ordination. It's a lot. It sometimes feels like this is a season of juggling.

Holy wow! The season of Advent has ramped up. This time of year always seems to be so full of events and gatherings. It's fun, but I know in our family it can feel like a lot. I am sure many of you feel the same way.

I was reflecting on the busyness of the season this week. As I thought about it, I found myself looking forward in our calendar for times and spaces where Denise and I can find rest. One date immediately stood out to me: January 26-28th, St. Martin's Annual Kanuga Parish Retreat.

As Fall turns to Winter, a season has ended and another is upon us. This is true for the church as well, as we are entering the season of Advent. In our tradition, Advent is known as a time of preparation, when we prepare to welcome anew the Christ child into our lives.