Gerbracht-Stagnaro Accepts Call to Serve at Grace Episcopal, Manchester, NH

January 31, 2011

Dear Members of the St. Patrick’s Community,

It is with a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and excitement about what lies ahead for her that we announce that the Rev. Dr. Marjorie Ann Gerbracht-Stagnaro, Associate Rector and Day School Chaplain, has accepted a call to serve as priest-in-charge of Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester, New Hampshire, beginning July 10, 2011.

We are fortunate that Marjorie will continue to serve at St. Patrick’s through the middle of June, teaching her classes, ministering to this community, and bringing to a joyous close her thirteenth year as such a cherished part of St. Patrick’s. While we will deeply miss Marjorie, she is understandably excited about the opportunities and challenges awaiting her in her new call. Knowing full well the gifts that she has to share with Grace Episcopal Church, we join Marjorie in that enthusiasm.

"Being an Icon for God" - Henry McQueen, January 30, 2011

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Matthew 5:1-12

View from Mt. of Beatitudes

There is a proposal within the Episcopal church to increase the recognition of the number of Saints.  The new book “Holy Women, Holy Men; Celebrating the Saints” includes 340 people.  I have recently begun to read about each person on their specified day of recognition.  This has become part of my personal daily spiritual practices and at least for a theological geek like me it makes for great reading.

Yesterday, Saturday the 29th was set aside to remember Andrei Rublev.  That is not a name that most people know.  However, Andrei Rublev is recognized as Russia’s greatest creator of icons.  He lived during the 1300 and 1400s.  He is not likely to show up as a “Jeopardy” answer, yet his impact spans centuries.

This Week at St. Patrick's January 26, 2011

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"Can you hear me now?" - The Rev. Dr. Kurt Gerhard, January 23, 2011

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Matthew 4.12-23, Isaiah 9.1-4

The people who walked in darkness

The village where Jesus met the fishermen.

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness--

on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9.2)

Modern technology is amazing. You can receive a cell signal nearly everywhere. Some have even given up their regular wired phone lines, relying on cell phones alone. But I did say nearly. With nearly universal cell service in most American cities, my former home in Austin was inconsistent, at best.

This Week at St. Patrick's January 19, 2011

We have some great events coming up at St. Pat's, so click here to read all about it.

This Week at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, January 12, 2011

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"Baptism" - The Rev. Dr. Kurt Gerhard, January 9, 2011

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Matthew 3.13-17

Icon from Greek Orthodox Church
at Baptismal Site, Jordan

On this first Sunday after the Epiphany, every year, the Church remembers the baptism of Jesus. Baptism is one of the few things that binds Christians together and it is a pivotal event of the gospel story At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs his disciples to do just a few things. The first of those things is to go forth and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the years immediately following Jesus’ resurrection in the communities described in the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s letters,

This Week at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, January 5, 2011

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