Category Archives: Diocese of Florida

Mary.

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following is a sermon preached by seminarian Catherine Montgomery, postulant for holy orders, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church,Jacksonville, FL, on Sunday morning, Dec. 24, 2023. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we have one more opportunity to soak in … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy, love | Tagged Advent, Advent IV, Christmas, sermons | Leave a comment

“It is finished.”

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“It is finished.”Jesus speaks these words.Bows his head.Gives up his spirit. It is finished. Those words must have been confusing to hear.Terrifying for his few followers,close enough to hear, or for thosewho soon would learn of this tragic outcome. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Good Friday, Grace, holy, love, reconciliation, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, community, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy | Leave a comment

A gentle giant.

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Dear One. This dear saint –The Rt. Rev. Charles Lovett Keyser — served as the fourth Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and, upon retirement, served generously in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy, Interfaith, love, reconciliation | Tagged 12-step spirituality, community, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy | 1 Comment

There is only now.

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was offered on Sunday, May 30, 2021 — Trinity SundaySt. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, FL Isaiah 6:1-8Romans 8:12-17John 3:1-17Psalm 29 In the name of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. “There is almost no such thing as … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy, love, reconciliation, Recovery, unity, urban ministry | Tagged Trinity Sunday | 1 Comment

The gate.

Posted on May 2, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In this week’s Gospel reading (John 10:1-10), we encounter Jesus, the good shepherd. And yet in this passage he does not refer to himself explicitly as the good shepherd. Instead he tells his followers, I am the gate. I am the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, hunger, Interfaith, love, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, food pantry, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd, John 10:1-10, The Episcopal Church, Wendell Berry | 1 Comment

Wailing wall.

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

A decade ago I was blessed to visit the Holy Land. One of the most moving experiences for me was visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem, an exposed section of a retaining wall built by Herod. Jews and other pilgrims … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy, hunger, love, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged community, gratitude, pandemic, prayer, social justice, welcome | Leave a comment

“We’re starving.”

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

These words yesterday, coming from one of our “church without walls” congregants, chilled me to the bone. At great inconvenience and physical hardship for herself, she made her way from a camp site to our food pantry, located about one … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Grace, holy, hunger, Interfaith, love, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged community, Covid-19, Good Friday, I thirst., social justice, The Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Diocese of Forida | 1 Comment

Compassion crucifies fear.

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

God makes that possible. We begin our Palm Sunday, singing Hosanna, as Jesus rides into Jerusalem, bringing hope as a compassionate king, a merciful gracious leader who cares for all people, even and especially those who find themselves on the … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Grace, hunger, love, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged compassion, food assistance, Palm Sunday | 2 Comments

Come from the four winds, O breath.

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning the prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God is with us, that we can call on the One who created everything that is, even when it may seem, at moments at least, that we are left alone to face … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Interfaith, love, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Leave a comment

Rough edges and grace.

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Today was a glorious day at Church Without Walls. The sun shone brightly, warming us up just enough after a chilly night. We had blankets and other items to share thanks to the generosity of our national church. Dear friends … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, love, reconciliation, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church without walls, compassion, grace, grief, healing, homelessness, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments