Monthly

February gently ushers us into one of the most meaningful seasons of the Church year. With Ash Wednesday falling this month, we begin the holy season of Lent, a time set apart for prayer, reflection, and turning our hearts once again toward God. Lent is not about perfection or giving things up just to prove our willpower; it’s about making space. Space to listen more closely, love more deeply, and notice where God is already at work in our lives and in our community.

As we gather at St. Matthias during this season, we are invited to walk this Lenten journey together with honesty, prayer, and hope. From the ashes traced on our foreheads to the quiet practices that shape our days, Lent reminds us that God meets us exactly where we are and gently leads us toward renewal. May this season be one of grace, healing, and deeper connection as we prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.

January invites us into the season of Epiphany, a time when God’s light breaks into the world in unexpected ways. The Magi remind us that Christ is revealed not just to a select few, but to all who are willing to seek, journey, and pay attention. As we begin this new year, Epiphany asks us to look again for where God’s light is shining among us, sometimes in places we never imagined.

This month, we celebrate one of those bright moments as Bishop Read blesses our newly completed St. Matthias Parish Hall. What began as a vision and a leap of faith has become a sacred space for gathering, fellowship, outreach, and community. This blessing is more than a dedication of a building, it’s a thanksgiving for God’s provision and a prayer for the ministry that will unfold within its walls.

As we enter the sacred season of Advent, the people of St. Matthias are invited once again to slow down and make room in our hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is a time of holy expectation, a gentle rhythm of watching, waiting, and trusting that God is at work in ways we can’t always see. In the midst of December’s busy pace, this season calls us to pause, breathe, and listen for the quiet hope God is still planting among us.

As we enter the month of November, our hearts turn naturally toward gratitude. The season of Thanksgiving reminds us how richly God has blessed our parish through worship, fellowship, and the many ministries that touch lives within our community. Each Sunday, as we gather at the Lord’s Table, we’re reminded that every gift we have comes from God’s abundant grace, and that our response is to give thanks and share that grace with others.

This October, we give thanks for the many ways God continues to bless St. Matthias and guide our journey together. As a parish family, we have stepped forward in faith to begin our Capital Campaign for the renovation of our Parish Hall. This sacred space has long been a place of welcome, fellowship, and ministry, and now we have the opportunity to strengthen it for the generations to come. Our Parish Hall gives us an opportunity to pause, to look around, and to see the many ways God is at work in our lives, our church, and our community.

As we enter September, the Season of Creation invites us to pause and reflect on the beauty and wonder of God’s world. The Episcopal Church calls us to recognize that caring for creation is not just an environmental responsibility but a spiritual practice. Scripture reminds us that “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Psalm 24:1), and as stewards of God’s gifts, we are called to live in harmony with creation. Whether it’s through conserving resources, planting gardens, or simply spending time outdoors in prayer, we honor God when we cherish the world He has made.

As the heat of August settles over Devine, we at St. Matthias find ourselves filled with gratitude for the blessings of this summer season. Whether you're traveling, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a quieter pace, we hope you are finding moments of rest and renewal. Here at the church, ministry continues in faithful and vibrant ways: through worship, outreach, and preparation for the coming fall. Even in these slower days, the Spirit is moving among us, guiding us with grace and purpose.

As the summer sun reaches its peak, July brings with it not only warmth and light but also a renewed sense of gratitude for the ways God continues to move among us. We’ll celebrate Independence Day and are reminded that true freedom comes not only through the liberties of our nation, but through the grace of God. Whether we are traveling, gathering with loved ones, or simply enjoying the slower rhythm of the season, it’s a time to pause and recognize the blessings around us. Here at St. Matthias, we give thanks for the Spirit’s quiet yet steady presence, guiding our ministries and deepening our sense of community.

Pentecost is more than a celebration of the Church’s birthday. It’s a powerful reminder that the Holy Spirit continues to move among us, just as it did with the apostles in that upper room. At St. Matthias, we may not see tongues of fire or hear rushing winds, but the Spirit still breathes life into our worship, our ministries, and our vision for the future. As we prepare to reopen our newly renovated Parish Hall, Pentecost invites us to listen for God’s voice in fresh ways and to open ourselves to being transformed for the work God is calling us to do, both within our church family and in the wider community we serve.

