The Rector's Corner

Thank you for visiting St. Peter's website. I hope if you are in the area, you will stop by and meet us in person. If you are here on a Sunday, join us for worship. Our services are open to every one, you don't have to be an Episcopalian. Please come as you are, there is no black tie rule or specific dress code. I hope if you visit, you will come away agreeing with us that each person is a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God and each person is of incalculable value!

I feel that as members of St. Peter's, we feel there is plenty of room in Christianity for a wide variety of opinions and beliefs. I think we are unabashedly Christian, yet we walk along side other world faiths, believing each tradition deserves profound respect. Here in the parish we have influences of American Indian spirituality as well as people who believe in the depth of silent prayer. We mainly use the Book of Common Prayer, yet on Wednesday mornings we have a service that uses Taise-Iona prayer forms. We seek to make no distinction between genders, sexual orientations, economic levels, races, or any other divisions which humans create to separate people from one another. In short, as we say in our baptismal vows, with God's help we seek to "respect the dignity of every human being."

I think God plays an essential role in all of life, whether human beings recognize God at work or not. God's love for us is a free gift and the Spirit of God gives us a means to go beyond ourselves and see things from a wider perspective. I also think we are all interconnected and part of a much larger mysterious mosaic, not of our own making, but certainly influenced by the decisions we make. In my mind, a life of faith connects us on the journey, as we each encounter the wonders, hardships, joys and sorrows of life.

I have found Christianity to be a mystery that must be experienced and embraced. How can doubt be a bad thing? Doubt is natural thing, simply part of being human. Doubt leads to asking honest questions, which is a springboard for learning and growing into being more human.

I am happy to say that there is one more factor that is a blessing at St. Peter's, a sense of joy and the appreciation of humor. We laugh easily and with gusto!

I hope you will join us in a conversation of faith! Feel free to email at rector@stpetersrockland.org
 

God bless!

Glenn Mahaffey