Sermons

Jesus said: “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant”

Rev. Amy Welin (21 Pentecost/Proper 24): Whom will you serve? We live in a world that values independence and accomplishment. Many of us find the concept of being a servant unpalatable. We like to think that we do not serve anyone. And yet, we do. Many have been observing the actions of Pope Francis this year. He embraces simplicity. He declined to live in the papal palace, choosing to live in a modest apartment. He rides in Fiats and not limousines. I imagine that he is a nightmare for his security team, as he tends to mingle with ordinary people, as well as to advocate for them. He goes to lunch with the homeless and visits tenements. His image is all about living as a servant of God and humanity. Do you have an image to maintain? Many of us do. How do you feel about cultivating the image of servant? Read More Read more • Leer más → “Jesus said: “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant””
Sermónes

¿Estaría usted dispuesto a cortar la parte de ti que te lleva al pecado?

La Rev. Amy Welin (18 Pentecostés): ¿Estaría usted dispuesto a cortar la parte de ti que te lleva al pecado? Mientras que puede ser interesante para reflexionar sobre lo que cada uno de nosotros podría necesitar amputar, la mayoría de nosotros encontramos la enseñanza de esta lección del Evangelio un poco duro. Hace tres años, mi esposo inició el sermón de los niños en su parroquia. Esta fue la lectura del evangelio. Reflexionó predicación "los niños, no hagas esto en casa" para el sermón. Y entonces él decidió predicar sobre la Epístola, que es acerca de la bendición de las segundas oportunidades. Read more • Leer más → “¿Estaría usted dispuesto a cortar la parte de ti que te lleva al pecado?”
Sermons

Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth

Rev. Amy Welin (18 Pentecost/Proper 21):Would you be willing to cut off the part of you that leads you to sin? While it may be interesting to ponder what each of us might need to amputate, most of us find the teaching of this gospel lesson a bit harsh. Three years ago, my husband initiated a children’s sermon in his parish. This was the gospel text. He pondered preaching a “kids, don’t do this at home” sort of sermon. And then he decided to preach on the Epistle, which is about the blessing of second chances. Read More Read more • Leer más → “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth”
Sermons

Honoring the Graduates of St. Margaret’s School

Rev. Amy Welin (17 Pentecost/Proper 20): Who is wise and understanding? This morning we celebrate the legacy of St Margaret’s School of Waterbury, honoring its heritage and its graduates! For nearly a century, St Margaret’s was supported by St John’s and some of our members of longer tenure may remember that the students participated in worship on Sunday mornings, sitting up in the loft with the girls from Westover School (founded by former leaders of St Margaret’s). It is difficult for us to think about the education of young women as revolutionary. It was. It is. Read More Read more • Leer más → “Honoring the Graduates of St. Margaret’s School”
Sermónes

Usted es parte del cambio que necesitamos en San Juan. Usted es parte de la misión de Dios en Waterbury.

La Rev. Amy Welin (9 Pentecostés): ¿Qué es lo que queremos y esperamos de nuestros líderes? Podemos hacer esta pregunta acerca de nuestras naciones, nuestros militares, nuestras iglesias. ¿Vemos la nobleza de un verdadero liderazgo cuando alguien habla desde una distancia segura y cómoda de lo que podían hacer? Cuando se flexionan los músculos de sus labios? ¿O nos vemos la nobleza de liderazgo cuando una persona ofrece su vida y su servicio para el bien de los demás? La escritura ofrece una idea pertinente acerca de la naturaleza del liderazgo hoy. Lea más Read more • Leer más → “Usted es parte del cambio que necesitamos en San Juan. Usted es parte de la misión de Dios en Waterbury.”
Sermons

You are part of the change we need at St John’s. You are part of God’s mission in Waterbury.

Rev. Amy Welin (9 Pentecost/Proper 12):What do we want and expect from our leaders? We can ask this about our nations, our military, our churches. Do we see the nobility of true leadership when someone talks from a safe and comfortable distance about what they could do? When they flex their lip muscles? Or do we see the nobility of leadership when a person offers their life and their service for the sake of others? The scripture offers some pertinent insight about the nature of leadership today. Read More Read more • Leer más → “You are part of the change we need at St John’s. You are part of God’s mission in Waterbury.”