Jesus and the Fourth Wall

In this week's Gospel (Mark 9:30-37) we get another dose of Jesus breaking the fourth wall. If you're not familiar with that phrase, it comes from media, particularly TV and movies in my experience, where the people inside the world of the show or movie look at the camera or make an aside that is … Continue reading Jesus and the Fourth Wall →

Pick up your cross

As we travel through Mark's Gospel in the Lectionary this summer, we arrive, with eleven weeks until the First Sunday of Advent, at the beginning of the first climax of Mark's Gospel. The end of Chapter 8 and the beginning of Chapter 9 are in my mind the most fascinating and compelling parts of the … Continue reading Pick up your cross →

Isn’t it ironic?

Irony is an undervalued virtue of the Gospel according to Mark. This Sunday's reading (Mark 7:24-37) is a prime example of irony in the Gospel of Mark, and is also - perhaps - the reading that should give us the most hope for humanity after the resurrection! So how is this ironic? Is it like … Continue reading Isn’t it ironic? →

We’re Back!

After a long break, the reflections section of the St. A's website is back. It will continue to be a mix of me, Rob Coulston, the St. A's Campus Minister, and the students of St. A's. We may add a few new voices too! I hope you will come along and take some time for … Continue reading We’re Back! →

Advent Appeal 2022

Dear Friends in Christ, As we come to the conclusion of this Advent season, I find myself filled with anticipation. Of course, there are the usual feelings of excitement as Christ comes among us again as the child of Nazareth, but I am also longing for the new semester and new year. We have just … Continue reading Advent Appeal 2022 →

Response to the Overturning of Roe v. Wade

St. Augustine's Chapel is in full support of safe, timely, affordable, and accessible abortion for all who want or require this valuable healthcare service. This statement is consistent with the statements of our denominational partners, the Episcopal Church (62nd General Convention, 1967) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2nd Convention, 1991). If you would … Continue reading Response to the Overturning of Roe v. Wade →

Give Thanks

Gratitude is the cornerstone of our Faith. From the earliest records in Genesis, through the sacrifices in the First and Second Temple, to Jesus sitting at table with his friends, and every service of Eucharist since (Eucharist literally means thanksgiving in Greek), we, as people of faith, have said "Thank you" to God. In this … Continue reading Give Thanks →

Senior reflection: Emma King

Throughout my time as a graduate student at the University of Kentucky, St. Augustine’s Chapel has provided a source of encouragement, support, reflection, and growth. I am grateful for each person I met through the chapel. They each introduced me to different perspectives, and their kindness and friendship have had a constantly positive impact on … Continue reading Senior reflection: Emma King →

Senior Reflection: Paige Barricklow

Starting my freshman year at Transylvania University was such an exciting chance for me to do experience new things while still being in the Lexington community that I had grown up as a part of. I was so excited to get involved in so many new things. Being the excessive extrovert I am, I immediately … Continue reading Senior Reflection: Paige Barricklow →

Party like it’s 325

While I am a well-known skeptic of combining the powers of Church and State, especially when one tries to control the content of the other, I look back on the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE and recognize they did a lot of good, despite the Emperor Constantine calling the council and tasked them with … Continue reading Party like it’s 325 →