Tag Archives: Christianity

Prepare to feast.

Posted on April 14, 2024 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was preached on the Third Sunday of Easter at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, FL. For more information on St. Mary’s click here. Acts 3:12-191 John 3:1-7Luke 24: 36b-48Psalm 4 In the name of God,Father, Son and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, community, Episcopal church, faith, holy, hunger, sabbath, street ministry, Uncategorized, urban ministry | Tagged 3rd Easter, Christianity, community, easter, Faith, feast, grace, holy ground, jesus, sermons, spirituality, urban ministry | 1 Comment

Waiting open-endedly.

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was preached on the Third Sunday of Advent, Dec 17, 2023, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, FL, by the Rev. Canon Beth Tjoflat. Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8,19-28 Psalm 126 May I speak in … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Advent, Christianity, community, faith, Grace, holy, hunger, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Advent, Advent 3, bible, Christianity, grace, Holy Spirit, jesus, mercy | Leave a comment

Getting on board.

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Isaiah 40:1-112 Peter 3:8-15aMark 1:1-8Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 This sermon was preached on the Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 10, 2023, by the Rev. Canon Beth Tjoflat at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, FL. May I speak in the name of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Baptism, compassion, faith, Grace, holy, love | Tagged Christianity, holy ground, hope, mercy, Polar Express | 2 Comments

“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

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

Coming together.

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando (and every other recent and incomprehensible tragedy), it is hard to feel anything other than profound sadness. I want to make room for this overwhelming sense of grief and yet I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, faith, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, compassion, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Lasting impressions.

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This week I was blessed to spend time with folks from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. In spite of our differences, we share a common desire to live in the life-giving flow of the One who … Continue reading →

Posted in community, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, ACPE, Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, hope, radical hospitality, Relationship, spiritual growth, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Young dreams.

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This beautiful picture was created by the son of a friend and former colleague. His inspired interpretation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech captures the best of humanity and speaks to the best in each … Continue reading →

Posted in Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, radical hospitality, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Made holy.

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

At Church Without Walls, we often end the service with a blessing attributed to St. Clare. It includes the words: “Your Creator loves you, made you holy…” What does it mean to be loved, to be made holy? And how … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, renewal, simple prayer, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, street ministry, vulnerability | 3 Comments

A Third Way.

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

My tendency is often to sort things out, deciding what fits where, as I attempt to order my own life and seek to make sense of the world around me. I know I am not alone in this endeavor. I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment