Dean’s Letter: Homecoming 2025

Hello St. Paul’s, Welcome Home! The children are back at school, the calendar is flying headlong towards Christmas, and even for those of us who left academic calendars behind long ago, September brings a sense of new beginnings. This weekend we will celebrate Homecoming at St. Paul’s, with a special procession and commissioning of lay … READ MORE…

Sunday’s Sermon, August 31, 2025: The Worth of Us

Penelope Bridges All our Scripture readings today have something to say about what has worth and what doesn’t. The prophet Jeremiah is appalled at the way his people have thrown away their close relationship with God, for the sake of pursuing idols that are no better than a cracked water vessel. They have changed their … READ MORE…

Sunday’s Sermon, August 17, 2025: The Vineyard

Penelope Bridges “Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard.” After hearing some disturbing words from Jesus in the Gospel, it might feel like a relief to return for a moment to Isaiah’s beautiful vineyard poem. The Hebrew prophets often used metaphors and parables to duck under the mental defences of their … READ MORE…

Sunday’s Sermon, August 24, 2025: Unbound to the World

Rev. Cn. Richard Hogue Jr. Today’s gospel reading inspires a great deal of thought for me. At first glance, it can seem that Jesus is simply dismissing the laws of God’s covenant, though nothing could be further from the truth. It helps me remain hopeful in these times, and it leaves me with some lingering … READ MORE…

Still Time to Support Oak Flat

From St. Paul’s Sacred Ground in Action Ministry (SGIA): After so many cultural (among myriad other) assaults, t’s hard to imagine that even more harm can be done to Indigenous lands and communities. With the crafty confiscation of land for the purpose of copper extraction and subsequent destruction of sacred land, the Rio Tinto and … READ MORE…

Standing With Our Neighbors

Simpler Living & Sacred Ground in Action (SGIA) Once again our National City neighbors and the Environmental Health Coalition find it necessary to prevent yet another proposed fuel transfer station adjacent to their residential neighborhood. West National City experiences more cancer and cardiopulmonary-causing diesel pollution than 90% of other California communities. Not only would the … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Saint Mary the Virgin

The Collect for the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who  lives and reigns … READ MORE…

Sunday’s Sermon, August 3, 2025: The Faithful God

Penelope Bridges Last month I attended a weeklong chamber music camp. I played my viola in small groups for 7-8 hours a day, bringing to life masterpieces of the classical and romantic eras. Chamber music usually requires that each part is played by one musician. You cannot rely on anyone else to fill in your … READ MORE…