We Walk on Holy Ground!

Dear Good People of Trinity,

I recently had the privilege of co-leading a pilgrimage through Ireland, Scotland, and Northern England with my dear friend and mentor, the Rev. Keith Marsh. From St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Glendalough to Ballintubber Abbey, Iona, Lindisfarne, Durham, and Whitby, we traveled across ancient landscapes and the sacred terrain of our souls.

Our wonderful guides brought to life the stories of those who walked these paths more than a thousand years before us—stories of courage and faithfulness, devastation and renewal. Through it all ran an enduring trust in the goodness of God. Patrick expressed that trust simply in his Confession: “It was in the strength of God that I went.”

Then came Heathrow.

The transition from the hallowed grounds of Whitby to the frenetic energy of an international airport was jarring. We had moved from a “thin place,” where God’s presence seemed almost tangible, into a crowded departure area filled with noise, hurry, and anxiety.

But our pilgrimage held one final sacred surprise.

During our three-hour wait, I began to recognize that Heathrow was holy ground, too. God was just as present there as on Iona or within the hallowed walls of Durham Cathedral. Around us were people carrying their own hopes, griefs, fears, and longings. Each had a story. Each was on a journey. Each was beloved of God.

There is something blessed in our wilderness, something sacred in our confusion, something holy in our longings.

John O’Donohue writes in For the Traveler, “A journey can become a sacred thing.” Later, he offers this blessing: “May you travel in an awakened way.” Those words capture something I hope to carry home: a greater willingness to notice the sacred in the ordinary.

Whether walking St. Cuthbert’s Way, going to work, shopping for groceries, or waiting in an airport - we walk on holy ground. The invitation is to open our eyes and hearts to the God who is already there.

Forward in faith, dear ones. Be good to one another as we continue the sacred journey of our everyday lives.

Peace and Blessings,
Paul+

Love One Another

Love One Another

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

Summer is most definitely upon us. We have celebrated graduations, end-of-year gatherings, and a church picnic with fried chicken, hot dogs, and all the fixin's.

Next Tuesday, I will be departing for Michigan to fulfill my duties at St. John's Church in Harbor Springs. Mother Kara and Father Steve will guide the ship here, caring for our flock and leading the team. As we embark on this season of transition, I encourage us all to be more intentional about caring for one another.

Our church is large, and while many gather on Sundays, there are others who are unable to for various reasons. Let us set our hearts, minds, and souls toward hospitality, care, and outreach. People sometimes hesitate to reach out, fearing they will burden us or that we are too busy. Yet this is precisely how we live out our calling as the Body of Christ—loving and caring for one another as if we were caring for Christ Himself.

During the coming months, I ask everyone to be intentional about supporting and loving those around us. Please help our Trinity clergy and staff remain aware of the needs within our parish. Pastoral ministry is a team effort, and you are an integral part of ensuring that all people are cared for.

I give you a new commandment: to love one another as I have loved you. By this, all will know that you are my disciples. (John 13:34–35)

Let us proceed into this summer with faith, hope, and love. You will be in my heart and prayers continually. Though I will be away in Michigan, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Peace and Blessings,
Paul

P.S. As you know, Angela DiJoseph and Greg Geehern will both be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on June 20. Greg's parish in Bordentown collected a purse to support him with essential items for ministry. We would like to do the same for Angela. If you are willing to contribute to Trinity Church in honor of her ordination, the funds will assist Angela as she begins this ministry—with items such as clerical shirts, prayer books, and other necessities. You can contribute by sending a check to the Finance Office with “ordination gift” in the memo line, or give online here. Thank you for your generosity.

A Time to Rest

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

As summer begins, I am reminded once again that life unfolds in seasons. Creation itself is built on rhythms: day and night, ebb and flow, inhaling and exhaling. The trees bud in spring, flourish in summer, shed their leaves in autumn, and rest through winter. Everywhere we look, God has woven a sacred rhythm into the fabric of creation.

Yet many of us live as though every season should be a season of striving. We move from task to task, obligation to obligation, rarely pausing long enough to notice that even God built rest into the pattern of life. Rest was not an afterthought. It was part of creation from the very beginning.

Summer offers us a gentle invitation to rediscover this rhythm. While our schedules may not completely stop, the season often brings a different pace. The days are longer, the evenings linger, and nature seems to encourage us to slow down and pay attention. Summer can be a time to exhale.

Jesus understood this rhythm. Again and again throughout the Gospels, he withdrew from the crowds, stepped away from the demands placed upon him, and sought quiet places for prayer and renewal. At one point, seeing the exhaustion of his disciples, he offered a simple invitation: "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).

The spiritual life is not just about doing more “God” things, but also about learning when to stop, become still, and trust. Summer invites us to embrace that holy balance. To spend time outdoors. To marinate in rich conversation. To watch a sunset. To sit quietly in prayer. To remember that God is present and lavishing us with grace in our time of rest and renewal.

As this season begins, may you find moments to breathe deeply, to slow your pace, and to rest in the assurance that you are beloved. May summer become a season of renewal for body, mind, and spirit—a time to exhale and simply be in the presence of God.

"Come away... and rest a while."

That may be one of the holiest invitations in all of Scripture.

Peace and Blessings,
Paul