The Easter season is more than a celebration of Christ’s resurrection—it’s a living invitation to transformation in our own lives. In these fifty days of joy, we’re reminded that resurrection isn’t just a past event but a present reality. As we witness new life in nature and in our communities, Easter calls us to live as people of hope, grounded in the promise that love is stronger than death. Whether we’re recovering from hardship, rebuilding relationships, or simply seeking renewed purpose, the Risen Christ walks with us, offering peace and possibility. In every act of compassion, forgiveness, and courage, Easter continues to unfold—right here, right now.

I was blessed to be discharged from the VA hospital in time to surprise everyone at our Easter Sunday worship service. As I mentioned in my sermon, I underwent a triple spinal fusion surgery after spending six weeks in a wheelchair, unable to stand or walk.

As I write this column, I’ve been in the Audie Murphy VA hospital since March 6th. Wednesday, March 5th, we had a nice Ash Wednesday service. My family attended the service and was very concerned about me, so at 5:30 the next morning I found myself being transported to an emergency room. Nick and Meg made it clear we weren’t leaving until I was admitted. The emergency room doctor agreed. On March 18th I had a spinal fusion. The surgery went very well, 3 spinal fusions with two rods. On March 24th, I stood and walked with a walker and assistance for the first time in two months. I’m currently in the VA Polytrauma Rehab wing, same floor, different part of the VA hospital. I’ll keep everyone posted on my expected return to Devine through texts and emails.

For us today, the season of Lent remains a sacred time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It invites us to examine our lives, turn away from sin, and draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. In a world filled with distractions and busyness, Lent offers a much-needed opportunity to slow down, engage in spiritual disciplines, and refocus on Christ’s call to love and serve others. Whether through Lenten studies, our St. Matthias communal worship, or personal devotions, we embrace this season as a journey of transformation, preparing our hearts to fully experience the joy of Easter and the hope of resurrection.

We’re excited about the upcoming Annual Council of the Diocese of West Texas, scheduled for February 20–22, as a pivotal gathering that brings together clergy, lay delegates, and leaders from across the diocese. Held each year, Council serves as a time for reflection, inspiration, and strategic decision-making as representatives discern the mission and ministry priorities of the diocese. This year’s event promises to be especially impactful, offering opportunities for worship, fellowship, and collaboration. Through workshops, ministry reports, and shared meals, delegates and attendees can learn from one another, celebrate successes, and explore innovative ways to carry out the work of Christ in their local communities.

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, embodied by the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. This moment signifies the expansive and inclusive nature of God’s love—a love not confined to one nation or people but extended to all humanity. Today, Epiphany reminds us of our calling as followers of Christ to reflect this universal love in our lives. Just as the Magi journeyed across great distances to seek the light of Christ, we too are invited to embark on spiritual journeys, seeking to encounter Christ in our everyday lives and in the lives of others.

The Advent season, observed in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a sacred time of preparation and expectation in the Episcopal Church. It marks the beginning of the liturgical year, inviting us to reflect on the coming of Christ—both in His birth at Bethlehem and His future return in glory. During Advent, we light candles on the Advent wreath each week, symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love. The readings and prayers guide us to wait with anticipation, not in idle stillness but with active faith, repentance, and hope, readying our hearts to receive Christ anew.

Advent calls us into a deeper relationship with God and one another. It’s a time to reflect on how we can embody Christ’s light in a world yearning for grace and redemption. Through communal worship, service, and prayer, we seek to align our lives with the transformative love of Jesus. As we prepare to celebrate His incarnation, we’re also reminded of our calling to live out His teachings in our daily lives, becoming beacons of His hope and promise to those around us.

Our Bishop’s Warden, Karen introduced the theme of gratitude last month by having a poster in the back of our Sanctuary where parishioners can write what they’re grateful for on pre-cut paper cut outs and place them on each month’s scene. Gratitude fills our hearts when we reflect on the abundant blessings we receive while serving our Lord. Every act of service, whether big or small, brings us closer to His grace, and we recognize that all we have comes from His hand. As we offer our time, talents, and treasures, we remember that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights" (James 1:17, NIV). With thankful hearts, we acknowledge that our service is not only a response to His love but also a participation in His ongoing work, which enriches our lives and deepens our faith.

As St. Matthias looks ahead to our upcoming community events, we ‘re filled with joy and excitement about the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with those around us. These gatherings are more than just occasions for fellowship—they’re moments where we can extend the love of Christ to our neighbors, inviting them into a space of grace, hope, and transformation. Whether through worship, outreach events, or simple acts of kindness, we ‘re committed to being a light in our community, spreading the message of God's love for all people.